After about ten minutes, Rhiannon and Eryk emerged from the measuring room with a red uniform shirt and black trousers in tow. Arwen raised her eyebrows when the two stopped before them. “You’ve retrieved a uniform for him already?”

“Yes,” Rhiannon nodded. “Fortunately, we already had a shirt matching his size and a similar-sized pair of trousers. All I had to do was tighten the waistband, and it fit perfectly.”

Gwyn appeared surprised, but shrugged it off. “I expected to have to wait all day for one to be made, but I guess this works too.”

Arwen agreed. “We will take our leave, then.”

Rhiannon smiled gently. “It has been an honour, Princess Arwen.”

Arwen ignored her and turned to leave, but Eryk spoke up. “Rhiannon, may I offer you thanks for helping me out? I greatly appreciate all that you’ve done for me.”

The short vampire blushed deeply, hiding the freckles on her rosy cheeks. She smiled politely and quietly mumbled something before making her way to the military wing door, disappearing behind it with a shy haste. “You’re in, buddy.” Gwyn noted.

Eryk appeared perplexed. “What do you mean?”

“Gwyn,” Arwen warned. “Not you, too.”

“So, what did she do to you, vampire man?” Cai asked, ignoring Arwen’s frustration.

“Well,” Eryk laughed awkwardly. “It was actually rather thorough. She had a long piece of tape measure that she wrapped around my arms, legs, waist… all sorts.”

“Bet you enjoyed having her hands all over you.” Cai smirked devilishly.

The vampire responded with a bemused frown. Arwen shook her head. She couldn’t believe it. After her explicitly telling the boys her discomfort over the sexual nature of their topic, they yet persisted. She was the Princess of the blasted country they served; didn’t she deserve some more respect from these cretins? You know what? She thought. I’m going home.

None of the soldiers were paying attention, too busy teasing and prodding at the naïve vampire, so she simply turned and walked out. No one called after her, nor followed her out to see where she was going. After the day she had, with that accursed gemstone in her pocket, she didn’t care.

-cut-

The next day, the retinue met up by the audience chamber, awaiting the King to bid them entrance. Arwen stood stiffly besides Cai as the rest of the group arrived one by one. She and the knight had a massive row the evening before. Cai was furious over her ‘slipping away’ from her protection and voiced his opinion quite loudly outside of her bed chambers. Arwen responded venomously and a heated argument ensued. It ended poorly.

“You fancy yourself such a great knight,” Arwen had yelled, ignoring the stares from passing castle servants. “Yet you let me get out of your sight, too distracted with that idiot vampire to care about the one person you should be protecting!”

Cai had responded with more shouting, calling her an inconsiderate brat and a danger to herself. This further served to infuriate the Princess who, without thinking, had leaned in and hit him where she knew it would hurt. “You failed to protect me, just like you failed to protect that sister of yours.”

The knight had stood silent following her accusation, a satisfying range of emotions playing over his face. She watched his eyes falter and his mouth part before snapping shut. He met her eyes and whispered. “How do you know about her?”

A part of Arwen regretted the words. They were incredibly harsh, even for her. She rationalised, through the Light Gem still in her pocket, that though Cai knew there was nothing he could’ve done to save his sister, a small portion of his mind blamed himself for her death. Watching the emotions she had viciously dredged up flicker across his face, Arwen understood what her father meant when he said she could weaponize the healing artifact. Apologise, a small voice demanded. But Arwen was too prideful and stubborn to do that. So instead, she simply continued her glare. “Goodnight, you arrogant tool.”

When she dressed the next morning, opting to pocket the Light Gem yet again, she emerged from her chambers to the source of her anger standing outside. They had said nothing to each other, and did not even look at each other even now, watching Gwyn walk up the stairs towards them. The Sentinel had a spear as long as his body in his right hand, which ended at a wicked point of gleaming steel. “Good day,” he greeted, before pausing before them. “Is something wrong?”

“Go ahead,” Arwen spat. “Yell at me for ditching you yesterday.”

Gwyn scowled. “I assume Cai has done quite enough of that for me, though I’d advise you don’t ever do that to us again.”

“Whatever.”

“You guys are seriously this worked up about yesterday?” Gwyn pressed, his scowl twisting into an expression more bemused. “I mean, I was pretty pissed, but the Princess can do as she pleases when within the Kingdom. Hell, we hadn’t even left the castle walls.”

“It is not that,” Cai stepped forward, evidently still very hurt over her words last night. “That girl is the most spiteful, hateful, vicious little bitch I’ve ever come across.”

