Natasha Luepke - Blood Innocence
La Regina est Mort, Vive La Regina
Niamh had watched Fenris leave. She waited in the kitchen to inform Vati
and Majka of Leonida's whereabouts. Vati was not happy about his prodigal.
Niamh then returned to her manor at Lightening Falls and gathered her
guard. They set out for the palace. Niamh saw Leonida's horse at the
bottom of the cliff. Sending a few men ahead to the palace, she unsheathed
her sword to investigate.
Niamh came across Fenris's body first, facedown in front of an open cage.
She crouched, checking for vital signs. She saw the claw marks. It was
too late. She shivered and moved on.
Niamh came to the main part of the cliff and saw the body of the winged
lion. She saw Leonida curled up in a fetal position, still holding her
sword. Nehalennia was bent over her body.
"What are you doing here?" Niamh asked.
Nehalennia looked up. "You know as well as I do that it is the holder
of the sword that gets the kingdom. Come for it yourself?"
"How dare you!"
"She abandoned you. There's still time."
Niamh advanced. "No, there isn't."
Nehalennia sat up. "What are you going to do, High Councilwoman?"
Niamh summoned all the courage she had. Lifting her sword high, she
brought the flat side down on Nehalennia's head, knocking her out. She
quickly tied the girl's hands with her girdle, then called for the captain
of her guard.
"Ma'am," he gasped when he reached her. "We have just received word. The
queen is dead. They fear panic in the streets."
Niamh knelt beside Leonida. "She breathes. The queen lives. Bring up a cart."
