CHAPTER 1

The blue-grey walls of Lockeleigh Palace glittered majestically in the early morning sun, purple and silver pennants fluttering from its battlements. On another world - in another time - the sight would have conjured forth visions of youthful fantasies; dragons and elves and gallant knights. On the world of Andarel, however, these things were far from fantasy, they were a way of life.

The palace sat atop a small promontory, overlooking the city of Lockeshire and the lake it was nestled against, Locke Mare. Both the city and the lake were named in honor of the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Trimaria, House Lockeleigh. For over fifteen centuries a Lockeleigh had been on the throne, and one day would be again, but for now it sat vacant and waiting.

Master Talisin Gwynare was waiting as well, and the looks on the faces of most of his fifteen students were as vacant as the throne. They were all in their mid to late teens, and with the exception of two were all the sons and daughters of prominent nobles. Lords and Ladies by birth, destined to inherit wealth and power, and yet they couldn't answer his simple question about how magic had come to Andarel. Talisin feared for the future of the kingdom.

Lady Darsia appeared totally oblivious to the question as she was far more concerned with attracting the eye of Lord Randir. Her three sycophants were no better - it simply wouldn't do for them to show interest when the ranking member of their little clique didn't. The newest member of the class, Lady Enara Delarn, looked like she wanted to speak, but she was a shy girl and, as the lowest in rank, was already a target for disdain from the others.

"Surely someone can answer the question," Talisin pressed.

"Well, it fell from the sky."

The speaker was one of the exceptions, a young woman of surpassing beauty who was neither a noble nor a commoner. Royal blood coursed through her veins - and something more as well. Most of the people of Trimaria could claim some degree of elfin ancestry; in generations past, elves and humans had lived and prospered within the kingdom, and frequently intermarried. The elves were long gone now, departed to some unknown land, but very rarely a child was born to human parents in whom the blood of the elves ran nearly true. Princess Kerialla Astriala Lockeleigh, heir to the throne of Trimaria, was one such child.

Her elfin ancestry was apparent in her beauty - she had a face that could turn a young man into a stuttering idiot with a smile, and light, golden hair that she most often wore loose, so that it flowed down her back to her waist. Because court was to be held immediately following class, it was currently in a more formal style, braided and arranged in loops which were contained within a caul of gold chains ornamented with glittering rubies. Her skin was a perfect creamy peach that really didn't require the aid of cosmetics, not that she would ever appear in public without some color on her lips and around her eyes. She was, however, far more conservative than most girls her age, who tended to paint their faces heavily, but then the Princess could afford to flaunt current fashion trends because, well, she was the Princess.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Talisin said. "As always, your answer is succinct. I was, however, hoping for a bit more detail. I trust I am not boring you?"

"No, of course not, Master Tally," the Princess replied. "It's just that Ali got a little too enthusiastic lacing me into this gown, and it's a little hard to breathe."

Her handmaiden, Aliana, raised her eyebrows, a crooked grin spreading across her face as she said, "You're the one who kept saying it wasn't tight enough."

"Okay, maybe I got a little too enthusiastic," Keri admitted. "It is a new dress after all."

The other girls in the class all made appreciative remarks about the Princess's gown. Here again she defied convention, but where her use of cosmetics was conservative, her taste in clothing was far more daring. Instead of wearing a corset between her chemise and overdress as was customary, her gown had it incorporated into the red silk outer garment. Rather than flatten her bust, the corset's design lifted and accentuated her breasts, and the scooped necklines of both the chemise and overdress displayed a generous, and some would say scandalous amount of cleavage. The chemise was made of light cotton, the color of the fibers altered by means of a simple enchantment so that they glittered like silver. It was mostly concealed except at the sleeves, where the overdress had long slits that allowed the material to show through.

Master Talisin looked down his long nose at his Princess and pupil, the look of disdain on his face betrayed by the mirthful twinkle in his eyes. She was not required to be present; in fact, she had learned these lessons many years ago, but she chose to be a part of the class out of respect for her teacher. With the Princess in attendance, it was hardly possible for the others to refuse.

"Your gown is quite lovely, Highness, and I'm certain it will soon be the envy of every young woman in the kingdom. However, I would like to return to the subject at hand."

"Master Talisin, if I may?" Aliana said from her seat beside the Princess. She was no less pretty than her mistress, but whereas Kerialla reflected the almost ethereal beauty of her elfin heritage, her handmaiden had an earthy look, with thick, dark-brown hair and the dusky complexion common to those who worked for a living. Her parents were tailors of considerable reputation, her mother having served as the Royal Dressmaker, first to Queen Mistara, and now to her daughter.

The handmaiden's dress was similar in fashion to that of the Princess, with a purple over-dress embroidered with silver triskeles, the emblem of Trimaria. It was a gown most girls of her standing could only dream of wearing, one of the benefits of being the companion of the Princess.

"Please enlighten us, Aliana," Talisin said.

"Many millennia ago, during the time of the dragons, Andarel had two moons, Manthra and Kessil," Aliana explained. "Then a comet struck Manthra and shattered it. Many fragments rained down on Andarel in a great shower, The Fall, with the largest striking here in Trimaria and forming Crater Lake. The smallest of the fragments eventually formed Andarel's Belt, but some still fall to earth on occasion.

"The Fall caused great devastation across all of Andarel, but with the destruction came two blessings. One was the meteorites themselves, which were made entirely of manthracite. Manthracite is charged with mystical energy, and after the Fall manthracite spread to all parts of the world, as dust in the air and water, and as great veins of the ore within the earth. The mystical energy from the manthracite created the aether that surrounds and flows through all life. Eventually the sentient races, starting with the elves, learned to manipulate the aether, and magic was born."

"And what was the second blessing of The Fall?" the sage asked, his eyes settling on Lady Enara.

"The Fall caused a climate shift that made most of Andarel too cold for the dragons to thrive," she said, her voice soft and low. "Many of them died, and the survivors were forced to the equatorial region."

"Why was this a blessing?"

"Because they think we're nice and crunchy," the Princess interjected, eliciting a round of laughter from the class.

"I believe you mean that humanity and the other sentient races of Andarel were able to thrive once the dragons were no longer the dominant species."

"Exactly," Keri said with a nod of her head.

"Now that we've refreshed our memories regarding the origins of magic," Master Talisin said, "we'll move on to the purpose of today's lesson and learn some basic household magic."

Keri tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn, earning her a reproving look from the sage. She smiled in apology, and turned her attention to the task at hand. With her natural affinity for magic, she had mastered these techniques long ago, but just as her presence in class inspired the others to attend, the fact that she bothered to master these simple spells motivated them to do so as well.

Magic on Andarel was segregated into three levels. Household magic was the simplest and most common, and virtually everyone possessed the ability to manipulate the aether through simple cantrips for everyday tasks. Things like igniting a candle, heating hearthstones, or lighting the glowsphere of a lamp could all be accomplished through magic. Household magic made everyday life easier, since even the simplest home could enjoy many of the same conveniences as the finest noble household.

Unfortunately, few of the students in the class had been encouraged to learn any household magic — they were nobles after all and had servants to perform such tasks. Only the Princess and Aliana could truly be said to have mastered these most basic of magical skills, and technically Aliana was a servant - not that any of her classmates would dare treat her as such, especially not in the presence of Her Highness.

Craft magic was more complex, and required not only a greater connection to the aether, but a degree of technical talent as well. It was used to produce a variety of items, from fine jewelry and clothing to exquisite weapons and armor, many of which possessed magical enhancements. A crafter had to posses the physical skills to produce an item, and the magical ability to manage the more intricate incantations to enhance its beauty and functionality.

Finally, there was high magic, which required both a very strong connection to the aether and years of study to master. The mages who practiced high magic could perform astounding feats and create magical artifacts of great power. Healer mages could cure many diseases and repair wounds that would otherwise prove fatal. Transmutation could be used to change the properties of raw materials, such as transforming lead into silver or gold, or tempering steel beyond the capabilities of a forge. Most fearsome of all were the battle mages, who could wield fire and lightning as weapons of war.

There were also very rare individuals; those so in tune with the flow of magical energy that they could accomplish many things by mere thought that for others required complex incantations. The Princess was such a person, the blood of her elvish ancestors nearly pure in her, despite the many generations that separated them. Usually, such individuals would be sent to the Crescent Island Academy on Crater Lake at a very young age, but that was not possible for the Princess. As the heir to the throne, it was considered far too dangerous for her to be sent beyond the security of the palace.

"Our first exercise will be a fire cantrip," Master Talisin told the class. "It can be used to light fires in a variety of situations, but for our purposes we'll be using a candle. Your Highness, would you care to demonstrate for us?"

Keri smiled and took a candle from the drawer of the small desk before her. She set it on the desk top and stared at the wick for an instant before uttering the cantrip.

"Flamus ignitus."

The words were barely out of her mouth when the wick flared brightly. Her classmates murmured in appreciation, causing Keri to grin and roll her eyes at her handmaiden.

"Was that elvish, Highness?" Lady Darsia asked. The expression on her face was one of innocent curiosity but Keri knew there was nothing innocent about the girl.

Darsia was the second cousin of the Princess, sharing the same great-grandmother, the legendary Queen Riala. Like Keri, she was nineteen, but there the similarities ended. She lacked both the beauty and charm of the Princess, and preferred to use her status as a member of the royal bloodline to bully others.

"No, it's gibberish," Keri explained. "Cantrips use nonsense words for commands. You don't want to use words that might come up in casual conversation; that could cause nasty accidents."

"Oh, I see," Darsia said. "I thought that perhaps since you're an elf you might use elvish for things like that."

"Darsia, dear, you know there aren’t any elves left in Trimaria," Keri said. Darsia had always delighted in teasing her about her heritage. Unfortunately, when it came to verbal sparring, she was not very well armed. Keri already knew what her next words would be as she added, "As much as I hate to admit it, we are related. There's as much elvish blood in your veins as there is in mine."

Darsia's face clouded with anger, her eyes squinting as she said, "Well, I don't have pointed ears!"

Keri grinned and pounced. "You're not that pretty either, but no one's calling you an orc."

Darsia's face turned bright red, and her mouth dropped open in mute protest. The laughter of the rest of the class only made her embarrassment that much worse. Embarrassment quickly gave way to rage, but instead of directing her angry glare at the Princess, she turned it on Enara, who immediately ceased her own laughter. The look promised retribution, and Enara seemed to visibly shrink under her gaze.

"That will be enough of that," Master Talisin said. "Now, let's see how the rest of you can do."

One at a time the rest of the class attempted to light their candle using the cantrip. Most required a few attempts before they achieved success, which was to be expected. In some ways, household magic was more difficult to master than the higher forms. Partly this was because the students had no experience with magic, and so were moving through completely unfamiliar territory. The main difficulty was that the average person had only a tenuous connection to the aether, and so they were unable to 'feel' the flow of magical energy.

When it was Enara's turn to try to light her candle, there was a sense of anticipation in the room. In the two weeks she had been in the class, she had earned a reputation as an accident waiting to happen. There was no doubt she was highly intelligent and she tried very hard, but things just seemed to go wrong around her with alarming frequency. It was no different as she tried to light her candle. She was already visibly nervous, which wasn't helped by the cruel grin that Darsia directed at her. She focused on her candle and uttered the cantrip. Instead of the weak spark the others had managed on their first attempt, Enara's entire candle burst into flame, immediately melting into a puddle that filled the shallow holder and continued to burn. Master Talisin was quick to counter the small fire with a cantrip that extinguished the flame.

Keri's eyes widened slightly at the display. She had raised a protective shield about the candle as a precaution, and the power that had been directed against it when the spell went wrong was impressive. Enara was far above average when it came to magic, enough that she should have received training long ago.

"Master Talisin, maybe it would be better if Ali and I worked with Lady Enara separately," the Princess suggested.

"An excellent idea, Highness," Talisin said with a knowing glance.

Enara's eyes grew wide, like a deer that had caught the scent of a predator. She looked at the Princess and swallowed hard. Keri gave her a reassuring smile as she rose and started towards the far end of the room.

"Be careful, Highness, she might set your pretty gown on fire," Darsia said. The rest of the class laughed, and Enara seemed to shrink further under the ridicule.

"Then maybe we should have her work with you, Darsi," Keri replied, a feral smile fixed on her face. "Your gown certainly should be burned. You didn't actually spend money on it … did you?"

The cruel smile on Lady Darsia's face vanished, as the laughter of her classmates was redirected from Enara to her once more. She glared at the Princess, but Keri's smile only broadened as she gave her cousin her 'I'm the Princess, what are you going to do?' look.

"Don't pay that harpy any mind, Enara," Keri said as they sat down at a small table. Supplies were already arranged on the table, Master Talisin having anticipated the possibility someone might need personal attention.

The Princess made sure Enara's back was to the rest of the class, and then erected a magical barrier about them, cutting them off from all sound outside the sphere. She wanted nothing to distract Enara. Once the barrier was up, she gave Aliana a look, and her handmaiden nodded, indicating she would protect herself from any mishaps. Finally, Keri shielded both herself and Enara, the shield around the younger girl constructed to allow magical energy to flow out, but not back.

Enara didn't lack aptitude, that much was clear, but her lack of training coupled with that aptitude was potentially dangerous. It could also explain the many mishaps that seemed to follow her about. Combined with her obvious low self-esteem, her non-existent magical education was likely causing her to lash out in moments of stress, with highly unpredictable results.

The first thing she had to do was calm the girl down. She reached over and took her hands, squeezing them gently as she smiled.

"Enara, you're with friends here," the Princess said. "I want you to forget about the others. They can't hear us, and we can't hear them. We're in our own little world right now, and all Aliana and I are concerned with is helping you. Now, are you ready to try again?"

"I think so, Princess," Enara said.

"Good girl," Keri said as she released Enara's hands. She set a candle in the middle of the table, and then moved everything else a safe distance away.

"There's a reason candle lighting is used for your first cantrip," Keri explained. "Everyone knows what a burning candle looks like. I want you to fix that image in your mind. Take as long as you need to get a good mental image, and then say the cantrip."

Enara nodded and fixed her gaze on the candle. The look of intense concentration on her face was almost comical, but Keri didn't laugh. She remembered her own bumbling attempts at controlling her magical powers when she was a child, and that had been under the tutelage of some of the best mages in the kingdom.

After several minutes, a look of determination came to Enara's face and she almost whispered, "Flamus ignitus."

The candle flickered and then caught, and a smile of joy sprang to Enara's face. The Princess and her handmaiden congratulated the young woman, and then they repeated the exercise several more times. Each time the young girl's confidence grew, until the candle was lighting instantly each time.

"See, it's not so hard," Keri said.

"I'll just mess up again like I always do," Enara said as her momentary elation faded. "I just can't seem to do anything right."

"Nonesense," Keri said. "I once singed Master Talisin's eyebrows off with this very cantrip, and now…."

The candle lit once more, without the Princess even uttering a word.

"I'm an elf, remember?" the Princess said to the astonished young woman.

"Can you do that too?" Enara asked Aliana.

"Yes, milady, I can," the handmaiden replied. "With practice most people learn to use cantrips without saying the words out loud. I still have to say them in my mind, however. Keri only has to think about it."

Enara's face showed her surprise at Aliana's informal reference to the Princess, and Keri smiled.

"Ali is more than my handmaiden; she's my dearest friend," the Princess explained. "We pretty much grew up together."

"When we were six, Queen Mistara commissioned a gown from my mother," Ali added. "From the moment Keri and I met, we were best friends. When the gown was finished, the Queen made my mother her official dressmaker, and I was made Keri's handmaiden. We've been together ever since."

"I wish I had a friend like that," Enara said.

"You've got two right here if you want," Keri said, "but we can talk about that more later. Let's try some other cantrips."

Keri extinguished the candle and moved it aside, replacing it with a small glass sphere set into a wooden base. Inside the sphere a silver rod extended from the base, widening at the tip into a star with three curving points, a triskele, which was used as the symbol of Trimaria.

"Lighting a glow is much easier than a candle," Keri said. "The element has already been enchanted, so all you have to do is activate it. You still have to focus on what you want to happen, so picture the element glowing. When you're ready, just say 'illuminatus majoris'."

Enara did as instructed, taking much less time to concentrate before speaking the command words. The glow illuminated instantly without a flicker. Keri then had her try a different command which lowered the light to a dim glow. After switching the level of light several times, she had Enara extinguish the glow.

Without the distraction of the other students, Enara was easily able to grasp several other basic cantrips. She was especially delighted when she managed to successfully conjure a tiny whirlwind and direct it about the tabletop as it sucked up dust. Keri was pleased as well — the dusting cantrip was one of the more difficult bits of household magic. After several attempts, Enara was even able to direct it into a pail and cancel it so that it deposited its load of dust.

The progress Keri was able to get from Enara was remarkable and only confirmed what she had suspected — the young woman had great potential. She simply needed the proper encouragement to help boost her self-confidence. It would have been enough to end things where they were, but the Princess decided to truly test Enara's potential.

"Ali, would you get that wool you've been working with from your bag? I'd like to see if Enara can handle a spinning incantation."

"That's a crafting spell, Keri," Aliana said. "Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't want to mess anything up," Enara added.

"What is there to mess up?" Keri asked. "It's just a spell to spin wool into yarn. What could go wrong?"

Aliana rolled her eyes but didn't say anything more. She left the table, returning a moment later with a large cloth bag that matched the rich purple color of her gown. One of her primary duties as Keri's handmaiden was to carry everything the Princess might need while she was out and about. Since Keri could be more than a bit vain about her appearance, her bag was larger than normal, with two compartments inside so she could keep her own things separate from Keri's. The thick fabric the bag was constructed from carried an enchantment that allowed the handmaiden to alter its color to match whatever she was wearing.

Aliana removed a wad of raw wool from the bag and placed it on the table, a portion of which had already been spun and gathered on a wooden cone.

"This uses a simple rhyming incantation rather than command words," Aliana explained. "The basic process is the same as for a cantrip though. You just fix an image in your mind of the wool being spun into yarn and wound on the cone. The most important thing to remember is to keep your thoughts focused on the spell once it begins. It helps when you're learning to keep reciting the incantation in your mind."

Aliana focused on the wool for several seconds, and then spoke the incantation.

"Twist and wind, spin and bind, forming yarn of finest kind."

The strand of yarn began twisting while the main mass of wool remained stationary. As the fibers were spun together into a single strand, the cone began turning and winding the yarn onto it. After several seconds of spinning, the process stopped and the cone settled to the table.

"When you want to stop you just think, well, stop," Aliana said.

Enara looked nervously from Aliana to the Princess, and then settled her eyes on the wool. She spoke the incantation and the yarn began spinning as before. Everything was going fine — until her eyes drifted from her work to the Princess.

Keri knew something had gone seriously wrong when she felt her scalp tingling. She realized she had been foolish not to shield herself, and by the time she tried to correct the error it was already far too late. She saw Enara's eyes widen in horror and the cone of yarn clattered to the table top. She would have been truly concerned if Aliana hadn't burst into hysterical laughter.

"What happened?" the Princess sighed.

"Y … your hair …." Aliana stuttered, unable to get more out through her laughter.

Keri reached up and felt one of her braids through the mesh of her caul. Her hair had the feel and consistency of yarn, like the hair on a rag doll.

"Oh well, that's not too bad," Keri said. "No one will notice through the caul anyway."

"But … but it's … it's pink," Enara said, close to tears.

Keri turned a questioning look to Aliana, and her handmaiden nodded. "It's really, really bright pink."

The barrier she had up prevented the rest of the class from hearing what was going on at the table, but it didn't stop them from seeing everything. Keri could see Darsia laughing hysterically and pointing in their direction.

"A mirror please, Ali," Keri said.

Aliana did an admirable job of stifling her giggles as she took a hand mirror from her bag. She kept her face rigidly dispassionate as she handed the mirror to her mistress. Keri raised the mirror and studied her hair carefully for a long time.

It was bright pink, so bright it almost seemed to fluoresce with light. She could see that her hair emerged from her scalp normally, but less than a half-inch out it thickened into strands of yarn. That was a good thing, she knew. If the hair had been changed down to the root, just taking her caul off could have left her completely bald. Her hair was also much thicker, and the increase in volume was straining against the mesh of her caul. There was no way it wouldn't be noticed.

"What time is it, Ali?"

Ali lifted the timepiece that hung from her neck by a gold chain and said, "We have about five minutes before we have to leave for court," Ali said.

"Frag, that's nowhere near enough time to fix this," Keri swore.

"Oh Highness, I'm so sorry!" Enara cried. "I'm such an idiot! Why can't I do anything right?"

Tears streaming down her face, Enara rose and tried to leave the table, but Keri gently grasped her wrist and stopped her. She pulled the girl onto her lap and put an arm around her shoulder. She had to get her calmed down because she hated to see anyone in such distress over a silly accident, and she would need her help to reverse the effects of the spell.

"Enara, I want you to listen to me very carefully," the Princess said. "This was not your fault; it was mine."

"Oh no, Highness, it's all my fault," Enara sniffed. "My father has told me over and over again that I'm no good with magic."

~ That explains a lot. ~  The Princess thought.

Keri and her handmaiden shared a knowing look. There were some close-minded people, very few fortunately, who viewed magic with a distrust bordering on hatred. Usually it was because they had little or no aptitude for the art themselves.

"Your father is wrong, Enara," Keri said. "I've had my eye on you ever since you were first presented to me in court when your family came to Lockeshire. I could sense that you had a strong connection to the aether. That's why I asked your parents to let you join us in this class."

"You did?" Enara asked, wide-eyed. "I wondered why Father suddenly changed his mind."

"Well, I do have a tiny bit of influence you know," Keri said. She gestured to her hair and continued, "This is my fault, because I pushed you into something you weren't even close to ready for. On top of that, I was careless and didn't shield myself. Do you know what transmutation is?"

"It’s a form of high magic," Enara said. "With transmutation, mages can turn one material into another of similar properties, like lead into gold."

Realization dawned on Enara, and her hand sprang to her mouth.

"Or hair into yarn," Keri confirmed. "You just performed a powerful act of transmutation, Enara, without any training at all."

"But what are we going to do?" Enara asked.

"Well, if you look closely, you'll see that my hair comes out of my head normally," Keri said, bending forward so Enara could see. "That means it will grow out again in time."

"Your hair's so long and beautiful," Enara said. "That'll take months."

"Yes, which is why I'm going to counter the spell," Keri said. "But to do that, I need your help."

"Oh no! Please, I don't want to make it worse!"

"Trust me, you won't," Keri assured her. "I'll be prepared this time."

"Can't you just reverse it yourself?" Enara pleaded. She was getting more agitated, not less.

The Princess shook her head. "Whether you said anything or not, you cast a spell, and every spell, even those common to all mages, has a pattern unique to the caster. We have to recreate what happened, so I can feel how you manipulated the aether, and then I'll construct a counter weave to reverse it."

"I … I don't think I can, Highness," Enara said. She was shaking now and wringing her hands. "I'm so frightened."

"No, you're not," Keri said, her voice almost singing. As she spoke, she reached out with her mind, touching the aether and weaving streams of magical energy about Enara.

"You're very calm and relaxed, Enara," she soothed. "You have such a pretty smile; it's so good to see you happy. Now be a good girl and go back to your seat and wait for my instructions."

Enara rose, a happy, vacant look on her face. She went back to her chair and sat down, smiling at the Princess.

"You mesmerized her?" Aliana asked in shock. "Keri that's forbidden, even for you!"

"It could take an hour to get her calmed down enough to fix this," Keri said, turning to address Enara. "It's a very mild charm spell, Enara. At the moment you can only follow my instructions, but they have to be very simple ones, and I can't make you do anything against your will. In a few seconds, you'll be able to move again, but the calming effect will last for a while longer."

Aliana just shook her head and rolled her eyes at the Princess. Keri dropped her privacy barrier and was gratified that the entire classroom was now silent. She directed a glare at the other students to encourage them to remain that way, and then turned to Talisin.

"Master Talisin, we've had a slight problem here," she said. "I'll need some privacy to correct it."

"Of course, Highness," Talisin said. "Class is dismissed. Please try to safely practice what you've learned today."

The students rose and as one bowed and curtsied to the Princess, then filed out of the room.

"Ali, go tell my guards we'll be delayed," Keri said. "Master Talisin, would you be so kind as to inform the Regent I'll be a little late?"

"Of course, Your Highness," Talisin said. He looked at Enara and then shook his head, a wry grin on his face. Then he too bowed and left the room.

"Ali, not a word to Marc about this," Keri said as her handmaiden started towards the door. "Just tell him I'll be out as soon as possible, and we are not to be disturbed."

"Would I try to embarrass you like that?" Aliana said, a feigned look of hurt on her face.

"Yes, you would, now go," Keri said. "You'd best wait out in the hall until I call you."

Once Aliana had left the room, the Princess turned her attention back to Enara, who was coming out from under the effects of the charm spell.

"Thank you, Highness," Enara said, her face still calm and serene, "I feel a lot better now."

"I apologize for doing that, Lady Enara," the Princess said. "It was very rude of me."

"It's all right, I was getting pretty hysterical, and I know you're pressed for time," Enara told her. She looked towards the door Aliana had just left through and added, "You really do see her as a friend."

"Yes, I do," Keri told her. "I don't know what I would have done without Ali these past six years."

"It must have been very hard when your parents died."

"You mean when they were murdered," Keri said, the bitterness in her voice plain.

Unbidden, the memory surfaced of the day she had learned her parents were gone. Her father, King Toranon, had sought to end years of sporadic conflict with the Kingdom of Merdia, and after months of negotiations he and the Queen had left on a journey to sign a peace treaty. They had been ambushed by orc mercenaries just after they crossed the Isthmus of Valmor, and the entire entourage slaughtered without mercy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad," Enara said.

"It's all right," Keri assured her. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about them. They should have ruled for many more years."

"Is that why you haven't taken the throne yet?" Enara asked, the lingering calm from the charm spell making her bolder than she would usually be. "I mean, you could have done it when you turned eighteen. Is it because you think it will dishonor their memory?"

"That's the official excuse," Keri said. "The truth is not nearly so noble. I'm just not ready yet. Once I take the throne, what freedom I have now will be gone. I'm just plain selfish."

"I don't think you're selfish, Princess," Enara said, "and I'd like to be your friend very much, if you'll still have me after what I've done."

"Of course I will, silly," Keri said. "Don't you fret about the hair - I've half a mind to go into court just like this. It would almost be worth it to see the look on my aunt's face."

"I wouldn't recommend that," Enara said. "I've heard the Regent doesn't have a sense of humor."

"She used to," Keri said with a sigh. "At least she wasn't always so … hard."

"My father wasn't either," Enara said.

Keri smiled and patted her hand before getting down to business.

"Now, Enara, I need you to tell me exactly what you were thinking when this happened to my hair."

"Well, I was concentrating on the yarn, and then I looked up at your hair," Enara said. "It's so pretty, and I remembered my favorite doll when I was little. She had pink yarn for hair."

"Ah, that explains it," Keri told her. "To fix this, I need you to start reciting the spinning incantation again. We don't need the wool, but you do need to picture it in your mind just like before. When you have it in your mind, look at my hair again and think about that doll, just like before."

"But what if…."

"It will be fine, I promise. I've got a barrier up, so you won't be able to do anything to me, but I need to get a feel for how you worked the aether. Once I have that, I can counter the effect."

Keri took Enara's hands and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Whenever you're ready, begin."

"Oh, I hope I don't mess this up," Enara fretted. The calming effect of the charm had faded, which was good because they didn't need any other magic around to confuse things.

CHAPTER 2

The corridors of Lockeleigh Palace quickly emptied as the scheduled time for the royal court approached. The palace was always a focal point of much activity, but it became even busier on the one day each month when petitioners came from throughout the kingdom to present their concerns to the Regent.

Before the conflict with Merdia had escalated into a full-scale war, court had been held more frequently and was far less formal. Trimaria had a system of magical transport spires, which allowed individuals to travel easily over great distances, and people regularly brought their concerns to the palace. With Merdian raiders forging deep into Trimaria, however, it became necessary to restrict the use of the spires. If the raiders managed to capture one of the keys the adepts used to operate the spires, they would have unrestricted access to every corner of the kingdom. There simply wasn't enough manpower to protect the spires constantly, so now they were only used for official business, and once each month a company of troops escorted an adept who transported petitioners to the capital for court.

Court could not begin, however, until the Princess was present, and she had not yet emerged from the classroom. In the corridor outside the classroom three warriors waited, dressed in brightly polished armor and the black and purple tabards of the Royal Guard. Their faces were impassive, betraying no emotion whatsoever. Two stood on either side of the door to the classroom, while the third was across the corridor, his body blocking the light from the window behind him.

Knight-Captain Marcan Demos was an imposing figure, standing nearly a head taller than most men. His grey eyes had a hard intensity to them, and his ruggedly handsome face had a long, jagged scar down the left side, a testament that he was no stranger to combat. Healer mages could have eliminated the scar entirely, but most warriors chose to keep such marks as a badge of honor, especially when they were received in a particularly notable battle.

Marc had served the House of Lockeleigh for over twenty years, ever since King Toranon had taken in the orphaned eight-year-old son of one of his squires. He had become more than a page — Toranon and Mistara had truly made him feel like part of their family, in love if not in actual fact. He was eleven when the Princess was born, and as she grew Marc came to see her as a sister - which explained why she was able to infuriate him so easily.

At thirty, Marc was young to be in such a position of power. Toranon had made him captain of the Princess's personal guard when he was only twenty-one. It was a prestigious position for one so young, but there were only twelve warriors assigned to the Princess, and no one had objected, at least not like they had when Toranon knighted him at nineteen. Then Toranon and Mistara had been ambushed and killed, along with their entire guard and retinue, and suddenly he was Captain of the Royal Guard. There had been attempts to remove him, but his was a royal appointment, and as the heir to the throne only the Princess could replace him.

Marc had immediately set about the task of rebuilding the Guard to its proper strength. It hadn't been easy — with Toranon gone there were many among the Chivalry who resisted his efforts, but he had the full support of the then thirteen-year-old Princess. Marc made the recommendations as to which warriors would be suitable for positions as Royal Guardsmen, and Keri made the appointments, leaving no room for anyone to interfere. Now the Guard was back to its full strength, six troops of light cavalry, three-hundred of the finest warriors in Trimaria. Only four troops were normally active at any one time, with the remaining two in reserve.

"The Regent is likely in a foul mood by now, doncha think, lad?"

Marc's gaze shifted to one of the two guards by the door. Serjeant Garith Kragen was a barrel-chested warrior, almost as broad as he was tall. He had a mirthful twinkle in his brown eyes, despite a hard, craggy face with a large nose that was skewed slightly to the left and mashed in from one too many blows over the years.

"No doubt she is," Marc agreed.

"It's not like the Princess hasn't been late before," the taller guard on the other side of the door said.

Marc shot his cousin, Stilnar, a withering look that warned the young squire not to expect the same latitude while on duty that Garith enjoyed. Stil was almost as tall and muscular as his cousin, but there the similarities ended. Where Marc had a rugged handsomeness, Stil was comely, with shoulder length hair the color of wheat and an impish grin that had melted the heart of more than one young woman. Marc was fairly certain his cousin had set his eye on the Princess's handmaiden as his next conquest, and he frankly expected Aliana to have him wrapped around her finger in no time. Despite being three years younger than Stil, she had amassed her own impressive list of lovers, and growing up in the midst of the royal court had equipped her far better at playing the games of both politics and romance, which were often intertwined. She stood quietly off to the side, pointedly not looking at Stil, yet the slight grin on her face told Marc she was perfectly aware that the squire’s eyes kept straying towards her. When she caught Marc looking at her, the grin broadened and she winked.

The sound of booted feet drew Marc's attention, and he turned his gaze toward the noise. Another knight approached, with two members of the Regent's personal guard in tow. The look of annoyance on the knight's face made it plain why he was there.

"The Regent has sent us to bring the Princess," he said as the group approached.

Marc stepped forward, blocking the corridor with his body as he turned to face the men.

"The Princess will be along as soon as possible, Commander Jaris," Marc said.

"What's the delay?" Jaris demanded. His gaze shifted to Aliana, whose eyes widened in a look of innocence and awe, which Marc knew was feigned. After thirteen years in the royal household, there was little that awed the handmaiden.

"I wasn't informed, and it's not my place to ask," Marc said. "Nor is it yours."

"Court should have started twenty minutes ago," Jaris said, moving to step around Marc. That wasn't a simple matter to accomplish as Marc sidestepped and blocked him once more.

"Stand aside, Captain," Jaris said. "Since you can't carry out your duties, I'll do it."

"I serve the Princess, not the Regent and not you," Marc said. Garith and Stilnar stepped forward and took positions just behind their captain, and Garith swung his pollaxe from his shoulder into a ready position. The burly serjeant gave the two yeomen behind Jaris a broad grin as he slapped the haft of the weapon into his left hand.

"My duty is to protect Her Highness," Marc continued, "not drag her about at the Regent's command, nor allow anyone else to do so."

The two knights stared at one another, neither prepared to back down. As a Knight-Commander Jaris was superior in rank, but as captain of the Princess's personal guard Marc answered only to her. Jaris was in an awkward position — he couldn't back down without losing face, and if he tried to force his way past Marc, the royal guardsmen would almost certainly trounce him and his men.

The situation was defused when the classroom door opened and the Princess entered the corridor. Marc recognized the girl with her as the Lady Enara - he was familiar with everyone who had regular contact with the Princess. He wondered what the two had been doing for so long, but was not about to ask, especially with Jaris and his men there. The Princess surveyed the standoff in the corridor with raised eyebrows, her lips spreading into a slight grin.

"I trust I'm not interrupting?" she asked.

Jaris remained silent and unmoving for an instant, and then remembered his place and stepped back, he and the two men with him bowing to the Princess.

"Apologies, Highness," Jaris said as he rose. "The Regent was concerned and sent me to check on you."

"You mean my aunt is impatient and sent you to hurry me along," Keri said. "You've done as you were told, commander. Now run along and tell my aunt I'll be there momentarily. Oh, and since you're going that way already, get a chair and place it on the dais beside mine for Lady Enara; she'll be keeping me company during court."

The look of umbrage on the Jaris's face was almost enough to make Marc laugh. He knew the Princess had chosen her words very carefully. The question was, would the knight-commander do the smart thing or snap at the bait?

"Highness, I am a member of the Chivalry, not a common drudge."

The Princess lifted her chin and tilted her head to the right, a gesture Marc had seen her mother use often, sometimes on him. Keri called it the 'stink-eye'.

"Well, if that's the only thing preventing you from obliging a simple request from your Princess, the situation can be remedied."

The color drained from Jaris's face, and he immediately backpedaled verbally and physically.

"Forgive me, Highness," he said, he and his men bowing as they backed down the hall. "I'll see to it immediately." He cast a final glare at Marc and then turned and practically fled down the hall.

"You know, I don't usually like playing the snooty Princess," Keri giggled as she stepped forward and linked her right arm through her guard captain's left, "but he makes it so much fun. I see you've been your usual charming self, Marc."

"I live to serve, Highness," Marc replied as they started down the hall.

Keri laughed and gave his bicep, which was almost as big around as her waist, an affectionate squeeze. Aliana and Enara fell in step behind them, careful to avoid stepping on the short train that trailed behind the Princess, while Garith and Stilnar brought up the rear. Keri turned and looked over her shoulder at the stocky guard, who had once more adopted his usual look of stony vigilance.

"I suppose you're disappointed my appearance stopped things before a fight broke out, Garith," Keri said.

"Wouldn't a been no fight, Highness," Garith grinned, patting the pollaxe resting on his right shoulder. "Not much a one anyway, as long as the youngster here didn't trip over himself."

Keri caught the hint of a grin on her handmaiden's face at the reference to Stilnar. She was well aware that Aliana had her eye on the handsome squire, and the Princess had to admit he was pleasant to look at. As she directed her gaze back to the front, she idly fingered a large, ornate ring on her right hand.

"He's very pretty, Aliana," she said. "I imagine he should have enough stamina to satisfy even you."

The only indication that her words had any effect was a slight break in the rhythm of Stilnar's stride. Then Keri was suddenly brought up short as Aliana stumbled and stepped on her train. Marc's arm instantly stiffened to prevent her from falling, almost as if he had anticipated the stumble. Keri shot a glance back at her handmaiden, who stuck her tongue out and grinned.

"Bad, bad Princess," she whispered as she rearranged Keri's train.

Keri and Aliana both broke out into a fit of giggles, while Enara looked at the two young women in confusion. Keri caught the look and gave her a smile of reassurance.

"You'll get used to me," she said.

"Forgive me, Highness," Enara said, "but what exactly is my part here? I've never been to a royal court before."

"You've been to baronial courts in Highkeep though, right?"

"Yes, Highness, but never as an attendant."

"A royal court is very similar," Aliana explained as they started down the corridor once more.

"Just longer and much more boring," Keri added. "Just follow Aliana's lead, and you'll be fine."

"The only hard part is keeping the Princess awake," Aliana said.

"Ali, that's not fair," Keri protested. "I only fell asleep once, and I was eight at the time. Now you girls hush and let me talk to Marc."

Marc let his gaze drift down to the Princess for an instant as he said, "Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?"

"Probably because you know me too well," Keri said. "After court, I'll need some time with Ali and Enara to discuss some things. After that, I'd like to go to the market square."

"That won't be a problem," Marc said, his surprise showing in his voice. From the way the Princess was playing up to him, he had expected something more difficult.

"Then, this afternoon, I want to go for a ride."

Marc almost stopped in his tracks, but instead settled for giving her another look, his face clearly showing what he thought of the idea.

"Highness, you know there has been raider activity within a few miles of the palace," he said.

"Isn't that why I have a whole company, two hundred of the finest warriors in Trimaria, as my Royal Guard?" Keri asked. She lowered her voice and added, "Please, Marc, I've got to get out of this place for a little while. I'll agree to any conditions you think necessary. Just don't bring the whole two hundred as an escort, okay?"

Marc heard the pleading tone in her voice and knew it wasn't affected just to get him to agree. It had been especially hard for the Princess since Merdian raiders had begun striking deep into Trimaria. She hadn't been allowed beyond the outer curtain wall in over a month.

"I'll make the arrangements," he said.

"All rise and pay homage to Her Royal Highness, Kerialla Astriala Lockeleigh, Princess of Trimaria!"

The din of subdued conversation ceased as the herald's words reverberated through the throne room. The assembled petitioners and nobles rose to their feet as the Princess's entourage entered. Four more guards had joined them outside the hall, and they preceded her small procession carrying the standards of the kingdom. As before, Marc was immediately in front of the Princess, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword as he scanned the crowd on either side for any threat.

Those assembled in the hall bowed in respect as the Princess passed, and Marc didn't have to turn to know her head was turning left and right, making eye contact with as many as she could and acknowledging each with a smile. The knight-captain felt a swell of pride - for all her fears and doubts, and more than a few flaws, the Princess knew how to touch the hearts of the people she would one day rule.

A large, ornately carved chair sat on the floor before the dais, not as resplendent as the two thrones which had remained empty for the last eight years, but considerably more elegant than the simple chairs for the audience. The Princess's procession stepped around the chair, and as Garith, Silnar and the standard-bearers moved to positions on either end of the raised platform, Keri stopped before a smaller chair to the right of the thrones. She gestured to the chair that had been placed to the right of hers, and Enara stepped up to it while Marc and Aliana moved around to the back of the dais. The Princess looked out on the assembly and smiled warmly.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting," she said.

Her eyes met those of a tall woman with fiery red hair and a look of controlled anger on her face. Duchess Rayna Binara Ethelwyn, her aunt and Regent of Trimaria, was a lovely woman, but the past six years had aged her. Eyes that had once shone with laughter were now hard and intense. Keri could barely remember her as she once had been, so carefree and happy. Responsibility, pain and a burning hatred for those who had been responsible for the death of her beloved sister had destroyed all that.

Keri nodded slightly to her aunt, and then took her seat, motioning for Enara to sit as well. The herald stepped forward and his voice rang out in the hall once more.

"This opens the court of Her Royal Highness, Princess Kerialla, this Enas, the first day of Prel, Anno Trimaria fifteen and twelve. The assembly may be seated."

Keri resisted the urge to laugh as her aunt stepped forward and sat down in the chair before the dais. All the ceremony was just that — ceremony, with no real meaning. Since she was the heir to the throne, the Princess was required by law to be present at any official court, but she had no say in the proceedings. Until she claimed the throne, her aunt made all the decisions. Her eyes drifted to her left, settling on the scepter that rested across her father's throne. All she had to do was take the scepter from where it lay and announce that she was asserting her right to rule, and she would be queen. She wondered how her aunt would react if she did that very thing.

She wouldn't, of course. There was still time to enjoy what freedom she had, and she was going to take advantage of it. On her twenty-first birthday, she would have to make a choice — claim the throne or abdicate forever. There was really no choice to make. If she abdicated, the next person in the line of succession was her second cousin, Darsia. There was no way she would dishonor her parents by allowing that girl on the throne.

Because a formal court was only held once a month, it was usually a long affair. Today was no exception as, one after another, petitioners were called forward to present their concerns to the Regent. There were bright spots - not all those in attendance had problems to address. There were several representatives from distant shires that had gifts to present to the Princess, and no matter how ornate or simple, Keri accepted each with the same heartfelt appreciation. She had received many gifts over the years - each one was displayed somewhere in her personal chambers and she could relate its history with ease.

Despite the high points, Keri's impatience was apparent as court dragged on past three hours. When the final petitioner was heard, the Princess readied herself to rise, but stopped as the Regent rose to address the crowd.

"I know it is very early to be speaking of the Harvest Festival," the Regent said. "The crops have only just been planted, and the summer solstice is not yet upon us. I mention it because there are two important pieces of information that need to be disseminated quickly. First, after much discussion, it has been decided that the Barony of Wallkeep will host this year's festival."

Stunned voices whispered through the hall, and the Princess suppressed a grin. She had known about the choice and expected it to cause a stir. Though Wallkeep was the newest and most modern barony, it was also the most distant, as it was on the western border of the kingdom. The Harvest Festival was the most important social event of the year, and no one wanted to miss it, even if it meant a lengthy trip.

Distance wasn't the only thing that made Wallkeep, in Keri's opinion at least, unsuitable for the festival. Its name came from the fact that it was built into Riala's Wall, a fifty-foot tall fortification that stretched for fifty miles, sealing the eastern end of the Isthmus of Valmor. The wall was only two hundred miles from the frontier in Camron, where the armies of Trimaria were struggling to push the forces of Merdia and their orc allies back from the land Trimaria had claimed. When she had told Marc about the location and her intention to attend the festival, he had not been happy.

"I realize that Wallkeep is a long trip for many in the kingdom," the Regent continued. "The Ministry of Transportation will be opening the spires for transport two weeks prior to the festival, and a schedule of transport times will be posted within the month."

The Regent paused and turned to look at Keri, a disquieting smile on her face. The Princess felt a chill run down her spine and knew her aunt was up to something.

"This year's Harvest Festival will be a very special occasion. It is my pleasure to announce that Her Highness, Princess Kerialla, will be attending the festival, and at the Grand Ball she will entertain suitors for her hand in marriage. All those who wish to be considered must submit their patents no later than the twenty-third of Awist, one month before the festival begins. Patents may be transmitted via the orb network, but they must go through your local herald. Also, please include a likeness, so the Princess will have a face to place with the information in your patent."

Keri froze in shock, not even attempting to hide the look on her face. The Regent turned and smiled again, then nodded to her herald, who pronounced the court closed. The crowd rose to their feet and bowed in preparation for the Princess's departure.

Shock gave way to anger, and Keri's eyes narrowed as she rose. There was no smile on her face as she left the hall, her retainers practically having to run to keep up with her long strides. Marc led the way as always, and the Princess kept her eyes fixed on his back as she fumed. It was only when she noticed him shift his shoulders uncomfortably — and saw the wisp of smoke rising from his tabard - that she realized what she was doing and forced herself to calm down using a chant she had been taught as a child. As they reached the doors, the herald's voice rang out once more, and the crowd echoed back his words.

"Long live the Princess!"

The Princess fumed in silence, and once they were a short distance away from the hall, Aliana moved forward and took her friend's hand. Keri's rage subsided a little more as she drew comfort from the silent show of support.

"Marc, are you all right?" she asked.

"Barely singed," the knight-captain replied.

They passed down the long, wide corridor that led from the throne room to the cavernous Grand Hall. Forming the centerpiece of the Palace, the hall was one hundred feet wide and twice that in length. Eight immense columns supported the high-arched ceiling, from which were suspended elaborate collections of brightly glowing crystal spheres. In times past the hall had hosted balls and feasts but now it was little more than an extravagant entryway.

The standard bearers split off from the procession as they entered the Grand Hall and moved to take their usual positions at the front and rear entrances of the Palace. The rest of the party made their way to the stairs at the back of the hall and up to the third floor of the Palace, where they turned left and followed the mezzanine around to the doors leading to the west wing.

The Grand Hall separated the east wing, which was devoted to the administration of the kingdom, from the Royal Quarters of the west wing. Currently the west wing had only two residents, the Princess and Aliana. The Royal Residence occupied the entire third floor of the wing, but the Princess and her handmaiden only used one of the suites. The staff quarters on the second floor had been empty since the King and Queen were killed along with their entire retinue, and likewise the kitchen, dining room and private audience chamber on the first floor had been unused in all that time. Keri was served by the main Palace staff, which also saw to the east wing and the administrative personnel that lived and worked there, and took her meals and received visitors in her sitting room.

As the entourage approached the ornate doors which led to the Royal Residence, the guards stationed there opened the doors and snapped to attention. Keri usually greeted them with a smile and a word as she passed, but she was too angry to do so now. The omission was not lost to the two guards, who shared a look as they closed the doors.

A short distance down the corridor, they reached the door which led to the Princess's living quarters. Garith and Stilnar took their stations on either side of the door, which Marc opened before stepping aside to allow the Princess to enter.

"Sir Marcan, please tell the Regent that the Princess requires her presence, immediately," Keri said, her formal tone leaving no doubt that she intended it as a royal summons.

"Yes, Highness," Marc replied. His footfalls were already fading in the distance when the door to the Princess's sitting room closed.

It was Aliana who spoke first, letting out her own rage as she exclaimed, "By the Fragment, she has a lot of nerve to pull something like this!"

The look of absolute fury on her pretty face was so comical that Keri broke out in a fit of laughter. She collapsed onto a plush sofa and for several minutes couldn't even speak. Aliana joined her, while Enara looked at both as if they had lost their minds.

"Oh, thank you, Ali, I needed that," Keri said at last. "The look on your face was priceless."

"I live to serve, sweetie," Ali told her. "Not that the look wasn't genuine. I'm so mad I could tear the Regent's hair out!"

"We can't have that," Keri said. "That would be treason, after all. I on the other hand…."

"Highness, should I leave?" Enara asked.

"It's Keri in here, Enara, and I'd really like you to stay," the Princess said. "When the Regent arrives, you can wait with Ali in her bedchamber."

"We'll probably hear a little shouting," Aliana added. "Of course, we won't really 'hear' anything."

"I'm not sure I understand," Enara said. "You didn't know about the festival?"

"Oh, I knew about the festival and had already made plans to attend," Keri told her. "I didn't know my aunt had made arrangements to parade me before every noble's son in the kingdom like a broodmare."

The Princess rose and began pacing about the chamber, clenching her fists and muttering under her breath. Aliana and Enara couldn't catch the words, which was probably for the best since the Princess was using very unladylike language. Finally, she stopped and drew in a deep breath before turning to face Aliana.

"Ali, dear, would you please loosen this fragging dress," she said through clenched teeth. "I'd like to be able to breathe, so I can scream properly when the Regent gets here."

"Why would the Regent do such a thing?" Enara asked as she moved to help Aliana adjust the lacing on the Princess's dress.

"I'm sure it all has some political motive behind it," Keri said. "She likes to push me too, knowing I can't…."

Enara looked on, waiting for the Princess to continue. Keri turned to look at Aliana, who nodded and said, "I think you can trust Enara."

"I don't understand," Enara said. "Trust me with what?"

"You've heard all the stories about elves, haven't you, Enara?" the Princess asked.

"I suppose so," Enara said. "I know they were a beautiful race, and they had a natural connection to the aether, which made them powerful mages. They also had very long life spans; some even say they were immortal."

"That's all true," Keri said. "Much of it also has passed on to humans with elvish ancestors. My great-grandmother, Queen Riala, was over two hundred when she died, and she looked almost exactly like she did when she was my age. My mother's family also had a strong elvish bloodline, and that bloodline mixed with my father's did something very unusual. My parents were human, but they had an elf for a child."

"How could they know that?"

"Magic," Keri explained. "The mages at the academy did a magical examination shortly after I was born. They said I'm a pureblood elf, something that hasn't been seen in Trimaria for over five hundred years."

"Oh, well, why keep that a secret?" Enara wondered. "I think it's wonderful."

"Because the elves didn't disappear, they were driven out," Keri said. "They lived side-by-side with humans for generations, but eventually jealousy and bigotry set in, and things became so bad that they left. My parents wanted to protect me from that possibility, so they presented me as just a child who resembled an elf, which while not common, isn't unheard of either."

"What does that have to do with the festival?"

"Do you know what else elves were known as?" Aliana asked.

"They called themselves the Fae," Enara said. "Elf females were called nymphs by some because … oh … I think I see."

Keri nodded and said, "That's right, the elves were very … adventurous … regarding sex, especially the females. They had magic to prevent themselves from getting pregnant unless they wanted to, so they had no reason to restrain their sexual nature. It was common for an elf female to marry, but she would also have numerous lovers. Of course, the same was actually true of the males, but it's always been acceptable for a man to have mistresses on the side. Along with everything else, I inherited that too."

"But aren't you…," Enara started. "I mean I'd heard you were…."

"Yes, I'm still a virgin," Keri said. She extended her right hand so Enara could examine the ring she wore.

The band was very wide and made of a dark silver-grey metal Enara recognized as manthracite. A large emerald was set into the band, and the setting and band were etched with what looked at first glance like swirling lines. Upon closer examination, Enara could see that the swirls were actually finely wrought glyphs that were inlaid with pure gold.

"It's called a chastity ring," Keri told her. "It keeps my elvish nature suppressed. My parents had it made when I was a child, but I didn't have to start wearing it until just before I turned eighteen, when I started to mature."

"She was a late bloomer," Ali offered.

Keri nodded and giggled. "Ali had breasts when she was fourteen, and I was so jealous."

Aliana raised her eyebrows and looked at the Princess's cleavage.

"You certainly made up for it though," she said. "It took me four years to grow these, and you passed me in a year."

"I've read about chastity rings," Enara said. "Don't they also affect others?"

"Yes, they do," Keri said. "It doesn't stop someone from feeling affection or attraction to me, but if their thoughts start to progress to something more physical, the enchantment … well, let's just say it dampens their enthusiasm."

"If you don't mind my asking, Keri, what does it do to you?"

"Basically, it prevents me from getting aroused," Keri said. "Unfortunately, it doesn't stop me from thinking about sex or wondering what it would be like to be with someone. So you see, even if I were to meet someone I liked at the Grand Ball, I can't do anything about it. If I even let him kiss me, it would be like someone dumped us both in a pure, frigid spring."

"Couldn't you just take it off — I mean just for a little while?"

Keri looked at Aliana, her cheeks reddening as she said, "No, that is not an option."

"I think I understand now," Enara said. "As Princess and the future Queen, it could cause you a lot of problems if you had a string of affairs. It's not like it is for Aliana or me."

