BOOK 2 CHAPTER 7

  The servants led them through the gates into the palace itself. Despite the entire escort’s anger at the treatment their princess had received at the entrance. They all couldn’t help but marvel at the royal palace’s beautiful gardens, filled with small guided streams and carefully set waterfalls.

  The servants guided them silently, without a word or even a glance back as they led the way through the palace grounds, eventually turning towards a small building, separate from the palace itself.

  Claire couldn't help but feel confused as they approached the building. It was quite frankly, plain and uninteresting, especially compared to the sight of the other parts of the palace, and seemed barely large enough to fit their small group.

  Once they arrived, the servants showed the escort where they could put the horses and carriage before finally guiding them inside. As the group entered the rooms set aside for the Princess and her companions, the servants quickly let them know to ask if there was anything they needed before adding that dinner would be brought for the night in a few hours. They then turned and left as if fleeing, denying the group any chance of responding…

  As the group looked around the simple building they had been brought to, Claire’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper. “This…” She started, looking over the small rooms and simple if clean furniture, “This is a servant's building isn’t it?”

  As she thought about what she had just said, Claire’s short hair started to flicker as wisps of flames rose in furious waves.

  “Claire…” Arnold called carefully, feeling the room warm in response to Claire’s Blessing.

  “What’s with this Country?” Claire growled, her flames growing in intensity. “They attack one of our villages, murdering innocent civilians. They treat us like some bothersome merchant when we arrive and shoo us away until they feel like it. Finally, they quarter us in the servant's rooms? Do these people want the war to continue?”

  “Claire…” Maira cut in as well, trying to help the Count calm the young princess down.

  “We should never have come here in the first place! Maybe father was right about how terrible these people are…” Fire gathered around her fists as she paced angrily about the room. “I can’t believe I share blood with these people! We should just leave right now and tell them to go drown in their stupid ocean…”

  “Claire!” Arnold finally let out a shout, looking out the window cautiously before turning back towards the young woman. “If you want to leave that’s fine, but we should be careful while we're here and discuss it calmly.” He let out a tired sigh, “I’m gonna go check on the others, I suggest you cool off for now…” He left the room and headed out towards where the rest of the escort were still bringing things in.

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  “That’s bullshit, why do I have to watch my tongue after being treated like this?” Claire responded grumpily, but with some of her fiery spirit extinguished. She looked at the silent Tirr in desperation for an ally but found him seemingly lost in thought.

  “Aren’t you mad too? Usually, you’d be on my side for something like this…”

  “What?” Tirr asked looking up at her and looking around the room. “Ah… Yeah.”

  “And what are you so stuck on?” Claire asked, her Blessing calmed, as she sat stiffly in a nearby chair.

  “I thought I saw something..” Tirr answered still quiet.

  “If you're talking about that priest that couldn’t take her eyes off of you then I kinda get it. Have they heard about you already?” Claire asked thinking back to the staring young woman.

  “They wouldn’t be happy that we were here if they had, right?” Maria asked.

  “Not her…” Tirr said shaking his head, “I mean her too, but before that, I think Torvus is here…”

  “The Reaper?” Maria cut in, concern rising.

  Claire almost fell out of her chair at the name. “What is he doing here? I almost died the last time he showed up.”

  “I don’t know, But I don’t think it’s good…” Tirr answered thinking back to his last conversation with the man. He had been waiting for him to show up after he managed to absorb the Fire Shard in Rasor, but the assassin hadn’t appeared. So why now? Tirr thought as he remembered the young man’s easy smile…

  “You’re acting more like a child than a King, Agir…” Nerida stated as she entered the royal chambers. She stopped at Agir’s wife to share a quick hug, before moving over to where her old friend was playing with his child. He sat on the floor happily lifting his young son over and over as the boy squealed with delight.

  “I just started getting into a better mood, Nerida, so can you go off and ruin someone else’s?”

  “These negotiations are important and you know it so why are you…”

  “If they cared about these negotiations they wouldn’t have their men out slaughtering farmers would they.” Agir murmured through clenched teeth, trying not to show his anger to giggling toddler in his arms as he handed the boy over to his waiting wife.

  “We don’t know for sure…”

  “Enough Nerida… I know how precious that little god of yours is and honestly, that’s the only reason I didn’t tell them to fuck right off. But someone burned those villages down and Rasor sure has enough Shard Users to do it...”

  “Still, the way you acted you might as well have just told them to leave…” Nerida sighed.

  “That’s exactly what I want. You can have your chat with your god all you want, but I want Rasor out as soon as possible.” He chuckled, “I’m sure by now they’ve understood just how welcome they are....”

  Nerida put her face in her hands and let out a groan at the man’s mischievous smile. “What did you do Agir?”

  “Had that old servants quarters cleaned up and put them there for now. If that greeting didn’t piss them off I’m sure that will…” His smile disappeared, “Now if you’ll excuse me, priestess, I’m going to go play with my son and forget about those two-faced bastards for a while.

  His tone made the words a warning as well as a farewell and Nerida knew she couldn’t push the issue any further than this.

  “Of course your Majesty, I wish you good luck with your meeting tomorrow…” She gave a slight bow before leaving, giving Agir’s wife a small wave before heading out.

  Why did this have to be so complicated? Is Rasor just using Tirr? And if so, how am I supposed to get him away from them?” Her thoughts tumbled as she walked slowly through the palace halls…