《The Lady's Handbook of Intrigue and Murder (High Fantasy Politics)》


 01: Castle on a Cloud

    The Imperial City came like a storm: winds to herald its approach, shadows to darken the land, and clouds to carry it onward.


    On the grassy knoll below rode two dozen servants, soldiers, and scribes in the green and silver of Mydea¡¯s house. We must look like ants to them, if they care to spot us at all that is, she thought.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived just in time,¡± her twin brother, Aspyr, said with a grin. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Mydea rolled her eyes, stroking the white coat of her pegasus, Snowscorn. ¡°You rode us hard to do so. We could have avoided some pain if we left a day earlier, as Grandmother advised you to.¡± It would¡¯ve been a disaster to miss the Imperial City sailing over the horizon after they¡¯d ridden so far south to seek an audience with the Empress.


    ¡°This was always a gamble. We¡¯re here all the same now, and that¡¯s what matters,¡± Aspyr said, urging his pegasus downhill with his legs.


    Mydea kept pace with him, while the rest of the party followed after their lord and his standard¡ªa jagged shield with ashen wings stretching to either side.


    ¡°Ah, it seems Lord Principal Black¡¯s men have finally noticed us,¡± Aspyr said.


    Coming up the road was a knight in glittering silver, proudly bearing the skull on black of their liege. A half dozen squires and mages-at-arms rode with him.


    Mydea sighed. ¡°I was hoping they wouldn¡¯t.¡± It was impossible not to run into a patrol of course, these lands being so close to his keep, but a part of her had hoped they could slip by without incident. Even ignoring the stream of merchants and messengers flowing to and fro, they were hardly the only lords making their way to the Imperial City of Aelisium after all.


    Aspyr raised a fist, bringing their party to a halt, and waited patiently for the knight to reach them. ¡°I doubt Lord Black has much room for us in his thoughts.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not him I worry about, but his daughters,¡± Mydea said, brown fingers brushing aside a lock of hair from obstructing her line of sight. ¡°You know they hate us.¡±


    ¡°Only Vivyan does, really,¡± Aspyr said. He shared all her features, and diverged only in how he preferred his hair styled. While Mydea¡¯s flowed down her back in waves, Aspyr kept his short and trimmed. ¡°Besides, the Empress is near and I am still a lord. They wouldn¡¯t dare do anything improper.¡±


    That still leaves so many things they could do, she thought. Her green eyes creased ever so slightly as Lord Black¡¯s men reached them.


    The knight made a show of squinting at their sigil, before peering at them one by one. It was utterly ridiculous.


    Sir Alexios, the captain of their guards, moved forward. ¡°Our master is the Lord External of House Kolchis,¡± he declared. ¡°Let us through.¡±


    A mistake, Mydea knew, and an opening.


    ¡°I know of no house external by the name Kolchis,¡± the knight said with a nasty grin. He turned to his companions. ¡°Has Lord Eminent Pleonexia named one recently?¡±


    Aspyr remained quiet on his saddle. It would be beneath his dignity to speak with a mere knight, but it did not escape her how his fingers brushed against the hilt of their mother¡¯s sword. For a heartbeat, she feared steel would be drawn in anger as had often been the case at the athenaeum...


    ¡°You play word games!¡± Alexios said. Mydea could hear the scowl in his words.


    Still, she breathed a little easier when Aspyr¡¯s hand remained still.


    ¡°No games, sir,¡± the knight said. ¡°I say only what I know to be true: that there is no house external by that name.¡±


    Lord Black¡¯s retainer chose his words with care, speaking no falsehood, yet refusing them reasonable courtesy. He clearly knew who they were, but was using an excuse to not identify them. Captain Alexios would rather die than shame their house by declaring them a house nominal. Even worse, Lord Eminent Pleonexia never left hot iron unstruck, and such a public admittal would be touted as proof that Kolchis was a house external by his warrant and not longstanding tradition.


    The day could only end in one of three ways: an ignoble return home that their vassals would see as weakness, a ruinous war, or the dangerous gamble that was duelling.


    Mydea cared for none of these, and since her brother could not act, she would act for him.


    ¡°Have the hystors not taught you your sigils, sir?¡± she asked with a sweet smile.


    The knight narrowed his eyes. ¡°They did.¡±


    ¡°Clearly not well enough then. The house of your lord and mine are both sworn to the same man. Our lands are not even so far apart, yet you act as if we are strangers,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The Thalassian Athenaeum will be distraught to learn they¡¯ve failed one of their students so.¡±


    The man¡¯s neck had turned a deep shade of purple as his veins popped out. Still, he dug his heels in his silence.


    Mydea¡¯s smile grew wider. Did the man think shame her only weapon? Blame was always useful, though perhaps not the best here. A lowly knight would not dare act like this without some backing. ¡°My brother is Lord Aspyr of House Kolchis. Lord Black was there when my brother succeeded our mother, and swore his oaths to Lord Pleonexia. Shall you need time to ask him yourself?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± the man said quickly. ¡°That would be the House Nominal Kolchis, correct?¡±


    Stubborn, aren¡¯t we? ¡°Do you really not know your sigils?¡± she asked again. ¡°There are less than a hundred people who may call themselves lords in the Deeplands, and there are no other houses like ours.¡±


    His trap cracked wide open, the knight could do little else but nod his head and step aside.


    It was not a total victory, but their path to the Imperial City was now unimpeded and without loss of face.


    The further they rode into Aelisium¡¯s shadow, the more soilborn peasants they saw hard at work gathering an early harvest. They always made a tidy sum selling to the merchants of the city. After all, whoever heard of a city that did not need for more food? One of the larger villages they passed was host to a stewardess of an Imperial Palace even, judging by the star and storm displayed on her surcoat. The village headsman and the bureaucrat appeared to reach a price both were happy with, for a glow suffused the nearby storehouse.


    In the next moment, she heard voices filled with fear and wonder that the food had just vanished before their eyes.


    They used Appropriation, she concluded. Empress Alcymede had taken their lord¡¯s younger brother as one of Her princely consorts, so of course House Pleonexia made their signature spell available to Her.


    The spell was an impressive sight even for those of them who had graduated from an athenaeum. To the soilborn who toiled much and grasped little, it must have seemed a divine act.


    ¡°We¡¯re close enough to ascend,¡± her brother judged, pointing to their destination: not Aelisium itself, but one of the ancillary clouds that kept position relative to it.


    Sir Alexios began barking out orders. Only half their party had winged mounts, so those without would have to await their return in one of the villages.


    Beneath her, Snowscorn flexed her powerful wings in a burst of movement. ¡°A little longer,¡± Mydea said softly.


    She whinnied.


    ¡°Your pegasus grows impatient,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°We shall leave the logistics to you, Captain Alexios. Join us when you can.¡±


    ¡°My lord¡ª¡±


    Whatever their poor captain wanted to say was cut off as both their pegasi broke out into a gallop. White wings longer than she was tall unfolded, and with three powerful flaps, Mydea was sunward bound. Their escorts took several seconds longer to become airborne, and if Snowscorn wasn¡¯t inclined to wait, they¡¯d have been left far behind. As it was, Snowscorn contented herself with leading the flock.


    The rhythmic beat of wings, the feel of suborned winds against her skin, the thrill of the ascent ¡­ it was nearly perfect. A damn shame Aelisium blots out the sun, she thought, keeping a gentle, but firm grasp on the reins.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Unimpeded by wind or witchery, they arrived at the summit before long.


    For a castle on a cloud, the dry air was a surprise, though the cold western breeze pushing the city along was not.


    Mydea swung one foot around so that she was seated side saddle, then testingly stepped on the ground. To her delight, the pavement was soft, springy, and most assuredly solid¡ªnot mere vapor. It was silly of Mydea to worry¡ªshe¡¯d never heard of someone falling out of the Imperial City before ... someone who wasn¡¯t pushed off that is.


    There were a dozen of them all in all, and including Captain Alexios only half were guards. Three servants came along too, as well as a scribe in case anything needed recording.


    A stablehand came by offering to settle Snowscorn, and Mydea accepted only out of propriety. Still, she kept an eye on him to ensure it was done properly, even as her brother spoke to a man clad in burnished bronze. The golden star marked him as an officer of the gatekeepers to Aelisium, through whom all people¡ªfrom skyborn royalty to strawborn commoners¡ªpassed. Only the Empress, and those in Her presence, were permitted to land within the city proper instead of a subordinate cloud.


    The people of the Imperial City, at least, seemed above petty regional squabbles as passage was given before long. A drawbridge was lowered from Aelisium proper, though it sloped upwards due to the difference in elevation.


    ¡°Mind your steps, my lady,¡± a gatekeeper said as she walked past.


    The bridge was ten men abreast so there was little chance of falling. Nevertheless, Mydea couldn¡¯t help but peek over the edge. Ants indeed, she confirmed for herself as she traced the people below with her eyes.


    Then they were through the gates and the greying marble walls, and Mydea gasped.


    A hundred thousand souls lived in open defiance of nature from the fair-skinned Syngians to the duskier tones of Old Ilyos and every shade in between. Knights in polished silver patrolled the air, gleaming like stars in the sun¡¯s light. Pennants of a hundred houses found perch in every high place, perpetually aflutter with the wind, and even without. In the distance was the Starlight Tower, and all of them lived in its shade.


    ¡°Do you remember when we last saw this place?¡± Aspyr asked.


    ¡°How could I forget?¡± she said. They had just turned seven when their Grandmother brought them to meet the Empress. ¡°If I recall, we didn¡¯t spend much time in the city.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t spend any time in the city,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°Grandmother rushed us to the palace, then rushed us back home.¡±


    ¡°We ought to seize the opportunity present then. Shall we be on our way?¡±


    Aspyr nodded, looking every which way before gesturing with a hand to one of the wider roads. ¡°I think that ought to bring us to a main thoroughfare, and we¡¯ll find our way towards the palace from there.¡±


    As they walked, it seemed to her that the ground here was more solid than where they¡¯d landed. She let out a jolt of magic from her feet, snaking it beneath the pavement where it found soil. I suppose it¡¯s comforting, she thought, that the palace¡¯s foundations are more than mere air.


    Her ears picked up on a rhythmic clanging and chanting that grew louder with each step. The road was lined on either side with runesmiths and enchanters, and above the din of their work was a deep, familiar booming born of artificers and arrogance. The wind shifted, and the scent of the city morphed from a pleasant, earthy tone like fresh rain to one of smoke and sacrifice.


    ¡°It almost reminds me of the athenaeum, except with more everything,¡± Mydea said to her brother.


    Aspyr nodded, looking every which way, before pointing out a tower plastered over with white lime and bearing the sign of the hystors: a hexagram drawn with a single stroke instead of two overlapping triangles. ¡°That would be because we are near the Aelisian Athenaeum.¡±


    Her brother¡¯s sense of direction proved a steady guide, and soon the street intersected with an even busier road, one filled with laden wagons. Some of the carriages even moved without the aid of any beast of burden!


    The press of bodies did not abate as they strayed further from the athenaeum, much to Captain Alexio¡¯s chagrin as he ordered the guards to ring around them. Still, it was hardly a surprise that the stalls and stores here proved more robust considering the variety of goods and good foods on display. The fruits alone numbered more than all the trinkets near the athenaeum. Apples, pears, and grapes from the Everbloom, coconuts from the southern beaches, and even pickled mangoes from the Primemarch, a region on the opposite end of the Empire that she¡¯d only ever read about.


    Yet despite all that was there to witness, everywhere she looked were people going about their daily business and heedless of the impossibility that was their reality. She pitied them, for familiarity with Aelisium had robbed them of all awe. Was there anything left in this world that might make their hearts leap?


    ¡°Ah, it would be splendid to live here with all the creature comforts one could dream of,¡± Aspyr said.


    Mydea grinned as she was served a pickled mango on a stick. ¡°Are you thinking of joining Her Highness¡¯ harem?¡±


    ¡°She has many consorts already,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they can find room for one more.¡± She took a dainty bite of the yellow-green fruit and her face scrunched from the sourness. Mydea forced it down her throat. ¡°Besides, there would be plenty of death and duels about to keep you entertained too.¡± Life in the capital was not any less dangerous than on the Empire''s edges, just dangerous in different ways.


    ¡°I would hardly be able to keep my lordship if she were to take me,¡± Aspyr mused. ¡°Well, I suppose that¡¯s fine. I have you as my heir after all.¡±


    ¡°Already planning to leave all the work to me I see,¡± Mydea said.


    He shot her a dazzling smile. ¡°That¡¯s what siblings are for. Alas, such talk is senseless. Her Highness would benefit little from having me.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps one of her kin will take a liking to you. I believe Princess Mirah is nearly twenty,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Dreaming is free,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°How about you?¡±


    She snorted. ¡°My chances are slimmer than yours, I think, unless I happen to stumble upon an errant prince. Would that he could fall in love with me after a glance, or an act of kindness?¡± That sounded like the plot of one of those novelettes her sister liked.


    The reasons that made marriage to the Empress improbable were the very same reasons that made any marriage between the Empress¡¯ kin and House Kolchis unlikely. If it¡¯d been during the reign of their Grandfather, certainly ... or even during their Mother¡¯s time over a decade ago, when their status as a house external was not yet thrown into question¡­


    Mydea shook her head. It was pointless to dwell on the days of yore when there were present concerns to sort out.


    From the corner of her eye, she spied on a woman drawing water from a well. Is it sourced from the cloud it floats on? she wondered.


    Edifices on raised plateaus or flattened hills dominated the skyline in every direction, from the Starlight Tower where the Empress held court to the Imperial Athenaeum where Her kin learned the mysteries of magic. Kept separate from the athenaeum itself was the Archive and its great glass dome¡ªwhich was an oddity. Mydea did not know of any other athenaeum that stored its grimoires so far from the school itself.


    The crowds distilled the closer they were to the palace, but somewhat paradoxically, the more stalls and shops could be found. That was until one realized the things being peddled were worth a sum well beyond most of the strawborn commoners. No, this section of the market catered almost exclusively to the stoneborn aristocrats who flocked to Her Highness and Her kin like clockwork.


    Finally, they stood before the palace itself and its gate of flawless white platinum. Those that barred their path were unlike the city¡¯s gatekeepers for each bore a mark of nobility next to their white star, and were encased almost entirely in runesteel¡ªa ruinous luxury for most houses.


    The noblewoman in charge hailed from the neighboring isles of Nysia though she spoke the High Speech without an audible accent, and knew their sigil by sight. ¡°The House of Kolchis,¡± she said, nodding amiably to them. ¡°Might I ask what business you have here?¡±


    ¡°We come to greet Her Highness, Empress Alcymede, and seek an audience,¡± Aspyr said, stepping forward.


    ¡°I regret to inform you that the Empress will not be holding court for a fortnight,¡± the knight said. ¡°You are welcome to stay in the Imperial Palace if you should like to wait until then.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s brows furrowed.


    ¡°That is unfortunate,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°A moment please.¡± He stalked back towards her, green eyes narrowed with worry.


    ¡°This seems out of character for Her Highness,¡± Mydea murmured. It was a long time to go without accepting audiences, especially when Her Highness was known to hold one each week. Might it have something to do with the search for a consort?


    Aspyr bobbed his head. ¡°It feels as if the fates conspire against us. Still, we cannot turn back now that we are committed. Too many people have seen us, and Lord Pleonexia is wise enough to suspect our plan.¡±


    ¡°But two weeks?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°Two weeks at the very least? There¡¯s no certainty we would receive an audience as soon as Her Highness is available, and even if we did, Aelisium would¡¯ve drifted so far west that at minimum we¡¯d have to add another week to our journey home. We cannot possibly leave Kolchis unattended for so long. Grandmother is too sick to rule for you anymore, and Father would not be listened to.¡±


    ¡°I know! I know.¡± Aspyr sighed. ¡°You do not have to remind me of our recalcitrant subjects and how long they¡¯ve shirked their taxes. My absence will incite their spirits into further rebellions.¡±


    If the Empress would acknowledge them as a house external, they could borrow Her power to bring the disobedient back in line. Their liege would either have to back Her or break with Her, but by then it would not matter. The former would see their rights restored¡ªwhich would be well worth any reasonable punishment he might concoct for going around him¡ªand the latter would leave him too occupied to do them harm in the immediate sense.


    It was desperation that had driven them to this ploy, but what other choice was there when the man continued to deny them their due? Each day of delay chipped at their ability to defend the edge of the Empire. Was House Kolchis to wither on the vine?


    ¡°Damn that man,¡± Aspyr cursed in a low voice. ¡°I am already of age, and he continues to find excuses to not acknowledge me. How does he expect Kolchis to see off the Tuskar Tribes if he hobbles me so?¡±


    Perhaps he doesn¡¯t, Mydea thought grimly. ¡°He is paying us back for our grandfather¡¯s slights against his father.¡± Yet ¡­ if her brother could not act, she would act for him.


    Brother sighed again. ¡°At least you are with me. We will handle this like we always have: together.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps not,¡± Mydea said. She swallowed. ¡°Send me back to rule in your place.¡±


    Aspyr¡¯s brow rose. ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°You must stay here, and keep trying for an audience. As the Lord of Kolchis, only you can do this,¡± she said. ¡°So send me back. I am our mother¡¯s daughter. Our vassals, those of them that keep faith with us, will heed me.¡± With each word Mydea spoke, her heart pounded louder and louder against her ears.


    Would he trust me with this? she thought. He might not, for there had never been a need before, and who among the stoneborn had not heard of jealous siblings and greedy kin grasping at one¡¯s inheritance? They¡¯d certainly been no strangers to the idea growing up. Several seconds passed in silence.


    Then Aspyr unhooked the scabbard from his belt. ¡°Take it,¡± he said.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Mydea asked even as she breathed out in relief. ¡°This is our mother¡¯s sword, and you are the lord of our house. It belongs with you.¡± She had never been the better sorcerer between the two of them either.


    ¡°Will anyone sworn to us doubt you speak for me if you have this by your side?¡± he asked. Aspyr pressed it into her hands. ¡°Take it. One more sword will do me no good when I already have six here,¡± he said, gesturing to Captain Alexios and the other guards.


    Mydea nodded slowly.


    ¡°It¡¯s time, I think, that we emulate the words of House Pleonexia,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°We¡¯ll have our due.¡±

 02: Nothing is Certain... (Part 1)

    Accompanying her return to the earth below was her handservant Troia and Captain Alexios. Their retinue, resting in a quaint village, was taken by surprise at her early return. Still, none of them gainsaid her when she informed them they would be returning to Kolchis without her brother, not with the sword by her side.


    ¡°By your leave, my lady, I shall return to Lord Aspyr,¡± Captain Alexios said as he finished overseeing preparations for her departure north.


    ¡°A moment of your time, Captain,¡± Mydea said, before turning to her handservant. For a strawborn maid, Troia was passable with the High Speech so as to not embarrass, but Mydea opted to converse in the Old Tongue for clarity¡¯s sake. ¡°I recall you saying you had family in Aelisium. Are they still there by any chance?¡±


    ¡°Just an older brother now, my lady,¡± Troia said. ¡°He¡¯s apprenticing under an artificer.¡±


    ¡°Would you like to pay him a visit then?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°My early return has robbed you of the chance, and I would correct that. We might arrange for you to serve my brother in the meantime if you should like.¡±


    Troia¡¯s blue eyes widened, and immediately, she shook her head. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, my lady. If I left, who would help you dress?¡±


    Strictly speaking, she could spell the wind to help her if need be, but it was not appropriate for a person of her station to use magic on that sort of triviality. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your duties. We¡¯ve other maidservants back home who can take those on, if for a short while. It will be another year before Aelisium¡¯s circuit brings it back to the Deeplands, and who can say if it will ever return this far north? This may be the last chance you get to see your brother for many years. Spend a moment to think through this at least.¡±


    She afforded herself half a moment. ¡°Thank you for your consideration, Lady Mydea, but my place is by your side,¡± Troia said, a little firmer now. ¡°How could I think to leave your appearance to the other girls when you¡¯ll be dealing with more stoneborn soon?¡±


    There was sense to what Troia said, and she was grateful her maid would be with her for the coming days. Kolchis could hardly afford mistakes in how she presented herself whilst she acted in her brother¡¯s stead.


    Mydea nodded. ¡°I wish you safe travels and a swift sword, Captain Alexios. Guard my brother well.¡±


    ¡°With my life, Lady Mydea,¡± Alexios said, keeping his back ramrod straight and bowing from the waist.


    She whispered a prayer to the gods as he left, and allowed herself to watch the clouds if only for a little while. Then she forced herself to turn away from the City on High. There were a few hours left before nightfall and many leagues to traverse.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Snowscorn had borne part of the ride south and the ascent to Aelisium admirably, but even a pegasi of her stock and stature had limits ¡­ especially in her condition. To push her too far might cause grievous injury to her and her babe, or worse, ground the pegasus permanently. Instead, she switched to a fresh hobbeye mare, a quick-footed breed popular among the knights and mages-at-arms of the northern march.


    Their party followed the eastern branch of the Aigean Way which clung to the black, sandy shores before veering sharply north and inland. The paved road allowed them to make good time such that by sunset, they had reached a village within their lands, if still near the border.


    She had never gone on campaign as her grandfather often did, but Mydea suspected that if he were still alive, the seasoned veteran would have found their pace exacting. After that, she rested easier and allowed the pace to slow. The right to shelter and safe passage applied to her and all in her retinue, not just because she was kin to a lord, but also because she was a graduate of the athenaeum. Yet, devious minds knew of ways to subvert the law without breaking it.


    Even evil men would hesitate before harming a noble in their own domain however.


    On the afternoon of the sixth day, they reached the seat of her ancestors, nestled atop a dominant hill overlooking the confluence of two swift rivers before they headed out to sea. Aigis, named for the mountains that loomed in the distance, was the last line of defense between the fertile fields to the south, and any Tuskar warband coming through the Great Gap of Perasma. Gods willing, it would not fail in her lifetime.


    Across the stone bridge that forded the Weeping River, her father waited. Despite the many years of instruction their master-at-arms had given him, he remained graceless on a horse. Aetos of House Kolchis had russet-colored skin, common as the reddish-brown potato the soilborn grew. He had no noble lineage on either side, no great wealth to bequeath, and his skill at arms was unrefined and clumsy, though fearsome.


    By all accounts, Aetos was fortunate to marry a wife of noble pedigree.


    Mydea spared him the trouble by crossing with haste, leaning to embrace him warmly when she neared.


    ¡°What of Aspyr?¡± he asked, tone filled with worry as he saw the sword by her hip.


    ¡°He is in good health. Brother remains in the Capital until his audience is granted,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I¡¯m to be his lady advocate until he returns.¡±


    Father¡¯s dark, deep-set eyes brightened. ¡°Good, good. Come, let¡¯s get you settled and warmed up. I¡¯ll tell Geiras to make your favorite. How was Aelisium? Was it everything you thought it would be?¡±


    ¡°I do not know if there exist enough words to describe it,¡± Mydea admitted as their horses began climbing. Thick curtain walls raised halfway up the hill came into view, curving with the ground it rested on. ¡°It is everything the books say and more!¡±


    ¡°Ha! Well, we shall have time enough to discuss it over dinner,¡± Father said. ¡°Ephyra wished to speak with you upon your return.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Grandmother? Has her health improved?¡±


    ¡°She hasn¡¯t declined,¡± Father said.


    She hastened their pace, and not long after they passed beneath the castle¡¯s murder holes and crenellations. ¡°Bring my things to my room,¡± Mydea said to Troia as she made her way into the central keep. Grandmother¡¯s rooms were kept on the ground floor on account of her age, and soon she found herself in front of a familiar maple door. Knocking thrice, she entered.

 03: Nothing is Certain... (Part 2)

    Her grandmother sat on her favorite chair, brown skin warmed by the nearby fire and several layers of woolen blankets while a servant fed her spoonfuls of a fragrant, steaming soup.


    Chicken, Mydea recognized, though she could not place the mix of herbs. Garlic for sure, thyme, parsley, and a hint of pepper?


    Grandmother raised a wrinkled hand and shooed the servant away.


    The servant set the bowl on a table, curseyed to Grandmother, to Mydea, and Father, then went to wait outside the door.


    Squinting, Grandmother said, ¡°Mydea?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Stay rooted, my dear,¡± Grandmother said when Mydea attempted to take a step forward. ¡°The hystor says what I have might catch, and I¡¯ll not be the early death of my favorite granddaughter.¡± She directed a gust of wind about the room. ¡°Is your twin brother not here?¡±


    Mydea explained what had come to pass to her.


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s no matter whether we have the Lord of Kolchis or his lady advocate,¡± Grandmother said. ¡°I have been thinking while you were away.¡±


    ¡°Does that imply you ever stop thinking?¡± Father asked with a wry grin.


    She sent his general direction a withering look. ¡°Not another word from you, Aetos! What Kass ever saw in you I¡¯ll never know.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t help that you¡¯ve gone blind,¡± he whispered.


    Mydea slapped his arm lightly, before facing her once more. ¡°I¡¯m listening, Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Good, good. At least you¡¯ve more sense than the men of this house,¡± she said. ¡°Our hand is forced, I should think, regarding that whaling town. While your brother remained a child, our friends and allies could overlook the lapses in his rule, but they expect a strong showing from us this year!¡± She took a deep, raspy breath. ¡°The guilds of Phaleinas did not only underpay, they didn¡¯t pay at all, the steward tells me. We must rectify that with all haste, or soon no one will respect us.¡±


    If even the strawborn could shrug off the yoke of taxes, why should any lord or knight comply?


    ¡°We¡¯ll need time to muster the retinue and those sworn to House Kolchis,¡± Father said.


    Grandmother let out an exasperated sound. ¡°You remain a brute if your first instinct when seeking obedience is an army. How many times must I tell you this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll get it eventually,¡± he said in good cheer.


    ¡°Bah! My daughter was a seer! Why would a woman as wise as her marry a dolt¡­¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°You think I should go to Phaleinas and bargain with the guilds,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°The farmers too, and it can¡¯t hurt to speak with the Lord of Perasma while you¡¯re already there. I hear he has a younger son fresh from the athenaeum,¡± Grandmother said.


    Father snorted. ¡°Ambitious, tackling all the problems at once. Of course, we still have no leverage, unless you mean for Mydea to marry the next Lord of Perasma?¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    With many problems, you may only need one solution, Mydea recalled her mother¡¯s writings. ¡°Perhaps if Father can spare some time from his research to come with me...¡±


    ¡°A change of scenery might do me some good, and at worse a few days won¡¯t hurt anything,¡± Father said. Innovation was the work of years, if not decades, even for the brightest minds.


    ¡°The point of this scheme is to collect the taxes owed to our house,¡± Grandmother said. ¡°Explain to this old woman how reducing that town into a field of ash and ice would make collecting anything easier.¡±


    Father would do it too, sure as the seasons. He had not flinched from violence once in the last fifteen years, not against their uncles who thought to usurp her brother¡¯s lordship, not against friends, and certainly not against foes. Aetos of Kolchis had been the death of duellists by the dozens.


    ¡°He would have to swear an oath not to set fire to anything before I tell him to,¡± Mydea said, schooling her face into a practiced doe-like expression. ¡°You¡¯ll do it, won¡¯t you, Father? For me?¡±


    ¡°You think that would stay his hand?¡± Grandmother scoffed, her receding gums showing.


    ¡°Even I would not court death by breaking an oath freely sworn,¡± Father said, looking aghast. ¡°It matters not if you¡¯re born beneath straw, stone, or sky. It may take years, but the gods always have their due for broken oaths.¡±


    ¡°Just to be sure, have a hystor witness it.¡± A tuft of white hair obstructed Grandmother¡¯s already poor eyes, and a twitch from her wrinkled hand blew it aside. ¡°The threat of force ¡­ is that the sum of your plan? It is better than burning it all to the ground, I suppose.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve taught me better than that. I think father¡¯s ever present glower shall soften them to my smiles,¡± Mydea said.


    Grandmother nodded slowly. ¡°Your mother was fond of that trick. What else?¡±


    She took a moment to gather her thoughts¡ªevery rumor ever whispered within earshot, the talks with traders coming south, the discussions over dinner¡­


    ¡°Pyli of Perasma is a braggart,¡± Mydea began. ¡°He has claimed for many years now how he slew a mythuselah in single combat.¡± Which was entirely ridiculous on the face of it. The Bloodless Ones might venture south with their tribes, but the oldest of them were kept far from harm whenever possible. The loss of a mythuselah¡ªand all the secrets they¡¯d accumulated¡ªwas so keenly felt by a Tuskar tribe that they might take generations to recover.


    No doubt Lord Pyli was compensating for his older son¡¯s inadequacies.


    ¡°You wish to test his claim, but what if it''s true?¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°Then I shall proclaim it loudly at every feast to any listening ear,¡± Mydea said. ¡°What would he give me for that, I wonder? If he has lied, he will lose face. If he hasn¡¯t, then my word will cause his reputation to rise even higher. In either case, we can make it easier¡ªor harder¡ªfor his heir to marry when he¡¯s of age.¡±


    ¡°Enough to force a concession, but not capitulation,¡± Father said.


    ¡°It is the nature of compromise that no party is left entirely satisfied,¡± Mydea recited from The Sayings of Syngian the Sage. ¡°We do not need his capitulation, just a public display to show he remains under our jurisdiction. As for the farmers and the men of Phaleinas, I hear they formed a pact of mutual protection some years ago.¡± It was telling how badly the march¡¯s defenses had deteriorated if their people were resorting to such things openly. ¡°We need only show them that House Kolchis can still be counted on.¡±


    Grandmother gave her a shrivelled worm of a grin, but whatever she wished to say was cut off when she coughed and coughed.


    And coughed.


    The servant from earlier burst back in. ¡°Pardon the interruption, my lord and ladies,¡± she said as she rushed to Grandmother¡¯s side and began patting her back with one hand while the other reached for the empty bowl nearby.


    With one last pained cough, Grandmother dislodged the sputum stuck to her throat. Her breathing had turned wheezy afterwards.


    ¡°Are you feeling well? We can continue this some other time,¡± Mydea said with wide, worried eyes.


    ¡°It will take more than a cough to kill me,¡± she declared, though her voice was not as firm as before. Her eyes began to mist. ¡°Kass would¡¯ve been proud to see you grow into a fine young woman. Oh! Why did she have to die so young? Can a seer not see Ygeia passing?¡±


    Not even the gods can see all paths, especially when it involved the god of Life and Death, Mydea thought. Knowledge of one¡¯s future was both boon and bane to many mortal seers.


    ¡°I think we can leave it at that for today,¡± Father said, gently leading Mydea out the room. ¡°Let¡¯s leave your grandmother to rest.¡±

 04: Nothing is Certain... (Part 3)

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t agitate her so much,¡± Mydea said.


    Father sighed. ¡°That¡¯s unavoidable whenever I¡¯m in her presence,¡± he said. ¡°Ephyra never liked me, not from the first moment your mother took a liking to me at the athenaeum. It does not help that her sons died in duels against me, even if I did it to save you and your brother.¡±


    They walked in silence the rest of the way to the Great Hall. Portraits of every lord and lady of their house lined the walls starting from Noeh the Knowing, frozen in place in accordance with the strictures of ancient stillform, with his green cotton tunic and the leathern girdle tied around his waist.


    In contrast, her mother was painted in a more modern style that allowed for looped motion. The brown-skinned woman was the picture of vitality and nobility in her study, sipping on a cooled cup of sage tea while bright green, almond-shaped eyes perused shelves of ancient tomes. Her long tawny hair swayed as her mother¡¯s depiction paced, and there was even a spring in her step!


    The artist took great liberties, Mydea thought with a frown. Her brother would have had the frame burned if it weren¡¯t the only portrait they had of her likeness.


    "Kass never read a book she didn¡¯t need to,¡± Father said.


    Mydea could not recall. She''d been five when her mother passed away giving birth to Chalsi. ¡°Grandmother said she was very sure of herself?¡±


    ¡°Her visions more like it,¡± Father said. ¡°It frustrated her to no end that she wasn¡¯t heeded more.¡±


    Perhaps the most grievous departure from the truth was that her mother was walking about vigorously. That, Mydea was certain, had never happened, for she¡¯d been struck with a wheezing breath as a child and never got the better of it.


    ¡°At least the tea is about right, though as I recall, she liked it warmer,¡± Mydea said, tongue reflexively rubbing the roof of her mouth. She shook her head free of old memories. ¡°We ought not keep dinner waiting any longer.¡±


    Her father pushed open the wide, ironwood doors to the Great Hall not far from the portraits. Six long rows of trestle tables carved from solid oak ran parallel to each other, ending just before the raised platform on the far end of the hall. About a hundred people were seated, clumped in groups near the high table, but it still left the room looking barren.


    I suppose that can¡¯t be avoided, Mydea thought as they walked down the room. The hall had been built to accommodate not just the daily household of Aigis, but also a full assembly of lords, knights, and mages-at-arms sworn to her brother. Behind the high table were hanging banners¡ªthe winged and jagged shield in green and silver chief among them¡ªbut that left much of the mural still visible. The white-capped peaks of the Aigean Range, looking like a row of angry and uneven spearheads, were unmistakable. It was a reminder of their family¡¯s history.


    The senior members of the household waited standing for Mydea to take her seat. As a lady advocate, she sat where her brother would have at the very center, while her father took the seat to her right.


    Only when she had taken her seat was the food served by the servants.


    There was a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with melted, gooey cheese; a warm chicken soup served with bread, and a salad of sweetgrass and mixed berries too. Set directly before her were beautifully twisted knobs of dough, some stuffed with meat and spices, while others were filled with mushroom and curds.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°As I promised, your favorite,¡± Father said with a grin while gesturing to the dumplings.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mydea said as she popped one into her mouth. Flavor exploded in her mouth after she bit through the dough, letting the hot broth seep out.


    Father tore off a generous chunk of sourdough with a pleasant crackle. ¡°So, how did you find Aelisium?¡±


    ¡°It was wondrous,¡± Mydea said. ¡°They had these wagons and carriages pulling themselves along the street. Some artificer¡¯s work I reckon. Why, if such things become widely spread, it could change the world as we know it!¡±


    ¡°If,¡± Father said with a laugh. ¡°I¡¯ve never known an artificer¡¯s work not to break down once removed from their pristine athenaeums.¡±


    That was fair enough she supposed. ¡°Oh! They also had a marvelous selection of fruits!¡± Mydea gushed. ¡°I got to try a mango.¡±


    ¡°Was it to your tastes?¡±


    ¡°I found it too sour, but I would not say no to another chance,¡± she said. ¡°It was different and interesting.¡±


    ¡°You almost sound like you miss it,¡± Father said, raising a brow at her. ¡°Should I be worried my daughter will be leaving home to chase the clouds? Your handmaid¡¯s brother did that, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°He did. And, no, you don¡¯t need to worry about that,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It¡¯s a wonderful place to visit, but I would dread having to actually live there.¡±


    ¡°How does that follow?¡±


    She took a moment to chew and swallow before replying. ¡°Anyone who stays in the Imperial City for long is bound to get caught up in the schemes of that place.¡± There was never a shortage of those whenever power was concerned. ¡°The incessant need to guard against daggers hidden behind the shadows and the smiles? Avoiding the enmity of greater lords and ladies and maneuvering that narrow strait between their rivalries? Not knowing who you can trust?¡± Mydea shook her head. ¡°There may be endless wonders to take in, but one would have little time to appreciate such things with endless worries to watch for!¡±


    ¡°But you excel at those games,¡± Father pointed out. ¡°Your time at the athenaeum certainly proved it.¡±


    ¡°I get involved when I need to, and when something is at stake,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I do not engage just for the sake of it. Besides, imagine the risk! One misstep might doom us all.¡±


    Nothing could be worth the lives of kin and kith and all she held dear.


    She shook her head clear of such thoughts.


    As the night progressed, Mydea found herself speaking to Hystor Theios. ¡°My father means to swear an oath to me before we leave,¡± she said to him. ¡°I was also thinking of making a vow.¡±


    ¡°I would happily bear witness, of course,¡± Theios said, stroking his grey wisp of a beard.


    ¡°What might be an appropriate sacrifice?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°The favor of a god is not cheaply bought, and it would also depend on what it is you are asking for.¡±


    Mydea nodded. That was one of the basic tenets of a vow: to give that the gods might give.


    ¡°It is still the season of harvest, and so Nomos takes primacy among the pantheon,¡± Theios added. ¡°Still, is the matter within Nomos¡¯ domain?¡±


    It was the god of rulers and the ruled, and she would be praying for success in bringing her brother¡¯s vassals to heel. ¡°I can think of no deity more appropriate.¡±


    ¡°A sabertooth killed with your own hands would be best then.¡±


    Hunting one of those elusive mountain predators would take days she did not have, even if one had been sighted recently. ¡°Is there any alternative?¡±


    ¡°Failing that, Nomos is always fond of sheep,¡± Theios said. ¡°One can never go wrong with a white, firstborn lamb, the fattest of a flock. You would need something personal to imbue it with too.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Mydea said.


    A sacrifice without meaning was no sacrifice at all.

 05: Except Death... (Part 1)

    It would take Marshal Perdiccas some time to muster the knights, squires, and mages-at-arms sworn directly to House Kolchis for the trip north. Some of those already resided in the castle as part of its permanent garrison, but many more were scattered across the countryside, tending to their manors.


    The week passed to the shouts and sounds of intensified drill in the waryard, while the rest of the household made preparations of their own. Provisions from the castle¡¯s larders were arranged by the stewardess to ensure they didn¡¯t arrive starving and shivering, while the chamberlain prepared a chest of clothes and fineries to send to Aspyr considering his stay in Aelisium was going to be longer than expected.


    Finally, the day of their departure arrived.


    Troia brought a covered silverware set into her room, and set it down on the table. Her servant laid her hands on the cover for a moment to ensure everything was the right temperature, before lifting the lid. Mydea sat down and warmed herself with a boiling cup of sage tea¡ªalready mixed with honey according to her preferences. For breakfast was a rasher of deliciously crisp bacon with a slightly chewy middle, scrambled eggs, a side of buttered toast, and slices of pear.


    As she ate, Troia opened the curtains to a dawning sun and coaxed the fireplace back to life with a touch. She turned to Mydea, assessing her with keen eyes, before saying, ¡°I would recommend the light green dress for today, my lady. It would go nicely with your complexion.¡±


    Mydea bobbed her head of light brown hair and Troia went to pick out the clothes. Light green suited her cool, brown skin well, and she was fortunate that it just so happened to be the color of Kolchis. At Lord Pleonexia¡¯s court, it was not uncommon for events to require being garbed in one¡¯s house livery, and as a result, she¡¯d seen a handful of men and women forced into rather unflattering colors.


    When she finished eating, she dabbed her mouth and wiped her hands with a napkin. She changed from her nightgown into a knee-length, loose-fitting chemise of white linen. Over this, Mydea wore an overbust corset that was laced from the back as any woman of means would. She emitted some heat to soften the baleen boning, molding it to the contours of her body before Troia laced it snugly, but not so tightly that it would hamper her in a duel. It clung to her like a warm hug¡ªfirm and supportive. Finally, the low-necked cotton gown cut in one piece from neckline to hem, lined with vair, with a flaring skirt and sleeves tight to the elbow but wide at the wrist.


    The corset kept one¡¯s back from slouching and did not allow her to bend from the waist, so she sat on her chair while Troia fitted her feet with socks, velvet indoor shoes, and a leather overshoe for the outdoors.


    With one set of rituals complete, she headed out to complete another. The altar was kept separate from the keep itself and built in the style of Old Ilyos, with a long sequence of separately cut drums stacked into white columns. Four stony faces stared down from above, each great god dominating one side of the temple. Many more people came to watch, including the hystors, the senior members of the household, and many steadfast knights and mages.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The air was thick with the scent of incense. Before each member of the Pantheon and the Imperial Cult were offerings of golden honey, silver coins, and iron swords; olive oil in jars and even a bottle of fine Ambrosia from the Everbloom.


    At Hystor Theios¡¯ signal, Father stepped forward and faced west towards Nomos, the god of laws, of obedience and subservience. ¡°I, Aetos of House Kolchis, with these learned and holy men to bear witness, do swear to deal with my daughter Mydea in good faith and without deceit, to stay my hand from steel or sorcery unless our lives fall into imminent peril, or she consents to my violence. By the Great Gods Above and Divine Syngian, may this oath bind me until I return to Aigis or destroy me if I forswear.¡±


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Theios said.


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Mydea repeated in chorus with all present.


    When her father stepped back into the crowd, it was her turn. ¡°Nomos, god of rulers and the ruled, hear my vow! I ask for success on this journey, that I might collect the lord¡¯s portion due to my brother from House Pyli and the town of Phaleinas. For this favor, I shall offer a flawless white lamb, firstborn and fat, and a cup of my blood.¡±


    Theios handed her a cursed knife with open palms, the inky black hexagram of the hystors visible on them.


    She sliced open her left palm with a swift slip of the knife, then to be certain, commanded the moisture in the air to stick her flesh back together. A light suffused her hand for a moment, before sputtering out without effect. Sacrifice without meaning is no sacrifice at all, Mydea thought, watching as the warm, viscous liquid oozed out and part of her witchery with it.


    The hystor made sure to collect it all in a ceremonial cup. When it was filled, Troia sprung forward to bandage her hand with a clean cloth.


    Mydea suppressed a hiss at the sting of wine against her wound. Her eyes never left her blood though, not until every last drop had been burned in offering and the floor scoured of any trace.


    Outside, one of the hystor¡¯s senior disciples waited besides a sheep decorated with garlands. Hystor Theios inspected it one last time. When it had been deemed perfect of its kind, Mydea drove her mother¡¯s sword from the highest point of its head straight down towards the angle of the jaw, killing it in one stroke.


    Holy men and women cried out high, shrill tones as it was butchered, and Theios pulled out the organs and bones. He studied each piece carefully, before declaring, ¡°Nomos has heard your words, my lady.¡± The blood was collected and poured over the altar, while the innards were burnt as Nomos¡¯ portion. The rest of the sheep would not go to waste, with the meat prepared for winter and the skin sold to the tanners.


    Prayer and sacrifice were no surety of success, of course. The athenaeum taught there were four defects in a vow, and a defect of sacrifice was most commonly invoked. The gods might think an offering inadequate for the favor asked, or thought themselves cheated in some form.


    ¡°Any lightheadedness?¡± Father asked as he sidled up to her. An offering of blood could leave one''s magic weakened for a month or more.


    ¡°Nothing serious,¡± Mydea said as she took his proffered arm, and was escorted to the waiting Snowscorn. She bunched up her skirt, tucking them back and under so that she sat on them when she mounted the pegasus.

 06: Except Death... (Part 2)

    A steady southern breeze began to blow as the iron portcullis was raised, and the vanguard spilled down the hill like a stream. Marshal Perdiccas was riding up and down the column to keep it snaking forward.


    Beside her was Tomas the Tall, a fair-skinned blond who was a half a head shorter than her. At the sponsorship of Hystor Theios, he had arrived from the Thalassian Athenaeum some months prior, borrowing the family library for some manner of research. More a scholar than a priest, she reckoned.


    ¡°You came highly recommended by Hystor Theios for this journey,¡± Mydea said in the High Speech.


    The hystor tipped his head. ¡°I am glad to be of service, Lady Advocate,¡± he answered in the Old Tongue like her grandmother would, much to her surprise. It was mandatory to know Ilyosi at the Thalassian Athenaeum, but not everyone took to it so well.


    Mydea took a moment more to study him. He was a Syngian of some stripe with skin like that. Monsi perhaps? It was the most common ethnicity in the Deeplands and would explain his height. ¡°You speak our language well,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Might I provide my credentials?¡±


    ¡°Please do.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve dabbled in histories and divination, though I regret to say I was never so gifted as to know the future,¡± Tomas said. ¡°My specialty now lies in languages. I am fluent in five, and can converse in several more including Tuskarii.¡±


    ¡°Impressive,¡± she said. Mydea herself claimed mastery over three languages, and could converse in two more. ¡°Are you a diplomat by training, hystor?¡±


    Tomas blushed and showed her his unmarked palms. ¡°Ah, please, no need for the honorifics, my lady. I am not yet inducted into the hystors.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°But surely you qualify already.¡± There were hystors serving in villages and towns who knew little and less.


    ¡°I wish to avoid the teaching requirement for a while longer,¡± Tomas said with a sheepish grin. ¡°It would distract from my research.¡±


    ¡°Your family must be wealthy to afford the fees,¡± Mydea said.


    He nodded. ¡°My father runs a silk trade across the Sundered Sea.¡±


    It was a mistake to view all strawborn as the same. While many had straw roofs, some lived under spun gold. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you agreed to come north if you care so much for your studies,¡± Mydea said. An aristocrat¡¯s request was rarely dismissed out of hand, but she had no means to compel him without inviting retribution. Any family that dared abuse the athenaeum¡¯s hystors and pupils might find their descendants barred from those halls, or even suffer sanction from the Empress.


    ¡°My reasons are not entirely altruistic,¡± Tomas confessed. ¡°I am studying the Tuskars, and while House Kolchis¡¯ library has provided a wealth of knowledge, there are some things I must see for myself.¡±


    ¡°I must disappoint you then,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The first raids follow winter, and not before.¡±


    Tomas frowned. ¡°Do they? But the histories¡ª¡±


    ¡°Raids during the other months have occurred in the past, but they are exceptions rather than the rule,¡± Mydea said. ¡°None of the tribes have deviated from their norm since my grandfather¡¯s death.¡±


    He looked around at their party in their chainmail and hauberk. ¡°Forgive me for asking then, but why is your retinue dressed for battle if we are not expecting one?¡±


    ¡°Merely pageantry,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The soilborn must feel protected, and they know not how to judge strength from the illusion of it. It is simply easier to reassure them if we dress the part.¡± In truth, the retinue they¡¯d brought was not a war party, but a mix of greener mages that needed seasoning and a dependable core of knights just in case things went awry. ¡°I must say, for a merchant¡¯s get you seem well-versed in military affairs.¡±


    ¡°A result of my interest in history,¡± Tomas said, then sighed. ¡°Well, I suppose I could still speak with the people who live by the border. Their accounts about the Tuskar raids might shed some light on things.¡±


    ¡°If testimonies are what you desire, you might speak with my marshal. He has faced them before,¡± Mydea said. She caught said man¡¯s eyes, and gestured for him to come over.


    The marshal came thundering over on his winged warhorse, leaving deep gashes in the snow. Unlike the others, the stout, towering man was outfitted in a series of bronze plates that left his lower legs uncovered. He was armed with a sword and shield on his person, while his squire was never far behind with a spear, a bundle of javelins, and his personal standard. Marshal Perdiccas was just in his forties, Mydea knew, but already his hair was turning from soot to snow.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°You called, my lady?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s not too much of an imposition, our companion would like to ask you some questions about the Tuskars,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I can spare some time now that we are on the move,¡± Perdiccas said. He turned to his squire. ¡°Ensure the rear keeps up with us. I will not have our party strung out like melted cheese!¡±


    ¡°Aye, sir!¡± the squire said, before beginning to make his rounds.


    ¡°Meaning no offense, but what of Lord Aetos?¡± Tomas asked. ¡°I hear he is a formidable fighter. Surely he has something to add to this?¡±


    Mydea glanced at her father, who had a distant look in his eyes as if pondering on the truths of the world. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t disturb him when he¡¯s like this.¡± Inspiration could strike him at the strangest times, and to shake him free from it now would see it lost forever.


    ¡°In a battle against another mage in steel plate, Lord Aetos would best the best of them even without a sword,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°However, the frontier is not a contest of strength, but of speed. War with the tribes is different.¡±


    The marshal was being polite for her sake. Even if her father could test himself against the Tuskar, he would leave the vast farming estates in such a ruin that they¡¯d have been better off letting the tribesmen go freely. He was a hammer, but the world was not made from nails alone.


    Tomas listened with intent, frowning. ¡°Are the nomads truly so dangerous?¡±


    ¡°A different sort of danger,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°There¡¯s little threat that they might storm a castle or siege a town, but for those same reasons, bringing them into pitched battle of any sort is nearly impossible. The tribes are not one people, but half a hundred groupings who might kill each other as readily as us. They build no villages, have no roots, and even the magic they use differs from each other.¡±


    ¡°There is something I do not understand,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Lady Mydea says they raid during the winter?¡±


    ¡°That is so.¡±


    ¡°Would that not defeat the purpose of their raids?¡± Tomas asked. ¡°The harvest has been gathered and stored by winter, much of it within towns or keeps. Would the tribes not have more success in the fall?¡±


    Perdiccas offered him a wry smile. ¡°You still presume the tribes fight like other armies do. They do not raid for food, though if they chance upon a shepherd¡¯s flock or a granary, they will not leave it untouched. They will steal away medicines, tomes, and tools too, but the prizes they seek above all else are bronze and steel. They cannot mine without settlements, and they cannot settle if they do not farm.¡±


    ¡°If those are what they seek then why choose to fight in the winter when they¡¯re expected? Surely any season will do. After all, metals are not subject to the whims of weather.¡±


    ¡°Because of the sun,¡± Mydea said immediately. Every child knew that answer.


    ¡°The sun?¡± Tomas repeated.


    ¡°Aye, the sun,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°The Tuskars are small, slender, and ever so pale. It is clear they do not see much of the sun in their frostbitten lands, and some men whisper their eyes are better at night too. Whatever the truth of it, the Tuskars and their Bloodless Ones believe they are stronger in the shade.¡±


    Though the Aigean Way did not extend beyond Aigis, league upon league of dirt roads disappeared behind them. Mydea made a point to stop at a village or town each night and to share a word with the village headsmen and hystors. They were not the point of the journey, but little was lost impressing House Kolchis¡¯ might on them as they passed.


    The fields of the village had long, straight lines in them, as if a god had scratched the earth to wake it up. The soilborn popped potatoes out of the ground, root and all, with each stomp of their feet, before catching the airborne potato with a basket. Some of the children even made a game from it, while others wielded scythes that swept to and fro, the wind allowing its blade to reach further than it should. Swathes of wheat stalks fell with every swipe. Those without tools, Mydea knew, would tire first.


    ¡°A crude application of magic,¡± Tomas observed.


    ¡°They can afford to waste magic like this,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Few of them must fight when war arrives.¡±


    In battle, a man or woman whose only experience with magic was farming tricks would be worse than worthless.


    ¡°They hardly have enough control, I suppose,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Violence ought to be applied like a sword¡¯s stroke¡ªnarrowly and with intent.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s brow arched upwards. ¡°You studied the classics too.¡± Those classes were essential for each and every steelborn aristocrat to succeed, but it was less common to see the strawborn take them unless¡­ ¡°Do your parents hope you¡¯ll earn a magery?¡± A squiredom or even knighthood might be possible considering his talents.


    It would certainly explain why they were fine with the fees when he could instead become a hystor, which already came with rights and privileges well above what the strawborn possessed.


    Tomas was silent for a moment. ¡°They¡¯ve never said anything to me, so I can only assume. Still, I¡¯ve no intentions.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps marriage then?¡± Mydea asked, already sifting through suitable prospects among her brother¡¯s vassals. Strawborn of great potential, like her father, were often married into the steelborn to keep the blood strong. Here was a scion not only gifted in magic, but also gold. Such rarities did not go unhitched for long. ¡°I could arrange something to your benefit.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m already spoken for,¡± Tomas said. ¡°I¡¯ll be meeting my betrothed soon enough, though I know not her family¡¯s station.¡±


    ¡°A shame. Well, I should be glad to keep my offer open if your future partner is not to your liking,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I appreciate the offer, my lady,¡± Tomas said with a tilt of his head.

 07: Except Death... (Part 3)

    At every village they stopped at, Mydea spent the night speaking with the easily impressed headsmen, while her father threw himself into his work, scribbling furiously in his leather-bound journal. What exactly he¡¯d spent years of his life working on he still refused to say even now, and every torn page he turned to ash so that not a hint of it remained.


    They had travelled far enough north and east, Mydea knew, when the farms began to display a heraldic shield featuring a dire otter with crossed whalebones. She knew of no noble house with such a standard, but she did know of a town that traded on whalebone from the Sunless Sea.


    ¡°The impertinence! Do they think themselves a city already?¡± Perdiccas said.


    ¡°Save your anger for the city, sir,¡± Mydea said. They would be witness to worse transgressions if the rumors were right.


    Sheepdogs and border collies barked at their approach. Birds flew overhead. To her surprise, not only had the local hystor and the village headsman already assembled, but they had with them men and women from all the surrounding villages too. They were all fair-skinned Monsi, and the tallest of them were still a head shorter than her.


    Were they forewarned somehow? Mydea thought. Wholly mounted parties like theirs moved fast, but could be outpaced by a chain of swift stallions carrying a single messenger. Such systems could be found in the other great regions to the south, but not in the Deeplands. A winged rider would¡¯ve been easily spotted, even ignoring that the finest pegasi could not fly for hours on end. With magic, there were a dozen ways to speak over long distances, but none so common that even villagers this far north had access to them.


    ¡°Welcome, Lady Mydea,¡± the hystor said in the guttural Monsi the soilborn favored. As if for dramatic effect, a crane dropped besides him with a squawk. ¡°Excuse my feathered friend here. She is not used to guests of such esteem.¡±


    She held the bird¡¯s stare for a moment, then the man¡¯s yellow-tinged eyes. ¡°This is your familiar?¡±


    ¡°You know of this magic?¡± the hystor asked.


    ¡°Only of its dangers,¡± Mydea said. Those who could see the world through the eyes of an animal were much sought after, but no lord or lady would risk their own lives for that power. ¡°You¡¯ve done me a favor by gathering all the headsmen. Might I know your name?¡±


    ¡°It is only polite to greet a lady when she wanders into your home. I am called Hystor Adryan,¡± he said, showing her his free palm and the twin black hexagrams branded on skin and soul.


    A lady, Mydea noted, not his lady. The implications were unfortunate, but it was best not to jump ahead of herself. Dialogue was a dance where one listened to the beat. ¡°I am Lady Mydea of the House of Kolchis, sister and Lady Advocate to the Lord External of these lands, Aspyrtus. I greet you and yours.¡±


    ¡°Kolchis?¡± Adryan¡¯s leathery forehead burst out into many lines as his lips twisted into a smile. ¡°I have not seen your banners fly into our little stretch of land since Lady Kassandra¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°Our mother,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Be welcome then, Mydea, daughter of Kassandra, granddaughter of Metheus.¡± Adryan turned to his side in a practiced stumbling motion as he hobbled with a cane. One of his legs was lame, yet he walked with bare feet. ¡°It¡¯s good to feel the soil beneath your feet, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Did he mean the words plainly, or was it a test of some sort? Mydea could not tell. ¡°I cannot say,¡± she said as they walked towards the largest timber-framed home. No doubt it belonged to the local headsman. A gaggle of headsmen, and even a pair of headswomen, followed after them though they seemed content to whisper among themselves. Of her retinue, only Marshal Perdiccas and her father came along.


    ¡°I cannot say I recognize the sigil your village now flies,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Has my brother raised a new lord to govern this area?¡±


    ¡°I do not believe so, Lady Advocate,¡± Perdiccas answered, aware of her game.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°The coat of arms marks these people a friend to the City of Phaleinas,¡± Adryan said.


    ¡°A city?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°You mean the town. A city requires a charter.¡±


    Adryan tilted his head, and stooped to stroke the feathers of his crane with some difficulty. ¡°As you say, my lady. I am a simple man who speaks to the gods on behalf of men and animals alike. I know little of the laws which govern these things, and repeat only what I¡¯m told.¡±


    Yet you are smart enough to shift blame onto the town, Mydea thought. That he yielded so easily on what to call Phaleinas indicated he was not an ardent partisan of theirs. ¡°Are all these men and women also friends of that town?¡±


    Adryan nodded. ¡°We do each other small favors,¡± he said.


    ¡°What sort of favors?¡±


    ¡°We sell what we grow to them, and in exchange, they protect us from predation,¡± Adryan said. ¡°After your mother¡¯s death¡ªmay the Pantheon protect her¡ªLord Pyli and Dame Rothston have sought to redirect the taxes we pay.¡±


    It was not surprising Phaleinas had managed to fend off encroachments from both a lord and a knight. A town as large as theirs could muster a small army, so long as they did not march it too far.


    ¡°Instead, you pay taxes to the town,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My brother has certainly seen nothing from here as of late.¡±


    ¡°Fees, not taxes, the townsmen call them,¡± Adryan said with a snort. ¡°Townsfolk are so fond of their word games. We had no means of ensuring Lord Aspyrtus would receive his due, so the townsfolk offered to escort our payments with theirs.¡±


    ¡°I promise you, there won¡¯t be a need for such fees in the future,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My brother is of age now, and these lands fall under his writ.¡±


    ¡°Do they now?¡± Adryan murmured. ¡°The townsfolk will not be happy to hear this.¡±


    Mydea offered him a smile. ¡°My heart breaks for them, but I¡¯m certain they¡¯ll cope.¡±


    ¡°What of the Tuskar though?¡± asked a headsman in their throaty dialect.


    ¡°They shall be seen to,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Will they?¡± Adryan said, louder now. ¡°I have no love for the townsfolk, but they deal with us fairer than some lords would. Can we be sure of Lord Aspyrtus¡¯ protection if the townsfolk withdraw theirs?¡±


    ¡°How often do you find yourselves alone when the tribes come over the mountains?¡± she asked.


    The hystor¡¯s shoulders slumped, as if a burden born for many years had finally sapped his strength. ¡°Too often,¡± he said softly.


    ¡°The townsfolk will swear mutual friendship with you, and may even fight to keep you from the clutches of lords and knights, but what are those words worth during winter?¡± Mydea asked, eyes pausing at each man and woman in the room.


    ¡°After all these years, what are yours?¡± Adryan asked.


    Mydea held a hand up when she heard her father¡¯s armor rustling. ¡°Perhaps a demonstration outside?¡± She stood, and they followed her. When they were clear of any buildings, she turned to her father. ¡°Would you care to do the honors? Without damage, please.¡± She might do it herself, but her magic was still fainter from the sacrifice.


    Father rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms. With a stomp of his foot, a spike of hardened dirt reached for the skies.


    The villagers gasped and made noises of appreciation.


    ¡°Now imagine what he could do with a sword,¡± Mydea said. In truth, little better. Her father had never finished his studies at the athenaeum, not when his raw magic was more potent than a knight with runesteel. Still, these people didn¡¯t know that. ¡°Some of you remember my Grandfather Metheus and his ride beyond the mountains. He gave his life to try and stop the raids. More of you know my mother Kassandra. Did she ever let you stand alone? Were you never avenged?¡±


    Adryan nodded. ¡°We were. Those were better days.¡±


    ¡°Kolchis has many rights as a house external that even other lords would covet,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but there is a blood price for such things. If we cannot raise taxes, how can we raise armies to defend you?¡±


    ¡°What would you have us do, Lady Advocate?¡± Adryan asked.


    Mydea smiled. ¡°You were not to know the townsfolk had kept your taxes for themselves all these years. We shall collect from them if you provide us witnesses and testimony. In the future, we would ask you to remember who your true master is.¡±


    While the villagers discussed who to send as witnesses, Mydea returned to Snowscorn. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Tomas speaking with some villagers. Side by side, she could not help but notice his skin a shade darker than theirs. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t Monsi, but some southern Syngian ethnicity? She finally did understand why he was called the Tall, however. Compared to the villagers, there was no comparison.

 08: And Taxes (Part 1)

    The ride to Phaleinas took up the rest of their day. Marshal Perdiccas cursed loudly when the warded, wooden palisades of the town came into view. The charter her mother had granted them did not include the right to ward and wall, and if they were so blatantly flouting such physical limitations, what else were they guilty of?


    The local magnates were wise enough, at least, not to bar the gates against her and hers.


    ¡°We shall be here for a night and a day at the very least,¡± Mydea said to Tomas.


    ¡°I see,¡± Tomas said. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I would find my own lodgings. There¡¯s some private business I must see to.¡±


    Out of courtesy, she asked, ¡°Shall you need a guard, or some coin? I would be a poor host to leave you without any means of support.¡±


    He untied his coin pouch and it landed in his hand with loud, crisp chinking. For good measure, he even showed her the contents, and her jaw nearly dropped. Not only did Tomas have gold and silver with him, but he carried Imperial Stars of bright platinum stamped with the clear likeness of the Empress too. ¡°I thank you for the offer, but I will be fine on my own,¡± Tomas said. ¡°I wish you good fortune, my lady.¡±


    As their party proceeded deeper into the heart of the town, the mayor finally made himself known. He was a man more blubber than skin, and it was obvious his many-jewelled hands had never known the bite of a plough or a sword.


    ¡°Lady Mydea!¡± the mayor said jovially. ¡°What brings you to our city?¡± He spoke not in Monsi like his skin would suggest, but in Syngian¡¯s High Speech, albeit with a gruff accent.


    So the games begin, Mydea thought. ¡°To your town, Mayor.¡± Her words wiped the frown from his face. ¡°I¡¯ve come to collect the taxes owed to my brother.¡±


    ¡°Ah, this is most unusual, my lady,¡± the mayor said. ¡°My memory grows poor as of late, but I am sure we¡¯ve already sent you our payments this year. Perhaps the caravan was beset by bandits?¡±


    ¡°Whatever the reason, it has not been received,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I¡¯ve also been informed by the farmers surrounding your town that you¡¯ve collected taxes on my brother¡¯s behalf. You overstep yourself.¡±


    ¡°It was the city council¡¯s opinion that we ought to ease the burden of the young Lord Aspyrtus,¡± the mayor said.


    ¡°He is a grown man now,¡± Mydea said. ¡°There shall be no more need for that. Now, the taxes?¡±


    He cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s beyond my authority. The city council must be called to order if new taxes are to be raised, and they shall not be happy about it.¡±


    ¡°Let them convene then. I shall impress the importance to them myself,¡± Mydea said.


    Mayor Symon blinked. ¡°You wish to attend the city council?¡±


    ¡°I wish to address the town council,¡± Mydea corrected. As if she would subject herself to a court of craftsmen and coin counters.


    Symon glanced at the sky. ¡°It will have to be on the morrow then, my lady. It is nearly dusk, and by decree, no one may stay on the streets after the bells ring.¡±


    ¡°Will your watchmen come after me if I do?¡± Mydea asked with an amused grin. ¡°They shall fare poorly against my knights. Still, I would not have it be said that I abused your town¡¯s hospitality.¡±


    Though watchmen with clubs could do little to an armored knight, in theory, a town as large as this could muster a thousand members of the militia in case of siege. More than a day¡¯s march away from its adulterine walls, and they could maybe sustain just sixty people arranged by guild with good arms and armor. Them she would consider a threat.


    ¡°Might I offer you and your father my manse for the night?¡± Mayor Symon asked.


    ¡°You may,¡± Mydea said.


    A look at his manse and it was clear that Mayor Symon was involved in the trade of whalebone, from which the town derived most of its wealth. Phaleinas was home to the Empire¡¯s northernmost harbor on the Sundered Sea, and the first port of call for any whalers in the Sunless Sea, to say nothing of their own exertions. His parents may have tilled the soil, but he would never need to with such a lucrative trade. It would not even surprise Mydea if his sons and daughters were married to the poorer stoneborn, for the two mixed more often than the aristocracy would admit.


    ¡°They even have warm baths here,¡± Mydea said to her father that night.


    Father shrugged. ¡°We have warm baths at home.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    She rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Not everyone is a fount of power like you. The man must have more servants than we do to have the magic to spare.¡±


    ¡°So what role shall I play for you tomorrow?¡± Father sank into a seat beside a table with a clear mirror. ¡°Will I get to burn down their walls?¡±


    ¡°If they remain incalcitrant, it is a distinct possibility,¡± Mydea said. If the mayor had any listening ears in their room, and she suspected he might, it was important he knew of the lengths they were willing to go to. ¡°He will have forged a city charter. It is just a question of whose name he has stolen.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Father asked.


    ¡°Because they have raised wards and walls to safeguard their town,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The Monsi are different, but not stupid. They would not be so brazen without at least some legal cover, no matter how fictitious.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯ve forged the Empress¡¯ signature then? Or Pleonexia¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°If they have, it would be a grievous mistake. Neither will take kindly to forgery. Lord Pleonexia is not so short-sighted that he would allow his authority to be usurped, even if it resulted in our house¡¯s weakening.¡± The man was slighted, not suicidal.


    Father¡¯s forehead bunched up. ¡°Then¡­ they¡¯ve used the name of House Kolchis?¡±


    ¡°We would have the right to grant them a city charter, as well as wards and walls as a house external,¡± Mydea said. Even a house principal¡¯s right to ward and wall was limited to their castle and some number of settlements. Only a house external or eminent were entirely unshackled in that regard.


    ¡°That makes no sense,¡± Father said. ¡°Is the whole issue not that they do not recognize our house as so? How then can they use a status they themselves do not recognize to empower themselves?¡±


    ¡°They might claim it was done during Mother¡¯s time. That would be the neatest way to enact their scheme, if I am correct,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°You have a plan then?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t I always?¡± she asked.


    Father bobbed his head. ¡°So you do,¡± he said as he pulled out his leather-bound journal and began flipping through its pages with his right hand while his other summoned a quill and some ink from a nearby shelf. It was a wasteful display of magic that would have sent a hystor into fits.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why you refuse to tell us about what spell you¡¯re crafting,¡± Mydea said. It was rare for a house to be raised to lords without a signature spell of their own, and to her knowledge, House Kolchis was the only house external in the Empire bereft of one. Much depended on the utility and strength of the spell in question, but even a middling one would do much to solidify their house¡¯s position ¡­ maybe even enough to put an end to their current troubles.


    ¡°It is not complete yet, and I would rather be struck by Ygeia than speak of its purpose before then,¡± Father said. Guarding one¡¯s secrets, especially when a signature spell was involved, was well and good, but her father kept those secrets even from family. It was excessive. ¡°It is my life¡¯s work and the reason your mother married me, and so it must be perfect.¡±


    That Mother had married Father for his magic was no secret, though their mutual affection certainly helped things too. Few mages could match his might in magic, but his mind held a keen edge to it too ¡­ when he cared to apply it. Mydea couldn¡¯t help but think what a tragedy it was that her grandfather had died when he did, and that mother took ill, for both were made even more terrible by robbing Father of the chance to graduate from the athenaeum. The stoneborn might have accepted him then, though his propensity for excessive violence would have remained an issue.


