Sleep, beloved

Back in the palace of Ransia, the lower level was in a frenzy. Blood-soaked Ransian soldiers picked and hobbled their way past healers and servants rushing to help the wounded who had been laid on the floor.

More injured were brought in as Naomi and Thalia made their way through. The entire place stank of blood and death.

"Have you seen—?" she started to ask a passing servant when she sighted Chief Malon crouched over a whimpering soldier.

The chief looked up and approached them slowly. He had found time to put on some armor which was now caked with mud and blood. Aside from the exhaustion evident on his face, he seemed fine and unharmed.

"Follow me to the banquet hall." Since the council chambers were in a state of disrepair, the banquet hall was the next best place so she and Thalia followed.

When they got inside, he ordered the servants in there to get out and after their departure, he faced Naomi and Thalia squarely.

"I heard you saved my wife and her maids. And fought the en