Sevron Rise of the Dragons

Epilogue

Prologue

Zarquan, the God of Dragons, had succeeded. She and her dragons had turned back Ssheia and her demons. Euchara was safe for now. The price had been beyond measure. Nearly all of her beloved dragons had died for the sake of Euchara. Nearly all…yes she had saved seven, one from each color. They slept now in crystal, safe from the arising sentient races that would quickly take over the world. Zarquan had little doubt Ssheia had somehow saved some of her demons. They would be back, but this time she would not be caught unaware. She would watch Ssheia, and when she started to gain power she would awaken her dragons, and ally them with the new races. As long as she was a god she would not allow Ssheia to gain control of Euchara. Even if it meant the sacrifice of all of her dragons, Ssheia must never have this planet. Zarquan stared down at the stone tablet at her feet, with a stroke of her hand writing appeared:

In the time of greatest need seven will arise

Two from the Sorans, two from the Elves

Two from the Buckra, and one from afar

Search out the statues and help will arise

In the spring of the year two Sorans come forth

One from the seal, sired of the lion

The other unknown and unloved

One will lead, the other defend

To the statues they must be sent

Twins from the children of the woods

One will heal with the force of mind

The other will feel with the strength of the heart

Siblings together they must depart

To the statues they must be sent

Child of the bear, child of the wolf

Enemies then friends

The fighting they stop

To the statues they must be sent

Unknown race half Soran half Elf

Born of love, abused by fate

Believe not what they tell you when you are young

To the statues he must be sent

When the time is right all will be clear

Let the dragons come

The world the Sevron will save

Zarquan examined her work carefully. The prophecy was written, now she needed to make sure it was never forgotten, for someday the fate of her beloved world, Euchara, would rest on shoulders of those this prophecy called.

Ssheia looked down on her army. For centuries she had been forced to hide in the dark, while she watched beings no better than fleas build a flourishing society. She was nearly consumed by her need for revenge. Generations she had waited and planned, she would not repeat mistakes of the past. She would not rush this war like the last. Her army was massive thanks to the souls she had been able to steal, but it was still not large enough. She would be patient, she could wait. Too long she had prepared to destroy it all now by being impetuous. A little longer and her army would be unstoppable by the fleas, their gods, or her sister Zarquan.

Chapter 1 Child of Lion

C.D. sighed as she walked the all too familiar road to the palace and listened to her mother ramble on and on about the importance of the day and how she must conduct herself in the presence of the queen. C.D. groaned under her breath. She had heard it all many, many times before. Thankfully thirteen winters of experience had taught her well how to ignore her mother all the while keeping the appearance of listening with a few properly timed non-committal answers.

C.D. knew full well the importance of the day. Today was the first day of spring. Because the seasons played such an important role in the lives of Sorans, everything revolved around the season, even the passage of time. Summer was the season of plenty, plenty of work and plenty of food. Fall was the season of harvest and preparation. Winter was the season of death. It was only the survival of winter that mattered to the age of a Soran. Death in winter was a common occurrence as temperatures dropped, especially in the lower classes where access to healers and good burning wood or coal was expensive and hard to come by, but spring was the season of renewal. So it made sense that on the first day of spring all over Sora children who had managed to survive thirteen winters were presented to the Duke or Duchess of their respective regions except for those lucky enough to live in the capital city of Soranson, or have the funds to travel to the capital. Those children would be presented to the King and Queen themselves. The respective leaders would spend a half a season testing the children to see what apprenticeship they would receive. The point was to stop talented children from being forced into the career choices of their respective parents. Something C.D. was exceedingly grateful for. If her mother had her way, C.D. would be a noble’s wife and run a household. C.D. shivered at the prospect. She couldn’t think of a worse fate. She would rather dig ditches or light the lanterns or anything rather than marry and have children. No, if she had any choice in the matter she would be a warrior like her father, Sir Maxis. Unfortunately, as her mother had told her many times, what she wanted would not be considered. What she would do for the rest of her life would be decided by the tests and what master was willing to take her on. For three winters she would train under that master, then as repayment for his or her training, she would work for two winters or until the master felt they had been repaid for their time, whichever came first. This was called the service. It was an equitable system for all involved, by the time a child reached their majority they were fully trained, had paid their service and were ready to face the world as adults.