Arwen whirled. “Talk about me like that again, and I swear I will lock you up for the rest of your life.”

Gwyn’s eyes widened. “Jeez, what exactly happened here?”

Owen arrived before the two of them could reply. The quiet man simply opted to nod his hellos before standing next to Gwyn.

“Where is that vampire?” Cai growled.

“We’re still five minutes early,” Gwyn sighed. “And he has a name.”

“I saw him leave the tailors later yesterday,” Owen informed the group, a gossipy note entering his voice. “He must have returned later that day.”

Not this again. “What that sub-human does in his spare time is none of our concern,” Arwen snapped. “Now shut up. I much prefer you quiet.”

“That time of the month?” Owen retorted, apparently capable of wielding a mean streak if provoked.

“I will hit you with so much magic that you’ll never feel your own body after I’m done, should you choose to say that ever again,” Arwen let loose the threat in a nasty growl. “Know your place.”

“Princess Arwen,” Gwyn held out his hands placatingly. “You’re on a warpath today. I don’t know what happened yesterday, but it’s clear it’s got you agitated. Doesn’t give you the right to take it out on all of us.”

The Princess’s response was terse. “What is agitating me is the utter lack of respect any of you are showing me.”

“Respect is earned,” Cai retorted. “Earn it.”

Arwen about exploded into a rage, but Gwyn cut off her oncoming tirade. “Okay, okay, it’s clear that we’re all not feeling too friendly today. So, let’s just keep quiet, yes?”

Fine by her. Arwen pressed her lips tight. With all the trauma she had endured yesterday thanks to that gemstone, combined with the argument and poor sleep, the Princess wanted nothing more than to go back to bed and be alone. Her dreams last night were invaded by the visions shown to her by the Light Gem. Her father’s burdens, Cai’s grief. The intense emotions all cascaded upon her like a heavy blanket. It was exhausting. And her waking moments were not much better, for her thoughts often drifted to the visions invariably. They replayed in her head involuntarily, over and over again.

Finally, the vampire appeared, looking a little winded. “Apologies,” he burst out upon arrival. “I am a little late. Princess, please excuse my tardiness. It is unacceptable for someone as esteemed as you.”

Arwen just nodded. The irony of a vampire, of all creatures, treating her with more respect than her fellow human beings was not lost on her. She noticed that Eryk was now wearing his new Cyfoethian military uniform, though he had opted to wear a black overcoat worn loosely over his shoulders.

“Shall we enter?” Gwyn gestured towards the large chamber doors.

“No,” Arwen answered flatly. “I will greet King Blayney alone.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

She had little desire to spend anymore time than she had to with those jesters. She had even less desire to witness them grovel and faun over her father as if he was the Light God himself when they shunned her with such little regard for her feelings.

Gwyn opened his mouth to argue, but Arwen cut him off. “I said, no!”

Without another word, she approached the guards securing the doors. “Grant me entry.”

Inside the chamber and stood before her father, Princess Arwen of Cyfoeth watched her father’s eyebrows arch. “Are the others not here yet?”

“They are waiting outside.”

“Oh?” King Blayney cocked his head. “Why is that?”

“They are not needed for a simple send-off away,” Arwen replied. “That is what I am here for. To inform you of our leave of the Kingdom.”

The King nodded knowingly. “I heard that you and Cai Huws were arguing last night. It apparently caused quite a stir among the servants.”

Arwen figured it would. Those rats gossiped about anything and everything endlessly. She had more than once been the brunt of their nasty little rumour mill. They could all burn in hell for all she cared. She chose to remain mum in the face of her father’s probing question.

“Need I remind you of the importance of getting along with your retainers?” King Blayney cautioned his daughter sagely. “That is what they are- your retainers. Your protectors.”

“Father, I really don’t want to hear anymore of this,” Arwen pleaded. “Please.”

“Alright then…” he reluctantly let the matter slide. “How are you feeling about your first military venture?”

Arwen withheld her true feelings and lied. “A little excited, I admit.”

Her father smiled. “Good. Have you still got the Light Gem with you?”

Arwen’s dire mood soured even further. “I do not want it, but yes.”

“Where is it, then?”

Arwen withdrew it from her pocket. King Blayney frowned. “Why isn’t it…?”

“I will not have it constantly activating,” Arwen stated tersely. “It stays in my pocket or I will leave it behind, of that I am resolute. If I need it, I can simply grab hold of it.”

“I would rather you grow used to it the hard way,” King Blayney sighed heavily, his shoulder heaving gently. “But have it your way. I cannot force you to keep it around your neck out in the field, so I will make the concession. But do not lose hold of it.”

