The Consequences of Choices

In Malinda’s office at the center of her wing, next door to the abodes of Tanya and Taryna, Malinda holds an open letter while sitting at her desk. Her eyes scan the text written on it, and the further she reads, the more her mouth curves upward.

“What did she reply with?” Tanya asks as she tries to catch what it says with a tilting body, but since she’s in front of the desk, it bears no success. “Is she coming?”

“She’s coming. Actually, it says at the end:

In addition to gaining this letter, we should already be traveling to your Honored presence.

Yours sincerely,

Madam Isavel Etheren, your faithful servant.”

Putting the letter down on the surface of the shining wooden desk for a second, Malinda raises her hand to give it to Tanya instead so she can quickly read through it also.

Finishing it, Tanya too gains a smile but yet a growing frown.

“Judging by the distance and time when we first sent the letter to her, she should be arriving tomorrow it seems like your great aunt. Rather forward, isn’t she?” Tanya wonders, folding the letter up and slides it into its resting place, then heads to a shelf to put it where all the read messages reside in alphabetical order – sorted by names. “I guess the sooner she starts, the better. After all, she and her family are renowned for making cities lustrous… at least in Tertinum domain. Madam Celyssa should’ve never driven her out. Such a disgraceful act.”

Tanya flickers her eyes at Malinda, “I mean…”

“There is no reason to hide it anymore, Tanya, because I feel the same,” Malinda affirms, putting up her hand, so Tanya doesn’t need to respond. “Though, what I don’t get is why she wrote… your faithful servant… I’ve only spoken to her a little bit before. My mother is… was the one who knew her, not me.”

“Miss, it’s simple why she would revere you to such a height,” Tanya says while her eyes narrow gently and her lips curl, smiling at Malinda’s naivety. “She, as most in the Sanctuary, wanted you to succeed instead of your brother. Actually, as you know, Lord Maldoran is the first male heir to the Tertin household. And I heard that Isavel also objected against your brother for taking the role of head of the family. Rather, Celyssa took advantage of your grief to throw her out after your parents died.”

Malinda’s eye gains a sudden twitch. Her annoyance for Celyssa ever growing.

Cerinn, however, just listens to the two women, having absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. She’s seated on a chair by the wall beside the entrance, being somewhat bored.

‘Why couldn’t I just go with him instead…? I hate being around Tanya. Always ordering me around and doesn’t give me any breaks to do what I want to do. And damn her, waking me up so early in the morning… Ugh, I shouldn’t have drunk so much… Though hearing all those moans…’ She begins to pout, squinting sourly at Tanya, which Malinda catches with a raised brow, causing Cerinn to lower her head in an instant.

‘That girl… She’s from my sister’s wing…’ Malinda recollects as she focuses on the task at hand.

She picks up her very own emblem stamp, then a red colored candle that’s burning, brightening the place up with the help of the blazing hearth and mounted lights. Tilting the candle, she stains a piece of fine parchment with the dripping wax. Right after, she presses her cold stamp to display her unique seal of a sword and shield while her initials, too, show.

“Take out as much as it’s needed to construct whatever Xe’Reth wants to build in my garden. Don’t spare any cost since I rarely take out anything from my treasury anyways. Mm… I better start spending it before I can swim in all that I’ve accumulated from my heritage and from everything my aunt has sent me,” Malinda says while handing over the paper to Tanya which’s going to the treasurers down in the Citadel’s vaults.

“As my Miss commands,” Tanya says courteously as she inspects the note to see that everything is in order. Nodding, she spins around as she waves. “Come now, Cerinn. It’s time for you to see something unbelievable that not many people can witness.”

Cerinn jumps from her seat as she urges, “Let’s go, let’s go!” even taking hold of Tanya’s arm to drag her out of the room. Treasure? Cerinn likes treasure. Maybe even take a piece or two for herself.

Disappearing out the opened door, Malinda shakes her head at them, sighing. ‘That girl will indeed need training of the tongue. And patience… Well, I could also need a little patience. Why can’t the day go faster? I just want it to be night again so I can be with Xe’Reth. He did say that we’re doing it tonight too.’

Malinda bites her lower lip and locks her fingers with elbows on the desk.

‘I shouldn’t have drunk so much wine last night… I can’t even remember anything… almost anything… Aw, aw!?’ A grimace appears on her face as her eyebrows furrow, moving her hand to her stomach. A sudden stinging pain. But as soon as it emerges, it dissipates, causing her to instead continue her daydreaming than focus on what that was. ‘Was the breakfast spoiled? Maybe that little girl's fault? Hmph, it doesn’t matter.’

She gets lost in thought, drifting away with eyes slowly closing.

…

Malinda snaps out a couple of minutes later as plate against stone sound out in front of her.

Recina, standing as straight and as formal as ever with an armor that Malinda doesn’t recognize. Worn-out armor even. Many inward bumps that haven't been repaired; scratches from unknown weapons, and arrow holes, but not overly damaged. Still, it’s wearable in the presence of an Honored One, for it gives a feel of accomplishment for having survived such an onslaught.

“Honored Miss,” Recina bobs her head, acknowledging her Mistress as always. Her squinting eyes, too critical of Malinda’s lack of awareness. So unlike her usual self. She raises one brow, “Are you tired?”

“What…? Oh. No. I was just in my thoughts,” Malinda chuckles as she touches her lips, recalling the kiss that she recently shared with Xe’Reth. “But that armor… I’ve never seen you in it before. It’s rather worn-out, isn’t it?”

“It’s my old armor. I had it on me on the battlefield before joining your Honored household, Miss. Before my mother died,” Recina says while growing silent, remembering the news of her mother’s passing. She was there at that battle but wasn’t able to save her from throwing away her own life to protect her husband. “It’s strange…”

“What is?” Malinda asks, leaning forward in curiosity. Recina has not had such a grave and sorrowful expression in awhile. It’s as if she’s afraid of something.

“It’s just that… I haven’t left for the Ebon Wall in such a long time. It just feels strange, that’s all,” Recina snickers while forcing a smile, which takes Malinda by complete surprise. However, she transforms into her stern and proud self in an instant. “But… I do not approve of my father being your aid. Yet… I concede to my Honored Mistress’ wishes. I’ll take care of your future husband. To form him into something that people will worship and fear. To make him into a worthy man suited to be yours. That I swear on my life. And if a battle comes to the Ebon Wall, I’ll take care of him, so you, my Honored Miss, will never experience pain ever again.”

Giving Malinda an elegant bow, Recina waits on her Mistress’ response with hands behind back and legs slightly spread. It’s truly an armor of history. It has black pauldrons with decaying scarlet borders at the edges and a large dark mantle fastened on both sides. Its chest piece, protruding outward for her bosoms to fit. She’s indeed a plated monster of war. Nothing Malinda wouldn’t expect of someone like her.

