AVOID THE WRATH OF SABER.

It’s late afternoon, the night staff are sitting around the tables in the kitchens together. Marsden and Fairfax have spread their paperwork all across one of them, Osprey is both shining shoes and talking Augustus through how to hem Set’s pants, while Python rests with her head on the table. Tiger comes in a moment later with groceries.

TIGER: Everyone, stop what you’re doing and come help.

Marsden and Fairfax keep working, but everyone else jumps to attention and go to help unpack.

OSPREY: Why did you buy so much? Are we expecting guests?

TIGER: No, but I have a hunch. Lady Primrose is going to be worked to the bone, and she’ll be hungry. Pythons trying to build a climbing gym, plus, once Ares gets back, they’ll probably want to do big family meals… Don’t worry, we’ll get through all of this easy.

FAIRFAX: Did… you say Python’s building a climbing gym?

TIGER: Oh, was that supposed to be a secret?

MARSDEN: Python, is this true?

PYTHON: Yes. Lady Minerva wants to learn again. She’s asked to keep it quiet.

MARSDEN: Then the secret should have been kept from Tiger. Why is she climbing? Surely, she knows how her father will react.

PYTHON: She wants to honour her sister’s memory, and her culture. You won’t tell anyone, will you?

MARSDEN: I’m not sure yet. I suppose if she’s only climbing on equipment that will keep her safe, I can keep quiet.

PYTHON: Thank you. Incidentally, Tiger, how did you find out?

TIGER: Danielle told Elizabeth, who told me. I don’t know where Danielle got her information, but Elizabeth confirmed it. She knows everything about everything going on in this place… so do I.

OSPREY: I didn’t realise you and Elizabeth were so close.

TIGER: When the squires go to war, she and I remain here. Any other secrets I can spill? Anyone?

AUGUSTUS: Sure, just what the hell does Lady Minerva do in that laboratory of hers?

TIGER: That, I’m afraid, we can’t ascertain. It’s not like we can tell what she’s making. Although lately, Elizabeth has been cleaning up remnants from smoke clouds…

PYTHON: Enough, Tiger. Augustus, leave Lady Minerva alone. Despite what you may be thinking, she hasn’t learned to turn people into frogs yet.

AUGUSTUS: A frog wouldn’t be so bad. I’m just waiting for the day I get turned into one of Set’s dogs.

TIGER: Yeah, maybe then you’d be treated with some respect.

MARSDEN: Quit the insolence, immediately. Tiger, are you certain this extra food doesn’t have to do with someone’s forthcoming birthday?

AUGUSTUS: It’d better not be.

TIGER: It isn’t. I know better than anyone not to put food for servants on the master’s tab, even if Augustus is reaching a special milestone birthday.

MARSDEN: Glad to hear it. Have you drafted a menu for the Solstice?

TIGER: Not yet. Waiting on His Lordship’s Esteemed Squire Fairfax to give me an idea about how many guests to expect.

FAIRFAX: We can hardly have an idea of how many guests we’re going to have when we only decided to host two nights ago. Lord Horus hasn’t even finished writing letters of invitation.

MARSDEN: It is imperative we have enough food for the party.

FAIRFAX: Yes, I know, which is why I asked Tiger to put together a couple drafts.

TIGER: And why I told Fairfax that without a ballpark figure of how many guests, I won’t know what I can and can’t handle. This isn’t complicated. We can hire more help, but we can’t expand the kitchen. What I can offer directly correlates to how many guests we’ll have. The more guests, the simpler the cuisine, because we’ll need things that I can prepare in advance. If we have fewer guests, I can afford to do something exotic or exquisite.

FAIRFAX: Stop being so dramatic all the time. We’re hosting solstice, it’ll be freezing, just go with something hot and traditional.

TIGER: Traditional has a lot of layers, you know.