Both the Princess and Aliana raised their eyebrows at her last remark, and Enara's cheeks turned crimson.

"It's always the quiet ones," Aliana said as she shook her head.

"Yes," Keri agreed, "well, except for you, Ali."

"Just how old are you, Enara?" Aliana asked after sticking her tongue out at the Princess.

"Seventeen," Enara replied, still blushing. "I'll be eighteen in two months. I haven't … I mean, there were only two so far."

"So far?" Keri grinned. "Are you sure you're not related to Ali?"

"Hey, I…," Aliana started to protest, but was interrupted by a knock on the sitting room door. She looked at Keri, who visibly steeled herself and then nodded. Aliana rose and walked to the door, opening it a crack to speak with someone outside.

"The Regent is here as you requested, Highness," she said after closing the door again. "Duke Terlen is with her."

"Oh, that's sneaky," Keri said. "She thinks I won't pitch a fit if he's here."

"You can have him wait outside," Aliana suggested.

"No, I'll see them both," Keri said, rising from the couch. "Lady Enara, would you join Ali, please?"

Enara walked over and stood by Enara at the door. The Princess took a moment to compose herself and then nodded to her handmaiden. Aliana opened the door and took a step back to admit the Regent and her consort.

Duke Terlen Corvass was a kindly looking man, his black hair streaked with grey at the temples. He maintained a respectful distance behind the Regent as she entered with a look of agitation on her face. She barely spared a glance for Aliana, though her eyes did linger for a moment on Enara. Both the young women performed an informal curtsey and then turned to face the Princess.

"Thank you Enara, Aliana," Her Highness said. "I'll call you when I need you."

The girls again did a quick bob and nod, and then Aliana led Enara through the door which connected to her bedchamber. After the door was closed Keri didn't say a word, she just stared at her aunt and waited.

"Keri, I understand that you're upset…."

"Upset doesn't begin to describe how I feel, Regent," Keri spat, emphasizing the title. She wanted to make it clear from the beginning that this was not to be a family discussion.

"Your Highness, the fault is mine," Duke Terlan said. "I should have seen to it…."

"Duke Terlan, I will not let you take the blame for something that was not your responsibility," Keri said. "You have been more than kind to me in the years since you married my aunt, and I am grateful for that. This discussion is between myself and the Regent, however, and your presence here is an indulgence of courtesy. Please do not make me regret that indulgence."

"Forgive me, Highness," the Duke said.

"You were saying, Regent?"

Duchess Rayna glared at her niece, but managed to keep her voice under control as she said, "It was my intention, Highness, to inform you of the arrangements for the Grand Ball prior to the start of court. If you hadn't been late…."

"You will not try to put this on me!" Keri almost screamed. "Five minutes before the start of court is not the time to inform me of something like this, and you know it. You may not have any respect for me as your niece, but By the Fragment you will respect me as Princess!"

Keri saw something she hadn't expected in her aunt's eyes - hurt. She saw how the years of responsibility had taken a terrible toll on a woman who had once been vibrant and full of life. The look vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by her aunt's usual stony gaze, but it was almost enough to make her regret her words, but only almost. This wasn't the first time the Regent had used her to garner political support, and she was just plain tired of it.

"You know I have no intention of marrying before I assume the throne," Keri continued. "You also know that because of the ring I wear, even if I met someone and truly felt something for them, I can't act on those desires without removing the ring and opening a floodgate. You didn't even consider any of that. "

"I considered everything," her aunt told her. "The political situation in the kingdom right now is very complicated."

"I know how complicated it is," Keri said. "You think I'm stupid, but I'm not. I know the Council of Barons is concerned because I haven't taken the throne. I know you're doing this to allay that concern. If I'm entertaining suitors, it gives them hope of an alliance with the royal family. What you don't know is that if you had come to me and asked me, I would have said yes. I would have whined and moaned, but I still would have said yes, because I do care about the welfare of this kingdom.

"That's why I'll attend the ball, and I'll make nice for all the suitors. I'll do my duty as Princess, but if you ever try to use me again, if you ever intentionally leave me in the dark about anything, I'll have no choice but to remove you as Regent by claiming the throne."

"May I speak now, Highness?"

Keri nodded and braced herself for what was to come.

"I've never thought you were stupid," the Regent said. "Irresponsible, yes; capricious, definitely. You're overly indulgent of those beneath you, which presents an inappropriate image for the future sovereign. I had hoped you would grow out of it, but that doesn't appear likely now.

"If you wish to be kept informed, I'm more than happy to obey, but you have never before expressed such a desire. However, if you believe that throwing a childish tantrum is going to encourage me to treat you with more respect, you're mistaken. You're free to claim your right to the throne anytime you wish, and have been for over a year now. Until you do so, I will do what must be done to maintain support for the war effort, even if that means using you for political purposes."

Keri tried not to let the feelings of defeat show, but the slight grin on her aunt's face told her she had not succeeded. Her threat had been an empty one, and the Regent knew it. She had hoped she could reach her aunt, but she had failed.

"Then we're done here," she said, turning to the Regent's consort she added, "Duke Terlen, please forgive my rudeness to you earlier."

"Of course, Highness," the Duke said with a bow. The Regent turned and left the room without any display of courtesy, and Duke Terlen followed on her heels.

"I pity that poor man," Keri whispered after they had left.

She didn't have to call for Aliana and Enara. She knew that her handmaiden at least had probably been standing at the door listening to every word. Instead, she walked over and dropped onto the couch, pulling the coronet from her head and dropping it onto the wooden table before her. By the time Aliana and Enara entered the sitting room, the Princess was shaking as her body was wracked with sobs. All her friends could do was sit with her and try to provide some comfort.

CHAPTER 4

It took the better part of an hour to get the Princess calmed down. Once she had regained her composure, Aliana and Enara helped her out of her gown. As she stood nude in the sitting room, Keri couldn't help but notice the way Enara looked at her, a mixture of embarrassment and admiration on her face. The Princess knew she had an exquisite body, but she suspected the young noblewoman's look went beyond mere appreciation for another woman.

Aliana brought her a half-length, strapless bustier made of silk, with hooks in front to make it easy to don unassisted. Her breasts were too large for her to go without some form of support, and she intensely disliked the brassieres that most other women wore. After the bustier was in place and she was properly arranged within it, Ali slipped a dark green dress of shimmering silk over her head.

"I can get dressed without assistance, but Ali usually won't let me," Keri told Enara.

"I enjoy making you look pretty, not that you need any help," Ali said. "You're like a big dress-up doll. Besides, you help me too."

"Yes, part of my indulging those beneath me," Keri said with a grin to show she didn't mean it.

"You're so different," Enara said. "You don't act like a Princess at all. That didn't come out right … what I mean is…."

"It's all right, Enara, I understand what you're saying," Keri assured her. "I take it as a compliment. My parents taught me that being born noble is nothing more than an accident of fate. Most of all, they taught me it's not a license to be rude and look down on others."

"Is that why you asked me to accompany you to court? Because the other girls were so mean to me?"

"I asked you because I like you," Keri said. "I did want to try to shield you from them some too, however. Making you part of my entourage elevates your status, and they won't dare pick on you."

"I … I don't understand," Enara said. "Part of your entourage?"

The Princess smiled and nodded. "Lady Enara, I'd very much like you to be my Lady-in-Waiting."

Enara's mouth dropped open, and her eyes grew wide and round. She looked from the Princess to Aliana, her lips quivering as she tried to speak.

"It's all right, Enara," Aliana assured her. "Keri talked to me about this shortly after you came to Lockeshire. I can't be her Lady-in-Waiting because I'm not a noblewoman. I'd be honored to serve my Princess by your side."

Keri smiled at her handmaiden. In her mind, Aliana was far more noble than most of those born that way. Once the Princess assumed the throne, she would remedy that situation. As Queen, it was her right to grant titles to whomever she pleased, and her very first official act would be to give Aliana what she so richly deserved, even though it would mean she would lose her as handmaiden.

"My parents … they'd never let me," Enara said when she finally found her voice. The fearful look that came to her face confirmed something Keri had suspected - Enara did not have a happy home life.

"Enara, I'm asking you, not your parents," the Princess said. "Would you like to be my Lady? Before you answer, you need to understand that it would mean moving into the palace. There's a suite already prepared that connects to this room. You would also become the Honorable Lady Enara."

"I'd … I'd like that very much," Enara said, her voice soft as though she was afraid saying it too loud might awaken her from a dream.

"Then it's settled," Keri said. "I'll deal with your parents. Do you think they would be able to receive me this evening?"

"Father often works late into the evening at the Ministry of Finance," Enara said.

"Enara, sweetheart, I'm the Princess," Keri said. "They'll let him leave early for me." She turned to Aliana and asked, "Can you find something nice and comfortable for Enara to wear? We don't want her to ruin her court gown."

"We're about the same size," Aliana said. "I'm sure I have something."

"Good. After you change, I'd like you both to go to the Herald's office and have them send word to Enara's parents that I would like to pay them a visit this evening at five. That will give us plenty of time for some shopping and a nice ride. Make sure they know that it's an informal visit and they don't have to make a fuss."

"Could I make a suggestion?" Aliana asked.

"Of course you may."

"You need a herald assigned to you personally," the handmaiden said. "It would be better to do it now, so you can get him, or her, properly broken in before the festival. It's time you had a proper suite of retainers — the shard knows I could use some help looking after you."

"Are you saying I'm high maintenance?" Keri asked with a pout. Before her friend could answer, she did so herself by adding, "Of course I am — I'm the Princess. You're right, of course. While you’re there, tell Master Otellan that I'm looking for a herald. I trust him to recommend someone suitable to my personality."

"You don't sound happy about the idea," Enara said.

"Well, I don't particularly enjoy being pampered constantly," Keri said. "Ali's been with me so long that she knows when to lay it on and when not to. On the other hand, Ali is right, it is past time she had some help. I just dread the thought of training a whole horde of retainers."

"Well, isn't that what you have us for?" Enara asked. "I mean, I don't really know anything, but I'm sure Ali can teach me everything I need to know, and then we can teach the others."

"Very well said, Enara," Ali told her. "Now, why don't we see what we can do about something for you to wear?"

"My friends … my friends back in Highkeep, well, they always called me Nara."

"Let's go get changed, Nara," Ali said as she took their new friend by the arm. As they reached the door to her bedchamber, she paused and looked back at the Princess.

"Oh, Keri? If you ever really get sick of being fussed over by your new retainers, you can always send them to me. I love being pampered. I still remember when we were ten and your father proclaimed me princess for the day."

Aliana didn't catch the look of sudden inspiration on her friend's face as she and Enara entered her chamber. As soon as the door closed, Keri rushed to her own bedchamber. It had changed little over the last six years, and she still thought of it as her parent's room — Aliana now slept in the chamber that had once been hers, a fact which was a constant sore point with her aunt.

She passed through the bedchamber and into her closet, which was larger than the room that had once been Ali's. The closet was more than half full of clothing, all relatively new. Her body had changed so much in the last year that she had gone through several wardrobe changes.

Keri walked to the back of the closet and twisted a glow fixture on the wall. A small panel in the center of the wall slid aside, revealing a plaque of pure manthracite. She placed her hand against the plaque and whispered, "Open the way."

A concealed door swung inward in response to her command. After her parents were killed, Master Talisin had given her a sealed letter her mother had entrusted to him, which contained the instructions for accessing the secret chamber. It had been written several months before she died, and Keri had always wondered if she had sensed that her time was short.  Queen Mistara had been a gifted sorceress, yet even among the magically adept, precognition was viewed with skepticism. Still, something had prompted her mother to prepare the letter for her thirteen-year-old daughter.

She paused for a moment as she entered the chamber, thinking that any thief that managed to force his way in would be disappointed. Certainly the items of jewelry within were of great value, but there was not nearly as much as most would expect in a king's treasure room. The real treasures of the kingdom were locked away in another part of the palace — what was in this chamber were just a few items that were personally precious, but the value of many of them went far beyond their physical beauty.

Keri walked to the left side of the vault, where an ornate wooden box sat on a small table. She opened the box and lifted a small piece of paper that was inside — her mother had left a similar note with each item in the vault.

This is the Amulet of Kessil, my most precious treasure. Your father and I have used it many times, and it brought new meaning to our love. I hope that one day it can do the same for you. You will find the details regarding it, as well as the instructions for the required ritual in my spell book. Should you decide to make use of it, please be careful.

She had, of course, checked her mother's spell book long before and learned what the amulet was capable of. She had a few details to work out, the biggest being how she would get to the place she needed to be to make use of the amulet. She had a plan though, and if it worked, she would get out of the onerous task of being on display at the festival — and give her friend a very special gift in the process.

CHAPTER 5

Despite its nearly eighty-thousand inhabitants, Trimaria's capital and most populous city was remarkably uncrowded. Built upon a cape that separated upper and lower Locke Mare, the bustling city covered more than three-thousand acres. Unlike Oldenkeep, Markeep and the other older cities, the construction of Lockeshire had been meticulously planned. Precisely ordered streets were laid out in a grid that radiated from Market Square, the commercial heart of the city.

Aliana loved Market Square. You could find virtually anything there, as merchants traveled from the four corners of the kingdom to sell their wares in the capital. With the restrictions placed on spire travel, the market wasn't what it once had been, but there were still all manner of exotic items available.

"I've been afraid to come here," Enara said as they walked among the shops of the square. "I'd get lost for certain. I thought Highkeep was big, but it's tiny compared to Lockeshire.

"The best way to learn the lay of the city is to explore it," the Princess said. "That's what Ali and I did as children. I'm afraid we ran poor Marc ragged with all the times we snuck out of the Palace."

A low growl issued from the big knight, and the three girls giggled.

"There are constables everywhere, Nara," Aliana explained. "They can help you find any place you want."

"And of course, now all you have to do is ask, and a Royal Guardsman will escort you wherever you like," Keri added.

There was nowhere the Princess could go where she wouldn't draw attention, but the people of Lockeshire were accustomed to seeing her and didn't cause a scene. Of course, the presence of Marc, Garith and Stilnar, plus six additional Royal Guardsmen made a very effective deterrent for the overly curious.

As its name implied, Market Square was indeed a square. Three outer rings of shops surrounded an open area that was filled with the carts of traveling merchants. As the entourage made there way through the center area, a cart off to their right caught Aliana's eyes, and she touched Keri's arm.

"Look, it's an Artemisian!"

The merchant at the cart was a woman nearly as tall as Marc with a well muscled yet unmistakably feminine physique. Her hair was sun bleached, and her skin deeply tanned. She wore a dark red dress with a tight bodice and long flowing skirt, the distinctive oval scales marking the material as dragon hide. Artemisia was an island continent over two-hundred leagues to the south of Trimaria. Over half of the island lay within the Dragon Latitudes, a narrow band centered on the equator where the temperature was hot year-round, and one of the few areas where dragons still thrived.

The Princess changed direction and headed towards the cart. The tall woman saw her coming and walked around to the front, dropping to her knees and bowing her head.

"Her Highness honors me with her presence," she said in a melodious alto. "I am called Brynmara."

"I am pleased to meet you, Brynmara," Keri said. "Your dress is very exotic and lovely."

"Your Highness is gracious," Brynmara said as she rose. "Perhaps you would care to see an even more exotic dragon hide?"

"Oh yes, most definitely," Keri said.

Brynmara smiled and walked back behind the cart. She lifted a large chest from beneath it and opened it, tilting it forward so they could see the material inside. It was a deep purple in color, like the purple on the flag of Trimaria, but as the sunlight caught it the scales glittered like a rainbow, displaying flashes of red and green and gold.

"May I?" Keri asked, gesturing to the material.

"Please do, the hide must be felt to be appreciated," Brynmara said.

The Princess touched the hide, a delighted smile spreading across her face. She turned to Aliana and Enara and said, "You have to feel this!"

Aliana touched the hide and was amazed at how it felt as her fingers slid across it. It was thick and felt extremely durable, as one would expect, but it had the soft smoothness of fine silk. As the child of two of the finest clothiers in Trimaria, Aliana had grown up around fine fabrics, but the way the dragon hide flowed through her fingers like liquid was unlike anything she had ever seen.

"This is the hide of a Chromatic Dragon," Brynmara explained. "It is the rarest of all dragons and has very unique properties."

The merchant reached beneath her cart once more and pulled out a small section of identical hide and a candle. After lighting the candle with a cantrip, she held the hide over it for several seconds. When she showed them the area where the flame had touched it, it was blackened with soot, but once she wiped it with a cloth, the hide appeared unmarred.

"If I could borrow the handsome knight's dagger?" Brynmara said. When Marc gave her an uncertain look she said, "You have my oath — I mean Her Highness no harm."

Artemisian honor was a thing of legend. They never lied and, once given, their word was unbreakable. To even accuse one of lying was to challenge them to a fight to the death. Still Marc hesitated, until the Princess spoke.

"It's alright, Marc," Keri said.

Marc still didn't look happy, but he handed over his dagger. Brynmara examined the blade and smiled in approval.

"Enchanted, yes?" she asked. Marc nodded.

Brynmara placed the hide section on a thick block of wood and then drove the point of the dagger into it. There was a flash of light as the enchanted steel met the hide, and though it did pierce the hide, less than a quarter-inch of the blade made it through. Brynmara moved the hide aside and plunged the dagger into the block, burying half the foot-long blade in the wood.

"Impressive," Marc said as the merchant returned the dagger hilt first. Brynmara smiled, her eyes roving up and down Marc with undisguised admiration.

"It looks like you have enough here for several gowns," Keri said. "How much for the whole lot?"

Brynmara's eyes barely widened, and a slight grin spread across her face. She and the Princess settled into negotiating and quickly settled on a price that both found fair.

"Would Her Highness like this delivered to the Palace?"

"No, to Mistress Karinna's shop in the third ring of the square," Keri said. "I can send someone to collect it if you don't know the way."

"I am quite familiar with the Grand Mistress," Brynmara said. She loosened the top of her bodice and pulled it aside enough to reveal a bustier of fine black silk.

"Even we Artemisians love the feel of silk against our skin," she said with a grin at Marc that made it plain she would have no objections if he were to offer to help her out of her dress later on.

Keri and her friends couldn't help but giggle at the knight-captain as he cheeks reddened slightly. The Princess extended her hand and the merchant took it, bowing her head.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Brynmara. Should you come back to Lockeshire in the future, please let me know."

"I will, Highness," Brynmara said. "I'll be traveling through your fair kingdom over the next few weeks, making my way to Wallkeep for the Harvest Festival, where I will have many more treasures from the south to display."

"I'll look for you there then," Keri said. "Honor to you, Brynmara of Artemisia."

"And to you, Highness. Trimaria is truly blessed to have a Princess of such great beauty and bearing. May your house stand tall and proud."

"She could teach some of our knights a thing or two about gallantry," Aliana said as they walked away. "Not you, of course, Sir Marc."

"She definitely likes you, Marc," Keri teased. "You should pay her a visit before she leaves — I've heard the women of Artemisia are quite skilled."

"I'll vouch for that," Garith said. "Though contrary to what you may have heard, Highness, they're surprisingly gentle lovers. Ain't that right, Cap'n?"

Marc turned and gave the serjeant a menacing glare, which failed to faze Garith in the least.

"Are we going somewhere in particular, or just browsing?" Enara asked.

"We are going to visit Ali's mother and father," Keri told her. "We're going to get you measured for some new clothes, including about a dozen court gowns. That's not to say there's anything wrong with your current wardrobe — you have a wonderful sense of fashion, and you know how to dress to accentuate your beauty, but you're running in a different circle now."

"Won't that be expensive?" Enara asked. "We haven't even spoken to my parents yet."

The Princess stopped and turned to face Enara. Ali noticed the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, the kind that said she was the Princess and she knew she could have virtually anything she wanted.

"Enara, your parents can't prevent you from being my Lady," the Princess said. "However, if they refuse and you don't wish to go against them, I’ll understand that completely. In any case, the clothes are my gift to you - and don't you dare tell me you couldn't accept such a gift!"

"No way!" Enara laughed. "I love getting new clothes!"

The Princess and Aliana shared in her laughter while the guards shook their heads and smiled in wonder. Ali didn't know about Marc or Garith, but she was certain Stilnar had no more than three complete sets of clothing in addition to his armor.

"You did send word to your mother that we were coming, Ali?" the Princess asked.

"Of course I did," the handmaiden replied. "If we showed up unannounced, she'd turn me over her knee and spank me right in front of you!"

As the procession made its way through the square, the crowds parted, paying respect to their future Queen with their bows and curtsies. Aliana feared Enara's head was going to pop off the way she kept turning it to the left and right.

"You'll get used to it," she said in a low tone.

"I'm just afraid I'm going to wake up and find this was all a dream," Enara replied.

"Maybe it is," Aliana said with a smile. "Sometimes dreams do come true."

"It's fun to make people's dreams come true," Keri said with a giggle. "I'm working on a couple of special projects along that line right now."

Aliana was amazed, and concerned, by the change in the Princess's demeanor. She knew Keri too well — because of her magical powers the Princess had received extensive training to help her control her anger since an outburst of rage could have potentially fatal consequences. When she did get angry, she tended to simmer for a very long time. Just an hour earlier she had been mad enough to start fires with her eyes, and now she was almost giddily happy. If she hadn't known better the handmaiden would swear the Princess was a little tipsy, but she knew Keri hadn't had anything to drink, and even if she had it took a prodigious amount of wine to get her intoxicated. That could only mean one thing — she was up to something.

They spent another half hour ambling through Market Square, stopping at several shops to browse and greet favorite merchants. Finally, they passed completely through the square to the outer ring on the south side, where they reached a shop of modest size and entered. Marc and the guards waiting outside - they wouldn't prevent anyone from entering, but their presence would discourage most from coming into the shop.

The first thing that struck the eye about the shop was the eight girls working there. They ran the gamut of body types, from tall and thin to short and plump, and each of them were dressed in gowns of breathtaking beauty, tailored specifically to flatter their shape. As soon as the Princess entered, the girls rushed to line up before her. As one, they performed a quick curtsey and then waited with expectant grins.

"Oh, go back to work," Keri scolded. "You do that just to aggravate me."

"They do it because I expect it of them, Highness," an elegant woman in her forties said as she approached. "I love you too much not to make my apprentices show you the respect you deserve."

The woman stopped and curtsied formally to the Princess and then turned to Aliana, her arms opening wide.

"Hello, Mother," Aliana said as they hugged.

"Ali, dear, you look lovely," her mother said. She shared her daughter's chestnut hair and had the same impish twinkle in her eyes. She turned to the Princess and once more spread her arms wide, and Keri eagerly embraced her.

"And you are ravishing as always, Highness," she said. "You look so much like your mother."

"If I am, it's because you dress me so well," Keri said. "Grand Mistress Elena, may I present to you the Lady Enara, soon to be my Lady-in-Waiting."

"Your presence honors me, Lady Enara," Mistress Elena said as the noblewoman curtsied in greeting. "I understand we'll be fitting you for some new gowns."

"Yes, Mistress Elena," Enara said.

"We'd like a dozen court gowns and about twice that in casual dresses," Keri said. "Oh, and we're all going to need gowns for the Grand Ball at the Harvest Festival."

"My, that's quite an order," the seamstress said. "What's the occasion?"

Keri leaned forward and in a conspiratorial whisper said, "I'm going on a Royal Progress. I haven't told Sir Marcan yet."

"This is the first I've heard of it too," Aliana said. "When did you decide this?"

"When my aunt informed the court that I was going to be put on display at the ball," Keri said. "If it's safe enough for me to attend the festival, it's safe enough for me to get to know the people I'm going to rule. I'm tired of hiding in the Palace."

"Good for you, Highness," Mistress Elena said. "Now, before we get to measuring Lady Enara, did you have something special planned for all this lovely dragon hide that Brynmara had delivered?"

"I was thinking of three of the most beautiful and unique ball gowns ever," Keri smiled.

Enara gasped in surprise, but Aliana's eyes narrowed, and she shook her head.

"Keri, that's fine for you and Enara, but it's too much for me," she protested. "I'm just a handmaiden!"

The hurt look that sprang to the Princess's face was enough to make Aliana want to cry.

"You know you're much, much more than that to me," Keri said, her voice breaking. She looked at Elena and blushed slightly, but Aliana's mother only beamed with pride.

"Her Highness is right," Elena said. "You're not just a handmaiden, you're the Royal Handmaiden. If the Princess wishes to let the kingdom know how special you are, that's her right."

"I'm sorry, Keri, that was a stupid thing for me to say," Ali apologized. "You have never treated me like a servant."

"Ha! I treat you like a servant all the time," Keri countered, "but only when I must. If it'll make you feel more comfortable, I'm certain your mother can design a gown that will be suitably low key — at least when compared to mine, which has to be absolutely stunning!"

Ali saw that look again in Keri's eyes — a mischievous twinkle that said she was plotting something. The handmaiden couldn't imagine what it might be and knew better than to ask at the moment.

"You can work with dragon hide, Mistress Elena?" the Princess asked.

"Of course," Ali's mother assured her. "It requires special enchantments for the needles and such — dragon hide is very tough despite the way it feels, but I have everything I need. I daresay the three of you will not only be the loveliest ladies at the ball, but also the most well protected."

Mistress Elena led them to the fitting room of her shop, and once the Princess was settled in a comfortable chair, her apprentices set about taking the necessary measurements for Enara. It was obvious to Aliana that the noblewoman had never had a formal fitting before and wasn't used to having eight girls clucking and fawning over her. She also knew this was a carefully constructed plan on Keri's part — she was showing Enara the benefits of being her Lady-in-Waiting.

"Where are my manners," Mistress Elena said. "Ali, dear, would you help me with the refreshments?"

Aliana didn't miss the look in her mother's eyes, and after getting a nod from the Princess, rose and followed her mother into the back room of the shop.

"Enara is a lovely girl," her mother said as they prepared a tray of sweet snacks. "I'm glad Keri doesn't do what so many high born women do — surround themselves with plain girls to make themselves look prettier."

"Keri doesn't have to stoop to that," Ali said. "There's no one prettier than her in the kingdom."

"They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder," her mother told her. "When the Princess looks at you, she sees the most beautiful creature in the world, as do I."

Aliana blushed, aware that her mother knew she and Keri were more than friends despite having never acted on their feelings. It made her love her even more to know that she would accept the relationship, even if Keri were a lowly farm maiden.

"I love you so much, Mother," she said. "Now, why did you arrange to get me away from Her Highness — there's something on your mind."

"Yes, there is," Elena said. "This Royal Progress is a grand idea, and it pleases me beyond words that Keri came up with it on her own. The Regent may just find her machinations have turned around to bite her."

"I don't follow you, Mother."

Elena smiled and touched her daughter's cheek.

"You've both grown into lovely young women, but you've been sheltered here," she said. "Neither of you has traveled far beyond the walls of Lockeshire for eight years, and the kingdom has changed so much. Keri needs to see this, and you will need to be there for her when she does."

"Mother, you haven't left Lockeshire in all that time either," Aliana pointed out.

"No, that's why I have journeywomen. They travel to the four corners of the land and when they return, they tell me not only what fashions are popular in different regions but also what the mood of the people is. That's why the guilds have such positions."

This was not really news to Aliana. She knew that the journeymen and women of the various guilds did much more than spread their craft throughout the kingdom.

"What are you trying to tell me, Mother?"

"I'm saying the Princess may find her reception somewhat cold in some areas, especially those in the western part of Trimaria. The war has taken a terrible toll on the people. It will break her heart, and for that I am sorry, but the Princess needs to see this first hand. She also needs to assemble a proper retinue about her — people who will provide her with counsel. The Council of Guilds supports the Princess because Toranon always supported the guilds. Have her speak to the guild masters."

"I suggested that very thing to her this morning," Aliana said. "She had me speak to Master Otellan about assigning her a herald."

"That's my girl," Elena beamed with pride. "A herald is a good start, and I know Otellan already has a candidate he's been grooming for the position. Of course, Master Talisin will be with her to represent the sages, and I'll provide her with a seamstress. She'll need a scribe as well and a minstrel — especially a minstrel."

"Hmm, you lost me there," Aliana said. "What's so important about a minstrel?"

"Child, minstrels and clothiers are the best spies in the kingdom," Elena said. "Minstrels are trained to have keen eyes and ears, and people will say things during a fitting without thought for the person who is making them look noble."

Aliana's face clouded and she asked, "Mother, you haven't used me to spy on Keri — have you?"

"Of course not, dear," Elena said. "First, there's been no need. Keri's heart is with the people, just as her parents’ were. More importantly, I would never betray anything you told me in confidence."

"I … I'm sorry, Mother. I should never have even suggested you would."

"Of course you should have," Elena said. "Do you remember what I told you when you became the Princess's handmaiden?"

Aliana nodded. "You said I would always be your daughter, but from that day forward my first duty was to the Princess."

"And you've never disappointed me."

"I love her, Mother," Aliana said, putting into words for the first time what she knew her mother suspected.

"I know, dear," Elena said. "Now, we'd best get these refreshments to Her Highness before she begins to wonder where we've gotten off to."

The measurements had all been taken by the time they returned, and Elena's apprentices were already helping Enara try on gowns and dresses of various styles. The gowns the grand mistress designed were all modular — skirts, sleeves and bodices could be mixed and matched to produce a unique garment tailored to the individual client. She had earned her Grand Mastery for designing a method for easily attaching and removing the various components of a display garment to allow the buyer to see how the different pieces would fit together.

As Enara tried on various combinations, Aliana served the Princess and then sat down next to her to observe and offer advice when asked. Keri remained silent for most of the fitting too, only offering her advice when Enara asked for it. She did the same for her handmaiden when she was being fitted for a new gown — the Princess wanted her friends to develop their own sense of style.

By the time they were finished, Ali's mother had prepared rough sketches of the court gowns for Enara and the ball gowns for all three young women. They left the shop with several bags filled with foundation garments for Enara, and under her borrowed dress she wore a bustier of the style favored by both the Princess and her handmaiden.

They were just saying their goodbyes when a man of impressive size entered the shop. He was as tall as Stilnar and as broad as Garith, a bearish physique that would have suited him well as a smith or beastmaster. His clothing, however, was as impeccably styled as that of Mistress Elena — a tailored doublet of velvet and long trousers tucked into the top of knee boots.

"Father!" Aliana exclaimed, forgetting etiquette and rushing to leap into his arms. Grand Master Odon Karinna scooped his daughter up and lifted her from the ground.

"Oh, it's good to see you daughter," he said. "You don't visit us near enough, and you're so close!"

"I know," Aliana said with a pout. "I'm a bad daughter."

"And so am I," Keri said. "Do I get a hug too?"

"Of course you do, child, come here this instant!" Odon commanded.

Aliana watched as her father scooped the Princess up and treated her to the same bear hug he had given his daughter. She didn't begrudge the attention in the least.

"Goodness, child, but you've filled out!" Odon exclaimed, "You're a woman now, Princess. If I were twenty years younger and not madly in love with my lady, you'd turn my head."

"Poppa Odo, you're going to make me blush," Keri said, proceeding to do exactly that.

Aliana felt a tremendous surge of pride. When she had become Keri's handmaiden, Toranon and Mistara had treated her like a daughter rather than a servant, and when they had died, her parent's had done the same for Keri. Sometimes it felt odd to the handmaiden — she had come to love Keri first as friend, then as sister, and finally as her true love — but she wouldn't change a moment if she could.

"I wish we could stay longer, but our horses are saddled and waiting at the Royal stables," Keri said.

"Well, you need to get out, child," Odon said. "A girl your age shouldn't be cooped up behind stone walls all the time."

They said their goodbyes and parted with a promise that Ali's parents would join them for dinner the next evening at the Palace. The Princess and her attendants left the shop and started walking back towards the Palace.

"I can't believe it … I have boobs!" Enara giggled as she looked down at her more prominent cleavage.

"Mother always says a girl should display her treasures but not flaunt them," Aliana said. "The true measure of a gown's beauty is how much it makes someone want to take it off you."

"Yes, a dress is like the wrappings on a present," Keri giggled. "It's what's inside that counts, but the packaging can greatly enhance the anticipation. You have a lovely body, and it’s still developing, Nara. You're going to be a stunning woman."

Enara blushed brightly and asked, "Will you teach me how to do my face like you do? I've never really liked having so much paint on."

"That'll be fun!" Keri laughed. "Now, I believe we have horses ready for us at the Palace stable."

"I suppose there's no point in trying to convince you to restrict your ride to the inner curtain wall," Marc said.

"The parade grounds?" Keri asked. "Please, Marc, you can't even get up to a gallop there. I want to feel the wind in my hair."

"I live to serve, Highness," the knight replied.

CHAPTER 6

Andarel's Belt glittered in the southern sky as the Princess and her small entourage rode their mounts at a walk over the gently rolling landscape. Marc knew the Princess had been surprised when he told her she would only have himself plus Garith and Stilnar as escorts, and that they would be traveling without armor or any display of colors. Marc wasn't concerned — he had two full troops, half the Royal Guard, scouring the countryside around them for any possible threat.

Marc and his men weren't the only ones traveling incognito. Fortunately, convincing the Princess that she and her attendants should dress in simple tunics and trousers hadn't been at all difficult. Keri actually preferred such attire for riding, though it wasn't always possible for her to dress so. It wouldn't fool anyone who got close — even dressed in common clothes, the Princess looked regal, but no one was going to get that close.

"She's up to something," Marc said. They were riding several lengths ahead of the girls to give them some privacy, though all three frequently checked behind them.

"Why would you think that?" Stil asked. "She seems to be in a really good mood. She didn't even whine when you told her you had a hundred men sweeping the area."

"Exactly, she's being far too nice," Marc said.

"That's not fair, lad," Garith said. "The Princess is always nice unless someone gives her reason not ta be."

"All right, she's being too accommodating," Marc said. "Remember, I've been with her since I was eleven, her whole life. She can be very manipulating."

"That she can," Garith admitted, "but it's not so bad if ya don't mind bein' manipulated, and she does it in a way that makes ya like it. She's just a child lookin’ for a little space. Her schemes are harmless enough."

"I don't call slipping out of the palace without her guards to go to a fair harmless."

"Aye, that was a bit foolish, but she was only fourteen at the time," Garith said. "Her parents hadn't even been dead a year."

"She's the future queen — she has to learn to be more responsible."

"You're soundin' more like the Regent every day, lad," Garith said.

Marc shot his serjeant an angry glare and opened his mouth to protest but stopped.

"I'm not that bad," he said finally, but with little conviction.

"You and Aliana are the only real family she has left, Marc," the serjeant told him. "She loves you, lad, but she's scared. She shoulda had years, time to marry and have kids of her own before she took the throne. If Toranon hadn't gotten killed…."

"I know," Marc said.

The pain in Marc's voice was plain, and Garith's hard eyes softened as he said, "It wasn't your fault, lad. If you'd been there, you woulda died with the rest, and the Princess wouldn't have you here now."

"They're coming up," Stilnar warned.

Marc looked over his shoulder and saw the three girls spurring their horses to catch up. Garith and Stilnar dropped back to allow the Princess to pull alongside Marc.

"Are you ready to head back, Highness?" Marc asked.

"Not quite yet," Keri said. "I have something to talk to you about first."

"Here it comes," Marc muttered under his breath. Her smile told him she had heard his words.

"My talk with my aunt after court has made me realize I need to begin seriously preparing for the day I'll take the throne," the Princess told him. "Making Lady Enara my Lady-in-Waiting and expanding my retinue is the first step in that, but there's more that needs to be done. Would you agree that it's important for the people to have confidence in their future sovereign?"

Marc was unsure what she was building up to, but he had to concede her point so he nodded and said, "Yes, Highness."

"How can they have confidence in someone they've never seen?" Keri asked. "When my parents were alive, we toured the kingdom every year. I haven't been allowed to travel more than a few miles from the palace for the past six years."

"You want a Royal Progress?" Marc asked. "Highness, we have raiders striking deep into the kingdom!"

"My aunt is packing me off to Wallkeep in four months for the festival," Keri pressed. "That's right on Riala's Wall, less than seventy leagues from the war front."

Marc didn't need to be reminded of that. Riala's Wall had been built by Keri's great-grandmother after she had led the armies of Trimaria on a campaign that drove the orcs from the kingdom. The wall was fifty feet high and fifty miles long, stretching across the east end of the Isthmus of Valmor. Wallkeep was the fortified city built into the wall, and while it was a mighty fortress, it was only a little over two hundred miles from the front lines. Marc had already protested vigorously to the Regent about the Princess attending the festival, but to no avail.

"She can't make you go to the festival, Highness," Marc said. "You can refuse."

"What would that accomplish, Marc?" Keri asked, a pleading tone in her voice. "People - my people - are being killed, while their future queen sits safely behind the walls of Lockeshire. How does that make me look? I've been trained in the combat arts since I was a child. Not to the same extent you have, but supposedly enough to handle myself in a fight. When I become queen, I'll be expected to be able to lead the armies of the kingdom like my great-grandmother did, yet I haven't traveled more than a league from the palace since I was thirteen."

There was a look of fierce conviction in the Princess's eyes, and Marc was frankly impressed by her argument. Trimaria did have a tradition of warrior queens; Queen Mistara had become more than competent with sword and shield, despite the fact that as Queen-Consort she had no expectation to live up to. Riala was virtually a legend, both for her military prowess and her scandalous love life. Even though she bore several children, she had never married. One thing Marc was grateful for was that Keri hadn't inherited that - in fact, she showed almost no interest in romance.

The knight was more dubious about the Princess's fighting skills. It was true she had received training, but Keri had never really seriously applied herself. Aliana, on the other hand, took to her weapons training with a passion. As the Princess's handmaiden, she was the one person who was constantly at Keri's side. Ali took her position very seriously, so much so that she had asked Marc to arrange for advanced training in close-combat arts, and very few people knew that the ruby that routinely nestled in the handmaiden's cleavage was the pommel of a nine-inch long bodice dagger. The knight had no doubt that she was prepared to use it to defend her Princess.

"The reports I've seen indicate the raiders are small bands," Keri continued, "no more than a dozen strong. They've been attacking small, defenseless farmsteads — do you think they'll be stupid enough to take on the Royal Guard, two hundred of the finest warriors in Trimaria?"

He couldn't fault the logic of that argument either. Though Marc hadn't left the vicinity of Lockeshire himself for the last six years, he tried to keept well informed of the state of the kingdom with the help of his friends in the warrior community. There were many rumors floating about the kingdom; some that the Princess was actually dead or a prisoner, but the worst claimed she simply didn't care about the welfare of the people and spent her time in self-indulgent pleasures while the Regent ruled in her name.

"You're right, Highness, we need a Royal Progress," he said at last. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

A perplexed look crossed the Princess's pretty face, and she said, "I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I was expecting you to need more convincing. You usually go out of your way to discourage any ideas I have."

A pained look he was powerless to hide sprang to Marc's face, and the Princess immediately regretted her hasty words.

"I … I didn't mean that, Marc."

"My only concern has always been for your safety," Marc said, his voice stiff. "I won't fail you like I did your parents."

"You never failed my parents, and I don’t ever want to hear you say that again!" Keri cried. "I'm a spoiled, conceited and ungrateful child, but you've put up with me because you were honoring the responsibility my father entrusted you with."

"I've never thought you were ungrateful," Marc told her with a roguish grin.

Keri laughed and said, "But I am spoiled and conceited? I do love you so, Marc. I don't tell you that nearly enough. And even though your honor won't allow you to say it, I know you love me too."

"I live to serve, Highness."

Keri smiled, knowing that was the best she would get from the big knight.

"I'll work out the preliminaries of my progress with Aliana and Enara and have it for you tomorrow," she said. "Then you can tear it apart and tell me why we can't do it that way and change everything."

"I live to serve," Marc said again. "I take it Lady Enara will be moving into the palace?"

"If all goes as planned," Keri said. "I'll be speaking to her parents this evening."

"She seems like a very sweet girl," Marc said. "I doubt the Regent will approve, but then she doesn't have to. You haven't met her parents before?"

"Only when they were presented in court," Keri said. "They seemed a bit stiff, but then most people do under those circumstances."

Marc didn't speak, but his expression betrayed his thoughts..

"I know that look," the Princess said. "Is there something I should be aware of?"

"Lord Burrin can be a bit difficult," Marc said. "I've dealt with him a few times since they came to Lockeshire, regarding the budget for the Royal Guard. I haven't met Lady Telina."

"Exchequers are always difficult when it comes to money," Keri said. "You don't think they'd have a problem with their daughter serving as a retainer, do you?"

Again the knight hesitated before saying, "What I have heard is strictly rumor, Highness. Lady Enara's parents are not pleased with some choices their daughter has made in her personal life. They're very strict with her, some might even say cruel. I think they'll be resistant to her serving, not that they can refuse you. Frankly, if what I've heard is true, the best thing would be to get her out from under them."

"I think I know what it is you're not saying," the Princess told him. She turned and looked off to the west, her eyes narrowing for an instant.

"There's a rider approaching, and he's in a big hurry," Keri said. "He looks like one of your men. I can see smoke just beyond that hill too."

Marc's sword was in his hand in the blink of an eye, his horse rearing and pawing the air as the knight pulled back on the reigns.

"Garith, to me!" Marc shouted as he set of towards the approaching rider at a gallop. "Stil, stay with Her Highness!"

Marc spurred his horse even faster, not waiting for an acknowledgement. He could barely make out the figure of the approaching rider against the glare of the sun as it settled in the western sky. After several seconds of hard riding, he was finally able to distinguish the colors of the Royal Guard.

~ She's got the eyesight of an elf, that's for certain. .~

Marc kept his sword out and ready, just in case it was some kind of ruse. Once he was close enough to recognize the rider's face, he relaxed, but only a little. There had to be a reason the yeoman was pushing his mount so hard.

"Report!" Marc barked as the man came within earshot and reigned in his mount.

"Raiders, Captain," the yeoman announced. "They were attacking Tuatha farmstead to the west when we came upon them. We drove them off, and as per orders, half the troop is pursuing them to make sure they don't double back. The rest are tending to the villagers. I was sent to bring you word and to bring a healer from the palace. Several of the settlers are badly injured, but there may still be time to save them."

"Then we’d better get there quickly," the Princess ordered as she pulled up alongside Marc. "I don't want to hear an argument, Sir Marcan. I may not be a healer, but I can do more than any of your warriors are capable of."

The swell of pride Marc felt at her words warred with caution. It was exactly what her mother would have said, but he was duty-bound to think of her safety first. Keri made the decision for him, spurring her horse forward, Aliana and Enara following right behind.

"Go!" Marc told the yeoman. "Bring healers and the rest of the Royal Guard!" 

Marc set off after the Princess, urging his mount to its limit. The stallions the three girls rode were runners, light, fast and possessing great endurance. The heavier warhorses of the guards couldn't possibly catch them, which was intentional. If there was trouble, the girls could easily outdistance it - unless of course they went charging straight towards it.

Fortunately, the Princess, while brash, wasn't stupid. She checked her mount as she reached the top of the low hill, allowing her guards to close the distance between them. Marc didn't bother stopping for a recrimination - there would be time for that later. Instead, he swept past, Garith following, while Stilnar once again stayed back with the Princess.

Tuatha farmstead was a large one, typical of those in the immediate vicinity of the palace. For the thousandth time, Marc wondered how the raiders were able to penetrate so deeply into the kingdom. They struck with impunity and had so far confounded every attempt to run them down.

Two dozen modest houses were arranged in a circle around a small stockade. The houses and stockade appeared undamaged, but the barns and granaries along the edge of the fields had not fared so well - many were burning furiously. Fortunately the harvest was still months away so they were mostly empty, and the raiders had been driven off before they could fire the fields. If the Princess hadn't chosen to go for a ride today, things would have been much worse.

Marc would have preferred to ensure the village was secure before the Princess entered, but once again she didn't give him the opportunity. Seconds after he entered the central commons, she galloped in, her horse rearing as she brought the stallion to an abrupt stop. She was out of the saddle before his front hooves had settled on the ground, dropping lithely to the dirt and striding over to where several of the injured were being tended to.

Recognizing the Princess, the guards there immediately rose and bowed as she approached. The uninjured villagers were slower, most never having seen the Princess, but they caught on quickly and did likewise.

"Please, we have no time for this," Keri said. "These people need attention far more than I do."

By the time the healers and the remaining two troops of Royal Guards arrived, over an hour later, those who could be saved had been. Keri had been able to use her limited healing abilities to stabilize many, but some were beyond her capabilities. Marc was busy much of the time directing the half-troop of Royal Guards that had remained at the farmstead, forming them into a loose perimeter in case the raiders returned, but he caught several glimpses of the Princess as she directed the effort to help the injured. All the while, she comforted those in pain and used her magic to do what she could, and the big knight felt tremendous pride.

The half-troop pursuing the raiders returned just before the healers and the rest of the Royal Guard arrived. They had lost the trail a little over a league away, wisely breaking off rather than following into the dense forest further west.

When Marc found Keri again, she was sitting on the ground, cradling the still form of a boy in her arms. Aliana and Enara knelt behind her as she cried, her tears falling on the small, lifeless body. Garith and Stilnar stood watch nearby, both obviously shaken by the scene.

"Highness, we should go," Marc said in a soft voice. When she didn't move, he dropped to a knee before her and took her hand.

"Keri, you've done all you can here," the knight said. He hadn't addressed her in such a familiar way since the day he had told her that her parents were dead.

Keri didn't respond at first — she just continued rocking back and forth with the child in her arms. Her clothes were dirty and bloodstained, and her face was streaked with perspiration and tears. Healing magic was the most physically taxing of all the arcane arts, and it was evident that the Princess was close to exhaustion from her efforts. When she finally looked up at him however, Marc didn't see a princess - he saw a thirteen-year-old girl as he told her the parents she loved with all her heart would never return. Marc had hoped he would never see that pain in her eyes again. Then Garith stepped forward, kneeling and gently but firmly taking the child's body from the Princess.

"I'll see to it that he's taken care of, lass," the serjeant told her. He locked eyes with the Princess before rising to add, "It's my honor to serve you, Highness."

Keri gently stroked the grizzled serjeant's face and then allowed Marc to help her to her feet. She watched as Garith took the boy's body to the area where the other dead rested — thankfully, there were only ten. The farmstead had been extremely fortunate that one of the troops of the Royal Guard had been making a second sweep through the area as the attack commenced. What troubled Marc was that they hadn't noticed anything amiss during their first sweep, when the raiders must surely have been in the area.

"He's just a little boy, Marc," Keri said as she leaned heavily on his arm. "How could even Merdians murder a child like this?"

Marc waved one of the guardsmen over and took a sword from him, showing it to the Princess. The double-edged blade was wide towards the tip to increase its chopping force, while still maintaining enough of a point for thrusting. Both edges were serrated for the entire length of the blade. Keri had never seen one of the weapons before, but she had heard them described.

"They were orcs," Marc said. "The villagers managed to kill two before the guard arrived and drove the rest off."

"Orcs? But how?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Marc said. He hesitated before continuing, "There's a man here you should speak to."

The Princess nodded weakly, and Marc motioned for a man standing nearby to come forward. He bowed and then looked hesitantly at the big knight.

"Highness, this is Kerlan Barliss. Please tell the Princess what you told me."

"Well, Your Highness, I was livin' and workin' at Darnow farmstead when it was raided two months ago," Kerlan said. "I was away with my two boys takin' some livestock ta market when the raid happened. We got back ta find the whole village burned and everyone dead, my wife and daughter among them. Mala … my wife … she was still alive when we found her. She said it was orcs … she said they … they …"

Keri released Marc's arm and pulled the farmer into an embrace as he broke down. Her own tears fell anew as she whispered soothing words until Kerlan regained his composure.

"Please, tell me your sons are all right," she said as they separated.

Kerlan smiled and nodded.

"Aye Highness, thanks to you."

"I've spoken to several other survivors," Marc said. "Kerlan's son's stood their ground and held off the orcs with their bows for several minutes and accounted for the two killed. That gave most of the villagers the time they needed to barricade themselves in the stockade. They were both seriously wounded — you stabilized them and kept them alive until the healers got here. The whole village might have been wiped out if not for their bravery."

"I'm very sorry about your wife and daughter," Keri told the farmer. "Thank you for bringing this information to my attention."

Keri hugged the man again, then turned and took Marc's arm, leaning on him for support once more as they turned and walked towards the horses. As tired as she was, there was anger in her voice as she spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me, Marc? Orcs have been raiding the countryside for at least two months! I should have been informed."

"I wasn't informed either," Marc said, his own anger evident. "You've seen every report I have about the raids. None of them said anything about orcs."

"Aunt Rayna," Keri hissed.

"Highness, let me handle this, please," Marc said.

Keri looked into the eyes of the man she thought of as a brother and saw ice in the steel-grey pupils. She was angry, but Marc was furious.

"All right, Marc," she said. "Just don't do anything stupid — that's my job."

When they reached the horses, Keri turned to Aliana and Enara. They were both as dirty and ragged as she was, though neither of them looked nearly as tired. She smiled and pulled them both into an embrace.

"I'm so proud of both of you," she told them. "You did wonderfully."

"All we did was bandage some cuts and carry water," Aliana said.

"You did all the hard work, Highness," Enara agreed. "You were wonderful."

"I couldn't have done it without the two of you by my side," Keri said.

She looked back at the carnage of the village, and then with a sigh turned and tried to mount her horse. She didn't have the strength to pull herself up and fell back into Marc's arms.

"This has to stop, Marc," she said weakly.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and Marc lifted her into his arms. Garith and Stilnar rushed forward, and Marc passed the Princess's limp form to the burly serjeant. Then he mounted his own horse and leaned over, easily lifting Keri into his lap. She stirred long enough to wrap her arms around his neck and then sagged against him once more.

"Let's get her home," Aliana said as she climbed into the saddle of her horse.

"I'll send word to my parents to let them know the Princess won't be able to visit this evening," Enara said.

"They're probably going to be worried about you," Aliana said. "Don't you think you should go home when we get back?"

Enara looked at Keri as she slept in Marc's arms and shook her head.

"My place is with her," she said.

Marc looked over at the young noblewoman and dipped his head in respect as he said, "My Princess chose well."

CHAPTER 7

The Princess received Enara's parents in her sitting room late the next morning. Despite being told it was an informal meeting, both Lord Burrin and Lady Telina were dressed in their court finery, which did not surprise Keri at all, considering what she knew about them. None of it came from their daughter — she was completely respectful of her parents — but Aliana had provided a wealth of gossip that she had gleaned from her sources about the palace. Combined with what Marc had said, and more by what he had been so careful not to say, the Princess felt she had a good picture of Enara's home life. Her own observations of Enara's magical abilities had prompted her to do a little digging which filled in the final pieces of the puzzle.

The Princess wore what passed for her as a simple dress; a pale blue, lace front overdress with flowing bell sleeves and an open front skirt with a short train, over a white under skirt. The ensemble was made of fine silk and accented with a drop-waist brocade belt with the dark blue triskeles of Trimaria woven into its pattern.

"I'll get right to the point," Keri said once the preliminaries of etiquette had been observed. "I have grown very fond of your daughter, and as such I have asked her to become my Lady-in-Waiting. She has accepted, but it would be rude of me to make it official without first speaking to you."

Enara's parents were obviously taken by surprise, and Keri had the distinct impression that their loss for words was something they were not accustomed to. She waited patiently as they stared at one another for a long moment. Then Lord Burrin cleared his throat and spoke.

"You honor our family with this request, Highness," he said, not missing the Princess's raised eyebrow at his use of the word request. "I don't wish to seem ungrateful, but I fear Enara is not a suitable choice for a position of such gravity."

