Veil of Shadows

Chapter 43. Detained

Salia slipped soundlessly down the hallway to the courtyard, virtually invisible to any passing rebels. When she reached the courtyard, she took a moment to scan the groups of warriors training side by side.

If I fail, I will be leading all these people to their deaths, Salia thought.

After a moment of dwelling on that idea, Salia shook her head to clear it. She would show no hesitation. Generals didn't pause the moment before the battle began, and thus neither would she.

Salia squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, summoning every ounce of authority she had learned to muster, and stepped into the training yard.

It took a few seconds for them to notice a new presence in the court, and when they did, they told the people around them. Within moments, the entirety of the courtyard was looking at Salia, expecting an introduction.

"At attention, soldiers." Salia said, and surprisingly enough, they obeyed - albeit somewhat confused, but they obeyed. "Your King has granted me temporary General status for the remainder of his plan."

The courtyard was dead silent. Salia couldn't decide if they were conspiring to cut her head off, or if they actually bought the story and were waiting until she indicated that they were permitted to respond.

"As of now, you answer to me. We will be moving out in three hours to make some necessary pre-arrangements. Your instructions will be relayed upon departure, and until then, you will be cleaning and packing your weapons in case of trouble. Do you understand?"

"Yes, General." The knights said in unison, and Salia very nearly died of relief as they dispersed without incident. The plan was back on track. There was still hope.

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"Dance? As in actual dancing? If so, then there is no way I'm setting foot in that place." Wolf declared.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Notch said as he walked over to the group. Wolf noted immediately that Ranger wasn't with him. "Perhaps I could do something to make the event more enjoyable to you."

"Where's Ranger?" Wolf asked, disregarding his statement completely. She had always had a deeply rooted distrust of Notch, and the Ender kid's absence was enough to arouse suspicion.

"Who knows where she is these days? One moment she's with you, the next she's gone off on a self-appointed solo mission." Notch replied, clearly avoiding the question. Wolf glowered at him.

"Where is Ranger?" Dave asked, a dangerous note entering his voice.

"She has been...detained...because of her actions at Greenvale." Notch answered slowly, as if reluctant to tell them the truth. "I will question her personally, and if the decision is made that she is no longer a threat, she will be released within a few days."

"Detained?" Blaze repeated.

"Detained. Nothing more, I promise you. As a matter of fact, she will likely be able to attend the dance if she so wishes to." Notch continued, gaining some confidence.

Wolf was watching him skeptically. She hadn't believed his explanation for one second. She could tell when someone was lying - and Notch was definitely not telling the whole truth. He was telling them the bits and pieces he wanted them to hear.

The rest, he was covering up. Wolf hated not knowing things almost more than she hated Notch himself. In that moment, she knew that she would unveil the truth, no matter what she had to do to obtain it.

"Good. I expect to see her unharmed when the time comes." Wolf said, already turning to walk away. As if sensing her distrust, Notch's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"You think that I will go back on my word?" He asked.

She paused. Slowly turned to face him. Wolf's eyes met his, cold and untrusting. "It never stopped you before," she muttered, then strode away.