Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

“What are you afraid of?”

The two adults stared at Sophia with pitiful guilt and remorse. “Sophia just leave it alone.”

Sophia paced from side to side of the chamber not looking at either of her parents. “Fine, I will ask a different question. The Lady of the Night, who is she?”

Her mother looked shocked at the question, while her father stared dead into her eyes.

“She is…I don’t know what she is. She is dangerous Sophia, do not go near her. I have heard rumours…rumours that, well just stay away,” her father warned.

“I have made a business partner of someone who is an associate of hers, I plan to meet this Lady of the Night and would like to know what these ‘rumours’ are so I don’t go in blind. Isn’t that what you taught me, father? Always know as much as you can about someone before meeting with them?”

“So you actually listened to the lessons I taught you,” replied her father.

“Sophia,” her mother butted in, “The rumours your father is referring to are related to Cainva. It has been said that she was responsible for the attack. Please stay away.”

“That’s all you guys say. Stay away from this, stay away from that, don’t do this. Well for once I am taking action, plus it was creatures from the Dark Lands that attacked Cainva. No one could have orchestrated that attack except the Elves and their cursed magic, so your rumours are nonsense. It’s not up to you anymore. I will find the key and know what you are hiding, and I will meet with the Lady of the Night,” Sophia said, her voice raising with each sentence.

Her parents glanced at each other in silent conversation. There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Sophia called out just before the door swung open revealing an awkward-looking guard.

“Sorry to disturb, my Queen, but Commander Tollias has returned from the Power Plant and wishes to see you,” said the sweating guard.

“Thank you, I was done here anyway,” she said and made her way out of the room. The doors were shut and locked behind her.

She made her way through the palace passing numerous paintings in which swirling colours were trapped. Her grey and blue dress skimmed the floor, her shoes clicking against the stones. To guards followed her every step in protection. After turning down multiple passageways she made it to the main hall where the throne and Tollias were waiting. She sat on her gemmed chair and watched as the Commanded bowed.

“What do you have to report?” she asked.

“The reason for the electricity shortage is the power plant’s coal shipments have become lesser in quantity. After the prison camp attack, there are few workers to mine the coal and send it to the power plant to be burnt.”

Sophia took a moment to ponder on his words, trying to think of a solution to the problem. Then it clicked in her head. “Get one of the Captain’s to round up all of the people on the streets and chuck them into the camp. They are not doing anything but being a waste of space, half of them are thieves anyway.”

Tollias clenched his jaw. “Perhaps you should think of the example this would set. By getting rid of all the people in need you are-”

“I will worry about the politics, you stick to the army Tollias. Do not question my decisions, obey. I want you to set out to Cainva tonight, and by sunrise tomorrow if you do not find that key I will have you stripped of your rank,” she grumbled.

“My Queen, you have yet to tell me the description of the key,” he argued. She did not like his back talk at all. She was Queen, he was supposed to respect her every decision.

“Then bring me every key that you find,” she said and got up from the throne and turned to one of the guards. “Before you go send for Trevor Locren, I wish to speak to him.”

“Yes my Queen,” replied the guard and bowed before turning away, descending through the throne rooms whispering walls.

“Tollias, one last thing, war is coming. The gods will side with us I have no doubt, for the Elves do not even believe in their existence, however just to be sure a sacrifice is necessary and will cement our victory. Please find a suitable candidate, preferably someone of noble blood but lacking in importance,” she said.

“Yes your highness,” he said with a bow and left the halls.

Sophia tapped her fingers impatiently against the side of the throne that she was now sitting on again. Her frost-bitten green eyes scanned the room from the red carpet to the guards that seemed to be flawing asleep beneath their helmets. When everything was over she would sleep for years. Only once justice had been brought and she had to no longer worry about the oppressors, she would rest. She sat on the throne imagining what her dreams may hold. Would she be married, have an heir to pass down her crown?

Out stepped Trevor, kneeling on the floor as he bowed to his Queen. “Thank you for coming,” she told him.

“What is it that you want, my Queen?” he asked while standing up. His scared face stared straight at her.

“This supplier of yours, the Lady of the Night, I wish to meet with her. Can you please organise this for the meeting to occur as soon as possible?” Sophia asked.

“Of course, is that all?” Trevor asked.

“How goes the Hunt?” she wondered.

Trevor gave her a smile, “Since you gave your support we have been getting more and more people signing up. Soon we will have more recruits than the army itself.”

Sophia smiled back at him. “Good. We will need them for what is to come.”

“Do you plan for war?”

“I plan for many things. I plan for human salvation. If that is through bloodshed then so be it,” she answered.

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Sophia sighed, looking at the mountains of paperwork on her desk. The letters from the people that she had no time to read. A knock on the door, she told them to come in, now a guard stood at her chamber’s threshold.

“My Queen, the Lady of the Night has arrived,” said the guard.

She glanced at the hidden door. “Any news of Tollias?” she asked.

“One of the men that went with him just returned. He said Tollias just rode straight past Cainva with a few of the other men,” replied the guard.

Sophia ran a hand through her hair in frustration. “Traitorous bastard,” she mumbled. She turned back to the guard, “Let it known that he is wanted for treason, I want him brought back to my feet alive for execution.”