A pause in her mother’s diatribe brought C.D. back to the present. She grunted an answer into the pause and her mother picked up right where she had left off. C.D. looked around at the mansions lining the winding road up to the palace. It was the only road that led to the palace and, thanks to her father Sir Maxis, she understood the defensive strategy to the single road. Thinking of her father brought a smile to her face. Her father was a knight, noble and Captain of the Kings Guard. He was one of the most important and respected people in the city. More importantly to C.D. he hadn’t been born into nobility, he had earned his rank through hard work and bravery. C.D. didn’t understand the rank system. She had met many nobles she didn’t think were worth the dirt they walked on and many more crafters and traders who were brilliant. Shouldn’t intelligence and talent be more important than the family you were born into? Of course the apprenticeship system was supposed to help this, but if you were born with a title you kept that title. Most nobly born went into one of three professions; politics, military, or marriage. She had heard her father’s complaints often enough to know what he thought of most nobles military ability.

Her mother stopped and looked at her. Carolan’s Daughter, are you listening to me? This is important. C.D. nodded and tried to force her attention back on her mother but it was a losing effort. She hated being called Carolan’s Daughter. The whole tradition of not naming children until they were chosen made no sense, even her father couldn’t give her a good reason why or even how the tradition started. It’s just tradition C.D., sometimes that is the only answer. he would tell her when she would ask. If that was the case then why couldn’t she be Maxis’ Daughter? But no, females carried their mother’s moniker and males their father’s. She loved her mother and respected what she had been taught by her, but the constant nagging on how to behave to best impress a husband was wearing thin. She wasn’t saying she never wished to marry, she just wanted to choose her own mate and, more than that, she wanted to establish herself as a warrior and maybe even a knight before she did. After all, female warriors, soldiers, even knights, were hardly uncommon in Sora. They were just uncommon in the nobility, but the Queen was a knight, why couldn’t she hope for the same?

C.D. was so lost in thought she completely missed her mother’s next pause causing her mother to pinch her arm to get her attention back. You will listen to me young lady. Until the queen accepts you, you are still under my guardianship. Her mother warned her as she grabbed her, forcing C.D. to face her. This was a mistake on her mother’s part since she was a good head taller than her mother, and her mother had to crane her neck to look at her. Listen C.D., if you are not careful you could ruin your chances of impressing a good husband. If you embarrass yourself today with the queen you may have to settle for an un-landed noble, or worse, a younger son with no hope of inheriting. So please pay attention. We’re almost to the palace, so this is my last chance to make sure you understand everything you must say and do.

C.D. sighed, but nodded at her mother and for the last few moments of the walk she tried very hard to listen to what her mother had to say. Curtsey politely when you enter the room, smile…. Carolan’s words faded into white noise in the back of her mind. This was the third time her mother had went over this same thing, worse it was the same thing she heard every rest day on the walk to the palace temple. Children were not allowed into the inner sanctum of the temples, but were expected to accompany their parents so the acolytes could teach them about the gods of Sora. There seemed to be countless gods Sorans worshipped. C.D. loved the stories of the gods and was looking forward to the time when she would choose which god she would pledge her life to. Between her apprenticeship and her service she would be expected to do just that and she already knew what god she intended to pledge to, but she was careful to never mention this to anyone.

The appearance of the palace guard gate cut C.D.’s thoughts and Lady Carolan’s lecture short. C.D. had never been happier to see the palace entrance. The guard bowed to Lady Carolan as a sign of her superior rank, but simply nodded to C.D. Would you like an escort Lady Carolan? One can be provided.

That will not be necessary, thank you, I know the way. Carolan replied as she pushed past the young man who quickly stepped out of the way bowing as she passed. C.D. smiled at the young man hoping to convey an apology for her mother’s, at least in her opinion, rude behavior.

As they entered the reception area, C.D. made a quick assessment of everyone in the room before turning her attention to the herald and the string of under heralds.

