Chapter 10 - THE BLOOD ON THE SNOW
The central courtyard of Ironhold Castle was packed with hundreds of nobles, warriors, and pack elders. The cold winter air was thick with tension as word of the attempted assassination spread through the crowd.
In the center of the snow-covered yard, Lord Vane, Elena, and Maya were forced onto their knees by heavy-armored Shadowguards.
King Kieran stood at the top of the courtyard steps, flanked by Arya. She wore her royal wedding dress, her silver hair blowing wildly in the mountain wind, her gray eyes burning with silver light.
"People of the Northern Wastes!" Kieran’s voice thundered across the courtyard, carrying over the howling wind. "Today, on the sacred Solstice, treason was brought into the heart of my home! Lord Vane of the High Council, alongside Elena and Maya Windmir, attempted to murder your Queen using dark poison!"
A roar of outraged shouts erupted from the assembled pack warriors. Swords were drawn, shields clattered, and angry growls filled the icy air.
"No! This is a lie!" Lord Vane screamed, struggling against his iron restraints. "She is a witch! She used Omega sorcery to trick the King! I acted to protect our ancient bloodlines!"
Kieran walked slowly down the stone steps, stopping right in front of Vane. "Your ancient bloodlines ended the moment you laid a plot against my mate."
Without a second warning, Kieran drew his heavy broadsword in a single, lightning-fast motion. The silver blade caught the winter sunlight for a fraction of a second before slicing cleanly through the air.
Lord Vane’s head rolled across the red-stained snow.
The court went dead quiet.
Elena let out a horrified, breathless sob, burying her face in the cold snow as Kieran turned his blood-stained blade toward her.
"Your Majesty! Mercy! Mercy!" Elena wept hysterically, clutching at his leather boots. "I am her sister! We share the same blood!"
Kieran looked at Elena with absolute disgust. He lifted his sword, preparing to end her life with a single stroke.
"Stop," a voice called out from the top of the steps.
Kieran paused, looking back up at Arya.
Arya slowly walked down the steps. Her white dress trailed over the red-stained snow, but she did not look away from the gore. She stopped beside Kieran, looking down at the trembling, weeping mess that was once her arrogant, cruel sister.
"Arya..." Elena gasped, lifting her tear-streaked face. "Please... save me! Remind him of our childhood! I am your sister!"
"You were never my sister," Arya said, her voice completely devoid of pity. "You were my tormentor. You made me sleep in the cold, eat scraps, and believe I was nothing."
Arya leaned down, her luminous silver eyes staring straight into Elena’s soul.
"I will not give you a martyr's death, Elena," Arya declared clearly so the entire court could hear. "Death is too easy for you."
Arya turned her gaze toward Kieran. "Strip them of the Windmir name. Banish them from the Northern Wastes forever. Let them live as nameless, rogue scavengers in the desolate Outer Reaches, where they will have to beg for every scrap of bread just to survive."
A cruel, appreciative smile touched Kieran’s lips. To a proud noble wolf, banishment into rogue territory as a nameless beggar was a fate far worse than a quick death.
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"So speaks your Queen," Kieran announced, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Banish them!"
The guards grabbed Elena and Maya by their arms, dragging them away screaming and weeping into the howling blizzard outside the castle iron gates.
