#ockissweek26

They told him an equal amount of time but still Radek worried.  He rubbed his neck but nodded, looking at the opponent team: Serilsa, Cadoc and Perun, the girl that came with Wyborn.

“I can’t stop you anymore. Shall the heavens be on your side.”

In a weird way he suddenly looked older than his twenty-three, but Ivara pushed it away and got her daggers. She would never admit to Felba, but her master was right about once she got the hang of it, she wouldn’t want to miss fighting with them.

The first match up were Cadoc versus Wyborn. It was a quick but brutal fight since Cadoc changed his style to battle axes within the last year and Wyborn had all disadvantages on his side, except he was more agile and smaller than Cadoc which he used well. In the end Cadoc lost and it was Perun against Wyborn.

Ivara watched her closely. Somehow, she never came across her in the six months she was already on the grounds. Her red hair kept in braids and her bulky built were impressive and reminded Ivara of the berserker clans of the west. The impression grew stronger the way Perun went into the fight with a claymore. Even Nynette next to her let out a surprised yelp.

“A woman with a claymore is rare”, she whispered.

“Wyborn probably knew.”

Ivara nodded over to him and how he smirked at Perun.

“He is such a fighting obsessed idiot.”

Despite her remark Nynette snickered. She was right about this. Wyborn found many ways to fight, even if it was just testing his strength against others but it was never in ill intent. Also, it was undeniable how his shoulders broadened in the last months from the different kinds of training he underwent on the grounds.

Nynette elbowed her with a knowing glance.

“Swooning, are we?”

Just now Ivara noticed how she tilted her head. Embarassed she coughed and concentrated on the fight again. Radek next to her just smirked at her with an amused shake of his head. He clearly would say something tomorrow about it.

The fight seemed pretty much equal but, in the end, Perun won mostly because Wyborn was already tired from the fight against Cadoc. Nynette went into the ring with a mix of grim face and enthusiastic sparkling eyes. Ivara never saw her so eager to fight.

The fight lasted about five breaths. Nynette danced around Perun after her fist attack and stroke from behind with one single move. It was simple, fast and effective. And it was a side on Nynette Ivara had never seen before.

Last round was Serilsa against Nynette. A matchup that happened so often during training and it was difficult to say who would win.  As expected Serilsa would choose the spear. Nynette rolled the sword hand with the sword still in her grip and a smile that was borderline creepy.

The way she moved was more fluid, almost cat-like, and with more self-esteem Ivara ever saw on Nynette. She let Serilsa attack a couple of times and watched her pattern, until again, one quick move behind her. Yet Serilsa expected it and dodged it barely in time.

Surprised by this counter move, Nynette got hit by Serilsa and lost. At the same moment Ivara realized her girlfriend never got expelled from spear training and just had no hand for healing. She was trained to become an assassin. Her heart broke for the sweet bubbly girl she loved and when Nynette came back Ivara pulled her in a hug and kissed her, heavens be damned everyone was watching.

The astonished Nynette was left baffled behind when Ivara entered the ring. Her nerves were going wild. The grip on her daggers was harder than needed out of fear she would lose them from the nervous sweating.

Serilsa tried attacking straight away just like before. No ruse or anything. Ivara knew with the spear the advantage might be in Serilsa’s hands but if she was clever, she could turn it around.

For a couple of attacks, she simply dodged and waited for Serilsa to show any changes in the way she attacked. Either she thought Ivara was too inexperienced or Serilsa was already slightly worn out because she stuck with the same kind of low attacks. With the next one, Ivara moved only a little aside, stepped on the spear in time and let it press into the dirt. The split second it took Serilsa to free her weapon was used by Ivara to move next to her, dagger at her throat.

“What?”, Serilsa stated surprised.

“Ivara wins.”

Both dropped their weapons and Serilsa looked at her utterly confused.

“How did you learn this?”

“Felba. She said to play dirty if needed.”

Ivara simply shrugged only to find herself in a group hug by both teams the next second. She wanted to dish out a sarcastic remark about the need to breathe but got stopped by thundering headaches.

Pictures of a wedding, blood, the crown on the castles ground, the person with the other pearl turning into a young man not much older than Radek smiling satisfied. Then everything went dark.

The smell of herbs and medical alcohol hit her nose first, followed by nausea. Groaning Ivara tried to move only to realize someone laid half on her upper body and this person was heavy.

Her eyes opened reluctantly. The dimmed light of early dawn filled the room with its orange light.

“Heavens be damned…”, she mumbled angry and closed her eyes again.

“Iva?”

Wyborn’s voice was raspy from sleep or lack of it. She raised her hand to signal she was awake. The next moment someone else launched themselves onto her. She would recognize that soft hair everywhere.

“Hey Nyn.”

“Don’t scare us like this ever again.”

“Can’t promise.”

“The pearl’s effect?”

Radek’s voice was sleepy but sounded most awake from all three. Slowly Ivara opened her eyes again and hushed everyone off of her. Siting up she nodded.

“Pearl?”, Wyborn asked confused.

The expression in Radek’s face said it was up to Ivara if she wanted to tell Wyborn.

“A strange item that can give some people strange powers. I happen to be one of them.”

“What power?”

The honest worry in Wyborn was confusing. It was one of those moments when he behaved older than his age.

“In my case visions. This was just the second time it happened and for some reasons I blackout after.”

Nynette took her hand with a fierce gaze.

“What did you see this time?”

Even Radek had moved closer with a worried look but also curious.

“Bernia’s wedding. The king’s death, and the other pearl being in the possession of a young man a few years older than Radek.”

The gaze of Radek darkened and he narrowed his eyes on her.

“Ivara…”

She sighed, closed her eyes to hide the tears forming.

“It starts with her wedding.”

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be with the fragments I see.”

The eyes of Wyborn moved back and forth only understanding half of the conversation.

“What starts?”

With a sad sigh Nynette turned to him.

“The war.”

The rest of the winter festival Ivara ignored Wyborn’s questioning gaze or the worried look Radek wore whenever she caught him. A resolution began to grow in her mind. With Bernia’s refusal to marry and suddenly her wedding being part of her vision Ivara was sure that the King had spoken a final word about it and that meant her time was running out.

The last day of the festival she sat in a dark corner and watched her friends being silly and getting drunk as shit. The way Nynette clung on Wyborn told everyone she had still that crush on him and Wyborn wasn’t averse to her either. With a small sigh she took a gulp from her tankard to gain the strength to do what needed to be done to protect those she loved. Visions be damned.

When she lowered it, Perun stood before her, still mostly sober and with a tankard of her own in her hand and analyzed her. Her head went over her shoulder to Nynette and Wyborn and back to Ivara. The next moment she fell next to her on the small bench.

“You look like someone who is about to do something stupid, princess.”

Ivara snorted a laugh.

“How do people look in this case?”

“Desperate, sad, heartbroken, close to get so drunk they will sleep for the next three days.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The deep throaty laughter of Perun came unexpectedly. The hall was too full and too loud for anyone to notice.

“So, I was right. Tell me what is bugging you?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I try.”

“Try me”, Perun teased with a teethy smile.

Shaking her head, Ivara glanced at the tables where Nynette and Wyborn were still in the middle of conversation, now with Serilsa and Cadoc, before she took another gulp and began explaining Perun everything about Master Andrius, the pearl and the visions she got so far and how it connected to the things she already noticed back at the castle. Perun listened carefully, only asking two or three questions when she wasn’t sure she got it right while sipping away while around them the festival was in full swing.

When Ivara finished, Perun took a long gulp, rubbed her cheek with her hand going down her neck as well and looked at Ivara with a grim expression.

“In other words, time is running out on you.”

“Yes.”

“And that is why your emotional not so smart ass wants to push Nynette into Wyborn’s arms.”

A confused “Huh” was all Ivara could muster much to Perun’s amusement. A muscular arm got wrapped around Ivara’s shoulder and forced her to look at the table where Cadoc was teasing Nynette and Wyborn. Nynette blushed like crazy.

“Look at them. Yes, they clearly have a crush on each other, but you missed one thing. Nynette worships the ground you walk on and Wyborn isn’t any different. He gets this lost puppy eyes whenever you are around.”

“You are exaggerating.”

“Trust me, I know him since he was a day old.”

Surprised again, Ivara looked at her and found Perun grinning broadly at her.

“Princess, I am two years older than you three. I just waited to do the test because I couldn’t let this idiot who wears his emotions on his sleeve go alone. Who would think I would run into you. For someone so observant and clever you are incredibly stupid when it comes to feelings.”

Grumpy, Ivara frowned and tried to break free of the embrace, but Perun wouldn’t let her go.

“Thank you, I know this.”

“So why did you try to act out of emotions? You want to protect them. The best protection is to have them around you.”

Just now it finally dawned on Ivara Perun actually believed her with everything. She stopped her attempts to break free and blinked at her comrade.

“You really believe me.”

Perun rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

“You had enough beer tonight, sweetie. Your thinking is slow. Yes, I do. My father is from the berserkers in the west. They have stories of people like you. They call them visionaries.”

“Oh…”

Not knowing if the heat on her cheeks was the embarrassment or the alcohol Ivara decided it was the alcohol.

“I really should drink less. “

“Told ya. You should also tell Wyborn. It is not fair to him to keep him in the dark about the whole visions thing.”

“He knows but thank you.”

A slight blush appeared on Perun’s face and she wiped it away.

“Not that. Consider me your friendly fairy tonight.”

Both laughed as Ivara got up, emptied her tankard and went over to the table. Cadoc just finished a story and made everyone roar with laughter when she reached Nynette and Wyborn. With her hands on their backs, she let herself known.

Immediately both turned around. Ivara took a second to look closer only to realize Perun was right. Wyborn wore the same love-stricken gaze as Nynette the moment he noticed her. Something inside started to tumble and move again as intended but stronger within a few deep breaths. Under the smirks of Serilsa and Cadoc, Ivara’s hands moved up on Nynette’s and Wyborn’s back to their shoulders to witness equal reactions.

The noise of the festival fell to the background when all her senses suddenly concentrated completely on these two people in front of her. The way Nynette’s lips curved a little bit. How Wyborn’s pupils were blown wide and his neck clearly showed this one vein pulsating as if he had just run around the whole grounds. Her own blood rushed in her ears, pulsated in her fingertips and let Ivara think they should feel it as well.

“Iva?”

Wyborn didn’t speak loudly but she heard him perfectly.

“I wanted to let you know I’ll go back to the dorms. I am already thinking too much to drink tonight.”

Nynette’s eyes flickered to Wyborn with an amused sparkle as her hands squeezed his tight.

“I’ll bring you. I should stop for tonight as well before I tell embarrassing things”, Wyborn stated thoughtful.

“Worried we would tease you for the next year?”, Cadoc threw in teasingly.

“That is my part”, Nynette stated and leaned forward, elbow on the table, eyes fixated on Serilsa, “There are still some things I like to press out of you two.”

“First winter festival we are allowed to drink and Nyn gets spicy.”

Serilsa snickered clearly drunk already. Satisfied Nynette leaned back and stretched her neck for a kiss. Ivara leaned down with a smile.

