Azareth swung her sword down, trying to hit Jurah’s side. Jurah brought his sword to his left, successfully blocking Azareth’s blade. Jurah pushed Azareth back, knocking her a few feet away. They had been going back and forth all morning. The sun was high in the sky, covering the training grounds in a warm glow. Jurah stepped forward, he swung his sword to the right slamming the flat side of his blade against Azareth’s left arm. She groaned, struggling to hold onto her sword. Jurah advanced again, but Azareth side stepped to the left and avoided Jurah’s swing. She swung her sword to the left and walloped Jurah in the back with the flat of her sword. Jurah fell forward onto his knees, dropping his sword. They both froze, gasping for air.

“Well,” Jurah said. He turned around and sat down on the grass. Azareth smiled down at him and dropped to the grass. She laid her sword in front of her crossed legs. “You’ve learned fast.”

“I have a good teacher,” Azareth said. Jurah’s cheeks went red as he looked off towards the castle. Azareth followed his gaze, seeing her people going about their daily lives. The guards were walking about, making sure everything was going smoothly in the market. Children were running around together, playing games and teasing on another. The castle almost glowed in the afternoon sun, but it almost loomed over the market. Azareth sighed, she leaned back on her hands and looked down at her legs. She wore tan pants and boots. She wore a bright blue shirt that covered her shoulders and hung down around her hips. Black leather was strapped criss-cross over her chest and secured at her back.

“You miss him, don’t you?” Jurah asked. Azareth looked up at him and tilted her head to the side.

“Who?” she asked him. Jurah laughed lightly and raised an eyebrow at her.

“Artibain,” he said. Azareth looked back down at her legs and nodded once. “It’s alright, I surprisingly miss him too.”

“What?”

“Don’t ever tell him I said that,” Jurah said. Azareth laughed and fell back on the grass. She held her stomach and sighed happily. It had been a long time since she had laughed like that. Jurah stuck his foot out and kicked her foot. Azareth laid her hands to her side, she stared at the blue sky.

“I think I made a mistake sending him,” Azareth said.

“I don’t think you did,” Jurah told her. Azareth sat up and they locked eyes. “He’s the only one who would be able to sneak in and out without being caught. He has lived his whole life being able to hide in plain sight.”

“Yes, but I shouldn’t have used his past as the reason.”

“What else would you have used?” Jurah asked her. Azareth shrugged her shoulders, she was feeling guilty. “He knew what he was asked, he didn’t have to agree to go.”

“True,” Azareth said. She sighed and stood up. Jurah followed her lead, picking up his sword and hers.

“That’s enough for today.” Azareth wanted to protest, but Jurah was already heading up the hill. Azareth ran to catch up with him. They had been training every morning for the past four days. She needed to learn, but it was also a great way to take her mind off of things.

“Has Cephie connected?” Jurah asked. Azareth shook her head as they reached the top of the hill. They walked together through the market, people bowing their heads as she passed them. She wasn’t used to that at all.

“No. She went to look for the missing dragons a week ago,” Azareth said. “I’m worried something could have happened to her.”

“I am sure she will be back soon,” Jurah said. The two of them walked up to the front doors of the castle, the guards opening it as they did.

“You’re probably right, I just worry.”

“Of course you do,” Jurah said. They stopped at the bottom for the grand stairs. Jurah had to return the swords to the armoury, while Azareth needed to clean up for her afternoon of political training with Midrina.

“Try to relax before you meet with Midrina,” Jurah told her. His hand rested on top of Azareth’s as it sat on top of the railing. “See you at dinner.” He walked down the hall towards the armoury. Azareth followed him with her eyes as he rounded the corner.

“See you at dinner,” she said, her heart racing.

“Midrina, were there any letters for me this morning?” Azareth asked. She was sitting on her throne looking through reports from the day's guards. It had been a long day of training with Jurah in the morning, then studying with Midrina. She had cleaned up after the morning, changed into a light blue dress with a golden flower pattern. A gold belt was wrapped around her waist, jewels decorating it with bright colours.

