Bound To; The Wish of the Witch

XVIII

Scinthia stood somewhat awkwardly as the four men were huddled near the king's desk and spoke amongst themselves. Feeling that she had rested more than enough during the five days she was unconscious for, she had no desire to forestall listening to the king's apparent issue he'd mentioned a moment ago and spoke up.

"Excuse me, your majesty, if it's all the same to you, I would like to hear more about this issue. I feel I've rested enough sir." She stated.

King Drewel, Spymasters Gray and Hailer, and Locke all turned to look at her giving them a determined expression. After a moment, a warm smile grew on the king's face while a smirk appeared on Hailer's.

"It would seem this one isn't the type to lay around while there is work to be done. You'll go far with an attitude like that young lady." Hailer said, his smirk holding.

"Indeed." Drewel agreed before turning back to her. "I suppose it works out better to tell you now while these three are still here since you'll be working closely with them on this." He began, leaning back on his desk and crossing his arms again. "Two nights ago, the Ranger Corps' headquarters was attacked by a witch. While the witch seemingly focused its attack on the auxiliary stables and didn't cause much damage overall, one guard was killed and only a handful of horses survived." He paused, giving her a serious expression. "Regrettably, the witch was also able to escape..."

Despite her surprise, Scinthia held a calm expression as she listened. To hear that a witch had acted so boldly as to openly attack a place where there were so many people who would try to kill it, let alone the Rangers' headquarters, was extremely uncommon. However, more than that, for that witch to escape from the rangers after attacking them was, not only concerning, but was simply unheard of. She wondered if the witch who had attacked was Ilia, but quickly pushed the idea aside since it really didn't matter to her who this witch was. They were obviously dangerous and needed to be stopped.

"I understand your majesty, what would you have me do?" Scinthia asked in a stern tone, standing straight with her feet in line with her shoulders, and clasping her hands behind her back.

"My, what a shame the Woodreel name fell from grace simply from the words of a few common folks. I need more knights like you, Scinthia." The king gave her another smile and continued. "Anyway, in the days following the incident, we haven't received word from the easternmost ranger's outpost near Blackwood. Then just this morning, the southernmost outpost near Kretsmer failed to submit their report from last night. That being said, what I need from you is to accompany Spymaster Hailer down south and assist him with whatever is going on over there while Gray investigates the east."

"Yes your majesty." She answered still looking straight ahead.

"Hailer, I'll leave her to you. Find out what you can, all right?" Drewel asked, turning to Hailer.

"As you wish sir." The ranger said in an almost playful tone, swinging an arm across his body and bowing to the king before turning to Scinthia. "Well, Dame Woodreel, I look forward to working with you."

"Likewise sir. I hope I can be of help." Scinthia gave him a smile.

"I'm sure you will." He gave her a pleasant smile in return before turning to Locke. "Osbey, I would like you to come as well. I believe a familiar face might help ease our new knight into her position."

"Yes Spymaster." Locke responded, somewhat stiffening up.

"Shall we?" Hailer said, turning back to her and gesturing to the door.

After addressing the king one last time, Hailer, Locke, and Scinthia left the study and promptly made their way down to the lower levels of the castle. Hailer brought them to an old wine cellar that seemed like it hadn't seen much activity in a while and approached three giant barrels, lying on their sides, lining the back wall. The older ranger walked up to the wooden pillar standing to the left of the center barrel and tilted the unlit sconce downward. The zipping and winding of metal gears turning could be heard as the lid of the center barrel suddenly opened inward, revealing a hidden tunnel behind it. Hailer turned with a proud smirk and gestured to the new passage next to him.