“Be nice to her.”

Nynette stroke her ear with a smirk into the kiss.

“I will”, she whispered after, “You be nice to him. I come a little later.”

The twinkle in her eye grew and left Ivara unknowing what it meant. Wyborn leaned in to kiss Nynette on the cheek before he got up.

On their way out of the big hall, they passed Radek who smiled knowingly. The thought, it was because he won another bet against Felba crossed Ivara’s mind for a second but vanished the moment she stepped outside.

Their teeth chattered almost instantly after the warmth of the hall. Wyborn moved closer.

“Maybe this helps.”

“We should move fast.”

Despite the alcohol and having their furs with them the short trip to the dormitory felt like thousand needles on their skin and at least sobered Ivara up again. In a hurry they closed the door behind them and rested with their back against it.

“Now I know why everyone is sober the next day”, she stated chuckling.

“The winter”, Wyborn joined.

He took her hand in his, which was strangely warm despite the cold. With a deep breath she pushed herself from the door and pulled him with her.

“We freeze if we stay here.”

“Even if you would be the most beautiful ice sculpture, we should prevent this.”

“What a weird compliment but thanks.”

All the way down the corridor Wyborn held her hand, toyed with her fingers and kept strangely silent for someone who usually threw in a remark here and there.

“I still owe you a longer explanation”, Ivara began.

“You don’t need to, if you don’t want.”

She wanted to smack him right there and stopped only a few rooms away from hers. The oil lamps flickered along the walls.

“You need to know. Nyn knows, Serilsa and Cadoc too. Damn, I told Perun to explain the situation and since you were also there you should know too.”

A small smile appeared on his face, and he lifted her hand to his face to place a kiss on her hand.

“Do you know how wonderful you look when you get angry?”

“Wyborn, please stay concentrated.”

“I am, on you.”

“That is why you need to know! This strange pearl, Andrius has it and some time ago it was used give Wayfinders those powers. Today only my family has this kind of blood as far as everyone knows. Everyone else is a lucky chance. Andrius keeps track of bastards of the royal line and from the few nobles who are known to have the same kind of blood. You are one of them. Just like Radek. He uses us like chess pawns.”

Ivara didn’t got loud but hissed at him furious. It went into smoke and dust when he pulled her into a hug against his broad chest. The fact he was almost a head taller made it another level of worse because she felt endlessly safe. Ivara needed a new word for all this when she felt herself melting against his warmth and the smell that was all him.

“Heavens, what did you do to deserve such a fate.”

“Wy…”

“Shht. I believe you. The war that had been swelled as long as I can remember the adults talking about will finally break out. Knowing of this nefarious plot to strengthen this unusual ability that only brings you sorrow and pain.  Neither this, nor the fact you are the king’s niece can change the fact I love you, Ivara. And even if you don’t love me back, I will always be there to protect you. I know your heart is already taken.”

He let her go from the embrace, suddenly looking all small and shy.

“If just everybody would stop trying to die for me.”

Ivara turned around and left him standing there, her shoulders dropping low defeated. The moment she went to open her door his hand suddenly came up to the doorframe right next to her head.

“You don’t get it, don’t you?”

Even if Wyborn still tried to sound calm there was a hint of anger underneath.

“Get what? That all of you are too brainwashed from your training to think for yourself? That Nyn and you are too lovesick to have an ounce of self-preservation? That you try to keep putting yourself in my way with the hope I will pick you as my Wayfinder because you love me? What of all this do I not get?”

This time she raised her voice, but the tone was cold as she turned around wedged between him and the door. One hand in the back to nestle for her dagger.

Wyborn took a step back laughed.

“She knew you would do this.”

“What?”

“Nyn. You have been brooding for days. She knew you would try to push everyone away. As determined as you are and as good as your observation skills are, emotions are not your best suit. Good thing it is only on a personal level.”

Ivara hit his chest with her fist half-heartly.

“You idiot. You did this on purpose.”

Grabbing her wrists to stop her from more attacks, Wyborn gently nudged her back.

“No, I meant every word I said. Just like you.”

The last days caught up on Ivara, and she simply fell back against him.

“I am tired of this. Tired of waiting of the things to happen. Tired of knowing the things I do without being able to do something.”

She felt his hand on her back. A soft hum filled the air, and it took her a moment to realize it was Wyborn who was humming soothingly.

“You don’t need to have all the answers yet. Even with the vision you can’t know how things unfold. Maybe you stop worrying about this and concentrate more on today.”

Ivara simply nodded but couldn’t move. Her whole body felt heavy like it did on her first morning after the first training with Radek but not in the good day. Wyborn shifted his weight a bit and lifted her up bridal style.

“You need to sleep.”

His voice got the softness back as he carried her into her room and laid her down on her bed. Carefully he pulled her boots from her feet and wrapped her up in the bedding. The second he turned to leave; she reached for his hand.

“Stay, please.”

“Whatever you wish.”

Wyborn wanted to get the chair, but Ivara still held on his hand.

“You want me to sleep next to you?”

“Please…”

Every woman of the royal family was aware of this part. No queen went into their wedding night as a virgin. Every prince who married into the house of Tyro had to accept that the queen’s Wayfinder would join them on the wedding night to teach the new king how to please the queen the right way to ensure many heirs to the throne.

It is also no secret; many heirs were fathered by their mother’s Wayfinder.  

Ivara’s cousin was well aware of all this too and her dismay at the whole thing was written all over her face. Bernia wasn’t dumb but she also wore her heart on her sleeves since she was a toddler. The way she pressed her lips together just a tad too tight or how her forehead creased were tale-telling signs to everyone in the room as she stepped in front of the warriors. All around the same age as her, a dozen in numbers and dressed in the simpler garb of brown linen pants and dark green shirts with those strange leather belts that went across their bodies and around their hips.

The throne room was filled with the whole royal family, the Wayfinders of the direct royal line and the important figures of said Wayfinders besides the few warriors who fought for their chance to be selected by the future queen.

Bernia looked over her shoulder at her parents and Ivara could see how her uncle encouraged Bernia with a smile and short gesture. King Elfred always was a gentle soul with a steel hand and a righteous mind. The more Ivara wondered how he insisted on this after he abolished so many old useless traditions. A low grumbled sigh escaped her and brought her an elbow in the ribs by her mother.

“Behave. It is your cousin’s great day.”

The murmur was just loud enough for Ivara to hear. It took her all her will strength to not sigh again. If Bernia just would make her damn decision and everyone could go back to their daily duties.

As if her cousin had heard her thoughts she sheepishly stepped forward and took careful looks at each candidate. Time stretched into eternal pain for Ivara while Bernia acted as if she would buy a new horse, checking each warrior’s physique delinquently.

The urge to rub her temple became a severe temptation with each passing minute and made Ivara excited she would never have to undergo this. As the king’s niece she would just have to pick a female warrior in three years when she came off age as her protector and be done with it. No big ceremony, just heading out to the training grounds meet with the women of her age and see who she finds a common ground with.

Finally, Bernia stepped along the row of the twelve warriors a second time only to stop in front of a dark-haired one with wide shoulders and mismatched eyes.

“What is your name?”

Bernia’s voice missed the royal authority by a hand’s width. Even Ivara’s lady in waiting sounded more self-sure on a daily basis.

“My name is Radek, your princess.”

“Radek, will you accept to be my Wayfinder and protect me with your own life?”

“Yes, your princess.”

The whole room let out a collectively held breath.

Radek’s comrades clapped him on his shoulders and back to congratulate him. Ivara almost laughed at how lost Bernia looked. If it weren’t for one of the advisers who gently pulled her aside, she would keep on standing there like some dumb peasant girl.

Using the moment the first people left the hall, Ivara went with the flow with her two ladies-in-waiting before saying something stupid. A short congratulations to her cousin in the passing with a well-trained smile and she was free.

In the safety of her own chambers, she finally puffed a sigh.

“Heavens, please someone teach her how to be queen.”

The giggles of Devyana behind her was all she needed.

“My Lady, don’t you think it might be better someone else takes the crown?”

With an annoyed huff, Ivara swirled on the spot and fell into the armchair.

“We all know she was never meant to be the queen but her even stupider brothers managed to get themselves killed. By all means, how shall all this end.”

Her gaze darted outside where the flower garden cherished by her aunt the queen slowly started to bloom again in the early spring days.

Lukretia just set the table for the afternoon when a soft knock on the door interrupted them. With a wave of her hand Ivara sent Devyana to open only to rise in surprise when the queen herself stood in front of her. She hasted to stand and follow the courtesies, but her aunt stopped her with a smile.

“Please, Ivara, it is just us…”

Her Wayfinder Aleera chuckled behind her and went to catch another chair for the queen.

“I apologize. I am so used to it.”

“Of course you are.”

A soft smile that didn’t reach the honeyed eyes of the queen made Ivara worry. The usual authority demanding silver streaks in her hair suddenly made her look old. Driven by a sudden instinct Ivara grabbed her hand.

“Aunt Maka, what burdens you?”

“Always so perceptive, my dear”, Maka patted gently Ivara’s hands, “Lukretia’s family sent a request to send her back home by summer. Devyana’s family request arrived this morning and ask her to comeback by winter.”

All three girls gasped at those words. Usually, the ladies in waiting wouldn’t be send home until the royal woman they served got a Wayfinder. They exchanged glances, questions written all over their faces.

“I will be honest with you. The black clouds of war are on the horizon. We don’t know yet from where the attacks will come but we know they will come. It is understandable for your families to ask you to come home, where you are safe and sound.

The king, his adviser and I talked about it, and we decided to grant the request and at the same breath Ivara, you will be sent to the Wayfinders. You are not of age yet and we don’t want you to pick you guardian now, but we need you to be safe.”

A cold calm spread through Ivara.

“In case something happens to Bernia.”

“You are the next in succession line, Ivara.”

The pleading looks paired with how much Maka squeezed her hand sent another cold shiver through Ivara.

“I will do as asked. Whatever is best for the kingdom. When shall we leave?”

For a split second Maka closed her eyes with a long sigh, and when she opened them slowly again the royal authority was back in place. The gentle but strong queen was back with them.

“After the spring festival in six weeks. Lukretia will leave first. A few days later Devyana and another couple of days later you will leave with some of the older Wayfinders who will leave to observe some internal exams. Officially you will be sent with them as representative of the crown.”

Devyana moved uncomfortable in her seat. Timidly she raised her voice.

“Your majesty, wouldn’t it lead to questions if Ivara wouldn’t return?”

Another smile, slightly amused this time.

“Of course it will, this is why we will tell the court she will be sent afterwards to family in the south since it is no secret she and Bernia had a strained relationship the last months.”

Ivara burst out laughing but collected herself a second later.

“It will look as if I was sent away to cool off. May I cause a public scene beforehand to make it appear more plausible?”

“Just annoyances, no serious harms.”

“You have my word.”

Nonetheless, a small malicious giggle escaped her. There was something special about getting a free pass from the reigning queen to hassle the current one as cover.