“No, your highness, not today,” Midrina said. She poured Azareth a cup of water from a pitcher in the corner of the room. As she brought the glass over, Azareth sat the papers down and sighed.

“We sent the letter to King Halamar over a week ago, how long should it take to send a raven back?”

“Don’t worry, we should hear from them very soon. It can be difficult running a kingdom, maybe he hasn’t found the right time to write you a return letter.”

“You’re right,” Azareth said. She lifted a paper up, but was stopped before she could read it. The doors opened and a guard came running in, he stopped in front of Azareth and bowed deep.

“Your majesty, there’s a traveling party at the front gates. They said they were sent here by King Halamar from Truffween,” he said. Azareth sat up straight and looked over at Midrina.

“He sent a party? Bring them in,” Azareth said. The guard nodded and then he ran off to retrieve the group. Midrina took the reports away and headed towards the back room. It was a few minutes before the doors opened again and then Azareth sat up straight looking at the doors. She froze as the guards led three people into the room. Her eyes scanned the faces of the three people in front of her, her heart began to race.

“Your majesty, these are the travelers from Truffween,” the guard said. Azareth stood up as the three people stopped in front of her.

“I can’t believe it,” Azareth said. Her voice cracked as she stepped towards the people she had to leave behind. “Are you really here?”

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“It’s really us,” her mother said. Azareth felt tears burn her eyes as she threw her arms around her mother. She released all the tears she had been holding in and clung to her mother.

“Our beautiful daughter, we’ve missed you,” her father said, throwing his arms around the two most important people in his life.

“Please don’t forget about me,” Sana said. Azareth could hear in Sana’s voice that she was in tears as well. Azareth pulled away and wrapped her arms around Sana.

“By the gods, I can’t believe you’re all here,” Azareth said. Sana gave Azareth a squeeze before pulling away and brushing a piece of her red hair behind her ear.

“It was definitely a surprise to us too,” Sana said. Azareth sniffed as she wiped under her eyes, a small laugh escaping her.

“Look at you, dressed like a queen,” her mother said. She took Azareth’s hand and forced her to do a small spin. “How many years have I tried to get you to dress like this?”

“Mother,” Azareth warned her. The door behind them opened and closed. Azareth turned to see Midrina walking into the throne room. She was carrying a tray of water goblets towards the small table to the right of the room.

“Midrina, please come meet our guests,” Azareth said. Midrina sat down the tray and turned to see the three people standing with Azareth. Midrina walked over and bowed her head slightly at the guests.

“Welcome,” Midrina said.

“Midrina, this is Sana and my parents. My mother, Faylen and my father, Hastos,” Azareth said. Midrina’s eyes widened for a moment and she smiled at them kindly.

“You all must be very tired from your long journey,” Midrina said.

“Wait, we only sent the letter over a week ago. How did you make it here so quickly?” Azareth asked. Her parents turned and looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.

“It wasn’t that long with the horses, we’d rode straight through. Of course we had to get a boat to the island,” her father spoke. “It was very uneventful.”

“Uneventful,” Azareth said. She laughed and shook her head. “That’s the complete opposite of my trip here.”

“I want to hear it all,” Sana said, taking Azareth’s hands in hers.

“You will,” Azareth said. Midrina cleared her throat and Azareth turned to see Midrina was giving Azareth a serious look. “But first, Midrina, will you show them to their rooms?”

“I shall be honored, I’ll send Jurah in for you too,” Midrina said. Azareth’s face began to burn, but she thanked Midrina and waved as her guests followed her out of the room. Azareth walked back to the throne and sat down, feeling overwhelmed. The crown on her head felt funny as she chewed on her finger nail. She felt odd, something wasn’t sitting right. Their trip was so intense and dangerous, but her parents and Sana had a safe uneventful journey. She should have been feeling grateful they weren’t in any danger, but it made her uneasy.

“Azareth?” Jurah’s voice brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Jurah was walking towards her. His face was full of concern.