Her mother approached a well-dressed man wearing the queen’s colors of silver and scarlet. The country’s colors were silver and gold, and Sora’s standard was a seated lion with wings spread wide, but both the king and queen carried their own color and standard. Her father had told her that was because both were knights of the realm before they became the rulers. The king wore gold and emerald green and his standard was a dragon clawing at the sky. The queen, of course, used a bacrat as her standard since she was one of the few people who could actually claim a tame bacrat. The winged cat-like creatures were rare, but that didn’t stop anyone from coveting the lovely little creatures.

As per their rank the herald took them directly in. He walked them from the reception room to the queen’s private study. C.D. had been in the palace for many reasons, but she had never been let past the public areas. She was surprised at how homey this area seemed after the elegance of the public areas. It was easy to forget that you were in the royal palace.

They were announced and allowed to enter. The room was simple and beautiful. If not for the stately woman sitting in the chair and the two fully armored guards she would have thought this was her father’s study at home. It wasn’t a large room, but the windows and bench style seating along the outside wall seemed to enhance it somehow. At the far end of the room were two comfortable chairs upholstered in a sedate green and brown leaf pattern. In one of these chairs sat her majesty, Queen Seiren. She had seen the queen several times before when the palace would hold mid-winter and harvest parties, but she had always been in her royal splendor and escorted by her husband, King Fellip. Today she was dressed in simple light colored slacks and green tunic. The only sign of her rank was the thin metal crown she wore on her head. Skye, her bacrat, perched majestically on her shoulder.

C.D. could feel her mother’s disgust at the queen’s attire. In private, her mother looked down on the queen and her humble beginnings. Seiren was trade born before she was apprenticed as a warrior. She earned her knighthood during her service campaign and met then Prince Fellip on her very next campaign. They fell in love and were married before the Elf war began. It was during this war her father had saved Seiren’s life and earned his knighthood. It was at the end of the Elf war that King Fellip’s father, King Fellgon had died. Since Prince Fellip and Princess Seiren were married before Fellip assumed the throne, they ruled jointly and equally.

The queen sized up the child and mother who had walked into the room. The child looked nothing like her mother, having her father’s reddish brown hair and light brown eyes, while the mother was blond with pale almost washed out blue eyes. She was tall like her father too, at only thirteen winters she was already a head taller than her petite mother. She was, however, less bulky than her stockily built father. The child was thin without being skinny and physically fit with a lithe muscular body that spoke well for her activity level, a trait not common in the nobly born, especially girls. Welcome Lady Carolan and Carolan’s Daughter. This is a huge day in your young life. Please don’t be afraid, come forward so we can talk.

The manners her parents had drilled into her from the moment she could talk took over. She approached the queen and curtsied. I am honored by your regard, your majesty.

Relax Carolan’s Daughter. I swear this interview will be quick, with no need for formal manners. Thank you for bringing her, Lady Carolan. Since I have known your daughter her entire life, we can forgo the formality of confirming her age, and you can be excused. Thank you again, and you will be informed when she is accepted by her new master. Seiren replied very formally, but graced the child with a wink that her mother could not see.

Thank you, your majesty. With that, her mother followed the herald from the room, obviously loathe to leave.

The queen waited until the door was closed before she continued. Perhaps I shouldn’t have expelled your mother from the interview, it is not normal procedure to do so, but I have a feeling what your mother wishes for you and what you wish for yourself may be two very different things, hmm? Come child, sit so we can talk.

Yes, your majesty. She replied with a respectful bow before taking the second chair.

Seiren smiled at the child as she absently reached up and stroked her beloved Skye. So what is your dream apprenticeship, what is your heart’s desire? Seiren asked with a flourish of her arms on the last statement eliciting an angry mew from Skye. The child ducked in spite of herself and Seiren smiled. Her reactions were good, a point in the child’s favor.

For the first time since the child had walked into the room she actually looked like the child of thirteen winters she was. My dream, your majesty, you care what I want? The child seemed surprised.

Of course I care child. No matter what you may have heard, your wishes will be considered. This is the least I can do for the children of Sora. I cannot promise you your wishes will be granted, but I can promise to give them the same significance we give all the other considerations. How can you possibly be happy in your life if you are forced into an existence you hate?

C.D. considered her words carefully before she answered. I want to be just like my father. I want to serve Sora as a warrior.