    She watched his left hand flit around the page, and she could only conclude he was sketching something by the motions he made. Then, his hand stilled and his body stiffened. Father muttered something beneath his breath, shook his head, and with a growl, tore out the pages and reduced them all to cinders.


    Mydea gasped. She¡¯d seen him done the same on this trip, but never so many pages. The journal when shut looked thin to her now. ¡°Father, your work!¡±


    He waved away her concerns. ¡°It was a flawed path, and would have led to nowhere.¡±


    ¡°But you worked so hard on it.¡±


    ¡°Better that it burns than distract me further,¡± Father said. ¡°Besides, it is not truly gone.¡±


    Mydea frowned. She knew of no magic that could stitch ashes back to paper, or divine truth from wind. ¡°How do you mean?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t my only journal,¡± Father said. ¡°I have another back home whose leather binding is made from the same calf¡¯s skin, whose pages are from the same tree. They are twins birthed by the same craftsman and gifted by the same woman.¡±


    ¡°You speak of mimicry,¡± Mydea said. Whatever he had written in one book would appear in the other as well, for they shared a soul still bound together by an ethereal weave.


    ¡°Modified, of course, so that destroying one will not undo the other.¡± He smiled and rapped his head with a fist formed from his left hand. ¡°I remember every single word I¡¯ve ever written down too. I can jot it down again if need be.¡±


    There was a rigor for records in him the hystors would have praised. Had he not married Mother, he would have done well for himself as a researcher of the athenaeum. ¡°Aigis has its own library, but we¡¯re not the match of an athenaeum. Perhaps it¡¯d serve you to spend a season there?¡±


    Father snorted. ¡°I would rather cut off my own nose then subject myself to the Thalassian Athenaeum again.¡±


    ¡°It need not be that one,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The Imperial City has its Archive¡ªa grand repository of secrets and spellcraft. Surely there¡¯d be something there that could help with your work?¡±


    ¡°No, I would do this alone. Let no one say Aetos of Kolchis built his spell on the back of another¡¯s work.¡±


    Her father¡¯s damanable pride was a match for any of the Marcherkin. He insisted on remaking the wheel in his image, rather than consult with the work of centuries of scholars. To what ends? Mydea thought. To prove his worth to the memory of my mother? To prove something to himself? Father held two great loves¡ªher mother and his magic, and he could be stubborn when either of those things were involved.

 09: And Taxes (Part 2)

    The morning found them sequestered within the town hall. It was a spacious room with carpeted floors and some foreign art hanging from the hardwood walls. A series of empty pews were available to the public, facing two lecterns from which speakers would debate and three rows of chairs seating the city¡¯s leading men. Any city or town would have guilds for the crafts such as leatherworkers, weaver, and dyers, but a trading town such as this would also have a guild for its merchants.


    ¡°Honored masters and magnates,¡± Mayor Symon began after the doors were shut, ¡°today I have the honor of presenting Lady Mydea Kolchis, acting as lady advocate for Lord Aspyrtus. She has petitioned that our city provide new taxes.¡±


    ¡°A point of order,¡± Mydea said, rising to approach the empty lectern. ¡°They are not new taxes. My brother has not received the taxes he is owed. I also have farmers here from your surrounding villages who will testify that their taxes were collected by this town. Your own mayor confirmed it yesterday afternoon when we spoke.¡±


    ¡°My lady, Phaleinas is a city,¡± a woman from the guild of bakers said. ¡°I must insist you address us as such, and our elected representative by his proper title of Lord Mayor.¡±


    ¡°A city requires a charter,¡± Mydea said. ¡°If you should present yours to me, I shall be glad to correct myself.¡±


    ¡°Are our words worth so little that it would cause you to doubt us like this?¡± the woman asked.


    Mydea showed her teeth. ¡°I would not disparage your town¡¯s good name, but I am the Lady Advocate. I shall not sully my name by speaking a falsehood when I have been charged with carrying out the law.¡±


    There was some grumbling, but eventually one of the men took down the charter which had been framed in glass and hung above their chairs. He showed it to her with both hands, though did not let go, as if afraid Mydea would seize it. It was her mother¡¯s name on the document, like she¡¯d thought. Unfortunately for them, the wax forgery of her sigil gave it away.


    ¡°This sigil is imperfect,¡± she said. ¡°I cannot verify this to be my mother¡¯s work.¡±


    ¡°As the sun sets in the west, it is hers!¡± Symon insisted, banging his fist on the lectern.


    ¡°Then we are at an impasse,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I see no means of moving forward on this issue save for letting a hystor in good standing with the Thalassian Athenaeum divine its origins.¡±


    ¡°That could take weeks!¡± another said. ¡°Is there no other way?¡±


    She made a show of considering it. ¡°As a gesture of good faith, I would also accept oaths from this body sworn before the Pantheon as to this document¡¯s true nature.¡±


    ¡°Would that truly satisfy you?¡± Symon asked.


    ¡°It would satisfy me,¡± Mydea said, ¡°though I think you¡¯ll find my brother less trusting than I.¡±


    ¡°Allow us a moment, my lady,¡± Symon said, his each step towards the counsellors causing his great belly to jiggle. They spoke in hushed tones and one among their number had employed the wind to keep Mydea from overhearing with either her ears or her own wind. She could overpower such a barrier probably, but not without alerting the caster to her actions. The mayor turned to her after they concluded some rather heated deliberations. ¡°We would prefer to have the athenaeum verify the charter, though as a matter of courtesy, we ask that you refer to Phaleinas as a city.¡±


    ¡°And if I refuse?¡±


    ¡°Then we shall have to adjourn for now until the athenaeum¡¯s response arrives,¡± Symon said.


    Mydea thought it through for a moment. ¡°I will accept on the condition that you refer to my brother henceforth by his proper title: the Lord External of Kolchis.¡±


    ¡°Lord Pleonexia has not granted him a warrant external,¡± Symon said.


    ¡°My good man, we could sit here and speak all day of whether a lord external derives his authority from tradition or from warrant,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I am frankly tired of such talks. Let us consider his proper title and the status of this settlement matters of courtesy and be done with it.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    They spent a few minutes more consulting and it irked Mydea to see. This lack of decisiveness in democracies had nearly doomed Arh-Kaine in the time of Syla the Stormsong.


    ¡°We can agree to that,¡± Symon said at last.


    ¡°Then let it be so,¡± Mydea said. ¡°If we may return to the topic at hand regarding the taxes?¡±


    ¡°The city refuses to pay further taxes,¡± Symon said firmly.


    ¡°I understand that, but I have no interest in repeating myself all day,¡± Mydea said. The charter was one thing, but this was beyond the purview of the athenaeum. ¡°You claim the taxes have been sent, but have been waylaid by bandits. I have said we received no taxes. Perhaps the both of us are right, or perhaps one of us is wrong. I could still have you fined for overstepping your bounds and collecting taxes without my brother¡¯s leave and we should arrive at the same amount. Spare us all the trouble.¡±


    ¡°So high a fine would be a grave abuse of your powers,¡± Symon warned. ¡°We could petition Lord Eminent Pleonexia to intervene.¡±


    Mydea stepped out from behind her lectern and towards him and the magnates. ¡°You could,¡± she said, ¡°but you would be a fool to think it could remain limited to fines. We would speak of charters and warrants for weeks before a ruling was made. The athenaeum would get involved. All the while, your families would remain here, shivering from winter and without walls for the Tuskar.¡±


    The mayor paused. ¡°My lady, we have walls.¡±


    ¡°Surely you do not think we would leave those intact when we leave?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°You might rebuild them in time, but that would be the work of months, not weeks.¡±


    ¡°You do not have enough mages to bring it down so swiftly,¡± a man with a crooked nose said.


    ¡°I do not need to remove a clam¡¯s whole shell to eat its meat. An opening will suffice for the Tuskars to sink their fangs into Phaleinas,¡± Mydea said. ¡°So shall we gamble, though I know the outcome already? Say the words. Test your wards against my father¡¯s might. Let us see who shall emerge the victor.¡±


    ¡°There is no need for violence,¡± Symon said. ¡°We are all civilized men and women of the Empire, unlike the barbarian Tuskars!¡±


    ¡°Yes, civilized,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Do you know what that means? It is to pray to Nomos, to accept law, order, and governance. Above all, it is to pay your taxes.¡± She breathed out. ¡°Do you know what my brother will do when winter sets in and your walls have been punctured?¡± She paused for a moment, raising a hand and letting fire slither between her fingers. It came slower than she was used to. ¡°He¡¯ll send out his knights to protect you, because the bond between your families and mine is not a transaction, but a responsibility. But you¡¯ll wonder at night, won¡¯t you? ¡®Are the troops coming? Will my family be saved? Oh, if only I¡¯d paid my dues!¡¯¡±


    Silence dominated the hall for a long while. ¡°Is that it then?¡± Symon asked, slipping into Monsi for a moment. ¡°We resort to violence?¡±


    ¡°There is another way,¡± Mydea said. ¡°One where both of us get what we want.¡±


    ¡°We are listening,¡± Symon said.


    ¡°You have a city charter, my brother is Lord External, and both are disputed. But if you were to formally recognize my brother¡¯s traditional title, he could confirm the authenticity of your charter,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Of course, you would still need to forward him your taxes, but in the interest of civility, the fines owed might be waived away and a reasonable plan of payment agreed upon.¡±


    More consulting behind whispers. It surprised her that the mayor could retain so much fat with all the walking he was subject to at council meetings.


    ¡°Are you sure your brother would agree?¡± Symon asked, tapping his sausage-like fingers against wood.


    ¡°I am positive, Lord Mayor,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°We would need to negotiate over the exact terms of payment,¡± Symon said.


    The hard part was over and the rest of it was haggling. In the end, Mydea received from them a significant payment upfront as a token of good faith, and a letter declaring their support for her brother¡¯s position. In exchange, she stamped their charter with her magic to signal its authenticity. Nothing was final until Apsyr agreed, but she did not see a problem there.


    The sun was already low when they exited the city hall, and so Mydea consented to staying another night at the Lord Mayor¡¯s manse.


    Come morning, the great and not so great men and women of the city saw them off at the city gates. News that the city¡¯s charter had been ratified spread quickly, and it proved a popular motion judging by the crowd. No doubt they had already been doing so, but a city charter permitted Phaleinas the right to establish a warehouse and market, to govern themselves and set their own laws so long as these did not run contrary to edicts from the Empress or Lord Pleonexia. Perhaps most important to the least of them, it ensured they were now citizens of a city and exempt from forced labor.


    ¡°I take it you succeeded, my lady?¡± Tomas asked when he rejoined them.


    Mydea nodded. ¡°How did your business go?¡±


    ¡°As well as one could hope for,¡± Tomas said.

 10: And Taxes (Part 3)

    Over the next few days, the landscape shifted from the flat plains and farmlands near Phaleinas to dense forests of pine and rolling hills closer to the Aigean Range. The side of the mountains had been flattened into a series of rectangular plots, like a staircase for giants, where farmers could grow their crops.


    So it jarred Mydea when the terraces disappeared suddenly and the jagged edges of the mountain returned to the fore. There was no surer sign that they neared Perasma than that, for no sane person would exhaust their might and magic taming the mountains only to see their crops stolen by a passing band of thieves.


    Northgate Keep did not block off the entirety of the Great Gap of Perasma. Such a structure would¡¯ve been a monumental undertaking and difficult to man and maintain. Instead, it¡¯s very existence ensured no Tuskar army could ever invade from the north. To take and hold land, instead of merely raiding it, required lines of supply and reinforcement. Left untaken, Northgate would be the birth of a thousand cuts, bleeding the tribes dry if they ever unified again under one of the mythuselah.


    Which wasn¡¯t to say it was useless against the raids, for Lord Pyli and his retinue could still catch any Tuskar¡ªdrunk on success and weighed down by their acquisitions¡ªfrom passing north.


    House Pyli¡¯s keep was a small one, barely half the size of Aigis and was mostly empty land enclosed by the outer walls. The wards on those were well looked after at least and likely where most of their gold went towards. In truth, the only reason they were a house nominal rather than a family of landed knights was that one of Mydea¡¯s ancestors had found it too much trouble riding so far away just to enforce low judgment on the soilborn here. The keep did offer a fantastic view of the elks moving south for winter though, and seemed like a fine place to base hunts from.


    Lord Pyli came to greet them, extending his hand towards Mydea. ¡°I offer hospitality by the Great Gods,¡± he said.


    It was a gesture any graduate of any athenaeum knew. The mutual oaths of guest and host were older than the Divine Syngian himself, and its rules so commonly understood by both people and the Pantheon that it could be sworn with the shake of a hand instead of formal ceremony and be no less binding for it.


    ¡°I offer my guesthood by the Great Gods,¡± Mydea said, grasping his strong, calloused hand.


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± said all those with them, and with that, the gods were invoked.


    Lord Andras Pyli was tall even for an Ilyosi, with blue eyes, brown skin, and a thick, black mane framing his face. The grey gate on green of his house was stitched into his surcoat. ¡°You will have to excuse the absence of my sons. They left for a hunt yesterday and have yet to return. Apparently, they¡¯re bored of elk.¡±


    ¡°There is nothing to excuse.¡±


    ¡°I do not see your brother present,¡± Andras said as they entered the keep proper.


    ¡°He is delayed by circumstance in the Imperial City,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I come in his stead as lady advocate. With me is my father, my brother¡¯s marshal, and a student of the Thalassian Athenaeum.¡± She gestured with her head to each man in turn.


    As the title suggested, a lord nominal was still a lord, if only nominally. It wouldn¡¯t be proper to treat Lord Andras like she had the lord mayor, for they were both nobility. What they did was called diplomacy, not haggling. It involved a lot more waiting and ceremony before they began to speak plainly.


    One of those ceremonies was called dinner, and to her delight, Lord Andras¡¯ cook had prepared a dish of steamed dough shaped into clouds or half moons and filled with broth and stuffing. They weren¡¯t as good as the ones Geiras made back home, but khinkali were always delicious.


    Perhaps there was some wisdom to the ceremony, Mydea concluded as she chewed on the light and fluffy dumplings. After all, when merchants disagreed, only contracts were sundered. When nobility disagreed, the world was.


    ¡°Lord Andras, I¡¯ve heard the most fascinating tales about you,¡± Mydea said. ¡°They say you¡¯ve slain a mythuselah in single combat?¡±


    ¡°I have, though not in single combat,¡± Andras said, rubbing a spot on his chest reflexively. ¡°They are far too dangerous to be hunted that way.¡±


    ¡°Still, that is quite the feat. Might I see the weapon you slew it with?¡± Mydea asked.


    He shook his head slowly. ¡°The spear shattered in the fight. I did take something from the battle though.¡± Andras nodded to his chamberlain, who returned a moment later with a cedar box that smelled of wild roses. He approached Mydea¡¯s side of the table, and undid the lock, revealing a long, sharp tooth curved like a saber.


    She studied it for a moment, before meeting her father¡¯s eye.


    ¡°It looks like a sabertooth¡¯s to me!¡± Father said.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Lord Andras bristled. ¡°You doubt my honor, Aetos?¡±


    ¡°My lords, there is no need for unpleasantness among friends,¡± Mydea interjected. ¡°I would not have either of you break your oaths so soon after swearing them. We have means of resolving this without resorting to violence, if you¡¯re willing to listen?¡±


    ¡°To anger the gods is to court death,¡± Father said. Andras nodded.


    ¡°It just so happens we have a diviner with us,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°A diviner? Here?¡± Andras asked.


    ¡°Only for secrets of the past, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°A skill no less useful, my good mage,¡± Andras said. ¡°I find people worry so much about the future that they forget to learn the lessons of the past. Let him discern the truth of things then!¡±


    The chamberlain left Mydea¡¯s side to bring the box before Tomas. ¡°This may take a while,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°Take as much time as you need, but be thorough,¡± Andras said.


    ¡°While we¡¯re waiting, might I ask if you intend to ride with my brother this winter?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°He is anxious to hear word from you.¡±


    Andras snorted. ¡°So anxious he did not even come to speak with me himself. What is one to make of that, I wonder?¡±


    ¡°It could not be helped,¡± Mydea said, unhooking her sheath and handing it to Marshal Perdiccas. He stood and held it out for Lord Andras to see. ¡°Please, inspect my sword. Do you recognize it?¡±


    The tall lord stared at the runesteel and its distinctive pommel in the shape of a horse¡¯s head, and the curved crossguard like wings. ¡°...Yes. Your mother¡¯s sword, and her father¡¯s before her.¡±


    ¡°Then that should tell you all you need to know about how seriously my brother takes this,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Rest assured, when Lord Aspyr marches north at the head of an army, you will have plenty of time to share words with him then.¡±


    Andras¡¯ thick bush of a brow rose. ¡°Is he committed already?¡±


    ¡°He has just completed his twelve years, and is now a man grown,¡± Mydea said. Four years fostered with their grandmother¡¯s brother¡ªthe neighboring Lord External of Yberia, six spent on classical tutelage at the Thalassian Athenaeum, and two years being honed by their father in the family¡¯s secrets. ¡°It is time to remind the Tuskars why they fled rather than fought my grandfather.¡±


    ¡°My younger son, Alkaios, was a year below you and your brother at the athenaeum. He always spoke highly of your brother¡¯s skill at sword and sorcery.¡±


    ¡°I remember him well,¡± Mydea said. Alkaois Pyli was very much his father¡¯s son in appearance, though the beard had yet to set in.


    ¡°He also spoke highly of your wit, my lady,¡± Andras said, a sudden gleam in his eye she was all too familiar with. Marriage was always on a parent¡¯s mind when children reached a certain age. ¡°Will you be riding with your brother this winter?¡±


    She offered him a wisp of a smile. ¡°Anything¡¯s possible, my lord. We shall have to see.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I might introduce you to him then, if the gods are good and your fates align,¡± Andras said. ¡°He is an accomplished sorcerer, you know, and has been taking to learning the family spell well since he returned home last year.¡±


    ¡°It pleases me to hear your succession looks to be in order then,¡± Mydea said. The murmurs about his eldest son were hard to escape once upon a time. It had been her third year at the Thalassian Athenaeum when Sisyph Pyli had failed the trials after three tries, and he slinked back into the shadows of his father¡¯s keep as a black mark against their blood forevermore.


    A dark omen, Mydea remembered Vivyan Black liked to say. Only a sorcerer could succeed, for to what higher ends were the steelborn born to if not that? Still, though Sispyh Pyli had no hope of inheriting now, his hand would still fetch a fine price from a wealthy merchant looking to advance his family¡¯s station. Far from disdaining a failure of the athenaeum, the strawborn would be impressed he had attended at all!


    ¡°Yes,¡± Andras said, then sighed. ¡°It is a relief that my keep shall pass on to a son of mine at least. My next of kin is a cousin, and though I love him, I would not trust him with a horse.¡±


    Tomas cleared his throat. ¡°My lords and ladies, I believe I have arrived at an answer. Might I present my findings?¡±


    She did not reply all at once, but studied Andras¡¯ face like one would observe chiseled stone. There is not a trace of doubt in him, Mydea thought, though that did not mean his tales were true. Divination was not a perfected art, and any findings Tomas found might be contested if one was determined.


    She¡¯d thought to threaten him if he had lied, and use praise if he hadn¡¯t. Either might have compelled him to act as she wanted, but there was an easier way she had overlooked. Would praise not bear more meaning if it came with the appearance of trust?


    ¡°I thank you for your service, and commend you for your skill, Tomas,¡± Mydea said. ¡°But I would ask you to hold your words for a while longer. I do not need to hear them to know Lord Andras speaks truly.¡±


    The looks of surprise did not surprise her. If Tomas found in his favor now, he would think even better of her, and if against him, would feel indebted for the face she had saved him. The only means the Lord of Pyli had to escape her trap was if he were the cold sort, but she did not think he was. In either case, she was better off not knowing instead of knowing. Even if she looked a fool later on, it would harm her reputation little, and the standing of her house even less.


    ¡°You shall not have to trust my words alone,¡± Andras said. ¡°Come winter, we might come across another mythuselah. I shall show you then, if you come north.¡±


    ¡°Might I take this to mean you shall render service instead of silver this year?¡± Mydea asked. That, of course, would be the preferred outcome. His lands were poor enough as it were, and at the moment, her brother needed more swords and steeds than silver, no matter how bright.


    ¡°You may,¡± Andras said with a firm nod. ¡°Will you stay a few more days? My sons should arrive soon and it would be a shame for Alkaios to miss your presence.¡±


    I am of that age where I must consider marriage, Mydea supposed. A marriage would certainly solidify the bonds of homage and fealty between Pyli and Kolchis, though she¡¯d have to take on their name, abandoning any claim to her family¡¯s keep. By ancient practice and imperial edict, lordly lines of descent could not merge their inheritances.


    ¡°Then he may call on me when he is of age,¡± Mydea said politely, ¡°but I¡¯m afraid my duties as Lady Advocate call me back south. The Night of Nomos nears, and preparations must be made.¡±

 11: Marriage Muse (Part 1)

    The Great Hall of Aigis was heady with the scent of high spirits. Their servants had had to crack open yet another oaken barrel as the proud people of the peaks sought to drink each other under the table. Even as the first hour of the feast ended, the kitchens were still hard at work sending them dishes¡ªgrilled minced meats and onion slices dripping with fat served on metal skewers; a lamb stew flavored with herbs, sour plums, and white wine; baked salmon, fried sturgeon, and a hot onion soup.


    After all, she was their host and it was the Night of Nomos: a holy day separate from and separating the months of harvest and winter. Like all gatherings, it was also about power and politics.


    Fresh from their successful journey north nearly a fortnight ago, it was a chance to impress upon their vassals that Kolchis remained in control. If even the furthest lords and freest cities could be compelled to pay taxes, what of those nearer and weaker? Those who thought them wounded would now wonder: ¡°What had she done to them¡± and ¡°Am I next?¡±.


    Mydea toasted with her cup of chilled honeywine served over ice, savoring its minty undertones as eyes met Dame Rothston¡¯s. The landed knight averted hers guiltily, and, oh, what a sweet sight that made!


    Even Lords Andras and Alkaios had attended¡ªhaving been invited before she left their keep. No doubt they¡¯d travelled to Phaleinas and boarded a ship south, same as Mydea¡¯s party. Not only did it make for better time, it wasn¡¯t practical to bring the chest with her while travelling so she¡¯d entrusted it to the city council after confirming she¡¯d not been cheated. A portion of said chest''s contents were now stacked into a neat pile in the altar outside as an offering to the Pantheon all present had borne witness to.


    She was not fool enough to think she could rest on her laurels now. Lord Eminent Pleonexia¡¯s warrant still needed to be forced, and the rest of their recalcitrant vassals had bowed out of caution, but weren''t broken. Yet, just for tonight, she let herself bask in the warmth of victory.


    ¡°To House Kolchis!¡± Andras said, toasting with his cup of sweet ambrosia.


    ¡°Kolchis!¡± answered her guests in good cheer, knocking back drinks as servants struggled to serve them all.


    Tomas smiled wryly from beside her on the high table. ¡°You seem to be enjoying yourself, my lady.¡±


    ¡°To the victor goes the spoils, Tomas,¡± Mydea said after swallowing a mouthful of fire-roasted pork, salted and cooked with fresh onions and southern peppers. A short, slender man of Monsi stock took out his lute to perform a jaunty song for them.


    ¡°As you say, Lady Advocate,¡± Tomas said, toasting with his cup of spirits before taking a sip.


    She returned the gesture, the honeywine flowing down her throat like melted butter. ¡°One must strike while the iron¡¯s hot.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve learned the lessons of Jaeson the Conqueror,¡± Tomas said. ¡°What shall be your next conquest then?¡±


    Mydea leaned in so close that her lips might brush against his ears. ¡°I think I shall conquer you next,¡± she said with an impish grin.


    Tomas gasped, even as he offered her his hand. ¡°My lady! A soilborn and a steelborn mingling brazenly? Think of the scandal it would cause among your vassals.¡±


    ¡°Let them watch. Let them whisper,¡± she said as they stood. Let them wonder if I am my mother¡¯s daughter.


    Already the murmurs were starting, and when they¡¯d reached an open section of the room just below the dais, they had captured the whole room hostage without uttering a word. Tomas played his part to perfection, bringing the back of her hand to his lips.


    Mydea giggled visibly. ¡°I should like to hear something with a good beat to it,¡± she declared. Above in the gallery, other musicians¡ªdrummers and pipers and fiddlers¡ªprepared to play at her command.


    As the dance began, Tomas asked, ¡°What is it you¡¯re trying to accomplish tonight?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking advantage of you, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± he repeated with a grin.


    Mydea twirled, her long satin dress blooming open like petals at the motion. ¡°You¡¯re clever, Tomas. I¡¯m sure you can figure it out,¡± she said when they came back together, and now more lords and ladies joined them on the floor like clockwork.


    ¡°Such praise,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°I consider it your best quality.¡±


    His brow rose. ¡°Very high praise indeed. Well, if I must wager ... I would guess it has something to do with your prospects?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve had too much to drink,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve taken more than a liking to you.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± he said with an incline of his head, ¡°but you know I¡¯m to be wed to some girl my family¡¯s chosen. You cannot be thinking of impropriety.¡±


    ¡°How can soil compare to steel?¡± she asked. ¡°I think I might sway you on this night.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± he said, certain as the seasons. ¡°You¡¯re not even trying really.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s brow arched this time. When Tomas spun her into him, she pressed her body against his, tighter than what the move called for. ¡°I pray you reconsider.¡±


    ¡°My betrothal, or my opinions?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she answered.


    He laughed. ¡°How precise. So this is about your marriage then, not mine?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Mydea said. She tilted her head to the side, where Lord Lorne¡¯s daughters sat watching. ¡°Every eye is on me, and therefore, on you. I¡¯m sure a handful of ladies have taken note of you now, if they haven¡¯t already.¡± It was no mistake that she had sat him by her side all evening when she could have granted that honor to anyone else.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°You still hope to poach me away from my family, I see.¡±


    ¡°Can you truly blame me?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°Coming across you is like finding a thread of gold in a field of straw. I had to try at the very least. So, who shall it be? Lord Lorne¡¯s younger daughter makes for a pretty sight, though you may find her dull. Still, I know some men prefer that.¡±


    ¡°Do I really strike you as the type?¡± Tomas asked.


    ¡°I confess that you do not, but we¡¯ve not known each other so long that I could be sure of who you are,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Perhaps Dame Rothston¡¯s kin then? She has a cousin, witty as a whip.¡±


    Tomas seemed to consider it for a moment, before shaking his head. ¡°A cousin does not usually inherit.¡±


    Ah, so there is a price? Mydea thought, a small smile creeping up on her. ¡°If it means that much to you, I can convince my brother to carve out a plot of land for you and her. Enough to make you a landed knight then.¡±


    They drew close together once more. ¡°What if my ambitions ran a little higher than that?¡±


    ¡°The son who reaches for the sun burns his hand,¡± Mydea quoted from The Sayings of Syngian.


    ¡°But he grasps the whole world in the other,¡± Tomas finished with the common rejoinder missing from the book. ¡°Passion consumes, my lady.¡±


    ¡°And where do your passions lie?¡±


    Tomas leaned in to whisper. ¡°Would you object if I asked for you?¡±


    ¡°My hand in marriage?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Your hand and everything attached to it,¡± he said, brows waggling.


    She snorted. ¡°I shall have to give it some thought.¡±


    He feigned the look of a wounded fawn, eyes all wide. ¡°After all you¡¯ve said tonight? Have you been leading me on?¡±


    ¡°I said I would conquer, not be conquered,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The fools see bright silver in the soil, yet fear of dirtying their silken gloves," she remembered her mother''s writings.


    A marriage with Tomas was not the worst thing in the world, she supposed. She might even come to care for him with time. Yet, she had more than mere feelings to consider, for House Kolchis was not so strong now that it could do whatever it pleased. There were interests to balance, alliances to forge.


    You might have been perfect, if only you were of good stock, from a family of strength, she thought. Alas, perfection was ever elusive.


    ¡°Is our charade coming to an end? I¡¯m afraid I must leave soon,¡± Tomas said. They bowed to each other as the music faded.


    ¡°It is a shame to see you go,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I hope you¡¯ve enjoyed our hospitality?¡±


    ¡°Very much so,¡± Tomas said, escorting her back to their seats. ¡°My matriarch is sending someone to accompany me home in a few days. I shall have nothing but good things to tell her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that,¡± Mydea said. It was a shame to lose him, but though the strongest bonds were bought with vows, there was no reason they could not be good acquaintances ¡­ friends, even!


    After they¡¯d sat back down, Tomas asked, ¡°So, I¡¯m curious. What was your scheme with that? Something to do with your marriage, but what exactly?¡±


    ¡°All the room¡¯s a stage, and I its only player,¡± she said.


    "Do I not deserve some credit?"


    "Can you really be said to have performed, if you did not know your role to begin with?" she asked.


    He snorted. ¡°So a show then?¡± Tomas¡¯ gaze swept across the room. ¡°For them?¡±


    She offered him a grin. ¡°Isn¡¯t that part of what nobility is? The show?¡±


    ¡°You were bidding yourself up, and using me to do it,¡± he realized. ¡°It would have taken me a good while to figure that out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lacking some context is all,¡± Mydea said. After all, how could he have known of her family¡¯s recent history when House Kolchis was not what it once was. It was still a name recognized in the Deeplands, but increasingly less so the further south or west one traveled. ¡°My father is strawborn, if you haven¡¯t realized yet.¡±


    ¡°I had an inkling,¡± Tomas said, ¡°but strawborn are married into lordly lines every so often.¡±


    ¡°He was always a bit of a rebel,¡± Mydea said. ¡°He did not graduate from the athenaeum, nor observes lordly customs. Most importantly, he is too quick to commit violence.¡±


    ¡°Your lords fear I would be like your father?¡±


    ¡°They fear that House Kolchis will take in another strawborn who refuses to play their game,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My father broke their board over his knee with the sheer strength of his sorcery. They wonder what it is in you that¡¯s drawn my attention so ¡­ and if they¡¯re about to lose their chance of marrying up. It will make them worry, and worry brings with it weakness. Still others concern themselves with stealing you and your service from me.¡±


    Tomas nodded slowly. ¡°They think I have some secret that¡¯s enticed you.¡±


    ¡°Mystery has its allure,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I meant what I said before, about keeping my offer open if your future partner is not to your liking.¡±


    ¡°I shall keep that in mind, Lady Advocate,¡± Tomas said with an amused expression.


    As the night winded down, they retained the attention of her brother¡¯s retainers. Many came to pay their respects and to pry them from each other, their breaths smelling of peat smoke, spice, and good spirits. Mydea kept track of a dozen knights sworn to their service for pay or privileged rank and dames in dresses far from distressed; the red-haired Rothstons, brown-skinned sorcerers from Skali, the Lornes of Lone Stone, pale as their peaks where the pegasi foaled¡­


    She danced only once more that night, and it was with none of them.


    ¡°May I have this dance, my lady?¡± Alkaios asked, standing below the raised table and looking up at her with his blue eyes. There was a rugged quality to him some women found pleasing even without his father¡¯s beard and windburnt skin.


    Mydea rose from her seat, to his visible surprise. ¡°How could I refuse? You are the son of a mythslayer,¡± she said in a loud voice. Murmurs broke out among the onlookers, and some cast speculative looks at Andras Pyli, as if merchants valuing another¡¯s wares.


    ¡°I should hope to earn your favor with my own hands then,¡± Alkaios said.


    He has ambition, Mydea thought with approval. Nobility was a fine thing, but it was the achievement of their ancestors.


    ¡°His deeds have earned you this one dance. Whether we dance again after tonight is up to you, my lord,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I shall endeavor to do my best,¡± Alkaios said.


    ¡°See that you do,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I despise disappointment.¡±


    It was a delicate balancing act to keep her lordly suitors at arm¡¯s length, but interested. Here, her staunch ally was that greatest of gifts, that cruelest curse¡ªwhat people called hope. So long as they believed themselves a chance, they would continue competing with each other. In turn, the higher her hand in marriage would be valued, and the two would continue in an upward spiral with each other.


    When Mydea returned to her seat, she spotted Tomas sporting the strangest face. ¡°You look as if you¡¯ve had something disagreeable,¡± she said.


    ¡°You seemed to enjoy yourself,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°It was pleasant,¡± Mydea said. To her amusement, Tomas looked away. It was a curious thing that men wanted that which other men wanted, and for no other reason.

 12: Marriage Muse (Part 2)

    In the days following the feast, the assembly of aristocrats slowly, but surely, filtered out of Aigis and back to their homes for winter. Some of their noble kin were left behind, either to speak with her brother upon his return, or to serve as guests over winter due to poor harvests from their fiefs. Mydea allowed them to stay, for every favor accrued only strengthened their hand.


    With winter upon them, it was rare to have a day of blue skies with the clouds rolling by. It might have been the last day like it for the year, so Mydea did not hesitate to visit her brother¡¯s personal gardens that morning.


    ¡°The gardener has been taking good care of Lord Aspyr¡¯s plants,¡± Troia commented.


    Mydea selected stalks of sage and their rich royal blue flowers, rubbing them together. She sniffed, and smiled when she picked up on the scent of mint. ¡°These will do nicely.¡±


    ¡°As you say, my lady.¡± Troia accepted the plants from Mydea, before placing them in the basket she held.


    Her brother loved his flowers, and none save his own sisters dared pick them for fear of his sword. At the thought of her siblings, a pang of melancholy struck Mydea. She could not remember the last time she and Aspyr had been apart for so long, if it had ever happened. Certainly not since they had entered the Thalassian Athenaeum.


    I wonder how Chalsi is faring? Mydea thought. When all three of them had attended together, the enemies of their family much preferred to point their plots at Mydea and Aspyr rather than Chalsi, but now her younger sister was alone at school. She hadn¡¯t mentioned any problems in her last letter at least.


    The sting of cold air intruded the house of glass and borrowed heat, and Mydea glanced at the entrance. ¡°Father?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Aspyr,¡± he said, pointing at the clear glass roofing.


    Her brother and his escorts¡ªa lance of winged knights¡ªlooked like falling stars from a cloud. It was not Aelisium that had come north, just one of its subordinate clouds, but it still left Mydea uneasy. Why would the Empress send her brother off with such honors? What was so important that She would send an emissary too?


    The last time the Empress had turned Her attention this far north was thirteen years prior, as part of Her Highness¡¯ royal progress through the Deeplands. She had visited those lords external who guarded the Aigean Range and the Empire¡¯s northern passes against nomadic incursion, before taking Lord Eminent Pleonexia¡¯s brother as a princely consort. Had her brother been so wildly successful that he had become a favorite at court? Worse, was the Empress somehow smitten, and Aspyr now her consort?


    There was scarcely a worse outcome. They had not the resources to be embroiled in the intrigues of the Imperial City! To try was to court death from above¡ªfor no one rose high in Her Highness¡¯ favor without making powerful enemies¡ªand from below, as their vassals grew even more unruly at their split attentions. Yet neither could they deny the Empress Her desires, not with the state of their house. For the good of the family, the only choice would be to let Aspyr face the court alone and without aid, but such was a death sentence.


    Am I really to sacrifice my own twin on the altar of power? Mydea thought.


    ¡°Calm yourself,¡± her father said, squeezing her shoulder with his large hand. ¡°Whatever it is the Empress wants, we¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±


    She forced her heart to slow with a deep breath, unclenching her fists. Her nails had left ugly red nips on her palms. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Mydea said. Nothing was certain yet. ¡°We should go greet them.¡± They exited the glasshouse and made their way to the courtyard to receive Aspyr and his guests.


    It was no knight who led the Empress¡¯ retinue alongside her brother, but a woman draped in silk, with burnished copper for skin, and dark hair that looked soft to touch. She was dressed in a clingy pale beige gown with a plunging neckline, and a simple locket that naturally drew the eyes down with it. All at once Mydea felt conscious of the drab, woolen rags she¡¯d chosen for the day.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Mydea curtseyed on cue, first to her brother, then the woman. ¡°Aigis is yours, my lord.¡±


    The woman returned the gesture perfectly, though did not dip her head so low.


    ¡°We welcome you to our home, Lady Lara,¡± Aspyr said to the woman. ¡°My sister, and lady advocate for the past month and a half, Lady Mydea. Sister, this is Lady Lara of the House Eminent Luxuria, and a High Stewardess in service to Her Highness.¡±


    Mydea had to keep her jaw from dropping. ¡°I must beg your forgiveness then. The castle is in no state to receive a lady of your stature.¡±


    Lara graced them with a hint of a smile men would die in droves for. ¡°I could not possibly fault a guest of Her Highness.¡±


    ¡°There must be some mistake,¡± Father said with a frown. ¡°We¡¯ve not received any summons.¡±


    ¡°I have,¡± Aspyr said, producing a scroll. ¡°The Empress commands that a daughter of House Kolchis present herself at court.¡±


    Lara tilted her head towards Mydea. ¡°I suppose that would be you?¡±


    ¡°The matter is not settled,¡± Aspyr said before their father could say another word. ¡°I will have to discuss with my family.¡±


    ¡°Of course, though I advise you to decide quickly. We must leave in a few hours if we¡¯re to catch the city before nightfall,¡± Lara said. ¡°I can procure anything one should need during their stay in the Seraglio, but one would still need time to pack their personal effects and those things with sentimental value.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s mind screeched to a halt as she processed Lara¡¯s words. ¡°The Seraglio?¡± Mydea repeated. Only members or potential members of the imperial harem resided there, and while the tastes of some monarchs had been known to run both ways, the current Empress was not one of them.


    ¡°The Greater Seraglio,¡± Lara clarified. ¡°The daughter of House Kolchis would be one of many candidates being considered for Her Highness¡¯ kin.¡±


    Mydea frowned. That made no sense. Kolchis was a house external, but still largely irrelevant to the grand schemes of the Empire, and certainly nowhere near important enough to be honored with an imperial marriage. Nor, Mydea thought, stealing a glance at Lara, can my beauty be considered exceptional.


    She took a deep breath and considered the situation.


    No one in the Imperial Family could form a harem until they donned the Starlight Crown, not even the Empress¡¯ own children. That meant they were being considered for one of the unwed princes, and there were only so many of those still unattached, but old enough to wed. Perhaps House Kolchis had only been invited as a courtesy? That made marginally more sense than a real offer of alliance.


    ¡°Perhaps you should like to tour the castle while you wait?¡± Aspyr asked Lara.


    ¡°That would be wonderful,¡± Lara answered politely.


    Aspyr turned to his most trusted manservant, a squat man five years his senior. ¡°Jorgan, kindly see to it.¡±


    Jorgan bowed, then gestured for Lara to follow him. Her brother¡¯s valet could keep her occupied safely for a while at least. Though strawborn, his proximity as a valet ensured he¡¯d been taught the proper speech and courtesies necessary for interacting with an aristocrat.


    Mydea let out a long, low breath that carried her whispers to Troia. ¡°Return to my room and pack my things.¡±


    Father glanced at her and frowned. She ignored his look.


    ¡°Hold your peace until we are with Grandmother. I shall save myself the trouble of speaking twice,¡± Aspyr said to her and her father as they walked into the keep. They followed after him, carried along familiar routes. ¡°Have you any news for me?¡±


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s done marvelously beating your vassals back into line,¡± Father said.


    ¡°Of course she did. She¡¯s my sister,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡°I did passably,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The work is half-done, and we¡¯ll have much more to do over winter.¡± She gave a summarized accounting of what had come to pass.


    Aspyr snorted when she finished. ¡°Only you would call all that you¡¯ve achieved in one trip ¡®half-done¡¯.¡±


    ¡°My actions gave us a chance to survive. We are not secure yet,¡± Mydea shot back as they entered their grandmother¡¯s room.

 13: Marriage Muse (Part 3)

    Their grandmother had her back to them, looking out a window slightly ajar from her chair. A gust of wind caressed them. ¡°So my grandson has returned. Who was that woman with you?¡±


    ¡°Lady Lara, a distant cousin to the main line of Lady Eminent Alexa Luxuria,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°She is also kin to the Empress, and acts as High Stewardess of the Greater Seraglio.¡±


    ¡°More importantly,¡± Father interjected, ¡°she¡¯s here to take one of your granddaughters away.¡±


    ¡°It is the Empress¡¯ edict,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°We cannot refuse Her lightly.¡±


    ¡°Then make up an excuse!¡± Father said.


    Grandmother signaled to her servant, who helped her stand to face them. ¡°Let us hear what Aspyrtus has to say first.¡±


    ¡°The Empress held court thrice while I was in Aelisium,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°She neither confirmed, nor denied our status as a house external each time, though She upheld that those who¡¯ve sworn fealty to us in the past would remain our vassals in either case.¡±


    ¡°She has chosen not to meddle then,¡± Grandmother said. ¡°That leaves our fate undecided, for Lord Pleonexia is not likely to grant us his warrant, but neither will the other lords external care for the precedence he is trying to set.¡±


    ¡°Might we return to the greater concern?¡± Father asked. ¡°We are being asked to send one of our own into a slaughter. You must refuse, Aspyr!¡±


    ¡°You cannot refuse, Aspyr,¡± Mydea said, heart pounding loudly against her ears.


    Her father¡¯s eyes darkened to the shade of a coming storm.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more to discuss,¡± Mydea continued. ¡°With this invite, the Empress is offering us Her ear, for however long that lasts. I might convince her still, or at the very least be kept abreast of the happenings in Aelisium. Need I remind you that Lord Pleonexia¡¯s younger brother, the Prince-Consort Pythos, ensures he has a means of petitioning the Empress year round?¡±


    ¡°You are not even fully healed yet from your blood sacrifice to Nomos!¡± Father said.


    She flexed her fingers. ¡°I am getting stronger by the day. Besides, the battles at court are fought with words more than swords.¡±


    ¡°Assuming you are not challenged to a duel,¡± Aspyr said, deep-set green eyes only deepening with worry. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°What other choice do we have?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°I am of age, while Chalsi has yet to finish her studies and is too young to wed.¡± Too young and too sweet. ¡°It is clear the invitation was aimed for me, though I do not understand why.¡±


    Father turned to Grandmother. ¡°Ephyra, please, we¡¯ve never seen eye to eye, but surely you agree that this is rank foolishness. We cannot let her throw away her life like this!¡±


    ¡°She is right,¡± Grandmother said in a small voice. ¡°It is the only choice. We require someone at court to ensure Lord Pleonexia¡¯s brother does not convince the Empress against our status as a house external. That would be a death knell for our family.¡±


    ¡°Damn you! Has ambition blinded you all?¡± Father asked. ¡°To save our family you would throw away one of our own?¡±


    ¡°It need not end that way,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°We cannot offer you much help from here,¡± Grandmother said. ¡°You will be alone.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but you may not need to. Few outside the Deeplands remember House Kolchis, tucked away as we are in a tiny corner of the Empire. I shall draw no attention to myself, earn us no more enemies, and no further scorn.¡± That was a game she knew well. She¡¯d played it many times at the Thalassian Athenaeum against worse odds than this.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Father scowled. ¡°You are to compete for a prince¡¯s hand in marriage. You will make enemies.¡±


    ¡°Some, perhaps, but no more than necessary,¡± Mydea said. ¡°And once I have lost this contest and come home, most will be too far away to bother with us.¡±


    ¡°You seem certain you will lose,¡± Father said.


    ¡°We have nothing to offer the Empress, or even a prince,¡± Mydea said. Beset by barbarians and scorned by their overlord, no one could truly think House Kolchis could raise its banners for a faraway struggle. ¡°If they¡¯ve any sense, I will not be chosen.¡±


    And she knew the Empress to be a sensible woman. Some might disagree, saying the Empress had ascended to the Starlight Crown by merely surviving the purges, but such people forget their history. One did not remain Empress for the better part of three decades by merely surviving.


    Besides, even if she were chosen, it would neatly solve her family¡¯s current predicament. Lord Pleonexia would hesitate pressuring them any further once they were tied to the House Imperial, for that risked piercing the veil of neutrality he¡¯d weaved for himself among the vying Imperial factions forming around the Empress¡¯ children. To stand against a prince would push him into one of the coming succession¡¯s many sides, and that was a heavy price to pay for keeping his grudge.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to arrange a party to accompany you,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°A small retinue at least. We can spare a few knights and mages.¡±


    ¡°Even with the new taxes, our coffers will empty long before you even come close to impressing the Imperial Court,¡± Mydea said. She could hear the faint cries of the Weeping and Wailing River outside, and that made her worry. ¡°I will take my lady¡¯s maid with me and no one else.¡±


    ¡°You cannot mean to go alone,¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°You cannot mean to go at all!¡± said Father.


    She forced a smile onto her lips. I cannot rob House Kolchis of its lord, not with winter at our doorsteps. ¡°Listen to the river.¡±


    All three fell quiet for a moment, and then Aspyr cursed softly beneath his breath. ¡°It sounds fainter than it should.¡±


    ¡°A cold winter,¡± Grandmother said.


    Mydea nodded. A cold winter meant a slowing of the rivers, making them easier to ford. It meant longer nights and shorter days and more Tuskar raids. They had few enough swords as it were without having to fight on two fronts. No one could be spared for her sake. ¡°The Empress will be bored of me before you¡¯ve even learned to miss me, and I¡¯ll be dismissed from court. Don¡¯t worry so much.¡±


    ¡°Famous last words.¡± Aspyr sighed.


    ¡°As long as they¡¯re famous,¡± she said with more confidence than she felt.


    ¡°If I cannot convince you from this foolishness, then allow me to go with you. I will destroy any duelist that dares come after you,¡± Father said.


    ¡°You mean to bring your research into the Imperial City?¡± she asked with a spark of hope. She would not normally consider bringing her father, but if he kept himself sequestered in the Archives for the most part ¡­ it was a manageable risk. Even the might of a middling spell might give Lord Pleonexia pause, but first Father had to succeed in finishing his spell.


    The athenaeums produced hundreds of men and women who sought out spell secrets, but few ever succeeded. A half-finished work would impress no one.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Father said. ¡°Aelisium is too dangerous to bring my work to. I would not chance someone discovering it half-done, not when even a whisper of this working would see us embroiled in a war by next summer''s coming. Besides, what could the works of others possibly offer me?¡±


    There again was his damnable pride. ¡°You cannot come then,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Who knows how long I will be a guest of the Empress? It could be months. It is not in your nature to be agreeable, and it would be self-defeating to bring you if I wish to avoid unnecessary enmity.¡± Even with an oath sworn before the Pantheon, could her father control himself for so long a time, especially deprived of his usual pastime? Mydea doubted it, and it would be the death of her father thrice over.


    His shoulders slumped. ¡°You could die. Do you understand that?¡±


    ¡°All of us could die from a misstep. I understand it too well, and it is why I must go without you,¡± Mydea said. ¡°You cannot help me if you do not bring your work.¡±


    Father spun on his heel and stormed out with tight balls of hand.


    ¡°I shall make a blood sacrifice to Ygeia for your good health,¡± Grandmother declared.


    ¡°Grandmother, your health¡ª¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Your health should be your only concern,¡± she said. ¡°If the Great Gods should take my life to spare yours, I shall consider that a bargain more than fair. Remember my lessons, dear.¡±


    ¡°I will. You¡¯ve taught me well,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I must go pack.¡±


    Grandmother nodded. ¡°Go.¡±

 14: Marriage Muse (Part 4)

    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°You know, Chalsi will be most wroth when she learns of this.¡±


    Something tugged at the corners of her lips. ¡°I can already hear our sister¡¯s whining,¡± Mydea said.


    Aspyr laughed like their Mother would¡ªloudly and with his thick, dark hair thrown back.


    ¡°Keep that up and she¡¯ll hear you all the way from the athenaeum,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Fat chance of that. We both know how rough she is at stealing whispers,¡± Aspyr said, waving his hand. Among the classical spells every aristocrat was taught, their sister liked wind the least.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just have to tell her when she comes home during summer,¡± Mydea said as she turned right instead of left towards her room.


    Aspyr gasped. ¡°Then I shall remind her that it was you who stayed at Aelisium for several long months. Which do you think will last? Her anger at me, or her pestering you?¡±


    Rarely did the Imperial City come far north enough to make a visit practical, and the last time it had their sister was still toddling about. There was little chance too that Chalsi would get to see Aelisium as it headed west during this circuit. Even a student on the verge of finishing their studies would be two years too young to be wed, and the Thalassian Athenaeum was too distant from any houses in high enough esteem to be considered.


    ¡°A draw then,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°A draw,¡± Aspyr said. He pulled out from his clothes a slim bottle containing a manic light. ¡°Do you think she¡¯d like this? I bought it in Aelisium.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯d find a use for it,¡± she said. ¡°Though you could have bought something else. Our sister can use a candle instead of bottled lightning if she wants to read at night.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just for illumination,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°It¡¯s a very precise tool for medicians and necromancers alike.¡±


    ¡°I know she¡¯s talented in the use of water, but there¡¯s quite a gap between healing cuts and fiddling with the dead,¡± she said dryly. ¡°A tad advanced for her age, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Aspyr shrugged. ¡°Think of it as motivation. All the best parts about magic come after mastering the classics. So, care to tell me why you¡¯ve been leading us to Father¡¯s room?¡±


    ¡°You promise not to tell him?¡± Mydea asked as she sent a breeze beneath the door to seep into the interior. When she confirmed for herself that no one was present, she entered.


    ¡°Have I ever told him of your mischiefs?¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°You can help me look then. I¡¯m bringing his journal with me to Aelisium.¡±


    He paused. ¡°You want to do what? Whatever for?¡±


    ¡°The Archive is the greatest collection of grimoires in the Empire,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I will help Father with his work, whether he wishes it or not. If it can be completed, then the trip would have been well worth it.¡± For Kolchis, it would be a political coup to match any imperial marriage!


    ¡°Definitely not,¡± Aspyr said as he began rifling through the wardrobe while Mydea looked through her father¡¯s desk. ¡°Did something happen between you two while I was away?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s too set in his ways, and too sure of himself,¡± Mydea said with a roll of her eyes. ¡°You heard what he said. He thinks he can make his spell by his own efforts alone. Not even Syngian the Sage was so arrogant, and he birthed the classics.¡±


    ¡°He said it was dangerous though,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡°He knows not how to be discreet. I will be careful,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Aha! Here they are.¡± Before her were two leather bound journals. She picked up the thicker one, which she knew to be his copy without torn pages. She let her magic seep into it, but found no terrible trap or hidden horror. Why was his work so unguarded? ¡°Let us depart quickly.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Aspyr nodded.


    When they reached her room, Troia was nearly finished packing her trunk, and there was little left for Mydea to do. ¡°I¡¯ve asked the cooks to dry out the flowers and leaves we picked out, but they haven¡¯t finished,¡± Troia said. Even with magic, it was a tall order asking them to dry out the leaves when it would otherwise take days. Troia continued, ¡°Are these dresses to your liking, my lady? I wasn¡¯t sure what the fashion is in Aelisium after seeing Lady Lara¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°These are fine,¡± Aspyr said after a studied glance. ¡°Lady Lara is of the House Eminent Luxuria. I would not use her as a measure for fashion.¡±


    ¡°That woman could make wearing rags look better than my dress.¡± Mydea sighed. ¡°Go follow up with the cooks, Troia.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lady.¡±


    Mydea walked over to her bookshelf, pulling out some books to keep her occupied and their mother¡¯s handbook. It was ironic really, that someone who never liked reading books had written one.


    ¡°You do know the palace has libraries,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡°There may be eyes on me and my room. I wish to distract them from this,¡± Mydea said, holding up her father¡¯s black notebook, ¡°with these.¡±


    ¡°A red herring. I won¡¯t begrudge you that,¡± he said.


    She looked through the contents of her trunk once more, then realized she still had her mother¡¯s sword on her. Mydea unhooked its sheathe from her hip and handed it to Aspyr. ¡°Here, to fight the Tuskar with. Lord Andras Pyli dreams of slaying another mythuselah this season and I would not leave you defenseless.¡±


    Aspyr stared. ¡°Keep it for a while longer. You are still the lady advocate.¡±


    ¡°You cannot be serious,¡± Mydea said with wide eyes. ¡°Representing you before our vassals was one thing, but before the Empress? Besides, this is the sword of the head of our house.¡±


    ¡°It is my station that honors the sword, not the sword which honors my station,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°You insist I cannot send any sorcerers with you. You have even sacrificed blood and power for our family from which you are not entirely recovered, and still you would jump into the lion¡¯s den on our behalf.¡± He shook his head. ¡°How could I face our ancestors if I let you leave without this sword? It is a small token, but take comfort knowing that I trust you in this as in all things.¡±


    ¡°Your stay in Aelisium has gifted you with a flair for dramatics,¡± Mydea said dryly even as she returned the sheathe to her side.


    ¡°They have excellent plays.¡±


    Troia returned not long after, adding a bottle of Kolchis honey and bundles of dried herbs wrapped in cloth to the contents of her trunk.


    When Mydea opened the door, her father was there waiting. ¡°You cannot stop me from going,¡± Mydea said. Her heart thudded painfully against her chest as she thought of his journal in her trunk. Had he noticed it was missing? Was she caught?


    ¡°I know.¡± Father sighed. ¡°Be safe.¡± He enveloped her in a warm hug, and she felt all the worse for it.


    I will find something you can use, Mydea swore as she pulled away.


    They continued to the courtyard in sombre silence. Word has spread quickly somehow, for much of the household and most of their guests had come to see her off. Not Tomas though to her surprise. Lady Lara was already waiting too, raking her over with sharp, grey eyes. ¡°Is this all you wish to bring, Lady Mydea?¡± she asked, gesturing to her trunk.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mydea said, feeling conscious all of a sudden. ¡°You did say that if I needed anything, I¡¯d only have to ask for it.¡±


    Lara stared at her for half a moment, studying her face, before saying, ¡°Allow us to bring it to your room.¡± A knight stepped forward, and Troia handed it over. It disappeared without warning the moment Troia let go of it.


    ¡°Not to worry,¡± Lara said. ¡°It will be waiting for you.¡±


    Appropriation, Mydea reminded herself. The stablehand brought out Snowscorn for her, though she saw there were a few spare mounts with Lara¡¯s party.


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve your own sky steed,¡± Lara said with an appreciative look at Snowscorn. ¡°I take it you can ride by yourself?¡±


    ¡°Passably,¡± Mydea said. She wouldn¡¯t like her odds against Dame Kryseis or Sir Eros, but there were few souls in the Empire who could honestly make that boast. Mydea turned around to face Aspyr, her father, her family. She smiled for their sake, before mounting Snowscorn with practiced ease. Even compared to the breeds available to the Empress, her pegasus was beautifully bred with strong wings and legs both. ¡°Shall we depart?¡±


    ¡°One moment, my lady,¡± Lara said. ¡°We are waiting for someone.¡±


    ¡°For whom?¡±


    ¡°For him,¡± Lara said, tilting her head.


    Tomas strode through the crowd dressed in tunics finer than she¡¯d ever seen him in. Yet, it was not the quality of his fabrics that surprised him, for she had known him to come from a wealthy family. It was the sigil he bore which shocked her, for his was the imperial star and storm.


    ¡°I understand he has been a guest of yours for some time, but allow me to introduce you once more,¡± Lara said. ¡°This is Tomas the Tall, Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s smile turned icy as she regarded Tomas. "The prince''s valet, is it? I hope you have not lied about anything else."


    "My lady, I am a part of the Imperial Court," Tomas said with narrowed eyes. "Lying is all we do."

 15: Tea... (Part 1)

    Following the light of the sun, they left her old world behind.


    A storm of sorcery propelled them across the Deeplands for only a storm could catch the clouds. Aelisium had just become visible to a backdrop of an orange-fingered sky caressing the peaks of the Anarev Range, which cut straight down through the Deeplands ahead of them. Even if a pegasus could fly all day, Snowscorn would have struggled to make it across the stretch of the Deeplands without another mount to share the burden of a rider with.


    ¡°Stop fretting,¡± Tomas said. ¡°We¡¯ll arrive before nightfall.¡±


    ¡°What you call fretting is fascination,¡± Mydea said, setting down a fine farsight glass of Nysian make. ¡°I apologize if I¡¯m not inured to the charms of a floating city yet.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a city. It floats,¡± Tomas said as if that was all there was to it. They lounged beneath a gazebo with a commanding view of the lesser island cloud¡¯s landscape¡ªdedicated to gardens, glasshouses, and grasslands. The last was very much to Snowscorn¡¯s delight.


    ¡°The wonders of the world are utterly wasted on you,¡± Mydea said as Troia poured each of them a cup of tea from the dried sage she had packed. There were perks already to being a guest of the Empress¡ªsuch as the bone porcelain tea set made available to her. The cups were decorated with beautiful blue and bronze lines that curved into intricate floral patterns, but the slight grooves she felt hinted at hidden runes within the design. Heat retention was a common choice, and she was hardly important enough for someone to poison just yet.


    Still, she stirred her tea with silver, and only drank after its color remained unchanged.


    The Lady of Luxuria had left them with each other¡¯s company while she attended to business through the mirrorplane. It seemed the High Stewardess¡¯ work was without end with all the marriage candidates assembling.


    Tomas sniffed at the drink. ¡°Is this mint?¡±


    ¡°Sage¡¯s tea,¡± Mydea corrected after a sip, savoring the hints of mint and lavender on her tongue. She gestured with her eyes to the bottle of honey that sat between them. ¡°For the bitterness, if you mind that.¡±


    Tomas tried a gulp, before mixing in two big spoonfuls of honey. He had quite the sweet tooth as it turned out. ¡°I didn¡¯t think these would grow so far north. I recall my sister saying they¡¯re fond of sunlight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s from my brother¡¯s personal glasshouse. He likes them for their color,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Their color?¡±


    ¡°A vivid purplish blue,¡± Mydea said.


    Tomas frowned and looked deep into his cup. ¡°This is meadow¡¯s sage, not common sage then?¡±


    Mydea spared Troia a glance, and at her nod, she replied, ¡°Yes, I believe so.¡± She took another look at Aelisium in the distance. ¡°How are you so sure of when we¡¯ll arrive?¡±


    ¡°A simple calculation,¡± Tomas said. ¡°We must be less than two hundred and fifty miles away if the Imperial City has just come into view from this height. A lesser cloud like this can close that gap going a full speed. To be precise, we will arrive as the Imperial City crosses the Golden Gateway.¡±


    ¡°That would take our path further south,¡± Mydea said, looking at him. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be faster to intercept the city by maintaining our current course?¡±


    ¡°We cannot fly over the mountains,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Not reliably and safely at least. Perhaps for some of the lower peaks it would be possible, but there¡¯s no need to chance it when we¡¯re in no hurry.¡±


    ¡°Is that how we knew to follow it here then?¡± Mydea asked. The next closest east-west crossing through the Anarev Range was the Platinum Passing to the south, but that would have required the Imperial City to circle back.


    ¡°No doubt it was arranged beforehand. Subordinate clouds cannot stay afloat and away from Aelisium for any meaningful length of time ¡­ no more than three days at the most.¡±


    Mydea nodded. It only made sense there were precautions to keep the subordinate clouds from becoming independent after all the coups, countercoups, and civil strife that had ultimately seen Empress Alcymede supreme. ¡°You seem quite knowledgeable about the Imperial City¡¯s workings.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only natural when I¡¯ve lived there all my life,¡± Tomas said.


    Mydea doubted that. ¡°Is that why you are with so little awe at its sight? Has understanding its inner workings robbed you so?¡±


    ¡°I have so little awe because it is an awful place,¡± Tomas said. ¡°I cannot fathom why you agreed to attend court.¡±


    ¡°It would be so very rude to decline the Empress,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Do you normally speak to guests with such ¡­ candor?¡±


    ¡°It is the quality Prince Jaeson appreciates the most in me,¡± Tomas said.


    Your master, Mydea reminded herself. She ought to have known better really, for how many strawborn could speak so many tongues so fluently? How many were trained in the ways of steel and sorcery? How many would have the coin to spend on a prolonged education at the athenaeum? Any one of those things would have been rare, but to find all three in a single person could not just be coincidence. ¡°I find that fascinating, considering your behavior towards me these past few weeks.¡±


    ¡°I uttered no falsehoods during our time together,¡± Tomas said.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    If not for his station, she might have struck him then and there. He was more than just himself now, and to show him a sword or a slap was to challenge him¡ªand by extension, Prince Jaeson¡ªto a duel. ¡°It was a lie by omission.¡±


    ¡°Then I must beg my lady¡¯s forgiveness, but it was necessary,¡± Tomas said with a polite smile. ¡°I keep the prince¡¯s secrets.¡±


    ¡°Being a valet is a secret?¡±


    ¡°Everything is a secret.¡± He could not, strictly speaking, be faulted for that. It was the mark of a most excellent servant to keep their master¡¯s secrets.


    Before she could respond, Lara found them. Mydea and Tomas stood in greeting, then the three of them sat together.


    ¡°Might I know when the Empress will be receiving my greetings?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°In a week or so, after we pick up the last of the candidates¡ªa daughter of Twigstone, I believe,¡± Lara said, eyeing the grasslands more than anything else.


    Judging from the name, it was probably a minor house sworn to Grandgrove and another political nobody. Perhaps, like Kolchis, they really were just here to make the true candidates look better? If nothing else, I¡¯ll enjoy my stay in Aelisium at the Empress¡¯ expense and make good use of the Archive, Mydea thought wryly. With some luck, she¡¯d help progress her father¡¯s work, maybe even help complete it. If she happened to make some useful acquaintances during her short stay while avoiding any serious enmity, all the better.


    Success in either venture might earn her family the reprieve they needed from the mounting pressure. Opportunities like this didn¡¯t come often.


    Still, it left unanswered just who among the Empress¡¯ kin was seeking a bride? The House Imperial had few formally recognized members for struggles over succession trimmed that tree. As for the Empress¡¯ harem, they were not there to provide an army of heirs so much as to serve as mouthpieces for their houses.


    So of the six branches of the House Imperial, three had heirs male and unmarried. Prince Altan was only eighteen, and still two years too young to consider marrying. Matches at such a young age had occurred in the past, but always with extenuating circumstances. It was a risk for the steelborn to marry before their twentieth year, for there was no certainty they would qualify to be sorcerers. Even prodigies could fail the athenaeum¡¯s trials or take poorly to their family¡¯s signature spells.


    That left the Empress'' nephews¡ªPrince Jaeson or Prince Pelias, who¡¯d come of age last month. It was impossible for her to narrow it down beyond that. There is one evil: ignorance, Mydea thought. There is one virtue: knowledge.


    ¡°I cannot recall for whom the ladies of the Empire are being gathered for?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Ostensibly, for Prince Jaeson,¡± Tomas said with a roll of his eyes.


    ¡°You do not seem pleased by the thought, Tomas,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°This marriage is born from political necessity,¡± Tomas said.


    Mydea blinked. ¡°Of course it is.¡± Weren¡¯t most marriages? That was not to say that love, or at least, like had no weight in such things. After all, an alliance built on the wedding of two individuals that loathed each other wasn¡¯t likely to last if one murdered the other.


    ¡°What I mean to say is that Prince Jaeson would much rather remain unwed,¡± Tomas said.


    Bold, Mydea thought. There was likely some truth to it, for a valet could be privy to the inner thoughts of their masters by virtue of proximity, but few would dare give voice to those thoughts. ¡°Whatever his feelings, it seems there are forces within the Imperial Court that have pushed this upon him,¡± Mydea said. ¡°He can do naught but adapt now.¡±


    Tomas sighed. ¡°You speak truly.¡±


    ¡°I must confess,¡± Lara said, ¡°that when the Empress ordered me north, I did not expect to find you here and by yourself at that, Tomas.¡±


    Had he been sent away by the prince for voicing his thoughts? Was he now being recalled? She was certain Prince Jaeson had not secretly been living beneath her roof in disguise this whole time, for none of the faces who had passed through Aigis bore the silver eyes of Synder the Starbright. Nor, Mydea thought, did Tomas have any companions with him.


    ¡°It is most unusual to find a valet away from his master,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Nothing about the House Imperial can be said to be usual,¡± Tomas said. ¡°A prince¡¯s valet is expected to know many things, to defend him from danger if need be. A wise prince allows their valets to be instructed at the athenaeums.¡±


    That was a small relief, and did not answer just what a prince could find so fascinating about Aigis that he would send his valet.


    ¡°I imagine you shall be glad to be reunited with your master then,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Not for a while longer,¡± Lara said. ¡°Prince Jaeson is not in Aelisium yet.¡±


    Mydea recoiled as if challenged to a duel. ¡°But this whole ceremony is for his benefit. How can he not be in the Imperial City while it occurs?¡±


    ¡°Because of a technicality,¡± Tomas said. ¡°So long as all the candidates have not yet arrived, the courtship ceremony has not truly begun.¡±


    Which was ludicrous on the face of it. Everyone knew that the positioning prior to the ceremony proper was just as important as the ceremony itself. ¡°I suppose you shall be incredibly busy then in the coming days,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I am always busy. The acquisition of the most advantageous alliance never ends in Aelisium,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Nor is it unheard of for one of the House Imperial to take a liking to another¡¯s candidates, especially after they¡¯ve been released from the ceremonies. Prince Altan is the handsome one. Perhaps they shall flock to him instead of Prince Jaeson?¡±


    ¡°They would be fools to do so,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°It is useful to have them weed themselves out at least,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Saves me the trouble!¡±


    Mydea smiled. ¡°I wish you good fortune then, and hope you will not treat me as a stranger now that you are soon to be the subject of much attention.¡±


    ¡°Only if you promise not to bother me about the prince¡¯s secrets. That is one thing I will not abide by,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Mydea said, and she meant it. She was here, after all, not to wed herself to a prince, but to deflect the daggers in the dark aimed at House Kolchis. That Tomas had deceived her about who he was burned, but that did not mean she could afford to make enemies over every slight. Their time together had shown he was willing to work with her when their interests aligned, and he knew more of the Imperial Court and its secrets than she could hope to.


    Tomas studied her a moment. ¡°I shall hold you to that.¡±

 16: Tea... (Part 2)

    Like Tomas predicted, cloud docked upon cloud at the Golden Gateway. They entered Aelisium without any trouble, and the gatekeepers did not even dare to bar their way with Lady Lara leading them. Mydea stayed a whole step behind her the whole time until they reached a waiting horseless carriage.