MARSDEN: Tiger, next time you’re in town be sure to mention you’ll be after a large order. We can guess somewhere near one-hundred guests, so use that as a guide. This has reminded me, Osprey, are any of your family willing to help with set up and clean up for the event?

OSPREY: Fairfax already asked, and the answer is yes. They love an excuse to come up here, anyone from the village would.

MARSDEN: Well, at least that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about. Fairfax, why don’t you and I continue this in the library. I fear this sleeping situation may be worse than we’d feared.

Marsden and Fairfax pack up their papers and leave. As they go for the exit, Elizabeth and Danielle come in, almost bumping into them.

ELIZABETH: Oops! Sorry boss. I was just seeing if Danielle could show me around the place. She did well!

OSPREY: Good student, better teacher. It’s not easy learning your way around here.

DANIELLE: I thought I was doing alright, but Elizabeth has just informed me there’s an entire wing of guest rooms hidden out the back.

OSPREY: Yeah, they get freezing down there, too. Hope Marsden and Fairfax have thought about the firewood. Did they say they were worried about the rooming?

AUGUSTUS: Maybe it’s not the firewood that will be a problem, but those rumours about the ghosts.

DANIELLE: Oh, come on, Augustus. You can’t seriously tell me the castle is haunted.

TIGER: Oh yes, incredibly so… if you’re interested in urban legend.

AUGUSTUS: I can’t believe we’re doing this again, but there are ghosts in this castle.

TIGER: No, there aren’t.

OSPREY: Yes, there are.

PYTHON: Of course, there are.

ELIZABETH: Stop it! There’s no ghosts. If there were a ghost, I’d have seen it by now.

AUGUSTUS: I haven’t seen one since I was a kid, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

TIGER: Oh, stop it. I’m not doing this again.

OSPREY: I can’t do it either. If you two want to anger the ancient spirits by not believing in them, then that’s your choice to make… Oh, don’t worry, Danielle. The ghosts here have never hurt anyone. They just jump out and scare people.

DANIELLE: We’ve had some pretty nasty ghosts in Tijora… I’d have liked it here much more if I’d thought there were no ghosts.

ELIZABETH: Don’t listen to the squires. They’re always making up stories. There’s no ghosts, but there’s plenty other spooky things around these parts. Monsters from the mountains come down sometimes, not to mention all the poisonous rats.

DANIELLE: …Suddenly I miss the idea of ghosts. I never thought about the fact you might have rats in the mountains.

TIGER: Oh yes. Lots of them. Dreadful things, nip at your toes in the night if you let them.

DANIELLE: Enough. Please, no more rat-talk. Tell me more about the ghosts.

OSPREY: Well, some ghosts we think are actually spirits. My theory is we’re built somewhere near a portal that opens to the spirit world. Some, though, I recognise as people the Saber’s have killed.

DANIELLE: Oh dear.

AUGUSTUS: I wouldn’t worry. It’s not like all of them appear. None of us ever saw Lord Odin after he died, and we were certain he’d haunt the place.

TIGER: Enough with the ghosts! Get out of my kitchen and go get your masters ready for dinner, won’t you?

The squires leave, Osprey motioning for Danielle to follow him.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The following morning, Primrose wakes up to the sound of knocking on her door. She groans loudly and Danielle enters.

DANIELLE: Rise and shine, Lady Prim! You’ve been summoned for breakfast with the family.

PRIMROSE: Breakfast? It’s so early… I don’t want to get out of bed.

DANIELLE: Trust me, neither did I. These servants are out of bed at six-thirty, ready for work at seven. It was freezing at that hour!

PRIMROSE: They’re fools. Don’t they know the beauty of sleeping till ten?

DANIELLE: Afraid not. Come on, Lord Kur asked everyone to breakfast this morning. Get dressed.

PRIMROSE: He asked for us? Why do I feel such an immense sense of anxiety at learning that?

