“Ye got a problem with ‘em? Let me be the first to warn you, friend. If you’re going to go after them, there ain’t many people here who’ll be your friends. Sure, you’ll find a prick or two willing to speak with the promise of coin. Just don’t expect the bastard to still be with us next time you come around, yeah? Get the message? If I shank you right now, right here, and tell the mister over there why, bet he’ll even turn a blind eye. So don’t bother us folk, aye? Now sod off.”
- Kags ‘Darkeye’ Ars, Sailor, “Conversation With Trinity Guard Inquiring About ‘The Half Blood’”
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“Pay attention, you muppet. I cannot fathom how you’d act in front of a minister of Traxia, given that this is how you’d act in front of its princess.” Lucinia huffed, her eyes narrowed and arms crossed as she tapped the floor impatiently with her shoe.
“Got it, got it.” Sophie gently dipped her head, her hands outstretched with an exaggerated bow.
Lucinia shook her head and sighed, her fingers fidgeting with her brow.
“At least you have manners and some level of decorum. But your adventuring days are beginning to bleed into your professional mannerisms. If you are late, rush, but do so with poise and elegance. There is no need to blunder in like a war horse charging down a slope. There is a time and place for that. And you know it, just as I know it.” The Traxian lectured.
Sophie nodded. Lucinia was right. After having spent so long fighting and adventuring, the moment she had to resume the duties of a maid, she had begun to struggle. It was as if her training had slowly become undone as her body hardened itself for combat. She remembered the routines, the walk, the posture, and the words she was supposed to say. But she was now crasser, more relaxed, and too battle-ready to fully return to the duties of court.
Even now, there was a part of her that viewed all this as a trivial affair compared to the suffering of the people in the city. And yet, the struggle was very real for Princess Lucinia. The princess had already expected herself to be disowned by her family, kicked out from one of the most powerful in the land. This would be her first and last soiree that she holds, even if it was the one that would see her officially outcast, according to her.
Not that Sophie disbelieved her. The letter from her father seemed genuine. Adding in Lady Olivia’s now consistently troubled expression was just additional proof. For the curious noble found much joy in teasing and dragging amusement out from wherever she could. That she now rarely smiled and adopted a far more stern expression was telling enough that something was wrong in the Traxian ranks. Sophie herself was under no illusion that she would be caught in the dilemma of being Lucinia’s attendant and a noble of the empire, obligated to follow Imperial commands.
That much, at least, Sophie could completely understand. If she were told to leave Ary behind for the sake of something greater, she did not know if she could. In fact, she was almost certain that she wouldn’t even if the price to pay would be high.
“Stop looking so glum either. You’re just out of practice, which is why we’re doing this now.” Lucinia grunted exasperatedly. Judging by her horror, the idea of her trying to motivate someone being as alien to Sophie as it was to herself.
Amused but not entirely against the idea. Sophie performed a more official bow. Lucinia let out a perfunctory tut of approval. It wasn’t much, but it was progress.
The two carried out a few more exercises. Lucinia was busy trying to make Sophie at least able to act in the manner a household knight would, with all the pomp and formalities that the role would carry. Thankfully for Sophie’s body and Lucinia’s sanity, after a few more minutes of practice, Sophie’s decade of training back at the Rosengart estate slowly began to return. Though her motions were stiff, almost clockwork-like, they were there. A bow, a nod, a polite wave or two, the way household staff walked, It reached the Traxian’s minimum requirements and Lucinia brought their proceedings to an end.
“That’s enough. Having to watch you flail about anymore might ruin my own sensibilities.” The princess grunted.
“That bad?” Sophie joked.
“Just about. But decent enough that no one would comment on it. At least, not within earshot of polite company.”
Sophie almost snorted in response, amused at the half jab, half compliment as befitting the Traxian. Lucinia, as she usually did, paid little heed to Sophie’s response. Today however, she glanced over, ever so briefly before looking around the room. Finding no one else near the practice room, in opposition to the decorum befitting a princess, she plopped herself onto the ground, and then laid herself against the ground, splaying out like a star.
