Warm morning sunlight shone through the open stone windows as Turshok Ferenik walked through his castle home. Here in the capital city of Norlov the news of war had just arrived last week. With the actual battles were taking place far away in the northern province the people here would be in no danger. Verily the royal family had very little to worry about in terms of their personal safety. However as the rulers of this kingdom the crown had its duties to respond to this threat.

While Turshok was not the king he was the crown prince and thus first in line for the throne. As such his father had put him in charge of dealing with this current war. Spring was only days away from officially beginning and this was the time of year warfare was most likely to crop up. Large scale invasions were rare however with border skirmishes being much more common. This was clearly one of those and thus his father felt it prudent to have him gain experience. That and he was a lazy king.

So here the young prince was walking through the stone halls of the castle, his current itinerary filled up with consoling the various lords that were coming to the capital in regards to the war. They all had their concerns and demands for the crown in times of conflict and it was Turshok's duty to placate them. Thankfully the lord of the province the battles were currently contained to, Quarely Mettlelin, was easy to deal with. He had merely sent word that he was handling the situation alongside the goddess Jenna.

The existence of an actual kingdom goddess was something that changed the landscape of war extensively. In fact his father the king had been adamant that they let Goddess Jenna handle the war in its entirety, hoping that it would somehow weaken her and their enemy both. This seemed unlikely to Turshok. He also felt it was somehow wrong to force what was essentially a child, goddess or no, to wage war in their stead. With him in command he would have the power to send whatever aid he desired to the north, though it would have political repercussions.

As a member of the royal family Turshok had full access to the advisors of the court, though in this instance he was shunning seeking them out so he could further prove himself a competent leader in times of trouble. Thankfully he was not completely alone in his mission as his sister Olivia was always keen to include herself in matters of the court. She was a shrewd and dangerous young woman only two years younger at seventeen. Like her mother she was a master of manipulation and hungered for power over other humans in a manner that often made Turshok's skin crawl. Not that she ever let her loving public image be tainted by the truth.

Olivia was walking closely behind her brother, a smile on her face due to the plots swirling about inside her head. Her green eyes glinted as she had been thinking about all the ways this war with Pheoa would be used to her own personal advantage. Bobbing behind her head her long black hair was tied up in a bun and she was otherwise dressed in very formal attire.

“So dear brother.” She said in a sweet voice. “Do you really feel yourself ready for this responsibility?”

Turshok sighed and shook his head.

“Yes sister. I've matured enough to handle such simple things as a springtime war.” He replied. “Though I doubt they'll be much to do with our goddess dashing apart the enemy armies.”

Oliva grinned in a less than kind manner.

“Your goddess brother. Why you have abandoned sense and seen her as an ally I shall never understand. You do understand why goddesses are the enemies of humanity?”

“Do not prattle to me about what took place a thousand years ago.” Turshok replied with a scoff. He kept his eyes forward as he walked. “This is today and Goddess Jenna is not our enemy. Father and mother are fools to not see how different she is than what we've heard from history. Perhaps you sister are a fool as well.”

Olivia laughed out loud, a true and genuine laugh unlike what she normally might do. She lifted her right hand to cover her mouth until it was passed.

“You always know how to tickle me brother! Do not fret. I do see how different she is, if not only due to how young she is. At the very least her young age makes her easy to manipulate to our advantage I feel. She cares so very much about the people just like you do.” Her voice took on a mocking tone. “Perhaps that is why you have feelings for her?”

Turshok's face blushed as he frowned angrily. He turned his head over his shoulder to glare at his sister.

“I do not have feelings for her! Just because I have no married by nineteen does not mean I seek to woo monsters! Do not mock me dear sister, for that is a dangerous game.”

Olivia giggled and slid her arms behind her back, her eyes fixated on the back of her brother's head.

“Very well. I apologize brother.”

Turshok came to a stop in front of a closed wooden door. This was the main meeting chamber where he had come many times before. His sister came to a stop behind him as he reached for the door handle. There was one male guard standing nearby who gave a bow to the pair.

“Greetings my prince, princess.”

Turshok nodded to the man.

“Are our guests inside?”

The guard nodded.

“Yes my prince. Both Benedil and Bisaan are awaiting you.”

Turshok grabbed hold of the handle.

“Thank you.” He then glanced at his sister who was staring at him expectantly. He sighed. “If you really must you may join me.”

Olivia smiled and followed after her brother as he opened the door and walked into the large room, the guard closing the door behind them. There sitting at the table clearly waiting for them were two men. Benedil, the tubby lead advisor, and the fifty year old Bisaan Nylan. Bisaan being the lord of the province Rellabellum was closer to the conflict than any of the other main lords as they were technically touching the boarders of two neighboring kingdoms.

Upon seeing the royal siblings enter the room both men stood up and bowed in respect. Each also gave their formal greetings.

Turshok nodded at the two and waved his hand to give them permission to sit once again.

“Thank you for waiting sirs. Shall we discuss your concerns?”