    Mydea stepped inside first, then Lara and Troia, but Tomas did not.


    ¡°There¡¯s more than enough room for you to join us,¡± Lara said.


    ¡°I thank you for the offer, Lady Lara, but I think I shall find my own way back to the palace,¡± Tomas said, bowing.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Lara said as she closed the door. That seemed to be a signal to the coachman, for the carriage lurched forward. The gate they had arrived at and the route it took to the palace were different from the last time Mydea was here.


    ¡°Will he be alright by himself?¡± Mydea asked. Tomas was a strawborn after all, and did not have the right to wear a sword. He might have a knife hidden somewhere on his person, and he always had his magic to draw on, but she did not like anyone¡¯s odds in a fight with just those at hand.


    ¡°He would not be a prince¡¯s valet if he did not know how to handle himself,¡± Lara said, looking out the window at Snowscorn, who followed alongside them.


    ¡°Are you a hippologist?¡± Mydea asked politely. ¡°I have seen you studying Snowscorn.¡±


    Lara shook her head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare claim such a title before yourself. At best, I am an enthusiast who can appreciate a beautifully bred pegasus.¡±


    ¡°She can achieve flight in three strokes,¡± Mydea said proudly. ¡°There are few places that raise better pegasi than Kolchis.¡±


    ¡°I consider it the greatest shame that my home was never their natural habitat,¡± Lara said.


    ¡°Well, we are expecting Snowscorn to foal in as soon as seven months,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I shall have to excuse myself from court then and see that her foal is settled properly on the Aigean Range. Perhaps you would like to join me for that? It is quite the experience.¡±


    ¡°Would that be alright?¡± Lara asked.


    ¡°So long as the Empress approves. We are present at Her pleasure,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°So long as She approves,¡± Lara agreed with a nod. With any luck, Lady Lara would broach the topic with the Empress and secure approval on her behalf. Mydea could ask herself, but with the Empress so busy, there was no telling when a request from her might be heard. The seeds of her eventual escape had been planted, and only time would tell if they could be reaped.


    ¡°If you do happen to come along,¡± Mydea continued, ¡°I can show you the family flock. Our recent yearlings are coming along nicely in their training.¡±


    She had no inkling of how close Lara was to Lady Eminent Alexa, but they could hardly be estranged if Lara had risen this highly in the Empress¡¯ court. A kind word from her about Kolchis might shift some of the pegasus trade from Lord External Aeria to themselves. Perhaps I shall gift one of our better horses to her? Mydea thought. It would give Kolchis the greater opportunity to show off their brood, especially if Lara was fond of racing.


    Mydea glanced at Troia, who was ogling the streetview. The street they were on was one of spellweavers and seamstresses and all the latest fashions of the capital. Lace seemed in season for hats and handwear, but it was harder to tell for the dresses which were split between linen, satin, and velvet. Silk from across the sea was always popular for those with greater means, and she even spotted a dress being made from stormsilk of all things! It would have raised brows back at home, but anyone who could afford such a dress could afford some scandal. It would be a good outfit to fight in though, with the fabric enhancing one¡¯s affinity for wind, and weather in particular.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t quite compare to Pleonexus or Grandgrove, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Lara said. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re familiar with the former?¡±


    ¡°Not as much as you¡¯d think,¡± Mydea said, a bitter taste lingering in her tongue.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve put you in a mood,¡± Lara said. ¡°I apologize.¡±


    Mydea kept her eyes on the bustling city outside. ¡°Kolchis is not what it once was. We¡¯re beneath the attention of the Imperial Court.¡± It pained her to say those words to another, but it was the truth. Father always told them they might lie to others, but never to themselves.


    ¡°Surely that cannot be true. You are here now, are you not?¡± Lara asked.


    ¡°You are most kind, Lady Lara,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Might I trouble you with another question?¡±


    ¡°To be troubled is my profession. Ask what you will,¡± Lara said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been very good with directions, and I fear I shall lose myself if I wander into the city,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Have you any advice for me?¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t worry too much about that. The Starlight Tower above the Imperial Court is visible from anywhere,¡± Lara said, pointing it out. ¡°There¡¯s also the Imperial Athenaeum directly opposite it, and next to that is the High Temple on the Street of Smoke.¡±


    Mydea nodded. She and Aspyr had entered near the Imperial Athenaeum last time, and she remembered how it smelled of sacrifice when the wind shifted. ¡°And that is the Archive,¡± she said, pointing between the High Temple and the Starlight Tower where a wide structure was topped with a great glass dome.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Lara said, her finger shifting to a menacing fortress of stone and spikes. ¡°On the other side of the Imperial Athenaeum is Stormfall Tower, and next to it brings us to our destination: the Seraglio.¡±


    The carriage came to a halt before gates golden and gleaming, with marble verandas and lifelike sculptures and gardens in bloom across the grounds. From a distance, the Imperial Palace was imposing to behold, but only within its confines did Mydea come to appreciate the sheer size of that sprawling labyrinth. There must have been at least a dozen palaces by her count, but the largest and grandest two were the Starlight Tower and the Seraglio.


    A pair of knights in bright white in white stood at attention as they stepped out of the carriage. Mydea spotted scores of slender, plump, and stout women about the same age as her lounging about. One played with a black-and-white border collie.


    Marriage candidates, Mydea concluded.


    Many of them came from houses lowly and unknown, but she recognized a few by their sigils. The three women making shapes out of the fountain¡¯s sparkling purple liquid in midair bore markings from the Bloodbolt, the thorned bush of Thorne, and the turtle of House Shells. All three were principal vassals to the House Eminent Eyr, Prince Jaeson¡¯s paternal lineage. No doubt one of them would be his chosen bride and unite the region behind his claim.


    The rest of them were just for show.


    Mydea breathed, and caught a whiff of fruity alcohol lingering in the air. ¡°Is that fountain spewing wine?¡±


    "Only partially wine," Lara said. "Gives it that nice sparkle when the sun is out and makes it harder for people to get drunk midday. Your room is this way.¡±


    The brief walk was a whirlwind of stained glass, carpeted walkways, marble columns both decorative and structural; tapestries, mural, and paintings were everywhere too, from the ancient stillform or more modern styles that allowed for movement and even music. Servants bowed to Lara wherever they went and there were ladies in a dozen styles and shades of dress¡ªthough none were as lovely as a Luxuria.


    Finally, Lara stopped before a door without a knob. ¡°Have you ever used one of these before?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m familiar with the concept,¡± Mydea said, as she placed her hand against the door and pushed in lightly. ¡°Students didn¡¯t have these in the Thalassian Athenaeum.¡± Magic flowed out of the tips of her fingers, still slower than she liked, and the sides of the doors glowed thrice as the out-of-sight runes committed the feel of her to memory. The door swung open and they entered her room.

 17: Tea... (Part 3)

    A pair of maids were waiting inside, and they curtseyed to her, not Lara.


    ¡°These maids will be assigned to you while you¡¯re a guest here,¡± Lara said, sliding her finger across a nearby surface to inspect it for dust. ¡°If you have any further questions, Ida and Khloe can answer them.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the company, Lady Lara,¡± Mydea said.


    She nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to settle in then.¡±


    Mydea waited for her to leave, then took a moment to take in the room. ¡°What are your names again?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Ida, my lady,¡± answered the brunette.


    ¡°Khloe, my lady,¡± said the one with short, wavy hair.


    Mydea nodded. ¡°With me is Troia, my lady¡¯s maid. When she speaks, she speaks for me.¡±


    ¡°Understood, my lady,¡± they said.


    Mydea scanned the room, and narrowed her eyes at the vanity on the far side, and the wall-mounted mirror above it. There were poles along the ceiling where a drape should have hung from to enclose the space. She moved towards it swiftly, cognizant of the soft footfalls following her. ¡°Is this mirror capable of scrying?¡± she asked, already knowing the answer.


    ¡°Yes, my lady,¡± the maids answered together.


    Troia seemed to pick up on the implications as quickly as her, for she said, ¡°Kindly arrange for a proper soundproof curtain as soon as possible.¡±


    They hesitated, and that told Mydea more than enough.


    ¡°Were my instructions unclear?¡± Troia asked sternly from behind her.


    ¡°No, Miss Troia. It will be seen to,¡± Ida said.


    Half a dozen heartbeats passed, before Troia added, ¡°As soon as possible means now. The both of you, quickly!¡±


    ¡°But Lady Mydea has yet to unpack¡ª¡±


    Mydea turned around and cut her off with a sharp look. ¡°Are palace maids in the habit of forgetting instructions seconds after I¡¯ve said them? Troia speaks for me.¡± For them to keep questioning her handmaid was to question herself, and such insolence had to be nipped in the bud.


    ¡°No, my lady,¡± Ida said in an uneven voice. The maids curtseyed once more, then left the room to them.


    Bribed without a doubt. This was the Seraglio, after all, where secrets sold highly. Scrying mirrors were a window to the world outside, but that worked both ways if one didn¡¯t take precautions. Even the maids ought to have known that, and their hesitation meant someone had paid them to conveniently forget that fact while preparing her room. Although not all that much considering the poor acting on display just now.


    Mydea stared at the mirror and sighed.


    Allowing such an obvious means for someone to spy on her, in a place that was supposed to be hers, left her ill at ease.


    Cutting off its connection to the mirrorplane was out of the question. She didn¡¯t know what security measures were in place in the Seraglio, nor vain enough to test them her first day here. There was also her own deniability to consider. All the culprit knew so far was that she had requested for soundproof curtains, which might easily be to preserve her own privacy while scrying with others. It would be a leap for them to think she was worried about others using her mirror to spy on her, and meddling with the mirrorplane would confirm that.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    She didn¡¯t want them to overestimate her capacity so early on. In the future, it might prove useful.


    How to cover it though? Mydea¡¯s eyes latched onto the canopy above her bed at first, before dismissing it quickly. Even if Troia had talent in wind, it¡¯d still be a pain removing the translucent silk canopy from the bed only to reattach it when the curtains came.


    Troia knew her thoughts, and had already found a solution. There was a changing screen tucked away to the side that Troia now brought out and set up in front of the mirror.


    I¡¯m an idiot, Mydea thought, resisting the urge to smack her forehead. It would leave a most unseemly mark. Here was a perfectly simple answer in front of her, and her mind had just skipped right past it for far more complex ones.


    ¡°Will this do?¡± Troia asked, stepping aside as she finished. The dressing screen didn¡¯t quite obscure everything, but it would do the trick for now.


    ¡°Yes, thank you, Troia,¡± Mydea said. ¡°You know how I like things.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lady,¡± Troia said. Privacy reasonably secured, her handmaid went about unpacking. Mydea¡¯s trunk had been deposited at the base of her bed already, and Troia fished out her bunny rabbit slippers.


    Mydea sighed happily as she slipped her feet into those soft things, and took the time to inspect the kettle Troia presented before her. ¡°This should be fine,¡± Mydea said after a while. One had to be mindful of poison in Aelisium. As Troia continued to unpack, Mydea walked over to the window overlooking the city.


    Night had fallen, but an army of dancing lights kept the city illuminated everywhere she looked. Only in Aelisium could something as rare as bottled lightning be used by the strawborn for lighting. Even without them though, one would hardly be troubled seeing at night for at the highest point was the brightest light. The Starlight Tower was akin to a small sun; a beacon upon which the darkness broke.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange how things work out?¡± Mydea asked, turning back to Troia who was sorting Mydea¡¯s dresses by color and category, before storing them in the wardrobe. ¡°It wasn¡¯t so long ago I asked if you would like to stay in Aelisium to visit your brother, and now fate has deposited us here for an even longer stay. I mean to give you some time off after we¡¯ve settled in so you may go visit him.¡±


    Troia¡¯s face creased into a smile. ¡°Thank you, my lady. That¡¯s very kind of you. It¡¯ll be good to speak with Pryam in person after so many years.¡±


    ¡°Do you know which master he¡¯s apprenticing under?¡±


    ¡°Petros? Petra?¡± Troia said, as if sampling the names. Her face scrunched up. ¡°Petey? His master¡¯s name escapes me, but it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to find once I ask around. How many master artificers could share his name in this city?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll likely be along Runesteel Road or Artificer Alley, near the Imperial Athenaeum,¡± Mydea offered.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Troia said, glancing at the swinging pendulum of the room¡¯s timepiece. It was more ostentatious than any of the ones they had at home, because of course it was. ¡°Half an hour already? It shouldn¡¯t be taking those girls this long to get a curtain. They¡¯re not to be trusted.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Mydea said, finishing her last cup of tea. She waved Troia away when she moved to fill it up. ¡°Leave it for now.¡±


    ¡°Those maids ought to be dismissed then!¡±


    Mydea shook her head and sat on the sofa. ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. This isn¡¯t Kolchis.¡±


    Troia frowned. ¡°But my lady, this standard of service would be unacceptable anywhere. Surely Lady Lara wouldn¡¯t begrudge you this?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps not, but who would replace them? We know these two to be dangers. With new ones, we cannot be sure,¡± Mydea said. ¡°No, if I must suffer any spies, let them be bad spies.¡± Should I be insulted or relieved that I didn¡¯t warrant better ones? she thought, before settling on the latter. She was still just the daughter of a weakened house external and hardly worthy of anyone¡¯s attention. If this ploy was to take her measure, then let them take the wrong one.


    ¡°As you say, my lady,¡± Troia said, still disgruntled.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll be letting them off for this incompetence,¡± Mydea said. ¡°There will be punishment.¡±


    Troia¡¯s grin was all teeth. ¡°As you say, my lady.¡±


    Though Troia might chastise them, a servant could not be punished by another, and so Mydea would have to be the one to issue it. She could let Lara handle it, but that wouldn¡¯t make them respect her, and the High Stewardess might not think too kindly of her for being unable to discipline her own assigned servants. So long as it wasn¡¯t anything extreme like death or mutilation, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    Her grandfather, the military taskmaster that he was, would have had them whipped for their insolence or beat them with the flat of his sword.


    Of course, just because Mydea could be harsh didn¡¯t mean she should be. People often said it was better to be feared rather than loved, yet forgot the Sage¡¯s whole truth: it was best to be both feared and loved, but hatred was to be avoided.


    Harshness might very well alienate them, then they¡¯d be lost to her evermore. That wouldn¡¯t do.

 18: Tea... (Part 4)

    The maids¡ªthough she would not call them her maids¡ªreturned upon the hour, thankfully with the item requested instead of excuses. Troia huffed at them and practically ripped the soundproof curtain from their hands. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this myself,¡± she said. Which was just as well; they might have set it up in a way to allow eavesdropping. ¡°How long have you two worked in the Seraglio?¡±


    ¡°I entered the palace a month ago as a lady¡¯s maid,¡± Ida said in a small voice.


    Khloe¡¯s shoulders tensed for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ve been here a little over four years now, Miss Troia.¡±


    Khloe definitely did something else before returning then, Mydea thought. Reported on her actions to whoever bribed them perhaps, waiting on further instructions? She sighed and shook her head. Lackeys without initiative were such a pain. Thank goodness she had Troia.


    With Ida it was harder to tell, but the fact that her first posting was to be a lady¡¯s maid raised some suspicions in itself. Strawborn did not stumble into prestigious positions by happenstance, and she had neither the seniority or the social graces to be considered. That left sorcery or subterfuge as the likely explanation for her good fortune.


    ¡°Does it normally take you so long to carry out your mistress¡¯ wishes?¡± Troia asked rhetorically. ¡°You are aware she might marry a prince one day, yes? I should hope your performance improves before then.¡±


    They stayed silent, dipping their heads. Ida trembled slightly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Go tend to Lady Mydea,¡± Troia said, shooing them.


    ¡°We¡¯ve returned, my lady,¡± Khloe said. ¡°Shall we draw a bath for you?¡±


    Mydae did not answer from her seat on the sofa, only took her mother¡¯s sword and laid it across the table. ¡°Fetch me some ink and parchment.¡± She pointed to Ida. ¡°You, some tea.¡±


    Do I contend with one master or two? Mydea asked herself. It was redundant for someone to send two spies to do the job of one. Furthermore, if Ida and Khloe were indeed working together, it would only make sense that one act less suspiciously than the other. Unless, of course, neither knew the other was paid from the same purse.


    If that were true, that suggested neither was truly trusted at this point, and so their master sought a second source to be sure.


    The greatest argument against it remained Mydea¡¯s own insignificance in the grand schemes of the Seraglio. Far more likely that two parties thought to get her measure than for one to be so thoroughly interested in her.


    I can verify my suspicions, Mydea thought as she signed her name onto the parchment.


    ¡°Shall I find a kennel master to have this delivered, my lady?¡± Khloe asked, holding out her hands to receive the message.


    ¡°See to it. This letter is for Tomas, Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet,¡± Mydea said.


    Khloe curtseyed, shutting the door behind her as she exited the room, leaving her fellow maid to Mydea¡¯s mercy for a while at least.


    ¡°The tea, my lady,¡± Ida said, setting a cup of bone porcelain before her.


    Mydea picked it up, looked straight at Ida, and upturned the cup, its contents forming a puddle by her feet. ¡°Do you not know how to make proper tea?¡± she asked.


    The girl trembled. ¡°I apologize, my lady!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize,¡± Mydea said, her voice scathing hot unlike the brew. ¡°Do better.¡±


    Ida sprung into action, taking back the cup hurriedly and nearly tripping over her own feet as she sought out the kettle. Her second attempt fared no better than the first. The fluctuating glow in Ida¡¯s hands betrayed her inexperience with heat. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°This,¡± Mydea said, dumping the contents of her cup yet again into the growing puddle by her feet, ¡°is tepid piss. You know what tea is, I hope?¡±


    The pale girl said nothing, and refused to meet her eyes.


    Mydea might have felt some pity if she wasn¡¯t sure Ida was definitely a spy now. Mydea did not let her fail a third time, bringing the water to a boil by her own will. ¡°Tea,¡± Mydea began, as she let her mix of herbs steep, ¡°is a herb that¡¯s been dried out. To bring it back to life you must use boiling water, before letting it cool to the right temperature for pouring.¡±


    Ida nodded her head meekly.


    ¡°What you served me wouldn¡¯t be acceptable anywhere,¡± Mydea said.


    The girl was seventeen by Mydea¡¯s estimation. That meant she¡¯d spent four years at an athenaeum, likely less considering she was strawborn and not a rich one. Is she scared enough for what I need? Mydea pondered. It was hard to tell given how easily startled the girl was. If Mydea chose to keep her, she¡¯d have to teach her too. After all, the maid reflected on the mistress.


    ¡°Bring me a whetstone,¡± Mydea ordered, as she pulled her sword from her sheath and inspected it for any nicks or scratches. ¡°Do you have family?¡± Mydea asked as she applied a thin film of oil to the whetstone. She pushed the blade back and forth like her grandmother had taught her. Each time she did, Ida¡¯s shaking grew worse.


    ¡°I have a mother and two younger brothers in the city,¡± Ida said.


    ¡°Are you close with them?¡± Mydea asked, already suspecting that she knew the answer.


    ¡°I s-send them a part of my pay each fortnight.¡±


    If they lived in poverty, it would certainly explain why she was so easily bribed. Mydea held up her sword against the light to inspect it. ¡°Family is important.¡± The words lingered in the space between them. ¡°I trust that during your time in the Empress¡¯ service, if you¡¯ve not been taught to brew tea the right way, you¡¯ve at least learned who the Empress¡¯ family is?¡±


    Ida nodded slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Prince Jaeson is away from the city. Why?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about that. I¡¯m new here, my lady,¡± Ida said.


    ¡°Then what do you friends say about it?¡± Rumors were never wholly reliable, but there were some seeds of truth to them once all the exaggeration and speculation were washed away.


    ¡°Well ¡­ they say he¡¯s currently staying at the Middle School,¡± Ida said. ¡°He has been for over a year now.¡±


    Mydea frowned and took a moment to understand which athenaeum she was referring to. The Syngians had different names for them. Still, it was odd for Prince Jaeson to be attending the athenaeum in the Everbloom, when his father hailed from the Primemarch. Those two great regions had been at war as often as any, and she could hardly imagine he held much affection for them. ¡°Do they say why?¡±


    Ida nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, my lady. Prince Jaeson had a disagreement with the Archystor of the High School over the direction of his advanced studies.¡±


    That might explain why he¡¯d left the Imperial Athenaeum at least. The Primemarch, alongside the Vaynish Plains, were the only two regions which had never established athenaeums. If Prince Jaeson was determined not to continue his studies in Aelisium, he had precious few options that didn¡¯t belong to one of his homeland¡¯s ancient rivals. Perhaps it was simply timing and a quirk of geography which had forced him into settling for the athenaeum in the Everbloom?


    ¡°What else do they say about him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fond of that game with all those different rules ¡­ eminent domain I think it was called?¡± Ida said. ¡°I really don¡¯t know much else, my lady. I was never stationed at the Imperial Palace, only the Seraglio.¡±


    There was a soft bark coming from outside the room. Ida sprung into action, thankful for the interruption as she opened the door. A pup came striding in, tail wagging with vigor and a bit of rolled up parchment attached to its neck. Ida knelt to try and detach the letter, but the border collie growled at her fingers, forcing her to back off. It held its head up high, sniffing the air, before bounding up to Mydea and presenting itself by tilting its head.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a handsome one,¡± Mydea said, stroking its black-and-white fur with one hand, and retrieving the parchment with the other.


    The messenger pup¡¯s tongue rolled out, clearly enjoying her touch.


    She skimmed through the message and gestured for her maids to bring her a quill. Mydea wrote a quick response to it, reattached it to the pup, and gave it one last rub before saying, ¡°Fetch!¡±


    Long hours of training kicked in and the pup scurried out the room, returning to whoever had sent the message.


    Mydea turned back to Ida. ¡°Assist Troia in picking out a dress for me to wear for now. I¡¯ve been invited to high tea, and I do despise tardiness.¡±

 19: Stands for Trouble (Part 1)

    Brightened by the Starlight Tower, the garden was a sea of scents and shades. Bees and butterflies flitted from tri-colored petals and clusters of reddish-pink sedums to the marigolds. Great coneflowers of orange petals radiating from dark centers mingled among velvety blue salvias, tall spikes of licorice-smelling lavender flowers, and boldly colored peppers.


    For a brief moment, it made Mydea forget winter was at their doorsteps, before a chilly night wind slapped her across the face, sending shivers down her spine.


    She was no stranger to the cold, but it was colder among the clouds.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be warmer in a week,¡± said a voice like velvet. ¡°The city always heads into the Everbloom when winter sets in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it, my lady,¡± Mydea said.


    She found it hard to place the woman¡¯s origins when she could only see half her face. The woman¡¯s hair was braided into a single strand, not unlike a rope used to ascend the mountains, and it left her nape bare. She had a complexion darker than even Lara¡¯s or her own, which suggested she was a Dunelander.


    ¡°I must admit, I¡¯ve not been on Aelisium for long,¡± Mydea continued.


    The woman paused her inspection of a wilting, papery marigold standing by itself to glance at Mydea. Her dress was a flowy thing, hugging her chest before spilling out like a bell from there, and swung with her every movement. It was made entirely of silk and suited her figure well. ¡°You arrived today, didn¡¯t you? I spotted Lady Lara accompanying you earlier.¡±


    The flecks of skyborn silver in her eyes didn¡¯t escape Mydea¡¯s notice. The Empress only had two daughters and three nieces, but only one would be at today¡¯s gathering as the host. ¡°As you say, Your Excellency,¡± she said, curtseying. ¡°I am Lady Mydea of the House External Kolchis. Thank you for inviting me for high tea, Princess Mirah.¡±


    Mirah graced her with an amused smile. ¡°The eyes always give it away,¡± she complained. ¡°It takes the fun out of masquerade balls entirely.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you could hide it behind a minor glamour?¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Ah, but I do so enjoy the attention,¡± Mirah said, turning back to her plants. ¡°You¡¯re rather early, you know.¡±


    I¡¯m treading in unknown waters, Mydea thought. Seeing who arrived with whom would at least give her an idea of the factions at court. ¡°I thought I might enjoy the flowers,¡± Mydea said, adjusting the angle of her headpiece, which was shaped to look like a fern frond. ¡°I find one rarely has the chance once seated.¡± She cared more for the tea they made than the trouble of planting them, but having Aspyr for a brother left one with a healthy appreciation for the art.


    ¡°Is that so? You ought to sit at my table then. I¡¯ve a lovely arrangement as my centerpiece, and I just know it¡¯d go to waste on half the women coming.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t possibly impose,¡± Mydea said. Being honored with a seat at the princess¡¯ table, especially when she was a newcomer and from a house not particularly noteworthy in the grand scheme of Empire, would attract attention and more than a little suspicion. Lord Pleonexia thought poorly enough of Kolchis as it was without adding more fuel to that fire.


    ¡°I insist,¡± Mirah said in a tone that brooked no further argument.


    Mydea tilted her head. ¡°Then I¡¯d be honored, Your Excellency.¡± If the princess wanted her there as the host of the event, there was little she could do about it. It¡¯d be rude to refuse in stronger terms, and might turn her into a pariah. Worse, the ire of a princess so early on could be just as dangerous as Lord Pleonexia¡¯s ire, and so long as they didn¡¯t make a habit of appearing together, some suspicion could be safely managed.


    Maids and manservants in the imperial livery of white and gold continued to prepare for the afternoon tea, inspecting the silver cutlery and glassware, and setting up three-tiered trays on the low, round tables.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Mirah sighed, and took a step back. Her lady¡¯s maid seemed to appear from thin air¡ªalways the mark of an excellent attendant at public events¡ªoffering her an intricate silver bowl half-filled with water and purple petals. The princess rinsed her hands in the scented water, dried them on a towelette another maid presented, while a third woman helped her put on some lacy gloves and an elaborate headpiece of pearls and feathers. ¡°What a shame.¡±


    ¡°Your plants?¡± Mydea guessed.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mirah said. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on a breed of Duneland marigolds, but they¡¯re still lethally vulnerable to the cold. I¡¯ll have to arrange for another batch from Rivergard.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, but wouldn¡¯t it be simpler to set up a glasshouse instead, Your Excellency?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°I¡¯m sure they could keep your desert plants alive throughout winter.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Mirah said with a cryptic smile. ¡°Ah, the other guests are arriving. If you¡¯ll excuse me, Lady Mydea? My maid will show you to our table.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said, curtseying once more. She watched the princess leave for the appropriate amount of time, before allowing herself to be seated at the central table, where a bouquet of aconite and petunias was on display. All at once she felt silly for suggesting the glasshouses to the princess. Neither of these flowers bloomed during the harvest season after all.


    I shouldn¡¯t forget where I am, Mydea chided herself. This is Aelisium, the City on High.


    Men and women, though mostly women, began trickling into the gardens in twos and threes, hailing from six of the eight eminent regions. Are these women all here for Prince Jaeson? Mydea thought. Still, why would Princess Mirah trouble herself hosting an event and inviting so many of her half-brother¡¯s potential brides? Dunelanders did not hate the Marcherkin like they did the Bloomlings, but the two peoples skirmished along the desert passes easily.


    ¡°There has to be some mistake.¡±


    Mydea looked up, and rolled her eyes at the familiar face.


    The maidservant frowned. ¡°I apologise, my lady, but there¡¯s no mistake. This is Her Excellency¡¯s table.¡±


    ¡°Surely not,¡± the woman from Blacksand Bay said heatedly. ¡°This, this woman is here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s lovely to see you too, Vivyan,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°If you wish to be seated elsewhere, my lady¡­¡± the maid trailed off.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mydea said, ¡°do trouble Her Excellency with the seating arrangement. I¡¯m sure that would go over well.¡±


    Vivyan glared at her, then shook her head at the maid in response. ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary. Here is fine.¡± She dropped into the seat besides Mydea.


    ¡°Do smile more. That look of yours might give me nightmares,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make us friends.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re sharing a table for high tea, you¡¯re not marrying my brother,¡± Mydea said dryly. She gestured to the tables surrounding them. ¡°This isn¡¯t the athenaeum anymore. Look around.¡±


    Vivyan sniffled. ¡°As if I¡¯d ever marry so poorly. Your mother wed herself to a strawborn peasant.¡±


    ¡°I see your insults haven¡¯t gotten any better,¡± Mydea said. The words might have stung when they were younger, but one could only hear it so many times before it wore off. Besides, the Blacks had been strawborn not so long ago, having only come into their lordship in the last century. Young by the standards of nobility. ¡°Have you noticed the oddities?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed one of them,¡± Vivyan said, looking pointedly at her.


    Mydea showed her her teeth in a wolfish smile. ¡°You would, of course, be an expert in guests, having been one yourself oh so many times. Tell me, when was the last time Lady Pleonexia invited you to tea?¡±


    She flushed. ¡°More recently than you at least!¡±


    ¡°Such high standards, comparing your mighty principal house to mine.¡± The Blacks were barely a principal house in truth, and Mydea half-suspected the move had been to further spite Kolchis given it occurred within a year of their mother¡¯s death¡ªand Lord Pleonexia¡¯s refusal to renew the warrant external. ¡°Despite the difference in our ranks, we still find ourselves seated in the same table,¡± Mydea said. A round one at that. Which was a bold choice from the princess, especially since her guests were seated not by rank or region or even race, like in the days of old.


    It was said some hosts among the Vaynish Plains or the Heartlands still did things that way. Silly as the practice was, at least Mydea could understand the misguided thinking behind it. The current randomness seemed to be achieving nothing but heightening tensions unnecessarily, if the conversations she could hear overhead were anything to go by.

 20: Stands for Trouble (Part 2)

    The three women Mydea had spotted earlier by the fountains joined them at the table, filling up the seats next to Vivyan. Counting the princess, that was half the table accounted for.


    ¡°A good evening to you, my ladies,¡± Mydea began as she introduced herself to the Marcherwomen, and they offered their names in turn. There was the pudgy Sara Shells, and shy Lanna Thorne, and Lady Miryam Bludbolt¡ªthin, toned, and hard as a whip. She looked every bit the lady from a house external with the sword at her hip and a dress she could duel in.


    ¡°Is that an heirloom?¡± Vivyan asked, scorn coloring her tone as she eyed the bronze sheen of its hilt.


    Miryam narrowed her eyes at Vivyan. ¡°Just a regular sword.¡±


    ¡°How quaint,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen a bronze sword before.¡±


    Any knight would¡¯ve preferred runesteel if given a choice, but bronze was still better than plain steel. In a fight, how well your sword channeled magic mattered just as much as your swordsmanship. Mydea would bet on Lady Miryam over frail Vivyan a hundred times over in the war yards.


    Miryam offered Vivyan a smile as sharp as her sword. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯ll have a closer look in the days to come.¡±


    Vivyan fell quiet. She was never the surest sword in a fight, having spent her days in the athenaeum on other pursuits.


    A gentleman in heels and two ladies were the next additions to their dozen. The ladies were like day and night; one a fair-skinned brunette with a prominent aquiline nose, the other a Dunelander of pure stock judging by how her skin was darker than even Princess Mirah¡¯s. Both were dressed exactly like her too, though the fabric was cotton, and they kept thin, needle-like dueling swords at their hips. The man, Mydea suspected, was kin to the brunette given they shared the same look.


    The Dunelander introduced herself as Larah Fleetfoot of the Marblepass, while the other two were Adamm and Lilith Morne, the children of the Grand Captain of the Gatekeepers.


    The Marcherwomen eyed the new arrivals with open suspicion. As the ones seated across them, the Mornes bore the brunt of it, though Larah faced her fair share of dark looks besides Miryam.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lovely dress you have,¡± Lilith said to Mydea. Mydea¡¯s dress was a woolen, form-fitting thing with a lining of sabretooth fur for the winter months or mountain flights on Snowscorn. It was one of her simpler garbs, with little in the way of frills compared to theirs. ¡°It¡¯s not the current fashion, I know, but one has to be practical out on the border I suppose.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t the current fashion anywhere,¡± Vivyan said beneath her breath.


    ¡°As you say,¡± Mydea said, tilting her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen the point in mimicking others. Dreadfully uninspired if you ask me.¡±


    Lilith¡¯s smile turned tight. She chose to engage with Vivyan in a conversation about Deeplander fashion instead¡ªand though the two tried to prick at her feelings, it was nothing so overt that she¡¯d be forced to respond to it. Unlike last year, the Pleonexians were no longer fond of sable according to Vivyan. Mydea was inclined to trust her over such matters.


    Next to join them was Lady Abygail Abelle in a gown of cloth of gold with exquisite stitching of rams locking horns. The House Principal of Abelle was many leagues from the southernmost reaches of the Deeplands, but even Mydea recognized their most ancient sigil. Yet, more eye-catching was Lady Rene who looked sculpted from white jade in her loose clothes with long, large sleeves and an even longer, embroidered skirt. Wrapped around her arm was a silk scarf. The style looked entirely foreign to Mydea, and if she had to guess, it was inspired by something from across the Sundered Sea.


    ¡°All rise for Her Excellency,¡± a herald announced, ¡°Princess Mirah Syngian of the Syngian Empire, accompanied by the Honorable Prince Cleo of Pyria!¡±


    Mydea stood dutifully with the rest of the guests, ears picking up on fervent whispers all around her. She had never met anyone who¡¯d visited that far off mountainous land to the west, beyond the Vaynish Plains, sandy dunes, and the Empire¡¯s edge. It was fortuitous to meet not just any Pyrian, but their prince at that!


    The man who linked arms with Princess Mirah was toned and tanned, with gold bangles clasped around either wrist. He wore a plain white tunic made of wool, draped diagonally across one shoulder and ended at his knees. A belt fastened itself just below his breast, keeping the excess fabric from spilling out. To top things off, he wore a broad-brimmed hat and open-toed sandals. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Mydea might not have given him a second glance if she did not know he was some foreign prince, for he did not look the part at all.


    Surely the princess was not considering giving her hand away to this man? She¡¯d recently turned twenty, and no doubt had a sea of suitors, but it was still uncommon to marry the year one became of age.


    As protocol dictated, Princess Mirah was the first to be seated, followed by her honored guest, then the rest of them. She removed her gloves daintily, laying them over her lap, and those with similar garb followed suit. Like clockwork, liveried servants descended upon them with glass teapots and cups.


    The water in the teapots was brought to a visible boil, then a full minute passed before the herbs were dropped in. The color of the infusion shifted to a pale yellow over the course of the next seven minutes, before they were poured into double-layered glass cups that made the drink seem like it was floating.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ve ever seen this blend before,¡± Lady Abygail said from besides Mydea. ¡°Is it green tea?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s white,¡± Mydea said, taking the time to breathe in its faint scent of grape. It had a delicate taste to it, slightly sweet, and without any of the bitterness found in a black brew or burned tea. She rolled her eyes as she spotted Vivyan in her periphery pouring milk and honey into her cup without a care. Tea was truly wasted on that girl. ¡°Try it first to see if it¡¯s to your taste. I drink mine with a squeeze of lemon sometimes, but it doesn¡¯t need much else,¡± Mydea said to Abygail.


    Abygail took a small sip, and nodded. ¡°You know your tea well, Lady Mydea.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a hobby I picked up from my mother,¡± Mydea said, eyeing the three-tiered trays.


    The assortment of foods on display competed with the flowers in both scent and color. Starting from the lowest tier were the savory foods: deep fried eggs with a crisp coat of sausage and breadcrumbs, chilled cubes of geese, skewered with grape, celery, and apple, and an assortment of finger sandwiches topped with smoked salmon and cucumber, or shrimp and egg with dill to name a few.


    ¡°You are from House Kolchis, are you not?¡± Abygail asked. ¡°From the northeast?¡±


    ¡°Our fief is nestled along the Aigean Range,¡± Mydea said.


    She paused for a moment in thought, the dimples on her cheeks showing. ¡°It¡¯ll be snowing there soon, won¡¯t it?¡± Abygail asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s as you say,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The first flakes had yet to fall when I left, but it can¡¯t be long now.¡±


    ¡°It must be nice to see such things,¡± Abygail said. ¡°It rarely snows back home, save for the coldest winters.¡±


    ¡°Winter means raiding from the savages, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Lilith asked from three seats away, though it sounded more a statement. Mydea squashed down on her surprise, scarcely imagining a woman bred and bled in the Imperial City would bother to know such details about her home.


    Abygail¡¯s brow rose. ¡°You face war during the winter? Have the savages no sense? The harvest is long over, and the herds culled. What shall they steal?¡±


    ¡°Steel,¡± Mydea said, tapping the hilt of her sword with a finger. ¡°They take what they cannot make themselves. Should they chance upon a flock, they will take that too, but it is never the point of their attacks.¡±


    ¡°But would it not make more sense to strike some other season then? It is difficult enough to move an army once winter settles,¡± Abygail said.


    ¡°Difficult for us, but not for the Tuskar,¡± Mydea said. ¡°In pitched battle, they do not stand much of a chance, so they avoid it whenever possible and use the snows to hamper our movement. Hard places do not make hard people.¡±


    Vivyan smirked, taking a dainty sip of her too-sweet tea. ¡°Is that so? What¡¯s one to make of the Battle of the Barrens then?¡±


    ¡°You pluck one defeat among countless victories, and call that proof of anything?¡± Mydea said. ¡°That would be a most narrow accounting of history.¡± Her grandfather¡¯s expedition beyond the Aigean Range was an overreach in hindsight, and Kolchis continued to pay for the bloody debt that battle had incurred.


    A lull fell over the table as they helped themselves to the tray¡¯s second tier containing slices of an airy sponge cake displaying a chequered pattern of blue and orange and topped with berries, a fine pastry parcel stuffed with currants and a non-negligible amount of butter, and thin, flaky tarts with a gooey, caramelized filling. Mydea was on her second cup of tea, and it was kept at exactly the right temperature by the teapots despite the passage of time.


    Princess Mirah remained engrossed in a lengthy discussion over the subject of botany, while Prince Cleo expressed surprise that a member of royalty¡ªor indeed any aristocrat¡ªwould sully their hands with work of any sort. The Pyrians had queer notions of what work meant if they counted hobbies as work in Mydea¡¯s opinion. Meanwhile, the three Marcherwomen continued to share words amongst themselves.


    The top of the tray held only two options: candied citrus peels with a crunchy chocolate shell, or scones studded with cranberries and a zesty lemon glaze generously drizzled to top it off. Both struck Mydea as too sweet by far, so she nibbled at a piece of peel and left it at that.


    That peace reigned for but a moment.

 21: Stands for Trouble (Part 3)

    ¡°He fostered with your father, didn¡¯t he?¡± Pudgy Sara asked Miryam as she served herself another helping of cake. ¡°What¡¯s Prince Jaeson like? Is he handsome?¡± Lanna nodded demurely.


    ¡°Quite handsome,¡± Miryam said. ¡°He¡¯s a fan of the histories, and an avid player of eminent domain. Father says he¡¯s a master of over five forms of the game.¡±


    Ida said something similar, Mydea thought. Her gaze shifted to Vivyan.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Vivyan asked with a pleased smile. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll challenge him to a game when he arrives. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll pay me mind when I win.¡±


    ¡°Premature of you to declare victory,¡± Miryam said. ¡°He is not so easily bested.¡±


    ¡°By the likes of you and your father maybe. I¡¯ve been bested less than a dozen times,¡± Vivyan said with a dismissive flourish of her hand.


    ¡°That just means you haven¡¯t played all that much,¡± Sara quipped.


    ¡°How about a wager then?¡± Vivyan shot back.


    Miryam rolled her eyes. ¡°Trust the Deeplander to speak of wagers first.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Bludbolt? Are you scared of a little risk?¡± Vivyan asked.


    ¡°Name your terms, Black,¡± Miryam said with a little heat in her voice.


    ¡°Should I win against Prince Jaeson in a game, you will not speak with him for a quarter turn of the moon of my choosing,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°The same applies to myself if I should fail.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do it in one game?¡± Miryam asked.


    She was wise to specify her terms, otherwise, Vivyan could very well take as many games as she liked to defeat Prince Jaeson and that was just a matter of time. Less wise was Miryam¡¯s choice to risk seven days over something she had no control over and with limited knowledge. Whoever lost here would severely damage their chances for the prince¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I will,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Miryam said.


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Vivyan replied.


    There was no backing out from it now. While not as compelling as an oath sworn before the gods, they¡¯d dealt with each other before dozens of aristocrats. Honor was everything to the stoneborn, and if either broke their word now, it would haunt them for years.


    ¡°What an excitable turn of events,¡± Abygail said, fanning herself. ¡°Who do you suppose will prevail, Lady Mydea?¡±


    Vivyan had been a natural talent at the game, crushing nearly everyone who played against her during their years at the Thalassian Athenaeum though one wouldn¡¯t know just by how little she practiced. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare speculate without having seen Prince Jaeson play,¡± Mydea said.


    Even if she had a good read on how skilled the prince was, her answer would be the same. It served her little to openly support either side of this developing feud. To declare for Vivyan would hardly pave over their disagreements overnight, but there were Deeplanders who might not think kindly of her for siding with a Marcherkin over one of their own.


    ¡°How cautious of you!¡± Abygail said.


    ¡°I do not gamble when I do not have to,¡± Mydea answered.


    ¡°Yet, isn¡¯t your presence here a gamble itself?¡± Abygail asked. ¡°There is no certainty anyone here will marry the prince, unless you are here towards some other purpose?¡±


    Vivyan scoffed as she served herself one of the chocolate covered treats she loved so much. ¡°She¡¯s here for the prince¡¯s hand, same as everyone else.¡±


    Miryam sent Mydea a scathing look. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Saying yes would earn her the girl¡¯s enmity with how the conversation was going, but neither could Mydea say she wasn¡¯t interested. It would be a grievous insult to the Empress to suggest her son was beneath a mere lady. ¡°I am honored to be considered of course,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but I hardly think I¡¯ll be chosen in the end with so many worthy women to pick from.¡±


    ¡°Women, yes. But worthy? I disagree,¡± Miryam said, looking straight at Vivyan. ¡°He is a prince after all.¡±


    ¡°Are you suggesting something?¡± Vivyan asked sharply.


    Unwisely in Mydea¡¯s opinion. The verbal jab was clearly meant for Vivyan, but vague enough she might have walked away from it with nothing but a bruised ego. Dragging it into the open like this was a great risk and for little gain.


    ¡°Just that there are women who ought to know their place,¡± Miryam said. ¡°It would be horrifying to debase the imperial lineage by marrying them to what is barely a house principal. Nevermind a golddigger!¡±


    Mydea stiffened. ¡°That,¡± she began, ¡°is a dangerous slur to utter.¡±


    ¡°Yet, it cannot be denied that you Deeplanders dirty your hands digging for every glittering scrap you can find,¡± Lilith interjected, her smile broadening. If she had a snake¡¯s fangs, it would show plain as day. ¡°Is it not your way to employ necromancers and their desecrated dead to dig through your deep mines?¡±


    ¡°Do House Pleonexia and their oathsworn not use their magic to steal straight from the deepest veins?¡± Miryam said. ¡°Is nothing sacred in your pursuit of riches?¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± Princess Mirah said, voicing her displeasure, but not quite yelling. ¡°I¡¯ll not have such unpleasantness spouted at my table.¡±


    Lilith bowed her head first. Miryam acquiesced a few heartbeats later, though reluctantly.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Lady Bludbolt ought to be expelled for her words! The sheer gall of her to slander a house eminent!¡± Vivyan said.


    A mistake, Mydea thought, eyeing Miryam¡¯s crossing arms and that stubborn pride of the Marcherkin rearing its ugly head. Though distance kept the Dunelands and Deeplands from real rivalry, they were not natural allies either that Princess Mirah should risk anything for House Pleonexia¡¯s good name. She would let things settle themselves and that meant bared steel.


    ¡°I will not apologize for the truth,¡± Miryam said.


    If she did nothing, Vivyan would lose and the shame would drive her from the table. Much as Mydea might like to see that, the slur was directed at her feudal overlord as well. Who among the Deeplands¡¯ aristocracy would not be furious over such insults? If she lifted not a finger, the failing would not be Vivyan¡¯s alone in the eyes of their peers.


    If she stepped in, even a loss might be commended. Was she not acting in defense of her liege¡¯s honor, from a fight she had not started? Between the Marcherwomen and her peers, there was no question whose approval Kolchis needed more.


    Mydea suppressed a sigh. If Vivyan Black could leave things well alone, would she still be Vivyan Black? ¡°Take back your words. I will not ask a second time,¡± Mydea said in a voice low and quiet.


    Miryam answered with a snaking line of lightning dancing between her fingertips, but then sputtered out as if an aqueduct severed from its source.


    ¡°None of that now,¡± Mirah said, casually displaying the signature magic of her paternal house. ¡°I¡¯d be a poor host if I allowed spellight to break out at the table.¡±


    The secrets of House Langoure were perhaps the most powerful even among the houses eminent, if not for its limited range.


    ¡°Let them settle this with bare fists, or I suppose swords, as your people prefer to do it,¡± Cleo suggested, looking far too pleased with himself.


    Mirah sighed. ¡°If it must come to that, then let it be with the sword. A duel, if both parties consent?¡±


    ¡°A duel,¡± Mydea said. Not even the Empress could stop the lowest of the lords from settling with the sword, though how often one might find two people willing to defy the Empress to her face was another matter entirely.


    ¡°A duel,¡± Miryam agreed, hand dropping to her bronze blade.


    Vivyan tugged at Mydea¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Are you sure you can win?¡± she whispered.


    ¡°No,¡± Mydea said, and that was the honest truth, ¡°but I¡¯ve better odds than you. I am sworn to Lord Pleonexia too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose.¡± Vivyan let go of her.


    Mydea stood and they stepped away from the tables and guests. Mirah led them to a covered walkway, still within view of the others, but far enough that any competent sorcerer could block a badly aimed spell. ¡°I¡¯ll be most upset if either of you destroy my flowers,¡± Mirah said, gesturing to some of her nearby marigolds. As the host and of the highest rank, she was entitled to judge on the match twice over. ¡°Stone can cope, but my plants aren¡¯t so resilient.¡±


    Miryam and Mydea nodded as they faced each other down, ten paces apart.


    I¡¯ve the better sword, Mydea thought, gripping the familiar feeling of her mother¡¯s hilt, but in skill and raw power I may be outmatched. Both of them belonged to houses external, charged by their lieges to fight ancient foes. For Kolchis, those were the Tuskar, but the Bludbolts had been at the forefront against greedy Everbloom knights for centuries, and even Empress Alcymede¡¯s long reign had not wholly stopped the border feuds.


    More worryingly, Miryam had sought to strike her with magic directly instead of through a medium. Such a luxury was reserved for mages with more magic than good sense. At least the formal constraints of a duel prevented the most dangerous spells from being used. She had little chance of winning if Miryam could smite her with lightning.


    She put such thoughts away, and ran through the classical repertoire. Fire sharpens, earth hardens, wind lengthens, Mydea recited mentally, letting warmth flow out of her palms and coating her runesteel rapier, shaping its properties.


    Miryam seemed to go through the same exercises.


    She¡¯ll know the same tricks I do. Mydea adjusted her grip. The unseen length projected from their blades would cut just as surely and deeply. It was always important to factor that in when fighting a mage.


    ¡°Will neither of you yield?¡± Mirah asked for formality¡¯s sake.


    ¡°No, Your Excellency,¡± the two replied.


    ¡°Then let it be settled to first blood,¡± Mirah said, and so it began.


    Miryam¡¯s blade came down in a headman¡¯s arc from over her head, though the distance was too far for her sword.


    Mydea sidestepped, then pirouetted, avoiding the howling winds slicing through where she¡¯d stood. Her own sword lashed out like a viper¡¯s tongue, hurtling a stream of compressed air, but Miryam was already moving. It did nothing but mar the walkway they danced upon, and even that hole was already covering itself up.


    I am outmatched, Mydea thought, stepping into a blow to parry. Skill would only widen the gap the longer this went on, and attempting to outlast her was a fool¡¯s errand if she gauged the reserves of power Miryam had rightly.


    She thrusted once more, a half-second after Miryam sent another projected strike, yet it was but a rustle when it reached her. Not strong enough to draw blood. Her own kept going, managing to nick Lady Miryam¡¯s cheek through sheer luck.


    They stood there for a moment, equally dumbfounded by the outcome.


    I should have lost in that exchange, Mydea thought, brows furrowing. Had Miryam¡¯s focus wavered? Even small imperfections in casting or a spell severed from its source at the wrong moment could greatly weaken the outcome.


    ¡°The winner: Lady Mydea,¡± Mirah announced to polite applause.


    Lady Miryam kept her silence and her eyes shut for several heartbeats, letting a gentle blue glow suffuse her cheek. With each pulse, a part of the cut was erased, as if reversing the hourglass. Then, her eyes opened. ¡°My words were discourteous,¡± Miryam said, knuckles bone-white as she sheathed her sword. ¡°My sincerest apologies.¡±


    ¡°You fought well,¡± Mydea said without malice. ¡°The vaunted skill of the Marcherwomen is no mere talk.¡±


    ¡°I trust that this matter is settled then,¡± Mirah said.


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency,¡± they replied in chorus.


    ¡°I beg your leave to depart early,¡± Miryam added through gritted teeth, as was expected of the vanquished. ¡°This exertion has taken its toll on me.¡±


    ¡°I wish you a swift recovery then,¡± Mirah said.


    Miryam nodded, walking off of the garden with a face of shame, and suspicion, and a shackled sort of rage.


    She would not be missing much in truth. The highest tray of food was already being served before their duel even began. There couldn¡¯t be more than a quarter of an hour left before the tea party reached its natural end.


    ¡°You¡¯ve finally put your skill in the sword to good use,¡± Vivyan said as they returned to the table. ¡°Lord Pleonexia will be pleased to hear of this.¡±


    I should hope so, Mydea thought, glancing at the Marcherwomen. Else I¡¯d have alienated a whole people with little to show for it.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Prince Cleo said. ¡°It isn¡¯t quite a gathering without a fight. We really ought to thank you for providing today¡¯s entertainment.¡±


    ¡°It is beneath our station to make light of such things, Your Honor,¡± Mydea said.


    Cleo snorted derisively, before returning to his conversation with Princess Mirah.


    Tea ended not long after that, and Mydea found herself returning to her room, a sense of heaviness draped across her. Her first day here, and already she was accruing a long list of enemies.


    What a fortuitous start.

 22: Archive... (Part 1)

    Her plans had not survived a single day of Aelisum, but one adjusted or was annihilated, and Mydea rather enjoyed being alive.


    When she returned to her room after tea with Princess Mirah¡ªwhich really felt more like dinner after one tried a little of everything¡ªthe first thing that stood out to her was Troia¡¯s bandaged hand being tended to by the other maids. ¡°What happened?¡± Mydea asked with furrowed brows.


    ¡°I burned myself while making some tea,¡± Troia said with a wince.


    Ridiculous, Mydea thought. Troia was no strawborn prodigy like Father was, but she had still completed a classical education at the Thalassian Athenaeum¡ªfirst on bursary, then with Mydea¡¯s patronage. Regulating heat was well within her capabilities, to say nothing of healing minor burns. Her eyes shifted to Ida and Khloe. ¡°Did either of you see it happen?¡±


    ¡°No, my lady,¡± Khloe said. ¡°It happened while I was delivering your message.¡±


    ¡°Miss Troia had asked me to get our meals from the kitchens,¡± Ida said.


    Ah, she thought. Troia was hiding something from them. They had no clue how skilled Troia was at magic yet, and so could not tell truth from trickery. ¡°Show me your hand,¡± Mydea said, a faint glow emanating from her own.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to exert yourself on my behalf,¡± Troia said as Ida unwrapped the bandaging slowly, as if scared of aggravating her. The burn was an ugly, red blotch branded across her palm, and Troia had applied a salve of honey and lavender over it. There was only one reason to resort to a salve, and that was when water would not work.


    Mydea let the light around her hand fade. A curse of some sort? Breaking such things had never been her forte, nor was she a medician by nature like her sister. Even if she were, there was never a guarantee that a curse applied could be unmade.


    ¡°Have the hystors examine it on the morrow,¡± Mydea said. It looked painful, but not perilous. She turned her attention to the other maids and sat. ¡°Help me out of this outfit.¡±


    Their hands brushed against her skin as they pulled off Mydea¡¯s leather half boots, velvet inner shoes, and silk stockings. There was a story in that if one was trained to see. Though she was not the match of a hystor, or a diviner like Tomas, she was still the daughter of Kassandra Kolchis.


    Khloe¡¯s callousses spoke of long hours scrubbing pans as a scullery maid, while Ida¡¯s smooth ones revealed a softer sort of life. She¡¯d not risen through the ranks like Khloe had, but had entered the Imperial Palace as a lady¡¯s maid only recently. Nor did she seem subject to the hardships of most strawborn from a younger age, yet Ida did not come from a wealthy family, at least not any more considering she had to support them.


    Perhaps they¡¯d fallen into poverty more recently? Ida made no mention of a father, and death could come for any man at any day.


    With the influx of nobility brought about by Prince Jaeson¡¯s search for a wife, the stewards of the Seraglio would need to hire extra help to tend to them all. Mydea was hardly a guest of great importance, but assigning her a former scullery maid and an untrained girl was both a slight to Kolchis, and a means of spying on her. She did not imagine either would stay on for long in their new posts once she was gone, and there was some leverage there for her. After all, what scullery maid would want to scrub dishes when she could live an easier life of dressing a stoneborn woman? And Ida needed the coin and was hardly equipped to find gainful employment elsewhere.


    Mydea stood, and the pair peeled away at her layer by layer like an onion. First was her wool and fur-lined dress which clung to her like a familiar embrace, then the camisole and petticoats. Ida¡¯s clumsy fingers worked on undoing the backlacing of her corset, while Troia busied herself even with just her weak hand to work with, picking up discarded articles like her leaf-shaped headpiece and storing them away properly.


    When she was naught but in her linen chemise, Mydea had made up her mind. ¡°I despise tardiness, and if you continue to serve me, I will not have it in you either. Starting tomorrow, Khloe shall serve in the scullery for a sennight as punishment. To serve as a lady¡¯s maid is a privilege, not a right. Reflect on that.¡± She turned to Ida. ¡°You¡¯ve escaped the same fate as her, but only narrowly. Be thankful.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Yes, my lady,¡± Khloe bit out. Ida nodded shakily.


    She had thought to send the both of them to work in the scullery as punishment for their earlier delays, but Troia¡¯s injury changed things. Her lady¡¯s maid could hardly see to her needs with only one good hand, and she did not know if her hand could be healed or how long it would take. Ida seemed far more easily intimidated that the threat of punishment might be enough to keep her in line for now, but Khloe was a harder read.


    Perhaps it is better this way though, Mydea thought. They did not seem close, and separating them up early on ensured they would not become so anytime soon. Khloe might even come to resent Ida for escaping punishment, especially when she¡¯d risen from a scullery maid to where she was now, while Ida was new yet now her equal.


    In any case, this incident ought to teach them to act with haste moving forward, and more importantly, they might think their subterfuge unnoticed in favor of the lesser sin. She had forgotten nothing, but dismissal would see them replaced with the subtler sort and served her little.


    No, better they were complacent than cautious.


    ¡°You are dismissed,¡± Mydea said, waving them away. ¡°Troia, a moment if you will. I require your input for tomorrow¡¯s activities.¡±


    A dozen heartbeats passed after the door shut before she sent out wisps of wind to ensure no one was eavesdropping. Any proper door ought to have been warded against wandering ears, but there were forces scheming to steal her secrets already, and she could not be certain her privacy¡¯s protection remained intact.


    ¡°What really happened?¡± Mydea asked, once she thought them reasonably secure.


    ¡°I was hiding away the books you¡¯d brought when one of them burned me,¡± Troia said in a low tone. ¡°Its cover was black leather, but bore no title.¡±


    Father¡¯s journal, Mydea thought with a frown. That was odd though. When she had pilfered it from his room, nothing of the sort had happened. She¡¯d even tested it with her magic and found nothing. She had thought Father¡¯s work unguarded, but perhaps she¡¯d been mistaken. Father¡¯s style of magic was often showy, but he knew how to weave subtle spells too. ¡°Where is it now?¡±


    ¡°Back in the trunk, locked,¡± Troia said, patting the key in her dress pocket with her uninjured hand. ¡°I left it stashed beneath a few books too to keep it hidden in case one of them managed to break through the lock while I wasn¡¯t present.¡±


    Mydea nodded. A sensible precaution. She walked over to her trunk and Troia inserted the key into the lock. After setting aside a quarter dozen thick tomes, Mydea found it.


    Was it blood bound like the grimoires of great families, or was there some curse that had come to life after it left Aigis? Perhaps its protections were activated once Father discovered it was missing? Something else? Taking a deep breath, she touched it¡ª


    Nothing. That ruled out the last option at least, though it helped her understanding little. ¡°Until we know more, I am the only one to handle this book,¡± Mydea said, as she flipped it open. Her face contorted.


    There were sketches of birds and pegasi, her mother in various poses, wide landscapes, sprawling structures, and anything else that caught Father¡¯s eye it seemed. She did not understand the purpose of them, but at least she knew what they were. The words were a different matter entirely, written in a cursive, flowing script she could not decipher. It was not any language she knew of, and she was not ignorant in that subject. Some pages had words arranged in ordered blocks that appeared to be stanzas, others in the format of letters, but she didn¡¯t know what they spoke of.


    Father could be crafty when he cared to be. Any thief would not only have to contend with his curse, but even the contents would not betray his secrets so easily.


    This is a setback, Mydea thought, but surely there is someone in all of Aelisium who will know just what script this is. She copied out a few lines from what she guessed was a poem, which likely wouldn¡¯t raise any suspicions if she showed it to others. She stashed the journal away.


    ¡°This arrived for you while you were away,¡± Troia said as she handed Mydea a letter. ¡°How was tea?¡±


    ¡°It was brewed to perfection. I can only commend Princess Mirah on that,¡± Mydea said, nodding to herself as she skimmed through Tomas¡¯ reply. ¡°But everything else has put me in a foul mood, myself most of all. I underestimated the forces at work here.¡±


    ¡°You give yourself too little credit, my lady,¡± Troia said. ¡°I¡¯m sure you did as best as you could.¡±


    Would that be enough to see me through these perilous waters? Mydea thought. ¡°Nevermind that. It is done now, and what remains is to move forward. I shall be meeting with Tomas after breaking fast. He is showing me to the Archive.¡± Mayhaps she¡¯d ask him if he knew what language the journal was in? It couldn¡¯t hurt anything, and he held fluency in a considerable breadth of languages.


    ¡°I shall pick out a suitable outfit,¡± Troia said. ¡°Will I be accompanying you there?¡±


    ¡°No, see to your hand¡¯s care first,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving Ida with you as well. Teach her what you can for now. That girl¡¯s an embarrassment as is, and even if I could trust her, I wouldn¡¯t dare bring her anywhere.¡±


    ¡°As you say, my lady.¡±

 23: Archive... (Part 2)

    Tomas¡¯ carriage was an unassuming thing by the gates of the Seraglio, unmarked and directed by a plain-looking coachman dressed without spectacle. She¡¯d asked it of him, but Mydea found her circumstances changed since she sent him word yesterday. There was no avoiding attention now after being seated with Princess Mirah and her duel with Miryam. All that was left was to turn this to her favor.


    Adapt or perish¡ªthat was the law of court.


    She looked right at the carriage for several moments, and when its curtains rustled, she held Tomas¡¯ gaze long enough that he knew she knew he was there. Then, she returned to her conversation with Lady Abygail on the merits of a stormsilk gown.


    Minutes passed before Tomas caught on to her wishes, and he stepped out into the light of day to escort her himself. Hushed whispers and pointed looks broke out at the sight of him, especially among the Marcherwomen. Tomas might have arrived with her, but it was improbable that no one among the candidates knew him by face even without the star and storm livery.


    ¡°My lady,¡± Tomas said loudly when one of the Marcherwomen tried to speak with him, ¡°Prince Jaeson shall see your letters when he arrives. I ask you to be patient.¡±


    Mydea stood and straightened out her dress. ¡°I thank you for the company and conversation, Lady Abygail, but you must excuse me. My ride has arrived at last.¡±


    Abygail¡¯s gaze shifted to Tomas, then back to her with a sparkle. ¡°Of course, Lady Mydea.¡±


    The whispers grew louder as Tomas stopped before her. Every eye in the Seraglio was on them. ¡°Shall we depart?¡± Tomas asked, offering her his arm.


    ¡°Perfectly timed, Tomas. We were just about finished here,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°We should speak again soon,¡± Abygail said agreeably, ¡°maybe with your companion too next time?¡±


    ¡°I would be delighted to accept your invitation,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Provided there is no pressing business to attend to, my lady,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of distracting you from your important work, Mister Tomas,¡± Abygail said. ¡°Safe travels to you two.¡±


    As they walked to the gates, arms interlocked, Tomas whispered, ¡°You¡¯ve another scheme in mind for the day, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I am in the Imperial Court now,¡± Mydea said, playfully narrowing her eyes. ¡°Scheming is all we do.¡±


    Besting Miryam in a duel yesterday was good, but while she retracted her words, that did not make them unsaid. What stronger refutation was there that the Deeplanders were unworthy of an imperial marriage for now than being the first to be seen with the prince¡¯s valet before the whole Seraglio? He was the closest thing to the prince¡¯s person until Prince Jaeson arrived, and could exert considerable influence by virtue of his proximity to the prince.


    ¡°Lady Mydea, a moment of your time please!¡± Vivyan said, walking briskly towards her as they reached the carriage.


    ¡°Go ahead. This shan¡¯t take long,¡± Mydea said to Tomas. She shut the door behind him and turned to face Vivyan. ¡°It¡¯s lovely to see you as always.¡±


    ¡°You know Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet?¡±


    ¡°Evidently,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°How do you know Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet?¡± Vivyan asked.


    Mydea smiled. ¡°That hardly seems your concern. Was that all you wanted to ask me? I do have things to attend to today.¡±


    Vivyan bit her cheek, before saying, ¡°I should like you to introduce me to him.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    That Mydea expected. Any candidate serious about pursuing Prince Jaeson would find his valet an invaluable source of information on his preferences, and having him as an ally could only be a boon. At the very least, it was important not to make an enemy out of him.


    "Whatever for?" Mydea asked.


    "That hardly seems your concern," Vivyan shot back.


    Know the strength of your hand. "Good day, Lady Vivyan."


    "Wait, fine, fine!" Vivyan said. "You know of my wager with Lady Miryam. I wish to practice, and I would think playing Mister Tomas shall let me gauge the prince''s skill beforehand. So could you kindly introduce us?"


    "I could," Mydea said, "but we aren''t friends to do each other favors freely." Nor was she inclined to help her given it was Vivyan''s doing in part that doomed her plan.


    "It would be to your benefit too if I should win," Vivyan tried. "Lady Miryam''s insult was to all of us. She is the greatest of our contenders too."


    "I''ve answered her insult. I need not do more," Mydea said. "And I do not have high hopes for my own prospects of an imperial marriage. Angering her further by helping you does me little good."


    "What do you want then?"


    That was the crux of it. While Vivyan was a thorn on her side, she cared little if she married the prince in the end. She''d be too busy with the courtly games to continue being a problem for Mydea in that case. There was no benefit to monopolizing Tomas'' attention too, which was a fool¡¯s errand. But offering to introduce others to him, for now at least, had potential ¡­ People would inevitably have opinions of her now that she was in the limelight, so let them think there was no better friend, no worse an enemy.


    "A favor for a favor," Mydea said.


    "It¡¯s hardly an equal exchange if I do not know what you might ask of me in the future!" Vivyan said with some heat.


    That much was true. "I shall deal with you fairly then," Mydea said. "One use of your shadow is what I ask for."


    "You call that fair?" Vivyan asked, appalled. "There are risks to using my family''s magic."


    "Worry not. There''s little chance of entrapment for what I have in mind."


    "Will you swear to that?"


    "I will if you will," Mydea said.


    Vivyan''s face scrunched as she weighed her options, before nodding. "The Street of Sacrifice tonight, after the offering to Ygeia."


    "Tonight," Mydea agreed.


    The expression etched on Tomas¡¯ face when she entered the carriage could only be described as one of curiosity. ¡°I thought you wished to go unnoticed,¡± Tomas said as the carriage lurched forward.


    ¡°Things change quickly,¡± Mydea said. ¡°How do you rate yourself in eminent domain compared to Prince Jaeson?¡±


    ¡°About equal,¡± Tomas said. ¡°We play often.¡±


    ¡°Would you like to test yourself? Vivyan Black was the champion of the Thalassian Athenaeum, and she wishes to play you.¡±


    "Is there some reason for that?"


    Mydea''s brow rose. "You haven''t heard of her wager with Lady Miryam Bludbolt?" Word spread quickly in Aelisium, so she found that hard to believe.


    "I don''t concern myself with the comings and goings of court," Tomas said.


    "Vivyan thought she could beat Prince Jaeson in a game. Miryam disagreed," Mydea said. "Each wagered a week, and the loser would abstain from speaking with Prince Jaeson. Vivyan thinks to try herself against you first and give herself better odds that way."


    Tomas seemed amused. "Let her. I don''t mind."


    ¡°I shall arrange it then,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I did hear of your duel with Lady Miryam though,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Word of it was inescapable this morning. Did she really insult Lord Pleonexia too?¡±


    Mydea nodded.


    Tomas whistled. ¡°Bold, even for her.¡±


    ¡°I do not hold it against her. She spoke in anger, and Vivyan did not help things any,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Though Lord Pleonexia might not feel the same way.¡±


    ¡°I doubt he will when he hears of this from Prince-Consort Pythos,¡± Tomas said. The carriage began climbing the plateau at an incline. ¡°Why did it fall to you to defend his honor if Vivyan was there? I¡¯d thought that the relationship between Kolchis and Pleonexia was not the best of late.¡±


    ¡°Vivyan is a graduate of the athenaeum, but has no affinity for the sword,¡± Mydea said. ¡°If I¡¯d let her flounder before so many people, it would reflect badly on me as well.¡±


    ¡°A stoneborn who does not deal in steel?¡± Tomas asked. ¡°Who ever heard of such a thing?¡±


    ¡°Just as you are a strawborn who does not toil in soil,¡± Mydea said.