"What makes you think Lady Enara is not suited to be my friend? I'm sure you realize as my Lady she would be elevated in rank. I would think you would want that for her."

"It would be wasted on her, Highness," Lady Telina said. She cast a sideways glance at her daughter before adding, "She … she's not right."

"Why, because she prefers girls to boys?" Keri asked. She heard a gasp escape Enara's lips, and she felt bad for surprising her by voicing her secret, but it was best to get it out of the way.

"I make no judgment on someone based on who or how they choose to love," the Princess continued. "As long as Lady Enara is happy, then I am happy for her."

"But Highness," Enara's mother persisted, "if she becomes your Lady, people might think … might think you were like her!"

"Maybe I am," Keri replied with a sly grin. "Even if I am not, I do not choose to rob myself of someone whose company I have come to cherish because of what narrow minded people might think."

"Highness, forgive my lady's words," Lord Burrin said. "We're only concerned that Enara may prove to be an embarrassment. I'm ashamed to say she's not very bright, and she is very clumsy. Accidents just seem to happen around her. We simply couldn't allow her to cause trouble for the royal household."

"You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I require your consent," the Princess said, her voice growing sharp as she rose to her feet. "I am ashamed to hear a parent talk as you have about their child. I find Lady Enara to be not only intelligent, but exceptionally so. As to her being clumsy, those accidents that seem to 'just happen' around her are due to her exceptional gift for high magic, a gift which should have been nurtured and not suppressed."

Lord Burrin started to protest, but Keri raised her hand to silence him.

"Please don't insult me by denying it. I had the records checked. Enara was examined as a child by mages from the Academy, at the request of the Baron of Highkeep. The mages reported she had a strong connection to the aether, but that you refused to allow training. For most, the connection would have faded without advanced training as they grew older, but Enara has even more potential than the examiners realized. Apparently your bigoted views extend beyond one's preference in bedmates."

While nearly everyone in the kingdom used magic in one form or another, there were some who viewed high magic with mistrust and disdain. Some of the information Aliana had uncovered indicated Enara's parents had very strict rules for their servants governing the use of even household magic, and they had expressly forbidden any of them to teach Enara even the simplest cantrips as a child. It was an extremely foolish and dangerous attitude. Left undeveloped, talent like Enara's could easily have resulted in someone getting hurt, even killed.

"Father, Mother … is this true?" Enara asked. Keri was pleased to hear indignation in her voice rather than the timidity that had been there when she introduced her parents.

"I'll have no sorceress as a child of mine," Lord Burrin practically growled.

"You have little choice," the Princess said as she sat back down. She gave Enara a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand, then turned her attention back to her parents.

"Enara will receive the necessary training to safely manage her power," Keri continued. "She will also have all the advanced training she desires, if she so chooses."

"I do," Enara said. She cast a gaze filled with determination and pride at the Princess. "I want to learn to use my power to help people, like you do, Highness."

"Then I disown you!" Lord Burrin proclaimed, springing to his feet. Marc moved a step towards the man, in case he was foolish enough to approach the Princess, but Keri waved him back.

The Princess turned to her new herald, a very handsome young man named Rodin. He stepped forward and in a powerful tenor announced, "Heard and witnessed!"

"Since you choose to sever the ties of family, I extend them," Keri said. "If Lady Enara wishes, from this moment forth she will be considered part of my family, and will be entitled to all the rights and privileges accorded one of royal blood. She will be known as the Honorable Lady Enara Lockeleigh."

The stunned look on Enara's face was matched only by that of her parents. With one heated statement, her father had elevated his own daughter to a rank far above his. Still, there was hesitation in the young noblewoman's face, and she rushed from her place beside the Princess and knelt before Lord Burrin.

"Father, Mother … please," she begged. "I love you."

"I will have no sorceress as my daughter," Lord Burrin repeated, refusing to even look at her.

"Mother?" Enara asked. Lady Telina looked pained for an instant, her mouth opening as if to speak, but then she looked away from her daughter.

Enara rose slowly to her feet, raising her chin high. She looked down at her parents for a moment, and then shook her head sadly.

"Then I believe we are finished here," she said. "Lord Burrin, Lady Telina, I will choose to remember the happy times, and though you no longer count me your daughter, I will always count you my parents."

Enara turned slowly and with quiet dignity walked back to the Princess. She knelt before Keri and bowed her head.

"Princess Kerialla, I accept your gracious offer," she said. "I pledge to you my fealty, my service and my devotion, until you release me or death takes me."

Keri placed her hand on Enara's head and said, "And I accept this oath, freely given, and pledge to reward it in kind, with devotion, friendship and love."

Enara rose and resumed her place at the Princess's side. She cast a final glance at her parents, and then fixed her gaze on the far wall of the sitting room.

"Lord Burrin, Lady Telina, I thank you for your time," Keri said.

Enara's parents rose, paid proper respect to the Princess and then retreated from her presence. Keri made eye contact with both Marc and Rodin, and they both left the room as well. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Enara collapsed to her knees and buried her head in Keri's lap as she cried. There was a clattering sound as several items on the mantle over the hearth began dancing as the air of the room seemed to vibrate.

"I know it hurts, Nara," Keri said as she stroked the girl's hair. "Just let it all out. You're with friends."

The Princess began singing softly as Aliana knelt beside Enara and placed her arm across her shoulders. The song had no words, only a soothing melody woven around a chain of syllables that Keri had learned as a child, when her mother would sing it to her to calm her.

"Listen to the music," Aliana told Enara. "Don't try to hold in the pain, just let the music carry it away."

The clattering died away even as Enara's sobs grew louder. It was a long, cleansing cry, and when she had finally shed all the tears she could, Enara lifted her head and looked up at the Princess.

"I've gotten tear stains all over your beautiful dress," she said.

"My mother once told me that the greatest gift one friend can bestow on another is their tears," Keri said. "Thank you, my dear friend."

"Besides, stains are easy to fix," Aliana said, her gaze shifting to the dark circles on Keri's skirts.

"Stainus eliminatus!"

The stains twinkled like tiny stars and vanished. All three girls laughed, and then Keri rose and helped her friends to their feet. They moved over to the more comfortable couch and sat down.

"I'm sorry I ambushed you that way, Nara," Keri said. "I just didn't know how to broach the subject, and I was worried I might frighten you off."

"It's all right, Keri, I don't mind. I would like to know how you figured it out though."

"Nara, the palace is a hotbed of rumors," Aliana offered. "Anything that smacks of scandal spreads quickly."

"Not that we think there is anything scandalous about your sexual preference," Keri added. "I had decided I liked you long before Darsia ran her mouth to Ali."

"Is she really your cousin?" Enara asked. "She's so mean!"

"Unfortunately, yes, though only my second cousin," Keri sighed. "She's also a great-granddaughter of Queen Riala. Her grandfather was one of Riala's younger sons."

"Which technically makes her your cousin now too," Aliana added. "What's even scarier is that if Keri abdicates, or something happens to her, Darsia is next in line."

"I don't quite understand how that works," Enara said. "Why wouldn't your aunt be next in line?"

"Because my mother was Queen by marriage," Keri explained. "As her sister, Aunt Rayna has no claim on the throne. That's why she was made Regent — by law the Regent must be someone close to the heir but out of the line of succession. Until I have a child, Darsia is next in line for the throne."

"So why aren't you already pregnant?" Enara asked.

"I ask her that all the time," Ali said.

Keri glared at Enara and then Aliana before looking up at the ceiling and saying, "What have I done? Now there's two of her!"

Enara looked at Aliana and said, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Keri gave Enara a smile of approval and nodded her head.

"That melody you were singing," Enara asked, "was it magic?"

The Princess nodded and said, "Music can be a powerful way to focus the aether, because the flow is like a melody. Whenever I feel myself losing control, I sing that tune to myself, just as my mother used to sing it to me — jut as I sang it for you."

"I can still hear it," Enara said, a confused look coming to her face. "It doesn't sound quite the same though."

"Remember, I told you every spell is unique to the mage that casts it," Keri said. "As you heard the song, you felt the weave and now you're adding your own touch to it. Don't try to remember it exactly — just remember the peace it brought."

"I will," Enara said.

"Now there are some thing's we need to discuss, Nara," Keri told her. "Right now, Rodin is drafting a proclamation that will declare you as my sister-in-law. That means you will be legally considered my younger sister, but you aren't part of the line of succession. It does mean you'd be taken care of if something were to happen to me, however. It will also provide you with a monthly stipend and a clothing allowance."

"This doesn't seem fair," Enara said, looking at Aliana. "Ali really is your sister in every way but blood."

"Ali's future is secure," Keri assured her. "She'd be an extremely wealthy girl if I were to have an untimely accident. I've never told her exactly how wealthy, because I don't want to encourage her to arrange one."

"Please," Aliana laughed, "I know I'd never get away with it. They always think the handmaiden did it."

They all laughed at Ali's joke, and before the Princess could continue, a knock sounded at the door. Aliana walked over and opened the door a crack to see who was there, and then swung it wide to admit a middle aged woman carrying a tray laden with food. When Keri saw a large pitcher of orange juice on the tray, she squealed with delight.

"Orange juice! Oh, Maeve, I love you. I thought we were all out."

"I managed to save a few fruits for a special treat, Highness," Maeve said. "Just for my pretty Princess."

"You spoil me, Maeve … and I like it!" Keri laughed. "Have you heard from Branwynn recently?"

"Aye, Highness, she orbed us just yesterday from the Academy," Maeve said. "She was a bit homesick for a while, but now that her classes are getting into some real craft magic, she's just so excited. She'll be home next week for a visit."

Just as Trimaria had a rapid transit system in the transport spires, the kingdom also had a communication system, which utilized spheres of aluminium infused with manthracite. Specially trained adepts used these orbs to transmit messages from one orb station to another for a small fee. Every barony and shire had an orb station, and many of the smaller villages and farmsteads had them as well, because the transmission range was limited to around two hundred leagues. The system wasn't secure - transmissions could be intercepted and monitored, and there was no way to sign a message, which was why all sensitive communiqués were sent by courier using the transport spires.

"Please ask her to call on me," Keri said. "I'd love to see her and hear all about her classes."

"I know she'll want to see you too, dear," Maeve said.

After Maeve had arranged their breakfast of fruit and pastries, she curtsied to the Princess and left the sitting room. Aliana took the pitcher of juice and filled three blue goblets and set one before Keri and Enara.

"Keri paid the Academy tuition for Maeve's granddaughter, Branwynn," Ali explained as she took her seat.

"Father always told me I couldn't go to the academy because we couldn't afford the tuition," Enara said sadly. She knew now that it hadn't been true. Because of her exceptional ability, the Academy had offered a full scholarship.

Keri selected some melon slices and a muffin from the tray and began eating. Enara looked at the food, uncertain what the proper etiquette was.

"I don't insist on following form in here, Nara," Keri told her. "However, Ali is stubborn, and she won't serve herself until you have, so don't be shy. Also, I'm a light eater, so if I finish, you don't have to stop eating."

Enara smiled and selected several items from the tray, and then Aliana prepared a plate for herself. Besides being a light eater, the Princess also ate very slowly, taking tiny nibbles of her food. It was a practice born of necessity - at a formal dinner, when she finished eating, etiquette required everyone to stop.

"Now, as I was saying, the proclamation will make you my sister-in-law, Nara," the Princess continued between bites. "There is one thing you need to be aware of, however. If something were to happen to me after I have a child, and the child was not yet eighteen, you would likely be appointed Regent."

Enara froze, her eyes becoming wide circles. She sat there for a few seconds in shock, the grape she had just popped into her mouth making her cheek bulge. She slowly chewed her food and swallowed hard.

"Nara, it wouldn't even come up for years," Keri said.

"It's just a shock, that's all," Enara said. "Yesterday I was nobody, and today…."

"That's my Princess; she loves to keep things interesting," Ali said. "May the Fragment save us when she's Queen."

"I'd do it, if it came to that," Enara said, "just please don't let it come to that."

"I have no intention of going anywhere," Keri assured her.

"You do know Darsia and her friends believe you're going to abdicate," Enara said. "She's always talking about how things will be when she's queen."

It started as just a giggle, but very quickly the Princess was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her cheeks. It was an infectious laugh that soon had spread to Enara and Aliana.

"Oh I'm sure she does," Keri managed to say. "Her little mind can't possibly understand why I haven't already taken the throne. She has no concept of what it means to rule. I have two years before I have to accept my responsibility, and I'm going to enjoy them. However, I'd burn the palace to the ground before I let her have it."

When they finally got their laughter under control, Enara said seriously, "She'd make a horrible Queen - she's so mean."

"Yes, she is, but that's not the real danger," Keri said. "Darsia is weak, both of mind and conviction. She'd end up nothing more than a puppet for someone."

"You're not worried she might try something?" Enara asked.

"Like having me killed?" Keri asked. "Oh, Nara, don't worry. Darsi is not very good at intrigue, and she doesn't have the courage for anything like that."

"She'd never live to sit on the throne either," Ali said. "If I didn't get her, one of the Old Guard would."

"The Old Guard?"

"My original personal guard," Keri explained, "Marc, Garith and eleven other warriors hand-picked by my father. They're all part of the Royal Guard now."

"They love Keri," Aliana said. "When she was little, she insisted on paying them personally every week."

"I baked them cookies," Keri added.

"That's so sweet!" Enara exclaimed, and then started giggling. "I'm sorry, it's just the thought of you in an apron, covered in flour … it's just so cute! I mean, you're very down-to-earth, but you're also so … so proper."

"They were really good cookies," Aliana said. "Believe it or not, Keri is very good in the kitchen."

"Ali, that's brilliant!" Keri exclaimed. When her handmaiden gave her a confused look, the Princess turned to Enara and said, "She has flashes of genius; she just doesn't know what to do with them."

"I'm with her then," Enara said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Well, I know this Royal Progress is going to be a massive undertaking," Keri explained. "I've been trying to think of a way to thank everyone that's going to be involved, and now I know what to do. I'm going to prepare a feast!"

"Keri, that will be a huge task," Aliana said. "Do you have any idea how many people will be with us?"

"About five hundred," Keri said. "Marc's already called up the reserve Guard, and we'll have a hundred archers plus about another hundred support personnel. I'm not suggesting I'll do everything myself, but I want to coordinate the meal and be there in the kitchen helping. Of course, to do it right, neither of you can help. I want you to be able to enjoy it."

"That's all right for Ali," Enara said. "She's been by your side for years and deserves this. I'd really like to help though. I'm a pretty fair hand in the kitchen myself."

"I accept," Keri said, giving Enara's hand a squeeze.

"I'll agree to it, but I want to be with you," Ali said. "I won't work in the kitchen if you insist, but someone needs to be there to make sure you don't overdo it. You have a tendency to forget about yourself when you’re helping others, like you did yesterday."

"All right," the Princess said, "but if you so much as lift a ladle, I'll turn you over my knee and spank you."

"Promises, promises," Ali laughed.

Enara saw the look that passed between the Princess and her handmaiden and bit her lip, unsure of how far she could push this newfound friendship. Keri noticed the look and smiled.

"You're wondering if what I implied to your parents is true," she said. "Yes, Nara, I do like girls. I also like boys, however. My ring doesn't prevent me from feeling sexual attraction; it just stops me short of actually getting aroused. The only person I've ever tried to seduce, however, was female."

"Seduce!" Aliana laughed. "You grabbed me, kissed me, and then you practically ripped my dress off and threw me on the bed."

"Oh my," Enara said, her hand rising to her mouth. "Did you … do it?"

"My virtue is still intact," Keri said. "It happened just a little before I turned eighteen. I always knew it was a possibility, but I was expecting there to be some kind of gradual awakening of my sexuality. Instead, it just hit me — Ali had helped me get ready for bed and was about to go to her room, and I just had to have her. She put a damper on me pretty quick, and I've worn my chastity ring ever since."

"I knew she wasn't herself, otherwise I would have been happy to oblige" Aliana said. When Enara stared at her wide-eyed, she added, "I've done a bit of experimenting. It's very nice to be with another girl, but I prefer men."

The Princess and her handmaiden exchanged a look that spoke of many emotions - joy, love, longing and, most of all, sadness.

"I'm so sorry," Enara whispered, realizing what the exchange of glances meant. "I didn't even think. Why … I mean, you're the Princess, why can't you be with whomever you like?"

"We have a very complicated relationship," Aliana said. "I really do prefer men when it comes to sex, but I love Keri with all my heart."

"I love Ali just as much," the Princess said. "But I have my elfin nature to contend with. I don't know if I'm capable of being faithful. I also have a duty to bear an heir, which means marrying one day."

"Have you ever taken off your ring?" Enara asked.

Keri nodded her head and said, "I take it off frequently, but only when I'm alone in my bedchamber. One day, I'll be able to take it off permanently, but right now I'm still going through puberty, and my carnal nature is very intense. In a year or two it should even out, but right now I'm still a growing girl."

"I certainly hope your boobs don't get any bigger," Aliana said with a stern look. "They're already huge!"

"They are not huge!" Keri protested. "I just hope I don't get any taller. I'm almost eighteen hands now; that's taller than my horse!"

"My … friend … in Highkeep is tall," Enara said, feeling her own cheeks warming. "She's very graceful like you are too, Keri."

"What's her name?" the Princess asked.

"Lady Elyssa Trilarn."

"The daughter of the Baron of Highkeep?" Keri said. That explained some things. Baron Evan Trilarn wasn't known for having an open mind to change, and a daughter who liked other girls would be a thorn in his side. Undoubtedly, he had arranged for Enara's father to be 'promoted' to the Exchequer's office in Lockeshire to separate his daughter from her lover.

Enara smiled and nodded. She removed the silver pendant around her neck and opened it before passing it to the Princess. Inside was a full color likeness of a beautiful young woman with striking light blue hair. Exotic hair colors were a rare elfin trait. Keri's own shimmering golden color was the rarest of all, but she had often wished for one of the blue shades.

Elyssa’s hair was apparently her only elfin trait, but the way it contrasted with her light brown skin gave her a very exotic look. Her face was beautiful but not delicate, her features strong and proud. Enough of her shoulders and chest were visible to reveal she was wearing a molded leather breastplate.

"She's a shield maiden?" Keri asked as she passed the locket to Aliana. Technically, the Princess could call herself a shield maiden because of her training, but she knew there were many female warriors who could thrash her in a fight, not the least of whom being her handmaiden.

Enara nodded proudly and said, "She commands her own company, the Highkeep Rangers, and they're all women. There's always been brigand activity in the area around Highkeep, but most of the able-bodied male warriors are committed to the war. The Rangers patrol the area and try to keep the bandits in check. Elyssa has slain several orcs."

A cloud passed over the Princess's features, and Enara reached out her hand to touch her arm.

"It's all right, Nara," Keri assured her. "You assumed I knew about the orcs. I know you would have told me if you thought otherwise. I've heard of the Rangers — they're spoken of with great respect. It's said that one-on-one they could stand against any warrior in Trimaria."

Enara beamed with pride, and it was apparent her affection for Lady Elyssa was no mere infatuation.

"She's lovely, Nara," Aliana said as she returned the locket. "I take it she's a little older than you."

"She's twenty," Enara said. "She's only had her company for a few months."

"Does she like to dance?" Keri asked. Enara gave her a confused look, and the Princess giggled.

"Highkeep will be our last stop on my Royal Progress before we go to Wallkeep. I thought maybe you'd like to have Lady Elyssa join us for the festival as your escort."

A faraway look came to Enara's eyes, and it wasn't hard to read her thoughts as she pictured herself on the arm of the lovely shield maiden.

"Oh, Keri, could we … really?"

"Of course we can," Keri said. "It's time for this Princess to start shaking things up. And to that end, it's time I let you two in on a little plan I have devised."

CHAPTER 8

The guards at the door to the council chamber watched nervously as Knight-Captain Marcan approached. It wasn't just the towering knight's fierce glare that gave them pause, but the eight members of the Royal Guard that accompanied him as well. They had been informed that the Captain of the Royal Guard had been summoned by the Regent, but no one had said anything about an armed escort.

"Wait here until I call you," Marc told Garith and Stilnar. He turned his attention to the Regent's guards and added, "If you know what's good for you, you won't try to interfere."

"Oh come now, lad," Garith said, his pollaxe in hand. "They could interfere just a little if they like."

The guards looked at each other and then stepped to the side to allow Marc to pass. The Regent's Guard was largely ceremonial, restricted by law to a handful of personal bodyguards that had nowhere near the skills of the Royal Guard. The reasoning was the same as that behind the law requiring the Regent to be out of the line of succession — to mitigate the power wielded by the Regent and discourage any thoughts of trying to maintain it.

Marc entered the council chamber and found the Regent seated at a huge wooden table, with Knight-Commander Jaris standing behind her.

"Just what the frag were you thinking, Demos?" Jaris demanded without preamble.

Marc didn't answer; he just looked down at the knight-commander as if he was a particularly grotesque insect. The Regent sat and silently watched the big knight, a look of expectation on her face.

"I asked you a question!" Jaris shouted.

"And since you chose to ignore my rank, I choose not to answer," Marc growled.

"All right, Sir Marcan," Jaris said, slurring Marc's rank. "When you allowed the Princess to enter that farmstead, what were you thinking?"

"I was following the orders of the Princess," Marc replied. "I was serving her and the people of Trimaria. In other words, I was doing my duty, unlike you."

Marc's eyes fell on the Regent, and her eyes widened as she realized his accusation was aimed at her.

"You forget your place, Knight-Captain," she said in a low voice.

"No, but you have forgotten yours," Marc said.

"That's enough, Demos!" Jaris shouted. "You will not address the Regent so. I'll have you clapped in irons!"

"No, you won't, but if you speak again, I'll have you removed from this chamber," Marc said. Without turning, he raised his voice and called out, "Garith!"

The doors opened and Garith entered with Stilnar and the other six Royal Guards. They fanned out along the back wall of the room and stood there, silent and stone faced.

"Captain, you had better explain yourself," the Regent said. "Commander Jaris is in charge of Palace security, and the presence of your men here is a serious breach of protocol."

"Commander Jaris is responsible for your security, Regent," Marc corrected. "This palace belongs to the Princess. As Captain of the Royal Guard, the men at every entrance and in every passage are under my direct command."

"That sounds very much like a threat," the Regent said.

"That is a message from the Princess," Marc replied. "She is very angry that you have chosen not to inform her that the raiders striking throughout the kingdom are orcs."

"I decided there was no need to trouble her with that information."

"That is not your decision to make," Marc said, his voice tightly controlled. "You do not rule this kingdom, Regent - you manage it in trust for the Princess. Yesterday, when I expressed my concerns over the Princess attending the harvest festival, you failed to mention that orcs have penetrated the border."

"Wallkeep is seventy leagues from the frontier," the Regent said.

"Orcs can march fourteen hours in a day," Marc said. "The Wall is just five days hard march for them. Word is already spreading throughout the kingdom that the Princess will attend, which places her at risk for the entire week of the festival, not to mention during her upcoming Royal Progress. Your failure to inform me of this threat could be considered treason. If it were up to me, I'd place you under arrest right now."

"I have heard enough of this!" Jaris protested, taking a threatening step towards Marc. The big knight made a sharp gesture to his men and Garith and Stilnar stepped forward.

"Sir Jaris, you can walk out of this room, or we can carry you out," Garith said. "The choice is yours."

Jaris cast a pleading look at the Regent, who waved dismissively and said, "It's all right, Commander Jaris. You're dismissed."

Marc nodded to Garith, who grinned in reply. The burly serjeant opened the door and gestured for the knight-commander to precede him. Jaris glared at Marc and stormed out of the chamber, followed by Marc's men.

"You don't seriously believe I would do anything to harm Keri, do you, Marc?" the Regent asked once they were alone.

"Not intentionally, Your Grace," Marc told her. "I do believe you persist in thinking of her as a child, but she's changing. She's growing up. If you had seen her yesterday - she worked herself to exhaustion helping those villagers. Those people saw their Queen, Your Grace. They saw her love for them, and they will never forget it."

"That's the problem, she loves them too much!" the Regent declared. "We're at war! Trimaria needs a queen who can be hard, and my niece does not have that in her. She's soft and weak."

"You're wrong," Marc said. "She's stronger than you know. You've tried for six years to break her and mold her into the person you think she should be, and you've failed. She's her parents' child, and when she takes the throne, she'll finish what they started. We'll have peace with Merdia."

"There can be no peace!" The Regent shouted, rising to her feet. "They're animals, no better than the orcs they send to murder our people."

The Regent walked over to a map that covered the entire back wall of the chamber. It showed the entire continent of Noraster, of which both Trimaria and Merdia were a part. In the northeast was the boot shaped Trimarian peninsula, the western end of which was connected to the unclaimed region known as Camron by the Isthmus of Valmor. To the south and west lay Merdia, more than twice the size of Trimaria. The Regent pointed to a line that extended across Camron, roughly two hundred miles west of the point where Riala's Wall sealed off the isthmus.

"It's taken six years to reclaim the land my brother-in-law gave away in his fool's pursuit of peace," she said. "We have enough troops in place now to begin a new offensive. By the end of the year, half of Camron will be in our hands. I will not let my weak-willed niece throw that all away!"

"Careful, Regent," Marc warned. "You're treading dangerously close to sedition."

"I meant nothing of the kind," the Regent said, though she was clearly mollified by his words. "I am simply saying that I will do everything I can to convince the Princess not to surrender the ground we've gained."

"You'd have a better chance of that if you didn't push her so hard," Marc said, his expression softening. "The two of you used to be so close. Remember when she was ten and you took her to Crystalmere? The two of you had such fun at the springs."

"Yes, I remember," the Regent whispered. Her voice rose and hardened as she added, "And then you were appointed captain of her guard."

"Rayna, I …."

"I know, Marc," the Regent said, her voice filled with bitterness. "You made your choice, and it wasn't me."

The chamber was silent for a long time. Finally, the Regent returned to her seat and began reviewing a stack of papers on the table before her. Earlier that morning, Marc had submitted Keri's preliminary itinerary along with requests for additional troop support for the Royal Progress.

"As much as I hate to admit it, a Royal Progress is a good idea," she said. "Keri will take the throne in less than two years, and it is high time the people got to know their future queen. Unfortunately, I have to deny your request for heavy cavalry and infantry to support the Royal Guard. With the upcoming offensive, we can't spare any of our reserves."

"Not even to protect the Princess?"

"You have a hundred men in reserve for the Guard," the Regent said. "Call them up."

"I already have," Marc said. "We're still only light cavalry. A company of heavy horse and some infantry would secure us against any threat."

"They may be orcs, Sir Marcan, but the raiders are still small, scattered groups," the Regent said. "I'll give you an additional fifty reserve archers, but that's the best I can do. You'll also have all the support personnel you desire. Was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

"No, Regent, I thank you for your time."

Marc saluted and then turned on his heel and headed towards the door. He paused there as the Regent spoke again.

"Knight-Captain, don't ever bring your guards to this chamber uninvited again," she said, her voice cold and hard. "If you do, there will be serious repercussions."

Marc turned and stared back at her, his grey eyes hard and unflinching. His own voice matched the ice in her words.

"Yes, there will be, Regent. If I am forced to enter here with the Royal Guard again, you'll be leaving in chains."

The Regent stared at the door long after Marc was gone, indignation in her eyes. She didn't even turn at the sound of the concealed door next to the wall map opening.

"I assume you heard all that," she said. "How dare he threaten me!"

"Don't mistake it for a threat, my dear," Duke Terlen said. "I told you it was foolish not to provide Her Highness with the full details of the raids. The only reason you're not under arrest right now is because the Princess wouldn't allow it. I wouldn't count on her charity a second time."

The Duke hesitated, as if unsure of how to proceed. When he finally spoke again, his voice was carefully measured.

"Perhaps it would be best to discourage this idea of a Royal Progress," he said. "The countryside, especially the western reaches, is not safe."

The Regent shook her head. Her voice was cold as she said, "No. If she wants to see the kingdom then let her."

CHAPTER 9

The look on Aliana's face was one of incredulous disbelief. She had known the Princess was up to something, but she had not suspected it to be what she had just heard, Enara's reaction was not quite so severe; she was still getting accustomed to her new friends, but it was obvious she was shocked as well by the Princess's proposal. The three young women were sitting on the Princess's bed, where she had told them of her plan to avoid the Grand Ball - she and Aliana would swap bodies, allowing the handmaiden to attend in her place.

"Have you lost your fragging mind, Keri?" Aliana asked. "I mean, you've come up with some wild schemes in the past, but this is way beyond any of them."

"Well, if you're going to do something, do it big I always say," Keri replied. "You can't seriously tell me you wouldn't love to trade places with me temporarily."

Aliana opened her mouth to speak but stopped. It was true she had often fantasized about just such a thing. It wasn't that she begrudged her friend her rightful place - she loved Keri both as Princess and soul mate. But to actually trade places?

"Look, Ali, I really, really don't want to go through the circus the Grand Ball will be," Keri said. "To have all those young noblemen fawning on me and not be able to do anything about it will be maddening."

"Whereas I can use a break from sleeping around?" Aliana asked, a bit sharply.

"That hurt, Ali," Keri said with a genuine pout. "I never suggested anything like that. You know what it's like, so you won't be wondering what might be with each of them. I've never been intimate with a man; I've never even kissed one, and you have no idea what that's like."

"I'm sorry, love," Aliana said. Then a sly grin spread across her face and she added, "You realize if we do this, you will experience it. If I suddenly became celibate for a month, people would know something's wrong."

"Well, yes, I did consider that." Keri blushed.

"Aww, how can I resist when you blush like that," Aliana said. "You're so cute!"

"You'll do it?" Keri squealed.

"Whoa!" Enara said. "Hold on just a minute. I think you need to provide some details before Ali says yes or no, Keri. I've never even heard of a spell that could do what you're suggesting. Are you that powerful?"

"No, I'm not," Keri said. "No one is powerful enough to perform a body swap, not without help."

The Princess rose from the bed and walked over to her dresser, where she retrieved the ornate wooden box that had been in the vault along with her mother's spell book. When she had settled back onto the bed, she opened the box and removed a large amulet on a fine silver chain.

The amulet was about three inches in diameter and made of pure manthracite framed in fine silver. Intricate magical glyphs were carved into the polished face of the amulet, and in the dim light of the bedchamber they appeared to be glowing faintly.

"This is the Amulet of Kessil," she told them. "My mother left it for me, along with the instructions for the ritual required to use it. It makes the transference possible."

"What does the ritual involve?" Aliana asked.

Keri opened her mother's spell book to a marked page and turned it so both Aliana and Enara could see the pages.

"It's not very complicated - it doesn't even require an incantation," she told them. "Like a lot of the more powerful magical items, the amulet will only work in a specific place at a specific time. In this case, the place is the Star Stones near the shire of Amurga, and the time is when Kessil is full."

"It says the participants stand in the circle of the stones as Kessil approaches zenith," Aliana read from the tome. "When the light of the full moon passes through the focusing aperture on the appropriate stone and strikes the amulet, the wearer opens their eyes and looks at the one they wish to swap with."

"That's all?" Enara said.

Keri nodded. "The amulet does all the work. There's nothing that can be messed up by the participants."

"Your parents really used this?" Aliana asked.

Keri smiled and nodded. "Both before and after I was born. In fact, Mother wrote in her journal that Father asked to swap when she was almost eight months pregnant with me. He wanted to feel what it was like to carry me inside."

Keri stopped and turned her head as tears filled her eyes. Aliana pulled out a handkerchief that was tucked into her bodice and passed it to her friend.

"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," Enara said.

"King Toranon was a very special, wonderful man," Aliana said as she reached over and squeezed Keri's shoulder. "His daughter is pretty wonderful too. I would like to know if this is the reason you came up with the idea of a Royal Progress however."

"It was, at first," Keri admitted. "After yesterday though … I'll do the Progress anyway, because it’s the right thing to do."

"That's what I wanted to hear," Aliana said. "I'll do it."

"I'll help any way I can," Enara said.

"Thanks, Nara," Keri said. "We will need your help, but it's better if only the two of us are there for the ceremony. If something happened and I looked at the wrong person, it would be bad - not that I wouldn't love to swap with you someday. We need to get you more comfortable with being part of the Royal Court first, however. Aliana already knows as much about being Princess as I do."

"I understand," Enara said. "I can cover for you both while you're at the Star Stones; in case anyone comes asking about you."

"That's perfect," Keri said.

"I notice your mother made a note in the margin about reminding Toranon not to remove the amulet," Ali said as she continued to read. "What's that about?"

"Ah, yes, that's explained on the next page," Keri said. "The amulet has to stay with the body that wore it during the swap. It acts as an anchor, maintaining a tenuous connection between the spirit and its proper body. It's important for two reasons. First, if one of the participants were to die, the spirits would return to their proper bodies. Second, for cross gender swaps, it maintains the spirit's gender identity. Without it, the spirit would gradually begin to conform to the body it occupied, which could cause problems when they swapped back."

"Oh, I see," Aliana said.

"If you read a little further, you'll see we'll also have access to each other's memories," Keri said. "It won't be instant, total access, but more like our normal recall. The memories can be triggered by something."

"I have no problem with you knowing my dirty little secrets," Aliana said. "I've already told them all to you anyway."

"Well, I guess that's everything," Keri said. "I need to meet with Marc and find out how his talk with my aunt went. He'll probably be ready to tear apart my proposed itinerary too. We need to get it finalized, so it can be distributed throughout the kingdom."

"Marc is not going to be happy about that," Aliana said.

"You can't have a Royal Progress without letting people know where you're going," Keri said with a shrug. "It's rude, and it kind of defeats the whole purpose of doing it. It would also be oh so boring to show up and have no one there to greet us."

Aliana laughed and said, "Whatever else it may be, I doubt this trip is going to be boring!"

CHAPTER 10

Though it was called the audience chamber, the largest room in the west wing of the palace actually served multiple purposes. The main area was a smaller version of the Grand Hall, complete with a raised dais upon which sat a large, ornate chair.  There were a few comfortable chairs along the wall and a large table for important meetings. To the left of the dais was a door which led to a large office that Keri's father had used for handling the business of running a kingdom. The Princess could remember him remarking many times that one would think a king would be exempt from paperwork, but such was not the case. Even though Trimaria was a hereditary monarchy where the sovereign ruled with virtually absolute power, the kingdom did have laws which even a king or queen was bound to obey.

The office was dark until a bookcase along the back wall swung silently open, revealing a hidden alcove with a spiral staircase that led directly to the Princess's living quarters. Keri entered the office and without saying a word activated the glows on the walls, flooding the room with light. Her friends were right behind her, Aliana carrying her ever-present bag and Enara a large leather satchel.

The room was decorated as one would expect - Toranon had been a warrior after all, and there were many fine weapons proudly displayed. Despite the martial tone of the room Keri had always felt very comfortable in it because it had been her father's private space. Though she hadn't used it for official business since the king had died, she often came to the room to just sit - it made her feel close to him.

The Princess walked to the desk and passed her hand over the small crystal cube there, picturing in her mind the person she wished to speak to. The cube was similar in function to the orbs used to communicate throughout the kingdom, but while the orbs could send both voice and images over great distances, the crystals could only transmit voices within a relatively small area. They were invaluable for communicating within the expansive palace.

"Lord Fenril, could you join me in the audience chamber, please?" she asked.

After a moment's pause, a distinguished male voice replied, "Of course, Highness. I shall be there immediately."

"Keri, why don't you have a crystal speaker in your quarters?" Enara asked.

"Father refused to have one, and I've followed his example," the Princess said. "My quarters are private - no one but a select few enter without permission, and I don't want the Regent, or anyone else, to be able to invade that, even with just a voice."

Enara nodded in understanding, but Keri could see a pained look on her face. She could imagine her relationship with her aunt was a painful reminder of Enara's own situation.

"I love my aunt, Nara," she said softly. "We just don't see things the same way anymore."

"I understand completely," Enara told her.

They left the office and entered the audience chamber. To the right side of the dais was a small alcove with tables on which several trays of food and drink had been previously arranged by the kitchen staff. Keri moved to the large chair in the middle of the dais, which she could sit on since it wasn't the throne. Aliana and Enara sat down on two smaller chairs immediately behind her, and Enara removed a binder from the satchel she carried and passed it to the Princess.

"Keri, relax," Aliana told the Princess. "You're as stiff as an ironwood tree."

"I'm nervous," Keri admitted. "I've never played Princess like this before."

"Highness," Enara said, emphasizing the title for effect. "You don't have to play at anything. You are the Princess, and everything about you says that."

"Besides, if you're nervous, think about poor Nara and me," Aliana added. "You're about to pass judgment on the girls we've chosen to be your new handmaidens. What if you think they all stink?"

The Princess laughed, knowing that was unlikely. For the last week, Aliana and Enara had been charged with the task of interviewing dozens of girls to find her six new handmaidens.

"You'll both be safe as long as they learn fast not to hover too much," Keri said. "I can't believe I'm going to have a flock of girls following me around."

"Oh, I know you; you'll love every minute even if you whine about it," Aliana said. "I can't believe you're actually calling me your Maid of Honor though."

"I know it's not really appropriate," Keri said, "but Trollop of Honor sounded contradictory and a bit crass."

"Oh, very funny," Aliana said as Enara and Keri both burst into laughter. They were still laughing when the door to the chamber opened and Rodin entered.

"Lord Chamberlain Fenril is here as requested, Highness," the herald said, a look of confusion on his face.

"Thank you, Rodin, please send him in," the Princess said.

Keri got her laughter under control and rose to her feet, just as Aliana whispered from behind her, "Bitch!" The Princess broke into giggles again as a tall, elderly man with white hair entered the chamber. He approached the dais and bowed low as though he noticed absolutely nothing unusual.

"Thank you for coming, Lord Fenril," the Princess said. "Please forgive me - my friends and I were sharing a bit of levity."

"Your laughter is always music to my ears, Highness," Lord Fenril said with a grin, "as your visage is always a delight to my eyes."

"Oh, Fenril, you are always the charmer," Keri giggled. "I won't keep you long, as I know you have much to attend to, and I'm afraid I'm about to add to those duties. First, however, I must correct an oversight on my part. I have not yet formally introduced you to the Honorable Lady Enara. I hope you will come to love her as I have."

"I have no doubt I will, Highness," Fenril said, turning as Enara rose and stepped forward. The Lady-in-Waiting curtsied formally to the Lord Chamberlain and then extended her hand.

"Her Highness has told me much about you, Lord Chamberlain," Enara said as the old man kissed her hand. "I am honored to meet you."

"And I you, My Lady. I trust your new quarters are satisfactory?"

"Very much so," Enara said. "I already feel so at home here."

"The Palace is enriched by your beauty, My Lady," Fenril said. Enara blushed and retreated back to her seat.

"Now, Fenril, I'm going to need your help with two things," the Princess said. "First, we're going to be opening the retainers’ quarters. Ali and Nara have selected six girls to serve as handmaidens, and they'll need a place to sleep."

"That is no problem at all, Highness," Fenril said. "The quarters have been maintained regularly. I'll see to it the housekeepers place fresh linens in the appropriate rooms, or would you prefer we ready all the rooms?"

"Let's do all of them, the men's included," the Princess said. "Rodin is still staying at Herald Hall in Lockeshire, but I'm going to ask him to take quarters here as well."

"I would suggest one of the suites near mine for the young journeyman, Princess," Fenril said. "He'll need office space for his duties."

"You're quite right; I should have thought of that," Keri said. "I'll have a scribe and seamstress joining me in a few days as well, so we'll need suites for them too. You can open the other suite next to my quarters for the seamstress - I'd like to have her close at hand."

"The quarters shall be ready by day’s end," Fenril said. "Does this mean you'll be staffing the residence wing as well?"

"Yes, and I leave that to you. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I trust you won't give me an entirely new staff."

"No, of course not," Fenril laughed. "I've several experienced members of the main staff that are ready for greater responsibility. They'll form the core of the residence staff, and I'll add new personnel as needed to both."

"Excellent," Keri said. "Now, I'll need one more bit assistance. This afternoon you'll have a complete itinerary for my Royal Progress. I know you organized the supply of such trips for my parents, and I'd very much like you to do so for me as well."

"Of course, Highness," Fenril said. "It will be my honor."

"Thank you. Lord Fenril. I'll let you get back to running the Palace now."

The Lord Chamberlain bowed once more, and then gave a grin to Aliana and Enara before turning and leaving the chamber. Keri returned to her seat and settled into its soft cushions, preparing herself for the next encounter, which promised to be far less pleasant.

"He's quite a character," Enara said.

"They say he was a real ladies man in his youth," Aliana said.

"I can believe that," Enara giggled.

The Princess remained silent, lost in thought. Aliana reached out and touched her elbow gently to get her attention.

"There's wine in the cold box if you need a little something," she suggested.

"Ali it's not even midday yet," the Princess replied.

"It's not like I'm trying to get you drunk," Ali laughed. "We only have one bottle anyway." She turned to Enara and added, "Don't ever try to match Her Highness drink for drink - you'll lose."

"I'm fine, really," Keri said. "I just want this to go well, but I know how Darsia is going to take it."

"All you can do is make the offer, Keri," Enara said. "We all know it's from your heart."

Rodin entered once more and announced that Lady Darsia and her mother had arrived. Keri rose again and walked to the door as Rodin escorted them into the chamber. Darsia was obviously surprised when the Princess greeted them at the door.

"Hello, Darsi," the Princess said, giving her cousin a smile that further confused her. She turned to her herald and asked, "Would you get us two chairs, Rodin? Put them in front of the dais, please."

The herald moved off to carry out her request, and Keri took Darsia's mother by the arm and began slowly escorting her towards the dais. Viscountess Alicia Lockeleigh, Keri's first cousin, once removed, was an attractive woman of nearly seventy years. Her raven hair was accented by strands of silver, which was exceedingly rare for a woman who was barely even middle-aged, and she moved with the staggering steps of someone much older.

"It's so good to see you again, Cousin Alicia," Keri said.

"Is that you, Mistara?" the Viscountess asked.

"No, Cousin Alicia, I'm Kerialla."

"Kerialla?" the Viscountess asked, looking to Darsia in confusion.

"This is the Queen's daughter, Mother," Darsia said. "You remember Keri, don't you?"

"Of course, I remember Keri!" the Viscountess said. "She's the Princess … but she's just a little girl!"

"I've grown up, Cousin Alicia," Keri said.

As Rodin brought the chairs up, Keri helped her elder cousin onto the dais and started to ease her into the big chair.

"Why that's your chair, Mistara," she said. "Does this mean I'm Queen?"

Keri nodded and said, "For a little while, Cousin Alicia. My friends here will attend to your every need while Darsia and I have a little chat."

"Oh, won't that be lovely," the Viscountess said.

Keri smiled and then turned, gesturing for Darsia to accompany her to the seats Rodin had set out. Once the Princess had settled herself, she carefully removed the coronet from her head and set it on the floor beside her. The significance of the gesture was not lost on Darsia, who waited with a wary expression for her cousin to speak.

"Darsi, I want you to join my entourage," Keri said. "You'd be a Lady-in-Waiting along with Enara, and accompany me on my Royal Progress."

"Why?" Darsia asked. "You hate me."

"You know that's not true," Keri said. "We've never been friends, and we may never be, but you are my cousin." She reached out and grasped her cousin's hands and continued, "We're the last of House Lockeleigh … we should be together. I'd really like us to become closer."

A look of poorly veiled disgust washed over Darsia face, her lips moving soundlessly as she pulled her hands free. Now it was Keri's turn to be confused — she had expected anger or bitterness but not revulsion.

"I'm not like you and your … your friends!" Darsia spat at last. "You can't turn me into one of your sapphist lackeys!"

Keri looked to the dais but saw that neither Aliana nor Enara appeared to have heard. She turned her gaze back to her cousin and shook her head.

"You think I'm making an advance?"

"You can't fool me, Keri," Darsia said, her voice rising. "I've seen the way you and your little commoner slut look at each other … the way you touch each other when you think no one is looking. The only reason she sleeps around so much is to throw off suspicion. And I know all about why Enara's parents had to leave Highkeep, and why they disowned her."

Keri didn't have to look again to know her friends had heard Darsia's accusation this time — she had certainly said it loud enough. Her first instinct was to fire back an angry response, but she had promised herself she wouldn't do that. She fought her anger down, and when it was gone she felt only sadness.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Darsi," she said, her voice heavy with sadness. "My offer was made only out of an honest desire to strengthen our ties as kin, nothing more. If you can't accept it as that, then there's nothing I can say to change your mind."

"It's easy for you," Darsia said, her voice more subdued. "I … I'm not pretty like you all are. Keri, if I were to be … I mean, if people thought I was like that, what man would want me?"

Keri actually grinned at that and said, "You might be surprised, Darsi. Some men find women like us … exotic and very attractive. At any rate, I won't pressure you into anything. I would ask that you refrain from spreading any more rumors about me or my retainers."

"Or what?" Darsia demanded, her voice growing louder again. "You'll kick us out of the Palace?"

"Shards, no, Darsia!" Keri said, shocked. "You're my family, and no matter how nasty you are to me, this Palace will be your home for as long as you choose. I'm asking you as my cousin to let the private lives of myself and my friends remain private."

"I … well I've never actually passed any of them along," Darsia said. "I've never discouraged others from doing so … but I never…."

"I believe you, cousin," Keri said, rising to her feet. Aliana rushed down from the dais and helped her put on and adjust her coronet while Enara began helping Viscountess Alicia up.

"I don't mean to rush you, Lady Darsia," the Princess said, "but I do have a number of appointments today."

"Of course, Highness, I understand," Darsia said. She did a quick curtsey and walked over to where Enara was helping her mother off the dais.

"Is it time to go, dear?"

"Yes, Mother," Darsia said. "We're going to have lunch, and then I'll have your carriage brought round so we can go for a ride in the country — won't that be nice?"

Darsia took her mother gently by the arm, and for an instant, her eyes locked with Enara's. She saw something there she didn't anticipate — respect.

"Thank you, Lady Enara," she said.

"It was my privilege, Lady Darsia."

The Princess walked with Darsia and her mother to the door, and then hugged the Viscountess and kissed her on the cheek.

"It's always lovely to see you, Mistara," Alicia said. "My nephew was smart to marry you."

"Thank you, Viscountess," Keri said. She looked from Alicia to Darsia and added, "You know if you ever need anything…."

"I know, Princess," Darsia said with a smile. She curtseyed once more and then took her mother gently by the arm and led her from the audience chamber. The Princess walked back to the dais and settled back into her chair.

"I think I'll take that wine now, Ali," Keri said.

"I could use some myself, if you don't mind," Enara said.

"I think we all could," Ali said, rising and walking into the alcove.

"How long has the Viscountess been like that?"

"It started before Darsia and I were born," Keri told her. "She was about our age too. Her new husband and her father, my great uncle Duke Gerronel, were off fighting orcs with Queen Riala. Alicia was left to manage their estates near Northkeep."

Keri paused as Aliana brought the wine and took a big sip of hers. She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing.

"Alicia had gone to her father's estate to check on the harvest; back then there weren't any orb stations for communication. She left her twin infant daughters in the care of their nanny. While she was away, orc marauders struck. Alicia sent her small escort to delay the orcs while the people from the outlying farmsteads retreated into the palisade around the estate. Her younger brother was leading the escort — they were slaughtered to a man, but they bought the time the villagers needed."

The Princess drained her goblet and passed it to Aliana, who refilled it immediately. It was obvious that the story was hard for Keri to tell.

"The orcs didn't have the numbers to storm the palisade or the time to lay siege, so after a half-hearted attack that wounded a few of the defenders, they retreated. Alicia stayed to see to the injured, and then returned to her own land. Her estate was new — it didn't have a defensive wall yet."

"Oh, no!" Enara gasped.

Keri nodded, "Some of the troops from her father's estate were escorting her back. They saw the smoke from about a league away. By the time they reached her estate, the orcs had finished and were retreating again. Everything was in flames — the fields, the stables and the house.

"The orcs saw them and made a fatal mistake — they turned to attack. You see, Alicia was like me — she could weave the aether without the use of spells. In her rage and pain however, she opened herself to the flow too much. Some of the men with her were veterans — they said it was like nothing they had ever seen, not even from the most powerful battle mage. In the blink of an eye, fifty orcs and their mounts were burnt to a cinder."

"And the strain broke her mind?"

"The strain … the grief … the pain … it was all too much," Keri said. "It didn't help that a few weeks later she learned her husband and father had both been killed in battle. She didn't get like she is now overnight — that would have been merciful. No, she felt her mind slip away a little at a time over the years. She tried to continue to manage both estates, but eventually my grandfather, King Baltor, had to give them to someone else for the good of the people. Alicia was brought to the Palace and has lived here ever since."

"But she married again?" Enara asked. "I mean, she had Darsia."

Keri smiled. "It's only been the last few years that her body has begun to deteriorate. She used to be as much a handful as me, or so I'm told. She would wander away from the Palace, and she was a very pretty woman. She ended up pregnant, but by the time it was found out, she couldn't remember who the father was. Darsia was born here in the Palace — it’s the only home she's ever known. As she grew up, she watched her mother become more and more child-like."

"I feel so ashamed," Enara said. "I've thought such horrible things about her."

"Don't blame yourself, Nara," Aliana said. "Keri and I have known her for years, and we've thought the same things."

"I still feel bad," Enara said. "I mean, I know it doesn't excuse her being so mean, but the stress on Darsia must be horrible."

"More than you may realize," Keri said. "You see, when Alicia's estates were taken, Baltor never expected her to have another child. No provision was made for any kind of inheritance."

"So you're supporting her, just like you're supporting me now," Enara said.

"Don't look so guilty, Nara," the Princess said. "Yes, Darsia receives a monthly stipend and a clothing allowance plus funds set aside for her future should she marry and leave the Palace, just as I have done for you. My father set that up when she was born, and I've increased it. It doesn't even come close to what she would have inherited though."

"And I thought you didn't even like her."

"I don't like her," Keri said. "She's never been anything but petty and cruel to me, but she is family, and I take care of my family. The difference is, you give back, Nara, and I have no doubt you'll continue to give. I have plans for you, sister."

"Well, now that you've scared poor Nara white, why don't we bring in the girls?" Aliana asked. "And remember, Honorable Lady Enara, you can't help them — I don't want them thinking of you as one of them."

"All right, bring them in, Ali," the Princess said, looking at the timepiece around her neck before adding, "You've got ten minutes to introduce them, and then they have three hours to fawn over me."

"Oh, no, you promised the whole afternoon!" Ali protested. "Your meeting with Marc is going to be the real test. If they can handle him glaring at them, they'll face down orcs."

Keri sighed. "Okay, I surrender."

"Good," Aliana said with a crooked smile. "I thought I would have to resort to tickling to get you to submit. And since you're in a weakened state, after they get comfortable, Enara and I are going to leave you in their care for about an hour."

"What? There is no way you’re leaving me alone with them!"

"Keri, we have to," Enara said. "I have an idea about how to fund the plan you're going to present to Marc, but I have to look up the specifics in kingdom law. I'm not familiar enough with the library here in the palace to find what I need."

"The girls will be fine," Aliana said. "They all have experience attending; all they need is a chance to get over the awe of being in your magnificent presence."

"Very funny," Keri said, not looking at all amused. "All right, I'll let you both go, but this better be good."

CHAPTER 11

Marc was more than a little shocked when he entered the audience chamber late that afternoon. The Princess was being attended to by only her six new handmaidens, and to the knight-captain it was a striking change. He had rarely ever seen her without Aliana at her elbow.

