Along with Sten and Wolf, Tessa rode the three-hour trail back to the warrior stronghold. While transporting the remainder of his troops and prisoners to Outpost 5, the Colonel insisted on it. Honestly, after her ridiculous antics earlier, Tessa was glad to have created some separation between herself and Jothan. Although he hadn't spoken about the hug, that didn't mean he wouldn't bring it up later. She probably would have been moaning in shame right about now if she hadn't been so delighted to hear about the promotion. Tessa could hardly contain her smile, though, as she said goodbye to her escorts and watched as they dismounted to rejoin Jothan and the others.
She entered the officer barracks from the southern end and was greeted by a refreshing breeze from Dead Man's Mountain. The keep cast shade over the first-rank officer chambers even though the sun was just beginning to set. Tessa climbed the two steps onto the platform in front of her room; it was just afternoon, and training would last well into the night. There was nobody nearby. Tessa opened the door, entered the room, and then stood still.
One of the two men was resting on the small desk at the foot of her bed, while the other was standing next to the only window in her cramped surroundings. They had shaven heads, unlike other warriors, and their looks were as icy as the grey stones on the belts of their black armour. They were Shadows, the rarely seen personal guardians of the Warrior King. Shadows were picked for their speed, and Tessa knew before she could question why they could murder her. Every minute an officer spent mastering tactical manoeuvres, a shadow used it to pick up a new, quicker way to end lives.
Assassins, not soldiers, were what they were.
The one on the left said, wiping an invisible particle from the grey crescent on his breast, "Lieutenant Tessa, you have been summoned to the King's presence. There being a King? Tessa searched her head for whatever justification the King himself might have for wanting to visit her, but came up with nothing. Had he heard about the No-Lander inmates and been curious to learn more? That might have made sense, but Tessa had just arrived, so even if Sten or Wolf had made a report, there was not enough time for the information to have gotten to the King. She glanced at the guards once more, but she was unable to decipher their emotions. Even if they were aware of the purpose of the summons, they would not reveal it to her.
"Will you kindly wait outside while I put on my uniform? The shadows didn't move, but their surprised expression was visible in their eyes. What sort of response had they anticipated? Elation? Fear? She could offer neither. She lifted up one of her sleeves and said, "There's blood on this one. It will be a kingly insult. In the faint light, it was unlikely that they could see the stains, but the person on the left nodded and said, "Make it quick."
Her extra uniform was stored in the black box that was next to the head of her bed. The joy from just a moment earlier had vanished beneath the tension. She had frequently observed the King from a distance, but he had never before recognised her existence or even invited her into his presence. She quickly changed, re-braided her hair, and knotted it back. It was a silly thing to do because the King wouldn't be any less likely to notice or find her hair's hue strange by wearing it that way.
As they led her through the well-lit fortress, the shadows remained silent. They were given the side-eye by maids, troops saluted them, and onlookers followed them down the halls to the King's Hall. The day she was promoted to Lieutenant was the only time she had entered this hall. The shadows stood back and indicated they would not proceed after opening the doors and letting the dazzling light from within flood the corridor. Tessa entered the heated room after inhaling deeply and pressing her fingers firmly into her hands.
The King's Hall appeared exactly as she remembered it: the black-stone statue of Tevvuk himself was seated inside an alcove that sparkled with Land of Light Ice, the walls were adorned with vivid blue fabrics gifted by the Greenlands, and the floors glittered with the rare grey-blue marble brought from the foothills of Deadman Mountain. Numerous court ladies and gentlemen, all dressed elegantly as though they had gathered for a party, were dispersed across the space. There was only the sound of uncomfortable shifting; there was no food or music. Tessa gazed up to the platform where the King was seated on the warrior throne at the opposite end of the room, and fear pinched the back of her neck.
Step forth, Lieutenant Tessa of the King's Wards. Like the wrinkles on his face, his voice was harsh and deep. She had a free path to follow after the group split up. As she moved, Tessa focused on her breathing and lowered her gaze. When she arrived at the desk, she knelt down.
"My King, give me orders."
"Raise your head, Lieutenant, and hear the charge that has been raised against you."
Charge, Your Highness? Tessa asked the Kings as her eyes shot up at them.
Keep quiet unless requested to do so. The King shouted, anger flashing in his drab blue eyes.
Tessa forced her apologies to be swallowed as they came to her lips. Her eyes widened when she saw Captain Leo approaching the platform while grinning contentedly.
Leo turned to face the group when the king said, "Repeat the allegation.
"This morning, Lieutenant Tessa of the House of the King's Wards escaped the castle grounds without authorization. Although she has returned, it is unknown who she may have met and what secrets she may have revealed while in the No-Lander area. Your Highness, even though I am her superior, I cannot decide what sort of punishment such treacherous conduct merits.
Tessa was awakened from her stupor by screams of indignation. This is not possible, is it? He was claiming she committed treason?