Sawyn stood at her window and looked out on the waves of the Green Sea. It had been a long while since she had explored the mysteries under the surface. She rested a hand where she had been stabbed by Beatrice, and she still felt a dull ache. It had been healed by magic almost instantly, but neither she nor her best healers could figure out why the pain was still there.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," she said, leaving her back turned.
A large hobgoblin, towering at about 6'5", walked into the room, adjusting the sleeves of his purple and black formal uniform as he stood at the ready. On his chest was a silver and purple emblem of a sword, indicating that he was one of Sawyn's top guards. His reddish-brown skin was covered in numerous scars and tattoos. He scanned the room with his almond-shaped, amber-colored eyes, which looked like pools of molten gold. His thick black hair was braided neatly behind his head, and his beard was neatly trimmed.
"Ma'am," he said as he touched his heels together. "The Shadow Lord has wrapped up his interrogation of the prisoner brought here by the Warden, and he would like to speak with you."
"Fine," she said coldly. "Skarr... Tell me, how long has our Lord been here now?"
"About two weeks, ma'am," the hobgoblin responded. "In the past year, he has been here several times, about two to three weeks each time."
"And what are your thoughts on that?" she asked.
"It is an honor to host the Protector of the Eastern—" he started before being cut off.
"Skarr," Sawyn said as she turned to face him. "Cut the shit. How long have we known each other?"
He grimaced. His angular face cast sharp shadows as he turned his head slightly, as if slapped.
"It has been thirty years since you took me in after my banishment, ma'am," he responded quietly, but enunciated clearly.
"And you have been one of my most trusted generals and allies in that time," she said as she stepped to her dressing table and put on her formal tunic.
"Ma'am, you flatter m—" he said before being cut off again.
"So when I ask you for your thoughts, I'm asking you for your thoughts," she stated while equipping a greatsword. "What do you think about the Shadow Lord's presence here, in Un'Sael?"
Skarr was physically uncomfortable, but after a moment he straightened and responded.
"It is incredibly abnormal. The Shadowkin that travel with him scare the women and children, and they eat and drink too much. They have even roughed up some of the other civilians in our city," he reported back. "I find it absolutely repugnant. His presence also undermines your authority, and he is disrespectful to you. He has had members of your forces punished for absolutely ridiculous reasons."
She tied up her hair above her head and stared at herself in the mirror.
"And what do you think of me, given all of that?" she asked. He was about to speak but she cut him off abruptly. "Remember that I've asked you to speak truthfully and bluntly."
Skarr crossed his arms behind his back and looked at his superior sternly.
"I know you are expecting me to say that I think you are weak, and that your followers think you are weak, but it is not so. I think a year ago you were forced to kill a misguided old friend, and that's a wound that takes a significant amount of time to heal," he said. "We all understand that, and we have continued our mission to protect and keep order in the Green Sea and Falcon's Rise to prevent invaders from other Planes, and prevent those agents of chaos that would invite such threats. We have also continued to collect the taxes for those protections to keep us in good standing with The Shadow Lord and the other members of the Four. We do this to aid in your recovery."
Sawyn nodded.
"You are kind, Skarr, but—" she was cut off this time.
"I am not being kind, I am being truthful. The people you've gathered here: all those without homes, or families, or those banished from their own planes have found a purpose. Many of us would be dead if not for you," he proclaimed adamantly. "There are people in this land that rebel against us for the heavy hand we have, but it is your heavy hand they still fear. Nobody thinks you are weak, and if they do, we will show them that Sawyn the Spellsword is their best chance for continued survival."
"You interrupted your commanding officer, Skarr," she teased. "That's not like you."
"I have already made a note to have Hasqen deliver 20 lashes for such an offense," he responded.
"Very well," Sawyn turned finally and walked towards him. "I am done recovering. I will meet the Shadow Lord in the interrogation chambers. You should spend some time with your husband, for you will be away for some time. If I am to prove my strength is back, even if only to myself, then that means I will make my presence known to those that we protect. There are those that should know that Four Roads is the exception, not the rule, and that they remain within our influence."
"Yes, ma'am. It will be my honor," he bowed his head slightly and backed out of the room as she closed the door behind them.
They walked away in different directions, and as Skarr turned out of habit to make sure Sawyn was alright, he could see her with her hand on her healed wound, holding it gingerly as she disappeared down the stairs.