Even more shocking was that Her Highness looked exhausted like he hadn't seen since the days after her parents had died. Like then, it wasn't from physical exertion — the Princess was virtually tireless — but rather emotional stress. Despite her obvious fatigue, she smiled as Marc entered and rose to meet him at the table to the right side of the chamber.

"Highness, you look tired," Marc said. "We don't have to do this today."

"I'll be fine, Marc," the Princess insisted. "You'll be a relief after dealing with the barons of Southkeep, Westkeep and Northkeep."

"Let me guess," Marc grinned. "They received the preliminary itinerary you sent out and are feeling slighted that the Progress won't be stopping at their keeps."

"Shards! They have the egos of spoilt children," the Princess fumed. "It's not good enough that I'll be visiting several shires and farmsteads in each of their baronies — no, they want me to arrange my schedule to accommodate them. Baron Lasser of Southkeep actually said he was much too busy to leave the keep, and I would have to come to him!"

"They've had six years with no sovereign," Marc said. "The Regent has had to accomodate them because she was appointed by the councils of the guilds and baronies, and either of those bodies can call for her removal. How did you finally placate them?"

"I didn't," the Princess said. "I simply reminded them that their lands and positions were granted by the Crown, and that one day I would be the Crown. Then I suggested they would be wise to indulge me."

"Good," Marc said. "They need to know that you won't back down to massage their egos."

"Thank you, Marc, you know I don't like throwing my weight around," the Princess said. "Now, let me show you what I have in mind for the Progress."

The Princess unrolled a large map of the kingdom and Marc could see it had been marked with lines to indicate the route of her Royal Progress. The preliminary itinerary she had distributed a few days earlier had included the locations she intended to visit, but there had been no information on dates or the final route. With the vast network of transport spires there were a number of possible routes, though the Progress would be limited because of its size to the largest spires.

"We'll break the tour into three parts," the Princess explained. "The first will be here in the Central Valley. The spires here are too small for a group our size to use, but the distances aren't that great either. The entire circuit will take three weeks and end up back here at the Palace, where we'll spend a week resting. Then we'll spend two months in the south, and return to the Palace again before starting the final leg through the western reaches."

"You've reduced the number of stops I see."

"I had to," the Princess said. "As much as I'd like to visit more shires, there are only eight days in a week — there's just not enough time."

"This is only your first of many Progresses," Marc said. "I see you plan on using the old outposts as waypoints here in the Central Valley."

"Yes. They're not very large, but their stone walls are much more protection than the wooden palisades we'll be constructing in the west."

Marc nodded in approval. The small outposts were relics from the days before Queen Riala had driven the orcs from Trimaria. Then the people had been largely concentrated in the Central Valley, and the outposts provided garrisons and regular patrols to keep the creatures at bay.

"I'll need you to work with the engineers on repairing any damage," Her Highness continued. "I want them brought back to their full operating capacity and ready to be garrisoned."

"Highness, the Regent has already refused to pull troops from the frontier to deal with the raiders," Marc said.

"I know, and as Princess I don't have the authority to reassign troops. The most I could do would be to divert funding to try to force my aunt to assign soldiers to deal with the raiders."

Marc looked at her sharply, and the Princess smiled.

"I would never leave our men in harm's way without proper resources," she assured him. "I do, however, have military assets of my own. Remember, as the senior member of House Lockeleigh, I'm the Grand Duchess of Lockeshire."

"The city militia?" Marc asked. The Princess smiled and nodded.

All of the major cities and even the larger shires had their own militia for self-defense, which was why none of them had been attacked. A shire or farmstead with a few dozen inhabitants was a far more attractive target than a city of hundreds or thousands with walls and armed citizens to man them. Lockeshire's militia was made up of five thousand men and women, and all had been fairly well trained and equipped. Only five hundred were active at any time, but all could be activated in the event of an emergency.

The door to the audience chamber opened, and Aliana and Enara entered, both flushed and breathless as though they had been running. Keri gave them her best imperious glare.

"It's about time," the Princess scolded. "Did you find something useful?"

"Yes, very," Enara said with a big smile.

"You're going to love it," Aliana added.

Marc gave the two young women a curious stare and then turned his attention back to the Princess.

"Highness, your idea has merit, but there are some difficulties," he said slowly. "In order to call up the militia, you need a declaration of emergency specific to the reason they're being activated. Even with that, you need funding — you can't pull people from their shops and fields without compensation."

"We already have a declaration," Keri said with a triumphant grin. She pulled a large piece of paper from a pile on the table and passed it to Marc.

"This is the declaration the Regent used to restrict spire travel," Marc said.

"Yes, and it specifically states that the emergency requiring such measures is the presence of raiders within our borders. The same emergency that allowed my aunt to close the spires also allows me to call up the militia, and she can't touch them. The law forbids the use of militia to support military campaigns."

"Of course," Marc said. "The militia is for home defense. You still need money — you could pay for it out of your personal funds, but even you don't have the money to maintain that for more than a few months."

"I believe Lady Enara has a solution for that," the Princess said. "Please, tell us what you learned, Nara."

Enara smiled nervously and said, "Well, a few nights ago I asked Her Highness if I could look at the kingdom's financial records. I've always been good with numbers … it's about the only thing my father ever praised me for … and I did work with him in Highkeep on the barony's budget."

The noblewoman dug through the leather binder she carried and pulled out a sheet of paper filled with lines and columns of numbers. One section had been circled for reference, and she showed it to the Princess and Marc. It indicated a fund with a vast amount of money.

"That's the kingdom's emergency fund," Enara explained. "By law it became available as soon as the emergency declaration was issued, as long as the funds are used in relation to the reason for the declaration."

"I am such an idiot!" the Princess exclaimed. "I should have thought of this … Nara, you're brilliant!"

"Highness, you can't be expected to know everything," Enara said, her cheeks turning a deep red at the praise. "The Exchequer should have made you aware that the funds were available as soon as the declaration was issued."

The Princess looked at Marc and raised her eyebrows, and the knight knew she was thinking the same thing he was. The Chancellor may well have informed the Regent, but she had decided not to mention it to the Princess.

"Marc, I need to know two things," the Princess said after a moment. "Can the militia handle this, and how many will we need to garrison the forts? I'd like to have them rotated out on a weekly basis."

"The forts are small, only intended to support a troop at best," Marc said. "Twenty-four hundred militia would be sufficient to man them on a six week rotation without compromising the security of the city. It's what the militia is intended for. They're up to the task."

"That's what we figured," the Princess said. "Any suggestions to make it more effective?"

"Yes," Marc said. "We should detach some serjeants and yeoman from the Palace Guard to command the outposts initially. One serjeant and a pair of yeoman during each rotation would give each unit experienced leadership and provide some additional training."

"Can we spare them?"

"Easily," Marc said. "The brilliance of your plan is it doesn't weaken the city defenses, it strengthens them by expanding our defensive sphere. Lockeshire is virtually unassailable anyway — it would take an army of two hundred thousand to have any hope of breaching the walls, and if an army like that were to penetrate this far into the kingdom … well, we'd have more problems than raiders."

"I'm glad you approve, because I want to extend those capabilities even further," Her Highness said. "When we travel into the western reaches, I want to take enough additional militia with us to garrison each of the fortifications that will be built for the Progress. They will stay long enough to train up a local militia, and then return to Lockeshire. That will also add to our defense — I know it's not the same as the heavy cavalry and infantry you wanted, but at least it's something."

"It will give the people hope," Marc said, his eyes shining with admiration. "Your parents would be proud."

"They shouldn't be," the Princess said as she rose to her feet. "I've let my aunt manipulate me and turn me into nothing more than a stamp of approval for her policies. I don't deserve to be Princess, but I am — and I won't be a puppet anymore."

"Highness, you are able to dispense the funds," Enara said, "but the order still requires the Regent's signature."

A wicked grin crossed the Princess's face and she said, "Exactly, Enara — she's required to sign it. Let's see how she likes it when someone else is pulling the strings."

CHAPTER 12

Duchess Rayna stared at the words on the note attached to the order to dispense emergency funds for the militia. It was all worded very properly and respectfully, but it amounted to one thing — the Princess was ordering her to sign.

"I won't do it," the Regent said flatly. "If she thinks she can play her little games with me…."

"She is not playing a game," Duke Terlan said, looking up from a thick tome that held the laws of the kingdom.

"As heir, the Princess controls the finances of the kingdom," he said. "Until now, she has been content to let you dictate how funds are disbursed, but it is her signature that orders it. Your endorsement is simply a confirmation that the funds are being utilized according to the law. Should you fail to endorse a legal disbursement, which this clearly is, then you would be removed as Regent."

"The Council of Barons would never support that," the Regent said, but her voice betrayed uncertainty.

"My dear, you have grown accustomed to having to placate the barons," Terlen said. "You need their support - the Princess is under no such stricture. They know that to refuse her, even as Princess, would only give her cause to replace them once she is Queen. If Princess Kerialla made a formal request for your removal, with just cause, the Council of Guild Masters would support her, and the barons would have no choice but to do so as well."

The Regent looked at the order, her eyes still burning with anger. She picked up a pen and started to sign, then stopped, throwing the pen back onto the desktop.

"Look at it this way," Duke Terlen said. "There's no reason not to endorse the order. What the Princess proposes will not hamper war funding in any way. In fact, her solution is really quite ingenious."

"It could hamper our plans in other ways," the Regent said. "The raiders have been a nuisance at best, but they have increased the level of anxiety among the populace. I convinced the barons that the best way to deal with the attacks is to press forward with our offensive and take the Merdian ports in central Camron, which is where your intelligence has suggested the raiders are launching from. The Princess's efforts could curtail the attacks and sap the will of the barons."

"It will take months to build a militia force capable of dealing with the raiders," Terlen said. "By that time, the offensive will be well under way, and it will be impossible to stop it."

The Regent stared at the order a moment longer, then snatched up the pen and hastily scribbled her name beneath that of the Princess.

"Perhaps there is a way to speed up our offensive," the Regent said. "Find Knight-Marshal Teagan - I want to discuss his plan."

"The seaborne assault?" Duke Terlen asked. "That's a very risky proposal. We have never attempted to send such a large force over the water."

The Regent merely nodded. Marshal Teagan's plan called for loading an entire division, over fifty-thousand troops, onto coastal barges pulled by steamships and then sailing them across the Gulf of Camron to land a hundred leagues in the Merdian's rear area. If successful, they would then push east towards the frontier, forcing the Merdians to weaken their line in response. It wasn't without risks — the barges were not intended for travel over deep water, and the whole force could be lost if it ran into foul weather. The troops would be isolated, without support or supply lines, until they were able to link up with the main force.

"Perhaps it's time to be bold," the Regent said.

"As you wish, my dear," Terlen said as he turned to leave.

When he was gone, the Regent walked over to the map on the wall and stared at it. Despite what her niece thought, Duchess Rayna did believe Keri had the makings of a fine Queen, who would lead her people into a new age of prosperity. But before that could happen, the Merdians had to be crushed once and for all, and the Princess was simply too compassionate to carry on with the war.

The Regent left the map and walked over to her desk and passed her hand over her crystal speaker. The cube lit up with a pale blue light, and the voice of Knight-Commander Jaris issued from it.

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"I want you to set in motion the plan we discussed earlier," the Regent said.

"I'll see to it at once, Your Grace."

"Remember, Jaris, no harm is to come to the Princess," the Regent said. "If so much as a hair on her head is hurt, I'll have yours on a pike."

"I understand, Your Grace."

The Regent deactivated the orb and sat down at the desk. She had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but the Princess had left her no choice. She needed her niece out of the way for a time, so that she could proceed with her plans. It was treason, and she would likely pay with her own life in the end, but that was a sacrifice she was willing to accept. The Merdians had to be held accountable for the death of her sister. One way or another, she would have her revenge.

CHAPTER 13

The Royal Progress left Lockeshire as scheduled on the first of Mai. It was a cool spring morning, but Keri didn't even notice as she rode out of the city at the head of her three hundred Royal Guardsmen. She had decided to make a statement of sorts, and instead of a gown she was clad in her armor - a brightly polished, sculpted breastplate of manthracite steel over rings of blackened mail. Keri was as tall as most men, and with her longsword and dagger at her hips, she was the epitome of the warrior princess. She left her hair loose, the golden strands billowing beneath her golden coronet. The streets were lined with cheering people, a spontaneous display that touched her deeply.

Their first stop was a short distance from Lockeshire, at Tuatha farmstead. A Royal Court was called, held on the village commons, and once the Princess was seated, Rodin stepped forward to open the court, and then unrolled a large scroll.

"Her Highness calls forward Kerlan of Darnow," the herald proclaimed in his powerful tenor.

The old farmer emerged from the audience and approached the Princess, bowing low before kneeling in front of her. Keri rose and walked forward, placing a hand on the man's head.

"Please rise, Kerlan, so that you may share in this."

Kerlan stood and bowed his head, but the Princess placed a gauntlet-clad hand on his chin and raised his face until their eyes met.

"It is I who should bow before you, Kerlan," she said as she drew the farmer into her arms. "Despite the great price you have already paid, your sons stood tall and proud, and that can only be the result of their father's example.

"Long ago my forefather, King Brestor, issued a decree that abolished the practice of serfdom and made all Trimarians, commoner and noble alike, free people who could own land," the Princess said. "Vast wealth was not necessary, only the desire and commitment to prove a claim and make the land bloom. The people of Tuatha have shown great commitment and sacrificed not only their time but their very blood. In honor of your diligence, I hereby declare your obligation fulfilled — this land is yours, now and forever more."

A great cheer rose from the villagers, and after it had died down, Keri turned to Rodin, who passed an ornately scribed and illuminated scroll to her. The Princess passed the paper to Kerlan before continuing.

"As a new shire, Tuatha needs a leader, and after receiving many recommendations from the people here, I name Kerlan Seneschal of Tuatha Shire."

There was more cheering, and the Princess paused again to allow the people to show their support for their new leader. As a shire they would now be able to expand and establish their own farmsteads, which would attract more people to live and work there. When the crowd was quiet again, Rodin's voice rose once more.

"Her Highness calls forth Enis and Gerron, the sons of Kerlan!"

Two young men bearing the mark of their father approached, neither long out of their teens. They stopped before entering the Royal Presence and laid their bows and daggers on the ground. Then they stepped forward, bowing and then kneeling before the Princess.

"One of the duties and great privileges I have is to award those who distinguish themselves through exceptional courage. These young men showed such courage, and it is my great joy to reward them thusly."

Rodin raised another scroll and in a loud voice read the words scribed upon it.

"The heart of Trimaria is her people, and only through her people can Trimaria stand tall. When their friends and family were threatened by orc raiders, Enis and Gerron, sons of Kerlan, bravely faced the enemy, and without regard for themselves, held the raiders at bay until the rest of their village could seek safety. They did this without thought of glory or fame, thinking only of others. For their selfless courage, above and beyond all expectation, I, Her Royal Highness Princess Kerialla Astriala Lockeleigh, grant unto them the Sovereign's Order of Honor, and with it, an Award of Arms!"

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, and the two young men rose. The Princess placed around their necks the medallion of the Order of Honor, and gave each a smile and an embrace. The order was a great honor, but more significant was the Award of Arms attached to it. As armigers, Enis and Gerron could enter the Royal Presence armed, and could submit to the College of Heralds a crest which would be associated with their descendants forevermore.

Before releasing them, the Princess pulled each of the young men close once more, kissing them on the cheek and whispering, "If I can prove worthy of such as you, I will be a great queen indeed."

The Princess didn't tarry long in Tuatha, as they had long ride ahead. Once they were a short distance from the new shire, the procession stopped to allow the Princess to dismount and transfer to her coach. Pulled by a team of six powerful draft horses, the coach was eight feet wide and twice that in length. It could seat up to six in comfort and included a small privy, a cold box for food storage and two bunk beds. The coach was too massive for travel overland, but Trimaria, especially the Central Valley and the south, had an excellent system of well-maintained roads. They were less numerous in the west, but most of the Progress's travel there would be via spires, and all of them were connected to nearby settlements by roads.

Once inside, Aliana and Keri went forward and drew a curtain for privacy, out of respect for Master Talisin who was riding with them, and the Princess got out of her armor and into a comfortable gown.

"How do you like my palace on wheels, Master Tally?" Keri asked as she settled into her seat.

"It's a remarkable conveyance," the sage said. "I assume the temperature is maintained by some mystical means?"

Keri nodded, pointing to a black plate in the ceiling.

"It works the same as a cold box," she explained, "except it can also give off heat. All we need to make it perfect is a little something extra."

The Princess snapped her fingers and a gentle breeze began wafting through the coach.

"Show off," Aliana said.

"We're going to be in here a lot," Keri said. "We might as well be comfortable."

For the next three weeks, the Royal Progress made its way through the Central Valley. They saw no sign of raiders, and at each shire the Princess was greeted warmly by the people. The farmsteads and shires of the valley were the most prosperous in Trimaria and only recently had begun to experience the fear caused by the raiders. The announcement that the outposts were being reactivated was received well, with many volunteers for local militias coming forward.

By the time they returned to the Palace, everyone was ready for a week of rest — not that there was that much rest to be had. Wagons and equipment had to be serviced, supplies restocked and the few little problems that had surfaced during the first leg addressed and corrected.

Keri and Aliana had their own work to do. Patents from prospective suitors had begun arriving, and they both had to be familiar with them — Keri because she might encounter some of them before they reached the shire of Amurga, and Aliana because she would be greeting them as the Princess at the Grand Ball.

"I should have insisted on an age limit," Keri sighed as she reviewed one. "This is from Earl Brannick … he's sixty!"

Aliana laughed and said, "Well, this one is from his twelve-year-old grandson. At least you have the right to reject any you want without comment."

"Well, you get to decide that," Keri grinned. "You're the one that will have to dance with them."

Aliana smiled sweetly, took the scroll from her friend and stacked it with hers and set them both aside.

The second leg began on the first day of the month of Jun. The summer heat was brutal in the southern part of the kingdom, but the reception Keri received at each stop was not dampened. The south was not as densely populated as the Central Valley, but there was much more ground to cover. Fortunately, they had the spires for travel, allowing them to cover great distances in an instant.

There was one marked difference in the south. When the procession was traveling along the roads they frequently encountered small groups and even individuals, something they hadn't seen in the Central Valley. The south had yet to feel the fear of the raiders, and the question the Princess was asked most frequently was when the spires would be opened to the populace again.

The southern countryside was vastly different from the grasslands of the Central Valley as well. Keri spent many hours outside her coach as they rode through vast forests of towering evergreens. The highlight of the trip, however, was the afternoon they spent on the white sand beaches near the Shire of Seamar on the Altaen Ocean. Keri managed to drag Aliana and Enara and all of her handmaidens into the water at some point. The day ended with them all tired, gritty and a little sunburned.

The first two legs did nothing to prepare the Princess for what she would see in the west. From their very first stop at the shire of Glynhold, the mood of the people was different. They still turned out to greet their Princess, but the crowds were subdued with an undercurrent of hostility. The west had suffered repeated raider attacks for nearly a year, and many people had been killed. Crops had been destroyed as well, and yet there had been no relief of any kind. By the time they set out for the spire that would take them to Amurga, the Princess had come to an important decision — one that would change her life forever.

CHAPTER 14

On the twelfth day of Tember the Royal Progress arrived at the transport spires near the shire of Amurga. The spires were truly impressive sights - towering sixty feet high, they looked like great claws rising from the earth. The four manthracite spires curved inward, arcing over the stone circle at their center, a hundred feet in diameter. Magical glyphs of bright silver formed intricate patterns on every side of the spires, pulsing with the power of the aether that they channeled.

The spires began to hum, the glyphs glowing more brightly. A ball of brilliant blue-white light appeared in the air at the point exactly in the center of the four spires, quickly growing in size until it filled the entire space, completely covering the hundred-foot diameter stone platform. Then the ball flashed like a star exploding, and when the light was gone Marc and fifty mounted Royal Guards were revealed. They quickly cleared the platform, forming a circle about it. A few minutes later, the spires began to hum once more.

A second group of guardsmen arrived, and the perimeter expanded out from the spires. When the third group of fifty guardsmen arrived, they immediately set out down the road to Amurga to scout the path. The Princess and her entourage arrived next, along with several of the wagons carrying supplies and support personnel.

The size of the entourage had decreased in the five weeks since they had left Lockeshire on the final leg of the Royal Progress. Most of the militia troops that had accompanied them had been left at various stops along the way, and there were only two groups that still had to be dispersed. Despite this, it still took more than an hour toe complete the transfer, as the spires required several minutes between trips to recharge. The remaining three troops of Royal Guards followed after the last of the support train was through, and the procession began to form up for the four hour march to Amurga.

"We'll be ready to move out momentarily, Highness," Marc told the Princess as he brought his war-horse to a stop by her coach. "I thought you might enjoy the view."

The Princess looked out at the spires and behind them the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Malmorrow Mountains. Keri took in the panorama, and Marc was sure he saw the glint of tears in her eyes. It had been eight years since she last saw the mountains with her parents.

"Thank you, Marc," she said. "I'd almost forgotten how beautiful it was."

After over four months of travel and countless stops, the Royal Guard functioned with precision and speed. Two troops, a hundred men and women, formed a vanguard preceding the Princess and the support personnel. Two additional troops fell in behind, and a third lagged back to bring up the rear.

The morale of the men was very good, and Marc was more than pleased with their performance. This was what the Royal Guard was meant for - not sitting around the palace as a permanent garrison. There had been a few awkward moments as the Royal Progress began, as many of the men had never had the opportunity to act as the escort they were intended to be. The veterans quickly straightened out the problems without any intervention from Marc or his serjeant.

"It feels good, don't it lad," Garith said as they traveled towards the shire of Amurga.

Marc actually laughed and nodded. "Yes, it does. It was wrong to keep the Princess locked away in the palace, I can see that now."

"She was born to rule," Garith said. "She knows how to touch the hearts of her people."

Marc nodded again. It was true; Keri was born to be queen, and not just because her father had been king. In a few short weeks, Marc had watched her blossom and seen her literally sweep the people of her kingdom off their feet with her charm. She had warmed the hearts of the Royal Guard as well. On the nights when they had to camp, she sat around the fire with them and listened to the stories of the veterans. Many told her things about her father she had never known, and the Princess had not been ashamed to let them see her laughter or her tears. She had spent one day entirely in the cook tent, and that night the entire company had been treated to a sumptuous feast that the Princess had overseen. The dessert course had been freshly baked cookies, and the Princess had personally served all of the Royal Guard. The gesture was lost on the newer men, but the veterans happily explained how a young child used to insist on paying them every week personally with cookies her mother had helped her bake. It brought to mind happier times - and promised more to come.

"Aliana's been thrilled to actually have her own staff of handmaidens," Stilnar said.

Marc grinned at his cousin, knowing that the pretty handmaiden had enticed him into her bedchamber on more than one night. Though he would never admit it, the big knight had entertained more than one fantasy about the Princess's handmaiden. While he had virtually grown up with the two girls, he had always seen the Princess as a sister, whereas Aliana had been more attainable, not that he had ever seriously considered a romantic relationship. It had nothing to do with the eleven years that separated them — girls younger than Aliana routinely married men older than Marc — it was the knight's sense of decorum.

The knight-captain saw a familiar hand waving from the royal coach and spurred his war-horse forward until he was alongside the Princess's window.

"Could you have our horses brought up, Marc?" Keri asked. "It's too lovely a day to be cooped up in this carriage the whole trip."

Marc turned in his saddle and waved the handler in charge of the girls' mounts forward. The procession stopped briefly to allow them to mount and then proceeded on its way. The girls had kept their dresses elegant but simple to avoid the necessity of riding sidesaddle, while still presenting an appropriate appearance should they pass anyone on the road. Despite her disdain for many things done for the sake of tradition or propriety, the Princess understood that the people needed some of it. Her attire and entourage emphasized her nobility, but her manner and charm made her seem very down to earth. In every place they had visited, the people had quickly warmed to her, even though the western villages were wary at first.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you look so happy," Marc said as they rode on.

"I am happy," Keri smiled. "Thank you, Marc."

"I should thank you, Highness," Marc said. "These past years, I've worried that you might never become what I thought you should be, but I see now I was one of those keeping you back. You've reminded me what we're here for."

"Brother, you've never kept me back," Keri said, "and you've taught me more than you know."

Music drifted forward, and Marc and the Princess looked back to see her minstrel, Varil, serenading Enara as he rode alongside her. The Lady-in-Waiting was giggling and blushing, obviously enjoying the attention.

"Poor Varil," Keri laughed. "He doesn't even realize he has no chance."

"The Honorable Lady Enara doesn't plan to have children?" Marc asked.

"Oh she does, but not anytime soon," Keri replied. "She's become fascinated with my great-grandmother. I've been letting her read the journals she left. They're quite … risqué in places, and downright ribald in others. I think Enara's found a role model."

"She could do far worse," Marc said. "Queen Riala was an impressive woman."

"I wish I could have met her," Keri said. The legendary queen had passed away just days after her great-granddaughter was born.

"Now that's odd," Marc said, a strange look on his face.

"What is?"

The knight shook his head in wonder and said, "I just remembered something she said to me, just before she passed on. I was passing her in the hall outside her quarters and she stopped me and said, 'I'll be moving on soon, Marc. Before I do, I need to tell you this - sometimes to fulfill our duty, we must surrender ourselves. Sometimes to protect we must let go. When the time comes, you remember that.' It was so odd to hear her talk about dying because she still looked like a young woman."

"That scares me sometimes." Keri told him.

"Dying?" Marc asked.

"No, not dying," Keri said. "Pureblood elves don't die naturally. I don't know if I can stand watching the people I love grow old and die."

"Don't think of it that way," the knight said. "Remember that in you, in your memories, the rest of us will live on, maybe forever. Live for yourself, Princess, but live for those you love as well."

"You're pretty wise for a sword swinger," Keri said. "What would I do without you, big brother?"

"I live to serve, Highness."

The Princess and her friends rode with the guard for an hour and then returned to their carriage. They were still three hours away from Amurga, and Keri didn't want to be stiff and saddle sore when they entered the shire. She knew the impression riding in on horseback would make, but she wasn't foolish enough to think she could stay in the saddle alongside trained warriors for the entire trip.

While on the surface it seemed logical that settlements would develop and grow about the transport spires, in fact the opposite was the true.  The location of the spires was governed by the flow of the aether, which more often than not didn't coincide with land that was amenable to habitation. While the aether permeated all of Andarel, it was stronger in certain places than others, like the currents of a river. Only a small percentage of the spires were located close to population centers. At four leagues Amurga was actually much closer to its spire than many other villages.

Thirty-minutes out from the village, Marc had the saddles on the horses for the Princess and her friends swapped, and when they entered Amurga, Keri was astride her stallion, riding sidesaddle in an elegant gown of glittering purple and silver. Her hair was not braided or styled, and it billowed about her head like a golden aura. Marc watched with pride as she strove to make eye contact with as many of the throng that greeted her as possible, gifting each with a heartfelt smile.

After the procession, there was a Royal Court. Keri listened to each petitioner with genuine interest, and if an issue arose that she was not permitted to deal with, she promised to bring it to the attention of the Regent.  Her scribe dutifully recorded the entire proceeding for future reference. Keri also met privately with the seneschal of the shire, a kindly looking man with thinning hair called Yoris. He was hesitant at first to speak of any concerns, but by now Keri knew what to expect and was able to coax him into speaking freely.

"Well, it's the taxes, Highness," Yoris told her. "We've always been glad to provide our tithe to support the army, but over the last few years they've been raised six times. Several of our farmsteads have been raided and their crops and stores burned. The stockpiles are gone, and we barely have enough to feed ourselves. There's nothing left for trade or to replenish our reserve. If we have a bad harvest, I'm afraid we'll starve."

"You're not the first seneschal I've heard this from, Yoris," Keri told him. "I'm ashamed to say I wasn't aware of how badly the taxes levied to support the war have strained the people. I will be speaking to the Regent about this when I return to Lockeshire, and you have my solemn vow that I will do everything within my power to bring you relief."

Later in the day, the shire held a banquet in honor of the Princess. Marc felt a renewed surge of pride as Keri stood as the meal was served and addressed the people.

"I thank you all from the depths of my heart for this sharing of your labors," she said. "I am well aware that this has placed a strain on your supplies, and I want you to know that I am deeply touched. My only hope is that one day I can prove myself worthy of the love you have shown me."

After the feast, the Princess was escorted to their encampment, a short distance away from the shire. The encampment outside Amurga consisted of a wooden palisade atop a grassy knoll at the base of a steep, rocky hill. The backside of the hill was a sheer wall over a hundred feet high, making an assault from that direction impossible. Despite this, Marc had positioned sentries at the top in case an enemy attempted to scale the crumbling cliff face.

At the base of the knoll, an outer perimeter of wood and earthen barricades had been constructed, forming a semicircle. It was a strong defensive position, with a hundred yards of open ground between it and the dense trees of the forest to the west.

Despite the strength of the position, Marc wasn't happy. He had only the Royal Guard plus fifty archers for defense. Amurga was over eighty leagues from the frontlines on the Isthmus of Valmor, but with the raider activity, Marc was concerned. He had asked for infantry and heavy cavalry to support the Guard, but the Regent had denied the request, saying there weren't enough troops to spare.

Keri surveyed the encampment as they passed through the outer perimeter and sighed.

"I hate this," she said.

"Riding side saddle or the encampment?" Marc asked.

"Well, I don't like riding this way, but it's necessary in this gown," Keri said. "I do hate having to live in an armed camp at every shire we visit."

"This is necessary too," Marc said, "but I understand what you're saying. You shouldn't have to do this … not here in Trimaria."

"My aunt should have received the message I sent this morning," Keri said as they entered the palisade on the hilltop. "How do you think she took it?"

"I think I'm glad we're over a hundred leagues from Lockeshire," Marc answered.

Keri laughed and said, "Me too. Do you have time to for a little wine, Marc, or do you have to check the guards?"

"My presence isn’t needed at the moment," Marc said. "I'll make a round before I turn in for the night."

The Princess's quarters were actually three round pavilions joined together by a central canopy that created a sitting area. Keri removed her coronet as soon as they were inside and dropped into a chair.

"Ali, do we have any wine chilled?" she asked.

"Of course we do," Aliana said. She walked to a corner of the sitting room and opened a wooden chest. The magically chilled air inside immediately formed a cloud of vapor as she withdrew a large bottle of dark red wine.

"Will you be requiring my services further tonight, Highness?" her herald asked.

"Not precisely, but I would like you  to stay for a moment, Rodin," Keri said. "What I have to say is important."

Aliana served the wine and then took a seat next to the Princess. Keri took a sip from her goblet and seemed to be collecting her thoughts.

"Before I get started, there is something I would like you to take care of first thing tomorrow, Rodin," the Princess said. "I have a message I'd like you to deliver personally to Lord Chamberlain Fenril, authorizing him to begin purchasing supplies to provide relief for these people. If something isn't done, some of them won't make it through the winter.

"I also have a message for Master Otellan. I know the heralds get news that doesn't always make it to me or the populace in general. I want him to assist Lord Fenril in identifying the shires hit hardest. Sir Marcan will provide you with an escort."

"I'll leave at first light, Highness," Rodin said.

"Thank you, Rodin. Now, on to the meat of the matter. This war is bleeding the people of our kingdom dry, and I've heard too many tales of sons and daughters lost."

The Princess paused as her voice became choked with emotion. Aliana immediately passed her a handkerchief, and she and Enara gripped the Princess's hands in a show of support. When Keri had composed herself, she continued, a look of determination in her eyes.

"After what I have seen, I've decided that I can't in good conscience wait until my twenty-first birthday to assume the throne. This morning I had Marc send a courier back to Lockeshire with a message to the Regent — I intend to assume the throne three months from today."

Keri paused and looked about, waiting for someone to speak. They all just sat there smiling at her.

"Isn't someone going to say something?" she finally asked.

"I daresay we've all been expecting you to come to this decision, Highness," Master Talisin said. "I think I speak for all when I say you have our full support."

"Well, you people are no fun at all," Keri pouted. "Here I thought I was going to shock you."

"Like you could shock me," Aliana said. "I know how horrified you've felt over the conditions we've seen, and I know it's tearing you up. These walls are thin, Highness — I've heard you cry yourself to sleep."

Keri smiled and squeezed her friend's hand.

"Thank you all for your support," Keri said. "I think the girls and I will be getting ready for bed now."

Marc waited until the others had left before rising from his seat. He paused at the pavilion's entrance, turning back to face the Princess.

"I'm proud of you, little sister," he said, and then left to make his rounds.

CHAPTER 15

As soon as she was alone with Aliana and Enara, Keri sprang to her feet and began pulling at the laces of her gown while moving towards her bedchamber.

"Remember to stay close to me, Ali," she said as she slipped out of the gown, "especially once we're on the horses. The cloaking spell will hide us, but it doesn't have a very long range."

"Keri, considering your decision, maybe we shouldn't do this," Aliana said.

The Princess stopped as she was about to remove her under-dress and grabbed Aliana's hands, pulling her over to the bed and sitting her down. She knelt before her handmaiden and looked up into her eyes as she spoke.

"Ali, I want to do this now more than ever, but not for the reason I first came up with for the whole thing," she said. "These last few weeks, you've been beyond wonderful. You've taken care of my every need and whipped those other girls into shape amazingly. Well, I want you to be taken care of for a change, and more than that, I want to be the one doing it. Please let me do this for you."

Aliana reached out and touched her friend's cheek as she said, "All right, Keri."

With Enara's help, they quickly changed into tunics and trousers, with thick wool cloaks to ward off the night's chill. In case of trouble, they were both armed with swords and daggers.

"We should be back well before dawn," Keri told Enara. "Turn the lights down, so it will look like we've gone to bed."

"I will," Enara said. "If you're not back an hour before sunrise, I'm going straight to Sir Marcan."

"I know you will, sweetie," Keri said.

"Have you figured out how we're going to convince Marc to come back here before we return to Lockeshire?" Aliana asked.

Keri grinned and nodded. "It's very simple. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to tell him everything. This is the last night of the full moon, so there's nothing that can be done until next month. That'll be just a week after the Harvest Festival, and there'll be no choice but to come back here."

"He's going to be furious."

"I know, and I'll weather the storm," Keri said. She looked at both girls with a serious expression and added, "If by some chance our little swap is revealed, you're both to swear that you cooperated by my command."

Aliana shook her head furiously and said, "No fragging way, Keri. We're treading on the law as it is here. If the Council of Mages thought you'd forced me into this, they'd strip you of your powers. We can protect Nara, but I'm a willing participant."

"Me too," Enara said. "We're in this together or not at all."

"All right, you silly girls," Keri relented. "If we hang, we hang together."

The Princess grasped Aliana's hands and closed her eyes for an instant as she reached out for the aether. Then she recited the cloaking incantation, and before Enara's wide eyes, they both vanished.

"Good luck," Enara whispered, knowing they could hear her, but she couldn't hear them. The cloaking field masked every trace of them, while still allowing them to hear and see the world around them.

Keri moved to the wall near her bed and knelt down, lifting the fabric of the pavilion just enough to peek out. No one was in sight, so she and Aliana slipped out into the night.

Even with the cloaking spell, they had to be cautious. If they bumped into something, they could still make noise, and even worse, if a guard passed close enough to even partially enter the field, he would be able to see them. The most dangerous part of their escape was passing through the gates of the palisade. The entrance wasn't very wide, and Keri pulled Aliana so close to her that their breasts were mashed together as they slipped through.

"Stop that," Keri whispered after they were through. She could feel Aliana's nipples stiffening from their intimate contact.

"What can I say," Aliana told her with a giggle in her voice. "You make me horny."

"Everything makes you horny," Keri replied.

"Not like you do," Aliana sighed. "I wish…."

Keri stopped and pulled Aliana close, kissing her on the lips with all the passion she could muster. Her ring immediately reacted, and she felt Aliana's nipples soften through the fabric of her tunic as her own passion was dampened.

"You're sneaky," Aliana pouted as they continued towards the corral. "That was like having a bucket of cold water dumped on me."

"Ali, when I'm queen, we won't have to pretend," Keri said. "We can't ever be what we'd really like to be - you like boys too much, and I have a duty to provide an heir, but we can be together whenever we want."

"I think I'll enjoy being the Queen's mistress," Ali laughed. "I'll take anything I can if it keeps me near you."

They made it to the corral without incident, and once the guards were not looking in their direction, Keri expanded the cloak to include their horses. Fortunately, the corral was just a roped off perimeter, and they were able to slip the horses out easily enough. They would have to ride bareback, but they had done that many times before.

Once they were well away from the encampment, Keri dropped the cloak, and they spurred their mounts into a trot. The Star Stones were almost two miles away from the shire, sitting atop a rocky plateau that afforded them an unobstructed view of the night sky. A narrow path wound up from the valley floor to the top of the plateau, and after dismounting, they tied the horses to the rail constructed for just such a purpose and entered the ring formed by the Star Stones.

Like the spires, the Star Stones were curving monoliths of manthracite, one for each month of the year. Unlike the spires, the Star Stones actually curved inward until they almost touched, and each one had a focusing aperture through which the light of Kessil shined when it reached its highest point in the night sky.

"I always loved coming here with your parents," Aliana said as she gazed at the glittering tapestry above.

"Me too," Keri said. "And now we know what they were doing. I always wondered why they shooed us away as the moon was rising."

Keri pulled the Amulet of Kessil out from beneath her tunic. As soon as the light of Kessil hit it, the medallion began glowing with a blue-white light. It wouldn't reach its full power until the light was concentrated through the focusing aperture of the appropriate standing stone. The proper stone was easy enough to identify, as the moon was clearly visible through a large rectangular opening that was marked with lines to track it as it approached its zenith.

"It looks like we have about an hour, maybe a little more" Keri said.

"Do you think you'll ever try it like your parents did, with a man, I mean?"

"Maybe," Keri said. "I'd have to find the right man."

"I'd do it," Aliana said. "Especially if I could be with you."

Keri smiled and pulled Aliana into an embrace.

"I love you so much," she whispered. "I'm going to fawn all over you for the next month."

As they stood in each other's arms, a series of rumbling sounds reached their ears. With the rocky terrain of the area, it was difficult to tell precisely what direction the sound had come from.

"That's odd," Aliana said. "I didn't see any lighting, and the sky is clear as can be."

"Sound can travel strangely in the mountains, I've been told," Keri said. "It's probably a long way off."

*****

The night was still and calm, without even the hint of a breeze as Marc finished his tour of the perimeter. He was just about to return to the palisade and retire for the night, when a thunderous noise erupted from the distant tree line. Marc spun and saw the moonlight reflecting off a rising cloud of smoke, and a massive flash of fire followed by a second booming noise.

"Incoming fire!" Marc shouted in his loudest voice. "Cover!"

Thunder continued to roar from the trees as Marc dropped behind the outer barricade. There were six distinct explosive volleys - the exact ammunition capacity of orc bolt-casters. Orcs possessed no aptitude for magic and had come to rely on more technological means to make up for it. The bolts their weapons fired were slightly smaller than a standard crossbow bolt, and were propelled by an explosive powder. The weapons had six barrels, which were rotated by means of a lever to bring the next bolt into firing position after each shot.

Before the echoes of the last volley had faded, the first bolts began to fall along the perimeter. Good gunners could fire off their entire load of darts in quick succession, starting with a high trajectory and lowering their aim with each shot so that the darts landed in the target area almost simultaneously. As the foot-long bolts fell like rain, Marc knew these gunners were very good.

Their one salvation was that the hundred-yard range was extreme for the weapons. Many fell short and others buried themselves in the wooden barricade with a loud thunk. Some found flesh, however, and Marc heard screams erupt from along the defensive line.

As soon as the last shots had been fired, Marc had started counting the time. Even the best gunner would take almost half a minute to reload and prime his weapon for another volley. That gave the guard time to respond.

"Stand to!" Marc shouted. "Archers hold fire!"

Guardsmen who had been off duty rushed to their positions on the barricade, most still pulling on their armor. Meanwhile, Marc's hundred archers held their positions within the hilltop palisade, arrows knocked and ready. There was no point in returning fire — the enemy was hidden in the trees, and despite the copious amounts of smoke their volleys produced, the archers would be firing blind. It was best to keep them hidden for the moment.

Thunder rolled across the open ground again, and more bolts fell among the Royal Guard, followed by more screams. The guards were spread out to cover the nine hundred foot perimeter, and were fairly well concealed from the incoming fire, but the high trajectory of some of the bolts permitted them to strike men behind the low wall, and casualties were mounting.

"Keep yer heads down, lads," he heard Garith calling as he moved along the line. "They'll be comin' soon enough, 'till they do keep low."

As the guns volleyed a third time, the burly serjeant slid to the ground next to Marc. The knight-captain looked at the serjeant, his hauberk hastily belted and his tabard missing, and shook his head.

"Well, I was in kinda a hurry," Garith said in defense of his appearance.

"And here I thought you slept in your armor," Marc said as more bolts fell.

"Nah, it just smells that way," Garith replied.

"Where's Stil?" Marc asked.

"Doin' his job, lad," Garith told him. "He was runnin' for all he's worth towards the corral to get the Princess's mounts. If it comes to it, he'll get the lasses outta here."

"When the volley ends, get word to the mounted troop," Marc ordered. "Tell Killian to sweep wide to the left and wait for the signal."

The bolts stopped falling, and Garith leapt to his feet and set off at a run to carry out his orders. The silence after the last volley went on, long past the point when the gunners should have reloaded. That meant they were either out of ammunition and this had merely been a harassment, or the enemy was preparing to charge and they were saving their next volley to support it. Marc didn't believe it had been a harassment..

"Pass the word," Marc told the men on either side of him. "Make ready, but stay down until I give the order to rise."

The order was passed down the line quickly. Marc would have preferred to meet the attack on the field, but he didn't have enough men to do that and hold the barricade. Their only option was to defend the low wall, its cover acting as a force multiplier

The thunder of the guns sounded again, this time accompanied by the roar of orc battle cries. Marc spared a glance over the barricade, and estimated there were well over three hundred orcs charging towards them. He figured there were at least fifty gunners hidden in the trees, which made the enemy's numbers close to his own. It was far more than would be necessary to sack Amurga. They could only be here for the Princess, but it was too soon to order her evacuation. She was far safer in the encampment for now.

Marc ducked back as more bolts fell, and then leapt to his feet as soon as the deadly rain was over. He didn't have to give a command for the archers to fire — arrows were already arcing out from palisade, the enchanted shafts trailing streams of magical light. The bowmen couldn't match the rate of fire of the bolt-casters in the short run, but they could maintain a steady hail of arrows without the long pauses the gunners required for reloading.

"Stand to the barricade!" Marc shouted, his longsword flashing out from its scabbard. "Starbursts now!"

All along the line, magical energy streaked skyward from the guardsmen. They burst into brilliant globes of white light that hung in the sky, illuminating the battlefield. Arrows began to fall among the charging orcs, and their numbers dwindled. In response, they spread out to make themselves harder targets.

Orcs could move with astounding speed and had great endurance, but even they couldn't cover a hundred yards fully armored in less than half a minute and still be fit to fight. Unfortunately for them, their gunners required that much time to reload. If the charging infantry slowed to allow for a second volley, they would have to endure the deadly hail of arrows from the palisade even longer. As it was, the archers were able to get off five salvos before the orcs reached the wall. Their numbers were reduced by about a quarter — they still outnumbered the guardsmen, but the disparity was much less. The two troops of militia still with them were inside the palisade, both as a last ditch defense and a reserve if needed.

"Time for you to pull back, lad," Garith said as he rejoined Marc at the barricade.

As much as he wanted to remain at the wall, Marc knew his serjeant was right. He had to be able to see the entire line, not be caught in the midst of a fight along one section. Garith took his place on the line, and the knight-captain withdrew to a position a short distance up the hill. He knew the odds were in their favor — their numbers were nearly equal, but the Royal Guard had the advantage of stout barricades between them and the attacking orcs. Their long spears would extract a deadly toll.

Marc spared a quick glance towards the palisade, nodding as he saw the gates closed and sealed. He was confident they would prevail in this fight, but he would have felt much better with additional troops and a battle mage for support. He was slightly surprised the Princess hadn't made her presence known. She was no battle mage, but she knew a few spells that would have given the orcs pause. He would have to commend his cousin for keeping her out of the fight.

The orcs reached the barricade, and sharp steel clashed with wood and flesh. There were screams of pain from both orc and human, and above it all, Garith's voice bellowed.

"Hold them, lads! Send the filthy beasts ta the depths o' the crater!" he called, and then brought his pollaxe smashing down on the head of an orc.

A cry to the right drew Marc's attention, and he saw two guardsmen go down, and several orcs pour through the gap. Without hesitation, Marc rushed to block their advance up the hill and found himself facing six of the brutish creatures. Each was tall and powerfully built, but still a head shorter than the knight-captain.

Marc ducked under the sword of one, the serrated blade whistling through the air over his head. He brought his own sword up and around, the blade singing through the air like a scythe. The orc staggered forward, its head separated from its body.

The knight drew his shortsword with his left hand and parried another blow, then dispatched the orc with a thrust to the chest. His weapons were gifts from King Toranon, along with a matching dagger, the blades enchanted to an unnatural sharpness. He couldn't help but think it ironic that this was the first time they had been used in battle

The remaining four orcs closed in, and as Marc parried one attack with his shorter blade, he felt a burning pain across his right side as one of the other creatures scored a hit, the tip of its sword penetrating Marc's mail. The wound wasn't deep, and Marc brought his longsword down, severing the orc's arm at the elbow and then followed through with an upward slash that rent the beast's leather jerkin and opened its torso from waist to shoulder. He immediately reversed the direction of his blade, its tip opening the throat of the orc to his left and swinging around to batter down the thrust of another. He thrust his shortsword forward into the throat of one of the remaining two, and then settled the point of his longsword at the chest of the last.

"Yield, and I'll spare your life," Marc said. He knew it was more kindness than the orc would have shown him, but he wanted a prisoner.

A sneering grin spread across the leathery, misshapen face of the orc. It grabbed the blade of Marc's sword, pulling hard and impaling itself. With a gurgling sigh, the hideous creature sank to its knees. Marc planted his foot on the orc's chest and pulled his blade free.

Heart pumping rapidly, the fire of battle still coursing through his veins, Marc surveyed the battlefield. The orcs were retreating, and the knight gathered his thoughts, concentrating for a moment before thrusting the blade of his longsword skyward. A ball of red fire streaked up and exploded into a flaming triskele which hovered for several seconds. Before the flare had faded, Sir Killian and his mounted troop rode up from the south. They charged the fleeing orcs, their long spears cutting the beasts down before they could reach the trees. No bolt-casters fired from the forest, a sure sign the gunners had left their comrades to die.

Marc turned to face the palisade gates and signaled for the healers to come down. There were wounded to tend to - too many. The knight-captain let out a heavy sigh.

"It coulda been a lot worse," Garith said as he joined Marc.

"Something's not right," Marc said. "They didn't have near the numbers they needed to overrun our position. Orcs aren't the best tacticians, but they're not stupid either. Did we take any alive?"

"None," Garith said. "Those that weren't killed outright took their own lives rather than surrender."

Marc looked down at the dead orc at his feet. The creatures were foul and brutal, willing to fight for anyone who would pay them, but they were not without a sense of honor. To die to the last, taking their own lives rather than surrender could mean only one thing.

"Shards," Marc growled. "It's the blood oath."

Orcs were odd creatures, and they had a convoluted sense of honor. They would fight for anyone who paid them in gold, but their loyalty was haphazard at best. The only thing that could prompt a fanatical devotion was the blood oath, but even that had its quirks. Orcs might swear a blood oath, but only payment would prompt them to fulfill it, and once they had accepted payment, they would never stop. There was only one blood oath that every orc clan had sworn — against House Lockeleigh for the campaign Queen Riala had led against the orcs.

"Aye, it would seem so," Garith said. "These are all of the same clan. They'll keep coming until the Princess is dead or they are."

"Shards," Marc swore. "I want the guard doubled for the rest of the night - no one sleeps. Have the healers pass out endurance draughts to all the troops. Send a courier ahead to Highkeep and tell the baron I want a company heavy cavalry sent here immediately and a company of infantry to secure the Highkeep spire. Make sure he knows his compliance is required by the Captain of the Royal Guard."

"We're going on then?"

Marc nodded and said, "There's no choice. If we retreat to Lockeshire, they win and the people will lose confidence. Besides, Keri could be in more danger in the Palace than she is here."

"And just how do ya figure that, lad?"

"Our scouts swept this area thoroughly," Marc said. "They couldn't possibly have missed the signs of a group this size - orcs aren't exactly stealthy. That means they came from somewhere else, probably several locations, and they got here fast - too fast."

"By the Fragment," Garith swore.

Marc's face was grim as he scanned the dead orcs scattered about the field. He didn't want to believe it was true, but it as the only explanation that made sense. The pieces all fit — the ease with which the raiders had been striking throughout the kingdom, the attack on the farmstead near Lockeshire even after his troops had swept the area.

"Somehow the orcs are using the spires to move around, and that means someone at the palace is a traitor," Marc said. "Spire keys can only be issued through the Royal Keymaster at the palace. We strike camp at first light. I'll let the Princess know what's going on."

Garith nodded and set off to carry out his knight's orders. Marc started up the hill towards the palisade and was met halfway there by a very agitated looking Stilnar, who was pulling the Honorable Lady Enara along behind him.

"She's gone!" Stilnar said. "The Princess and Aliana snuck out of camp almost an hour ago."

'Frag it!" Marc swore, anger bordering on madness taking him. He whirled and grabbed Enara by the upper arms, nearly lifting her from the ground.

"Where did they go?" Marc demanded, shaking her with each word.

"The Star Stones!" Enara cried. "We didn't think…."

"No, you didn't think!" Marc barked, cutting her off.

"Please," Enara whimpered. "Y … you're hurting me."

The pain in her voice shocked Marc to his senses, and he released her, purple bruises already forming on her bare upper arms. Enara sank to her knees, weeping.

"Take her back to the Royal Pavilion," Marc told Stilnar. "Place her under guard. No one is to speak to her, and if she tries to escape, they are to use whatever force necessary to restrain her."

"I … I'm sorry, Sir Marcan," Enara cried. "I was just trying to help Ke … the Princess. If anything happens to her, I'll die!"

"That may be more true than you know," Marc growled. "Someone has betrayed the Princess, and if I find out you're involved, noble or not, I'll remove your head myself!"

The look of horror on Enara's face was so genuine that Marc knew she wasn't feigning it. He didn't retract his threat, however, because he wanted her to be good and scared. Then he remembered something he hadn't thought about for a long time. On more than one occasion, he had accompanied Toranon and Mistara to the Star Stones. His gaze darted to the moon Kessil as it climbed towards its zenith in the night sky.

"Shards, I know what they're up to," he hissed, starting towards the corral at a run.

"Marc, where are you going?" Stil called.

"After those fool girls!" Marc shouted back. "Get Garith and follow me as fast as you can!"

*****

"It's almost time," Keri told Aliana. "Once the light of Kessil starts to shine through the aperture, I'll go into a trance state. Just stand there and wait for me to open my eyes. After the swap happens, you'll be disoriented for a minute or two from the power that my body was channeling, but I'll be right here with you."

Aliana nodded in understanding. Kessil began to creep up into the focusing aperture, and as its light again reached the amulet, Keri hissed and closed her eyes, throwing her head back as the power of the aether began flowing into her in a way she had never felt before. It was warm and inviting, and she felt herself becoming extremely aroused as the power temporarily negated her ring. She could feel Aliana's presence, and she wanted to open her eyes and ravish her on the spot, but she was unable to move.

