His guard didn't hesitate to carry Talis away. Shaman Half Eye hesitated, looking back at Kyera who was still emotionally unstable in Bryson's arms. He wasn't sure what to do and took a step toward her only for her to point wordlessly after the fallen tiger.
Realizing what she meant, Half Eye followed the guards to take care of his charge. Raina hid her tiny face in her father's neck. Kan watched both women helplessly, his expression grim and quiet.
"What happened?" Empress Evelyn asked looking at the blood on the ground and the clothing off to the side.
"I came out for some air and a man attacked me. Before it could strike, Talis intercepted him. They fought pretty hard, but Talis was smaller. I went for my sword but before I could he clawed Talis' throat open." Clovis replied rocking his daughter his free hand rubbing her back gently.
"We need a sketch artist for the attacker. We must hunt him down and he must answer for the atrocities committed here. Maybe someone will recognize him." The Emperor offered seeing his daughter's pain.
"Verone Softpaw. 28 years old, and Talis never had a chance." Kyera replied as she let go of Bryson and wiped the tears from her eyes. She pulled herself to full height and met the Empress Vivian's eyes.
"What do you mean?" She asked and Kyera took a deep breath, slowly composing herself.
"Verone is one of the most lethal individuals Talis could have met. He was a knight of the forest and his skill is as good as my own. I trained him." She replied forcing all the emotion back. Confusion seemed to blend in the air as the captain of the guard looked at her.
"Talis's last name…" he began but Kyera raised her hand to silence him.
"That's because Verone is Talis' elder brother. Now if you excuse me, I need to send for sir and lady Softpaw." Kyera turned, letting her dress swirl around her decisively. The room watched as their Belle of the hunt passed through, her brilliant dress splattered with crimson stains that would never wash out.
Kyera would have normally felt some amount of sadness, afterall it was one of Ella's greatest masterpieces. At the present, however she could feel nothing. A chilling numbness passed through every nerve in her body from her head to her feet. The crying left her eyes feeling swollen, and the front of her brain aching in borderline agony.
The ball would have to continue without its main guest. An assassination attempt gone wrong was being whispered by the crowd. A guard lost his life doing what his job. Kyera scoffed at their words. A guard. That's all her noble brother had been reduced to. He was a Forest knight. A man who was still breathing and they already condemned him to his fate. Maybe she was being too optimistic, but she had to believe he would pull through. Daxin followed her on all fours, like a puppy after its master.
These people and their fancy dresses didn't understand… didn't care who was dying. They only cared that it was good gossip. Her stomach rolled as she stepped outside, and looked at Daxin.
"Send up the Howl. General Softpaw's youngest son had been injured. Send for the family." Kyera spoke softly and Daxin nodded trotting off in the direction of the forest. She turned back toward the palace and glimpsed herself in the mirror.
She looked ridiculous. Her hair was beautifully woven still, though a bit out of place. The long elegant dress was spattered with wet blood as were the elegant gloves that matched it. She still looked like a queen and yet felt like a fool. She struck out, breaking the mirror, shards of glass tearing into her fist but she didn't care. Tears pricked her eyes again but she held them back.