I was very different back then, don’t you think? But I will let you be the judge of that, intruder.

Do you believe I am better today than what I was… or worse?

I know what I think…

-

“Right,” Arwen smiled predatorily at the nervous man before her. “That was of great help.”

“Y-you are welcome, your Teyrn grace,” the man replied, finding it incredibly difficult to make eye contact.

Cai, who had watched the whole exchange from the side-lines, shook his head in disgust once the man had departed. “I find you less and less likeable every minute.”

“What?” Arwen turned to him, puzzled. “I thought you of all people would appreciate my resourcefulness.”

“You flaunted your power in front of that poor man and all-but threatened him if he didn’t give us Gwyn’s address!” Cai cried. “Do you hold no respect for those serving your father? Your kingdom?”

“He is not even military,” Arwen waved him off. “He just works in administration for the military. Calling him military would be like saying my chamber maids are just as royal as I.”

“You do not serve in the military, not until today at least,” Cai growled. “And why him? We passed by numerous others like him, and yet you ignored them.”

Arwen spoke slowly, as if talking to someone dull. “It does not matter that I was not military, I am a Princess. I get respect from everyone, no matter what. That’s just how it is. And I chose that particular man because he looked the most intimidated. I felt confident that I could get him to spill.”

“Gods above, do you hear yourself?!”

“I hear you getting frustrated,” Arwen flashed a sadistic smile. “I rather enjoy getting on your nerves, even if I do not quite understand why what I’m saying is so offensive to you. After such a horrid introduction on your end, however, I feel myself justified in my feelings. That was no way to treat one as esteemed as I.”

Cai stepped close. Arwen could tell she had truly angered him now. He spoke to her in a low, dangerous tone. “You know, I can’t wait until you go out there on assignment and see the real world. I really want to watch what happens when the sheltered brat finally lays eyes on the realities of what lies out there.”

“I will take it in my stride. I am trained to act with grace under pressure, you know.” This only applied to diplomacy and the wrangling of egotistical nobles, but Arwen was sure it’d apply to the outside world… right?

“It is as if you’ve forgotten your atrocious behaviour earlier today…” Cai muttered. He then spoke more loudly to her. “You have not seen the things I have. What it’s like out on the frontlines… I could not even have hoped to imagine the horrors that I have seen.”

The first reaction was to throw a scathing remark, but something about Cai’s haunted expression gave Arwen pause. She considered the radiant knight. “You are really affected by what you saw out there, at the frontier, aren’t you?”

Cai hesitated. He thought of himself as a gallant knight. Accomplished and well-respected. It was unbecoming of him to show weakness, no matter how heavy the burden weighed down upon him. “…yes,” he eventually admitted. “I wish for no one to go through that. I was just like you one day, arrogant and headstrong, thought the world owed me everything… but you truly do not understand your own insignificance until you see the widespread death surrounding you. Knowing that nothing you could have realistically done would’ve saved your soldiers in arms. Do not make the same mistake.”

Arwen stepped closer. She held his gaze and searched his eyes, peering through the windows to his soul and examining what was there. She did not break eye contact once, even after several moments had passed. Cai held steady, but the unexpected intensity of her stare clearly unnerved him. Finally, she let out a deep sigh. “Cai… I will never be insignificant, you know. Truly a fool’s assumption to think such a thought. I will be Queen one day, my significance is already established.”

Cai immediately reared back and let out a low curse. “You know what? Let’s just go. We’re burning daylight here.”

“No, no, no,” Arwen did not want to let up. “Tell me what the deal is with your holier-than-thou attitude? There is still no expression of regret after your treatment of me earlier today. It is as if you think you are somehow better than me. I demand an apology.”

A range of expressions played out across Cai’s face. Arwen enjoyed the detail hidden behind his sculpted mask. Rage, disbelief, frustration, a concoction of emotion dancing within those brown eyes. But to her disappointment, the knight steeled himself and she watched all of that emotion drain away, leaving behind a mask of… nothingness. “Shall we, your Teyrn?”

Arwen sighed. She would get no more blood out from this stone. “Alright.”

