"I'll brace myself for some punishment after this." It's going to be a mess after this and Ryvna knew it.
The sun is already out and Ryvna just got back to the palace from dealing with all the people in the towns that Sir Philip journeyed upon.
Her hair is damp in sweat, she feels wobbly and tired not only because of the trail she followed but also from the pressure the people of each town that questioned the decision of the Queen.
She relaxes by the bridge in the Elteshelle river and felt the morning breeze as she tries to contain the stressful journey she just had before finally entering the palace.
She badly wants to dip in the river to relax and cool herself down. The guilt definitely did not make her feel better.
Little did she know that a few minutes distance away from her was a river of people with a current directed to the palace. Most were men but there were women as well holding on to their children.
She was confused yet proceeded her way back to the castle. She rushed her way and a little while later, before even entering the barracks, she heard castle guards' metal armor rustling as they try to rush to the main door of the palace.
She returned her horse to the stable and went back to the castle gate.
As she gets closer and closer, there she heard the crowd that gets louder and louder as she gets closer.
Before even showing herself through the gate she stopped. She just realizes what is happening. The crowd and herself had the same destination.
Is this a protest on the border barricade? She thought to herself as the answer to her question was getting clearer to her.
She heard them chattering among themselves. "The walls should be put up! The walls should be put up!" The crowd was loud complaining among themselves that none of the words are understood but to Ryvna, it is clear what they are talking about.
All that Ryvna could think of is the shame she has brought to the Queen.
Who is to blame when it was Ryvna who insisted on this mess?
With all her heart we wanted to be punished for this.
The crowd even became louder as they saw the Queen coming out of the door.
The confusion is evident in her as her hair is hardly fixed and falls through her back when it has always been tidy and classy. Ryvna has never seen the Queen face her people like this. And it is her fault.
She went for the Queen and explained to her. "The plans for the walls broke out and a lot of people expressed their dismay when the plan changed. They want the barricade, Queen Vana." She said as they both are rushing out to meet the crowd.
"This early?" She unbelievably asked.
"I am afraid we tried to gather people last night and took it too far that... they didn't find it very pleasant." She said gradually increasing her voice in an attempt to be heard by the Queen by all the noises the crowd is making.
"I swear Ryvna you're doing this on purpose." the Knight gasped hearing what her Queen just said. "I am truly not Queen Vana."
The moment they reached the gate, they suddenly heard a subtle bang from afar that despite this loud crowd, it can still be heard. The protesters stopped shouting and are confused by the sound they heard.
"What was that?" the Queen turned to Ryvna to ask. It seemed to be some sort of an explosion that got the Queen agitated even more.
Not anymore matter to worry about, I beg, the Queen thought to herself.
"I don't know." but as Ryvna looked over from afar her mouth opened in utter shock.
She can see the thickest smoke in the sky still rushing upwards dispersing its raging fire around it.
Everybody looked over to the sky as they saw how flustered Ryvna was.
And all was in an immovable fear.
"It's a bomb," Ryvna said.
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[Characters and Places]
(Alphabetized)
Derktse (dher-cheh) Sarsheden - father of the family
Dreeyan - Battle Warrior First in Command
Geiyra (khey-ra) Sarsheden - was once an only child
Hert- palace guard
Heim - second in command warrior
Iuliān Troe (ee-yul'-yan tro'-i) - closest cousin of Phranselm
King Council Ackgu (ahk-goo) - King Council of Xuediv
King Council Carteph (kàr-tef) - 14th Century King of Takèif
King Grādh - One King of Shaoghal
King Council Vardyr (vàr-deer) - first king council of Takèif in 6th Century son of One King
Lord Phraselm (frà-selm) Nemago - grandson of Sir Herelph
Madelra Sarsheden - mother of the family
Mayor Lugwid - Misty Town's Mayor
Princess Mureden (myú-ri-dhen) - Princess from Nushra
Queen Chasleis (shas-ley) - wife of the One King
Radelaine (rah-deh-layn) - adopted daughter of Sarsheden Family
Ryvna (ràyv-nà) Ruse - Queen's Knight
Shaoghal - one territory led by the One King past 5th Century
Sir Herelph Nemago - Knight of the late King Council father of King Council Carteph
Sir Philip - Queen's Knight
Sir Von - Queen's Knight
Takèif (tah-kif) - Northwest Shaoghal 14th Century
Xuediv (shu-div) - East Shaoghal 14th Century Map
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This list is a guide because it might get confusing. A list is also written in chapters from time to time and will be updated. A map of Shaoghal is going to be on my Instagram.