NOBLESSE OBLIGE
Taenya sat in a room that exuded luxury, sipping on a cup of fragrant tea as she waited for her host. The intricate carvings on the walls and the plush furnishings arranged with an impeccable sense of aesthetics spoke volumes about the wealth and refined taste of the high elf noble she was about to meet.
As he entered the room, the young nobleman greeted her, glass in hand, with a suave and self-assured tone. “Welcome, Ser Taenya Shavyre of House Reinhart. I am glad you agreed to meet with me,” before settling into a seat across from her and taking the smallest of sips of the amber-colored drink.
The high elf was a younger man and in any other setting, she may have dismissed him out of hand. The young nobleman focused his gaze entirely on her despite his half-hearted attempt at nursing a drink that was clearly for show.
Dressed in a delicately woven silk tunic that accentuated his lithe frame, the high elf noble projected an aura of elegance and refinement. His raven hair was styled in a neat, yet artfully tousled manner, framing his sharp features and adding a touch of youthful charm to his otherwise sophisticated demeanor.
If she had to guess, the man was one with a finger to the pulse of high society, and one who wanted more influence. Taenya would have to be careful. He’d managed to set up this meeting so that it would remain secret from outside eyes. Whatever it was, the lengths he’d gone to betrayed how important he felt the meeting was.
He had sent communications through several intermediaries. When questioned, it was clear that each one had no knowledge of anything beyond the small tidbit they’d been supplied. In the end, the messages only imparted the full request when taken as a whole. The man even made sure to avoid Sabina with his people, and they’d yet to figure out how he knew about that. It was a bunch of secrecy, just for a meeting.
It was never a good sign.
In fact, the knowledge of Sabina was the entire reason she’d agreed. The request had very specifically requested the knight remain at the manor. Despite this, Taenya decided to ascertain what it was that the man wanted.
“You seemed pretty confident that I would,” Taenya said drily as she sat in the empty chair across from him.
He smiled.
She still didn’t know his real name, only that the manor she had been brought to in secret was outside of the city. He’d given the clearly fake name ‘Lord Edele’ in his correspondence. Which Quinn and Maya had quickly pointed out was the name of a defunct House from several centuries prior.
The man did not look like anyone she knew or even heard of. His ebony brown hair with brown eyes along with a face that was neither overly pretty nor ugly. He was, in a word… ordinary. His dress was well enough, but it could have easily placed him as a well-to-do merchant or aristocrat.
But that was where it ended.
The little mannerisms such as the posture and speech patterns told a story. He held himself like a noble. He acted as if he were her better.
And depending on his station, he may well be… socially at least.
She was the Knight-Captain for a royal. The only thing in the way of universal acceptance of Gwyn’s station was the acknowledgment of the Crown. Thus far she was only recognized by a duke.
An important and influential duke, but merely a noble nonetheless.
It was a fact the man sitting in front of her had been so keen to point out.
“Of course. My peers and I make it a matter of fact to know who all the players in the great game are. Especially ones who have such… potential,” he said without giving really anything away.
“You clearly know what you want. I would prefer to stop playing games and speak plainly,” she stated icily.
Even his chuckle sounded patronizing.
“My dear, you have only just sat at the table. Your young princess is new to the politics that surround our great nation. Consider this an… exploratory meeting. We wish to merely make you aware of your position, and our own.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I believe our position has been well established. Just ask–”
“Ask whom?” he interrupted. “Marquess Angwin? That imbecile? Count Telford? Can’t do that, but you played no hand in his demise. Duke Tiloral? That House has refrained from joining our little game for so long that he does not realize just how perilous his position can be. Or do you mean your small upstart of a baron? The merchant?” He shook his head ruefully. “No, Ser Taenya. Your princess sits upon a brittle throne. The duke’s rebuke of the Crown Prince will be lauded by many, but those who know the truth will understand that it will upset the balance upon which our nation finds itself.”
She was not sure what exactly the man was getting at. Was he threatening them? It all seemed a bit much. What did they expect that a twelve-year-old princess was going to do?
Taenya sighed. “You seem as if you want to appear threatening. Tell me what it is you expect me to know or understand. I am quite tired of all these petty games.”
He raised a hand. “I am not here to threaten you, Ser Taenya. As I said, I am simply making you aware of your position.” The man going by the name of Lord Edele lifted his glass of liquor and took a sip.
