Chapter 26

The sharp clatter of morning activity echoed through the palace halls, the sound of servants hustling to prepare for another busy day. But there was something different in the air this morning. The usual hum of quiet chatter was replaced by hushed whispers, the servants stealing glances at one another, their eyes wide with secret knowledge. Rhaine's eyes narrowed as she caught bits and pieces of the fragmented conversations around her.

"She can't be serious," one servant whispered to another.

"It's only a matter of time now… war is coming."

"The king's orders... it's all in the letter."

Rhaine's thoughts whirled. War? Now? What was happening in the palace? These whispers were more than just idle gossip. Something far more pressing was afoot. Her heart pounded in her chest as she moved through the halls, wanting to get to the bottom of the strange atmosphere. She didn't have to search long before she spotted Selara, walking calmly among the servants. But even Selara's demeanor didn't seem quite right this morning. There was a subtle tension in her posture.

 "Selara," Rhaine called softly, walking up to her with a determined stride. "What's going on? Have you heard such... strange rumors."

Selara's brow furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line before she glanced around, ensuring no one else could overhear their conversation. "I'm not entirely sure," she said in a hushed voice. "But the whispers have been getting louder. Apparently the king is planning to go to war again. A letter arrived yesterday—something about an enemy, a threat that no one knows how to deal with yet. And someone in the court said it read, 'I'm coming for you soon.'"

Rhaine's heart skipped a beat. She could feel a coldness settle over her, the mention of a letter and an ominous warning stirring something deep within her. "How is it going with the symbols?" Selara asked, breaking her from her thoughts. "Did you figure out where the ruins lead?"

Rhaine sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "No, not yet. The symbols are complex, and the map—it's more than I can decode right now. I can't tell where the ruins lead. It seems like we have to wait for the Blood Moon. Only then will the map reveal its true meaning."

Selara gave a small, knowing smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Good thing only your bloodline can read the map," she said, her tone laced with a hint of humor. But it didn't reach Rhaine's eyes. No matter how much Selara tried to make light of the situation, Rhaine's mind couldn't help but race. The symbols were important, yes, but there were so many unknowns—the message in the letter, the growing rumors of war, and now this strange sense of urgency that clung to the palace.

As Rhaine wrestled with her thoughts, a servant suddenly appeared in the doorway, her face pale and strained. She bowed low, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Saintess, Healer Selara, you are needed in the courtroom. Please follow me."

Rhaine exchanged a brief look with Selara, and without a word, they both followed the servant. The air seemed to thicken as they walked, and Rhaine couldn't shake the feeling that something far more dangerous than mere rumors was unfolding within the walls of the palace.

They moved swiftly through the corridors, passing the ornate tapestries that lined the walls and the grand staircases leading to the higher chambers. The noise of the palace seemed muffled now, drowned by the unsettling tension that clung to every step. Rhaine's mind raced with questions. Was this related to the letter? Was the king really preparing for war? And why had they been summoned to the courtroom now, of all times? Does he know something?

Fear. Anxiousness. She couldn't quite place it. The closer they got to the courtroom, the more her senses heightened, every sound seeming sharper, every shadow feeling like it hid a secret. She felt an odd knot in her stomach, and her heart hammered in her chest.

The servant led them to the grand wooden doors of the courtroom, which loomed before them like a giant gate to an unknown fate. The doors creaked open as they approached, revealing the long, polished floor and the high, arched ceiling. The room was filled with the low murmurs of courtiers and advisors, all gathered around the king, who sat at his throne with a grim expression.

As they entered, all eyes turned toward Rhaine and Selara. The atmosphere was thick with an air of expectancy, like a storm ready to break. Rhaine's stomach twisted, and she stepped forward, her eyes seeking the king. He didn't look pleased—his jaw was set, his posture stiff as though weighed down by the burden of decisions yet to be made.

"Ah, Rhaine," the king's voice boomed, making her jump slightly. "I trust you're well. We have urgent matters to discuss."

Rhaine bowed her head, though her mind was swirling with the information she'd already gathered. The rumors, the letter, the tension in the palace—it all seemed to converge now, leading to this moment.

"Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady despite the tumult in her chest. "What is it you need of me?"

The king's gaze sharpened as he nodded to one of his advisors. The advisor stepped forward, holding a sealed letter in his hand. "A message has arrived this morning," the advisor said, his voice low and cautious. "A threat... from the neighboring kingdom. We are not sure yet. But we think it is the kingdom of Eryndoria. We have reason to believe they have been preparing something disastrous."

Rhaine's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. It's starting already. The weight of the words pressed down on her like a heavy stone, and she couldn't help but glance back at Selara, who looked just as unsettled.

The king's gaze remained resolute, his voice commanding as he issued his orders. "Prepare yourselves. There will be casualties. Rhaine, Selara, your skills will be crucial. I need you to help with the wounded."

Both women bowed low, their voices steady despite the storm brewing within. "We will do as you say, Your Majesty," they vowed in unison.