Chapter 9: Trial By Sword

"I'll be sure to keep myself available." I said diplomatically. I'm not sure what I could have to add to the investigation, as the king himself was told that I was outside with Rayne when the poisoning occurred. This must be about mother.

"Look, Wren—" Kellen began, tugging at his black hair in frustration. "They're trying to pin this on your mother, but I don't think she did it." He rushed, speaking low and leaning close to my ear. I looked up at him and bit my lip.

"She didn't have anything to do with this." I insisted. Resting my hand on his arm. He looked down at where we touch, and the heat from his arm radiated through me. My palm tingled where we touched. He looked into my eyes as if trying to read something there.

"I believe you." He finally said. He leaned forward and his lips grazed my cheek. "Get some rest, we'll face the interrogation tomorrow." I blushed and nodded, extracting myself from his proximity. It was only then that I realized I was still carrying my shoes in my hand. How classy of me. I shrugged and held my shoes in my hand over my shoulder. I made my way back to my rooms for the evening.

The next morning, I woke up and had gotten dressed in a dark maroon sundress, and left my unruly curls loose. The suns rays filtered through the large bay window panes, the brilliant greenery outside shimmered in the summer sun. I poured myself a generous helping of coffee in the kitchen when a knock sounded at my door. I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. I went to open the door.

Kellen stood there in his royal guard uniform. His muscles stretched the padded material taught, and he was so tall he towered over me in the doorframe. His yellow eyes glimmered as he saw me, and he gave a small smile.

"I'm here to accompany you to the questioning, my lady." He held out his hand to me and bowed low. I placed my hand in his and straightened my dress. Taking a last look back at the apartment, I shut the door behind me.

"Let's go get this over with." I sighed. We started walking down the large hallway, as we would have to wind our way around the grounds to get to the audience chamber. As we exited the housing building, I saw various Fae spread amongst the outside, many hanging out in small groups practicing their magic. I saw icicles amongst the Winter and mini wind gusts amongst Autumn, flames dancing on the hands of some Summer Fae. Kellen and I walked in companionable silence.

"They are using the Veritas Sword." Kellen said finally, his mouth in a grim line. I froze. The Veritas Sword is an ancient relic among our people. It is a sword infused with Iron, Silver and Magic. It forces the wielder to speak only the truth. Holding the sword is said to be excruciatingly painful. I did not need the king questioning me with the Veritas Sword. If he finds out who I am it's a death sentence. I didn't know what to say to Kellen, but I'm sure he read the tension in my shoulders. I clenched my fists and walked as calmly as I could. My head was swimming with possible scenarios. Kellen touched my arm lightly.

"Wren, I don't know what it is that you are trying to hide, but I'll try to keep the questioning directed toward the investigation." He looked me in the eye. I nodded to him and tried to give a small smile. We came to a large set of doors in the Palace. Kellen wrapped on the door, then opened it and gestured for me to walk through. I set my shoulders back, held my head high, and walked through the doors.

The king sat on a throne at the far end of the room. A few royal guards were stationed at each entrance to the audience hall. Prince Rayne stood behind his father's left shoulder, his face impassive. I walked to the center of the room and curtsied low before the king, bowing my head.

"Your Majesty." I addressed him. He nodded and gestured for me to stand. I rose and stared straight ahead. I saw the sword perched on a holder next to the king.

"Wren Ryder, you are called here today to be questioned in relation to the incident yesterday evening. We will be using the Veritas Sword during this investigation. Do you consent to holding the sword?" He addressed me formally, his blue eyes piercing down at me. I nodded my head and swallowed, knowing that saying no wasn't really an option. The king gestured again and one of the royal guard, wearing thick gloves, lifted the sword toward me. I held my hands out to grasp the hilt, and balanced the sword in both of my hands. As the metal came in contact with my skin, I could feel my skin tingling and heating up. A light sizzle sounded between my skin and the metal, but I expected it to hurt more. I frowned down at my hands. The king was looking at me expectantly, so I bit my lip as if it hurt to hold the sword.

"Please state your name for the record." The king announced. I grit my teeth as I felt this pressure in my skull, my mouth was forming words even as I wanted to remain silent. Sweat dotted my brow, my brain was chanting Lyra Wren Argyris, Lyra Wren Argyris. My tongue was shaping to form the words.

"Wren...Ryder, Your majesty." I gritted out. I had managed to bend the truth, I was raised by Helen Ryder, I considered her my mother. Wren Ryder could me one of my monikers.

"Lady Ryder, this is your first time in the Fae realms, is that correct?" He continued.

"Yes." I answered briefly. Hoping he mistook my brevity for pain.

"Your mother is Helen Ryder?"

"Yes"

"Do you have knowledge of who poisoned me last night?"

"No, Your Majesty." I answered quickly.

"Do you believe your mother was involved?" He leaned forward in his seat, resting his hand on his chin. I stared him square in the eyes.

"No, Your Majesty." The metal against my skin was beginning to sting, I adjusted my grip around the sword.

"Why did your mother leave court and stay away so long?" He gritted out. His brow furrowed, and his face was in a grim line.

"For me, Your Majesty. She wanted to keep me away from court as long as possible." The answer slipped out of my mouth. The king rose a brow.

"Why did she want to keep you away from court?" His voice raised on the question. I grit my teeth, sweat dripped down the side of my face. My hair clung to my skin. I clenched my hand around the edge of the sword, the blade bit into my hand and blood dripped slowly down the length of the blade.

"I was raised as a human." I started, panting slightly. "I was happy. She wanted me to stay that way, ignorant and happy." I finished. It wasn't technically a lie. Raynes face looked concerned, he was perched on the edge of his seat, and looked about ready to take the sword from me. Kellen stood behind me, saying nothing. The king finally gestured for the guard to take the sword from me. I breathed in a sigh of relief and sagged noticeably once the sword had been removed from my grip. Rayne stood and walked up to me, placing his arm around my waist, he held me up.

"Are you alright?" He asked, holding me steady. I nodded and offered him a small smile.

"I'm fine." I said, my voice shaky. The king cleared his throat and stared at his son.

"You two seem to be getting along well. Wren, I deem you uninvolved. Thank you for your time. You may witness your mother's interrogation with the sword publicly later." He announced with a wave of his hand. My eyes widened in horror. A public questioning with the sword. To subject one to such public humiliation. Rage burned within me.

Why didn't the sword burn me? Why was I able to circumvent the truth while holding it? I smiled and curtsied again shakily before the king. I turned and leaned on Rayne to walk down the steps of the dais, to head toward the exit.