“Heh, I appreciate your conviction as always, Recina. But I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by my Xe’Reth. You’ve seen how he looks. His hidden physique – stronger than most. His mind – unparalleled to the lesser. So I wouldn’t underestimate him if I were you. Sure, I might’ve never won over you in a duel, but I’m sure my honey won’t disappoint me,” Malinda relishes with such a new smile arcing upward. She does like to brag now that he is hers. “Test him out however you feel. Because I, too, want to know what he’s hiding from me under those muscles. He’s different than most men. And honestly? He was too confident of himself in bed last night it seems, so I want to kind of see him in a slight pickle. Can you do that for me, Recina? Though, of course, after he has healed from his wounds.”

Malinda almost screwed up. She must remember that he was tortured. ‘I better be careful. My bath servants won’t surely speak if they find out of his torture? And my handmaidens… Dammit, we need to be smarter in keeping it a secret.’

“If I have your permission, then so shall it be,” Recina confirms, smiling back at Malinda who drums against her own fingers with elbows still on the desk, thinking that she can’t wait to see Xe’Reth’s face when he gets a training of a lifetime. “However, Miss, you’ve been neglecting your own body. Tomorrow, I expect you to be in the Sanctuary… And well, the one I’ve put in my place will see to it that the Battle-Maidens won’t become disorderly.”

“Oh yeah, how is the Sanctuary now?” Malinda asks as her face grows worrisome with eyes widening. “Have they found everyone yet?”

Recina shakes her head, “No, we haven’t yet. Three children remain hidden is what I’ve been told. And the others, well… The instigators will be busy for a very long time with new chores. Ereanna gave them an ear full.” She shrugs her shoulders. “But the Sanctuary should calm down in an hour or two.”

“Good,” Malinda says, nodding while she raises from her seat with a sigh. “Now it’s time to head to the front courtyard to await the DLO’s arrival. Come, let’s go. Then we’ll meet up with Xe’Reth in my garden.”

“Following your lead.”

Malinda leaves first through the opened door, then Recina but she doesn’t close it after herself, for servants of Malinda tidies up all the rooms in her wing when she isn’t present. Even letting candles and fireplaces burn without supervision is commonplace.

……

…

“I’m sowwy… *hic* I’m sowwy… I won’ do it again…” a child cries while being carried.

Snot and tears stain the uniform of the woman who’s being followed by two other adult maidens, holding two equally petulant children that ask for forgiveness for having run away from the Sanctuary. They can’t be more than ten years old, younger even. Three little rascals.

However, upon walking out into the throne room and arriving at the stairs, a voice resounds, “Are these the three escapees?” making the children bellow out their cries even more as they witness who it is that comes down the staircase. Their star, their idol, their Honored Lady that they worship like the Queens themselves.

“L-Lady Malinda…” The servant in the front curtsies with her legs only since holding the clutching youngster in her arms prevents her from doing anything else. She isn’t from neither Malinda’s nor Madelyn’s wing but from Celyssa’s. “It’s correct. These three are the last ones to be brought back.”

Frowning from the children’s crying, Recina steps forward, asking, “Where were they found? Speak.”

“We believe they came from the upper level, then went down the stairs on the northwest tower and hid in the battle-hall belonging to the Lord,” she says while lowering her head in humility since having the looming Recina standing there roots fright in her heart. More so now when she has such a monstrous armor on. “They… They will be dealt with according to the Matriarch's orders. But only the older ones will be harshly punished.”

“Be on your way,” Recina orders, jerking her head to the east.

Eying their departure, Malinda shakes her head with crossed arms while fisting her thin leather gloves that she dons. Bringing in poor children into the little riot that occurred last night makes Malinda raise her upper lip in disgust. Children, who can be so sick as to bring along such innocent creatures?

“I so want to know who was responsible for the riot…” Malinda growls, scowling with such fierce eyes. “No, rather, I want the guilty party to pay for their crimes for endangering the children’s lives.”

“It’ll be seen to, don’t worry, Honored Miss,” Recina comforts as she places her hand on Malinda’s shoulder. A move she wouldn’t normally do. But her Mistress has changed so quickly, and for the good of the faction too. She has started to think about her duties more than ever. However, Recina hasn’t gotten the information about what Celyssa did to her Mistress’ parents.

Many want Malinda to be the woman that the former head of the family was.

But who’s more similar to their mother in both mind and body?

Malinda… or Madelyn…?

……

…

A grinding of chains begins to rattle, rising up the innermost portcullis to the Citadel.

Two soldiers as yesterday are on both sides of the entrance. One coming from the outer gatehouse from signaling the gate-handlers, the other, standing in formation. But the soldiers aren’t the couple that Maldoran met. They’re two men with dark armor gleaming from the sun's rays with similar spears and shields in hands.

Though in front of the soldiers is a group of DLO agents hauling a fabric-covered cage up the sloping boulevard – some are on horses, but most are on foot.

The Writer of the party signals the others to hold their ground with a gloved hand forming into a fist to wait for the portcullis to fully open. And gaining the affirmative nod from the soldier, the Writer sweeps his arm yonder as he commands, “Onwards!”

The agents do as their Writer commands – they warily start moving forward, under the giant portcullis, into the Citadel grounds, and travels straight to the large courtyard where Malinda comes treading down from the stairs beside her devoted handmaiden.

Malinda points at the agents, saying rather sarcastically, “Great timing… for the DLO.”

Recina raises her one brow, wondering why she has such hatred for them, ‘Mm, I’ve been slacking in my duties. Let’s see how much ire she has. And what I’ve not heard from the reports.’

Three agents with their blue coat uniforms ride to go before the others to greet the Honored Lady in question for formality's sake. One, the Writer, a man of his middle years; his scrolls of rolled-up paper, his gear fastened to the back of his waist and the hanging, corked-up inkwell around his neck. He’s rugged and stern with short brown hair while his greenish eyes miss not a thing about Malinda’s movements.

The other two riders; a man and a woman, or more like a boy and a girl. Two new cadets out of the prestigious DLO school. Both of them stares desperately at each other as they steer their horses to the courtyard’s stairs, then nods with such serious eyes as if gathering the courage to face Malinda with their all.

Only they’re riding, while the other agents lag behind because the two horses that wheel the covered-up cage cry in terror as the grizzling behind the fabric resonances out for all to hear.

A horrifying roaring of an animal, only one, no other sound, only that single one. Clawing too clatters against the metal cage. A noise that oozes unease into the agents who help to soothe the horses, dragging them along toward their destination.

Malinda crosses her arms as she stands there at the foot of the stairs, raising her head while she squints at the cage, not at the incoming riders with their elegant maneuvering.

