Forming a Conspiracy

King Meldoren Sunshaper frowned as he leaned over the map table, his hand coming down to trace the winding route of the Fae River depicted on the colored surface. His voice was distant, as if he were lost in thought when he spoke, “I think that if we focus our efforts here, we can ensure that there are adequate rangers to protect this region until the wards are upgraded. After that, pulling the garrisons back from Althera is much more feasible.”

Standing beside him, Kestriel smiled and nodded her agreement, “I’m sure that the people will be grateful to know that you’re doing everything you can to bring our forces back within our wards where they will no longer be at risk. Faetheril has lost so much, but these efforts have kept us safe.”

The King nodded, gesturing at the map again and then waving a hand around the small circular command chamber that the two had met in, “If only all of this were not necessary. Perhaps once the wards are in place it won’t be. With the Auriel Mountains to our south, it will be simple to stop enemies from walking on foot through the wilderness. Why, I bet we could place-”

His words were cut short by a commotion just outside the closed wooden door that lead into the command chamber. The room itself was on the lower floors of the palace, and one designed to be used both by the King and his Speaker as well as various commanders of the Palace Guard and Faetheril’s army. It was not unusual to have others entering the room, even with the King present, provided they had the authorization to do so. King Meldoren paused, glancing at Kestriel as the muffled voices filtered through the wooden panel of the door.

“-allow me access at once! It is an emergency you dolt!-”

“-not permitted to enter when the King’s-”

“-aside or we’ll break the door down! We’re here to see the damned King’s Speaker you fool!-”

Scuffling could be heard and then the thud of something striking the door before the portal burst open, hapless guards being shoved aside by an angry looking Braeth’el as he supported Biara with one arm, both of them practically limping through the doorway. They paused after they had gone three feet, Biara’s eyes widening as she realized they had just barged in on the King himself. Her dress was tattered, scorch marks marring the fabric and a tear along her left thigh showing a wicked looking gash on her leg. She leaned heavily against Braeth’el for a moment, trying to catch her breath while the guards behind them babbled on about protocol and how improper it was for them to enter the room without authorization.

King Meldoren held a hand up signaling for silence and instantly the guards quieted. He gestured and they withdrew, sliding the door closed behind them. Once the door was sealed, Biara breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Braeth’el, indicating that he could release her. He did so reluctantly and she winced as she took a step forward before falling to her knees before the king, “My Lord, I beg you to forgive my trespassing, but we bring urgent news that could not wait.”

The King glanced at Kestriel and then over to Braeth’el, noting that the heavily muscled spymaster was also looking worse for wear, his leather armor sporting several gashes and burn marks. He leaned down, offering a hand to Biara, who looked up at him in surprise as he spoke, “Citizens of this realm should always feel welcome to come to me in dire need. Please, Lady Dayfire, rise and let us get you seen to. You and your man there appear to have been wounded and I wish to hear of the cause of this.”

Kestriel walked over to the pair also, concern on her face," "Yes please tell us what happened! I do hope you both are alright!" She looked to King Meldoren, "This is Braeth'el the Master at Arms for House Sunfire and an old friend of mine. We must make sure they are both seen by our healers at once."

Braeth’el offered a polite, informal nod before he walked across the room and dragged a large wooden chair that had been against the wall over to the map table. As Biara took the King’s hand and rose, he came up behind her, gently guiding her down into a chair while speaking over her head, “I’m sorry we couldn’t come to visit under better circumstances, Kest. You know we would have if we could, but it seems that Lady Dayfire’s plan has far more opponents than we’d thought. Some of which are willing to kill to stop it from going into effect. Whether this is because they want to gain politically or because they have illicit activities outside of Faetheril that this plan would halt is hard to say.”

The King frowned at this, leaning down to look Biara over with concern, “Lady Dayfire, I am sorry that you’ve been injured as a result of simply performing your duties for the crown. My healers will attend to you at once and we’ll see to it that you are given better protection going forward.”

Biara nodded, looking pale and in shock that the King was not only fine with her interruption but sympathetic to her injuries, “You do me a great honor, my Lord. I fear that I have failed you though and that this project has become my own personal disaster.”

Meldoren glanced over at Kestriel, sharing a meaningful look with her before speaking again, “I doubt that it is only your enemies that seek to see this plan fail. I may be the King, but that does not mean that my station is above politics and, in fact, it is impacted even more as those below me attempt to maneuver their own heirs onto the throne. It may be that our enemies have simply joined forces in this.”

Kestriel walked to where Biara was sitting, smoothing out her long light blue dress. "Lady Biara, I agree with the King please do not blame yourself for what has happened. I have been working here for most of my life and have seen many things over time. You would be surprised how many enemies the King has." She paused to place a hand on top of Biara's and gently squeezed it. "I saw something in you at Court and at your Estate. There is a fire and a passion in you to protect our people at all costs. Please do not let these intruders extinguish that."

