Ace POV
Man.
Shit’s fucked.
When I snuck up beside Evie as she left magic classes with everyone, I only wanted to see who Gloria was going to bring. Max and Layla, I assumed as much. Cyril and Monica are people I wasn’t familiar with, so I didn’t really react when Gloria picked them out. Evie was the last person I was expecting to be chosen. I did notice her absolutely nail a few shots when we practised archery earlier today, but I didn’t think that would be enough to be immediately sent out into the field for first-hand experience. I asked Gloria if I could come along with Evie as emotional support before she had a meltdown, and thankfully, Gloria allowed it.
I walk next to Evie down an empty road. A group of guards in shiny steel armour and ultramarine surcoats with a golden rose emblazoned on them marched ahead of us, heater shields strapped on their backs and knightly swords at their waists. Gloria rode ahead of them. Meanwhile, us kids walked behind. Gloria would often look back at us to ensure we were all there, but otherwise, we were practically unsupervised.
Max walked a little ahead of us, wearing his steel cuirass and carrying a longsword, occasionally giving it a practice swing. He seemed awfully eager. Cyril and Layla apparently have some history together relating to soccer. The two of them were chatting about this and that, catching up like they were old friends. I had a brief introduction with him before we left, but he seemed like a chill dude. He was on the shorter side, with tan skin, black hair, and an accent I can only guess as European. Affable, a bit too in your face for my liking, but well-intentioned. He was also carrying a giant fuck-off greataxe strapped to his back that looked like it came straight out of Elden Ring. The thing was bigger than he was, the head of the axe poking above his head. I don’t know how he can swing that thing in battle, and quite frankly, I don’t think I wanna see it.
Layla brought a more realistic weapon; A flanged mace tucked into the side of her dope-ass white cleric robes. Evie was also dripped out, wearing full leather. She had the helmet, bracers, greaves, all of it. She carried a recurved bow in one hand and a quiver chock full of arrows on her back. She said she’d feel safer decked out in steel, but they didn’t have any set in her size. Evie has gotten a lot more silent the longer we walked. I can’t tell if she’s locked in or on the edge of breaking down, but her eyes are wide and darting all around the place. Can’t help but worry about her.
Monica lagged behind everyone. Including myself, she seemed the least prepared here. She was still wearing her school uniform: A white button-up shirt and a black skirt that shamelessly ended at her mid-thigh. She’s even wearing tights. Over her blouse was a light blue zip-up hoodie she didn’t zip up. Monica strolled along listlessly with her hands in her pockets, looking at the surroundings aloofly, almost bored. Maybe tired. Either way, I don’t see her carrying a weapon. She either has one concealed or simply doesn’t need one. Both are scary thoughts. I'm afraid to get close to her, I might cut myself on all her edge.
“Who!” As quick as a blink and with a shrill yelp, Evie had nocked an arrow and drew the string so far back I was afraid it would snap. Her cry drew everyone’s attention. She had her bow aimed back down the main path. I thought for a second Evie was aiming at Monica, but someone was far behind her. I couldn't distinguish any discernible features from this distance, but they were undoubtedly humanoid. They raised their empty hands in the air as a sign of compliance.
“Captain Erila Biennie of the city guard,” they answered.
“Lower your weapon, Hertz,” Gloria ordered. Evie lowered her bow and re-quivered the arrow, her hands shaking. Gloria gave a few orders and rode to meet the captain. After exchanging some words, Gloria returned with the captain behind her, and we resumed our little excursion. The captain was a middle-aged lady dressed ready for combat in a red tabard, cudgel, and a longer cudgel.
We joined the grumpy princess who was awaiting us up ahead. The group came to a halt, and the blue knights gave some kind of salute. Max saluted with them. Cyril and Layla gave an unsure salute, Monica and I didn’t bother with one, and Evie was too busy anxiously scrutinising her surroundings to notice or care.
“Evie?” I call out to her. Her head snaps to me as her dilated eyes lock with mine. She stared up at me, unblinking.“...You good?”
We held eye contact.
She blinked slowly.
“No,” Evie said.
“I… Well… Fair.” I awkwardly mumble. “Sorry. If I were a better friend, I’d know what to say in these moments.”
Evie let out a mindless hum of agreeance and went back to being fully alert. My eyes drift up, and I see Cyril and Layla throwing me worried looks concerning Evie. I look back, showcasing my own confusion and worry.
“Hertz.” Evie’s eyes shot to Gloria as she called her name. “Fitzroy,” Gloria added, her light brown eye landing on me. “Send up Captain Biennie. Her Highness will speak with her.”
Without an utterance, Evie turns and walks to retrieve the captain. I hesitate, looking between her and Gloria before deciding to remain.
“MarshaI l Gloria,” I say. “I don’t mean to disrespect you or your… judge of character, but I really don’t think Evie should be here. This is too much pressure for her. I think I should take her back to the palace before she breaks.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Gloria gives me an inscrutable look. “Pressure makes diamonds,” Gloria said.
“Evie isn’t a mineral,” I tell her. “She’s going to break.”
“She will not break,” Gloria says.