    Tomas smiled. ¡°What a pair we¡¯d make.¡±

 24: Archive... (Part 3)

    Their ride stopped before the great glass dome of the Archive, and Tomas opened the door for them. The only entrance to that marble edifice was a pair of bronze doors with a dozen languages all saying the same thing¡ªthere is one evil: ignorance.


    They were assaulted by grassy notes stained with something sharp, something that promised power. There was a hint of vanilla there too, mixing with the mustiness ¡­ it was unmistakable, that scent of old books brought beneath one roof, and any athenaeum graduate would be familiar with it. The glass dome and many arching windows allowed the sun easy access to the interior.


    A strange feeling wormed its way into her gut when they crossed the threshold, a raw wrongness she could not place entirely.


    ¡°So why is it you wanted to come here?¡± Tomas asked.


    ¡°To figure out what language this is in,¡± Mydea said, showing him the script she¡¯d copied from her father¡¯s journal. Her fingers itched and twitched, begging her to reach for something that was just out of grasp. Was she going mad?


    ¡°This isn¡¯t in any language spoken in the Empire, I think,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Not from New Thrage either, and the easterner scripts look entirely different from this. Pyrian maybe, though I cannot say they are a people who think highly of writing. We can ask the hystors.¡±


    Tomas led her past the lines of strawborn in the marble atrium, right up to the counter where a scribe collected entrance fees. Besides him was a man with a well-chiseled chest and thick trunks for arms. ¡°Tomas, welcome back to the Archive,¡± the man greeted. ¡°Have you grown taller?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the same height as always, Jorge,¡± Tomas said.


    Jorge frowned. ¡°Huh? I could have sworn ¡­ well, how can the Archive help you today?¡±


    Tomas gestured to Mydea. ¡°This is Lady Mydea of House Kolchis. She¡¯s a guest of the Empress and requires access to the Archive.¡±


    ¡°Ah, where are my manners then?¡± Jorge said. Twin hexagrams of ink snaked their way up his neck and onto his cheeks, proudly marking him as a hystor. ¡°I am Polyhystor Jorge, Administrator of the Archive. I welcome you, and recognize the first right.¡±


    The right to study, to be accepted at an athenaeum and learn from the wise ones was what separated the stoneborn from the strawborn. From the moment of birth, a spot was carved out in those halls for even the lowest mage-at-arms without need for tests or tuition, though whether they graduated was entirely on their own merits. Whole wars had been fought when greater lords thought to deny lesser ones access to the athenaeums, and that right extended to the use of the Archive and any library attached to the Six Schools.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mydea said distractedly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, does anyone else feel that strange sensation?¡±


    ¡°Is it your first time in the Archive?¡± Jorge asked. At her nod, he continued, ¡°House Langoure has oathsworn maintaining wards on this structure against the making of fire. That itch you¡¯re feeling is from a limited application of their signature spell.¡±


    ¡°Does it get better?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Not really, and the prisons are even worse,¡± Jorge said. ¡°I caution you against spending too much time here. We¡¯ve had people suffer from madness after prolonged exposure.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    If this was what a limited application of Severance felt like, she hated to think what the spell in all its power could do to her. Death might be preferable.


    ¡°Have you ever seen this language before?¡± Tomas asked, showing him the paper. ¡°I think it might be Pyrian, but I¡¯m not certain of that.¡±


    Jorge studied it for a moment, his brows furrowing. ¡°I must confess, I have no clue what this is. We have few books with the Pyrian script to compare it too, but I¡¯ll see what I can do. Follow me.¡±


    One did not appreciate the sheer size of the Archive until you¡¯d strolled deep into its confines. There were hundreds of thousands of books sitting upon thousands of shelves on every subject under the star and storm. Narrow, numbered rows crisscrossed forming a labyrinth Mydea would have easily lost herself in.


    Every so often, the endless sea of shelves would be interrupted by displays encased in boxes of glass. There were swords, stone tools, and clay tablets; coins from foreign shores and the days of yore, the finger bones of ancient royalty alongside their stoney visages and shattered crowns; and even a mythuselah¡¯s fang!


    Librarians marked by their pink pins patrolled the halls, while scribes and servants of either sex inspected certain shelves, rearranging the order of books or pulling them out for a good dusting¡ªalways by hand, for fear that magic might damage the books.


    I wonder if anyone¡¯s died of hunger here? Mydea thought as she fought a sneeze from escaping her. The urge passed after a while, when dusty shelves gave way to better used ones.


    ¡°Prince Jaeson will be returning any day now I heard,¡± Jorge said as he stopped at yet another shelf to scan its contents, and even opened a book to skim through, before moving on.


    ¡°Not for another month,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°You would know,¡± Jorge said. ¡°That must make you popular with the women, if he¡¯s still absent. Have they started throwing themselves at you yet?¡±


    ¡°Only the one so far,¡± Tomas answered.


    ¡°I hardly threw myself at you,¡± Mydea said.


    He grinned. ¡°Need I remind you of when you paid me attention at Aigis?¡±


    ¡°Need I remind you that that served a different purpose?¡±


    ¡°I think you enjoyed it a little too much to be just that,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°Of course I did,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Have you ever had ambrosia? It¡¯s divine.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t drink ambrosia that night,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Honeywine was your poison of choice, if I recall rightly.¡±


    She smirked. ¡°Who was paying attention to whom again?¡±


    ¡°Here we are,¡± Jorge interjected before she could claim victory over Tomas, though they both knew the score. ¡°A Comparative History of Old Ilyos by Gidyon the Traveller. It is still in Ilyosi, mind you, but he has written down some of the Pyrian words as part of his work.¡±


    The book began with a familiar tale. In that land called Ilyos, they dared steal sleep from summer.


    ¡°I was mistaken,¡± Tomas said, glancing between the book and the paper. ¡°These are not the same language. Half the letters look wrong to me.¡±


    ¡°How curious,¡± Jorge said. ¡°Where did you get this from?¡±


    ¡°One of the old books from home,¡± Mydea lied easily. ¡°I think it might have been a poem? Really, it¡¯s just to sate my curiosity. Do you have a book on languages I could borrow?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Jorge said. ¡°By the Empress¡¯ decree, no thing is to leave the Archive, not even for the House Imperial. I¡¯ve no answers for you today, but we could arrange for a diviner specializing in languages to take a look at it. I will have to check when she is available. There are many demands on her time.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate the offer,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Please send me word at the Seraglio whenever she¡¯s free.¡±


    Their exit was greeted with the other half of the Sage¡¯s saying¡ªthere is one virtue: knowledge.

 25: Of Our Own (Part 1)

    The High Temple looked more like a sculpted mountain than stacked stones to Mydea. With a shy, new moon in the sky and Aelisium¡¯s own luminance dimmed in deference to Ygeia¡¯s holy night, there was little light to see where one block ended and the other began. The column of stoneborn snaked down the Street of Sacrifice, and bearing witness were the stars on silk and sky.


    Whatever Lord Eminent Pleonexia¡¯s current feelings for her house, Mydea had been invited to be part of his brother Pythos¡¯ retinue for the night. There had never been an excess of Deeplanders in the Imperial City to begin with, and even the inclusion of the marriage candidates did little to change that calculus.


    What she had not expected was to be riding on Snowscorn a pace behind Lord Pythos.


    Certainly she¡¯d drawn steel in defense of their good name, and winning always made one popular ... but never had she thought that the sum of those things would be enough to ride at his right hand.


    ¡°How well do you know your history?¡± Pythos asked without looking her way.


    ¡°I would not claim to be a master of the subject, but I am familiar with my family¡¯s at the very least,¡± Mydea said. ¡°What is it you wish to know, Your Excellency?¡±


    ¡°The beginning,¡± Pythos said. ¡°What was House Kolchis before becoming stoneborn?¡±


    That he¡¯d kept his address ambiguous told her two things. First, whether Kolchis was a house nominal or external would not be settled this night. Second, that this was not rapprochement, but neither was it reconciliation. Closer to truce than trust if it had to be called anything.


    ¡°Our line truly began with Noeh the Knowing then. He was a pegasi herdsman,¡± she said without a speck of shame. It was a past many centuries old now, and even the Divine Syngian had been strawborn at birth. Only a house so young, so insecure of their status would go to great lengths denying their own story and fail to learn old lessons freely offered.


    ¡°Small wonder then that House Kolchis breeds some of the finest pegasi in the Empire,¡± Pythos said. ¡°The knowledge he passed down has served your family well.¡±


    ¡°It has,¡± Mydea said, dipping her head slightly. Winged horses could not be raised just anywhere by anyone, nevermind breeds best for battling in the air above. ¡°A house does not keep their castle by good fortune alone.¡±


    ¡°Yet Kolchis has no spell secrets,¡± Pythos said.


    Not yet at least. With any luck, she might help her father¡¯s work come to fruition. ¡°We have never needed one to thrive and survive,¡± Mydea said. ¡°There is and always will be a need for more pegasi, to maintain supremacy over the skies. Only two types of people can ignore such things¡ªthe long dead, and those who long for death.¡±


    At last, Prince-Consort Pythos looked her way with his eyes dark as the depths of any mine. He was tall too, and the heels he wore made him tower over her. Some whispered the Pleonexias were anointed by the gods, for each was born with a crown of golden silk. Not even the House Imperial could take that from them, and the shards of shattered crowns within Aelisium were countless.


    ¡°My family was not always the House Eminent of the Deeplands,¡± Pythos said. ¡°Did you know that?¡±


    ¡°You used to call yourselves kings instead,¡± Mydea said politely.


    ¡°I speak of a time before Pleonexians were even lords, when the charred corpse of Old Ilyos was still within living memory. We were not always stoneborn either, but hirelings of a foreign people to fight in their feuds.¡±


    ¡°I do not believe any of the ancients survived the Ashen Autumn,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°House Eminent Luxuria is closest, but even they were but a branch of a branch of a branch,¡± Pythos said. ¡°No honest hystor would have called them a power in the years of yore.¡±


    Mydea nodded. This was all well-known, though not uttered beyond private speech lest offense was given. ¡°They¡¯ve risen high.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He scoffed. ¡°It is easy to rise high when all others have died or drowned. They did not seize power like we did when we made the Deeplands ours with steel and sorcery.¡±


    ¡°They held onto power for all these years nevertheless.¡±


    ¡°There is no great secret to that,¡± Pythos said. ¡°The words of my house are as much a warning to me and my kin as it is to others. All that lies in my hands is whom I wish to settle with: the debtors or death, but one will always collect.¡±


    She tilted her head. It was strange to hear a Pleonexia speak of dues in such a way. Is he saying whatever his house might owe mine is settled with this? Mydea thought. She¡¯d won this conversation with a cut, and in doing so might have severed any friendship between Kolchis and the Marcherkin. ¡°I shall keep that in mind, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°See that you do,¡± Pythos said. ¡°Word has reached me that you¡¯ve made the acquaintance of Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet. You work quickly.¡±


    It was no surprise he¡¯d heard of that by now after she¡¯d shown up with Tomas before the whole Seraglio. Was he worried that Kolchis had designs on the prince¡¯s hand? It was not as if such a match would commit Lord Pleonexia in any way, but best to nip his doubts in the bud. ¡°Our paths crossed perchance. I saw no harm in cultivating a relationship, though I doubt he shall have time for me much longer once the prince arrives.¡±


    ¡°You enjoy his company then?¡± Pythos asked with a raised brow.


    ¡°It is more that I dread the silence,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I cannot know how long my stay in Aelisium will be, so it is best to have someone to speak with.¡±


    ¡°I would ask something of you then.¡±


    ¡°House Kolchis is sworn to House Pleonexia, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said, dipping her head. ¡°I am at your command.¡±


    Pythos nodded. ¡°There are few enough Deeplanders here at the Empress¡¯ invitation, and I would put an end to any whispers about our worth.¡±


    ¡°What would you have me do?¡± They arrived at the courtyard where attendants rushed forward to hold their horses while the stoneborn dismounted.


    ¡°Arrange a gathering of your own, whatever activity suits your fancy,¡± Pythos said.


    This was to be an introduction then, but did he truly wish to secure Prince Jaeson¡¯s hand? Mydea frowned. Did House Pleonexia wish to commit themselves to a faction so early, considering what had happened to their youngest brother during the last succession struggle? ¡°Is this prudent?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Do you have reservations?¡± Pythos asked.


    ¡°There are many things in this city beyond my understanding,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but of what little I know, I cannot counsel this course of action.¡±


    ¡°These are not words a lord would find pleasant.¡±


    ¡°What is best is not always what is pleasant, but I am sworn to offer it all the same,¡± Mydea said.


    Pythos smiled and in lieu of an answer, said, ¡°There will be oaths sworn tonight. I extend to you an invitation to witness those sworn to Pleonexia.¡±


    ¡°It would be an honor, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said as they passed into the temple¡¯s threshold. It had not the marble columns or the rectangular layout that defined those of Old Ilyos. Instead, the High Temple was six-sided and shaped entirely of blackened rock. On any other night, its many openings would have allowed heavenly light to suffuse the room. Instead, it was the Starlight Crown upon the Empress¡¯ brow which provided light on this holy night.


    A bell resounded, deep and distant, as twilight arrived. A dozen perfect white goats, each no older than a year, were slaughtered and burned by the hystors, while their juniors collected the blood and coated the stone altar. Her Highness stood in the center of the room, uttering praise and prayers to the harsh, wintry visage which dominated the north: Ygeia, god of life and death and pestilence.


    Men and women from the eight great regions of the Empire began piling offerings at her feet: a small mountain of gold, a dozen bright Imperial Stars which outshined the silver statues; bronze swords too, enough to arm a host; glittering gems and soft silks beyond counting, and the scent of potent vintages mixing with smoke. There were libations of milk and honey; a sweet smelling water in ornate jars and clear water for purity, and concentrated Ambrosia that would have burned any throat but those divine.


    Yet though the entirety of the Imperial Court was present, the confines of the temple could never truly be filled.


    At a signal from Vivyan, Mydea stepped forward with her. ¡°Ygeia, bear witness to our oaths made of our own free will and in good faith,¡± they said in unison.  Neither of them could claim now that the oath was invalid due to a defect in will or contract.


    ¡°I, Vivyan of House Black, make this oath with Mydea of House Kolchis,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°For her introduction to Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet, Tomas, I shall give to Mydea one use of my shadow, provided there is little risk of its entrapment. By the Great Gods Above and the Divine Syngian, may this oath bind me until our words come to pass, or may my nails be torn if I should forswear.¡±


    ¡°I, Mydea of House Kolchis, let this oath bind me as well,¡± Mydea said, after finding no flaw in her wording. ¡°Let it be so.¡±


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Vivyan finished. They clasped their arms together, and bargain was struck.

 26: Of Our Own (Part 2)

    When she stepped back into the crowd, she found herself besides Prince Cleo, dressed as he always was in his strange tunic. Did the man have no other clothes?


    ¡°So you befriend your enemy,¡± Cleo said. ¡°How curious.¡±


    ¡°If we were friends, we would not need the gods to uphold our promises to each other,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It is truce, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°Truce,¡± Cleo said, as if the very word was foul to his lips.


    She raised a brow at him. ¡°Do you not observe this in Pyria?¡±


    ¡°There is only victory or defeat for the Homoioi,¡± Cleo said. ¡°To make peace before the outcome is settled is bereft of honor.¡±


    Thank the gods we are not in Pyria then, she thought dryly. ¡°I did not think you would be here tonight.¡±


    Cleo grinned. ¡°If your philosophers are to be believed, my gods and yours are one and the same, but with different names. Besides, I am here now. I may as well see for myself how you Syngians worship.¡±


    ¡°How are you finding it so far?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Far too much gold,¡± Cleo said with a dismissive wave of his hand, ¡°far too little the gift of blood. How can the gods be sated on just glittering things?¡±


    ¡°We do not give blood here carelessly,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Much can be done to you if it should fall in the wrong hands.¡± Did he not know this?


    ¡°Of course, I am not suggesting you give your own,¡± Cleo said. ¡°Give to the gods the blood of your helots.¡±


    Mydea balked. ¡°We have no slaves here. The Divine Syngian forbids it.¡±


    Cleo frowned. ¡°Helots are not slaves. Had I the will, I could neither free them, nor sell them. Only the polis may do that.¡±


    ¡°Regardless of what they are,¡± Mydea said, ¡°the blood of others is not ours to give.¡±


    ¡°Yet, blood is necessary. How can those of an animal suffice for the gods? There is no potency in them,¡± Cleo said.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but what is it to you if another gives their blood?  What does it matter without meaning? All the power in the world, but without purpose.¡±


    Cleo snorted. ¡°You wish to speak of power and purpose? Very well. My father is one of the two Kings of Pyria. This land only has one Empress, so how does she decide what to do by herself?¡±


    ¡°Quickly,¡± she answered.


    ¡°How succinct,¡± Cleo said.


    ¡°That¡¯s rather the point,¡± Mydea said. Who did not remember the delays of Arh-Khaine during the years of Syla the Stormsong?


    ¡°What if she decides poorly?¡± Cleo asked. ¡°What if she makes war on the wrong people?¡±


    ¡°Then our enemies will die quickly,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°To our enemies then.¡± Cleo raised an invisible cup in toast, with a mouthful of mockery. ¡°May they die quickly.¡± Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Sons of the Pyrian League, so it was said, were descended from Old Ilyos too, and looking at his brown skin, Mydea could see the resemblance between her and him. Yet, appearance seemed to be all their people shared now and appearance alone was not enough to bind a tribe together.


    Mydea turned her eyes back to the center of the room where the Empress¡¯ three daughters stood side-by-side. Princess Lille was tall, fair, and lovely in her knee-length gown of green and gold, like a flower in full bloom. Mirah was as she remembered, black and beautiful in a sheer bronze outfit with her hair braided, while Princess Bethany¡¯s strapless red dress molded itself to her heart-shaped body, and was a match for either of her half-sisters.


    Their brother Altan was off to the side, his heeled shoes elevating him above the gaggle of ladies surrounding him. Last and alone among the heirs of the House Imperial to be of Ilyosi stock was Prince Pelias, nephew to the Empress and recently turned twenty. Around him had gathered lords and ladies from the two great sea powers of the Empire¡ªNysia and the Haven.


    But no one from the Deeplands, Mydea thought. Her fellow stoneborn kept to themselves for the most part it seemed, but was she to interpret this as remaining neutral still, or a commitment to the prince unpresent?


    ¡°Lady Mydea, join us for a moment if you will,¡± Prince-Consort Pythos called out, the wind weaving through the room to carry his words to her ear.


    With him was an assembly of stoneborn women though she recognized none of the sigils displayed on their chests and arms.


    ¡°This is Lady Mydea of House Kolchis,¡± Pythos said to them. He turned to her. ¡°These are the women who will swear oaths to me upon this twilight, or the daughters of those men.¡±


    Soon-to-be oathsworn and their daughters ¡­ they would not be true ladies then from the ruling families, but were the lowest rungs of the stoneborn¡ªmages-at-arms, unlanded knights, and select strawborn who¡¯d graduated from the Thalassian Athenaeum. She had an inkling now of Lord Pytho¡¯s scheme.


    ¡°A pleasure to make your acquaintances,¡± Mydea said, committing their faces to memory.


    ¡°It would be to your benefit to meet them,¡± Pythos said. ¡°They and theirs will reside in Aelisium for the foreseeable future and one can never have too many friends.¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°I understand, Your Excellency.¡± His words now confirmed it. These were who he wished her to invite to her gathering with Tomas, for they had neither the pedigree or prestige to be wed to a house eminent, nevermind an imperial marriage. No one would think this a serious play for Prince Jaeson¡¯s hand, but it would be enough to show that the House Imperial took the nobility of the Deeplands seriously.


    When the personal oaths and offerings had been heard, Prince-Consort Pythos and all with him approached the altar. More onerous were oaths sworn on a holy day, and for that reason many who could wait, would wait to swear during one. The hystors brought out sacred artifacts said to hail from the Era of the Six Sorcerers¡ªa silk shroud, a bronze sword, and a page made of papyrus encased in glass.


    ¡°Bear witness to our oaths, gods great and small,¡± the oathsworn candidates said. Each named themselves before the gods in line with the strictest formalities of a sacred oath. ¡°We swear this of our own free will, in good faith and without deceit before the honorable stoneborn present, before Prince-Consort Pythos, Lord Advocate and blood kin to Lord Pleonexia. We swear this on the Silk Shroud of Sylvia the Settler, the Iron Sword of Symon Shieldwarden, and the Script of Syla Stormsong. We swear this on the offerings and libations to Ygeia, before all the gods great and small, and the Divine Syngian.¡±


    Each of the oathsworn laid their hands before those holy artifacts as they invoked their weight. To be oathsworn was an honor, to be entrusted with the signature spell of a house, however weakened or incomplete.


    Yet with such trust came terms.


    ¡°We swear this to Lord Pleonexia of the Pleonexus, Lord Eminent of the Deeplands, and Marshal of the Aigean and the Anarev,¡± they said. ¡°We swear to keep his secrets and his counsel, and never shall we pass on what we have learned in his service.¡±


    The most important passage in their oaths, though more terms would follow. Would an oath alone ensure all who came into their service would never betray them? Hardly. A leaked spell secret could be the ruin of even a house eminent, but such was why only the lowest of the stoneborn were ever chosen. Their families had not the power to resist Pleonexia, and all their kin might be destroyed utterly at the first sign of subterfuge.


    Neither was it likely that they would learn all of Pleonexia¡¯s secrets, and it would take a brilliant mind to reconstruct the entirety of the spell from the fragment gifted.


    Other words passed from their lips ¡­ to bear arms in defense of him and his, to love who he loved and shun who he shunned, to be loyal and true, to observe homage against all persons.


    Then, at last: ¡°May this oath bind me to the death of days, or destroy me and mine if I should forswear.¡±


    ¡°Let it be so,¡± Mydea said. With that, these men and women were oathsworn, and may they die in glorious service, keeping his secrets.

 27: Of Our Own (Part 3)

    It is better to settle with debtors than death, for one will always collect. Mydea sat with Tomas and Vivyan in one of the balconies of the Seraglio with a splendid view of the gardens below.


    ¡°Is there a form you favor?¡± Tomas asked Vivyan as he set up the six-sided board of Eminent Domain in the table between them. Only two of them would be playing, and so the long central axis was made of twelve tiles, decreasing by one as each row strayed further and stopping only when there were six tiles left.


    ¡°Without fog, and without terrain?¡±


    ¡°I thought you said she was the champion at the Thalassian Athenaeum?¡± Tomas asked Mydea.


    Mydea shrugged. ¡°She was, but I¡¯m hardly the best judge of her skill. I barely know how the pieces work.¡±


    Vivyan huffed. ¡°This is our first game together, I thought it best that we keep things simple.¡±


    Tomas sighed. ¡°Very well. As you wish, Lady Vivyan.¡± He pulled out an Imperial Star and handed it to Mydea. ¡°If you¡¯ll toss the coin for us?¡±


    Mydea took it in hand, flipped it in the air, then covered the result. She glanced at Vivyan. ¡°Do you choose the sovereign or the star?¡±


    ¡°The sovereign,¡± Vivyan said.


    Mydea lifted her hand, and it was the likeness of the Empress staring back at her. ¡°It is the sovereign.¡± She settled into her seat and worked on her stitching, keeping one eye on their game.


    ¡°Ladies first then,¡± Vivyan said, as she placed down her crown and castle at the very back of the board, closest to herself. Losing either would lose the game, and so it made sense to Mydea¡¯s eyes.


    Tomas placed his nearer to the center, at the eighth rank. His pieces were perfect circles of alabaster marked with red ink, while Vivyan¡¯s were of onyx. On they went, placing pieces on the board¡ªa row of pikes at the tenth rank, with wings, slings, and lances to the sides. Tomas was massing his cavalry and ranged pieces heavily on his left side, and Vivyan matched his placement.


    It was a depiction of an old way of war¡ªthis game with its massed pikes and deep ranks of mages. Were any lord to try this now, save perhaps Lord Eminent Morgraine, they would find their formations beset by storm or searing fire.


    ¡°That¡¯s a strange formation you favor,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°You expose your crown and castle to great danger by splitting off so many pieces.¡±


    ¡°Have you never heard the saying ¡®never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake¡¯?¡± Tomas asked.


    Vivyan rolled her eyes and moved a pike one tile forward. ¡°You and Lord Pythos conversed much yesterday,¡± she said to Mydea.


    ¡°Did we now? I didn¡¯t notice,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°What did he want?¡± Vivyan asked.


    ¡°For you to focus on your game,¡± Mydea said as Tomas swiped a piece from the board with his wings, before retreating it two tiles away.


    That Vivyan did not curse told Mydea she was behaving for Tomas¡¯s sake, and hoped to make a good impression on Prince Jaeson¡¯s most trusted servant. ¡°They really ought to change the rules around that piece,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°It is meant to simulate battle, or that is the spirit behind it at least,¡± Tomas said. ¡°How well it succeeds is another matter entirely.¡±


    ¡°Still, jumping over pieces and moving twice? That¡¯s just silly,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°That¡¯s how pegasi actually are,¡± Mydea said, rolling her eyes. Only a child agreed to play a game, then complained about the rules as they were losing. Did protest alone ever accomplish anything of note?


    A series of exchanges occurred over the board, and soon a quarter of the pieces were cleared off, leaving the pikes as more than half those left. Even to Mydea¡¯s inexperienced eye, there was a clear imbalance in the position. Vivyan had more pieces, but Tomas¡¯ were better placed. ¡°Who¡¯s winning?¡±


    ¡°Well, I have more pieces,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°I am winning,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Her crown and castle are forced in eight moves.¡±


    ¡°And yours are forced in six,¡± Vivyan shot back.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re forgetting something rather important,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°Oh? And what¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Crowns can leave the castle,¡± Tomas said, sliding his white piece out and back.


    Vivyan blinked. ¡°But that leaves your crown more open to attack? You would need to defend your castle too, less I capture it.¡±


    ¡°By which piece of yours?¡± Tomas asked. Mydea saw now why he had traded so many pieces for her wings earlier on. It was the only piece that could not be blocked from where it wished to go, and while Vivyan¡¯s army would smash through Tomas¡¯ defenses eventually, her own crown and castle were under attack. Losing either one would lose the game.


    Vivyan fell quiet as she contemplated the board, eyes searching for a way out of her predicament.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    A sharp, hoarse screaming brought Mydea¡¯s attention elsewhere. Red-tailed hawks were flying in the distance, over one of the auxiliary clouds.


    ¡°Princess Mirah must be out hawking. She is an advocate of anything native to the Dunelands,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Have you ever gone?¡±


    ¡°We do not have hawks so far north,¡± Mydea said. ¡°She owns quite the flock.¡±


    ¡°Kettle,¡± Vivyan corrected.


    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°The correct collective noun is a kettle of hawks, not a flock. Honestly Mydea, I forget you aren¡¯t strawborn some days,¡± Vivyan said with a roll of her eyes. She sighed. ¡°I resign.¡±


    Tomas nodded. ¡°Shall we play another round?¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± Vivyan said, clearing her side of the board.


    ¡°You know your birds of prey,¡± Tomas commented as they began setting down pieces once more. ¡°Do you hunt much?¡±


    ¡°Only when the occasion calls for it,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°Vivyan is a Black,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Her mind is like the bay her family guards.¡±


    She looked at her sharply. ¡°And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    Mydea smiled back at her pleasantly. ¡°Only that the mouth of Blacksand Bay is known to be wide, but lacking in depth.¡±


    ¡°There is one evil: ignorance. There is one virtue: knowledge,¡± Vivyan quoted the words of Syngian to her.


    ¡°Wise is she who knows useful things, not she who knows many things,¡± Mydea retorted without missing a beat.


    ¡°With a tongue as venomous as yours, is it any wonder you were without a single friend whilst we studied at the athenaeum?¡± Vivyan shot back.


    Mydea quirked her brow at her. ¡°Was it my tongue they truly feared?¡± Befriending those scorned by Lord Eminent Pleonexia was a sure way to share in the suffering, and bitter experience had taught her all too well that those few that dared extend a hand of friendship in spite of that might do so with other ends in mind.


    There was never much time for deep friendship with no shortage of schemes and subterfuge to defuse. It hadn¡¯t helped that Aspyr had been far too quick to draw steel when they were younger. That Kolchis today shared rivalry with a few select stoneborn instead of entire houses was evidence of her efforts, but while she¡¯d had allies of convenience, she had never cultivated true friends.


    ¡°Is that how you comfort yourself?¡± Vivyan asked. ¡°You never tried. Sincerity you gifted to your subordinates freely, but never to us stoneborn. Every word I ever heard from you was a calculated scheme!¡± Her mouth suddenly clamped shut, seeming to remember Tomas was still with them. She redoubled her attention on the game.


    A mistake twice over, Mydea thought. Vivyan¡¯s first error was to rebuke her at all, for it went against the ¡°behaved lady-consort¡± act she was putting on for Tomas¡¯ sake. The greater blunder of the two, though, was to cease her rebuke. The mask she wore was already stripped away; best to own up to that so that Tomas might think her simple, but straightforward. To be too stupid as to lose her temper at such a moment, and too duplicitous to be honest about it made her undesirable.


    ¡°The Tuskar raids are starting soon aren¡¯t they?¡± Tomas asked, breaking the silence settling over them. ¡°You told me they struck during winter.¡±


    ¡°You remember?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°Yes, they¡¯ll be starting soon.¡±


    ¡°A shame I could not see it for myself,¡± Tomas said with a sigh. He repositioned his sling, sliding it into his castle now vacated by the crown, much like he had during the last game only he¡¯d done so much earlier this time. Vivyan mirrored his maneuver.


    ¡°I am starting to suspect your only interest in me relates to the barbarians,¡± Mydea said in an exaggerated manner. ¡°Were I a less magnanimous lady, I might take offense that your curiosity is piqued by them instead of myself.¡±


    ¡°Alas, I am seen through!¡± Tomas said. ¡°I confess I find the idea of war during winter a most curious thing. Even the skirmishes with New Thrage in the Primemarch cease during those months, and it is warmer by far down there. Magic eases many burdens, but not the iron law of logistics.¡±


    Mydea rolled her shoulders. ¡°The Tuskar are a different beast entirely from the armies of the Empire. You are welcome to study them, though I doubt understanding the answer will let one wage war like they do.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your turn,¡± Vivyan interrupted.


    Tomas glanced at the board for a split second before moving. Vivyan lapsed into a deep think once more.


    ¡°Is this position lost?¡± Vivyan asked.


    ¡°Not if I were playing myself,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Unfortunately, there are no other players like me.¡±


    Vivyan slumped into her chair. ¡°Again,¡± she demanded.


    ¡°Modest today, aren¡¯t we?¡± Mydea said to Tomas.


    ¡°Is it better to be modest or honest?¡± Tomas asked.


    ¡°I should hope the prince is not as good a player as yourself, or I have already lost my wager with Miryam,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find that the prince and I are evenly matched,¡± Tomas said.


    Vivyan groaned.


    ¡°Cheer up, Vivyan,¡± Mydea said, ¡°you¡¯ve hardly lost much. There was little chance Lord Pleonexia would have approved of any marriage between Prince Jaeson and any Deeplander.¡±


    ¡°He would have frowned on any marriage you might have made, but that does not apply to the rest of us,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°The fates are truly cruel, to show me of what might have been and steal it from my eyes! I might have been the lady-consort to a prince of the blood!¡±


    ¡°This city brings out the worst in you,¡± Mydea said with an amused smile. ¡°Your head was already up in the clouds, and actually being among them has only heightened those tendencies of yours.¡±


    ¡°How are you so sure that Lord Pleonexia would not approve?¡± Tomas asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Each of the eight great regions have a candidate already, save for Nysia and the Deeplands. The first has an abundance of candidates to choose from, what with Her Highness¡¯ children all being half-Nysian, but we Deeplanders have no candidate of our own, what with Prince-Consort Pythos having no children by the Empress.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered why that was so,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°He¡¯s impotent,¡± Vivyan said, ever the gossip. ¡°It is why he remained unmarried for so long, before the Empress chose him.¡±


    ¡°It is punishment,¡± Mydea added. ¡°The Deeplands was one of the last great regions to recognize Her Highness¡¯ rule, nor are we necessary to Her base of power when She has four great regions behind Her as well as the six athenaeums undivided and Aelisium.¡± Though that power bloc would not survive her, for the Dunelands, the Vaynish Plains, and the Heartlands each had kin which might bear the Starlight Crown upon her death.


    ¡°Is that not why a marriage between myself and Prince Jaeson would be favorable?¡± Vivyan asked. ¡°To give the Deeplands a candidate of our own to support.¡±


    Mydea shook her head. ¡°He has learned the value of patience I should hope. Lord Pleonexia will wait before committing his support if he is wise.¡± It would not be the ultimate prize of having your kin bear the Starlight Crown, but the rewards for backing the winning side were not insubstantial.


    ¡°Your crown is killed,¡± Tomas said plainly to Vivyan as his crossbow struck the piece from afar. ¡°Again?¡±


    ¡°Again.¡±

 28: Mask... (Part 1)

    Mydea poured a measure of an Edenian literati¡¯s powdered tongue over her father¡¯s notebook, enough to translate a few lines at most. The greatest variations in using translation spells resulted from the spell reagent being of poor quality. Given Aelisium was within the Everbloom¡¯s borders now, it wasn¡¯t difficult to find a merchant selling the ingredient even though the dialect was more commonly spoken further south in the region.


    With a whisper of words and a surge of will, she empowered the powder to act...


    Mydea sighed and leaned into her chair. The powder dissolved into the page, but her father¡¯s neat cursive remained unchanged. This was the third translation spell she¡¯d tried in as many days, and with each failure, she had even less of an idea as to what it could be. Many regional dialects loaned each other words, and the fact that not a single word had been translated suggested to her one of three things.


    First, that the reagent she had used was too weak, either having been improperly powdered or that the tongue was acquired from someone illiterate in her targeted language. This was least likely to her, as few merchants within Aelisium would dare defraud a stoneborn guest of the Empress. That was just poor business practice.


    Second, that her father had just invented a language wholesale. It wasn¡¯t out of the question, but seemed a tad extreme given languages weren¡¯t his forte. If he had done so, there was nothing she could do to crack his code.


    Third, and most likely, was that it was a language she¡¯d never heard of and likely not spoken in the Empire. It still struck her as rather improbable, but with Kolchis¡¯ resources available to him, her father could have easily stumbled upon one and decided to learn it. He had no shortage of time to do so while Mydea and her brother were attending the athenaeum.


    Whatever the case, she was running out of avenues to explore. Running out of time for the morning too, Mydea noted with a glance at the sun in the sky. She¡¯d just have to wait for Hystor Jorge¡¯s diviner acquaintance to call on her.


    She stood, as someone knocked on the door, and buried her father¡¯s notebook deep within her trunk. ¡°Come in.¡±


    Troia strolled in followed by Ida. Both wore the traditional palace maid''s uniform for formal events¡ªblack dresses with white trims, and ruffled half-aprons tied at the waist. Their full skirts ended just above the knees, and a black lace garters and tights covered their lower legs. Their heels were only half an inch in height, which was as tall as was legal for the common strawborn.


    ¡°Lady Vivyan Black requests entrance,¡± Troia said.


    ¡°Show her in, Ida,¡± Mydea said, standing. The timid girl hurried to the door. ¡°Troia, help me into my dress. I want to be on my way once I¡¯m done with Vivyan.¡± The hystors had seen to her burned hand a few days ago, and they¡¯d broken whatever curse was laid upon her. It was a simple affair to heal her injury after that.


    Troia bobbed her head, and picked up the gown laid out on the bed. It was a low-cut dress of sea green velvet, with slashed sleeves to contrast with the white layer beneath it. The door opened audibly as Mydea changed.


    ¡°Changing already?¡± Vivyan asked. ¡°You seem awfully excited for your tea party.¡±


    ¡°Of course I am,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It¡¯s my first hosting.¡±


    ¡°Your first hosting in Aelisium, you mean,¡± Vivyan said. When Mydea didn¡¯t answer, her eyes widened. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me this is your first hosting ever?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that green,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but it is my first hosting where the guestlist was not just filled with the family retainers.¡±


    Vivyan seated herself on a high-backed chair and crossing her slender legs. ¡°I¡¯m honestly more surprised your family¡¯s vassals bothered to attend. There was a time when everyone thought House Kolchis was at its end.¡±


    ¡°Those days are long past,¡± Mydea said.


    Now that Aspyr and herself were of age, the threat of being snuffed out had subsided, though their house was still struggling against decline. Should Aspyr do well in the raids, that would further cement House Kolchis¡¯ place as a house external in the eyes of their vassals too. It would not be enough by itself to force Lord Pleonexia to recognize them, but it might be enough to win Aspyr a place among the Order of the Stone Shield.


    Aelisium was not made to float in a single day.


    ¡°Some would disagree,¡± Vivyan said.


    Mydea raised a brow at her. ¡°Do you dare say you know Lord Eminent Pleonexia¡¯s mind?¡±


    ¡°I dare not,¡± Vivyan said quickly.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Mydea nodded. ¡°After all, he does not keep House Black in close confidence.¡±


    Vivyan flushed in anger. ¡°At least we are not held in contempt.¡±


    Mydea smiled at her. ¡°If today goes as planned, that chapter of my family¡¯s history might be behind us too.¡±


    Vivyan¡¯s anger shifted into befuddlement. ¡°How so?¡± Vivyan asked. ¡°I¡¯ve seen your guestlist. While you¡¯ve cast your net wide, the most noteworthy invitees are the half noble daughters of lords nominal. Hardly anyone with true influence.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no accident,¡± Mydea said. ¡°This was done at Prince-Consort Pythos¡¯ behest. It¡¯s a calculated move, and a rather brilliant one at that.¡± Without even lifting a finger, House Pleonexia would be silencing any whispers that the Deepland aristocracy was beneath the attentions of the House Imperial, while remaining uncommitted to any of the formed factions.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°You think this is reconciliation?¡± Vivyan asked skeptically.


    ¡°It¡¯s a start,¡± Mydea said. She looked herself over in the mirror, and nodded to herself. ¡°Troia, with me for the final inspection. It¡¯s imperative that everything be perfect. Ida, you¡¯re dismissed for half a bell. Be sure you make yourself present before the party begins.


    ¡°Yes, my lady,¡± both said in unison, curseying to her. Ida slipped out of the room in a rush.


    Vivyan stood as well, and straightened out the creases in her outfit. ¡°I suppose I should be taking my leave as well.¡±


    ¡°Not so fast,¡± Mydea said. ¡°There¡¯s a reason I asked you to call on me this morning. I¡¯m invoking my one use of your shadow now.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Vivyan asked. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You want me to use my family¡¯s signature spell to shadow a maid?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so insulted, Vivyan,¡± Mydea said. ¡°We stipulated there would be little chance of entrapment for you, and that doesn¡¯t leave me with any options that aren¡¯t strawborn now, does it?¡±


    Vivyan let out a huff, blowing aside a stray strand of black hair. ¡°I have half the mind to refuse you.¡±


    ¡°So quick to break your oath?¡± Mydea asked. "A shame. You have such lovely nails too."


    ¡°You did not keep to the spirit of yours either,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°Really, goading me whilst we were with Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet? I know you know you will not wed the prince, but do try to leave a favorable impression on people at least.¡±


    ¡°My oath only stipulated that I introduce you to Tomas, and my obligation ended as soon as I did,¡± Mydea said. She showed Vivyan the back of her hand and wiggled her fingers. ¡°My nails are still fine, so I am judged right. As for what Tomas thinks of me, that¡¯s none of your concern.¡±


    There was a reason the hystors kept stressing that oaths be worded precisely. Not all the gods cared for what was intended, only what was stated. If Vivyan had required her to introduce and facilitate, Mydea could not have done what she did.


    Vivyan gave her a look of sheer exasperation. ¡°You truly are without friends. To introduce someone goes beyond the act of arranging the meeting, Mydea. It is to help by finding common interests over which deeper bonds may be formed. You did nothing of the sort with your provocation.¡±


    ¡°You did not have to let yourself be provoked,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Once,¡± Vivyan said with a scowl. ¡°Just once, you couldn¡¯t have pretended to be pleasant?¡±


    I could leave her fate to the Gods Above, Mydea thought, but while it might be satisfying to see her nails torn out, it will not get me what I want. That it had not happened yet showed she was not truly set on breaking her word yet.


    ¡°How is that knight of yours these days?¡± Mydea asked, suddenly changing topics. ¡°His name was Sir Argus, I believe?¡± It had taken her a few days of digging through the Record of Sigils to find a name to the face.


    Vivyan stiffened. ¡°He is my father¡¯s knight. Why do you say he is mine?¡±


    Mydea smiled sweetly at her. ¡°Because he follows your orders so well. Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t know it was you who sent him to bar my brother¡¯s path to Aelisium over a month ago, when he sought an audience with the Empress? I do wonder what the Empress might think of that.¡±


    ¡°This is slander.¡± Her fists visibly clenched and Vivyan¡¯s face turned pale.


    ¡°I have no proof,¡± Mydea admitted, and Vivyan looked relieved. ¡°But I hardly need any to start a rumor. Once word spreads, well, I can¡¯t imagine it would help your odds of marrying into the House Imperial.¡±


    ¡°Everyone would know you were the source,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°There¡¯d be no proof,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°It would ruin your own chances too.¡±


    Mydea giggled. ¡°Vivyan, I think you misunderstand something. I don¡¯t want to marry Prince Jaeson. What do I care about ruining my own chances?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she answered through gritted teeth.


    Mydea watched intently as Vivyan¡¯s shadow detached itself from her, and snaked out of the room after Ida.


    Vivyan fumed in silence for a few minutes. When she had calmed down some again, she asked, ¡°You really suspect your maid is a spy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure of it,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°How do you know she¡¯ll be reporting to her benefactor right now?¡±


    ¡°After you so helpfully asked me the right questions earlier?¡± Mydea said. It was no mere coincidence that Vivyan had asked, having been led to the question by Mydea herself. If she hadn¡¯t though, Troia would¡¯ve asked in her place. ¡°Potential reconciliation between Kolchis and Pleonexia is no small matter within the Deeplands.¡±


    ¡°You really think someone residing in the Imperial Palace would care about that?¡±


    Mydea shrugged. ¡°If someone¡¯s taken an interest in me, this is as close to a secret as they¡¯ll get. Anyone who¡¯s played this game doesn¡¯t pin their hopes on such a lowly spy to bring them the truly sordid secrets.¡± It was not simply hope that Mydea counted on too.


    No doubt Ida was feeling on edge after the harsh punishment Mydea had issued Khloe, the other palace maid, for her tardiness. Serving as a scullery maid was not easy, and that¡¯d go doubly so for Ida who, judging by her callous-free hands, had been spared from the harder tasks of a lowly servant. Ida had narrowly escaped such a fate, and her fear was evident in how quickly she moved about her tasks since.


    Now, Mydea had given her a rare chance to be away from Troia¡¯s watching eyes, just enough time to rush to one side of the palace and back again. How could she not report in given the confluence of means, motive, and opportunity Mydea had arranged, unbeknownst to her?


    Rushing would be her undoing though. Not only would it lead Vivyan¡¯s shadow straight to whoever was spying on Mydea, she¡¯d be too eager to realize she was being followed. A trained, but unaware, stoneborn would have difficulty realizing they were being followed so surreptitiously. To an untrained and unaware strawborn maidservant, the risks to Vivyan were practically nil.


    ¡°Will you be making use of my room?¡± Mydea asked. She expected her to. It was only good practice for a Black to hide themself away while using their shadow, for anyone who cared to look would know she was making a move.


    ¡°If it¡¯s no bother,¡± Vivyan said.


    ¡°Just send me word when you¡¯re done,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Troia, see that Lady Vivyan is comfortable. I¡¯ll manage the inspection on my own.¡± And if Vivyan tried anything herself, Troia would tell her. She was an athenaeum graduate too after all.

 29: Mask... (Part 2)

    Boxed in by stone cloisters and passages, the garth Lady Lara had allowed Mydea to use was one of the better gardens in the Seraglio, known for its fine marble sculpting of Syla Stormsong and her harp. One could even make out the folds and wrinkles in her sleeveless tunic.


    It was around this centerpiece that the tables were arranged in relation to. Unlike Princess Mirah¡¯s peculiar choice of round tables, Mydea opted for more popular rectangular ones. The head table where she and her chosen guests would be seated had the sculpture right behind them, while three more tables were arrayed perpendicular to it. This gathering would be much smaller than Lady Mirah¡¯s by an order of magnitude with not even fifty attendees.


    Fine white linen tablecloths with gold and grey stitchings of the star and storm were draped over each table, and it only took a glance for Mydea to confirm each one was spotless. Polished silverware was laid out by the additional servants Lara had assigned to her specifically for this event. Mydea found no faults in the preparations, and could only commend the High Stewardess for training these servants so well.


    Seeing as there was nothing for her to correct with the servants¡¯ work, Mydea ran through the seating arrangement sketched out on a parchment. Tomas, as Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet and sole representative in Aelisium for the time being, would be seated to her right as the guest of honor. To her left would be Zoe Doris, the simpering daughter from some knightly line that Prince-Consort Pythos currently favored. The rest of her guests were split between more of the Deeplands¡¯ low nobility, but also a spattering of lords and ladies across all the other eminent regions.


    The point of today was to send a message after all, and ensuring each of the eight eminent regions was represented would mean that message would be heard by all.


    ¡®The Deeplands could make a serious bid for Prince Jaeson¡¯s hand if they wanted, but they merely choose to abstain.¡¯


    It was then that Troia appeared, hurrying to return to her side. ¡°Has Lady Vivyan left already?¡± Mydea asked, letting her magic seep into the air around them to block out any sound. It would prevent any wandering ears from listening in unnoticed, but could not prevent wandering eyes from watching.


    ¡°Yes, my lady,¡± Troia said after a moment to catch her breath. ¡°The maid acted exactly as you¡¯d predicted.¡±


    Mydea smiled. ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Her benefactors wore green and gold,¡± Troia said, intentionally leaving out any names in case someone was reading their lips.


    The smile slipped from Mydea¡¯s face. She had expected spies, but not from Princess Lille. Any claimant to the Starlight Crown would have been too powerful to spite, but Her Excellency was doubly so because of her father¡¯s family¡ªthe House Eminent Morgraine of the Everbloom. That ancient kingdom was easily the match of any two eminent regions, as it had proved over a century ago when Emperor Hadrian ascended the Starlight Tower.


    First, Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet had disguised himself while guesting at Aigis, then Princess Mirah had invited her to tea, and now she was learning that Princess Lille had had her watched since she¡¯d arrived earlier this week. Something about this all simply did not add up. House Kolchis was not so strong as to merit this much attention, nor was Mydea herself some special prize among the stoneborn.


    ¡°What should we do, my lady?¡± Troia asked, shifting her weight between her feet.


    ¡°What indeed,¡± Mydea murmured, glancing at the seating arrangement in her hand. ¡°Find me a quill and some ink.¡±


    Direct retaliation was out of the question for obvious reasons. She did not have the resources to compete in that way, nor would she even if she could. Leaving Aelisium, using Snowscorn¡¯s foaling as her excuse, would not be viable for some months and left her ¡­ unsatisfied. She had not helped her family yet. Leaving the matter alone was an option too. Spies were most dangerous in sheep¡¯s clothing, and Ida had already given herself away. The risks she posed could be mitigated.


    But doing nothing while others did as they pleased against her was bitter medicine to Mydea, and she was never so obedient a girl.


    Troia returned to her side with the requested items. ¡°Thank you,¡± Mydea said, inking the quill. With a deft hand and keen eye, she began scratching out names and moving them about. Rather unfortunate for some third daughters and second cousins as their seats on the high table were given to Bloomlings and Dunelanders, taking special care to seat them right besides each other.


    ¡°I know that look well,¡± said the familiar, husky voice of Tomas. He entered their bubble, and brought the back of Mydea¡¯s hand to his own lips. ¡°Another scheme already, my lady? It¡¯s not even noon.¡±


    ¡°When in Aelisium, do as they do,¡± Mydea said without batting a brow.


    He grinned, showing two rows of straight, white teeth. ¡°It¡¯s beneath you to use Aelisium to excuse your nature.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re awfully early, Tomas, but since you¡¯re here, I must thank you for agreeing to be my guest of honor.¡±


    ¡°I could hardly deny a request from House Kolchis after they¡¯d so generously housed me over the harvest season,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Not to mention Prince-Consort Pythos seemed rather insistent that I accept as well. He even deigned to send me a pointed letter to that effect. Are you mending ties at last?¡±


    ¡°Nothing is settled yet, but I¡¯m hopeful this is a start,¡± Mydea said, leading him to the high table.


    ¡°I always knew you¡¯d succeed,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°Did you now? Your faith in me is touching.¡±


    Tomas snorted. ¡°I do not live by faith, but by sight. Are you not the same woman who in a fortnight brought to heel her soilborn, strawborn, and stoneborn vassals? For anyone so competent, the relevant question is not if, but when.¡± He took his seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m honored you think so highly of me,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but the world has a way of tearing down even the best of us. I am not so confident my family has eluded the snare.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d know better than I,¡± Tomas said with a tip of his head.


    Ida arrived not a few minutes later, slightly breathless and Mydea paid her no mind. Not long after, her guests began trickling in in ones and twos. She met each of them with a smile and a kind word, before directing her maids to show them to their seats.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The fingers of Syla Stormsong¡¯s statue moved deftly as it began plucking away at the marble harp in her hands. The melody she played was soft on the ears and remarkably pleasant; not so quiet that it demanded silence to be heard, but not so loud as to stifle conversation. Still, the hystors would say even this was just a pale shadow of Syla¡¯s song, which could stop a person¡¯s heart dead with its climax.


    ¡°Your choice in venue is impeccable, Lady Mydea,¡± said the freckled Annabelle Coxworth.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to have the likeness of Syla play for us,¡± said hawk-nosed Lady Flint, who might have been the highest ranked lady present besides Mydea herself if she were not a bastard born to a strawborn father.


    ¡°Thank you for having me, my lady,¡± said the demure Fiona Feathers.


    The trickle of guests became a stream as the next hour neared. There was the buxom Lady Kastellanos from the Isles of Nysia, accompanying her daughter, Iana. Roxanne Redford was a lady of the Haven, plump and proper, while Jullian Ado from the western steppes had strong thighs and an elegant air about her. Of those ladies from the Deeplands, Mydea recognized the women close to her age: the fair-skinned Helena Stone and blue-eyed Carol Peacher; tall Talia Nomikos who used incense for perfume, and slim Thena Argyros with her braid bound with silver rings.


    The clamor of the Imperial City¡¯s bells marked the tenth hour¡¯s arrival, and though a few seats remained unfilled, Mydea took her place at the high table so that tea could truly begin. Anyone coming late would have to be seen to by Troia. There was a price to tardiness even for the stoneborn.


    Tomas was engaged in conversation with Lady Julian of the horses her family was known for. No winged breeds though, for while the Vaynish Plains had more than enough grassland, they lacked the elevation necessary for pegasi foals to practice flight.


    ¡°Do you share Princess Mirah¡¯s fondness for flowers?¡± Mydea asked Fiona, who was the daughter of a knightly house sworn directly to the Langoures and herself even being one of Her Excellency¡¯s ladies-in-waiting.


    The Dunelander girl dipped her head towards her. ¡°I¡¯m not so learned as Her Excellency, but one picks up a few things when serving her for as long as I have. Are you a hobbyist as well?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare call myself that,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My brother¡¯s the one with a real passion for plants. I¡¯m just a good listener.¡±


    Fiona flashed her a smile. ¡°We seem to have that in common then.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame my brother and Her Excellency didn¡¯t get to speak during his weeks here,¡± Mydea said. ¡°They might have enjoyed each other¡¯s company.¡±


    ¡°It cannot be helped,¡± Fiona said. ¡°Things have been busy ever since it was announced Prince Jaeson was searching for a bride.¡±


    ¡°Odd that he isn¡¯t here yet,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Ah, but how about Princess Mirah? She¡¯s of age now, and I¡¯ve heard nothing of her wedding prospects.¡±


    Fiona sipped from her cup before answering. ¡°Her Excellency is in no rush,¡± Fiona said, deflecting.


    ¡°No one she favors even?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°Forgive me if I¡¯m prying too deeply. We rarely hear news about the comings and goings of the Imperial Court back home. I plan on savoring every moment of this.¡±


    ¡°There were a few suitors when she studied back in Kyroh, but nothing serious enough to be worth mentioning now,¡± Fiona said. Kyroh was what the Dunelanders called many things¡ªtheir eminent region, the massive snaking river which made parts of it fertile, and the city from which the House Eminent Langoure ruled both. No doubt she referred to the city in this case, which housed an athenaeum.


    ¡°What of Prince Cleo? I thought they looked a fine enough pair.¡±


    The Coxworth girl, sitting besides Fiona, snorted. ¡°Prince Cleo hardly seems as invested in Her Excellency.¡±


    Fiona glared at her.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± Mydea prompted the Bloomling girl, sensing opportunity.


    ¡°The Empress will be holding a masquerade ball soon after Lady Twigstone arrives,¡± Annabelle said, smirking at Fiona. ¡°Princess Lille has already arranged to attend with His Honor.¡± That was, to be entirely fair, more Princess Lille taking initiative than Prince Cleo expressing a preference, but Mydea rather doubted Annabelle cared so long as she could infuriate the Dunelander.


    ¡°Will Prince Jaeson be here by then?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Unfortunately not,¡± Annabelle said. ¡°He still remains at the Middle School.¡± Which was still further south and east of them, close to Grandgrove, if Mydea remembered her geography lessons rightly.


    ¡°Missing the ball held in his honor? Now that¡¯s a shame,¡± Mydea said, loud enough that Tomas could not have missed it.


    ¡°An utmost shame,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Still, there will be princes aplenty available for the asking.¡±


    ¡°One less now, if what I¡¯m hearing here from Dame Coxworth is true,¡± Mydea said, clamping down on her smile as Fiona and Annabelle¡¯s glares intensified.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a taste for Pyrian specimens,¡± Tomas said.


    Mydea savored the bitter aftertaste of her warm drink first. ¡°I can¡¯t say that I have a taste for them, but wouldn¡¯t it be something to say I once danced with a prince? I should be the envy of all the girls back home.¡±


    ¡°You may get your wish yet,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°You think my odds good?¡± Mydea arched her brow.


    Tomas grinned. ¡°Better than some, worse than others.¡±


    ¡°How specific,¡± Mydea said dryly. She turned back to Fiona. ¡°It¡¯ll be of great interest to see who Princess Mirah deigns to go with, now that Prince Cleo is spoken for.¡±


    ¡°She has already chosen,¡± Fiona said. ¡°She had to turn Prince Cleo down even, with some regret, for she had already promised to go with Lord Adamm Morne.¡±


    Mydea breathed out slowly. ¡°Has she now?¡±


    ¡°An easy claim to make after the fact,¡± Annabelle quipped. ¡°How can the heir of a house nominal even compare to a prince?¡±


    Fiona wilted.


    ¡°A foreign prince,¡± Tomas interjected. ¡°They may be the largest of their league, but hardly comparable to any house external.¡±


    ¡°House Morne is no ordinary house either,¡± Fiona added, some confidence returning to her now. ¡°They are sworn to the Empress directly, and are more often than not honored with authority over Aelisium¡¯s gates.¡±


    Mydea was happy to let them continue to trade barbs, so long as it did not break out into blades. If Princess Lille thought to spy on her, then it was only fair that Mydea struck back in her own way.


    Who in the Empire did not know of the deep hatred between the Bloomlings and Dunelanders, born of long struggles and sacrileges? That Princess Lille and Mirah were candidates for the same crown could hardly have helped the matter any. All she¡¯d really done was capitalize on their natural enmities by seating them so close to each other, and prying into topics that would most likely cause friction. With any luck, this heightened tension, however small, would distract Princess Lille from paying Mydea any further mind.


    She might have felt some guilt for repaying Princess Mirah¡¯s kindness in this way, but Fiona¡¯s words betrayed her mistress. Her own attendance at Princess Mirah¡¯s tea party had been no kindness, but rather the same ploy she was using here.


    After all, hadn¡¯t Lilith Morne done the same thing to her? Certainly Vivyan had done them no favors by engaging with Lady Miryam, but the brunette woman had only added fuel to that fire.


    She¡¯d worn a dress the same as Princess Mirah¡¯s that day, and arrived with one of Her Excellency¡¯s people. Now, Mydea had learned she intended to attend a ball with Adamm Morne too. It was too much to be mere coincidence; too much that she could not help but think that Morne had acted on Mirah¡¯s orders. Pitting Marcherkin and Deeplanders against each other, picking at scabs, so that when the time to decide succession came, alliance between their two eminent regions would not be likely?


    Were this anywhere else, such connections would hardly be enough to draw conclusions with¡­ But this was the Imperial City. Scheming was all they did.

 30: Queue... (Part 1)

    Even had Mydea not known that the Imperial City now floated within the Everbloom¡¯s domain, the pleasant weather during winter was telling in and of itself. It was said that the magic which kept the region¡¯s perpetual summer was a remnant of the rituals that doomed Old Ilyos in the end, though the House Eminent Morgraine vehemently denied it.


    Thus, while Mydea¡¯s family had to bear the bite of winter, she took Snowscorn to bask beneath the warm breath of summer. One of Aelisium¡¯s lesser clouds was a lush landscape with gently sloping hills perfect for riding. Mydea patted her steed as Snowscorn stretched her wings out. The stablemaster had said she was getting antsy from being cooped up. In the full week since she¡¯d arrived at Aelisium, she had not had the chance to take Snowscorn out to fly before today, to her great regret.


    ¡°Down girl,¡± Mydea said gently as she tightened her legs, and Snowscorn obediently glided down onto a hill where her maidservants¡ªand Tomas, surprisingly enough¡ªwaited.


    Khloe stepped forward as soon as Mydea landed with a luscious golden apple native to the Everbloom. She had just finished serving out her sentence as a scullery made as of last night, and seemed eager not to repeat the experience.


    Mydea accepted the proffered Hesperides apple when she saw it was without blemish, and fed it to Snowscorn, who was only too happy to accept.


    A city as large as Aelisium constantly needed goods and grains, and so the stewards of the Empress took every opportunity to stock up. Lady Lara had recently procured a few of these apples especially for her, or rather, for Snowscorn. Her interest in Kolchis¡¯ pegasi was plain enough for Mydea to see.


    ¡°What brings you here?¡± Mydea finally asked Tomas.


    ¡°Polyhystor Jorge sent word to the Seraglio,¡± Tomas said. ¡°That diviner of foreign scripts you were asking for has some time to spare today, before the Empress holds court.¡± The daughter of the House Nominal Twigstone, the last of Prince Jaeson¡¯s suitors, had arrived early this morning at long last.


    ¡°If he sent word to me, how is it that I¡¯m hearing about this from you and not from my maid?¡± Mydea asked. She had purposefully left Ida to receive any messages that might be sent to her room. While the maid was a spy for Princess Lille, the posting was fairly benign. No one would pass along a truly sensitive message to a mere maidservant, and especially not one who did not have the privilege of wearing their mistress¡¯ livery.


    Having her comings and goings reported on was not ideal, but that could hardly be kept from Ida in the first place. At least, not without making it obvious she was suspected of subterfuge. If that were to happen, the princess would find some means of adding new eyes to her retinue if she insisted on pursuing Mydea¡¯s affairs.


    No, better to keep the fact that she knew from the princess and reveal that card only when there was benefit to be gained.


    ¡°I thought it courteous to tell you myself and spare her some trouble,¡± Tomas said.


    A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. ¡°A prince¡¯s valet doing the duty of a maidservant? Don¡¯t tell me you fancy her now.¡± She made a show of gasping. ¡°Just think of the scandal it would cause.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so sure it¡¯s the maid I like,¡± Tomas japed, smiling back at her.


    ¡°It would be the height of impropriety for a servant to steal away their master¡¯s candidate bride before he¡¯s even seen her,¡± Mydea said. She assessed him up and down. ¡°Then again, you¡¯re not a very proper valet either.¡±


    He gave her a look of mock shock. ¡°Everything I have done is in line with Prince Jaeson¡¯s interest. You cannot ask for a better valet.¡±


    She rolled her eyes and turned to Troia. ¡°Go invite the diviner to meet in my room.¡±


    Troia nodded, and handed over the copper key to Mydea¡¯s trunk which she held in trust. Mydea slipped it into the purse of sabertooth fur tied to her waist.


    ¡°Her name is Hystor Kait,¡± Tomas provided helpfully. ¡°You can ask for her at the Archive.¡±


    ¡°Not the Imperial Athenaeum?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s always struck me as more a scholar than a teacher,¡± Tomas said.


    Mydea bobbed her head. ¡°I must offer you my thanks then for all the help so far,¡± she said. ¡°Really, you did not have to come here by yourself just to deliver a message. It is not some great secret that I am seeking out a specialist in foreign scripts, and I can scarcely imagine that news is of interest to anyone.¡± Now the contents which the strange script obscured was another matter entirely.


    They walked over to the stables and Mydea personally settled Snowscorn in. ¡°Be good for me,¡± she said to the pegasus, rubbing her head.


    Snowscorn neighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll withhold your apples otherwise,¡± Mydea said.


    Snowscorn neighed pitifully, then shrunk back into her stall.


    As she turned back, Tomas had not yet left, which gave her pause. When they reached her carriage, he was still by her side. ¡°Was there something else perchance?¡± she asked, facing him.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Are you really not going to invite me to go with you?¡±


    ¡°My, how forward of you,¡± Mydea said as she flung the door open and stepped inside her carriage. ¡°Do you ask many ladies to invite you into their rooms, or am I special?¡±


    He flashed her a dazzling white smile. ¡°If I say you are special, will you permit me to go with you? I¡¯m not beneath setting aside my pride to get what I want.¡±


    She snorted, but did not shut the door in his face. ¡°Are you using me as a shield against Prince Jaeson¡¯s other suitors again?¡±


    ¡°A man can only be asked the same questions so many times before going mad,¡± Tomas said, taking that as a sign to enter after her. ¡°If I have to recite the recipe of Prince Jaeson¡¯s favorite peach pie one more time, I may well murder someone.¡±


    ¡°You do realize I reside within the Seraglio, where the very people you wish to avoid also spend most of their days,¡± Mydea said as the coachman activated the enchantments, causing the carriage to shudder before lurching forward without need of a steed to pull it.


    ¡°There is no place in the Imperial City where they cannot find me,¡± Tomas grumbled. ¡°I suspect someone¡¯s put a tracking spell on me. Maybe the girl from House Greenglade? It¡¯s a signature of theirs I hear.¡±


    ¡°I will allow you to accompany me only to my door then,¡± Mydea said. ¡°What about Vivyan Black? She¡¯s not the type to ask about food.¡±


    ¡°Vivyan¡¯s exhausting in an entirely different way,¡± Tomas said with a heavy sigh. ¡°Persistent to a fault when it involves eminent domain. I doubt she¡¯ll stop hounding me until she wins a game off of me.¡± That much was to be expected. She had that wager with Lady Miryam after all, and losing would put a drastic end to one¡¯s marriage prospects. ¡°You seem to be the only one that deters her these days. Did something happen between the two of you?¡±


    ¡°You speak as if we were cordial to begin with,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Definitely not that,¡± Tomas said with a grin. ¡°Yet, she doesn¡¯t seem the type to shy from crossing words with you, though she oft seemed to come out worse for it.¡±


    Come to think of it, Vivyan had made herself scarce to her ever since Mydea threatened to drag her name through the mud right before her tea party. To go so far over the mere threat meant Vivyan really wished to marry the prince then, for the threat only had as much power as Vivyan let it have over herself.


    ¡°If Lady Black wishes to avoid me, then it suits me just fine.¡±


    ¡°What a coincidence. That suits me just fine as well,¡± Tomas said. ¡°It is good that our interests align.¡±


    She was being used as a ward, and while she may have extracted a price from him for the service, she was not an ingrate. He had done her favors too in these past few days, agreeing to meet with Vivyan and attending her gathering. Perhaps he really did have some affection for her, but she could hardly imagine that the valet of an absent prince did not realize the risks he was taking by associating with someone hated by Prince Jaeson¡¯s paternal vassals.


    ¡°If I recall, your brother Aspyrtus was a guest of the Empress for some time before you came,¡± Tomas said. ¡°I ought to be thankful it is you and not him within Aelisium now, or I¡¯d be left bereft of a most able defense.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps if I was the Lady External of House Kolchis and not my brother¡¯s lady advocate, that would be the case,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°How did that come to pass anyhow? As I understand it, the two of you are twins?¡± At Mydea¡¯s nod, he continued, ¡°Then how is it that your brother inherited the seat? Was he the older twin?¡±


    ¡°We Ilyosi do not favor the old over the young,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My sister was but a babe when our mother passed away and a new head of house had to be chosen, so she was not considered at all. Nor was it merely a choice between my brother and I. Many of our uncles and aunts sought to lead, but our father defended our rights most vigorously.¡± There were graves as a testament to that.


    In hindsight, perhaps it was not the wisest choice to insist that her or Aspyr rule. While not the sole cause of their hardships in the years following, having a child as a lord helped the matter none. History had shown that child lords could be the doom of houses.


    Yet, Mydea could not begrudge her father his choices. They were not wise, but that he loved them was beyond question. That was not nothing.


    ¡°My mother was a gifted diviner,¡± Mydea continued. ¡°And even the hystors could tell her she was nearing death. She had been preparing for it for a long time.¡±


    ¡°So it was your mother who chose your brother?¡± Tomas asked. ¡°Not that I look down on him, but your mind seems more suited to the task. Besides that, a lady''s children may never have their noble lineage doubted, but we cannot say the same for a lord''s.¡±


    ¡°Not our mother. She left us a book of her teachings though. What she wished for most dearly was that we find a means of settling the matter among ourselves amicably and avoid kin strife.¡± Mydea stared out the window, eyes locked on the white spire with the hexagram rising in the distance. ¡°We settled it with a contest during our first year in the Thalassian Athenaeum. ¡®Let the worthiest rule¡¯. We would adhere to the principle of Imperial Succession.¡±


    ¡°Imperial Succession tends to involve a lot more bloodshed,¡± Tomas said.