Danielle shrugs sympathetically and helps drag Primrose out of bed, who reluctantly gets dressed and hurries downstairs, grabbing Ares’s cloak on the way out. In the breakfast room, Minerva sits on one side reading a book, and Horus and Set sit together on the other side, pouring over his maths homework. Primrose sits tentatively next to Minerva.

PRIMROSE: Good morning, everyone.

MINERVA: No need for such lies. It’s a regular morning.

HORUS: Minerva, be nice. Sorry, Primrose. She’s usually asleep at this time.

PRIMROSE: That’s alright. It’s a little early for me, too. Do you often eat breakfast together?

MINERVA: Not usually. Only when Dad wants something. Sometimes he likes to open all our mail with us present.

SET: Pretty sure this’ll be about me. I don’t fucking get this. My tutor is already so pissed at me…

HORUS: Calm down, Set. We’ll work it out.

As breakfast is being served, Kur comes in.

KUR: Ah, I see you’re all here. For once. Seems we should be keeping touch while our newest member of the family settles in. Tell us, Primrose, how were the goats?

PRIMROSE: They were alright once I got used to the sensation, although I’m pretty sore today.

KUR: It certainly sounded like you were enjoying yourself. I could hear your childish giggling from my study.

I’ve called us together because I’m expecting to hear from the capital today. I assumed we’d all want to hear news of Ares. Has the mail come in yet?

HORUS: Not yet… what makes you so sure we’ll hear from the capital?

KUR: I asked Captain Pearce to write. He understands impatience well, so I’m sure there’ll be no problem… Why are there so many books on my breakfast table?

MINERVA: The little one is working on his maths.

SET: Again, I’m taller than you.

MINERVA: And again, still so unwise.

KUR: I’m also expecting a letter from your tutor today, Set. He said you did some tests recently.

SET: They weren’t tests. Or maybe… they were practice tests.

KUR: You’re running out of time to bring up your grades. I hope this letter tells us of something positive.

SET: Me too.

PYTHON: Here’s the mailman now, sir. It’s the sheepish one, he’s been standing there for two minutes. I’ll just go…

SET: Oh, the one who fainted a couple weeks ago? When did he start coming back?

PYTHON: I’m not too sure, young master.

HORUS: The mailmen are expected to bring the mail to the door. Perhaps I should…

SET: No, let Minerva go.

HORUS: Good idea.

MINERVA: Why would I talk to the mailman instead of the lord of the house?

SET: Because you’re the one who made him faint last time.

KUR: Enough, children. Minerva, go get the mail.

Minerva sighs but gets up all the same. Primrose smiles quizzically.

PRIMROSE: I don’t understand. What happened?

SET: It was so funny. The guy knocked over one of our garden ornaments. He came up to the door all shaking… Minerva answered, and she didn’t even say anything. The guy just collapsed.

PRIMROSE: Oh… I feel kind of bad for the man.

SET: Shh, let’s listen.

From the next room, Minerva can be heard speaking clearly about being punctual with the mail. When the mailman doesn’t respond, she threatens to steal his tongue, and slams the door shut. Set and Horus erupt into laughter as Minerva comes back, and even Kur smiles.

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MINERVA: What’s so funny? Here’s the mail, father.

KUR: Quiet down, boys. Here’s letter from Pearce…

Sir Kur, thank you for your invitation… tensions across the border continue to ease… ah. Your son’s display of magic went well, he is talented, but lacks necessary control. He will need to train with a proper professional from this point… Sounds like everything is already over. I suppose that’s that.

HORUS: He needs to keep training?

KUR: We’ll ask him when he’s home. I suppose you’ll be delighted, Primrose. He’ll be home sooner than we’d thought.

PRIMROSE: I am. I’ve missed him.

KUR: Quaint.

Set, here’s the letter from your tutor…

The whole family stop eating to watch Kur as he reads on in silence. After a moment of not saying anything, Horus pats Set sympathetically and starts shifting glassware away from the table’s edge. Finally, Kur puts down the letter.