She tilted her head. “You know… There was one group you failed to mention. And I do not believe the Paladins of Alos are fond of the games played within our fair nation.” She smirked and shook her head before continuing, “They would rather burn down any threat against the church than become embroiled in the politics of a single nation.”
The man nodded. “You are correct. That is a powerful defense. The threat of an inquisition is enough to stay many a hand. They are not germane to this conversation, however. Now, our position is really quite simple, and now I am sure you are wondering why we are threatening the House of a twelve-year-old. Well, because in a few short years, she will reach the age of majority and potentially cause all sorts of issues.”
That caused Taenya to huff. The man was reaching. While she wasn’t sure exactly what the man was worried about, she did know that it had something to do with the Tilorals. Everything was coming back to them and their current spat with the Crown Prince.
The man had one thing wrong. He thought that the duke was not aware of everything that was happening or all that was arrayed against him. What they seemed to forget was that the Tilorals had maintained their so-called neutrality for centuries and it wasn’t just by not choosing a side. They continued their dynasty by being strong and by ensuring that any who would oppose them were crushed.
Their neutrality wasn’t because they were scared of opposing either side. No, their neutrality was there to keep the nation together.
For the moment the Tilorals moved, the fractures in the bedrock of the entire nation became more and more apparent.
The duke already knew that people were watching his young heiress. Lady Roslyn was a target, and he had not sent her to the capital undefended. The church solidified that defense when they appointed her a personal paladin guard. An act the duke accepted happily. After all, he was old friends with the leader of the world’s sole religion and its greatest Church.
It appeared that Lord Edele’s information suffered a lack of depth in some areas. Unfortunately, it seemed that did not include her own House.
Sabina would need to do a deep sweep to find the leak.
Clearly, their hiring spree since arriving had not been as thorough as she’d liked.
“Lord Edele. It appears that you and your fellow nobles place a lot of weight upon what House Reinhart and our princess do. The simple fact is that if she would just be left alone, then she would happily refrain from joining in whatever little games you have afoot. While the paladins may metaphorically burn out their opposition, my princess quite enjoys doing it literally.”
She almost missed it, but she could see the minute wince the man attempted to hold back.
“You still fail to see the real issue, Ser Taenya. That is fine. Allow me to clear the air for you. Duke Tiloral has shown that in his heart, he is a royalist. The only issue is that it appears your princess is the royal he wishes to throw his weight behind. For what purpose, I will admit, we are not sure.”
The man shook his head again as he stared down at his glass. He continued, slowly. As if what he was saying was core to his entire being. “Royals are a threat to the kingdom, for all that they are the linchpin to holding it together. Having too much power invested in one point of failure is the height of folly. The duke has made enemies of both sides by throwing in with yours. It has already caused one duchy to slide into the Crown Prince’s bed. Your very existence is a threat to our nation. However, unlike Kerrell, we do not wish to harm a child. But in a few short years, she will reach the age of majority,” he stated, a tinge of regret within his voice.
Taenya was not deterred.
“Then do not make an enemy of us, Lord Edele. Nor your faction. I am telling you right now, leave us alone and we will ignore you. Her Highness is from another world. She has no desire to bother with Aviran politics. And in the interest of transparency, I will warn you to leave Lady Roslyn alone,” she said as she stood.
The man raised a brow. “I already stated that we prefer to avoid involving children. If anyone desires to target the girl, it would be Kerrell,” he said softly.
She nodded her understanding.
The meeting was over. He had said his piece and she hers. Time would tell if they would have to worry about the noble faction. It was something she, unfortunately, had not accounted for. No one had. Even if it was obvious in hindsight. A new princess on the scene was a threat. It did not occur that a foreign princess was considered one just as much as the domestic one.
“I bid you a good day, milord,” she said with a dip of her head. She was the Knight-Captain of a princess. Only another royal would garner a bow from now on.
He opened his mouth but Taenya raised a hand. He had threatened her princess, it was only right that she threaten him in return.
“You do not want to see what my House is truly capable of, let alone the consequences of a child’s wrath if you harm a hair on her friend’s head. Even I know that I could not stop it. You may think you know our magic and capabilities, but I am telling you… It does not matter what you have heard. Even at twelve-years-old, nothing this kingdom has can quell what you will see. For until now, she’s held back. She would burn a city to the ground to protect those closest to her.”
Taenya turned and walked to the door, pausing as her hand touched the handle. Her eyes narrowed. “And if you force it… I would let her.”
