CHAPTER 25 : THE QUEEN’S PROMISE

I had spent days inside the confinement. or perhaps several weeks. Here, in the damp, cold stone dungeon where King Sylvester had ordered me to be kept away, time had become meaningless. With just the distant sound of footfall overhead to serve as a reminder that life went on outside these walls, one day blended into the next.

With a jarring sound,, the cell doors opened, and I sat up, heart palpitating. With her visage as impenetrable as ever, Lorna entered the room, accompanied by an unfamiliar-looking guard. Despite their silence, I could tell they were coming after me. Lorna nodded stiffly and beckoned for me to follow. I wavered. Now what? Was this the last one? Was this where my demise lay?

But no, Lorna's face lacked finality.

There was more going on. With shaky legs from inactivity, I gently rose up and trailed them into the dimly illuminated hallway. The guard led the way up the narrow stairs, his armour chiming with every step. The wet chill of the basement faded behind us a