KUR: …He’s predicting you’ll fail.

SET: What? Seriously?

KUR: How is this possible, Set? You promised me you’d been studying.

SET: I… I have been…

KUR: We don’t tolerate stupidity in this house.

SET: I’m… sorry—

Kur lashes out suddenly and smacks Set hard across the face. Everyone in the room winces as Set cowers towards Horus, holding his cheek. Kur rises from his chair.

KUR: What the fuck have you been doing?

SET: I’m sorry. I’ll study harder.

KUR: Yes, you will. No more dogs for the next week.

Kur grabs Sets hair and drags him to the floor.

KUR: Do you understand? If you don’t get your grades up, you will be punished.

Set nods. Kur stomps on him twice, then returns to his seat. All around the room, people wince for Set’s pain. Primrose looks around the room in horror and ends up locking eyes with Osprey, who shakes his head silently at her.

KUR: Get the fuck out. You can eat once you’re smart.

Set runs. Augustus hurries to collect Set’s books, while Kur goes back to sifting through the mail. Yet another letter catches his eyes.

KUR: Minerva… you have a letter from someone in the city.

MINERVA: I do? Why?

KUR: I don’t… oh. Did you have a run-in with a peasant recently?

MINERVA: …oh yeah. I met him while getting some ingredients. What does it say?

KUR: That he’ll give you his eyes if it means you’ll save his daughter.

Minerva starts laughing, but no-one else looks so amused.

HORUS: What’s that all about?

MINERVA: A stupid man calling a big bluff. I should take his eyes just to teach him a lesson.

HORUS: And then not save his daughter?

MINERVA: Certainly not. It’s not my fault crime is so high they don’t have capacity at the hospital. His daughter is probably in hospital from street fights to begin with.

KUR: Minerva, I didn’t realise you knew how to cook using human ingredients.

MINERVA: I don’t… well, not in practice. There’s a lot of elixirs you can make from eyes, but I’ve never heard of any for healing. I could definitely use them to make some poison.

HORUS: Give that to his daughter as the medicine?

MINERVA: Ooh, that’s good. At least no-one would ever ask me for a favour ever again.

PRIMROSE: You… wouldn’t really take his eyes for no reason, would you?

After a momentary pause, Minerva flicks her gaze to Horus who gives her a mischievous smile. One the one hand, Ares asked they be nice to Primrose, but on the other hand…

MINERVA: I would. Strong leaders instil fear in their subjects.

HORUS: Well, actually, we wouldn’t take the eyes. We’re too busy for that. He’d have to have them removed and sent here himself.

MINERVA: Might be difficult, given the lack of beds at the hospital.

HORUS: Yes. But we’re patient people, and we can wait. Anyone who disrespects us deserves to be punished… if we can let them punish themselves, all the better.

PRIMROSE: But he just wants to look after his daughter.

HORUS: That’s true. Father, you have a daughter. What do you think about all this?

KUR: …I think the rest of the mail is RSVPs for the party. That was a quick turnaround.

HORUS: The Solstice is soon, father.

MINERVA: Primrose, you don’t seem to be eating.

PRIMROSE: Oh, I just… I’m a bit distracted.

KUR: You’d best wake yourself up. You’re coming to sword practice with us, and I want to see your archery before then.

PRIMROSE: I can shoot arrows while sleeping.

KUR: Good. Let’s get going, then.

PRIMROSE: …right now?

KUR: Why, is this moment less convenient than when you’re asleep?

Primrose hesitates a little longer than what’s polite, but reluctantly gets up and follows Kur outside. Once they’re out of earshot, Minerva and Horus burst into laughter.

HORUS: Ares is going to be mad at us for that, you know. We’re supposed to be nice to her.

MINERVA: Oh, she brought it on herself. She really had to ask if I’d take some peasants eyes for no reason? How psychotic does she think we are?

