The Portal

IV 4.2 Consequences

Hannah hurried into her cold room. By some miracle of the gods, she had managed to pass through the corridors without bumping into anyone. Apparently, the news of the events in the riding lesson had spread and everyone was near the stables, waiting for the situation to unfold. She sighed, relieved, when she realized the tub was full and the water was hot. Probably her servant thought she would need a good bath after the lesson and had already prepared it.

She looked in the mirror. She was totally soaked, the navy-blue dress glued to her body, her unkempt hair formed incoherent waves up to her shoulders. The cut on her arm continued to bleed and would have stained her dress if it weren't so dark. She quickly undressed and entered the steaming tub. She rested her head on a folded towel and tried to relax. But her moments of peace did not last long. In less than half an hour, Chris, Serena and Bia were already in her room. And Chris was not pleased.

- Are you crazy? – She cried, as soon as the door was locked. - Exposing us so, because of a girl!

The accusing finger pointed from Serena to Hannah. Bia sat on the bed, trying to stay out of the fight.

- What was I supposed to do, Chris? Let her die? - asked Hannah, as she rolled herself in a towel and walked out of the bathroom.

- You know we can't interfere so much! Have you ever stopped to think that maybe it was time for her to die? Have you ever stopped to think that this girl's fate is not our concern? - She was ranting. Her skin was red with rage. - How many times has Raoul told us not to interfere in other people's lives? How many times? - she asked, now looking at Serena.

- Stop, Chris - replied Serena, with a restrained voice.

- Stop? Is that all you have to say?

- Yes. That is enough. What is done is done.

- I can't believe I'm hearing this. You're both irresponsible! - She could have stopped there, but she wanted to keep screaming. - How many lives are we going to save? Do you know, Serena? Why don't you see the impact this joke will have on the Alnajm?

- A life is not a joke.

- Surely you know that this ridiculous display will not go unnoticed. What about Afia? If Daria had died, she would be banished from the nobility. Now what? She is still on her way to probably becoming the next Krali Rariff. Isn't that how you see her, Serena?

Chris spit out the words without thinking for a minute, but Serena found a loophole to say: - It would not make a difference.

- Ah! Wouldn't it make a difference? A young woman who was supposed to die today and is alive doesn't make a difference? Isn't she going to relate every day to these nobles and impact everything we predict?

- No – Serena only replied.

- No? Do you mean that on the way here you've already seen all the impacts of this episode and we don't need to worry anymore? - Chris asked, the irony in her voice making her bitter.

Serena closed her eyes as she sighed.

- I didn't need to see anything, Chris. It's a matter of logic. Now, calm down.

- Calm down? We have been in this fortress for months, taking care every second not to be discovered and you make this! We know how a speech or thoughtless action can alter the future. A life, then! What is there to do? Not to mention that Hannah exposed herself terribly.

- She wouldn't die like this, Chris.

- How can you know? Have you already scoured her future?

- Just think about it.