The queen had been receiving girls for twenty years and in all that time not one child had ever struck her as warrior material. Certainly some had expressed interest in the possibility, but after further testing they just didn’t have the strength of personality and will to fight in a bloody war if they were called to fight. They lacked the drive and determination or work ethic it took to become a true warrior. There were plenty of female warriors and many knights, but they tended to come from the countryside presented to the lord of their territories and not directly to the queen. The city softened people, especially the girls, but here, sitting in front of her, may be the exception. After all she was the daughter of the bravest, most skilled knight aside from her husband she had ever met so perhaps. I will keep that in mind. You will be given skill and personality tests and they will tell us what you are best suited for. If it turns out you are suited to multiple choices then your wishes will be considered.

It is more than I had any right to expect and I appreciate the consideration.

There was no doubt this child was her father’s daughter in more than just looks, and there was something very special about this child. Then it struck her like a bolt of lightning, by the gods the prophecy. Seiren shook her head ever so slightly, for the last few nights she hadn’t been able to shake the prophecy from her mind especially the part about Sora, now she knew why. My gods, Maxis is pledged to Leonidas, the God of Lions. She was sired by the lion. Was her mother pledged to the seal? She forced herself back under control.

Your manners are impeccable, no less than I would expect from a child of your parents. So, where stands your training child? Can you read and write?

Of course, your majesty. the child answered, her tone colored by disdain that the queen would think her incapable of such things. I am an avid reader, your majesty. I have also been taught history and literature, as well as geography and map making. I am capable of advanced math as well. My father made sure I had defensive training and survival training. My mother made sure I had training in estate management and finances.

The gods have blessed you child, few children come to this interview with such a head start in life. You are lucky to be born to such responsible parents.

Thank you your majesty. I am aware of how lucky I have been.

The child answered the way the queen would expect, but the emotion behind the answer was colored by more than just gratefulness. There seemed to be a touch of disdain, jealousy and frustration, not that the child let any of that show. No, she was in perfect control of her expressions, exactly what she would expect from a future warrior, and the emotions were well placed if half of what she heard about the child were true. The child had been a tug toy for her parents’ hopes and dreams her entire life. Despite this she seemed well adjusted and in awe of her father. Well, she knew all she needed to know about this child for now. She would be keeping a close eye on her, if what she suspected were true. Even if it wasn’t, this was clearly a promising child. Thank you child. One of my under-heralds will take you to the dormitory and answer any questions you might have.

Thank you, your majesty.

The queen rang a small bell and two women dressed in the queen’s colors appeared at the door.

Marka, please take Carolan’s Daughter to the dormitories. Shorga, a moment please?

She waited for the door to close behind Marka and the child before she began.

Shorga, I need to see Maxis tonight.

Of course your majesty. Maxis is guarding the king today. I will send a messenger asking him to meet you here when you and he are done.

Thank you Shorga. Please send in the next child. Seiren answered accepting an encouraging rub from her beloved bacrat.

Chapter 2 Unknown and Unloved

She carefully looked around at the surrounding buildings as she followed her mistress on the beautiful winding road. She had never been to this part of the city and its beauty mesmerized her. She found it hard to believe that single families lived in these buildings as big as they were. Of course they were smaller than the tenements she was used to seeing in the part of the city she was from, but those held hundreds of families. She was careful to keep her regard hidden from the woman she followed. Mistress Greely was quick to take offense at any perceived disrespect from her, after all, she was the help. Not that she wasn’t used to slaps, kicks and punches, that was her life, but she would rather not be presented to the queen more bruised and battered than she already was.

It was a miracle of the gods, in her opinion, she had survived the requisite thirteen winters and today she would be made known to the queen and accepted into the testing where she prayed to any god that would listen that her life might improve. It certainly could not get any worse. She had not even made it through her third winter when her mother, brother and father died from a fever. Her elderly grandparents had taken her in, but they died of a lung disease not two winters later. She still heard them wheezing, rattling and struggling to breath in her worst nightmares. That was how, at not quite five winters old, she came to live with the horse breeder Master Marl and his wife Mistress Greely. Live with might be a misnomer, after all she didn’t exactly live with them. She lived in an unused stable in the stud barn. Of course, that wasn’t what was supposed to happen. A long ago royal decree had put the fostering system into place to save orphans from living and dying on the streets of the city. The children were supposed to be cared for like part of the family, but that’s not what happened, at least not in her case. It could certainly have been worse. The stable was dry and warm and thanks to her efforts always clean. Hunger was a constant issue, but she had gotten good at stealing from the slop meant for the pigs, and there was always the corn and grain she used to feed the horses. With just a little effort it could be ground and made into an edible mash or even a rough, flat bread. It may be tasteless but it stopped the hunger pangs.