The weeks flew by and as much as Ivara enjoyed not needing to hold back anymore when she was annoyed or angry at her cousin to build a plausible cover for her departure as much as she did, she hated to see the pain in Bernia’s eyes. In the early days Ivara tried to reach out and make her understand it was a necessity for some higher plan but again Bernia proved to be not that smart. Even when Aleera spelled it out for her during a family dinner the queen to be didn’t understand.

At this point even Elfred and Maka had to admit their daughter wasn’t the brightest one. Radek on the other side seemed to have caught the drift fast the way he stood by with amused smirks. Ivara kind of liked him. He was serious when needed but also had this playful air around him when in more private settings.

The spring festival was as beautiful as always and also marked Ivara’s sixteenth birthday that year by accident. For reasons she couldn’t explain she didn’t expect any gifts at all because of her close departure but yet her mother and even her uncle surprised her.

The table was set for a shared breakfast. Just Elfred, Maka, Bernia, Ivara, her mother, Aleera, Radek and Elfred’s Wayfinder Iona. Ever since Bernia’s coming of age ceremony the meals had become simpler, a clear preparation for war if anyone asked Ivara. Still, everyone was fed even if some of the extended family began to lament in hushed voices.

“My dear Ivara”, Elfred began with a warm voice as he raised his arm to wave over one of the servants, “Before we begin with our meal, I like to take this opportunity to gift you something for your birthday.”

Utterly taken by surprise, Ivara glanced at the servant who brought a huge box over. The sheer size already gave away it must have been clothes or something equally huge. When the servant lifted the top of the box for her to look inside her mother and Ivara drew a sharp breath at the same time.

“Uncle…”

“Don’t say a word. We all know how much you hate traveling in dresses.”

Laughter waved through the room. It had never been a secret how she tried each time to steal a servant’s pants.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Ivara got up and picked the ensemble out of the box. Wide-legged pants that still gave the impression of a skirt and were lady like enough not to cause any scandal were paired with a long coat. Both in a dark green and with fine embroidery that wasn’t noticeable right away but would give away the social standing of the owner if someone looked close enough.

“A perfect gift for a wild princess”, Radek threw a quip at her.

Something he started the last few days. Ivara grinned with a raised eyebrow.

“Give me a knife and we see how wild.”

Bernia coughed embarrassed while the others laughed freely.

“Maybe we should do this”, Aleera joined in, “Would make some people squirm to know our princesses know to fight.”

“I doubt we should arm my daughter. Her mouth is already a weapon.”

“As she recently proves daily”, Bernia threw in with a dangerous look towards Ivara.

“In this case no one wants to hear what else I would love to say”, Ivara smirked slightly as she put the wide legged pants back into the box and sat down for breakfast.

“Oh please enlighten us, dear princess smart mind”, Radek mocked her.

Bernia’s eyes threw whole blacksmith worth of daggers at him only to advert her gaze to Elfred hoping her father would stop Radek.

“I also would like to know what my dear niece thinks. Go ahead, Ivara”, Elfred amused her, already filling his goblet.

Ivara moved her hand over the table.

“This for example. The breakfast is still filling and befitting our standing, yet our dear cousins are lamenting about it not being enough and speculate about the kingdom fell on financially bad times because they are clearly too spoiled from previous years. It would suit them to spend some time outside the castle to understand the harsh reality of other nobles and the simpler people.”

Her mother blinked hectic as her eyes shone treacherously with tears. Elfred and Maka on the side of the table nodded as they listened.

“You are indeed quite observant, as my dear wife use to say”, Elfred stated all serious now, “You are also right, it would treat them well to get a taste of people’s reality to understand their privilege. I thought about this for the last week as well.”

“I am still opting for a hunting party the Wayfinders way”, Iona stated half aloud and made Aleera and Radek laugh.

“The majority would die of lack of comfort the first night”, Aleera snickered.

“Not all of them. Some are seasoned warriors. They might welcome that challenge”, Maka brought to attention.

The air in the room shifted suddenly when Elfred looked at Bernia with a thoughtful glance. Ivara got a bad feeling about it. That kind of glance usually meant he was about to ask a profound question.

“My beloved daughter, what would you do if this was your decision?”

The table went silent. Even the clinking of tableware went missing. All eyes went to Bernia who squirmed in her seat uncomfortably.

“I… wouldn’t do this. There is a reason behind the less opulent meals, so I would lay down my reason for doing so.”

Again, Elfred nodded. He was not that happy with her idea, but Ivara admitted it could have been worse. If Bernia kept the talking first approach as queen, she might not be that bad as ruler at all.

The last days went by faster than expected. Lukretia had already gone home and today was the day Devyana was leaving for her family. Ivara and Devyana stood aside as the servants packed everything into the carriage unsure what to do. They spent the last six years together and became friends and suddenly it was all over.

“You have to write me, promise”, Devyana suddenly burst out.

Her green eyes were watery and red since the morning.

“I promise. Please stay safe.”

“I should say this to you.”

The small hick ups of Devyana got worse. The steward came over with a gentle glance.

“Lady Devyana, it is time to leave.”

She just nodded. The next moment she threw herself onto Ivara for a hug.

“You need to write.”

Helplessly Ivara laughed and patted her back.

“I will. I promised, you forgot.”

With this they parted. For some long moments Ivara stood there not knowing what she should do now. She knew in four days she was about to leave for the trainings grounds of the Wayfinders somewhere in the north-east. All she knew was, it was in the mountains.

Feeling lost she strolled down the hallways to the garden of her aunt. Most of the flowers were blooming now and calming her nerves. She even could ignore the shrill shouting from the other side of the garden that clearly came from Bernia.

It was an easy guess she had another fight with Radek. It started somewhere before spring festival and got worse every other day. By now they had shouting matches almost every day. Well, it was more Bernia was shouting at him and Radek just stood there calmly.

When the shouting finally stopped it was like heaven. Ivara didn’t put much into it. For all she cared Bernia could turn into a frog and she wouldn’t care today.

“All on your own, wild princess?”

Radek’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“My second lady in waiting got sent home just this morning.”

He tilted his head confused and sat down next to her on the stone bench.

“I thought they would stay with you until you pick a Wayfinder.”

“Usually yes, but their families called them back. That’s why I will be sent away too.”

With a loud puff, Radek heaved a sigh.

“Would make us two. Your cousin decided she wants a different Wayfinder.”

Ivara’s head whipped around as she looked at him with wide eyes.

“This is possible?”

“As much as your situation.”

She furrowed her brows, biting her lips not to say what went on in her mind. Radek chuckled softly.

“No many worded statements about this?”

“If I say what I think it will be neither princess like nor lady like.”

Conspirational, he looked around and bent over to her.

“It is just us, wild princess.”

With a wide smile she leaned in.

“It’s a buck load of shit.”

A second long he looked at her confused but then Radek burst out laughing from the bottom of his heart and nodded.

“Yes, it is. It truly is.”

“What will you do now?”

The tension of curiosity moved through Ivara like a snake. Radek licked his lips and raised his gaze to the sun.

“I will leave with the others in a few days for the trainings ground. Probably help teaching the little ones or participating in one of the king’s scouting groups. Something like this. The things I did before.”

With this he fell silent and so they stayed like this. Ivara, niece of King Elfred, the second heir to the throne of the direct bloodline and last one left of the same; and Radek the Wayfinder of the future queen Bernia who got freed of his duties from her and exchanged for one of his comrades; caught in some strange moment of shared sense of drifting as the world around them seemed to make preparations without them just like the surrounding flowers blossomed on their own.

Yet, there was something peaceful about it. No obligations. No destined path.

Rolling on her back breathing hard, Ivara came to her feet again.

“I still prefer a sword.”

“An untrained one always prefers to fight against a sword with a sword. Once you know what you do, you won’t go back to swords. I promise.”

“I still doubt this”, Ivara snickered but went back into starting position.

A group of Wayfinders walking by caught her attention from the corner of the eye.

“Ah Lioba is back”, Felba commented on the group.

“Lioba?”

Lowering the sword, Felba beckoned Ivara over and pointed at the group with her chin.

“See the woman with curly hair? That is her. She lives with some of us in a village about half a day away. All of them having families. From the look of the group I would say she is bringing the older teens for their tests.”

Now completely confused Ivara could only furrow her brows at her master.  Again, Felba laughed.

“Simple, girl. Those who have families often settle down in the villages around the grounds in small groups and train their kids themselves. Only if they die or get wounded seriously during missions, the kids come up here. Like Nynette. Yet, they have to spend some months up on the grounds to train with everyone else and take a test if they know everything a Wayfinder needs to know. All of them are roughly your age. Maybe you find some new friends.”

A glance over her shoulder, Ivara frowned even harder at Felba.

“I don’t think any of them would be interested to be friends with me. Look at them. They are a close-knit group.”

“And they are all new to the grounds. A friendly face might help. Training is over for now.”

A small push in the back from the woman followed and made Ivara stumbled forward. She could already feel Felba betting with Radek on the next thing. Cleaning her daggers on her pants and putting them away as she walked over to the group of four. Three boys and one girl who followed Lioba and a man like ducklings.

While the adults talked to one of the elders Ivara watched the small group. Within short time she had to reassert her first impression. The four of them weren’t as close knit as she thought. Only two boys were joking with each other and constantly pushing and pulling each other while the third and the girl stood by with the expression of if they ate something bad.

“You also heard of the newcomers?”

Nynette snuck next to her, an arm around her waist instantly. Somehow it calmed Ivara how she got more daring recently. Maybe the fact Radek and Felba knew now ignited it.

“Saw them coming in when Felba kicked my ass around.”

“Dagger training?”

“Yes and I doubt I will get around it in time.”

Laughing Nynette kissed her cheek.

“You will. I saw how fast you get good enough with the sword. You might have started later than us and needed to gain the muscles first but you are stubborn as a mule. Want to go over and welcome them?”

“Felba basically kicked me over, so yes.”

Excited giggles escaped Nynette. Sometimes Ivara wondered how she could stay so innocent with all the things they learned and know they will have to do.

The adults were still in the middle of their conversation. Once they were close enough to eavesdrop it became clear it was about the next months, the test and where the four teenagers shall stay so long. Just now Ivara recognized elder Alfwynn and smiled. In the time she was with the Wayfinder, what was two months over a year now, she got to like Alfwynn for her wit and subtle humor. A small nod of Alfwynn was all acknowledgement she saw them.

The boy who stood alone, average in all means with brunette messy hair, noticed them approaching because of Nynette’s chuckles. He looked at the others, hesitated for a moment but then closed the distance to them, much to Ivara’s surprise.

“Hi, I am Wyborn. I am with them for the test next year. Who are you two?”

His voice was deeper than anyone would expect from someone that young but everything about him clearly showed honest interest.

“I am Nynette and this is Ivara”, Nynette took over without missing a beat, all the bubbly person Ivara loves so much and speaking too fast.

“Don’t mind her speed. It happens when she is excited.”

Wyborn simply smiled.

“My sister is the same. She speaks faster as the wind sometimes. I didn’t expect meeting other teenagers so fast.”

The familiar heat of a blush crept up Ivara’s cheeks.

