The Forsaken Hero

I shrank beneath the incredulous gazes of the nobles of the Blacksand Empire. Gradually, the shock shifted to anger. Murmurs rippled through the court as faces twisted in scowls.

Grand Duke Barthen paled. My hand still clutched feebly over the scroll.

"But she’s a–er, I wasn’t aware," he stammered.

"You were supposed to be. It’s the diplomat’s job to find out the nature of those they negotiate with. What if this child wasn’t so magnanimous to forgive you for humiliating her in front of all these people?"

When had I decided something like that? It was true I didn’t intend to let the treaty fall through, but--

I shivered as her gaze returned to me. Perhaps that was why she had shared such embarrassing things about Barther’s past. It was her way of taking the pressure off me, so I didn’t feel the need to strike back. It was a cunning move and one I wasn’t sure I appreciated.

"T-they told you I could use combat spells?" I asked her tentatively.

"They told us many things about you, like your ruthless, deceptive nature," she said.

I flinched, but she smiled. She must be teasing me.

"It’s clear you’re little more than a child. I have a hard time believing the one solely responsible for the destruction of Brithlite can’t even stand before a few nobles without her knees knocking. Now come here, let me help you."

I looked back at Elise, who nodded and allowed Elaine to take my hands. She cast a chantless spell like Luke’s, summoning a gleaming black blade of obsidian. She placed it in my palm and closed my fingers around the handle.