Quiet hung in the air, coating the Milvsky barony. The keep was quiet, but the tension built like a storm. It surged as Roger paced by the window.

“Calm down, Roger. This is a great honor,” Megan said, walking over to the hearth, her shoes clapping while she walked across the worn wood floor.

“Honor?” Roger snapped, looking from the parchment. “We’re going to war. They want us to be soldiers.” He glowered at his mother.

“Yes, and your skills will be put to use. We need this. With it, we can rise.” Megan smiled at him.

Roger looked at the letter. His growing temptation to burn the kingdom to the ground grew with every moment. “Why would they remove Riley from the academy?” he snarled. “We paid for it. She has obeyed the rules.”

“She’ll be allowed her runs first,” Megan stated firmly. “And when we win, we’ll have our duchy. She is betrothed to the legendary seeker.” She smiled and rubbed her hands in front of the hearth.

“It isn’t fair to Riley in the slightest,” Roger retorted.

“I disagree, and it’s a splendid match.” Megan sighed. “And don’t bother your father again. He’s busy.”

“He’s drunk again,” Roger snarled and glared at his mother. “We need to leave.”

“Oh, don’t start that. We’re poised to have a duchy.” Megan scoffed and waved her hand at her son. She shook her head. “I don’t know where we went wrong with you.”

Roger felt his patience snap like a weighted branch outside. He ripped the letter into pieces, tossed it into the hearth, and stormed out of the room. Why did I come back? He huffed while he strode down the hall and out the doors, tossing them open with a loud bang. I should have taken Riley to the elves from the start. Hang this rotten country and my parents.

Walking out into the snow, he turned toward the capital and ran, enjoying the icy weather that matched his dour mood.

~~~

Neria took a seat in the dingy cottage. She drummed her fingers on the desk, her mind flickering to the recent developments. The princess had gotten a good run and was happy. The prince wanted the same.

Turning, she looked at the door. “I saw you.” She smirked at Althea.

Althea sighed and shut the door. She walked over and pulled Neria into a tight hug.

“Hello, Althea,” Neria said, chuckling softly.

“Call me Mom,” Althea said, squeezing her tighter.

Neria gasped. “Mom, you’re hugging too hard. I’m delicate.”

“I’ve missed you.” Althea smiled and loosened her grip a little. “Maybe I can keep you here a few days.”

“Gods, you need to get back to the elves,” Neria said, chuckling softly.

“That’s true. Soon enough. Soon enough.” Althea let her go and sat on the other side of the table. “How is everything?”

“Terrible. They have guards, and it’s difficult for me to spy on them.” Neria frowned. “The king and queen are preparing for war. They will launch soon. Did you hear from the council?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“I did.” Althea pulled out a piece of parchment. “Are they pulling Riley?”

“Probably. There is talk of sending all the students for at least a week.” Neria reached for it. “What did they say?”

“They want her to advance here if possible. The places of power are taxed.” Althea sighed. “Beyond that, they’re worried and are fighting over the best course. For the moment, we’ll need to keep her safe. I’ll escort you to a dungeon and help you steal a run or two first. That’s needed.”

Neria perked up. Great! She grinned at her adoptive mother. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I may need you to help defend her,” Althea said, swallowing nervously. “You know that I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t—”

“Important. I know. I know. Riley seems fun. She waved at me a few times without realizing.” Neria chuckled and went quiet. She swallowed. “There was an assassination attempt. Freelancer from somewhere.”

“On Riley?” Althea asked, her smile turning into a picture of rage.

“Yes. I’m not sure where.”

“I’ll find out,” Althea hissed. She took several breaths.

Neria reached over and patted her hand. “It’ll be alright, Mom. What else do I need to know?”

Althea shook her head and sighed. “Not much for now. We need to get you levels and need to prepare for the war. Those are the focus. If you wish to leave, I—” Althea’s mouth snapped shut. She spun to the open door and the cowled figure standing there. “Hello, Roger. Can it wait?”

“No,” Roger said, walking inside. He paused and looked at the servant girl. “Who are you?”

“Unimportant,” Neria said, standing and shaking her uniform. Then she walked out the door.

~~~

Roger frowned and watched the girl leave. “Who was that?”

“A friend. Now, what’s gotten you into a mood?” Althea huffed.

“This war and my fool parents.” Roger slammed the door shut and walked to the table. He took a seat. “Why haven’t you ended this kingdom?”

“Do you wish to join us then?” Althea asked, her smile returning.

Roger frowned. “You are plotting. How deep is this?”

Althea smiled. “It’s time for some nations to fall. Don’t become a foe, Roger.” She paused. “If you work with us, I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Vow a nice place for Riley in your lands,” Roger said.

“Done. We’ll get you a place as well.” Althea held out her hand.

Roger shook it. “Now, what are you elves up to?”

“I thought that was obvious. We’re pushing a war to weaken both. Ideally, this nation wins.” Althea grinned. “Then we send it into civil war, of course.”

Roger paused and then nodded. “So you will take both?”

Althea nodded. “Yes. That is the plan. If the nations were smart, they’d ally against us. Of course, that won’t happen, as you know.”

“And what of Lucas?” Roger asked.

“You can trust him. We have a deal, and he will honor it.” Althea’s face grew hard. “Don’t you dare hurt him.”

Roger studied her, a slow smile of realization spreading across his face. “He’s working for you. Who is he?”

“An orphan that I adopted. If he asks for something, it has a reason.” Althea quirked a brow. “Anything else?”

“If I wished to leave? To take Riley somewhere safer?” Roger asked.

“Your choice. Your parents will die.” Althea paused and studied him.

Roger nodded. “It may be necessary.”

Althea studied him a moment longer. “Very well, Roger. I will be candid with you.” She leaned forward on the bench. “The council is still uncertain about Riley’s loyalties, and our places of power are taxed.”

Roger groaned. “So, she’d stall?”

“Slow? Drastically,” Althea replied. “To further complicate matters, the war will start within the week. It will make crossing more difficult, and I can’t afford to escort you.” She bit her lip. “If you aid us, it would certainly help with their concerns. Of course, you won’t get a chance to show it until the war ends. If you aid with that, your parents will also be welcome in our lands.”

Condemnation. Roger sighed and rubbed his brow. “You said that I’d insulted the entire elven nation, but they don’t want her.”

Althea sighed and rubbed her brow. “What do you know about her mother and the elven curse?”

Roger jolted up. “That’s real? I assumed it was nonsense.”

“It’s not, and her mother was thought to be the answer. The council wanted her raised there, not here. Now, they’re debating and arguing incessantly about the best path.”

“Because she can end it?”

“Yes.”

Roger paused. “How much is true? And how is her mother linked to it?”

Althea shook her head. “Roger, I’m trusting you with that information. We never confirm it to outsiders, and I won’t be giving more.”

Because it reveals weakness. Roger nodded. “But they will not harm her? I need that vow.”

“No, they’d never do that.” Althea stood and walked for the door. “Be careful. Watch out for her, and inform me if you decide to run.” She met his gaze. “Please? It’s important.”

“I will, Althea.” Roger paused and shook his head. “If the situation turns dire, we will run.”

“Take Lucas if you do.”

“We will.” Roger nodded and headed to the door. I need to visit Riley.