Page 19 of A Broken Promise

Get it together, Finnleah.

The anger, like my righteous protector, was ready to barge in toraise the crumbling walls back up. Like a switch, I blinked and let the anger flow in.

I stared at myself again.I am strong and Iwillsurvive.

I rinsed my red face in the cold, almost icy water, tiny droplets almost evaporating at the touch of my skin.

I felt hot. I was hot. Feverish.

My mind might be able to climb any mountain, yet my body was weak. Broken.

I sighed in defeat, though some level of relief came with it. I was grateful that my body carried me this far, and if I must rot from within to meet my Death, so be it.

Better that, than by the hands of the Destroyer.

9

Iwas half asleep when a loud knock woke me up. I quickly sat up, hissing, as a wave of pain rolled over me. The bright sky outside was now turning soft coral and the shadows thickened. A tall soldier walked in. It was the same man that carried me here. Orest.

He was still dressed in full armor, though his helm was off, exposing a full head of messy, dark burgundy curls reaching just the tips of his ears. Though he was large in stature, his face was young. He was young, more of a boy than a man.

“You are expected in the throne hall.” He nodded slightly in greeting. His voice was deep, yet youthful and soothing. I gasped as I took a wrong step and tumbled. He quickly closed the distance between the door and my fallen body. His well-built arms gently raised me on my feet, stepping away from me a second later.

“Your dress is undone,” he noted.

Though I was back on my two feet, I felt as low as the ground I was just laying on a minute ago. I muttered through my teeth.

“I can’t...reach it.”

“May I help you?” he asked without making a single move. I narrowed my eyes on him. But he hadasked,andI nodded defeatedly. He quickly tied up the rest of the dress, though I could see him pausingas he saw the scars. Something about this soldier was different. He was a Destroyer, no doubt, yet he radiated comfort and care that for a second there, felt good. I felt secure. A part of me was grateful for that kindness, yet I didn’t thank him, nor did I take the hand he offered to walk me down the stairs.

“This way.” He opened the already familiar large doors for me and let me in.

The walls of the throne room were already lit up with large torches, the chandelier lighting up the rest of the room in the mid evening light. Small oil lamps stood between the skull vases. The large, wooden table was now covered with all manner of dishes. A lone violinist was playing softly in the background some sad tune.

A few of the Destroyer soldiers were positioned along the perimeter of the room. Lord Inadios and the Destroyer General were deep in conversation, sitting in the only two chairs by the table. Both glanced over me as I walked in, though the General’s eyes lingered on me for too long. As I lowered my own eyes away, he swiftly turned back to Inadios a second later.

“Rumors of the Rebel forces are growing even this far West, my Lord Master,” Lord Inadios said, sounding concerned. “I have had to send additional forces to the villages to monitor and clean out any traitorous scum who spread such atrocious rumors.”

“And what do you do with those Rebel sympathizers then?” the Destroyer General asked, putting another grape in his mouth.

“Some of them are sent to the Rock Quarries, some of them are executed immediately. Based on how useful they are with providing any information,” Lord Inadios said, putting on a determined smile. He was clearly pleased to see the Destroyer General interested in what he had to offer.

“Hmm,” Destroyer replied, motioning him to continue.

“Well, we’ve come to find out, General, that Rebels are gathering in the North.”

“Do you have a specific location?” he asked matter-of-factly.

Lord Inadios screeched a little before quickly mumbling.

“I am sorry, my Lord Destroyer General, but not yet. So far, wehave yet to catch an actual Rebel. Just sympathizers, and they run on limited information.”

“How unsurprising, yet still deeply disappointing, Inadios. Again, you’re offering me a gift but giving me only the wrapping,” the General lazily said as his eyes slid back to me, pausing on my bruised arms.

He turned back to the puffed-up, sweaty Lord sitting across from him. “Unlike you, Inadios, we operate based on actual information and not skimpy rumors. But, I applaud your pathetic efforts to keep Rebels at bay. They are indeed pests we must not tolerate.”

“Much appreciated, my Great Lord,” Inadios whimpered, slightly nodding.

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