20 Be Gone!

Sigrid's words sank deep into Meera's mind causing her to see reasons with her lady regarding the situation with Elizabeth. She resigned in her heart that she needed no further explanation from Court lady Sigrid.

Next, she let her beautiful lips drift slowly apart in preparation to speak.

"I will trust your words and reasoning, lady Sigrid. Therefore, it is my suggestion for us not to waste any more time but hurry off instead to the hall of Termarth," said Meera.

"Yes, we should," affirmed Sigrid.

Without further ado, both ladies light-stepped their way from Sigrid's room, and through the corridor, to the hall of Termarth.

However, for every distance they covered, Meera would halt to look about their shoulders to ascertain if they were being followed. She did it too often that it became a bother to Sigrid who was mindful of when Meera would attempt the act, again.

She did, and Sigrid spoke at once.

"Why do you keep looking about, Meera? Are you scared of being seen by someone? There is no one who would punish us for taking this path. So behave!" scolded Sigrid.

"But, senior lady we still have to be cautious because in actual sense, we are taking the law into our hands," said Meera.

"Even at that, if you keep taking pauses to look above our shoulders like you've been doing, anyone would surely misunderstand and that could get us in trouble much quicker. Don't you think?"

Meera pursed her lips in concentration as the court lady educated her.

"I think you are right, senior. I am sure that if we keep on walking normally, no one would know our true mission," said Meera.

"Of course, I am right, Meera. I am glad you have figured things out by yourself."

Meera nodded at the court lady's words, and they sauntered on, unhindered.

In a matter of minutes, they had almost arrived the hall of Termarth when Meera caught sight of a shiny object, sparkling dimly by the corner. It was carelessly curled up and stuck beside the edge of the wall that Meera had almost missed identifying what it was at first.

"Senior lady-" Meera called at Sigrid's attention.

Sigrid, who had walked a short distance ahead of Meera, halted once she heard the latter call out her name.

Turning around, Sigrid was determined to enquire the reason for Meera's call.

"What is the matter, Meera? Speak at once!"

"I think I have spotted what we came by here, in search of," said Meera. Next, she poked out her index finger to direct Sigrid's gaze to the object.

Once Sigrid beheld the pretty jewel, her eyes sparkled from the sight of it, and her heart rejoiced beneath her garment.

"I knew it! My guts have never failed me. Please, Meera pick it up since you are closer," instructed Sigrid excitedly.

Meera was also happy to discover that the maiden from before, was indeed innocent and had been wrongly accused of being something she was not.

Therefore, without much delay, she walked a little in the direction of the ornament. Next, she crouched and picked it up.

Once she had held on to it, an excited Sigrid called out to her.

"Quick! Meera bring it to me," instructed Sigrid with the brightest smile displayed on her beautiful pale face.

Instantly, Meera smiled back at her lady and did as she was told.

"Here, it is, senior lady. You were right about the maiden after all," said Meera as she presented the necklace to the court lady.

"Yes, it feels good to see that I was right about the maiden all along, but how come those who had come by to clean this area missed it?" asked Sigrid.

"It could be that they did not see it so that we could find it, senior lady."

"True, true. Now I suggest we hurry on to be with Her Majesty— the Queen, and offer her our services," informed Sigrid.

"Yes, senior lady."

Meanwhile, outside the Castle...

Zeke had gotten things in order and every hands needed.

He turned to the heavily armoured men to mutter some words...

"Now that all is set, I shall go in to inform the King that we are ready," said Zeke to the knights on stand-by.

Next, he turned his back on them, and headed back in, to the Castle's interiors.

Once within the Castle, Zeke kept thinking about what other approach he could use to deter the king from pushing through with his decision to head out with the men to the Shadow hollow.

For one, the Shadow hollow was a haunted place; no one in their right senses would ever wander that far for any reason. So why was the king determined to push through with his agenda? What point was he trying to prove? And to whom? The darkness had long departed the land, and it could have all just been a scare and nothing serious. Besides, did he not just get appointed to rule in his father's stead? Was he not considerate of saving his face? If more men got to lose their lives on account of their trip to the Shadow hollows, and on the very same day, the aristocrats would be sure to speak up and demand for an explanation.

These worries plagued Ezekiel's mind as he walked on his way through the widely spaced corridor to get to Briceus's former room where he guessed the King would be, still.

Ezekiel kept walking.

Meanwhile, Sigrid and Meera kept walking as well towards Ezekiel's route. They were walking towards him from the adjacent direction.

Just as Ezekiel arrived the path which was linked to the noble hallway, he stumbled upon Sigrid who seemed rather excited to see him.

As soon as Sigrid locked sight with the King's aide—Ezekiel, her facial expression revealed her gleefulness. She was smart enough to know that her countenance had not gone unnoticed by him.

Therefore, while Meera bowed slightly to acknowledge Zeke, Sigrid, on the other hand, was rather impatient as she went on to speak.

"May I have a word with you, kind sir?" asked Sigrid.

"Why address me as kind sir? Is it because I am on the king's side? Please, we are both equals ... if not you more than me," concluded Zeke.

Sigrid cheeks flustered.

"Oh! No such flatteries, please. We both know the truth, kind sir," said Sigrid.

Next, the court lady settled her gaze on Meera to urge her to depart ahead of her.

Meera resisted.

"No, milady. We ought to appear by Her Majesty's side right now, and together with the others, senior," reported Meera.

"I will catch up with you shortly, Meera. Be gone!" ordered Sigrid in a subtle but authoritative voice.

Meera saying nothing more, sauntered on.

By now Ezekiel had grown very curious on seeing how the court lady would risk her head by keeping the Queen waiting just to have a chance to talk to him.

What could be that important? He thought.

Once Meera had excused herself, Ezekiel made sure that he was the first to speak.

"Now that you have my time, lady Sigrid, please do tell me ...What do you wish to talk to me about?"