    ¡°Did Kolchis not bleed?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°Were the lives of my uncles and aunts not a price to be paid? I may not have wielded the sword that struck, but it was for my sake. It left our line thin.¡± Branch members of the family would normally be the most trusted of advisors, holding positions within a lord¡¯s court and leading his lances. That such dark deeds had been done meant even their surviving cousins could not be counted on anymore.


    Tomas tilted his head. ¡°My apologies. It was not right of me to make light of their deaths.¡±


    ¡°Why the sudden interest?¡± she asked as the carriage passed through the golden gates of the Seraglio without need for inspection from the Starguard¡ªthose knights and mages tasked with protecting the Empress and her palaces. ¡°Does it keep you up at night, knowing you might have been friends with the head of a house external instead of the sister of one?¡±


    ¡°Prince Jaeson considers the Empire¡¯s security his foremost priority,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Kolchis is an important house to the defense along the Aigean Range, and deserves his attention.¡±


    Ah, Mydea thought. That must be why Tomas was in Aigis at all. Otherwise, why would a distant house have the honor of hosting a prince¡¯s valet? As for the reason behind the reason, perhaps he sought support from places beyond just his father¡¯s family? The houses external of the Empire boasted the largest retinues and musters after the houses eminent.


    ¡°Has Kolchis been deemed adequate?¡± Mydea asked testingly.


    ¡°There is much to be desired in the current state of things,¡± Tomas said as he stepped out of the carriage and held out a hand for her. ¡°But I foresee improvement.¡±


    ¡°Your words honor my house,¡± Mydea said as she accepted his hand.


    Into the belly of the beast they went.

 31: Queue... (Part 2)

    She could feel scorching gazes on her as they entered the Seraglio proper, but she paid the other girls no mind. After Prince Jaeson arrived, her meetings with Tomas would fade from their memory as the real prize strutted before them.


    ¡°Ah, Mister Tomas!¡± said a short-haired girl in green, purposefully putting her body in front of him. A red crab was stitched onto her chest, and Mydea guessed she was from a small house in Nysia judging from that and her brownish complexion. ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to speak with you, but never quite got the chance. I hope I¡¯m not disturbing¡ª¡±


    ¡°As a matter of fact, you are,¡± Mydea said. ¡°If you¡¯d excuse us.¡±


    The girl huffed. ¡°You¡¯re quite rude, my lady. I never got your name.¡±


    It was a small slight to pretend she did not know Mydea. After her duel with Lady Miryam at Princess Mirah¡¯s tea party, and having spent so many of her days with Tomas, there could scarcely be a woman serious about Prince Jaeson who didn¡¯t know of her. Mydea continued to walk forward without pause. ¡°I never gave you the honor.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps another time,¡± Tomas said as he stepped around the girl with a dancer¡¯s grace. ¡°That was harsh even for you,¡± he said once they were out of earshot, though there was no rebuke in his tone.


    ¡°I¡¯d hardly be a very good shield for you if I wasn¡¯t on occasion,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°As you say.¡±


    When they reached the door of her room, Mydea turned to Tomas.


    ¡°Getting cold feet right at the threshold?¡± Tomas japed. ¡°It is not too late to turn back now.¡±


    ¡°When the diviner arrives, I will speak to her alone,¡± Mydea said, half-fearing he might take offense. ¡°You may wait out the vultures in my room, but I will be deafening everyone to our conversation.¡±


    ¡°I understand. There are some secrets that cannot be shared,¡± Tomas said. ¡°I cannot say I am not disappointed to leave without an answer to the secrets of that script, but this is a small matter between you and I in the end.¡±


    ¡°Many thanks for your understanding.¡± Mydea placed her hand on the door and the hidden locking runes unlocked at her touch. Ida stood at attention as the door swung inwards, and at the sight of Tomas, was quick to prepare refreshments for him. Her tea brewing was now a passable imitation of Mydea¡¯s work after a week of instruction from Troia and a healthy dose of fear.


    The maids had the capacity to be good servants. Mydea just needed the right levers to move them. A shame about their loyalties though, she thought. Put in their place, she would not have sold away her integrity so cheaply¡ªat the very least, it was only sensible to let another party bid up the price in order to maximize one¡¯s gains.


    She glanced at her vanity, confirming with her own eyes that the soundproof curtains kept anyone from peering into her room through the mirrorplane, before unlocking her trunk. She retrieved a leaf of paper copied from her father¡¯s journal with great care, leaving the original buried deep inside. Since she¡¯d discovered it was cursed, Mydea had made sure that it was not something one of the palace maids could ¡°stumble¡± upon by happenstance. A servant who did not wear the house livery would never be entrusted to keep her keys.


    Scrutiny would fall upon the notebook if others discovered that the onerous measures usually reserved for grimoires were upon it.


    As if on cue, there was a light rapping sound. ¡°My lady, I have brought the hystor here,¡± Troia said through the knobless cherrywood door, observing the proper courtesies in front of their guests by not entering without her express permission.


    As a graduate of the athenaeum, Troia was more than capable at magic, and had been keyed into the door. A servant¡¯s role was to make their mistress¡¯ life easier after all, and having Mydea accompany her servants each and every time they needed to return here was hardly that.


    But just because one could enter did not mean one should.


    ¡°Come in.¡± Mydea settled into a seat in the corner of her room, tucked away from view by the silk changing screen embroidered with a scene from the Era of the Six Sorcerers. There was a man addressing an assembly of citizens, while some held daggers behind them. There could be no mistaking the most despicable assasination of Symon Shieldbreaker by the leading citizens of the very city he had saved from a sack. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The door swung open audibly. ¡°Greetings, Mister Tomas,¡± Hystor Kait said with a sensuous, sing-songy voice that Mydea could listen to for hours. If her guess was on the mark, the hystor hailed from the Al-Pyani Heights¡ªa clustering of cities with imperial immediacy to the Empress rather than being sworn to a house eminent.


    ¡°Hystor,¡± Tomas replied in turn. ¡°Lady Mydea is behind there.¡±


    She heard the shuffling of feet. ¡°Might I approach, Lady Mydea?¡± Kait asked.


    ¡°Please do,¡± Mydea said. She assessed the hystor with a quick glance as she sat across her. Kait was a pale woman in her forties with a forehead of creased lines. She kept her hair up in a simple bun, leaving the twin hexagrams of the scholar-priests plain and proud upon her cheeks. More striking though was the thin band of high silver around her left wrist bearing the star and storm.


    ¡°Many thanks for your time, Hystor Kait,¡± Mydea said as Troia stood behind her. ¡°Might I offer you some refreshments before we begin?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps a glass of warm water if it¡¯s no bother,¡± Kait said. Troia saw to it without delay. ¡°I¡¯m told you wished to divine the origins of an unknown script?¡±


    Mydea nodded, and called upon the wind to conceal their voices. Her magic was still a tad sluggish from the blood offering to Nomos that gave weight to her vows, but it was getting better by the day. It would be behind her soon enough.


    Only when the spell settled fully did she slide over the sheet of paper she¡¯d copied by hand. Judging by how every other line was indented, and the grouping into stanzas, she was almost certain it was a poem of sorts and not some secret spell. There was also the small sketch of her mother lounging on the margins of the page. Father truly missed his calling as an artist.


    It might be a tad embarrassing for her father if he ever found out, but hardly dangerous to her and hers.


    Kait considered the script for several long moments, mumbling beneath her breath. She took a sip of water that Troia had placed before her, before looking to Mydea once more. ¡°By any chance, is this a copy?¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°And was the copier aware of the language?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Does that have weight?¡±


    Kait bobbed her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid so. This writing lacks the animating intent behind it; the script without the substance. I cannot divine its origins from this. If you have the original, I may be of more use.¡±


    Ought I let her see the notebook? Mydea thought. While nominally neutral, political realities made true neutrality nearly impossible even for the Six Schools, and it would only be worse here in the heart of the Empire.


    The hystor¡¯s platinum bracelet was a gift from the House Imperial, and likely from the Empress herself considering the sum involved to craft such a thing. The question was, who else might the hystor be speaking to?


    Does it matter? Mydea thought. The poem is benign. My hesitation here shows I have something to hide. ¡°Wait a moment, if you will.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble,¡± Kait said.


    Mydea walked over to her trunk and retrieved the notebook, flipping through the now increasingly familiar pages until she found the poem. Only then did she return to her seat, placing the notebook before the hystor. Her hand never left it. ¡°Be careful with this please,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It is one of the last mementos I have of my mother, and I could not bear to see the slightest tears on it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no need to touch it,¡± Kait said reassuringly, studying the page for a moment. ¡°I will consult with Ro-on again.¡±


    The goddess was not one of the four Great Gods, but still occupied a significant seat within the Pantheon as the deity of scripts and secrets and spoken words. Some hystors even claimed Sybil the Schoolmistress worshiped at her altar daily in ages past, though other learned persons contended it was unlikely for a time when writing was still in its infancy.


    Mydea heard murmurs suffuse the air as the goddess made her presence known. A chorus of words from every tongue and tribe, from distant lands and cities lost to time or tides. Between those words were words unspoken, and a silence only the gods grasped.


    Then, as it was in the beginning, all was truly quiet.


    A perplexed look took hold of Hystor Kait.


    ¡°Was the goddess unwilling to help?¡± Mydea asked after several seconds passed and the hystor made no move to speak.


    ¡°No, an answer was provided,¡± Kait said. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ Ro-on says this is in the Old Tongue. She refuses to say more on the matter.¡±


    ¡°Ilyosi?¡± Mydea tilted her head to the side. ¡°But this looks nothing like Ilyosi. Are you certain?¡± It was not unheard of for a displeased deity to play tricks on their followers, though this seemed different from what she knew of Ro-on¡¯s temperament, limited as that was.


    ¡°I am,¡± Kait said. ¡°It¡¯s likely some kind of code, my lady, though not one I¡¯ve seen before. I have only a rudimentary understanding of ciphers as it relates to my work, and would not know how to begin breaking one. I¡¯m sorry I could not be of more help to you.¡±


    Mydea sighed and stood. The word-tight winds circling them dissipated as she released her iron will over them. ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. I thank you for taking the time out of your day all the same, Hystor Kait. I¡¯ll see you off.¡±

 32: Queue... (Part 3)

    When the hystor had been seen to, Tomas set down his cup of tea. ¡°Disappointment is etched into your face. No luck?¡±


    ¡°More than I feared, but less than I hoped for,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I know what language it¡¯s in, but I¡¯m afraid my father may be the only living person alive who can read it.¡±


    ¡°You could always ask him,¡± Tomas said.


    Mydea snorted as she joined him. After they had parted less than amiably over the very matter? ¡°You don¡¯t know him like I do.¡±


    ¡°As you say,¡± Tomas said.


    She flipped through the pages again, taking the time to study each letter. If it truly was Ilyosi, perhaps she might be able to recognize a letter or two, and pry open the whole thing with those levers¡­


    Her eyes widened as she reached the last page of the journal.


    On a page that had been blank the night before were words written in Ilyosi, except she could understand these as they were written in a legible form. It was a letter to her from Father, written down on his linked twin of a journal. He had bound both copies with mimicry, and whatever was written in one would appear in the other, for they shared the same essence.


    ¡°Your brother leads the lances to fight the Tuskar,¡± Father began without much fanfare. ¡°We arrived at Jayderest yesterday, and knights from all the surrounding lands have joined our host without summons and in search of glory. Should the worst come to pass and your brother suffers grievous injury, I pray you take that opportunity to beg for leave from court and return home.¡±


    It went without saying that if Aspyr died, Kolchis would fall into her hands with Chalsi still underage and not yet having passed her trials. In theory, there were still some cousins who might contest her right, but after the example Father had made of their families¡­ Mydea grimaced.


    For fear of the Everbloom, the laws ancient and imperial both agreed in a rare show of unity that inheritances could not be merged, and the House Imperial was certainly no exception. If she were to become the Lady External of Kolchis, she could not marry a skyborn prince who sought to command the very stars.


    She shook her head clear of those dark thoughts.


    Mydea read through his words again, thinking to answer, then frowned. Fresh to his seat, Aspyr¡¯s rule was not so secure that many knights would join him of their own volition, nor did she think it was possible for so much to have changed in the days since she departed.


    Was she missing something?


    ¡°You look even more troubled now,¡± Tomas said.


    It¡¯s obvious, Mydea thought, staring at him. Not all those sworn to Kolchis had left yet when Lady Lara came. A house external being invited to send a daughter to vie for a prince was par for the course, but what wasn¡¯t was letting that house play host to the valet of said prince for some days. With so many eyes watching the spectacle that day, it was impossible that someone hadn¡¯t overheard Tomas introduce himself or seen the star and storm on his clothes.


    Only the plague would¡¯ve spread quicker than the rumors.


    Nor would anyone truly believe Kolchis had not known who Tomas was throughout his stay after Mydea had treated him so well. It was not unreasonable for others to think the Empress was showing them favor, or that Kolchis might soon be tied intimately to the House Imperial.


    ¡°Give us the room,¡± Mydea said, dismissing her maids. When they¡¯d left, she turned to him. ¡°Do you remember the day we left Aigis?¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been that long.¡±


    ¡°You did not have to reveal yourself as the prince¡¯s valet then and there,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Was it your intent to?¡±


    ¡°I could hardly have found passage with Lady Lara if I didn¡¯t don the star and storm.¡±


    Except she recognized you on sight, Mydea thought. This is the Imperial Court. Lying is all we do. ¡°Whether it was your intent or not, I find my debts to you growing larger by the hour.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°What debts are there to speak of over wearing my own clothes?¡± Tomas asked.


    As for why he¡¯d done it, hadn¡¯t Tomas already told her earlier? Prince Jaeson considers the Empire¡¯s security his foremost priority. Kolchis is an important house to the defense along the Aigean Range.


    While there was no doubt in her mind that the prince was courting the houses external of the Empire with those words, there might be truth to it as well. Prince Jaeson was kin to the Lord Eminent Eyr of the Primemarch and Kingsgrave Castle. Hadn''t their lands always been at the forefront of every war with New Thrage and her legions?


    The bells housed in the Imperial Athenaeum resounded throughout the city, signaling to all that the ninth hour was at hand.


    Tomas held out his arm to her. ¡°Shall we depart? Court shall begin soon, and I know how much you despise tardiness.¡±


    She took his arm gingerly. ¡°Forgive me if I am being presumptuous,¡± she said, ¡°but you cannot be courting me. I did not come to this city intending to marry at all.¡± To be involved with even the valet of a prince was to drag Kolchis into the costly business of the House Imperial. She could not saddle Aspyr and Chalsi with such a ruinous burden.


    ¡°Rest assured,¡± he said with a smile more amused than anything else. ¡°In this our interests continue to align. We will not see much of each other after Prince Jaeson arrives.¡±


    That, Mydea thought, keenly aware of her heart beating against her chest, may be for the best. It certainly kept her mind off the ever more heated glares from the other girls as they boarded a carriage in the Seraglio¡¯s courtyard and joined the departing, impromptu procession. So numerous were the stoneborn and so long the line that one could be forgiven for thinking they were the provisions of a small army rather than just visitors to the Empress¡¯ court.


    Six monuments to Imperial power dominated the skyline of the Imperial City, rising from the rim like the hours on a clock¡¯s face. The Seraglio itself stood between the splendor of the Starlight Tower and the spiked exterior of the Stormfall Dungeons. Mydea rather thought it was a pointed reminder to the skyborn and their allies that they lived on the knife¡¯s edge.


    The only difference between the favored and the forlorn was the result of their ambitions.


    The path was paved from one end of the sprawling Imperial Palace to the other, yet their carriage was outpaced by the servants, soldiers, and scribes going about their business on foot. Traveling in a single file, all it took was one of the forward carriages in their procession pausing to put a stop to all of them.


    ¡°I would already be there if I were on Snowscorn,¡± Mydea complained to Tomas. At this rate, they might even be, gods forbid, late.


    ¡°You would also be in a fair bit of trouble with both the Whites and the Golds,¡± Tomas answered, using the strawborn slang for the Starguard and the Gatekeepers respectively. ¡°Only those with special dispensation from Her Highness may ride horses winged or otherwise within Aelisium.¡±


    One of those quirks of the Imperial City, and really only possible to enforce given the difficult logistics of getting an unwinged horse into the city in the first place.


    ¡°I¡¯d walk then!¡± Mydea said, exasperated as the carriage shuddered to a stop yet again.


    Tomas raised a brow at her. ¡°In this heat? You¡¯d be soaked before reaching the Empress.¡±


    Keeping herself dry by drawing out the water would be a trivial exercise that even a freshman of the athenaeums could manage, but the stoneborn considered it in poor taste to use their magic in such a way. The whole point of having trained servants was so they could do the things nobles didn¡¯t want to, and rumors might spread that one lived in abject poverty if they were publicly seen resorting to magic instead.


    The most frustrating part of it all to Mydea was that the carriages weren¡¯t normally this slow. It was the fact that so many had departed at the same time which reduced their speed to an infant¡¯s crawl.


    ¡°Next time I¡¯m leaving earlier,¡± Mydea said, crossing her arms beneath her chest.


    ¡°A wise choice,¡± Tomas said. ¡°Really, if you think this is bad, you haven¡¯t seen how things go when the carriages have to travel off pavement. These spoiled things have a habit of breaking down crying.¡±


    ¡°A true shame,¡± Mydea said. ¡°A carriage which requires no beast of burden to move itself would have been a great boon for war.¡± Armies were much like sharks¡ªthey¡¯d starve if they ceased moving, unable to feed and forage. One could not rely on overland supply routes for long to feed mages on the move, not when the very animals pulling those supplies needed to eat as well. Resupplying by ship and sea or raft and river was possible, but barring the insanity of Darwyn the Digger, those things were fixed in place.


    The iron law of logistics was a harsh mistress not many mages could overcome, as Grandfather learned when he ventured into the Frostlands against the Tuskar. It would take prodigious talent and the right lineage to truly break that hold¡ªPleonexia had managed it a few times before with their signature spell, and Mylankolia too.


    The better part of an hour had come and gone before Mydea¡¯s carriage finally arrived beneath the shadow of the Starlight Tower. Tomas exited first, followed by Mydea, as their ranks within the Imperial Court dictated. She was stoneborn, but he was the trusted servant of someone skyborn.


    All of that waiting for something that takes half a minute, Mydea thought sourly as she shook her leg discreetly to wake it. The stoneborn would only enter the Empress¡¯ court one carriage at a time, and all others had to patiently wait their turn.

 33: Queue... (Part 4)

    The Starlight Tower and the Imperial Court it jutted out from was no sprawling palace, and could be considered one of the smaller palaces in terms of size, though its spire dwarfed all others in height. While the Empress ruled from this place, she did not reside in it.


    Raised during the Decade of the Dozen Consorts, the Starlight Tower was a relic from an era when emperors held but the title, while true power belonged to quarrelsome vassal kings and the feuding lords of the realm. Aelisium had been an island in the Saltless Sea then, and control over it, and the Imperial Court, changed as often as a lady changed clothes. Many tried to rule as the Chancellor of the Imperial Consistory, although mastery over the Empire eluded even the mighty kings of the Everbloom.


    In those days, it was not uncommon for an emperor to be sequestered away in pleasure palaces¡ªthe Seraglio chief among them¡ªwhile others attempted to order the Empire¡¯s affairs in their stead.


    She parted ways from Tomas upon entering the spacious hall filled with Imperial treasures and imported luxuries, joining the ranks of Prince-Consort Pythos¡¯ retinue in the throne room. The Empress had yet to appear.


    ¡°Your Excellency, I¡¯ve arrived,¡± Mydea said, curtseying towards the tower of a man. In his cold demeanor she saw something ancient and kingly lurking, the blood of his ancestors telling true.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown very close with Prince Jaeson¡¯s valet as of late,¡± he said instead of greeting her, keeping his eyes on an artist¡¯s stillform depiction of the Six Sages. ¡°Ought I be concerned?¡±


    Denying it would be pointless when he¡¯d seen them arrive together. Does he worry I will commit Kolchis into a faction? she thought. Or is he concerned Kolchis seeks a counterweight against House Eminent Pleonexia?


    ¡°While we enjoy each other¡¯s company, we are both conscious of the dangers of entanglement,¡± Mydea said. Lord Pleonexia¡¯s own sister proved that the perils were all too real, in case any Deeplander had daft ideas of what Aelisium was truly like. ¡°Rest assured, there is nothing between us, and I doubt we will even see much of each other again after Prince Jaeson arrives.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain he feels the same way?¡± Pythos asked. ¡°After all, he did seek you out of his own volition this morning, and accompanied you all the way here. He does not treat any other lady half as well.¡±


    Ah, a mistake, Mydea thought as she held his gaze. Had Prince-Consort Pythos only said Tomas had beenwith her that morning, not that Tomas had sought her out, she wouldn¡¯t know who had sold her out. Many others had seen them together, but only her maids Troia and Khloe knew Tomas came to her initially.


    Ida could have known as well since Tomas had gone to her first, but she was already taking coin from Princess Lille, and the maid did not strike her as bold enough to serve two masters. Troia had been with her since her days at the Thalassian Athenaeum, which only left Khloe, whose loyalties were already suspect to begin with.


    Is it a mistake? she asked herself. Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue, but it might also be a pointed message: Pleonexia was watching her, and he did not care that she knew.


    ¡°He finds me novel for the moment because I do not pester him about Prince Jaeson. The trick is simple enough to replicate,¡± Mydea said. ¡°That is all there is to us.¡±


    Pythos was quiet for a moment, considering. ¡°Any other lady would have jumped at the chance to know more of the prince, but you seem bored of him already.¡±


    ¡°I think it is a great waste of time to fawn over a man I do not wish to marry,¡± she said. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°He is still a prince.¡±


    ¡°He is still a prince,¡± Mydea said, but her tone was not agreement. How many princes and princesses donned the Starlight Crown in the end, and how many died in vain?


    ¡°What girl doesn¡¯t dream of being a princess?¡± Pythos asked.


    The smile she gave him was thin and humorless. ¡°Your Excellency, you ought to know I would be a lady-consort, not a princess.¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°You are unlike your peers,¡± Pythos said. ¡°Even those that dare not think they¡¯d be chosen still dream of it sometimes, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°They were not raised the way I was raised.¡± A mistake could have ended her in the athenaeum, and so the risk of every action had to be weighted against its benefits. ¡°I¡¯m sure you understand, Lord Pleonexia,¡± she said, purposeful in her address. A wind-tight spell surrounded them. ¡°How many times must we burn before we learn? Some chalices are poisoned.¡±


    As your own sister found out too late, she thought, dropping her spell.


    ¡°I am not my brother,¡± Pythos said. Of the two, Mydea knew it was the Lord Eminent Pleonexia who hated Kolchis more. ¡°You have dealt with me in good faith up until now. I will trust you for a while longer.¡±


    ¡°My thanks,¡± Mydea said, tipping her head towards him. ¡°While I have your attention, might I ask if you¡¯ve heard word of the raids beginning?¡±


    Pythos nodded. ¡°My brother made mention of it last night. I believe one of your brother¡¯s vassals had made a show of it at my brother¡¯s court.¡±


    Aspyr has gotten better at this, Mydea thought. She could scarcely imagine him making such a move a year ago, even half-done. "I would plead on my brother''s behalf too then. I beg you to call upon the Order of the Stone Shield to aid us," Mydea said, turning wide, teary eyes on Pythos. "He has been with me since birth, and it pains me to think he faces such danger alone."


    He shifted uncomfortably, no longer quite meeting her eyes. "Surely it would be better for you to appeal to them directly? Your uncle, the Lord External of Yberia, is the knight eminent of that esteemed body if I recall."


    "He has not spoken to us for many years now. I can only appeal to you," Mydea said, tears beginning to fall. Not since he married your cousin, she thought. She tried not to begrudge her grandmother''s family too much for that.


    "I am not my brother," he repeated, sighing softly. It would not be appropriate for a member of the House Imperial to be seen meddling in the affairs of a lord eminent, even if he were kin to one. Wars had been waged over such oversteps before, for the lords guarded their rights with great vigor.


    Had the Order of the Stone Shield been called upon by Aspyr at the court of Lord Eminent Pleonexia, such a thing could not be kept quiet. Not that she expected any aid to be forthcoming, but it would strain the web of relations Pleonexia had spun to entrap Kolchis. The Order''s mission was to aid the lords external along the Aigean Range against the Tuskar Tribes, and give those errant mages and ambitious youths a chance at glory in the absence of real war.


    If her uncle continued to do Lord Pleonexia''s bidding by refusing to call for a muster, many would be displeased between the young and hungry that had not even been given the choice to volunteer, and the old who still fondly remembered when Grandfather led the Order.


    Either the knight and lord eminent would be at odds if a muster was called for, or the Order would find fault with their leader. Both outcomes suited Mydea just fine.


    There was a commotion by the grand marble doors as a herald entered hurriedly. ¡°Presenting, Her Highness Alcymede!¡± she cried out. ¡°Empress by Star and Storm, Successor to the Divine Syngian, Lady Imperial of Aelisium, Shield of the Syngian Peoples and the Sons of Ilyos, and Patron of the Six Schools.¡±


    Mydea dabbed her eyes with a silk kerchief, adopting a refined expression. She did not know if Pythos had fully bought her act, but that he¡¯d been thrown off-kilter was enough. Future performances would reveal if he had a weakness for crying women or not.


    The court bowed as one.


    As the Empress strode down the carpeted walkway in velvet indoor shoes, Mydea snuck a close look at Her as She passed and was struck dumb. She¡¯d seen the Empress once before, during the holy night of Ygeia at the High Temple, but that had been from a distance.


    Empress Alcymede was draped in the finest silver and golden threads, whose colors somehow paled against her lovely olive complexion. On every finger she wore a jeweled ring worth a small fortune, and even the sides of her gown were lined with precious stones. Her head was a crown of contrasts between the bright, white diadem on her brow and her own luscious, dark locks. Such opulence on any other person would distract from their natural features, but on the Empress, they only seemed to accentuate them.


    On an intellectual level, she had always known that the Empress would be a woman of great beauty given her lineage from the House Luxuria, but there was knowing and there was knowing.


    ¡°We see that all of my dearest nephew¡¯s suitors are here at last,¡± the Empress said, glancing about the room until her eyes landed on the daughter of House Twigstone. The poor girl shrunk into herself at the sudden attention, and that alone ought to have killed whatever slim chance she had of marrying upwards in the coming weeks.


    ¡°It pleases Us greatly,¡± the Empress continued, ¡°to see so many fine young ladies here. We hope to become acquainted in the coming days, and that deep bonds of familiarity and friendship will be made between the House Imperial and its subjects.¡±


    A prearranged courtier stepped forward. ¡°This lowly one has a petition. If it pleases Your Highness, may the House Imperial host a masquerade ball in the coming days? While Your subjects hold great affection for Your person, there is always a proper distance observed between superior and subordinates. With one¡¯s identity hidden behind a mask, the members of the House Imperial might come to know the true faces of all present, and find most worthy companions among the assembled lords and ladies.¡± He bowed his head. ¡°May Your Highness consider carefully.¡±


    The Empress made a show of considering the matter, before nodding. To the surprise of no one, She said, ¡°This pleases Us greatly. Let it be so.¡±

 34: Raid... (Part 1)

    The second daybreak after Mydea¡¯s departure found Aspyr in his glasshouse, the winds of winter and a slow, creeping hoarfrost warded off by the warming runes. His valet, Jorgan, was with him as usual, following in companionable silence while Aspyr flitted from row to row.


    ¡°This one¡¯s still not holding water very well,¡± Aspyr noted. It was dry to his touch despite having been watered recently. He picked up the pot and set it aside.


    ¡°Shall I instruct the gardener to repot it with a new mix of soil?¡± Jorgan asked.


    Aspyr shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯ll see to it myself tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°As you say, my lord,¡± Jorgan said, setting the pot aside.


    It had not been five days since Mydea held a feast to celebrate the Night of Nomos with those sworn to House Kolchis. Still many of those esteemed men and women, or their relatives, lingered behind the walls of Aigis to take his measure. It was to be expected really, yet Aspyr was ill at ease. No stranger was he to their schemes, not after what he and his sister went through whilst schooling at the Thalassian Athenaeum. The false flatteries and barbed words; ¡°suggestions¡± and secrets so casually revealed as to make them a borrowed blade.


    But that was just it.


    It had always been him and his sister, working in tandem.


    Grandmother remained a source of sage advice when it came to these matters, but her health was failing, and as for Father¡­ his idea of diplomacy involved liberal quantities of force and fire.


    It helped nothing that Father¡¯s mood was foul of late, and with so many of their vassals being hosted in Aigis, Aspyr was thankful Kolchis had not yet been dragged into a blood feud or forced to behead his own father to appease some ally. For all that the hystors squabbled about the most minor matters beneath the sun, none of them would dispute that murdering one¡¯s kin would be an inauspicious event so fresh to power.


    As for addressing the cause, there was no balm to be had. He knew not what had transpired between Mydea and Father while he¡¯d been attending court, but they disagreed. Enough that Mydea felt it necessary to seize Father¡¯s notebook¡ªand that could not have gone unnoticed, not for someone as meticulous as Aetos of Kolchis.


    Jorgan cleared his throat lightly. ¡°Lady Hermia approaches, my lord.¡±


    His eyes snapped into focus on the cousin of Dame Rothston, a young woman, pale, with a heart-shaped face framed by her fiery red locks. She greeted him with a practiced curtsey.


    ¡°A surprise to see you at this hour, Lady Hermia. I hope you rested well?¡± Aspyr asked. The sun itself was still in the midst of rising.


    ¡°My stay has been most pleasant, Lord Aspyrtus,¡± Hermia said with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been told that some sights in your garden are best seen at dawn.¡±


    ¡°I fear your efforts are for naught,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°Those flowers do not bloom in winter.¡±


    Her smile didn¡¯t waver in the least. ¡°I can¡¯t claim to be learned in such matters, but perhaps you might enlighten me?¡±


    Just as he opened his mouth to answer, a blur of movement caught the corner of his eye. Hystor Theios came scuttling over in his priestly robes, patches of snow making it a mottled white and silver that nearly blended with the landscape. ¡°A message, my lord!¡± Theios declared as he entered the greenhouse, clothes remaining dry even as the snow melted off of him. ¡°From Perasma.¡±


    Aspyr did some quick calculations in his head, noting that Lord Pyli ought to have just arrived in his seat. ¡°A message so soon?¡± he asked, glancing at the ground outside. Snow was piling ever higher, proving Mydea¡¯s predictions of a fierce winter true. It could only mean one thing. Aspyr accepted the parchment, and pried off the stamped wax of a gray gate on green. The cursive script was written in a hurry, but it confirmed what he had suspected.


    ¡°The raids are beginning early this winter,¡± Aspyr said. He glanced at Hermia. ¡°Do you ride well?¡±


    ¡°Passably, my lord,¡± she answered, biting her lip.


    ¡°Then I shall have to bother you to send a message to Lord Eminent Pleonexia,¡± Aspyr said. Not that he expected any help to be forthcoming. Though a strong showing from his liege lord might weaken Kolchis¡¯ own standing as a house external in the eyes of others, the truth was the Tuskar were far from the only concern House Pleonexia needed to balance.


    ¡°If possible, deliver it to him whilst court is in session.¡± His message was nothing more than a pointed reminder to his feudal overlord¡ªand, more importantly, those in his court¡ªof why exactly House Kolchis was made a house external.


    Hermia smiled in understanding. ¡°As you say, my lord.¡±


    A dozen thoughts were already flitting through Aspyr¡¯s head. He sighed. ¡°Jorgan, it seems I must leave this business of repotting to the gardener after all.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see it done, my lord,¡± Jorgan said, reliable as ever.


    Without a command of silence from Aspyr, word that the seasonal raids had commenced spread quickly throughout the castle. By the time he sat to break fast that morning, the great hall was abuzz with conversation between the leading servants of Aigis and the present vassals of House Kolchis.


    Father was noticeably absent, leaving the seat to Aspyr¡¯s left empty, and none dared sit to his right where Mydea ought to have been.


    ¡°The cooks said Lord Aetos requested his meal be brought to his room,¡± Jorgan provided helpfully as he checked a basin of water a maidservant brought forward. Satisfied with the temperature and that the silver needle testing it hadn¡¯t turned black from poison, Jorgan took the bowl into his own hands and offered it to Aspyr.


    ¡°Do you suppose the cause is his research or his rage?¡± Aspyr asked, washing off any lingering dirt from his arms.


    ¡°Both,¡± Jorgan answered.


    Aspyr suspected the same.


    Though barrels of juice and imported sugared drinks were brought out by the servants for today¡¯s feast, no spirits were served. Even the lowliest servants understood it would do Kolchis no good to have inebriated knights for the ride north.


    Aspyr cleared his throat, then projected his voice across the room with a dash of the wind magic House Kolchis prided itself on. ¡°My lords and ladies,¡± Aspyr began, satisfied that the room quieted at his words, ¡°as you may have heard by now, the Tuskar raids are upon us. We received word from Perasma early this morning that several warbands have been spotted already in their lands.¡±


    ¡°The savages are most eager this year,¡± said Lyle Lorne of Lone Stone.


    ¡°All the better for us!¡± his twin sister Leah said beside him. ¡°I¡¯d rather fight them now than deeper into winter.¡± Scattered murmurs of assent rose from the knights.


    ¡°If our enemies wish to blunder, we can oblige them,¡± Marshal Perdiccas added. ¡°Give us the order to hunt them down, Lord Aspyr.¡±


    ¡°How soon might we depart?¡± Aspyr asked.


    The stout marshal eyed the room, before answering, ¡°If the lords and ladies present are willing, we can depart after noon. We ought to have enough mages at hand to rout any of the tribes, and more can be rallied as we head north. As for the supplies, they can be drawn from the winter provisions of the places we pass by.¡±


    ¡°We will have to make short work of the Tuskar, or suffer for it,¡± Captain Alexios said.


    There was a lull, a silence as every eye landed on Aspyr for judgment. It was a silence Mydea would have cut through were she here, with words sharper than any sword, to instigate those present against Lord Eminent Pleonexia. What words she would have used were beyond him though.


    ¡°Lord Pyli of Perasma made mention in his letter that he and his son will ride with me,¡± Aspyr said at last. ¡°It must be asked: are the rest of my lords and ladies willing?¡±


    A roar of approval was his answer, coming first from the northern houses and the highland knights most under threat, then infecting those around them.


    Had my sister not dealt with their dissent, Aspyr could not help but think, would they have answered so eagerly?


    As the feasting drew to a close, Aspyr left the matter of organizing their ride in the experienced hands of Marshal Perdiccas. He¡¯d served their house in this matter for many decades, when their mother still ruled and through the tenuous years after her passing. Delegation, as Mother wrote in her book, was a privilege of authority.


    ¡°Will Lord Aetos be joining the expedition, my lord?¡± Captain Alexios asked as the great hall¡¯s ironwood doors swung shut behind them audibly.


    ¡°Do you suppose he¡¯ll be of help given the mood that¡¯s seized him?¡± Aspyr asked. It would be entirely self-defeating if Father torched the very farms they were supposed to protect. ¡°Control has never been his strength.¡±


    ¡°It is not without risk,¡± Alexios admitted, ¡°but your father remains a formidable warrior and a peerless mage. He has been the storm sheltering Aigis for many years, and we are departing with fewer mages than I¡¯d like.¡±


    While the gathered nobility and the castle¡¯s guard and garrison were enough to form a sizable retinue, it was only a middling war host and far from the full muster of Aigis. Aspyr could not fault the captain of his personal guard for his caution. Yet, it might also send the wrong message to still be so reliant on his father now that he was two decades old and of age.


    ¡°Invite him to lead the rear as a reserve,¡± Aspyr decided as they arrived before his grandmother¡¯s room. It was a position that would not see much fighting if things went well, and thus limit the harm he could do. ¡°If nothing else, perhaps a few fights will bleed his frustrations some. Better that an acceptable target bear the brunt of it than letting him simmer.¡±


    ¡°As you will, Lord Aspyr,¡± Alexios said with a bow, before leaving.


    Aspyr breathed out. Before he could knock on the door, a gust of wind ruffled through his hair like a warm pat on the head.


    ¡°Do come in already, Aspyr. At my age, unnecessary pleasantries are a luxury,¡± Grandmother said, voice hoarse and cracking.


    He obeyed. ¡°You¡¯ve heard?¡±


    ¡°I may be half-deaf and half-dead, but that doesn¡¯t mean I am without eyes and ears in my own home.¡± She tilted her head towards the maid by her side. ¡°You¡¯re a man grown now, but this will be the first venture you¡¯ll lead.¡±


    ¡°Mydea and I thought about this day many a time while studying in the Thalassian Athenaeum,¡± Aspyr said, ¡°but in the end, it¡¯s not how we imagined it would be.¡±


    ¡°Men may propose, but the gods dispose,¡± Grandmother said. ¡°Are you confident?¡±


    Aspyr thought for a moment, before giving his honest answer. ¡°It will not be easy.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Grandmother said, her lips forming into a wry, wormy smile. ¡°The Tuskar have a thousand tricks and treacheries, and though they keep no writings, the mythuselah have long memories. You are untested, and your vassals will doubt you at every setback. Reality is rarely as simple as the stories make them out to be.¡±


    She took a raspy breath, before continuing, ¡°I say all of this not to dishearten you, but to temper your spirit. I have seen too many of my kin drunk on stories and blinded by easy glory. Kolchis cannot afford another coffin.¡±


    ¡°I hear your words,¡± Aspyr said solemnly.


    Grandmother nodded. ¡°Go, but go cautiously.¡±

 35: Raid... (Part 2)

    ¡°Nomos has received the sacrifice, Lord Aspyr,¡± Hystor Theios declared, arms deep in the blood, bone and guts of a firstborn lamb.


    Aspyr nodded in acknowledgment, putting pressure on his traveling mount with his thighs as the iron portcullis of Aigis was raised. His pegasus Steelwing followed obediently, spared from any burden to preserve his strength.


    Lances of mounted mages rode out in neat columns behind him, each anywhere from a dozen sorcerers strong to a little over half that number. Little intervention was needed from Aspyr himself, or his marshal, to organize the vassals of Kolchis as the natural hierarchy imposed itself on the mass of mages. At the head of each lance was a lord or lady carrying the sigil of their house, and following each would be those mages-at-arms and oathsworn sorcerers that owed them fealty.


    For a house as prominent as Kolchis, trusted knights might be tasked to lead their own lances. For those lesser houses who had not the strength to equip a full lance, they might be grouped with others or supplemented by the mages of Aigis.


    It was a different way of making war, at odds with the mounted mass of heavy cavalry often spoken of in the stories, but Emperor Hadrian had proven just how deadly his reforms could be a century prior, and so the lords eminent could only adapt, or be left in the dust.


    Aspyr tugged lightly on the reins, slowing from a trot to a more ambling gait, giving the rest of his lances time to move together. His ears picked up on a sudden burst of movement, and in an instant, his father was beside him dressed in bronze mail with a surcoat of green and silver over it.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t ask for a divination from the hystors,¡± Father said.


    Aspyr glanced at him. For all of Father¡¯s talents, it still showed that he had not graduated from the athenaeum¡¯s trials before Mother snatched him away to be her husband. ¡°There¡¯s no helping it. Hystor Theios is neither trained nor gifted in that art.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± he muttered.


    ¡°A rushed prophecy would be vague at best, and a doom at worst,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°Were the Six Schools to learn of such malpractice, Theios might lose his life.¡± To pierce the veil of time recklessly was no small matter.


    ¡°Mmh.¡± Yet, Father did not leave.


    ¡°Was there something else, Father?¡± Aspyr asked, eyeing the progress of his lances. ¡°We¡¯ll be picking up the pace soon, and you ought to return to the rear before then.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine without me,¡± Father said with a wave of his hand. ¡°It doesn¡¯t take much to follow the person in front of you.¡±


    Aspyr gave him an exasperated look. ¡°That¡¯s hardly the point. If we were to fall into an ambush, your absence would cause chaos.¡±


    Father narrowed his eyes. ¡°You seem intent on keeping me in the back for good.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in a foul mood since Mydea left.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m to fault for that?¡± he said harshly. ¡°My eldest daughter runs off to a den of deadly vipers many miles away, and now my son wishes to go to war without me. What father is glad to watch as his children throw themselves into danger and refuse his help?¡±


    Aspyr tapped the runesteel plate covering his chest. ¡°I¡¯m as protected as I can be,¡± he said. Accomplished runesmiths could charge a small fortune for such sets of armor, and Aspyr was the lone steelborn decked in such polished plate. Had he not lent Mydea their mother¡¯s rapier, every accessory of his would be made of that hard-forged metal.


    ¡°You are still flesh and blood beneath that,¡± Father said. ¡°My flesh and blood. You¡¯d be safer in Aigis, leaving this business to myself and the marshal as you did in the past.¡±


    ¡°I am the Lord External of House Kolchis. This is my duty,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°In the past, I had not yet passed the sorcerous trials, so my absence was acceptable to my vassals. But a strong showing is needed now, and it must be me that they see.¡±


    ¡°My strength is your strength,¡± Father said. ¡°As for the others, what are their thoughts worth really?¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°There is more to ruling than merely having the sharpest sword,¡± Aspyr said. Were victory in a duel all that was needed to garner respect, his life in the athenaeum would have been much simpler. It was the lesson Father had never taken to heart. Perhaps half the blame lay with their mother who wielded him only as a sword against their enemies, and so made him see the world as a series of necks to be chopped.


    Now he was their sword without a hilt, bleeding family and foe in equal measure.


    ¡°Go back,¡± Aspyr said, voice turning cold as the winter wind.


    Father did not turn around, but his horse slowed and soon did not keep pace with Aspyr¡¯s personal lance. Not quite compliance, but the closest Aspyr could hope for.


    After they crossed the stone bridge over the Weeping River, their mounts went from an ambling gait to a gallop that drowned out the river¡¯s own cries. League upon league disappeared behind them as they followed the dirt roads north, stopping only to change mounts. At sunset, Marshal Perdiccas led them to a town surrounded by extensive farmlands for lodging and logistics.


    ¡°We¡¯d make even better time if the Aigean Way extended past Aigis,¡± Captain Alexios noted as they settled for the night in the town¡¯s only inn.


    As Aspyr¡¯s valet, Jorgan busied himself with preparing the bed. They had departed with little notice, and had finished packing for the march north many days ago. Heading north was, after all, a question of when, not if. His preparations showed itself now as Jorgan retrieved a feather-stuffed pillow, a blanket spelled to retain heat, and even a bear rug. ¡°It would make the travel easier too, my lord,¡± Jorgan added as he placed the rug on the floor.


    ¡°Certainly a boon for the strawborn,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°But while there are many benefits to such a good thing, the money and manpower needed for such an undertaking are not trivial.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps Lady Mydea might move the Empress on the matter?¡± Alexios said.


    ¡°She¡¯ll do no such thing,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°My sister does not intend to catch the eye of Her Highness, or any of her kin for that matter.¡±


    But if not the Empress, then Lord Eminent Pleonexia would have to be convinced to unseal his treasury and that was not any likelier. Even if Aigis and Pleonexus had deep affections or ties of marriage, such an undertaking would not be certain. The defense against the Tuskar was one concern among many, balanced against the ever present threat of the neighboring Everbloom and the Haven. Pirates pestered the eastern trade routes of the Sundered Sea, while Nysia dominated the Splendid Sea to the west.


    It could be said that Empress Alcymede¡¯s lasting and prosperous reign was a stabilizing influence which put an end to open war between the eminent regions, but how long would the peace hold? The death of a sovereign always marked a new round of succession struggles as the houses eminent backed the claim of their skyborn kin, or traded on their steel and sorcery for even greater privileges.


    The Empress still had decades left to her if the gods were kind.


    If, Aspyr thought. ¡°Have we heard where the Tuskar went after bypassing Perasma?¡± he asked, shaking himself free of those thoughts.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Perdiccas said, ¡°but they¡¯ll make themselves known soon enough. Once we¡¯ve caught wind of them, it¡¯ll be difficult to elude us when we take to the skies.¡± He pointed at the local map unfurled on the desk. ¡°There¡¯s a town here Lady Mydea visited, about two days away at our current pace. The hystor, a man named Adryan, has a crane familiar.¡±


    ¡°Is he amiable to us?¡± Aspyr asked, understanding his intent immediately. Bird familiars could scout several leagues of land while remaining relatively inconspicuous, nor did they tire as easily as a pegasus carrying a fully armed and armored mage.


    ¡°Reasonably so. Lady Mydea treated him well, and they came to an accord over the taxes their villages owed,¡± Perdiccas answered.


    ¡°The village seems slightly off our path, ¡°Aspyr said. ¡°We¡¯ll be delayed by two hours?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps three,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°Hystor Adryan struck me as the wandering type, though he should be in one of the nearby villages. The man can only go so far on foot.¡±


    ¡°His skills would be a boon to us,¡± Aspyr said, nodding. ¡°I must trouble you to lead your lance and recruit him to our cause. If he is unwilling ¡­ let him be.¡±


    He trusted Mydea had bought them some good will with the hystor, and that it would be enough. They could hardly afford to force the man in any case. The Six Schools and the stoneborn respected each other, but the athenaeums would not stand for their scholar-priests being pressed into service at swordpoint as if they were subordinate instead of separate.


    If this hystor was well-regarded by his peers, Kolchis and all that swore fealty to them might find themselves censured. While their right to study at the Thalassian Athenaeum might not be revoked over this one instance, it would be foolhardy to provoke the very men and women tasked with educating the future scions of the stoneborn.


    What¡¯s more, it would be another arrow in Lord Pleonexia¡¯s quiver. The man barely needed an excuse to stir up trouble, and Archystor Phoebe might just indulge him.


    Aspyr studied the map for a moment, calculating some distances in his head. ¡°We¡¯ll meet up again at the town of Jayderest.¡±


    ¡°As you will, my lord external,¡± Perdiccas said, nodding agreeably.


    Messages calling the steelborn to muster at that town had been delivered by feather or fast horse before they¡¯d even departed Aigis. It was a relatively central position given that the whereabouts of the Tuskar was still unknown at the moment, and the town was large enough to support their operations for some weeks. What more could they ask for, really?

 36: Raid... (Part 3)

    As they camped at Jayderest, their numbers had swelled to over two hundred mounted mages across twenty lances. Nearly a quarter of their host was winged too, which was more than one might expect from a party of their size if not for the fact that they rode beneath the banner of House Kolchis. Raising pegasi was their lifeblood, the very act of which raised Noeh the Knowing into lordship in centuries past.


    Perhaps more important than the strengthening of their host was Perdiccas¡¯ success returning with the wandering hystor. Finding the enemy was as important as fighting the enemy, and few other mages could match the tracking ability of one with a flying familiar.


    Faced with such a muster of the steelborn and their oathsworn, none of the tribes could hope for victory on the field.


    The high lords of the host slowly trickled into Aspyr¡¯s tent throughout the morning, warmed by the fur carpets and hearthstones and the tea being served. Secluded in the corner was Hystor Adryan, his eyes rolled back into his skull as if seeking out his very thoughts. Two trusted mages-at-arms stood guard over his empty body and cocooned him in a sound-tight sphere of wind. The slightest disturbance might cause his sliding to go awry, and Aspyr feared his self might never settle well within his own flesh if that were to happen.


    Some of them, like Lord Nominal Attaginus, made a show of appreciating the decor. As a good host, Aspyr could only smile and give his thanks even as his teeth ached grinding against each other.


    ¡°I dare say your things are even finer than that of Lord Principal Tytus,¡± Attaginus said, sinking into a cushioned chair that creaked beneath his weight.


    Aspyr craned his neck to look down at him. The man barely reached his chest while standing as it was. ¡°Are you so familiar with House Pleion?¡± Aspyr asked frostily.


    Attaginus smiled. ¡°Lord Tytus has extended great courtesy to me as of late when I visited his court. I do not wish to be impudent, but I do like to think of him as a friend. He has even offered me a great sum of bright silver on credit, should it be needed.¡±


    ¡°A boon to be sure.¡± He recalled what Mydea had said. Attaginus had aspirations to expand the cavernous complex from which he ruled. It would take gold to find gold though, for the task was not simple. Hystors would have to be invited to survey the place lest they collapse the mountain on their heads. Afterwards, the necromantic fees would need to be paid to raise the corpses for the grueling work of mining.


    ¡°It does make one wonder if such generosity truly exists in the world,¡± Aspyr continued.


    ¡°You doubt his capacity?¡±


    ¡°Who could doubt it?¡± Aspyr asked. House Pleion was distant kin to Pleonexia, such that even were they not wealthy in their own right from trading with Nysia, the deep vaults of a house eminent were open to them. The terms would be favorable too if it meant Kolchis weakened and its vassals divided in loyalty.


    Or worse, if fealty could be stolen away altogether.


    It would not be done lightly, but Aspyr was an untempered steelborn in the eyes of many. If the coming battles were not handled well, it would give Attaginus all the pretext he needed to seek a new master, and a dispute between the great lords of the Deeplands could only be settled by Lord Pleonexia.


    Not even the absolute right to private war that Kolchis possessed in theory as a house external would allow them to turn their swords and sorceries against another stoneborn house.


    ¡°Then you doubt his sincerity?¡± Attaginus asked.


    ¡°How can I claim to know his mind?¡± Aspyr asked. ¡°Yet, while Lord Tytos may be generous to you today, who is to say his heirs will treat you well tomorrow?¡±


    Attaginus shifted in his seat. ¡°I would be their father¡¯s friend.¡±


    Aspyr showed him a thin smile. ¡°I am sure my grandfather would be delighted to hear that friendships last after death.¡± He had, after all, accompanied Lord Pleonexia¡¯s late father in every venture save their last. ¡°Kolchis is not without means itself, Lord Attaginus,¡± Aspyr said, ¡°but I have only just succeeded into my seat. Has even a year passed since Lord Eminent Pleonexia turned to me the turf and twig and gave to me my livery?¡±


    ¡°Not even half a year in truth since you paid homage and relief.¡±


    ¡°Then I hope my lord understands why I can be of no help for now,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°If my grandfather¡¯s life has taught me anything, it is not to rush when war and wealth are concerned.¡±


    ¡°I thank you for your words of caution. I shall ponder this matter deeply.¡± Attaginus said hastily.


    That would stave off the vultures for now, but not forever. Much depended on a successful showing against the Tuskar.


    At long last, Hystor Adryan stirred to life and the steelborn quieted as the magic surrounding the man dissipated. ¡°I have seen eight parties venture south of the Aigean Range,¡± he said, accepting a cloth to dab the cool sweat off his face.


    Murmurs broke out among the steelborn at his words. The Tuskar were other to them, each tribe doing as they willed with no regard for the others. They lived as the Empire did during the Terror of the Thousand Tyrants, when the Emperor was but a title. Only the Tuskar did not even have a king, and so their raids would not come all at once, but in waves throughout the winter. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    For there to be this many in the first wave alone made it one of the largest attacks in recent memory.


    As if even the tribes know that I am of age to be truly tested, Aspyr thought, warming his throat with a cup of tea. Tea had always been Mydea¡¯s choice of drink, while he preferred sweeter spirits like ambrosia, but only fools drank before a battle. Whilst facing the Tuskar, they might be forced into a fight any day too, and so he abstained entirely.


    ¡°Eight warbands at the least.¡± Lord Andras Pyli¡¯s voice cut through like the chatter like runesteel, having arrived at camp just that morning with his son and his sorcerers. ¡°Before I departed from Northgate, Lord External Yberia sent word of attacks on his territory as well.¡±


    ¡°How does my uncle fare?¡± Aspyr asked.


    ¡°He did not sound concerned,¡± Andras answered.


    Aspyr expected as much from the Knight Eminent of the Order of the Stone Shield, but thought to ask after his grandmother¡¯s maternal family anyway. Though their lands were not next to each other, theirs were both houses external against the Tuskar, alongside Aeria.


    ¡°Where have the Tuskar struck us?¡± asked the fair-haired Sir Syrus, looking at Hystor Adryan.


    The hystor answered perfunctorily, rattling off the names of villages, hamlets, and farmsteads too small for Aspyr to have ever heard of.


    ¡°Where are these places?¡± Aspyr asked.


    It was Alkaios Pyli who pointed them out on the map¡ªa clustering of attacks on those who paid dues to House Pyli or Sir Lorne of Lone Stone. ¡°It may have been easier to say where they haven¡¯t attacked,¡± he said, frustration seeping into his tone. ¡°Some of their deeds we saw on the road, but we could not stop all of them ourselves.¡±


    Not yet a man grown at nineteen, yet already permitted by his father to speak for him in a council, while the older brother was left behind to watch Northgate. It was clear who the future lord of House Pyli would be.


    ¡°We ought to ride for the keeps of Northgate and Lone Stone then,¡± said Sir Syrus. ¡°The tribes will withdraw either through the mountain paths or through the Pass of Perasma itself if they are so heavily burdened. Weary and weakened after their raids, we will smash them before they can truly profit from plundering and cut off their means of retreat!¡±


    ¡°We might also call on more mages. This host is truly larger than any of us expected,¡± added Attaginus.


    Those stoneborn south or west of Aigis¡ªand the Weeping River¡ªmade noises of approval, but only them.


    Aspyr could not field his forces indefinitely. There were only so many days of knightly and magely service he was owed in a year, and to ask for more would be resisted by those not imperiled. The steelborn under threat like the Pylis and the Lornes would continue to fight with him, but they would not be enough. Nor could a greater muster be called on, lest he spend too much of his strength now and leave nothing for the raids later in the season.


    If he had not given relief so generously to Lord Pleonexia, he might have the coin on hand to pay for knightly services beyond what he was entitled to¡­


    ¡°You wish to give them a free hand to act as they please until then?¡± Alkaois bristled, before turning to Aspyr with a look. ¡°My lord external, this cannot be done!¡±


    That he had addressed Aspyr as his lord external was not merely out of deference, he knew by now. It was calculated¡ªa twist on the same show he had tasked Lady Hermia to act out before Lord Pleonexia. What use was there for a lord external who was content to wait out threats in stone keeps as the strawborn suffered? His southern vassals might not think any less of him for doing so¡ªit wasn¡¯t their lands that would suffer for it.


    But his other lords and ladies would never think kindly of him if he were to shy away now. All that Mydea had toiled for while he was at Aelisium torched in a single moment. Even now she risked her very life for his sake.


    His shoes dug into the soft bear rug carpeting the floor. How can I be worthy of the lordly seat she¡¯d ceded to me if I do otherwise?


    ¡°Each of the warbands have but two paths before them,¡± Marshal Perdiccas said beside Aspyr in a low voice. ¡°To keep raiding, or to retreat beyond the Aigean Range.¡±


    ¡°They will not retreat yet,¡± Aspyr said, sure as the seasons. He offered his marshal a smile for his guidance. ¡°They have struck at wayward villages and farmsteads till now, but the true prizes they seek have never been there.¡±


    Raiding was not about food, though they¡¯d certainly help themselves to any sheep or strawborn they came across. No, when they came, it was for the Empire¡¯s silk and steel and for the bronze sword at his side or Mother¡¯s runesteel rapier with Mydea; for tools and tomes and every good thing they could not make. The Tuskar had no cities, and what few settlements they had were too small for great works of smithing, though it was said that mending was within their means.


    ¡°My lords and ladies, I must confess I have never been too patient of a man,¡± Aspyr continued. ¡°To come all the way north armed and armored, and then to wait for my enemies to come to me?¡± He glanced at the southern stoneborn who huddled together to his right, closer to the pyrestones that warmed his tent. ¡°We face the Tuskar, not the Thragian legions or even the Pyrian phalanxes.¡±


    ¡°It is well and good to attack,¡± Lady Leah Lorne said, thin brows coming together. ¡°But where first?¡±


    ¡°For the moment, the tribes have done us the favor of huddling together in one place,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°When they disperse at the first sight of our host, we will run down those closest while harassing the rest from the air,¡± he said with more confidence than he felt. His gaze shifted toward Lord Pyli. ¡°My sister has spoken to me at great length about your family¡¯s newest keepsakes.¡±


    At last, Lord Andras, who had been silent all the while, spoke, ¡°When she visited me at my keep, Lady Mydea seemed quite keen to know about how I¡¯d taken a fang from a mythuselah.¡±


    Aspyr recalled all that Mydea had told him about this man¡ªthat it was a point of pride for the Lord Nominal of House Pyli to have become a mythslayer. Enough that he had offered to hunt one with House Kolchis come the raids. ¡°Do you suppose we shall come across one this season?¡± Aspyr asked.


    ¡°With so many warbands coming, it is almost certain,¡± Andras said.


    ¡°Then let us test their claim,¡± Aspyr said, sharing a smile with his vassal. ¡°Let us see if they are worthy of being called myths.¡±

 37: Raid... (Part 4)

    League upon league of snowy fields and rolling hills disappeared behind them over the next two days. Despite the looming threat the warbands posed, the soilborn remained to tend to the land, watching over hardy vegetables like spinach, collards, and leeks. Aspyr even spotted a kindly looking grandfather singing a song to the crops while children willed the snow into men with a crude application of magic.


    Perhaps they simply do not know the danger has come early this time? Aspyr thought.


    Defended by a simple stakewall, untrained in magic, and armed with axes more fit for chopping wood than heads, a village of soilborn would stand no chance against a Tuskar warband. If misfortune struck, a few would die to the Tuskar¡¯s touch, but even more to winter¡¯s kiss. It was difficult enough for farmers to survive the winter in a good year, nevermind if their stores of food were pillaged or if their sheep were butchered by others.


    If the warband were led by a hungry mythuselah, an offering in kind would not suffice. A blood sacrifice of kin might be necessary¡­


    It falls on me to prevent that, Aspyr thought grimly.


    As they neared the Tuskar warbands, the winged knights switched from riding steeds to their pegasi in preparation. Lord Andras was invited to join Aspyr¡¯s personal lance when they took to the skies, leaving his own lance in the hands of his son.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be good practice for when he succeeds me,¡± Andras shared as they waited to ascend. It took the pegasi a great deal of strength to keep a knight in the air, even when they opted for less armor. As such, they would not take flight a moment before it was necessary, lest their strength be utterly spent at a critical moment. ¡°Alkaios had never had the chance to lead whilst in the Thalassian Athenaeum.¡±


    Among the Six Schools, the Athenaeum by the Sea was an oddity. Save for the Aelisian Athenaeum in the Imperial City, all the others mostly educated those of their region¡ªthough stoneborn houses near the border might send a son or daughter over if their lands had no school to speak of. Unlike them, the Thalassian Athenaeum serviced both the Deeplands and Nysia.


    Neighboring Nysia was the smallest of the eminent regions, and had the fewest lordly houses, but it still left the Thalassian Athenaeum with more stoneborn students than usual. In such a situation, the heir of a poor and lowly house nominal could be easily overlooked if he were not an exceptional talent in fighting, flying, or friendship.


    In our case, it did not help that Mydea and I entered the athenaeum as pariahs and left with superiors and subjects, but no friends, Aspyr thought. It was good that their younger sister Chalsi had found trusted companions at least, if her last letter was to be believed.


    ¡°It is good that we give Alkaios a chance to prove himself then,¡± Aspyr said at last. ¡°Good steel must be tempered.¡±


    ¡°He will not disappoint,¡± Andras said with a nod.


    The wind blew from behind them, delivering Hystor Adryan¡¯s words to Aspyr¡¯s ear. ¡°The Tuskar are nearby. The warbands remain near each other.¡±


    Aspyr raised a mailed fist to acknowledge the hystor¡¯s words. The sun was now at its highest, when the mythuselah would be at their weakest. ¡°Skyward!¡± he barked, amplifying his voice.


    ¡°For Aigis! For the Lord External!¡± his oathsworn sorcerers cried out in unison, led by Captain Alexios.


    Five lances shot forward at a gallop, spaced just enough for their wings to unfold. With three powerful flaps, Steelwing brought Aspyr skyward, while the rest of his winged lance took a moment longer to join him. Many days of hard drills showed as they formed up like migrating birds with Aspyr at the tip.


    Mere moments later, Aspyr could make out the Tuskar warbands moving below on steeds crowned with antlers of sharpened bone. They numbered nearly six hundred by his count, clustered into four distinct groupings. Beyond that, there was no means for him to tell them apart for they carried no sigils like all civilized peoples ought to.


    Hystor Adryan mentioned there were at least eight warbands though, Aspyr thought. Had the other half gone their own way already?


    ¡°Make ready!¡± Aspyr ordered, retrieving a javelin from his back and channeling magic into its bronze head. With luck, the Tuskar would panic from the first sudden strike and scatter. Victory would certainly follow, granting him the right to enroll into the Order of the Stone Shield with his head held high.


    ¡°Ready!¡± his lance mages answered.


    ¡°Ready!¡± answered the lords who led their own lances in turn, voices unhindered by the wind thanks to witchery.


    ¡°Loose at will!¡± Aspyr roared, and the javelins were thrown like the thundering rods of a storm god. Before the first volley struck, a cry of alarm was raised and a thick mist blanketed the ground, obscuring the Tuskar from view. Seconds later, the javelins struck, red tongues of fire exploding from each impact, though weaker than he thought they ought to be. It was as if the fog was smothering the flames before they even hit.


    They continued to circle around the expanding, protective fog, raining down javelins upon it blindly. Minutes passed like this, until the area the mist covered was too great for them to hope to hit anything.


    They could not keep trying to burn them out blindly without torching every farm and field from here to the Pass of Perasma. If they tried, they¡¯d cause more harm than just letting the Tuskar do as they pleased.


    Though the Tuskar had no athenaeums, they had magic all the same. Each tribe cultivated different tricks which they guarded jealously even from each other¡ªspells to see in the dark, to feel with wind, to smell beyond scent¡­ They were not stupid, and they knew of ways to match Kolchis¡¯ own measures in the pegasi and familiars and scrying.


    ¡°Thrice-damned mistmakers,¡± Andras said. ¡°They¡¯re pushing the fog north.¡±


    Retreating in good order, Aspyr understood immediately. Stalling for time, for the sun to set? His frown deepened. They had not scattered like he¡¯d expected. The tribes were working so closely together ¡­ were they distant kin, or bound by marriage perhaps? Were they not the enemy, Aspyr would¡¯ve praised their commander for keeping the various warbands moving together despite the terror of death from above.


    ¡°My lord, Marshal Perdiccas is signaling us for orders,¡± Captain Alexios said, tilting his head towards the bursts of light appearing over their mass of cavalry.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°We pursue,¡± Aspyr said. The enemy host was not yet broken, and so remained a threat to his people. His victory had to be beyond question in the eyes of his sworn vassals, to stiffen their loyalty to his house. Only with them fully behind him could Lord Eminent Pleonexia be forced to accept that Kolchis was a house external not by his writ, but by right and acclaim.


    Perhaps more importantly, the Tuskar could not be allowed to taste success in any form if they were learning to come together as a unified whole once more, like they had during Grandfather¡¯s time. Their sum would be far greater than the parts, and from the Frostlands might emerge a people who could truly threaten the Deeplands.


    As Alexios signaled back to the main host, Aspyr considered the situation. The mist had to be dispelled or their heavy horse might run themselves into a hedgehog of dismounted shields and spears, or be countercharged by the mounted Tuskar. Yet, to be sufficiently close for their winds and witchery to dispel it would put them within range of a trained mage¡¯s bowshot.


    Was there a tribe among them that learned the ways of the wind well enough to replicate such a feat? He had not spotted a great number of bows among their weapons¡­


    His frown deepened. When each tribe acted alone, it was simple enough to know their limits after a spectacle or two.


    ¡°They¡¯re headed for the river!¡± Andras said, pointing at the direction the shrouding fog was moving towards.


    Aspyr¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°They cannot think to escape us by crossing it?¡± Even if they had a tribe skilled in fording by freezing, such maneuvers were delicate in the best of conditions. With winged and mounted mages on their heels ¡­ well, there were less painful ways to die than drowning in winter.


    ¡°We dispel the mist now!¡± Aspyr ordered, leading his lance into a dive¡ª


    Steelwing swerved sharply to the side¡ª


    The space they left behind was peppered by a barrage of small, smooth ovals.


    Rocks, Aspyr realized. ¡°Slingers! Scatter!¡± he cried out, reinforcing his bronze helmet and armor with the essence of earth, while winds picked up violently around him to throw off their aim. Only when they had reached a safe height again did Aspyr take a moment to assess his lance. Sir Edgar looked uncomfortable with pieces of his armor dented, but he seemed to be in no immediate danger.


    A deep horn resounded across the plains, and the lances below massed together for a charge. Aspyr glanced down and saw the figure of his father riding forward alone, a storm brewing within his raised palm. Even from so far away he could feel the monstrous capacity gathering in Father¡¯s fingertips, doing so casually what would usually take scores of men working in concert to accomplish and without a medium to bind the spell to either.


    ¡°Ready your javelins!¡± Aspyr said. Though he¡¯d left his command of the reserves, Father was creating an opportunity for them, and Aspyr could only make use of that.


    Father brought his hand down, and the winter wind howled like warhounds, surging forward eagerly to tear away the protective fog.


    Aspyr breathed in deep and imbued his weapon with fire and the essence of wind to carry it further and farther. The bronze tip of his javelin turned a bright white as more magic poured into it, and the wooden shaft closest to the tip blackened to hold its integrity. ¡°Loose at will!¡± Aspyr said, projecting his voice as he aimed at a great clumping of Tuskar below.


    In plain sight now, and without their magic to soften the blow, the explosive volleys melted the Tuskar lines, leaving their formation like a mouth with missing teeth. It was into this broken formation that his heavy horse smashed into not a minute later.


    ¡°They really tried to fight us on our terms,¡± Aspyr said, shaking his head. The Tuskar were learning some lessons to be sure, but the steelborn had been waging war amongst each other for centuries now. A great massing of men was a prime target for tactics like his, which was why cavalry was split into independent lances and rarely massed before the final charge. If the Tuskar had fought on foot and anchored defensive spells¡ªassuming they knew any¡ªto one area, they could have weathered the volley better.


    The fight below was progressing well as they descended. The steelborn were armored in chainmail hauberk and armed with bronze or steel spears and kite shields, while most of the Tuskar relied on small rectangular plates of crude iron and rawhide sewn together.