There was always more time to anger her companion later on.

-cut-

The house that beheld one of the heroes of Cyfoeth wasn’t very impressive. It was one of many identical wooden residentials spread out in rows down a busy market street. Vendors and market stalls had been set up, attracting swarms of people like flies. Their droning filled the air with a white noise of indiscernible voices, grating on Arwen’s ears. The cobbled roads jarred legs too used to the smooth tiling of the castle complex and was dotted with horse manure from trading caravans. Twice, Cai and Arwen had to step out of the way for horse and carriage, and the wide cobbled roads were designed for them! It was as if they had wanted to get in their way. “Why decide to live here?” Arwen asked. “There’s perfectly serviceable barracks up north.”

It was true. One thing Arwen most definitely learnt from her father was that he put a great deal of effort and money into erecting functional and high-quality barracks for the army. He wanted them well-treated. It therefore puzzled the Princess to find that the young war-hero had chosen to live in one of the run-down residential buildings that stood older than herself. Its southern location, closer to the main castle, made it a hive of activity compared to the quieter position of the barracks.

“I don’t know,” Cai shrugged apathetically. “Let’s knock and see if he’s in. Then you can ask him yourself.”

After he knocked a few times on the door, the pair waited, though Cai had somehow seen fit to stand half-in front of Arwen as if worried the house’s inhabitant could attack her. The incessant noise continued. Children ran around like savages, dirty and loud. Two almost knocked into Arwen as they sprinted past. No one was there to discipline these ruffians. They simply ran about as pleased. The market-goers were also shooting odd looks as they passed, wondering if the raven-black woman in the red and gold uniform was truly the Princess. Arwen paid them no mind.

A thud echoed from behind the door which was then swung violently open. A brown-haired man of average height stepped outward, halfway on the doorstep and halfway within his home. His brown eyes quickly surveyed the two awaiting him. The muscles in his stubbled jaw relaxed. “Good to see you, your Teyrn grace. I’m glad finding me posed no issue for you.” He seemed to eagerly lap up the sun upon his face. “I really didn’t like being confined to my house.”

Arwen studied the man who had apparently been expecting her. He had a long face that reminded her of a horse. Though he wasn’t attractive by any means of the word, she wouldn’t call him unattractive either, though his plain looks belied his reputation, if this were truly Gwyn. He was certainly military however, unless his uniform was stolen. “I do not believe we have met,” Arwen stated.

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“Of course,” the man nodded, though his casual scratching of his cheek belied any shame at the lack of introduction. “My name is Gwyn Myrick. It’s a pleasure to be with such esteemed company.”

The soldier paused and finally regarded the knight in front of him, half blocking his view of Arwen. “Cai? What are you doing here? Why are you standing as if I’d attack the Princess?”

“Force of habit,” Cai shrugged unapologetically. “I did not know if it was going to be you to answer the door, or if you had any… intentions.”

“You always were a cautious one,” Gwyn grumbled, evidently unpleased. “If you could please stand out of my way so I can invite the Princess inside?”

“Mind if I take a look inside first?” Cai asked.

Both Arwen and Gwyn simultaneously burst into protest. Arwen berated the knight for his overcautiousness whilst Gwyn appeared deeply offended. Cai eventually held out both his hands. “Okay, okay. Jeez, I was joking, okay?”

“You seem to joke a lot,” Arwen snapped. She turned to Gwyn. “Did you know he called you an average knight?”

Cai shot her a scandalised look while Gwyn absorbed her words. Good. Arwen wanted him to see how much of a disrespectful man he was being. “Remind me, Cai,” Gwyn scratched his chin. “Have you attained your Mage Knight rank yet?”

“Ah, so you plan to use the fact you impressed a few dusty old generals and fulfilled a few conditions to lord over your superiority?” Cai shot back. “You try mastering light magic all by your lonesome, then come back to me. I could become a Sentinel next week if I so desired.”

“You are a light mage!” Arwen exclaimed. She felt pleased she had guessed correctly earlier. She knew he appeared different in her ‘lightning sight’ for a reason.

