Regret

Chapter 3 - The Muddy Cemetery

Chapter Three

THE MUDDY CEMETERY

A gong rang out – the funerary rites had ended. Shorter than she expected. Valye bowed her head as the solemn gathering dispersed from the outdoor graves. A light rain sprinkled down, skies overcast. Distant trees surrounded the clearing, their swaying branches rustling in wind.

Seven days had passed since the palace's destruction, when finally the king's retainers received a package: a severed pinky, a letter with a wax seal made with Korrin's ring, and their demands.

Eighty million silver pieces, she recalled. And independence for the Calador province, in the southeast. We have one lunar cycle. Tonight was a full moon.

She'd told nobody about the book she'd found, or the one stolen.

A copy of the King's Key. He knew they were coming. They knew he had something & where he had it, where everything was in the palace. And no signs of struggle anywhere, except Senha.

She wasn't sure who could be trusted.

And why was Moiraine in his bedchambers, disguised like a handmaiden?

Her skin prickled again thinking about it. Unanswered questions. She didn't much like them.

After enough of the townspeople had left – priests included – she made her way to Senha's grave. Another lone figure stood there already.

Halnir, another royal guard. The black sheep of their 'family'. His short black hair lay in wet swaths down his face & crooked nose, brown eyes contemplating the stone before him. He wore a simple indigo cloak, like hers.

It makes sense you weren't there with the others. But, I shouldn't say that.

They stood in silence.

Valye looked at Senha's stone. They'd excavated some of the palace, though most still lay in ruin. They'd found nothing of him yet. His was an empty grave.

"I heard he went down fighting," he said.

She nodded. "He did."

Inquisitors had asked her endless questions after she emerged from the river Shein. Questions about why she went, what she saw, other survivors, the princess. She'd told them he'd went down fighting, it seemed true. She couldn't say he looked ashamed when he died.

"Did you see any of the others?"

Same questions, different questioner.

"I did," she replied. "Fathaway & Muin. Others too. And servants."

"Who?"

She rambled off names, a pale face appearing in her mind for every one spoken. He acknowledged her without a word. She couldn't look him in the eyes, only stare at the simple chiseled marker before her:

SENHA, ROYAL GUARDSMAN CAPTAIN

60th YEAR OF KING NIO III - 21st YEAR OF KING KORRIN I

"MY BROTHERS, I'VE OUTSTAYED MY WELCOME."

"He always said that after leaving the tavern," she said, pointing.

Halnir snorted, then laughed. "He was the only one I could really stand to drink with."

"Not even me?"

He looked at her. "I didn't know you did."

"Once now & then. Halnir I need to speak with you about something. Important."