She didn't care that the royals gasped once more, this time in shock at her audacity. Though she had no control over how she would be punished, she could choose how she would approach it. The princess wanted her degraded and subdued. She did not feel embarrassed by this. No one in the room was unaware that she was being spanked because of the actions of a disobedient young girl.
It's all right there, Lieutenant. The whip was untied by the Punisher, who grinned mockingly as it clanged to the ground. She was accustomed to the look in his eyes; he was the kind of person who delighted in causing suffering.
Tessa nodded before undoing her coat's buttons and turning away from the potential attacker. As Tessa removed the item, folded it impeccably, and set it on the floor in front of her, a second murmur erupted throughout the audience. She didn't flinch as she stood there in her white shirt.
Are you going to permit her to behave in such a way, Father? The princess grumbled in the absence of a response.
"There is no acting here," the king answered, his voice resonating throughout the entire chamber. "A warrior accepts punishment in this manner. You would be wise to realise it since you will soon be the queen.
Tessa questioned whether that was intended as an apology. In another situation, she could have been appreciative of the king calling her a warrior. However, not today.
Before the tip of the whip smashed into her back and tore her clothing, she heard it rip through the air. She gasped for air at the first agony, but the scorching feeling that followed was far worse. The second strike nearly sent her flying. In an attempt to steady herself, she widened her legs while feeling hot, sticky blood flow down her back and beneath her belt.
One, two, and three more lashes fell on her skin, and somewhere around the tenth, Tessa recognised she was being foolish. She had put on a show of being unafraid, and it was only now that she realised she would pass out before the twenty lashes were finished. She may have survived all twenty if she had eaten well in the previous week, if she hadn't spent all of her energy escaping the ambush, or if the buffoon with the whip hadn't been trying to kill her. But not in this manner.
Tessa felt the whip rip at her skin once more as she watched black specks float across her field of vision. She was biting her lower lip to keep from screaming, and blood began to drip from that area. She was happy that she did not have family members for the first time in her life. She might have to think about their sentiments if she did. Don't look at Mom. It doesn't hurt, father. Would she have made such ridiculous statements? She let out a sardonic laugh as the whip again touched her. The burning spread farther out as the dark dots became bigger. Her legs shook.
The address is "Your Highness! A servant enters with startled eyes as the hall doors suddenly swing open. As he hurried forward and was permitted to approach the king, the pain ended. Tessa wasn't sure if the man was speaking or if the dull ringing in her ears was the cause of her inability to hear him. Whatever the message, it caused the king to startle and stand up.
Stop the punishment now! I'll let him in. At the order, everyone turned to face the doors. Tessa, who had momentarily forgotten, stumbled to the nearest column and leaned against it.
"Warrior King, I humbly ask your pardon for this encroachment. Unexpected visits are not how the Light People operate. Everyone was astounded as a man with copper hair entered the room dressed in a white tunic, trousers, and cloak. It was unheard of to get a message from the Land of Light. The Light people only occasionally interacted with the other kingdoms, and when they did, they only interacted with royalty in private settings. It was perhaps feasible that nobody in the chamber, except for the King, had ever seen a visitor from the Light Kingdom.
The King answered graciously, "There is nothing to forgive," as he moved towards the dias' edge. You have a message to deliver, according to my servant. Come on over, and we'll talk.
The messenger stooped low with his three fingers between his brows and said, "Warrior King, once more I must beg your pardon. However, it will be best if I convey the message here if you do not object.
"Go on," the King commanded.
The Leader of the Land of Light offers you 100 fully grown trees that will flourish in your harsh soil and bear fruit for many years to come.
The crowd exhaled in shock. Even Tessa understood the significance of the offer behind closed eyes, despite the excruciating ache in her back. Since anybody could remember, these trees would produce the first food to be grown on warrior soil. Uncertainty offset the smile on the warrior king's face.
And what conditions does your leader place on this kind gift?
The messenger gestured at the column near the centre of the room, saying, "My leader requires her, your highness," as he raised one very pale finger with a silvery thread-thin design. Tessa, the black-haired warrior.
***********************************************
The waiting area off the King's Hall, with its lofty ceilings and plenty of chairs, was designed to hold thirty people. Tessa and the healer were the only people present at the time, and the other walls around them were letting in muffled sounds of excitement.
She had been traded for some trees.
Tessa's lips became drier. Although she didn't hold the king responsible for this choice, she couldn't help but smile grimly as she recalled the day's events. Nearly passing away, learning she was getting a promotion, being charged with treason and punished, and now...
"Lt., did I injure you? The woman standing next to her was holding a bloody cloth and an unpleasant-smelling poultice while keeping a close check on her with her dark eyes. Tessa could not recognise the healer who had assisted her in the morning, and she did not recall ever receiving her care. She seemed to be unique from the other two healers living there in some way. They shared the same green clothing and headdresses, as well as matching gold hoops and circular face tattoos, but something about them felt different.
Tessa was reminded that she had been questioned by the healer as her thin brows rose.
Tessa rubbed her hands over her eyes as she rubbed her extreme fatigue. This discomfort is nothing. Do you know if Warrior Beck has fully recovered?