She heard him suck in a breath as she walked out.
✦ ✦ ✦
Gwyn was on the way to her last class before the weekend, and she couldn’t wait to see her two adopted aunts. Taenya and Sabina would hear all about her first week of school and the people she’d met. If she had to choose, she was most excited to tell them about her new friend.
In addition to spending time with the knights, Gwyn had promised Roslyn and Adrienne to practice magic with them. Her best friend did not seem especially excited to have a third person joining them, but the high elf noble had acquiesced in the end after mumbling something about solidifying connections and factions within the school. Her friend may put up a good front, but Gwyn knew that she did not like interacting with people. Especially meeting new people.
Glancing at the girl to her right, Gwyn smirked at seeing the seriousness that sat on Adrienne’s face. She and the orkun girl had just finished another class, Etiquette in Aviran Society. Now, the two of them walked together as they made their way to the one class Gwyn had been dreading since learning about it.
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Responsibilities and Duties of the High Noble.
While she was excited to actually have a class with Roslyn, the actual subject of the class was positively boring. I don’t really care about all that.
There were two separate groups for the same class, as the school had to contend with a larger-than-normal group of nobles of sufficient status. Which luckily meant she would only have one of the twins in her class. Thank Alos for that. Good looking out big burning guy in the sky.
She giggled at the thought.
Which of course garnered her an amused look from the orkun at her side.
“Monologuing again?” Adrienne asked.
Gwyn sniffed indignantly. “Just an errant thought.”
“Oh? What was it this time?” the girl poked.
That made the princess roll her eyes.
It hadn’t taken long at all for the girl to open up. They had spent a lot of time together over the past week, and Adrienne had easily fit into Gwyn’s little group of friends.
Which mainly just included Roslyn, Lorrena, and Daria. However, her raithe commoner roommate had started to spend more and more time with Calanis, the high-elven daughter of a Royal Knight and the fourth member of their little room.
That roommate had increasingly avoided Gwyn ever since the incident with the two royal pains in the–
“Ahem. You didn’t even get a single word out that time before falling back into your thoughts,” Adrienne prodded.
Gwyn sighed. “Sorry, just thinking about everything that happened this week. It’s been a big week for me! And I’m excited for this weekend.”
“Ah. Yes, it has certainly been an adjustment for me as well,” the girl said, shaking her head.
They continued walking, talking about the classes they’d had that week and the mountain of homework they’d been given. The sidewalks and green yards that darted the Lower School’s grounds were busy as all almost five hundred students of their school year moved around to various destinations. Adrienne followed her lead as Gwyn walked toward their destination with the groups of other students moving out of their way. Although, that probably had more to do with the big paladin that trailed behind her than any act on Gwyn’s part.
The class they were heading to was on the far side of the campus from their dorm room, closer to the building where Roslyn’s was. Gwyn looked around the various buildings as they got closer, trying to remember which hall it was in. There were several classes over here, but most of them weren’t ones that Gwyn took.
She enjoyed the walk, though. Especially on nice clear days like it was currently. The blue skies with the twin moons just visible overhead in the early evening sky was a sight she never got tired of. The plants and flowers were pretty and lovingly cultivated, each exhibiting sights and smells both similar and alien to her senses.
In fact, Gwyn had spent one night just relaxing in one of the fields sketching the flowers and their beautiful array of colors.
As the two of them entered the classroom, Amari moved to the side in the back… right next to one of the royal knights.
Gwyn took a deep breath.
Adrienne gestured toward the front corner of the room with her head and rolled her eyes. The prince was sitting there with a few other students gathered around him.
Her new friend had gotten to hear all the tea about her first meeting with the Aviran royals.
Gwyn gestured to the second row of the room where several chairs remained empty. By unspoken agreement, Adrienne led the way and moved until they were close to the center before selecting a chair.
The two girls sat down in the small lecture hall, and quickly set their things up on the long narrow table that took up the entire second row.
No sooner had they finished setting up their supplies than the prince decided to stand and speak up.
“Well, well… What do we have here?” Prince Aran said as he took a few steps toward them and placed a hand on the table. “A Blighter and a Displaced. I think you two are in the wrong class. This class is for Aviran nobles and royalty.” He punctuated his point with a sweeping gesture to those around the room, much to the amusement of his followers.
Adrienne’s eyes narrowed but Gwyn just shook her head.
However, that seemed to only embolden the prince. He laughed. “Ah, I see. You have no response, it makes sense you would keep your mouth shut.”
