Chapter 28, deleted scene

Loyfti sped down the bewildering labyrinth of passageways, his feet just off the ground, a spark of silver at his heels. He was grateful for this magic allowing him to use a fraction of his flying abilities as a Sky Skiff whilst still in his usual form. Now he only wanted to be alone. To absorb the shock.

He settled woodenly in Thorvald's heavy armchair by the fire in the Lion Tower. Tears of frustration numbed his eyes. Today had confirmed stronger than ever his love for Eledy. Unleashed, it had grown into an all-devouring entity. Now, most glorious of all, he knew that she loved him. She had said so before, but he had thought it but hollow words, pitying him or in awe of his power that could so easily have struck her and her family down. Now – he had felt it. It touched him real and true, sweet and deep. Yet now he thought their love should be sealed they had been snatched apart. He would surely die untouched by that love. He had seen the look in the eyes of Revyek and Morrigu. They would not rest until he fell dead. He had many enemies. Then there were the dangers of the flyways he must use to reach Vandafar. Perhaps Revyek would use his escape as an excuse to wage war on Vandafar and destroy it? If he did return, then he thought to find Eledy married to Zephyron. He could not understand why poets sang of doomed love when it struck him as a most horrendous experience.

It would be a long time before he was discovered here, in the inner sanctum of the King's Hall. No one would expect him to flee into the heart of Thorvald’s dominion where danger should be at its worst. In this moment, a calm amid the storm, he reigned supreme. He basked in the feeling, plotting.

Jeering and cries from outside broke his reverie. Taking the stairs to the rooftop, he found Borghilda on guard. She looked astonished to see him. “What are you doing here? I was told that the Lion Tower was the safest place for me to guard if you sought me out to force me to fly you.”

Loyfti's eyes lit with triumph, as eager as a beggar spotting a coin. "Ah, Bowmaiden, stay here if you will. I expect to have need of you."

Loyfti set his gaze upon throngs of drained, dejected goblin children being herded across the courtyard below. The overseers appeared unnaturally harsh with their whipping and inciting the crowd to scorn of the Forest Goblins. Morrigu marched beside them, pushing any of the children who tried to struggle back into line.

Loyfti wanted more than anything to go to them, but he knew that Revyek expected this. It was a ruse to draw him out. If he went then not only he but also the goblin children would risk losing their lives. Without slaves in the King's Hall, he took the gamble that the goblins would be more valuable to the humans alive if using them as bait failed. The sooner he was found the sooner their ordeal would end. Loyfti wished he could free every one of the slaves, but he knew that for now he could not. Working undercover and without outside help had failed him catastrophically once and he would not try it again. He could only offer them hope to hold on to; to let them know he remained with them in spirit. So, he began to sing.



"In the dark of night, I hear you,

You wish upon a star and

You cry out to me.



So, I say I'll give you this to hold on to,

And may you keep it safe inside your heart.

I pray for you and wish you’ll keep strong,

And store love safe inside your heart.



For no one can take from you your homeland,

And no one can put fetters upon your heart.

And then one day you’ll have a place to belong to,

Just as you wish, free from their greed.



So, I hear you, I hear you,

And just you believe.

All shall be well, I hear you,

Just you hold on to

And believe in me inside your heart."



All the goblins joined with him in song, the new arrivals and the drudges across the citadel stilling in their work. A panel on the great window below him got thrown back and a girl's voice joined the chorus with gusto. Eledy knew it to be the right thing to do, though it was treasonable, and she feared for Loyfti. It meant much to hear her and know he had her support one last time.

Backing towards the fireside as the commotion eventually died away, Loyfti lounged comfortably in the shadows. He kept his place, poised to react to the next challenge as he heard it approaching.

Revyek strode in, trailed by his nephews. He didn’t look twice at the figure sat in his brother's favourite armchair. “Thorvald, join us. Loyti has been spotted on top of the Lion Tower no less. I suppose he’ll not linger to trouble you here. He’ll head to Vandafar and they’ll harbour him unless we spread word that he's a dangerous fugitive. It’ll be easy given his untameable nature."

"Is that so? I wonder what gives you that impression?" Loyfti said with mock innocence, relishing the aghast look on the faces of Theodred and Kai as they spotted him occupying their father's chair. He stretched his long legs nonchalantly towards the fire. "You know boys, one day it won't just be your father's armchair I've taken. It’ll be his throne."

"You villain! I'll see you dead first." Kai hurled the celestial globe detailing flight paths from his father's desk at Loyfti. It missed, clattering into the fire.

"Oh dear, such a waste of your father's prized possession. Now he won't be able to mark on it how Ardenland has dominion over the Nine Kingdoms through the flyways. Here, let me get it for you."

Loyfti reached down into the rush of flames as easily as putting his hand into water. Casting a gloating look at his astonished pursuers he dived into the flames and vanished.

...

Theodred stared around the room, horrified. "Where did he go?"

Revyek bent over the fire, searching. With a crackling rush a force hit him in the backside and he narrowly avoided toppling into the flames, landing with his hands in the cinders. He pushed himself away, shaking his blackened hands. The sound of wildfire fled to the door and slammed it. The key turned as Theodred pounded towards it. They made for the stairs to the battlements, but that door too was locked on them. Loyfti’s laughter reverberated through the door.

"Bowmaiden, I have need of you," he called as he made towards the stairs.

"Is that so? And where might you wish to fly?" Borghilda's voice came from nearer than Loyfti had expected. She had overheard the arrival of Revyek and his nephews and been on her way to help.

"Oh, well you know where. I'll set the Kingdoms ablaze if I must in order to bring these tyrants to heel,” Loyfti said.

Borghilda stepped back towards the door. "I'm afraid I shan’t be helping you there."

"What?" Even as Loyfti said this he heard her turn the key.

"Did you think you were the only one who might play tricks?"

"I should have used magic to secure the door, forget the key," Loyfti huffed. "I suppose this means you shan’t be flying me then? No matter."

Borghilda grabbed at Loyfti but he shrugged her off. Revyek and the princes surged after him. Loyfti sped up the stairs and on top of the Lion Tower as quickly as if he had used his Sky Skiff wings.

Revyek emerged onto the roof, his face shining with sweat from the chase. The energetic princes bounded by him.

"Caught you," Theodred cried with sadistic enthusiasm.

Kai curled his lips, scorning Loyfti for not showing shame or making a move to escape. Instead Loyfti fixed that infuriating smirk on his lips.

Theodred flung his arms out to grab Loyfti and closed them … on nothing. Loyfti vanished like a shadow when the sun goes in.