    The advantages of his warriors were not limited to just equipment either¡ªthe steelborn were taller than average, while the Tuskar had short and lithe forms, a little shorter than his Monsi subjects.


    Their reindeer are quite fierce though, Aspyr thought as he witnessed a man in the distance nearly get skewered by the steed¡¯s sharpened antlers.


    ¡°A great victory, my lord!¡± Andras declared, judging the battle won as the first of the Tuskar warbands began to break away from each other.


    ¡°The first of many,¡± Aspyr said to the acclaim of his mages.


    Aspyr led his lance into the dying fray, where the last hints of resistance remained. To his surprise, his knights formed a ring around a pale girl armed with a bone dagger and a dying man barely staying on his feet. I didn¡¯t realize the Tuskar let their young ride to war, he thought with distaste. Even he and his sisters were not urged to fight despite House Kolchis falling into their hands as children. It was, he supposed, the difference between civilized peoples and their lessers.


    Aspyr dismounted and strode forward, drawing his bronze sword. ¡°Lay down your weapon,¡± he said, switching to the Monsi tongue. It was, as he understood it, a cousin of the Tuskar language and shared enough words for something passing a conversation.


    She hissed at him, curved fangs extending past her lower lip, and the sight of it gave him pause. It was a surer sign of danger than the first flakes of winter. Her hair was the shade of moonlight the mythuselah so loved, and flowed down her shoulders in a cascade. Yet, for some reason Aspyr did not think they would be so easy to grab. He was willing to wager if one tried, they would find it slipping through their grip.


    ¡°You¡¯re mythuselah,¡± Aspyr said. And so was the dying man he realized belatedly as he did not bleed out from his wounds. That must be why they¡¯re called the Bloodless Ones.


    The dying man said something in that guttural tongue of theirs¡ªsomething of inheritance, blood? The girl looked troubled, eyes watering as she glared at Aspyr, before she plunged her fangs into the man¡¯s neck. In an instant the corpse withered into dust, leaving nothing of himself to burn or bury but his fangs.


    With his passing would be decades, if not centuries, of accumulated knowledge lost to his tribe.


    The girl knelt down, carefully placing the pair of fangs in a pouch tied to her waist, before standing back up.


    Suddenly, the girl¡¯s eyes turned blood red and Aspyr could not move his feet. His knights cried out in that instant as she lunged at him, leaving deep gouges in the snow with her passing. Aspyr could only bring his shield up to defend, and his senses screamed out at him as the dagger tore through his shield and its layered enchantments like it was cheap cloth.


    Her eyes turned back to a dazzling shade of deep blue as she pulled her dagger back to strike between his throat, but Alexios smashed into her shield first, knocking her backwards.


    She was back on her feet in a second, licking his blood off her fang of a dagger, but the motions were sluggish compared to her first strike. When she faced them again, a whole row of spears and shields stood between her and Aspyr as the rest of his vassals and knights shook themselves out of their surprise.


    Captain Alexios and Lord Andras led the fight against her along with three others, while the rest of his host returned to running down what Tuskar they could catch. Strong as the mythuselah was, she was no match for five trained mages working in concert. Her eyes continued to flicker between blood red and blue, but with each cut and blow she took, her strength was ground to dust until she could barely stay on her feet.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Aspyr said, cognizant that his arm was still bleeding out¡ªand painfully at that¡ªdespite coating it with a minor healing spell. ¡°Take her prisoner. I want her alive.¡± The Tuskar were behaving strangely, and he would need to know more of their plans.


    For sparing her life, she paid him back with eyes of deep hatred and a mouthful of curses.

 38: Ball (1)

    Barely a day had passed before an imperial messenger¡ªa black Everbloom cattle dog with a perfumed piece of parchment attached to his neck¡ªdelivered Mydea¡¯s official invitation to the Empress¡¯ masquerade ball. None of the tea parlor¡¯s staff impeded the messenger¡¯s coming and going, and it strode out into the city¡¯s streets without fear. Deep in the seat of imperial power, it was a grave crime to obstruct the Empress¡¯ orders in any way, and that included delaying those who carried her words.


    No animal was as respected in Aelisium, save the guardian geese.


    ¡°Yours arrived so quickly,¡± Lady Abygail of the House Principal Abelle said across from her.


    ¡°It¡¯s hardly a contest,¡± Mydea said, unfurling the parchment, and the pleasant smell of citrus waffed from it. She wouldn¡¯t consider the stoneborn Heartlander a friend per se, but their interactions at Princess Mirah¡¯s party and the days after had been cordial enough. ¡°Yours will arrive any moment now, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Kind of you to say.¡± Abygail blew at her steaming cup before taking a sip. From their table on the balcony, they could overlook the bustling Street of Spellweavers as ladies and gentlemen hurried for their final fittings. Even prior to the Empress¡¯ announcement that morning, the stoneborn already knew a ball would be taking place and each had made arrangements as they saw fit.


    ¡°If every ball sees so many gowns made, the seamstresses of Aelisium must be the richest in the Empire,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Even compared to those in the Pleopolis?¡± Abygail asked.


    Mydea stirred some of House Holt¡¯s honey into her hibiscus tea. It was garnished with mint too, which according to the server was how the Bloomlings liked to drink it. ¡°House Pleonexia¡¯s deep mines make it the wealthiest in the Empire, but they alone cannot outspend the nobility of the eight eminent regions,¡± she said.


    ¡°That¡¯s true enough, I suppose,¡± Abygail said. ¡°Have you decided on your dress for the ball then? You haven¡¯t visited any of the shops this morning, so I can only assume you¡¯ll be wearing something you brought.¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°It strikes me as far too easy to be recognized if one purchases a dress for the occasion. There are eyes everywhere in Aelisium.¡±


    ¡°Many girls wouldn¡¯t care quite so much about keeping their identities hidden.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rather the whole point of the masquerade ball, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mydea said.


    Abygail shrugged. ¡°The purpose varies for everyone.¡± Her close-set ruby eyes, only made more evocative by the dark powder applied around them, crinkled. ¡°For those keen on marriage, it might be better to have it discovered sooner rather than later.¡±


    ¡°There is a proper time for all things,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Giving up your secret too quickly makes you easy, not alluring. The art of suspense is sadly lost on such people.¡±


    ¡°Then by going to all this trouble, doesn¡¯t that mean you wish to be courted? By Mister Tomas perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Hardly,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I go to such lengths because I enjoy the game.¡± She¡¯d only ever attended masquerades while in the Thalassian Athenaeum, and there was no challenge to be had there when one had spent years studying and studying with the attendees.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Perhaps we may even recognize each other at the ball, though I doubt I¡¯m as proficient as you.¡±


    ¡°I shan¡¯t make it too difficult for you,¡± Mydea said.


    Abygail rested her round face on a hand as she leaned forward. ¡°Is that a hint about your dress?¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°It will be eye-catching.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite unlike your usual preference,¡± Abygail said. ¡°Your attire so far has been respectable, if subdued.¡±


    ¡°It is not good to show your hand too early,¡± Mydea said. If she were to show the best of her dresses immediately, as many ladies would, then she would not even necessarily stand out among the throng. No house involved in the trade of pegasi would be poor, but neither could Kolchis afford to employ an army of spellweavers to keep her newly clothed for months on end like the wealthiest lords and ladies.


    Besides, a gorgeous dress like her mother¡¯s required a suitable event to debut in. She¡¯d been too young to wear it when she still attended the athenaeum, and the fashion of the far north tended towards the austere. A masquerade ball hosted by the Empress herself was the perfect occasion.


    "I look forward to seeing your dress then," Abygail said. "May even the skyborn be dazzled by the sight of you!"


    "May they be dazzled by the both of us," Mydea replied with a courteous smile. "What of your plans? You haven''t tried very hard to seek out Tomas these days, but is there another prince you''ve your eyes on?" As a principal vassal to the Envees of the Heartlands, a lady of House Abelle would not likely be picked as an imperial bride unless the Empress¡¯ youngest daughter, Princess Bethany, had no designs on the throne herself. She was also the only imperial daughter to ignore Mydea rather than scheme against her.


    Was that from a lack of ambition? An oversight? Or perhaps the fate of House Kolchis did not matter to the Heartlands? With a shared border, it was obvious why Princess Lille and the Everbloom might meddle with the Deeplands, but that wouldn¡¯t explain why Mirah and the Dunelands were getting involved as well.


    Mydea had yet to uncover what exactly made her the subject of interest for so many of the skyborn, but it was undeniable now that they were interested.


    ¡°I don¡¯t dare dream so highly,¡± Abygail said.


    The Heartlands are still playing to win then, Mydea thought idly. It really was too early for anyone to walk away willingly from the greatest of prizes, and the Empress ought to have many years in her still.


    ¡°We live in a castle on a cloud now,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Where else can we dream highly, if not here?¡±


    ¡°It is precisely because we are on a cloud that one cannot go too high,¡± Abygail said. ¡°After all, the higher you are, the greater the fall.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to be sensible,¡± Mydea said. Too many of the young ladies forgot marriage concerned both affection and alliance, instead of the former alone. ¡°If not to become a lady-consort, then perhaps you seek to become a lady-in-waiting?¡± It was no small commitment for a family to place one of their own next to a skyborn¡ªa most public declaration of allegiance second only to marriage itself. Much like the imperial consorts, a lady-in-waiting could have the ear of their mistress at all hours of the day should the need arise.


    ¡°It would be ideal,¡± Abygail said. ¡°Besides, it would be an excellent excuse to remain a guest of the Empress and one will never lack for suitors when standing next to a princess.¡± The skyborn could only take one spouse while vying for the Starlight Crown, and those seeking closer ties would naturally look to those close to the House Imperial. ¡°Do you seek the same thing as I do?¡±


    ¡°Would that I could,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It¡¯s a great tragedy for the Deeplands that we have no skyborn scion to back.¡±


    Abygail set down her cup of fine bone porcelain¡ªthe runes keeping it perpetually warm incorporated within the very design so masterfully it would be invisible to the untrained. ¡°There are other choices. The Empress has four children and two nephews.¡±


    It would commit my house to a side prematurely, Mydea thought. At a time when Kolchis¡¯ place in the Deeplands was still uncertain, and Lord Pleonexia remained uncommitted himself, it was a most dangerous throw of the dice. ¡°I do not gamble when I do not have to.¡±


    Abygail smiled, remembering her words from Princess Mirah¡¯s tea party. ¡°So you¡¯ve said.¡±


    There was barking to be heard, and Mydea tilted her head to see a spotless hearthound and its fluffed tail bound up to Lady Abygail. ¡°Your invitation, I presume.¡±


    After retrieving the message and skimming through it, Abygail nodded and stood. ¡°I must take my leave now. A good day, Lady Mydea.¡±


    ¡°To you as well.¡±

 39: Ball... (2)

    The afternoon of the Empress¡¯ masquerade found the Seraglio, normally vibrant with the chatter of ladies, suddenly silent of schemes. Even the lordlings courting the skyborn were sequestered away in their own rooms with an army of servants, armored themselves in silken weave and velvet gloves and all that which sparkled in the light. Charms and witchery were layered over each other, or imbued into every worn article, while glamours were employed to mold even one¡¯s face and features.


    If one were to count every coin spent on this night, Mydea thought, staring at herself through the vanity mirror of her room, would it suffice to extend the Aigean Way from Aigis to the mountains?


    Troia dipped a painter¡¯s brush into a recipe of beeswax, egg whites, and dyes, before applying the red mixture to the very tip of Mydea¡¯s nails. It made it seem like her scratches had just drawn blood.


    Troia studied her work for a moment, before turning to Mydea hesitantly. ¡°Are you sure about this, my lady? You usually have your nails painted all the way.¡±


    ¡°It is the latest fashion in Aelisium,¡± Mydea said. It had been growing in favor among the ladies close to both Princess Mirah and Princess Lille from what she¡¯d observed.


    ¡°As you say, my lady,¡± said Troia with a dip of her head, continuing to delicately paint the rest of her squared nails.


    There was a knock, not on the door, but on the vanity. A polite way of announcing one¡¯s presence through the mirrorplane. ¡°Who is it?¡± Mydea asked.


    Almond-shaped eyes, as bright and green as her own, popped out of the corner. It was like staring at herself at fifteen, but her sister¡¯s eyes were sweeter, her cheeks not as sharp, and her hair was thick and straight like Father¡¯s. ¡°Sister?¡±


    ¡°Chalsi!¡± Mydea greeted. ¡°How are you calling on me right now?¡± While she knew the Thalassian Athenaeum had mirrors of its own, access to them was restricted by the hystors. Kolchis itself had no mirrors connected to the mirrorplane yet, and so her sister couldn¡¯t have used the excuse of calling back home.


    Chalsi shrugged her shoulders. ¡°It was simple enough to ask a friend for a favor.¡±


    Mydea frowned. It was good that Chalsi had friends now¡ªa sign that associating with Kolchis was not as dangerous as it had been a year prior. However¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve warned you about those. Favors are never so simple.¡±


    Her sister rolled her eyes. ¡°Not everyone is as cutthroat as you think.¡± Chalsi peered at Mydea, taking in the state of her, before her eyes visibly widened. ¡°Isn¡¯t that mother¡¯s dress? I¡¯ve never seen you wear it before. What¡¯s the occasion?¡±


    ¡°The Empress is hosting a masquerade tonight,¡± Mydea said.


    Chalsi squealed and brought her hands together with an audible clap. ¡°How exciting! Take a care not to let anyone spill wine on you though.¡±


    ¡°The world is not like those stories you read,¡± Mydea said. Besides, what athenaeum graduate couldn¡¯t spell the wine out of their dress on the spot? Only the rarest Everbloom vintages could be so stubborn, and if the stories were to be believed, they had been purposefully bred so at Empress-Consort Daphne¡¯s behest.


    Her sister pouted at her. ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t believe you get to stay in the Imperial City for months! How is it?¡±


    ¡°As cutthroat as I thought,¡± Mydea said dryly.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m not asking about the people.¡±


    Mydea grinned. ¡°I know. It¡¯s a wondrous place, really, if one can find the time to enjoy it. I¡¯ve only been here nine days, but it feels like there are new sights to see each day¡ªmagical and natural.¡±


    ¡°And have you seen a prince?¡± Chalsi asked. ¡°It¡¯s all anyone here¡¯s been talking about recently.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Mydea considered the question. ¡°Not exactly. I suppose you could say Prince Jaeson is the shy sort. He has yet to show his face here.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not the only prince you know,¡± Chalsi said.


    ¡°No, but I don¡¯t imagine the gossip in the athenaeum isn¡¯t about him,¡± Mydea said. Troia finished with her nails, and stood to reach for her jewelry box. ¡°Thank you, Troia, but I¡¯d like a moment please.¡±


    Troia hesitated. ¡°You¡¯ll be late if we pause the preparations now, my lady.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fashionable to be late to these things,¡± Mydea said. Perhaps one of the few occasions where being late was being right on time.


    Troia bobbed her head and stepped back, closing the soundproof curtains around Mydea¡¯s vanity.


    Mydea took a moment to recollect the details of Tomas¡¯ disguise whilst at Kolchis. ¡°Would you happen to remember a strawborn merchant¡¯s son passing by the Thalassian Athenaeum? A Marcherkin fluent in Ilyosi. He would have left maybe seven or eight weeks ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh, him,¡± Chalsi said. ¡°He was here for a short while¡ªa week I think. I never saw him myself, but I heard he spent quite a bit of time discussing things with Archystor Phoebe or perusing the depths of the library. Was he someone important?¡±


    ¡°He was a guest of Kolchis briefly,¡± Mydea said. It was strange that Tomas had not approached Chalsi at all while at the athenaeum, considering his interest in Kolchis and the Tuskar.


    ¡°Do you suppose I could visit you at Aelisium when summer comes?¡± Chalsi asked.


    ¡°Bold of you to assume I¡¯ll be here that long,¡± Mydea said.


    Chalsi frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t Prince Jaeson looking for a bride? If you were to be chosen, it¡¯d be expected that you remain at Aelisium.¡±


    ¡°There are considerations which make such a match impossible,¡± Mydea said. Unless I wish to thoroughly spite House Pleonexia. Even were an alliance to be made between Prince Jaeson and the Deeplands, it would not be through her hand in marriage.


    ¡°A lady-in-waiting then,¡± Chalsi said, eyes still sparkling. ¡°Any princess-consort ought to have a few.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s far too early to tell who will be chosen,¡± Mydea said. She¡¯d thought Lady Miryam of the House External Bludbolt would be a safe bet in that regard, but her showing at Princess Mirah¡¯s party was a heavy blow to her prospects. It was arrogant of her to insult the Deeplands, but then losing a duel to Mydea herself made Miryam¡¯s standing among the Marcherkin so much worse. None of the other girls invited from the Primemarch stood out in Mydea¡¯s eyes.


    As for a candidate from the other eminent regions, it seemed unlikely that Prince Jaeson would select someone from a house already likely to back another for the Starlight Crown. That only left the Deeplands and Nysia however, and there were no suitable girls from Nysia. All of them were daughters from houses nominal or knightly.


    The third possibility which might help further Prince Jaeson¡¯s ambitions would be a strategic marriage to break up the support behind one of the other skyborn, robbing them of a key vassal in the succession struggle years later. It was the weakest of his options, however, and not the path she¡¯d advise him to take were he to ask.


    Tomas¡¯ movements were of no help in this regard, having avoided the other girls thus far.


    ¡°You seem keener on the idea than I am,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Chalsi lied blatantly. ¡°You¡¯re not a young girl anymore, Sister. You ought to start thinking of your future. That I¡¯d have an excuse to visit the Imperial City is just an added boon.¡± Chalsi glanced to the side, looking out the window of a room. ¡°I should go. The sun¡¯s about to set.¡±


    ¡°Take better care of yourself now that you¡¯re alone in the athenaeum,¡± Mydea said, placing a palm on the mirror. ¡°Lord Pleonexia has eyes and ears where you¡¯d least expect them.¡±


    Chalsi raised a brow at her, but touched her palm to hers. ¡°I think I should be the one saying that to you considering where you are. Have a good night, Sister, and do try to enjoy yourself.¡±


    Mydea watched quietly as Chalsi slipped out of sight, and only then set her hand down. She cracked open the curtains and called her maids over to finish up her look. The sky was darkening outside too as rain clouds saw the sun off.


    Troia got to braiding immediately, turning Mydea¡¯s dark locks into a circlet around her head. Khloe stood to Troia¡¯s side, passing on silver pins as needed to secure her hair. Ida slipped her feet into heels, before presenting the jewelry box to Mydea.


    ¡°The high silver ring and the pearl necklace,¡± Mydea said, and Ida picked the pieces out gently before placing them on Mydea¡¯s person.


    When they¡¯d finished with her effects, her maids stepped back and allowed Mydea space to stand. With a purposeful flick of her wrist, the spell woven into her dress came to life. Mydea assessed herself through the mirror. Satisfied it was working as intended, she willed the spell back to sleep.


    To finish the look, Troia came forward and placed a red half-mask decorated with swirls on Mydea, covering her eyes and cheeks.


    Her maids accompanied her to the entrance of the Seraglio, where her carriage waited. Despite the rain, the pavement was dry as ever. The raindrops sank through the cobblestone and into the cloud beneath it, acting as the Imperial City¡¯s reservoir.


    Mydea stepped into the storm, but not a drop dared drench her. The witchery her maids employed made sure of that.

 40: Ball... (3)

    The carriage carried only herself towards the Mirage¡ªa two-storied palace painted in a vibrant blue hue, its silhouette gleaming from the light of the full moon. Were this a normal banquet, a woman of Mydea¡¯s standing might have brought along their lady¡¯s maid, but it would be an obvious clue during a masquerade. Those more discerning might even recognize her through Troia, unless she went to the trouble of masking her too.


    Unlike when the Empress had held court some days prior, there was no line of carriages waiting their turn. The strict palatial formalities were mostly done away with for the night, and so the ball¡¯s scheduled start time was little more than a mere suggestion.


    A footman ran up to Mydea¡¯s carriage carrying a rigid parasol of fine leather treated with beeswax. An athenaeum-trained servant would have made the object obsolete of course, but how could the House Imperial pass up a chance to impress their splendor upon the vassals of their vassals? The servant was well-practiced too, keeping perfect pace with Mydea regardless of what speed she walked up the flight of stairs. She was dry as a dune entering the palace.


    Another servant¡ªthis one distinguishable as one of some seniority by being in the livery of the star and storm¡ªled her up another flight of stairs. The Mirage was much like the Starlight Tower in that it was not a residential palace, and so the second floor existed purely to let one descend into the ballroom in style.


    The herald slammed his staff twice to announce her presence. Mydea glanced down at the half-filled room of masks and mages, pausing for a moment atop the grand staircase. Then, with a small smile, she woke the slumbering spells. A blinding white light burst out of her back, drawing every eye to her person as four translucent wings took shape beneath the crystal chandelier.


    Mydea descended with very small steps on a low half-toe, assisted by spellweave. Paired with the long gown covering her feet, and the wings behind her, she looked like a fae queen-to-be¡ªfloating, instead of walking.


    None would think it was true flight, for such a feat was yet impossible for a lone mage, but so long as others could not crack the secret of her dress, they would remain curious.


    A woman of pale Syngian complexion and a slender bronze sword at her hip approached Mydea as she arrived at the base of the staircase. ¡°Is it glamour?¡± she asked immediately, although polite enough to offer Mydea a flute glass filled with a straw-colored liquid first.


    Mydea took a sip, taking a moment to savor the semi-dry wine. ¡°That¡¯d be the first guess of many.¡±


    The woman snorted. ¡°Which means it¡¯s wrong. I figured.¡± The simplest illusions were trivial to detect and dispel, while those difficult to pierce would be the kept secrets of select houses. Neither Kolchis nor the House Imperial were among their number.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve had the pleasure of tasting a wine like this before.¡± Mydea held up her glass to the light.


    ¡°It¡¯s mango,¡± the woman said, still undressing Mydea with her eyes to learn her secret.


    ¡°Really?¡± Mydea asked. ¡°It looks and tastes nothing like it.¡± She would have expected a fruity wine to be sweeter.


    ¡°It surprises many.¡± The woman shrugged.


    Mydea placed her as coming from one of the southernmost eminent regions¡ªthe Haven, Heartlands, or the Primemarch being most likely. Mangoes were native only to those tropical areas of the Empire. The Dunelands grew them as well, but she sensed no glamours on the woman¡¯s skin and she was too pale to hail from the deserts. The sword was a strong statement too, marking her either as from a house external, or someone pretending to be from one. Bronze instead of runesteel suggested a house none too wealthy.


    That ruled out the Haven. Those houses with fiefs south enough to grow mangoes would also be the very ones dominating the trade routes of the Sundered Sea.


    ¡°I¡¯m famished,¡± the woman said, tilting her head towards one of many small, standing tables strategically placed nearby. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    ¡°After you.¡± Mydea let herself be led away. The woman walked with a brazen confidence and steady steps, and it was clear from how she held herself that she was a trained warrior. She¡¯s quite forward too, approaching me right away, Mydea thought. She was convinced now that the woman was from a house external¡ªor an actress that put mummers and minstrels to shame.


    Servants patrolled the room with trays of either morsel-sized art or hefty plates, each dish kept at just the right temperatures by plates of artificer make. Mydea¡¯s new acquaintance helped herself to a small serving of crackling pig skin with a side of vinegar, bone marrow, and mint sauce. Mydea waved away a servant who¡¯d offered fresh scallops on a half-shell topped with citrus and cilantro. Kolchis was not in such straits yet that necessitated she commit suicide by allergy while a guest of the Empress just to shine a light on the Pleonexias. Instead, she helped herself to strips of moist, juicy chicken that had been baked in salt, judging by the discarded crust about it.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°I¡¯ve not seen you make exertion all this time, so it cannot be mere sympathetic spellcraft you¡¯ve cast repeatedly,¡± the woman mused. ¡°I¡¯d be disappointed too, if that were it.¡±


    ¡°Guard your heart well then,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I¡¯ve disappointed many.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a challenge,¡± said a deep voice from behind them. The sharp clack of heels was audible and a man soon joined them at the table with a full mask that made the exact shade of his eyes unknown and unknowable.


    Mydea took one look at him and frowned. ¡°You¡¯re not even trying, Your Excellency. It robs the game of any fun.¡±


    ¡°You sound so sure of yourself,¡± was his reply.


    ¡°As the seasons.¡± Mydea sipped her wine. It was a good vintage, but too dry to be her preference. ¡°Would you like to know what gave you away?¡±


    ¡°Do tell.¡±


    She gave a sweet smile. ¡°It¡¯s the heels and the eyes which mark you as skyborn.¡±


    ¡°The heels?¡± the woman asked.


    ¡°He wears a full inch more than either of us,¡± Mydea explained. ¡°Were we anywhere else, I wouldn¡¯t take that to mean anything necessarily, but in Aelisium? There are customs which govern the height of heels and four inches are for the House Imperial alone.¡±


    ¡°And the eyes?¡± the prince asked. ¡°I went to great expense procuring this mask just so mine wouldn¡¯t give me away.¡±


    ¡°Too great an expense,¡± Mydea explained. ¡°It would have sufficed to change the color alone, but to use such complex obscuration? You were trying to hide something, and only the eyes of Synder Starbright merit such lengths.¡±


    He settled into a contemplative quiet, for the skyborn did not sulk. ¡°I might have been someone pretending.¡±


    ¡°It would be most impudent to borrow the visage of the House Imperial, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Though this is a masquerade, I do not think any would dare to overstep that line.¡± Glamour was easy, and easily countered, but they were not the only means of altering one¡¯s appearance. Among the stoneborn, it was known that deep lore and higher mysteries existed to beguile the senses.


    ¡°Especially those who know their histories,¡± the woman added. ¡°There are costs and dangers both to dabbling in such magic.¡±


    Though centuries had passed, tales from a darker era were still talked about at the athenaeums. Many had dared commit treason against the House Imperial, stealing their face and their place, or through subtler means of control.


    ¡°Are you suggesting my Mother does not know the dangers then?¡± he asked, tone light.


    Mydea and the woman shared a blank look. ¡°How do you mean, Prince Altan?¡± Mydea asked.


    He sighed somewhat mournfully. ¡°You really do know who I am.¡±


    ¡°You were still in the game until your last line,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I knew what you were, not who you were, but the Empress only has one son.¡± Nor had she heard anything about the princesses taking a liking to switching their gender in past masquerades, which would surely be gossiped about.


    Altan made a half-bow towards her. ¡°I appreciate the lessons, my lady. I¡¯ll keep them in mind.¡±


    ¡°Practice makes perfect,¡± Mydea said. The boy had just turned eighteen, and was not even a graduate of the Imperial Athenaeum yet. She could hardly find too much fault in him for failing to keep up with herself. ¡°You were saying about Her Highness?¡±


    ¡°Oh that? It¡¯s old news.¡± Altan turned his eyes to where the Empress stood, surrounded by a flock of courtiers. She did not try so hard to hide Her identity, and there wasn¡¯t much of a point. Mydea was not aware of any magic that could truly hide the impossible beauty of the House Luxuria. ¡°She employs a second self. It¡¯s been known for years how She might appear in two places at once.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ I dare not say more.¡± The Empress surely had ears everywhere in Aelisium.


    ¡°Its a dangerous practice?¡± Altan guessed her thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s nothing I haven¡¯t heard whispered before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my place to comment on Her Highness¡¯ choices,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°The Empress is the Empress,¡± the woman agreed, though her voice wasn¡¯t quite as steady.


    Altan laughed. ¡°You scare too easily. She will not take your tongues for speaking of this.¡±


    The woman was braver than Mydea then, for she asked, ¡°Is it Mimicry?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the question, isn¡¯t it?¡± Altan said. ¡°No one knows for certain the means.¡±


    ¡°Mimicry requires a great deal of trust, and that¡¯s a rarity in Aelisium,¡± Mydea pointed out. Not just figuratively, not just because your very image was wagered. The foundation of the spell was secrets, and for a truly flawless second self, the replacement would have to know of even the Empress¡¯ deepest thoughts. There were enough examples of trusted guards and servants and playmates taking the place of their master that such methods were generally avoided nowadays.

 41: Ball... (4)

    There was another stir in the crowd, smaller than Mydea¡¯s entrance had caused, but still noticeable. Atop the grand staircase and beneath the brightly lit chandeliers cascading downwards like a waterfall was a woman dressed in a slither of flickering fabric that left so much unsaid. The woman lifted her hand, and shadowy tendrils caused the lights shining on her to dim¡ªand it was only then that Mydea noticed. What had once been a solid stretch of black silk was now thinning and near translucent, as if only existing partly in their reality.


    A rather telling attire for Vivyan, Mydea thought with a snort. The umbrator just couldn''t resist using shadoweave.


    ¡°That must be Black,¡± Mydea¡¯s female companion said in a tone no less bitter than the darkest of brews.


    Marcherkin, Mydea concluded immediately. I share a table with Lady Miryam Bludbolt once again. Who else in Aelisium would hold such a deep grudge against Vivyan Black but her? It made too much sense when all the clues fit.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised the Kolchis girl isn¡¯t with her,¡± Miryam said.


    Mydea giggled before she could stop herself. ¡°Why would that be the case?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t they?¡± Miryam asked. She paused as her thoughts caught up to her, then her eyes narrowed at Mydea. ¡°You sound familiar with them. You¡¯re a Deeplander?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s clearly Ilyosi at least,¡± Prince Altan said. ¡°The complexion fits.¡±


    ¡°Ilyosi means I could be from any of three eminent regions,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°The Haven barely counts,¡± Altan argued. ¡°Only the House Eminent Mylankolia and a handful of their vassals are Ilyosi.¡±


    ¡°That still leaves Nysia then,¡± Mydea said, though they looked unconvinced. It was, admittedly, a weak deflection.


    Miryam crossed her arms in front of her chest. ¡°We¡¯ve few enough ladies from Nysia at the moment. You¡¯re a Deeplander,¡± she said more surely now.


    ¡°Guilty.¡± Mydea showed them her palms in surrender. She faced Miryam. ¡°Which is why you should believe me when I say there¡¯s little love lost between Black and Kolchis. That¡¯s no secret in the Deeplands.¡±


    ¡°How do you explain their working together these past few days then?¡± Miryam asked. ¡°Kolchis dominates Tomas¡¯ attention, and only Black has managed a private audience with him thus far. I cannot believe Kolchis wasn¡¯t involved in that, not after my duel with her and my wager with Black.¡±


    With that, the Marcherkin outed herself. Mydea had avoided naming her until now while Prince Altan remained in the dark. ¡°I don¡¯t deny that those things came to be,¡± Mydea said, ¡°but I¡¯d be careful ascribing those intentions to them.¡± With so many schemes afoot in the Imperial City, it was the height of arrogance to assume everything revolved around oneself.


    ¡°For four years, Prince Jaeson fostered with my father, and Tomas was with him then,¡± Miryam said in a tone quiet and somber. ¡°The three of us were together nearly every day back then, but now, Tomas will not even deign to speak with me. Worse, he seems willing to practice Eminent Domain with Vivyan Black and watch me lose my wager. I thought we were friends.¡± Her sharp eyes latched on to Mydea. ¡°Do my suspicions of Kolchis still seem so unreasonable?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Mydea was forced to admit. She¡¯d reach the same conclusion if she were in Miryam¡¯s shoes, knowing what she knew. Who would believe that Tomas was acting of his own volition, ignoring even his childhood companions? It was almost as if he was sabotaging Prince Jaeson¡¯s cause.


    Was that it? Had Tomas been bought off by someone? Mydea frowned to herself.


    Prince Jaeson would surely hear of this upon his return, and Tomas would be summarily dismissed. Without his patron, he¡¯d quickly end up a corpse and thrown off the edge of Aelisium. Yet, Tomas did not strike her as so foolish, and acted with confidence.


    ¡°It grieves me greatly to hear this.¡± Prince Altan offered Miryam a charming smile and his hand. ¡°Perhaps a dance to take your mind off of things? It will do you no good to stew here.¡±


    Miryam raised a brow at him. ¡°A dance? Do you prefer one with our hands, or our arms?¡± This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Altan¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. ¡°I¡¯m bereft of a sword at the moment, so it will have to be the former.¡±


    Miryam didn¡¯t give him more trouble, and they joined the couples waltzing in the center of the room to a booming, upbeat melody. One pair in particular danced lightly across the fountain¡¯s surface, every step freezing the water for a moment. There was always one at every ball.


    Mydea swallowed the last mouthful of her mango wine, and left it on the table as she studied the room itself. One could be forgiven for thinking the walls were built from glass, with mirrors covering every inch of them, and even the ceiling too. Each one showed scenes beyond sight, from the rolling dunes and a giant snake of a river that could only be Kyroh, to the endless steppes of the Vaynish Plains. There were the great drydocks of the Haven and the sparkling waters of the Splendid Sea; the grazing grounds of pegasi on the Aigean and Anarev Ranges; fields of colored flowers to rival the gardens of the Seraglio, picturesque vineyards, orchards and farms, and the ceiling showed the moon and stars.


    Unlike the mirror in her own room, these scrying mirrors were not linked to the mirrorplane. From here, they could stare out into the world, but the world could not stare back.


    She could have happily spent all evening studying what each frame held, but Mydea could not leave her work half-done. With a quick sweep of the room, she found Vivyan mingling with a small ring of stoneborn, and Mydea was willing to wager at least a few of them were Deeplanders. She spotted an opening in their ranks, and inserted herself seamlessly.


    ¡°So the fae queen joins us,¡± said a man with a golden lion mask. He toasted to Mydea with a glass of Kyroan sour wine, and a servant arrived to offer Mydea her choice of drink. She settled for sweet ambrosia. ¡°We were just speaking of New Thrage and their latest provocations. Your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°You speak of their encroachment in the Sundered Sea?¡± Mydea asked. At his nod, she continued. ¡°New Thrage remains the mightiest of our neighbors¡ªa peer and a rival to the Syngian Empire. However, they¡¯ve no great naval tradition to speak of, and to the best of my knowledge, their greatest successes at sea have been to replicate a fight on land. Let them sink their efforts into that instead of something more dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Everything can be learned with time,¡± said a woman with large and thin hoops of gold hanging from her ears. ¡°They¡¯re no danger at the moment, of course, but should they be left unharried, we might find ourselves facing a fleet to rival the Haven¡¯s many years from now.¡±


    ¡°Do you propose we wage a war for fear of this future fleet then?¡± asked Lion Mask dryly. ¡°We cannot keep New Thrage from the Sundered Sea.¡±


    ¡°We might accomplish it with a marriage,¡± the woman answered, tilting her head towards a man who could only be Prince Cleo, considering he wore his usual attire of a formal tunic. Strangely enough, Princess Lille was not with him despite rumors that they¡¯d be attending together. In her absence, at his side was a dark-skinned woman likely to be Princess Mirah.


    Lion Mask snorted. ¡°You think we ought to borrow the might of the Pyrian League? I¡¯ll admit their phalanxes can be fearsome, and the city-state of Astines has fine sailors, but I fail to see how any of those would truly help us in a war with New Thrage.¡±


    Not to mention Astines was on the wrong side of the continent.


    ¡°She speaks of their dragons,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°If a royal match were to be made¡ª¡±


    ¡°Preposterous,¡± Mydea interjected. ¡°Pyria would never let us have one.¡± The beasts were far from unstoppable in the skies, but bringing one down took time. A fleet caught out in the open seas could be turned into a funeral pyre, and that threat kept Pyria the dominant power of the League instead of wealthy Astines.


    ¡°Do not be so sure,¡± the woman with hooped earrings said. ¡°Stranger things have come to be.¡±


    ¡°Mayhaps,¡± Mydea said. ¡°But why remain preoccupied with dreams of future glory in far-off wars?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve not heard of any rumblings from across the Sundered Sea,¡± Lion Mask said. ¡°Do you mean to speak of regional concerns?¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°Surely my lord has noticed how many Deeplanders are among us?¡±


    ¡°It has not escaped my notice.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s winter now. The Tuskar are raiding,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°You¡¯re well-informed,¡± Vivyan said sarcastically.


    ¡°I make it my business to know,¡± Mydea answered. ¡°I¡¯ve kin within the Order of the Stone Shield.¡± She spotted some frowns among her audience.


    ¡°What of them? There¡¯s not been a muster called,¡± said a woman who¡¯d turned her eyes purple with a glamour.


    ¡°There hasn¡¯t,¡± Mydea agreed. ¡°It¡¯s a real shame too.¡±


    ¡°And why is that?¡± Purple Eyes asked.


    Mydea sipped at her wine to keep them in suspense a while longer. ¡°You really haven¡¯t heard? It¡¯s the largest raid in years. Even mythuselah are leading the warbands, or so I¡¯ve been told. A lost opportunity for the Order to be sure.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why hasn¡¯t Lord External Yberia called the Stone Shield to war?¡± asked Purple Eyes angrily. ¡°It¡¯s a rare chance to face a mythuselah.¡±


    ¡°It may have something to do with where the Stone Shield would be sent,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°House Kolchis asked for aid at Pleopolis recently, didn¡¯t they?¡± whispered one man to another. ¡°Are the Tuskar directing their attacks through the Pass of Perasma?¡±


    ¡°Lord External Yberia can hardly claim ignorance,¡± answered his friend. ¡°His aunt married into House Kolchis.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve a cousin in the order. She says they¡¯ve hardly had a challenge in half a decade.¡±


    The word was out now, and it could not be kept quiet. Mydea stepped back, and let the rumors spread themselves.

 42: Ball... (5)

    The night was a flurry of drinks, dances, and dresses to Mydea. Before long the midnight bells tolled and some of the stoneborn retired to their rooms¡ªPrince Pelias most notable among them¡ªthinning out the crowd. No one had yet managed to guess how she appeared to float above the floor, and some of the theories put forward had become truly ridiculous.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s similar to the magic which keeps Aelisium afloat?¡± said one particularly inebriated woman with an uneven crow¡¯s mask. Lady Talia Nomikos, if her nose was right. Mydea recognized the smokey scent of her perfume from when she¡¯d invited the girl to her tea party.


    It really was surprising how much people relied on appearance to hide their identities, as if sight alone was the only sense available to others.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not Her Highness,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°Not even the Empress¡¯ family knows of those magics,¡± said Lord Adamm Morne. Recognizing the young man had been a stroke of good luck admittedly. His mask had slipped slightly while dancing with Princess Mirah, and Mydea caught a glimpse of his aquiline nose. There weren¡¯t many lords of the right age present who were aligned with the Dunelander Princess but weren¡¯t Dunelanders themselves.


    Once she knew who he was, pinpointing his sister Lilith was child¡¯s play. Mydea had given the unpleasant girl a wide berth after she¡¯d egged Mydea and Miryam into a duel at Princess Mirah¡¯s party. While Mydea had her sword, she didn¡¯t particularly care to get dragged into yet another needless feud.


    Speaking of feuds, Princess Lille and Mirah were at it again after the former returned from who knows where. Princess Lille had managed to pry Mirah¡¯s date, the Pyrian Prince Cleo, from her grasp. It would be a point of conversation around the tea table in the coming days no doubt.


    A man dressed in dark blue silks approached the little cluster gathered around Mydea.


    ¡°Another curious soul coming to guess at the dress,¡± noted Adamm.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say it¡¯s the dress that keeps my attention captive so much as the lady it graces,¡± the man replied. He held out a hand to Mydea. ¡°May I have this dance, my lady?¡±


    Mydea humored him, and let herself be led towards the dance floor. He was a head taller than her, and his mask was fitted tightly over his face.


    ¡°You¡¯ve become quite the popular figure this evening, Lady Mydea,¡± he said as they joined hands and swayed to the music as one.


    ¡°You have me at a disadvantage then,¡± Mydea replied. She was twirled on the spot. ¡°How did you figure me out so quickly? We¡¯ve only just spoken.¡±


    ¡°I may have cheated,¡± he confessed. ¡°I asked Lady Greenglade who you were.¡±


    There were few things that could be done to evade a Greenglade¡¯s gaze. Mydea¡¯s smile was all teeth as she stepped on his toes, completely by accident of course. To his credit, he didn¡¯t even wince. ¡°I¡¯m surprised she gave me up so quickly. I see she¡¯s already well-versed in the signature spell of her namesake.¡± She hadn¡¯t ever spoken with Daphne Greenglade, and could hardly imagine that the girl held a grudge against her already.


    ¡°She¡¯s a fine young woman,¡± her partner replied perfunctorily. ¡°I may have had to dance to loosen her lips.¡±


    That means you¡¯re someone she wanted to dance with, Mydea thought. There weren¡¯t many people she could think of that fit. As a house external of the Everbloom, Daphne was of prestigious pedigree even among nobility. Mydea¡¯s eyes flitted across the room, taking stock of those she¡¯d figured out, those she had a decent guess on, and those yet unknown.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been more than a minute and you¡¯re already eyeing other people. Do I bore you so much?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to guess who they are behind the mask.¡±


    ¡°Some would say the fun of a masquerade comes from not knowing.¡± Ironic, after what he¡¯d done.


    Mydea¡¯s brow curved upwards. ¡°That¡¯s what someone too stupid to play would say.¡±


    He winced. ¡°Fair.¡±


    After another closer look, there wasn¡¯t anything about his outward appearance that stood out to Mydea. Am I missing something? she thought. He¡¯d made a point to ask for a dance after knowing who she was, and had never even tried to unravel the mystery behind her dress. He seemed to be here for her, and that was perhaps the largest hint of all.


    She was not, after all, drowning in suitors.


    He couldn¡¯t be from the Deeplands¡ªshe¡¯d have recognized him by now. Who would Lady Greenglade want to dance with? Who would any lady wish to dance with?


    An unwed prince, of course.


    ¡°For someone who isn¡¯t courting me,¡± Mydea said softly, ¡°you seek me out quite too often to be coincidence, Tomas.¡±


    He smiled at her. ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist one last dance. After the masquerade, the masks come off.¡±


    ¡°For everyone else maybe.¡± They continued to circle around the room. ¡°But even that face must feel like a mask to you by now.¡±


    His grip on her tightened, and Mydea knew her true guess had landed. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°How could I not?¡± she scoffed. ¡°You¡¯ve not been trying to hide it at all. You stumped me for a while because I could sense no glamour, but tonight was an excellent reminder for me. There are more ways than one to borrow another¡¯s visage.¡± The how still eluded her, but not the who.


    Ignoring candidates, alienating his master¡¯s own allies, openly favoring herself¡ªtaken together, these were not the actions even a most trusted valet would take. There was that inexplicable confidence too in everything he did, as if he was Prince Jaeson himself.


    Because he was.


    Daphne Greenglade would have known this too, and it made her ardent pursuit of Tomas all the more sensible now. Trading away a favor for a dance with a valet would be beneath her station as well.


    Jaeson laughed, and his eyes flickered into silver. ¡°I¡¯ve been right about you since Aigis. Kolchis will be ascendant with you by your brother¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate the confidence,¡± Mydea said. That was confirmation at least that he¡¯d spoken truly the other day. He did not intend to wed her. Gods be merciful, she¡¯d never leave this city alive with a lovestruck prince.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but notice you don¡¯t seem keen on asking me why I did it.¡±


    Mydea dipped her head. ¡°There are some secrets better left alone.¡± Knowing would only involve her deeper into the many schemes of the House Imperial.


    ¡°Syngian would be disappointed,¡± Jaeson teased. ¡°There is one evil and one virtue.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been the most virtuous woman. You can ask my father,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I presume you¡¯ll keep your word from the other day, and keep your distance in the days to come?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a man of my word. Besides, it would not do to have others think I¡¯m keen on you. You do have to go home sooner rather than later. Kolchis still needs you.¡±


    ¡°You could have ensured I never left from the start,¡± Mydea pointed out.


    Jaeson frowned. ¡°Believe it or not, it was not my choice to extend an invitation to your family. I¡¯ve had words with the woman responsible, but they tend to be stubborn about this sort of thing.¡±


    A necessity for the Empress, Mydea thought. Who else could supersede a prince but Her Highness?


    ¡°I can only wish you the best of luck then, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said as the song ended, and she curtsied to him.


    ¡°Luck rarely has anything to do with it,¡± Jaeson said, ¡°but I appreciate the sentiment.¡±


    From there their paths came apart.

 43: The Ladies... (1)

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    Prince Jaeson''s public arrival in the Imperial City set the guests of the Seraglio into a frenzy. Even the likes of the shy Lady Lanna was exerting considerable effort to stand out and leave a lasting impression.


    Far too late, all of it.


    Rather than worry over such a senseless thing, Mydea visited Lady Lara of the House Eminent Luxuria. As a High Stewardess of the Seraglio, her residence was within the palace itself though she was no would-be consort.


    A shame too, Mydea couldn¡¯t help but think while looking at her. The signature spell cultivated by House Luxuria showed in her flawless bronze skin and her sculpted face. Even in the early hours of the morning, when many had yet to finish putting themselves together, Mydea could hardly find flaw with Lara. Many had killed for the favor of a Luxuria, and doubtless many more would if every mage of that house was as beautiful to behold.


    Lara led her across a floor of fine furs, and a wave of her hand signaled a vivid painting to play a tune for them. It was a composition from Old Ilyos, and the instruments looked to Mydea like the lyre and aulos and an ancient looking harp. She could sense a subtle working within the tune¡ªsomething to garble their voices or prevent others from overhearing? A more elegant solution than her own wind barriers.


    ¡°Thank you for seeing me, Lady Lara,¡± Mydea began after they sat across from each other. While it was part of her duties as a High Stewardess, it never hurt to be polite to those in power. Her room was a testament to that, filled with many glittering trinkets, bottles of myrrh and perfume, and an intricate tapestry of foreign make. It was impossible to say how many of these things were gifted by suitors, and how many as inducements for favors.


    ¡°Think nothing of it,¡± Lara said as a maid of hers served them a colorful medley of oranges peeled like a budding rose, Duneland dates, slices of cantaloupe, melon, and apples red, green, and gold. Only in Aelisium could such an assortment of fresh fruits from across the Empire be seen together. "I can¡¯t say I was expecting any company this morning, certainly not from a candidate for Prince Jaeson¡¯s hand. I¡¯d thought you¡¯d all be too busy with other matters.¡±


    "Panicking over the prince, you mean," Mydea said.


    "First impressions are important.¡±


    "They are," Mydea agreed with a tip of her head, "and they cannot be taken back."


    Considering her formal posting at court, and being a blood relation of the Empress through her maternal line, Lady Lara was sure to be in the Empress'' confidence. She''d been trusted enough to escort Tomas¡ª-no, Jaeson home from Aigis after all.


    In hindsight, it was obvious. In the eyes of the public, it was hardly fitting for a woman of Lara''s status to be tasked with escorting a valet. A prince''s valet to be sure, but still a servant. Neither could they just leave Jaeson stranded at the borders of the Deeplands with the Tuskar raids about to commence. Hence, Mydea¡¯s invitation to Aelisium. She was the excuse to bring Jaeson safely home.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    It was always schemes within schemes in this castle on a cloud.


    Mydea shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve heard word from back home,¡± she said. Father had written to her again through his journal¡ªsomething which she now checked upon daily upon learning of that possibility. He remained tight-lipped as ever about deciphering his script, and urged her to return at every possible instance.


    Father would get his wish at last.


    ¡°Good news, I hope?¡±


    ¡°Not all of it,¡± Mydea said. It seemed the very day after the Empress¡¯ masquerade, a great battle was had with the Tuskar. A battle Aspyr had won, but not without cost. ¡°My brother Aspyr was stabbed in the arm by a mythuselah.¡±


    ¡°Is it cursed?¡± Lara asked, brows furrowing in concern.


    ¡°It likely is, though I do not believe his life to be in immediate peril,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Healing spells haven¡¯t stopped the bleeding, and the medicians have had to stitch up his wound instead. It¡¯s deep enough that he cannot hold up his shield.¡± For a man meant to lead Kolchis in more battles and soon, the danger couldn¡¯t be more pronounced. ¡°That¡¯s why I asked you to meet with me today. I wish to petition the Empress to grant me leave, as soon as possible.¡±


    Lara¡¯s full lips settled into a frown. ¡°Prince Jaeson has only just arrived and you¡¯ve been here for less than a fortnight.¡±


    ¡°Matters back home may turn urgent,¡± Mydea said. She had not forgotten her purpose coming to this very city¡ªto keep her family safe.


    With Aspyr¡¯s injury, the risks to his life were unbearably high, especially if the intensity of the first seasonal raids was any indication of the rest. The vassals would hold for now while morale was high, fresh from triumph and with a mythuselah captive, but they would not hold forever without a visible leader at so dangerous a time. As Aspyr¡¯s sister, and as his lady advocate, Mydea was the perfect choice to step in for him while he recovered. As if preordained by the gods, even the sluggishness of her magic after her blood offering had faded now.


    She only needed to be there instead of here.


    Lara reached the same conclusions she did. ¡°Could your father not lead?¡±


    Mydea bit her lip. ¡°It¡¯s out of the question.¡± Father did not act within the rules of the stoneborn, and so the stoneborn would not follow him.


    ¡°Once you leave, it is not likely you will be invited back,¡± Lara warned. ¡°I know you are close to Tomas, but he cannot help as much as you¡¯d think.¡±


    Mydea smiled. ¡°We do not live in a maiden¡¯s tale, Lady Lara. Marriage to a prince was never an option for me.¡±


    ¡°You may come to regret it,¡± Lara said.


    ¡°I think I would regret mourning my kin more,¡± Mydea answered. Of this, she was sure as the seasons. What reason would the Empress have to keep her in the city now that her purpose had been served?


    Lara sighed, and nodded. ¡°I can bring it up privately with Her Highness, but I cannot make any promises on her behalf. For a candidate to leave so soon is unusual to say the least.¡±


    ¡°All I ask is that you ask,¡± Mydea said. Were she to broach this with the Empress herself in court, it might take weeks for the petition to be heard¡ªlike what had happened to Aspyr when he¡¯d sought confirmation of Kolchis¡¯ status as a house external. Considering the Empress¡¯ eventual response, some of that delay was deliberate stalling, and the same could very well happen to her now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be a little saddened to see you go, I must admit,¡± Lara said.


    ¡°My offer to you still stands, you know,¡± Mydea said.


    ¡°To see your Snowscorn foaling. I remember,¡± Lara said. ¡°I also remember that would not be for some months at least. Much can happen in that time.¡±

 44: The Ladies... (2)

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    The Imperial Court of Her Highness was bedecked in even greater splendor for the occasion, and the normally spacious hall was filled to the brim as every man, woman and child who could finagle entrance attended. The stoneborn, of course, came out in droves, but they were not alone.


    The hawkish-looking Principal Mayor of Aelisum was surrounded by a coterie of magnates, each decked in enough gold and jewels for a prince¡¯s ransom. Artists and artisans huddled together and shared soft whispers, each a recognized master of their craft judging by the symbols of their guilds hanging from their necks. The scholar-sorcerers were sprinkled throughout the hall, dressed in velvet shoes and silver-white robes that contrasted with the prominent mark of their order: the twin ink hexagrams of the hystors. Chief among them was the Archystor of the Aelisian Athenaeum, who stood a mere arm¡¯s length from Her Highness Alcymede and the Imperial Throne.


    Standing apart from them all were Mydea and the other young ladies at court¡ªa selection of noble beauties from the eight eminent regions and those slivers of land with imperial immediacy from the Al-Pyani Heights to the Oa League in the west.


    Prince Jaeson strode down the carpeted center of the room, his black cape billowing behind him despite the lack of wind. He wore a satin tunic dyed in deep cerulean with silver stitchings, and a surcoat of white velvet. Over his heart was the quartered badge of his parents¡¯ houses¡ªthe broken crown of the House Eminent Eyr and the Imperial star and storm. He knelt before the light of the Empress¡¯ crown.


    ¡°It pleases Us greatly that you have returned home at last,¡± the Empress said warmly, as if unaware that he had been in the Seraglio for over a week now. ¡°How has your time away from Us been?¡±


    ¡°I learned of many things while I was away,¡± Jaeson replied. ¡°I believe some of them may interest Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°There will be time enough for that later,¡± She said. ¡°You may rise.¡± Empress Alcymede gestured to the ladies waiting. ¡°We have gathered many young ladies of good upbringing here for you. It would please Us greatly to see you wed, and continue the line of my late sister.¡±


    Jaeson stood and bowed to his materfamilias, before turning to the line of women eyeing him. He offered a smile that may have fooled the others, but struck Mydea as most perfunctory. It showed in his eyes.


    Curious. Did he object to his own marriage, mayhaps? An idea of the Empress¡¯ made without his consultation? But he¡¯d known of it for some time now. Perhaps it was the selection of women he objected to?


    Mydea pursed her lips. Did he prefer women? Some of the stoneborn preferred the intimate company of their own sex, but no lord or lady could rule well without an heir. It was said that to continue the family line was the highest duty.


    Not even the skyborn were exempt.


    There wasn¡¯t much time for more than a word of courtesy and the lightest of kisses on the hand with how many hopeful brides-to-be that stood in line¡ªover half a hundred all told. Still, first impressions mattered, or they would if this were truly that and not a formality put on for the stoneborn. Surely Jaeson had the measure of them by now, knowing more than the face they¡¯d put on for their betters.


    By her guess, no more than a third of the gathered women were serious contenders. If his bride had, by some twist of fate, not already been selected that is.


    She was dragged out of her thoughts by Prince Jaeson¡¯s presence. ¡°You seem to have much on your mind, Lady Mydea.¡± He kissed the back of her hand. Then, in a voice that could¡¯ve been a breeze, asked, ¡°Do I no longer warrant your attention?¡±


    ¡°I apologize for any discourtesy, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Just homesick.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Anyone would be,¡± Jaeson said. ¡°Lady Lara has informed me of the circumstances. I will be praying for a quick resolution.¡±


    Her brow raised at that. Already? If Jaeson knew, the Empress surely would as well. Lady Lara worked quickly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, and found herself meaning it.


    ¡ªHandbook¡ª


    It wasn¡¯t the act of hunting in the deep throes of winter¡ªor what passed for it in the Everbloom¡ªthat struck Mydea as strange, but rather the prey of choice. A bevy of quail instead of bands of warriors; turtleboars in place of the Tuskar.


    A floating metropolis was far from ideal grounds for a hunt, but such a minor inconvenience was nothing before the House Imperial. They had gone to certain lengths to ensure that one of their favorite pastimes remained accessible to them year round.


    After a light midday meal with Her Highness and Prince Jaeson, the Deeplanders excused themselves gracefully. Mydea herself changed into green hunting trousers, a short summer dress that was loose around the legs, and a pair of leather boots. Completing her look were a pair of leather gloves and armguards. When she arrived at the golden gates of the Seraglio, she noted that many ladies from the northern houses wore a similar ensemble. Those ladies from the warmer south¡ªlike Vivyan¡ªcontented themselves with just a loose dress and some clever spellweave to preserve their modesty.


    For weapons, there was a dazzling array on display from the common sword to polearms of various lengths and shapes. Lady Thena, youngest of the Argyros, even had a club which she swung with ease despite her slim arms! Mydea had opted for what was tried and tested¡ªher mother¡¯s runesteel sword strapped to her hip and a bow slung across her back. Also attached to her hip was a wooden quiver filled with arrows, prearranged to have the fletching point up for a quicker draw.


    As the stoneborn flitted in, they clumped together by instinct with personal friends and political acquaintances. Was it any surprise, for example, that Thena and her ring-bound braid tinkled with every step towards her best friend, Carol Peacher, even if it meant having to tolerate the Pleion girl that shared her given name? Or that Vivyan stuck her nose up against those she deemed beneath her family¡¯s station?


    Mydea¡¯s lips twinged. The Blacks were so touchy about their status that it betrayed their insecurities. She turned her head to the side to whisper to¡ªno one. There was no one. Her heart clenched. At the athenaeum, it had always been her brother by her side, or Troia, but neither were here today and so as her eyes took in the scenery, something stirred in her heart.


    It was peculiar to feel so lonely amidst a crowd, but at that very moment? She might as well have employed the spell of the Thornes¡ªImmingle¡ªto become invisible in the throng.


    ¡°With a tongue as venomous as yours, is it any wonder you were without a single friend whilst we studied at the athenaeum?¡± Vivyan¡¯s words from a week prior came to mind unbidden and she found that the accusation stung now more than when she¡¯d first heard it. ¡°You never tried.¡±


    Vivyan caught her gaze, and hurried over best as she could, which still wasn¡¯t very quickly. She was actually wearing heels on a hunt!


    Then again, Vivyan is not steelborn, Mydea thought. I doubt she cares to catch anything more than looks today.


    ¡°Tomas spoke to me over lunch,¡± Vivyan said. ¡°He regrets that he can no longer continue our practices now that Prince Jaeson has arrived.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s understandable. He has his duties to see to.¡± And as someone who¡¯d spent no small amount of time with the old Tomas, there was a chance, however slim, that Vivyan might notice something off about him. Mydea doubted the prince wished for more people to find out about his double. Cutting off further contact only made sense ¡­ let the memories dull some.


    Vivyan studied her face. ¡°Has he said something similar to you? You and he ¡­ well, you were¡­¡±


    ¡°Exactly what were we?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she said all too quickly, glancing off to the side. ¡°I was just ¡­ hoping that you could change his mind. It isn¡¯t just my reputation at stake if I lose. This has become bigger than that.¡±


    It was often said that Aelisium was the head, for it directed the body of the Syngian Empire from above. Mydea thought it was more apt to liken it to the mouth.


    ¡°What do you suppose my odds are?¡± Vivyan asked.


    Mydea¡¯s brow quirked. ¡°You¡¯re the expert at Eminent Domain, not me.¡±


    ¡°You were there for my practices, some of them at least. And more importantly, you aren¡¯t my friend.¡± She sighed. ¡°You¡¯d never sugarcoat things. Please.¡±


    It was her turn to study Vivyan¡¯s face. She looked serious and earnest and afraid. ¡°Even I can tell you¡¯ve gotten better,¡± Mydea said. She¡¯d lasted twice as many turns against the old Tomas by the end of their training compared to the start, but¡­ ¡°But you¡¯re not Tomas¡¯ equal.¡±


    Vivyan sighed. ¡°And Tomas said Prince Jaeson was even better.¡±


    ¡°To be precise, he said he was about as good.¡±


    Her shoulders slumped. ¡°Thank you for your honesty.¡± Vivyan made to turn around, but stopped abruptly mid-pivot. ¡°You know, this may be the longest we¡¯ve ever spoken without you being snippy.¡±


    ¡°It helps when you say ¡®please¡¯ and ¡®thank you¡¯,¡± Mydea said dryly. She had never sought enmity, only ever answered in kind.


    A man wearing the red and black livery of House Pleonexia jogged up to the gates. The badge of his master¡ªthe mountains of Old Ilyos crowned in red lava and black ash¡ªwas sewn cleanly onto his breast. The gathered stoneborn quieted as if Prince-Consort Pythos himself had appeared before them.


    And in the blink of an eye, he had.


    This trick was a favorite of the Pleonexians, but it never failed to impress no matter how many times one witnessed it. Any spell that so casually violated distance warranted respect.


    ¡°My good lords and ladies,¡± Pythos said with a smile, ¡°I thank you for joining me on today¡¯s hunt.¡±


    ¡°It is our honor to attend,¡± answered one of the male Pleions, ever willing to play their part in the theater of court.


    If only my family had distant branches as loyal, Mydea thought. Could we have avoided the kinstrife of my youth?


    ¡°I have arranged for something special today,¡± Pythos said. ¡°House Erbe¡¯s domain is home to lush forests and large game unlike anything we have in the Deeplands. Lord Elbert has kindly agreed to host us for the rest of the day.¡±


    The name of the Everbloom was no empty boast by a proud people. How this land had come to be blessed with a perpetual summer was a subject of much debate among the hystors to this day, but it was clear that over the course of centuries, their trees grew year on year to match the ambitions of House Eminent Morgraine.


    There were ancient enmities between the Everbloom and every kingdom and queendom that bordered them, and the Deeplands was certainly no exception. This very excursion would not be permitted had Lord Erbe¡¯s second son not been wed to Prince Pythos¡¯ niece some years back. Even with that relation as a pretense, it could not have been painless or costless to convince Lord Erbe to make the allowance, not when he risked the wrath of his own liege lord.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°This is quite the rarity,¡± Mydea observed. ¡°I¡¯d have thought we would be hunting in the Crownswood instead.¡± The largest of the satellite clouds that kept position relative to the Imperial City was a forest reserve.


    ¡°I spoke to my brother last night,¡± Vivyan, gossip that she was, said in a tone brimming with conspiracy. ¡°Some in the Order have been discontent of late.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s brow rose. Not at the news, but at how quickly it had come to pass. She had sowed the seeds but two days ago during the masquerade ball, and already it had taken root. To Prince Pythos¡¯ credit, he was acting to swiftly nip it in the bud. Her mother had written that from small slights came long prices. The hystors preached that even a worm could make cities burn.


    The gods have favored us in this at least, she thought. But how to best make use of the opportunity? The steelborn¡ªthose eager sorcerers bred and fed for war¡ªwould be placated eventually by honors and riches and glory, and she did not wish to linger in Aelisium for long.


    As she pondered the question, Pythos continued his address. ¡°I have sworn mages waiting to whisk us away below. It would be the fastest way down, if my lords and ladies would consent?¡±


    A trained mage could fully resist the effects of Appropriation on their persons, and even a half-decent attendee of an athenaeum could prevent the signature spell of House Pleonexia from working as intended. In its truest, purest sense, the spell had never been meant to be used on humans. That was a later enhancement.


    No, the true danger of the spell lay in what things it could summon with or without the owner¡¯s consent. Could any other signature spell have enabled Pryam Pleonexia''s bloody coup against the Bloodless Kings of yore?


    Mydea exhaled deeply. Against her every instinct, she relaxed her body. A stranger''s magic latched onto her from beyond sight, snaking around her waist like a hug from behind: the next thing she knew, everything was black. She couldn''t breathe and her chest felt tight, as if forced into a poorly measured corset. An unseen force pressed in from angles her mind couldn''t comprehend, like someone was squeezing the liquids of her body through an impossibly narrow tube. Her eyeballs were being forced back into her head; her eardrums thrummed, and then¡ª


    The world smelled of trees. Grass tickled her back.


    She remained supine for a moment, letting her stomach settle, before gingerly pushing herself to her feet and brushing down her trousers. If she''d known beforehand that they would not remain among the clouds, she would have dressed like the southern girls had.


    In the clearing was a score of men bearing the red and black badge of House Pleonexia, and with each second more and more of the nobility popped into existence around them. Some landed on their feet, entirely unfazed. Others were far less composed, but their acquaintances turned their faces away politely.


    As the party put itself back together in fits and starts, Mydea found herself transfixed by a pair of black crows, dancing from branch to branch.


    ¡°You never struck me as an ornithologist, Lady Mydea,¡± said a voice softly, seriously.


    She spotted Helena Stone from the corner of her eye. Her skin was a milk white like most Monsi, and just as smooth. The Stones were a young house, raised to landed knighthood in service of her grandmother¡¯s nephew and her own uncle, Lord Jan of the House External Yberia.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen crows," replied Mydea.


    Helena tilted her head. ¡°Now that you mention it, I can¡¯t recall ever seeing any flocks in the Imperial City.¡±


    ¡°Flocks isn¡¯t the right word,¡± Vivyan interjected, unable to help herself. She finally stood up.


    Mydea rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I beg your pardon, Lady Black?¡± Helena asked, eyeing her.


    ¡°Many crows together are called a murder of crows, not a flock.¡±


    ¡°Vivyan¡¯s great passion in life is correcting people on the proper noun collectives,¡± Mydea said. ¡°You¡¯ll find her quite knowledgeable about such obscurities.¡±


    Vivyan huffed. ¡°We are not strawborn to be so careless with our speech. There is a proper name for things and it ought to be used.¡±


    ¡°Whoever came up with these must have hated crows,¡± Helena said. ¡°A murder! What an awful name for such lovely creatures.¡±


    Vivyan shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t come up with the names. I can¡¯t say you¡¯re wrong though. Even bookworms are merely a maw, and they¡¯ve been the cause of many a disaster.¡±


    Who could forget when the Great Library of Arh-Khaine had to be burned down after being infested? Such gluttonous little creatures had nearly undone Syngian¡¯s legacy, threatening the very seams of sorcery and society both.


    ¡°Was there something you wanted?¡± Mydea asked, turning to Helena.


    ¡°A message, Lady Mydea. His Excellency would be most pleased if you would join him on today¡¯s hunt.¡±


    Now that was interesting. ¡°I¡¯d be delighted to join him,¡± she replied, following the other girl. Prince Pythos could have asked anyone to deliver this message, but to have her uncle¡¯s vassal do the deed? The very same uncle who was the Knight Eminent of the Order of the Stone Shield? That was a message in itself. Prince Pythos wanted Lord Jan to know something was being done about the current dilemma.


    Getting the Order to act was within reach, if only she leveraged the situation and traded the right concessions away. She could finally protect her family; she could finally protect Aspyr.


    Prince Pythos was dressed in a surcoat of gold over a red velvet tunic trimmed with the finest saberwolf fur. The badge of his house and the House Imperial were quartered over his heart, leaving one to wonder if he would put the interests of his family above those of the Empress. A great belt of heavy golden links held up his dark, knee-length breeches. A pair of stockings completed the look. Being a member of imperiality and a scion of a house eminent entitled the Prince-Consort to a retinue twice over, but he still kept on his person a good sword of runesteel that was more than ceremonial. A black diamond embellished the hilt of his sword and looked sharp enough to draw blood.


    ¡°Ah, Lady Mydea!¡± Pythos greeted. He gestured for her to approach with a hand. ¡°Do join me.¡±


    Mydea curtseyed. ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure and my honor to, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°Do you hunt much back home? I know it¡¯s not the favorite sport of most women.¡±


    ¡°I accompanied my brother mostly,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It is not my preferred pastime, but I can hold my own. It is only proper for a daughter of my house to know such things.¡± What was a house external that could not take up arms? What was the point of them if they could not fight? War and winter were synonymous to any Deeplander on the Aigean frontier.


