Chapter 134: Getting Answers (Part One)
"I claim his life and horn as forfeit!"
For a moment, Ashlynn’s words shocked the assembled council, soldiers and servants into complete silence. The ones who had carried the fallen Tuscans here already regarded Ashlynn and Hauke with deep awe, and a bit of that even spilled over onto Virve, though no one believed that the greatest credit for the battle went to the veteran soldier.
It would take more than skill at battle to defeat an almost equal number of Tuscans. The Frost Walkers believed that victory had been achieved due to the combined powers of their little lord with his iridescent horn and the vampire’s Seneschal with her witchcraft.
Because of this admiration, they were sympathetic when she asked for Andrus’ heroics to be recognized, even if his accomplishments were minor. Nothing, however, could prepare them for the accusation leveled by the woman whose strength they had just come to recognize.
"Preposterous!" Paulus shouted, standing up and looking aggrieved. "This human woman is slandering me over our disagreement last night! Shameful! Shameful human deceit! I would never do such a thing," he protested.
"Guards," Jannik said, giving his soldiers a stern look. "Apprehend Elder Paulus. If he resists, use force."
On his icy throne, Lord Ritchel smiled as Jannik took action without the need of orders. He might be insulting the dignity of an elder by doing so, but perhaps Jannik had reasons of his own to find the accusation credible.
"My lord," Paulus protested as he was surrounded by armed soldiers. "What proof is there other than this woman’s words? You cannot do this to me without evidence of a crime! I have done nothing wrong," he insisted.
"Seneschal Ashlynn," Lord Ritchel said, leaning forward and carefully regarding the witch before him. She seemed much colder than she had the night before, and firmer as well, as though they had been baptized in the icy waters of the mountains and gained a measure of their frigid strength.