Shatter Like Glass-Cinderella Retold

Part Forty-Four

Ashen resisted the urge to run to the throne room's large windows. The commotion from the lower levels echoed up the winding icy staircase. She could not make out everything that was happening. She actually could hear very little beyond the usual noises in battle. What she could hear more than indicated the Kingslayers had arrived. Her muscles tensed. It took everything in her not to draw her sword. Presently, she wore a white cloak over her other clothes. She'd pulled the hood to eye level. Most of her face should be covered in shadow and her swords were out of sight. Unsheathing them would ruin the disguise she had so carefully crafted. She had considered applying the potion she'd used in Carmine to color her hair white. Ultimately, she decided against the idea; her hair was concealed by the cloak. Anyone who saw her without the hood would notice her complexion and attire did not match that of a Frost Weaver. By that point, the shade of her hair would not matter

Footsteps resounded up the staircase. The echoing made determining the number of Kingslayers on the stairs quite a difficult task. Even so, she guessed there were a fair amount of them. At each level several branched off from the main group. They likely intended to search the rest of the palace for Weavers. She had opted not to warn everyone in the palace of the upcoming attack. Droves of fleeing Weavers and servants would indicate the inhabitants—and perhaps the entire city—knew of the pending arrival of the revolutionaries. All her hard work would be ruined. The Kingslayers would adjust their plans to accommodate for the awareness of their intended victims. Though more dangerous for those residing in the glass castle, Ashen's choice benefitted the council and those living in the capital.

Only a single person arrived on the eighth floor. Ashen frowned. She was relieved; facing just Smiegal would be easier than battling him and a dozen of his revolutionaries. Still, her preference to fight one person rather than several did nothing to suppress the sense she had that something was wrong. How had so many Kingslayers gotten inside so quickly? Where were Peder's men and her crew?

The door swung open. A cloaked figure stepped inside, one foot hitting the ground hard enough to imply the intruder had kicked the door. Ashen titled her head in an attempt to copy Yinala's mannerisms. The cloaked figure walked forward. She could see none of their features beneath their emerald hood. Surely this was not one of the Viridians. Had some of the army betrayed their kingdom and defected? No, they must have been using the cloak for some other reason. The person standing in front of her wanted someone to think they were a Viridian.

Or, perhaps they really were a Viridian.

Smiegal, she thought briefly. Then her mind pointed out the height did not match. Smiegal was taller than whoever currently walked towards the throne on which she sat. Ashen straightened her back, clenching her jaw as she tried to emulate the Frost Weavers' impeccable posture. Her fingers tightened on the hilts of her swords. Her gaze drilled into her lap. If the figure could see her beneath her hood, her green eyes would give her away for certain. That is, if her pale skin didn't ruin her disguise first.

The figure took two steps towards the throne. Only ten or so feet away. She might be able to jump them from that distance. Or she might just give away the ruse. The moment she revealed her blades the Kingslayer, whoever he was, would know that she wasn't a Weaver. Last she checked, Weavers didn't use weapons.

The Kingslayer's cloak parted. The figure brandished a sword. They raised their arm to point their blade at her face. Taking a few steps closer, their grip tightened on their blade. Were they afraid of her? Well, not her but the Frost Weaver she was impersonating.

Their muscles tensed beneath their cloak. Ashen lifted her swords slightly, ready to skewer them if they came at her. Just when she thought the figure was going to lunge, instead the Kingslayer asked, "Are you Yinala, or Kali?"