The four of them all sat down at the table with the two older men sitting on the far side of the table and the royal siblings sitting on the side near the door. Olivia had to adjust her dress quite a bit in order to sit comfortably at the table. Once everyone was settled in Turshok began the conversation.

“To no great surprise to any of us present our northern neighbors in Pheoa have begun a spring war.” Turshok began. “As you have heard my father King Alphonse has put me in command of this conflict. Thus you have come to me to express your concerns which I give you permission to do.”

Bisaan sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh. He was wearing drab clothing as was his usual style and his green eyes were clearly tired.

“I have some manner of relief this conflict is primarily Quarely's problem. Not that I wish the horrors of war upon him of course.” He looked down at the table. “I'm just thankful it was Pheoa this time and not Keghvra.” He then sighed deeply and looked up again. “Though I am sure as the weather warms they shall think about conflict as well.”

Benedil had his hands clasped together on the table and grunted.

“What surprises me is that any of our neighbors would dare attack us knowing we had a goddess residing among us. That is unless they did not believe the reports of her existence. Surely if they had a goddess of their own we would have heard about it ourselves.”

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“No such news has reached my ears.” Turshok said. “Believe me such a secret would not be possible to keep. Think of how active our own goddess is in kingdom affairs. And she is wholly benevolent. Other goddesses I doubt would be as kind and we would have refugees fleeing to our lands.”

Benedil nodded thoughtfully.

“I see our prince has grown in wisdom. Yes I agree that refugees would surely be arriving on our door if other kingdoms had a goddess among them. Such an influx of peasants would be impossible to ignore. As no such thing has happened we can assume we are the only kingdom with a goddess.” He smiled happily. “And what a relief it is to have her fighting for us eh?”

Bisaan crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

“I dislike like the idea of Goddess Jenna fighting this war entirely on her own. While it undoubtedly saves the lives of our troops it also makes us seem weak as a kingdom.”

Benedil nodded in agreement.

“Yes it could make us seem too reliant on our goddess. However as our king has laid out to me it will hopefully weaken her through conflict and perhaps lesson her interference in the affairs of the kingdom.”

Turshok had placed his right hand on the table and tapped his fingers.

“Goddess Jenna's interference has had its ups and downs certainly. I make no excuses for her treatment of the noble class, though the morale of the wider public has never been higher. This has allowed us great leeway in how we ourselves interact with the common folk as they are more forgiving due to their faith in our goddess.” He put his hand on his lap. “I too think we should make some kind of contribution to the conflict with Pheoa, and as it will undoubtedly be an overwhelming victory it shall set the precedent to our other neighbors. Once a goddess has been witnessed in battle no other kingdom would dare attack us.”

Bisaan sighed again.

“Yes but my province is very close to the mountain range that boarders with Pheoa. They will surely send troops across or around them in order to attack deeper into the kingdom. I will thus be unable to offer any men to the war effort in the north as I shall need them for potential attacks from both the north and the west.” He bowed his head. “I hope my prince understands.”

Turshok nodded.

“I understand Lord Bisaan. You are free from the requirement of sending men.”

Bisaan let out a sigh of relief and sat back in his chair. “Thank you my prince.” He then sat up again. “That being said. Should our western neighbors attack this year can I reasonably expect reinforcements from the capital? That is if the goddess does not involve herself personally.”

Knowing the dangers of making promises on behalf the crown Turshok took a moment to pause and think about what to say. Everyone in the room was looking at him expectantly, though he noticed his sister was peering at him with more a predatory gaze. He cleared his thraot and sat up straight in his chair.

“We shall how to wait and evaluate any western conflict when and if it arrives Lord Bisaan. As you are well aware we have three borders to protect, including one that is currently under attack. Surely our goddess would not abandon any front to enemy devastation. If needed I shall even personally entreat Goddess Jenna to aid your province should the time come.”

Both of the other men looked slightly surprised, their eyes going wide for a moment. Interaction with the goddess was something they tried to avoid at all costs due to her predilection to be a busy body and interfere in whatever plans nobility had. That being the best case scenario with the worst ending with your death. The crown prince being open and willing to entreat with her actually made him more popular among the ruling class.

Bisaan nodded and seemed quite thankful.

“Yes Prince Turshok! She is well known to be a friend of the people which if I were to speak honestly does make me inclined to like her. However she is still a goddess and the history our kingdom has with them can never be forgotten nor forgiven.”

Olivia had been sitting at the table quietly. She had been listening and watching closely as the conversation had gone on. As a woman it was proper for her to remain silent in such meetings, however as the princess she also had leeway to speak if she wished. She had decided to interject herself into the conversation finally.

“We have no guarantees that our young goddess won't turn into a horrible tyrant in the future though do we?” She asked in a quite innocent voice, though her intentions to sow doubt were not hidden from her brother. “Yes she is kind and gentle now, but we have seen how she treats those she sees as her enemies. I heard she even called down fire from heaven to wipe out an invading army. Yes this will guarantee us victory against any opponent but we can never forget her power can be turned against us as well.”