HORUS: I’m inclined to agree, but… she’s not from here. Whatever opinion she has of you, she made on her own.

MINERVA: I guess you were right. We are intimidating.

HORUS: Think of it as a positive. Look at Primrose, she’s so soft and warm, she’d never scare anyone. That doesn’t exactly make for a good leader. She’s lucky she married Ares.

MINERVA: But being soft is a strength in itself… people will do things for people they like.

HORUS: They do things for people they respect. It’s easy to disrespect kindness.

MINERVA: I suppose we’ll see eventually how she reacts when pushed.

HORUS: Yes… let’s leave that honour to father, though. Ares wouldn’t forgive anyone else.

MINERVA: …You think he really loves her, or it’s just a honeymoon phase?

HORUS: Hard to know. Given how important marriage is to dad, I daresay Ares will do everything he can to make himself believe he loves her. I’d also guess that eventually, Ares will side with dad over her, and that won’t be an easy fix. She’ll leave him, and we’ll go back to war.

MINERVA: Oh, I don’t know about that… maybe she’ll finally fracture whatever’s going on in that weird as fuck relationship. She’s certainly opposed to Ares doing magic.

HORUS: Yet he’s off in the capital because father told him he had to go. He can’t stand up to father, so instead he blindly obeys.

Minerva nods quietly but doesn’t say anything. Horus has already moved on, having found something in the paper.

HORUS: There’s been seven deaths in Wayward Valley. The ogre problem is getting out of control.

MINERVA: Seven deaths? They must have been ambushed. Those monsters are getting smarter.

HORUS: Still not as smart as the trolls or the orcs. Ares will be coming that way. Maybe I should go…

MINERVA: If there’s ogres all about, travelling isn’t safe. Once Ares is home we can reassess and make a plan.

HORUS: Hm… Wayward Valley isn’t close, but it’s not far, either. It wouldn’t hurt to do a scout and kill any thoughts they may have about coming here.

MINERVA: You and Ares are so alike. I’d bet anything he’s fighting his way through the ogres intentionally.

HORUS: Yes. His recklessness is one of his best assets, isn’t it?

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Out in the training yard, Primrose shows her archery skills to Kur. She his every target on a bullseye regardless of if she’s stationary or not, and even when riding horses, she hits all the targets. Kur isn’t impressed until he watches her shooting with her feet.

KUR: I see. You are quite skilled.

PRIMROSE: Well, yes. We’re big on archery in my country. I’ll be better at riding horses soon; I just have to wait for my riding pants to come in.

KUR: Yes, I noted the tailor paid a visit. I’m glad the issue of your clothes will be resolved shortly. So, you’re skilled with the bow, how about the sword?

PRIMROSE: I mean… I know a little.

KUR: Children know a little.

Marsden?

Marsden approaches with two swords. Primrose frowns but takes the sword handed to her. It’s a little heavy, and Kur frowns at her a moment before examining his own sword. It is simple in design save for the hilt, which has a fire dragon engraved into the side. Kur’s frown deepens as Primrose takes a fighting stance.

KUR: That’s your stance?

PRIMROSE: I’m used to fighting with two, much lighter swords.

KUR: …very well. Marsden, see what you can find.

Tell you what, Primrose. We’ll spar for three minutes. I realise you’re at a disadvantage, so I’ll allow you to focus solely on being on the offensive. I want to see what your fighting style looks like. If you can draw blood, we’ll stop early. If you can’t, you sustain the damage of any counters I may have to your attacks. Sound fair?

PRIMROSE: You… want me to try and draw blood from you?

KUR: Yes. Marsden! What did you find?

MARSDEN: Osprey knew where to find the sword and dagger she travelled with. I assume that will suffice.

PRIMROSE: …I… guess so?

KUR: Good. Three minutes. Marsden, start the clock.

