Unconditionally - DanRos FanFic

Chapter 11

Muros entered by one of the palace's side gates and paused to rest for a moment.  He had failed to find Mashna Aquil.

He jabbed one of his swords down into the earth with frustration.

He should have expected this.  Mashna Aquil was a skilled tracker and would have hidden his tracks with care.  It's what he himself would have done if he didn't wish to be followed.

So where was Mashna Aquil's destination that he did not want anyone to know?

It would have been none of his business except that neither Danaya nor the queen knew, either.  On top of that, he did not like to see Danaya worried.

He retrieved his sword and continued to the palace.  He had hardly gone a few paces when he was met by Abog, one of his squadron's leaders.

"Muros, sir, we're relieved you're back.  The queen has called for a council meeting.  Lilasari was here.  She just attacked them a few minutes ago."

Danaya.  Muros didn't wait to hear more but took off at a run.

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Amihan stood before her throne.  The council elders were seated at her left side and Danaya and Imaw with Lira on their seats at her right, as well as Mira, who for years they had believed to be Lira but was actually Pirena's true daughter.  To everyone's surprise, Alena was there as well.  Muros was standing right behind Danaya. 

Amihan addressed them all.  "We were attacked by Lilasari a few minutes ago. Hagorn has taken her daughter and she is blaming us for this and for the death of Hitano."

Loud protests erupted from the council members and Amihan halted them by raising her hand.

"We do not have time to argue.  We have to act quickly.  I propose that we send a small group to inflitrate Hagorn's castle.  We will do this in order to assist Lilasari in retrieving her child and for my sisters and I to speak to Pirena.  We thought we were defenseless against Hagorn's hadezars but thanks to Alena, we now know of a way to defeat them and Hagorn, though he has the fifth gem which he stole from Paopao."

"And what is this way you speak of, your majesty?" Imaw asked.

"For the moment, that information is between my sisters and myself."

She took a deep breath and her face hardened.  "Lilasari has also informed us that it was Mashna Aquil who revealed her location to Hagorn."

Shocked silence greeted these words.

Muros could hardly believe it.  So Mashna Aquil had gone to Hagorn.  He gazed at Danaya.  Her head was downbent but her hands on her lap were clenched into fists.

"We will deal with him upon returning to Lireo but as a result of this, we have need of a new mashna."

"Muros," Amihan called out.

Muros looked up, surprised.  His eyes widened with disbelief and confusion.  He glanced at Danaya again but she was still avoiding looking at anyone.  Muros stepped forward slowly and stood to attention in front of Amihan.  He was focused on the queen now.

Danaya did look up then to watch Muros.  In this, she approved of Amihan's decision.  There was no one who deserved it more.   He was every inch a mashna.  Though he was different from Aquil, she admitted to herself that he was quite handsome.  Her mouth tightened.  Thinking of Aquil and his treachery still hurt.

"Muros, you will be the leader of our soldiers as the Mashna of Lireo.  Do you accept?"

Muros exhaled sharply and squared his broad shoulders.  "For Lireo, I accept."

"Then kneel."

He went down on one knee as Amihan took her sword and approached.  She touched the flat of the sword on each of his shoulders.  "You may rise, Mashna Muros."

She favored him with a smile. "Later today, you will be formally presented to our soldiers as the new mashna.  For now, we need to complete our plans."

After all the plans were discussed to Amihan's satisfaction, everyone hurried to accomplish their tasks.  Danaya was first to leave the throne room. 

Muros found her by the nearest seldom used corridor.  She was staring out a window.  "Sang'gre Danaya," he began as he stopped beside her.  The rest of his statement was left unfinished as she turned to face him and he saw her tears.  She choked back a sob and leaned onto his chest.  Without another word, he gathered her tenderly into his arms and let her cry.