Interior. Throne Room.
I stand before the king and queen. Their usual retinue is no where in sight. The guards are conspicuously absent as well. Royalty should never be left truly alone unattended, unguarded, yet here we are.
The king starts to speak, but quickly stops as the queen rests her hand on his shoulder. She holds the real power in the Kingdom. Her power, physically, magically, even charismatically, unquestioned.
She begins to speak, “Sarah, in consideration of the friendship you’ve had both with me and my husband, as well as your considerable contributions to theoretical magics, I will present you with an alternative to death.” After a brief pause that feels like ages, she continues, “Banishment outside the Kingdom for 10 years.”
The king looks like he wants to speak up again, but a subtle squeeze of her hand still resting on his shoulder is enough to bottle up whatever objections he might have had.
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I, in turn, hide my relief and put on a facade of resignation. In truth, I have been preparing for this eventuality for a long time. Death or imprisonment would have been far more terrifying prospects.
“Very well, I accept your most gracious reprieve,” I reply.
“Good. Had the Table been involved, even I could not have easily saved you from death.”
With that, she stands and starts to walk out the back of the chamber. At the doorway, she stops, looks back, and adds, “Be at the northern gate at 10 am tomorrow. You have until then to pack your things.” She glances at her husband before continuing out the door.
The king sighs and takes a moment to steel his resolve before speaking, “I’m sorry, there isn’t anything else I can do.”
I reply, “Thank you, my life is enough.” I give him a wry smile, as if to say I understand and do not blame you as he too, rises and leaves the chamber.
With no time to lose, I leave in the opposite direction out the main entrance where guards posted outside see me out of the building.