‘Why are they keeping them in such a little cage…?’ Malinda worries, switching with scowling eyebrows to the Writer who just now arrives. He swooshes off the horse, so does the other two as they kneel down since entering the Citadel is indeed an occasion that not many will experience. Formality is needed above all else.

“Honored Lady Tertin,” he greets, having his knee on the spotless cobble.

He even flickers his eyes in astonishment. It’s so clean compared to the outer Citadel grounds. The young agents, too, inspect their surroundings, then their heads turn to witness in awe the oh-so-beautiful Lady Malinda whose coldness and kindness have rung to all the City’s inhabitants. She’s fierce beyond their comprehension with those squinting sapphire eyes, while the plated giantess next to her, causes the two of them to gulp in silence.

“Your arrival is fortuitously early,” Malinda greets, flowing her open-palmed hand upward for them to rise, which they do obediently. Even the Writer who’s a strong-minded man falters in front of the Honored Lady. “I was expecting you to be late… as always...”

“Our Inquisitor sends her deepest apologies for not meeting you yesterday, Honored Lady,” the man bows his head, for not only has he been sent to deliver the goods, but he’s also here to take upon himself all the wrath that Malinda will give. Since when he reveals what hide behind those curtains of screams… damage control will be needed.

“I accept her apology, as meager as it is… since she’s giving me what I want,” Malinda nods but raises her brow as the other two agents who can’t be older than Xe’Reth comes into her judging view. Are they the ones in charge of the investigation in finding her lover’s torturers? Surely not, they’re too… Ordinary. They can’t be. However, she whips her hand, ignoring them entirely. “Now, the question is… Why are you keeping my bear cubs in such a little cage? It’s animal cruelty to have them in such a small space. And why are they covered up? Well, speak?”

Recina grows worrisome with looming eyes since the man knows his sentence, displaying in plain view on his downcurved mouth, his wrinkled eyebrows, and those closed eyes. He remains in absolute silence.

Malinda whips her head to the cage, then to the man. Again to the cage. Back and forth because the clawing and grizzling resound in her ears, causing her eyes to go utterly full. “What is going on here…?”

Recina in her clattering armor appears in front of her Mistress as swift and as monstrous as she can as though those three agents would launch with hidden weapons at her. But none of that occurs, only the remaining silence from them.

From their quietness, Malinda pushes away Recina to get sight of the Writer, growling out, “What have you done, you DLO dogs?! Answer me!”

‘They’re making such a… No, it’s just one that…—.' Malinda wrinkles her eyebrows in panic, not expecting such an occurrence. She’s just supposed to take them off the DLO’s hands, then bring them to her garden where Xe’Reth waits. ‘Oh no! Did something happen? When they were in the DLO headquarters…?!’

“Please, Honored Lady, you need to calm down,” the Writer urges, hardening his face to be unbending with closed eyes. Which raises a lip from Malinda.

“Calm down… you say…?” Malinda hisses with clenching teeth, and with the carriage and horses arriving meters away, she heads straight at it.

“Honored Lady!” the Writer shouts, running to stand in front of her so she can’t tear the curtain off to reveal what’s inside. “I urge you to calm down. You’ll not like what’s inside… For it has gone mad. Rabid even. So be careful.”

He does stand aside while lowering his head in shame because all of this could’ve been avoided if the headquarter’s storage had personnel guarding it. Yet, from what happened yesterday, all agents were on duty to help the City, hence the lack of security in the more protected areas. But it wasn’t entirely unforeseen considering that the mother bear killed those agents.

Vengeance for the death of loved ones has been dealt.

Malinda, she strides past the Writer while being oblivious to the grunting, growling, and the wailing inside the cage, making all the agents clear room for her by going to stand in rank a bit further away. Recina follows her Mistress faithfully right behind her but throws a frown at the Writer who takes it upon himself with his all.

But the closer Malinda gets, the lesser her steps tread. Her eyes flail around the cage; claw marks in the fabric, its roof tilts from the metal bars being bent, and the utter stillness as she finally stretches out her hand to pull the cover away, yet she hesitates with a gulp. She jerks her body to the Writer who surprisingly remains by the staircase in bafflement.

The noise has stopped altogether.

Agents with widened mouths and eyes gaze in wonder at Malinda, while she gulps again from all those expectations as if it is she who silenced the monster inside the cage.

Malinda scowls as she spins around, tearing away the curtain to reveal what’s inside.

Horror shudders in her eyes upon staring at the single remaining bear cub whose fur is dripping blood; wounds all over its body. Nothing fatal, but still, blood is running, hitting the wooden floor of the wagon and a whining snout scenting the air, scenting Malinda, and for some wonderous reason, its arm stretches out as if wanting its mother.

Not thinking straight from this shocking scene of witnessing such a rare animal for the first time in her life, Malinda bends, taking the paw in her hands.

Some of the bear cub’s claws have been broken off from all the scratching and clawing at the bars of the cage. It’s a horrifying sight, of pure animal cruelty.

“Honored Miss, be careful, it might lash out at you…” Recina warns with a thrusting arm, pointing at it since she has never seen such a species before. Pure black. ‘Ah… Now I get it. It has the boy’s features. No wonder why she wanted those bear cubs… Cubs? Oh no…’ Recina too realizes the troubling view in front of her.

The Writer steps closer to the cage while apologizing, “Honored Lady, forgive us, but the storage of the DLO was broken into… And well… Friends of those who died… They…” The man scowls, shaking his head in embarrassment.

But having come to terms with it before arriving here, the man straightens his body to be as formal as he can be.

“They killed the other bear cubs because of what their mother did to our agents. Family members, friends… We should’ve put more security on those animals. But fortunately, one remains slightly unharmed. Yet, they’re only beasts that shouldn’t be left alive. They are an endangered species, for they are indeed a terror to be dealt with when they’re adults. They can’t be controlled, it’s too dangerous. So I urge you to put it down while it’s still weak.”

The bear cub’s snout raises and lowers, again and again, smelling Malinda’s scent which has a distinct aroma all over. A familiar odor that’s calming to the bear cub. It presses its head against the bars, gazing and wailing at Malinda in longing which she witnesses, even stretching out her hand to bravely caress its head, feeling the thick and sturdy strands of hair running through her fingers.

Those utterly blackened eyes…

Its fur has gashes that exude blood, but nothing profound, even starting to heal. However, Malinda doesn’t know that.

She panics, letting go of the bear’s paw, sinking it down, so it hits the edge of the wagon. As she does that, Recina tilts forward, staring at Malinda’s expression that begins to contort into pure rage and anxiety. For they’re Xe’Reth’s bears, not hers. Xe’Reth’s only friends in the mountain valley. But now dead, only one remains.