Yes, he reported back to work shortly after the dinner. The healer nodded before focusing once more on Tessa's back. A little while later, the cloth's motion slowed. "Lieutenant, you are different."
Her back suddenly felt like it was on fire. Tessa made fists with her hands while trying to maintain a steady breathing pattern. "You noticed the hair, didn't you?"
"No," the healer continued with a voice of controlled delight, the crystals on her wrist jingling. You recover differently. After a little period of silence, the woman rubbed the towel down Tessa's back, radiating heat in all directions. Her arms shivered as the heat abruptly changed to an ice chill.
After taking a breath, Tessa continued, "I don't feel like I'm mending at all. What was the healer discussing?
The woman muttered, "It's incredible," oblivious to Tessa's wit. The woman began, "It shouldn't be possible, but... but the door to the waiting room squeaked open before she could finish.
"Lieutenant?" Around the entrance, Mirabel's little face emerged, and she hurried inside. "Lieutenant, how are you?"
Tessa absentmindedly observed that Mirabel was sporting yellow once more. However, compared to the dress she was wearing the night before when Leo was bothering her, this one featured long sleeves and a plainer bodice. What am I currently contemplating?
"My lady, you shouldn't be here."
Please refrain from making foolish comments. While hissing, Mirabel darted a glance behind her. How's your back doing? Are you able to run?
"I'm fine, I-- Tessa paused momentarily and focused intently. "Run?"
"Run, yes!" Mirabel rubbed her hands together and looked over at the healer. She rubbed her neck, giving her voice an arrogance that didn't fit her at all. You are aware that revealing information you learned while healing a warrior could result in death.
The healer gently nodded after glancing back and forth between Tessa and Mirabel.
Mirabel appeared satisfied as she turned to face her again. "Lieutenant, I'm solely to blame for this. The lashings... You assisted me, so Leo did this! I'll fix it, I swear, but you need to get away first.
Tessa was warned as the healer stiffened behind her: "My Lady, you can be misunderstood if someone overhears you. Please, let's switch topics.
"Can you consider yourself for a moment? Mirabel yelled indignantly. As she paced, yards of light yellow silk flittered in all directions. The Castle of Light has never been entered by anyone who has survived to tell the tale. Once you enter, there is no way to leave again. No! You cannot leave. They are basically sending you off to die!"
Tessa said, "Maybe," and was taken aback when the motion did not hurt her. The poultice from the healer worked incredibly well.
"Perhaps, what do you mean? This is incorrect! This is not possible! Jothan would stop this if he were in the room.
Mirabel was a good deal older than her—at least in her mid-twenties—and yet the woman seemed incredibly innocent. Tessa murmured softly, "He wouldn't stop it. He's a police officer. As am I. The Warrior Kingdom will always come first for us, so this swap is beneficial for our people.
With tears welling in her large, blue eyes, Mirabel stopped pacing. However, it is harmful to you! You belong to our group as well! This is incorrect.
Tessa turned her head away from Mirabel and focused on one of the many miniature busts in the room depicting former warrior kings. If her king had engaged in negotiation, it would have been lovely. at least made an attempt to include a clause that guaranteed Tessa's security. That would have been wonderful, but this was the way things were in the world, she reflected. The disposables would be used up. She refused to flee. She wouldn't desert her country. She has always been fed and clothed by this kingdom, regardless of the circumstances. Everything she knew was taught to her in this kingdom.
After finishing her task, the healer assisted Tessa into her jacket by softly touching her shoulder. Tessa thanked the woman and returned to Mirabel, who had been silently watching them until the last button was fastened.
A guard opened the door and said, "Lieutenant Tessa," before saluting. Lieutenant, the representative from the Land of Light is waiting for you at the south gate.
Tessa said, feeling Mirabel tense, "I'll be right there. She turned to the guard and waited until he shut the door once more. "My lady, if you really want to help me, I have a request for you," he said.
"Show me!" After wiping away her tears, Mirabel straightened her shoulders. "If I am capable of doing it, I will. I'll do it even if it isn't.
"Tia of the House of Kings Wards is a girl. The girl is seven years old. Her parents abandoned her and fled, leaving her to suffer without them. Tessa spoke slowly and hoped Mirabel wouldn't react with the typical prejudice. "Please take care of her for me; she's a good kid."
"I will." Mirabel spoke swiftly. She won't endure any pain, I swear. Tessa could tell the lady was serious by the look in her eyes. Tessa wished she had had a companion like Lady Mirabel of the House of Gold in a past life. Tessa straightened her uniform in relief. She would have only regretted leaving Tia to suffer alone if she had been truly going out to die.
"I'm grateful, my lady. And would you please thank Colonel Jothan on my behalf? I believe I misunderstood him in the past and did not adequately thank him for his compassion. Maybe he'll accept my apology in its place.
Mirabel said, her eyes mournful, "Jothan would not accept an apology from you. However, I will forward your mail.
Tessa rose up, startled once more to see that there was no discomfort. Good luck, my lady.
Mirabel tried to grin and say, "May we meet again," but they both realised the likelihood of that happening was remote. The lady walked out of the room with trembling lips.
Tessa inhaled deeply; it was time to leave.