Angels and Devils XXIII

"This way," Temerity said. She pulled Eisna through the woods until they reached a small cabin. A long time ago it had been an Order of Brim outpost, but it hadn't been used in decades. Temerity opened the door and they went inside. "People will probably be waiting for you to go back to the palace or Order of Brim headquarters. We'll stay here for a while just to be safe."
Eisna just nodded. Temerity looked at him worriedly.
"... I'm sorry about Hummingbird," she said quietly. Her fists clenched. "We'll get them back for this. Every single one of them. I'll kill them all myself if I have to. They won't-"
"It doesn't matter," Eisna said.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter? They killed Hummingbird! They tried to kill you!"
"It doesn't matter," he repeated. "Hummingbird is dead. That's never happened before. Not once have they died before their emperor. Which means..." Eisna's hands shook.
"There's a new one," Temerity whispered. "A new Narion descendant has been born."
Eisna nodded. "That's what's important right now."
"We'll find them. I promise." Temerity stepped close to him. "It's going to be okay. I won't let anything else happen."
They stayed in the abandoned outpost for three days before returning to the palace. When they finally arrived, Steliana was waiting for them.
"Your grace," she said, bowing deeply. "Thank goodness you're okay. We've rounded up most of the mob-"
"That will be all, Steliana," Eisna said. "I'll be in my chambers." He brushed past his Dragon Knight and headed down the hall.
Steliana blinked and looked at Temerity. "Will be be okay?"
"Give him time," Temerity said. 'He is still mourning Hummingbird."
"Of course." Steliana hesitated. "What are your orders?"
Temerity looked at her, silent for a moment. "We must find the reincarnation," she said finally. "Wherever they may be. There can be no threats to the emperor. And I want a full investigation of those who were meant to be guarding that stretch of the procession. They weren't there. Either they neglected their duties or they betrayed the emperor. I want to know which and then I want them executed."
Steliana nodded. "And the ones we've arrested?"
Temerity's eyes narrowed. "Feed them to the hounds."
"All of them?"
"They are all guilty of high treason. They will pay with their lives."
Steliana bowed. "Understood." She turned and headed off to give the order.
Temerity watched her go. She wondered for a moment if she was making a mistake. More executions meant more unrest. Perhaps-
No. They had been lenient before, and it led them here. The time for mercy was over.