Biara took a deep breath, steadying herself and regaining some of her lost confidence. When she replied, it was in an even tone, but the words conveyed all that had befallen her and Braeth’el in the past few hours, “I won’t. And if the King has enemies, then they are my enemies, and I can assure you that at the end of this day he has far fewer than when he awoke this morning. Braeth’el and I saw to that when they sought to delay our arrival at the palace after assaulting my estate.”

Braeth’el nodded at this, looking over at the King, “There were at least two bands of ten assailants in the forests, complete with apprentices in an attempt to counter Lady Dayfire’s magic. They used magic to assault the estate also. I watched as Biara struggled against them. This was a deeply rooted and well planned conspiracy, but it failed in the end as we broke through.”

The King’s frown deepened as he took in the news, glancing again and Biara and giving her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, “You two have been through much today, and have aided Faetheril with your deeds. As Kestriel said, neither of you should feel as if you’ve failed in this matter. Instead, we will look at this as an opportunity. Do your assailants know you’ve successfully reached the palace? Did they trail you to the city itself?”

Braeth’el grinned at this, “No, actually they don’t.”

The King shared his grin, “Then it appears the plot was successful. Poor Lady Dayfire never made it here today. I’m sure any palace guards that are questioned would say the same. She must have made it halfway and then been forced to turn back due to her great injuries, wouldn’t you say?”

Kestriel also smiled at them. "I have to agree. It is a sad day indeed that poor Biara did not make it here today." She started, "I think we can all help each other out in this. We can remain in contact and keep each other informed of situations. Why we could even form a council of sorts to discuss these matters, what do you say?” She looked expectantly at the others.

Biara blinked in surprise, looking between the King and Kestriel with astonishment, “I-I...I’m honored that you would think to trust me in such a way after all that has befallen this project. I promise you this; I will not let this fail, and I will not let your enemies take this from Faetheril. Our nation will be safer and our people more secure if we can complete this work. I’ve worked my entire life trying to make Faetheril stronger only to see my efforts come to nothing, and I won’t let petty rivalries stop me from doing the King’s work.”

King Meldoren smiled at this, looking down at Biara, “You are a rare person, Biara Dayfire. Very few of the other nobles would put themselves at risk, let alone be willing to continue knowing that their own political future could be put in jeopardy through their actions. You give me hope that we really can make Faetheril stronger. I would like to apologize that you must, by necessity, be my lightning rod in this matter.”

Braeth’el laughed darkly at this, shaking his head, “I’m sure she can handle it, my Lord. This is not the first danger she’s been in, nor will it be the last. She just can’t let me rest or take a vacation.”

Kestriel walked towards Braeth'el and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Aw poor baby needs a vacation, eh? If we start this council you will definitely not have one for quite some time. But I could have you go train with Ketheron if you would like since he works here now."

“You’re kidding me? You got him to take a job in the palace?” Braeth’el said with a grin. “I can’t believe the old battle-dog finally found a place to rest for more than a month. I hope you can keep him around because he’ll be invaluable in the coming days I suspect.”

Biara looked up at Braeth’el and then back at the King. She seemed to have recovered from her initial shock, if still being somewhat worse for wear, “So what is the next step, my Lord?”

The King waved a hand at her, shaking his head, “The next step is that when we are gathering privately that you and Mr. Braeth’el here refer to me as Meldoren or Mel. Formalities are for the court and Kestriel and I dispense with them in favor of efficiency and, you know, actually having friendships and emotions.”

Biara smiled at this, blushing slightly and nodding, “As you wish, Meldoren. Of course the favor should be returned and you should call me Biara.”

The King smiled at her and nodded, “It’s a lovely name, and I shall. Now that we’ve dispensed with that business, we need a plan. As Kestriel said, it would be best to keep our little group here together as a council of sorts. It will allow us to resolve any issues that come up and react to what appear to be a multitude of enemies. We’ll need to determine the logistics of this and how and where we’ll meet.”

Kestriel spoke first, "I would say meeting here would allow us the most privacy. We just have to find a way to get Biara and Braeth'el here secretly. No one can know that we have formed this council and are working together."

“I think I can propose a solution for that,” Biara said. “I can easily transport Braeth’el and myself to a location within the palace using magic. No one will know we’ve come or gone and even if they are looking to see if we’re doing such things they won’t be able to precisely detect what my spells are doing.”

Kestriel smiled warmly at her new friend, "That sounds perfect. We can meet every week or so to discuss matters and even more if necessary."

Meldoren nodded at this, “I agree. Kest, we’ll need to get them wardstones so they can penetrate the protective spells over the palace.” He paused, turning to look at Biara before continuing to speak, “I think you understand how much trust I’m placing in you, Biara. There are few who are permitted access to these wards, and the fact that I am giving you one should indicate just how much faith I have in you, and in your project. I don’t think that we’ve failed at all, and we’ll restart from scratch if needed.”

