"It was pinned to Jacob's chest." Aria spoke in a small voice.
"And how did you know Jacob was injured in the grounds?" Mrs. Scott asked again.
"I was checking the grounds with wind bending for him and Helen." Aria replied, holding her head up.
Mrs. Scott: "And why were you doing that?"
"I promised Helen to keep an eye out for guards. I was going to help her sneak back in." Aria replied without faltering.
Mrs. Scott seemed a bit taken aback but quickly recovered herself and nodded. She then turned to everyone and said, "Okay so everyone, it's obvious that Helen did indeed sneak out with Jacob. And did not return. But we're still going to check the whole grounds and the mansion to make sure this is all not some elaborate plan."
"I already did that. I can assure you Helen is not in the mansion or on the grounds." Aria's clear voice rung throughout the parlour.
Joseph and Mrs. Scott and everyone turned to stare at her and Aria shrugged, "I used wind bending. Any wind bendor can check the grounds and the mansion to make sure."
Everyone in the parlour was taken aback by Aria's manner.
"I think we should start by deciphering the note. Who are the night warriors? And why did they believe that Helen was the queen's hidden daughter? And what do they mean by a fight on their terms?" Aria continued, looking around.
"This is not a time to satisfy your own curiousity!!!!" Joseph suddenly snapped, his voice raised.
Aria looked at him but didn't say anything. She then looked around, but no one seemed like they were going to tell her anything.
She sighed and was about to go sit in a corner when a voice rung out, "The night warriors are essentially a band of rebels."
Aria looked along with everyone in the direction of the voice and was very surprised to see Stephen looking straight at her.
Stephen's father put a hand on his shoulder, but he shook it off, saying, "No dad. She deserves to know. Most of the people here know. She can't be among the only ones not knowing."
Aria was painfully reminded of her position as Stephen walked towards her. She really never would fit among royalty. Even if she was born among them.
Stephen walked upto Aria and started, "As I said, the night warriors are essentially a band of rebels. They are the ones not satisfied by queen Amber's rule and the domination by the few royals. But they all are mostly people with very little affinity to the elements, so not of any worry.
But a few years back, the night warriors were joined by a formidable person. Edmond Christo, he was one of the soldiers in the army, very powerful. He would have risen to a very high post easily, but his ambition was his downfall. Edmond wanted to be the king.
He tried to seduce the queen, and when that didn't work, he challenged her.
The queen accepted and they fought.
As might be expected, the queen won a d everyone believed that was the end of Edmond Christo. But he was still not satisfied.
He spent all his days training and challenged the queen again and again, and again.