"This is ridiculous,"
Zaina had counted the patterns on the wall three times.
She had traced the cracks in the stone, paced the length of the chamber until her feet ached, and sat down only to stand again moments later.
The guards outside had not moved. Their shadows remained fixed beneath the door, a reminder that her mother meant every word she had spoken.
Zaina muttered, turning sharply.
"They're discussing everything right now, and we're stuck here like children."
Imani sat cross legged on the cushion, her back against the carved wall.
"We are being punished."
"Yes, but unfairly."
"You did sneak into the forest at night."
"You helped me."
Imani sighed. "Unwillingly."
Zaina resumed pacing.
"The scouts must have said something. They saw the stones. They must have seen more."
She stopped, frowning.
"Or maybe they didn't. They didn't look far enough. They never do."
Imani watched her quietly.
"You're thinking about it again."
"I'm trying to understand it."
Zaina crossed to the low table and pulled an old cloth bundle toward her. Inside lay a worn book, its edges frayed and its leather faded from years of handling. She flipped it open, scanning quickly.
"Where did you get that Zaina?"
Zaina ignored.
"What are you looking for?" Imani asked again.
"Anything." Zaina turned a page.
"Broken boundaries. Spirit crossings. Signs. There must be something written."
The pages were filled with faded ink and crude sketches, old symbols she recognized from her lessons.
Her finger paused on a line.
"When balance breaks, the land remembers."
Zaina groaned and continued scrambling through the worn out pages.
"The watchers shall return before the breaking."
Zaina leaned closer.
"Watchers?" she murmured.
Imani shifted. "What does it say?"
"Not much." She turned another page.
"Just stories. Old warnings. Half of this is myth."
"Maybe myths exist for a reason."
Zaina didn't answer. Her mind drifted back to the trees, to the stillness, to the eyes watching her without fear.
"You weren't scared," Imani said softly.
Zaina blinked. "What?"
"In the forest. When we talked last night. You weren't scared."
Zaina closed the book slowly.
"I should have been."
"But you weren't."
She shook her head.
"It didn't feel dangerous."
Imani hesitated. "How did it feel? "
Zaina looked down at her hands.
"It was… calm. Like it was just… there." She exhaled.
"It didn't come closer or threaten me. It just watched."
Imani's voice dropped.
"You think it was real?"
"I know it was."
Silence filled the room.
Zaina's gaze hardened slightly.
"If it showed itself once… it can again."
Imani looked up sharply.
"You're not planning to go back."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Zaina turned away, but her voice was lower now.
"I need to understand what I saw. And why it chose that moment."
Imani said nothing. She only watched her friend, worry settling deeper in her chest.
The Queen had just removed her bracelets when a knock came at her chamber door.
"Yes?"
A guard stepped in and bowed.
"Your Majesty. The King requests your presence."
She paused briefly, then nodded.
"I will come."
The corridors were quieter than usual as she walked. The tension from the council meeting still lingered in the palace air, whispers passing between servants and guards alike.
By the time she reached the King's chamber, her expression had settled into calm neutrality.
She entered without ceremony.
The King stood near the window, hands clasped behind his back. He turned when she approached.
"You sent for me."
"I did." His voice was softer than she expected.
"Sit."
She did not. "What is it?"
He studied her a moment, then sighed.
"About earlier… what I said."
She remained silent.
"I spoke poorly," he continued.
"I allowed frustration to guide my words. I should not have said what I did."
The Queen tilted her head slightly.
"You rarely apologize."
"I rarely need to."
That earned the faintest lift of her brow.
He continued, more seriously.
"Our daughter is… strong willed. But she is not wrong. Something is happening. I see that now."
The Queen crossed her arms lightly.
"You came to that conclusion quickly."
"The scouts helped." He paused.
"And you."
She said nothing.
The King studied her carefully.
"She went into the forest. Didn't she? "
It was not a question.
"She did," the Queen replied calmly.
"I thought so. I know my daughter. When she is restless, she doesn't sit still."
He shook his head. "What happened?"
"She went too far. I followed."
The Queen kept her tone measured.
"There were men nearby. I guided her away before they noticed."
"No trouble?"
"None."
He nodded slowly.
"You handled it well."
"She should not have gone at all."
"No," he agreed.
"But you know how she is."
Silence stretched between them.
"Why didn't she attend the report?" he asked.
"I grounded her."
The King blinked, then let out a breath that was almost a laugh.
"The irony."
"She would have interrupted."
"That she would."
He moved closer, his tone easing.
"You were harsh?"
"I was firm."
"She'll recover."
"She'll learn."
The King studied her face, then spoke more calmly.
"Stay tonight."
The Queen's eyes flicked to his.
"Since when does the King request things?"
"Since his Queen has been avoiding him."
"Well, i wonder whose fault is that"
He stepped nearer. "I've learnt"
A hint of amusement touched her expression.
"You assume I will agree."
"I hope."
She considered him for a moment, then turned slightly toward the window.
"Perhaps."
The King smiled.
Outside, the night deepened over Amari, quiet and waiting.