Echoes of the Selection

The guard didn't look away, his eyes still fixed on Lolchess.

"I'll have to check this with my superior," he said, tightening his grip on the piece.

Lolchess didn't move an inch. Her expression remained unchanged, impassive in the face of the guard's growing suspicion.

"Very well," she replied calmly. "Go ahead."

The guard hesitated for a moment, perhaps trying to detect any sign of nervousness on her face, but found none. Finally, he gestured to one of his colleagues and whispered something in her ear. The other guard nodded and walked off toward a building at the entrance of the city.

Time seemed to stretch as they waited.

After what felt like an eternity, the guard sent to scout returned, followed by another woman wearing more ornate armor. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Lolchess, and she took the piece from her subordinate's hands.