Trial of a Hero (1)

The loud knocking on the house's door was unusual, something neither of them expected, especially not at such an early hour. Even the few servants in the house would never create such a ruckus in the morning. 

"I'll go check it out. Stay here," Hiraeth said. 

She stepped out of bed and descended the stairs toward the house's entrance. Driven by curiosity, Sasha hurriedly put on her clothes and followed Hiraeth, stopping to hide at the top of the stairs. 

When the door opened, Hiraeth was taken aback by the sight of the sacred robes worn by the church guards standing before her. Her expression grew serious, and the demeanor of her days as a captain immediately resurfaced. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked firmly. 

The guards hesitated, evidently aware of the authority and legendary reputation of the woman before them. Eventually, one of them, seemingly the bravest, stepped forward.