Cursebound Hearts

Rozdział dziesiąty

In the secluded training grounds of the palace, Winona stood, dressed in her assassin attire. The familiar garments clung to her figure, but without the cloak and hood, she revealed the scars and bruises from the past few days. The faint weariness that had etched her features seemed to disappear as she prepared herself for the training session.

With an air of determination, she moved through a series of attack stances and maneuvers, each one executed with precision. Her movements were swift and calculated, a testament to her years of training as a shadowblade. The sun cast its unyielding light over the training grounds, leaving no shadows for her to blend into. But Winona, in her element, seemed to be fueled by an internal fire.

Evelyn, Lila, and Marielle, her three maids, stood at a distance, their worry evident in the fidgeting of their garments. They exchanged glances, silently questioning the wisdom of the queen engaging in such rigorous training. The palace grounds, usually a hub of battle training, now witnessed an unusual scene – the queen herself, sharpening her skills with a singular goal in mind.

As Winona continued her relentless assault on imaginary foes, the maids couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and admiration. The queen's determination was evident, and they understood the gravity of her mission. Yet, they also feared the repercussions if their actions were discovered by the king.

The daytime sun bore witness to Winona's solitary training, the clashing of steel echoing through the air. Every move, every strike, seemed to carry a sense of purpose. The queen's eyes, usually hidden beneath the hood, now met the daylight with a fierce determination. She was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

The maids exchanged hushed whispers among themselves, contemplating whether they should intervene. They knew their place – attending to the queen's needs, not witnessing her engage in potentially treasonous activities. Yet, Winona's resolve was unyielding, and they found themselves caught in a dilemma.

Winona paused for a moment, catching her breath. The maids seized this opportunity to approach cautiously, their worry evident in their eyes.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you should rest. This is not fitting for a queen," Evelyn suggested, her voice laced with concern.

Winona shot her a brief, determined look.
"I need to be prepared for what comes next. The king is not to be underestimated."

Lila hesitated but spoke softly,
"We understand, but this... it's too risky. What if someone sees?"

Marielle, the youngest of the maids, added with a hint of fear,
"What if the king finds out?"

Winona, tightening the grip on her daggers, responded with a resolute tone,
"Then I'll handle it."

The maids exchanged glances, torn between loyalty to their queen and the fear of the consequences. As Winona resumed her training, they remained vigilant observers, ready to assist or intervene should the need arise.

As the sun continued its journey across the sky, two guards strolled through the palace grounds. Among them was the chief guard, known as Sir Roland, a formidable figure in the kingdom's defense. He walked beside a fellow guard, engaging in a conversation about the kingdom's perimeter borders and recent security measures.

"We need to tighten security along the eastern borders. There have been reports of increased activity," Sir Roland stated, his gaze scanning the distant horizon.

His fellow guard nodded in agreement,
"Aye, Sir Roland. We'll dispatch additional patrols and fortify the watchtowers. We can't afford any breaches."

However, their discussion was abruptly interrupted by the distinct grunts and sounds of blades clashing coming from the training grounds. Sir Roland furrowed his brow, recognizing the unmistakable sounds of combat. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, pinpointing the source of the disturbance.