What’s she supposed to tell him…? That the DLO killed them?

Her lips spasm, trying to find something, yet she’s unsuccessful.

She shudders out a breath, covering her eyes with palms. Even a headache starting to grow in her. And the pain in her stomach returns. Stinging her, urging her rage on even further.

Xe’Reth has been through so much already, and adding this to his worrisome mind? Malinda doesn’t want to hurt him, but what else can she do than to take this bear cub to him, as injured as it is? ‘Yes… I should take it to him immediately… So he can… nurse it to health.’

“But considering that agents died because of their monstrous mother, I would say that it was a just deserved reward for such monsters,” the man adds, nodding to himself, while the others also do the same, agreeing with him wholeheartedly. Since after all, fellow members died in the line of duty and should be given their owed revenge.

Malinda stops her panicking from hearing that.

‘DLO…’ She grits her teeth, fists her hands, and her eyes full of fury. ‘They can all just die for all I care… Making my Xe’Reth experience pain… time and time again… He should’ve killed them when he had the chance…’

Spinning left with such swiftness, she pulls out Recina’s sheathed sword, then thrusts it straight towards the Writer’s face, but steers it to his cheek. Making him taste the wrath that would come if he was Malinda’s enemy, but she just tears flesh in a straight line.

Everyone gasps, but not Recina, for she allowed her to take her sword.

The Writer stumbles backward, walloping the cobble, even bumping his head on the stone, while the two young agents shout, “Uncle!” as they run to him, to support him, but their own weapons remain undrawn.

The others are stunned in place. However, their expression says it all. Such a fast pirouette and thrust. A precision one would dream of. Because if Malinda would be slightly off her aim, she could injure him greatly.

“H-Honored Lady…!?” the Writer shouts, gaping in shock at her cold blue eyes that glare at him from above.

“If you open your filthy mouth again, I’ll see to your family’s destruction,” Malinda snarls with all the ferocity she can muster. Only her soul-stealing eyes scream at the Writer, for she gazes at him as if he’s nothing but dirt. And switching to her handmaiden, she points at the Writer. “Now Recina...”

“H-H-Honore—“ the Writer reels in horror as Malinda whips her scowling and venomous eyes at him, shutting his mouth as he remembers her words.

“Now…” Malinda repeats with a growl, sliding the sword back into Recina’s scabbard, which’s stained with slight blood, for the Writer’s cheek rivers.

Bowing, Recina with her tongue and mouth whistles, making a sharp and piercing sound to shoot out to the Battle-Maidens that are inside the Citadel – in their sentry posts – on both sides before one enters the throne room.

Just moments ago, one could see armored maidens glancing from windows since Recina prepares too much for her Mistress, so much so that she’s kind of silently brooding because of the new responsibility that has been set upon her, namely, Xe’Reth. Though if she had kept an eye on Malinda’s wing last night instead of aiding the Sanctuary… then she could’ve stopped Taryna’s unnoticed betrayal.

Now from the entrance to the Citadel itself comes four black monsters in plate armor. They march down the stone stairs with various weapons of their choosing and head towards their Lady to protect her, to surround her in a four-woman formation, plus Recina who unsheathes her bloodied sword, pointing it at the Writer while raising her head.

She has total control of her emotions. Her Mistress’s emotions? Not so much. But Malinda’s orders are final, and if she told her to murder this filth, she would, without question.

“Your orders, my Honored Mistress?” Recina asks as she peers at the Writer who’s in total shock.

Every agent is surprised. Why would she do this? They’re just animals, no, monsters in the DLO’s eyes. But for Malinda, they’re much more than that. They’re memories of Xe’Reth’s past. Even with the bear cub’s wailing now that the air has gone ominous, Malinda is peaceful, as if in a trance of insanity.

She just wants to eradicate these creatures in blue. Yet, she hasn’t begun her life with Xe’Reth, it has just started. Ending it now by killing this filth wouldn’t give her a chance to live in bliss under his warm gaze.

“Throw these insects out of my Citadel,” Malinda orders, turning around to the bear cub to wave it in with a gentle smile, so it comes closer because it has retreated in fear from the loud shouts and the surrounding people. However, it hesitantly does stagger in its cage to her. “Don’t you worry my baby… boy…? No… girl? Hmm, nevermind, but you’ll never be harmed again by those monsters.”

Recina whips her head to her Battle-Maidens, commanding with a total unyielding expression, “You four, escort those agents out, while I take care of these three…”

The Battle-Maidens nod, saluting Recina as they hurry towards the enemies of their Mistress’.

“L-Leader…!?” a female agent shouts, gawking at the Writer who just now stands up, rubbing the back of his head. But he gives his subordinates an affirmative go-ahead to leave, which they obey.

Filing out with Battle-Maidens at their sides, the agents move with different faces of fear, nervousness, and slight hatred for the pompous act of Malinda. To actually harm a superior officer of the DLO. Yet most know if they were to display any ill will to an Honored Lady, they would be destroyed utterly. It’s a City where they live and eat. A City that’s owned solely by the Tertin family.

If the family wanted to, they could throw every single person out without repercussion, well, of course, the property that the people themselves have bought is the only goods that they don’t own. All the buildings have been approved by the Tertin household, even outside the walls – in the countryside – have they given permission to build.

There are small and big settlements in the Tertin domain, led by senior servants, old ones, for one can’t trust outside people to take care of the vast area that the Tertin family have. An area, like the City, that has been neglected but yet not.

The Matriarch has known of these problems as soon as they emerged. However, she didn’t say anything because the more she held back – doing everything in the shadows – the more she can use it against Celyssa when the time comes for her to be imprisoned… or more preferably, killed.

The anger towards the Bradinox family runs too deep to simply forgive and forget. The Sanctuary demands the blood of that entire family, from both children and adults. For there is a brewing evil that Xe’Reth haven’t yet noticed. And maybe he’ll not see it until it’s too late.

“You may now leave with your fellow agents, Writer,” Recina says with indifference, flowing with her hand to their horses.

“Wait…” Malinda interrupts, standing up while the bear cub reaches out its paw to stop her from leaving and whines out in loneliness. An unsuccessful try. Malinda runs her fingers on her lips, squinting at the agents, then to the horses, gaining a smile. A real smile of madness. “You may leave on foot. I'll take the horses as payment. A payment that can never be wholly paid.”

“W-What… Uncle, no!” the Writer’s niece shouts in objection. Her eyes wanting to cry, not expecting Malinda to say that. It’s a horse she picked out, a horse that she has had for a long time. And parting with it would shatter her heart. Even his nephew grows in hostility, showing on his lowered eyebrows which Recina glares at.

