Chapter 10: Junction
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	Keyla was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the
commotion in the throne room until she looked up and saw the oddly-dressed
warrior running at her, sword drawn. Behind him were two metal figures
thrashing under some sort of net. King Edgar was standing at the far end of
the room, near someone lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

	As she watched, the metal figures lashed out with some sort of
beams, narrowly missing the warrior. She reacted without thinking, snapping
up her autocrossbow and firing a hail of bolts. They sped by the warrior,
striking the armored figures caught beneath the net. Most bounced right off
the gleaming metal, but a single bolt flew right into the firing port of one
of the figures, causing an explosion that blew off the figure's arm. It
crashed into the other figure, sending both falling to the ground.

	The warrior continued to run at her, and it was only then that she
realized that he might be the one responsible for the man lying on the
floor. She dropped the empty autocrossbow and drew her sword, preparing to
block his escape. She didn't want to injure or kill the warrior, just detain
him long enough for guards to arrive.

	"Not now, lady! I don't think the king wants to be disturbed," the
warrior shouted at her. Keyla hesitated for a moment, then was totally taken
by surprise as the warrior dove at her. She raised her sword to parry the
desperate attack. The blades collided with a clang, then crackling blue
electricity danced around them and shot down into her arm.

	The warrior's momentum and the electrical shock carried her into the
antechamber, leaving her in a daze on the ground. The warrior closed and
barred the throne room door as she struggled to her feet, trying to shake off
the effects of the electrical stun. He said something, then turned and ran for
the exit to the antechamber.

	Keyla ran after him, managing to keep up until he vanished into thin
air. She stopped, surprised, then realized that she could still hear his
footsteps on the flagstones. She drew a knife with her left hand, carefully
gauging where the warrior's knees were. Just as she pulled her arm back to
throw, her concentration was interrupted by a massive crash as a metal fist
punched a hole in the throne room door. She sighed and returned the knife to
its sheath.

	The door opened and King Edgar walked out, flanked by the armored
figures. He looked extremely displeased; in fact, Keyla couldn't remember
the last time she had seen him look so angry. She cringed when she saw the
missing arm on the wounded figure, then noticed the wires protruding from
the shoulder. Just a machine, she thought, sighing in relief.

	"Your majesty," she said, kneeling. "I am sorry, but I was unable to
capture the intruder. I also apologize for damaging your guardian, but I
misinterpreted the situation." The king didn't say anything, and her
surprise at this was quickly ended by the sound of footsteps behind her. She
looked back to see a man with long white hair and wearing a long leather
coat standing at the entrance to the antechamber.