    Pythos¡¯ smile was a thin one. ¡°The weather is pleasant, if different, down here,¡± he said, neither testing, nor attesting the status of Kolchis. ¡°I¡¯m sure it must feel off to you. I¡¯ve been in the Everbloom many times over the years, and a part of me still can¡¯t quite accept that I won¡¯t suddenly freeze my nose off in the heart of winter.¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°Our winters are a harsh lover. Neither the chill nor the memory of it leave easily once it¡¯s entangled with your bones.¡±


    A casual look around the clearing confirmed that mostly everyone had composed themselves already. Squires and stableboys in service to Lord Elbert Erbe marched into the clearing with thoroughbreds in tow. These field hunters were not mighty warhorses bred to carry the weight of a fully armored knight, but leaner creatures, with long legs possessing stamina and a level head on their long necks. Mydea had always paid more attention to their winged cousins, but she knew enough to judge that the thoroughbreds were better suited for the wide open, flat lands of the Everbloom. A draft-cross or other, tougher breeds were the choice of field hunters in the Deeplands with its rockier, almost treacherous, landscape.


    One of the stableboys offered Mydea a palomino. She studied the gold-coated horse and it met her eyes calmly, still as a statue if not for his white mane swishing to and fro. Fine breeding, Mydea noted, though not as fine as her Snowscorn of course. A minor knight whose sigil Mydea did not recognize offered to help her, but she merely smiled at him and mounted with a practiced ease.


    Riding was as much a part of war as anything else.


    While the other stoneborn were still selecting their mounts, Pythos and his entourage rode into the forest in advance. The host and those with him always had first pickings of game in a hunt as large as this. Hunting dogs were let loose ahead of them, barking up a storm. Mydea rode with one hand on her reins, the other holding her composite recurve bow.


    Instinct took over the instant her eyes caught motion. A bevycovey of brown quail were driven to flight by the dogs¡ªher hand pulled on the reins to slow the horse to a trot. In one moment, she had notched an arrow and drawn.


    In the next breath, she let loose.


    It was not a clean kill, but her arrow managed to down a quail, piercing its wing. It shamed her to admit she wasn¡¯t as proficient as the horse masters of the Vaynish plains.


    ¡°A good shot!¡± Pythos said over the thunder of hooves.


    Mydea loosed another arrow quickly, putting the bird out of its misery before a steward ran forward to retrieve it.


    Pythos signaled to his retinue to ride on ahead, leaving him and a select few retainers with Mydea. ¡°You were being modest earlier, my lady. I¡¯ve seen men twice your age with worse showings.¡±


    ¡°Since we were raised to nobility, House Kolchis has been of the iron fist,¡± Mydea said. ¡°It¡¯s hardly fair to compare me to a velvet glove.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°But you are one, aren¡¯t you? It is your brother who is the warrior, leaving any diplomacy to yourself. That has always been your arrangement since your earliest days at the Thalassian Athenaeum.¡±


    He¡¯s been asking questions about us, Mydea thought, surprised. That he¡¯d do some research was expected, but to go as far back as their schooldays? That was a thoroughness she expected from only a few.


    ¡°You are¡­¡± He paused, looking for the right word. ¡°¡ªempowered, shall we say, to act on your brother¡¯s behalf as the Lord of Aigis. Were you not named his lady advocate whilst he was guest to the Empress earlier this year? It is an honor, so I am told, that was not rescinded when you entered Aelisium.¡±


    There was only one reason Pythos would want to know if any agreement with her would be binding on her brother. ¡°He trusts me with that much and I will never betray that trust.¡±


    ¡°The love between siblings is beautiful to behold,¡± Pythos said. ¡°We are alike in this way. I share the same sentiments about my own brother.¡±


    Mydea dipped her head. ¡°That is most splendid, Your Excellency. It has always irked me to speak with those who cannot decide on anything.¡±


    ¡°Likewise.¡± He made another gesture, and his retainers spread out, forming a ring of solid steel and silencing sorcery around them. One could never be too careful about eavesdroppers. ¡°Let us cut to the heart of things then.¡±


    Better to strike first, and strike fast. ¡°The Order of the Stone Shield is agitating,¡± Mydea said. ¡°My uncle might be a staunch ally of your house, but he is no martyr. He cannot and will not endanger his own position. I surmise this is why you wished to speak to me?¡±


    While it was at the sole discretion of the Lord Eminent of the Deeplands as to who led the Order of the Stone Shield, it remained wise to listen when the steelborn opined. They would not follow a leader they did not respect, no matter what Lord Pleonexia willed. Lord Jan Yberia¡¯s authority, and the very Order itself, would begin to crumble if things remained as they were.


    ¡°Agitating is not the word I would use to describe it.¡±


    ¡°Then what word would you use?¡±


    ¡°It is but talk for now,¡± Pythos said, almost flippantly. ¡°Has there ever been a time when there were no naysayers? When no one found anything to complain about? This, like all things, will pass.¡±


    Mydea¡¯s smile was all teeth. ¡°It is not only a few, grumbling voices finding fault. Even those who belong to families most loyal speak of misstep; of mistake.¡± If Vivyan¡¯s brother, a Black, was agitating, then likely many, many more in the Order felt similarly. ¡°Lord Yberia cannot turn a blind eye for long, not if he wishes to remain the Knight Eminent. We both know this.¡±


    There lay Lord Pleonexia¡¯s conundrum. If the Order would not mobilize, then the Stone Shield was jeopardized, or Lord Jan had to be sacked from his distinguished post ¡­ but that would only turn another great house from friend to foe. The familial ties between Yberia and Kolchis were thinned, but shared adversity would strengthen what time and troubles had frayed.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± he said evenly, and it was a concession if she ever heard one. ¡°And yet let us not pretend you have all the time in the world too. The Tuskar will find their courage soon enough, and whatever victory Lord Aspyrtus won will be undone by his own injury.¡±


    Mydea stilled as her mind processed what he had just revealed to her. It had only been a day and a half since Aspyr¡¯s injury, and but a few hours since it was made known to her by her father. The only possibility was a spy in Aigis¡ªsomething she¡¯d always suspected, but could never confirm. A messenger pigeon sent out in secret could have carried word to Lord Pleonexia within a day, and Prince Pythos could have then been informed via the mirrorplane. That is, unless they had discovered some means of communication that was even faster?


    Whatever the case, it was a problem for another day.


    ¡°It seems the troubles that plague both our houses could be resolved by the Order moving in strength,¡± she said.


    ¡°Or House Pleonexia could wait you out,¡± Pythos said, a glint in his eye. He sensed weakness. ¡°What do you think will come first? The ruin of your house or a glancing blow to mine?¡±


    Mydea let out a breath. Even if the blow to House Pleonexia came first, the stakes for her family were far greater and there was no telling if Lord Pleonexia might be seized with spite. ¡°It would be a mistake not to move now.¡±


    ¡°And why is that?¡±


    ¡°Because House Kolchis is not your enemy. It¡¯s never been,¡± Mydea said. ¡°All we have ever asked for was our due, as agreed by our forebears.¡±


    ¡°What you take for granted is what exactly was agreed upon. Therein lie our differences,¡± Pythos said.


    Winning recognition today was beyond reach. And with how the Empress was preoccupied with Jaeson¡¯s marriage, it wasn¡¯t likely that she could win it anytime soon from that approach either. ¡°As you say.¡± Mydea bobbed her head. ¡°But we are not your only concern. We do not live in a world where our ¡­ disagreement is all you must worry about. There are other lords and ladies with quibbles of their own. There is the Imperial Court. There is the coming succession. To ignore all of this just to ruin me and mine is the mistake.¡±


    Kolchis and Yberia were some of House Pleonexia¡¯s strongest vassals. It would be only a boon if both of them stood fully behind their liege in the great political storm looming on the horizon.


    She looked Pythos dead in the eye, into his very thoughts. ¡°We are not crabs in a bucket that we must pull each other down.¡±


    There was a long silence from him. And then¡­


    He nodded. ¡°We are not,¡± he agreed. ¡°But my brother will not like being forced to move for nothing. This cannot be our defeat.¡±


    ¡°How about a barter then?¡± Mydea proposed. ¡°He cannot be pleased that I reside in Aelisium for the foreseeable future. Even less that I might become Prince Jaeson¡¯s bride. Allow me to withdraw from the Imperial Court, and in exchange¡­¡±


    ¡°The Order will move,¡± he finished, a pensive look crossing over his face. ¡°I believe this is acceptable.¡±


    Were she a harder woman ¡­ were she a colder woman, Mydea might have gambled with Aspyr¡¯s life by staying longer to win recognition from the Empress. To secure House Kolchis¡¯ place in the world.


    But she wasn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t.


    He was the brother with whom she¡¯d shared the womb with, and she loved him dearly.

 45: Handbook...

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    In the looking glass Mydea found not her own visage, but that of her sister¡¯s. ¡°Chalsi, please tell me this wasn¡¯t made possible by another favor from a friend,¡± she chided, hands on her hips.


    Chalsi rolled her deep green eyes. ¡°If you must know, this call was permitted by the hystors. We¡¯ve just got word about Aspyr. Is he okay?¡±


    It had been four days since Aspyr¡¯s injury, and given how Aigis still lacked access to the mirrorplane, that was approximately how long it¡¯d take for a winged rider in a hurry to reach the Thalassian Athenaeum. On flatland, a horse might have been able to keep pace, but a pegasus had the advantage of bypassing rocky and elevated terrain that its grounded cousins would struggle with. A messenger pigeon might have been faster, but Jorgan¡ªher brother¡¯s valet¡ªwouldn¡¯t have dared use one. Such methods could be intercepted, and their first instinct would be to keep the injury a secret.


    Little did they know that Lord Pleonexia knew already; that their efforts were in vain. Still, Mydea could not blame them for being cautious. She would have done the same had she not known better.


    ¡°Sister? Mydea?¡± Chalsi asked, concern showing through her eyes. ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Mydea answered quickly.


    ¡°You just ¡­ had this blank look all of a sudden. Are you sure you¡¯re well? Do you need to sit?¡± Chalsi¡¯s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Mydea¡¯s face.


    ¡°No, no, I just was preoccupied with my thoughts. Aspyr is ¡­ not fine, exactly, but his life is in no immediate danger for now,¡± Mydea said. ¡°He was nicked by a cursed weapon of some sort that¡¯s preventing the medicians from healing his arm with the Touch of Water.¡±


    Chalsi winced. ¡°That¡¯s a nasty curse. Do we have any clue what it is?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, and nothing¡¯s been mentioned to me,¡± Mydea replied. ¡°The pain is making it difficult for him to use a shield, and it¡¯ll be weeks at least before he recovers use of that arm.¡±


    ¡°What about the raids?¡± Chalsi asked worriedly. ¡°I can ask the hystors for a leave of absence¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Mydea said, aghast. ¡°You will stay where you are and complete your studies.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No buts.¡± Mydea added steel to her voice. ¡°You are not even of age, and still have years before you must undertake the trials. It is not your time to take up the mantle on our family¡¯s behalf.¡± How could she allow her little sister to assume such a risk? She was a sweet girl, and wholly unsuited to wielding sword and sorcery on the killing fields.


    ¡°Do you mean to leave it to Dad then?¡± Chalsi asked. ¡°You know as well as I do that the stoneborn will not follow him. There¡¯s bad blood there.¡±


    Mydea nodded. ¡°I¡¯m aware, dear sister. Which is why I will be returning to Aigis soon.¡±


    Chalsi¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of her skull. ¡°You?!¡±


    ¡°I am of age unlike yourself,¡± Mydea reminded her, ¡°and I have fought before.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re in Aelisium. You¡¯re a guest of the Empress and you¡¯re to marry a prince. How can you just leave?¡±


    Mydea sighed. I thought I¡¯d banished such fanciful ideas from her mind last time we spoke? ¡°Put such a thought out of your head. I was never going to marry any prince. As you said, I am a guest of the Empress, but not her prisoner. She will not hold me here against my will forever, and I have cause to return home sooner rather than later. I doubt anyone can begrudge me that.¡±


    ¡°Sister, think this through!¡± Chalsi cried out, nearly tearing up. ¡°Are you really willing to throw away the chance of becoming a princess-consort just like that? It¡¯s what every girl dreams of!¡±


    Mydea closed her eyes. ¡°I have not been a ¡®girl¡¯ for a very long time.¡± She exhaled and opened her eyes. ¡°Besides, it wouldn¡¯t be my choice to become a princess-consort. It¡¯s exhausting enough keeping our family afloat. Becoming a member of the House Imperial would only exacerbate such tiring circumstances.¡±


    ¡°But you were born for it,¡± Chalsi said. ¡°Where Aspyr used his swords to keep the wolves at bay, you used your words.¡±


    ¡°Because I had to,¡± Mydea snapped, exasperation leaking into her words. ¡°Not because I wanted to.¡± Would anyone wish for such a life? To be isolated from your peers from the very first meeting for reasons beyond your control? To need to fend off their snide remarks day in and day out? To have to answer every trick and scheme and insult with one of your own?


    ¡°Oh,¡± Chalsi said, voice turning small. She had shrunk into herself, sensing the frustration Mydea had revealed.


    ¡°You are not to return home.¡±


    ¡°B-but I can help! Even if it¡¯s not with the fighting, I am still a healer.¡±


    ¡°A healer in training.¡± Mydea paused for a moment to focus on her breathing. ¡°I do not say this to be unkind to you, nor to make light of your abilities. I know that you want to help, but believe me when I say that staying in the athenaeum where you will be safe is the best way you can serve our family right now. We have healers and medicians in Aigis, and I will be returning home soon enough to take the situation in hand.¡±


    Chalsi had no retort, but she could sense her sister hesitating still. ¡°You trust me, don¡¯t you?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡°Of course I do.¡±


    ¡°Then trust me in this. If things become desperate, I will not keep you in the dark. I will even support your return home. But our hand is not forced yet.¡±


    ¡°You promise?¡±


    Mydea offered her the kindest smile she could muster. ¡°Have I ever lied to you before?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Chalsi admitted grudgingly. ¡°Deceit is for foes, not family. But how is Dad taking things?¡±


    Mydea hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know actually. We¡¯ve been writing to each other, but haven¡¯t spoken face-to-face in a while.¡± She had been preoccupied since speaking with Prince Pythos three days prior. Most of her time was spent shut inside the Archive, consulting with the hystors. Before she departed the Imperial City, she was determined to figure out the secrets of her father¡¯s journal and yield aid¡ªany aid¡ªto his research.


    ¡°I worry for him,¡± Chalsi said. ¡°The letter that Jorgan sent me said he seemed ¡­ off, ever since Aspyr¡¯s injury. He¡¯s been looking at mirrors a lot lately?¡±


    She heard Troia clear her throat, signaling that the hour had come.


    ¡°Put yourself at ease for now. I¡¯ll reach out to you when I know more,¡± Mydea said. ¡°I have to go speak with the Empress now, Chalsi. Stay out of trouble, and do not dare let your studies slack because of this.¡±


    As she stepped away, Chalsi¡¯s words kept circling in her mind like a fly that wouldn¡¯t leave well enough alone. Father was looking at mirrors more now? That was unusual behavior. He¡¯d never been particularly conscious about his appearance, so why would he start now?


    ¡°You will be late if you tarry for much longer, my lady,¡± Troia gently reminded her as she secured a pearl necklace around Mydea¡¯s neck.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t do to be late,¡± Mydea agreed. She stood and cast her idle thoughts aside.


    Small wonder it had taken Aspyr over a month before being granted audience. Knowing her brother, he would not have had any allies to speak for him.


    While they were stoneborn, and from a house of some prominence, that did not mean so much in the eyes of one who reigned over a thousand lords and ladies. The inheritance of Syngian¡¯s heirs was vast. In the grand scheme of imperial politics, what was Aigis but a fief on the northern marches, a barrier against the Empire¡¯s least dangerous neighbor? To the people of Aelisium the Tuskar were but a distant collection of scattered tribes; ones who posed no threat to the heart of imperial power.


    She could not waste this opportunity after the Empress had finally granted her an audience, in no small part due to Lady Lara and Prince Pythos advocating for her at court.


    A horseless, arcane carriage awaited her by the gates of the Seraglio, and as she peered out of its curtains, Mydea couldn¡¯t help but notice that the Gatekeepers of Aelisium¡ªthe Golds¡ªwere out in force on this sunny day. She spotted dozens of bronze-clad gatekeepers armed with hardwood cudgels and round shields either lining the streets, or gathered into clusters at the major intersections. Their officers distinguished themselves with the golden star upon their breasts. The Golds were mostly drawn from the strawborn residents of Aelisium, yet even the least among them would pass for a well-to-do merchant in the Deeplands.


    In contrast to the Golds, there were the Whites. The Starguard protected the Empress¡¯ properties and person¡ªfrom the vast palace complexes which housed the Empress¡¯ guests, to the menacing Stormfall Tower that housed the Empress¡¯ ¡°guests¡±. Each man and woman was armored in good runesteel; on their left breast was the noble insignia of their house and on their right was the white star of their order.


    Only the gods knew which held primacy in their hearts.


    Having been in Aelisium for seven weeks and some days, Mydea was a familiar face to the Whites by now and she was ushered through the gates of the Imperial Court without much hassle.


    The Imperial Court was not as crowded as during Prince Jaeson¡¯s reception, but even then Mydea dared not call it spacious. Many petitioners, stoneborn and strawborn alike, had come, and it was a certainty that not all of them would be heard before the court adjourned. The High Consistory, the Empress¡¯ most senior officials, was in full attendance today, six standing to either side of Her. To Her Highness¡¯ right was the mailed fist; those steelborn charged with war and peace and law. On Her left was the velvet glove; ministers charged with public works, with the Imperial Household, and with how to pay for it all. Standing with them were the Lord Mayor Principal in spellwoven threads and the Archystor of Aelisium in naught but a sackcloth.


    The entirety of the House Imperial was also present¡ªEmpress Alcymede¡¯s three daughters and one son, her nephews Prince Jaeson and Prince Pelias, and all of Her Prince-Consorts. With the exception of the lords eminent and the other archystors, all the foremost men and women of the Empire were gathered in this very room.


    Prince-Consort Pythos caught Mydea¡¯s eye from among the throng, and he nodded to her. Mydea sighed in relief. His brother had approved of their proposal. It was not the end of their differences, but if the gods were kind, it might be the beginning of the end.


    The morning was eaten up by a heated discussion regarding New Thrage¡ªthe Empire¡¯s southern neighbor who¡¯d always cast a greedy eye towards the Primemarch. Apparently, spies working for them had been discovered in Aelisium, but they¡¯d evaded both the Whites and the Golds so far. Both the Grand Marshal of the Horse and Grand Captain of the Gatekeepers assured Her Highness that their arrest was only a matter of time.


    That hardly seems fair, Mydea thought. It wasn¡¯t as if there was anywhere the alleged spies could escape to, save falling to a grisly death.


    From the High Aedile was an update on the planned expansion of the network of paved roads that crisscrossed the Empire like veins and arteries. The lords eminent could be heard through their courtly proxies, asking of the Empress everything. The archystor spoke of portents from the altar and of bookworms plaguing his counterpart in the Heartlands, the Archystor of the Basal Athenaeum. Under the right circumstances, a maw of bookworms could not only eat the words off a page, but devour knowledge itself from existence.


    Throughout it all, Her Highness Alcymede maintained a stoic appearance, betraying none of her thoughts. Stoneborn nobility and skyborn royalty argued for and against every course of action, but when the Empress spoke, discussion ended. When the Empress spoke, a matter was decided.


    It was nearly noon when the items of imperial importance concluded. An artisan and spellweaver by the name of Victor was honored by the Empress with a platinum star and patronage, earning in that instant a lifetime¡¯s wage. He had succeeded where so many had failed¡ªturning what was once a still sigil into a scene in motion. Talent was the difference between soil and sky.


    Had Syngian been known to anyone before he uncovered the mysteries of magic? Was Mydea not the daughter of a soilborn prodigy herself?


    So when the court applauded for Victor, she joined in, and she wished him well.


    Prince Pelagaeus, the last living brother of Empress Alcymede, cleared his throat. It was clear at a glance where Prince Pelias got his sharp cheeks and handsome brow from. Prince Pelagaeus alone among the feuding imperial siblings had backed Empress Alcymede¡¯s bid for the Starlight Crown nearly three decades prior, and for that service She had raised him to be Her Lord Chancellor of the Consistory. His opinions were second only to the Empress Herself.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Let us hear the petition from Lady Mydea of House Kolchis,¡± Prince Pelagaeus announced. ¡°Step forward and make your case, my lady.¡±


    Mydea took a steadying breath as she complied, conscious that every eye in the room had fallen upon her. She wore a tea length bouffant gown made of white tulle, and so protocol dictated she curtsy instead of bow. ¡°If it pleases Your Highness, this lowly one requests leave from Aelisium and Your gracious hospitality. My house and home of Kolchis are threatened by the Tuskar. To defend kin and kith, to defend the Empire, to defend the people¡ªthis is my solemn, threefold duty as a steelborn scion.¡± She curtsied again. ¡°May Your Highness consider carefully.¡±


    ¡°Is Kolchis so bereft,¡± Princess Lille interjected before the Empress could assent, before it would be a crime to interrupt, ¡°that it must take from Her Highness a daughter-in-law? You have a brother and a sister, do you not?¡± Her voice was laced with sweetness and schemes.


    ¡°My brother, Lord Aspyrtus, received a cursed wound while defending our lands. It prevents him from holding a shield, and I dare not ask him to risk his life needlessly. My sister is young, and not yet a sorcerer in her own right. It would not be proper for her to go in my place.¡±


    ¡°You have a father too, if I recall correctly,¡± Lille pointed out. ¡°What of him? He is of age, and talented in battle too.¡±


    Father was unsuited to lead, but Mydea would not disparage his name so openly. Her brows furrowed. Why was Princess Lille being so insistent about this? What did she gain from delaying her return home? Schemes were second nature to the skyborn, but they never acted thoughtlessly. ¡°There are circumstances that prevent him from leading. I do not wish to bore Her Highness with the details.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Lille said. ¡°Forgive me if it appears that you are too eager to leave, Lady Mydea.¡±


    ¡°What cause do you have to speak such words? Even the Order of the Stone Shield is moving in numbers to bolster the defense of Kolchis!¡± Prince-Consort Pythos retorted, anger seeping into his words. How many years had it been since a Pleonexia had expressed anger on behalf of a Kolchis? Yet, Kolchis was still vassal to them, and their pride would not accept others bullying their subordinates.


    That was a right reserved only for themselves.


    Lille clapped her hands ever so lightly. ¡°What excellent news. I¡¯m sure the valor of the Deeplands will prove itself true against the tribesmen. One more sword shan¡¯t change much.¡±


    ¡°You are mistaken, Princess Lille,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The Empress¡¯ hospitality has been exceptional, but it is still the lands of Kolchis which are threatened, and so it is a Kolchis that must lead. This is the way of the steelborn.¡±


    Lille smiled and in that instant Mydea realized she had fallen into a trap. ¡°It is you who is mistaken. Have you forgotten why courtesy was extended to House Kolchis? You were not invited to the Imperial City to speak to the hystors or to see the splendor of the Empire.¡± She turned to face the Empress now. ¡°You were invited here that you might be considered for my cousin¡¯s hand in marriage. Yet, in the three days since Prince Jaeson¡¯s arrival, you¡¯ve not so much as glanced at him.¡±


    The implications shook Mydea. She had known that she would never be Jaeson¡¯s bride, and they¡¯d spoken much while he still wore the face of his valet ¡­ but the rest of the court didn¡¯t know that, or wouldn¡¯t speak of it openly. To them, it must seem like she was avoiding Jaeson intentionally to avoid being selected.


    To them, it must seem she thought herself too good for the Empress¡¯ favored nephew, and that was an insult the Empress would keep in her heart longer than any breach of etiquette.


    Out of the corner of her eye, Mydea spotted Prince Jaeson shooting his mouthy cousin an ugly look, but he kept his quiet. There¡¯d be no help from that quarter. Was Lille doing this to weaken the Deeplands? Perhaps she wanted to drive a wedge between Kolchis and Pleonexia? She had Bloomling blood on her father¡¯s side, and their original sin was finding cause to meddle in the affairs of others.


    ¡°One wonders why you have taken such an interest in this woman in particular?¡± Lady Lara spoke up. ¡°There are many young ladies in the Seraglio, and not even I keep such a close eye on all of them.¡±


    ¡°My Imperial Mother has always longed to marry off my beloved cousin and see his line flourish,¡± Lille responded. ¡°It is the duty of a daughter to share her mother¡¯s concerns, and I spied great potential in Lady Mydea.¡±


    ¡°Your Excellency might have overlooked that before Prince Jaeson¡¯s arrival, I spent many days speaking with his valet, Tomas. From those candid conversations, I gleaned that the prince might not find this lowly one suitable. I thought to withdraw gracefully, and spare all involved some face.¡±


    That struck Lille silent for a moment, and Mydea relished what little victory that was. Had she thought that Mydea would cling to her pride, that she would not let it be trampled to avoid disaster? Vanity was the sin of the Vaynes¡¯, not hers.


    ¡°That should be for my cousin to decide,¡± Lille retorted, but not quickly enough. The delivery made her sound desperate, and she knew it too. ¡°It is said that love is the most powerful of spells known to man, for it can transform a person in so many ways; it can drive one to greater heights! Would it not be a tragedy if my beloved cousin missed out on his chance to find true love, if at the last step we stumbled? Surely it would do no great harm for Lady Mydea to stay just a few more days, so that she and he can be certain of their feelings and leave things without regrets.¡±


    Lille bowed to Her Highness. ¡°May Your Highness consider carefully.¡±


    ¡°May Your Highness consider carefully,¡± Mydea echoed.


    The Empress did not speak for a whole minute, peering into their very souls with Her eyes of imperial silver. ¡°There is merit to what both of you say. Let Lady Mydea remain a guest of ours a while longer, that all may move forward with certainty. But I am not unsympathetic to the plight of Kolchis. The Imperial City shall remain anchored in place, and in this way Lady Mydea will not lose more time traveling home, if she still wishes to after a sennight.¡± She turned to Lille. ¡°I am sure the Everbloom can provide for the needs of My city.¡±


    Lille looked triumphant, though that it would be the Everbloom bearing the cost of feeding Aelisium must surely have stung. Prince Pythos looked furious at the decision, but could not say anything against it. The other skyborn shared strange looks, unsure of what game Lille was playing, but did not care to involve themselves in it.


    It was a mistake for the Empress to anger House Pleonexia for the sake of Her favored nephew¡¯s marriage, but in the end, even the stoic Empress was not yet divinity. Affection was the weak underside to Her like it had been for so many of Her predecessors.


    ¡ªHandbook¡ª


    With the afternoon came the conclusion of Vivyan¡¯s wager with Miryam. Spectating games of Eminent Domain was not a hobby of Mydea¡¯s, but after how Princess Lille had spoken at court, she¡¯d be a fool not to come and at least feign interest.


    Someone had decided to make a show of the event, even putting a mirror on the ceiling directly above the hexagonal board which then projected the board state to other, further mirrors situated around the ballroom. The magic behind it was a simplified mimicry of the mirrorverse; localized and lacking as a means of communication. The image was crystal clear, so it was competent work, even if not particularly inspired.


    Not everyone can be a talent, Mydea thought as she joined Ladies Abygail and Talia by a bowl of polished obsidian, filled with water. Runes kept the water from rippling, and Mydea watched as Vivyan and Jaeson took turns placing down tiles.


    ¡°Are they playing with terrain?¡± Mydea asked.


    Talia nodded. ¡°Weather too, though I haven¡¯t the faintest idea how that works,¡± she said in a smoky and slightly hoarse voice.


    ¡°The board they¡¯re using is special,¡± Abygail explained, cooling herself with a rigid, circular silk fan depicting a herd of horned rams. She pointed to the edges of the board, where something was written, though Mydea could not make out the language. There was something strangely familiar about it however. ¡°Look at the cursive script. There¡¯s a spell there that¡¯s tasked with randomizing the weather at play.¡±


    ¡°That answers how they¡¯ve done it, but not how it plays,¡± Talia said.


    Abygail shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t help you there. I¡¯ve never had much of a head for the game.¡±


    ¡°Likewise,¡± Mydea agreed. She didn¡¯t care much for war, preferring to use her words instead of her swords. Jaeson had said that it was a game meant to simulate battle, and for that reason there were two ways to win: topple the crown, or seize the castle. Either would be the death of a kingdom.


    The players finished laying out the landscape, and then placed a divider between them so that neither could see the other¡¯s half of the board. It was said there were half a hundred ways one could play Eminent Domain, and this particular rule was the fog of war. Had they played without it, they would have placed their pieces on the board sequentially. Mydea had gained a passing familiarity with the basics of the game, in no small part due to having to sit through several of them while Vivyan trained against the old Tomas.


    ¡°Shall we wager, Lady Talia?¡± Abygail asked, a glint of mischief in her eye. ¡°I¡¯d ask you as well Lady Mydea, but what is it you like to say? ¡®I do not gamble if I do not have to¡¯?¡±


    Am I becoming predictable? Mydea thought idly as Abygail and Talia hashed out terms. It was a foolish risk on Talia¡¯s part. Custom dictated she must pin her hopes on Vivyan, but her odds of winning were slim. To bet against Vivyan would be to bet against the Deeplands, and Talia could not bear the consequences of that. An array of prizes were considered from favors to small fortunes, before they decided on some relatively modest possessions¡ªthe fan in Abygail¡¯s hand and Talia¡¯s favorite incense burner.


    The stakes were appropriate for a friendly wager, especially when what was risked could be redeemed for some sum of money. Only the most vicious of victors would refuse redemption.


    At last, the players placed down the last of their pieces and the divider was lifted. Prince Jaeson¡¯s army was formed up in his usual style, the pattern of it rhyming with those formations he had used as Tomas. His pikes, slow and immobile, were placed as far forward as possible. It was a sensible choice given that they were the most numerous pieces by far, making up nine of the twenty and four pieces to a set. True to life, their commonness made their lives cheap, and they were oft used as shields. Luckily, the pikes in the game happened to be invulnerable to most forms of attack from the one hex they faced directly.


    On one flank, Jaeson had massed his cavalry and ranged pieces¡ªa pair of wings and slings and a triad of lances¡ªto one side of the board, while keeping his other ranged units and his mage behind his pikes. It left his other flank dangerously exposed however, and with how close to the front he¡¯d positioned both the crown and castle, the formation could not be described as anything other than a gamble.


    That was a perilous habit of Jaeson¡¯s, but great risks could reap great rewards. For having his crown and castle closer to the center, he had the privilege of moving first if he wished to. He went on the offensive immediately, sending a wing across a river first, and then a mountain on its second move. It entirely bypassed the valley choke that Vivyan¡¯s pikes occupied, and threatened to rout her frontline.


    Vivyan had complained about that piece plenty, calling its ability to move twice, unimpeded by terrain or other pieces, ¡°silly¡±. Mydea cared not a whit if it was or wasn¡¯t, but she found its strengths realistic.


    ¡°That¡¯s a pegasus, isn¡¯t it?¡± Abygail asked.


    ¡°Avid fans of the game call it a wing,¡± Mydea answered, ¡°but it¡¯s clear what it¡¯s meant to represent.¡± What else could dominate the skies of any battlefield? The hystors of the athenaeum lectured about how the domestication of pegasi had altered their way of war. How many kings and queens and peoples had ignored the clouds above, to their own undoing? Some scholars even argued it had revolutionized warfare as much as Syngian¡¯s magic had.


    Mydea knew this better than anyone. The fate of her house had been tied to the pegasi since their earliest days, when Noeh the Knowing escaped to the Deeplands during the last hours of Old Ilyos on a pegasus. Kolchis had fed and bred the pegasi for generations, and her own Snowscorn could claim direct descent from the legendary Chrysaor.


    It was that same flock that formed the bedrock of their power today, for even in the vastness of the Empire, there were only so many places suitable for raising foals. One required both plentiful grassland to feed them, and great heights from which they could practice flight.


    Many houses had tried to find alternatives to pegasi; many had failed. Yet, if one did succeed, oh what reward it would yield! Not even the most potent signature spells could humble the house that mastered the skies!


    ¡°The game¡¯s completely lost on me,¡± Talia said. ¡°Who¡¯s winning?¡±


    ¡°Prince Jaeson, I think?¡± Abygail sounded uncertain.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell either,¡± Mydea confessed. Few pieces had been traded thus far, but there was a great entanglement in the center. On the right flank where Jaeson¡¯s incursion began, pieces danced back and forth to some unsung song of action and reaction. Each and every move from either side created threats she could perceive, and doubtless more that she couldn¡¯t.


    Abygail suddenly pointed with her fan towards the cursive script that lined the board, sections of it now glowing brightly. ¡°The script is activating! It seems to be snow.¡±


    Vivyan shivered, her penchant for sundresses faring poorly against the sudden drop in temperature. Tiny snowflakes fell from the ceiling onto their board, coating it in a fine layer of white.


    ¡°How did you know it would snow?¡± Mydea asked.


    Abygail blinked. ¡°The script tells you.¡±


    Talia pointed at the cursive text that was both familiar and foreign. ¡°You can read that?¡±


    ¡°I know it takes some getting used to, but it¡¯s just the High Speech,¡± Abygail said. ¡°The mystics across the Splendid Sea are fond of this style of calligraphy.¡±


    Mydea squinted at the text.


    ¡°The words are flipped through the mirror,¡± Abygail continued, ¡°but believe me, it¡¯s the same language.¡±


    ¡°The letter that Jorgan sent me said he seemed ¡­ off, ever since Aspyr¡¯s injury. He¡¯s been looking at mirrors a lot lately?¡± Chalsi¡¯s words came unbidden.


    It couldn¡¯t be¡­ could it?


    Hadn¡¯t the hystor and diviner she¡¯d consulted stated that Ro-on, deity of scripts and secrets and spoken words, claimed it was the Old Tongue?


    ¡°Please excuse me.¡± Mydea stood abruptly. ¡°I have to go.¡±


    Her companions shared a look. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Talia asked.


    ¡°Perfectly fine.¡± Mydea put on a reassuring smile. ¡°I just realized I¡¯ve forgotten something important in my room. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    ¡°Do hurry,¡± Abygail said. ¡°The game doesn¡¯t look close to over, but one never really knows with Eminent Domain.¡±


    She nodded to them and walked away, resisting the urge to bolt into a dead sprint. As she neared the doors, Troia fell into step behind her without a word. Only when they had evaded any pairs of judging eyes did Mydea up her gait to the hurried half-run that was still appropriate for the inner sanctums of Aelisium. Thankfully, with all the attention on Jaeson and Vivyan, there weren¡¯t many people stalking the halls of the Seraglio at this time of day.


    Mydea barged into her room, ignoring her maids Khloe and Ida as they offered her a startled curtsey. She spotted Troia urging the pair away out of the corner of her eye. When the two of them were alone, Mydea walked over to her trunk and carefully lifted out the black journal of her father¡¯s, bound in leather and linked by mimicry to its twin soul.


    She flipped it open¡ªand screamed.


    Across its pages were a handful of wriggling, ugly worms that left the space behind them empty. She flung them away with several flicks, leaving them struggling on the floor. Then, with great vindictiveness, she smashed her heel into them one by one. Had the bookworms merely devoured the words of her father, or had they erased even his knowledge of them?


    That was the insidious nature of bookworms¡ªit could not be known without deep study, for you did not know what you did not know.


    Her room was not the Archive, that bookworms would come hunting here on their own. They had been brought in on purpose.


    ¡°Subdue both of them,¡± Mydea ordered. Troia picked up a knife, and murmured an incantation under her breath. Both maids were spies, and it hardly mattered which one had done the deed for now. They had to be kept from escaping.


    She studied the journal carefully. The bookworms could only have been placed recently, for many of the pages were still whole. The journals of her father were already an esoteric magic¡ªtwinned and bound to each other such that any writing that appeared on one would appear in the other as well. Did that mean, however, that if the bookworms ate through one journal, they would also eat through the other?


    When the last line of lore in existence was devoured, the bookworms could reach deep into the minds of mages and snuff it out.


    Mydea unclenched her fists, leaving deep nail marks in her palms. Debtors and death, one would always collect, she thought, breathing in deep. What was owed to her house would be paid in full.


    Wordlessly, she sat down beside a mirror and placed the journal right next to it. Then, she looked at the mirror, and like Abygail had said, like she¡¯d suspected, it was indeed a mirrored calligraphy. The words of Old Ilyos could be read through the reflecting glass. She read and read, flipping through the pages eagerly as she took in her father¡¯s lifework.


    It was a signature spell, as she¡¯d long suspected. But she had not realized the heights of his ambitions.


    The half-formed spell was for flight unaided, a spell that could subjugate even the skies.

 46: Of Intrigue…

    It was, in Alcy¡¯s opinion, a great inconvenience that Her solar was located high up in the Starlight Tower, while Her own bedchamber was in another palace entirely. Its platinum-tinted round windows and Aelisium¡¯s orientation did give Her a breathtaking view of the city bathed in sunset.


    She settled into the armless camelback couch and its silk cushions. The servants had left a plate of plump cherries on the side table for Her.


    Alcy glanced at her nephew and the fidgeting imperial painter, the only other souls in the room with Her. ¡°Don¡¯t sulk,¡± She chided. ¡°It¡¯s unbecoming of Our blood.¡± It was an altogether unflattering behavior which rarely accomplished anything.


    Plus, it was just terrible for his visage. Her nephew¡¯s scowl put poor Master Desir in a dilemma, wishing to be neither unflattering nor untrue to his likeness. As She understood it, the technique he used did not allow for much embellishment if one wanted to avoid garbled messages. Distorted communication was as much a disaster as delay, for issues of imperial import.


    ¡°How can you not care?¡± Jaeson asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a game, isn¡¯t it?¡± Alcy said.


    Had losing to the Black girl stung his pride so badly? Admittedly, it¡¯d been nearly half a decade since She could recall such a loss, and that had been to Lady Eminent Langoure herself. From the reports she¡¯d received, Vivyan Black was hardly comparable.


    She smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me your complaints all these years of ¡®not having anyone to challenge¡¯ you was all just talk.¡±


    He raised a brow at her. ¡°Do you think so low of me, Aunt? It¡¯s not Vivyan Black that troubles me.¡±


    ¡°Despite rumors to the contrary, I cannot read your mind,¡± Alcy said. I only make educated guesses, based on better information.


    ¡°I had thought that the Deeplands would put the past to rest at last in the coming days,¡± Jaeson said. ¡°Pleonexia and Kolchis seemed on the verge of reconciling, and an agreement of some sort was taking form between Mydea and Prince Pythos. Then, in the span of half a day, a bridge a month in the making turned to ash! I don¡¯t understand what happened!¡±


    ¡°You seem to care a great deal about the Deeplands for someone far removed from the region.¡±


    ¡°You seem to care not at all for someone who is titled Shield of the Syngian Peoples and the Sons of Ilyos,¡± Jaeson retorted.


    She merely smiled at him. ¡°It is called delegation, my dear nephew. When you become a leader of hosts, you will learn that you cannot worry about every single detail. There is no surer and swifter route to madness.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°How can You be so blas¨¦ about it?¡±


    ¡°Practice, I suppose,¡± Alcy said with a shrug. ¡°I have empowered Lord Eminent Pleonexia to act. I must therefore put some measure of trust in him. If I don¡¯t, why have subordinates at all?¡±


    ¡°Are we pretending You would not take the eminent regions in hand if You could?¡± Jaeson said through gritted teeth. ¡°Would our peoples¡¯ strength be half so hollow if the Empire was not a thousand troublesome lords and ladies?¡±


    ¡°We must deal with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be,¡± Alcy said. ¡°You of all people should understand.¡±


    ¡°You cannot just leave this matter to Lord Pleonexia!¡± Jaeson pressed. ¡°Not when he is the source of the trouble! It is, as the hystors say, a conflict of interest. To adjudicate between the stoneborn is Your solemn duty.¡±


    She leisurely popped a cherry into Her mouth. Sweet and succulent, as expected of Everbloom fruit. Alcy took Her time pulling the pit out before answering, ¡°For someone so concerned about impartiality, I sense some partiality for a certain side. Or should I say, a certain woman.¡±


    Jaeson gaped at Her. Master Desir seized the opportunity to resume painting once more. Hardly Her nephew¡¯s best look, but better than before.


    She hadn¡¯t found out why Jaeson wouldn¡¯t just marry this Lady of Kolchis that he had been paying so much attention to recently. To the best of Her knowledge, they¡¯d only met some two months ago when She¡¯d given Her nephew leave to visit the Aigean frontier under a guise.


    Her hystors assured Her it wasn¡¯t a love potion, nor any other kind of enthrallment, and it struck Her as unlikely that Jaeson would allow himself to be entrapped. And even if some leverage did exist, for which there was scant evidence of, Lady Mydea had hardly done anything to take advantage of it. If anything, she seemed quite eager to be away from Her Jaeson.


    It was a puzzle She could not solve at a glance, and sadly, not one She could devote much time to in good conscience anyway. Such was the burden of the Starlight Crown.


    With an idle thought, She checked that Aelisium and its bound satellites were not suddenly hurtling down onto some unsuspecting soilborn¡¯s fields.


    ¡°She and I ¡­ there is nothing between us.¡± Jaeson finally composed himself after a moment¡¯s silence.


    ¡°As you say.¡±


    ¡°I do say,¡± Jaeson insisted. ¡°We might be considered friendly acquaintances at best.¡±


    Alcy hummed to Herself. ¡°I knew you when you were still a wee thing at my knee, Jaeson. You do not treat even your childhood friend, Lady Miryam, half as kindly. Nor have you ever expressed such interest in her interests.¡±


    ¡°Lady Miryam is born to fortunate circumstances,¡± Jaeson said. ¡°Her liege and lord don¡¯t wish to ruin her house, and in doing so, threaten the Empire¡¯s sanctity.¡±


    Perhaps it¡¯s the damsel in distress that¡¯s to his liking? Alcy wondered. Men liked to be relied on; to feel necessary. It stirred a protective instinct in them that the young could mistake for love. But how had this Mydea captured his attention where so many before her had failed? Here was Aelisium, the great hive of schemes. There was no shortage of damsels or distress.


    Perhaps it was because Mydea¡¯s distress was genuine. That it had weight. None of the ladies in years past could claim that their lives were in real danger; that only a prince could rescue them and theirs.


    ¡°Need I remind you,¡± Jaeson added, manipulating the winds around them into a cone of inaudibility, ¡°that the Tuskar are raiding in greater numbers than we¡¯ve seen in many seasons? You asked me to assess the Aigean frontier. I am giving You my assessment, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I acknowledge that the threat is real.¡± Alcy adopted a tone of imperial authority usually reserved for court. ¡°Do you deem Kolchis necessary to confront it?¡±


    ¡°This season? Lord Pleonexia might very well be able to do without them,¡± Jaeson admitted. ¡°They are recovering, yes, but far from the height of their power. Yet, it would be a grievous mistake to let them wither on the vine. Kolchis will be an asset to Lord Pleonexia and to the integrity of our borders for decades to come, if only the good Lord Eminent can set aside his grudges.¡±


    ¡°He has promised me that the Aigean Range shan¡¯t be compromised,¡± Alcy said. ¡°To be frank, I am content with that assurance. How he goes about it is not My concern, especially with the latest provocations of New Thrage.¡± Jaeson seemed none too pleased with her answer. ¡°I agree Lord Pleonexia could be more pragmatic about the matter, but a mother must let her children act unwisely, once in a while. Consequences make for the best of teachers.¡±


    Jaeson was silent for a long minute, before he bowed to Her. ¡°I am ever Your servant.¡±


    Interesting, Alcy thought. So he cared about Mydea enough to speak on her family¡¯s behalf, but not enough to plead with Herself once She¡¯d decided. Then again, Her nephew had never been the type to let emotion rule him. He had learned the lesson that his late parents never did. She studied the deep creases of his face for a minute.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°If you really worry for her, then you could just marry her.¡± Lord Eminent Pleonexia would not dare lay a finger on the consort of a prince, even one with little prospect of inheriting the Starlight Crown. The skyborn were sacrosanct.


    ¡°It¡¯s not her I worry about, but the frontier.¡±


    Alcy¡¯s brow arched up elegantly.


    ¡°I cannot marry her.¡±


    ¡°Cannot?¡± She repeated. ¡°What is this talk of cannot. You are of the House Imperial, boy. There are few things that cannot be done by us. I¡¯ve certainly never forced a choice upon you, and I laugh at the thought that anyone would dare try without your own consent.¡±


    ¡°I cannot marry her,¡± he repeated. ¡°It would be the ruin of the both of us.¡±


    Alcy scoffed. She¡¯d thought better of him than to hide behind ¡°cannot¡±s after being corrected. You will not marry her, She thought. She had an inkling as to why too. Her children and nephews were calculating against each other already. She¡¯d certainly been even younger when one of Her siblings had tried to poison Her.


    There were skyborn aplenty, but only one in starlight crowned.


    Alcy considered it Her greatest success the House Imperial dared not draw the knife yet. There would be no kinslaying while She lived, but that was as far as She dared go.


    Jaeson was no doubt subject to some scheme, but much as She loved Her nephew, this was not a battle She could fight for him. It was not Hers to decide who would bear the weight of the Empire after Her. Even Jaeson the Conqueror¡¯s will and wants had died with him. His subordinates spared no time carving up the Empire into their personal fiefdoms while paying lip service to his infant heir on the impoverished Isle of Aelisium.


    It was hubris to think that rule over the Empire could be given, and the price of that sin was centuries steep.


    ¡°I have always strived to be fair in speech and conduct, to limit any excesses of my imperial favor.¡± Jaeson broke the settling silence. ¡°Yet, you say I am partial to Mydea. Why?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more than one side to every story, Jaeson,¡± Alcy pointed out. ¡°Everything you know of this one comes from Mydea, or those close to her. You¡¯ve never even spoken to Lord Eminent Pleonexia, yet you are so quick to castigate him and lay at his feet all blame.¡±


    ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Jaeson countered. ¡°He sent spies into her bedroom from the moment she arrived at Aelisium. They were then ordered to damage her possessions yesterday¡ªa maw of bookworms if I heard rightly from Lady Lara. What liege does that to their own vassals?¡±


    Alcy laughed. ¡°What liege doesn¡¯t? Most of us just have the good sense not to get caught.¡± In any case, it could not be proven that Lord Pleonexia had ordered any such thing so long as the maids did not confess. The Lord Eminent of the Deeplands had many faults, but he at least paid his spies handsomely.


    That price would be well worth whatever punishment might be inflicted. Were they Lady Mydea¡¯s own servants, she could have put them to death on the spot, but they were loaned maidservants and so it was the Empress¡¯ law which held sway. All that could be proven was the malicious damage of property, the punishment for which depended on the extent of the damages and the value of the property. So long as Lady Mydea refused to divulge on either, then she could not have her pound of flesh. The guilty maid¡ªher fellow servant had given her up quickly¡ªwould suffer the thief¡¯s lash, and be banished from the Imperial City in perpetuity. The other would be demoted and suffer a lighter whipping for failing to protect her mistress¡¯ property.


    ¡°I shan¡¯t ask who you are considering for marriage. I know you don¡¯t know yet,¡± Alcy said. ¡°I should hope, however, that you know who you won¡¯t marry?¡± They could not keep the women as guests forever, though many likely wouldn¡¯t object if asked to stay on longer.


    ¡°Miryam,¡± Jaeson said a little too quickly.


    ¡°Understandable.¡± He¡¯d been friends with her since childhood, and had had more than enough time to get the measure of her. It was doubtful anything that had occurred in the last month would¡¯ve changed things, though Miryam¡¯s misstep with the Deeplands couldn¡¯t have helped. She listened to him rattle off a few more names, and with each one, Her brow rose even higher. ¡°You could have just said you didn¡¯t wish to marry anyone from the Primemarch.¡±


    Jaeson crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°I didn¡¯t name only women from the Primemarch.¡±


    ¡°Pfft. Yes, if you want to be technical, you also named the daughters of minor houses¡ªones you never would¡¯ve married anyway.¡± Appearances had to be kept no matter what. Few skyborn had ever married into houses of low renown, and in each and every case, deep affection already existed. ¡°Of those candidates that were serious contenders, I have only heard of Marcherwomen being discarded.¡±


    It was not a surprise in hindsight, considering what She knew of his goals.


    ¡°A coincidence, nothing more,¡± Jaeson said, refusing to admit to anything to the very end.


    ¡°I won¡¯t pry.¡± Alcy took mental note of the names. They could be dismissed from court easily enough. ¡°I¡¯m curious why Lady Mydea is not named, though you seem quite certain you won¡¯t marry her.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness has already decreed that she must stay a few days more. I dare not presume my wants might trump Your words.¡±


    She hummed, before turning to Master Desir. ¡°Considering how uncooperative My nephew has been, you¡¯ve made excellent progress today. What else must be done before it¡¯s complete and functional?¡±


    ¡°Some finishing touches, Your Highness.¡± Desir kept his head bowed the entire time. ¡°The details matter a great deal for a work of this kind.¡±


    ¡°Of course. We shall have to leave that for another day, however.¡± She pinned Jaeson with a look. ¡°In the next session, he shall be on his best behavior, lest he find himself unable to speak.¡±


    Jaeson and Desir bowed together. ¡°As the Empress wills.¡± The painter retreated from Her solar, leaving them the room.


    ¡°I presume Your Highness did not dismiss Master Desir only to speak more of my partiality,¡± Jaeson said.


    ¡°Alas! Much as I¡¯d like to, the Deeplands is only one out of eight eminent regions.¡± To say nothing of those lands with imperial immediacy, and the Six Schools. She clapped twice, and a quartet of stone birds were brought to life. Each took in their beak a corner of a map of the continent hanging on the far wall, and presented it to them.


    ¡°Are we to speak of New Thrage then?¡± Jaeson asked. At Her nod, he continued, ¡°They¡¯ve grown bold in these last few months, but predictable. This is not a pattern unknown to us, at least, those of us who know our histories.¡± He made his way over to the window, observing those who walked in the shadow of the tower. ¡°Espionage has always been a prelude to war.¡±


    ¡°To what end do they send spies into Aelisium though?¡± Alcy questioned. ¡°If they wished to know the measure of our strength or the lay of the land, then the Primemarch ought to have been their focus. Yet, I¡¯ve heard nothing from your uncle about this.¡± While New Thrage had a competent navy, it was not enough to overcome the fleets She could call upon on the Sundered Sea.


    Jaeson considered for a moment. ¡°I doubt it is any disloyalty from my uncle. New Thrage simply might not care to send more spies there. They trade frequently enough with my fellow Marcherkin, and not even the latest unrest put a dent in that. Neither the land, nor the people are foreign to them by now.¡±


    ¡°I did not think they would be so eager to jump into a new conflict so soon after the end of their civil war.¡±


    Jaeson shrugged. ¡°I liken the armies of New Thrage to sharks. If they stay in place, they will starve.¡±


    ¡°If it is not information they seek, then there is only one possible motive left,¡± Alcy concluded, shifting to the Old Tongue that was most familiar to her as a native Nysian. ¡°They seek proschema.¡± A stated reason for war, which was not always the same as prophasis, the true reason. ¡°How long do you reckon we have?¡±


    ¡°A few months, maybe.¡± He turned to face Her. ¡°If they are set on this course, then all they need is a reason and it is not so difficult to find one. The enmity between our empires is centuries deep.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d best hurry selecting your bride then.¡± Alcy smirked. ¡°I will not permit you to leave unpromised, even for a war.¡±


    Jaeson scowled and She in her great magnanimity forgave the impudence. ¡°It does not strike You as cruel to promise me to some girl, only to let me march off to war?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, it is cruel. I should forbid you from going altogether. It¡¯d be a shame to make a widow of a woman before she¡¯s even wed.¡± She¡¯d be lying if She said She didn¡¯t enjoy the panic that flashed across Her nephew¡¯s face.


    ¡°Have You no faith in me, my Imperial Aunt? I have not died yet, and Aelisium is hardly any safer than the battlefield. At least there, I can see the blade coming for my neck.¡±


    ¡°I jest. Your uncle might never forgive Me if I kept you from this war without cause. ¡®Essential¡¯, he calls it.¡± Among the Marcherkin, it was said that one was not blooded ¡®til they¡¯d lived through a Thragian siege. She would never understand a people who could turn the desolation of their homes into a rite of passage.


    Jaeson picked up a goblet filled with his favorite vintage of mango wine, chilled to lift the delicate aromas and acidity, but not so cold that it muted its flavors. ¡°The benefits of being needed.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to your head,¡± She chided without any bite. ¡°I need your uncle. You just happen to be his price.¡±


    ¡°My uncle will take what he can get,¡± Jaeson said after a sip. ¡°The scales so rarely favor our eminent region.¡± He made a face. ¡°I take it You bargained me away for that election You¡¯ve been planning?¡±


    ¡°What else could I need from the Lord of Kingsgrave?¡± Jaeson did not say anything to that, but his look turned sullen. ¡°You do not approve?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness does not require my approval, but You could have asked for anything else,¡± Jaeson said. ¡°This is a waste of leverage.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± She leaned into her silken cushions. ¡°Is there a more pressing matter for the Empire than its succession?¡±


    ¡°There is none, but this is not the answer.¡± He downed his cup and set it down. ¡°Have we forgotten their lessons?¡± He gestured to the stillform paintings of Symon the Shieldbreaker and his sister, Syla Stormsong. ¡°It was an assembly of electors that killed him and forced her to enact purges. Forgive me if I lack faith.¡±


    Alcy closed her eyes and sighed. ¡°You put too much stock in your histories.¡±


    ¡°I do not see the need to relearn the lessons my ancestors have paid for in full.¡±


    ¡°You do not think we can do better than them.¡±


    ¡°Can we?¡± Jaeson asked scathingly.


    ¡°We are doomed if we cannot. The iron wheel of time will continue to turn. Shall I let another succession crush my children, like it crushed my uncles and aunts, my brothers and sisters? I must try, Jaeson.¡±


    I have done evil to don this crown. I have sinned to become starborn, She thought.


    There must be penance.

 47: And Murder

    Aspyr could admit that his prisoner¡ªpale like moonlit snow¡ªwas beautiful to behold. Not as eye-catching as the Empress perhaps, but she did not have the benefit of generations of selective breeding and the bloodline of Allure. It made him all the more wary, watching her stare back at them proudly, defiantly.


    There were few things more dangerous than a woman that knew her own beauty.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± Aspyr asked her.


    She showed him nothing but teeth. ¡°You have not earned that honor.¡±


    ¡°You think too highly of yourself.¡± He sighed, and turned to Captain Alexios by his side. ¡°Is the prisoner still refusing to eat?¡± Aspyr asked in Thalassian, the dialect preferred by those seafaring strawborn to the west. He¡¯d picked up enough to be conversational while studying at the athenaeum.


    ¡°Yes, lord,¡± Captain Alexios replied in a short, clipped tone. His captain of the guard spoke barely passable Thalassian, but there was no telling what languages the prisoner had sucked out of the other, older mythuselah, or learned through her own efforts. Monsi, almost certainly. It was just a tad less guttural than her native Tuskarii, but it was far from uncommon for the cousin tongues to be mutually intelligible. As for the High Speech and the Old Tongue, both were long-lived languages and the mythuselah lived long lives. ¡°The food ¡­ is not to her liking.¡±


    Aspyr snorted. ¡°I never knew that beggars could be choosers.¡±


    She snarled, showing her predatory canines as the chains rattled, straining to hold her. ¡°I am no beggar,¡± she replied in the Monsi tongue.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± He stepped towards the cell and gripped one of the steel bars with his right hand. ¡°I was being diplomatic. You are worse than a beggar. You¡¯re a thief.¡±


    She looked even more insulted by that. ¡°I have stolen nothing. My people lived in these lands for centuries before yours even knew of them. Its fruits and flocks are ours by right!¡±


    ¡°I would tell you that you ought to reap what you sow, but I suppose such a metaphor is beyond your kind.¡± The Tuskar had not been a sedentary people for generations. Maybe the older mythuselah still knew of those days, but this one was young by their standards. She would not have had to inherit a legacy from another if she were an old monster.


    She glared. ¡°I understand just fine, q''lishvili.¡±


    Were Mydea here, Aspyr imagined she would have said, ¡°I believe she just insulted you.¡± Alexios was too well-trained to comment in front of a prisoner who might understand.


    He turned his head to the side. ¡°We should get those chains looked at.¡± A mythuselah loose inside a castle would be a nightmare. Castle Adyghe was not Aigis, but with so many of the stoneborn quartered here for the nonce, many of Aspyr¡¯s senior vassals¡ªmen and women he relied on now more than ever to see the winter through¡ªmight fall into danger.


    Like Mydea loved to say: do not gamble when you do not have to.


    Alexios nodded, taking mental note of his command.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked in her throaty accent. ¡°Are you men so scared of a frail little girl?¡±


    Aspyr replied with a raised brow, and a pointed look at the cursed wound she¡¯d left on his arm. Even now it throbbed in synchrony with the beating of his heart.


    Her laughter was a strange melody. ¡°The kinsmeet ought to have sent an army of girls to drive that fear deep into your hearts!¡±


    A kinsmeet? ¡°Because young girls would have succeeded where the best of your tribes failed,¡± Aspyr retorted.


    ¡°Do not think for a moment that your one victory means you have prevailed,¡± she spat out. ¡°We have been waging this war for centuries. We will wage it for centuries more if we must.¡±


    ¡°Then wage however many wars you wish,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°If all the women of your tribes look as you do, I daresay my men might even find these fights enjoyable.¡±


    Her face scrunched into a look of visible confusion. An uneasy silence filled the damp room.


    A full minute passed before Alexios cleared his throat. ¡°Your orders, lord?¡±


    ¡°Keep her alive,¡± Aspyr said, shifting to the High Speech.


    ¡°She will only drink blood, my lord.¡± Alexios¡¯ tongue settled comfortably into the familiar motions of the language. He almost looked like he feared Aspyr would order one of his people to bleed for the enemy.


    ¡°Then let her drink an animal¡¯s blood.¡± It would have the added benefit of keeping her weak, if ravenous.


    ¡°Is this the famous hospitality of your people?¡± Her voice dripped with sarcasm.


    Aspyr leaned in closer, pressing against the bars to her cell. ¡°If you wish to be treated like a guest, you must give me your name.¡±


    ¡°It is the highest of ironies that your people speak of guests and their rights after what you did to mine. The Bloodless Kings should never have welcomed your kind into their halls.¡±


    He smiled at her without warmth, without worry. ¡°She does not seem to understand what sort of guest she is.¡±


    ¡°A fledgling presumes to speak to me about understanding? You do not know the immensity of heaven and earth.¡±


    Something about her words seemed familiar to him. It felt like a quote of sorts, half-remembered. He¡¯d never been the best of students at the athenaeum. Aspyr wagged his finger at her. ¡°Behave now. Naughty children go to bed without supper.¡±


    She hissed at him. Her chains creaked again.


    Alexios leaned in close. ¡°My lord, is it wise to starve her more? I fear she might turn delirious if pushed any further.¡±


    That would be a problem. They could hardly extract any useful information from her if she went from being mad at them to being just mad. ¡°Give her a bowl then, but make it small,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°I will not spare more for the enemy of my people.¡±


    The doors leading down into the dungeons swung open, and his valet, Jorgan, descended with a hurried bow to Aspyr.


    ¡°What news?¡± Aspyr asked.


    ¡°Lord Nominal Kazbekuri requests your presence at a war council.¡±


    ¡°Another one?¡± It was well within Lord Inal¡¯s right to request one, given it was his castle Aspyr had chosen to quarter his muster in. Though Aspyr¡¯s host had some supplies of their own, and more was being drawn in from the surrounding regions, much of the burden was borne by Lord Inal and his Siracesian folk. Castle Adyghe was built into a mountain, and if not for the ancient cavern systems connecting it to the plains below, feeding so many people would¡¯ve been an impossible task.


    ¡°Marshal Perdiccas has returned from his venture with news, my lord,¡± Jorgan said.


    ¡°Good news I hope,¡± Aspyr muttered.


    Alexios bowed as he turned to leave.


    The mythuselah, still unnamed, did not.


    Navigating the twisting, slanted halls of Castle Adyghe could strain even a mage in their prime, and the dampness in the air didn¡¯t help. The experience was like hiking up a mountain, if that mountain was also a labyrinth. Lord Inal had boasted over supper that the dungeons barely needed guarding¡ªany escapees would find themselves lost in the tunnels.


    It didn¡¯t do to tempt the gods, but there might have been truth to that.


    If a prisoner did manage to find a way out, it would not be the end of their troubles. Jorgan had to take care to keep the pair of them dry, using a simple spell to wick away any of the wetness clinging to their clothes. Allowing one¡¯s clothes to dampen was oft a fatal mistake, for the fiercest months of winter could kill those who stepped outside quicker than a wound gone bad.


    There was little visible indication they¡¯d arrived at a better part of the castle, but it could be felt. The humidity gave way to a comfortable dryness. Aspyr didn¡¯t know whether that was a natural or magical result, only that the castle¡¯s places of prestige were built into these pockets of reprieve. It was also the chief cause for the castle¡¯s strange layout.


    ¡°Thank you Jorgan,¡± Aspyr said as his valet dried them off one last time.


    How the man had found the time to familiarize himself with the underground was beyond Aspyr, but he guided them through it like a native Siracesian would. Just one of the many reasons that made Jorgan a great valet.


    As he entered the meeting room Lord Inal had prepared, there was a great shuffling. All those of Siracesian descent stood to greet him, as was the custom of that ancient people. The men wore red coats with wide, short sleeves, and loose, dark trousers. Only Inal was dressed in white among them. Color was a matter of hierarchy to the Siracesians, as Aspyr understood it.


    Thankfully, there were no restrictions on his own green tunic. It was a color rarely worn by this mountain tribe.


    Aspyr was quickly led to the seat of highest honor at the other end of the room, and none of Inal¡¯s people uttered even a whisper. He had total silence and their full attention, and it shamed him to admit he¡¯d done nothing to deserve this reverence. Not even the Imperial Court could be said to be as well-behaved as these oft-ignored people.


    He did not speak immediately, in accordance with what little he grasped of their customs, but accepted a warm drink first. It gave him a moment to search his mind for Lord Inal¡¯s traditional title while admiring the Siracesian designs. They were fond of embroidering arrows and stars into their fabrics alongside spiral motifs.


    ¡°Pshi Inal, you have asked, and I have answered. What can I do for you and yours?¡±


    ¡°We have much to speak of, Lord Aspyrtus,¡± Inal replied in gutturally accented Ilyosi. ¡°Marshal Perdiccas brings us tidings.¡±


    The Marshal was stout, clean-shaven and well into his forties. He bowed lightly to Aspyr. Back home, he wouldn¡¯t have bothered with the formality, but appearances had to be kept. ¡°Hystor Adryan has been helping us keep an eye from the skies for the past week and a day now. The warbands have well and truly scattered. They will not come together again into one host.¡±


    ¡°Good news,¡± Aspyr said. The tribes had been beaten by their hands, but the victory was far from absolute. As many as half of the Tuskar host had managed to escape through freezing the river, before scattering every which way. Their pegasi could not pursue that day¡ªthey¡¯d been forced to ground from the exertions of their aerial maneuvers throughout the battle. Without aerial support, Marshal Perdiccas had feared an ambush.


    Such trickery was a specialty of the Tuskar.


    Yet the strength of the tribes was brittle, and they¡¯d shattered into half a hundred shards like glass. None of them were a threat by themselves to Aspyr¡¯s host, but they remained a nuisance that had to be cleaned up and swept out of the Deeplands.


    We were too cautious, Aspyr thought regretfully. If they¡¯d pursued harder, they might have put an end to the warband in one fell swoop. Had I not been injured, would my advisors and vassals have hesitated that day?


    ¡°This begs the question though,¡± began the ever self-interested Lord Attaginus, ¡°if the danger has passed, why do we remain? What enemies do we guard against?¡±


    Lady Leah of House Lorne sneered at him. It was not a look that flattered her already plain and pale visage. ¡°You cannot still be so green after so many seasons, Lord Kosmima. We all know that just because one warband is beaten does not mean the rest of the Tuskar have given up. Eight warbands came south, and we have only beaten four.¡±


    Attaginus¡¯ face turned into a peculiar shade of purple as Aspyr¡¯s stoneborn north and east of Aigis laughed. Aspyr appreciated that Lady Lorne had fielded the question in his place, but her careless words might give birth to blood feud. He would have to keep an eye on the pair of them, and perhaps advise Marshal Perdiccas to position the two apart for the duration of the campaign.


    Best to avoid the possibility of any ¡°accidents¡±.


    ¡°So long as the Tuskar Tribes still dare to raid, we cannot dismiss our levies,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°All of us miss home, but it would do us no good to leave only to have to muster again in a week¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°Better to shelter in place and recoup our strength than brave the winter¡¯s winds,¡± said Lady Hermia. After delivering Aspyr¡¯s message to Lord Pleonexia¡¯s court, she¡¯d hurried to join them, arriving two days ago with a small contingent of Rothston levies. Her intentions were plain to Aspyr¡ªone learned to read that much with a sister like Mydea¡ªbut her support came at an opportune time.


    The Rothstons might be a knightly house, but their strength was respected among the southern lords. In times like this, strength weighted heavier than status.


    ¡°We cannot shelter forever,¡± insisted their host, Lord Inal. ¡°My people will starve with your levies if we must. But when even the crumbs and scraps have been eaten, I cannot turn stone into bread.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, with the warbands splitting apart, we cannot force another decisive battle,¡± Marshal Perdiccas said. ¡°The challenge now is hunting each one down before too much harm is done.¡±


    There was good and bad to everything, and this was the bad.


    ¡°Can we afford to split the muster here four ways?¡± asked Lady Leah. It was a reasonable concern. The magely lances were trained to fight as an independent unit, but the same could not be said for their foot. Would the levies hold their ground without a mass of men around them to stiffen their spines?


    His father stood suddenly, catching every eye in the room. He was invited as a courtesy to Aspyr, but even Father knew it was best if he did not speak. He loved the stoneborn little, and the feeling was mutual. ¡°We will not have to fight alone for long.¡±


    ¡°Do you know something?¡± Aspyr asked.


