Knightress

Chapter 10

Andreas' POV

A heavy pall of tension and foreboding shrouded the castle, as if the very stones themselves felt the weight of the dreadful news. Whispers of Jade's brazen murder attempt spread like wildfire through the corridors, leaving a trail of shock and unease in its wake. The usually tranquil halls now resonated with hushed conversations and furtive glances.

Within the grand council hall, the council, assembled nobles, officials and Phil all sat with bated breaths. The silence was telling, Queen Miriam sat rigid in her chair, her face ashen and her eyes brimming with tears. The king's counselor, Sir Thomas, paced beside her, his brow furrowed in concern.

Behind the King and Queen, sat Andreas, Jotham and Rueben with solemn expressions. The meeting was sudden, but needed.

"Where is the Head of the knights?" King Aaron asked with a thick voice

Momentary silence followed, he looked up, eyes livid. "Am I not speaking to human beings?" He boomed "Where is the Head of the knights?"

A man stood from amongst the crowd, eyes on the floor in a cowardly manner.

"Here, your majesty." He said in a hushed tone

"Step forward." Ordered the king

The man did so, a burly man bearing gruesome tattoos, a battle scarred face and a thick black beard pairing well with his long black hair that hanged over his shoulder. His name was Thane "The unyielding" Blackward, a highly respected knight and an even better leader, Andreas looked up to him, he admired his demeanor and authority filled aura that he radiated. He'd never seen Thane look so cowardly, it reminded him that no matter how respected he is, he still has to submit to higher power.

His siren eyes lifted to King Aaron, "yes your majesty." He answered

"What is your use in the Cyprise Knights ?" King Aaron asked

"I am the Head of the Knights, my duty is to lead the knights in battle, defending the Kingdom from external threats, ensuring the royal family is safe-"

"Repeat that last part." Interrupted King Aaron

Thane looked down momentarily then met the king's eyes again, "ensuring the royal family is safe."

"Why have you not performed that duty? My daughter was attacked early this morning, in her own home. You have the duty to ensure that your guards monitor who enters and leaves castle walls, tell me Head Knight, why is it that an attacker was able to even be IN MY CASTLE?!" King Aaron yelled

"I don't know your majesty, I have assigned each one their own duties and every morning, afternoon and night there are gaurds having patrols. I don't know what happened this morning that my guards were unaware of an unwanted roaming through the hills."

King Aaron slumped forward, his elbows on the table, hands clasping his head as if trying to hold together the shattered pieces of his world. His broad shoulders heaved with each ragged breath, the weight of his daughter's perilous condition crushing him. Queen Miriam's slender fingers absently drifted across his back, a gentle touch that belied the turmoil brewing inside her.

As King Aaron lifted his head, his gaze met the somber faces of his councilors. His voice, once strong and authoritative, now cracked with the bitter pain of a father's fear.

"Up the guard patrols...not only in the castle but throughout the Kingdom," he ordered, his words laced with desperation. "Increase training, search every inch of our lands for whoever is behind these attacks...JUST DO SOMETHING!" His fist pounded the table, the sound echoing through the hall.