The power grew more intense, and the Princess moaned at the pleasurable sensation. Her conscious mind was overwhelmed by it, and she was awash in an eroticism she had never experienced. There was no thought - only intense feeling that went beyond sexual. She felt connected to everything, as though she was literally part of the aether.

She didn't hear the clatter of metal shod hooves on stone, or the heavy footfalls as Marc rapidly approached her from the rear. As the power reached its crescendo, she was vaguely aware of strong hands grasping her shoulders and spinning her around. Then she heard Aliana cry out, "Marc, no!"

Ali didn't have Keri's phenomenal connection to the aether or her more extensive training in high magic, but she had learned a few defensive spells over the years. What she lacked in natural ability she made up for with fierce determination. In an instant she reached out, drawing upon the aether as she summoned a magical force barrier and thrust it towards the orc.

An invisible wall of magical energy slammed into the beast like a giant hand, hurling it back and to the ground — but it was just a split-second too late. The tip of the orc's blade pierced the side of Keri's body deeply - not the impaling blow the orc had intended but bad enough. Blood immediately darkened the Princess's tunic, spreading quickly down the right leg of her trousers.

But it was no longer Keri that inhabited that body - nor was it Marc yet. Two orbs of glowing blue light hovered between the Princess and the knight, the visible manifestation of their spirits as the transfer commenced. As they floated slowly between the two still figures for a brief instant they touched and flared brightly, then continued on their paths and settled into the opposite body.

Marc didn't even react to the wound the body he now inhabited had just received - he just stood there staring blankly ahead, dazed by the amount of magical energy the Princess's body had just channeled. In Marc's body, Keri seemed to be coming around, shaking her head as if to clear it, but she was still not all there. Ali had no time to spare for her friends — she knew she had to deal with the orc before it regained its senses.

For the first time in her young life, Aliana drew her weapons with the intent to take life. She charged at the stunned orc, shortsword in her right hand and dagger in her left. With a cry of fury she leapt on the creature, her knees driving into its abdomen as it struggled to rise. The impact knocked the creature back down and drove the air from its lungs. Then Ali brought her blades down, slashing them across the orc's throat like a giant pair of scissors. Blood sprayed high, and the orc drew a single, gurgling breath before its pale eyes glazed over in death.

There was no time to dwell on what she had just done, for Aliana could hear the sounds of more orcs. Three of the creatures appeared at the top of the path, and from the sounds reverberating up from below there were many more coming. They had to get to the horses, but while Marc's was only a few feet away, hers and Keri's were tethered outside the stone ring near the top of the path. Before they could hope to reach them, the three orcs would have to be dealt with.
 
Ali knew her capabilities as a fighter - she couldn't hope to match three orcs blow for blow. Her training had focused on speed, agility and surprise - she knew she was quicker and more nimble than the orcs and that they would not see her as a dangerous threat, all of which she could use to her advantage. Even that wouldn't be enough against three opponents however, unless she could slow them down. There was no way she could summon three force barriers, so instead she used an area affect spell. She uttered a short incantation and a glowing mist formed around the orcs, slowing their speed and reaction time.
 
Rather than wait for the slowed orcs to come to her, Aliana went to them. She ducked under the blade of one, launching herself into a roll and coming up behind the orc. As she came to her feet, she whirled and drove her shortsword up and under the short mail hauberk the creature wore. It still wasn't easy to penetrate the leathery hide of the beast, but her blade was keen and she threw all her weight into the thrust, driving the sword deep. As she had been taught, she twisted the blade and then drew it to the side as she yanked it free. The action severed the creature's spine, and it collapsed like a rag doll to the stone floor.
 
An orc at half speed was still a threat, and Aliana barely managed to parry the thrust of one as she dodged the other remaining orc. As she came around to face the pair, she could see Marc's body turn and look at her in confusion.
 
"Shards Keri, snap out of it!" she screamed. "Move your fragging ass and help me!"
 
The momentary distraction was all one of the orcs needed. It raised its sword high and then brought it down towards Ali's head. Even at half speed, the blade was a blur, and Ali was forced to use both her shortsword and dagger, raising them above her head and crossing the blades to catch the orc's sword.
 
Too late she realized she had made a critical mistake. The orc wore an unarticulated steel gauntlet on its left hand, the fingers formed into a fist with short spikes on each knuckle. With her weapons overhead, Ali's unarmored torso was completely exposed. The orc drove its left fist forward, and had it not been for Ali's nimbleness the blow would have landed and at the least incapacitated her. She managed to twist aside to her left, forcing the orc's sword arm over and down as she did so. The move left the orc's arms momentarily tangled and Ali whirled around behind it, using the momentum of her spin to aid her as she thrust both blades through its mail shirt and into its back.
 
Before she could pull her blades free the last orc was on her, its great axe arcing down from high above its head. Ali released her grip on her weapons and dove away as the axe head streaked through the space where she had been an instant before. The orc roared with frustration as the axe smashed into the stone floor, sending shards of granite flying in every direction.
 
Ali's dive became a roll that brought her back to her feet and she turned to face the orc. Though her primary weapons were still embedded in the body of the second orc she was by no means unarmed, but what she had left was of no use against the huge axe of the third creature unless she got very close. Even if she got past the axe blade without being cut in two, however, the beast would simply crush her with its bare hands. The orc knew it had the advantage, and it maneuvered to keep itself between Aliana and her weapons.

She had lost one crucial advantage — surprise. The last orc knew she was dangerous, and even worse her spell was wearing off. As the orc advanced it began swinging its axe faster and faster, weaving an intricate pattern in the air before it.
 
Aliana feinted to her right and then shifted direction, but the orc anticipated her move and was ready. Its double-bladed axe swung high again, the blade arcing over and descending towards the defenseless girl.
 
The blow never landed. An immense bulk blocked the light of the moon Kessil and Keri, in Marc's huge body, slammed into the orc and knocked it to the ground. Before the stunned creature had a chance to recover, she had Marc's longsword in hand, the blade slicing through the air with blinding speed. The enchanted blade pierced the orc’s armor and hide with ease, and the force of the blow was so great that it sank several inches into the stone floor of the circle as it pierced the creature's heart. She yanked the sword free with ease as she rose to her feet and then turned, covering the distance to Aliana in two long strides.
 
For an instant their eyes met, and Ali nearly wept as she saw the pain evident there. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Everything had gone so horribly wrong.
 
At that moment, Marc came to his senses and cried out in pain and confusion. He looked about wildly for a second, and then his eyes settled on Keri - on his body.
 
"Oh no," he moaned. Then he looked down at the blood flowing from his side, pressed his hands to the wound and collapsed to the stone floor.
 
Aliana and Keri rushed to his side. The handmaiden pressed one hand over Marc's to put more pressure on the wound and the other on his forehead to soothe him.
 
"Shard's Keri, he's burning up!" she exclaimed.
 
The Princess found the orc's blade lying nearby, lifted it to her nose and sniffed, recoiling as a acrid aroma stung her nostrils.
 
"Envenomed," she said as she cast the blade aside. "If I can smell it with Marc's nose it must be very potent."
 
"Can you neutralize it?" Aliana asked as she tore a wide strip of fabric from the hem of her tunic and began folding it into a bandage.
 
"I don't know," Keri said. "I can barely feel the aether, Ali."
 
"Remember what we were taught," Ali said as she pushed Marc's hands aside and pressed the folded fabric to his wound. "The aether is physical and spiritual. It feels distant because your physical connection is weakened, but your spirit is still more in tune with it than anyone on Andarel - you just have to overcome Marc's weak physical affinity."
 
Keri nodded and closed her eyes, the words of a healing chant issuing from her lips. Nothing happened at first, but after several seconds Marc let out a low moan and his eyes fluttered open. He tried to rise, but both Keri and Ali pushed him back down.
 
"Don't move," Keri said. "I could barely stop the bleeding, and I could only slow the poison."
 
"What have you done?" Marc asked. His eyes darted rapidly from Keri to Ali then down at the body he dwelled in.

"It was an accident, Marc," Keri said. "I'm sorry, we never meant to…."
 
"We don't have time for this" Ali said as the sound of the approaching orcs grew louder. She looked up at Keri and asked, "Can you cloak us?"
 
Keri shook her head and said, "Not all three of us. With time, maybe, but there's no way I can do it now."
 
"Shards," Ali swore, knowing she could only cloak herself. "Then you have to hold them, Keri. I'll protect Marc from any that get by you."
 
"I'll try," Keri said. She looked down at Marc and added, "Don't move. That wound is deep, and I could barely stop the bleeding. Any exertion will open it up, and you've lost too much blood already." She gripped Marc's longsword and rose, walking towards the path from the valley below as she drew his short sword with her left hand.
 
"What are you doing?" Marc hissed at Ali. "She's not half the fighter you are!"
 
"You don't understand," Ali said, her voice catching. "If one of you dies, the spell is broken. Your spirits will return to their proper place. I have to defend her body … even if it means letting yours die. I'm sorry, Marc."
 
Their eyes locked for a moment, and then Marc nodded. Aliana reached out and touched his face gently.
 
"You know I love you, almost as much as I love her," Aliana said.
 
"I know," Marc told her. "Now do your duty."
 
Aliana nodded and rose to retrieve her weapons. She then moved back to where Marc lay and stood at the ready over his prostrate form, unknowingly imitating the very stance Marc had taken as an eighteen-year-old squire when he had defended a wounded King Toranon.
 
When six orcs charged into the circle of stones, Aliana was at once relieved and alarmed. The rocky terrain had apparently amplified the sounds of their approach, making it sound like more. But while Marc could have dispatched a half dozen with relative ease, Keri possessed nowhere near his skill in battle, and she was hampered by a body that was completely alien to her.
 
The Princess's Maid-of-Honor reached out for the aether once more, her power seriously reduced by her previous casting. She conjured a mass of sticky fibers, like the web of a giant spider, which stopped two of the orcs in their tracks. The effort exhausted her magical reserves, however, and she knew she wouldn't be able to cast for some time.
 
She watched with trepidation as Keri advanced to meet the four orcs not caught by the spell. Keri's training had been much the same as Aliana's, emphasizing speed and agility, but Marc's body was not suited to such tactics. It wasn't that the knight was ungraceful — Aliana had seen him fight both in practice and in tournaments and he moved with an astonishing agility for someone so big, but as a man his center of gravity was much higher. Keri overbalanced as she tried to dodge the blow of one orc and would have fallen over backwards had another not struck her across the small of the back with its war club.

Keri roared in pain and anger and whirled, lashing out with Marc's longsword. The orc's head separated from its shoulders and Keri continued the swing, making a full circle that drove the other three back. Before they could recover she thrust the blade of her shortsword into the chest of another and then backpedaled to put some distance between her and the rest.

Aliana's attention was distracted by the guttural cries of more orcs. Two had circled around and come in from the rear of the stone circle, and Ali turned to face their attack. This time there would be no magic to hinder them — Ali would have to rely on her skill with her weapons alone.
 
The orcs charged forward towards Aliana and rather than meet their attack head on, she dropped into a crouch, ducking beneath their slashing swords. She spun away on her left foot, her right flashing out to sweep the legs from under one of the orcs.  Ali came around full circle as the beast hit the stones hard on its back and drove both her blades into its body, putting all her weight behind them to pierce the chain hauberk and tough hide beneath it.
 
The second orc turned and kicked, its foot catching Ali in the stomach and knocking her off of its slain comrade. Her weapons flew from her grasp as she tumbled across the stones,  the breath knocked out of her by the force of the blow. With a guttural cry of glee the orc dropped down, straddling her with its filthy body and lifting its sword high above its head.
 
Though she could barely draw a breath Aliana's hand flashed to her breast and drew the bodice dagger sheathed beneath her tunic and bustier. She thrust up, plunging the thin, six-inch long blade under the orc's chin and into its brain, twisting violently before withdrawing the dagger. She rolled to her left as the orc collapsed, and then retrieved her sword and dagger before limping back to Marc.
 
"Well done, warrior," Marc said softly.
 
The Princess had dispatched the second pair of orcs but was down on her knees, obviously wounded. Aliana's web spell was wearing off, and as it collapsed the remaining two orcs charged towards the defenseless Keri.
 
They never reached her. The clatter of shod hooves on stone resounded through the circle, and Aliana's heart leapt as she saw Garith appear out of the darkness, charging up behind the orcs. His warhorse neighed shrilly as he reigned it in, the mount rearing up and pawing the air. The orcs were knocked aside by the flailing hooves, and before they could recover, Garith was out of the saddle, the hammer-head of his pollaxe crushing the skull of one before it knew what hit it. The second had barely time to struggle to its feet before the serjeant whirled and plunged the butt-spike of his weapon into its abdomen. He immediately yanked the weapon free and spun again, driving the pick opposite the hammer-head into its back. As the orc fell, he pulled his weapon free and rushed to Keri's side.
 
"Sure'n yer a fool, but a brave fool, lad," he said as he helped who he thought was his Knight-Captain to rise.
 
"Never mind me," Keri snapped. "Help Ali and Marc; they're hurt badly."
 
The serjeant gave her a confused look and asked, "Did'ja get hit in the head, lad?"
 
Keri gripped his shoulders and replied, "I'm Keri! If you love your Princess, don't ask questions and treat me like I'm Marc — just don't let me do anything stupid. We need healers and troops to secure the area!"
 
The sound of more horses reverberated through the standing stones, and Garith grinned.
 
"That'll be Stilnar with a full troop 'o guards and the healers," the serjeant said.
 
"The Fragment bless you, Garith," Keri said. "I promise I'll explain everything when we have time."
 
"I'll be lookin' forward to that tale," Garith said as he glanced at the stone monoliths around them. He waved the healer-mages forward before adding, "We best get you looked to as well."
 
The healers attended to Marc and Keri as the troop of Royal Guards established a perimeter around the stone circle. Aliana was torn — she wanted to go to Keri's side, but she knew that for the sake of appearance she had to remain with Marc. Like it or not, for the next month he was the Princess of Trimaria, and her duty was clear.
 
A half-hour later Marc was in a magically induced healing sleep. Keri's wounds were not serious enough to require such measures, but the healers cautioned her to avoid exertion that might stress the mended injuries. They had made a bed of blankets at the center of the stone circle and surrounded it with several large rocks from the plateau, upon which the healers had cast spells to cause them to radiate heat like a hearth stone. As Ali sat beside Marc, occasionally replacing the damp cloth on his forehead, she listened as the lead healer reported on the condition of 'the Princess' to Keri.

"Her Highness shouldn't be moved for at least eight hours," the man said. "The wound was deep and one of her kidneys was lacerated. We've mended the organ and there will be no lasting ill effects, but the wounds could reopen if she gets bounced about."

"What about the poison?" Keri asked.

"It was very fortunate the Princess managed to slow the advance," the healer said. His assumption was a natural one — neither Marc nor Aliana had abilities as healers. "We've neutralized the venom, but it did cause some widespread damage. We'll keep Her Highness in a restorative coma for a few days and she'll be fine."

"Thank you," Keri said. She turned to Garith, indecision plain on her face.

"Perhaps it would be best if we had the Royal Encampment moved here," Garrith offered. "This plateau is defensible. We'll be needin ta send a second courier ta Highkeep and one ta the Palace as well with news of the Princess's condition. "
 
"Please see to it, Garrith," Keri said.
 
The serjeant gave her an odd look and nodded, then turned and began barking orders. For a moment Aliana and the Princess were left alone by the still form of Marc. Aliana looked up at Keri and forced a smile of encouragement.
 
"What are we going to do, Ali?" Keri asked.
 
"What we have to," Ali replied, her gaze shifting to the sleeping Marc. "You're not alone, either of you."
 

CHAPTER 17
 
The first courier sent by the Captain of the Royal Guard initiated a maelstrom of activity within the walls of Highkeep. The baronial capital's location at the western edge of the Malmorrow Mountains was strategically important — the keep was only thirty leagues from Riala's Wall and would be the first line of defense if an enemy were to breach the wall in force. As such it had a larger garrison than the other baronies, a full division of over forty-thousand infantry and cavalry.
 
The strategic importance of the barony had not been enough to prevent the Regent from stripping away more than half those troops, leaving Baron Iefan Trilarn with just one mixed battalion consisting of two companies of heavy cavalry and another two of infantry. Those troops had been hard pressed dealing with the numerous orc raids throughout the area, and the Baron had positioned numerous small units throughout the countryside to try and deal with the problem.
 
Despite this, the Baron didn't hesitate for an instant when he received the courier's message. He immediately called for the battalion commander and ordered a company of heavy cavalry and another of infantry to make ready for a hard march to Amurga.
 
"How soon can you be ready?" the Baron asked as he reread the message from Sir Marcan.
 
"Within the hour," Knight-Commander Cernan replied.
 
The baron sighed and looked at the clock on the mantle above the hearth. It had been over an hour since the courier arrived. Even at their best speed, the cavalry couldn't reach the Princess's encampment before midmorning, and they would be slowed by the infantry. He fought down the impatience, knowing from his own military experience that it took time to get almost a thousand men ready to march.
 
The doors to the hall burst open, and one of his guards entered with another courier from the Royal Guard in tow. The yeoman looked like he had ridden hard, and as he handed over a message tube, the baron turned to one of his household staff.
 
"Get this man some food and drink," he ordered.
 
Baron Iefan opened the tube and unrolled the paper within. His brown hands began to tremble as he read the message.
 
"The Princess has been injured," he told Cernan. "The healers feel it will be unsafe to move her for several hours. Knight-Captain Marcan intends to defend the plateau until Her Highness can be moved to the transport spire."

"That could work to our advantage, Excellency," Cernan said. "The plateau is easily defensible. The only approach to the top is the path, and the Royal Guard could hold that against ten times their number for hours. If we sent the cavalry ahead of the infantry…."

The Baron shook his head. "I want to get support to the Princess as much as you do my friend, but it's far to dangerous to leave the infantry without cavalry support. If there are more orcs out there they could march right into an ambush without your men to scout ahead and guard their flanks."

"You're right of course, Iefan," the knight said. "I just wish there was someway we could get aid to them sooner. It'll be mid-afternoon before we can get there with the infantry."
 
"The Rangers are ready to ride right now," a voice said from the doorway.
 
The Baron looked up at the speaker, a tall young woman with light brown skin and striking blue hair. She was clad in form-fitting black leather armor that was deliberately distressed to prevent it from shining in the dark. A longsword and dagger rode on her hips, and across her back was slung a recurved bow and quiver of arrows.

"If we leave now, we can reach the plateau shortly after sunup," she said as she strode into the room.
 
"You're not going," the Baron told his daughter, Elyssa. "What good do you think your girls can do?" The young woman bristled noticeably at his use of the word girls.
 
Knight-Commander Cernan hesitated before saying, "Excellency, the Rangers can travel much faster than we can. If the orcs are still in the area near Amurga, they could prove invaluable as scouts for the Royal Guard. Their bows would greatly supplement the archers Sir Marcan has at his disposal as well."
 
Elyssa gave the knight a grateful smile, but the Baron merely shook his head.
 
"No, I forbid it," he said.
 
"Why?" Elyssa demanded. "Because you don't think we can be of use or because Enara is there?"
 
The Baron's face clouded with anger. He looked around the room and at his unspoken command everyone left so he could speak to his daughter in private.
 
"This has nothing to do with Lady Enara," he said once they were alone.
 
"It has everything to do with her," Elyssa insisted. "You sent her away to keep us apart."
 
"I had nothing to do with that!" her father said. "Lord Burrin received an appointment as a deputy to the Chancellor of the Exchequer."
 
"Do you think I'm a fool, Father?" Elyssa said. "Nara's father is more than competent, but he doesn't have the connections to get such a post — but you do. I'm going to Amurga, with or without your permission."
 
"If you do that I'll … I'll…."
 
"Disown me like Nara's parents did?"
 
The Baron's face turned ashen, and he sat down heavily in the chair behind his huge desk. He looked at his daughter, the pain in his eyes plain.
 
"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" he said at last.
 
Elyssa walked around behind the desk and knelt before her father, taking his large hands in hers. Her hands seemed tiny and delicate in his, and her cinnamon complexion even lighter next to his deep brown skin.
 
"I'm my father's daughter," she said. "What would you expect?"
 
Baron Iefan smiled and said, "Your mother's as well — I could never win an argument with her either. Even if I don't approve of some of the things you do, you're my daughter. Nothing will ever change that. I love you, Lyssa."
 
"I love you too, Father," Elyssa said. "And like it or not, I love Enara."
 
Baron Iefan frowned and shook his head. "Well, since I obviously can't control you, and you're far too big to turn over me knee, I suppose I'll have to support you. Take your Rangers and ride for Amurga. Give the Royal Guard whatever assistance you can."
 
"Yes, my Lord Baron," Elyssa said as she rose. She leaned over and kissed her father on the cheek and then turned and strode quickly from the hall.
 
"That child will make a formidable baroness one day," Iefan said with a wry grin. "Of course, she'll drive me insane before that happens."
 
The grin faded as he took time to reflect on the night's events. The attack on the Royal Progress was alarming. Until now, the orcs had been a nuisance — a serious nuisance to be sure, but they had never been reported in numbers greater than a dozen or so. As much as he hated to admit it, his daughter's Rangers had been extremely effective in curtailing the raiders, and he knew there was no way they would have missed the signs of a large group in the area. That could mean the Merdians were escalating their efforts to destabilize the kingdom.
 
Baron Iefan sighed. When the raids had begun, he had argued that troops should be taken from the frontier to deal with the problem. The Regent and the majority of the Council of Barons had disagreed, insisting the best course of action was to press forward and advance further into Camron.
 
A nagging suspicion tugged at the Baron's thoughts, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't shake it off. More and more he found himself on the outside of discussions among his fellow barons when they met. Conversations would cease when he drew near — men and women he had once counted as friends treated him almost like a stranger. It could be nothing, but could he take that chance?
 
He rose from his seat and strode across the hall to the doors. He threw them open wide and called over the first person he saw, a young page who was hurrying towards the kitchen.
 
"Larin, run as fast as you can to the stables and catch Lady Elyssa," he ordered. "Tell her I have an urgent message for her to convey to the Captain of the Royal Guard."
 
 
CHAPTER 18
 
"We've established a strong perimeter around the top of the plateau," Sir Alwin, commander of one of the guard troops reported. "The path is well defended and so narrow and winding that the orcs would be fools to try and attack. If the Princess had accepted your recommendation that we use this as our camp in the first place, we could have avoided this whole mess."

Keri bit back an acerbic response and simply nodded. It was true Marc had wanted to use the plateau, but she had complained it was too far from the village. Of course the real reason she had been against it was because it would have been impossible for her to carry out her plan with the Royal Encampment in the middle of the Star Stones.

~ And that worked out so brilliantly, ~ she thought with a mental sigh.

"Thank you, Sir Alwin," she said after a moment. The knight saluted after giving her an odd look and then headed off to assume his position.

~ Why does everyone keep looking at me like that? ~

Keri was treading a fine line between calm and panic. There had barely been a moment to gather her wits before everyone seemed to be looking to her for direction — only it wasn't really her they were looking to, it was who she appeared to be. She had been quite prepared to take on Aliana's place — she had no illusions that filling her Maid of Honor's shoes would be easy, but she was intimately familiar with her friend and her duties. The same, of course, applied to Aliana, who knew as much about being Princess as Keri did. It would have been different being in Ali's body, but not terribly so — she was a girl after all.

Instead, she was now stuck in a body that felt totally wrong. It moved wrong - even standing still she could feel it. She was used to being tall, as a girl she was as tall as most men, but Marc's body was positively huge! His biceps were nearly as big around as her waist, and while she had often drawn great comfort and security as she clung to them, feeling them from the inside as it were was very disconcerting.

As for their roles, she wasn't completely unprepared to fill Marc's boots, so to speak. As part of her preparation to one day rule the kingdom she had been schooled in military science since she was ten, and she had actually excelled in the subject matter. Her father had been quite proud at the praise her instructors had given her for her innovative deployments and maneuvers. She knew how to effectively utilize an elite unit such as the Royal Guard to maximize its effectiveness on the field of battle - but none of that helped in the least now. It was one thing to know how to place men in a theoretical war-game, and quite another to actually give orders that might place them in harm's way. She wished with all her heart that Aliana was by her side but that was impossible - Ali had to attend to Marc as though he really was the Princess.
 
"The last o’ the wagons have arrived," Garith reported, startling her from her introspection as he walked up to stand beside her. Stilnar was with him, and while the squire remained silent, the hard stare he gave Keri was unnerving.

"The Royal Pavilion's set up, and the Princess is sleeping comfortably," Garith added. "I've stood half the men down ta rest."
 
Keri nodded in acknowledgement. She was relying heavily on the serjeant's experience, and she gave him a look of gratitude.
 
"All right," she sighed, "thank you, Garith."
 
Stilnar's eyes flashed angrily, and he glanced around to make sure no one was near before snapping, "Stop that!"
 
Keri looked at him in alarm and confusion. He would have never spoken with such a tone to Marc, which could only mean he had figured out her secret — she just didn't understand what had set him off so.
 
"If you're going to fool anyone, you have to stop being so … nice," the squire explained.
 
"He's right," Garith said with a chuckle. "Ya got ta stop sayin' please and thank you so much. You're the Captain of the Royal Guard — ya give orders - ya don't make polite requests."
 
"That's just the way I'm used to doing things," Keri replied.
 
"That's because when the Princess makes a polite request, it's the same thing as an order," Garith said. "You're not the Princess at the moment — ya have ta act like the Captain, or the men will get suspicious. Ya have ta command."
 
"Very well then," Keri said, drawing herself up to her full, and now quite impressive, height as she started moving towards the Royal Pavilion. "I want to check on Her Highness."
 
She had taken only two steps from the smooth floor of the stone circle when she stubbed her toe on a small rock. She stumbled forward for an instant, trying to regain her balance, but the sheer bulk of Marc's body and her unfamiliarity with its higher center of gravity defeated her. Fortunately, she managed to avoid falling flat on her face, and instead hit the rocky ground on her left shoulder. The impact reopened several wounds that had been sealed by the healers with an adhesive paste and she let out a grunt of pain.
 
Garith was barely able to conceal a grin, but Stilnar didn't look amused at all. The squire extended a hand and helped her to her feet. Fortunately, no one was nearby other than Stilnar and Garith.
 
"Do you think you can manage to walk the rest of the way, or should I call for a litter?" Stilnar asked, the bitterness in his voice plain.
 
"All right, squire," Keri said, placing an emphasis on the title to remind Stilnar of his place. "Obviously you're angry with me, and I can't blame you for that. Say what's on your mind."
 
"What's on my mind is you walking around in a body that doesn't belong to you," Stilnar said. "You've pulled some foolish stunts in the past, but I never thought you would stoop to abuse your power like this."
 
Keri stared at him in shock, unable to speak for an instant. When she finally found her voice, she had to consciously remind herself to keep it under control.
 
"You can't think I did this on purpose?"
 
"I seriously doubt Marc gave you his body willingly," Stilnar said.
 
"It was an accident," Keri explained. "Marc interrupted the transfer, got in the way. I was supposed to swap with Ali."
 
"Oh that makes it all right then," Stilnar said acerbically. "After all, Ali's just a servant — her body belongs to you anyway — isn't that right?"
 
Her hand was moving before she even realized it. Fortunately for Stilnar she had already removed her mail gauntlets and she thought like a female rather than a male. Instead of punching she slapped, but the slap she delivered was still powerful enough to stagger the squire. Garith immediately stepped between them, but the move was unnecessary. Both Keri and Stilnar were too shocked by what had just happened to carry it any further.
 
"You go check the perimeter and cool off," Garith told Stilnar. The squire nodded and turned away.
 
"Stil wait…." Keri said, but Garith put out a hand to stop her.
 
"Let him go," Garith said, taking Keri's arm and urging her towards the Royal Pavilion. "We need ta get a healer ta check your wounds after that fall."
 
"I can't believe I did that," Keri said. "I've never hit anyone in my life. He just … he just…."
 
"He made ya mad," Garith offered. "He insulted ya, and ya did what a lot of men woulda done."
 
"Marc wouldn't," Keri said.

"No, the Captain woulda loosened a few of his teeth for smarting off ta you like that," Garith chuckled.

"If I was me Stil wouldn't have had any reason to say that."

"It don't matter if he had reason or not," Garith told her. "And it don't matter what body yer in, yer the Princess."

"I suppose you're mad at me too," Keri said.
 
"Mad, no," the serjeant told her. "I am disappointed ya didn't trust us enough ta let us in on yer little scheme."
 
Keri stopped and turned to stare down at the serjeant. She had gotten used to being taller than him in her own body, but in Marc's she literally towered over the stocky warrior.
 
"Like any of you would have let me and Ali switch places," she said. "Marc would have thrown a fit."
 
Garith sighed and shook his head. "Ya just don't get it. We serve you, Highness. When has the Captain ever truly stopped ya from doin something ya wanted to? As long as ya didn't ask us ta let ya do something that was truly dangerous, we've always been there ta protect ya, even if we thought you were bein' … reckless."
 
"You can't expect me to believe he would have…."
 
Garith cut her off and said, "Before the Captain was appointed to yer guard, he was yer father's squire and I was a serjeant in Toranon's guard. This isn't the first time we've been ta these stones."

"You knew about the amulet," Keri said, her eyes growing wide.
 
"Until tonight I didn't know exactly what it did," Garith admitted. "I knew yer parents said it brought them closer together, and I guess now I understand how it did that. We thought it had been lost with them."
 
"I am such an idiot," Keri moaned as they resumed their march to the pavilion.
 
"Don't fret over that. We're all idiots at some time in our lives," Garith laughed. "If we didn't make mistakes we'd never learn anything at all."
 
As they neared the Royal Pavilion, they were intercepted by a yeoman of the Royal Guard. He snapped to attention and saluted before delivering his report.

"Riders approaching from the southeast, at least company strength!"

Keri turned to Garith and the serjeant's voice carried across the entire plateau as he bellowed, "Stand to! Nothin' gets ta the top as long as one of us stands!"

As they started towards the top of the path at the southeastern edge of the plateau, Keri felt the panic beginning to rise within her. If the force approaching was hostile the survival of everyone in the encampment would depend on her orders. An instant of hesitation could cost men their lives, and she knew she wasn't ready to bear such a burden.

~ Just calm down - you can do this. Our position is strong even without walls. Even if they could scale the cliffs, they can't do it quickly or in numbers. The only way up is the path and it's barely wide enough for a half-dozen men. We can hold it for hours, perhaps days. ~

Fortunately no immediate orders were necessary. The men of the Royal Guard already knew what to do. The archers were positioned at the center of the plateau, where they could quickly move to wherever they were needed. One troop of guardsmen maintained a loose perimeter around the edge of the flat, rocky height. They were thinly spaced, but they would be able to warn of any attempt to scale the cliffs. The remainder of the Royal Guard formed troop sized phalanxes, five men per rank and ten ranks deep. They moved to a position midway down the path and waited, the shields of the front rank and the men along the outside edge of the path overlapping to form a barrier against missile fire.

Keri and Garith walked to the southwestern edge of the plateau and gazed into the distance. The sun was just beginning to climb above the rocky heights behind them, and Keri knew that was to their advantage as well.  With the sun at their backs, they could see the approaching riders far more easily than they could be seen. Still she had to struggle to make out the distant cloud of dust. If she had been in her proper body, she would have been able at least to tell whether they were orcs or not, but Marc's body didn't have the benefit of her elven eyesight. Garith motioned to one of the lookouts stationed at the top of the path and the yeoman passed his field glasses to Keri.

Keri started to thank the yeoman but caught herself and nodded curtly instead. She raised the heavy glasses to her eyes and focused on the approaching riders.

"They're not orcs," she said after a moment's study. "I can't make out their banner yet, but they're coming from the direction of the transport spire."

"Could be the cavalry from Highkeep," Garith said. "They made good time if it is."

Keri shook her head, her eyes still fixed to the field glasses.

"They look like light-horse," she said. She could now see the banner more clearly, and recognized the arms of Highkeep on the billowing material. "It must be the Rangers."

"Aye, that would make sense," Garith said. "They could'a traveled faster than the heavy horse. The Baron must'a sent them on ahead."

The column of riders came to a halt, well beyond arrow range, and two separated from the formation and approached the plateau at a trot. Garith turned and called for their horses, and once they were mounted he and Keri rode down to meet them.

As they drew near, it became apparent the two riders were female, which was not a surprise as the Rangers were all women. So far it was an arrangement unique to Highkeep, but Keri wondered how long that would be true.

She had seen it all too many times, especially on the northern leg of the Royal Progress, too many shires and farmsteads populated predominantly by old men, women and children. If the war continued, it would bleed the kingdom dry, and she was more determined than ever to bring an end to it.

The four riders reigned their mounts in as they met, and Keri recognized the daughter of the Baron of Highkeep from the likeness Enara had shown her, as well as her striking blue hair that danced in the light morning breeze.

"My duty to you, Knight-Captain Marcan," Lady Elyssa said. "I bear greetings from my father, Baron Trilarn. The Rangers stand ready to defend the Princess."

Keri was taken aback at hearing herself addressed by Marc's name and title. She hadn't had a moment to herself since the transference ritual had gone so wrong, and the whole situation threatened to overwhelm her. If she had been in her own body she was certain she would be crying hysterically, but apparently along with Marc's body she had inherited his tight emotional control - mostly at least. The incident with Stilnar was still shockingly fresh in her mind.

She realized the young noblewoman was waiting for instructions, and she mentally shook herself from the confusion. Technically the Rangers were light cavalry like the Royal Guard, but they were even more lightly armed and armored, and their mounts were small and fast as opposed to the heavier war horses of the Guard.

"Your assistance is welcome and appreciated, Lady Elyssa" she said. "The Royal Guard has the plateau secured, but we don't have sufficient numbers to maintain that and patrol the area. If you could have your Rangers scout the countryside it would be of great service."

Elyssa turned to the woman with her and said, "Gemma, send half the company in squad sized units. Have them stay within a half-league of the Star Stones and make it clear they are not to engage any enemy they encounter. I'll take the rest and get our encampment set up."

"Yes, My Lady," Gemma replied with a nod before turning her mount and galloping back to the formation.

"We'd best have the men stand down," Keri said to Garith. The serjeant nodded and turned in his saddle, raising his hand to signal the lookouts atop the plateau. Lady Elyssa also turned, signaling half of the Rangers forward.

Keri and Garith wheeled their mounts and the three started back towards the plateau with the Rangers following several lengths behind. Keri instructed Garith to see to the quartering of the Highkeep forces once they reached the plateau, and then inquired about the disposition of the additional support troops.

"They should be here by mid-afternoon," Lady Elyssa told them.

"Good," Keri said. "The Princess will be well enough to move by then. You know this country, Lady Elyssa, do you think there are more orcs out there, besides the gunners that fled?"

The noblewoman pondered the question a moment before saying, "My instincts tell me yes, but if there are, why didn't they participate in the attack? We passed the scene on the way here from the spire - it was madness for them to attack your position with so few."

Keri nodded in agreement, momentarily lost in thought. One of the more confusing aspects of the transference was having access to Marc's memories as well as her own. She didn't instantly know everything about him - the memories required some catalyst to bring them to the surface. Lady Elyssa'a words had reminded her of Marc's conversation with Garith after the battle, and even though she knew the memory was Marc's she recalled it as though she had been there.

"The Blood Oath," she muttered.

"The Oath would drive the orcs to great lengths to kill the Princess," Elyssa agreed, "but not to the point of suicide in a hopeless attack."

"Unless the attack was just a diversion," Keri said. "The orc that attacked Her Highness used an envenomed blade, an assassin's weapon. Maybe the attack was meant to keep the Guard occupied while the assassin pursued the Princess."

"How would the beasts ha' known she'd go to the Star Stones?" Garith wondered.

"The same way they're able to use the spires," Keri said, "treason."

"My father fears that too," Elyssa said. "He has suspected for some time that the spires have been compromised. He communicated his concerns to the Regent several times, but never received any response. When he tried to bring the matter before the Council of Barons, it was blocked. Who knew of the Princess's trip to the Stones?"

"No one, not even us," Keri said, casting a glance at Garith before continuing. "She snuck off with her Maid-of-Honor before the attack."

Elyssa grinned slightly, and Keri was certain she knew why. She wondered how often the young noblewoman had snuck away to spend time with Enara. That thought brought to mind Marc's encounter immediately after the battle with her Lady-in-Waiting.

"Shards, Enara!" she blurted.

"What about Nara?" Lady Elyssa asked. "Is she hurt?"

Keri shook her head and said, "No. I … I had her placed under guard when I learned the Princess was missing." She turned to Garith, her eyes pleading for assistance.

"She's in her chamber in the Royal Pavilion," the serjeant said. "In all the confusion I forgot ta rescind the order."

Keri gave the stocky warrior a smile of thanks for assuming the blame. She was unsettled by the memories of Marc's exchange with her friend, but she understood why he had done what he did.

"Why was she detained at all?" Lady Elyssa demanded, her eyes flashing angrily. "What makes you think you have the authority to arrest a noble without orders from a superior?"

"Because I am the Captain of the Royal Guard!" Keri snapped back, matching the noblewoman's tone. She didn't approve of Marc's actions, but she wasn't going to allow someone else to question them either.  "My only superior is the Princess, and she was missing in the midst of a chaotic situation. Lady Enara was covering for her absence and I had to consider her actions suspect."

"You're right," Elyssa said after a moment's pause. She obviously wasn't used to being addressed in such a tone, at least not by a knight. "Please forgive me for my outburst."

"It's been a long night, My Lady," Keri said, her voice as soft as she could manage. "We're all on edge." She turned to Garith and added, "I want you to check the corpse of that orc assassin. Bring me everything it was carrying."

"Aye, Captain," Garith said with a nod.

"My father gave me a message for you, Sir Marcan," Elyssa said as they neared the plateau. "He urges you to proceed to Highkeep as soon as possible, and pledges all the forces at our disposal to the safety of Her Highness. As of this morning, Highkeep will no longer acquiesce to the orders of the Regent. He has sent orders via orb to Wallkeep recalling our troops as well. They're currently being held in reserve so the forces at the frontier won't be weakened."

Keri was both shocked and pleased by the message. By law the armies of Trimaris were under the control of her aunt and the Council of Barons until she took the throne. An attack of such size within the territory under his protection did give the Baron grounds for the recall, but he was treading a fine line.

"The support of Highkeep is welcome and greatly appreciated," she told Elyssa. "I can assure you the Princess will support your father. She has already informed the Regent that she intends to assume the throne shortly after she returns to Lockeshire."

"It will probably take four or five days for the troops to get back," Elyssa said. "They're encamped about a hundred miles west of the Wall. There's also a possibility Baroness Gisella of Wallkeep may refuse to give them passage through the Great Gate."
"I'm sure the Princess will send a request asking the baroness to give them passage," Keri said. "Unfortunately she can't make it an order as the armies are technically under the control of the Regent. Does your father harbor some suspicions regarding Baroness Gisella's loyalties?"

"He does," Elyssa said with a nod. "I doubt she would refuse a Royal request, however."

"Maybe we should suggest that Her Highness cancel her plans ta go ta the festival in that case," Garith said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Keri. "We could hole up in Highkeep and send out word that the Princess was calling for aid."

Keri didn't speak. She knew that Marc would likely agree with the serjeant if he were in her place, where he rightfully should be. That was her first instinct too, but something didn't feel right about it. Such a move was tantamount to calling out her aunt and the Council — if they were attempting to subvert the throne it could force their hand and all too easily lead to civil war.

"Whether we continue or not will be up to the Princess," she said finally. It felt strange, but it was what Marc would have said in her place.

Her mind was cluttered with a dizzying array of matters that had to be attended to. The men needed to be rotated for rest while still maintaining the perimeter. They also needed to be fed, and with the camp kitchen still on the wagons that meant a cold meal. She needed to prepare an order of march to the spires that would incorporate the forces from Highkeep, and a dozen other administrative matters. She knew Garith and others would handle most of the details, but it was her responsibility to make certain everything was done.

She had never really understood all that Marc did before. There were so many details that he had to deal with on a daily basis, and she was only beginning realize how maddening they could be. And it was all to make sure a capricious, often petulant and woefully unappreciative Princess was kept safe and happy. Her aunt was right; she was spoiled and ill-prepared to take the throne.

~ But that ends right now. ~ she swore to herself.

"I want answers!" the Regent demanded. Her eyes locked onto each of her military advisors in accusation. "How could the raiders amass a force large enough to attack the Princess's encampment?"

Earl-Marshal Orris Stanwyth cleared his throat noisily before speaking. As the senior knight in command of the armies of Trimaria his proper place was at the front, but he was far too rotund to climb into the saddle anymore.

"Your Grace, the numbers of the attacking force are less than half the strength we've estimated for the raiders within the kingdom," Marshal Stanwyth said.

"Supposedly in small bands scattered over a two-hundred-thousand square miles!" the Regent countered. "How could they have assembled in force to attack the Princess?"

"Obviously they found out that the Princess would be in Amurga," Duke Terlen said. All eyes in the room turned to him as he continued. "Every effort was made to maintain security, but it was a hopeless task. There were simply too many arrangements that had to be made. All it would take is one Merdian spy with sharp ears and eyes to gather the information and pass it along to the orc raiders. There was ample time for the raiders to converge near Amurga while the Princess toured the southern and central portions of  the kingdom."

"Those fortifications Demoss insisted on would certainly have raised suspicions," Knight-Commander Jarris said, and let the orcs know right where to attack."

"Without those fortifications, the Royal Guard would undoubtedly have been overrun," Duke Terlen replied, staring the knight down. "Sir Marcan was quite right to insist upon them."

"There is a bright side to this, Your Grace," Marshal Stanwyth said. "The strength of the raider force has been seriously reduced. With the increased patrols of our coastal waters by the Navy, it will be much harder for the Merdians to infiltrate more orcs. Once we have seized their port on the Istan Peninsula in Camron, the threat will be over."

"It's going to be difficult to launch our offensive now that Baron Iefan has recalled the Highkeep forces," the Regent said. "I'll have him stripped of his title for defying me."

"That would require the consent of the Council of Barons," Duke Terlen told her. "Only the Crown has the authority to strip a baronial title without the council, and even a sovereign requires just cause to do so. The attack has given the Baron sufficient justification for his recall."

"One division more or less will make no difference in our offensive," Marshal Stanwyth assured the Regent. "Marshal Teagan's plan is audacious but sound. Our amphibious assault will take the Merdians completely by surprise. With their supply lines cut, the Merdian forces at the frontier will collapse quickly."

"The attack on the Princess is terrible," Duke Terlen said, "but it does serve to reinforce the need to put an end to these raiders. No one can deny the importance of seizing the Merdian ports now."

"They can but it will do them no good," the Regent said. "All right, we will proceed as planned."

The Regent spoke no words of dismissal but it was clear that the meeting was over. Her military advisors rose and left the room, leaving her with Duke Terlen and Knight-Commander Jaris. For several minutes they discussed the details of her upcoming journey to Wallkeep for the Harvest Festival. Duchess Rayna was uncharacteristically subdued, merely nodding as the commander of her guard went over the final security measures for her trip.

"Thank you, Jaris, I feel confident you have everything well in hand," she said finally, then turned to her consort. "Would you give me a moment with Commander Jaris?"

"Of course, my dear," Duke Terlen said. He kissed her gently on the cheek and said, "Keri is alive and will recover fully. Everything will be all right."

Duchess Rayna smiled and squeezed his hand. He returned the smile with warm affection and then turned and left the Council Chamber. The Regent watched him go with a slight smile on her face as she absentmindedly toyed with the ring he had placed on her finger when they were betrothed.

Once he was gone the Regent turned to Jaris, the smile disappearing as she said, "I want you to send word to Knight-Captain Marcan. As soon as the Princess is fit to travel, they are to return to the Palace."

"Your Grace, Demoss will not obey the order unless the Princess agrees," Jaris said.

The Regent took a parchment from the table and handed it to Jaris.

"This is a declaration of imminent risk to the life of the Royal Heir," she told him. "Have it transmitted to Highkeep along with the recall order. I am invoking my right as Regent to order the Princess to return for her own safety and in the best interest of the Kingdom. If Knight-Captain Marcan doesn't return her to the Palace, he will be held accountable should any harm befall her."

"Are you certain, Your Grace?"

"Of course I'm certain," the Duchess snapped.

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but the Princess's message … she intends to take the throne in three months time. Even if all goes well, the war will be far from decided by then."

"No one outside the War Council is aware of that, and I intend to keep it that way," the Regent told him. "I'll keep Keri locked in her chambers if necessary until her twenty-first birthday."

"As you wish, Your Grace," Jaris said. "I'll send the order immediately."

The Regent nodded and Jaris turned and left the room. Instead of proceeding to issue the order, however, he made his way to Duke Terlen's private office. The door swung open before he could even knock, and he entered. Duke Terlen sat in a high backed chair, staring into a glowing crystal sphere on his immaculate desktop. The image within the crystal was that of the Council Chamber, until the Duke waved a hand over it and the view shifted to the Princess's quarters.

"So, my beloved wife has decided to try and compel Her Highness to return," Terlen said.

"Yes, Your Grace," Jaris said.

"No matter, we shall proceed as planned," Terlen said.

"Pardon me, Your Grace, but it will be difficult to do that with Her Highness in the Palace."

Terlen laughed and said, "She won't come back. I have no doubt she will defy the order to return."

"And if Demoss insists?" Jaris asked. "With the recall order and the declaration he can compel her to return."

"The orcs may have failed to kill the Princess, but they did accomplish something," Terlen said. "By now Sir Marcan undoubtedly suspects treachery, and thanks to the recent actions of my wife, he will suspect her. He'll keep the Princess as far away from the Palace as possible until they can gather loyal forces to her."

"She may well succeed," Jaris said. "The vast majority of the army is loyal to her, Your Grace."

"All the better," Terlen said with a feral smile.

He was about to continue when his head snapped towards the back wall of the office. He sprang from his chair and with long, purposeful strides crossed the room and glared at the stones.

"Did you hear something?" he asked Jaris.

"No, Your Grace."

Terlen continued to glare at the wall, muttering the words of a seeing incantation. His sight bored into the wall, through the stone, probing for a void beyond. He found nothing but more stone until he reached the far side of the wall. The room there was completely empty, and his enhanced vision showed no tell-tale heat signature of recent occupation. The Duke shook his head and cancelled the spell.

"Send the Regent's order," he said as he turned back to Jaris. "We will proceed as planned."

"Yes, Your Grace."

After the knight was gone, the Duke returned his attention to the wall, staring at it for a long time. Finally he shrugged, muttered something about the noises an old castle makes, and left the office.

Behind the stone, in a passage protected by powerful arcane wards, Lord Chamberlain Fenril breathed a sigh of relief.

At first Marc thought he was waking from a very strange dream, but he quickly realized it was no dream. When he opened his eyes and saw the way the bedclothes rose above his chest, he knew it had been all too real.

~ They look a lot bigger from this angle. ~

"It's good to see you awake, Your Highness."

Marc turned towards the familiar sound of Aliana's voice and saw the Maid-of-Honor seated next to the bed he was in. They were in a bed chamber befitting the Princess of Trimaria; sumptuously appointed with elegant wall hangings and a glittering chandelier of glowing crystal spheres. A stone glowed warmly in the hearth at the far end of the room, driving away the autumn chill.

"Where is she?" Marc asked through gritted teeth.

"You know the answer to that," Ali said. "She's fulfilling the duties of the Captain of the Royal Guard."

"Get her in here now."

"Please try not to by angry, Marc," Aliana pleaded. "We never meant for this to happen."

"Is that supposed to make it all right?" Marc asked, his voice rising to a pitch that only agitated him more.

"Of course not," Aliana said. "We were wrong and we were stupid, we both realize that."

"That's just great!" Mark tried to shout, but it came out as a sob. He felt tears forming in his eyes and try as he might he couldn't hold them in.

"Of all the asinine, reckless stunts the two of you have pulled…."

Even though the windows of the bed chamber were closed a powerful wind began to swirl about the room. Marc hardly noticed it at first, until Aliana was lifted from the chair and sent flying across the room towards the hard stone wall. Before she actually made contact with the wall a shimmering sphere of magical energy appeared about her, absorbing the impact and bouncing her down to the floor where she settled with a soft thud.

Marc uttered a frightened squeak that would have disturbed him greatly if he hadn't been worried about Aliana. She picked herself up, slowly, arched her back with a pained expression and then looked down her nose at him.

"Okay that hurt," she said.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Just a little bruised," she assured him as she righted her chair and sat down again. "Keri usually set things on fire or shattered glass, so I wasn't quite prepared for your attack. My shield absorbed most of it though."

"I have Keri's powers," Marc said in a subdued tone.

"You have half her power," Aliana corrected, "Plus what you brought with your own spirit. That's still more than most mages will ever have. What you don't have is her experience in controlling it. Remember how it was when she was a child?"

Marc nodded. Until Keri had learned to control her magic, a temper-tantrum usually led to the destruction of anything fragile or flammable in her immediate vicinity. Fortunately she had never seriously injured anyone, but she had done a lot of property damage.

"Shards," he said, casting a fearful glance at Aliana. "Ali I feel like I'm going to burst into tears at any moment. I don't … I don't think…."

He did burst into tears, and Aliana moved to sit next to him on the bed. She pulled him close and held him as he cried, just as she had held the real Keri so many times before.

"Welcome to womanhood," she told him.

This time Marc could feel the power swelling within, and it frightened him. He struggled to control the emotional outburst but that only seemed to make it worse. Then Ali started to sing a song with no words, just a soothing melody that stirred a memory within. He remembered Mistara singing that same song to him, only it wasn't him, it was Keri, and he realized he was remembering something from her childhood. The swelling wave of magical energy subsided but the tears continued to flow.

"Don't fight it, Marc, just let it out," Ali soothed.

Finally the tears subsided and Ali took a cloth from her bodice and handed it to him. He dabbed away the tears and then settled back onto the pillow feeling both exhausted and strangely content.

"That actually felt good," he said.

"A good cry can do wonders," Ali said with a smile. "Keri is an emotional girl, you know that, and for now those emotions are yours. The thing to remember is don't try to hold it in. I know that goes against everything you've learned as a man, but if you let the feelings fester things will get very ugly."

"We're stuck like this until the next full moon, aren't we?"

"I'm afraid so," Ali confirmed.

"That means I have to go to the Grand Ball as Keri," Marc sighed.

"If you choose," Ali told him. "With the attack, there's ample reason to bow out of the festival."

Marc shook his head. "I can't do that. It would make the Princess look weak and afraid. Besides, I don't think the Palace would be any safer right now."

"We've figured that out too," Aliana said. "There is another alternative. The Baron has offered us the protection of Highkeep. He's used the attack as justification to recall the barony's troops from the frontier, and pledged their support to the Princess. If we issued a call for aid more troops would surely come no matter what the Regent said."

Marc considered the possibilities. Highkeep was not as impregnable as Lockeshire, but its location in the mountains made a siege very problematic for any opposing force. With more troops it could be made virtually unassailable, and Aliana was right, the troops would come if the Princess called. Once they were well defended, they could take the time to figure out what was going on. Despite that, he shook his head again, making his long hair dance across his back in a manner he was quite unused to.

"That would be too provocative," he said. "We'd be calling out whoever is behind this."

"I think we all know who is behind this."

"I know Rayna looks very suspect, but I can't believe she would harm Keri," Marc insisted. "Regardless, if we force the issue it could lead to civil war."

"Keri feels the same way," Ali told him. "So, if we're going to the festival you and I have a lot of work to do, and only eight days to do it in."