She noticed Mistress Greely glance back confirming she was still dutifully following along. She was careful to keep her head down and her smile hidden, like she had any interest in disappearing. She was all too well aware this was her only shot at a good life. A tear of frustration dropped from her eye. She may not be able to read and her counting skills were limited but she was still going to make the most out of this opportunity. More than anything she wanted to be a warrior like the ones who bought their horses from Master Marl. They were always so kind to her and more than willing to share a story or two of their exploits. She shook her head forcing the dream out of her mind. Warriors were chosen from the nobles, everyone knew that. No, she should set her sights on a less exalted position. Perhaps she could care for horses. Her inner thoughts were interrupted by the abrupt end of the road at the palace guard post.

Mistress Greely barely hesitated at the gate, simply grunted something at the guard, shoved her forward, turned and left. She smiled up at the young man in his beautiful silver and gold uniform. When he shook his head at the disappearing form of Mistress Greely, the lion pictured on his chest seemed to imitate his action. He quickly turned his attention to her and graced her with a welcoming smile. Don’t worry child, I’ll make sure you get where you need to go. Come with me. I’ll walk you right to the reception where the heralds and under-heralds will present you to the queen. The lack of a guardian makes no difference now. At least she took the time to walk this far, huh?

She braced herself, nodded and followed the friendly young man into the palace proper. When they entered the reception room it was empty except for one person waiting to greet people as they entered. She suspected she was the last to arrive.

It’s ok, child. The queen is finishing an interview with one of your contemporaries and will receive you shortly.

She smiled at the person and self-consciously pulled at her dirty stained tunic. She would have changed, but she had nothing better to change into. She was not long in waiting when a lovely woman in silver and scarlet stepped into the room. Come child the Queen will see you now. She gathered herself and followed behind like a lamb being led to slaughter.

When she walked into the room with the queen, she was speechless. She had never seen such splendor in all her life. She felt strangely out of place in the rags she wore approaching the brilliantly dressed queen. Her hesitation was noted by the queen.

Come child, sit. I have been told you are a foster.

She nodded, unable to form words.

Fear not child. Contrary to what you might have heard I do not eat or even bite children. Now, do you know your parents’ names child?

She just shook her head, I was only a few winters old when my parents died.

Have no fear child. We can take care of that. For the next half season we will call you Amber’s Daughter. That was my grandmother’s name and not many, if any, of the noble’s daughters in your class would know that, so it should save you from being teased.

I’m not afraid of being teased, ma’am. This is my chance to be something, my chance to earn regular meals and miss a few beatings. This is my chance to escape the torment my life has been. This is my chance to become something. I could endure any teasing, any torture to make that happen.

The queen smiled and nodded, surprised by the child’s inner strength. Be that as it may we will avoid any problems we are lucky enough to see before hand. Do you have any skills? Have you been taught any lessons?

The child looked to her bare feet and answered without raising her head, embarrassed. No ma’am. I know some numbers and a few letters but I can’t read or write. I know horses, at least, I know how to clean them and their stables.

The queen’s heart went out to this poor child. She knew the fostering system had problems, but judging by this child the problems were far greater than they thought. She was nothing more than skin over bones. She looked and smelled like she had not seen a bath in years, and the few clothes she wore were old, torn, and dirty. Her feet looked like they may never have seen the inside of shoes. Her hair was matted and dark brown, but Seiren knew most of the darkness was dirt and when cleaned would probably be a light brown or even blond. But her green eyes shone bright with intelligence and she projected determination. Not that Seiren would acknowledge even noticing the child’s condition. She was scared enough. If she thought she was being judged by these things beyond her control Seiren may never get her to relax. She looked into her bright green eyes. Don’t be ashamed of not knowing things child, it will be the job of your master to teach you. Do you have a dream child? Is there something you would like to do?