“Well, that is a long story, but I just came here last spring. I don’t train with the others.”

“And I got expelled from spear training years ago.”

The laughter of an unfamiliar person reached their ear. It was Lioba who overheard the last part of their conversation and shook with laughter.

“Good to see some girls hold up my tradition. Don’t worry, girl, there are plenty of us who got expelled from one weapon at a certain point. Or just dropped out because we never really got into it.”

“That is an option?”

The hope in Ivara’s voice was so thick it made Lioba laugh again and even elder Alfwynn chuckled.

“You know, your case is different, my child.”

“Heavens be damned.”

“If I remember correctly the chambers next to yours are vacant, Ivara, Nynette. Why don’t you show your new comrades where they will stay?”

As always Alfwynn knew how to save the situation.

“You remember correctly, elder Alfwynn. There are three chambers left. It will fit for our new comrades. We will do right away.”

For reasons Ivara couldn’t explain with Alfwynn she always fell back into courtly behavior. For the same mysterious circumstances no one ever said something about it.

“Follow us, new friends”, Nynette raised her hand and let it fall into the direction of the student barracks.

Wyborn fell in step right next to them.

“You two are funny. Is everyone here like you?”

“Depends. Some are dense as a brick, but most are fine.”

Inwardly Ivara made a mental note to stop getting used to being so blunt. The moment she will be back at the castle she will get into serious trouble if not.

“And what about you, Ivara?”

His gaze rested on her inquisitive, yet it wasn’t uncomfortable. Something was strange about him, and she didn’t know if she wanted to dig deeper into this or not.

“Depends on how you behave. I can be nice and I can be your worst nightmare.”

A chuckle, some sort of knowing smile followed by a nod.

“I expected something like this. I am looking forward to train with you.”

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Nynette’s tense glance at him. Either he already realized who Ivara was or something else was going on and the next weeks would show what it was.

Either it was Alfwynn’s doing or the heavens had wicked humor, or it was Wyborn’s request, whatever it was for weeks now Ivara was stuck with him in training since the four of them would get their own masters just like her. Of course, four students were too many for one so one had to go and Wyborn got directed to Radek.

For four weeks it all seemed good and like a good idea. Wyborn suggested trainings fights to give her someone less trained than Radek or Felba to compete against and she had to admit it helped her. On the other side he enjoyed those fights a bit too much for her liking.

Now, with the end of summer arriving and the heat becoming insufferable again on the grounds training was another form of torture. Especially after the late morning hours.  

Ivara laid in the shade of a tree going through the morning’s training in her head when she heard Wyborn’s voice.

“Hey there. Care for a fight?”

“Are you serious? Now? We get a heat stroke?”

She popped up on her elbows and glared daggers at him. He simply fell next to her already only in pants. Heavens knew where he lost his shirt this time.

“If you keep dressing like this you will for sure”, he shot back smiling.

“I survived like this last year, thank you.”

His hand went in a motion over the grounds.

“You know even the women dress down. Or is it beyond your status, princess?”

Her eyes grew wide for a second only to narrow at him.

“When did you realize?”

“The moment Nynette gave me your name. The rumors are going through the whole kingdom. The king’s niece being sent away for bad behavior, no one knows where she is. The heir refuses to marry. Everything is in uproar. But I guess you know.”

He fell back into the grass and looked up.

“I do. My mother regularly sends me letters. The story is a cover. I was sent here for protection.”

“Thought so. Why else would the king sent the only viable heir left after his daughter to the Wayfinders and allow her to learn to defend herself.”

Ivara coughed on the last remark.

“He doesn’t know?”

“No.”

Wyborn laughed and rolled on his side, took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it with a smirk.

“In this case: Let me offer myself to be your Wayfinder in case you ascend the throne.”

“What makes you think I would choose you?”, Ivara asked.

It astonished herself how good she kept her own surprise out of her voice and could sound neutral.

He played with her fingers before he let go of her hand.

“You are smart. You agreed to this plan knowing it will ruin your reputation among the people but will keep the royal line going. It was your idea then to learn to defend yourself?”

She nodded with her lips pressed together.

“You forgo every kind of special treatment, became one of us. This…”, Wyborn looked her straight into the eyes and there was something in his deep blue eyes she couldn’t decipher, “… is a person I can and will be loyal to death.”

“When this happens, the kingdom will be at war.”

“I know. Too many of us died the last years defending the borders. I might not be off age yet, but I am not dumb, neither are you.”

A deep sigh from even deeper than her soul escaped Ivara.

“I hope we have at least one more year.”

“Let’s hope we get it and the heavens are on your side.”

When Ivara came into her room later that day Nynette already laid on the bed like a dead bug. Laughing about her girlfriend she forgot about the weird moment with Wyborn.

“What do you think? Cooling down in the small lake?”

“I never heard better words today. Oh, and someone brought a stack of papers for you from Master Andrius.”

The good mood vanished instantly. Like a wooden puppet, Ivara moved to the small table where the papers laid. She never thought it would have been so many. Behind her the bed squeaked and Nynette pressed her lithe body against her back.

“What is wrong, Iva?”

“You remember I told you about the incident at Master Andrius?”

“Yeah, and how it will force you to pick from a narrow pool of male Wayfinders…oh this is the list?”

“I assume it is.”

Without further ado, Nynette pressed her into the chair.

“Open it. We need to get over this as soon as possible.”

“We?”

There was a strength in those honeyed eyes Ivara didn’t expect. Next moment Nynette bound her light blond hair together and pulled the stool over.

“Yeah, we. I know more of them and with this you can already make a list of your own who you might consider for this position. Also, if all you said is true, I won’t leave your side, stupid, so I will have a say in this, too.”

Chuckling, Ivara shook her head and opened the stack of papers.

“I thought you are only into women.”

“You never asked, love.”

“My failure, I apologize.”

“I know how you can.”

Ivara looked up with a knowing smirk.

“Does it might have to do with the lake?”

“Maybe. Now hurry up, I am melting.”

Picking up the feather and ink, Ivara began to read through the list. Right after the first name it became clear why it took so long. It always named the parents so she could determine how closely related they were, and it also had every male and female Wayfinder who was five years older than her and a year younger than her listed. Andrius was thorough, that was for sure.

When they hit Radek’s name Nynette chuckled. Until this day Ivara hadn’t told anyone about it.

They marked about seven Wayfinders of both genders when Ivara stopped.

“What is wrong?”

“Wyborn.”

Nynette nodded simply and shrugged.

“Yeah, he is on the list. What is the issue? Honestly, I think he might be a good pick. He is a good fighter for his age, no asshole and actually wants everyone to grow to become better. And he is handsome.”

With an amused smirk Ivara look aside where Nynette concentrated a bit too hard on the papers.

“Could it be you have a small crush on him?”

“I can admire a handsome body when I see it.”

“Him walking around shirtless is helpful with this, isn’t it.”

“It is”, Nynnette giggle but noticed there was something bothering Ivara and nudged her, “You don’t think?”

“He is smart, maybe a bit too much, and he figured everything out about me on his own which brought him to the conclusion to offer himself as Wayfinder if I ever ascend to the throne.”

Nynette’s delighted squeal almost deafened her, yet it shouldn’t have surprised her at all.

“He did?”

“He did. In a very knightly way.”

“It weirds you out.”

“I do not know why.”

“Time to rest from this. We are almost finished anyway.”

With this Nynette went to grab towels and literally pulled Ivara out of her chair for the small lake they found by accident last summer a little off the grounds. During the summer and early fall it became the reclusive spot and maybe one of the reasons they fell for each other.

Careful as always, they slip off the training grounds into the close by forest and deeper into it. The small lake was resting peacefully and fed a small stream that went into a river deeper into the mountains. When they fell into the small mossy patch of grass Ivara relaxed and forgot about the damn vision she had, about Wyborn and the dreaded future that most likely laid ahead of her.

The heels of her boots made a harsh sound as she entered the hall with Nynette and Wyborn behind her. Soldiers stood at each door, nodding to her in greeting. Her eyes wandered over the twenty-eight people. Roughly half of them were stable hands which meant the chance was low, it was one of them, but not impossible.

“All of you were brought here today because you are the newest staff members of the castle and we suspect one of you worked with the attackers who killed King Elfred and princess Bernia, poisoned princess Bernia to cause her mind to wither and opened the gates for the attackers to accomplish this despicable cowardice act.”

Rumbling and whispered went through the group. The three of them watched them closely. Who reacted shocked, who tried to look away, who searched for an escape, who talked with who.

“Those two kitchen aids, the freckled one and the one with the strong curls”, Nynette whispered to Ivara.

As expected, the stable hands appeared shocked, confused, appalled but it could also be an act, but the two kitchen aids Nynette pointed out, they were scared, looked around, eyeing the door next to them and whispering.

“Wy?”

“On it.”

The kitchen aid’s gaze fell on a servant who looked equally nervous and eyed the door. From there it was a chain reaction. A second servant, a third, a third and fourth kitchen aid, a seamstress, a gardener. Nine people, plus the two servants who attacked. That made thirty-one new staff members in two years and a third of them were planted to spy and kill. Eleven they found now and heavens knew how many were under the old staff.

Separated from the rest who glared at them with a deep fury Ivara felt as well stirring inside her, those nine they picked out now held their chins high in defiance surrounded by soldiers.

Ivara stepped in front of them, picked out the freckled kitchen aid Nynette found and looked at her. She was maybe three years older, not ugly but also not extraordinarily beautiful, just an average woman. An average woman who decided to poison a princess.

“You work for King Odard.”

A simple statement, no question, no assumption. The woman gasped surprised. Not in shock, not taken back, surprised.

“Thank you for admitting it”, Ivara smirked coldly.

“I admitted horse shit.”

“You weren’t appalled or shocked. That was a confession. Soldiers, bring them to their friends in prison. I am sure there are some more rats hiding under the bountiful table of castle Heln.”

She went to turn but a servant tried to attack her. Almost amused, she grabbed his empty hand by his wrist, stepped aside and used the momentum he created to throw him into a soldier.

“You bitch, he will show you when he arrives and takes what is his”, the guy hissed.

“Oh, I am so afraid.”

She stepped closer and bent forward to look up to the former servant that tried to attack her and was now held back by the soldier. Almost sweetly she smiled at him.

“Isn’t it funny, he didn’t kill me that day despite us standing only a hand width apart? I think you know shit about what your king wants or doesn’t want. You are just a tool to him. You could have lived a comfortable life here if you gave up your mission, but you made your decision, now live with the consequences.”

With this she straightened her back again and turned to the remaining staff she deemed partially trustworthy for now.

“Let this be a warning for the rest of you. I will figure out if you betray me, unlike my uncle. Do it and you will die. Be loyal and you have nothing to worry about. Stay away from those”, she pointed at the planted spies, “And you have nothing to worry. You know Tyrohlena protects their people. We always did and always will. You are free to go.”

The group of the remaining staff bowed deeply and murmured thanks before they took their leave. Not in a hurry as one would assume, but slowly, taking their sweet time glaring daggers at the traitors. Ivara watched it with small satisfaction.

