After telling her own story, Ferene listened to Linara talk about the original headquarters of the Knights of Resh, and her encounter with Grathen. Ferene mentioned her meeting with Tahrean, and the history revealed to her. This made Linara go silent, and Ferene felt that she may have said too much.

“I was aware of the possibility, but…I never thought that someone would actually still be around, from that long ago. Older than Grathen. Older than…everyone, probably. Aesuthal is the largest of the strongholds, but I don’t think anyone there knows that much history. Not that it matters. We can’t go back to the way we were.”

Ferene nodded, and Linara took a deep breath, pushing herself to her feet. “You should get back to your employer, ‘Ren.’”

Standing, Ferene collected her things. Just like before, even without her armor and weapons Linara radiated strength. The woman walked the halls of the castle as if she belonged there, wearing simple yet well made clothes, just like the men in the castle that Ferene had seen. Ferene, despite her uniform and armor, felt like she didn’t belong. A vagrant pretending to be a guard, a beggar having slipped into the palace. She didn’t even know her way around. “Where would she be, now?”

“Ask a servant and they will tell you.” Linara said.

Servants. The idea was so alien to Ferene. Ask for something and get it. People had a job to tell her what she wanted. This was how Linara had lived? Yet somehow, Ferene was now in the same place, being treated as Linara’s equal. How had she ended up like this?

“You just let her call you that? It doesn’t bother you?”

Ferene looked at her friend, confused.

“Ren. Cerise calls you Ren.”

“Oh.” Ferene shrugged. “I don’t care.”

“Can I call you Ren?”

“Sure.”

Linara smiled at her. “Alright, Ren. See you tomorrow.”

Ferene turned and left. She did find a servant, and was directed to another part of the castle, taking a winding path through hallways and staircases until she came to an ornate door, flanked by two guards.

“You’ll have to leave your weapons.”

“Why?”

“No weapons in the royal bedchambers.”

Ferene blinked. “I’m looking for Princess Cerise.”

“She is inside, conversing with the Queen. She told me to let you in, but you may not bring your weapons.”

With a sigh, Ferene unslung the sword from her back, then the shorter weapon at her waist, and then pulled the knife from her boot and presented that as well. Nodding, the guard opened the door and let her inside.

Once again, Ferene found herself standing in what she still considered an alien environment. Ornate rugs with intricate designs depicting something Ferene couldn’t make sense of, a massive four poster bed not touching any walls, and a low, long chair with a back and only one arm. Queen Yenra and Princess Cerise were reclining on this, the younger sister laying on her sibling’s arm, the queen holding a wine glass in her free hand. Seeing Ferene enter, Cerise sat up, smiling.

“Did you enjoy your talk with Linara?”

Ferene shrugged. “I thanked her.”

Pushing herself to her feet, Cerise pouted. “Is that all you wanted to find her for? Why not send a letter?”

“I can’t write. Or read.”

Yenra broke her silence, but did not rise. “It is highly improper for your knight to be so uneducated, Cerise.”

Turning, Cerise bowed. “I…I didn’t know, I’m incredibly sorry.”

“I understand you took her into your employ on a whim, but you must at least have a plan for her education going forward.”

“I…I’ll-“

Ferene cut in. “It would be a waste of time. I won’t be staying that long.”

This time, Yenra pouted, her expression almost a mirror of her sister’s from earlier. “I was hoping to tease her more.” She said, before taking a long sip from her glass, emptying it.

Cerise made a noise, then stepped to Ferene’s side. “I’ll be taking Ferene to my guest room, now that she has returned to me.”

“Why not stay here?” Yenra asked.

“But the king-“

“King Senral will most likely not be spending the night with me.” Yenra said, rising to her feet, a sour expression on her face. “He has made a habit of spending his nights in another woman’s bed. The two of you can stay here. There’s more than enough space.” She grabbed a bottle off a table and refilled her glass.

Cerise brought her hands to her face. “B-but he’s…your husband. You have children.”

“The children are taken care of by servants, allowing us to attend to our duties. We hardly qualify as parents. As a king, he is entitled to as many women as he would like. Unfortunately he only wants this one, and since her return he has neglected me.”

