Wake of Darkness [1]

Chapter Seventeen

♕ Mourning Sun  ♕

Sybilla sat next to the throne. Holding her head high. Even as she watched the king look through the eyes of every person in Blackstone, searching for any signs of the queen. Forcing her to watch as he threatened to hurt them. As they begged her to help, to do something, and all she could do was sit there and stare, try to make things easier for them in small ways.

"It's been days of this" she said, as the guards dragged the man, the king had interrogated that day out of the castle and escorted him down Exilium. "They clearly did not see anything" Sybilla said louder, grabbing his attention. "Of course, if you had just believed me the first time I said that, you would've spear us all this time"

"Quiet kid" Sybilla turned away as the heat of the castle increased. She could see Mason dressed in goldcrest armor beside the door. His eyes fixated on her.

"Maybe she has a point" said Zander. The king turned towards him. "We have not found anything. Perhaps is time we look elsewhere"

"What do you suggest?" the king asked.

"Luna Bay is still holding their ground against Goldcrest soldiers. We should move to take the city."

"I'm not letting Blackstone fall because of a stupid port." The king said and laughed.

"That port has also a trade line with Goldcrest and Mistburgh" Zander said. "If we take it Regno will be yours, and there will be nothing the queen can do to take it back"

The king did not say anything, and Sybilla had to bite her tongue to avoid yelling at them, to prevent herself from begging them to not attack the bay.

"It also has the biggest stock of moonstone we've been able to track, and due to the lack of stardust I think it would be wise to have other resources"

"Very well then" the king agrees. "I'll send guards tomorrow morning. You'll leave in two days to retrieve the moonstone after they've secured the grounds." Zander nodded. "Along with the princess" Any sot of satisfaction that had settled in Zander's face disappeared.

"If you expect me to willingly deliver them to you..." Sybilla started saying.

"You will do as I say" the king said.

"Or what?" Sybilla laughed.

The king just stared at her and move his finger once. Sybilla felt her heart stop as she turned towards the guards, watching them walk into the hallway and come a few seconds after dragging Nerezza by her arms. Her skin was dirtier than the last time she'd seen her, cuts on both of her arms. Sybilla was willing to bet she'd climb up Exilium trying to get inside the castle.

Nerezza fought against their grip as they threw her in front of the king's feet. Her eyes were red, her wrists slightly bruised. Sybilla swallowed down the knot on her throat as Nerezza spat at his direction.

His laugh was slow and Nerezza stood up, pushing her hair out of her face.

"We found her sneaking into your room" he said. "I assume she is a friend of yours?" Sybilla looked down.

Nerezza was the furthest thing from a friend, and yet she couldn't stomach watching her hurt. Couldn't handle watching the girl in black trying to stand her ground in the middle of Goldcrest guards.

Sybilla turned towards Zander who kept his eyes on the floor. Bastards. All of them.

"Fine. Tell me what to do" The king nodded.

"I knew you'd be reasonable. Is in your blood after all" Sybilla stood from her sit. Walking towards Nerezza, who almost hissed at Sybilla as she touched her wrists.