The soldiers lead the group of traitors, or more spies, she still had no idea how to call them, out once the others left.

“Who would know you had this in you.”

Iona. That was Iona’s voice. Ivara turned around on her heels and saw her aunt’s Wayfinder with a weak smile, the first time in a week. Since Mara’s death and the meeting two days later Iona hid.

“Iona! I missed you.”

“I apologize; I needed some time to breath. But as I can see, you have everything under control. Ally is guiding you well.”

The praise was balm to her soul. Just like the tunic that had the same color tone her uncle’s tunics used to. It gave her something to ground herself into when she felt the grief taking the same away from her again.

“I need something to do before…”

“Before it swallows you.”

Iona understood. She nodded and pushed herself from the wall she had leaned against to hug Ivara. A part of Ivara’s mind stated she should stop everyone from hugging her all the time to keep her reputation, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. There was no shame in finding solace in sharing her grief with those who also lost loved ones, or finding support in them. She was also just human.

“Radek is waiting for you in your new chambers.”

Bracing herself against what would come next, Ivara tousled her lips in a smile. The new chambers, the chambers that once belonged to her grandfather, were the biggest ones in the castle with one huge bedroom, a study that served as small meeting room as well, a small living room and three attached rooms for Wayfinders and the spouse of the king or queen. Just that Ivara planned to use all this a bit differently.

“Nynette, Wyborn, we leave.”

“Right behind you.”

The slightly adoring tone in Wyborn’s voice made her shake her head. Sometimes she wondered if he was so in love with her or too obsessed with her but one day, Ivara would find out, she was sure about that.

With Iona they walked through the halls to her chambers. Even if the castle started its daily rhythm again it felt foreign to Ivara now after they buried the dead the day before. A part of her couldn’t shake off the impression of something was different within the rhythm, not only because she lost three family members.

“You feel it too.”

Iona looked at her, eyes covering a hidden sadness.

“Yes, but what is it?”

“Their grief.”

Then she understood. The footsteps of the laundress sounded heavier. The laughter of the maids was missing, the chatter of everyone felt dimmed, the servants walked slower with the little trollies. They fulfilled their duty just like her, all while grieving, just like her.

“Your father and uncle didn’t notice when your grandfather died.”

Iona’s gaze followed a young castle hand who repaired a door as they walked by.

“They weren’t taught what you have been taught.”

“To listen to the sounds around me. The sounds that are missing.”

A thin-lipped smile, a nod.

“You are queen and Wayfinder alike. Maybe last one more since the elders let you do the test.”

A huffed laugh escaped Iona as she looked at Ivara.

“You know?”

“Radek told me. He is still angry about that. Sounds like he thinks he can protect you from everything.”

“Yes”, Ivara sighed from the bottom of her heart, “He does.”

“Aleera and I will talk to him.”

That was the last word before they entered her chambers and went straight for the study. Radek waited there, the small box with the pearl on the huge desk in front of him. The sealed letter neatly next to it. Serilsa, Cadoc and Perun waited with him.

“How did it go?”, Serilsa asked right away.

“We caught nine. One attacked Iva but she played with him like he was a toddler. At least that idiot gave away he worked for Odard.”

The low rumble in Wyborn’s voice was something new as he fell into the chair closest to the desk.

“We have something else to do now. Iona?”

“Yeah?”

“You might also be able to gain powers from it. Do you want to give it a try?”

Confusion was written all over Iona’s face until she stepped closer.

“Yeah, won’t hurt.”

“Good, Radek?”

“Yeah.”

Ivara smiled relieved, afraid he would say no after he saw how she had reacted to it back then.

“Sit down, if you react like me, this won’t be fun.”

While they got comfortable, she picked up the box and opened it. It looked so innocent like this, when no light reflected from it to lure the unknowing victim. First, she held it in front of Radek and let him touch it, watched how his whole body went rigid and slumped back for a moment, but he was still awake.

“That was strange… It felt like I could hear water, the river…”

“I thought you would have a connection to water”, she chuckled.

While she gave him time to collect his thoughts Ivara went to Iona, who carefully touched the pearl, almost afraid to break it. Her eyes focused on something distant and then she groaned.

“Oh, loud, when did the world became so loud.”

“Your hearing?”, Ivara asked in a whisper.

“Don’t know. I guess.”

“You know I just whispered?”

“What?”

“Yeah, that means her hearing got better”, Cadoc stated matter of fact.

“Don’t yell.”

That was the last piece to confirm it. Behind Ivara the tea pot suddenly burst. Everyone jumped from the sound except Radek.

“Was that you?”

Perun’s eyes went from the tea pot to Radek who had sweat pearls on his face.

“I think so, I felt a pull…draw?... to it.”

“That is going to be fun.”

The broad smirk on Cadoc’s face was not what Ivara expected from all this, on the other side, today was the day of shattered expectations, good and bad. At least she was right about Radek and his powers. Now he needed to find a way to master them, before the castle ran out of tea pots.

After the day had been already eventful someone would think that was enough to call it quits already but Ivara got taught differently when in the evening Cadoc entered her chamber with two pots and a bag. The way he looked told her he had found what she send him to find.

Nynette also got it and just narrowed her eyes at the items in his hands and asked one thing.

“Who?”

“One of the dessert cooks and an old kitchen maid. They had come to the castle together twenty years ago. They are with the other traitors now. It was hidden deep in the pantry behind the confectionery sugar.”

With her hand on her eyebrow Ivara leaned back in the chair, her lips pressed together as she thought about what to do.

“Words about this morning might have spread partially already”, she mused aloud.

“It will take another day or two to go through the whole staff.”

Nynette followed her train of thoughts.

“The kitchen staff saw them being taken away for treachery”, Wyborn added.

“I should address all this. There will be more.”

“The same round up as today with the whole staff?”

The suggestion wasn’t that bad and for some reason Wyborn started to show a kind of thinking about how to use interpersonal relationships in their favor.

“I am with Wyborn here”, Cadoc agreed, “The sooner the better.

“I have the feeling we are still missing something.”

In one swift motion Ivara got up and went to the window to stare out into the dark, moonless night. If this went on for decades there must be a way of communication. Odard was how old? Maybe end thirties or early forties which means he could be behind all this from the start if he began planning this at Ivara’s age but how should a young prince get the resources to do such an operation?

“We are overseeing something. This had been going on for too long to be just Odard’s doing.”

“We can worry about this once we have cleaned the castle of every planted spy or assassin, Iva”, Cadoc reminded her.

“Yes, you are right. Tell the captain of the guard to bring every staff member to the great hall tomorrow afternoon. Bring the things you found with you as well.”

“I will. Now rest, it was a long day.”

He hugged her carefully before he grabbed the pots and bag again and vanished.

“You know he is right. You need your sleep. We all can see how much strength it takes from you just to get through the day.”

A gentle touch on her shoulder by Nynette made Ivara falter and be agreeable to their suggestion.

“You are right. Tomorrow will be another fight.”

So they repeated the spiel. The staff gathered in the great hall, they watched for any signs, this time with everyone strategical placed along the walls, and found five more conspirators, followed by the almost the same speech Ivara gave the day before.

That made eighteen people. Eighteen men and women planted by King Odard and maybe his father to destroy her family from the inside. The reason? The only things her uncle could come up were some old grudges because Tyrohlena didn’t help the kingdom of Fenvil hundred years ago when hunger and sickness had the whole continent in its grip and every kingdom had to fight for their own people, but Tyrohlena was one who managed the best. It was a petty reason but not unlikely. Wars have been fought over petty things before.

Yet Ivara came to the belief after her last vision, they were wrong about it. Somehow Fenvil learned about them having the pearl, heavens knew how and were after it to gain more power. If this even worked like that.  

When she fell into bed that night, she could only hope Iona and Radek would learn to handle their powers fast. She noticed how he secretively switched to wooden or tin mugs to not break any more porcelain.  A part of her was curious if Wyborn would also be lucky, or any other from the list but they also couldn’t risk to have too many Wayfinders being basically knocked out of duty because their fresh powers made them unreliable fighters.

A soft kiss to her temple and big arms wrapped around her from behind at the same time made her smile and stop overthinking things when Wyborn and Nynette came to bed as well.

“You were doing this lip thing again, even when in bed. I think I need to give your lips something else to do.”

A teasing tone followed a gentle but demanding kiss by Nynette.

“How can you think of this now?”

It was more yawned than really spoken by Wyborn and made Ivara chuckle. She looked over her shoulder, feeling lighter just from this normal evening ritual of teasing each other like this.

“You know she is insatiable when stressed.”

“Yeah, we better solve some problems soon or none of you get any sleep in the future”, Nynette threatened playfully.

“Maybe we just need to tie you down and wear you out.”

The moment Ivara suggested it, she regretted it because she could feel the excitement in Nynette as pressed as she was to her.

“Threatening me with good times now?”

“Behave, both of you, or no one gets any good time.”

Another hearty yawn of Wyborn followed. An amused huff from Nynette followed before she stretched over Ivara to kiss him goodnight.

“Sleep well, oh mighty warrior.”

“Yeah, look at that wild grin. Clearly a mad woman”, Serilsa added laughing.

A rustic mug got put in front of Ivara. The thud sounded off from the walls carved into the mountain.

“Idiots. All of you. Except, Nyn.”

“So, what are you starring at your hands like that?”

Serilsa sat down with her bow and casually checked if the tension was still alright.

“I just realized this feels better than the life back at the castle. Don’t get me wrong. It was nice to have all the good meals and comfortable beds but this… pushing my body, being outside all day, moving… I don’t feel anymore like I would crawl up the ceiling.”

Nynette threw a washcloth at her to clean her hands and face from the last agility parcourse failures.

“You make it sound so boring to life in the castle.”

“Depends on who you are”, Ivara admitted, “I wasn’t allowed to run or do more than embroidery or horse riding since I was ten. My mother was too worried something might happen to me. Partially I get it.”

She stopped to wash the dirt off her face, shaking her head after it.

“But?”, Cadoc inquired.

She rolled her eyes.

“See, me two older cousins died from poisoned blood. The first came back with a wound from a hunting trip that got infected and nothing helped. The second was a damn whore and slept around so much he ended up in the wrong bed, so the horned husband demanded a duel. Another wound that got infected and another prince six feet under. Besides this the strange cases of miscarriages the befell the queen, the bejeweled queen and my mother.”

With a wet splash the cloth landed back in the wash basin a few steps aside.

“Someone is trying to erase your lineage.”

Nynette hadn’t spoken loud but clearly. Serilsa and Cadoc nodded seriously.

“She is right, this too many coincidences”, he stated with a stern face.

“Tell me. I figured that out two years ago. I am sure the king also did and that’s why I was sent here. Something is going on and we can’t be sure it is one of the extended family trying to get the crown.”

With this Ivara fell back on the bed she sat on, glancing at the ceiling. Nynette’s face came into her view. Dark brown eyes glanced at her mischievously. The next moment she placed a kiss on Ivara’s nose.

Her whole mind came to a halt.

“Girl!”, Serilsa laughed.

