Chapter 73: Ceremony
The sun rose slowly above the horizon. Raiden stood at the center of the courtroom, the six elders positioned behind their respective counters around him, the king presiding from the highest seat.
Raiden’s gaze moved through the yellow auras before him, confusion clouding his thoughts. He didn’t know how he could have gotten there. The very last thing he remembered was speaking to Alora... His head dropped to his chest instantly as he shook it in disbelief. He had fallen for Alora’s manipulation.
He let out a sigh, wondering why she would want him brought before the high court. He couldn’t think of anything he’d done worth their attention.
The irritation of most elders toward him was obvious enough, and understandable considering he had forced his hidden truths painfully upon them.
While he was caught in thought, King Hannes spoke. "We are glad to have you, Raiden Night."
Raiden tilted his head upward and nodded to him. He might have been summoned after all, though clearly in an unusual way.
King Hannes’ expression darkened. "There are over a hundred knights currently at your post, and I suppose your comrades are there to assist, so there’s no need to worry about your duties."
Raiden wasn’t worried about that; he hadn’t even thought of it. Still, knowing about it gave him a sense of relief.
"And about your comrades..."
Raiden looked startled.
"Among them is a very infamous figure across the Kingdom of Noor, Freya Pasha." King Hannes’ expression grew darker, and his voice dropped. "How exactly did you get in touch with someone as notorious as her?"