I can’t help but roll my eyes and groan. “Oh, don’t speak like you know-”
“She is already broken, Fitzroy,” Gloria interrupted. “If you can’t see that, then I suggest you begin to observe her. It is not my job to continue mounting pressure on her; I can tell she has had enough. She is already a diamond. It is my job to cut that diamond into shape so she can shine and to do it fast.”
It’s bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.
Before I call Gloria out on her nonsense, Evie walks up beside me and tugs on my sleeve. “C’mon,” Evie said. She had to tilt her head back to look at me, her face bearing a barely perceptible scowl. “You said you were going to lock in when we got here, didn’t you? So lock the fuck in so we can get this done quick. One of us has to keep it together, and it clearly isn’t me.”
Without waiting, she made a beeline straight for the princess, the captain behind her. I feel my jaw slacken.
I… I don't… What?
“You have your orders, Fitzroy,” Gloria said, not taking her eyes off me. “And as a word of warning: show some respect. I don’t expect you to treat me the way a soldier should, but I still expect a modicum of respect.”
I stare right at her. “...What did you do to her?”
“Nothing,” she said. She has to be lying. She has to be. I can’t be that bad of a friend to not notice Evie’s struggles. “Now come. I will not repeat my orders.” Gloria turned and left.
I plod behind her.
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Amaryllis POV
It took seconds for the city guard's captain to come up from the rear of the position. Her hurried walk revealed her desire to speak. Biennie halted before me and saluted smartly.
“Captain Biennie,” I speak. “You have done well for the three years you have held your position until today. Stand aside. The Order of the Blue Rose will handle this.”
“Your Highness, with all due respect, the suppression of civil unrest is the duty of the city guard,” Biennie said. “It is a minor matter, beneath your notice-”
“Beneath my notice?” I repeat incredulously. I look back at the library for a moment. I click my tongue. “From a certain point of view, Biennie, you’re right. You are right. Solaria is besieged by enemy forces that continue to grow by the day. All of my sisters are missing and presumed dead, the Empress of humanity is locked in stasis on the edge of death with no cure in sight, and demonic forces have invaded the heart of the empire. But this…” I point towards the library. “This is not beneath my notice. There are eight other incidents here in Solstead alone, all involving this group. The enemy is so clearly engaged in enticing them that I am baffled they can't see it for themselves. The purpose of the city guard is to prevent uprisings, not contain them afterwards. Your eagerness to resolve this tells me you want to distract me from your mistakes or seek my approval for suppressing it. I can promise you this, Biennie: my approval is not forthcoming.”
“Your Highness, we cannot catch every dissident. This year, we’ve prevented-”
I raise my hand and form a fist. The movement is enough to silence her. “This year, you have prevented thirteen actions in the capital and missed eight today. I know the numbers, captain. But the library is too potent a symbol. First comes the demand for freedom and the refusal of conscription, then outright insurrection. It won’t be long before the enemy’s religion takes root, and all that will bring is miserable slavery and endless torment... I will not have it. The very finest of my warriors will remove them from the library. Let all of Solstead bear witness to what the Order of the Blue Rose thinks of their demands. Let the empire know that my eyes are everywhere and that no one - no matter their age or station - is beneath my notice. Nothing is beneath my notice. In fact, I’m insulted that the thought even crossed your mind. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Captain Biennie said reluctantly.
“Now, what of the other incidents?” I ask.
“They are being handled by the city guard, Your Highness,” she said.
“And the agents behind all of this?”
“We are chasing several important leaders, Your Highness.”
“Then this incident here will be dealt with personally by the Order of the Blue Rose,” I continue. “I will demonstrate that mercy remains with the royal army. Demons and devils turn our families against us. What kind of society are we if we punish the foolish actions of youth - as serious as it is - with death? All they believe they are doing is getting more time off schooling and bringing their older family members home. There will be some more guilty than others in there, and I will see that they are separated and judged accordingly.”
The captain’s face hardened. “They will see this as a victory. Whoever is behind this wants you to be provoked into action, Your Highness. They want your eyes away from the war at hand. If they decide that a single action can divert so much as one soldier away from it, they will do it again.”
“Then they have succeeded,” I say. “But it will gain them nothing. I am sending my own message. The nobility of Solaria will not stand for treason upon the empire.”
“Your Highness, mercy will be seen as a weakness.”
“Mercy is a strength. It’s harder to forgive than it is to kill. They are children led and manipulated by demagogues. They will be treated as such.” I turn to Gloria, who is waiting patiently nearby with two outsiders. “Gloria, retake the library. Make sure nobody is killed. Try not to destroy any more books.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Gloria saluted. She marched back to her squad and gave out orders to them all. Then, they all began to march up the main path, trudging slowly in formation with five of the outsiders making up the rank behind them. The knights all drew their shields as they approached, eyes straight ahead.
“Will a dozen knights be enough?” Biennie asked.
“You have spoken enough,” I say. “We will advance into the entirety of their defence, and we will not fall. They will see that we cannot be harmed by terrorists such as them. Rebellion is pointless. Now,” I turn my head to look at the outsider who stayed behind. She was tall, and her pitch-black hair was short and disarranged. She wore spectacles over her eyes and stood fidgeting worriedly as she watched the squad advance. I hand her the reins to Gloria’s horse. “Ace, was it?”