"This is preposterous!" Sir Victor scowls in the comfort of his velvet-coated armchair. "We're sitting here like lame ducks while this callous huntsman roams the Castle unchallenged!"
"I think it wise that we remain within these four walls." Lady Libra counters him. "Lest we be ambushed in the dark."
"Nonsense!" the Commander scoffs. "We outnumber this fiend six-to-one! We would have him surrounded!"
"Libra is right, Victor." Count Caedis pipes as he paws at the chess piece in his hand. "We don't know the true nature of this crook: he could have a whole army at his will."
"Speaking of which, Victor," Captain Cassida joins the dispute. "Where are your so-called 'men'? Cowering in the barracks?"
The Commander leaps to his feet in defiance. "Don't you dare insult my good men, Cassida! If this foul enchantment did not prevent them from entering the Castle, his head would be brandished on the battlements for all to see!"
"Enchantment?" Cassida chortles hysterically as she leans into the simmering soldier. "The only barrier I see is cowardice!"
"Enough!" the King roars; his rage trembling the hearts of his most fearsome courtiers. The Princess clutches his hand while nibbling at her varnished fingernails.
The opening of the door suddenly draws the attention of the room. Imogen, Marjory and Impa enter the lounge, breathless and shaken.
"Where did you disappear to, lady?" Tilda scalds her like an anxious parent.
"We just rescued this dear maiden from the jaws of death!" Imogen declares as she carries the traumatised cook into the armchair. "Shame on you for banishing her to the basement while the rest of you carouse upstairs!"
"And what of the others?" the King asks. "My household staff?"
Imogen shakes her head sorrowfully. "We were too late: the Beast left a bloody trail in its wake."
"Beast?" Cassida exclaims. "I thought we were dealing with some knife-wielding maniac?"
"Who is this servant girl? She seems to spout a lot of yarn regarding this 'killer'!" Victor notes with narrow eyes. "A killer which we have yet to lay eyes upon…"
"She speaks the truth!" Impa retorts to the surprise of the congregation. "I saw it with my own eyes: skin of scales; jaws of fangs; eyes of a demon…"
Captain Cassida clasps her hand unsteadily over her necklace. Lady Libra closes her eyes and mutters a silent prayer. Sir Victor raises his fist.
"A creature of darkness!" he affirms with ferocious glee. "Let us bring this brute to justice and commence the hunt!"
"To the Armoury!" Daltus declares.
"No!" the Princess's shrill voice stings his ears. "I shan't let you go gallivanting in pursuit of some monster!"
"Your Highness, I vow to protect your fiancé from ill-fate at all costs!" the Commander pledges with his hand on heart. "You have my word."
"Likewise, I shall accompany him to prevent any harm from reaching him." Count Caedis chimes.
The King lifts his fiancée's fingers to his lips and lands a faint kiss upon the back of her hand. "Have faith in my men. Have faith in my strength. Have faith in me."
The Princess's anguish melts into reassurance. She turns to her Attendant. "Impa: go with them."
"What?" Sir Victor snarls. "The servant?"
"My own personal bodyguard." Tilda adds. "I trust in her ability to both guide and protect you through the halls of this Castle."
"Your Highness?" Impa interjects. "Forgive me but…as your personal Attendant…I surely ought to stay at your side, particularly during this dangerous time?"
The Princess shrugs. "Perhaps you're right. In that case; I ought to accompany the four of you to the Armoury."
"Your Highness, it's too dangerous!" the Commander proclaims. "Far too dangerous for a fair damsel as yourself!"
"I am more than a mere damsel, Commander," the Princess assures him. "And I am more than capable of taking care of myself in my own home."
"This is ridiculous…" the King shakes his head. "Tilda, my darling; if you truly insist on joining the hunt, might I suggest you instead signal for help beyond the Castle walls?"
Tilda smirks. "A splendid idea, my love!" She slips her arm through her Attendant's. "Come, Impa: to the Battlements!"
"I shall remain here and take care of Marjory, with the help of the Captain and Lady Libra." Imogen states.
"Excuse me, scrub, who are you to be dishing orders to the noble men and women of the Royal Court?" Cassida sneers.
"Enough attitude, Cassida." Libra silences her with a quiet gesture. "The servant girl saved her co-worker's life, and as such, does not deserve your disdain. Let us instead honour her hospitality while she tends to the weak and wounded."
Cassida slumps on the velvet arm of the armchair. Caedis deposits the chess piece on the board where it belongs and joins the Commander and the King on their exodus to the Castle Armoury. Impa strolls to the door and casts a sideward glance at the mysterious maid. She has not secured the Attendant's trust yet…
