Chapter 24: The Lady has Spoken
In the Emerald Lady's headquarters...
The outside forest was as quiet as ever. This wouldn't have bothered a soul, if not for the tragic reason behind it. Wounded soldiers of Emerald Kingdom were struggling to heal and be healed. Some hurt more than others, though they tried hardest not to show it.
They were the ones that hurt the most.
The Lady sat on her mossy throne as she watched the melancholy spread throughout her kingdom. The hall was more packed than a tower of gravel. Like both, it was bound to fall away when the war was over.
"They're more distraught than when disaster struck 3 years ago.." Whispered a voice right next to her. It was her most loyal soldier, Guardian Herstol. He was the one who helped her when situations were much dire, traveled across the never-ending ocean to find the shipwreck that held something dear to her... He was also her rock.
The Lady nodded. She was always very silent, but this time was different. She knew exactly what her advisor knew. "One of our own died tonight," Herstol continued. "we underestimated the skill of the boy."
She was still leaning her face on her hand, spectating her court. Her thoughts used to be much more organized than they presently are..
"We were told... By the Great One... To kill him as soon as possible. Why did you wait?"
It was as if she took an oath to haven't any responses.
"Is it because of Leif?"
...
"I know how much of a sensitive topic that is, but—"
"You don't know anything about the topic. You have no right to bring it forth."
Herstol was taken aback to hear how cold her voice was. She had a very soft voice most of the time, one that could put out a burning room, one that could sooth a gashed wound with it's sound. But not tonight.
"Gaia.." He began, but a soldier had stepped to them both. Herstol corrected himself to a commanding stance, showing no emotion.
"State your intentions," He said authoritatively. The soldier was a scrawny one, not so easy on the eyes and the weakest on the group. "I-I would like to speak with her... About Vyne?"
The Lady lifted her head off her hand swiftly, giving the soldier a little start. She shooed away Herstol while staring at her subject. Herstol was hesitant, but no more than a few seconds after did he leave the premises.
Once Herstol was away from them, The Lady's voice didn't waver on any bit of sharpness.
"Speak."
The soldier gulped audibly, sweating like an overflowing human cauldron. "Well, uh, you see... I wanted to discuss the death of Vyne, my husband." He looked up for a second into the Lady's piercing eyes. He looks back down and continued.
"I would like to request that you... Devise a plan for justice? The trial we were going to commence for the prisoners before they escaped.. Maybe we should... Skip it? Have them sentenced to death immediately! This is the second death of a Forest member caused by a Netherborn's hand since—"
When the soldier felt the Lady's malicious aura grow around his entire body, he stopped right away. "W-what I meant was that..."
"You must not have been taught how to speak in line," the Lady said, every ounce of her sentence beginning to fill with hatred. "Your husband was just another life form. The gods made a decision. But death will fall on both sides, that I will assure you. All Netherborns will see the wrath of the forest."
The skinny soldier had a smile appear on his face. He spoke breathlessly, "Thank you, My Lady! I forever admire you power. To the fall of Nether-kind!" He raised his hand above his head. The Lady's eyes looked at his elevated arm, took one second, then coldly said, "Put that down."
He put his hand down immediately.
The Lady now shooed him away, watching after him as he excitedly barreled down the steps. Herstol arrived at just that time. "What was that about?" He asked. "An imbecile's request," she replied. Herstol let out a small laugh. "I came again to talk about what we should do with the blond boy... He's conscious after heavy treatment."
The Lady went silent for a long minute. She looked at her trusted friend.
"Give him a choice."
End of Chapter 24
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nobodyimportant out—