The Princess was ignored, however, as Gwyn offered a retort. “I’d bet I would be a far better mage than you had I any magic. And if you are so confident in your abilities, why don’t you duel me?”

“Hah, you might just get your wish,” Cai said. “I believe we might be spending a lot of time around each other now.”

“I believe this rudeness is unbecoming of a soldier like you,” Arwen cut in before Gwyn could respond. “I would like you to show the proper respect for me.”

Cai snorted derisively behind her, but Gwyn’s narrow eyes widened slightly. “Forgive me, your Teyrn. Please, come on in.”

-cut-

“So, we’re to be retainers, then?” Gwyn surmised.

The trio were sat in Gwyn’s home, a rather comely place that was obviously not well-lived in. Decorations were sparse despite the comfortable furniture and soft carpet floor. The house was eerily silent, too, and Arwen had made a jest about Gwyn’s lack of female companionship, eliciting a warning look from Cai. She had sighed. The knight was still quite touchy and Gwyn had taken the remark lightly, anyways. Besides, what kind of renowned knight didn’t have a lovely girl waiting for them at home?

“That’s what I’m reading into this situation,” Cai agreed. Arwen was unsure, personally. It seemed like the most rational explanation as to why the Princess was gathering a war-hero to speak to her father, though…

“Just like you read into those Ffin patrols?” Gwyn asked with a raised brow.

“Hey nobody died in Ffin!” Cai protested. “A minor mistake in an otherwise perfect career.”

Gwyn scoffed. “Hardly.”

“Anyways,” Arwen leaned forward in her seat, eager to break apart their bickering. “I need you to speak to my father, so if you’ll come with us.”

“I already know about needing to talk to King Blayney,” Gwyn admitted. “It was why I wasn’t at training today. Wish it’d wait until tomorrow, but… can’t keep the King waiting.” A slight pause. “Just know, if I am to serve as your retainer, it will be the greatest honour of my career. I will protect you so that you shall know no danger while I am around.”

Arwen opened her mouth to praise the knight’s patriotism, but Cai spoke up first. “I would not be so exuberant, were I you. This one can be a nasty little thing, who I am finding it quite unpleasant to work for.”

“Cai!” Gwyn immediately exclaimed. “How could you say such a thing?!”

“You’ll soon see.”

“I could have you arrested for your slanderous talk of me,” Arwen growled, but the truth was that she had no idea if such a thing were possible. Perhaps if the person in question were commonfolk or the like, then it could be so. But a knight like Cai probably wouldn’t stick. The Princess mostly used the threat of such a thing to cow people to her will, but most were too focused on grovelling at her anyways for her to ever consider going through with a threat like that. “I only tolerate you because you are of use to me.”

“You’ll hear nothing but respect from me,” Gwyn assured the Princess. “I guarantee it.”

“Good,” Arwen delightedly clapped her hands together. “Then, let’s get back to father.”

-cut-

In the audience chamber, Gwyn bowed deeply to King Sion Blayney, who stood towering over the prostrating soldier. “I vow to protect the Princess with my life, your Teyrn grace.”

“Good,” King Blayney nodded, his posture authoritative and upright. “I trust you will perform to the standard expected of a Sentinel in Cyfoeth’s ranks.”

Glittering sunlight shimmered among the stain glass windows, signalling the call of night as the sun set behind the lifeless extent of The Wastes. King Blayney seemed to notice, for his gaze lingered upon the basking rays in a moment that struck Arwen rather unexpectedly. Her father was but three years until he hit forty, and looked it. The lightning mage’s use of his magic had taken a toll on his body, and he was at an age where death would be expected for most soon, though his royal life meant that he hopefully had at least a decade or two left in him. But it was times like these for Arwen that she could no longer see a King, but an old man. She hated those moments, for it bloomed an unpleasant feeling in her heart.

In an instant, King Blayney’s attention snapped to his daughter, who was caught staring intently at him. “I would like you three to now rest, for tomorrow I will call upon two more who will accompany you on your assignments. That said, I did not expect you to find Sentinel Gwyn within the confines of today. Well done.”