Without another warning, Kur lunges forward, sword raised, forcing her to respond. Their steel clangs together loudly as she blocks and jumps backs, and Kur begins to circle impatiently. Primrose does a couple of light jabs before retreating back further, forcing him to follow.

KUR: Don’t run. Fight.

Kur goes forward to meet her, but now she’s had time to process she goes on the offensive. The difference in skill is stark and despite her efforts Primrose can’t land a single hit on Kur, and is instead battered and bruised until she sustains a cut on her arm. She retreats backwards again to recover. Kur grins.

KUR: You’re running out of time. Stop running.

PRIMROSE: I need to think.

Primrose scans her area but there’s nothing to help her. Kur starts running forward, and instead of meeting him head on she dodges past his sword and smacks her shoulder into his chest. He falters, but only for a moment, and in the next moment he’s bringing his sword towards her neck as she lifts hers to block. Marsden’s whistle blows a moment later. Kur and Primrose freeze in place, swords still drawn. Primrose is exhausted, but Kur is barely panting. He gives her a sickly smile.

KUR: A few more seconds and you’d be cutting your throat with your own sword.

Kur releases her, and she staggers a little, still trying to gather her thoughts.

KUR: Your style is unique, but you have a lot left you can learn. I recommend you work on getting stronger. If this were a real fight, I’d have had you dead in less than thirty seconds.

PRIMROSE: If this were a real fight, you’d be shot dead with an arrow before you got anywhere near me.

Kur eyes her coldly but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he gives Marsden a look, who comes to collect the swords. Primrose pulls herself upright and examines the scratch on her arm.

PRIMROSE: I thought you weren’t supposed to draw blood in sparring matches.

KUR: Only if you’re comfortable disrespecting the gods of steel. You’re dismissed, Primrose. See you at training later.

Kur leaves, Marsden following along behind. Primrose is left alone in the field, and she sighs in relief, letting her legs give so she can sit. Doesn’t matter where she looks, she’s completely surrounded by mountains.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Primrose wanders the hallways of the castle, examining the paintings that line the walls. Most portray battle scenes or the mountains, so when she comes across a portrait of an older woman, she stops to examine her. As she’s staring, the eyes move suddenly to look sharply at her. Primrose jumps backwards and screams so loudly it echoes the halls. She jumps to the left, then the right. They eyes continue to follow her. A moment later, Horus appears from around the corner.

HORUS: Primrose! Are you alright?

PRIMROSE: Yes, I… I’m fine, but the eyes…

Primrose points to the portrait. Horus stops to laugh.

HORUS: Oh, that. It’s got a hex on it, but we don’t know who it was. I have a theory it was Minerva, and she can see everything through that crystal ball of hers. If the eyes are looking, she’s watching.

Horus and Primrose both look back at the portrait. The eyes flick between them.

PRIMROSE: I thought Minerva couldn’t do magic?

HORUS: She can’t, but that doesn’t mean she can’t pay other people to do it for her.

PRIMROSE: Ares can’t do magic like this, can he?

HORUS: Not that I know of. My father taught Ares, and father doesn’t know anything about spells or curses.

Horus begins to walk away, Primrose follows behind him.

PRIMROSE: I didn’t know your father could do magic.

HORUS: He can and he can’t. It’s kind of a sensitive topic, but basically, he was banned from practicing his magic years ago. You should ask Ares about it.

How are you finding Cragg so far?

PRIMROSE: Honestly… a little lonely, so far. I’m not used to so much space and so few people.

HORUS: …I’m sorry to hear that. We grew up with it, so we’re all used to it. There are a couple lower nobles in the area, I’m sure they’d like to meet you.

PRIMROSE: You mean, I should invite them over?

HORUS: Ah… you could, but I doubt they’d come. We lost favour with them some time ago.

PRIMROSE: …

HORUS: You’re not sure how to feel about us, are you?

