palov death

After the guard died in the inn, Lourix informed Prince Eyrin that he had found Palov.

Prince Eyrin walked outside with Lourix. When they reached the spot, he saw something covered with a mat on the ground. Glancing at Lourix, he crouched down and carefully lifted the mat. As he raised it, he saw Palov's face, marred with scratches and blood.

"He's dead," Lourix said as Prince Eyrin placed his fingers under Palov's nose to check for breathing.

For a few moments, Prince Eyrin was silent, feeling a sharp ache in his heart. He finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, "Where did you find him?" he asked, turning his head slowly to Lourix, his eyes sullen and filled with sorrow.

Lourix hesitated before replying, "I searched for him and asked people if they had seen him. It all led me to the woods. When I found him, he was... he was self-harming.

"I called out his name, but it was like he couldn't see me, he could only hear. Then he said, 'Lourix, Prince Khane... there is a demon with him,' and spat blood."

"I tried to stop him, but I was too late. He struck himself with his sword and fell to the ground. Only then did he see me before his last breath," Lourix recounted, his voice heavy with the weight of the memory.

Prince Eyrin's face tightened, struggling to process the information. "He has a demon with him?" he asked as he gently covered Palov with the mat.

Lourix nodded slowly. "Your Highness, I believe Palov sent another letter about your whereabouts and Prince Khane before we entered Essed. How else would the eunuch know our exact location?

He couldn't bear to face you, so he did that to himself. That's what I believe," Lourix said, his tone calm but filled with underlying tension.

"You don't know Palov," Prince Eyrin said, his voice heavy with emotion as he stood up and walked inside the inn. His steps were slow and faltering, the weight of the recent events bearing down on him.

"Eyrin! You couldn't have killed that man. And when you did, your eyes lit with excitement. Why?" Lady Khillian called after him, her voice filled with concern as she watched him pass by, his gaze distant and unreadable.

Prince Eyrin ignored her, his mind consumed with the recent loss. He continued walking, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Lady Khillian's frustration grew. "Answer me, Eyrin!" she demanded, but Prince Eyrin walked past her without a word.

Lourix entered the inn, his face grave. "Lady Khillian, the man deserved to die, and I don't think you should be asking him about someone of less importance. We've just lost someone," he said firmly.

"Who?" she asked, stepping closer to Lourix, her curiosity turning to concern.

"Palov," Lourix replied, his voice somber. "He died this morning. Attacked by a demon, we think," he continued, his face reflecting the weight of the news.

"Palov..." she whispered, her eyes widening in shock. The realization of the loss hit her hard, and she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

"Lourix!" Prince Eyrin yelled from upstairs, his voice echoing through the inn.

"Yes, Your Highness," Lourix responded promptly, his attention snapping back to the prince.

"Find a suitable place and bury him well. Don't bury him in a shallow ground," Prince Eyrin commanded, his voice echoing down the stairs.

"I will," Lourix answered, his resolve clear.

Lady Khillian stood there, processing the tragic turn of events, while Lourix made his way to carry out the prince's orders.

************************************

As Prince Eyrin opened the doors to his chamber, he was startled to see a man sitting on a wooden chair and the eunuch standing beside him, hands hidden inside his sleeves.

"Who are you?" Prince Eyrin demanded, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the man on the chair. Then, shifting his gaze to the eunuch, he added, "We are not in the palace, but that does not mean you should not show respect. Get out, the both of you," he said, his voice low but authoritative as he stepped inside.

"You should kneel," the eunuch instructed Prince Eyrin.

However, the command fell on deaf ears. Prince Eyrin walked over to his bed and sat down, his gaze steady and unyielding as he looked at them.

"This is your prince?" the man sitting on the chair asked, his tone filled with disbelief.

The eunuch smiled apologetically. "Forgive him for the rudeness and forgive me. Yes, this is a prince of the kingdom, Prince Eyrin Vexar, the first prince," he said.

The man continued to stare at Prince Eyrin, his expression unreadable.

"Do you want your eyes plucked out? Get out!" Prince Eyrin threatened, his voice,ice-cold,his glare, piercing as he directed it at the man.

"You look like an enemy I know but have not been heard from for 18 years. How old are you?" the man asked, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Prince Eyrin.

Prince Eyrin's temper flared. He stood up abruptly, his movements sharp and decisive. The air in the room seemed to thicken with tension. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword from the sheath that lay on the bed, the blade gleaming in the light. He pointed it directly at the man, his stance rigid and commanding.

"Do you not fear, young man?" the man asked, his voice calm and unyielding, seemingly unfazed by the threat.

"You and your questions are already pissing me off this morning. Not only does this eunuch's face disgust me, but yours too is an eyesore," Prince Eyrin spat, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He took a step forward, his eyes locked onto the man's, filled with barely restrained fury.

"Slow down, boy. You don't want to hurt yourself," the man said, almost mocking him with a condescending tone. His eyes flickered with amusement as he watched Prince Eyrin's reaction.

"Do you think you are capable of hurting me? I already know what you are. I sensed it the moment I entered my chamber. Are you not a demon?" Prince Eyrin demanded, his voice rising with intensity. His posture was tense, his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike.

The eunuch stepped forward, his movements calculated and precise. His hands emerged from his sleeves, revealing a sealed letter. His voice remained steady as he addressed the prince.

"His Majesty asked him for help to take care of Essed. Whether the people agree to obey or not, Essed will still pay. And he's not just any demon, Prince Eyrin.

He is the great demon, Bain."