Concerned, Sophie walked over and found the princess looking up at her. There was a sense of tiredness in her eyes, like the others, she too seemed exhausted. A different struggle, but a struggle nonetheless.
“What?” Lucinia demanded, “Can’t you see, I’m resting.”
“Nothing, just wondering if you’re alright.”
“Why’s that?”
“Uhh, well, this is unlike you.”
Lucinia glared at her, Sophie flinching a little at her own lack of tact. The princess propped herself up and stared into Sophie’s soul, their eyes meeting and Sophie giving way by looking away. Lucinia let out a dissatisfied tut before snapping her fingers in Sophie’s face.
“What am I like?” Lucinia asked.
“Eh… pardon?” Sophie answered.
“Why am I unlike myself? What am I like to you? Hmm, elf?”
“Uhh, a-a princess?” Sophie tried to guess what she wanted to hear.
Lucinia scoffed and shook her head, “Listen carefully you country dolt. I am Lucinia Gaius Trax, sixth princess of the Traxian Empire, imperial heiress and soon to be former heiress and likely former member of the Empire. Got it?”
“Y-yes?”
The force behind her words made Sophie wilt. She had forgotten that the Traxian could be just as viscous as her foes. But there was something there that made Sophie even more uncomfortable. A lingering sense of anger, resentment, and potentially even hatred. It was the growl in her voice or the crease in her brow as she frowned. All Sophie knew was that Lucinia was not alright.
“Fool of a… you’re a fool.” Lucinia paused mid sentence and glanced at Sophie, “I am Lucinia Trax and I will wear my name with pride. But…” She paused again, her anger withering away as it gave way to a somberness unexpected from a princess, “I will have no family, no home, no one to turn to.”
“Oh…” Sophie responded. Right. She’s here because of the empire. Without them… hells…
“Oh don’t give me that look.” Lucinia dismissively glanced away.
“Sorry, sorry." Sophie held out her palms, "What about Lady Olivia?” Sophie dared to ask.
At this, the princess stiffened, not turning back to meet Sophie’s gaze.
“I’ll send her away. As she deserves.” Lucinia’s voice dropped, the girl shifting uneasily, looking almost childlike as she toyed with the hems of her shirts, “She considered staying, the idiot. But the empire offers more opportunities, more roads to travel, more life and promises of a better future. And me… I guess… hah…”
Lucinia didn’t finish, knocking against the floor with her knuckles. Sophie didn’t answer or move, just remaining quiet and as still as she could.
“Still. I suppose until the moment arrives, I am still a princess of Traxia. That does not change and I do not intend to shame my lineage. But then… then I suppose, I’ll have nothing.”
There was a silence that lingered after her last words. The deafening quiet that came after an uncomfortable truth. The awkward shifting that followed in its wake.
“Do they… does your family pay for your tuition?” Sophie asked, unsure of where to go from here.
“Pay for… are you serious? Of course not. We’re allowed to enroll in the name of diplomatic ties and peace. I’m part of the Imperial family. By the star’s guidance, have you no reverence of the name? Though I suppose you kni… you elves are all the same. No respect for humanity.” Lucinia grumbled.
“So what happens after?” Sophie dug a little more, “Does that mean you’ll have to pay for yourself?”
Lucinia looked aghast at the notion, but the panic that flashed in her eyes suggested that this was likely the first time she had considered such a possibility. One that seemed a little too plausible.
“That’s… don’t you?” Lucinia tried to turn things around.
Sophie shook her head, “Last I recall, the church pays for Ary and myself. I think with Mila’s help, they probably pay for Sophia too. Elaria pays for herself and Raylani though, they make enough from their performances.”
“Fucking hells.” The princess swore, unlike herself.
Sophie’s face must’ve echoed her surprise at this instinctive response. Lucinia scowled at her.
“What? It’s simply… bewildering that the church would sponsor you. Of all people.”
Sophie shrugged.
“Gah. But it makes sense. No wonder the lot of you live so care-freely.” The Traxian grunted as she rolled her eyes, “I, however, will in fact be paying for myself once the empire cuts me off.”
“Oh.”
“Oh indeed. Any more pointless questions?”
Sophie was about to shake her head when she paused. Lucinia was far from a friend, but clearly not an enemy. Her views were somewhat flawed, but she held true to her ideals, even after being confronted with exile and disinheritance. In that, at least, Sophie saw something worth understanding. Though the princess was a pain, she was a helpful one, albeit in her own way.
“Well? I do not enjoy that look of yours.” Lucinia demanded, the girl clocking onto the fact that Sophie was busy thinking about something, “I’m here now, if you have something else to ask…”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“What if…”
“What if?”
“What if we… That is to say, I could cover your tuition, provided that you lend a hand here and there. I think.” Sophie mumbled.
Lucinia stood up, dusting herself off with a heavy sigh, “Me? In debt to you? What a preposterous idea. Let’s leave that discussion for after the conference, hmm? I’m not a pauper quite just yet. Besides, whatever fanciful notions you might have of royalty, I’ll say this much. While I appreciate the kindness, I haven’t done anything to earn it yet. ”
The princess had seemingly rallied herself in the face of such a suggestion. A mixture of warmth and disgust fighting for control over her. Letting out a more energetic grunt than the noises she was making before, she reached out a hand for Sophie to take.
A little hesitant, but equally pleased at the turn of events. Sophie had to scan the princess, who was growing increasingly annoyed every second that she waited. Taking the safe course of action and avoiding confrontation, Sophie gripped the princess with a firm handshake.
“But I do thank you for the offer." Her voice dropping, soundly a little more kindly than usual, "Now let us reunite with the others, they will likely have accomplished some of the preparations by now.” Lucinia said as she half smiled before letting go and walking away.
Caught off guard by the sudden changing of moods, Sophie spent a second puzzling over it before nodding in understanding. Much like how she used to switch her focus between her professional work and who she was outside of the household, so too had the princess regained her mask. To think she’d let her guard down at all, heh.
“Are you going to loaf about the whole day or are you going to start walking?” Lucinia called out from the doorway, the ever present disapproval etched back across her face.
“Coming.” Sophie called back.
She’s right. Until the conference is over, these things can wait. Though I should talk to Ary about spending some of our funds. Sophie almost smiled until it devolved into a groan thinking about the busy day ahead. There was always more work to be done.
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Aryana sat in the library, slowly sifting through her study material when she yawned. Usually one of the others would be with her. Either someone asked by Sophie to keep her safe, someone who was bored, or looking to also study, or just through sheer coincidence. Today was one of the few in which she had most of the day to herself. Sophie was busy with Lucinia practicing something about ‘courtly presentation’ skills. Elaria and Raylani went off to perform in the city with Sophia as an extra blade. The Calnodel siblings were refining the lantern and mini crossbow for her in their workshop. Hanabi and Sigrid were learning about the arcane with Mila.
It felt a little strange being on her own. There was more time, less noises, and almost too little interactivity. It was ironic, in a way. She had found so much joy in company that although she had gotten used to isolation back home, here, she found it almost stifling.
Yana buzzed about lazily, the fae looking concerned but significantly less burdened now that Aryana had informed most of their comrades about her potential demise. It had been strangely relieving yet horrifying at the same time. Sharing the problem had lessened the impact of if, if only by a little.
Her main concern now was that the longer the spirit is attached, the more Sophie would continue to drain her. However, if the spirit detached, she would die. Or so the dwarven stoneseers had claimed. It left her in a secondary dilemma that she hadn’t considered before. Galen and Tristan had suggested a ritual to transfer the spirit. But what happens to me?
Tucked between her study material were books documenting the Frostwinds, even one or two that highlighted the clans and tribes. Seeing as the Academy library stocked a plethora of material, she figured she might as well take advantage. Most of it was relatively unhelpful. Geographic notes about places she already knew better than the author, or cultural examinations of the different tribes. It was fascinating reading about those her own maintained less contact with and thus she knew nothing about. But ultimately nothing that would help solve her current conundrum.
She leaned back into the creaky chair and stretched. Without all the excitement, regular life seemed a little dull. In a way, she understood some of Sophie’s choices in that regard. Her girlfriend had fought too bitterly on too many occasions to simply leave that life behind at this point. It’d be nice if she stopped though, she mused to herself, we could just… live.
She smiled, the grin on her face making her instantly relax. She had presented a strange request to Sophie early in the morning. A promise of rest and taking a step back from worldly matters, just for the two of them. And whoever ends up tagging along, I suppose, Aryana let out an annoyed sigh.
The soft tap of heavy boots made her sit upright, pushing aside most of her material as they drew closer. She pulled whatever knits there were in her braid and straightened her jacket. Unfortunately for her, she had little time to make educated choices, even less time to get the other’s involved. She had expected this meeting, anticipated it. Yet she did not foresee this casual day turning into this. For she knew the rhythm of their walk, the sounds remaining the same even if they’ve changed their footwear. Tristan and two others, maybe also Galen?
“Aryana.” The scratchy, gruff, and unmistakeable voice of the clan leader answered her questions easily enough.
“Galen.” She replied, unsure if she didn’t turn to address him out of stubbornness or fear.
She didn’t dare move or show weakness. Ignoring the shiver that ran down her spine or the tingle in her leg as it itched to create distance. She didn’t move her hand beyond lowering the pencil that she held. Her back remained upright despite the desire to shrink down. She would face her people as Sophie and the others faced countless foes. To look ahead and charge forward no matter the danger.
“Little Ari!” A more excitable, friendly yet equally concerning voice made itself known.
“Tristan.” She answered curtly.
“Mind if we…” The cheery lad walked into her field of view.
“Not like I’d be able to stop you. Go ahead.” Ary gestured.
The two took their places opposite Aryana, their expressions one of night and day. The disdain and distaste upon Galen’s more rugged appearance matched Aryana’s own. While Tristan remained annoyingly cheerful, or at least pretended to be. She knew him when they were younger and his ticks were still there. The slight twitch at the corner of his mouth when he smiled, or the way he clasped his hands together. He felt just as uncomfortable.
The extra set of boots came to a stop behind her a few paces, making her frown. She didn’t recognize their footsteps, though there was an eerily light bounce to their step. Almost like they didn’t enjoy walking out here. She could also feel the invasive feeling searching her mind, the same she remembered from magical theory when the professor had looked over her. Mana detection?
“This is a senior of ours, Cassian Lanholt.” Tristan announced their guest.
Curious, Aryana spared a singular glance. She found a dour looking mage looking back at her. The girl wore the Academy’s magister uniforms and appeared relatively unaffected by the tension between the three. The older girl gave her a once over before nodding politely and taking a seat in the empty chair beside her.
“You can call me Cass or Cassian.” The newcomer introduced herself.
“Aryana.” She replied.
The mage nodded, her eyes flickering to the room around them.
For a second, she wondered what the girl saw when her own panic set in. Shit. Yana.
“So… uhhh, what’s this about?” Aryana asked the group, hoping to keep the attention on herself.
She tried to carefully tuck her braid over her left ear, a sign that she had developed with Yana to indicate some form of danger. She could only hope that Yana would notice, wherever the fae was.
“You know why we’re here.” Galen answered her, his arms on the desk as he leaned in.
“The ritual? Even her?” Aryana glanced at the mage, prompting the older girl to look back.
“Yes, even her. In fact, with her help, we can ensure everything goes smoothly.”
“And what exactly does smoothly entail?” Aryana asked as she hid the books about the tribe under her work, pretending to orgainize everything into a neat pile now that others were using the table.
“As we told you before. A separation of you and the powers of the phoenix flame. To return the spirit back to the clan. Nothing more.”
“Yes but… what does that mean? What do you do? What do I do? Spirits above, what does she do?” Aryana let out an exasperated sigh.
“Oh. Willing to actually listen to me for once?” Galen snorted.
Aryana scowled.
“Cass here is a spirit watcher.”
“Spirit watcher?” Ary asked.
“He means she studies spirits and how they can affect mana fields and create distortions. Nothing you need to worry about. Basically, spirits are natural creatures hailing from the second age, perhaps even the first. A fascinating topic of magical study.” Tristan tried to animatedly describe their new compatriot.
Is that his new… friend? She eyed the mage warily.
“She knows her stuff. We even managed to control a lesser nature elemental earlier in the week.” Galen looked to his new comrade to explain things but thought better of it as the girl seemed to only look increasingly apathetic, “Whatever the case, she can help us ensure this binding is separated from you. So you can go live your life, and we can go live ours. Without you.”
Aryana winced a little. She hadn’t ever thought about returning to the clan, especially not with Galen around. But to be so outright rejected still hurt.
“So what-” Ary tried to ask.
“We need you for the ritual when the winds of frost are at their most powerful. Thankfully, the Highwall mountains and their spirits are not far from us. A different area than home but suitable enough.” Galen properly explained something to her for the first time in her life, but only with a hint of greed in his voice. He only wants the power of the spirit, of course.
“Once winter break starts. On the third day, we will hike up the mountains. There is an arcane investigation site set up there by my colleagues. We will be using the formations there.” Cassian added, her voice startling Ary a little.
“That’s…” Over winter break? That’s… when Sophie and the others go to Gratia, “ But what about the firekeeper? Doesn’t she need to be there?”
Who would even be left here? Elaria? I think she, Sophie, and Sophia are likely going to go to Gratia and… I want to go too, to help and to see a new place. Then Hanabi and Sigrid are staying? But will they be willing to help?
Too lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear Galen’s reply. Judging from the displeasure he was showing at the mere mention of Sophie’s role, let alone Sophie. She suspected that he didn’t want her there at all. But she did. She didn’t want to face the clan all on her own, especially if they were still keeping anything related to the ritual close to their chests.
“I’ll need to think about it.” Ary mumbled.
“Good then… you’ll need to what?!” Galen growled furiously as he rose up.
“Galen.” Tristan hissed.
Even Cassian seemed a little unnerved by his sudden display of aggression. The collective disapproval calmed him down, the chieftan glaring at her as he slowly lowered himself.
“I’ll need to think about it.” Ary repeated with a bit more vigor, seeing the reaction of the others.
“What is there to think about?” He demanded.
Aryana ignored him and caught sight of Yana, shaking her head to keep the fae out of the mage’s sight. She started putting her things away and sighed. She didn’t have it in herself to argue or debate them, a hasty retreat was perhaps the only option she saw for her that didn’t leave her cornered against them.
“Aryana…” Tristan pleaded.
“I know. I’ll think about. I just have-”
“There’s nothing to think about. It benefits us both.” Galen snarled.
“Ari’s just confused, just give her some time right?” Tristan turned to plead with her, a condescending look of pity in his eye.
“Right.” Aryana whispered as she narrowed her eyes, but held back a pointed remark that danced across her tongue. Sensing no physical resistance, she continued packing her things while under their scrutiny. Flexing her muscles in an attempt to still her trembling hand, she tried to casually move about, but felt uneasy.
“We’ll discuss the details and let you know of the final preparations.” Galen tutted as she started walking away, his voice freezing her mid-step, “Us Frostfyres need it back, Aryana. Remember, on the third day of winter break, we meet at Larusport for the ferry.” He dismissed her with his orders.
Seeing her moment to leave, she did not bid goodbye to the trio. She tried to control her pace to seem normal, but began hurrying away the moment she assumed they were out of sight and earshot. Only when she had exited the library did she feel a momentary flicker of relief, the feeling of being constantly scrutinized no longer present. Beside her, Yana cautiously emerged from her backpack, the fae having dipped into it the moment she registered the warning.
“I did not break into the group huddle, but I sensed there was trouble?” Yana whispered out a rhyme.
Hearing the fae confirmed that the situation had indeed passed. Aryana broke into a relieved grin, unable to contain the joy she felt at leaving their presence despite the seriousness of the moment.
“Yeah, yeah there’ll probably be a whole lot of trouble, Yana. And we’d best do some preparing of our own.”