Finua

Chapter 39: The First (and Only) Debate

There was a hammering at the door, and a repetition of my name being yelled through it. I stirred and rubbed my eyes, rolling over to find myself cradled in Kwer's arms, and the hammering continued.

"LADY FINUA! LADY FINUA, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

Kwer, the heaviest sleeper in the land, grumbled something and ignored the racket, but I was forced to rise to my feet, shuffle across my personal chambers to the door, and welcome the interloper. It was Major Kintl. She grasped the door frame with both hands, goggles bugging out.

"Lady Finua, where have you been?!"

"Sleeping. Why?"

"Sh'raitha just got attacked! And they're saying we did it! Lady Finua, you have to come down here and reason with these people! The entire kingdom is blaming us for mass murder!"

I stood there in the doorway, in silence, watching Kintl flip out. Eventually she ran out of breath, and I was able to respond.

"Major Kintl," I said gently, inviting her into the room, and placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Major Kintl," I repeated. "I attacked Sh'raitha."

"You what?! When?"

"I don't know... two days ago? Three hours? It was me. It wasn't Syfor Lek. It was me."

"How did you—"

I clamped my other hand on Kintl's shoulders, and she regarded me warily.

"Kintl," I said yet again. "I am the Dark Lady. If I requested something of you, would you do it?"

"Of course, Lady Finua."

"Desert."

"Dessert? Like, ice cream?"

"Kintl, you need to leave this place. You need to desert this army. We do not care for you. We do not support you. You are a pawn to us, for our own selfish benefits, everyone here is a piece of plastic made in a factory. Get out now. It's not too late for you. You make it sound like Syfor Lek hasn't been formally blamed yet, so... now's your last chance. Get out. Get out!"

"Lady Finua, is this some kind of—"

"Defect! Save yourself!" I cried, suddenly opening a portal into the forests of the north, and shoving her through. Then I collapsed, back into Kwer's ever-loving arms, and resumed my weeping.

Until some untold time had again passed and there was, again, a knock on my door. This time, I could immediately recognize the imploring voice calling my name as Yusla's.

"Finua... don't pretend you're not in there. I know you are. You haven't left all week."

I opened the door. Yusla stood before me awkwardly.

"Uh... hi," he began.

"We're fine. I can bring food and water into the room with magic."

"I'm sure you can, but... how long are you planning on holing yourself up like this? I'm sure Kwer isn't a fan of cabin fever—"

"Don't pretend to care about Kwer all of a sudden, Yusla."

"Well..." He shrugged.

"Is this why you came to talk to me?" I asked.

"No. Queen Anastasia has requested an audience with you."

"I'm sure she has."

"I mean... Finua, can I come in?"

I let him in. Kwer glanced up at him, then rested her head back down lethargically.

"What do you want to know, Yusla? You want to know about Sh'raitha? You want to know if the rumors are true?"