"The festival is only a week away?" Marc asked in confusion. "But the attack was just…."

"Three days ago," Ali said. "You were very badly wounded, and the blade was poisoned. The healers have kept you asleep until this morning."

"We better get started then," Marc said, starting to rise. Aliana helped him up and to his feet, at which point he stopped and said, "I have absolutely no idea what to do next."

"That's why you have me, Highness, and a whole herd of handmaidens," Aliana laughed. "Enara and I will get you dressed and prettied up — she knows what happened by the way. Then you’re going to get a crash course in being the Princess. After that, the real work begins."

"The real work?"

"There will be thirty-eight potential suitors at the Grand Ball," Aliana explained. When Marc looked like he was about to panic, she added, "Count yourself lucky; we narrowed that down from over a hundred. You have to be able to address them each by name. Fortunately, we have all the patents with us for you to study."

"All right," Marc said. He had always made a point of memorizing the names and faces of his officers, and didn't see why this should be any different. "What else?"

A mischievous grin spread across Aliana's face as she asked, "You can dance, right?"

Keri nearly froze as she entered the chamber and saw her body sitting in a chair in front of the hearth at the head of a large table. To Marc's right was Lady Enara, and on his left the Baron. Master Talisin sat on the other side of the Baron, while Aliana was in her customary place, seated just behind and to the right of the 'Princess'. Journeyman Herald Rodin was there as well, and two of her new handmaidens, Lessanna and Wynnetta, were busily serving refreshments.

For Keri, it was the most surreal of moments among a slew of such, and as her eyes met Marc's she could see her own discomfort echoed there. She had seen such scenes so many times before, but now she was on the other side. She fought the urge to turn and run, instead walking forward and kneeling at Marc's right hand.

"It's good to see you looking so well, Highness," she said.

"Thank you, Sir Marcan," the 'Princess' said. Marc grinned slightly, and Keri was certain he was enjoying her discomfort. "I owe that to you and your timely rescue. I deeply regret that my own foolishness brought this all about. I feel it should be me on my knees before you, begging your forgiveness. Can you ever forgive me?"

~ Oh now he's just rubbing it in! ~

"Of course, Your Highness," Keri said.

"Then I am in your debt," Marc told her "Please have a seat and we'll get started."

There was only one chair left, at the opposite end of the table from Marc. Keri was quite certain he had arranged it that way on purpose, so she would be forced to look at him the entire time. The damnable thing was their eyes did meet as she sat down and it was she that looked away first.

~ That's because I have a guilty conscience, and I should. ~

"The first order of business is the Regent's message recalling me," Marc said. "Master Talisin, you've reviewed the order. Is it legal?"

The old sage nodded. "By issuing a declaration stating your life is at imminent risk, the Regent is legally able to order Sir Marcan to return you to the Palace."

"And if he doesn't, what happens then?"

"Well, despite her threat, the Regent cannot have him arrested," Talisin said, "unless something were to happen to you. In that case, Marc would be subject to arrest, and quite possibly execution."

"It's ridiculous," Marc seethed angrily.

Keri noticed a slight breeze in the chamber which quickly subsided as Marc closed his eyes for a moment. She caught Aliana looking at her and almost laughed out loud when her friend winked.

"The Princess's…," Marc began, his eyes widening as he realized what he was saying. "My life was in danger the moment I left the Palace on this Royal Progress. I recall that Sir Marcan opposed my attending the festival on those very grounds, yet the Regent not only allowed it, she pushed me into it. As much as it grieves me to say it, I have to consider my aunt's actions suspect."

"I agree … Highness," Keri said. "We have to assume that you would be in as much, if not more, danger in the Palace."

"I must agree as well," Baron Iefan said.

Master Talisin didn't speak immediately, and when he did he hung his head as he said, "As do I."

"As I see it, we have two options," Marc said. "I can remain here at Highkeep and gather as many loyal units as possible to me, or I can proceed to the festival as planned as though nothing was out of place."

Keri didn't know which option Marc was leaning towards, so she quickly interjected, "Highness, if the Regent is planning to make a play for the throne, to remain here could force her hand. The army has been subject to her orders for six years, and she could convince many otherwise loyal units that you're being held here against your will. Trimaria could be plunged into civil war."

"Going to the festival is also quite dangerous," Talisin said. "Whoever is after your life is not likely to give up no matter what course you follow."

Rodin cleared his throat and said, "Forgive me, but might we not be reading too much into all this? The orcs could have easily learned of the route for the Progress, it was hardly possible to keep it secret. Do we have any real evidence that treachery is involved?"

"Yes we do," Keri said, earning her a surprised look from Marc. "First, it's apparent that the orcs were able to mass for their attack far too quickly. The most recent reports had them scattered about the kingdom in small groups. The only way they could have gathered at Amurga was by using the spires."

"And since spire keys can only be provided through the Palace, someone there must be in collusion with the raiders," the Baron said. "I've sent several communiqués to the Regent suggesting this very threat, but have received no response to any of them."

"That is at best tenuous evidence," Master Talisin said. "The reports of the number of raiders could be in error."

"There's also this," Keri said as she took a small object from her belt pouch. She slid it across the table to the sage, who held it up for all to see.

It was a long, thin crystal attached to a crude leather thong. Within the crystal was a thick braid of golden hair.

"A tracking charm," Talisin said. "Where did you get this?"

"From the corpse of the assassin that tried to kill the Princess," Keri said. She tried very hard to hide the outrage in her voice as she continued, "Someone had to go into m … Her Highness's chamber to collect that hair. Then a mage, a fairly powerful one, had to craft that charm. Since orcs can't manipulate the aether, it had to be crafted by a human."

"That explains how the assassin followed Ali and … me to the Star Stones," Marc said.

Keri nodded. "I think the attack was just a ruse. The orcs were supposed to press us until we were forced to evacuate the Princess. They knew we would send just a small escort so they could move quickly and relatively stealthily to the spires, where the assassin was likely waiting in ambush. But their infantry got impatient and rushed to charge before the gunners could reduce our numbers."

"And when the charm indicated the Princess wasn't heading towards the spires, they followed," Talisin said, "fortunately giving you the chance to reach her in the nick of time." He turned to Marc and said, "I hope you realize that your actions placed the future of the kingdom at great risk."

Marc's eyes were fixed on Keri as he said, "Yes, Master Talisin, I do."

Keri shifted uncomfortably; glad she was dressed in one of Marc's doublets rather than his full armor. It seemed to be getting very warm in the chamber, but then she saw Marc close his eyes again and the temperature lowered.

"We continue as planned then?" she asked, thinking she was probably lucky she hadn't burst into flames. Marc nodded and she continued, "I would suggest we remain in Highkeep until the day before the festival."

"Agreed," Marc said. He turned to the herald before continuing, "I'll need your guild's assistance Journeyman Rodin. I need to know what units are loyal to me. Every unit has heralds with it. Can you get word to Master Otellan without alerting our enemies?"

"Easily, Highness," Rodin said with a grin. "We have several codes for passing information. I can encrypt a message into my regular report."

"Excellent," Marc said. "Inform Master Otellan that I need him to poll the heralds with each unit; have them try to gauge the loyalties of the officers."

"Perhaps it would be a good idea if I took a journey to the Academy as well," Master Talisin said. "While I feel certain the guilds will support you, Highness, we would be advised to measure the degree of that support."

"Thank you, Master Talisin," Marc said. "I had the same thought myself." He shifted his gaze to Baron Iefan and paused for a moment before continuing.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me for asking this, but I must. I want to avoid conflict, but if it comes to that, can I count on Highkeep? Are you certain all of your troops are loyal?"

"I admit I have considered that question myself, Highness," the Baron said. "There were attempts to coerce me into exchanging officers with other baronies, but I refused. I have no question that all of our knights are loyal. There are men within the ranks that are not from the barony, but I am certain that the vast majority of the troops will defend you with their lives."

"Let's sincerely hope it doesn't come to that," Marc said. "Now, if there is nothing more, we can adjourn. I'm still a bit drained after my ordeal I'm afraid."

Keri almost sighed with relief. Everyone expressed their understanding and took their leave. She turned to leave as well but was halted by her own voice.

"Sir Marcan, please stay a moment," Marc said. "I'd like to speak to you in private."

~ Shards! ~ Keri thought. She wouldn't get away unscathed after all.

"Highness, might I have a word?" Master Talisin asked. His tone made it plain he would not take no for an answer.

"Certainly, Master Talisin," Marc said. He turned to Lessanna and Wynetta and said, "You girls can retire, Aliana will attend me."

The girls executed a synchronized bob and nod and left the chamber. Once the door had closed, Master Talisisn turned to Keri and looked her in the eye.

"Did you really believe you could fool me?" he asked. He turned to Marc and added, "Either of you?"

Keri looked at Marc and then at the old sage. Her shoulders slumped and she dropped back into her chair.

"No, Master Tally, I didn't," she said.

"How did you know?" Marc asked.

"You both performed well, I'll give you that," Talisin said. "There were a few verbal stumbles, but I seriously doubt anyone else is the wiser. I've known you both for too long to miss the differences, however. I also noted that … Her Highness … nearly lost control of her magic more than once, something that hasn't been a problem for some time. When I recognized the Amulet of Kessil, the pieces fell into place."

Marc looked down where the amulet rested between his breasts, but immediately lifted his eyes and started blushing.

"He's been doing that a lot," Aliana said with a grin. "He refused to look in the mirror while Nara and I helped him dress."

"Master Tally, I intended to tell you," Keri said, "I just didn't want to do so until Marc was awake. We haven't even had a chance to talk privately yet."

"I'll let you get to that, then," Talisin said, placing a hand on Keri's shoulder for a moment. He walked to the door, pausing to add, "I'm sure you have a lot to talk about."

CHAPTER 22

Marc waited until the old sage was gone before turning his gaze back to Keri. For a long moment he just stared at his own body. He had never thought himself particularly handsome — he had always felt the scar on his face, received when he had saved King Toranon's life — would cause any woman to look elsewhere. It would have been simple enough to have it removed by magic, but it was customary in the armies of Trimaria for a warrior to keep a scar from a particularly noteworthy action as a badge of honor.

So he was quite shocked, and more than a little disturbed, to find that Keri found him quite handsome, and Aliana did as well. Memories of conversations the two had shared surfaced unbidden, and he was even more shocked to know that Aliana had even considered trying to seduce him. He shook his head sharply to banish those thoughts. Keri, unaware of his inner conflict, took it as a gesture of anger.

"Marc, I know your upset with me, and you have every right to be," she said.

"Upset?" Marc told her, practically hissing. "This goes far beyond upset … far beyond angry. I am furious with you."

The table began to dance ever so slightly, and Marc closed his eyes and silently played the song Mistara had sung to her daughter in his head. The power subsided but the emotions remained raw.

"I know saying I'm sorry isn't enough, but I am," Keri said. "I never intended for this to happen … it was just an accident."

Marc sprang from his chair and gestured with his hands to the body he inhabited.

"You think this is what I'm worried about!" he cried. The tears were starting now, and he knew there was no way he'd be able to hold them in, so he didn't even try.

"Keri, you almost died!" he sobbed. He turned to include Aliana. "Both of you could have died. Besides Stilnar, you two are the only family I have. Did you ever once think about how I would feel if you got hurt … if … if…."

The sobs became so violent he could no longer form words. He started to sway unsteadily but before he could collapse Keri was out of her chair and by his side. She pulled him close and guided him over to the sofa against the chamber wall. Aliana sat down on the other side of Marc, her hand on his shoulder as he clung to Keri.

"I love you, both of you," Marc sobbed, his face buried in Keri's chest. It felt odd but for the moment too comforting for him to care. "I could never forgive myself if something happened to either of you."

"I understand, Marc, really I do," she said. "When I came to my senses and saw that orc standing over Ali, and you standing there bleeding in my body, I knew I'd die if anything happened to either of you. When I faced the other orcs all I could think was I had to win because if I didn't you'd die. I promise you, I've learned my lesson."

"I feel the same way," Aliana assured him.

It took several minutes for Marc to calm down. He had tried to prepare himself for seeing Keri but when she had entered the chamber in his body it had almost been too much. After wiping the tears from his face with a cloth Ali provided he took a deep breath.

"We'll put that behind us then," he said. "It's only for a month. I can handle that, though I don't know how you stand these emotions … or having these melons on your chest."

"They're not as big as melons!" Keri protested.

"Small melons," Aliana suggested in a helpful tone. She looked at Marc and then amended, "Well, medium sized melons... maybe on the large side of medium."

Keri gave her an icy stare — a tactic that was far more effective with Marc's face. Aliana suddenly found it vital to remove an apparently invisible piece of lint from her gown.

"What about me?" Keri asked, turning back to Marc. "This body is fragging huge! I keep hitting my head on lintels. And then there's this thing between my legs that keeps making its presence known at the most awkward times!"

"Is that huge too?" a wide-eyed Ali asked. They both glared at her and she said in a small voice, "I was just curious."

Her expression was one of such innocent curiosity that first Keri and then Marc began laughing. Aliana joined in, pleased she had managed to avert what could have become an ugly moment. They were all still on edge, and it was best to keep things as light as possible.

"All right," Marc said once his giggles had subsided. "Ali explained to me that I have to keep the amulet on." He held up his right hand and wiggled the finger on which he wore Keri's chastity ring. "She also told me about this."

"I wish you'd never had to learn about that part of me," Keri said.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Keri," Marc said. "Your grandmother had the same problem when she was your age, although from her accounts she didn't try to suppress it."

"You should read her journals," Keri laughed.

"I have now," Marc said. "At least I remember some of what you read."

Keri turned serious again as she said, "That could become a problem. Ali and I have no secrets, so we weren't worried about sharing our memories."

"But you and I might learn things about each other we'd rather not share," Marc said. "All we can do is try not to pry. Memories are bound to surface … they already have. I think we have to agree that if something does bother us, we'll talk about it."

"All right, that sounds like a good idea," Keri agreed.

"Oh, I did forget to tell you about that emerald dangling in your navel," Aliana said.

"I know what it's for," Marc told her. The baubles were quite common, and he had actually been relieved when he realized it was enchanted to prevent pregnancy. He had no intention of putting it to the test, but he was glad Keri had taken the precaution.

"Good. Now that we've all made up, it's time for you to get some sleep, Princess," Aliana told Marc. "It's been a long, emotional day and you look exhausted. I need to brush out your hair and get you ready for bed."

"One thing I could definitely get used to here is the pampering," Marc said with a thoroughly Keri-like giggle.

"Enjoy it while you can," Keri told him. "On the next full moon, I want my life back!"

"You know this is the first time we've made love here," Enara said with a contented sigh as she snuggled close to Elyssa.

Elyssa nodded, pulling the covers of her bed up over them. The only light in the room was from the stones in the hearth, which filled the chamber with a warm, romantic glow.

"It's much better than a hayloft," she laughed. "Oh Nara, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too," Enara said.

"But you're happy at the Palace with the Princess."

Enara bit her lip and nodded. "I am happy there. Keri has been so wonderful to me. That doesn't mean I don't think about you all the time."

"I'm glad you're happy, you deserve it," Elyssa said. "So tell me about the Princess, what's she really like?"

For the next hour Enara shared stories of her time at Lockeleigh Palace and all the things she had learned. Elyssa was especially impressed when she related the events of the attack on the Tuatha farmstead. She was also extremely interested in Aliana and how she defended the Princess at the Star Stones.

"She sounds like an interesting girl," Elyssa said. "She's obviously been well trained."

Enara nodded. "She said she was taught by a woman named Alvina."

"Mistress Alvina?" Elyssa asked.

"Yes that's her. Do you know her?"

"Only by reputation," Elyssa said. "She's the principal of the Courtesan's Guild."

Enara looked confused and asked, "Why would Ali have been taught to fight by a courtesan?"

"That's what I love about you, Nara, you're so innocent," Elyssa laughed. "The Courtesan's Guild is about more than sex. They produce some of the finest spies and assassins on Andarel."

"You think Ali was trained as an assassin?" Enara asked. Her eyes grew wide as she recalled Aliana's promise that Darsia would never live to sit on the throne if she made a move against Keri.

"It's not at all uncommon for a handmaiden to be trained that way," Elyssa told her. "Think about it — who is closer to the Princess? She's always at her side and she obviously loves her very much. I imagine those orcs were mightily surprised by her, and she used that to her advantage. I doubt combat was all she learned either."

Enara giggled and said, "Ali is very good at seduction."

"She's probably very good at pillow talk too," Elyssa said. "Men will often say things after sex that they shouldn't. It's funny though, from what I've heard the Princess and her Maid-of-Honor are having an affair."

"They're not," Enara said. "They'd like to but … oh, I shouldn't be saying things like that."

Elyssa laughed. "It's all right, love, I don't expect you to divulge any secrets. I do have another question about the Princess though. Do you think she would be open to a woman applying to the Royal Guard?"

"I'm sure she would," Enara said after a thoughtful pause. "Of course she would leave the final decision to Sir Marcan, but if the woman was capable I believe she would support her. Is one of your Rangers interested in joining the Guard?"

"Actually I was speaking of me."

Enara stared at her lover, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"But Lyssa, the Rangers! You've worked so hard to build their ranks. I've even heard Serjeant Garith say he'd rank them with the best warriors in Trimaria."

"Yes, I have worked hard to make the Rangers what they are," Elyssa admitted. "And I'm confident that they'll continue without me. Gemma is more than ready to take command."

"You're not considering this because of me are you?" Enara asked. "I'd never ask you to give up the Rangers to be near me."

Elyssa kissed her on the lips and said, "I know that, love. Yes, you are part of the reason, but I'm doing this for myself as well. I love the Rangers, but I'll never be considered for the Chivalry if I stay with them."

Enara considered her words. It was rare for a shield maiden to be knighted, but it wasn't unheard of. The last she knew of from her history lessons had been Riala, who was knighted long before she became queen. Sir Marcan had remarked once that Riala had considered that to be her greatest accomplishment, and that because of her royal status she had had to work twice as hard to be recognized.

There was a problem, of course. The Princess wasn't actually the Princess currently. The body swap was going to make broaching the subject difficult.

"I'll speak to her if you like," Enara said. "It would be best if we wait until after the festival though. She's very nervous about having to face all those suitors, and I'd rather not put too much on her right now."

"Of course, I understand," Elyssa said. "I'd be horrified in her place, especially knowing I had no intention of marrying."

"Have you ever thought about that?"

"Thought about what, marriage?"

"Not so much marriage, but being a mother," Enara said. "I think I'd like to have children someday, but, well I don't like men, not in that way."

"Same sex pairings may not be common but they do happen, Nara. All you'd need to do is find a suitable, willing man to be the body father. It's much harder for male pairs than it is for females, they have to find a woman willing to carry the child. Personally, I think you'd make a wonderful mother, and I'd be proud to raise many children with you … that is if you'll have me."

Enara raised up on one elbow and looked down into her lover's eyes.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Elyssa nodded. "Yes, Nara, I'm asking if you'll be my bond mate."

"But your father…."

"Has given me his consent, if not his blessing," Elyssa told her. "Frankly, Father was very disturbed by what your parents did. I think it made him reexamine things and realize if he persisted in trying to change me, he would lose me."

"I always thought he was a wise man," Enara said, her voice catching. She bit back a sob and then fell into Elyssa's arms.

"I didn't mean to make you sad," Elyssa soothed. "I know it still hurts."

"I just want them to love me as much as I love them," Enara said in a small voice.

"We can't choose our parents, Nara, but we can choose who we hold dear. You've chosen very well, little one, and that does my heart glad. All that matters to me is that you’re happy, even if you don't want to be hand-fasted to me."

Enara rose up again and said, "But I do, Lyssa, I do! Yes, I'll be your bond mate and I’ll love you with all my heart for all my days."

"That makes me so happy, little one," Elyssa said. "And I will love you and protect you for all my days."

"I can't wait to tell Keri and Ali!" Enara said. "It's funny, but when Father took the appointment at the Palace, I thought my life was over. Now it turns out it was the best thing that could have happened. I can't imagine what we would have done otherwise."

"Oh I had a plan for that," Elyssa told her. "As soon as you turned eighteen, I was going to spirit you away."

"You would have given up the barony for me?"

"Without a moment's regret," Elyssa said.

Enara kissed her again and then asked, "So when would we announce this?"

"I'm glad you asked," Elyssa said with a sly grin. "Since you're certain and I'm certain, I don't see any point in waiting. If Her Highness approves, what do you think about pledging our troth at the Grand Ball?"

"I think that would be … grand!" Enara laughed.

It wasn't until just before she drifted off to sleep that she realized it would be Marc announcing her betrothal and not Keri. She hoped her adoptive sister would understand.

CHAPTER 24

When Enara told her friends of Lady Elyssa's proposal two days later, Aliana squealed with delight and hugged her. Marc and Keri's reactions were much more subdued, though both were obviously happy. They each gave Enara a slightly less enthusiastic hug and congratulated her.

"If you would rather wait until after the full moon to make the announcement, I understand," Enara told them.

"I won't deny I'd like to be the one to make the announcement," Keri told her, "but I wouldn't dream of making you wait because of that. If Marc has no objections, then I don't either."

"I don't," Marc said. "It makes sense to use the Grand Ball for the announcement. Most of the nobles of the kingdom will be there, so word will spread very quickly."

"Are we being too … provocative?" Enara asked.

Keri and Marc both laughed at the notion and then looked decidedly uncomfortable. Aliana shook her head and grinned.

"I think they both agree that being provocative is not something the Princess is concerned about, no matter who's in her body."

"You'll offend some people undoubtedly," Marc said. "Your status as a member of the Royal Household and Elyssa's as heir to the baronial coronet is more than sufficient to keep them in line."

"The important thing is this is what you both want," Keri said, giving Marc a glare for his coldly analytical assessment. "As long as you're happy, what others think isn't important."

"This will scare some on the Council of Barons too," Aliana said. "They won't like seeing an alliance by marriage between House Lockeleigh and Highkeep."

"Well, as long as we're shaking the pillars of Trimarian politics, there's one other thing I'd like to talk about," Enara said. As she told them of Elyssa's interest in joining the Royal Guard, Marc and Keri shared a thoughtful look.

"We have talked about this in the past," Marc said.

"Not Elyssa specifically," Keri explained. "I asked Marc why there were no shield maidens in the Guard once."

"I've never had any objection to it," Marc said. "Since I've been Captain, none have applied. There aren't as many female warriors as there once were."

"There might be something more Elyssa could do for us," Keri said. "She's forged the Rangers into a formidable unit, and with the raider problem it's an example that could be of great benefit throughout the kingdom."

"You're thinking we could offer her a commission in the Guard and have her oversee the militia training?" Marc asked. Keri nodded in confirmation. "I think that could work well, but I would like to handle that after we're back in our proper bodies."

"I agree," Keri said. She paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, I must see to my duties."

Even though the Princess was in Marc's body, Aliana could sense the sadness in her friend. She doubted either Marc or Enara noticed it, but to her it was so palpable that she felt as though her heart had been pierced. It had to be so very lonely for the Princess — she could only spend fleeting moments with her friends without drawing undue attention. Every evening while Aliana and Enara attended Marc, Keri retired to her small chamber down the hall, alone.

She rose from her seat next to Marc and walked over to Keri, wrapping her arms around her waist. She pressed her head to the broad, muscular chest — she didn't even come up to the shoulders — and tightened her embrace.

"Ali…." Keri started. She looked at Marc and he just grinned and nodded.

"Just shut up and hold me for a minute," Ali told her.

She felt Keri's arms enfold her, tentatively at first and then with more force. She could hear her love's heart thumping in her chest, strong and steady. Then she felt something swelling between Keri's legs, pressing against her abdomen. The Princess tried to pull back then but Ali just held on tighter until the pressure subsided. Finally she relaxed her embrace and looked up into Keri's eyes.

"I love you, whatever body you're in," she said.

Keri stroked her hair gently and told her, "Thank you, love, I really needed to hear that."

For the rest of the morning Aliana and Enara helped Marc familiarize himself with the credentials of the suitors for the Grand Ball. Fortunately Keri had studied them thoroughly, so it only took a cursory examination to jog those memories for Marc.

"This is ridiculous," Marc said, gesturing with the patent in his hand. "This one is only thirteen!"

"Oh yes, Lord Lucan, Keri didn't want to disappoint him," Aliana explained. "It's not like she planned to seriously consider any of them."

"Certainly not Earl Lohan," Marc sighed. "He's nearly a hundred years old."

"Oldenkeep is the oldest city in the kingdom," Enara said. "It would have been an insult not to include him."

"Those two are the extremes," Ali told him. "Most of them are handsome enough that they should be pleasant company for the evening."

"I suppose, if I were Keri," Marc said.

Aliana shared a look with Enara before saying, "In case you haven't looked in the mirror lately, you are Keri."

"I look like Keri, but I'm still me inside."

"But you feel things the way she would," Enara said. "There's no reason you can't make the most of the ball and try to enjoy yourself, just as she would have."

"She had no intention of doing that," Marc pointed out. "That's how we got into this predicament."

"Marc, you know that's not entirely true," Aliana said.

Marc sighed and nodded. It was true; Keri had already made plans to attend the festival, and if it hadn't been for the Regent she would have been perfectly happy to attend the Grand Ball where she no doubt would have danced the night away. But he wasn't Keri, even if he was in her body, and he wasn't sure what Aliana and Enara were trying to tell him — or maybe he was and he just didn't like it.

"Exactly what is your point?" He asked with some irritation. "So I experience emotions, I feel things like Keri would. I still know who I really am."

"That is the point," Ali said. "With the amulet keeping your sense of self anchored, you're free to experience what it's like to be Keri without losing who you are. I know you didn't know what the amulet did, but don't you think Toranon and Mistara used it to learn more about each other … to experience things through each other?"

"I knew exactly what the amulet did," Marc said. "By the time I became Toranon's squire they had used it many times, and they were so good at assuming each other's roles that I couldn't even notice a difference. But they kept no secrets from me."

"So you know they let themselves experience life from the other side," Ali said.

"True, but their situation was very different. They were husband and wife; they wanted to experience all this. I don't want to know what it's like to be Keri or any other woman; I just want this to get through this as painlessly as possible."

"That's understandable," Enara said. "I know I would feel the same way in your place. But what you have to ask yourself is this; what will make this less painful for you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean?"

Aliana took his hand and said, "What she means is you can fight this, you can struggle with the feelings and emotions you'll naturally experience and make yourself miserable, or you can relax and try to have fun."

"I'm not sure I can do that," Marc said. "It feels wrong."

"We're not going to pressure you, Marc," Enara said. "Just think about it, please?"

"I will," Marc promised.

"That's all we ask," Ali said. "Now I think it's time we brought Stilnar in."

Marc's face clouded and he said, "If we must, but I swear if he laughs at me again I'm going to hit him!"

"He promised to be good," Enara said, rising and walking to the door. "We really don't have any choice if you're going to learn to dance."

"I know how to dance," Marc grumbled. "I just never expected to have to do it backwards and in high-heels."

When Stilnar entered the sitting room he wore a carefully neutral expression, though he appeared to be struggling to maintain it. Marc gave him a glare of warning as they assumed positions side-by-side in the center of the room. Stilnar held his left hand up and Marc laid his right on top as Ali started the music box.

The open position, processional-style dances were easy enough. The only thing Marc had to remember was to step in the opposite direction he was used to whenever they were facing one another. Knights were expected to be proficient in the courtly as well as military arts, and as Marc's squire Stilnar had been required to learn as well. It wouldn't have been that bad but Marc was certain his cousin was enjoying his predicament.

Though processional dancing was not practiced that much anymore it was traditional, and there would be several such dances at the Grand Ball. Most of the dances, however, would be free-form in the closed position, and it was these that made Marc most uncomfortable. With his left hand on Stilnar's shoulder and the squire's right hand on the small of Marc's back they had to stand very close together. Here the major concern was letting Stilnar lead, with Marc following his cues as they moved about the floor. They practiced several variations of the basic waltz at different tempos until Marc was comfortable being led around the floor.

"Very good, both of you," Ali said as they finished the last dance. "Let's take a short break and then we'll try the valse again."

Stilnar groaned and said, "My feet still hurt from her stepping all over them yesterday."

Marc glared angrily at his cousin for his choice of pronouns and the squire pretended not to notice.

"Stil, if you hope to spend anymore time with Deenara on this trip you'll behave," Ali threatened. She smiled smugly at his look of surprise over her knowledge that the pretty young handmaiden had been the squire's frequent bedmate during the Royal Progress.

The valse was similar to the waltz in timing but it was danced at a much faster tempo and the dancing pairs were in constant motion, spinning about the dance floor at dizzying speeds. Change steps were used to alter the direction of spin from clockwise to counterclockwise, and adding to the difficulty for Marc were the embellishments such as underarm turns and spins that he had to learn as the female partner.

"Now Marc, this is one of those times you need to let go a bit," Ali said as they returned to the dance floor. "The valse is Keri's favorite dance and she's very good at it. If you let it, her body will remember how to move."

"I'll try," Marc said.

Surprisingly it went quite well. Marc avoided stepping on Stilnar's feet and when he took Ali's advice and let go, he found his body moving into the dance steps quite readily. There really wasn't enough space in the sitting room to properly move about but they managed well enough. By the end of the dance Marc was actually enjoying himself, so much that as the music ended he added a formal curtsey to his partner in thanks.

"Well danced, Your Highness," Stilnar said as he lifted Marc's hand and kissed it.

"Don't get lost in the role, squire," Marc said, yanking his hand free and turning away. Aliana and Enara both saw the grin on his face, however.

Highkeep was situated atop a rocky plateau that formed the base of Mount Thornbarrow, providing the city with a very formidable natural defense. With the towering mountain behind the keep and a sheer drop of over a thousand feet on either side, the only viable approach for an assaulting army was up the steep, grassy slope that led to the valley below. The city's outer curtain wall was thick and in good repair, as was the keep itself, and there were ample stores to sustain the population through a long siege.

The defensive armaments were another matter. They were obsolete at best, and antiquated was actually a better description. Atop the walls were several dozen polybolos, a type of ballista that was fitted with a box-shaped magazine which held eight bolts the size of large spears. The mechanism was manually cranked, feeding a bolt into the firing well automatically and giving the weapon a much greater rate of fire, but it was still slow compared to more modern, magically powered weapons. On the ground behind the wall were several large trebuchets which could hurl huge, enchanted rocks that exploded on impact. They could be devastating weapons, but they were virtually useless against a fast moving force and though their range was considerable in a siege the enemy would simply stay well beyond their reach.

"Why weren't these weapons upgraded?" Keri wondered aloud. She and Garith had been touring the defenses and neither was pleased with what they found.

"They were," Garith said. "The Regent ordered the calliopes here transferred ta the frontier. The Baron had these brought out of storage."

"He was wise not to have them destroyed when the calliopes were installed," Keri said.

Calliopes, named for the musical instruments they resembled, consisted of two rows of eight steel tubes. Each tube had an interior diameter of six inches and could be loaded with a variety of projectiles. Their magically propelled projectiles had three times the range of a trebuchet and they could also be employed at very close range to devastating effect.

"One more thing to fix," Keri muttered.

"These weapons may be old but they'll give anyone that comes at us pause," Garith told her.

"If it comes to that," Keri said with a resigned sigh.

"We've seen what we needed ta see here," Garith said. "What say we find a place ta tilt back a few mugs. They make a fine lager here in Highkeep."

"I can't," Keri said. "I have to…."

"The evenin' watch is set and yer entitled to some free time," Garith said. He lowered his voice and added, "Ya know the Captain doesn't spend all his time in his quarters when he's not seein' ta you."

Keri grinned and said, "All right, lead the way Serjeant. I assume you already know of a proper establishment."

"That I do, lad, that I do," Garith chuckled.

The proper establishment was a pub not far from where the Royal Guard was being quartered. There were several off-duty guardsmen there when they arrived and the proprietor had the happy smile of a man whose business had seen a sudden upswing. He obviously was familiar with Garith, and even though Keri knew neither she nor Marc had ever seen the man before he greeted her, or rather Knight-Captain Marcan, enthusiastically by name and ushered them both to a table in the back.

As they made their way to the table the guardsmen present raised their mugs in greeting. Keri acknowledged each with a curt nod. She knew it was what Marc would have done, and she couldn’t help but think about how different it was living his life. If she had walked into a tavern filled with people she was as close to as Marc was to his men she would have greeted each with a hug and at least a bit of conversation.

"Men," she muttered after they were seated.

"What's that?" Garith asked.

"Nothing," she said. There was no point in getting into a discussion over the differences between men and women.

"What are we really doing here, Garith?"

In answer the serjeant's eyes shifted towards the door. Keri followed his gaze and saw Stilnar entering the tavern. She sighed as the squire caught sight of them and hesitated for an instant before continuing to the table. He still hadn't forgiven her for being in Marc's body.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Captain," the squire said as he sat down. "You haven't been much interested in socializing lately."

"I've had a lot on my mind," Keri said.

"I'm sure you have."

A barmaid arrived with three pints of dark lager. Her eyes remained focused on Keri as she set the mugs down, and when she placed one in front of the Princess she bent low, making it impossible for Keri not to get a good look at the ample bosom that was barely contained within the bodice of her bright red dress. When Keri reached for her belt pouch the maid smiled and shook her head, making her curly raven hair dance.

"Your coin is no good here, Sir Marcan," she said as she straightened up. "If you need anything at all, just let me know. My name's Safira."

Keri smiled and thanked the girl. She may not have had much experience being a man, but she knew there was much more to the bar maid's offer than just drinks. She had no intention of taking advantage of what was being offered, but there was no point in being rude either. When Safira left them she turned to Garith and shook her head.

"I had no idea Marc was so popular," she said. "The owner greeted me like we were old friends too, but I'm sure Marc has never met the man. I don't understand it."

"That's not surprising," Stilnar said.

Keri lifted her mug and took a big gulp of the cold lager and found it surprisingly good. Her taste went more to wine, but Marc obviously had great appreciation for a good brew.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked as she set her mug down rather forcefully. She'd just about had enough of the squire's attitude.

"You don't have any idea whose body you're walking around in," Stilnar said. "If you'd paid any kind of attention you'd know Marc is a hero in this kingdom. Have you forgotten he saved your father's life?"

"Keep yer voice down, lad," Garith warned. He cast a cautionary glance at Keri as well.

Keeping her voice low Keri replied, "I've forgotten nothing. I know what Marc did, now more than ever because I remember it like I was there. In case you've forgotten, the last time I was allowed to travel more than a league from Lockeshire I was barely twelve. I know he's well liked at home, but I've only seen him in public with me."

"So naturally you assumed it was all about you," Stilnar said. "You've never been anything but spoiled and selfish — how disappointed your parents would be if they could see you now." He saw the stricken look his words caused Keri and shook his head in disgust.

"Are you going to slap me again, or is the Princess going to start crying like a little girl now?"

"That'll be enough outta you," Garith said, slamming his mug to the table. "Speak like that again and it'll be my fist that knocks out a few o' yer teeth."

Stilnar directed his attention to his mug and Keri did the same, draining it in three huge gulps before signaling for Safira to bring another round. She knew what Garith was up to now — he had arranged this meeting in hopes that she and Stilnar could work out their differences. The problem was she couldn't in her heart fault the squire for the way he felt. She was halfway into her second mug before she spoke again.

"You're right, Stil, I have been selfish," she said. "You have every right to hate me, and there's nothing I can say that will make it any better. I never wanted to hurt Marc, or you, and I hope someday you can forgive me."

Stilnar's expression softened somewhat, but it was apparent he wasn't ready to forgive her yet. There was nothing more Keri could do, however, so drained her mug and then rose to her feet.

"I'll say good night then."

"We'll see ya in the morning, lad," Garith said.

Keri left the tavern and made her way back to the Baronial Manor. Her quarters were just down the hall from the Royal Suite, a tiny room that seemed all that much smaller because she was in Marc's body. The guardsmen stationed outside the 'Princess's' door snapped to attention as she passed and Keri acknowledged them with a nod. She could hear the sound of laughter from within and it felt like a dagger in her heart.

Once in her small room she removed her sword belt and stripped out of her doublet, then sat heavily on the bed. She ran her hands through her close-cropped hair and thought how much she missed her own long golden mane. She missed her body, her emotions, her life, but most of all she missed her friends. All her life she had been surrounded by people almost constantly, and though she had often times complained loudly about the lack of privacy, she knew she really craved that attention.

With a resigned sigh she rose and finished stripping down for bed. She put on a long nightshirt and then slipped beneath the covers and closed her eyes. It was a long time before she finally drifted into a fitful sleep.

CHAPTER 26

Roughly eighty miles southwest of Lockeleigh was Crater Lake, a deep, lozenge-shaped lake almost twenty-five miles long and half that wide. Surrounded on three sides by the towering rim of the great crater formed when a large fragment of the shattered moon Manthra crashed to earth, Crater Lake was the home of the Academy, which was constructed on the thirty square-mile island in the lake's center.

Besides being Trimaria's premier center of higher education the Academy was home to the guild halls, and this was why Master Talisin had returned. He had met with the principals of most of the guilds over the past two days and received assurances that they were all firmly in support of the Princess. Only one meeting was left, but it was arguably the most important.

"Tally, it's so good to see you," Guild Mistress Sybilla greeted the old sage as he entered her study. "You're away from the academy so much these days."

Though well into her eighth decade, the principal of the Guild of Mages looked like a woman barely into her forties. While magic couldn't significantly extend one's lifespan significantly it could forestall the visible manifestations of time and it was only considered a minor indulgence of vanity to do so. Quite frankly Talisan found no fault in a woman as lovely as Sybilla preserving her beauty.

"It pleases me to see you again as well, Sybilla," Talisin said as he lowered himself into the chair she offered. "I assume you're aware of the purpose of my visit."

"I haven't been spying on you with my crystal ball," Sybilla said with a melodious laugh. "I do know you've met with the other guild masters to gauge their support for the Princess, however. You know the Academy is a hotbed of gossip."

"Quite," Talisin said. "You understand I mean no disrespect with my inquiries. Recent events have caused the Princess concern, and she seeks to know where the guilds stand, especially your guild."

Sybilla nodded, well aware that her guild was considered to be the most influential. Trimarian society relied heavily on magic, far more than any other realm on Andarel, save perhaps the kingdom of the elves which was more legend than fact. Because of the abundant veins of manthracite ore within Trimaria, more than any other kingdom in the known world, virtually every Trimarian had at least some magical aptitude.

"The Guild of Mages supports the Princess completely," Sybilla assured him. "She is not only our liege, she is a member of our guild. Surely you didn't doubt that?"

"No, I didn't," Talisin admitted. "It is good to hear you affirm it, however. These are dark times, and I fear they may become darker still."

"So why have you really come to see me, old friend?"

Talisin reached into his belt pouch and withdrew the tracking charm. He passed the crystal to Sybilla and allowed her to examine it for a moment. When she turned a questioning gaze to him, he explained its origin.

"That was recovered from the body of the orc assassin that tried to kill Her Highness. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me all you can discern about it."

The mage's face darkened as she immediately realized the implications of the charm. She studied it more closely, taking a magnifying lens from her desk to view it better. After several minutes she set the glass and the charm down and sighed.

"It appears to be a manufactured quartz crystal," she said. "It's too perfect to have formed naturally, though I'd have to consult with Master Jared of the Jewelers Guild to be certain. The lock of hair was magically infused into the crystal rather than having the crystal formed about it, a process that requires a great deal of skill. Have you positively determined that the hair is Her Highness's?"

Talisin shook his head and said, "It seems unlikely it could be anyone else's."

"Did you by chance bring some strands to compare?"

Talisin smiled and produced a small vial with several strands of hair. Sybilla took the vial and emptied the contents into one hand then grasped the crystal in the other. She closed her eyes for a moment, silently reciting the words of an incantation. A brief flash of light manifested within her closed fists as the spell was cast.

"It is the Princess's hair," she said. "If you'll allow me to hold onto this charm I can try and determine who may have enchanted it. When will you be returning to the Princess?"

"Not for several days," Talisin said. "I have some research to conduct in my own hall. Do you think it likely you can identify the enchanter?"

"Magic does leave a residual imprint unique to the caster," Sybilla said. "We have records of these signatures for mages that have been disciplined in the past for violating the laws regarding the use of magic. If this was made by one of them I will find out. I should have an answer for you one way or another in three days at the most. I'll handle this personally … it would be best to keep this discreet I believe."

"I concur," Talisin said, rising from his chair. "Please forgive me for rushing off, but I do have quite a lot of reading to do."

"Of course," Sybilla said, rising as well. She walked over to the sage and kissed him on the cheek, then drew back and smiled.

"If you have the time, would you join me for dinner this evening?"

"It would be my honor," Talisin said. He took Sybilla's hand and bowed slightly and then turned and left the office.

Now that the political part of his mission was accomplished he could turn his attention to the real reason he had wanted to return to the Academy. He knew a great deal about the Amulet of Kessil; it was he who had originally identified the artifact for Queen Mistara, but there were many questions that had never been answered. None of the tomes he had consulted those many years ago had contained any information on the origins of the amulet — who had created it and for what purpose.

It seemed inconceivable that there could be no record of who had created such a powerful item. There were other records, within the sealed archives of his guild hall, which might provide more answers however. But if they were there, then they had to have been sealed for a reason, and that was what Talisin had to find out.

Once he was inside Sage Hall he made his way to the archives located in the basement. He passed through row upon row of books until he reached the back of the huge chamber. Set into the wall was a large ironwood door that literally hummed with magical energy. Talisin took an ornate key from his pouch and inserted it into the lock and then disappeared into the room beyond to find the answers he sought.

CHAPTER 27

Their last day at Highkeep was a busy one as preparations were made to travel to Wallkeep. There was little concern over safety — the only really dangerous part of the trip would be the ride to the transport spires. Because the mountains that the keep was nestled in were rich with manthracite the spires were over three leagues away. Though the spires used the currents of magical energy created by the veins of ore that ran beneath the soil of Trimaria, particularly dense deposits disrupted the pathways. To ensure no orcs that may be lingering in the area dared challenge them they would have an escort of a full battalion of infantry and heavy cavalry to the Highkeep spires.

Marc spent much of the afternoon with Keri, drafting a response to a second demand from the Regent that the Princess return to the Palace. They worded it very carefully, stating that in the opinion of the Royal Heir the situation had not changed. The countryside was no more or less dangerous than it had been when the Royal Progress was proposed, and since the Regent had seen fit to support it at that time, her request was respectfully denied.

"It's hard to believe it's been barely a week," Marc said after they had finished the letter.

"Sometimes it feels like years," Keri said.

Marc put a sympathetic hand on Keri's arm and smiled. It was almost as if he could feel her pain. He had noticed over the days since their swap that he seemed to be more empathic, but whether that was because Keri had some innate abilities for reading emotions or simply because as a female he was more in touch with them he wasn't certain. At any rate he didn't need any special insight to know she missed the life she was so used to. If she had swapped with Aliana as they had intended she would still have been very much a part of it, but now she was on the outside looking in.

"I'm sorry, Keri," he said.

"For what?" Keri asked. "I have no one to blame but myself for this mess."

Marc shook his head and said, "You're wrong, it's as much my fault as it is yours. If I hadn't been so obsessed with keeping you safe, if I had just given you some space, none of this would have happened."

"No, you were fulfilling your duty to my parents," Keri said. "Even though I haven't said it nearly as often as I should, I do appreciate all you've done for me."

"I've always known that," Marc said. "You're right, I was fulfilling my oath to your father, but what I failed to realize is that oath died with him. I should have been fulfilling my duty to you."

"I guess we both have our own reasons to feel guilty," Keri said. "Let's make a pact. When this is over we start fresh. For my part, I promise there'll be no more deception, and that I'll become the Princess I should be."

"And I promise to let you be the young woman you are," Marc said, "Within reason, of course."

Keri smiled but it looked very forced.

"I need to check on the troops," she said as she rose. "I'll see you in the morning."

Later that evening Marc and Aliana had a quiet dinner in the sitting room. He had shooed Enara off so she could spend the evening with Elyssa and all but one of the handmaidens had been dismissed for the night.

"Bealla, would you excuse us please," Marc told the young woman after she returned from placing the cart laden with dirty dishes in the hall. "I have something to discuss with Aliana in private. I'll send for you when we're finished."

"Of course, Highness."

The handmaiden curtsied and left the chamber. Aliana looked at Marc expectantly, wondering what he wanted to talk about.

"I'm worried about Keri," Marc said.

Aliana nodded solemnly and said, "I am too. Not to belittle what you've gone through, but I think this is much harder on her."

"I agree completely," Marc said. "I've also given a lot of thought to what you said about relaxing and letting myself enjoy this as much as possible."

"I think it would be very good for you," Aliana told him. "You'll be much less stressed."

"I think the same thing applies to you and Keri."

Ali cocked her head to the side and looked at him curiously. "I don't understand."

"This has been just as hard on you," Marc said. "I may be in Keri's body, but you know I'm not her. You've been a wonderful help to me, but I know you miss her as much as she misses you. It makes it even worse that she's so close all the time and yet so far away."

"It's not like we've ever been … intimate," Ali said.

"That's because Keri is so terrified to take off this ring," Marc said, holding his right hand up and wiggling the ring finger. "She wants to be with you and at the same time she's afraid to."

Aliana nodded. "Sometimes I think she's afraid she'll be like me. You know I have a well deserved reputation for, well, sleeping around."

"And how much of that is because you can't be with the person you want?" Marc asked. Aliana didn't answer, and he reached over to squeeze her hand.

"Keri isn't here, Ali. She's in my body."

"Marc … what are you saying?"

Marc squeezed her hand more tightly and said, "I'm saying go to her. I know how lonely she is, how strange all this is for her. And I know it's just as lonely for you. She needs you, and you need her."

"You can't be serious," Ali said. "Are you giving us permission to … to…."

"To experience your love like you may never be able to again," Marc said.

"Marc, I appreciate the offer, but Keri will never agree," Ali told him.

Marc gave her a mischievous grin. "Come on Ali, you were trained by the finest courtesan in the kingdom. I seriously doubt she could resist you."

Despite herself Aliana grinned and said, "You know I have entertained thoughts of trying to seduce you … when you were yourself. I couldn't do it of course."

"Now you can," Marc said. "I'll be left with the pleasant memory of the encounter when we swap back, without the guilt of having actually been part of it."

"So you're saying I would have succeeded?"

"Absolutely not," Marc said, "but I would have been tempted. You can't tell me you haven't thought of the possibility since we swapped."

"Maybe once or twice," Ali said. Marc cocked his head and looked down his exquisitely shaped nose at her in perfect mimicry of Keri's 'stink-eye' and she shook her head and laughed.

"All right, I've thought of almost nothing else."

"Then get out of here!" Marc snapped playfully. "We won't be leaving for the spires until tomorrow afternoon. I'll send word to Garith and let him know Knight-Captain Marcan will be off duty until noon."

Aliana rose and walked over to him, bending down to kiss him on the cheek.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Keri was just about to climb into bed when the door to her room opened. She turned to see who had the temerity to enter without knocking but there was no one there. She knew that the door had not just opened on its own, however, and made a quick move for her sword as it swung shut.

"You won't be needing that, love," a familiar voice said.

An instant later Aliana became visible as she dropped her invisibility spell. She had a long cloak wrapped tightly about her and her chestnut hair was loose, flowing about her shoulders and framing her lovely face. The only light in the room was from the hearth stone, its warm glow creating a romantic atmosphere.

"Ali what are you doing here?" she asked. "Is Marc all right?"

"He looks fine from where I'm standing," Ali said with a coy grin. "As for the Princess, she is just fine."

"Then what...?"

Ali let the cloak fall away, revealing that she was dressed only in a short chemise that barely reached her knees, not that it mattered. It was made of a diaphanous material that was almost transparent, revealing her lithe body. She walked over to Keri slowly, her hips swaying provocatively.

"Ali, what are you up to?" Keri said, backpedaling in surprise. "If Marc finds out…."

"Marc knows," Ali said. Keri stopped in her tracks and stared in disbelief.

"I'm here by Royal Command you could say," Ali continued as she stepped closer. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too," Keri said, placing her hands on Ali's shoulders to stop her, "but we can't do this."

Ali stopped, reaching down with one hand to Keri's crotch. There was no hiding the evidence there, and she looked up with a smile.

"Your mouth says no but this says yes," she giggled. She gave an experimental squeeze and added, "Maybe not huge, but very, very large."

"I wouldn't know, I don't have your vast experience to compare it too," Keri said. She instantly regretted the words as Ali tuned away, but not before the Princess saw the hurt in her eyes.

"Ali, I'm sorry. I'm just … I'm just confused. I didn't mean it."

"Do you love me?" Ali asked without turning.

"Yes," Keri told her. "You know I do."

Ali turned, tears trailing down her cheeks and said, "Then show me! When the next full moon comes you'll be back where you belong, and that fragging ring will keep us apart. It could be years before you're ready to take it off. I want to be with you while I can."

Keri moved close and placed her hands on Ali's shoulders again as she said, "But this isn't me."

"It is, in here," Ali said, pressing her hand to Keri's chest. "When I look at Marc in your body, I feel nothing. But I feel you, right here, right now."

Keri was silent for a long moment as they stared into each other's eyes. Finally she said, "You know I've never … I mean not even in my own body."

"Marc has," Ali said. "It'll come to you. We'll take it slow and we don't have to go any further than you want. If it gets to be too much, just tell me and we'll let things cool off."

"I … I don't know," Keri stuttered. "Shard knows I want you, Ali, but I don't know if I can…."

Ali rose on her toes, pulling Keri's head down and silencing her with a kiss. Keri was hesitant at first but Ali didn't let up, and soon the Princess felt herself growing warm. Her hands seemed to rise of their own volition to cradle Ali's head and she bent low, returning the kiss with increasing passion.

She felt Ali pulling her towards the bed, their lips never parting as they lowered themselves down until they were sitting. It all felt very surreal and yet so very right, and any lingering concerns the Princess had were rapidly dwindling as the fire of passion kindled within her.

"I'm glad you don't have a hairy chest," Ali said as she slipped her hand through the V-neck of Keri's night shirt and caressed the smooth, hard muscles. "I never cared for hairy men."

They kissed for a long time with increasing passion, Ali letting Keri proceed at her own pace. Eventually she slipped her right hand down and began to caress Ali's soft, round breast through the fabric of her chemise. Ali moaned in pleasure as Keri brushed her nipple.

"That's right, love, slow and gentle," Ali whispered.

Emboldened, Keri slipped the chemise off Ali's shoulder and then lowered her onto the bed. She began planting soft kisses on and around the nipple, flicking it with the tip of her tongue as it hardened under her attention. Ali continued to moan and whisper words of encouragement, arching her back and thrusting her breast into Keri's mouth as she began to suck gently.

"Oh yes, Keri, just like that love!" Ali cried.

As their foreplay continued, Keri found it less and less strange. Marc was no stranger to sex, and Keri had explored her own desires in private many times. Her knowledge of what a woman liked and Marc's experience in lovemaking, coupled with Ali's increasingly enthusiastic responses drove her on, banishing any lingering awkwardness.

As she continued her oral ministrations, she slipped Ali's chemise off her other shoulder and then pulled the garment down, tossing it away as Ali pulled her feet free. She lowered her right hand slowly, tracing a line down Ali's abdomen until she found the soft, moist folds of flesh between her legs. Ali's eyes snapped open and she let out a long cry of pleasure as Keri's finger slipped inside her.

"Don't worry," Ali told her breathlessly when she saw the worried look on her lover's face. "I put a barrier around the room so no one will hear us. I can get pretty loud."

