Felit?a dreaded Belone’s palace—partly because palaces in general made her uncomfortable, but mostly because the last time she was here, Feodor Belone had ripped her away from what she was doing, had rounded up her and all her friends, and sent them to Arnor City back to her family. Felit?a knew he had just been following her father’s command, but he hadn’t displayed any reticence in obeying it either.


    She had also learnt that Belone and her father had always known she was in Quorge. Her success at hiding there had only been at her father’s providence. Belone could have—and probably would have if not for her father’s command—snatched her away from her world any time he wanted.


    Belone looked no different than last time, except there was a hint of red under his nose, barely obscured by his beard. The red was also at the corners of his eyes, and he sniffled as he watched Felit?a’s entrance. Like before, he was dressed in a flowing silk robe.


    Felit?a bowed her head. “I understand, your Lordship. Thank you for welcoming me.” She was glad she didn’t have to hug and kiss him. She wasn’t in the mood for ceremony right now.


    “A pleasure to see you too, my Lord,” Felit?a said.


    Anita stepped back and curtsied again. “A pleasure, your Highness. I’m sorry I was not here to meet you last time.” There was not a lot of resemblance between her and her father or brother. Her long hair was lighter and her face rounder. She moved to the side and curtsied to Nin-Akna—the first acknowledgement of Nin-Akna’s presence anyone had given—and then embraced the young warrior.


    Surprise erupted from Nin-Akna, who hesitantly placed her hands on Anita’s shoulders. There was a small collision of faces as Nin-Akna did not know to turn her face to accept kisses to her cheeks.


    Anita stepped back and curtsied again. “My apologies for my clumsiness.”


    “I’m in the city for personal business,” Felit?a said. “However, I didn’t want to cause offence by not announcing myself.”


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    Lord Belone leaned forward. “Danel, enough! Start this again, and I will have you removed again!”


    “What of the fact, Father, that she started the war with the Volgs? Why should we provide any hospitality to someone whose own mother has rejected her?”


    “The war?” Lord Belone laughed and fell into a fit of coughing. After a moment, he regained his composure, wiping his nose on his handkerchief again. “Regardless of what might be in the official proclamation regarding her Highness, I find it extremely difficult to believe she alone could be responsible for an entire war. The Volgs are creatures of evil, a fact well known, and yet now we act surprised they want to go to war against us? I have little doubt the Volgs wanted war regardless, and whatever actions her Highness might or might not have performed had little impact on that decision, other than to give them an excuse. Not to mention, the whole idea of the Volgs trying to make war against us is a joke. Arnor is too big for them to attack effectively. No, they just want to frighten us and it’s working. I will hear no more of the war or Princess Felit?a’s involvement in it until such time as there actually is a war. Do I make myself understood?”


    Danel bowed. “As you wish, Father.” He stood up tall and attempted to look unperturbed by the situation, but anger and annoyance flowed from him.


    Belone turned his attention back to Felit?a. “Your Highness, your business is, of course, your own and you may keep whatever secrets about it you wish. I ask only to know if it will impact me or my household in any way, and if there is anything you need of me.”


    “It should have no impact on you or your home, your Lordship. I will be working with my associates at the Hall of Knowledge.”


    “Yes, at an inn, I’m informed. I could not, in good conscience, allow royalty to stay in such lower class accommodations. Besides, your true identity is no longer a secret. It may not be widely known, but it will spread in time. The locals may not look on you kindly. I insist you stay here. You and your friend, of course. The boy, too.”


    “We would be delighted,” Felit?a said. “And provided he behaves himself, I have no objection to your son’s presence.” The best way to stay on Belone’s good side was to be conciliatory and forgiving.


    Some of the nobles began making their way over, asking her about her journey here, and whether she knew her sister had been here only a few weeks ago. What had possessed her to run away from home all those years ago? What was it like to encounter Volgs in person? Was she really responsible for the war, and did she think there really would be a war, and if so, how would it be waged?


    “Thank you, my Lady,” Felit?a said. “And thank you again for acknowledging Nin-Akna earlier.”


    “I wanted to provide a contrast to my brother’s rudeness in the hope others would follow my example,” Anita said. “Unfortunately, everyone followed his.”


    A sharp pang of annoyance came from Nin-Akna and Felit?a held back a grimace. What had she done?


    She’d spoken for her again, Felit?a realised. She needed to stop doing that. She had only been trying to help, but she accepted that wasn’t an excuse.


    “If there’s anything you need during your time here, please ask.” Anita curtsied. “I look forward to seeing you both at dinner.” She gave Nin-Akna another smile, turned around, and left the room.


    “I shouldn’t have spoken for you. About...about being grateful. I thought it annoyed you.”


    A servant approached them and bowed. “Your Highness, your rooms are ready. Please follow.”