“What? It was an impulse.”

Blushing, Nynette crawled back and sat on the floor.

“Aww look at that. Isn’t that a cute face”, Cadoc teased her even more.

“Cut it, Cadoc. You know her”, Ivara ordered still laying on the bed.

Instead of more teasing she heard a rustling sound. A part of her expected Serilsa to get up but it was Cadoc who hovered over her like the gentle giant he was. For his seventeen years he was built like a damn house and already as big as the seasoned warriors.

With one hand on the frame, he only leaned a bit over her to not impose on her. His head down on his chest and a big frown on his face.

“Iva?”

“What?”

“Your cheeks are red as some heaven’s damned summer apples.”

He tried to not laugh but the laughter was audible in his voice. Just like she felt the heat moving from her cheeks all over her face and down her body.

“You have five breaths to move or I kick.”

Grinning like the cat that stole the milk he moved backward.

“I have one question”, Serilsa stated out of the sudden.

“Shot it”, Ivara got into a sitting position again.

“What happens in the worst scenario that you have to be queen?”

All three looked worried at her and she sighed, sliding down on the ground to them.

“In this case I will have to leave, pick a Wayfinder as traditions ask of me and marry for political strength.”

Deep down, she knew it was only a matter of time when this will happen. This wasn’t an if question or preparations for the worst. The last letter her mother sent her held no good news.

“There is more”, Cadoc stated.

“Radek was my cousin’s first Wayfinder. She sent the third one back within a year. There is always something she has to claim where it doesn’t work.”

The exchanged glances were telling. The way Cadoc looked at her was a silent question of whether any of them had been intimate. Ivara shook her head to negate that. That was the actual issue all along.

Bernia refused to lay with anyone. She even refused to marry so far but she also refuses the alternatives. There had been kings and queens like her before and things got handled discreetly. Yet her self-denial was giving everyone a headache.

With a frustrated growl, Ivara stretched.

“I need to hit something. Who is with me?”

“If we hit Cadoc I am in”, Nynette joked.

“Private trainings dummy at your service.”

“Isn’t it lovely how he is so eager to get hit on by us girls?”, Serilsa joked

“Just the three of you. The others don’t play fair during training.”

A flash of pain moved over his face. Ivara didn’t want to know what the others did in the past, he refused to train with them. On the other hand, she had witnessed some of the other female Wayfinders getting real mean in fights that made even the older men scramble backwards in fear. At that moment she understood why they also trained women. They fought in ways men didn’t and sometimes it was visible when a male Wayfinder was taught by a female master because his way to fight and to assess the fight differed. It wasn’t much but after the time with them Ivara could already tell the difference.

As they walked up to one of the smaller areas, she just hoped her cousin would make it long enough for her to get good enough with fighting to be able to stand her ground alone if necessary. She was still far from this.

“Where are my ferocious four heading?”

Radek leaned against a tree on the side, peeling an apple like he had waited for them. Felba, who had started training Ivara in the more female ways of fighting recently, stood beside him with a mug and smirked.

“Told you they will get restless. You owe me twenty Tvar.”

She held out her free hand to get payed. Her scared face in a broad smirk and eyes sparkling in laughter.

“You bet on us again?”

Nynette was honestly surprised about this.

“All the time, sweets. Two are still running.”

That was all Felba told about that, even if the way she pointedly glanced at Ivara made her feel she was part of at least one of them.

“Sounds like you are also restless if you have to bet on your students.”

“Ha, she got you there”, Radek cheered, finished with the peeling and bit into the apple.

The whole group looked between both.

“Sometimes I wonder if you two aren’t related…”, Felba admitted defeat.

“The kingdom wouldn’t survive this. They are both too sarcastic and love too much to annoy people”, Serilsa stated with an eye roll.

Yet it got something moving inside Ivara’s mind. Many Wayfinders were orphans or bastards the poor mothers couldn’t raise. There was a chance Radek was the bastard of a sideline.

The way Radek glanced over the almost finished apple towards her told Ivara he had a similar train of thoughts.

“Who is your cousin’s mother?”

“The bejeweled queen.”

Again, the group’s eyes went from Radek to Ivara. He finished chewing the last bit as he held his index finger high.

“My mother gave me up when I was a few months old. Master Andrius knows my heritage.”

“And it had been done before when a bloodline became thin”, Ivara added.

Their eyes narrowed at each other. Without a word, as if an unspoken signal had been spoken, they began running to the Master’s building. The confused yells of her friends behind her Ivara’s head knew only one thought: Did they only sent Wayfinders who had hints of royal blood to the castle?”

Radek beat her to the building by a couple of steps and knocked on the thick wooden door when she arrived. Andrius arrived with an eyebrow raised.

“Radek, Ivara, what can I do for you? Are there any problems?”

“The Wayfinders sent to the heir Bernia, did you pick them because of their blood?”

Radek wasted no time. Still breathing hard, chest moving heavy he stood in front of the master of the Wayfinders.

Andrius’ face fell as he stepped aside.

“Come in. We need to talk.”

Tensed Ivara set down on the cushioned wooden bank as Andrius served tea.

“I am making this short and painless. Yes. Every Wayfinder we sent to the castle in the last years had royal blood in them. And yes, Ivara, even Aleera, Iona and Leandra. It was a measure planned with King Sorin before Elfred had to pick a Wayfinder. We know for a long-time war is coming and the royal blood needs to be strong for this.”

“Why this? What is so special about it? We are also just people like everyone else.”

Ivara put the cup down with force and spilled some tea.

“Yes and no.”

With this Andrius left and came back with a small box made of metal. When he opened it, a pearlescent light filled the room.

“This is one of two fractured pearls. Only certain people can use its powers and by pure accident the royal line is one of them. There are others. Simple common folk, some nobles in the past but their blood had been too thinned out. Only occasionally it happens a person with this ability is born again. In the past the Wayfinders picked the children by their ability to connect to it, so the king or queen had plenty of possible users at hand, but it died out. These days it is only the main line of the royal blood line and sometimes some people from the sideline.”

Fascinated Ivara only heard half of the explanation because the light somehow felt too warm, too familiar and somehow it called to her. Her hand moved on its own will to the pearl.

Pictures flashed in front of her eyes. Faces. The castle. Destruction. War. Herself on the throne. Radek. Nynette. Another person with a pearl.

Darkness.

“Ivara, heavens, are you insane?”

Radek’s worried voice was the first thing she could sense again. Someone holding her against their chest the next. Thundering headache followed.

“Ouch, damn heavens above. Something’s in the wine.”

Relieved laughter. A gentle tough to her forehead.

“Don’t scare us ever again like this, wild princess.”

It had been months since he called her that. Slowly she opened her eyes. Everything was too bright but with squinting it worked. Deep, deliberate breaths later Ivara could slowly sit up again.

“What happened?”

“The pearl reacted to you.”

The matter-of-fact way Andrius stated it was strange given how worried Radek sounded just seconds ago. Ivara rubbed her temples to ease the headache.

“Explains the headache.”

“Can you tell what happened?”

Andrius moved closer to her, almost a breath away from deciding to kneel in front of her on the ground. This felt wrong. Everything inside her shouted to lie.

“It was bright, blinding, many colors, and then everything went dark and I heard Radek. Shouldn’t you know what it does?”

“Every user shows other powers. Some gain the power to see. Other the power to control light or water. From what you told you might discover yours later. We wait.”

The master’s eagerness also put a frown on Radek’s face.

“For now, I think she should take a break from this thing and concentrate on her regular training.”

The eagerness vanished from Andrius face and back was the serious master they knew.

“Yes, sure, I am sorry I forgot about that. Also, I would like to apologize beforehand, Ivara. If ever comes the day you need to ascend the throne ….”

She cut him off with a harsh hand gesture, suddenly all royal again.

“I am aware. I will be presented with the same Wayfinders as my cousin to keep the royal blood strong. I want a list within the next days. Also, of those of my age.”

Andrius nodded seriously as he closed the lid of the box again and went to put it away again. The thoughtful glance on Radek’s face was something she understood too well.

“Who was my father?”, he asked Andrius the moment the master sat down on his seat again.

“It was a second cousin of the king. He died when you were young.”

Immediately Ivara went through her family tree and tried to remember any distant male family member that died within the last fifteen-ish years. There were only two she remembered.

“It was either Ansel or Brogan.”

Andrius’ face turned to her like a whip, eyes wide. An aloof smile on her face, Ivara stood up and breathed out audible in the most obvious annoyed way.

“Who of them.”

“Ansel.”

“Thank you. Thinking about this, maybe the list should also include the heritage since you apparently are aware of it.”

“Yes, my princess”, Andrius lowered his gaze.

Next to her she heard a surprised huff from Radek. Deep down she was also surprised to see the master of the Wayfinders submit to her like this but at least she didn’t need to beg and cry or do something worse.

Rubbing her temples again, she let out another sigh.

“I should see the healer for those damn headaches before I hurt someone.”

“I will bring you.”

The next second Radek was next to her. A gentle hovering hand on the small of her back he softly nudged her to leave.

“Have a good day, master”, she said and got a nod in return.

For half the way they walked in silence until she didn’t take the turn to the healers but to the more secluded training area. Radek didn’t question her but followed.

“We have things to talk about, don’t we?”

“Yes, plenty of them”, she confirmed.

A humming agreement later he walked a bit faster to get in front of her to clear the path. Using the place a bit above the main area, carved into stone almost like an alcove where the wind would make eavesdropping impossible, they hid in the small real alcove that was created for breaks.

“You saw something.”

It was a simple statement with no accusations in his voice.

“I did. From what he said I might have the powers of a seer.”

Ivara folded her hands in her lap, glance casted in the distances as if she could bring back the pictures she had seen with this.

“What was it?”

“War. Death. You. Nynette. The other person with the second pearl.”

Silence. The wind even seemed to hold its breath.

“What else?”

Her eyes moved to Radek. His tension was palpable, yet she needed to look. Worry, fear and sorrow danced in his mismatched eyes. While the steel blue one appeared to show his preparedness to fight for her till his last breath his soft brown one felt like overflowing with worry and brotherly love for her. It was strange how they became like siblings so fast. Perhaps it was this what Serilsa sensed as family bond.

“Me on the throne. It all starts with Bernia’s death.”

The moment she said it out loud the wind howled even louder. To her it sounded like the world already mourned the loss of the future queen. Radek pulled her in a hug.

“We can’t stop this, can we?”

“I don’t think so. Not as long as she keeps on sending the Wayfinder she picked back and refuses to marry.”

“The heavens have decided then”, Radek said grimly.

Slowly he let go of her, but held her by her shoulders much to Ivara’s surprise.

“I will stay with you no matter what happens.”

Laughter bubbled out of Ivara.

“Radek, I won’t pick you as my Wayfinder, that would feel so weird.”

“I won’t leave your side.”

Determination irradiated from him in a way she never saw before yet she had her own.

“You know this is impossible.”

“You forget the laws of war”, he smirked.

For a moment Ivara had to think hard. War laws never interested her much, never had to since she never thought she would even come close to ascending.

A bitter laugh escaped her as she remembered.