The three men in the room all reacted with various levels of concern. Benedil crossing his arms and frowning while Bisaan simply looked more stoic. Turshok huffed and shook his head, resenting his sister's interference in this discussion. There was nothing he could do about it now however as he was the one who invited her to sit down with them.

Turshok lifted his hands up onto the table and placed them down flat. He then addressed the others with as much confidence as he could muster.

“I would not fear Goddess Jenna my friends.” He reassured. “Yes she has been passionate and violent in her persuit of justice in the past. You must remember that this makes her easily to predict and therefore you have nothing to worry about. Cleaning up dealings your lordships are involved with should already be something you pursue. What then do you have to fear from the goddess? Has she come after you so far? Why then would she in the future?”

Bisaan huffed into his mustache and lowered his arms to his lap.

“I suppose so Prince Turshok. I have always prided myself in putting my subjects first and that is something the goddess rewards in Lord Quarely I am aware. I certainly have nothing to fear as you say.”

Turshok nodded.

“We also have the mages of our kingdom in which to fall back on if Goddess Jenna should become dangerous. Even I have no idea what they are capable of! Certainly we can celebrate they are on our side as well.”

Benedil smiled and seemed much relieved hearing this. He even smiled and appeared proud as he looked over at his prince.

“I must admit Prince Turshok. You truly have matured quite nicely. I have no doubt you shall handle this conflict in the north with excellence. All of your critics will surely lose ammunition after this is over.”

Turshok controlled himself as to not sigh in relief knowing that would make his confidence appear wavering. Instead he squared his shoulders and stood up firmly.

“Thank you Sir Benedil. I appreciate the vote of confidence from both of you. If there is no further concerns I must dismiss myself. There will be many more members of nobility who wish to speak to me today and in the following days. If you wish to set up another meeting with me simply ask one of our secretaries.”

Olivia stood up as well and smiled pleasantly to the two men. She curtsied.

“It was lovely seeing you two.”

Both Benedil and Bisaan stood up and bowed across the table.

Benedil was the first to speak. “It is always a pleasure to see you dear princess. Also as I have said it is wonderful to see you become such a competent leader Prince Turshok.”

Bisaan then stood up and nodded.

“Yes thanks to both of you for meeting with me and hearing my concerns. Should I desire to speak again before departing home I shall let you know.”

Turshok nodded politely.

“Very good. Have a good morning sirs.”

After saying the final goodbye Turshok turned on the heels of his boots and opened the door. He then walked out of the room with his sister following closely behind. Then after a nod to the guard the two royal siblings began walking down the hallway to the side of the castle with the royal kitchen. Turshok at least had not eaten much this morning and wanted to get something to eat before he had to meet with more dignitaries.

Olivia smiled and spoke in a playful voice, though how sincere it was could be anyone's guess.

“You did well in there brother! I'm proud of you!”

Turshok huffed and continued walking without turning to look at her smiling face. He couldn't shake the feeling she was mocking him. She had better not be planning to follow him around all day trying to ruin every meeting he had.

“Thank you sister.” He replied to remain polite. “By the by. You have other duties to attend to today do you not? I would hate to keep you from fulfilling your role in the court.”

Olivia of course was well aware of this subtle jab at her position. She resented being delegated as the pretty face of the royal family like her mother was, always being forced to meet with people with a smile on her face. As brother and sister they were well accustomed to taking shots at each other like this. She wanted to follow her brother more and sabotage his meetings and make him look bad, just for fun though. Sadly she would not have the chance to do so and her brother knew it.

“Oh sadly brother I must be going to the courtroom soon.” Olivia replied with fake sadness in her voice. Then she smiled and giggled. “However I would be delighted to join you for some breakfast. I do know how much you enjoy building your frame to match Sir Benedil.”

Turshok let out a sigh, not really caring if she wanted to call him fat. He would never end up large like Benedil or his father. Being fat did not suit royalty in his mind and disgusted him.

“Very well sister.” He replied. “Perhaps you can put on some more weight as well.”

As with many a bully Olivia was unable to take the same punishment she sent out. Upon this joke about her own weight she puffed up her face as it flushed. She then reached forward and punched her brother on the shoulder.

“How dare you brother!” She exclaimed. “I am not even the slightest bit fat! How could you be so mean to such a delicate flower as me?”

Turshok couldn't help but smile. Her outrage was mostly false, her true feelings being closer to annoyance but played up to make her seem more a victim. He kept walking and sighed while shaking his head, deciding to push his luck just a bit further.

“Very well dear sister. I shall come with you to the dining hall and help you ensure you eat not overly much. Perhaps we can assist each other in that way.”

Upon saying this Turshok took several quick steps in order to put more distance between him and his sister, the incoming blow missing his head and whiffing in open air. He then laughed openly and began jogging down the hallway with his sister in hot pursuit. The sight of them turning the heads of all they passed.