The Story of the Trees - Sword, Ring, and Crown Book One

Chapter Thirteen

I walked out of my bedroom door right as Erick was passing by, his silver and black uniform shimmering under the light. The runes embroidered into his short cape gave him a dangerous air, and the black velvet of his uniform made his silvery hair seem to glow in contrast.

"Erick," My mouth felt stiff as I turned to him. I would not admire the traitor. I would not.  "Glad to see you've healed so quickly." 

Still bowing, he said, "Thank you, My lady."

"My Lady, Master Luke is waiting," Beth said as she exited my bedroom before Jeanne and Elsie. Erick froze when he heard her voice then spun to face her.

"Beth. What are you doing here?" There were no honorifics when talking to her, just the tones of an angry friend.

I backed up so that I could observe them both. If this woman was someone, Erick knew well, and if he was surprised, then she must have been someone he knew from Earth. And, if that was the case, then that meant she would be a pivotal person to learn who was instrumental in my childhood betrayal. Beth was bright red and staring back at him defiantly.

Beth's face flushed, but her defiance didn't waver. "The Elect chose me to be her banmuinen," she said, lifting her chin.

His glare went to me, "What are you planning, My Lady?"

"Planning?" Really. He would immediately start blaming me? Oh I see.  "The only thing I'm planning is how to get out of this place. The ladies asked me, and I said yes. Elsie told me they all were honored — a better job and all that. Beth could have said no." 

Both of my brows shot up.

His focus returned to Beth, who folded her arms and looked away.

"Her banmuinen!" He sounded accusatory, and that just had me more intrigued.

Beth's silence was telling, her gaze shifting away from mine. Whatever was between them, it wasn't something either of them wanted to discuss in front of me.

Erick's frustration boiled over, and he slammed his hand down on the banister, the sharp sound echoing in the stairwell. Without another word, he stormed down the stairs, his footsteps heavy and angry, the front door slamming shut behind him.

"Beth." My voice was sharp, demanding. "What just happened?"

Her lips trembled, but she didn't answer, her defiance cracking at the edges.

"We would all like to know," Elsie said, her voice grim as she put herself between Beth and me, "If you came here under pretenses to harm the Elect, we shall punish you."

From the obstinate clenching of  Beth's jaw, I knew she would not share.

Elsie turned to me, stunned by Beth's rudeness, "I am so sorry about this. I'll make sure we remove her."

"Not yet." I eyed Beth. "We'll talk to my jailor about it. Maybe he can help us learn a few things."

"My Lady, to call the Master your jailor is a little..." Elsie began to admonish.

I turned to her and when she saw the frustration on my face, she curtseyed, "I suppose you have a right to feel so, My Lady. I hope your feelings change.

Beth gaped at me, her hostility having melted to worry. I smirked. Good.  Have her worry. She'd been a pill all morning and now it was time for a little groveling. After giving her a long  look, I continued down the stairs.  My stomach rumbled then, ruining my haughty exit. "How long have I been out? I didn't see any clocks in my room. "