The Dream Oath

Chapter 2.2

Maria walked through the now deserted Halls of the castle. Normally people would be bustling through on their way somewhere, but the only people she passed were guards in unknown livery and a single servant scrubbing blood off the floor.

They were efficient. Maria had to give them that. She wondered if her brother was treated the same way - murdered then scrubbed off the stones like spilled mead.

She focused on walking with grace to distract herself from her brother's death. She'd always wanted to be closer to him. He wasn't a bad person. But somehow neither of them had made time, and now that was lost. If only Draco had been here.

Draco! Where is he?

Maria almost bumped into the general when he stopped suddenly before her.

"Please wait here while I see if the King is ready for you," Edward tapped his armored knuckles against the wood of her brother's study. Then he opened the door a crack and entered without waiting for a reply.

Maria bit the side of her tongue. The pain sent focus through her. She'd mourn Cecil later. Now was not the time to look weak. She needed a strong front to survive until Draco came for her.

Her relief at knowing a rescue was imminent almost opened the floodgate if her sorrow. But she bit her tongue hard tasting blood to keep it closed as General Edgar reemerged.

"My King sends his apologies, My Lady. He has pressing matters to attend to at the moment. While he feels guilty that you are not his highest priority, he hopes you'll understand that the wounded must come first."

Maria was surprised. Surely this invader would be more focused on the treasury, counting the value of his prize. However, not meeting still left her with an uncertain fate.

"Shall I wait here then?" she inquired curtly, trying to cover her fear for her future.

"The King may be a while, My Lady. I will escort you back to your rooms."