“You have to remove that woman, her maid. She’s trouble. I tried to talk Lady Alina out of this, but that girl...” Sage’s voice sounded in my ear, but I hardly listened.
My muscles ached, and I could still feel my injuries. Those were signs of a body that did not have enough time to heal.
“There!” Sage pointed, half-running beside me.
The round shaped clearing that was used for fights and for burial ceremonies was just off the main path to the castle. A gathering of warriors, dressed in black, blue and white, filled the space.
My breathing sounded raw and strained to my own ears. Could it be that I was too late? Could it be that it was already over? No. Because I did not feel any disturbance in our bond. Alina was fine. But where was she?
Just then my eye detected a slight movement up ahead. Someone was walking through the crowd with determination and confidence. It was a female, much smaller, much more daintily shaped than the grotesquely large bodies of the clan warriors. Her suit, black as a raven, so similar to my own, attracted the attention of everyone present. Alina’s hair, a vibrant burst of scarlet and copper cascaded down her shoulders just like flickers of flame.
The morning light broke through the clouds and kissed her delicate profile, the feminine curve of her neck. She was likea summer storm, untamed, fierce, and beautiful. In her right hand, she held the blade that belonged to Rutherford. Its clean, well polished lines reflected the light of the morning sun, shimmering like liquid silver.
“What is it?” someone shouted.
The men laughed.
“Did he send his wife to negotiate?”
“Did she forget where the kitchen is?”
“Go fetch your husband!”
More warriors laughed.
Alina stood in the center of the clearing with her head raised up high, looking like a goddess.
“I came here today to tell you what’s really happening in the capital.”
Alina raised her voice for everybody to hear. Her words rang with honesty, her tone noble and sincere.
I stopped at the edge of the crowd, unable to take my eyes off her, forgetting about everything else.
“I came here to give you the truth you all deserve.” Again she paused, waiting for everyone’s attention. “The truth that was carefully concealed from you. Concealed from your clans... by the council.”
A ripple rolled through the clearing. Never before had so many clan elders heard someone speak out so openly against the capital. Words like that were deadly, treasonous, but they were also truthful.
“The council lied to you. For years, they robbed you of your best people, your rich resources.”
Alina continued and I could clearly see that some heads in the crowd were nodding along.
“They told you that by giving all the powers to the council, you are ensuring peace. They told you that it was the will of the queen.”
“What are you saying, girl?” some old man shouted.
“They lied to you. They manipulated you. They took what was given and used it for evil.” Alina turned toward the old man.
For the briefest of moments, I could see her eyes. Beautifully dark, with thick eyelashes. They were filled with storm and fire. She was a force to be respected, powerful, wild.
“They tell you that they’re fighting the disease, but they aren’t.” Alina lowered her voice, because it was suddenly eerily quiet.
The thick, chilly air, itself, could not wait to hear her speak. All the males were under her spell, and I was among them.
“They are the ones who spread lies. The council wants to keep you defenseless against the real danger. I came here today to tell you what really happened to your queen, and name the people in the council.”
Alina straightened her shoulders, her gaze unyielding, but open, devoid of deceit, untouched by even a flicker of uncertainty.
“Everything they told you about the balance, about their plans to defeat the undead was a lie. No one in the capital thinks about any of you. They just want to bleed your lands dry and use thelives of your children to secure the future of the privileged few families.”
