Madeline’s boots echoed softly against the cold stone floor as she descended into the depths of the Keep, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. The dimly lit corridor leading to the cells seemed longer than usual, the flickering torches casting long shadows on the walls. She had been down here before, many times, but this visit felt different—heavier.
Ely’s betrayal had cut deeper than any wound Madeline had ever suffered in battle. To discover that someone she trusted had nearly driven her to the brink of insanity, all in service of a megalomaniac ancient elf, had been a blow she hadn’t been prepared for. The fact that Ely had come forward after Elgar’nan’s death, confessing her role in the plot, hadn’t lessened the sting of betrayal. Madeline had thrown Ely into the cells without a second thought, unsure of how to process the mix of rage, hurt, and confusion that had overwhelmed her.
But time had passed, and with it had come counsel from those she trusted—particularly from Rosalie. Rosalie had urged leniency, pointing out that Ely could have done far more damage if she had truly been committed to Elgar’nan’s cause. Instead, she had chosen to stop, to reveal the truth, even though it meant her own downfall. Rosalie’s words had stayed with Madeline, prompting her to consider a course of action she had never thought she’d take: understanding.
Madeline reached the door to the cells and paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She was here to listen, to hear Ely’s side of the story in full before making any final decision. Whatever that decision might be, it would be made with a clear head and a full understanding of the facts.
With a firm nod to the guard, the door creaked open, and Madeline stepped inside. The air was cool and damp, the narrow corridor lined with iron-barred cells. At the far end, she could see Ely sitting on the small bench in her cell, her posture tense, her eyes downcast. The sight of her, so different from the confident and capable person Madeline had known, stirred something in her—an uncomfortable mix of pity and lingering anger.
Madeline walked slowly toward Ely’s cell, each step measured, her expression unreadable. As she approached, Ely looked up, her eyes widening slightly in surprise at the sight of her former friend. There was a long moment of silence, the two women simply looking at each other, the weight of what had happened hanging between them like a shroud.
Finally, Madeline spoke, her voice calm but with an edge of steel.
@Aelynthi Loraronna
Ely’s betrayal had cut deeper than any wound Madeline had ever suffered in battle. To discover that someone she trusted had nearly driven her to the brink of insanity, all in service of a megalomaniac ancient elf, had been a blow she hadn’t been prepared for. The fact that Ely had come forward after Elgar’nan’s death, confessing her role in the plot, hadn’t lessened the sting of betrayal. Madeline had thrown Ely into the cells without a second thought, unsure of how to process the mix of rage, hurt, and confusion that had overwhelmed her.
But time had passed, and with it had come counsel from those she trusted—particularly from Rosalie. Rosalie had urged leniency, pointing out that Ely could have done far more damage if she had truly been committed to Elgar’nan’s cause. Instead, she had chosen to stop, to reveal the truth, even though it meant her own downfall. Rosalie’s words had stayed with Madeline, prompting her to consider a course of action she had never thought she’d take: understanding.
Madeline reached the door to the cells and paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She was here to listen, to hear Ely’s side of the story in full before making any final decision. Whatever that decision might be, it would be made with a clear head and a full understanding of the facts.
With a firm nod to the guard, the door creaked open, and Madeline stepped inside. The air was cool and damp, the narrow corridor lined with iron-barred cells. At the far end, she could see Ely sitting on the small bench in her cell, her posture tense, her eyes downcast. The sight of her, so different from the confident and capable person Madeline had known, stirred something in her—an uncomfortable mix of pity and lingering anger.
Madeline walked slowly toward Ely’s cell, each step measured, her expression unreadable. As she approached, Ely looked up, her eyes widening slightly in surprise at the sight of her former friend. There was a long moment of silence, the two women simply looking at each other, the weight of what had happened hanging between them like a shroud.
Finally, Madeline spoke, her voice calm but with an edge of steel.
Ely,she said, her tone betraying none of the emotions churning inside her.
I’m here to hear your story. All of it. No more secrets, no more half-truths. I need to understand why you did what you did... and what you expect me to do about it now.
@Aelynthi Loraronna
09-01-2024, 06:33 PM