“Mm, before you leave,” Malinda says, completely ignoring the girl’s voice of complaint. And seeing that the Writer hasn’t opened his mouth yet, pleases Malinda. He knows his position. But what Malinda wants is the names of those who dared kill the other bear cubs. “You think I wouldn’t want to know the names of those disgusting criminals? Well? I allow you to open your filthy mouth. Tell me who killed them.”

Pressing a handkerchief that was given to him by his niece onto his cheek, dotting it, he lowers and straightens his arms then bows with his upper body, “I cannot reveal such information for the sake of the perpetrators’ safety, Honored Lady. It’s DLO business, and not for you to worry about. We’ll take our leave now… on foot… as you said.”

“Uncle, please…” the niece whines, tugging at his ornamented sleeve.

“Be silent,” he snaps, putting his arm around her shoulder as he begins to walk past the horses with her and the following nephew whose troubling expression, too, voices out his complaint of taking his possession.

But from the silence – as their backs are turned – comes horrifying neighs, and a big thud on the cobble echoes in the courtyard, making the three spin around in haste.

Recina without a weapon, while Malinda, she holds her handmaiden’s now dripping sword which has cut off one of the horses’ heads.

“Aahhhh! Nooooo!” the niece screams as her horse lies dead with blood pouring out of its decapitated neck, while the uncle and nephew, stare in horror. What madness has come over the Honored Lady? The bear cub too retreats in fear, remembering how its siblings were tortured and played with, then ultimately killed to satisfy the families and friends that had snuck into the storage area where they were kept.

“Battle-Mistress! Are you going to let her kill such excellent breed of horses?!” the Writer shouts with widened eyes since he had given his niece that horse as a birthday present some years back. And witnessing such a scene makes him sick to the stomach.

DLO agents of high rank are paid rather handsomely for their loyal duty to the Kingdom. But those horses are one of the better breeds. Sure, they get horses for free when they formally join the DLO, yet those doesn’t compare to these ones.

Recina squints in pain because Malinda has done something atrocious, something she wouldn’t normally do. She should’ve stopped her, that’s for sure. Though, getting Malinda’s venomous eyes at her now? She decided not to intervene. But killing a horse so ruthlessly? Recina worries for her Mistress, almost as though Malinda is turning into Madelyn.

The niece falls to her knees, clutching her fists on her lips while screaming out in sorrow, trying to contain her voice, but the still lying horse’s corpse makes it unbearable for her. Without warning, she yells, “You’re a complete monster! How can you just kill something that’s like family to me?! Like it’s nothing to you?! Are you heartless?! You two-faced whore!”

“Take her home right this instant, boy! Go!” the uncle snaps with such a sharp and loud tone, thrusting his finger-pointing hand to the portcullis, which the nephew does willingly since his sister might be in some real trouble for just saying such blasphemous profanity.

“Let go of me! Uncle, she should be arrested! She just committed a crime! Uncle!” the young lady screams as she’s being dragged away by her brother. She fights back as much as she can, but it’s all for naught because her brother is a strong man. His tightly fitted uniform displays his well-trained body as he flexes his muscles, fighting back against her flailing arms and legs.

She actually wants to hurt that grinning woman.

‘I’ll make her pay… I’ll make you pay Malinda!’ Conceding to the stronger force, her head wilts as tears roll down her face, being heartbroken.

The body of his sister suddenly becomes a lot heavier as it goes limp. His whole face has contorted in grief. An entire unexpectant event. Even his own horse will probably meet the same fate.

Just as he thinks about it, Malinda jerks the reins of his horse, trying to calm it down from its long-lived companion’s death. And having it standing as the silent night, she raises her arm with Recina’s sword in hand. The brother reacts from her movement, becoming stunned in place as he goes past the fountains.

Malinda, she closes her eyes with such a smile…

‘Revenge…’

They’ll feel how she feels.

Opening her extremely calm eyes, she whips her peer to the brother, smirking while her whole body remains motionless. Only the wind-slicing arm cascades down, aiming for the horse’s neck. But instead of being filled with horror, he, instead, is filled with relief in his heart.

Her handmaiden has stopped the blade from reaching the neck.

“Forgive me, Mistress, but it’s enough,” Recina says, holding Malinda’s wrist in her gauntlet, squeezing it, forcing it to stay up since Malinda tries to push it downward, to get her revenge on the DLO. “Look what you’ve done… Is this something your Xe’Reth would like to see you do? Killing innocent animals? Showing such ruthlessness?” Recina wrinkles her brows, lowering her head. “I can’t let you humiliate yourself any longer.”

Malinda in her rage-filled mind gazes down at the ground; a river of blood. That snaps her out of her trance as she steps backward. Recina’s sword slips out of her hand, clinking onto the cobble as it lands to be soaked in crimson.

“W-What am I doing…?” Malinda shudders as a growing pain courses through her whole body and mind.

Her eyes wander to the bear cage where the cub whines out in fright, then to the horse’s corpse, gawking at it as it turns her excruciating stomach.

The nightmare... Blood. Being surrounded by it. Being drowned by it.

Her lips start spasming as the sight of so much blood causes a cold sweat to take over her body. She runs away to not stand in it, away, just away. ‘No, no, no! No! Please don’t make me remember, I don’t want to think about it! No please, I didn’t want to kill you! I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Xe’Reeeth…’

She sits crouched down a bit further away as though some servant that have been punished by her Mistress.

“Leave now, Writer! You’ve seen nothing! And if I hear any rumors about this, I’ll make sure your whole family will pay for it. Now leave!” Recina shouts with such scowling eyebrows as a thrusting gauntlet erects towards the portcullis. “And take those two horses with you on your way out! Leave the remaining two fastened to the wagon, go!”

“We shall never meet again, farewell,” the Writer salutes, glaring at Malinda who’s beyond shock. ‘You can never judge someone by their status… Lucky for her that Rissara will pardon whatever crime she would commit here today. Have already committed… Honored Ones…’

The Writer takes the reins of the animals, giving one last glance at the dead horse.

With a boot going into the stirrup, he heaves himself up with ease as he swiftly pulls it toward his relatives. Then smacking into the horse’s sides, he makes it gallop while dragging along his own horse with his hand, even going past his crying niece and his sister-dragging nephew who’s almost at the portcullis.

“Let us depart this Divine-forsaken place!”

“With pleasure, uncle!”

……

…

The portcullis has lowered to let none inside.

The Battle-Maidens haul the bear-filled cage with the help of the remaining two horses, while the servants whose eyes widen upon coming out to the courtyard, stare in absolute shock; a horse decapitated and a handmaiden that escorts her weeping Mistress.

Recina holds Malinda by her shoulders as she directs her to the west, to go behind the Battle-Maidens with ease. Slow and with careful steps because Malinda, she’s bewildered. Her breath uneven, her body, so cold with arms rubbing up and down. Her stomach hurts, all kinds of ailments of both mind and body sting her entire being.