Arwen preened.

“Gwyn Myrick, Cai Huws… you may return home. Please return by sunrise tomorrow where the Princess will grant you passage to the audience chamber. Arwen, please remain here.”

“With honour, your Teyrn.” The two knights said in unison, eliciting a smirk from Arwen who found the whole spectacle amusing.

Once the soldiers had left, King Blayney approached his daughter and embraced her gently. “I’m glad you’ve been so willing to help me here, my girl. I feared you would oppose me far more than you did.”

“Thank you, father.” Arwen mumbled in reply, muted by the King’s shoulder.

“It is a great relief to me, Arwen, to see you as you are now. Truthfully, a lot of things have been on my mind in recent times. Things with Helvetia have been… complex of late,” King Blayney admitted, releasing Arwen so that he could search her eyes.

“How so?” Arwen met his gaze with a cautious look.

“I have received intelligence that, around three or four days ago, Helvetia managed to launch a massive attack on the Vampire Keep’s forces… and they succeeded. They are now making steady progress towards their stronghold. My scouts estimate it will take their army a couple of years to breach their defences and topple the vampiric nation in its entirety, but the outlook is nigh-guaranteed victory for Helvetia.”

This would no doubt spark mixed emotions in King Blayney, who seemed stricken with a particular fondness for vampires, yet was also dead-set on maintaining friendly relations with the antagonistic Helvetia. But for Arwen, the news provided a pleasant impression. She did not like vampires, and also thought the Vampire Keep had their downfall coming to them. It would also mean that Helvetia would continue their ceasefire against Cyfoeth… right? Arwen relayed this question to her father.

King Blayney swayed his head in a so-so gesture. “It bears that Helvetia would be emboldened by this victory, and would thus likely be content with the mutual peace as long as Cyfoeth upholds their end of the ceasefire, but I am at a crossroads. The Vampire Keep has been increasingly… desperate, in their communications with me. They are demanded we begin pressuring the Helvetian army in order to force them to re-route forces.”

“You can’t do that!” Arwen cried.

Her father placed a placating hand on her shoulder. “I know. Cyfoeth simply cannot afford to continue the war with Helvetia. But the vampires are less and less understanding as their future gets bleaker. Meanwhile, I have received a letter from King Fiske of Helvetia demanding that we rescind our alliance with the vampires.”

“Ah…” Arwen now understood. Her father was in a precarious position. A lot of the vampire population within Cyfoeth looked somewhat favourably upon the Keep, which provided safe travelling to the vampire-loving nation. Rebuking them could spark resentment among Cyfoeth’s vampire and vampire-sympathetic people. However, an alliance with Helvetia was now necessary if King Blayney wanted to avoid the country setting their sights on them once they had completed their invasion of the Keep.

“The King promised to personally visit Cyfoeth to speak things over,” King Blayney continued. “I hope that direct conversation will help smooth things over.”

“When will he visit?”

“I do not know.”

Arwen was silent. She appreciated that her father kept her in the loop, but sometimes having her head buried within the metaphorical sand was better in her opinion. Such is the curse of being royalty, her father would likely lecture, should she voice her thoughts. A wave of darkness enclosed the chamber as a cloud passed over the sun’s rays. “Would you like me to attend this meeting?” she finally asked.

Her father smiled as if she had passed some sort of test. “It may be difficult to schedule your assignments to fit, but yes… I would like for you to meet the Helvetian King. King Fiske is stern, but ultimately well-mannered and logical- a good fit for your personality.”

The King paused as the dimming sunlight washed the room once more, the obscuring cloud having passed over. “But enough of that, let’s dine together my dear. I’m sure your mother is beside herself waiting at the table this long…” he wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “I’ve finally managed to get her to agree to an audience with me and the Cyfoeth’s military orphans’ charity in the Kingdom, and she even seemed…”

Arwen listened to her father with a practised smile, though doubts and fears engrossed her mind. War with Helvetia may once again renew, and she was to go out on military assignments? She feared the worst would happen. What if they were ambushed, or ran into a battalion? She didn’t like having her life on the line like that in the future.