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OOC: This chapter is shorter than the ones I typically post, but I did not wish to pad it with extra words, and I feel like the next transition deserves a chapter of its own. So, it should come sooner rather than later. Hope you enjoy it, either way!
Chapter 12 – Place Where I Belong
It was a silent stand-off.
Hornet's blade was pointed towards the Knight. It's eyes slowly rose, looking at the crimson bug. In them, one could read a single thing. A question. Why? It was a question that bothered the minds of all bugs here. The soldiers and civilians both. Eventually, one had to break the silence.
CHHINK!
The Nailsage's triangular nail met the side of Hornet's needle, pushing the thin, nimble blade aside. The small bug walked and stood between the kneeling knight and the harsh princess of Hallownest. Looking up at her with a tired, yet determined look on his face.
"My Lady… Ser Knight was good to us. It fought for us during the entire battle, and suffered many an injury for our sakes. With all due respect, I have no idea what are you talking about."
The rest of the bugs shuffled closer, to stand behind the Knight, close. All looking at the Princess and her band of soldiers with worried looks.
"S-ser Knight did not let the shadows e-enter out h-home…" – one of the timid ladybugs spoke out, huddling closer to her terrified husband and child. They were the ones at whose porch the tall bug once tried to make a last stand.
"It helped around the village before, too. Fixed roofs for no charge…" – another one said. More of then nodded and whispered in agreement, as the crowd was slowly getting agitated.
"It saved me when the Shadows were dragging me out to my doom." – Elderbug entered the conversation. "Please, Lady Hornet, reconsider. Why point a nail at someone who did us nothing but good?" – he pleaded with her. The soldiers behind the princess looked at one another. They fought together, just now. The rationale behind their lieges' words escaped them.
Looking at them, then over her shoulder, Hornet nodded slightly, and put the blade away.
"I know that. Had I not been aware of its actions, my needle would have been in its throat already. The problem is not with what it does. But what it is."
The murmuring of the crowd went silent, as they now looked at the princess, as she spoke. Her voice was harsh yet eloquent at the same time. Some lowered their heads, feeling as though it was out of place for them to have spoken out in the first place. The Knight never averted its gaze, looking at Hornet, waiting. This time, she looked back at it. Their gazes clashed.
"I know its kind. Their strength comes from the same source the Shadows come from. While it may not share the same mind with the darkness besieging this place, it may have acted as a lure for others."
A grim silence fell upon the crowd, when hearing these words. Their faith was visibly shaken. Conflicted murmurs running through them. The Knight did not look over its shoulder, but could hear everything. Unable to withstand Hornet's gaze, the tall bug lowered its eyes down. Not seeing that, a few moments ago, she did, too.
"The monsters of the abyss are known to me as well. They remained silent and content for ages. The moment this one appeared in your village, they began to stir. One week later, they struck."
The murmurs grew louder. Some of them were now in discontent. And the Knight… it did not know what to think. Behind its mask, the bug closed its eyes, and shuddered. These words, they hurt more than the injuries sustained in combat. Its slashed shoulder dripping black blood on the ground, one drop at a time. Hornet looked at the creature again. But only briefly. Hiding her eyes behind the darkness of her own mask-like face.
"Your presence, thus, only endangers this place. For the sake of all bugs living here, you cannot be allowed to stay."
The sentence rung heavily, like a bell, inside of the Knight's head. For the first time, it looked over its shoulder, at all the people behind. Many of them were still shaken and scared of what just transpired. They did not dare to accuse or insult the tall bug out right, but … there was fear in their eyes now. They averted gazes, afraid to look. Even those considered friends, the Nailsage and the Elderbug, were standing there, looking sorry that they could offer no words or thoughts against the words of the Princess. The Knight's shoulder's drooped, as it slowly turned its head back, and looked at Hornet, who stood there, still as a statue. She looked back, and their eyes met again.
"You must go. Dirtmouth cannot be your home again, Broken Mask."