One of the Battle-Maidens clatters to Recina’s side, awaiting orders about the dead horse.

“Clean everything up. It must be spotless,” Recina commands.

Her head goes to the servants that came from the stables. They, most of all, peers with slight disgust. An amazing creature killed in such an unfit manner. Who could’ve done this? The DLO? The Battle-Maidens? No, of course, it’s Malinda, but the servants weren't here when it happened.

However, from the servants’ office by the built out part of the Citadel where a window is aligned perfectly with the courtyard, stand Celyssa with Linadra who gazes and saw everything that transpired.

A Mistress running away from the blood then crouched down in horror, muttering words to herself; a handmaiden that comforted her Miss, and servants springing from all sides.

Servants in shock and in confusion, but, when Recina had picked up her scarlet dyed sword from the pool of blood, she gave glares to everyone, telling them with those eyes that it was she that cut off the horse’s head and not her Mistress. None else knows that Malinda killed the animal, expect for the DLO agents, and now… Celyssa.

……

“She has such incredible strength… Just a single sweep…” Linadra whispers in awe, yet she sinks her head in embarrassment upon meeting Celyssa’s scowling eyes. She complimented her. Something she shouldn’t be doing right now because her Mistress and Malinda aren’t in the best of moods. Turning around, she taps her foot and crosses her arms. “Where in the Divines is my daughter… I sent someone to get her. What’s taking her so long?”

“Relax, Madelyn is in a foul mood, so I don’t think Liriana has the courage to ask for a leave just yet. She’ll prepare to depart for the Ebon Wall in an hour or two. Let’s just wait,” Celyssa sighs, exhaling with so much air while shaking to try to remove her own headache. “And how is your husband doing, has he finished preparing for the dinner?”

“H-He has…” Linadra answers with furrowing brows, biting her lip in worry. “But do we really need to… you know… do what we’re going to do? Hasn’t there been enough deaths?”

“Either that boy dies, or my daughter will suffer more pain. I’m just choosing my little girl. And you know about my parents’ health. They’ll soon die, that’s for sure. Good riddance. They’ve only caused harm to so many people. It’s clear my sister is involved in their fates. And she, like them, will just accelerate our progress to the point of almost being found out.” Celyssa begins walking back and forth on either side of the window, considering real hard about her next move. A speech. She’s going to need a good enough speech to rally the masses in her favor. “I want a speech written for tomorrow. Both the underprivileged and the regular commoners need to be lullabied into my hands. The noble families will fall in line as always.”

“It’ll be as you order,” Linadra says with heels clanking on the floor, arriving at the office door. Opening, she bows, “Your husband will be coming shortly to introduce you to his officers, so be prepared. But hopefully, he’ll meet up with the boy as soon as possible.”

Celyssa waves her away with a flick of her hand as a click resounds in her ears.

She’s alone.

She goes to sit in her grand chair, causing Celyssa’s fingers to drum on the leather surface that protects her table from any harm to the wood. She just can’t calm down. Her whole head is filled with scenarios that could happen. Her daughter… Malinda and Madelyn. Her husband, the City, all the work that she needs to do, and the sickening feeling of what her elder sister told her.

If Celyssa were to disobey, her daughter would not get the medicine.

She must kill Xe’Reth, there is no second option… other than turning to the Matriarch for help…

But the Sanctuary would rather see her burn at the stake than assist the murderer of their beloved Master and Madam. They won’t rest until all of them burn, burn, and burn. Both children and adults alike. All of them must pay, that family must pay.

All of them shall die…

……

…

Rounding to head straight Northwest on a flat stone walkway, Recina supports her shaking Mistress. Malinda almost stumbles for every step she takes. Her mind is drained, her body has suddenly become too weak to stand.

The neighing Stable’s and the clinking blacksmiths’ area are on their right side, while on the left side, a green field of flowers and herbs and vegetables of various colors, and on the same side, a wooden house – a large one at that – have been built. Its wooden material, new but proud.

It’s the healer’s house that belongs to Linadra and her husband. Liriana too has her possessions inside.

Recina spins to the left to not follow her Battle-Maidens who handles the cage with the horses, yelling, “We’ll meet you at the entrance to the labyrinth! Wait there!”

They turn to salute, bobbing their helmeted heads in confirmation.

Treading over a curved bridge with a water channel under it, Recina gazes at Malinda’s flustered face. ‘This isn’t right… Why is she experiencing this now? Well, she hasn’t been sick in a while… so maybe she has caught something?’

“Where… Where are we going…?” Malinda asks with aching brows while her eyelids try to remain open, but her uneven breathing drains all her strength.

“Whoa! Easy there!” Recina alarms, taking a firmer grip around Malinda since she almost falls over. “Hang in there, we’ll soon reach the healer’s house. He’ll know what illness you’ve. Most likely a fever of some sort.” She stops talking to herself, realizing that her Mistress isn’t listening, or more like can’t hear.

But with raising eyebrows, Recina remembers what happened to Madelyn yesterday at the training ground where all the city guard were gathered. The Lady had begun wobbling around, had felt a growing headache, and the drainage of energy in her entire body. Sure, that armor was too heavy for her, but she was handling it with ease before she felt those symptoms.

Madelyn had a strength which she didn’t have… before she got Xe’Reth’s blood…

‘Hopefully, the illness doesn’t spread… But can it be… Can it be the boy’s mother has brought in such a disease?’ Her eyes go wide as her feet steps off of the bridge onto solid stone again. ‘Don’t tell me… Is the Fire-Brand disease contagious?!’

Recina swings Malinda’s body to carry her, only gaining a slight response from her Mistress’s rapid exhaling and inhaling.

Her handmaiden dashes with Malinda in her plated arms, being afraid that Malinda has really caught the Fire-Brand disease because she knows nothing about healer business.

The dirt-infested servants tending to the greenery on the sides of the pathway cover their mouths with their garden gloves, their eyes flickering in surprise about an Honored Lady being carried, and the real worry since they recognize both of them.

Some even worry too much, yelling out, “What has happened Battle-Mistress!?”

“Is she sick!? Hurry, the healer is inside!”

But Recina ignores the voices around her, lowering her gaze to Malinda as if she’s about to die. So much fright in her heart for her Mistress because she loves her as she loves her own dead mother. Yet, Recina is much older than Malinda.

Speeding up her feet, Recina clashes her plate boots up the few stairs of the veranda. And putting Malinda on her feet, she tears the door open as she roars, “Healer, emergency!”

She spares no time.

Lifting Malinda up again to carry her, she steps into a hallway which’s lighted up with lanterns.

