A week later
I was terrified of what happened with my queen; each time I thought about it, I just wanted to hide and never come out. Iona and Aramastus tried to get me to talk about it, but I was more silent than before.
Now barely able to stand from my burns, Iona crouched before me and spoke softly," It is time for the trial."
I nodded wordlessly as she carefully helped me stand up and leave the tent. She gently led me towards a carriage and winced," Standard procedure for these trials is for them to go in chains. I will wrap your wrists and neck so the chains won't aggravate your injuries too much."
I whispered," Do what you must."
Her sad gaze looked at me as she took out some wrap with a cooling spell curling off it. She gently wrapped my wrists, moved the hair out of my way, and wrapped the wraps around my neck. Aramastus grunted," How are you doing Selena?"
Iona chided," Read the mood, Aramastus. She is still scared and terrified, judging from her fear levels. Something about chains scares her."
Aramastus shrugged as Iona carefully took out a metal collar and looked at me with soft eyes," May I ."
She gently moved my hair out of the way, locked the collar around my neck, and did the same on my wrists. She breathed out and gently touched my shoulder while I recoiled slightly and followed behind her, knowing she was saying it was time to go.
She led me towards a larger tent as Aramastus opened up the tent flap, and immediately, I was met with sharp gazes of four very powerful royals as their looks ranged from pity to downright hatred.
But behind each of them was a flag, the family crest. The families were from right to left: the Rosalind, Vossen, Zheku, and the Valindeds. Shaking in fear as the Rosalind family leader spoke," Iona led her to the center."
Iona bowed and gently walked me forward and stood off to one side. The head of the Rosalind greeted," Hello, Selena, the moonlight archer. I must say I wasn't expecting you to look so young. Tell me before we begin your trial how old you are and what is your kill count. I understand that is a bit hard to guess, but give us your closest estimate."
I whispered, fully aware they could hear me," I am sixteen. My kill count is just over six hundred."
She sighed," I see, so young and already so much blood. We will be considering that as well. Alright, Selena, the trial has begun; answer the questions truthfully. Is that clear?"
I nodded as another royal, the female head of the Vossen family, spoke in a kind tone," Verbally, please, child."
I spoke softly," Yes, it is clear."
The Zheku head sighed and spoke," First question: How many missions have you taken?"
Unsure, I whispered," I-I don't know about a hundred if I had to guess."
He nodded, writing the answer down as the Valinded head growled harshly," Do you enjoy killing?"
Nervous, I quickly shook my head a no as the Rosalind family snapped," Enough, it is clear she holds no love for the act of killing. Control your aura; she is already scared enough!"
She turned her attention towards me," According to Aramastus and Iona, the General challenged you to a duel no. Yet before he died, you told me you respect him; why?"
I nodded and, still in a quiet tone," Yes. To answer your question of why I respect him, he was respectful to me. His skill and kindness was also another factor."
She smiled," I see. You truly do not belong in this war, do you."
The Zheku said," Wait, according to Iona, you were whimpering in your sleep. Why?"
My face probably paled a few degrees as I shivered as I whispered," You may as well use your powers."
Iona spoke up for the first time," Your Majesties, I have a theory, so you do not need to use your powers. Could the Elf have placed a curse or spells on Selena? Also, Selena was tortured as well during her 'training' to become the Elf assassin we know."
The Vossen head nodded," Yes, now that you mention it, I sense several spells or curse residue on her."
She stood up, walked over to me, and stood in front of me as I averted my gaze, looking at the ground as she merely placed a hand on my forehead softly," It alright, child, I am just seeing what spells and or curses are placed on you."
Relaxing slightly, she announced," She has four powerful curses. The first to have her able to be connected mentally. The second is that if she disobeys any order from that bitch she will be electrocuted in her mind or body. The third is to cause her magic to burn her if used at full power. The last, in the most vicious, amplifies pain times ten. It is a miracle she is even standing right now. Though probably because of all the pain she is put through constantly, she has a high pain threshold. I can remove two of them right now. The mind connection one and the electrocuting one. The other two are a bit harder. Sophia's permission to do so."
Rosalind nodded," Yes, ease her pain."
I felt a surge of magic surge through me, and I felt that constant buzz of lightning behind my ear vanish. I fell forward, weak and unsteady, as the Vossen's head caught me," You're an okay child. Iona, depending on the decision, we will make sure I visit and work to remove the others with time.``
Iona answered," Understood. But why me?"
Zheku sighed," We are getting off-topic. Shall we make a decision now?"
Sophia returned to her seat, sitting down, and spoke," What punishment shall we decide for Selena? Remember, we are counting the fact she was cursed with four high-level spells; she hates killing, which is understandable after killing about six hundred soldiers and partaking in over a hundred missions. Last but not least, we are dealing with someone who was tortured and forced into the life that has led her up to this point. Now, what do you suggest?"
It was clear that the leader of the royals was Rosalind, named Sophia. I was drawn back to their conversation as the Valinded growled," I say slavery or eternal imprisonment at my palace."
The Vossen spat," Not happening, I vote for her to be Iona's pet. Iona could easily protect her with her combat skills, and it seems she cares for the young elf."
The head of the Zheku family sighed as he groaned," She has been through enough. I got to agree with Lysa and Sophia on this."
Sophia chuckled," You already knew what I would vote for. So typical of the mental Zheku family, but yes, I agree with Lysa and Derek."
The Valinded snarled," Fine. You win."
Sophia looked at me," Selena, your sentence is this: you will always be Iona's pet until you die. You will have special chains that will only allow you on the grounds of her family's mansion. Iona, I trust. You can care for her; she is a child that needs comfort. I know you and your husband can do so.``
Iona nodded and bowed," Of course. I leave for home tomorrow morning."
Sophia smiled," Of course."
Iona walked over and gently led me by the shoulders towards her tent. She gently spoke," I will wake you up tomorrow morning, Selena. Lay down and rest until you are still recovering."