“I must thank the monarchy for being so forthright with its information,” he said, his voice strong and clear. “I am certain it has eased many troubled minds present in this room. But as a representative of the people, I have some questions that have remained unanswered. To begin, will those who have been detained now be released? And can the monarchy confirm that the victims of this creature have received a proper burial?”
Chatter erupted in the balconies. Black sat back down, and Reldo looked suddenly uncomfortable as he gazed toward Lord Despaard, who in turn looked to King Roald.
The King nodded once and Despaard stood.
“They shall be released,” he announced. “But in answer to your second point…” He looked back to the King who pursed his lips and nodded again. “The bodies will be returned as soon as possible.” A clamour arose that indicated the audience’s dissatisfaction with his words.
Albertus Black stood again in an attempt to calm the growing clamour. People booed and shouted angrily. Captain Rovin, standing next to the throne, half-drew his sword with his bandaged hand.
“Quiet! Please… we must have silence!” Albertus’ words were barely audible to Kara as the angry display continued.
“You don’t represent us,” someone shouted down at him. The man’s words were cheered as Albertus Black’s expression showed the pain they caused him. At his side, the wealthy traders and craftsmen peered in concern at the masses gathered above them.
Suddenly Kara sensed movement at her side. Theodore stood up and raised his hands. When the crowd ignored him, he walked from the bench and stood in front of the stage, his hands open.
“Quiet,” he shouted, then he repeated it louder as the crowd convulsed. “Quiet!”
“You cannot claim to represent us either, knight,” someone else called down as the shouting subsided.
“You are right,” Theodore called back. “I cannot. And I do not. But I think I know who you might be satisfied with.” The knight looked to Albertus Black and his well-dressed cohort. “You have berated those who traditionally represent you, and yet someone must. Is that not the way the King’s parliament works? An appointed representative of the people must be selected to air their concerns to the crown?”
Kara saw the sweat bead on his brow.
“Who do you suggest, Sir Theodore?” Aeonisig Raispher asked. “Who has the backing of the people, if these distinguished gentlemen no longer have it?”
Theodore looked briefly to the King. Kara found the monarch’s face unreadable.
“I suggest that the woman Ellamaria be brought here,” Theodore said.
And finally an expression crossed the King’s face-one of surprise.
“She has risked a considerable amount,” Theodore continued. “By her actions-and hers alone-do we convene here today.” In the stunned silence Theodore turned to address the balconies. “She is a representative free of any political goals. Her actions on your behalf have earned her a prison cell.”
After a moment, an answer came.
“She is still not one of us!” someone cried. “She hasn’t suffered like us!”
Suddenly King Roald stood. His face was taut, his eyes fierce.
“Suffered like you?” he spat out in a cold rage. “Suffered? I have suffered at the hands of this creature. I have lost something that was as dear to me as any you could have lost.” He stepped forward from his throne as Lord Despaard moved to intercept him.
“My lord you must not-”
“It must be said, Despaard,” the ruler said, brushing aside the objection. “My people doubt me.” He turned again to face the onlookers. “I am their King! They will doubt no more.” He stepped to the very front of the stage and glared angrily at the balconies above him.
“Lady Elizabeth never died from falling from her horse, as was told to the kingdom at the time. She was murdered by the Wyrd. She was its first victim.”
His words shocked the chamber into silence.
Behind her, Kara heard William breathe out.
“By the gods,” he whispered. “Lady Elizabeth, the King’s wife-to-be,
King Roald continued. “The truth of her death is as follows: we were riding from a hunting lodge on the Eastern Chase. Lady Elizabeth got ahead of me, and when I caught up to her I found the Wyrd standing over her body, her face already black in death. I do not know why the monster didn’t try to slay me before she vanished, but a guard in my service touched her wounds first, and he too was dead within a moment. So, people of Varrock, when you think that you and you alone are the victims of this creature, know that you are not. The woman I loved was taken from me.”
The King looked to Captain Rovin and then across to Theodore, still standing below the stage.
“Bring Ellamaria from the dungeon,” he ordered coldly. “I accept Sir Theodore’s recommendation. I shall return when she is here.”
With that King Roald left the chamber through the door he had entered, followed by Despaard and Rovin. Theodore returned to his seat.
For a long time, no one made a sound.
Ellamaria entered the chamber in the company of two guards. As she did so the crowd gave a sudden cheer, and Kara saw her eyes widen. Theodore made to intercept her, and they spoke quietly.
“She looks like her, you know,” William remarked to no one in particular.
“Who?” Kara asked him.
“Ellamaria,” he said. “She resembles Lady Elizabeth.”
Theodore rejoined them as the young woman was led across the aisle to Albertus and the leading citizens of Varrok.
“What did you tell her, Theodore?” Kara said.
She looked to where Anne was seated, and gave her best urchin smile. Anne raised her eyebrow and looked away.
“She occupied the cell across from where Gar’rth was imprisoned, and told me her story last night,” Theodore explained. “She isn’t a bad woman at all, rather she has suffered greatly. She lost her family to the Wyrd, and has asked for my help in gaining the King’s pardon. I think this should help.” For just a moment he looked satisfied with himself. “The guards who brought her here have told her all that’s happened, so it’s up to her now.”
King Roald entered again to the sound of a horn, and at once everyone stood. Only when he was seated on the throne did the parliament follow suit.
All save one, for Ellamaria had been left without space on the bench.
Struggling to his feet, Albertus Black offered her his place.
“Keep your chair, sir,” she said, “for you look as if you have more need of it than I.”
William guffawed in laughter. The merriment was shared by the onlookers, and even King Roald smiled slightly. Albertus, looking suddenly lost, sat back down in a daze.
Despaard moved forward and spoke.
“We all know what has been happening,” he said grimly. “The question we must answer now is what are we going to do about it. The King will offer a generous reward to anyone who can lead us to the Wyrd, more to the person who can track down and kill the creature, and even more if she can be taken alive.
“But besides that, what more can we do?”
Albertus Black shuffled to his feet once more.
“Indeed, there is the question of the Wyrd’s purpose. Why is she here? What does she seek to accomplish with her reign of terror? I know the thoughts of the prophecy are worrying to many. I myself don’t have such certainty in it…”
Kara saw Reldo nod in approval.
