Quoted By:
Just then, you were brought out of your thoughts by the sight of multiple large stone blocks flying overhead. You watched as they flew all the way over to the unfinished gate, settled into place and cemented themselves until they were a natural part of the structure.
<span class="mu-b">“It looks like your friend’s been busy.”</span> Cat observed.
Peter scowled, but said nothing.
—------
As the dim-witted knights led you over the drawbridge and through the castle gates, you could feel an unusual sensation washing over you. Your vibranium dagger rustled in its sheath, and your machete seemed to rattle, along with your guns. When you looked around, you saw that same uncomfortable feeling reflected on your allies’ faces. Everyone except Glass, that is.
It was then that you remembered raccoon boy saying that Tossa could manipulate metal, as well as earth. Maybe this was just her way of checking everyone that approached her domain.
Hoping that you hadn’t just made a terrible mistake, you tried not to let any of your uncertainty show in your body language as the head knight announced your presence.
<span class="mu-b">“Lord Regent, Tossa! We bring with us trespassers, and we cannot agree on what the right course of action would be when dealing with them. We humbly request that you impart onto us your wisdom regarding the matter.”</span> the knight with blue ribbons pleaded.
For a while no one answered. You took this opportunity to glance around the room and take in your surroundings. The decor was gothic in nature, and just about as dark as its name would imply. The staircase and walls seemed to stretch up towards infinity, a small gap in its imperfect architecture allowing you a glimpse of the dark clouds hovering above.
But then, a small disk descended down from that gap, growing larger and larger as it drew closer. When it finally stopped, it was hovering in front of a throne so large that you thought it might have been carved by and for giants. It almost took up the whole throne room!
A young girl with dark skin and a wild tangle of curly hair stepped off of the platform and onto the throne. Her clothes were an elegant and elaborate weave of colorful ribbons and decorative buttons and pins. And resting atop her head, was a dull, gold crown.
She shot an agitated look at her knights and folded her arms behind her back as she paced back and forth atop her massive throne.
<span class="mu-b">“Did I not make myself clear before when I directly ordered you not to allow <span class="mu-i">anyone</span> into my kingdom!”</span> she said, pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation. She had a distinctly African accent, and her face was marked with tiny little scars. Surprisingly, her eyes were blue, and her gaze was sharp. You sensed intelligence in those eyes. More than a child should have. It somewhat reminded you of Pete.
Tossa’s knights shuddered before her, struggling to find something to say that would placate their Lord Regent and forestall her wrath.
(Cont.)