“In times of war a king or queen does not mandatory need to marry for political reasons and can choose as many Wayfinders for his or her protection as needed. Any child born under war law from the king’s female Wayfinders he considers his or from the queen’s lap is considered legitimate.”

Shaking her head, the wind still howling, Radek beamed at her.

“That is what I mean. Also…”, he carefully moved the jacket of hers away to grab with index and middle finger into the inside jacket the small paper flower she got from Nynette a month ago, “…I know who gave you this and I think you would want her around to.”

Ivara clumsily grabbed the paper flower from his hands and glared at him.

“How do you know?”

“Iva, I am the one who is around you the most. Do you really think I didn’t notice how you got all giggly and blush around her? The only question is: Did Nynette tell you what the flower means to us Wayfinders?”

Her eyes fell to the slightly crumbled paper flower in her hand as she nodded. It had took Nynette almost a whole evening to hand it to her and explain it meant a promise to stay together if accepted. The rest of said evening they spent on back and forths because Ivara knew the day will come she would be called back to the castle, either because Bernia died or to be married of for an alliance.

“Yes, she also doesn’t care it won’t mean forever. I don’t want to break her heart but it will happen and she knows it. How…?”

Helplessly she looked up to Radek who simply nodded with an assuring smile.

“How can she still choose this? Because she loves you. Because as a Wayfinder we grow up from childhood on with the knowledge everything is fleeting, to hold on to the small good things we have.”

A small nod was all she could muster that moment. Living with the Wayfinders allowed her to express herself, to be herself but on the other hand it pushed her emotional limits once in a while and today was such a day.

“Radek?”

“There is still something you want to talk about, my little stupid one?”, he teased, nudging her shoulder as waited for her to speak up again.

“Your father. How old are you?”

The confused blink made her snicker.

“I am turning twenty-two this summer. How is this important?”

“Andrius said your mother gave you up when you were already a few months old. Not right away like most. The reason is your father. Ansel was a good one as far as I know from the stories I heard but he died twenty-two years in winter this year. “

The way Radek sat completely silent for multiple breaths became confusing, until he draw one long breath and sighed.

“My mother gave me up because my father died and his support died down.”

“She made sure you will survive”, she put a hand on his arm, “There is something else.”

“More?”

“If we ever get a chance, I want you to touch this damn pearl, too. Ansel always had weird things happen around him regarding water and regarding the things Andrius told us your father might had strong blood when it came to that damn thing.”

Without thinking much about it she broke the seal, made clearly with a signet ring she didn’t recognize, and frowned when she spotted only a few lines. Turning the paper around in her hand she froze.

“Iva?”

Wyborn had noticed her change in behavior right away, his blue eyes resting on her waiting for a response.

“This is from Odard.”

She heard his chair squeaking across the floor followed by his warmth behind her as she read the few lines.

To Her Majesty Queen Ivara of Tyrohlena, Blue Rose of Heln and Wielder of the Sunstar

I found myself quite surprised how fast you acted and how thoroughly you swept the floors of your castle. You found all but one who came back to me to report what happened.

I have to admit I underestimated how loyal your people are to you. A mistake I won’t do again. The time of hidden knives is over. I will gladly meet you on the battlefield when the time has come.

Yours sincerely

King Odard of Fenvil, Descendant of the Talons of the South

Pulling her lower lip in, she narrowed her eyes at the letter and read it again. Wyborn’s hand on her shoulder grounded her to be able to concentrate.

“What do you think?”, he asked as she put it down.

“First I want to know who is missing. Second, he tells me with this there will be no more conspirations against us because he sees me as an equal opponent.”

“You believe him?”

Her head tilted aside, she pressed a kiss on his knuckles and looked up.

“I do. As I said that day, he had a chance to kill me at the wedding. He didn’t. He seeks the game and wants me as his opponent. You read along?”

He nodded with a confused look in his eyes.

“Then you know he didn’t expect me to find the traitors so fast. He didn’t plan for you, Nynette and our friends to be part of this. All of you tilted the scale to my favor.”

Smirking Wyborn bent down and kissed her cheek.

“And that you are more Wayfinder than royal now.”

“Maybe I always was. I spent every free time with Aleera, Leandra and Iona, tried to learn from them just by watching until my mother caught what I was doing and did her best to prevent it.”

“And it didn’t work in the end.”

The amused tone in his voice let her smile a little as well.

“Thankfully and heavens be thanked for the kingdom. Otherwise, we would all be screwed now.”

“No, thanks the heavens we have you, our Wayfinder Queen. The one who stood on both sides, the one I love.”

A weight she didn’t even knew it was there lifted from her shoulders as he picked the letter out of her hand and put it on the staple of letter that would not need a reply before picking a new one and placed it in her hands.

“You keep the kingdom running and we keep you safe until the day comes we confront that so called king and show him what you are made off.”

The smile got wider on her face, and she pulled him down on his shirt to kiss him for real. When breathing became a need again, she chuckled.

“You know how to motivate me.”

“I learned from the best.”

“Nyn.”

“Nyn.”

Both laughed as she opened the letter that was sealed only with wax and no seal. The moment her fingertips brushed over the wax when she opened it, her body went stiff and she felt the dooming headache of a vision. Her hands grabbed the edges of the desk, and she closed her eyes against the onslaught of pictures.

Either she got slowly used to it or the vision wasn’t that strong. She saw a couple of Wayfinder training down in the castle’s halls with their powers under Radek’s watch, two twin girls about six watching with curious eyes, felt the weight of a child in her own arms, saw a young Wayfinder she knew was only twelve right now being way older and part of the group, Cadoc training a group of children under Serilsa’ laughter. The anxious glances to Aleera who kept watch on the door.

Then everything was gone. Ivara breathed in deep as if coming back from underwater and opened her eyes.

“Ivara? Another vision?”

“Yes, but…”

Her eyes fell back to the letter that initiated it. She picked it up again and read. It was from one of the women her dearest idiot cousins got pregnant. She had given birth a week ago and didn’t see herself to be able to raise twins.

Ivara didn’t need to know the rest. It was a plead to take the children and she knew it were two girls. Her first fosterlings.  A serene calm came over her.

“Care to fill me in?”

A crooked, almost amused smile played around her left corner of the mouth.

“I just realized we have years to get ready. Odard won’t attack first because he won’t underestimate me again.”

Wyborn looked at her with doubt in his eyes and the slow though rising in his eyes she was getting crazy. Instead of an answer she gave him the letter.

“I know the twins are girls. And I saw them around Wayfinder training along with other children here in the castle.”

In disbelief, he shook his head.

“This vision thing will make me crazy one day.”

“I hope not.”

At the meeting with Kyohl the next day she told everyone about the letter and the vision and it was unanimously decided to take the little children in as fosterlings of the crown and start looking for a wet nurse, along to use the knowledge of the vision to plan and prepare accordingly.

Once the meeting was over Ivara still saw Kyohl shaking his head amused and went over to speak with him.

“You seem amused.”

“I heard the staff saying you feel more like a Wayfinder, but now I see they are right. Those last years among them shaped you into a different person.”

His soft eyes smiled as he spoke.

“It taught me I have the freedom to do what I think is right. I always thought my dear male cousins should learn to take responsibility.”

“Indeed, they should. What do you plan to do now?”

“Exactly what we planned.”

Her brows furrowed at his ask, but he gently shook his head and lifted it back to the letter she brought to the meeting.

“I mean about this, about your cousins.”

Her head followed his gaze and Ivara began thinking. Kyohl was right. Those man whores wouldn’t stop that was for sure.

“I will think about it.”

“I am sure you will find an appropriate way.”

The little hint of a smile on the old man’s face gave her an inkling he would love whatever she came up with.

In the afternoon she finally found time to spar a little with Aleera. It was a nice change from fighting against the others and would give her time to talk with her a little. Dressed in more comfortable clothes suitable for sparring she walked down the small training hall with Nynette next to her.

“You are glowing.”

Nynette’s statement made Ivara laugh and both their laughter filled the halls as they entered the small training’s hall where Aleera already warmed up. Two short swords laid ready on the side and gave Ivara the subtle idea this was meant to train her with swords a little bit.

“You have a plan?”

“I heard you focused on daggers which was smart so far but with a war ahead you need to wield a sword. Therefore…”

Aleera’s hand moved to the two short swords with a raised eyebrow.

“I know at least the basics, but I guess I need a refresh.”

“We will see. Warm up, and I can see how much you still know and how well Radek trained you.”

With Nynette’s help Ivara warmed up. The well-known motions and the calming stretch of her muscles started to put her mind at ease after the whole stress of the last weeks. Her whole being literally itched to move, to punch something. A part of her mind noted getting more equipment and maybe change the whole set up and relocate the trainings place to a different room with the number of Wayfinders at the castle.

When she picked up the short sword, she immediately understood why Aleera decided on them. It was a good compromise between the daggers she got used to and a sword. Weighing the balance in her hand she went on the matted area and rolled her shoulders.

“Alright, I am ready to get my ass handed.”

Aleera snickered at her and rolled the short sword in her hand.

“That is the spirit.”

Like Radek trained her, Ivara went into basic stance and waited for Aleera to do so as well. And then everything changed. The way Aleera attacked her was different from anything Ivara ever saw and ever got trained in before with the straightforward moves that made flowing curves to the side only to attack again. It looked more like a dance, a deadly one, nonetheless. The only thing she could do was evade every attack of the older one and parry those she couldn’t evade or dodge.

After the sixth attack, Aleera stepped back and smiled satisfied.

“Your reflexes are fast, and you adapted well to an unknown style. That is good.”

“I never saw you fighting like this”, Ivara stated a bit out of breath.

“Because you never saw me fighting with a short sword. The smaller weight and the reach allow a completely different fighting. I will teach you if you want, or we move on to a regular sword.”

“Teach me.”

That was nothing Ivara needed to think about. A small voice in her head sang to since the first attack.  Aleera’s gaze went to Nynette and Ivara looked over her shoulder to find her girlfriend with an excited gleam in her eyes.

“Uncle, you need to see a healer.”

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Mara needs you. I need you.”

He looked up. His eyes void of any light in them. How long had he been bleeding out like this by all heavens?

“You will be doing well, my child. It was King Odard, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Again, he nodded, pushed a stray lock out of Bernia’s face and kissed her forehead. 

“You know what to do, Queen Ivara.”

He gave her one last smile before he closed his eyes and sacked into himself, covering his daughter’s body in death as if he still tried to protect her.

Silent tears slowly streamed down her face as Ivara got up again. Around her stood Aleera, Wyborn, Perun and Radek.

“Where are Iona, Serilsa, Nynette and Cadoc?”

“Iona is with Mara. Nynette should be back any moment and Serilsa and Cadoc watch the attackers.”

Good, no more losses. She wouldn’t stand anymore.

“What do you want to do now?”

The simple question of Radek got everything in motion again. Ivara closed her eyes, breathed in through her nose and out through her pressed lips to collect herself.

