Chapter 5: The Ultimatum
444 Words
Chapter 5: The Ultimatum
By the following afternoon, news had spread across the valley: Blackthorn had sent an official diplomatic envoy to the Citadel gates, demanding an immediate audience with Duke Vane.
Inside the Citadel's high council chamber, fifty generals, lords, and fortress commanders sat along a massive stone table. At the head of the room stood Gabriel, fully armored in polished black steel, with Calla sitting at his right hand. She was dressed in a high-collared tunic of charcoal wool and silver trim, her mark safely concealed, but her presence commanding the room's attention.
The heavy bronze doors flung open, and Lord Vane—acting as Jaxon’s primary envoy—marched into the hall flanked by four elite Blackthorn knights. He held an official parchment scroll bearing Jaxon's personal red wax seal.
"Duke Vane," Lord Vane began, his voice ringing with formal pomposity. "My lord, Leader Jaxon of Blackthorn, sends his greetings. He demands the immediate extraditing of the female exile named Calla, who stands accused of stealing court documents and committing high treason against our realm."
Gabriel didn't stand up. He sat back in his iron chair, resting his chin on his steepled fingers, studying the old lord with cold indifference.
"She came to my lands seeking asylum under the international code of border scholars," Gabriel stated flatly. "She is currently under the personal protection of the Iron Citadel."
"She is a commoner with no lineage!" Lord Vane spat, stepping forward. "She holds no rights under your laws! Hand her over, Duke Vane, or Blackthorn will consider this stronghold an active enemy in the coming season!"
Gabriel slowly stood up from his chair. His impressive stature made the old lord take an involuntary half-step back. Gabriel reached out, took the parchment scroll directly from Lord Vane’s hands, and without breaking eye contact, tossed it directly into the burning stone brazier beside the dais.
The parchment caught fire instantly, curling into black ash.
"Tell Jaxon that Calla is no longer subject to his court, his laws, or his threats," Gabriel announced, his voice booming off the vaulted ceilings so every general in the hall could hear every word. "And tell him that if he wants to claim her, he had better bring his entire army."
Gabriel turned to face Calla, offering her his hand in front of the entire assembly. Calla took it, standing firm beside him as the static between them flared warmly, settling into an unbreakable bond.
"Because he didn't just exile a commoner," Gabriel added, his dark eyes gleaming with dangerous promise. "He just declared war on the Queen."
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD