Els was perched on a cabinet and stared out of her open window, the grassy yard she was observing was thick with people. The newest addition to her father's guard was being assessed by the captain of the guard, Sir Luca. A circle had been formed around the two shirtless men, Els couldn't hear what they were saying but Arthur kept a straight face as Luca glared at him murderously.
He hasn't forgotten the Tavern I see, thought Els.
Luca lunged forward hoping to score an early hit before Arthur stepped to the side and caught him off balance. Luca rolled to his feet and moved forward more carefully, after an intense minute of swordplay both men were covered in red welts along their sweaty torsos. Els was enjoying the display before she heard the door to her room swung open.
"What are you looking at young lady," came a shrill voice from behind.
It was Madame Shima who crossed the room and stuck her wrinkled face out of the window. She tutted and reached forward closing the glass windows with a harsh clack.
"It is unbecoming of you to ogle the guards, you won't do it again and I won't be forced to go to your father," said Shima hissing her words through her sharp teeth.
"Yes Madame," said Els with a silent sigh.
"Now we need to get you dressed for the day, you will be attending the colour march of your brother's cavalry regiment and your father wants you to look your best," she said snapping her fingers called a legion of maids to her side.
For the next hour Els was dressed in dozens of frilly dresses, her hair was violently brushed and she was slapped with makeup.
"Don't we look pretty?" said Shima turning Els to face the mirror.
Els could barely she herself through the thick white makeup. The bags which sat under her eyes had been replaced with a rosy blush. She remembered the last time she saw her reflection, thrusting her hand into a bucket of water to quench her thirst, after the ripples had settled she saw a lean drawn face with a sharp jaw and piercing eyes. Now the makeup had taken all those features from her, she could feel her heart drop when faced with her powdered reflection.
She was whisked out of her room and escorted to a waiting carriage. Her sister was waiting in the carriage sat alongside their mother.
"Mother, Lilli," nodded Els as she took a seat.
Her mother squeezed her hand as she sat and Lillian huffed and then looked out of the carriage window.
"You look radiant my daughter," her mother beamed as she sat.
It was the first time Els had seen her mother since Finepoint, she had greying hair tied tight to her scalp. She had never had much to say to Els, Marianne Weimaer never had much to say about anything. Els sat directly in front of Lillian and even then she still refused to make eye contact with her. The two Weimaer daughters had been close when they were younger, Lillian was the youngest in the family and she always stuck close to Els.
Now she won't even look at me, thought Els.
She wished she could make Lillian understand, but their father had dug his claws deep into Lillian. Els spent the entire carriage ride ignoring her mothers dithering and prodding Lillian with her foot. She got no response from her sister. They came to a stop at a wide grassy clearing in the city centre. A smattering of tents had been erected by the far corner of the field and Els was marched off toward them. Inside the large marquee was a number of high-ranking nobles and officers of the Prince's army. Els looked around for other young women she could blend in with and spotted none. The tent was thick with polished armour and heavily decorated weapons. Her father glided around the room and nodded to a select few, her mother walked with her arm in his. Els and Lillian followed close behind.
"Ah Lord Weimaer good to finally see you," said the High Prince.
"Sire," said Weimaer as he gave a brief bow.
The High Prince kissed their mother's hand before she curtsied along with her daughters.
Els looked up at the new ruler of the Southlands. In one hand he leaned on a thick wooden cane, he wore no crown but the rest of his body was richly adorned. He wore a black and gold doublet with a silver gorget hung around his neck. Els could see the resemblance to Pyp in his face, they shared the same small nose and dark brown hair. Baldwyn noticed her eyes on him and turned to her with a smile.
"You were with my brother when he escaped from Finepoint, he told me about you," said Baldwyn.
"All good things I hope," said Els.
Baldwyn laughed, "He was less than pleased about your renegade attack on a bandit camp but between the two of us I think you did the right thing."
"Then why was Arthur sacked for doing it with me," asked Els.
Baldwyn gave her a quizzical look. "You know the former guardsman Arthur?"
"He helped me and your brother escape from Finepoint," said Els.
"Well it was unfortunate what happened with him, but my brother insisted on him being expelled. He's a capable man. I'm sure he'll find work," said Baldwyn with a shrug. "I tried to talk to your father about you but he refused, but I suppose he didn't want to show his son up at the feasting table," the High Prince chuckled.
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Els saw her father glaring at the two of them. "May I sit with you sire, I have a few tales from Finepoint that your brother might not have shared," said Els.
"It would be my pleasure lady."
Els took his arm and allowed herself to be led to a plush seat. Her father leaned into her ear.
"What do you think you are doing," said Weimaer.
"Speaking with the High Prince," said Els giving her father a grin as she strolled past him.
They sat down and Baldwyn snapped his fingers and a cup of watered wine was thrust into Els' hand. They made some small talk as they sipped on the sweet wine, Els spoke at length about her escape from the surrounded Inn and the fire she set as a distraction. The High Prince raised his eyebrow in disbelief when she told him about blowing the dam to put the fire out in the city. It was clear that Pyp hadn't told his brother much about Finepoint as Baldwyn asked question after question. She told him about the possessed and the witch and she got the same disbelieving look. Lord Weimaer's eyes stayed fixed on the two of them as they spoke, Els looked around occasionally and spotted her sister surrounded by officers laughing politely as she sipped on dark red wine in a clear glass. She had yet to see any other family members in attendance.
Part of fathers plan to wed me and Lilli off no doubt, thought Els.
They all stood when a horn sounded to announce the start of the march of her brother's cavalry. Thundering hooves rumbled in the distance as hundreds of armoured horsemen trotted forward. Els listened to a complex sequence of trumpet blasts and watched the horsemen separate into 6 columns. The first rank held the Weimaer family banner alongside the flag of the Southlands Principality, Els spotted the gilded armour of her brother at the front sword held high. The horses broke into a gallop and the show began, the main column split and turned in three different directions. Her brothers troop charged past the High Prince's marquee, swords and pistols raised, presenting a martial image. Baldwyn applauded as they passed, Els joined him along with the rest of his party. More complex manoeuvres followed as the troops passed through each curled around imitating the order of battle. It was an impressive display Els would admit that much but she failed to see the point of the spectacle. When she asked the High Prince as much he smiled.
"Supposedly it's to show how prepared this excellent horse regiment is for battle, in reality, it is your father ensuring me and my officers don't decide to give the first troop to another more experienced man. This is your brothers first command, in fact it is the first regiment a member of your family has been placed in charge of since your great grandfather," explained Baldwyn.
Els nodded. She knew her family had mostly given up on warfare to focus on merchant pursuits and it seemed her father was keen to change that.
"If it were any other circumstances I would give them to someone else," muttered the High Prince under his breath, he glanced at her father.
The display was coming to and end and Els' brother trotted forward on his horse. He stopped close to the marquee and dismounted before falling to his knees with a dramatic flourish. Baldwyn got to his feet and waved for Adriel to stand.
"Excellent display Captain," said Baldwyn.
Adriel peeked out from under his large helmet and rose to his feet.
"Thank you sire," he said.
He didn't so much as look in Els' direction. She stood up and followed behind the High Prince.
"Yes it was very impressive brother, I never thought I would see you look so deadly," said Els.
Adriel replied with a blank face. "Thank you Els."
Their father stalked over and stood by the High Prince, "Els I think it is time you joined your sister," he said urging her to leave with his eyes.
"A shame you must go so soon lady, I enjoyed our conversation," said Baldwyn.
"As did I sire," she held her hand for the High Prince to kiss. Her father glared daggers as she walked away.
The afternoon was short after her brother's horse display was over. Any attempt to engage her sister ended in failure, Lillian would stand next to her, never acknowledging her in conversation. Just after midday, the guests started to leave in small groups. The first to leave was the High Prince, he made a point of seeking out Els and saying farewell. Els walked him out of the marquee, arm in arm. She smirked internally as everyone's eyes followed them out.
"You must not be fond of your father," said Baldwyn as they stood by the horses.
"What makes you say that," she said sweetly.
"Every time we spoke I saw another vein pop out of your fathers head, and you can't tell me you didn't know that would happen," said Baldwyn.
"He's not my favourite person but he is my father," said Els.
Baldwyn chuckled, "You remind me of my brother, the two of you would be a good match."
"Don't tell my father, one of those veins might burst," laughed Els.
They stopped at a row of magnificent horses, there was a group of guardsmen standing in a small circle. They were chatting pleasantly, quiet easy laughter floated into Els' ears.
"What are you doing men," said Baldwyn, he kept his tone friendly.
The group immediately jumped apart.
"Sorry sire," said one stepping forward.
"Sergeant I asked what you were doing," the High Prince replied.
Els looked past the men and spotted one dressed in different colours, The white and purple of the Weimaer family.
"Arthur," said Baldwyn, displeasure clear in his voice.
"Sire," Arthur bowed.
"I see you've gotten a new employer," said Baldwyn, Els noticed him clench his jaw.
"Yes Sire," said Arthur.
"Sergeant you should remind your men about their duties or do I need to remind you of yours," said Baldwyn.
"Yes sire," said the sergeant.
"I'm to blame sire not Willes," said Arthur.
Baldwyn nodded and turned back to Els, "I must depart now my lady, if you wish to speak again call on me at the keep," he and his men mounted up and galloped away.
Arthur was putting his helmet on and tried to slip away before Els could talk to him.
"Where do you think you're going," said Els.
"Sorry my Lady," said Arthur standing ramrod stiff.
"Come on Arthur there's no one around you don't have to put on that act," said Els.
"What act," he said not lowering his chin.
"The one you always use when your angry with me," said Els.
"I have duties to return to my lady if you would allow me," said Arthur.
"I do not," said Els.
They stared at each other in silence. The last time they had spoken had been in that Tavern when Els had to beg Sir Luca for his life.
"I expect you don't remember the last time we spoke," said Els.
"I don't," said Arthur.
"Well I saved your life after you started a drunken fight with nearly a dozen armed men," said Els.
Arthur finally lowered his head, "I didn't need your help."
"Well without it you would it be dead," said Els.
"And without me you would be dead, none of it matters and I have a job to do," said Arthur as he started to shuffle past Els.
She put her hands on his chest and pushed him to a stop. "That job is working for me and I don't take kindly to being ignored," she said.
"I can't imagine your father would approve of you speaking with a lowly guardsman," said Arthur.
"Well my father doesn't understand what happened in Finepoint, he refuses to accept the truth," said Els.
Els heard stirring from the marquee behind her, more guests were coming for their horses.
"We will talk later, at the estate, Arthur," said Els turning to leave.
Before Arthur could voice a protest she was gone.