Keri grinned and turned her attention to seeing just how loud she could make Ali get. The throbbing of her maleness was quite distracting, demanding that she quench it, but her female instincts told her to wait, that it wasn't time yet. More than anything, she wanted this to be enjoyable for Ali so she continued teasing, probing, driving her lover to greater heights.

A memory of Marc's surfaced, both disturbing and inspiring. She shook off the questions for another time and began kissing her way from Ali's breast, down her stomach, pausing at her navel to tease the enchanted bauble that dangled there. When she reached her vulva and began licking at the soft folds Ali's vocalization reached a new height.

"Shards Keri," she cried. "That feels so … so good."

Keri felt Ali's hand on her head, grasping her by the hair almost painfully. Her lover's back arched and she let out a series of inarticulate cries as she climaxed. Ali's body tensed as the orgasm washed over her, causing her to shudder repeatedly. Then her cries subsided into soft moans and she released her grip. Keri pulled herself back up and kissed Ali, her hand drifting back to where her lips had been a moment ago.

"Oh no," Ali said, pushing her hand away, "now it's my turn."

With practiced ease Ali grasped the hem of Keri's nightshirt and pulled it up over her head. Now it was Keri's turn to moan in pleasure as Ali emulated her, kissing her way down the muscular chest and abdomen of Marc's body. When her soft lips began tenderly kissing Keri's semi-rigid member the Princess sucked in a sharp breath as she was flooded by sensations unlike anything she had ever felt. Then she felt her manhood surrounded by warm wetness and watched in surreal awe as Ali's head bobbed up and down, coaxing her to full erection.

In short order Ali ceased her oral stimulation and crawled up to straddle Keri. She reached down with her right hand to adjust the position of the Princess's stiff member until its tip was poised at her wet, ready opening. Then she lowered herself slowly, her eyes widening and her mouth forming an O.

"It's better this way for the first time," she said. "You really are … big."

Keri barely nodded, her mind awash with pleasure as she entered Ali. She had imagined their first time on numerous occasions but had never dreamed it would be like this. As Ali began riding her, the Princess noted with some interest that it no longer felt in any way strange — she still knew who she really was but for now she felt totally and wonderfully male.

Ali began working herself faster and faster as her vagina became accustomed to the size of Keri's member. The Princess reached up and fondled her breasts, then pulled her lower so that she could kiss and suck them. Ali's cries of pleasure became screams of bliss, culminating with her second climax. She collapsed onto Keri's chest as her vaginal muscles clenched repeatedly.

Without breaking contact Keri rolled them over and began thrusting, gently at first but with increasing force and speed as Ali encouraged her. Despite her exertions she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the expression on Ali's face, the look of pure, primal joy in her eyes. Knowing that she was causing that gave her a sense of profound pleasure that went far beyond the physical sensations she was feeling.

She could tell that Ali was close to a third orgasm, and she felt her own climax near. Her entire world seemed to compress into that building pressure, every sensation focusing on her maleness. They reached their peak together, both crying out in unison and for an instant Keri couldn't discern where she ended and Ali began as their bodies truly became one flesh. She convulsed as her seed flowed into her friend and lover, and with that release came an awareness she hadn't known since the transfer. She felt the aether, full and unfettered as though she were in her own body. Ali felt it too, her eyes growing wide as she cried out and gripped Keri's back so hard that her nails bit into the flesh.

The moment was both eternal and fleeting, and when it passed they collapsed together. They lay with their sweat soaked bodies entwined for several minutes, gazing into each other's eyes in wonder. Even if they could have found their voices, there were no words to describe what they had just felt.

Aliana finally spoke, her words still punctuated by heavy breaths.

"Keri that was … that was…." She struggled to get the words out but her body shuddered again and she closed her eyes and moaned.

"Did I do all right?" Keri asked.

"All right?" Ali giggled. "Love, you were amazing! The question is, how did it feel to you?"

"It was incredible," Keri said. "For a moment there, I didn't feel strange at all. I mean I want my body back, but for a time it didn't seem to matter so much. And when I climaxed I felt myself fully open to the aether again."

"And now?"

"It's distant again, but not as much as it was before," Keri said.

Ali raised up on one elbow so she could look down into Keri's eyes.

"Do you think you're spirit is affecting Marc's physical connection to the aether?"

"Probably," Keri said. "I imagine my body is doing the same thing to Marc's spiritual connection."

"I suppose that makes sense," Ali said. "Early magic training focuses on strengthening the weaker of the two connections to the level of the stronger. If you two stayed in each other's bodies long enough, Marc could end up as powerful as you."

Keri rolled her eyes and said, "That is not going to happen. Even if I was willing to do that for Marc, he would never agree to it, and I want my body back. This has helped me make a decision though."

"Oh really," Ali said, snuggling down against her lover's chest. "What's that?"

"I want to be with you in my own body," Keri said. "I'm not talking about waiting until I grow out of my elevated sex drive. I know I can trust you to not let me get totally out of control."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely," Keri told her.

"That makes me so happy," Ali said. She lifted up again and kissed Keri before continuing.

"For now, though, you are in this body, and the night is still young…."

CHAPTER 29

For the first time since the night of the full moon, Marc felt almost normal — almost. Gone were the soft undergarments and long dresses, replaced by the glittering armor of the Princess of Trimaria. He had been quite pleased when Keri had told him her intention to enter Wallkeep in full battle regalia. The city was the staging point for the war after all, and it was only fitting that they see that Trimaria had a true Warrior Princess.

Of course, it wasn't exactly like his own armor. The sculpted breast plate of manthracite steel only emphasized the curves that were still so strange to him, and even clad in matching articulated gauntlets his hands looked terribly small and delicate. The armor was also considerably lighter than the chain of the Royal Guard, even with the breast plate. The magical enchantments woven about it made it both light and durable — though extremely pretty the armor was not just for show. The only piece missing was the full face helm, which wasn't appropriate for the occasion. In its place he wore Keri's most elegant coronet, made of silver trimmed in gold, its eight points inset with large Trimarian rubies.

It was the coronet that bothered him the most — it just didn't feel right that he should wear it. Despite the body he was in, he was not the Royal Heir, and wearing her coronet was contrary to everything he had devoted his life to.

~ It can't be helped, so I'll just have to deal with it. ~

Just ahead of him Keri sat astride his warhorse, Garith and Stilnar to either side. That was something else that felt odd — sitting in the saddle of the Princess's much smaller thoroughbred. Keri's body was long-legged enough that he could have ridden a war horse, but that would have been out of character. Unlike the horses of the Guardsmen, the runner bore no barding, just decorative purple and silver livery emblazoned with the Royal Arms.

Keri turned and gave him a smile and Marc felt the oddest sensation of all. He had never considered himself particularly handsome, but as he looked at his own body, he saw it as the Princess saw him, as a woman saw him, and it caused a stirring within that was most disturbing, and yet imminently — satisfying.

~ I suppose I make a rather dashing figure after all. ~

Keri made a signal with her hand and she and the vanguard of twelve Guardsmen plus the standard bearers moved forward from the staging area near the Wallkeep spires, followed by Marc and behind him the rest of the escort. The city actually surrounded the spires and a wide stone roadway led to the keep itself. As they began moving the clack of shod hooves on stone reverberated from the surrounding buildings and sent a thrill through him that caused Marc to shiver.

Like most of the other baronial fortresses, the keep itself was not very large. What was unique about Wallkeep was of course Riala's Wall. The keep was built around the Great Gate, which was the only access through the wall. Over the years the city had grown up around the keep, eventually encompassing the transport spires. The population was around ten thousand, which didn't include the troops assigned to man the wall or the units that were regularly rotated from the frontier for rest.

It seemed as though every citizen was lining the streets cheering. Thousands of small Trimarian pennants waved in the hands of the people, and Marc was not ashamed at all as he felt tears on his cheeks as he was overwhelmed by the display. He knew it was really for the Princess but that didn't lessen the emotional impact.

The parade route took them along Wallkeep's main thoroughfare, through the gate in the outer curtain wall to where the Baronial Manor sat atop a small rise. From the towers of the Baronial Manor it was possible to see over the wall, allowing a commander to manage the defense of the city.

As Mark reached steps of the Baronial Manoy he reigned in his mount, wheeling to face the people of the city. He drew the longsword sheathed at his right hip and raised it above his head, spurring the horse and pulling back on the reins. The thoroughbred responded, rising on its hind legs and pawing the air with its front hooves as it neighed shrilly. A thunderous cheer rose from both the civilians and the troops behind him.

It hadn't been planned; but the reaction of the crowd told Marc it had been the right thing to do. The Princess had been hidden from her people for too long, and he had been a party to that. In his desire to fulfill his oath to protect her, he had done the people of the kingdom a terrible disservice.

Marc sheathed the sword and dismounted as a tall woman with fiery red hair descended the steps. She dipped low in a formal curtsey then rose to face him, her amber eyes seeming to burn like coals.

"Welcome to Wallkeep, Your Highness," Baroness Gisells Olivara said. "Your presence honors us beyond words."

"The honor is mine, Excellency," Marc said. "Wallkeep has long guarded the borders of Trimaria, and it is past due that I should pay my respects."

Marc tried to read something, anything, in the baroness's eyes that would give him a clue as to where her loyalties lay. He couldn't detect anything beyond a hint of amusement perhaps, and he knew that Keri would likely have been able to discern more. If the Baroness was an enemy, he certainly couldn't tell just by looking at her.

"Your quarters are ready, Highness," the Baroness said. "I'm sure you must be fatigued after riding so long in that armor."

"I find it quite comfortable," Marc said with a smile. "It would be nice to get settled, however."

"Of course," the Baroness said. "My chamberlain will show you the way."

He resisted the urge to turn and make sure Aliana and Enara had fallen into step behind him as the chamberlain led them into the manor. He knew they were there, and to look might be interpreted, quite rightly, as if he were feeling insecure. After entering the foyer the chamberlain led them to the right, down a wide corridor to a set of large double-doors. Two Royal Guardsmen assumed positions on either side of the doors as Marc passed through into a spacious hall and followed the chamberlain up a set of stairs to the third floor.

Wallkeep was a more modern city than Highkeep, and as such the Baronial Manor had been built with quarters specifically for the Crown. The entire north wing was set aside for such, and the accommodations on the upper floor were nearly the equal of the Royal Quarters at the Palace. While the handmaidens set about arranging the large sitting room, Aliana and Enara accompanied Marc into his bedchamber. As soon as the door was closed he turned to them, a pleading look in his eyes.

"Get me out of this armor, please!" Marc begged as he pulled of his gauntlets. "My tits feel like they're being squashed flat!"

Ali and Enara looked at each other wide-eyed for a moment and then both burst into laughter. Marc glared at them for a moment before giving in to his own laughter. The vulgarity of his words was so unlike the behavior of a proper Princess — and so very like Keri.

"I would have thought you'd like that, considering how much you've complained about them," Enara said as she started working the buckles of the breast plate.

"I'd like them to be smaller," Marc said between giggles, "not flattened for hours in a steel box. It's very uncomfortable."

"I don't doubt it," Ali told him. "Keri had this made over a year ago and she's … expanded a bit since then."

"Then why By the Fragment didn't she have a new one made?" Marc asked, letting out a sigh as Ali and Enara removed the breast plate. "Don't answer that," he continued before Ali could speak. "She didn't because I insisted she didn't need armor … that it was too dangerous for her to go anywhere near the fighting."

"You were just concerned for her safety, Marc," Ali said, motioning for him to sit on the bed. Once he was seated they removed the steel vambraces from his forearms and then he raised his arms above his head and leaned forward so they could pull the chain mail hauberk off, eliciting a squeal from him as some of his hair caught in the links.

"And she just wanted to see her kingdom and her people," Marc said as he righted himself. "Ali, if we … if I hadn't been so insistent on keeping her locked behind the walls of Lockeleigh, do you think we'd be where we are now? Please be honest."

"I'd have to say no, I don't Marc," Ali admitted. "But remember it wasn't just you. The Regent felt the same way, at least until recently."

Marc didn't answer, knowing how the Regent's actions made her look. For six years she had adamantly argued against the Princess leaving the area around Lockeshire, and Marc had supported her. It was one of the few issues they agreed on. In light of the attack, her sudden decision that Keri should attend the festival and her approval of the Royal Progress made her look very suspect. Marc adamantly refused to believe she would ever seek to harm her niece however.

Enara loosened the laces on his leather jerkin and pulled it off and Marc fell back onto the bed, rubbing his breast and sighing once more. He quickly realized what he was doing and sat back up, blushing brightly.

"You're a little chaffed," Ali said. "I've got some salve that will take care of that."

As Ali went to get the ointment, Enara took Marc's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"I know I've only been around for a short time," she said, "but I believe you had only the Princess's well being in mind. What's done is done, Marc, all we can do is learn from things and move forward."

"You're right, of course," Marc said. "You're pretty wise for seventeen."

"Eighteen!" Enara protested, and then smacked him on the shoulder when he grinned to show her he really hadn't forgotten that her birthday had been just before they left on the Progress.

Ali returned with a small jar in hand and set it on the table next to the bed. Then she and Enara helped remove his boots, greaves and finally the mail pants and the leather trousers beneath them. Marc didn't even protest as they pulled away his sweat soaked braies — he just settled back on the bed again, his arms raised over his head as the cool air caressed his body. It just felt so good to be naked he pushed aside his usual discomfort and enjoyed it.

"I think he's just happy he got to wear boy underpants for a change," Enara giggled.

"If I hadn't I'd be chafed on my … backside too," Marc replied.

"You should bathe before I apply the salve," Ali told him. "I'll fill the tub for you."

"That sounds nice," Marc said with another sigh.

Two hours later Marc was dressed in a simple but elegant dress sipping tea in the sitting room when Master Talisin arrived. The old sage had a very serious expression on his face as he entered the Royal Quarters, and was carrying a large, leather bond tome. Marc dismissed all the girls except for Ali and Nara, and then sent for Keri. Once she had arrived, the sage gave them a full report of his meetings with the guild principals and that all had pledged their support to the Princess.

"I wasn't really worried, but it is a relief to hear it," Keri said.

"I have more news as well," Talisin said, patting the tome in his hands. "I did some research in the sealed archives, and I found this volume which records the origins of the Amulet of Kessil. This book was locked away over eight hundred years ago by order of the Crown, with the endorsement of the Council of Barons and Guilds."

"That's very unusual," Keri said. Trimaria was a society not accustomed to state secrets.

"There was good reason for it," the sage told them. "The order explains why I did not uncover this information when I researched the amulet for your parents. Once I had found the description of its function, and found no indication of any danger, I didn't pursue the matter by examining the sealed records. That was a grievous over-sight on my part — I should have been suspicious when there was no indication of who crafted the amulet."

"Did you discover some danger about the amulet?" Marc asked, his hand rising to clutch the artifact. "Is that why the records were sealed?"

"Not directly, no," Talisin said. "The amulet was created by King Alanon, a powerful sorcerer."

Keri made a snorting sound of distaste. "He was also somewhat of a pig I'm ashamed to say. His reign was a blight on our family tree. He was … well perverse is putting it kindly."

"Indeed," Talisin said. "His affinity for young women, even after he was married and on the throne, was not that unusual, but his behavior with them was."

"I remember from your lessons that he was a very ineffective ruler," Enara said. "The kingdom was nearly ruined financially due to his excesses. I don't recall anything else though."

"He reveled in torturing his bedmates," Keri said with disgust. "It's not exactly secret knowledge, but it's not something we like to talk about. Why did he create the amulet though?"

"That is where the story gets interesting," Talisin said. "You see the Alanon we know from history is not the real Alanon at all."

They all waited in anticipation as the sage opened the book to a marked page. He studied the text for a moment, shaking his head in wonder.

"Apparently Alanon had never felt comfortable as a man," Talisin said. "From the time he was a young lad, he expressed a desire to be a girl."

Ali looked surprised and said, "That's rare but not unheard of. There are spells available to help people like that."

Keri shook her head. "Not when they're the heir to the kingdom. In his time succession was through the eldest male. It wasn't until about two hundred years later that the law was changed to allow the sovereign to choose which child, regardless of gender, would succeed them."

"Precisely," Talisin said. "Alanon had no male siblings, so abdication was out of the question. He was forced to live his life in a body he loathed."

"You're saying that those stories of his many mistresses were really him?" Marc asked. "He used the amulet to swap with them so he could be female?"

"It appears so," Talisin said. "Afterwards, he used a spell to erase their memories of the amulet and the exchange, so that they believed they had been the female all along. His queen, Naioma, knew of his activities, and helped him keep everything secret. It all would have been fairly harmless had he not met a young woman named Tishia.

"Tishia was not particularly adept with magic, but she had some modest talent. She was also very ambitious. Once she and Alanon had swapped, however, she had access to far more power. She used that power, and the King's greater knowledge. After removing the amulet she cast a spell that erased Alanon's memories of his true self. She then sent him away from the Palace and set about living his life. She also erased Naioma's memories, not only of her exchange with Alanon, but of everything regarding the amulet."

"So it was her, not him, that nearly ruined the kingdom," Keri seethed.

"And ruined many lives," Talisin said. "She was undone, however. Perhaps Alanon's spirit was too strong, or perhaps she had made a mistake in casting the spell. Whatever the reason, Alanon's memories eventually began to resurface. He wisely didn't confront her directly, but approached the Mage's Council, and after magical examinations his story was confirmed. The Barons and the Guilds took action, quietly deposing the King in favor of his eldest son. Prince Gregor was born before Alanon used the amulet with Tishia, so the line of succession remained unbroken."

"What became of Alanon and Tishia?" Enara asked.

"They were never restored to their proper bodies," Talisin replied. "The usurper was stripped of both power and mind by the Mage's Council and left to live out his days as little more than a child in the body of an adult.

"As for Alanon, by the time he recovered his memories, he had lived for many years as Tishia, and had married and borne several children. I suspect that even had Tishia not removed the amulet and broken the spiritual anchor, he would still have chosen to remain as he was. By all accounts, the new Tishia had a quiet, happy life and lived to a very old age."

"It's no wonder the records were sealed," Marc said. "If this were known, it could call into question the entire line of succession. Even though Gregor was born before the swap, someone would have surely tried to use the incident to cause trouble."

"That is exactly why our current situation must be kept hidden," Talisin said. He hesitated for a moment and then continued, "There is one more important detail. As Tishia, Alanon married a young warrior named Pytor Demos … your ancestor Marc. While you and the Princess aren't related by blood, you are by spirit."

A long uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Marc's face was impassive while Aliana and Enara bore expressions that alternated between amazement and shock. It was Keri who finally broke the silence.

"I think I've felt that all along," she said.

Marc smiled and nodded. "I feel the same." His smile became a mischievous grin as he added, "Only my real little sister could have been as annoying as you."

"So the amulet was locked away in the Palace treasury until Mother found it?" Keri asked.

"No, it resurfaced again in the time of Queen Riala," Talisin said. "As you know, Riala had four children, all male and all likely from different fathers. Her oldest sons, Tristin and Leronel, were killed in battle during the orc wars. After the Wall was completed she had two more sons, Lornis and Baltor. Lornis was the eldest, a powerful mage while Baltor was a warrior like his mother."

"Lornis was also quite mad," Keri said. "He feared that Riala intended to name Baltor as her successor, which she probably did, and he plotted to have his brother killed."

"That is what is recorded in the official records," Talisin said. "What really happened is Lornis tricked his brother into swapping bodies with him by claiming the Amulet of Kessil would make Baltor an invincible warrior. Once they had swapped, he over powered Baltor, bound and gagged him and then waited for the assassins he had already hired to come for him. Since he knew of the attack it was quite easy to thwart, and the two assassins were captured. Under questioning they revealed who had hired them, and Lornis brought his brother back to Lockeshire where he was tried for treason."

"But Lornis was banished for his crime," Marc said. "Are you saying it was really Baltor?"

"Fortunately no. Of course Baltor had been loudly proclaiming his true identity but no one believed him, except for Riala. She knew her favorite son too well, and Lornis was not able to fool her. They were returned to their proper bodies and Lornis was driven through the Great Gate in Riala's Wall."

"With all the trouble it caused, why wasn't the amulet destroyed?" Enara wondered.

"It's not that easy to destroy something so powerful," Keri said. "It can be quite dangerous in fact — artifacts like the amulet are imbued with a lot of power."

"At least Lornis got what he deserved," Ali said. "Camron was infested with orcs then, and they would have had no love for a son of Riala. I imagine they made short work of him."

"I'm afraid not," Talisin said. "Mistress Sybilla was able to identify the mage that created the tracking charm. There can be no doubt it was enchanted by Lornis. He is alive and apparently seeking to undermine the House of Lockeleigh."

"Well, I don't think we can pack another thing in the coach," Grand Master Odon said as he entered his wife's office at the back of her shop.

"And less than half of it is ours," Grand Mistess Elena said with a smile. The smile faded quickly, however, and she added, "I wish we could have left days ago."

"As do I," her husband said, his large hand gently caressing her shoulder. "Ali and Keri are fine, though, and we'll see them at the Grand Ball in five days."

Elena pressed her cheek to Odon's hand and closed her eyes. She knew he was right, but she was a mother and couldn't help but worry about her children. Even though she hadn't given birth to the Princess, she loved Keri as though she had, and when she had heard of the attack she had wanted to rush to her as quickly as she could. It had been impossible of course, even with the transport spires the journey to Highkeep would have taken days.

A soft knock at the door drew her attention, and at her invitation one of her apprentices entered the office.

"Forgive me, Mistress," the girl said. "Lord Chamberlain Fenril is here and would like to speak with you."

"Please show him in, Anissa."

The girl opened the door wide to admit the elder chamberlain and then closed it behind her as she left. After hugs of greeting were exchanged Elena ushered Fenril to a chair and sat down next to him.

"What can we do for you, old friend?" she asked. "Time for some new doublets?"

"I'm sure it is, but my business is more urgent I fear," Fenril said. He quickly related the conversation he had overheard the morning after the attack from the secret passage behind Duke Terlen's office.

"That is very disturbing, Fenril," Elena said.

"Disturbing yes," Odon agreed, "but hardly incriminating. If we knew what these plans he spoke of are it would help."

"I fear I can answer that," Fenril said. "I have continued my clandestine activities, and overheard another conversation this morning."

"Fenril you risk too much," Elena said. "If you were caught…."

"I would gladly give my life for Her Highness," Fenril said, somewhat defensively. "I love the child dearly."

"Of course you do, old friend," Odon said. "What did you overhear?"

"The Duke was using his crystal speaker," Fenril said. "I didn't recognize the voice of whomever he spoke to, nor could I make out much of what was said. What I did hear was enough, however. The Duke said, 'Be certain you remove the amulet before you kill the Princess'. Then he deactivated the crystal and walked over to a portrait of Queen Mistara. He stood before it and said, 'Soon, Mother, soon I will have my revenge.'"

Elena exchanged a glance with her husband, both their eyes worried.

"I would have gone to the Regent…," Fenril began.

"But we can't be certain she can be trusted," Elena said. She rose from her chair and paced for a moment before saying, "We have to get word to Keri."

"How?" Odon said. "The orb stations are controlled by the Palace. Any warning we sent to the Princess that was clear enough to be of use would immediately be reported."

"We won't reach Wallkeep until the afternoon of the ball!" Elena said. "That's five days away."

"Neither will the assassin," Fenril said. They both looked at him quizzically and he explained, "Remember the crystal speakers have very limited range, and the Palace itself is shielded to prevent communications from passing beyond the walls to prevent eavesdropping. Whomever the Duke was speaking to had to be within the Palace. At the very best he could only have left within the last two hours."

"Then we leave immediately," Odon said. "If we push hard, we can cut several hours off the journey and be in Wallkeep the morning of the festival. It will mean traveling without escort though."

"We have no choice," Elena said. She clasped Fenril's hands in hers and squeezed them as she said. "Thank you, dear friend. We will reach Keri in time."

They said their goodbyes, and once the old chamberlain was gone Elena turned to her husband. Her face was lined with concern, and he nodded in understanding.

"The amulet the Duke spoke of," he said. "It can only be the Amulet of Kessil. I thought it was lost with Mistara."

"We all did," Elena said. "She kept it with her always. If she left it behind it can only mean she had a premonition."

"Then why would she not say something?" Odon wondered.

"You know what she always said," Elena sighed. "Foresight is a two-edged blade. Often times by seeking to avoid the future, one only succeeds in making it come to pass. Right now I'm more concerned with the present. If Keri has the amulet, there's only one person she would use it with."

Odon nodded again, his face red with rage. "Terlen knows about the amulet and its power. He means to kill our child, and trap the Princess in her body."

"Not Terlen," Elena said with a shake of her head. "He may look like the Duke, but from what Fenril said he isn't. There are other ways besides the amulet to assume another's identity. It appears Riala's banished son has returned to Trimaria."

CHAPTER 31

On the fifth day of the festival 'the Princess' made an appearance at the children's carnival. It was strange for Keri as she watched Marc with the children — he seemed to really be enjoying himself, just as she would have. She had never truly understood how Marc's duties kept him on the outside of her life, watching but never really a part, and she couldn't help but feel a little jealous now.

"She has a way with the young 'uns," Garith said.

"Yes, she does," Keri agreed.

There were too many people about for them to speak freely, so they had to maintain the ruse that she was Marc. She couldn't keep the longing expression from her face though, and Garith patted her arm reassuringly.

"Have ya noticed anything strange since we've been here?" the serjeant asked.

"Not especially," Keri said. "Why?"

"By my reckoning, there's only one division o' reserve troops in the area. I talked to an old friend in the garrison here and he told me there're only two regiments on the wall."

"Two regiments per watch you mean," Keri said.

Garith shook his head. "Two regiments total."

"There's supposed to be two full divisions! Did your friend know where the rest of the troops were sent?"

"No," Garith replied. "They were given orders ta report ta the spires but they weren't told their destination. One thing is certain; they weren't sent ta the frontier 'cause they woulda just marched out the Great Gate. He also told me just before we arrived the detachments at the milecastles were reduced to bring the number of troops in the city proper up ta normal strength."

"So the Baroness wants us to think the full garrison is here," Keri said. "That means we've got almost a hundred-thousand troops unaccounted for somewhere in the kingdom," Keri said.

As Princess she had received regular reports of troop movements, but she had paid no more attention to them than she had other affairs of state. She silently cursed her own naivety, even though she was fairly certain she had never seen anything mentioning a reduction of the garrison at  the Wall.

"The Regent will be here in three days," Garith suggested.

"You don't honestly think she'll provide any useful information?"

"Not to you, but she might if the Princess demanded to know why the troops were moved."

"We'll tell Her Highness," Keri said, thinking she was never going to get used to referring to Marc that way. "Confronting the Regent without more information is premature though."

They remained at the carnival well into the afternoon and afterwards spent some time browsing the wares of the vendors in the merchant's sector. Keri had to struggle to remain impassive when she wanted to examine many of the fine fabrics and jewelry closely, and no doubt Marc was finding it as difficult to feign interest. At one point their eyes met and they both nearly started laughing.

Once they had returned to the Royal Quarters Keri had a moment to inform Marc of what Garith had learned. He was equally disturbed by the information but agreed that it was best to avoid confronting the Regent until they knew more.

"I'll have Rodin inquire about any unusual troop movements," he suggested. "Even if the units are secretly deployed that many troops have to have heralds to handle communications and logistics."

Keri nodded in agreement. Her father had told her many times that an army could march a hundred leagues without food or water, but it couldn't take a step without heralds to handle the bureaucratic details.

After leaving the Royal Quarters she went about the tedious details her temporary role required. This was the time she felt the loneliest — Garith and Stilnar couldn't be with her because as the Princess's personal bodyguards their place was outside the Royal Quarters. As Captain of the Guard she had to receive the reports from her subordinates, which primarily concerned the rotation of guardsmen so that everyone would have time to enjoy the festival.

It was after dark when she returned to her quarters after seeing that the night watch was in place. Aliana was waiting for her as she had been nearly every night since they arrived at Wallkeep. They didn't make love every night, but this night Keri was feeling especially down and Ali accepted her advances without question. Afterwards, as Ali snuggled close to her in the bed, Keri thought she had never felt more content in her life. It wasn't that she had any desire to remain in Marc's body, but the last few weeks certainly had been an eye-opening experience.

"This is getting to be a habit," she said softly as she stroked Ali's hair.

"Marc doesn't seem to mind," Ali said. "But don't worry. I'll be very happy when you're back where you belong."

She reached up and traced her finger gently along the scar on Keri's left cheek. Her touch tickled slightly, causing Keri to make a face that elicited a giggle from Ali.

"I've never really understood the warrior tradition of keeping special scars," she said. "I always thought this made Marc look … rugged though. I know he got it defending your father, but he never says more about it than that."

"It was in the Black Forest, on the western shore of Lake Falstrom in Camron," Keri said. "That's well beyond the current frontier; it was six years before Father pulled our forces out of Camron and started making peace overtures to Merdia. The army was encamped there to protect the mages that were building the Camron transport spires. Of course the Merdians were not too happy about that; the spires were the same size as those here in Wallkeep and could transport two hundred troops at a time.

"Our troops were under constant harassment and morale was pretty bad. Father liked to get out and talk to the men, without the spectacle of a big escort, so he had slipped away from his guards to tour some nearby camps."

"Ah, so you come by it naturally," Aliana laughed.

"I guess so," Keri said with a smile. "Marc was only seventeen at the time, he'd only been Toranon's squire a short time, and he saw Father leaving the Royal Encampment and followed him. Of course he knew Marc was following, and once they were clear of the camp he called him forward. They were on their way back around sunset when the attack came — a small group of Merdians had flanked the lines and were approaching the encampment from the rear.

"There were only a dozen Merdians, just a scouting party for the larger force, but one of them had a bolt-thrower and he brought Father down with a bolt to the leg and another to the shoulder. Father still managed to get of a spell that killed the gunner and disabled his weapon. Then he told Marc to run, but instead he drew his sword and then took Father's as well and stood over him."

 Keri closed her eyes, the memories as clear as though she had been there. It was extremely confusing at times; trying to keep straight what were her memories and what were Marc's.

"He was so scared, Ali, but he stood his ground as the Merdians closed in. By the time the Royal Guard arrived, he'd killed half of the scouting party and the rest fled. Toranon was weak from blood loss, but he refused to let the healers treat him until he knew the incoming attack had been thwarted. Marc never left his side, and it wasn't until they told him that Father would be all right that he collapsed. He hadn't let anyone know how serious his wounds were — he almost died."

"He loved your father very much," Ali said.

"I know," Keri said. "His mother died in childbirth, and he was only six when his own father was killed. My parents were really the only family he ever knew."

"What's bothering you?" Ali asked. "You're wearing Marc's brooding face."

Keri didn't answer immediately. It felt like she was invading Marc's privacy, but she couldn't stop the memories from surfacing. She imagined he was experiencing similar feelings, but she was fairly certain that he wasn't learning anything particularly disturbing about her.

"It's another memory," she said finally. "Marc and my aunt … they were lovers, Ali."

"I … I never had any idea," Ali said.

"They were very discreet," Keri told her. "After Marc was hurt he was sent back to the rear to fully recover. Aunt Rayna was working at the medical encampment."

"I'd almost forgotten she trained as a healer," Ali said.

"Mother always said she had a natural ability to soothe the hurting," Keri said. "She wasn't that good with magic, but just her touch seemed to bring comfort. It's hard to imagine she was ever like that."

"So they fell in love while Marc was recovering?"

"Well Marc certainly did," Keri said with a wistful smile. "Once he was healed he went back to the frontier. It was months before they saw each other again. They kept their relationship secret, at first because of the difference in their stations. Aunt Rayna was a duchess and Marc just a squire. After Father made him a knight, there was still the war and they were apart more than they were together.

"Then Marc was appointed my personal guard captain and he came back to Lockeshire. I never knew this before, but Father was already planning to end the war, and he was afraid that I might be in danger once that was made known."

"Danger from within the kingdom," Ali said.

Keri nodded. "Many of the barons had large holdings in Camron, and Father knew the only way we could have peace was to abandon them and withdraw from the region. The only person he trusted to protect me was Marc. Of course being back at the Palace meant he and Aunt Rayna could see each other frequently, but they still kept their affair hidden. I suppose they were just used to it by then. Marc finally did ask her to marry him though, and Aunt Rayna accepted. They were going to tell Mother and Father when they returned from signing the peace treaty with Merdia."

"But they never did." Ali said.

"No," Keri said, her voice taking on a hard edge. "When Rayna was made Regent, Marc told her it was over. He said his duty was to me, and that as long as she was Regent, he couldn't be with her."

"That explains why they've been so … confrontational," Ali said. She noted the hard expression on Keri's face and added, "You're angry with him."

"Shards yes!" Keri roared. "He broke her heart, Ali. She was still devastated by Mother's death and he abandoned her. I can't believe he would do something like that, and worst of all, he did it because of me!"

"You have to talk to him about it," Ali said. When Keri started to protest, she pressed forward. "You both agreed to talk if a memory surfaced that bothered you. This will keep eating at you until you deal with it."

"You better get back to your chamber," Keri said, looking away from Ali. "This isn't Highkeep or the Palace. It wouldn't do to get the gossips started."

"Don't do this, Keri. Don't shut yourself in like Marc would."

Keri sighed. "I'll talk to him, I promise."

CHAPTER 32

The Regent's impending arrival on the day before the Grand Ball was something Marc had been dreading almost since the moment he awoke in Keri's body. Fortunately there hadn't been much time to fret over it during the last week; his schedule had been filled with appearances at a dizzying array of activities, and even though it was extremely hectic he found it oddly satisfying as well.

Greeting Grand Duchess Rayna would have been uncomfortable enough but with the issue of their refusal to obey her order to return to Lockeleigh Palace it was bound to be a tense encounter. Fortunately she wouldn't arrive until late in the afternoon, and his only obligation for the morning was to attend the Champion's Tourney, an event he was looking forward to. He was actually in a fairly good mood as his attendants helped him dress — until Aliana informed him that 'Knight Captain Marcan' wished to speak to him in private. The carefully neutral expression on Ali's face told him all he needed to know.

After the handmaidens were dismissed, Ali went to get Keri and Marc settled onto the sofa of his sitting room. He wanted desperately to run and hide and he hoped that he could fight off the urge to cry. When Ali arrived with Keri, Marc hoped she would stay — he had come to depend on the Maid of Honor very much over the past two weeks — but she didn't. She gave him a sympathetic look and then left them alone. Keri sat down next to Marc on the sofa and waited, unable to look him in the eyes.

"So you know about Rayna and I," Marc said. "I'm sorry, Keri, I should have told you days ago."

"Why didn't you?" Keri asked.

Marc sighed and closed his eyes, fighting to maintain control over his emotions.

"Honestly I hoped I wouldn't have to," he said. "I hoped you wouldn't find that particular memory. I … I was afraid."

"I suppose I can understand that," Keri said. She paused for a moment before asking the one question she had come to ask, "Why?"

"I would think you'd know that," Marc said. "You have my memories."

"The memories don't help me understand," Keri said, her voice rising. "They don't tell me what was in your heart. Did you ever really love her?"

"Very much," Marc replied.

"Then help me understand," Keri pleaded.

Marc rose and began pacing, wringing his hands as he did. As he turned to face Keri he felt the first tears and he hated them, but that didn't keep them from falling.

"I begged Rayna not to accept the appointment as Regent," he said. "You know the law; the Regent is appointed by the Council of Barons and Guild Masters and is answerable to them. I swore an oath to your father that I would protect you, but more than that I … well you had secured a place in my heart long before Rayna."

"So you're saying I came between you and Aunt Rayna."

"That is not true!" Marc cried, his eyes flashing angrily. "She came between us. Rayna wanted revenge for the death of her sister, and the Barons wanted war to regain the lands Toranon had surrendered. She became Regent solely to sate her need for vengeance and left me with a choice to make. I did the only thing I could, what my heart told me, I chose you."

Keri stared at him long and hard. He had given her that same probing look many times and now realized just how unnerving it was. Then the Princess sighed and looked away. Marc walked back to the sofa and sat down next to her.

"You think my choice is what made Rayna grow cold, and you're right," he said, looking down at his knees and feeling very small and alone. "How you must hate me now."

Then he felt Keri put her arm around his shoulder and pull him close. Marc settled his head onto the broad shoulder of his own body.

"I could never hate you, Marc," Keri said. "Hate is what got us here. I love you, and I always will. I just wish … I just miss Father and Mother so much."

"I miss them too," Marc said. He looked up at Keri, staring at his own face — strong and impassive as always. He knew that inside Keri felt the same emotions he did, however, and that her pain was just as real.

"You want to cry, don't you?"

Keri nodded. "But you know I won't."

"Then I'll cry for both of us," Marc said. He stopped fighting and let the emotions flow as he sobbed for them both while Keri held him. It was eerily similar to the day six years earlier, when he had told the then thirteen-year-old Keri that her parents would not return.

They didn't have long, but they took what time there was to sit there and embrace one another. Aliana returned after a few minutes and gave them both a hug, then took Marc into his bedchamber to fix the damage to his makeup.

"Ali, I love you very much," Marc said once his face was again presentable. "I don't think I've ever told you that before."

"Having an especially girlish moment are we?" Ali asked with a grin. "I love you too, now get that Royal ass moving, we're late!"

Marc stood and laughed as he said, "I'm the Princess - they can't start without me. Besides I've never known of a tourney that actually started on time."

As they joined the escort waiting in the hall Marc couldn't help but smile. His short time as Princess had already given him a unique insight. He understood now the impatience Keri often felt — it was simply impossible for her to go anywhere without it becoming a huge affair. While it was true he was with her whenever she went out in public there was a huge difference. He was able to get away from it all; when he was off-duty, he could walk the streets of Lockeshire unnoticed, but Keri could never escape being Princess.

They traveled by coach from the Baronial Manor to the tourney field which was located on the flat, grassy plain just outside the city proper. As Marc had predicted their late arrival had not delayed the start of the tournament - it was almost an hour after they were settled in the Royal Box before the trumpets sounded. A herald marched to the center of the tourney field, his magically amplified voice booming out from stone-speakers around the spectator stands as he announced each of the participants.

One by one the contestants entered, clad in heavy plate, their faces hidden behind full helms. They trotted around the field to the cheers pf the crowd before stopping in front of the Royal Box to pay their respects to the Princess. As was Keri's habit, Marc slipped a silver ring onto the lance of each participant, a gesture showing that the Princess favored all. Several of the warriors also stopped in front of their own ladies, who tied a ribbon to their champion's lance.

When the herald announced Lady Elyssa of Highkeep there was a brief moment of silence before the crowd erupted in cheers. It wasn't unheard of for a shield-maiden to participate in a tourney but it had been many years since it had occurred. As the others had, Elyssa stopped before the Royal Box to receive the Princess's favor and then shifted her lance over to where Enara sat on Marc's right. The Lady-in-Waiting took a red ribbon from her hair and tied it to the lance before blowing a kiss to her love.

As Elyssa moved off to join the other combatants Marc noticed that Enara was trembling. He knew it was likely both from excitement and fear — injuries on the lyst field were rare but they did happen. Marc knew what Keri would do, so he did the same, reaching over to grasp Enara's hand.

"She'll be fine," he told her. "I'd wager Elyssa is a better rider than most of the men down there."

"I know she's ridden in tournaments before," Enara said. "I was never there to watch though. My father wouldn't allow me to attend the tournaments at Highkeep."

The procession continued for some time — even with so many warriors away because of the war the presence of the Princess had drawn a large field. Several of the entrants were among the suitors that would be presented at the Grand Ball, no doubt hoping to impress the Princess with their martial prowess. Marc had to smile at the thought. He had ridden in tourneys and fought in war and knew there was little in common between the two.

The first event was the rings; the course consisted of several wooden arches from which were suspended small rings. The riders would charge down the course, attempting to snag each ring with the tip of their lance. With each round the rings grew smaller, until the last where they were only a quarter-inch in diameter. At the end of the event there were two names tied for first place — Lady Elyssa and a young nobleman, Lord Valin of Talmere.

"I'm not familiar with Talmere shire," Enara said.

"That's not surprising," Marc told her. "It doesn't exist anymore. It was in Camron, but it had to be abandoned when our forces withdrew. The landed families retained their titles but only a few actually had holdings within Trimaria."

After the rings came the quintain, a dummy mounted on a post with arms extending out to either side. A shield was attached to one arm and a bag of sand hung from the other by rope. When the lance of a charging rider struck the dummy's shield it would spin about, swinging the bag around. The rider had to duck quickly to avoid the bag, and any contact would result in a deduction of points. If the rider were unseated by the bag they were eliminated from the rest of the event. With each subsequent round the rope was shortened, causing the dummy to swing faster. Elyssa was clipped on the shoulder in the final round, dropping her to second place behind Valin as they moved to the mounted archery event.

"No one in the kingdom can best Elyssa with a bow from horseback," Enara said excitedly.

Her words proved true. The heir to the Barony of Highkeep was truly a gifted archer, consistently hitting closest to the mark as she sped past the targets. Several times she scored bulls-eyes, bringing the crowd to their feet each time. Lord Valin was competent but no match for Elyssa, and by the end of the third event he had dropped to second place.

The final precision event was tent-pegging. It was similar to the rings, but instead of the targets being suspended from an arch they were on the ground. The event was inspired by a common harassing tactic in which a cavalry unit would ride through an enemy camp, using their lances to pull out the pegs securing the tents. It was much more difficult than the rings, requiring the rider to bend low in the saddle to hit the target. Several riders made the mistake of letting their lance dip too low, driving the point into the ground and literally catapulting them from the saddle.

At the end of the tent-pegging event Elyssa maintained the lead, though the title of tourney champion was still within reach of any of the contestants. The main purpose of the preliminary events was to seed the contestants going into the joust. As one of the top four, Elyssa would skip the first round of the joust, giving her and her mount a valuable rest.

The first riders up donned their heavy plate armor as a long, low series of rails were set up on the field. In short order the first pair were charging towards each other, their war-horses churning up the turf. At the center of the field they met, the lance of one of the riders scoring a hit on his opponent's shield. The lance shattered explosively on contact and the crowd roared with approval.

"The lances are enchanted," Marc told Enara, noticing how she flinched as the riders met. "They literally disintegrate into dust on imact."

"It still looks like they hit very hard," Enara said. "Are riders ever knocked from the saddle?"

"Very rarely," Marc said. "The impact is jarring, but if the rider is properly braced it's not a problem."

The field was large and by the time the early rounds of the joust were completed it was past noon. Elyssa was defeated in one of her matches, but the tournament was double-elimination and by the end of the semi-final round she was in the finals. It was by then no surprise that she would face Lord Valin, who had passed through the preliminaries undefeated. A short break was called so the finalist could rest and get something to eat.

"Elyssa's form is very good," Marc commented as the handmaidens served lunch. "It was bad luck that she drew Sir Nassir so early. He's quite skilled but the years are beginning to take their toll. She would have taken him easily later on — he could barely keep his lance up."

"A common problem with many men," Ali said, grinning evilly. She glanced over to where Keri stood guard in Marc's body and added, "There are some with exceptional stamina though."

"You are a wicked girl," Marc said, unable to prevent his face from reddening. He didn't know whether to be flattered or shocked so he chose the former.

They turned their attention back to the tourney field as the trumpets signaled the start of the final round. Unlike the previous rounds, which consisted of a single set of up to three passes, the finals were decided by the best of three sets. Valin took the first set in two passes but Elyssa rallied in the second to tie the match.

The crowd was on their feet as the third set began, and a thunderous cheer arose as both lances shattered on the first pass. Elyssa had missed the mark, however, her lance tip impacting on Valin's breastplate, so the point went to the young nobleman. On the second pass she was right on target and the score was tied at one point each.

Marc felt Enara gripping his hand tightly as Enara and Valin readied themselves for the third and final pass. As the marshal signaled for them to begin, both their horses reared, pawing the air before launching themselves forward. The cheering of the crowd reached a deafening crescendo as they drew closer. At the last instant Valin shifted his lance slightly, neatly deflecting Elyssa's shaft as the blunt tip drove into her shield, shattering the lance. Enara's grip relaxed and Marc turned to her.

"Elyssa did marvelously, Nara," he said. "She has nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'm just glad she wasn't hurt," Enara said.

The victorious Lord Valin galloped around the arena to receive the accolades of the crowd. His circuit brought him back to the Royal box, where he dismounted and stepped forward. Marc rose and stepped down from the box with Enara and Aliana close behind. As they drew near the nobleman removed his helm and handed it to his page.

Marc felt his face flush with warmth and his heart begin to beat faster. There was no denying Lord Valin was extremely handsome. Even soaked with sweat his shoulder length brown hair danced in the breeze. He couldn't have been more than a year or two older than Keri but his blue eyes shone with an intensity that seemed contrary to his youth. He lowered himself to one knee, his eyes never leaving Marc's.

For a moment Marc was overcome by the very feminine reaction of the body he was in. All thought of where he was and what he was doing was lost as he gazed into those eyes. Then Aliana elbowed him gently in the ribs and his attention snapped back to the present. The Maid-of-Honor handed him the Champion's Medal, a large gold medallion suspended from a heavy gold chain. Marc placed it around Valin's neck and then stepped back.

"Congratulations on your well earned victory, Lord Valin," Marc said. "I am honored to name you my champion, and bestow upon you this small token."

Marc paused, certain he was supposed to do something else but unable to recall exactly what it was. Valin's blue eyes kept breaking his train of thought and he stood there at a loss until Aliana nudged him again.

"Your hand," she whispered.

Marc started and then extended his right hand to the nobleman. Valin took it and kissed it, sending a tingling sensation up Marc's arm. The nobleman maintained his grip on the hand as he rose, until he was looking down into Marc's face.

"To look upon your beauty is reward enough for a lifetime, Highness," Valin said.

Marc felt his face grow very warm and despite the extreme conflict his reaction caused within he managed to smile. He heard the herald's voice booming through the arena as he read from the scroll proclaiming Valin the Coronet's Champion, but the words didn't register. It wasn't until they were in the coach and on their way back to the manor that he fully regained his senses.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" he asked Aliana, aware that she had been speaking to him.

"I was asking if you're all right," Aliana said. She looked at Enara and shook her head. "I believe Her Highness is smitten."

Enara regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Definitely smitten."

"I am not!" Marc protested. "I just … I mean he …."

"We're just teasing, Princess," Aliana said. "He was very handsome, wasn't he?"

Marc heard a chorus of suppressed giggling from the handmaidens and resisted the urge to glare in their direction.  He knew Keri wouldn't be troubled at all by the feelings Valin had evoked — she probably would have giggled happily along with her handmaidens. But despite his appearance, he wasn't Keri, and being so affected by a man was quite disturbing.

"I suppose he was attractive enough," Marc allowed, hoping it sounded as though he were trying to be aloof. He didn't expect Aliana or Enara to be fooled, but he had to be cautious with the other girls so near.

Aliana and Enara wisely chose not to pursue the subject any further and the rest of the short trip was made in silence. Once they were back in the Princess's quarters Ali shooed the handmaidens away and then she and Enara began helping Marc out of his dress.

"I don't understand why I have to wear something different for every function," he said.

"Because it's expected," Aliana told him. "Besides you don't want to be dressed so formally when you greet the Regent."

"I'd say your appearance made an impression on Lord Valin," Enara said, her tone carefully neutral. "He certainly made an impression on you."

"He certainly did not!" Marc snapped, pulling away from them.

Neither of the young women appeared surprised by his outburst. He glared at them both for a moment and then sat down heavily on the bed.

"I'm sorry," he sighed. "I just … my reaction to him caught me off-guard."

 "I'm sure it must have felt very unnerving," Aliana said as she sat down next to him. "It's nothing to be ashamed of though."

"Even I thought he was very handsome," Enara added.

Marc smiled in appreciation and stood back up so they could finish his wardrobe change. He had to admit Ali was right; if he had to meet the Regent in a dress he would much prefer it to be more comfortable than the tightly laced gown he had worn to the tourney.

"Think of it this way," Aliana offered as she took the gown and hung it in the wardrobe. "What you felt was a perfectly natural reaction for the body you're in, but the fact that it bothers you means the amulet is maintaining your connection to the real you."

"I suppose you're right," Marc said.

Once he was re-dressed they went back in the sitting room to wait for the Regent's arrival. Ali poured Marc a glass of wine and was about to sit down next to him when a knock sounded from the door. She walked over and opened the door a crack to see who it was, then swung the door wide to admit Keri.

"Are you all right," Keri asked once she was inside.

"You noticed my performance too?" Marc asked.

"Well, yes," Keri admitted. "I could, well I could feel that you were really distressed over it too."

"You could actually feel Marc's emotions?" Ali asked.

Keri nodded. "I could then, but it's passed now."

"That's odd," Ali said. "Your mother didn't mention anything like that in her writings about the amulet."

"It's the first time I've experienced it since we swapped," Keri said.

"I've felt it before," Marc said, his face reddening. "When you and Ali are … when you're together at night … well I can feel it."

"Why didn't you say something?" Keri asked.

"Yes, Marc, you should have told us," Ali agreed. "We won't keep meeting if it's bothering you."

"I didn't say it was bothering me," Marc told them. "It was a little strange the first time, but it's not unpleasant." He looked into Keri's eyes and added, "I've felt your loneliness too … and it makes you so happy when you're with Ali."

"Is this a normal part of the transfer?" Enara wondered.

"I don't think so," Keri said. "Mother would have mentioned it. It probably has more to do with my magical affinity."

"That makes sense I guess," Ali said. She looked at Marc and grinned. "So, how does it feel? I mean, do you feel it like you're in your own body … you know, like a man?"

Marc shook his head. "I feel it, well like this body would. I, um, I've even experimented a bit." He looked at Keri to see if she was angry but she only smiled.

"Well I'm glad to hear that," she said. "It would be hardly fair if I was the only one expanding my horizons."

"Shouldn't the ring prevent this though?" Enara asked.

Keri shook her head, looking embarrassed. "It only acts if another person is involved. It doesn't prevent the wearer from, well from…."

"I think we all know what it doesn't do," Marc interrupted. He really didn't need or want to go into any more intimate details.

Another knock sounded at the door and Keri walked over to answer it. Marc could hear Garrith's voice clearly even though he wasn't speaking loudly, so he knew what the message was before Keri turned back to face him.

"The Regent has arrived," she said. "I'll be right outside if you need me."

CHAPTER 33

Keri fought to keep her face impassive even though her heart was pounding as the Regent and her guard approached. Her aunt didn't even look at her as she waited to be announced which was a relief; though Knight-Commander Jaris maintained an irritating smirk on his face the entire time the Regent was in the Princess's quarters. The meeting was surprisingly short, and though Keri could sense Marc's apprehension there was no shouting. When the Duchess returned to the hall she did look at Keri, her eyes smoldering.

"I wish to speak with you in private, Knight-Captain," she said before turning to go to her own quarters.

Keri turned to Garrith and said, "If the Princess requires my presence please inform me."

"Aye, Captain," the serjeant replied.

The Regent's suite was located one floor down and the walk there was made in utter silence. Keri wasn't particularly worried about whatever threats her aunt was about to deliver, but she still concentrated on thoughts of maintaining her emotional control. The incident with Stilnar still troubled her and she knew she had to be careful. While Marc was much less prone to outburst than she was, he did have a temper.

Jaris accompanied them into the Regent's sitting room, that same smug look seemingly glued to his face. As soon as the door was closed the Regent turned, extending her hand to the Knight-Commander. Jaris removed a folded parchment from his doublet and handed it to her. She immediately passed it to Keri.

