69 Course Correction (2/2)

They reached the foot of the hill once again, now largely deserted except for the line of sentries who had been left in place while the rest migrated with the citizens to Tailors' Street.

Following a silent, almost instinctual cue, Hilde and Leal's combined parties picked up their pace even more, setting aside personal concerns and other grievances in preparation for the crisis ahead.

”It is just one Lysean who is surrounded?” Captain Judda asked of everyone at large. ”Then where are the rest?”

”In hiding, perhaps,” answered the Prince. ”Taking advantage of the commotion to get back to the palace, I pray.”

”There's no word of other mobs clamoring for them,” said the older officer, looking towards the soldier who'd reported the news earlier for confirmation. ”Should we get more soldiers to find and rescue them as well?”

Instead of answering, Leal looked expectantly at Hilde.

She wasn't prepared for it and at first didn't understand what it was for. Then she suspected he was being mindful not to undermine her authority or inadvertently criticize her decision earlier to leave their safety in the female troop's care.

'What...'

She wouldn't care about any of that in this situation, not when it was people's lives that were at stake.

”Yes, I think we should,” she eventually replied, ”but only if you think that wouldn't interfere with what you and the female troop have set in place.”

They had long since begun hearing the hate-filled sounds of mobbing even though it was still a couple of streets away. From what she could discern, outright violence was yet to break out. They still had time. As for how long... perhaps it would be her very arrival that would provide the fateful spark.

Should she not proceed at all? What did she think she could do here anyway?

”There is no need,” Leal said.

His meaning didn't immediately register to her. Without fully realizing it while it was happening, Hilde had regressed to an earlier state of extreme self-doubt, which then led to mind-numbing panic and helplessness.

The instant she became aware of it, she didn't resist the flood of shame and anger that came at its heels. You do not endure what you do not allow yourself to feel. It didn't matter whether it was her external or internal reality. If she deliberately blinded herself in order to see only the things she wanted to see and feel only what she wanted to feel, it would be of no use even if she kept moving forward. She would still miss the targets she was aiming at.

Restoring her inner equilibrium as much as her current strength would permit, she shifted her attention back to what Leal had been saying.

”That is, for the moment. There is a high chance this situation is still according to what our escorts and I had planned, only... I wish to make sure of it. I did not mean to inconvenience you all, but I will take your offer if it proves necessary. Princess...” He drew in a deep breath.