The child raised alert questioning eyes to the queen. For just a second she considered telling her what she really wanted but decided once again she had no right to hope for such a chance. Yes, your majesty. I like horses and I’m good with them. I wouldn’t mind a job working with them.

Is that your fondest wish child? Seiren had conducted enough of these interviews over the years she knew when a child was telling her what they thought she wanted to hear. This poor child wasn’t lying, just scared to share the whole truth.

The child looked thoughtful before she answered, subconsciously twirling a dirty brown curl. No ma’am. My fondest wish is to be a warrior, but I am low born and have no training, no learning. I accept that is beyond anything I should hope for.

It is not about what you know, but what you can learn child. Do not give up on your dreams because of how you were raised, after all, potential often lies hidden like the beauty of a diamond all it needs is a little polishing. Go with the herald to the dormitories. You are safe here and no one will harm you.

The queen cradled Skye to her chest stunned by this last poor child, her determination was all too evident even without using her empathy. There was no way that these two girls were not those spoken of in the prophecy. It excited and scared her. In the time of greatest need. She wasn’t sure what that meant but she knew it couldn’t be good, but… We’ll take it one day at a time Seiren told herself. The future would be decided by the choices made now, but if she were right it put an immense amount of pressure on two very young girls. A knock on the door brought her out of her ruminations. Yes? Seiren answered without looking up.

Sir Maxis to see you your majesty, as you requested.

Send him in please. Seiren smiled as Sir Maxis entered the room. They had been friends for a long time, and seeing him always brought a smile to her heart. If not for Maxis, she would have died, but she owed him more than her life. Your timing is good old friend. I have just received the last girl. Your daughter was very impressive, you should be proud.

I am, Seiren. Maxis responded beaming with pleasure at the compliment of his only daughter.

Seiren came right to the point no reason to dance around the subject with her old friend. That’s not why I asked you to stop by Max. Seiren jumped right in. Maxis was a direct man, not taking kindly to the idiocy of diplomacy. For the last few nights I haven’t been able to shake the prophecy from my mind. I hadn’t thought about it in years, not since my master made me memorize it, now I am more grateful than ever for his thoroughness. Any way, no matter what I did I found myself reciting again and again the Soran section over and over, and now I think I know why. I think it was a warning to be on the lookout for the subjects, and this day I believe I have met them both. Maxis, I think your daughter is one of the Sorans of the prophecy. Seiren confessed watching closely for Maxis’ reaction.

For Maxis’ part, he took the news reasonably well. How can that be Seiren? She’s just my little girl, she’s not a warrior, she’s not…

Seiren held up a hand to cut Maxis’ argument short. First of all, she’s not a warrior yet, but she will be soon and you have known that for a long time; second, I know you are pledged of the lion; third, the unknown and unloved was presented to me just moments before you arrived. I am sure the time of greatest need is nearly here and it is our duty to see this through one way or another.

Maxis carefully schooled his expression trying desperately to remember the entirety of the prophecy. I will serve in any way I am needed your majesty, but I hope for the sake of my country and my daughter you are wrong.

Chapter 3 Two Sorans Come Forth

C.D. followed the under-herald to the dormitories. The room, as she entered, was plain and basic with none of the extra homey or luxurious additions of the rest of the palace. The simple brick walls with no fireplace would leave it stone cold in the winter but certainly bearable now. It was rectangular in shape, the sides longer than the top and bottom with four windows along the ceiling being the only source of light. There were beds all along all four walls, ten on each long side and four along each short side, as well as two rows of beds stacked head to head in the center of the room. She could only hope all the beds wouldn’t be filled. She considered how many noble girls her own age and feared the worst. There was a gaggle of giggling noble girls on the far side under the windows. She smiled to herself knowing that while the windows gave light they would also let in the cold when the temperatures dropped at night. At the far end of the room directly opposite the entry door was yet another door. She knew instinctively this would lead to the privy. She would investigate this later when the gossiping gooses were out of the room. She knew that even in the dead of night she could find her way to that door without making a sound, so there was no need to choose a bunk to close to it.

