The Lost Piece

Chapter Three

...

"Attia this isn't everything I requested," Ellen's sigh echoed through the room as she examined the many beautiful gems that were laid out on the table in front of her. Attia held her hands behind her back and tried to stay respectful as she watched the woman in front of her examining the stones.

"We couldn't find everything you requested," Attia calmly explained. "So we took what we could, our expedition didn't allow for any more time than we took. It would have been a fool's error to stay out until we ran out of supplies."

Ellen glanced up at the black haired girl standing in front of her, an intense expression held in her own gray eyes. "Are you calling me a fool?"

"Nothing of the sorts, Empress," Attia shook her head. "I'm simply explaining to you what happened. Besides, I am not here to you to discuss the gems, I think we have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Pressing matters?"

"The issue outside the walls earlier today."

"Oh right, that." Ellen huffed as she returned to her throne. The Crimson Shards watched her with much more than disdain, but an aggravation on how little value went into the lives of the Shards and the people of Aka. However the intensity of the room, and Ellen's swift hand, kept them from stepping forward onto her toes. 

"Yes, I think we should discuss it," Attia continued on. "I think there's something you should know of great importance."

"Listen, the Dragonflies handled it, good for them!" Ellen rolled her eyes. "I am more concerned about how you forgot about the task you had Attia."

"Screw your gems!" Attia shouted, slamming her fist on the table. "If we didn't return when we did, all of your Shards would be dead right now! And there would be monsters breaking down the walls to your precious kingdom! That threat was much more than another kingdom's attack! That was something more Empress Ellen and if you turn your nose up at it, then this kingdom -- along with you -- will-will fall!"

Ellen's eyes were wide from the Alpha's outburst, but it soon furrowed into anger, her voice came deep and cold. "Alright, Attia, I will play your game. Tell me, what happened out there?"

"We suspected something when we first encountered them in the forest," Attia replied as she regained her regular composure. "I thought that these creatures were just a myth, but they are much more than a myth."

"You're speaking in riddles girl,"

"Well," Attia paused. "One of my Shards informed me of a legend that involves beasts that change into apparitions that induce anger. It happened when we first faced them in the forests. All of my Shards report seeing something that induced rage and caused them to become reckless in their attacks."

"Who is this Shard?" Ellen asked.