221 Advance (1/2)

It was night when Ash left Mythrille. It was afternoon two days after when she arrived at Heraldshome. The city was still jubilant from the recent festival of a thousand songs. Hums could be heard from every corner of the city. Bards and amateur bards sang new songs. But the atmosphere was also filled with melancholic murmurs. Ash heard people talk about how King Harold was being held hostage in Mythrille. Ash questioned her ears at first. News of what happened arrived sooner than her. But she remembered that the Monarchs have other spies in Mythrille. The old woman whose house was just near the gate of the palace, that royal guard with a sharp chin, that person she saw one time- all of them were her fellow spies.

With the orange sun cast on the horizon, she rode her battered and exhausted horse towards the palace. People eyed her. She was still wearing the same dirty nightgown. The cloth had further gathered dust and dirt on her way here. Ash did find several small streams and sources of water but she didn't dare dally to wash her clothes.

She shouldn't care. Harold was her enemy. She bed him only to serve the Union. But after what he did, she felt indebted to him. Ash could only imagine Harold's state at Mythrille. The citizens were probably clamoring for Harold's death.

The guards at the palace were smart enough to recognize Ash despite her beggary appearance. The iron gate was opened to her. Messengers were sent to inform the monarchs and she was led by a maid inside to wash and to eat. As for the horse, the battered mare with white coat turned brown, she could only wish well. The animal had served her with grace.

Bathwater turning hazel as her skin regained its normal color, Ash changed into a new dress, one with sparkles on its cuffs and intricate waves on its collar. It matched her well, Ash decided in front of the mirror. She looked like a noble now.

The maid opened the door in a hurry. Popping her head on the gap, the maid informed her that Queen Lucia and the King are coming.

Ash prepared herself. She had practiced lines on her way here. She thought hard, honing here words. She thought of the flow of their conversation. Both the monarchs were famed to be clever. She would have a hard time convincing them. But she was prepared.

The first who entered was the King. His dark hair was combed neatly. His posture was fine- so fine. The way he walked and the way he presented himself were enough to make her want to kneel. And then the Queen followed, gracious, elegant and pure.

”You want us to march into Mythrille and save King Harold” King Timothy's said ”Alright. Lucky us, two more of my legions have arrived yesterday. Some Cantonese soldiers have also joined our ranks to defend King Harold. We will leave on the morrow”

Ash's words were stuck on her throat. She made sounds- stutters probably. She was too confused to care. All her preparations, those lines she committed to memory- useless.

”How” Ash uttered the word.

The Queen stepped closer to her. The meeting of their eyes as their distance grew short was too much for Ash. The Queen put both hands on her shoulders.

”You have served us well” Queen Lucia's smile served to make her more elegant ”But I know how you feel. Kindness shouldn't be repaid with betrayal”

”He did treat me well” Ash said, bobbing her head into slow nods ”He is not cruel. He is gentle as a snow. He is...” Ash felt sourness on her eyes ”He treated me well like what I said, gave me everything he could give. I am not changing my alliances nor am I ruing my decisions. My resolve stays firm. But he doesn't deserve death”

”I know” The Queen's voice was calming ”We know”

Ash raised her look towards the King. ”You will march towards Mythrille?”

”Fast paced, without rest” The King answered

”And not just to reward me I suppose?”

”Marching to Mythrille would be dangerous. The road is crooked with many opportunities for ambush. We would also be the ones attacking so we would have to exert more effort than the enemies. In short, we would be put into a disadvantage. I would have not risked that if the only reason is to reward you. You have served us well, as in the words of my beloved Queen. Although we are grateful, you are not the only reason for our decisions”