Chapter 26: True Nature
Charles, hearing Adam’s cold words about the assassin being his target and no one else being allowed to touch him, slowly turned his eyes away from Adam and back towards the terrified assassin.
The assassin was still standing just a few meters away, close enough to see his face clearly, but far enough that he seemed alone in the big hall. The assassin wasn’t just shaking a little; he was trembling hard, like he was freezing cold. He kept nervously looking at Adam, who was walking towards him like a silent, unstoppable force, and then quickly glancing behind him.
Behind the assassin, filling the corridor from which he had run, were dozens of Royal Guards. They were all lined up, standing straight, wearing their shining armor from head to toe.
They looked like a wall of metal. And standing among these guards, giving the whole scene a heavy weight, were the King and the Queen. They weren’t saying anything, not making a sound, but they were watching everything that was happening, their eyes fixed on Adam and the terrified assassin.
Charles, feeling the King’s eyes on him, slowly lifted his head. He looked across the distance and met the King’s gaze. The King didn’t speak either, but he took a deep breath, letting it out softly. Then, with a face that was serious and little worried, he gave Charles a small nod. It was a tiny movement, but Charles, who had served the King for a long time, understood it perfectly.
The King’s nod was an unspoken command. It meant: stand down. Let Adam handle this. We will not interfere here.
Charles understood immediately what needed to be done. He didn’t hesitate for a second, didn’t question the King’s silent order. He turned his attention back towards Adam and the assassin.
Slowly, carefully, Charles pulled his massive sword back. But now, as he pulled it back, the invisible energy field that had earlier stopped the sword dead in the air seemed to be gone. It offered no resistance at all this time.
The heavy weapon moved back easily, smoothly sliding behind him as he drew it out of the invisible hold. With a swift, practiced motion, Charles then moved the sword to his back. The heavy blade went into its home with a solid thud as it locked into place at his back. He wasn’t going to fight.