Gwyn tilted her head and sighed. Whoever is listening up there, give me patience.
She turned to face him. “Tell me, are you always this much of an idiot or is it just whenever you open your mouth? That’s twice you’ve acted like this unprovoked,” she said, unamused.
His smile seemed almost genuine before he replied, “There is that spirit. For a moment there, I thought you had lost it. Now–”
He was interrupted by a familiar voice. “Mister Moreth. I do believe class is about to start, and it already appears that you dearly need to pay attention to the material.”
Aran looked a little taken aback but quickly regained his composure. "I'm just telling the truth," he said, shrugging before moving back to his seat.
As Gwyn turned her head, a smile spread across her face at the sight of her best friend Roslyn. As Roslyn made her way down the aisle from the entrance, Khalan, the paladin bodyguard of the Tiloral Duchy heiress, smoothly moved to stand next to Amari.
With a stern look on her face, the high elf girl seemed prepared for a confrontation. However, the sudden entrance of the professor through the front door disrupted the tense atmosphere.
The princess turned around, but not before giving Roslyn a quick smile and wave. Roslyn walked over to her and leaned over as she pulled her things out of her bag. “Are you okay, Gwyn?” she asked, sitting down next to her.
Gwyn expressed her gratitude with a smile toward her friend. “I'm fine. Just getting fired up,” she said. Roslyn gave her a stern look, causing Gwyn to flinch. “Thanks, Roz,” she continued. “I'm alright. It's just that I've only seen the prince twice now, and in both experiences, he's been rude.”
Roslyn nodded, offering Gwyn some comfort by putting an arm around her shoulders. “Don't worry, I won't let him get away with it,” she declared, her gaze pointedly directed at Aran.
Gwyn's face lit up with another smile as she whispered to her friend, “Side-by-side?”
Roslyn smiled back. “Against the world,” she echoed softly.
The two bumped fists, just like Gwyn had taught her.
The professor, the same high elf who had been full of smiles during the entrance panel, turned around from the desk and looked around the classroom.
The professor's gaze swept over the room, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the students before him. The silence grew more oppressive as the seconds ticked by, each person feeling the weight of his gaze upon them. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“Ah. Class, I look around and do you know what I see? No? I will tell you…” the man smiled brightly. “Boundless potential. Look around you. In this class are the future leaders of our great kingdom. Every one of you will one day have a serious weight thrust upon your shoulders. The weight of responsibility. Countless lives will hinge on whether you can fulfill your duty. I am Professor Ral. This is Responsibilities and Duties of the High Noble and you are all here to learn about how to effectively govern anything from a county or march… to a duchy,” he said with a nod toward Roslyn.
Professor Ral then turned and gestured toward Prince Aran. “Or even potentially the kingdom, itself.” He paused long enough to look around at the fourteen students in the classroom. “Now, who can tell me something about the relationship between a ruler and the commoner?”
Prince Aran scoffed. “It is the duty of the ruler to guide the people, for without guidance they are lost. To provide order and safety, and if he must, discipline.”
Gwyn tilted her head. She had something for this, she just had… to… Gwyn pulled on her mana and used it to [Focus]. The magic helped her remember a topic that her mom had talked about once.
She repeated it verbatim, “Those who are privileged and in positions of power have a responsibility to act with generosity and kindness towards those who are less fortunate or who are in their service. A ruler or noble should use their power to benefit the common good and support the well-being of their people. For without the people, there is no throne. The prosperity of a nation is not determined by viewing the greatest among us, but by which opportunities the least are given. The greatest nations are those which are built on solid foundations that outlast us.”
The professor stopped and stared at her. At that moment, she caught sight of the others staring at her as well.
Gwyn lightly cleared her throat. “Hm. My apologies. I–”
Professor Ral smiled softly. “No, Miss Reinhart, thank you for your input. It was inspired. Do not hesitate to speak your mind in this class. Participation amongst all students is not only desired but expected. Now, class, with that thought, please join me in your material…”
Roslyn nudged her with a foot and when Gwyn turned toward her, the high elf gave her an encouraging smile. Gwyn gave her a quick smile before opening her material and grabbing her note-taking supplies.
Gwyn took a deep breath.
This class is going to be the bane of my existence.
At least Roslyn and Adrienne are here…
✦ ✦ ✦
After class, Gwyn and Adrienne left Roslyn behind and headed toward the dorms. The plan was to change and meet up with everyone before leaving the school grounds.