Cerise went silent for a moment. “It’s Linara, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Yenra leaned against the table, drinking half of the wine she had just poured. “I want to hate her. I do hate her. But, since she came back, the king is better. Without her, he is less than half of himself. He takes little interest in most things, and is quick to anger when something does get through to him. Only one thing can hold his attention at a time, and it doesn’t last long. He throws himself into one thing after another, with little regard for anything else. Behavior ill-fitting of a king.”

Finishing off her glass, she set it down and returned to the chair. “Yet when she is here, he is so much more. He is involved in everything and anything, providing his input, using his vast intellect properly. He even showed some interest in our children. He spent three hours with them just today. He even takes more interest in me, when she isn’t in the same room, monopolizing him.”

Ferene wasn’t sure what to say, staying silent as Yenra tossed herself backwards onto the chair. “I’ll just sleep here, you two can have the bed.”

Cerise rushed to her sister’s side, her face red. “N-no, you must sleep in your own bed. Ferene and I-“

“I’m the queen, so you have to do what I say.” Yenra declared, pointing a hand at Ferene. “You. Take off all that armor. You are to relax for the rest of the night. There are guards at the door. Stop standing like a statue. You look ridiculous.”

Without complaint, Ferene took off her armor. She felt ridiculous, but the armor wasn’t the issue. The uniform that Cerise gave her, and just being in this place disturbed her. She was constantly on edge, still waiting for them to realize that she didn’t belong here and kick her out, but it didn’t happen.

Cerise approached her, blushing. “I don’t want to leave her alone right now.” She whispered. “She’s very drunk.”

“Why don’t you just join them?” Ferene asked. Cerise and Yenra both stared at her.

“What do you mean?” The queen asked.

She remembered Ilraeghen, Sathar, and Filraehen. “I knew three people who routinely slept together. Why can’t you just do that?”

Immediately after she proposed the idea fully, Ferene realized she had said something wrong. The silence that followed filled the room.

“Linara and I do not get along. Isn’t that obvious? There is no way that either of us could share a bed with the other, even with Senral there to…mediate.”

The queen fell silent after that statement, demanding a blanket from the bed, which Ferene supplied. Yenra wrapped it around herself and closed her eyes. Feigning sleep or not, she seemed to have no more interest in Ferene or Cerise.

“You can relax, you know. She was right about that. You’re still acting like you’re on the lookout for someone who will attack me.”

Ferene pressed her lips together. “I’m not used to…this.” She finally said, gesturing at the room. “The whole castle.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Sadness spread across Cerise’s face, and Ferene regretted expressing herself. “If you want to go, I won’t stop you. I…got carried away, keeping you by my side. I know you don’t feel for me the way I feel for you.”

“I want to see the fort.”

Cerise nodded. “I was almost taken there. I want to see those people brought to justice.” She straightened her back, looking up at Ferene seriously. “I…If there is war in the future, I have to be familiar with battle. With…death.”

Shaking her head, Ferene reached out, placing her hand on Cerise’s shoulder. “You don’t. Not everyone needs to fight. I used to think that people were helpless, waiting to become victims. You don’t have to force yourself to experience that world.”

“No…I’m supposed to be a leader. I acted like a child, before. I still do. I need to start acting my age. I’m an adult, royalty. The younger sister of a queen.” She looked back at Yenra for a moment. “If I don’t want people to keep treating me like a child, I have to stop acting like one. I’ll…I’ll join the war council.”

Determination. The way she stood, the way she spoke, reminded Ferene more of the Queen from earlier today than the Cerise she had gotten to know in the past week. “Then let’s get some sleep.”

At those words, it all vanished. Cerise looked over at the bed, then at Ferene, and blushed. “T-together?” She asked.

“It’s a large bed.” Ferene remarked.

Ferene stood, fully dressed and armored, behind Cerise’s chair in the war council. Getting in was easy - the queen represented Wellent’s people, but sent the princess in her place after hearing her younger sister’s determination. The other seats at the small table held the king, an older man Ferene had never seen before, the man who often followed the king around, and Linara.

Senral started the meeting by directly addressing Cerise. “It’s good that you are here, since you have the most direct experience with the situation. Please describe it for everyone.”

There was a moment of silence, and Ferene could only assume that Cerise had not expected it to start like this. “A group of former soldiers and mercenaries has taken over a fort on the southern border of Wellent. They are extorting the nearby farmers in some way. This lead to my recent kidnapping.” Ferene heard her take a deep breath. “A proper response is called for. The farmers in that area are part of Wellent’s economy, as they cross the border to sell their harvest. The attempted kidnapping of royalty cannot be ignored. Additionally, with war on the horizon in the south, securing defensive fortifications is a priority.”

