A group of men approached.
"The soldiers have been detailed as ordered, Queen," said the Captain of the Queen's Guard after saluting to her in a clatter of ceremonial armor. Like that of the Prince’s Guards, his and his comrades' were also lacquered black, but theirs were detailed in gold.
On the other side of the Prince's bier, Lady Ilse's soldiers arrived as well. All eight saluted to the royals, but the four who'd been with Hilde earlier gave her an extra nod of acknowledgment. She returned these with a small answering nod.
"Queen Heloise, why are there only four with you?" Lady Ilse asked, seemingly out of nowhere. Until she pointed out this detail, Hilde hadn't noticed.
"I could only provide the best for a visiting royal, Lady," the Queen answered coolly. She gave Hilde a blank, l