“Jurah,” Azareth said. She stood up, they met each other in stride and Azareth threw her arms around him. Jurah wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she sighed as he brushed the back of her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“I should be ecstatic, they’re here,” Azareth said. “My parents and Sana, King Halamar sent them here to send his message.”

“That’s wonderful news, why do you look so distraught?” He asked her. Azareth leaned back and looked up at Jurah. He gently brushed her cheek with his hand, staring into her golden eyes.

“Their trip was uneventful, they were here within a week,” Azareth said. Jurah’s eyes flashed fearful for a second, but then he relaxed and gripped his hand on Azareth’s shoulder.

“Don’t let that worry you, we will figure it out,” he told her. Jurah cleared his throat, taking a step back from Azareth. She looked at him hurt written on her face. “Shall we go meet them for dinner?”

“We should,” Azareth said. The two of them walked out of the hall together, Jurah sure to keep a little distance between them.

Dinner was going smoothly. Jurah was greeted warmly by Sana and Azareth’s parents. The conversation over their beautiful welcome meal, centered around Azareth’s journey to Berlar. She explained how they were chased by the drogs and how the Orcs found their camp one night. Her parents were horrified when they learned they were taken prisoner by the humans. Sana was wide-eyed and in awe of every detail, hanging onto Azareth’s every word.

They told them about Artibain and how he helped save their lives, betraying his family to protect them. Azareth was worried her mother was going to faint when she mentioned the giants and the dragon, who later was revealed to be Cephie. Azareth didn’t have the heart to tell them she was the one who killed Artibain’s father. It would have broken her parent’s hearts. After she finished explaining how she met with King Andrion and how he knew she was his daughter by the birthmark on her shoulder, she had to stop. She felt her stomach turn as she remembered how shortly she knew him and how curely he was taken away.

“What happened?” Sana asked, being the first to break the silence that grew. “To your birth father?”

“After Artibain and I had arrived, the King traveled on a diplomatic mission,” Jurah said, taking over the explanation. “He was gone only a few days when we received a parcel, the king’s head was in the box.”

“Oh dear gods,” Faylen gasped. Azareth took in a deep breath and nodded her head.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that sweetheart,” Hastos said. He reached over and gripped her hand. Azareth smiled and nodded her head.

“It has been a very long journey,” Azareth said. “I have been learning a great deal.”

“Where is this Artibain?” Sana asked. Azareth looked, she saw Sana’s eyebrows bounce as she was subtly trying to suggest something. Azareth shook her head, then gestured to her right slightly in Jurah’s direction. Sana nodded, then looked over at Jurah.

“Artibain is on a mission, I sent him to collect information on this unknown kingdom,” Azareth explained. “I need to know if they are planning anything else.”

“Of course, this is something you can’t handle lightly,” Hastos agreed. They finished their dinner, the kitchen staff came and cleared the table. Midrina came into the room and walked right to Azareth. Azareth leaned over so Midrina could whisper in her ear.

“Artibain has returned with Cephie,” Midrina whispered. Azareth tried to remain calm, as every ounce of her being wanted to burst out of her seat.

“Thank you,” Azareth said. Midrina nodded and took a few steps back. “I’m sorry, Jurah and I are going to have to leave you. There’s some urgent business we must attend to, but Midrina will take you to your rooms.”

“Of course, we can talk more in the morning,” Faylen said. Azareth quickly hugged her parents and turned to give Sana a quick hug.

“I want to meet this dragon of yours,” Sana said. Azareth laughed and pulled away from Sana.

“I don’t see why not, maybe some time tomorrow,” Azareth said. “Have a good night, sleep well.” They watched as the three guests left, following Midrina, leaving Jurah and Azareth alone. Once Azareth knew it was safe to leave, she grabbed Jurah’s hand and led him out of the room.

“What’s going on?” Jurah asked.

“Midrina told me Artibain returned with Cephie,” Azareth said. The two of them took off running down the hall toward the front doors.