Senral raised an eyebrow, and nodded. “I noticed that this is an excellent opportunity to work together with Wellent. Reminding the people that we are united. General, what are your thoughts?” He turned to the older man.

The man stood up, slowly, rubbing a hand over his half-bald head. Ferene could not help but compare him to Taradira. This general was short, old, and did not look like he would be any good in a fight. “We have the men to spare, and a joint venture would be good. Especially if our people will be fighting a war together. Princess, what can you tell me of the numbers, training, and equipment of this group?”

“I…ah…” She coughed, once. “My bodyguard here can provide the details of that, as she fought several of them.”

It took a moment for Ferene to realize Cerise had passed the question on to her. How was she supposed to speak at a meeting like this? “I fought a small party. They were mounted and knew how to fight. They were all trained fighters, working together. Not your common thugs. I don’t know how many of them there are total, but if they have gone unnoticed until now there can’t be more than a hundred.” Trained or not, they were just criminals. If there were more of them they would be doing more than threatening farmers.

The general nodded, placing his hands on the table and leaning heavily on it. “What do we know of the fort? Even a small group can be a problem if they have strong walls to defend them.”

Cerise spoke up again. “My sister found information in the archives about the structure. It is very old, constructed entirely out of stone. It sits on top of a small hill, and it is triangular, with three towers and three walls. When it was last investigated the interior was empty - the courtyard had only ruins of wooden structures and was overgrown with plants.”

Sitting down, the general addressed Senral. “I would let my counterpart in Wellent come up with a proper plan of attack, after scouting. We can provide a small cavalry force, as a symbol, as well as one company of foot soldiers.”

“That simple? Fair enough. Rilren, what are your thoughts on the matter?” Senral turned to the other man, the one she had seen following him the previous day.

“Do you wish to attend this venture, my lord?”

“A show of commitment would be beneficial, I believe.”

“I want to go.” Cerise interjected. “If…if there is to be a royal presence, it should be me. I discovered them, and they wronged me. I want to see this through.”

Senral looked at her sharply, but nodded. “There you have it. Wellent’s princess will oversee taking the fort.”

Rilren looked directly at Ferene. “And you are going to be there to protect her?”

“No.” Ferene said. “I’m not going to wait while others fight.”

“Then you are ill-suited to be the princess’s protector.” He said, leaning forward.

“Yes.” Rilren looked at Ferene curiously when she agreed with him. She didn’t know what he expected of her.

“I will be reunited with my regular bodyguards in Wellent.” Cerise cut in. “Ren - Ferene - can do what she wants. Her employment was only a temporary measure.”

Rilren sat back. “Very well. There you have it, your majesty. The princess will be properly protected.”

Senral turned back to the old man. “General, how long will it take to prepare a force?”

“Give me five days.”

“Princess, how long were you planning to stay here?”

“I can leave tomorrow, to bring the news to Wellent so we can start our own preparations.”

Senral smiled at this. “Very timely. I believe that concludes the meeting.”

“What are you thinking?” Linara demanded.

She intercepted Cerise and Ferene in the hallway outside the council chambers. Cerise turned to face her, drawing herself up to her full, unimpressive height. “I don’t understand your question.”

“You have no experience as a leader. You’re going to sit back and watch, being completely useless. You’ll be nothing more than a target that everyone will worry about. And you!” She pointed at Ferene. “This isn’t a skirmish. Do you know how to fight alongside human soldiers? Assaulting a castle, of all things? You’re just as inexperienced.”

“Ren and I are finishing what we started on the road.” Cerise said. “I don’t need advice from you. Why were you even in the meeting? You didn’t say anything. What do you even do here, aside from stealing my sister’s husband?”

Ferene watched as Linara’s face changed, her initial exasperation fading into shock, then anger. “You don’t know anything about that.”

“I know that the king did not sleep in his own bed last night. Perhaps you know where he did sleep?”

“He’s the king.” Linara said. “He can sleep wherever he wants. With whoever he wants. Your sister knows better than to complain about it, despite how bitter she is. Don’t complain in her place.”

“If he wants to be with you so much, why aren’t you the queen?”