“First I need to get out of this damn dress, and we need to ensure Bernia and King Elfred will get embalmed and laid to rest. I want written statements from all guests to confirm they all saw Bernia and Lorfled being legally and binding married and crowned before the assassination. I won’t let this become a seed for political usurpers to use this against me.

And then...”, Ivara looked around with a sigh, “We need to clean up the castle in more than one way. We have a rat problem.”

Aleera nodded and went to grab some soldiers to get the statements. Radek moved closer to her with pain and sorrow in his eyes.

“How are you?”

Her gaze went back to her uncle and niece before it came up to meet Radek’s, a flaming hot something making its way through her from her chest.

“I want him to suffer the way I suffered. I will take everything from the way he took it from me. Odard picked the wrong woman to play games.”

Again, Radek stepped a little closer, almost standing in front of her now.

“How are YOU.”

Her face reflected in his eyes, a grimace of pain and fury. Blind fury. Even if it was righteous, damn heavens it was righteous, this was not her.

The next moment she fell onto his chest and sobbed.

“I couldn’t stop it… all we did…I couldn’t…”

He wrapped his arms around her, soothing movements on her back, just holding her and let her cry it out. Ivara’s body shook under the sobs and tears. Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, she felt her body fall stiff.

Pictures of an army flooded her mind, all dressed in dark blue, Odard’s blue. He stood in front, holding a pearl similar and yet different in the sky, let the early sunlight break in it. Aside her stood her friends, her family, older, scared, seasoned and grim faced to end it all now. A small medallion, three pictures of children, the oldest maybe six or seven years old. A war cry and the air crackled with hundreds of powers being fired in anticipation in a sea of green and brown: Wayfinders.

She was back in her body, in Radek’s arms, sobbing, realizing she saw the final confrontation and let out a blood curling scream of despair before she blacked out.

When she woke up again, sunrise filtered soft light into her room, and she was dressed in a night gown. Her mother sat at her bed with a soft smile and looked another ten years older.

“You are awake”, she softly smiled and pushed her hair aside like she did when Ivara was a child.

“What happened?”

“You broke down. I guess the exhaustion from preventing everything and the outcome was too much for you. Nynette and Wyborn watched over you in the night. They just left to get breakfast. Feeling better?”

Ivara nodded and looked past her mother outside. The day was too bright for what happened the day before.

“Most of the guests left the statements you asked for and prepare to leave today. Take your rest, Ivara. You will need all your strength.”

She licked over her lips and looked back at her mother.

“I had a vision. That’s why I fainted.”

The eyebrows jumped up and she leaned forward.

“That was a bad timing.”

“I saw the final conflict. I know what to do know.”

“At least you have an idea, but rest first. You will need all your strength the next days.”

Her mother placed a kiss on her cheek before she got up the moment she heard the door and the chitty chatter of Wyborn and Nynette. A small smile crept on Ivara’s face to hear them, know they were fine, alive, here to be with her, and cared for her.

Slowly she turned on her back and moved up to sit. Nynette beamed at her and jumped into the bed right next to her and kissed her.

“You scared us yesterday, my love. You really need to stop this.”

“Tell this my body in reaction to visions. At least I didn’t faint right away.”

“A new one?”

With a curious tone, Wyborn placed the tablet over her legs and sat down on her other side. She nodded with a deep sigh.

“The final confrontation. Many years in the future, but I know what we will do in the meantime.”

“That will be?”, Wyborn questioned.

“Get that damn pearl and test every Wayfinder on Andrius list of they get a powers.”

“You saw an army of Wayfinders with powers”, Nynette understood right away.

Chewing on a simple sweet bun, Ivara nodded. The glance the two exchanged didn’t go unnoticed by her and she frowned at them.

“Radek stated he wanted to write back at the elders to ask for the pearl and the list in your name”, Wyborn said slowly, testing the water how she would react.

“I had discussed the possibility with him months ago…”

In one hand she was glad Radek didn’t forget it but she would have liked it more if he would have waited for them to talk about it first. Something she would need to address soon.

“You need to rest. It was all too much”, Nynette patted her shoulder, “And tomorrow we gather for a war table. Perun is standing guard outside. No one will enter except us or your mother.”

“Thank you.”

With a smile Nynette kissed her cheek.

“Not for this. You know we love you, well Perun not, maybe like a sister, but you know.”

Something bubbled inside Ivara, got stronger until she started laughing. It was desperate, hollow, but also relieving. And she needed it.

Two days later they all sat in the conference room with Stina and Kyohl, her mother also present, and a strange silence filled the room for long moments until Ivara rose from her chair. She didn’t dare to take the place she would occupy soon, the chair of the regent, but the place that was hers for the last weeks.

“King Odard admitted right into my face he was behind the attacks against the kingdom of Tyrohlena and the house of Tyro. He also stated he knows of the pearl, has powers himself and that royals who got powers are somehow connected to each other. I highly doubt the last statement, but not the others.”

Walking along the long window dressed in the Wayfinder clothes again until the seamstresses made her new clothes, befitting her soon new title and her wishes, Ivara’s gaze was on the other people in the room.

“He clearly has a power, even if I can’t name it. One moment we almost had him and the next he was gone and we head horses racing away behind the gates.”

Radek shook his head, still trying to make sense of what happened.

“He stood right in front of the door one moment, a smile on his face and was gone within a blink of an eye”, Serilsa agreed.

“We need to find records of all known powers, that damn pearl and the list Andrius keeps.”

Ivara nodded as she spoke, Radek followed with also nodding but Kyohl looked uncomfortable.

“May I suggest something, your grace?”

“You were my grandfather’s and uncle’s advisor, please, if you have an idea, tell me.”

“You imply there is a list of possible Wayfinders who also could gain such powers, am I right?”

She nodded and watched him fold his wrinkled hands on the table in front of him, lips furling lost in thoughts.

“You plan to make them use the pearl to create an army of Wayfinders with powers, am I right again?”

“Yes, the vision I had two days ago implied King Odard also has a similar army and the final confrontation will the clash of both of those armies. You don’t agree?”

A raspy chuckle escaped him as his gaze hit her amused.

“Oh, I agree. It is a strategic smart decision, but I would suggest to start small. Chose a handful of people you trust, see and watch how it develops for a year before making everyone who might get such a power touch this pearl.”

“The old man isn’t wrong”, Cadoc stated, “You know there are some … not that honorable ones among the Wayfinders and if they happen to be candidates and we leave them out…”

“And word gets out how they get picked and they learn about it we have a problem”, Ivara and Radek finished at the same time, word by word.

“Still spooky when they do this”, Perun whispered to Serilsa who snickered.

Stina cleared her throat and her expression said she was about to state something unpleasant.

“We need to announce the death of King Elfred and princes Bernia to the people. Also set a date for your coronation. I assume none of the kings and queens will attend after the recent events, therefore I suggest we set a day after the burial.”

The meaning of her words set heavy on her. Ivara stopped dead in tracks and straightened herself to stop her emotions from overwhelming her again. Stina was right, Ivara knew it, but it felt too much right now.

“Yes, we need to set out the word and begin the procedures.”

“You will also have to think about marriage anytime soon.”

Those words cut through her like a knife. Her eyes locked onto Stina with such a force the adviser hunched in her chair as if Ivara had hit her.

“My uncle and cousin are just two days dead, and you have the audacity to talk about marriage now? Have you not a single drop of moral in your body? Empathy? Symphaty?”

“I apologize, your grace, I just had …”

“What? The best for the kingdom in mind? Turn me into a breeding mare to pop heirs year after year to keep the royal line going? Was it this you had in mind?”

Each word she said enraged Ivara more and she stepped towards the table, eyes still on Stina.

“You should have known there are more pressing matters now”, Kyohl reprimanded Stina like he was scolding a student.

“Besides the fact we are preparing for war”, Ivara added with more fury and malicious, her head moving to Aleera, “Do I need to wait for the coronation to put the law of war in motion?”

All heads turned to Aleera, who leaned with her back against the wall next to the door and tilted her head slightly.

“You are sure you wanna do this now?”

“You think any of the kings would consider a marriage? Besides I don’t need a foreign king snooping around thinking he can act high and might in my kingdom I try to protect. I am not making my great-grandmother’s mistake.”

Her mother chuckled.

“Who would knew your history lessons would lead to this day. To answer your question: No, you don’t need to be crowned. You are the by blood alone the reigning queen already. The coronation is a formality for the people and the books to fill for those after us.”

A big grin moved on Ivara’s face. From the corner of her eye she saw her mother sipping tea with a satisfied smirk, well aware what would happen next.

“As acting queen, I declare the law of war to get into action tomorrow. Stina, you are free of your position. I want every castle staff member that began working here the last two years rounded up in the great hall the day after tomorrow. One or more of them is a traitor who poisoned Bernia and I want their heads.”

The puffy cheeks of Stina were a minor satisfaction for a small moment but Ivara had other things in mind as she turned to Cadoc.

“You were the best in healing, right?”

“At least from us”, he admitted laughing, “There were better.”

“But you know the herbs for the monthly medicine?”

“Yeah, sure. I gather it for Serilsa each month. Why?”

“I want you to check out the kitchen. I have a suspicion someone from the older staff snuck low doses of it into the tea or food of the female members of the royal family.”

On the other side of the table Iona hit her head on her flat hand and groaned.

“Heavens, of course. It was so easy. Even the common folk use these herbs to prevent pregnancies.”

“And it made sense why Leandra got pregnant but not I”, Ivara’s mother said with a sad smile, “You really got your father’s mind.”

This compliment calmed her down, also the fact Stina got the hint and was on her way out of the meeting room.

Everyone waited till she closed the door behind her.

“You made the right decision, your grace”, Kyohl stated calmly, “She became obsessed with keeping the royal line in recent years what caused your uncle to agree to this forced marriage in the first place.”

Ivara took a deep breath with her lips pressed together.

“I wondered what made him do this. Now, I know. Well, to the next point on the list. Nynette, you tracked them down?”

A cat-like smile with glowing eyes was the answer as she stretched her neck.

“I did. I found the poor women your dear great-cousins twice removed or whatever got pregnant. The offer was delivered and now they have time to think about.”

Confused glances were exchanged around them, mostly, except for her mother and Radek who simply raised their eyebrows at them.

“Shall I guess, or do you tell on your own?”

Radek’s amusement was audible and he didn’t even try to hide it.

“The offer says if the fathers don’t step up, they can contact Nynette and the Crown will take care of mother and child. Either financially or taking the child in as the member of the royal family, it is. The decision is up to the mother.”

The non-spoken thanks was written all over his face. They both knew if her grandfather would have done something similar, or her uncle, Radek might have grown up as one of her great cousins and not a Wayfinder. On the other hand, both were clearly not cut for the role of the typical royalty.

The rest of the meeting was a breeze and after the whole morning went by with getting things sorted out, Ivara was done and ready to eat half a cow. On her way out of the room, Wyborn and Nynette pulled her aside into a hug and kissed her with a passion she never felt from them.

“Damn, you are so hot when you get righteously furious.”

Nynette chuckled at Wyborn’s words.

“At least when it doesn’t hit us.”

“The two of you have an unhealthy obsession with me being emotional.”