Ruthless 🗡️/ Fourth Wing

Chapter XL

At 9am, when I should have been immersed in my battle brief course, one of General Sorrengail's enforcers intercepted me and dragged me into her office. The moment I stepped inside, I was hit by the dense, cloying scent of cedar, mingling with the heavy atmosphere of the room. The office was an eerie realm of dark wood, the centerpiece being a black onyx desk that gleamed ominously in the dim light. In the corner, a large case displayed an array of ancient swords and daggers, their tarnished blades and worn hilts whispering of long-forgotten conflicts.

The air was thick with tension as I took my seat. General Sorrengail's presence was a storm of barely contained fury. She glared at me with a ferocity that was almost tangible. "So, you finally grace me with your presence!" Her voice cracked like a whip, each syllable dripping with venom. "I want to know what the hell you've unleashed!"

Her fists struck the desk with a thunderous crash that reverberated through the room, echoing like a gunshot. "Do you have any idea the chaos you've wrought? Or are you too wrapped up in your own incompetence to even recognize it?" Her eyes blazed with a wrath so intense it seemed to ignite the very air around us.

The collection of ancient weapons in the corner seemed to shiver in response, their presence a stark contrast to the raw, volatile energy that filled the room.

I met her glare with a defiant calm, crossing my legs and leaning back in my chair. "I'm not sure what you're talking about," I said, my voice steady and matter-of-fact. "I haven't broken any rules and have followed the college handbook to the letter. I'm unclear why I've been summoned here to face your rage."

A charged silence fell between us, the intensity of the standoff palpable. The general's anger was a storm threatening to break, while my own defiance created a friction that crackled in the air, neither side willing to yield.

"I was informed of a miss hap from a neighboring land, Bhaltair Apparently the general last night awoke to his son dead at his doorstep with a dagger in his neck. The same type of dagger that is forged in Navarre land do you have any clue about that".

"Not at all" I say not breaking eye contact.

General Sorrengail's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed my words. The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension thickening as the implications sank in.

"A murder," she said slowly, her voice laced with grim realization. "A dagger from Navarre, found at the scene of a high-profile death in Bhaltair." Her gaze was sharp, trying to gauge my reaction. "And you're telling me you know nothing about this?"

I met her gaze steadily, refusing to flinch. "Not at all," I replied, my voice unwavering. "I've been following the guidelines and procedures laid out to me. I was not aware of any connection to this incident until you mentioned it."

The general's lips pressed into a thin line as she processed my response. Her hands gripped the edge of the desk tightly, knuckles white. "You expect me to believe that you had no inkling of this situation? I was made aware that you were away for a few days missing your studies ?"

'That is true, I went on holiday and I had matters to attend to. Matters that are not any of your business may I mention"

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her onyx desk, her knuckles white. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of her fury. "You expect me to believe that your absence is purely coincidental? That you have no connection to this incident?"

I held her gaze, unflinching. "That's correct," I said steadily. "I followed all protocols and was on leave for personal reasons, which, frankly, are none of your business."

A cold smile flickered on General Sorrengail's lips, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Is that so?" she said, her voice dripping with a dark, malicious edge. "Because your timing couldn't be more perfect—or suspicious. You were conveniently absent just as tensions rose to a boiling point. And now, suddenly, a dagger from Navarre appears at the scene of a high-profile murder?"

She took a step closer, her presence intimidating. "You may think your holiday shields you from accountability, but it does nothing to absolve you of responsibility. If you're truly innocent in all of this, then you've been remarkably fortunate. Or maybe you're more involved than you care to admit."

The general's eyes locked onto mine with a predatory intensity. "I planned for your absence, Nora. Your "vacation" was an opportunity I seized. And now, as the repercussions of your actions—or inactions—start to unfold, I'm left to question if your presence here is just another part of a dangerous game."

Her gaze was unwavering, her tone cold and calculating. "You can continue to play the innocent, but know this: I've been preparing for all eventualities, including yours. If you're a pawn in this game, then you need to prove your value—or face the consequences of being a mere obstacle in my path."

The tension in the room was electric, the stakes high, and the dangerous game of cat and mouse between us had only just begun.

General Sorrengail's eyes flickered with a dangerous mix of fury and surprise as I delivered my next words with a calm, almost casual demeanor.

"Give my condolences to Gerard and Lydia," I said simply, a smile playing on my lips. The statement was a subtle jab, a way of signaling that I knew far more than I let on. "A shame they lost both their sons. I must say, it's rather surprising that Luke was merely a scribe. Quite odd, isn't it? No general would want a scribe child. At least, that's what I've heard."

The general's face tightened, her expression a mask of controlled rage as she struggled to maintain her composure. Her knuckles were white against the desk, and her eyes burned with a mix of resentment and a begrudging respect.

"How dare you," she seethed, her voice low but full of menace.

I got up and began to walk to the door.

General Sorrengail's face contorted with a mix of anger and disbelief as I continued with a measured calmness.

"I also heard," I said smoothly, my tone almost conversational, "that seven of your men died in an incident that was quite tragic."

Her eyes flashed with a dangerous light, her rage barely contained. "You're treading on thin ice, Nora,"

I didn't flinch. Instead, I leaned slightly forward, my gaze unwavering. "I'm merely acknowledging the facts. The loss of your men, the circumstances surrounding it—it's all quite significant. If it's any consolation, their deaths were not in vain. I'm sure they went out with a bang or you could say ball. They were, after all, part of an attempt on my life. I'm still here, which speaks volumes about the outcome of your plan but you have a good day now General."

And with that the door slammed behind me.