Something happened. Ferene wasn’t entirely sure what it was. Linara’s face twisted, anger doubling. Her hand snapped out, aiming for Cerise’s face. Ferene moved, her own arm reaching out, intercepting the blow. It happened in an instant. Cerise tripped backwards, falling against Ferene.

The two Hatharen locked eyes. Linara’s expression didn’t soften as she glared at Ferene. “Fifteen minutes. Training field.” With that, Linara turned and walked away.

“I…I think I made her mad. Thank you.”

“Where is the training field?” Ferene asked.

Cerise was right.

Linara valued the idea of belonging. Of having someone that was for you, and only for you, and giving yourself to someone else in the same way. She left because she didn’t want to break that, yet had come back to do exactly that. To be more Hatharen? To be more human?

After Atheyara and her talk with Senral, she was holding in too much. Cerise’s words brought that guilt she had been ignoring. Linara picked up her spear, donned her armor, and stomped through the halls, towards the training field. Her guilt and jealousy and bitterness had overwhelmed her. She needed to hit something. Ferene would do.

Fifteen minutes passed, and she had calmed down only slightly. Cerise was there, standing behind Ferene. Despite her reaction to the violence earlier, she spoke up, talking clearly. “I will be overseeing this duel. Because you initiated it against me, it will be held under Wellent’s customs, not Olentor’s. You each may select one weapon, and leave the rest behind.”

Linara didn’t want a duel, she just wanted to hit something. Smiling wasn’t going to make her anger go away. Not this time. If she had to duel to get that, she’d obey the rules. She tossed her dagger down, and held her spear up. Ferene dropped her short sword, pulled a knife out of her boot, and then very carefully set her dagger down. The act added to Linara’s anger. Born outside the strongholds, Ferene had found a family that accepted her and let her in, that she had parted on good terms with. Linara had grown up among the Hatharen yet had parted on far worse terms.

The two stepped forward, Ferene taking up a stance and waiting.

She was different. There was confidence, and she held herself better than when Linara had seen her fight back in Cefgras. Linara fell into her own stance, but quickly dropped out of it, charging forward, thrusting at Ferene from a distance, taking advantage of the range of her weapon.

Ferene stood her ground, making small movements to avoid and parry each attack, waiting patiently. Linara found herself smiling. She became more aggressive, daring Ferene to either make a move or fall back. The other Hatharen blocked one attack, catching the tip of the spear on her sword’s crossguard, the unique design of the quillons hooking the spearhead as Linara pulled back. In the brief moment of their weapons locking together, Ferene pushed Linara back, making more space for herself. As Linara retreated, she managed to free her weapon.

Grinning, she took another step back, giving Ferene more space to work with. As her foot touched the ground, finishing her step, Ferene surged forward. She was fast, but Linara was ready for it. She parried one swing, and stepped back out of the way of another before she lunged forward herself, following up on the opening. Ferene stepped back, giving up the ground she had just taken.

Both of them paused for a moment, each waiting for the other to move first. Ferene broke the stalemate, making a one-handed lunge directly at Linara’s chest. Linara held her spear vertically and swiped it across the space in front of her, but Ferene had already shifted, loosening her grip and letting Linara push the sword aside, but not deflect her momentum.

There was a very small range where Ferene’s two-handed sword was effective but Linara’s spear wasn’t, and Ferene had maneuvered directly into it. She made her next swing, aiming at Linara’s side. Taking one hand off her spear, Linara reached for her belt-

And found nothing.

Ferene’s sword connected with her armor, and Linara found herself thrown off her feet. Pain blossomed in her side as she hit the ground. She could hear Cerise yelling for them to stop. Despite the pain, Linara laughed. She was an idiot. She had needed that loss.

“You’re bleeding.”

Ferene was standing over her, looking down as Linara sat in the dirt. The strike had penetrated her armor, leaving a wound just below her ribcage. “It’ll heal.” Linara replied, reaching a hand to Ferene. The other Hatharen pulled her upwards. “You beat me. I guess you didn’t need my training after all.”

“You tried something at the end there. What was that?”

“Knife parry. I didn’t have my knife.” Linara took a deep breath as she stood. “Wellent tradition is a poor recreation of a real battle.”

Ferene nodded. “You were holding back.”

Linara couldn’t help but smile. “I was letting out my anger. I need to apologize to the princess, since I lost.”