PRIMROSE: It’s not that. It’s just all so new, and different, and…

HORUS: …and Ares isn’t here.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry. I know your father thinks it’s “quaint” for me to miss him, but…

HORUS: Don’t be silly. I’m glad you miss him. Besides, you’re not the only one who misses him when he’s away. Set becomes a million times more difficult without the favourite around.

PRIMROSE: Ares is the favourite, is he?

HORUS: Ares is everyone’s favourite. You’ll see at the party.

PRIMROSE: Can I be honest? I’m starting to dread the Solstice.

HORUS: I don’t blame you. A lot of people attending won’t be sure how to feel about you. Mind you, they’re not sure how to feel about any of us.

PRIMROSE: …Can I clarify something?

HORUS: Of course.

PRIMROSE: Who, exactly, is Baron? I keep getting confused…

HORUS: Technically, I’m Baron. I inherited it from mother when she died, but I was only thirteen at the time. Father took over as acting Baron and just… hasn’t stepped down yet. We sort of co-Baron, I suppose, even though it’s my signature on all the documents.

PRIMROSE: Wow. Seems like I have a lot I could learn from you if you’ve been doing this since thirteen. How old are you now, anyway?

HORUS: Not old enough that should warrant you asking that question, I’d have thought.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.

HORUS: I’m thirty-one. Not an old man just yet. I’m not set in my ways like father.

PRIMROSE: Even regarding corporal punishment?

Horus stops walking and stares Primrose down.

HORUS: Don’t go there, Primrose. Father told me you stood up to him. Don’t do it again.

…Sorry. Ares asked us to look after you.

PRIMROSE: It’s weird that so many people think I need to be looked after.

HORUS: As you say, you’re new and different. There’s a lot about each other we’ll have to get used to. By the way, I heard you had a tailor come in. They’re so used to making clothes for us, if you don’t specify, you’ll end up in a suit that looks exactly the same as all of ours. Your clothes should suit our style, but… feel free to bring some tradition to the clothing if you want.

PRIMROSE: I’d love to, but not sure your father would approve.

HORUS: Father was a refugee. He understands the importance of culture.

PRIMROSE: Wait, a refugee? Really?

HORUS: Yes. He was a child at the time, back when Kindling and Daegon were in active war. Kindling people were snatching children from Daegon, his parents couldn’t be there to keep dad safe… they sent him to the foothills of Cragg, close to Dunes, where he lived with the Olla family until he was old enough to survive on his own. My grandparents both died, so he never got a chance to go home. Even though he was young, he remembers a lot about Daegon.

PRIMROSE: …of course. Ares had dragons on his robes at the wedding, and Set mentioned you grew up with a weird blend of religions. That must have been strange.

HORUS: Only a little. All our religions tell the same stories, we just take different messages from them. Anyway, my point is… father wants you to be modest, and look practical. Respect our ethos, but celebrate your culture all the same. You don’t have to hide who you are while you’re here.

PRIMROSE: Thank you. I don’t intend to.

HORUS: Good. Now, before we go downstairs, shall we check on my brother?

PRIMROSE: Should we? I don’t want to get him into more trouble.

HORUS: I’m Baron. I’ll do what I want.

Horus opens the door to Set’s room and walks in. He looks around, checks the ensuite and the cupboard. He turns back to Primrose with a smile.

HORUS: He’s gone.

Horus is still laughing as he closes the door behind him. Primrose is a lot more concerned.

PRIMROSE: What’s he thinking? Won’t Kur punish him?

HORUS: Call him ‘father’, or ‘Lord Kur’. And yes, he would, but… Set’s smart. Not with books, but with other things. If he’s gone, it’s because he knows father isn’t going to check up on him.

PRIMROSE: He wasn’t smart enough to think you might check on him.

HORUS: He doesn’t need to be. I’m certainly not going to tell. I feel bad for the kid. It’s not his fault he’s stupid… actually, maybe it is. He could be studying right now.

