The sound of the soldier's boots on the polished floor echoed down the corridor to the Throne room and in Thonda's mind. The rhythmic marching was somewhat soothing and she soon found herself at ease even though she was quite literally marching to her doom.
And there was no doubt about it, she was in trouble. Lieutenant Thessari had mentioned not just the Circle, but the Celestial monarchs as well. If they wanted to pass a simple message, they would have sent a humble messenger or even one of her own servants. Instead, the Circle sent four royal soldiers to her home, each of them carrying a sword and dressed in full armor. Her only question was; What had she done?
The words of the Seer came back to her.
Someone does not wish for you to pair.
Was that it then? This was just an attempt to keep her from finding her beloved? Maybe they were going to forbid her from looking any further. She suddenly had a million questions and wished she could ask Trienne for the answers, but she no longer had that opportunity. Thonda beat herself up mentally. If only she hadn't been so arrogant while she was there, she could have learned a lot from the Seer and her daughter, but she didn't believe anything the mother and daughter duo had to say…until now.
L'ar watched the soldiers march in with his little girl. Two were ahead and two more followed from behind. He opened his mouth to protest again, but thought better of it and remained silent. The Circle only invited him here out of respect for his name, but usually, when a person was being held on trial, no one else but the Councilors and the Celestials were present. Perhaps he should have accepted their offer to serve as Lord of Iron all those moons ago. It would definitely have worked for him now, but alas he had turned them down. "A Kareese does not need a title to be powerful." He had declared over his shoulder while walking out of the meeting. How he wished he could swallow those words because here he was now, with all his power and influence, but he had never felt so helpless.
Thonda now stood in the middle of the Throne room with three councilors seated to her left, three more on her right, the Celestials before her and the guards behind her. She turned and locked eyes with her father on the far side of the room and his heart broke.
There was nothing in his daughter's eyes. No anger, no fear, just a calm acceptance like she had already made peace with her fate. Her gaze dropped and he realized she was looking at her mother standing beside him – his wife.
Muri was even more stoic, refusing to express how she felt inside, refusing to give the council that small pleasure. L'ar quietly put an arm around her, comforting her even though she would never admit that she needed it. Out the corner of his eye, he saw her lower lip quiver a bit before she sucked it in, biting down to keep herself composed. She was a hard woman who had been treated just as hardly in her younger years and what was once an endearing personality now seemed completely unnecessary in light of the situation.
L'ar bent down to whisper in her ear. "Would it be so terrible to show her your support?"
"My presence is all the support she needs," Muri replied a little too harshly. A few moments of silence passed before she spoke again and L'ar could hear the difference in her voice. She was scared. "There is nothing more I can do, L'ar. I'm afraid my presence is the only thing I can give our daughter."
The words struck him afresh and a new wave of guilt washed over him. Thonda watched the whole exchange. She seemed to understand how they felt. She gave them a small smile before she turned to face her fate.
Orren was the first to speak. He stood from his seat and walked to the center of the gathering as well. He wore the golden garb of a High Sage with black sigils inscribed in it from top to bottom. There was also a black sash that he hung loosely over one shoulder and around his waist. When he spoke, it was with the trembling voice of an aged man laced with wisdom.
"Over a thousand moons ago, there was a young girl, Elyria was her name. She came to this very palace during the coming of age festival. She danced and reveled like every other person in the room." He paused to gather his thoughts, careful not mix up his histories. "Elyria was not of noble birth, her parents were loyal servants of the King. Her mother a cook and her father a royal cupbearer. Elyria had no lands or titles to her name, so when she remained unpaired after the festival, many pitied her." He looked directly at Thonda. "We let her stay in the City."
L'ar knew what was coming next, and so did Muri. He let go of her shoulders and took her hand in his. The High Sage continued speaking.
"Of course, that was the first time such a thing was happening in Reeth. We didn't think that we were all in danger. We protected the girl and kept searching for her mate. It soon became obvious that the lad was nowhere in the City and so the entire thing was forgotten." His voice dropped to a whisper.
"That was when everything went wrong. Animals died, people caught an illness that could not be cured. It seemed the elements themselves were against us."
L'ar could be silent no longer. He took a step forward and caught the attention of the Celestial. "You speak as though you were there, Sage Orren. How do we know that this story isn't false?"
Orren scowled in response. "You dare to question my knowledge, L'ar?" L'ar did not respond. He simply stood defiantly, daring these fools to do their worst. His silence only enraged Orren Kaelith the more.
"I am the High Sage of the realm, keeper of histories and master of all knowledge! I have seen more scrolls than you can even imagine and I have devoted my life to learning the truth! You will be wise to remember it."
L'ar was not backing down. "Even if that truth meant condemning innocent girls to a fate worse than death?!"
Orren was trembling so violently in anger that his long grey beard shook. "Do not presume to tell me what you think I must and mustn't do. I may not have a great name like you but I have the authority of the Celestials and the gods themselves!"
At the mention of the monarchs, L'ar seemed to remember where they were. His eyes darted to the throne where he saw the King looking at him curiously. Not so long ago, he had been the King's guest, speaking to the people while they all cheered and celebrated. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
His outburst was of no help to his daughter, he reminded himself sadly. He heard the guards move a little, preparing for a confrontation of any kind. Muri tugged on his hand, silently begging him to leave it be. His shoulders sagged in defeat and he took a step back, resolved.
High Sage Orren cleared his throat and straightened out his robes. He could hear Lirasen chuckling, clearly amused by the spectacle.
"Yssandra," Orren called as calmly as he could. "You are the Keeper of the Flame. Tell me, what happens when an unpaired person is left in Reeth?"
Yssandra stood and joined those already at the center. She was a beautiful woman with long black hair and beady eyes. Her voice was soft but commanding, only proper for a priestess. "The gods are beings of order. They have put these rites and traditions in place to preserve a balance in the universe. The girl, Elyria was an anomaly disrupting that balance," She turned to Thonda. "Just as you are also an anomaly."
"I remember this story," came Velthara's whispery voice. Beside L'ar, Muri stiffened. The involvement of the hooded figure was terrifying for them all. Velthara only spoke when it was necessary and that was usually bad for someone. At the center, Thonda, although scared, remained still, silent and brave.
"The Thread had to put an end to that pitiful life." The Thread was the term used to refer to Velthara's elaborate network of spies. He turned his hooded head to Commander Velka Dreth. "The Lord of Iron at the time did not wish to be associated with such a dirty task." He chuckled, an odd grating sound. "A simple task for the Thread." Commander Dreth scowled in response.
Velthara was standing now and walking slow circles around Thonda like a predator inspecting its prey. Thonda swallowed hard. Was this how she was to die? Did they mean to kill her for something she could not control?
She felt her mother's gaze boring into the side of her head. No. She refused to let these people decide her fate.
"It would be a foolish injustice to kill me for a crime the gods have committed against me."