She had no interest in joining the nobles and she would be unwelcome by the two merchant class girls already in the room, so she chose what she felt was the best option; the bunk two over from the entry door. The bed was far enough away not to be awakened by early morning exits, not that she thought any of these girls would rise before she did. She had been awakened at dawn for chores and lessons for so long awakening with the sun was just part of her nature now.

She flung her bags down on the bed, meticulously unpacking her belongings into a chest placed at the end of the bed. She hadn’t brought much. a couple of changes of clothes, a second set of shoes, writing material, and books, mostly books, all she could pack without her mother knowing. Her mother encouraged reading, but not the material that she preferred. She read about travel, war, history, geography and myth. She had no interest at all in the sap her mother thought was proper reading for the noble’s wife she was confident would be her daughter’s destiny. Two more nobles were brought in by the time she was done with her unpacking, both joining the gossiping gaggle with little shrieks she found rather irritating. When she looked up, shaking her head at the noise, she noticed the curtains hanging at the head of the bed and for the first time noticed the railing that encircled the bed itself. By pulling the curtain all the way around the bed you could get a modicum of privacy, but at the moment she didn’t want privacy, she wanted knowledge. She wanted to see and, to a certain extent, judge all the occupants, as they entered and settled. Her father had taught her to be aware of everyone in her surroundings. Sometimes those you felt were meaningless would turn out to be your enemy. Awareness could be the difference between life and death. So she watched, but so she didn’t look to be watching she pulled one of her books from the chest and pretended indifference to all around her. She had learned young if you look and act indifferent people were indifferent to you and that was when you could glean the best information. Everyone brought in over the next few hours was told the same thing. Choose a bunk and settle in, dinner will be served in the mess hall from the fourth hour to the sixth hour and if you are hungry make sure to attend the meal. Over the next four hours more nobles, a handful of merchant/trader/skills class, and a few lowborn had joined the room. Every group segregated themselves by class, and neither spoke to or acknowledged the other groups or her. She knew she was the oddity in the room. She just didn’t fit in to their carefully structured system, and to make it worse, at least to her contemporaries, she didn’t care.

The fourth hour was fast approaching and her stomach made it plain that having skipped the noon meal it expected to be filled soon. She was just contemplating going in search of the mess hall when the final girl was led into the room. She was plainly the lowest of the low. She was barefoot and wore only rags, dirty rags at that. The new girl was obviously none too sure on how to proceed. She would be as unwelcome in the other groups, even the low born, as she herself was. C.D. put down her book and smiled at the new girl, discreetly waving her over to the bunk in the corner next to her. Please, friend, feel free to take this bunk its empty. The girl came over and sat down flashing C.D. a tentative smile. She carried one small carry sack with the few belongings she had. You can put your things in there if you want, pointing at the chest. By the feel of my stomach it’s very near the time we can collect our meal, so as soon as you’re settled what do you say we go get some food? I’m starving. By the way, I’m Carolan’s Daughter, but my family calls me C.D., who are you?

She was plainly shocked by the oblique offer of friendship, but with a tentative smile, she answered, They call me Amber’s daughter. she replied quickly, remembering what the queen had told her.

What do you say we call you A.D.?

A.D. nodded making it plain she had no idea how to respond to friendly overtures.

C.D. felt terrible for A.D. She hardly looked thirteen winters. Well, they were in the same boat, so to speak, not fitting in with any of the others so they might as well not fit in together. Well A.D., I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry and from what I’ve been hearing from the clutches over there, we’ll have plenty of time to get seconds before they realize no one is coming to collect them and take them to dinner, but you can’t go like that. I’m a little bigger than you, but I think these will fit ok. While she was talking she had pulled the curtain around the two beds, letting them meet in the middle. So while they could still talk, nobody could see what C.D. was doing. She handed A.D. her second set of shoes, a pair of heavy socks and clean tunic and trousers.

C.D. I can’t take these. What will you have, I mean…

Don’t worry I have more back at home.

But we’re not allowed to leave are we?

No, but rank does have a few privileges. My father is the Captain of the King’s Guard. I will ask one of the guards to get him a message and more clothes for both of us will appear in our chests, have no fear. I’m not bragging, but there isn’t a guard or soldier in the palace who doesn’t know who I am or who my father is. C.D. answered, not sure if she could really make her words happen, but if this was the only way to get her new friend to take her