The seasons passed, winter approached, and with it, the Labyrinthians donned warmer clothing to protect themselves from the bitter cold. Not only that, but the anniversary of when Karena and Zacharias first met was coming up fast, and the knight had something very special planned for that day…
"Where are we going Zachary?" Karena asked, slightly distressed as he led her blindfolded through the streets.
"Do not worry. We shall be there soon my love." He replied.
Just as he had said, they came to a stop, and Zacharias removed the blindfold. She blinked a little as she got used to the sudden brightness, and then gazed at her surroundings as she said, "Why did you take me here…" – she trailed off, smiling as she realized where they were – "Oh Zachary…This is where we first met!"
"It is indeed." Zacharias agreed with a charming smile. "And this day also happens to be the anniversary of when we first met."
"Oh, so it is!" She returned the smile with her own warm one.
A silence then fell between them, and Zacharias took this moment to grasp both of her hands in his. She looked on in surprise and wonder, as a tinge of pink colored her cheeks. It was then that the knight spoke.
"Karena, we have known each other for only a few years, and yet the hurdles we have overcome proves that together, we can prevail over anything." Zacharias stated seriously with nothing but love in his eyes. "Now, what I want more than anything is to see your beautiful smile every night before I fall asleep, and every morning as I awaken…" – he paused, blushed a little and cleared his throat – "A-Anyway...what I really wanted to ask was…"
His cheeks went darker and he glanced at the ground before slowly lowering himself until he was kneeling in front of her. Her eyes widened with surprise while he continued with, "Karena Edwards…Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Instantly her face went red, and she teared up, but she showed no hesitation in smiling and giving her answer. "Yes Zachary! I will!" she exclaimed.
Zacharias smiled in response, chuckling as he arose, picking up his fiancée by her waist and spinning her around once, before he set her down once more. He then pulled her into a gentle and loving kiss, and then pulled away while removing something small and round out of his pouch. Zacharias then took her left hand in his, and slipped it onto her ring finger.
She gazed at the ring fondly, finding it to be a simple round diamond on a rose gold band. But it still took her breath away; as it was a heartfelt gift from the man she had grown to love more than anything.
"Oh Zachary…" Karena uttered in awe. "It's beautiful!"
"It suits you well my love…" the knight muttered lovingly in her ear.
She giggled while blushing, and he pulled away before he asked, "Would you like to dine with me?"
"I would love to." Karena replied as she took his outstretched hand.
…..
In the weeks that followed, the newly engaged couple drastically changed their lives to adjust in supporting each other once they would get married. Although Karena still didn't quite like the trials held in the courthouse, she took the time to listen to all Zacharias could share about them, and she would come for frequent visits as well. And Zacharias still took his last argument with Karena to heart, thoroughly questioning the suspect and witnesses until he was sure of the witch's true identity.
This of course had its fallbacks, as the questioning made the trials run longer and in most cases, later into the night. This in turn caused the High Inquisitor – Zacharias' superior – to become concerned and then infuriated with his overall recent performances in his job. So much so, that she took her complaints straight to the Storyteller…
"What brings you here at this late hour, High Inquisitor Darklaw?" the Storyteller asked, as he gazed out the window of his audience room, which was just a small space windowed on one side, and decorated with red carpeting and curtains, and various candle sticks along with an elaborate throne.
The Storyteller was a very wise man, as he was the one who watched over all Labyrinthia from his tower, and documented the stories of all who resided there. His stance was quite dignified and although his back was turned towards her, she knew exactly how he looked, for they had met like this more than once.
The author of the Story had short wavy light grey locks which were parted in the middle, and very sharp grey eyes, one of which was covered with half a mask, owlish in design. He also had some facial hair; a mustache and a goatee. He wore the same type of tunic as the knights, but it was longer, so much so that it draped to the ground. Over that he wore black robes with an upturned collar and red accents. The sleeve's shoulders were puffed, the ends were long, and like the tunic, it also touched the ground. Around his neck was a peculiar bow, with a large sun badge in the middle of it, around his waist – and only visible from the back – was a gold medieval girdle belt, and on his fingers were various rings and even a few claws.
"You know very well why you have come here." The High Inquisitor answered with crossed arms and an irritated look on her face.
Darklaw stood at five feet and seven inches tall with purple black hair and icy aquamarine colored eyes. Her hair was long in the back, twisted and tied in a low and loose ponytail, and short in the front, curled and resting on her collarbone. It was parted on the left side of her face, with the bangs brushed all the way to the right. The left part was braided and tucked into bun covers that made her look like she had cat ears.
She wore a mauve bodice top with long sleeves, gold accents, and golden colored epaulets on her shoulders. Attached to her right shoulder and draped across her top was an aiguillette*, and hanging off her bodice were various strips of cloth, fashioned almost like a skirt. She also wore tight pants that matched the color of her bodice, black knee high boots that folded over at the top with gold accents and a one inch heel, and a yellow whit bow was tied around her neck. To top it off, she had golden clawed gauntlets on.
The Storyteller remained silent, so Darklaw thought it best to go ahead and tell him anyway.
"I am displeased with Inquisitor Barnham's recent job performance." She announced. "Trials have run too long, and witches have walked free. Everything will fall apart at this rate!"
"Are you suggesting we retire the Inquisitor?" the Storyteller asked slowly.
"No. It would be far too much trouble to find a replacement."
"Then what is the cause for this sudden change in how the trials are run?"
"I believe the problem is in the form of a young maiden named Karena Edwards." Darklaw narrowed her eyes as she said the woman's name. "Her viewpoint has influenced him to change his and therefore caused this mayhem!"
"I am guessing that you already have ideas on how to solve this then."
"We must take Miss Edwards out of the picture." Darklaw said calmly. "It is the only way that everything will return to the way it was."
For a long time the Storyteller was silent in thought and contemplation. So long, in fact, that the High Inquisitor became impatient and said, "You must decide what is more important – this new development you are interested in…or your daughter."
He was silent for a moment more, and finally answered with, "Very well…You may do as you wish." – he paused – "Just…try not to put her on trial. I fear that she may not survive the trauma, considering what she has faced in the past."
Darklaw said nothing, but wondered why the Storyteller would ever be that concerned for someone other than his daughter as she walked out the door with plans to get rid of Karena Edwards forming in her head…
*An aiguillette is pretty much that rope thing that hangs from one of the shoulders of a military person and drapes across their middle.
Also a fun fact! I was going to have Zacharias propose to Karena on his horse as he rode in one of the parades, but thought that he probably wouldn't do that, so I had him propose to her like this in this chapter. Just thought it would be good if you knew how I originally wanted it to be. Anyway, see you in the next one!