    ¡°As you know, I have a means of communicating with Mydea.¡± Father¡¯s brows furrowed in displeasure. ¡°It was announced before Her Imperial Highness three days ago that the Order of the Stone Shield would be mobilizing to assist us.¡±


    Murmurs broke out.


    ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± Aspyr cut through the chatter like a knife.


    Father pinned him with a look. ¡°Would my own daughter lie to me?¡±


    We both know that she has, Aspyr thought, shifting his weight between his feet. We both know I have. Still, that answer settled the gathered stoneborn.


    ¡°Even if Lord Eminent Pleonexia and Knight Eminent Yberia wished to, they cannot delay the Order for long now,¡± Hermia said in a giddy tone. It was a crime to deceive the Empress, and a grave one to do so publicly. ¡°Unless they wish for their corpses to be sold to a necromancer, that is.¡±


    Wouldn¡¯t that be an irony? Centuries of mining had rendered the deepest shafts in the Pleonexian fief inhospitable to life. It was no exaggeration to say Aspyr¡¯s liege and lord was the greatest patron of the necromantic arts.


    Lord Andras Pyli ran his calloused hand through his thick mane. ¡°I would not celebrate unduly, Dame Hermia.¡±


    ¡°Is this not a victory?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It is, and I would not be surprised if this came about through some act of Lady Mydea¡¯s. We must be thankful she hasn¡¯t forgotten our plights despite the many temptations of the Imperial City.¡±


    It was a testament to his sister that those lords and ladies who¡¯d met her¡ªrecently or at the Thalassian Athenaeum¡ªnodded in agreement. Those who hadn¡¯t kept their expressions respectfully neutral, but Aspyr knew they doubted her. Everyone did at first.


    They would learn.


    ¡°Still,¡± Andras continued, ¡°there are many and more excuses for delay that can be offered up when moving a host of mages is involved. Countless generals have argued that it is the marching, not the fighting, that truly tests their leadership.¡±


    ¡°Three weeks,¡± Marshal Perdiccas said. ¡°That¡¯s the longest they can loiter without inviting scorn.¡±


    Hermia crossed her arms in front of her chest and blew at a loose strand of ginger hair trailing down her cheek. ¡°It won¡¯t be that long. Many in the Order are eager to fight a mythuselah.


    ¡°We hope for the best, but plan for the worst, my lady,¡± Perdiccas replied.


    ¡°Regardless of when it arrives, the help can only be a boon,¡± injected Sir Syrus. ¡°The Tuskar are all but doomed with the whole of the Deeplands uniting against them.¡± He had the good sense not to add ¡®We need but wait¡¯ to the end of that, though the southern knight likely preferred that option. It was not his fief in immediate peril.


    Lord Inal sipped at his cup of lemonade and tarragon. ¡°Would that our friends were so prompt in their coming, but for every day we delay, more of the people suffer. This cannot be borne.¡±


    ¡°It must not be borne,¡± Andras said. Growls of assent came from his own vassals, and those of like minds.


    Aspyr raised a hand placatingly. ¡°Rest assured, it will not be borne.¡±


    ¡°Are we to sally out then?¡± the fair-haired Syrus asked. ¡°And if we are, who shall we pursue first?¡±


    That, Aspyr thought, lips drawing into a thin line, was a poisoned question. There remained four warbands out there that had not given battle, on top of the dozen or so groups of survivors who¡¯d fled. Between them, just about every fief from the Pass of Perasma to the farms surrounding the town of Jayderest¡ªwhere they¡¯d made camp before battle¡ªwas suffering raids. Every lord and lady understandably wished for their fief to be relieved first.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Therein lay the problem, the same problem that every Lord and Lady Kolchis grappled with¡ªthe Tuskar were a swarm, and one army could not be everywhere at once.


    He was a young lord, untested to many. Keeping his host together and moving had been a small challenge in and of itself while he¡¯d been healthy. To split his force up and pursue multiple tribes invited discord and risked ruin. Were every lord and lady to take their levies to defend their own lands, they¡¯d no longer have a large enough army in the field to guarantee victory against the larger warbands. It would be disastrous to start the season suffering needless losses, for the Tuskar he faced now were not the only ones that would need beating.


    If he ordered multiple stoneborn levies to band together, that begged the question of who ought to lead¡ªand Aspyr¡¯s position was not so strong that he could dictate such things to them. He would have to consider rivalries that were centuries deep as well as fresh wounds, like the one Lord Attaginus Kosmima had suffered from Lady Leah Lorne. The stoneborn were not known for their meek natures, and challenges to leadership would come quickly¡ªchallenges to his authority indirectly.


    The last option, no more appealing than the rest, was to have fewer, larger armies under the command of his senior subordinates. Marshal Perdiccas was certainly well-respected by the steelborn, and perhaps even Captain Alexios of his household guard would be heeded for a time. His master-of-arms remained in Aigis, ensuring the safety of hearth and home.


    As for his father ¡­ well¡­


    Aspyr himself might be doubted now if he took to the field. What use did the steelborn have for an injured commander once battle was joined? It would be a poor sight by far for their lord to struggle defending himself from even glancing blows a squire half his age could shrug off.


    ¡°We must also decide what to do with the prisoner,¡± Lord Inal added. ¡°My people cling to the old ways. Superstition is in their blood, and they¡¯ll not stand to have a Bloodless one in these halls once we depart.¡±


    A reasonable fear. It had taken a score of mages-at-arms to subdue the mythuselah last time, and she had not yet fully embraced her legacy then. Aspyr dreaded to think what she¡¯d be capable of if she managed to imbibe enough potent blood.


    Terrible and cruel, but oh so very beautiful¡­


    ¡°She¡¯s best kept in Aigis and it is time she was moved,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°We have imposed on you long enough, Pshi Inal, and I could ask nothing more from a host.¡± His father was the obvious choice to escort the prisoner home. Father was of no use as a leader of mages, and were the mythuselah to get out of hand, he was the only one capable of matching her blow for blow.


    Would the Aetos of Aigis agree though? They had survived so long by presenting a united front¡ªfear of his father¡¯s sword, Grandmother¡¯s wit, Mydea¡¯s tongue ¡­ In front of so many lords, Aspyr dared not risk making his family look weak.


    It was the great sin of their father¡¯s¡ªhis inability to grasp the bigger picture, to see beyond himself and the immediate family. Would he have been so careless in killing kin so many years ago otherwise?


    ¡°Give no order others won¡¯t obey,¡± Mother¡¯s handbook had advised.


    Father was hunched over the table, scribbling furiously into his journal.


    Aspyr cleared his throat. ¡°Lord Aetos, I would ask you to pick out which mages will accompany the prisoner back to Aigis.¡± Not quite an order sending him home and it gave him no grounds on which to refuse, but the implication sufficed. Mydea would¡¯ve been proud.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Father paused. ¡°As¡ªLord Aspyr.¡±


    He was learning!


    ¡°The path to Aigis should be free of any Tuskar,¡± Marshal Perdiccas supplied helpfully.


    ¡°Then a light contingent will do,¡± Father said. ¡°Starved as she is, she wouldn¡¯t make it far even if she did manage to escape.¡±


    The hystors often said that ¡°you are what you eat¡±, and that was even truer for the Bloodless Ones. Several gallons of animal blood could barely keep one of them quenched, while a pint of Father¡¯s would drown a host.


    Aspyr turned to Sir Syrus. ¡°As for sallying, there is no question in my mind that we must. But to where, and in what numbers, will depend greatly on the warbands¡¯ movements in the coming days. Much might still change, but every man and woman ought to make ready.¡± He unlocked his gaze, letting it sweep through the room. ¡°We depart in two days.¡±


    ¡ªHandbook¡ª


    There were many things one learned to appreciate after living inside a hollowed-out mountain. Windows were a luxury for most rooms in the interior, and it spoke highly of Lord Inal¡¯s hospitality that Aspyr¡¯s bedroom had one overlooking the plains below. The gentle light of a waxing moon was a welcome reprieve from the endless torches of Castle Adyghe.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect my father and my marshall to visit at this hour,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡°To be honest, we didn¡¯t think you¡¯d still be awake at this hour,¡± Marshall Perdiccas replied.


    Aspyr glanced at his injured left arm, which was throbbing painfully. ¡°It likes to make a nuisance of itself in the late hours.¡±


    ¡°A strange curse, my lord,¡± Perdiccas said, stroking his chin.


    ¡°Quite. What is this about then?¡±


    ¡°The good Marshall and I have been speaking.¡± Father clutched his journal tightly. He had not allowed it out of his sight since they¡¯d arrived.


    ¡°I have never heard you offer so much as a word of praise for him in all the years he¡¯s served me.¡± Aspyr eyed the pair of them with open suspicion. ¡°What scheme have the two of you hatched?¡±


    Father and Perdiccas shared a long look, each encouraging the other to speak first. It was Father that yielded. ¡°The mythuselah departs on the morn, does she not?¡±


    ¡°If all goes according to plan. Is there any reason to expect a delay?¡± Aspyr asked Father pointedly.


    ¡°Not a delay, my lord,¡± Perdiccas interjected. ¡°More of a deviation.¡±


    ¡°Is this a conversation for which I would prefer to be sober?¡± Aspyr asked.


    Perdiccas cleared his throat. ¡°That would be prudent, my lord.¡±


    ¡°It is not just us who have been speaking,¡± Father said. ¡°Mydea agrees as well.¡±


    Aspyr¡¯s brow arched. ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask. How is it that you¡¯ve managed to stay in contact with her?¡± Father did not have access to the mirrorplane, and more conventional means of communication were too slow to converse with Aelisium in a day¡¯s time.


    Father held up his journal. ¡°You know, of course, that I have two of these. You were there when your sister took the other.¡±


    So he did know. Aspyr had suspected that he suspected, but they¡¯d never aired it out like this. ¡°I was.¡±


    ¡°You helped her, but did not even know what you were taking.¡± Father opened the journal, and most of its pages were written in a script Aspyr could not read. Finally, the pages turned to reveal two different handwritings on alternating lines.


    Finally, Aspyr understood. ¡°The notebooks are bound to each other in some way. What¡¯s written in one appears in the other?¡±


    ¡°That is one of their functions, yes.¡± Father shut the book and kept it at his side.


    ¡°Is it instantaneous?¡± Aspyr asked, mind racing with possibilities. Communicating across great distances had hobbled the Syngian Empire since its earliest days. Even now, it was only possible through stationary implements like the mirrorverse or similar workings. A portable means of instant communication was rarer than royalty.


    ¡°It is, and I know what you are thinking.¡± Father grimaced. ¡°There are steep costs to its making, and there can only ever be two linked together.¡±


    ¡°What news from the Imperial City then? What does my sister have to say?¡±


    ¡°That there are spies everywhere in Aelisium,¡± Father said.


    ¡°I asked for news.¡±


    Father shrugged. ¡°She speaks of an arrangement with House Pleonexia. Not quite a peace, but ¡­ a truce, of sorts.¡±


    Aspyr pondered that for a moment, staring out at the starry night sky through his window. ¡°That¡¯s why the Order of the Stone Shield is gathering.¡±


    ¡°As you say. She bought that in exchange for her withdrawal from Aelisium.¡±.


    As if she hadn¡¯t sought to leave that place from the beginning. Aspyr smiled. She¡¯d bargained away nothing for something. ¡°That¡¯s just like her.¡± He turned back to face them. ¡°Should we be expecting her home soon then?¡± he asked, an eagerness coloring his voice. It really had been too long.


    Father scowled. ¡°That is less clear. It seems that one of the Empress¡¯ daughters¡ªPrincess Lille, if I recall correctly¡ªraised an objection when she requested leave.¡±


    ¡°From the Everbloom?¡± Aspyr¡¯s face scrunched up. ¡°We have no quarrel with them. Why would she do such a thing?¡±


    ¡°She is from the Everbloom,¡± Marshall Perdiccas pointed out. ¡°It is in their nature to meddle.¡±


    ¡°Mydea expects the delay to last a week or two at the longest,¡± Father added.


    ¡°Not so long,¡± Aspyr mused. ¡°What does her return have to do with transporting our prisoner though?¡±


    ¡°We, including Lady Mydea,¡± began Marshall Perdiccas, ¡°suggest that you escort the mythuselah to Aigis instead of your father.¡±


    Aspyr crossed his arms. ¡°Out of the question! I must remain with my vassals. What shall they think of me if I return home while I send them to make war on my behalf?¡±


    ¡°With respect my lord, what would they think of you if you are injured while making war?¡± Perdiccas asked. ¡°Escorting the prisoner is a fine pretext, and gives much needed time for you to recuperate. Mayhaps our hystors will have better luck breaking the curse¡¯s hold over your wound.¡±


    ¡°It will also be an excuse to see your sister,¡± Father said. ¡°Traveling slowly, you should still be in Aigis when she arrives.¡±


    ¡°An excuse to keep me home longer, you mean.¡± Aspyr frowned.


    ¡°There is that,¡± Marshall Perdiccas admitted, ¡°but this is something the stoneborn can stomach easily. You will not have a chance like this again.¡±


    ¡°Whatever damage you think it will have on your reputation would be more than manageable,¡± Father said.


    Aspyr¡¯s nostrils flared. ¡°Yes, you are so famously adept in matters of reputation.¡±


    ¡°Not me,¡± Father said. ¡°Those are your sister¡¯s words.¡±


    His anger left him. ¡°I will be a laughingstock.¡±


    ¡°You will be alive. We do not say this to bring you down. We say this because we believe that if you stay, it would be a misstep.¡±


    ¡°In the end we can only advise, my lord,¡± Perdiccas said. ¡°You are the Lord External of Kolchis, not us.¡±


    ¡°What sort of lord would I be if I ignored the words of all my closest advisors?¡± Aspyr muttered. Not even the Empress ruled alone. ¡°Very well. I will escort her back. But that will mean our host here must remain together under your care, Marshall. The stoneborn will not follow anyone else whilst I¡¯m gone.¡±


    Marshall Perdiccas bowed. ¡°As you command, Lord Aspyrtus.¡±


    He waved the man away, then eyed his father. ¡°So this is what it takes for you to speak to Mydea again? Conniving to keep me bedridden.¡±


    ¡°You think too highly of yourself,¡± Father said. ¡°I speak to her because she did what I thought was impossible.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    He opened his journal once more, flipping to a page with more of the strange scribblings. ¡°Can you read this?¡±


    Aspyr shook his head.


    ¡°Neither could Mydea or any of the many hystors she¡¯d consulted. But somehow she figured it out,¡± Father said. ¡°My great secret is now laid bare to her.¡±


    ¡°Is that such a terrible thing?¡±


    ¡°They say that ignorance is bliss. She has never been in greater danger, and she must know it too. Aelisium is filled to the brim with everything¡ªincluding spies. There are people who would prefer to see us fail; who will make us fail.¡±


    ¡°They will try,¡± Aspyr said.


    ¡ªHandbook¡ª


    Early on the morrow, the stoneborn and steelborn assembled with their retinues. Their surprise seeing it was Aspyr himself escorting the prisoner was evident, and a dim murmur suffused the sloped, dirt waryard of Castle Adyghe.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to leave without a word to them.


    Aspyr turned and raised his good, right hand to quiet them. ¡°I am pleased to see my lords and ladies, my sirs and dames waking so early in the morn to see me off. I know this must come as a surprise.¡± He¡¯d implied his father would be leaving instead of him just the other night, and that had been his intention.


    ¡°There is sense in you going, my lord.¡± Lord Andras Pyli¡¯s tone was as diplomatic as one could be with a northern Monsi accent. The man had been a font of support ever since Mydea spoke with him. ¡°You only ordered Lord Aetos to choose the escort. Nothing more, nothing less,¡± he said, more a reminder to the steelborn than to Aspyr.


    How many, Aspyr thought idly, of my lords and ladies could I rely on had she been with me all this time? It was a great tragedy that there was only one of his twin sister.


    It was plain as day that many of the stoneborn were displeased with the choice, despite their silent acceptance. That included Sir Syrus and Dame Hermia¡ªthough perhaps the latter begrudged him more for leaving her behind than anything else. Lady Leah¡¯s thin brows were scrunched together, confused, while Lord Attaginus still looked angrier at the former than at Aspyr. The man simply would not let go of her slights against him.


    Pride had been the downfall of many. Attaginus would not be the first or last to let that virtue become a vise around his neck, and only the gods knew if that noose would slip the neck or strangle.


    ¡°Go swiftly, Lord Aspyrtus,¡± Lord Inal said.


    His father stepped close. ¡°Go safely.¡±


    ¡°I should be saying that to you. There¡¯s no danger to be found where I¡¯m headed,¡± Aspyr said. He was traveling away from the Tuskar.


    ¡°I do not fear the sword before me. I fear the dagger behind me,¡± Father said as the winds whipped about them without touching even a strand of hair. ¡°You have always relied on your sister to keep them in check and she is not here.¡±


    It was the nature of parents to worry. ¡°I didn¡¯t pacify a mythuselah just to be felled so ignobly.¡±


    ¡°That choice is not always ours,¡± Father said darkly.


    The winds settled down. Marshall Perdiccas bowed to him openly. ¡°Lead them well,¡± Aspyr told him, letting his voice carry throughout the whole yard. Let there be no doubt that the stout Marshall acted on his behalf.


    ¡°By your will.¡± He bowed again.


    The plan they had agreed upon was to push the warbands away from the mountains, which would please the Lornes of Lone Stone especially. If the Tuskar managed to make it into the rocky highlands, they might chance upon some of their pegasi flocks. Worse, his vassals would be largely reliant on their aerial superiority to find any raiders, and not even the most well-bred of pegasi could keep flying for more than a few hours.


    Even less when bearing an armed and armored steelborn.


    A guardsman he recognized but couldn¡¯t name came over, dragging the bound form of the mythuselah with him. The woman was pale as ivory in the morning sun, and hissed as it touched her skin. The Bloodless Ones were a sensitive sort, as Aspyr recalled. The sun¡¯s kiss could barely be felt in the Frostlands, but grew stronger south of the Aigean Range. Were it not the height of winter, she might have actually been scalded without any of her blood-fuelled arts to protect herself.


    ¡°We remember that day differently,¡± the woman said to Aspyr as the guard checked the tightness of her bindings, magical and mundane.


    ¡°Which day?¡± Aspyr asked against his better judgment.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t pacify a mythuselah just to be felled so ignobly.¡± She tried to mimic his tone, but didn¡¯t come close. ¡°Hah! As if it was by your sword that I was subdued instead of your subordinates.¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have heard that.¡± Aspyr narrowed his eyes. His father had placed them under a windtight silence. No one could pierce that.


    There was something musical about her laugh. Haunting, but also enchanting. ¡°Your kind are so sure of your spells, as if you can move the mountains and drain the seas. Winds silence, but they do not blind.¡±


    ¡°You read my lips,¡± Aspyr realized. He pulled her atop Steelwing roughly, taking some satisfaction when her wrists turned red. Infuriatingly, she showed no visible discomfort.


    ¡°Lord Aspyrtus¡ª¡± the guard began.


    Aspyr waved him away. ¡°Leave her with me.¡± It wasn¡¯t as if any of the mages-at-arms escorting them could do much if she got loose, save Alexios. His arms enveloped her as he grasped Steelwing¡¯s reins. The guards half a dozen strong followed suit.


    ¡°Is that your sword?¡±


    The absolute gall of this woman. ¡°In fact, it is,¡± he said in a low growl, pressing the hilt of his blade into her back. ¡°A reminder to behave.¡± Steelwing moved beneath them at the slightest prompting, and their party descended from the mountain holdout of Lord Inal.


    She laughed again. ¡°Is this what you think it means to bare fangs and brandish claws?¡± There it was again¡ªthat odd way of phrasing.


    He reached out to the bindings restraining her and with a twist of will, her words failed. The silence was more beautiful than even her voice. Now if only the damned woman would stop squirming so much. Her skin was ice to his, burning every inch of contact, and his arm throbbed all the more painfully.


    Briefly, he regretted that only his captain and himself had pegasi to ride on while the rest of the lance he¡¯d normally lead in battle remained behind. There was just no justifying pulling away nine pegasi to accompany him home when war was expected.


    Mile upon mile disappeared before Steelwing¡¯s steady gait. His pegasus was a breed of the highest caliber among their flocks. Despite what Mydea thought, not even Snowscorn could match him in the air. The only contest he and Steelwing had ever lost was Marshall of the Heights, to see who could stay in the colder, higher altitudes for longer. That game was practically designed for Snowscorn to win.


    ¡°Mayhaps we should move the prisoner to another mount, my lord?¡± Captain Alexios suggested. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t do to tire out Steelwing so early into our journey.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been little more than an hour on the ground,¡± Aspyr dismissed. ¡°This much is nothing for Steelwing.¡±


    His captain eyed the mythuselah warily, but acquiesced nonetheless. The man could be paranoid sometimes, but that was inevitable after he¡¯d spent the better part of half a decade warding off enemies within and without.


    He glanced back at the woman, and undid the bindings muting her. ¡°What is your name?¡± It grew tiring referring to her as the woman in his head.


    ¡°Bite me,¡± she hissed. Her back was to him, but Aspyr was sure as the seasons that she was snarling.


    ¡°I shall have to refuse. I think you¡¯d probably enjoy that.¡±


    The enchanted ropes constricted like a snake would as she struggled to face him. In her weakened state, there was little chance that she could break free of its hold.


    ¡°Your name, now, or I shall silence you again.¡±


    Her reply was something sharp and guttural and almost certainly a slur against himself. He sighed, and counted down in his head. From experience, he knew the binding that gagged her could leave the mouth dry and the jaw sore after a while. Not the intent of the spell, but it had never been designed with comfort in mind.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she said suddenly.


    ¡°Your name is Wait?¡± An odd name, but there was no guessing what passed for names among the uncivilized.


    ¡°No.¡± Her ears twitched and her head craned from side-to-side searchingly. Aspyr¡¯s gaze followed her movements. The road they¡¯d followed was coming up to a small, forested hill, and the terrain here was not ideal for horses. Perhaps he really ought to let another carry the prisoner and give Steelwing some respite?


    ¡°It¡¯s too quiet,¡± she said.


    ¡°It would be if you ever stopped your awful growling,¡± Aspyr quipped. The woods were strangely bereft of birdsong though. He drew his sword in a single motion, leaving his injured arm to grasp the reins. His guards came to a halt as they heard steel drawn and unsheathed theirs as well.


    Alexios approached, positioning himself and his shield to defend Aspyr¡¯s shield arm even as years of drills made the other guards close ranks around them. ¡°Is something the matter, my lord?¡±


    ¡°Quiet today, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps a sabretooth is out and about?¡± Alexios said. ¡°The animals won¡¯t dare strike a group as large as ours.¡±


    Aspyr bobbed his head of thick, dark hair. Kolchis had no lack of enemies, but not even Lord Pleonexia would be foolish enough to send armed mages after himself. The signs of such a fight could not be explained away as mere banditry, and not even the Lord Eminent¡¯s most fervent supporters would stomach highborn murder on the open roads.


    The right to shelter and safe passage was sacrosanct to the Syngians and Ilyosi both. Of all the privileges the highborn possessed, only the right to study was more fiercely defended.


    He let his sword fall back into his sheath, and the palpable tension drained away. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡± he murmured softly to the woman.


    ¡°You have eyes but cannot see.¡±


    This time the peculiar phrase sparked his memory. ¡°You¡¯re quoting Empress¡ª¡±


    Steelwing neighed loudly and years of hard training and athenaeum ambushes moved his body. He was rolling off of Steelwing with the woman before the first pellets of hail hit. Magic flooded his veins, seeping into every muscle, and his left arm burned.


    The woman grunted as they came to a stop, his weight pressing down onto her lithe form. ¡°Better not to do that if you don¡¯t want them to cut it off.¡±


    Aspyr could not spare her a moment. He smashed the palm of his good arm into the snow, and magic unfiltered by spellwork rippled out, pushing him upright as a hand-shaped puddle formed at his feet. His sword was out in the next instant. Wind lengthened, fire sharpened, earth strengthened¡ªthe side of his blade swatted an oncoming arrow, turning it to ash.


    Guttural war cries reached his ears. Tuskar came at them from all around¡ªrising from the deep snow or jumping down from high trees as their spells of disguise faded.


    How are they here? Aspyr wondered as he assessed the state of his retinue. Two weren¡¯t moving¡ªdead or good as. Captain Alexios and the other two in his party were trying to fight back-to-back, but the archers perched on the tree tops were not making that any easier.


    ¡°Free me!¡± the woman shouted, struggling to stand.


    Aspyr¡¯s sword arced outwards, and the cut projected further than the physical blade. Two of the Tuskar charging him dropped to the ground in time to avoid the slash, but the third was a tad too slow. Winds shredded his flesh into a bloody mist before he joined his friends in the snow.


    It was not a spell he could use frequently, but for now it gave him time and distance to think of a way out of this. There were two scores of the Tuskar¡ªtoo many to fight off. Even a genius like his father would¡¯ve been hard pressed against these odds.


    And Aspyr was a pale shadow to genius.


    ¡°Set me loose!¡± the woman cried again. ¡°You will die otherwise!¡±


    ¡°So you can escape?¡±


    ¡°So that you can escape!¡±


    He snorted. A brazen lie if he¡¯d ever heard one. ¡°Steelwing, to me!¡± The pegasus obeyed without hesitation, charging right through the hail and ice and arrows where Snowscorn would¡¯ve danced. Streams of air circled him like snakes, tethered to his senses.


    ¡°You will not be able to flee by air.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m well aware, woman!¡± Aspyr said, his eyes darting around him constantly as more of the Tuskar formed a ring around him. A localized storm had been summoned to keep them grounded. They would have to get clear of it as soon¡ª


    Movement from behind, the wind warned. He lashed out with an overhead swing, trusting his magic to guide it. There was a pained scream and a thump. He¡¯d severed an arm or a leg, but not the head.


    A shame, Aspyr thought. He didn¡¯t have the luxury of finishing off the injured Tuskar. From the corner of his eye, he could see his guards being forced away from him by sheer weight of numbers. Alexios was a fine shieldsman, but he was no Seth of the Sands. These were impossible odds.


    ¡°You cannot keep this up forever. Your magic will drain faster than their will, and what will you be once your spells fail? Just a man with a sword.¡±


    ¡°Legends have been built on less.¡±


    ¡°Vanity of vanities.¡±


    Steelwing neighed, stretching his wings to make himself appear bigger as he stood uneasily by Aspyr¡¯s side. Surrounded by enemies with nothing but a sword and steed, Aspyr smiled grimly. It was no different from his years in the athenaeum, but at least his foes here were lesser mages.


    The woman finally managed to get to her feet. ¡°Untie me!¡± she demanded for the third time. ¡°I can help you.¡±


    ¡°Help me?¡± He scoffed. ¡°I have never known a Tuskar to be of any help to me or mine.¡±


    ¡°Do you think these dogs are any friends of mine?¡±


    Aspyr glanced at her. ¡°They are Tuskar like you.¡±


    ¡°They are the Tribe of the Screaming Tempest,¡± she said, as if the name ought to mean something to him. ¡°The enmity between our lines runs deeper and longer than your mortal life can fathom.¡±


    ¡°And so I¡¯m supposed to trust you?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a choice?¡±


    ¡°I could strike you down,¡± Aspyr said. ¡°That much is still within my power.¡±


    She growled. ¡°Then do it quickly! Better that than to allow my legacy to fall into their hands and harm my kin.¡±


    Aspyr didn¡¯t know what possessed him to act. Was it despair? Foolish hope? Bewitchment? Regardless of the answer, his sword cut through the ropes that bound her. For the last time, he repeated the request that she had so stubbornly denied him.


    ¡°I would know the name of the person I¡¯ll die with.¡±


    She stared at him for a moment, blinking in surprise even as Tuskar screamed their war cries from all around and hail fell all the harder. ¡°It is Dalia,¡± she said, ¡°and we will not die here.¡±


    Aspyr turned his back to her¡ª


    ¡ªand fangs sank into his neck.


    I was a fool, he thought, as he felt his magic draining out of him. Aspyr was caught in a net, his limbs growing heavier by the second. He was sinking, clawing for every breath.


    He supposed that if he had to die, at least it was at the hands of a beautiful woman.


    He thought the ground would be colder against his back, thought the pain would be worse. Aspyr stared up into red eyes framed by a blue sky.


    I hope Mydea forgives me.

 48: Will You...

    ¡°Let nothing delay your return home,¡± Mydea read aloud from her father¡¯s notebook. ¡°Steelwing returned to us riderless this morning. We are scouring the paths to Aigis in search. Only one man can be behind it.¡±


    Troia gasped audibly. ¡°Lord Aspyrtus¡­ is he¡­¡±


    ¡°Still your tongue!¡± Mydea said. To speak the word would be to cast a portent. He couldn¡¯t be¡­ It was a thought too terrible to think. Her twin brother who had survived six years in the athenaeum; six years of scorn and slights. She refused to believe that Aspyr would let himself be brought low so ignobly. ¡°We cannot be certain from just this much.¡±


    Unfortunately, Father¡¯s answers to the myriad questions she¡¯d written in response could best be described as curt. All she knew was that Aspyr was missing, and that they¡¯d found Tuskar corpses.


    ¡°My lady, what should we do?¡±


    What should she do? What else could she do? ¡°We go home.¡± Her brother was missing. Father had torched farms and whole forests for far less.


    ¡°Will the Empress permit our return this time?¡± Troia asked.


    ¡°Pack my things,¡± Mydea said in lieu of an answer.


    The situation had turned dire, and she was the heir to Kolchis. Mydea could not become princess-consort without renouncing her claim, and that flimsy possibility was their sole excuse to keep her skybound. The Empress would have to let her leave, not because Her Highness was prone to sentimentality, but because She could not appear heartless.


    Even the House Imperial had to play their part.


    Mydea glanced at her reflection in the mirror¡ªand ripped off her emerald teardrop earrings. Her matching set of silver bangles and torque necklace rattled as they hit the wooden floor with force. Not even the long ivory hairpin keeping her hair in a neat bun was spared from abuse, smashing into the far wall.


    Troia remained quiet as a mouse throughout, watching with wide eyes and not even daring to breathe. In all the years she¡¯d served as Mydea¡¯s maid, Mydea had never let herself act like this.


    She fastened her mother¡¯s sword to her hip. Only when she was nearly at the door did  Troia call out, ¡°My lady, your ears are bleeding.¡± Her maid stepped forward with raised hands, and Mydea could feel the magic flowing to the tips of her fingers. It was a trivial matter for any athenaeum graduate to heal such a light injury.


    ¡°Leave it. Just do as I¡¯ve said.¡±


    Troia frowned, but could do nothing but bow in response. Mydea was her mistress and it was not her place to advise when her mind was already made.


    Besides, to allow Troia to heal her would be to undo her good work. She had not injured herself only to reap no gain from the pain.


    ¡°Only one man can be behind it,¡± Father had said. Who else could he suspect but Lord Eminent Pleonexia? He had not shared the reasons for his suspicion, but she could guess. It was a drastic act for their liege to sanction highborn assassination when he¡¯d previously been content with a slow strangulation of their house. Mydea would ordinarily have thought it out of the question¡­


    But this wasn¡¯t an ordinary situation.


    Why would Lord Eminent Pleonexia choose to plunge the knife now? The answer was all too clear to Mydea¡ªthe very same issue that had been at the forefront of her mind for a week now.


    Her father¡¯s lifework was flight unaided, and though it was half-formed and still far from fruition, it was a signature spell that could rival Appropriation. Father¡¯s genius turned the question of if the spell could be made to work to when. How Lord Pleonexia had learned of it she was less clear on, but he was the wealthiest stoneborn in the whole of the Syngian Empire. Mayhaps a spy in Aigis had found it out? She¡¯d long suspected that he had bought eyes and ears in her own home.


    Mother had advised in her handbook that ¡°Small slights sharpen steel.¡± The stoneborn ought to be treated well, or destroyed utterly.


    What had Lord Pleonexia inflicted on them since Mydea¡¯s grandfather had died, if not slights? They¡¯d borne it for years because nothing else could be done. But if Father¡¯s spell was ever completed, Mydea was not certain that vengeance would be stayed even by a vow of marriage.


    Now more than ever, Mydea could not act carelessly. She needed more than her father¡¯s suspicions to go on. Such a bold action by Lord Eminent Pleonexia would reach his princely brother, even if her liege wished otherwise. Prince-Consort Pythos¡¯ good health and standing in Aelisium over all these years was no accident. He ought to be aware of the shape of things, if not the specifics.


    Of course, she could not ask him to his face. He¡¯d never admit it, even if they both knew the truth. He understood some things were better left unsaid. But Pythos was not her peer. His lofty position provided him comforts aplenty and the luxury to misstep without worry¡ªa luxury she¡¯d never known. Many times when they had spoken he had shown his hand too early, or given her information he did not have to.


    It would be harsh to label those small lapses as mistakes ¡­ but the Imperial City was the Mouth of the Empire¡ªan ever-ravenous maw that demanded tribute in kin and in kind, and in turn offered sharp rebuke.


    Her feet brought her to the doorway of Lady Lara¡¯s personal chambers. Even if the High Stewardess wasn¡¯t here yet, she would be soon enough. Whispers never ceased in Aelisium, and after so many maidservants had witnessed her unusual appearance while storming down the halls of the Seraglio, how could Lara remain unaware? It would be far easier for the High Stewardess to find her than for Mydea to go searching the vast palace grounds herself.


    She was proven right barely two minutes later when a senior maid in the Imperial livery, flanked by lesser servants, approached her. They put on a masterful act of calm and composure, as if they¡¯d encountered her by chance. There was not a drop of sweat on them, no reddening of the face or perceptible shortness of breath.


    But it was trivial for Mydea to twist the air around their undefended selves to her will, until she might as well have had her ear to their chests. Mydea smiled politely as they offered a courteous greeting and asked if she¡¯d like to wait for Lady Lara inside.


    The heart never lies, she thought.


    Lady Lara¡¯s room was as Mydea remembered it, with floors carpeted in the softest ermine and works of art adorning the walls. There were images of lifelike musicians from Old Ilyos playing a symphony and a tapestry of some foreign people hunting a serpentine river monster.


    ¡°Would you care for a drink, my lady?¡± the senior maidservant asked after Mydea seated herself. ¡°Perhaps a sweet Primemarch vintage, or is something stronger in order? Mayhaps a Tear of Tranquility?¡±


    What a lovely choice, to dull her senses with either a drink or a draught. ¡°If you have it, some tea would be lovely.¡±


    Of course they had it. This was the room of the High Stewardess, who was mistress of the Seraglio¡¯s storehouses. They even knew the exact type of black tea she preferred without her having to tell them.


    Mydea stirred her tea lightly with the proffered silver spoon before taking a sip. The quality of their brew was in no way inferior to that of the Golden Bud, and the maids here were polite enough not to mix anything else into her drink.


    Lady Lara joined her not too long after, and a clap of her hands filled the room with a painted symphony. It was an old tune, something Grandmother had loved to hum on rainy days, but one that Mydea had never learned.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here so soon, Lady Mydea,¡± Lara said as the junior maid helped unwrap the mink scarf around her delicate neck. Evidently she¡¯d spent some time outside today. ¡°Especially not like this. Is something the matter?¡±


    ¡°My brother is missing, and maybe worse.¡±


    Lara seated herself, brows furrowed. ¡°I¡¯ve never been the most involved in the Deeplands¡¯ affairs, but my understanding was that the Tuskar had been beaten back recently? How did this come to pass?¡±


    ¡°Your understanding is correct. By all accounts, the main host of the Tuskar had been scattered by my brother¡¯s efforts. What happened next is less clear. He¡¯d clearly felt safe enough to return to Aigis with a small retinue, and evidently, the Tuskar ambushed him on the way.¡±


    ¡°That¡ª¡± Lara¡¯s words died in her throat, but it was clear from her face that she understood. There were some things better left unsaid, even in the safety of their rooms.


    Treachery.


    Who else could have known the exact route Aspyr would take, but the very vassals with him? How could the Tuskar have outpaced Aspyr¡¯s party to the site of the ambush on foot? It defied all sense; it violated the iron law of logistics.


    What could move large numbers of people in casual contempt of time and space but Appropriation?


    The Tuskar may have plunged the knife, but Pleonexia had placed it in their hands.


    ¡°You¡¯ll want to return home as soon as possible,¡± Lara surmised.


    It was refreshing to be in the presence of competence. ¡°Sooner than what the Empress decreed at court,¡± Mydea said. It would be another whole week if she abided by the Empress¡¯ timeline. Entire kingdoms had fallen in less.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°That may prove difficult,¡± Lara cautioned. ¡°Prince-Consort Pythos fell ill this morning, and begged leave from court until he has recovered. It was granted.¡±


    Mydea frowned. ¡°Is he really?¡±


    Lara shrugged. ¡°No one¡¯s seen him since, and I¡¯ve heard he refuses to take any visitors. It may be difficult for the Empress to even hear your request without his backing.¡± With so many voices clamoring for Her attention, it was easy for one¡¯s words to be drowned out in the cacophony. It had happened to Aspyr two months ago.


    Why would Prince Pythos feign illness to keep her chained to this cloud of a city? Why keep her here when they¡¯d already won? Kolchis was bereft of its lord.


    The stoneborn ought to be treated well, or destroyed utterly. Did Pleonexia know those words too? Were they not content with her brother? Would they pursue this feud until everyone Mydea loved was gone?


    Mydea¡¯s blood froze in her veins and her skin felt numb. ¡°Can nothing be done?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can, but I do not know how quickly things can be put into motion.¡±


    Mydea closed her eyes and breathed in deep¡­


    ¡­and when she opened them, the ice in her veins melted before that spark of rage that turned her heart into a furnace.


    ¡°Mydea?¡± Lara asked with a touch of concern.


    She stood. ¡°Thank you for the hospitality, Lady Lara, but I must be off.¡±


    ¡°What will you do?¡±


    Mydea smiled, but it was all teeth and daggers. ¡°Gamble.¡±


    Lara¡¯s mouth fell. ¡°But you don¡¯t gamble.¡±


    ¡°When I do not have to.¡± Had people taken that to mean she feared to flip the coin?


    They¡¯d chosen to imprison her in this place, in the only place she might still hurt them. House Pleonexia would come to regret it.


    ¡°Can you get me into the Imperial Palace tonight?¡± Mydea asked.


    ¡ªHandbook¡ª


    Before the line of Syngian pieced the fragments of the Empire back together, the Houses Eminent had been royalty in their own right. In many ways they still were, with a plethora of rights and privileges their vassals could only dream of, granted to them during the Reunification or as the price for their support during the succession struggles. One such right, in particular, was that the House Imperial would not meddle without cause in how the eminent regions were ruled.


    What constituted cause was a subject of endless debate among the hystors and endless war among the stoneborn.


    Many of those who¡¯d borne the Starlight Crown had not shied away from using any disagreements between the Houses Eminent and their vassals as pretense. Much as it¡¯d have made her life easier, Mydea had to admit Empress Alcymede was wise to avoid that mistake of Her forebears. It was no happenstance She refused to weigh in on whether House Kolchis was a house external or a house nominal.


    Without irrefutable evidence that Lord Pleonexia was behind the attack on her house, Her Highness would just as likely stand aside and watch Aigis turned into a grave. No, the House Imperial had to be moved to act in defense of Kolchis, or at least threaten to act on their behalf.


    Only then would Lord Pleonexia be cowed.


    Deep within the grounds of the Imperial Palace, beneath the luminescence of the Starlight Tower, there was a series of walled courtyard palaces. By design, they were not quite castles which could withstand a determined cadre of mages-at-arms, but nor were they places that one could just stroll into.


    Mydea did the polite thing and knocked at the front door of Jaeson¡¯s. ¡°State your name and business,¡± a voice asked gruffly from within.


    ¡°It¡¯s Lady Mydea. I wish to see His Excellency.¡± Lady Lara¡¯s seal had gotten her this far in, but understandably, the pair of Whites guarding Jaeson¡¯s residence weren¡¯t about to just let her walk in on the say-so of a High Stewardess.


    ¡°It¡¯s late out.¡±


    ¡°That makes it the perfect time to meet,¡± Mydea pressed. ¡°He¡¯ll want to see me.¡±


    Her words gave them pause, and she could faintly hear them whispering to one another. She didn¡¯t bother to eavesdrop this time. Strawborn maids might not have minded, or even noticed the intrusion, but steelborn certainly would.


    ¡°A moment, my lady,¡± a second, softer voice replied, followed by hurried footsteps.


    It didn''t take long for two sets of footsteps to return. "Open the doors." She recognized Jaeson¡¯s voice.


    "Good evening, Your Excellency." Mydea curtseyed as she caught a glimpse of the prince in his flowing night shirt.


    He blinked at her, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It¡¯s late. What are you doing here?"


    Mydea tilted her head towards the pair of Whites watching them intently.


    Jaeson sighed and stepped forward, close enough that she picked up on the scent of plums.


    Without her heels, she had to stand on her toes to reach his ears. ¡°I suppose I¡¯m here to seduce you," she whispered, then pulled away. Mydea smiled as his face twisted with wary bemusement. "Might I come in? It¡¯s rather cold out tonight.¡±


    He raised a brow at her silk damask dress with a wide-open neckline that exposed the shoulders. ¡°Forget our warming charms, did we?¡± he asked, stepping aside to let her through. Mydea let her bare shoulder graze his chest. A warm cocoon of heat and air wrapped around her, sheltering her from the worst of the weather. The door to his palace courtyard shut behind them as he led her in.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come see me yourself,¡± Mydea said, a grin still tugging at her lips. ¡°What? Was your valet too busy, Your Excellency?¡±


    Jaeson¡¯s steps paused as they crossed the threshold. ¡°Are you here to see Tomas, or me?¡±


    A strange way to phrase the real question. ¡°This is your courtyard, is it not?¡±


    Jaeson didn¡¯t seem pleased with her answer, and didn¡¯t move from the doorframe as he turned to stare at her. Mydea snorted, letting her steps flow around him to get inside. Or at least she tried, before Jaeson¡¯s grip on her arm stopped her.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t proper for a guest to move ahead of their host, or their prince.¡±


    ¡°No more proper than a prince of the blood inviting a maiden into his home unaccompanied,¡± Mydea mused. ¡°There must be something in the air tonight to be causing all this impropriety.¡±


    His hold on her loosened. ¡°As you say, my lady.¡±


    Mydea crossed the threshold, and the world turned from cobblestone and cold, biting winds to surroundings of luxury that even Lara would have blushed at. But beneath the furs and silks and glitter of jewels was a subtle working to the room an untrained mind would miss entirely. Had her guard been lower, Mydea might¡¯ve missed it too.


    Put simply, Jaeson¡¯s abode was much, much larger than it had any right to be for the physical space it occupied from the outside.


    ¡°Fascinating.¡± Mydea let out a breath as the true magnitude of the spell dawned on her. ¡°The hystors have said that something like this is possible, but it¡¯s only ever been theory.¡± She dared not ask how it had been achieved.


    ¡°I can count on my fingers the number of people who¡¯ve realized what you have about this room.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°The mind can be distracted here with so much treasure and history and art to contemplate.¡±


    ¡°There are a lot of nice things to look at,¡± she agreed, turning her attention back towards him.


    ¡°This way.¡± He led them to a room warmed by a fireplace of spotless marble. Jaeson gestured for her to sit on a high-backed chair, before taking his own seat on the camelback couch across it. A sound of clicking heels approached from the second door feeding into the room, which led to the dining hall.


    As expected of a prince¡¯s household, his valet Tomas and a pair of manservants streamed into the room with porcelain trays. The silver lids only came off just before each was set on the glass table transversed between them, revealing teas and treats fit for half a dozen.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to wake your whole household up on my account,¡± Mydea said.


    Jaeson shrugged. ¡°What servant sleeps easy when their master is awake?¡± He reached for the wooden box of dried tea bags and picked out a familiar one for her.


    Mydea¡¯s brow rose in recognition. ¡°Sage¡¯s tea?¡± She¡¯d depleted her own stash from Kolchis a month into her stay in Aelisium.


    ¡°From my imperial cousin¡¯s gardens.¡± Jaeson poured hot water for the both of them.


    ¡°I¡¯m honored to taste it,¡± Mydea replied, meaning not a word of it. Knowing the source, how could she not be wary? Courtesy dictated that she not drink before the prince finished mixing his preferred two dollops of honey in, and she planned to take full advantage of that. By now, the manservants had all withdrawn from the room except for Tomas the Tall, Jaeson¡¯s valet standing at attention some feet away. She idly noted that the real Tomas was shorter by an inch or three.


    ¡°Do you find my valet so fascinating?¡±


    ¡°Not anymore. He used to be much more entertaining.¡±


    That got a smile from Prince Jaeson, and he gestured for Tomas to withdraw further backwards with a casual flick of his hand. ¡°You mentioned something about seducing me? I must say, you haven¡¯t tried very hard.¡±


    Mydea picked up her cup to warm her hands, but didn¡¯t drink from it yet. ¡°You¡¯ve heard by now, I¡¯m sure?¡± This was Aelisium. He¡¯d have heard even if he were deaf.


    ¡°Some things,¡± he admitted, nodding once. ¡°No one seems to know what put you into such a frightening state this afternoon though. Theories range from scorned love to politics and everything in between. One isn¡¯t quite sure what to believe.¡±


    ¡°My brother is missing. He might even be dead. It remains unclear, despite my family¡¯s best efforts.¡±


    ¡°My sincerest condolences,¡± Jaeson said softly. ¡°I know the two of you were close.¡± After a moment¡¯s pause, ¡°Is this goodbye then? His mantle falls to you now.¡±


    ¡°I am his heir, but Kolchis has no need of a Lady External stuck hundreds of miles away.¡±


    Jaeson¡¯s sharp features twisted into a frown. ¡°How do you mean? You must go home, of course.¡±


    ¡°I would if I could. There are forces at play keeping me here.¡±


    His cup slammed onto the table between them, nearly cracking the glass. ¡°Who would dare? A word to my Imperial Aunt and¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re smarter than this,¡± she said, quieting him instantly. ¡°Who would dare? Who would even care to keep me trapped here at a time like this?¡±


    Jaeson leaned back into his couch. ¡°If you are to succeed your brother, marriage to the House imperial is obviously impossible, and my cousins will lose all interest in you.¡± His eyes of skyborn silver glimmered. ¡°Pleonexia. He¡¯s the one keeping you here. Did he¡ª¡± His question cut off there, unuttered.


    Mydea nodded. ¡°That and more. After all, why keep me trapped here?¡±


    ¡°He can still be beaten. I¡¯ll do whatever is within my power.¡±


    ¡°Do not utter a promise you might come to regret.¡±


    ¡°Kolchis is the cornerstone of the Empire¡¯s defense against the Tuskar. Many here might dismiss the threat they pose, but not I,¡± Jaeson insisted. ¡°If you lack advocates, the Empress listens to my counsel.¡±


    ¡°She listens to you, but I am afraid She will not fight a war at your word,¡± Mydea said. ¡°Her Highness has not reigned this long by acting on sentiment and even Pleonexia knows this.¡±


    His shoulders sagged. ¡°Must it go that far?¡±


    ¡°My brother is missing, yet he insists on imprisoning me in this gilded cage.¡± The glass in Mydea¡¯s hand shook, splashing scalding tea onto her skin. ¡°He leaves my family in the hands of my ailing grandmother, my underage sister, and my strawborn father. Do ask the good Lord Pleonexia your question the next time you see him, if any of my kin still live by then!¡±


    ¡°What would you have me do then? You did not come here tonight without a plan. I have never known you to be without one.¡±


    ¡°Lord Pleonexia must believe that Her Highness would be forced to fight a war if he were to continue down this path. Kolchis must fall firmly under Her aegis.¡±


    Jaeson sighed. ¡°You mean through marriage. To me.¡±


    ¡°Do you see anything less deterring my liege lord?¡± Her lips pursed. ¡°Or does the thought of marrying me repulse you.¡±


    Jaeson shook his head. ¡°Neither, but you are the Lady External Kolchis now. Law and custom both forbid it.¡±


    ¡°I remain as I am until my brother is found and the proper vows have been uttered. I can still renounce my rights without the Empress¡¯ permit.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯d be willing?¡±


    She locked eyes with him. ¡°To save my family? I would do anything.¡±


    ¡°Asking me this¡­ no, even just coming here was a dangerous gamble.¡±


    ¡°One I had to take.¡± At long last, she drank from her cup of tea, only half-filled now. ¡°We find each other pleasant enough, I think. And even if we didn¡¯t, marriages have been built on little and less.¡±


    ¡°Not good ones.¡±


    ¡°No, only necessary ones,¡± Mydea retorted. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to suffer a loss on my behalf either. My family has suffered a setback for now, but if we survive this, Pleonexia cannot hope to suppress us for long once certain things come to light. And in time, our strength would be your strength, to do with as you please.¡±


    Jaeson crossed his arms. ¡°You sound certain.¡±


    Mydea scoffed. ¡°Who else would we back if not you?¡±


    ¡°Not that. That Pleonexia cannot keep your strength in check.¡±


    She paused. Should she tell him of Father¡¯s spell? It was knowledge of that very thing that had caused this predicament ¡­ but if she gave him nothing, would he believe her? Would he believe that Kolchis could be of use to him in the future? ¡°There is a spell in the making. I dare not say more even here.¡±


    He looked searchingly into her eyes. ¡°I believe it.¡± After a moment more, he continued, ¡°I promised to do anything within my power to help, but I cannot marry you.¡±

 49: Marry Me

    ¡°...but I cannot marry you.¡±


    Mydea took a moment to drink from her cup, before setting it down on the table between them. They had become acquainted whilst he masqueraded as his retainer, but they could barely be called friends and were far from allies. They owed each other nothing.


    Yet, that thought proved a poor balm. ¡°That is a shame,¡± Mydea said, mustering a smile.


    Jaeson eyed her with evident surprise. ¡°You are taking this remarkably well. Would you think less of me if I confess some disappointment?¡±


    ¡°I am the esteemed daughter of House Kolchis. That you cannot marry me ought to disappoint you.¡± Cannot, not will not.


    Jaeson¡¯s ¡°choice¡± of a wife would be one who would weaken his position in the succession wars to come, for why else would the hidden strength of her house be an obstacle to their match?


    She had long suspected that who Prince Jaeson would eventually wed was not entirely up to him. Why had only a token number of esteemed houses been invited to send their daughters otherwise, when so many of the lower nobility were present? And among those who¡¯d be considered a suitable match for a member of the House Imperial, many had already been dismissed from court. Most famously Miryam Bludbolt, the favored candidate from His Excellency¡¯s eminent region, who had lost her wager with Vivyan Black after the latter triumphed over Prince Jaeson in a game of Eminent Domain.


    One could not be sure of much in Aelisium, but Mydea was certain Vivyan was not Prince Jaeson¡¯s equal at the game. She had been allowed to win, or perhaps it was fairer to say Miryam had been destined to lose.


    Marriage could be a source of strength, establishing ties not easily sundered. If you could not trust your own kin, who could you trust? Therein lay the problem for Jaeson the Syngian. The House Imperial was rife with kinstrife, and it seemed his kin were intent on turning his marriage into a hobbling blow. Whichever one of his cousins was orchestrating this sham was working to isolate him from his natural allies in the Primemarch, and cleverly borrowing Jaeson¡¯s own hand to plunge that knife called mistrust.


    Mydea studied Jaeson¡¯s handsome visage once more and idly wondered just what threat, what black secret could move a prince to injure himself so.


    Or perhaps an enthrallment? Those esoteric arts that made the mind a vane for another¡¯s words were long forbidden, but would divine edicts hold when the prize was the Empire?


    Mydea put on a bitter smile. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯d be so kind as to tell me which of your esteemed kin holds your leash even at this late hour?¡±


    ¡°I have made an oath,¡± Jaeson answered, shaking his head.


    That made things easier in some ways. He was sworn before the gods to wed, only it was not him Mydea would have to convince, but one of his kin. Were he not stripped of the choice, there was every chance she might have failed to sway him¡ªsay if Jaeson had a mistress he cared not to scorn, hidden away. With Jaeson¡¯s kin, it would be about political interests first and foremost.


    Assuming she could discover to whom he¡¯d sworn his oath, that is.


    ¡°Your thoughts are plain for anyone to see, Mydea,¡± Jaeson said. ¡°I tell you, it would be folly for you to marry me. The consequences¡ª¡±


    ¡°The consequences?¡± Mydea scoffed. ¡°What of the consequences to my kin if I do not act? I cannot not sit here idly while my family¡¯s keep is put to siege!¡±


    ¡°As your friend, if you still consider me that, I can only counsel you. Not everything need be settled through a contest of arms.¡±


    ¡°You counsel for peace?¡±


    Jaeson leaned forward in his seat. ¡°One should never be so quick to resort to war. There is wisdom in knowing when peace is preferable; in knowing when a war cannot be won.¡±


    ¡°War only needs one side to insist on it.¡± Could Pleonexia ever rest easy, knowing what Father was working on? Were she to offer renewed oaths of fealty and friendship and leal service, would the Lord Eminent of the Deeplands consider them an act of good faith, or just a ploy to buy time? Long had the courts of Aigis and Pleopolis engaged in a contest of wills, and now each had driven the other to the precipice.


    To turn back from it now would require hostages, her father chief among them as the aspiring spellmaker of flight unaided. Mydea had no doubt that once he entered the Pleonexus, she would never see him again.


    Her fists clenched. She had already lost her mother, and now her brother¡¯s life was in question. Would she really be asked for her father too?


    ¡°It is the nature of diplomacy that no one ever leaves with everything they want,¡± Jaeson pointed out.


    ¡°You ask me to entertain a negotiated surrender, but I wonder if my Lord Pleonexia will not treat it as capitulation.¡± Her liege had already attempted murder, albeit with a borrowed knife, against his own sworn vassal. What chance would Father have once sent to the seat of House Pleonexia¡¯s power, with not even an oath of vassalage to defend his self? No, to hand Father over would kill him as surely as swinging the sword herself, though the stoneborn of the Deeplands might not scorn her for it¡­


    The act was unthinkable; the choice impossible.


    Jaeson sighed, shoulders slumping in a way that did not befit a man of his youth. ¡°I see I cannot sway you, even to spare you the heartache. Still, I will not stand in your path, although I cannot walk it with you.¡± He glanced at the darkness outside through a translucent window. Mydea could sense the faint shape of sorcery at work there¡ªa charm to beguile the sight of anyone looking into the prince¡¯s abode. ¡°It is dark out, and there are ever many watchful eyes upon this place.¡±


    ¡°This is Aelisium after all,¡± Mydea said. Such a thing was to be expected whenever the House Imperial was involved. ¡°I shall take every care as I depart.¡± It had been a great risk to both their reputations coming here in the manner she had, at the hour she had. Doubly so considering Jaeson¡¯s match would be announced any day now.


    She would not gamble if she did not have to, but the need of Kolchis was dire.


    As Mydea turned to leave, Jaeson gripped her wrist. ¡°Your care may not suffice.¡±


    That elicited a raised brow from her. ¡°Are you asking me to stay the night?¡±


    ¡°I have no ill intentions towards you, Mydea,¡± Jaeson hurriedly reassured. ¡°You might already have been seen in the coming. You will certainly be seen leaving, and be followed back to the Seraglio. Your identity will be impossible to conceal then. If you stay, that much might still be kept secret.¡±


    ¡°Others will talk about a woman staying the night.¡±


    ¡°Others will talk about a woman coming in the night,¡± Jaeson retorted. ¡°I hardly think your staying will make the rumors any worse for myself after I¡¯ve already invited you in.¡±


    A hint of something pulled at her heart, knowing he still cared in his own way. ¡°That seems to me but pushing the problem for a later time. Come the morning, not even my maid Troia¡¯s efforts could keep my disappearance hidden for long.¡± The task, admittedly, was made easier now that Troia alone served her. Replacements for her bribed maidservants had yet to be arranged, nor were they in a fit state to continue serving after their punishment.


    ¡°Do you trust her?¡±


    ¡°With my life,¡± Mydea answered without hesitation. ¡°Troia has been like kin to me since my days in the Thalassian Athenaeum, and she pledged herself to my household right after our trials.¡±


    Jaeson nodded. ¡°If she can ward off suspicion for the night, I can have you returned to your room in the morning. Many servants come and go in a prince¡¯s household, and procuring a disguise would be simple. You could hide in plain sight.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°You speak with a confidence born from experience,¡± Mydea said pointedly.


    To her amusement, Jaeson¡¯s face reddened. ¡°I¡¯ll see to your room.¡±


    It was her turn to grab his hand. ¡°Wait. If I¡¯m staying the night, might you have a mirror I could borrow?¡±


    At some hidden signal, his valet Tomas approached them. ¡°Have a room prepared,¡± Jaeson instructed. Then turning to Mydea, he said, ¡°This way.¡±


    The corridor Jaeson led her through was as richly decorated as any she¡¯d ever seen, filled with great spellwoven tapestries, artifacts of yore, and vivid paintings depicting the Primemarch Campaign of the prince¡¯s namesake, Jaeson the Conqueror. The history of the Syngian Empire since its inception hung upon the walls, and only the enchantments multiplying the very space they occupied ensured all of it would fit.


    What would happen, Mydea wondered, if the magic were to fail all of a sudden? Would they be reduced to a bloody pulp as the natural laws of the world reasserted themselves, or merely thrown out of the house like a maiden scorned?


    Unlike her own room in the Seraglio, Jaeson¡¯s access to the mirrorplane resided in its own windowless room with a few candles as its only source of light. It looked more like a prison than a prince¡¯s room, but it ensured that no one watching within the mirrorverse could discover anything useful about him.


    ¡°Nothing spoken of within these walls can be discerned from the outside,¡± Jaeson informed her. ¡°You may speak your mind here.¡±


    Mydea gave the room another look. ¡°This is perhaps the rarest luxury you possess.¡±


    A hint of a smile graced his face before he vacated, shutting the door behind him.


    Mydea sighed into the empty silence. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, I am sorry for what I¡¯m about to do. That it had to come to this.¡± The House of Kolchis had endured through the soot of Old Ilyos, the snow of the Deeplands, and the shadows of the mythuselah. Their noble lineage couldn¡¯t end here, not like this.


    She would not allow it.


    From the moment Mydea had set foot in the Imperial City, she had been subject to many a scheme. Lord Pleonexia had bribed a maid assigned to her, even as they spoke of truce. Princess Mirah had arranged to entangle her with the Marcherkin. Princess Lille had bribed her other maid, and hampered her attempts to return home¡­


    With an exertion of her will, she rapped her knuckles on a glass surface that was not within reach, on a mirror far away.


    Then, a visage appeared before Mydea, draped in layers of emerald satin like a flower budding. Princess Lille carried herself with an Empress¡¯ dignity, as if she had always known she was meant to rule.


    ¡°You are not quite who I expected, Mydea of Kolchis.¡±


    ¡°Were you expecting Jaeson?¡± she began with a simple prod. What she was about to do, she did for the love she held for her father, for the promises she¡¯d shared with Aspyr, for her hopes for Chalsi.


    ¡°It is my cousin¡¯s mirror, is it not?¡± Lille flashed a dazzling smile. ¡°Are congratulations in order? I daresay this is the first I¡¯ve heard of him succumbing to a lady¡¯s charms.¡±


    Mydea doubted that. ¡°He is the perfect gentleman.¡±


    ¡°I do wonder what is so urgent that you felt the need to wake me.¡± Had this not been Jaeson¡¯s mirror, Princess Lille might have been content to ignore it.


    ¡°If I disturbed your rest, Your Excellency, I can only apologize and say you wake most gracefully.¡± There was hardly a hint of sleep in her sharp eyes. ¡°I wish to wed your cousin.¡±


    Lille tilted her head to the side. ¡°Many do, Lady Mydea, and while I appreciate that you think so highly of me, your efforts would be better spent working on him at an hour like this.¡±


    ¡°We both know,¡± Mydea said, ¡°that that choice is not his own.¡±


    Lille let out a bemused laugh. ¡°We all serve at Her Highness¡¯ pleasure. I fail to see why you would suspect me of all people.¡±


    ¡°Because you kept me here,¡± Mydea said, her eyes narrowed into slits as the princess kept up the facade. ¡°A sennight prior when I asked the Empress for Her leave, you and you alone exhorted otherwise.¡± Ostensibly, she had done it for the sake of her cousin Jaeson¡¯s marriage, and mayhaps there was truth in that after all? Had the Imperial City made Mydea so wary a creature that when someone spoke of their intentions out loud, she refused to believe it?


    It had been the greatest trick of all: to hide in plain sight.


    ¡°I did what any good cousin ought to do. Given where you find yourself now, I daresay you should be thanking me for the assistance.¡± Lille said. There was not a hint of regret in her. Whether Mydea¡¯s family lived or died, the princess didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°I do not think anyone would call being a prisoner assistance,¡± Mydea retorted sharply. ¡°A gilded cage remains a cage, no matter how lovely.¡± She was without backing powerful enough to overturn Her Highness¡¯ edict now that her house was at odds with her liege¡¯s. As things stood, Prince-Consort Pythos could keep her trapped here for however long his ill-meaning brother wished.


    ¡°You must have known by then of my family¡¯s current crisis,¡± Mydea continued, ¡°and you are wise enough to know Kolchis would not be of no benefit to Prince Jaeson¡¯s position.¡± Not unless Princess Lille knew of the signature spell her father was crafting, and Mydea had taken every precaution to guard that knowledge.


    ¡°We speak of marriage, my dear. What does benefit matter?¡±


    ¡°We speak of marriage, Your Excellency. What else but benefits matter?¡±


    Many of the skyborn would benefit from strangling Jaeson¡¯s bid to the Starlight Crown, but none stood to gain more than Princess Lille. The Everbloom¡ªthe fief of Princess Lille¡¯s paternal line¡ªwas as mighty as the holdings of any two Lords Eminent. Only caution and careful balancing by its neighbors kept the Everbloom from dominating the Syngian Empire, and long had that plentiful land held the ire of unlikely alliances. She stood to gain the most from keeping the Primemarch uninvolved, as it secured the Everbloom¡¯s southwestern frontier.


    Could Mydea be certain of this guess? Not completely. She did not gamble if she did not have to, but the need of her family was dire.


    Lille did not answer immediately, taking a careful moment to study Mydea. ¡°If word of this conversation were ever to reach Her Highness, you would appear most ungrateful to Her benevolent intent.¡±


    ¡°I balance upon the precipice, Your Excellency,¡± Mydea said, exerting every effort to keep her own voice steady. ¡°I leave here tonight either the victor or the vanquished. Yet, I cannot help but think it would be a most grievous waste if you were to stand back and let my family wither on the vine.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Lille¡¯s brow rose. ¡°What could, by your own admission, a family in crisis, offer me and mine? Please, enlighten me.¡±


    ¡°The Deeplands lacks an imperial claimant to back, and so they will not meddle in the succession if other problems were to arise. Kolchis already is that problem, and reconciliation grows more impossible by the hour. Keep my family alive, and Lord Pleonexia will not feel safe acting against you when the time comes. As cheap a price as any to secure the Everbloom¡¯s northeastern border, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    Lille snorted. ¡°Such pretty words to hide an ugly request. You would have me fight your war, spend the blood of my kin to safeguard your own home? I will do without, I think.¡±


    ¡°A war would not be necessary,¡± Mydea said. ¡°The threat of one would suffice, and it need not come from you. If I were to become kin to the Empress through marriage¡­¡±


    Lille¡¯s eyes brightened as she grasped her plan. ¡°If.¡±


    ¡°If you helped me, your own plans would remain intact too. Just as Pleonexia could not act because of Kolchis, Kolchis could not act on Prince Jaeson¡¯s behalf because of Pleonexia. We would be at an impasse.¡±


    ¡°And suppose I had hopes to turn your liege to my side?¡±


    Mydea suppressed a scoff. ¡°Among the eminent regions, the Deeplands is the richest and the Everbloom the largest. Had your two houses ever united in the past, the rest of the Syngian Empire might have bowed. Now though? The grudges your lines bear for one another run too deep.¡±


    ¡°I must admit your offer is intriguing, Lady Mydea. I shall have to think about it.¡±


    ¡°This offer will not last forever, Princess,¡± Mydea warned as she kept a growing panic from reaching her voice. ¡°We do not have the luxury of time.¡±


    ¡°You do not,¡± Lille countered. ¡°I am content to wait.¡±


    ¡°Jaeson has few choices left! Even fewer that would match his imperial status.¡± She could not fail here. She would not! There was too much at stake. ¡°As a lady of a house external, I remain a suitable candidate. If he is wed to one beneath his status, like many of those that remain, suspicion would be aroused. Many would think of you as the hand behind it, whether you are truly guilty or not.¡± Quite a number of the ladies remaining were from the Everbloom after all, and all of them from minor houses of little renown.


    A thought struck Mydea. ¡°Those women might be loyal to you, but it would show your hand. It would put the other skyborn on guard against yourself, and hasn¡¯t that ever been the downfall of the Everbloom?¡± The Time of Fracturing was testament that no one kingdom, no matter how mighty, could hope to overcome all the others. ¡°Wed Jaeson to me, and it would obscure your arrangements.¡±


    Lille kept silent, as if prompting her for more.


    Something tugged at Mydea¡¯s heart, a discomfort she could not quash even as she spoke the words. What she did was necessity, not malice! ¡°Wed Jaeson to me, and I will be your eyes and ears on his person. Who would ever suspect a daughter of the Deeplands of collaborating with you?¡±


    At long last, the princess smiled. ¡°I believe we have an accord.¡±


    Mydea let out a breath she had not known she¡¯d been holding. Only when the fear and anxiety had subsided could she put a name to her feelings. ¡°Thank you, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and Lady Mydea?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency?¡± She felt guilt. Jaeson was¡ªhad been¡ªa friend. Beneath the games they¡¯d played, behind the deceptions ¡­ she couldn¡¯t deny that he had cared for her in his own way. And she¡¯d repaid that trust with treachery, regardless of the reasons.


    Yet, how could the weight of her feelings compare to duty? To kin and kith? She was born into this world as a daughter of House Kolchis.


    Lille smiled at her, as if a vindication of her decision. ¡°You play our games well.¡±