Standing beside her were two heavily armoured soldiers, their hands on the hilts of their swords in case she tried to pull something. She, Riley, was in between the two giants, strapped to a chair and forced to stare at them.
They wore ridiculously long purple robes that covered any trace of skin. Besides them were also guards like the ones next to her but they displayed no hostility towards them. Them sitting on high chairs felt as though they held power over her. Over her life. And they did. At that moment, she was about to be given judgment. A judgement for a crime she was unaware of. The last thing she remembered was dolling herself in front of the mirror and now she was there.
She didn't know where she was. Or why she was there. All she wanted was to go home. But it seemed the people in front of her wouldn't let that happen.
"Riley, for your unwanted trespassing, you are hereby sentenced to death!"
Her jaw dropped to the floor. How was being there any of her faults?
Before she could react, the guards had unstrapped her and began hauling her to where she assumed she would be killed.
"Wait!… Stop! I haven't done anything wrong!"
"We won't believe words from a criminal" one of the guards sneered. She flailed and kicked, struggling to get out of their grasp.
She tried everything. From elbowing them, and kicking them where it would normally hurt but to no avail. She had done nothing wrong yet she was being punished. It was just like that other time. An unfamiliar fury welled up inside of her.
"I am innocent! Is it so hard to understand? Don't you have better things to do!"
" You would be surprised"
Immediately the guards stopped and bowed to where the voice was coming from.
She whipped her head and came face to face with a boy who looked about her age walking into the room, hands in pockets and with a whistful smile plastered on his face. His curly dark hair bounced with every step he took. His blue eyes stared at the purple-robed, their intensity seemingly piercing through their thoughts
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Honourable Seat?" One of the purple-robed people spoke menacingly.
"Nothing that should concern you. It's just I have just been made aware of a trial regarding a particular Weaver who has crossed the Boundary"
"Yes. We have already reached a verdict. She is to be sent to the gallows"
He smiled. "Such a harsh punishment "
Riley nodded her head frantically. How was it her fault she wound up there? If anything she suspected something there had dragged her from her world.
Her frantic nodding attracted his gaze.
'So she is the one'
"Grand Council, I have a suggestion" He peeled his gaze away from her and back to the purple-robed people.
"Free her and return her to her world"
"Preposterous!" One of them banged their hand onto the table.
"Watch your anger, Freeman," said another purple-robed person.
"How can I, Gemini? He dares intrude on the affairs of the council. He must think being the leader's pet means his opinions have value in our court!"
"You jest. I assure you I have no such intention" The boy said with his arms spread out.
" Even if that was likely, have you forgotten there is no way for her to return?" Freeman sneered.
"Are you certain of that, Sir Freeman?"
" You couldn't mean–" Gemini was shocked. What led him to be bold enough to suggest that method?
"Silence! Let's not reveal anything to the outsider" Taurus interrupted
'Something is not right?' Gemini thought. There was an ulterior motive. She was sure of it. He wasn't the type to do something out of the goodness of his heart. He was a workaholic after all.
"Was it the leader who sent you here?" Gemini asked.
"Why would she trouble herself with such a meddlesome problem?" Freeman barked, seething with rage.
"I am not allowed to disclose any information. All you should know is that this Weaver is to be sent back to Earth" said the boy with a smile.
Gemini looked at the boy and felt uneasy. She had a bad premonition. The person in front of her has always had a knack for turning things upside down. Something struck her that perhaps he was aware of what they were up to and was sent to fix it. It is them, the Council.
"Freeman, Taurus, it would us well to release the weaver"
"What! How could that brat tell us what to do? We are the Council! And punishing vermin falls under our jurisdiction!"
"Calm down. Gemini is right" Taurus mediated.
"You can't be serious too–"
"It would do us well. Little Seat, you may do as you please" Taurus said cooly.
"I will be her escort" the boy volunteered which surprised Riley. Why was he doing so much to save her? Was he after something? She immediately shook away any doubts. As long as he took her back home, she wouldn't care about his aim.
" Proceed as you wish" Gemini sighed.
"As of today, Nicholas, the Honoured Seat of our Sanctuary of Narrators has been temporarily suspended from all duties to accompany Miss Riley, a Gold grade Weaver."
" Thank you for your consideration. I, Nicholas of the Sanctuary of Narrators, hereby accept the order" He took a bow and strutted to where Riley was.
The guards had retreated to the wall and she felt better as she had managed to evade death.
He took a kneel before her.
"Miss Riley, I, Sir Nicholas, promise to protect you and guide you in this journey back to your homeworld." He gently took her hand and kissed it.
"Thank…you" She struggled to force out the words. She felt awkward as she felt everyone's gaze on them. It made her want to sink into a hole and die. To make matters worse, everyone clapped their hands even the ever disagreeing Freeman.
'Things are about to get interesting' Taurus thought to himself.
Everyone soon vacated the room, leaving the two alone.