"This is a warrant for your arrest," she said as Keri unfolded the document.

The warrant listed several charges, chief among them hazarding the life of the Royal Heir and treason, both of which were punishable by death. Keri knew the treason charge would be nearly impossible to prove as it required evidence of intent. It amounted to little more than a threat, though there was no denying it was a serious threat.

"It appears to be in order," she said as she returned the parchment to the Regent. "It carries no weight without the endorsement of the Princess, however."

"That will protect you only as long as my niece remains safe," the Regent said. "Should she be harmed in any way because of your refusal to carry out my order of recall, this warrant will be served."

Keri considered carefully before speaking. Knowing that her great uncle Lornis was involved in the attempt to kill her had actually been somewhat of a relief. His involvement diverted suspicion from her aunt, but only somewhat. There were still aspects of the Regent's recent behavior that were questionable.

"You were the one who arranged for the Princess to attend the festival," Keri said, "despite knowing that the raider threat was far more serious than is generally known. You also made it public knowledge with this ridiculous idea of her entertaining suitors, and despite my concerns over security you also approved the Royal Progress."

"At the time the risks seemed acceptable," the Regent countered. "The attack at Amurga changed all that."

"You knew there was a possibility of a stronger raider presence in the area," Keri said. "You also knew that Baron Trilarn was concerned over the security of the transit spires. Even after the attack on Tuatha, you failed to bring those concerns to my attention."

"I investigated the Baron's concerns," Jaris said. "There was no basis for them. You know that spire keys are enchanted for specific destinations and are only useable for a limited time. The raiders would need a master key to travel freely, and those are accounted for."

That much was true, Keri knew. The only master keys were those of the Regent and the Princess. Keri knew where hers was — safe in the pouch on her belt. As Captain of the Royal Guard, Marc had always carried her key, just as Jaris carried the Regent's.

"Her Highness informed me she intends to return to Highkeep after the festival," the Regent said. "I want to know why."

"Because I am not certain the Palace is safe," Keri replied.

"You're treading a fine line, Knight-Captain," the Regent said.

"My duty is to tread that line," Keri said, locking eyes with her aunt. "I stand between Her Highness and any who would threaten her."

"Shard it, Marc, you can't believe I want to harm Keri!" the Regent shouted with exasperation.

Her eyes softened and Keri saw desperation there. Like Marc, she didn't want to believe her aunt could be plotting against her, but despite Jaris's insistence that it was impossible, she knew the raiders had to be using the spires. As Regent, her aunt could have arranged to have another master key made.

"I make no accusations," she said. "There are many unanswered questions though. I would like to see a detailed report on the deployment of our military forces."

"That information is beyond your responsibilities," Jaris said.

"The safety of the Princess is my responsibility," Keri replied. "Her safety and the security of this kingdom are one and the same."

"If Her Highness wishes a full report, she will have it," the Regent said. Something in her tone caught Keri's attention. It wasn't exactly fear, but she was definitely not happy.

~ She's hiding something. ~

"Good," Keri said. "As for her intentions after the festival, the Princess will remain in Highkeep until she is ready to return to Lockeshire and assume the throne in three months, unless she informs me otherwise."

In truth, Keri had no intention of remaining in Highkeep that long, but it was best to maintain that appearance until after she and Marc had returned to their proper bodies. Mistara's journals made no mention that she had ever revealed the existence of the amulet to her sister, but it was best not to reveal that they would be returning after the next full moon. Lornis certainly knew about the amulet, and if her aunt was somehow involved with him they had to be very cautious.

The Regent sighed and said, "She always was far too stubborn for her own good, a trait she inherited from her father." Her eyes narrowed and she looked hard at Keri as she continued, "See to it that no harm befalls her, Knight-Captain. You will be held accountable should you fail."

"I will, as I always have," Keri said. "Was there anything else?"

The Regent shook her head and Keri turned and left the room. As she returned to the Royal Quarters she tried to put together everything she knew. By the time she reached her destination she had a theory, but she didn't see how it could be right.

"Well I see yer head is still attached," Garith quipped as she approached.

Keri grinned and knocked on the door, motioning for the serjeant and Stilnar to follow her into the sitting room when Aliana opened the door. She was relieved to see Master Talisin was in attendance, as his wisdom would be invaluable.

"Was it bad?" Marc asked as she entered.

"No worse than we expected," Keri told him. "It appeared that your meeting with her went well."

"It did, actually," Marc said. "She seemed genuinely relieved that I … that you had recovered and I think she was very distressed over the attack."

"I assume she told you of the arrest warrant."

Marc nodded. "As you said, we expected as much. Did you get the sense she was suspicious of anything?"

Keri shook her head. "I'm fairly certain Mother never told her of the amulet. Aunt Rayna isn't very adept with magic and Mother told me when they were younger she was quite jealous. They usually didn't speak about magical concerns."

"Keri, I don't believe she's involved in what's going on," Marc said.

"I'm not certain myself," Keri admitted. "She is hiding something though." She told them about the discussion regarding troop deployments and Jaris's words about the spire keys.

"Jaris is right," Marc said, "the orcs would need a master key."

"They'd need more than that, wouldn't they?" Ali asked. "I mean orcs can't channel the aether. Even though the keys are empowered magically, it still takes someone with some affinity to use one. Using a key is much more complicated than that tracking charm."

"There have been sightings of men with the raiders," Garith offered.

"That still doesn't answer the question of the master key," Stilnar said.

"I've thought about that," Keri said. "There is one master key that isn't accounted for … my father's."

Marc looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head, causing his long golden locks to dance across his shoulders.

"Even if the Merdians recovered Toranon's key, they couldn't use it," he said. "Just like yours, that key was encoded to specific individuals. Only the King and his senior officers could use it."

"I know," Keri sighed. There was no need to add that all of those officers had been lost along with her parents.

"What about Lornis?" Aliana asked. "He's of the Royal bloodline; could he use the master key?"

"No, it has to be encoded to specific individuals," Keri said. "I couldn't even use father's key."

"Well, actually you could right now," Marc said. "I was one of those authorized to use it."

"The crucial bit of information we need to unravel this mystery is who," Master Talisin said. "Who is behind all this? The Regent seems a likely candidate, but she could hardly act alone. Even if something prevented the Princess from taking the throne, the Regent would not be installed in her place."

"Darsia?" Keri snorted derisively. "She doesn't have the wit or the gall to attempt to usurp the throne."

"Nor does she have the access," Talisin said. "Someone could see her as a preferable alternative to you, however. If the Regent is not behind this, it has to be someone close to her."

"Jaris," Marc said. "He has access to all areas of the Palace."

"And you really don't like him," Keri said. "How could he manage to get a master key made? He'd need my aunt's approval."

"A conspiracy requires numerous participants," Talisin said. "We simply don't have enough facts to reach any conclusions."

A knock sounded from the door and Stilnar, who was closest to it, answered. He turned to inform Marc that Journeyman Rodin had news, and Marc nodded for him to admit the herald. Rodin entered with a thick leather binder in one hand and a cylindrical case slung over his left shoulder.

"Highness, I have some information you need to hear," he said.

"What is it?" Keri asked, forgetting she was technically not the Princess at the moment. Rodin regarded her with a slight grin.

"Please continue, Rodin," Marc said.

The herald removed a sheet from the binder in his hand and passed it to Marc. "This is a list of units and where our heralds estimate their loyalty lies. As you can see, well over half the commanders are believed to be loyal to the Crown."

Marc studied the list, confirming that it indeed said what the herald reported. The news was not entirely positive, however.

"Most of those units are on the frontier," he said. "Of the units within the kingdom, the majority are suspect, with their allegiance either to the Regent or the Council of Barons."

"You must realize that this information is subjective at best," Rodin said. "Most of those units are considered suspect simply because their commanders were commissioned after King Toranon was lost. At any rate, many of them may not be within the kingdom much longer. As you can see, a significant number of units have been moved to Westkeep. There are also a large number of ships assembled in the harbor. They're all steamships, very large and built over the last two years."

"The Regent is mounting an amphibious assault," Garith said. "Toranon used ships to get units behind the Merdian lines several times during the war."

"Not on this scale," Marc said. "Four full divisions have been garrisoned in Westkeep — over two-hundred-thousand men, including the missing troops from the Wall. Are there enough ships to transport that many?"

Rodin took another paper from his binder and studied it for a moment before passing it to Marc. It listed the specifications of the ships — they were over six-hundred feet long with four side-wheels for propulsion as well as auxiliary sails. The engines employed magically heated boilers that drew water directly from the sea and as a by-product produced large quantities of sea-salt, a valuable commodity. Unfortunately he had little knowledge of ships, and despite having access to Keri's memories couldn't easily estimate how many men such a vessel could carry.

"How many men could a ship like this hold?" he asked, passing the paper to Keri. Her eyes widened as she read the specifications.

"I’d estimate two-thousand plus the crew," she said. She had seen plans for such ships in the Palace archives but didn't realize any had been constructed.

"Our reports indicate there are fifty at anchor in Westkeep harbor," Rodin said, "along with numerous smaller vessels."

"Enough to transport two divisions," Marc said, "then return and bring the other two."

"How could that many ships have been built without word getting out?" Stilnar asked.

"The Regent controls the spires and the orb stations, and thus the flow of information in the kingdom," Marc said. "She was able to hide the severity of the raider attacks easily enough."

"It's my fault," Keri said, her face growing red with anger. "She may have been able to control the flow of information, but the funding for all this had to have passed right under my nose. I blindly signed everything she asked me to. To make matters worse, that pompous ass Baron Denford whined about my slighting his barony by not coming to Westkeep, all the while knowing he had an invasion fleet in the harbor. He knew if he made an issue of it I would be certain not to go there out of spite!"

Too late she realized her mistake — Rodin was not privy to their situation. Marc was staring at her, wide-eyed, but the herald displayed no shock at her outburst.

"You can't blame yourself, Highness," he said. "And you need not fear. You can count on my discretion, even when it comes to reporting to Master Otellan. My loyalty is to you."

Silence fell over the room, until Master Talisin broke it with a hearty chuckle.

"It's very difficult to fool a herald," he said.

"We are trained to be careful observers," Rodin said.

"How many others might have noticed something though?" Marc wondered.

"I have the advantage of being in frequent contact with you both," the herald said. "I doubt anyone has noticed anything amiss in your public appearances."

"What about others in the Royal entourage?" Keri asked.

"I haven't gotten any indication that any of the girls suspect anything," Aliana said. "I've made sure they all know that anything they see or hear is not to be gossiped about."

"It's still my fault," Keri said. "I should have taken more interest in what's been going on regarding the war. I should have insisted upon being included in any planning, and By the Shard I should have paid more attention to what I signed my name to."

"What's done is done," Marc said. "The Regent would have still found a way to keep you in the dark if she wanted to. Is there any indication of the target of this assault?"

"The Istan Peninsula," Rodin said.

"For what purpose?" Garith wondered.

Keri pointed to the leather cylinder slung over Rodin's shoulder and asked, "Did you bring a map?"

The herald smiled and nodded. He withdrew a large map from the tube and unrolled it on the low table in front of the sofa. Keri knelt down and studied it for a moment before speaking.

"According to the information my aunt provided after the attack on Tuatha, it's believed the Merdians have established a port somewhere along the southern shore of Camron. The Istan Peninsula has a sheltered bay that would make an ideal harbor. From there, ships could carry the raiders to the south coast of our western reaches."

"So she intends to end the raider threat by taking the port," Marc said.

"That would be my guess," Keri said. "I suspect there's more to it than that, however. The harbor likely has defenses, so if I were planning the assault I'd land the troops on the eastern shore of the peninsula, and then send the ships back for reinforcements. They could make the trip in about four days I'd estimate, and it would take at least two days to march the invasion force across the peninsula. The second wave would be brought around to assault the harbor directly as the attack from the east commenced.

"Once the port is secured, our forces can march inland and cut the Merdian supply lines. The Merdians will have to weaken their line along the frontier to deal with the threat to their rear, at which point our forces on the frontier will push forward  That's why so many units have been sent to the frontier."

"Won't the Merdians just send more troops into Camron?" Enara asked.

"Undoubtedly they'll try," Keri said. "Merdia is much larger geographically than Trimaria though, and they don't have transport spires. It will take them weeks to mobilize enough troops and march them to Camron."

"By which time our forces could easily push the frontier west, well beyond the peninsula," Marc said. "The Merdian forces along the frontier will be forced to withdraw entirely to prevent their being surrounded. It's an audacious plan but it could well succeed in recovering the territory that was abandoned when our forces withdrew from Camron."

"At what cost though?" Keri asked. "The casualties will be staggering."

"Keri, there's nothing we can do to stop it," Marc said. "Do you have any idea when the assault is planned to begin, Rodin?"

"Not anything definite," the herald answered. "The indications are soon, however."

Keri despaired at the thought of the losses the offensive would cause on both sides. It was an escalation that could well make it impossible to end the war, at least anytime soon. But Marc was right — there was nothing they could do to stop it. If they made an issue of the plans, if they tried to expose what the Regent and the Council of Barons were up to, they would only succeed in placing the troops at greater risk.

"Whatever her involvement, my aunt will have a lot to answer for," she said, her voice bearing a hard edge.

"As Marc said, there's nothing we can do for the moment to stop this," Talisin said. "For now, I believe we had best concern ourselves with the immediate issue of the Grand Ball tomorrow evening. You will both be under far more scrutiny than any time since the transfer."

Marc looked up at Keri and sighed, "I really didn't need to be reminded of that."

CHAPTER 34

There were many who called Baroness Gisella Olivara ambitious, at least when they were being polite. At other times — always when out of earshot — they would use words like ruthless or even cold-blooded. She was not a woman prone to being intimidated, certainly not by some witless child like Princess Kerialla, or even her aunt, the Regent.

The Regent's consort Duke Terlen, however, was different. Despite his ever pleasant demeanor she saw in him a kindred spirit. She knew his impeccable courteousness was simply a well placed mask which hid someone who was far more ruthless than she, and his presence in her council chamber was uncomfortably intimidating. She felt like she had so many times in the presence of her father; Terlen had the same calm and infuriatingly condescending tone that the late Baron of Wallkeep had used to belittle her constantly.

"You're quite certain the Princess is not aware of the status of the garrison here?"

"I've made certain the troop strength within the city is at normal levels," Gisella told the Duke. "The remainder are scattered over the length of the Wall at the milecastles. Unless she decides to inspect the Wall there's no way she'll notice that the garrison is under strength."

"Very good," Terlen said, walking over to a large map on the wall. "I doubt we have to worry about Her Highness touring the Wall.

"I take it the ships are ready to depart from Westkeep?"

"The troops are being loaded as we speak," Terlen said as he studied the map. "They'll depart tomorrow under cover of darkness and should reach the peninsula in two days."

"And if all goes well within six weeks the Merdians will have been forced back to the western end of Camron," Gisella said. "The holdings I lost when that fool Toranon withdrew our troops will be restored."

"It may be a short lived restoration," Terlen said. "Her Highness has made it plain she intends to put an end to the war when she takes the throne."

Gisella hesitated before saying, "If she takes the throne."

Terlen turned, a grim expression on his face. "That, my dear baroness, borders on treason."

The Baroness laughed and said, "The same could be said of Her Grace, the Regent. Falsifying reports to the Royal Heir on the seriousness of the raider threat and our troop deployments, not to mention the misappropriation of funds."

"The Princess's signature is on every document pertaining to the disbursement of funds," Terlen said.

"I'm sure it is," Gisella told him. "Of course you know as well as I do that none of those orders mentioned anything about the construction of an invasion fleet. You've done quite well, ensuring that all suspicion will be directed at the Regent."

"You would do well to refrain from speaking so openly," Terlen warned.

"And you'd do well to employ better assassins!" Gisella snapped. "Those bumbling orcs nearly ruined everything."

"That mistake will be rectified soon," the Duke told her. "Just see to it that you do your part."

"It's well in hand. One of the city engineers has been well paid for his cooperation, and you need not worry about him talking. He'll be dead shortly after he does his job. Are you sure your men can handle their task?"

"It won't be a problem, will it, Kragin?" the Duke said.

A tall man with ragged, black shoulder-length hair emerged from the shadows. There was an ugly scar on the left side of his face, stretching from just above the eye down almost to his chin. His left eye was white, sightless orb and his face was hard and cold.

"No problem at all," the man called Kragin said. "I hope the Princess enjoys the ball, because she'll be dead before she can return to the manor."

*****

The sun was sinking towards the western horizon as Grand Master Odon signaled for his apprentice Weslin to bring the coach to a stop. They were less close to the village of Sangre and its transport spires and he was tempted to press on, but the horses need to be rested. He guided his mount back around to the side of the coach and dismounted as his wife emerged along with the two apprentices that were accompanying her to the Grand Ball.

"How far to Sangre?" Grand Mistress Elena asked as she stepped to the ground.

"About a league, maybe a little more," Odon replied.

"I'd hoped we'd be in Wallkeep by this evening," Elena said.

"Well we're at least a day ahead of the caravan," Odon told her. "Probably more; they've probably encountered more delays than we did at the spires." He turned as his other two apprentices approached the coach and waved them down from their mounts.

"Get your horses watered but keep an eye out," he instructed. "There's been some raider activity in these parts."

"Girls, please get some refreshments for the men," Elena told her apprentices. She walked over to stand next to her husband as he arched his back with several audible popping sounds.

"We'll need to have a healer see to that back when we get to Wallkeep," Elena said as she reached up and began kneading Odon's shoulders and neck.

"It has been a while since I've spent so much time in the saddle," he admitted.

"Do you think we'll make it in time?"

"We should get to the Sangre spires before they shut them down for the night," Odon said. "We'll spend the night on the other end at Granfeld. If we leave at first light we can reach the spires south of Neville's Pass by noon. From there it's all spire travel. We'll be in Wallkeep by late afternoon."

"There's an orb station in Granfeld," Elena said.

Odon shook his head. "There's too much risk a message would be intercepted at Wallkeep. I don't trust Gisella — she hated Toranon for withdrawing our forces from Camron."

"You're right of course," Elena sighed.

"We'll make it, love," Odon assured her.

Once the horses were sufficiently rested and watered they resumed their journey, heading northwest towards Sangre. Odon and one of his apprentices rode a short distance ahead while the other trailed behind, checking frequently to be sure no one was approaching from their rear. They had been traveling for about thirty minutes when Odon caught sight of a cloud of dust ahead of them. He took a pair of field glasses from his saddle bag and scanned ahead, uttering a curse when he saw a half dozen orcs galloping hard towards them. He wheeled his mount and galloped back to the coach.

"Raiders," he said as his wife stuck her head out the window. "They're between us and the spires."

"What do we do?" Elena asked.

"We ride as hard as we can right for them," he said, turning to Weslin where he sat at the reins. "You get every bit out of those horses you can, lad, and don't stop for anything."

Weslin nodded and snapped the reins, urging the four-horse team forward. Odon spurred his mount after the coach as the apprentice trailing to the rear galloped to catch up. The big tailor drew his sword and urged his horse on faster. He tried to signal his two apprentices to hang back and protect the wagon but they both shook their heads and drew their own weapons.

Odon was a big man and as such his mount was a war horse. He used that to his advantage, steering his mount for the center of the six raiders and coaxing every bit of speed out of it he could. The orcs were momentarily caught off-guard — they had expected their prey to try and flee instead of charging straight for them. That bought Odon and his apprentices precious seconds to close the distance, but the orcs recovered quickly and drew bolt-casters from their saddles. A cloud of smoke erupted as they fired but the projectiles were all well off the mark. Before they could fire again the three craftsmen were upon them.

Odon drove his mount straight at the horse of the lead orc and the creature tried frantically to maneuver its much smaller mount out of his way, causing him to collide with the rider to his right. Then Odon's mount crashed into it — just a glancing blow but with nearly a ton of war horse under him it was enough to take both orcs down.

The coach barreled through the midst of the orcs as Odon wheeled his mount, lashing out with his sword at the nearest orc. The creature parried the blow with its bolt-caster but the weapon was smashed in the process. The east snarled, dropped the firearm and drew its own sword. As Odon continued to turn his mount the orc attacked, the tip of its blade slashing across the tailor's left shoulder. One of his apprentices charged forward, his sword impaling the orc and driving it from the saddle.

Odon knew they couldn't hope to defeat the orcs; they were tailors, not warriors. He saw one of his apprentices, a young lad named Keevan, barely more than a boy, knocked from his saddle. He killed the orc responsible with a thrust to the back and then shifted his sword to his left hand, extending his right to the bloodied Keevan as he struggled to his feet. The boy grabbed the put stretched arm and Odon swung him up behind him.

The two orcs he had knocked down were trying to chase down their mounts while the remaining two were pursuing his other apprentice, Shamis, as the young man rode for all he was worth to the north. Odon pulled his horse up alongside Keevan's mount and the boy crossed over.

"Can you ride?"

"Yes, Master," Keevan replied.

"Catch up to the coach," Odon ordered. "I'm going after Shamis. We'll meet you at the spires but tell Mistrss Elena not towait."

The boy nodded and spurred his horse forward. Odon set off after Shamis and the other two orcs, shifting his sword back to his right hand.

Behind him, one of the orcs on the ground gave up trying to catch its panicked mount and walked back to retrieve its blot-caster. It raised the weapon to its shoulder, taking careful aim at the back of the big tailor before squeezing the trigger.

Odon felt a hammering blow from behind and pitched forward in the saddle, his sword flying from his grasp. He looked down and saw the tip of a bolt sticking out from the right side of his chest. He fought to stay in the saddle as his war horse charged across the uneven terrain, but it was a losing battle. As he felt his strength ebbing away he lurched to the right, slipping from the saddle. The last thing he saw was the ground rushing up to meet him.

Marc had never cared for formal affairs, but his male attire was nothing compared to dressing as a proper young Princess. Just the everyday gowns he had been wearing since the transfer were more elaborate than any formal doublet and trousers, and now he was faced with getting ready for the Grand Ball. Worse, he would be without the support of Aliana and Enara for much of the process because they both had their own preparations to make.

It began immediately after a light breakfast with a bath. Scented oils were added to the steaming water and his waist length hair was washed with fragrant shampoo and then dried with the aid of a cantrip. After that he met Ali and Nara in the sitting room as their hair was styled and their nails were manicured. Marc's long tresses were first braided and fine chains of gold and silver were woven about the braids. Then the long cords were arranged in intricate coils and loops that reached no further than his shoulders. Aliana and Enara were both finished much sooner as their hair was considerably shorter than the Princess's, and by the time Marc's was done it was time for lunch.

The Princess generally ate a light mid-day meal, but not today. A platter laden with a dizzying array of food was brought for the three - meat rolls and cheese pasties and a variety of fruits and raw vegetables with creamy dips.

"Don't stuff yourself but eat well," Aliana told him. "Once you're laced into your gown you won't be able to do more than nibble at the ball."

Marc took her advice and ate heartily. After lunch they had some time to simply relax until it was time to get dressed. Aliana and Enara went to their own bed chambers, and Marc was attended in his by Lessanna and Wynetta.

They helped him out of the house coat he wore and then assisted him in putting on sheer stockings of fine silk woven from the fleece of silk-sheep from the south of Trimaria. The stockings were dyed lavender to compliment the purple of the gown Ali's mother had made, a detail Marc found a bit pointless as they weren't likely to be seen. There was a matching garter belt to support the stockings and a pair of tight fitting panties that seemed to be made of less material than a handkerchief. He wore no brassiere as the gown itself would supply all the support he needed.

After the undergarments came a skirt of translucent gauzy material with two bone hoops to maintain its shape. The hoops were not as large as some, intended primarily to keep the outer gown away from the legs for dancing rather than fashion. Over all this went a full chemise of silver silk, the material for this harvested from the silk-strand willows that grew in the cold heights of the Malmorrow Mountains. Marc had gotten somewhat used to feminine garments by now, and he couldn't deny that the way the cool, wispy fabric felt against his soft skin was delightful. It was also a relief to at last be fully covered as he was still quite uncomfortable standing nude in Keri's body.

Next came an inset made from the chromatic dragon hide. The hide had been kept at its full thickness for the inset, which was basically a tight fitting bodice with a short skirt attached. The material had been carefully treated with magical dyes that darkened it's base purple to indigo so that it would stand out against the outer gown..

Once the inset was in place, Lessana pulled up the neck-line of the chemise beneath it so the lace trim showed above the scooped neck of the bodice. Then she reached beneath both garments and arranged Marc's breasts, causing him to blush reflexively, so that a generous amount of cleavage was displayed. While Lessana held his breasts in place, Wynetta tightened the side laces of the inset.

"Forgive me, Highness," Lessanna said. "I know this is uncomfortable for you."

The look in her eyes gave Marc cause to wonder if she suspected something. Lessanna was the youngest of the handmaidens, but she was also by far the shrewdest and most perceptive. She was also the one Marc liked best because while she remained respectful at all times she didn't treat him with awe bordering on fear as the others did.

When the inset was sufficiently tight to support his breast, Lessanna gave them a final adjustment and then removed her hands. Then she and Wynetta each took a side and cinched the laces even tighter, until Marc's already small waist was constricted further and the bone stays of the bodice gave him a figure that narrowed sensuously from his chest down to his waist. The effect made his hips look very round and full as they swelled out from his tiny waist.

Finally the handmaidens helped him don the outer gown. The dragon hide for this had been shaved down until it was half its original thickness. The gown had an open V front that came to a point at knee level and was loosely laced across the abdomen to prevent it from gaping too much. The V front was trimmed in rich silver brocade with gold embroidery and accented with glittering pearls. The sleeves were puffy at the shoulders then narrowed tightly over the upper arm, flaring out once more at the elbows. The forearms were tightly fitted and laced along the inside of the arm and ended loops that fitted over his thumbs to hold them in place. Slits at the elbows and shoulders allowed the silver chemise to show through, and the handmaidens took a moment once the gown was in place to pull the silvery material through the slits for better effect.

The last part of the outfit was a pair of dark purple court shoes with three inch heels. Marc had been wearing heels frequently over the past two weeks to get used to them, but he was still found them decidedly uncomfortable. Fortunately, he had adapted to them quickly, largely due to Keri's body being already accustomed to such footwear, so he wasn't too worried about stumbling. The heels were actually less than what most women wore — Aliana and Enara would both be in five inch heels for the ball, but the Princess was already quite tall, and with the shoes Marc stood just over six feet, which was still several inches shorter than his proper body.

Lessanna looked at the clock on the mantle and said, "We're doing well. Just a few more touches and you'll be ready."

Marc was led to a chair and once he was sitting, Lessanna began painting his face. The Princess usually wore little makeup, but this was a formal occasion and required a bit more. While Lessana was working on his face, Wynetta painted his nails with dark purple polish. After the makeup was applied Marc was adorned with several additional rings, silver chains about his neck and long dangling earrings. Last of all the Royal Coronet was placed on his head and carefully pinned in place.

At last it was done and Marc walked over to the full length mirror in the corner. As he gazed at himself, his eyes grew wide but he managed to keep his jaw from dropping open in shock. The image that stared back at him was that of the Princess of Trimaria in all her royal beauty. He was flooded with a conflicting array of feelings. On the one hand, he found it hard to accept that the beauty in the mirror was actually him. It was contrary to everything he was. As it was supposed to, the gown made his breasts very noticeable, displaying a generous amount of cleavage and the way his creamy flesh giggled when he moved was disturbing. But despite that resistance from his male spirit, his female body and psyche was delighted with the way he looked.

He turned to the handmaidens and smiled warmly. "Thank you both, you've done a wonderful job."

"It wasn't hard, Highness," Wynetta said. "You look exquisite without any help at all."

"I imagine the suitors will be quite intimidated tonight," Lessanna said with a mirthful twinkle in her eye. "They'll all look ever so dreary next to you."

Marc was even more certain the girl knew something, but there was no way he could verify that suspicion. He settled for giving her an intense but friendly stare.

"Now off to get yourselves ready," he told the handmaidens. "We'll meet you out in the hall when we’re ready to depart."

The girls executed an informal curtsey and left the bed chamber. Marc went back to the mirror and gazed at himself once more, then shook his head in wonder and went out into the sitting room.

Aliana and Enara were seated on the sofa as he entered, and they both smiled broadly when they saw him. Their gowns were nearly identical to his, with slightly less ornate trim and far less accessories. Aliana's brown hair was bound up by a by a caul of fine silver netting. The only other ornamentation she displayed was the jeweled pommel of her bodice dagger, nestled between her beasts. Enara's black hair was arranged in a single thick braid and on her head she wore a circlet of entwined gold wire adorned with a single ruby. Around her neck she had a golden torc, the ends capped by intricately sculpted dragon heads with eyes of glittering rubies.

"Keri you look incredible!" Aliana squealed. Her glee was short-lived as she realized what she had said.

"It's all right, Ali," Marc told her. "When I saw myself in the mirror … well for an instant I forgot who I really am. You both look lovely as well."

"How do you feel?" Enara asked.

Marc shrugged. "Nervous, frightened, a bit light-headed and just a little, well, excited."

"That's not unexpected," Ali said. "You know for all her resistance, Keri would have had a marvelous time tonight because she really does love these occasions. I think the main reason she wanted to switch was to get back at her aunt, even if only we knew it."

"You're wrong, Ali," Marc said. "I have her memories you know — she wanted it to be you wearing this gown. She wanted you to be the center of attention this night. I still think you were both foolish and reckless, but I understand what she was trying to do, and I wish she had succeeded. You deserve this and so much more."

"Thank you, Marc," Ali said.

"I am more than a bit uncomfortable about these," Marc said, his eyes drifting down. Every time he breathed his breast swelled upward, giving him a full appreciation for the term heaving bosom. "I'm afraid everyone will be looking at them."

"That's the idea," Aliana said, looking down at her own chest with a grin. She was not was well endowed as the Princess, but the design of the gown made her seem much more buxom.

"Just remember to try and relax," Enara said. "You really do look lovely, and if you allow it, I think you'll have a fun evening."

Marc nodded. "I wouldn't have believed it possible - it still feels so strange to be in this body - but I really am excited about tonight."

Aliana's eyes twinkled as she said, "Let's see if you still feel the same after spending a few hours in those shoes."

Marc felt very regal as they made their way to down the halls of the Baronial Manor a short time later. The bone stays of the tightly laced bodice made it impossible to slouch, forcing him to walk very erect. Though the manor had a ballroom, it wasn't large enough to host the Grand Ball. Instead a huge pavilion had been erected on the field on which the tournament had been held the day before, just outside the city. Because of the number of people who would be awaiting a chance to see 'the Princess' it had been decided they would walk the short distance.

The autumn air was cool and Marc was glad for the warmth of the matching dragon hide cloak Aliana's mother had made. The Royal Guard had formed a corridor down the main street to the city's edge, and Marc was accompanied by two guardsmen in addition to Keri, Garith and Stilnar. He threw himself into his role, waving to the cheering crowds that lined the street.

The pavilion made an impressive sight, glowing in the fading light as though the moon Kessil had descended to the earth. The walls were supported by tall poles and ropes, but the roof was literally floating. Magical blowers pulled in air from outside, warmed it and then blew it into the pavilion. The air pressure kept the light fabric of the roof from collapsing. At each of the four entrances long, rectangular foyers had been constructed with doors at each end to maintain the pressure within the pavilion.

Once inside the foyer of the main entrance they paused for a moment to arrange everyone for their entry. Then the doors were opened and Rodin stepped into the pavilion, his powerful voice ringing out.

"All rise and pay homage to Her Royal Highness, Princess Kerialla Astriala Lockeleigh, Princess of Trimaria!"

It was without doubt Marc's most uncomfortable moment since he had awakened in Keri's body. As he passed down the center of the pavilion he was gripped with fear, certain that every person in attendance could clearly see that he wasn't really the Princess. It was silly of course, and yet he had great difficulty shaking the feeling off. He was so distracted that he forgot the necessity of lifting the back of his skirt as he sat down. Fortunately Aliana was ready, stepping forward to assist him and averting the disaster of having the front of the hoop-skirt fly up. She did it so smoothly that no one noticed anything amiss, and Marc gave her a grateful smile.

Once he was seated the music began and the Grand Ball officially commenced. As couples began to make their way onto the hardwood dance floor Marc received gifts from various groups and individuals. Rodin and Aliana had constructed a meticulous schedule so that he wouldn't be constantly approached, and the first hour passed fairly quickly.

The last presentation was from Lady Elyssa. The shield maiden was dressed in a doublet of rich, purple velvet and black trousers, all carefully tailored to leave no doubt as to her gender. She approached carrying a long, cloth bundle and as she stopped at the foot of the dais Enara stepped down to help unwrap the package. Inside was a magnificently crafted side-sword similar to those favored by the Rangers and a matching dagger.

"A small token from the Rangers, Highness," she said as she presented the weapons to Marc. "And with them, my gratitude for the kindness you have shown Lady Enara."

Marc accepted the weapons with thanks, commenting on the exquisite workmanship. The double-edge sword blade was thinner than a longsword but still sturdy. Both the sword and dagger had elaborately etched basket-hilts which would encase the wielder's knuckles and served as both protection for the hand and a means to deliver a devastating blow in combat. When Marc wrapped his hand around the grip he could tell that the blade was well balanced and he felt the distinctive tingle that indicated the weapon was enchanted. Even the purple leather scabbards and matching belt were finely crafted and embossed with intricate patterns and accented with silver.

"I am truly honored by these gifts, Lady Elyssa," Marc said. "I will bear them with pride."

In truth the sword was much better suited to Keri's body than the longsword she generally used. The lighter blade would be very quick and was equally suite to both cutting and thrusting. The dagger was designed for parrying, with quillions that curved towards the tip to catch an opponent's sword.

"I take it you knew about this," Marc said to Enara after the blades had been sheathed and placed on the table behind him on the dais.

"Of course," Enara said. "The Rangers all contributed what they could to commission them."

Marc lowered his voice and said, "I'm extremely jealous that I won't actually get to use them. They'll serve the Princess well if she ever has need of them though."

After the presentations Rodin called forward Baron Iefan and Marc rose to stand beside him on the dais. He linked his arm through the baron's as they faced the crowd, and after motioning both Elyssa and Enara to join them he addressed the people.

"Some months ago I was extremely privileged to welcome a young woman into my household," he said. "The Honorable Lady Enara had become as dear to me as any sister could be, and I am extremely pleased to stand here with Baron Iefan and announce that she has accepted a proposal of bonding from baron's heir, Lady Elyssa. Please join us in congratulating them on their engagement."

If there were any in the pavilion who found the announcement scandalous they kept their feelings to themselves. The applause were loud and enthusiastic as Elyssa slipped a beautiful ring of white gold set with a heart shaped ruby on Enara's finger. Marc embraced them both as did the baron, and as he hugged Enara, Marc could hear what he whispered into her ear thanks to Keri's exceptionally keen elven ears.

"I will be truly honored to call you daughter," he said. "Can you forgive an old man for being a fool?"

"Gladly, Excellency," Enara replied, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.

The festivities resumed, and for the next three hours Marc entertained a steady stream of would-be suitors. Because there were so many each encounter was kept brief — one dance and then a few minutes of chatting before the next one was called forward. Marc was relieved that only a few actually attempted to work their dubious charms. For most the ball was simply an opportunity to meet the Princess and while he felt awkward at first, Marc soon found himself actually having fun, much to his surprise.

The last was Earl Lohan of Oldenkeep, the most senior of the suitors. As its name implied, Oldenkeep was the oldest city in Trimaria and the earldom was home to many very influential families. Marc was afraid the elderly earl was going to collapse during their dance — he was more than a bit intoxicated — but that was fortuitous as it gave him an excuse to escort Lohan to a seat so he could catch his breath, thus avoiding the necessity of listening to him babble for another five minutes.

His feet were throbbing painfully and Marc turned to head back to the dais, thankful that his obligations were fulfilled. All he wanted to do was sit down and have a glass of wine and perhaps nibble on something sweet. He was very glad Aliana had encouraged him to eat well at lunch, but that had been hours ago.

"That was rather rude of Earl Lohan to leave you unescorted, Highness."

Marc turned at the sound of the voice to find himself staring up into the blue eyes of Lord Valin. The young nobleman was dressed in a shimmering silken doublet of hunter green with jade trim, matching trousers and knee-high leather boots. The outfit was well tailored to emphasize his broad shoulders and chest and Marc felt that same dizzying sensation he had the day before on the tourney field.

"I'm afraid that saltarello was a bit energetic for the Earl," Marc said, somehow finding his voice. "I insisted he sit down."

"Would it be presumptuous of your champion to request the honor of a dance?"

"I shouldn't think so," Marc said, trying to will his racing heart to slow. "It seems only fair."

He allowed Valin to take his hand and lead him towards the dance floor, all the while hoping the next dance would be something simple but lively and impersonal. The valse that the musicians began playing was certainly lively but it was far from simple, and with his left hand on Valin's shoulder and his right clasped firmly but tenderly in the nobleman's hand it was certainly not impersonal.

Their dance started awkwardly and as they spiraled about the dance floor it only got worse. Marc was actually an accomplished dancer; knights were expected to be familiar with the courtly arts as well as the military, but he was used to being the one leading. Now he had to follow Valin and do everything backwards and in high-heeled court shoes. Aliana and Enara had of course worked with him regarding that very matter, but they had only had two weeks. Aliana had provided the musicians with a list of specific dances for each of the suitors, but this was completely unplanned, and the valse was one of the most complex dances. He practically stumbled through the first few bars as he frantically tried to concentrate on what he was supposed to be doing. In his rising panic he almost caused them to collide with another pair of dancers on the crowded floor and he despaired, thinking that what had been a pleasant evening was about to end in utter embarrassment.

Then he looked up into Valin's blue eyes, saw the warm smile on his face and his fear vanished. For the first time since the swap he let himself go. Keri's body knew what to do; the valse was one of her favorite dances, so Marc let her body take complete control. He felt the tension drain away as he arched his back and let Valin guide him as they glided across the hardwood floor. At his partner's cue Marc removed his left hand from Valin's shoulder, executing a perfect spin before returning to the closed position. The dance floor seemed to grow less crowded as they swirled about but Marc hardly noticed, unable to tear his eyes away from those pools of crystal blue that gazed down at him.

As the dance came to a close Marc twirled out again, his right hand never leaving Valin's grasp as he dipped low in a formal curtsey. It was only when he raised back up that he realized they were alone on the dance floor. A spirited round of applause erupted from the onlookers and Marc felt his face flush with warmth. Valin bowed low and then kissed Marc's hand, sending the same thrill through him he had the day before at the tourney.

"Her Highness is as graceful as she is beautiful," the nobleman said.

"You're very kind, Lord Valin," Marc told him. "I nearly sent us both to the floor."

"It's always a bit awkward getting used to a new dance partner," Valin said as they walked back towards the dais. "It will be much better next time."

The handsome young lord's words proved true. Marc danced with him not once but three more times. No doubt it caused some jealousy on the part of the official suitors, and technically it was a shameful breech of protocol, but Marc really didn’t care as he was enjoying it too much.

~ Besides, Keri would have done the very same thing. ~ he thought as Valin escorted him back to the dais after their fourth dance.

"Well someone is certainly having a good time," Aliana said as she handed Marc a goblet of wine. "I do believe you were flirting with Lord Valin."

"I was not … was I?" Marc protested, unable to suppress a grin. "All right yes, I enjoyed dancing with him very much."

"Good," Ali said. "Of course when you wake up tomorrow you're going to be horribly shocked at your behavior."

"Probably," Marc agreed after sipping his wine. "Right now I just don't care."

"Are you about ready to go?" Ali asked. "You know Keri likes to make a quiet exit."

Marc nodded; the night's excitement was starting to take its toll. Valin's attention had temporarily distracted him from the throbbing of his feet, but they were now screaming to be released from the court shoes. He didn't know how Aliana and Enara could stand their much higher heels, not to mention the stifling confinement of their tightly laced gowns.

"It will be a relief to be able to take a deep breath," he said. "I was afraid I was going to pop out of this bodice more than once."

"No one ever pops out of one of Mother's gowns," Aliana scolded playfully. Her expression turned to concern as she looked around the pavilion.

"I'm sure your parents were just delayed," he told her. "There was probably a lot of last minute spire traffic."

"You're probably right," Ali sighed. "I'll let the boys know you're ready to leave."

"You'll do nothing of the sort," Marc said. "I haven't seen you out on the dance floor once tonight. You always manage to drag Sir Marcan out for a dance at least once you know."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," Marc said. "I've got Garith, Stil and two other guards to escort me, and Lessanna and Wynetta can help me out of this gown as easily as they helped me into it." He saw that Enara and Elyssa were already moving onto the dance floor and added, "The rest of you can follow in a bit."

"You're the Princess," Ali said with a laugh as she rose to get Keri.

Marc waited until the dance had begun before rising as well. He collected the two handmaidens and had them gather up the gifts on the table and then informed his guards that they were leaving. Garith and Stilnar both looked like they wanted to protest but he silenced them with a slight shake of his head. They slipped out the back entrance of the pavilion without fanfare and started back to the Baronial Manor.

CHAPTER 36

"All right what's wrong?" Aliana asked as she and Keri danced. The musicians were playing a waltz, similar in timing to the valse but with a slower tempo.

"What do you mean?"

"You're as stiff as an ironwood tree," Aliana said. "Something is bothering you."

"What was he thinking, dancing with Valin like that?"

"She was just having a good time," Ali said.

"Well she was practically fawning all over him," Keri replied.

"I don't think the amulet is working right," Ali said. "You're starting to act just like Marc."

"I am not!" Keri protested. "It's just that any rumors he starts are going to be about me."

"Like you've ever worried about people talking," Aliana said, rolling her eyes. "Besides, we've done far more than dance."

"That was in the privacy of a bedchamber," Keri countered, her face growing warm. "Half the nobles in the kingdom are here."

"You're jealous," Ali said.

Keri started to protest but stopped, grinning as she said, "I suppose I am."

"This has been hard on both of you, but everything will be back to normal soon, love," Ali assured her. "The full moon is less than two weeks away."

"He … she was having a good time, wasn't she," Keri said with a smile.

"Almost as good a time as we've been having," Ali agreed as the dance came to an end. They were about to head back to the dais when Ali caught sight of a familiar face entering the pavilion.

"Look, there's Mother," she said. She slipped her arm through Keri's and they started towards the main entrance.

"I don't see Poppa with her … I wonder where he is?"

As they drew closer she could see that while her mother was dressed in a gorgeous ball gown it looked as though it had been hurriedly donned. Her hair was a bit unkempt and she wore no makeup, but it was the expression on her mother's face that sent a chill down her spine.

"Mother, are you all right?" she asked. "Why are you so late? Where's Poppa?"

Her mother's lip quivered as she reached out and touched Ali's face. Aliana felt a cold chill in her stomach and started shaking as fear gripped her.

"Something terrible has happened, Ali," her mother said, tears streaming down her face.

*****

"I should catch up to her," Enara said when she and Elyssa returned to the dais and found it vacant.

"She couldn't have left more than a few minutes ago," Elyssa said as she gathered Enara's cloak and slipped it around her love's shoulders.

They slipped out the back of the pavilion and started towards the manor, walking hand-in-hand beneath the glittering night sky. The glows mounted atop tall poles on either side of the road gave off a gentle light that was quite romantic, and when they were a short distance away from the pavilion Elyssa pulled Enara into her arms and kissed her passionately.

"Are you happy, little one?"

Enara smiled and nodded. "I've never been so happy in my life."

Elyssa was bending down to kiss her again when all the glows along the street went out, as well as almost every other light in the city and in the pavilion behind them. Then the darkness was rent by a shrill scream from somewhere up ahead.

"Marc!" Enara cried without thinking. Elyssa stared at her in confusion.

"I'll explain later," Enara said as she grabbed Elyssa by the wrist and started towards the noise at a run.

*****

Marc's first indication that something was amiss was a tiny prick in his right breast. He absentmindedly raised his hand to swat away the offending insect and found instead a small dart sticking from the dragon hide bodice. It had barely managed to pierce the thicker material of the inset, but it had been enough. As he pulled the dart free and tried to cry out a warning his mind became thick and sluggish and he couldn't seem to remember how to form the words. Then they were plunged into darkness and he heard one of the girls behind him scream in terror.

Shadowy figures emerged from alleys on either side of the street and set upon the guards. The two in back were down before they even knew what was happening. Garith and Stilnar were quicker to react and were soon locked in combat with at least five men. Marc felt the hands of Lessanna and Wynetta on his arms, dragging him off to the side as his drugged mind tried to comprehend what was happening.

Garith took down one of the attackers with his poll-axe and was turning to face another when a third brought the pommel of his sword down on the back of the burly serjeant's head. Garith crumpled to the ground and Stilnar was left to face the remaining four alone. He furiously parried their thrusts and slashes as he moved to position himself between the attackers and his charge. Marc felt something hard and unyielding against his back, a wall he assumed, and the two handmaidens tried to pull him to the right. They were thwarted when his legs gave out and he sank to the stone walkway.

Stilnar fought valiantly, but the attackers were no mere street thugs. They were obviously well trained and they had the advantage of numbers. Despite the numbness of his mind Marc gasped as one thrust his sword into Stilnar's abdomen, the dress doublet he wore offering no protection at all. The squire swatted the blade away and then lashed out, the tip of his sword opening the man's throat. The assassin staggered back, blood spraying from the wound, as Stilnar crumpled to the stones at Marc's feet.

The remaining three assassins advanced as Wynetta started sobbing hysterically at Marc's side. Lessanna was trembling with fear as well, but she was not cowed by the attackers. She let out a bloodcurdling scream and leapt at one, raking his face with her finger nails only to be clubbed viciously to the ground.

"That'll teach you, bitch," the man snarled. He then leaned close enough for Marc to see his face before snatching the Amulet of Kessil from around his neck. Then he quickly stripped Marc of the rest of his jewelry, including the chastity ring on his right hand.

"I know you," Marc said, his voice little more than a whisper. "Kragin."

"I'm surprised you can even speak, let alone remember me, Princess," the man said. "You were naught but a child when I served your father." He rose, turned to his men and said. "Kill her and the other two."

The two assassins stepped forward, one lifting his sword high to plunge it into Marc's breast. As sturdy as the dragon hide gown was, there was no way it could stop a full sword thrust, but try as he might Marc couldn't make his limbs move.

Just as the sword started down Stilnar stirred, lunging forward to cover Marc's body with his own. Marc eyes locked with his cousin's, the squire's body jerking as the blade entered his back, passing through his body until it was stopped by the thick dragon hide of Marc's bodice. Stilnar struggled to push himself up but failed. Then his head sagged onto Marc's breast and he was still. The assassin yanked his sword free and raised it to strike again.

Rage as hot as Andarel's sun exploded within Marc, and with it came power. The fog seizing his mind cleared in an instant and the three assassins recoiled in fear as an unearthly light shone from his eyes. A scream of both anger and anguish welled up from the depths of his soul.

"NO!"

The cry rushed out as a wave of pure, magical energy. The flesh of the two men in front instantly blistered and a wave of force lifted them into the air and sent them flying across the street. Kagin was shielded from the brunt of the magical outburst but he was still carried along with his men and slammed to the ground. He pushed their charred bodies off of him, his own clothes smoldering as he scrambled to his feet and ran off in the direction of the transport spires.

Marc struggled to roll Stilnar over, cradling his cousin's head in his lap. The squire's eyes fluttered open and he coughed, blood trickling from his mouth.

"Hold on, Stil, help we be here soon," Marc cried. He tried to staunch the blood flowing from his cousin's wounds as he searched Keri's memories for a spell that could heal his wounds. He knew it was futile, however; even a master healer wouldn't have been able to save the mortally wounded squire.

"Not soon enough," Stilnar said weakly. His eyes grew distant and he whispered, "I would have liked to be a knight."

"You are a knight," Marc told him. "No one ever served his Princess so well as you."

Stilnar managed a smile and said, "You made a good Princess." He sucked in a pained breath and then whispered, "Tell Keri … tell her I'm sorry."

The squire let out a last, gurgling breath and then he closed his eyes and was gone. Marc could hear Wynetta whimpering beside him and he wanted to do the same, but he didn't have the time. He lowered Stilnar's head gently to the stones, touched his cheek lovingly, and then bent down to kiss his forehead.

"Good bye, cousin."

Shaking off the grief, Marc turned his attention to Lessanna. The handmaiden was stirring and he helped her to her feet and then went to check Garith. The serjeant was still breathing but he was bleeding badly from the back of his head. Marc searched Keri's memory and found a healing incantation. He knew the Princess would have been able to utilize it with just a thought, but he had to recite the words several times before he felt the aether coursing through him. The flow of blood from Garith's wound lessened but didn't stop.

"Are you all right?" Marc asked Lessanna.

The handmaiden touched her swelling cheek and nodded. Then she knelt down and ripped a strip of cloth from the hem of her gown and wadded it into a compress, which she applied firmly to Garith's wound.

Marc walked over to where the gifts from the ball had been dropped and retrieved the sword and dagger Elyssa had given him. He fastened the sword belt about his waist and slipped the scabbards for the side-sword and dagger into their frogs, then snatched up his cloak from where it had fallen. He then returned and knelt beside Lessanna.

"Stay with him," he ordered. "Help will be here soon."

Marc started to rise but the handmaiden grasped his arm and whispered, "You can't go alone, Sir Marcan."

~ Frag it, does everybody know? ~ Marc thought.

"I have to," he said aloud. He pulled the coronet from his head and handed it to Lessanna. "Tell the others I'm following a man named Kragin, and that he has the amulet and the key. He's heading for the spires."

"Be careful … Princess," Lessanna said.

Marc squeezed her hand and then rose, setting off after Kragin as fast as he could in those damnable court shoes. As he entered the narrow alley Kragin had fled down the city's lights flickered to life. It was a small comfort; in Keri's body he was able to see in the dark almost as well as he could in daylight.

He could hear the spires hum as he neared, and he arrived just in time to see Kragin vanish. Without hesitation Marc rushed forward to follow him before the spires powered down. He was almost to the towering monoliths when he heard someone approaching from behind. His hand flashed to the sword at his right hip and he drew the blade, whirling on his pursuer. Lord Valin skidded to a halt, his hands rising as Marc held the tip of the blade just inches from his throat.

"What are you doing here?" Marc demanded. Any physical infatuation he had experienced before was gone now, and he was immediately suspicious of the nobleman's intentions.

"I arrived at the scene of the attack just as you were leaving and I followed," Valin said. "Highness, what are you doing?"

"Following a traitor," Marc said.

"I can't let you go alone," Valin said as Marc turned back towards the spire.

Marc shook his head but said, "I don't have time to argue. Follow me if you must but if you try to stop me I swear by the Shard I'll cut you down."

Without waiting to see what the noble decided, Marc plunged into the glowing swirl between the spires. For an instant he felt absolutely nothing as blackness surrounded him and then the world reappeared around him. He immediately noted that it was somewhat warmer and the air was much more humid. He looked around quickly and saw Kragin and another man on horseback by the spire's hitching rail. They set off to the east at a gallop without noticing his arrival.

Marc was stepping off the stone base of the spires when Valin appeared behind him, just before the hum of the spires ceased. He didn't wait for the nobleman as he started up a small hill to get the lay of the land. Valin caught up to him as he reached the top and looked around in the darkness. Thanks to Keri's elven vision he could see quite well, but he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The spires were situated in the middle of a small clearing that was surrounded by a thick forest of towering blackwood trees. The giant conifers were over two hundred feet tall and it was from them the area derived its name.

"This is Camron," Marc whispered. "We’re in the Black Forest, over two hundred miles behind enemy lines."