“I will not.”

“Good, now come here.” King Blayney embraced her daughter. “Your mother cannot be here, I’m afraid, but she bids you farewell and her fondest of love.”

“Tell mum I love her too.”

“Now go, my dear daughter. Make me proud.”

-cut-

Tristwch Road was a wide, gravelly pathway stretching eastward out of the Kingdom, and one Arwen rather liked. They had embarked on their journey after raiding the barracks for a spare sword that Eryk could use and now walked in silence under the warm spring sun. Surrounding the road was a slew of rolling hills rich and hale with green grass and the occasional small tree. To their right, facing south, a giant volcano rose high into the sky, piercing the fluffy clouds that hung in the air. The volcano, known dramatically as Loel’s Wrath, was normally visible, albeit obscured, by the high Kingdom walls, so seeing it’s full muster uninterrupted was a stunning site for the sheltered Princess. Loel’s Wrath was what was called an ‘inactive volcano’, meaning it had no chance of erupting. A relief- considering its close proximity to Cyfoeth and its trade-bearing port. Arwen recalled that it had never been climbed to its apex, though some have attempted to. Instead, the eastward adjacent Veins of Wedi boasted rare minerals in an abundance that satisfied many mining operators, slaking the temptation of climbing the unforgiving terrain for its dribbling dried lava canals.

With such a view, Arwen found herself quite enchanted, though her incompatible travelling partners soured the experience. Still, her mood was slowly but surely being lifted by the fresh air, the smell of green grass, and display of nature’s boundless beauty above.

The party, all in uniform and armed, occasionally passed by merchants atop their horse and carriage. Apparently, the movement of troops down Tristwch was common occurrence, as none of them paid much attention to them as they passed each other. Arwen found herself a little hurt that she hadn’t been recognised, but didn’t want to deal with people much anyways and mostly lay the blame upon uniform-fixation more than people ignoring her.

Owen was silent as ever. His recurve bow clacked gently upon his back as he walked. The vampire was initially talkative, but quickly caught onto the group’s tension and wisely kept his mouth shut. He interestingly appeared to take an intense interest into the farmland plotted adjacently to the road, connecting the base of Loel’s Wrath all the way to the Kingdom walls. “Why do you think there are so many farms around?” Gwyn apparently noticed the vampire’s interest too, and decided to engage.

Eryk gestured towards the tall grain plants, of which Arwen didn’t recognise nor knew their purpose. For food, she assumed. “When Loel’s Wrath was active, it spewed out volcanic rock and ash near constantly. After it settled, many of Cyfoeth’s people were quick to realise that these two elements provided very fertile land to farm in, and so made haste to take advantage. This is what resulted… it’s funny, in a way, that Loel’s Wrath feeds the people of Cyfoeth, despite being a large inhospitable rock.”

“You seem to be awfully insightful into this matter, vampire,” Cai accused harshly. Apparently, his mood was not as revitalised as Arwen’s was by the surrounding nature.

“I used to work here, before joining the military.” Eryk explained.

This was a shock to Arwen, but she couldn’t glean any useful insights from the tid-bit of the vampire’s past, so she kept silent. They kept walking in silence. Hours passed and still the endless farmland taunted them by the road, refusing to give way to the mountainous base of Loel’s Wrath. After what felt like another ten thousand steps, Arwen had to rest. Her lower body burned uncomfortably and a dull thudding ache in the soles of her feet were hard not to focus on.

“I need to rest my legs,” she spoke up, breaking a long and by now comfortable silence. “Is anyone else really tired?”

A flutter sounded as a flock of small yellow birds flew overhead, tweeting and chirping as they pursued adventure among the rolling fields to the left of the road. It filled the pause as the rest of the group exchanged searching glances. “We’re less than an hour from the base of the volcano,” Cai stopped to turn to her. “We will rest there.”

Arwen refused. “No. I insist we take a break here. I am in a lot of pain.”

“We all are,” Cai wouldn’t budge. “But it is the pain all travellers must endure. Many who you perceive to be lesser than you have made it farther. I’m sure a superior being such as yourself can go further than this.”

“You are such a-”

“I could use a little rest,” the vampire cut off Arwen’s outburst. “I would also like to stop here.”

“Your opinion doesn’t matter, vampire.” Cai’s ill humour redirected itself to Eryk. “Be quiet and do as we humans say.”

“I did not mean any offense by suggesting we rest,” Eryk replied amiably. “Nor was I trying to give orders.”