PRIMROSE: It’s hard not to have other priorities at that age.

HORUS: If his only priority isn’t getting into and surviving the academy, then he’s a fucking idiot. That place is going to eat him alive.

Later that night, Primrose is getting ready for bed. Danielle is with her, she’s nodding off in the armchair by the fire. Primrose goes to shake her awake.

PRIMROSE: C’mon, Danielle. Bedtime.

DANIELLE: Hmm… but it’s so cold in the servants quarters. We don’t have any heating in the bedrooms.

PRIMROSE: …None?

DANIELLE: Our blankets are very warm, don’t get me wrong. But gosh, my face gets so cold in the night.

PRIMROSE: Maybe I can talk to Horus about it in the morning.

DANIELLE: I wouldn’t. No-one else is complaining. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

Outside the door, there’s a loud crash. Primrose and Danielle look at each other.

PRIMROSE: …It’s nearly one-am. What…?

DANIELLE: I daresay we shouldn’t ask.

They stand to listen. Another crash, then another. Primrose goes to the door and peers out into darkness.

DANIELLE: Can you see anything?

PRIMROSE: No…

Another crash, louder this time. The light to Minerva’s room is off. Primrose closes the door and pulls her shoes back on. She tucks her club onto her belt.

DANIELLE: You’re not going out there, are you?

PRIMROSE: What if someone needs help? Are you coming?

Danielle nods. Primrose and Danielle creep into the hallways, stepping quietly and carefully in the direction of the sound. They hear more sounds of banging and crashing, and as they get closer realise there are footsteps accompanying the sound. The head of security, Nail, steps out from a corner up ahead, causing both of them to jump.

PRIMROSE: Oh, I’m sorry…

NAIL: Go back to bed, ma’am. The situation is under control.

PRIMROSE: Of course. Let’s go, Danielle…

Primrose and Danielle turn to leave hurriedly, and come face to face with Horus. Primrose sighs in relief.

PRIMROSE: Horus. I’m so sorry. We heard sounds and we were worried…

HORUS: Everything is under control. I’m sorry this woke you.

PRIMROSE: Oh, it didn’t…

A thud nearby, and suddenly the running footsteps are closer. Horus pushes Primrose and Danielle to the wall and stands as a shield in front of them as someone comes sprinting around the corner at an alarming speed. The man crashes into the wall in front of him loudly and falls down. When he gets up, he turns and faces Horus eyes wide and hair wiry. Blindly, he runs towards them at full speed. The security guard lunges for him, but the prisoner dodges out of his grasp. Horus tracks the movement and lunges forward, intercepting the body and crushing it into the opposite wall. The man gives out a quiet yelp, spits at Horus and tries to bite him, and subsequently slips away. Nail follows after him.

HORUS: He won’t be running much longer.

PRIMROSE: Who was that?!

HORUS: Oh, that was one of our prisoners. Sometimes one will slip past an officer and run the halls.

PRIMROSE: You… you keep prisoners here?

HORUS: Certainly. I’m Baron, remember? When people go to trial, they stand before me and father for judgement. Who better than to see them serve their sentence than us?

PRIMROSE: Where do you keep them?

HORUS: In the dungeons. The deep, deep dungeons.

The sound of a body crashing into a wall comes to them. Horus gives a smile.

HORUS: Thrill of the chase, hm? Minerva and I have this under control. I apologise again for scaring you. This man will be dead before sunrise.

PRIMROSE: You’re going to kill him?

HORUS: Yes. This man murdered children. He didn’t deserve the chance for reform in the first place. Goodnight, Primrose. I’ll see you in the morning. Oh, by the way, we got letter from Ares. There’s ogres blocking his way, so he’ll take a little longer getting here. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to entertain yourself.

Horus runs off in the direction of the prisoner. Primrose and Danielle, clutching hands tight, hurry back to the bedroom, the sound of laughter and crashing fill their ears as they go.