A staircase to go to the second level; openings to other rooms. A living room. A healer’s area filled with apothecary supplies riddling the counters and shelves. Scents that's different from the outside. The various colored candles and herbs ooze calming aromas. And a man whose fast moving feet resonates in the wooden staircase, gaining widened eyes upon seeing his Honored Lady in such a state.

“What has happened to her? Come, quick. Put her down on the examination table. Hurry!” the man snaps as he claps his hands at Recina.

He follows after them into his place of work, eyeing a special area of the room. But he ignores the vial that’s supported by a metallic holder, going to ask what’s wrong instead. He has almost never seen to Malinda before. She has hardly ever been sick, only minor illnesses, nothing serious for his attention. Nevertheless, he’s the official Citadel healer, and he tends to all who needs him.

However, in the Sanctuary, he dares not to tread.

“Lady Malinda, can you hear me? How are you feeling?” the healer asks, snapping his fingers beside her ear to get her attention because she’s rocking back and forth while she sits on the examination table, almost not able to keep her head up. Plus, he must be extremely careful to not do anything she doesn’t want to do. He can’t recklessly feel the temperature of her forehead without permission, as like Madelyn who wailed and whined yesterday, and the day before that.

“Battle-Mistress, what has happened to her? It’s as if she’s in a trance…” the healer examines, clicking his fingers some more. Still, no response from the Honored Lady.

“I thought you would know… That’s your profession,” Recina answers, glaring at the tall, short brown-haired man who’s rather fit for someone who stays in most of his days.

His full-bearded face is handsome but average since most of his features are hidden. While those brown eyes of his, gentle-looking yet severe. On his body, he’s wearing dark pants, a pair of shiny shoes, and a no-sleeved shirt on top of a long-sleeved white one.

“Though… I’m curious, Battle-Mistress…” the healer nocks an eyebrow, squinting at the plated mountain. “Lady Malinda has individuals of the same profession as me. So why would you come here, instead of going to her own people?”

Recina frowns, keeping Malinda from falling forward. It’s true, she didn’t need to come here, but since it was in the vicinity, Recina decided that it would go faster than to return to her wing. Yet through her lack of knowledge from the Sanctuary, she has done something terrible. Bringing her Mistress to the man that distributed the disease to Malinda’s parents.

“My Honored Mistress just recently started to experience these… signs… when we were on our way to the Labyrinth coming from the courtyard. Just… Just all of a sudden, and so quick. And because you’re here, I decided it to be paramount that she gets a check up,” Recina explains as her worrying eyes peer at Malinda’s trembling breath. She glares up at the healer again. “Well…? What does she have?”

“Am I allowed to examine her?” he asks, almost as if surprised by Recina’s statement of him knowing it by sight.

“You may, but be quick about it,” Recina gives a confirming nod with scowling brows.

He spares no time, he puts his knowledgeable palm on Malinda’s forehead, making him recoil a bit from it being the average temperature. Furrowing his expression, he feels Malinda’s wrist. Her pulse is so fast and so irregular. He lets go as he flows his hand to Malinda’s neck, feeling the same quick and unnormal pulsation.

“What’s the matter…? What does she have for kind of illness…?” Recina worries. But upon seeing Malinda’s contorted face all of a sudden, she shouts, “Why is she in pain…?! Healer?!”

“Ah… M-My stomach… My… stomach…” Malinda whines with every single word, clutching her fisted hands above her waist. With eyes also going wide in horror, her hands start shaking and waving as they go to her mouth, signaling for something, which the healer responds with by running to get a bucket.

Malinda covers her mouth as her cheeks bloat, trying to hold in something while her throat starts to make gag reflexes.

Arriving with a bucket in front of her, Malinda snatches it immediately from the healer’s hands with all the strength she can muster. With that, she pukes out her breakfast.

Her handmaiden’s head sinks in complete worry, rubbing her back and holding her ponytail, so it doesn’t get stained. While the healer, he goes and pours a water cup, then brings a cloth for Malinda to wipe her mouth with.

“I thought that she either got some contamination from Xe’Reth’s mother, but she might have the same… Well, Madelyn returned yesterday with similar signs as my Mistress, but Madelyn never puked, right?” Recina ponders.

It’s not the same.

Malinda never gained new strength like Madelyn did, yet what Malinda is going through now, it’s like something is draining her of every thread of her being. And that contortion in her stomach pains her the most as if something is being rearranged.

Malinda coughs a couple of times as she raises her head from the bucket; teary eyes, shaking lips, and the extreme pain. Never subsiding, always tugging at her stomach. But her eyes goes wide again, descending her head once more.

The rest of her breakfast empties her.

……

After minutes have passed, Malinda sits without support, only hugging herself with her own coiling arms to try to warm her body from this coldness; a mug empty, a cloth piece with saliva residue, and a hand placed on her forehead, checking Malinda’s warmth.

“Hmm, it’s indeed peculiar,” the healer reflects, removing his palm. He knows almost every disease there is, but he can’t put his finger on what Malinda’s got. “Honored Lady, can you answer me a couple of questions, if you don’t mind?”

“W-What…? What am I doing here… I… I need to meet with Xe’Reth… He’s waiting for me…” Malinda mutters, trying to get on her feet. However, Recina holds her in place, sensing her Mistress’ weakened self from just gripping onto her. It takes nothing to keep her on the examination table. “R-Recina… Gaah!” She clutches against her stomach with such a grimace.

“For the Divine Queens’ sake, do something!” Recina barks, thrusting forth her gauntlet to grip his shoulder. But he just frowns, pushing away her hand as he goes around the table to browse a shelf with an amount of various colored vials and concoctions.

‘What in the…’ He raises a brow as his eyes flicker in dumbfoundedness. ‘Why are some missing…? Have I used them? No. No, I’ve not. Someone has been inside here…’ His eyes narrow. ‘But who? The Sanctuary? Most likely. Those damned… I must report it to Madam.’

He snaps out of his slight irritation, picking out an empty, clean, and entirely new mortar and pestle at the very top shelf with multiple others just waiting to be taken. Then he starts stretching out his arm to choose different ingredients hanging down from above the ceiling and in glass containers on the shelves, working with the precision of an experienced healer.

But his eyes travel carefully to the vial that he had prepared before they came. A gift for a certain somebody that recently arrived at the Citadel. Because an order was given, and he shall abide by his Madam’s verdict as he had four years earlier. ‘Better hide it away.’

He places the herbs, the mortar, and pestle beside the vial as casually as he can, opening a closed safe with a key, then with such carefulness, he puts it in there, locking it after.

He begins working on the medicine for Malinda, an entirely unknown recipe to the two ladies. It’s for the nonexistence fever, upset stomach, and to rejuvenate Malinda. Expensive ingredients while some are extremely rare ones too.