After speaking so much about it to her, Adrienne was excited to see the townhouse Taenya had obtained for House Reinhart. Gwyn couldn’t wait to show her all around. She just hoped her knight wouldn’t make too much of a fuss when Gwyn offered to let Adrienne stay there. After all, the orkun girl from Blightwych had no place to call her own, except for the dorms.
As they strolled down the path through the yards, Gwyn and Adrienne talked about their interests, their classes, and how annoying Prince Aran was.
Halfway to their dorm, a group of boys walking in the grass to their left drew her attention. They were talking and laughing, with one boy pointing at a boy and a girl that were sitting together on a blanket in the middle of the yard. Another of the boys yelled out something rude, which made the others laugh even more.
Adrienne let out an exasperated sigh as she scowled at the group. The orkun girl tried to lean in and say something to Gwyn, but suddenly jerked back.
The five students veered right in front of her and Adrienne, causing the two girls to stop suddenly to not walk right into the group.
Gwyn narrowed her eyes. They didn’t even look behind them.
“Watch where you’re going,” she said, irritation laced in her voice.
The boys turned their heads and caught sight of the two girls. One of the two boys actually taller than her, a blonde with hair pulled into a ponytail scoffed. “You should watch where you are going, girl,” the high elf said.
Gwyn raised a brow. “Solid retort. One for the history books, surely. Why, with that wit, you don’t even need a lowly school such as this,” she deadpanned.
That earned her a scowl from one of the others. His brown hair and piercing green eyes along with his even more angular jawline than typical for high elves gave him quite a memorable appearance.
She was not one to back down from a potential fight, so she supplied her own scowl, looking down at the slightly shorter boy even as he gave her an imperious stare.
The two groups fell silent as they looked between her and the boy. She felt Adrienne’s hand on her shoulder, followed by something else.
A feeling. Like a brush across her mind.
Like Sabina.
As soon as Gwyn sensed the intruder's magic, she instinctively reacted by yanking at the surrounding mana; red and blue instantly filling her. With a determined expression on her face, she froze her thoughts and burned out the intruder's magic before it could penetrate any deeper into her mind and manipulate her.
The boy’s eyes went wide and Gwyn knew right then and there who was to blame. However, instead of retreating or apologizing, he foolishly raised his hands as if he were going to use more magic against her.
Gwyn’s temper flared.
‘How dare you,’ she snapped mentally.
The boy flinched as if slapped.
Her hands ignited and Adrienne let out a small scream as she jumped away from the sudden burst of flames. Amari appeared out of nowhere, quickly intervening by physically throwing the boy away from Gwyn.
A few passersby screamed at the sudden action.
The others of his group seemed to be frozen in fear as the intimidating paladin stood over the boy. The sun elf was staring down at the terrified maybe-noble with her sword out.
“Do not move. Attempt to attack or use magic and your life will be forfeit. Nod if you understand me,” Amari ordered.
The boy on the ground quickly nodded even as he curled up further.
Her paladin protector walked to her and gestured for her to move away from everyone. When they were far enough away, the paladin leaned down toward Gwyn. “Tell me.”
The princess took a deep breath. “He did something. It felt like a brush against my mind. Like… like…”
Amari’s eyes narrowed. “Like Ser Sabina’s magic?”
That made Gwyn wince.
“I am not judging your knight. I simply need to understand,” Amari reassured her.
Gwyn nodded hesitantly.
The woman looked over at the boy warily. “Very well. Ser Sabina will be able to give us answers that I cannot,” she said.
Amari hesitated, then seemed to gather herself. “You did well. You reacted quickly, and were ready to respond,” she stated. The sun elf glanced over at the orkun girl who looked frightened and confused. “I will handle it from here, you and Adrienne get to your dorms. I will catch up as soon as I can then we can go meet the others. ”
Gwyn’s eyes darted over to Adrienne’s and the look the girl gave her was filled with questions.
She turned back toward the paladin. “Are you sure? Doesn’t anyone need to listen to my side?”
The paladin shook her head. “No. I will handle this. Do not worry.”
Um. Okay.
Gwyn motioned for Adrienne to come closer and they started walking together. When Adrienne asked what had happened, Gwyn shook her head and placed a finger on her lips, signaling her to be quiet. She quickly promised to explain once they were somewhere safe and away from prying ears.
What in the heck did just happen?