Arwen decided to butt in again. “I am the one who is in charge, being the Princess. I say we rest, so we rest. Done.”

“No,” Cai growled. “We continue.”

“And who put you in charge?”

By now Gwyn had his head buried into his hands. Both Cai and Arwen ignored him. “I was put in charge,” Cai claimed hotly. “When I saw that I am the one with the most experience travelling Tristwch, okay?”

“Like it or not, I do not care.” Arwen stepped forward into the knight’s personal space. She jabbed a finger into his chest confrontationally and pierced him with a nasty glare. “Now obey me and toe the line.”

“I won’t question orders from military officers or men who are clearly my better, but you are an arrogant child who knows nothing outside of the safety of her walls. I will not follow your orders when it will jeopardise our mission!”

Arwen feigned amazement. “You are suggesting a simple break will jeopardise our mission?!”

Cai grabbed the pack he had been shouldering and threw it roughly to the ground. “That bag has enough rations for two days. Do you know what happens after that? I imagine not, since you’ve never experienced suffering worse than a stubbed toe. If we don’t make it to the travel shelter in two days to resupply, we will run out of water. Stopping at such increments will have us run out of water before reaching the shelter, understand? We’ll arrive exhausted and dehydrated, delaying us even further!”

“It is not as if we would die!” Arwen threw up her hands in exasperation. “Why are you being so dramatic about it? Why do you take offense to everything I say? I’m not some facsimile of your sister, Cai, except you clearly think that of me!”

Gwyn raised his head and shot the arguing pair an odd look. Owen looked equally confused. The three onlookers clearly wanted to intervene- were about to do so in fact- but the Princess’s wording left them waiting. They were aware something significant was happening.

“Why would you say that?” Cai asked, but his expression belied his lack of knowledge.

“You know why.” Arwen persisted. “I look almost the same as her, don’t I? I was confused about your loyalty, figured at first it was because of your devotion to my father, but why not then ask to be reassigned? If you hated me so much, why didn’t you? I think it’s because you see Brynne.”

At the mention of his sister’s name, Cai went berserk. “How do you know about her?” he yelled. His arms violently grabbed a hold of Arwen’s shoulders, eliciting a small gasp from her. “How?!”

“Get off of me!” Arwen cried, pushing against him with her hands. It was no use, though, for the enraged knight had too strong a hold. “I said get off!”

“Cai!” Gwyn roared. “Let go of her!”

“Tell me!” Cai shouted. “Tell me!”

And with a push, Arwen staggered back unceremoniously from Cai’s grip. Rage clouded her vision and she lashed out. Her eyes turned a bright iridescent purple as her hand made contact with the knight’s chest. A bright flash ensued followed by a loud pop. Cai let loose a howl of pain and fell to the floor as if his feet were swept from him. Arwen gasped for breath. Gwyn stood by, a look of horror on his face. Eryk looked equally as shocked, and even the stoic Owen seemed unnerved by the violent display of magic.

Cai rolled onto his side, groaning in pain. He wrapped his arms tightly around his body, his eyes squeezed shut. Arwen knew he wouldn’t recover for a good dozen or so minutes after using that much magic on him. She didn’t like using her lightning on people, never enjoyed it even with the volunteers her father had her practise on as a child, but an odd thrill coursed through her body at seeing the proud knight humbled on the ground as he was. “Arwen,” Gwyn sounded breathless. “What did you do?”

“Need I explain myself?” she retorted, astounded at the stupidity of the question.

“Will he be alright?” Gwyn asked.

Eryk knelt down by the moaning Cai. “Are you okay? Do you need me to get you some water?”

Cai let out anther groan, then managed to grind out through a tightly clenched jaw. “Leave me be… vampire.”

Eryk stood. “I suppose that means he’ll be fine.”

“I guess we have to rest now,” Owen said, though he didn’t sound particularly happy nor sad. He looked directly into Arwen’s eyes. “You got what you wanted in the end.”

Cai’s nasty little insults didn’t have much of a hold on Arwen, but Owen’s matter-of-fact words hurt for some strange reason. “You’ve really screwed us over here, Princess.” Gwyn sighed and rubbed his hand on his forehead. “Who knows how long until he’ll recover enough to walk?”

Cai had stopped his pained moans, though he remained where he was on the gravel. His eyes were still closed and his breathe came steadily, though in heavy gasp-like rhythms. Arwen considered the Sentinel for a moment. “It will take around fifteen minutes for him to recover.”

“Precious daylight,” Gwyn huffed. “But nothing to be done of it. Let’s rest, everyone.”