For all they know, it might be poison to murder Malinda since Celyssa was ordered to do so years ago but refused, only killing the current Lord and Lady Tertin. Yet who knows what kind of allegiances this man has. Maybe he takes orders directly from the Bradinox family and not Celyssa? And it would be a perfect opportunity to blame it on the newly arrived young man if he were to give her something now.

One can only pray…

……

…

Outside on the bridge leading to the healer’s house comes Annettria with such grave eyes. She’s actually running with a couple of bun-haired servants as though their lives depends on it, making the garden servants stop tending to their jobs again. Likewise, as before, they gawk in shock but doesn’t move from their spot.

It doesn’t take long before they arrive at the stairs of the house, and Annettria can’t spare any time; she leaps up onto the veranda, being followed by Malinda’s servants whose eyes are as their superior, dangerous and extremely deadly. All of them are filled with rage because they’re no mere servants.

The door is closed. But Annettria as swift as a shadow opens it and heads inside, moving with silent but quick footsteps as her eyes finally see with horror in her widened lids; the healer is about to give Malinda his prepared slime, his filthy mixture!

Annettria dashes with death-thrusting hands, catching Recina’s slow moving head turning towards her, but Annettria’s mobility is too fast for the unguarded Battle-Mistress. Her hands reach her goal in time, one choking the healer’s throat, the other, crushing his wrist while turning the mixture away from the trance-stricken Malinda who’s so weak she can’t even keep herself awake.

The mortar falls from the healer’s hand, crashing to the wooden floor as it splashes the blend all over the place. And pushing with such fury, such strength, Annettria flings him backward, making him hit his head on the wall by the single cleared out area. Even the vertical wooden plank on impact cracks a little, knocking him out cold without him knowing what happened.

Only the teeth-clenching expression of death is what he saw.

“Annettria?! Have you gone mad?!” Recina gasps as she switches to the healer, wanting to run and check up on him, but refrains from it because Malinda is more important.

“You foolish brute!” Annettria shrieks with such new dread. An expression that’s so vile, so much hatred. To think that one of Malinda’s own handmaidens would be a betrayer. To bring her to this place?! “How dare you?! How dare you endanger our Mistress’s life?! You damned deluded wench! Matilda will rise from her grave if anything happens to her rightful heir!”

Annettria swooshes her hand to point at the healer, setting in motion the servants who’re standing out in the hallway, waiting for orders.

“See to it that he hasn’t died, and after that, carry him upstairs,” Annettria commands, switching her pointing finger to Recina. “And you… You and I will have a long conversation after we’ve brought our Mistress back to her wing.” She glares at her bafflement, “Well?! Pick her up and move, damn you!”

“I… I don’t understand… What is the matter with you?” Recina asks with wrinkling eyebrows while her eyes are as wide as they can be. She knows Annettria well enough but hearing words of anger, that’s a first. She’s usually the collected one, and caring is what she has experienced. “I-I haven’t done anything wrong. I just wanted to have her checked up. She’s very ill at the moment, can’t you see? And the boy is waiting for us.”

Annettria just glares in silence. ‘I guess it’s time to really bring her into the fold. Should’ve done it sooner. But can she really be trusted with such information? Such a useless mind of a handmaiden.’

Her eyebrows and mouth descend, gazing down at the floor as she considers to do it. To reveal what happened to Malinda’s parents. However, Recina’s personality is very impulsive. She keeps her mouth shut when in the presence of her Mistress, but when such formalities aren’t needed, she’s too open about her emotions. Strict to the core, like her father.

“Pick her up, Recina. I’ll explain everything to you when we’ve seen to our Mistress’s health,” Annettria says as she turns to leave, waving for Recina to follow.

Which, after much thought, she does slide her one arm under Malinda’s legs, and one behind her back, lifting her gently, so she doesn’t disturb her too much. Malinda’s own arms coil Recina’s neck in reflex from being carried like this by Xe’Reth.

“What about the Citadel healer? You attacked him, you hurt him!” Recina worries since she has no ill will towards him. Just the unknown anger that Annettria showed him tugs at her heart. ‘Something… Is there something that not even I know?’

“He knows what he has done by harboring Malinda inside this disgusting house. When he wakes up, he’ll refrain from speaking out about what I did. That, I know for certain. Now let’s hurry back,” Annettria answers coolly with such an unfazed guise of a woman that knows all the dealings inside this Citadel, even the whole domain.

“I’ll… comply… for now,” Recina sighs as she pursues Annettria out the door with glaring eyes, while behind her, coming down from the stairs, are the bun-haired servants.

They carried the man and left him on a bed to let him snooze away the day. But since Celyssa’s own servants are ever-watching, they’ll come shortly. So the sooner they leave, the less of a hassle it’ll become.

With feet touching the stone pathway, Recina asks, “What about the boy? I ordered my Battle-Maidens to wait at the entrance of the labyrinth. He’s waiting for our arrival… with the single bear cub…”

“It has already been dealt with. Ahh… poor boy…” Annettria sighs as her eyes narrow in sadness because she knows those animals were important to Xe’Reth. But her tongue slip causes her to cough, “He… He’ll be worried about Malinda. But rest assured, he knows his duty, which you also have.”

“Why would she suddenly become like this…? She has never been sick before to this extent,” Recina bites her lower lip. Malinda is grimacing while clenching her teeth in agony, which intensifies Recina’s troubling heart. “Come, let’s bring her to our healers!”

Recina speeds up, running past the wide-eyed handmaiden as fast as she can.

Considering that she has plate armor on, she moves as if it’s nothing to her. A strength that Annettria doesn’t have, but she relies more on her dexterity than her muscles. Though sure, her muscles are ripped under her clothes, but compared to Recina’s? They’re no match.

However, with Recina’s head turning, Annettria has sped up her movements to run beside her while holding up the lower dress of her newly given handmaiden attire.

Eyes observing.

Minds pondering.

The servants tending to their duties stare at them, then the handmaidens disappear as they return to the courtyard where a dead horse is no more. So quickly it has been removed. Yet the pool of blood still shines in the sun. Only the corpse has been withdrawn because just recently, from the portcullis, came Maldoran’s officers of the army.

Both men and women have arrived to get their new orders from their esteemed General.

Slowing down her movements, Recina nods to herself, liking how fast the servants have cleaned up her Mistress’ mess. But with servants peering at them in apprehension – carrying buckets of water, scrubbing the cobble, and hurrying back and forth from all the pathways – Malinda’s loyal subjects ascends to the Citadel’s entrance.

They vanish up the stairs, disappearing from the servants’ watching eyes...

……

…

The tugging at Malinda’s lower stomach and the painful headaches.

Unknown ailments caused by an unknown creature of darkness that has been created for one sole purpose...

Mistakes must ultimately be corrected…

………

……

…