It was late at night by the time Dani’s family got to the palace, and they weren’t alone. Alodia and Gull rode in the carriage with them, Gull slipping out into the shadows before they reached the elegantly carved doors of the palace proper. Reshi watched her go, giving a small nod of approval. She would scout out the palace, looking in places that they wouldn’t normally be allowed to look. Meanwhile the rest of them would go to Dani.

The carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of the palace, and Queen Mirabel herself stepped down the stairs to greet them. “You must be Daniella’s family, and Madame Alodia, I’m surprised to see you here.”

Alodia dipped into a deep curtsy, smiling politely. “Lady Daniella and I have become close, and her family was staying with me temporarily. I have guards after all, and they feared for their daughters.”

“Of course, this must have been very traumatic for all of you.” Queen Mirabel lowered her head, resting a hand on her heart. “I am sure that you’ll wish to see Daniella, but let me show you to your rooms first. Then perhaps one or two of you can go visit her at a time.”

“Is she a’ight?” Therija stepped forward, dipping into a curtsy that wasn’t nearly as graceful as Alodia’s. “What ‘appened to her?”

Queen Mirabel glanced at Azra, then back to Therija, smiling softly. “She’s alright, the healers are in with her right now. I’ll let her tell you the story, and then you can decide what is suitable for children’s ears.”

“I ain’t a child! What ‘appened to Dani?” Azra stiffened in Raycor’s arms, a fire lighting in her dark eyes. “I wanna see Dani!”

“Hush now, ya need ta go ta bed an’ heal up yerself.” Raycor stroked Azra’s hair, smoothing out the messy curls. “Ya still got a fever.”

“You’ll see her soon, I promise. But let me have a healer look at you first, you don’t want Dani to get sick, do you?” Queen Mirabel smiled softly, stepping down the last few steps to take Azra’s hand.

Azra jutted out her lower lip, looking like she wanted to argue more. But she shook her head, her lower lip trembling with unshed tears. “No. I dun want Dani ta get sick.”

“Me either. So let’s have the healers look you over, and we’ll make sure you get better before visiting Dani. Maybe you can even play with my daughters, they’re just a little bit younger than you.” Queen Mirabel gave Azra’s hand a gentle squeeze, and smiled up at Raycor. “You must be her father?”

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

“I’m Azra an’ Therija’s pa. Reshi ‘ere is Dani’s pa.” Raycor nodded to Reshi, who stepped forward and bowed.

“An honor ta meet ya, yer ‘ighness. If ya dun mind, I’ll go straight ta Dani.”

Queen Mirabel nodded and gestured to one of the guards. “Sir Alrick, please take Sir Reshi here to Lady Daniella’s room, I’ll take the others to their rooms myself.”

The guard stepped forward, his armor reflecting the glowstones that lit the stairs, his dark skin holding the faintest hint of gold. “Of course your highness. Please come this way Sir.” Alrick looked Reshi over from head to toe, an eyebrow raising. “You look familiar, have we met?”

“Ain’t likely.” Reshi snorted, glancing at the mans shining armor. “Not unless ya spent time in the Rats Nest.”

“No, I’m afraid not.” Alrick turned and started into the palace, Reshi right behind him. “Perhaps I am mistaken.”

“Likely are. I ain’t one ta hobnob with guards anyhow. An’ I sure as ‘ell ain’t been to the palace before.” Reshi said. He scanned the palace as they walked through it, automatically taking note of the guards and their positions as they passed through. He had to admit that Dani sure had fallen up in the world.

As long as it didn’t get her killed. He frowned, scratching lightly at his beard as he mulled that over. She might be safer here, there were more guards than he could ever hope to put around her, regardless of where they went. And healers, plural. Why did she need healers? “Have ya seen Dani?”

“I have, Sir. She is a very spirited young lady.” Sir Alrick said, rather diplomatically at that.

Reshi felt some small part of him relax, and one side of his mouth curl up in a smirk. “She is at that. Is she- was she badly hurt?” There was no other reason for the healers to be tending to her. Unless she had gotten sick?

But no, not judging by the look that crossed Sir Alrick’s face. He nodded slightly, resting a hand on his sword. “She was, but the healers are skilled. The physical wounds are healing, but the mental wounds.... I’ll let the healers talk to you about it.”

“Aye.” Reshi clenched his fists, falling silent as they walked through the palace. To his surprise, they headed to the very core of the palace, where the rooms were the most opulent. He couldn’t help but stare at the ornately carved doors, the elegantly shaped glowstones that lit the hall nearly as bright as daylight. The guards were more plentiful here too, all dressed similarly to Alrick in the royal coat of arms.

“This is the royal wing of the palace.” Alrick said softly. “So rest assured that Lady Daniella is safe here. Just make sure to mind your manners please.”

Reshi let out a snort of laughter. The young man couldn’t help himself, could he? Well, if their situations were reversed Reshi would probably utter the same warning. “I ain’t fool enough ta act a fool in the house of them that’s takin’ care of my daughter.”

Alrick nodded and stopped in front of a door carved with a quiet forest scene. Someone had taken the time to paint every leaf, and inlay precious gemstones into the eyes of the animals hidden among the underbrush. Alrick used a golden knocker with a polished blue stone set into it to knock on the door once, waiting patiently for a response.