Biara nodded at this, clearly honored by the King’s words, “I’ll restart it as many times as needed to see it succeed. I will not fail you, you have my word on that.”

The King smiled and replied in a softer tone, “I believe in you and your conviction. It is decided then. We four shall meet regularly to discuss these matters.”

“I have one other suggestion,” Braeth’el cut in. “We might want to keep the continuance of the project quiet. If our attackers believe they’ve ruined the entire thing, they will be less careful. We can look at who is boasting amongst the nobility about the project’s failure and keep an eye on them as potential conspirators. In the meanwhile, we can use magic to bring new supplies and equipment to Biara. The trick will be finding Houses that are in agreement with the King and who can be trusted to keep the entire thing secret.”

Kestriel nodded, "Brae you make some good points. We need to be very careful about who knows about this and how we handle things going forward. Sadly there are not many Houses that I would trust as much as we are trusting you both." She looked to Meldoren, "Mel, is there anyone you can think of that we can trust that would follow you?"

Meldoren paused, giving the question some serious thought, “That is a difficult thing to answer. Many of the Houses have ancient ties to this city. A few of them see my family line as being inferior given that they migrated here in ancient times from Aurali cities further to the south. That being said, many hold true to the traditions of Faetheril, and are loyal to the throne and the one who sits upon it, regardless of which bloodline they are descended from.”

Kestriel smiled, "Well you know I trust you my friend. So give it some thought and we can see who else can know of our plans or if we should just keep them between us four." She paused and then looked towards Biara and then Braeth'el, "In all the commotion we have not even tended to both of your wounds. Are you alright, do you need healing, or a drink perhaps?"

Braeth’el shrugged, “I’m fine, just a little dirty. Biara was slashed though and this with a spell. She may need your healers to walk out of here upright. I can tell she’s putting on a brave face for the King but she was in bad shape before.”

“Braeth’el!” Biara protested, turning red. She turned to look at Kestriel, “I’m alright. Braeth’el is correct though and I did take a wound fighting through the ambush they set up outside of the estate.” She paused, looking down at her tattered dress and sighing. She shifted her leg and it was clear through the rent in the fabric that she’d taken a minor wound. Blood had dried on the frayed edge of the garment. “I’m sorry that I had to come to you both in this state, but I had little choice as it was urgent. This is nothing anyway; some of our people lost their lives in the attack.”

Meldoren frowned, leaning down near Biara and examining the injury, “That looks rather serious, and we’re going to have it tended to before you and Braeth’el depart. The fact that you had to shed blood for what should have been a simple research project is unbelievable, and there will be an accounting for every moment of pain you’ve experienced, I promise you that, Biara.”

Biara turned beet red, looking away from the King for a moment and up at Kestriel before glancing back at them both, “I appreciate your concerns and will of course accept whatever hospitality that you are willing to provide. I just don’t want to be a burden when you were already in the middle of other important matters.”

Kestriel nodded, "Then I shall send for a healer and also some refreshments for both you and Braeth'el. It is really the least we can do with what you have been through. It is really no trouble at all!"

“We appreciate it, Kest,” Braeth’el said with a smile. “You and the King have done much for us and I know I won’t forget it. I’ve worked for Biara and her House for many years, and I’ve never seen her this passionate about getting a project done and doing it the right way. I’m glad that she has somewhere to go for support because it looks like this is going to be difficult.”

Biara blinked and stared at Braeth’el, “I am sitting right here you know! You’re going to embarrass me!”

Braeth’el barked out a laugh, “Probably not as much as showing a bit of thigh to the King the very second time you’ve seen him in person.”

Biara’s mouth opened and closed several times as she flushed a bright red and Braeth’el chuckled, as did the King. Meldoren shook his head and looked at Biara with a smile, “It’s so hard to find good help these days. I feel your pain.”

Kestriel let out a laugh also. "Biara it is quite alright. Don't let these silly boys embarrass you. I bet I could tell you some stories about both of them that would make THEM blush!"

Biara nodded a silent thank you to Kestriel while elbowing Braeth’el in the thigh, “Thank you my- Meldoren, I’m glad someone else can sympathize with the suffering I must endure every day. Sadly, Braeth’el is likely one of the most skilled spymasters I have ever seen. Even with this attack, he warned me it was coming but unfortunately I did not have quite enough time to act. I think between the four of us we can prevent any more disasters, especially if they think I’ve failed.”

The King looked at Biara and spoke softly now, “And you understand that this will ruin your reputation to a degree, right? You are alright with that? The other houses will mock you for your failure.”

Biara nodded, holding her chin up as she replied, “I do. It is a sacrifice I am willing to make. There was a time when House Dayfire was the totality of my world. I have learned through hardships and many errors that I must look beyond the confines of my father’s name. My father is honored by my deeds, whether they are seen or not and he would approve of me working for the better of Faetheril. Let them mock me if they must, in a thousand years when our city still stands I will look back at those moments and laugh.”

The King smiled, patting Biara’s shoulder again, “A rare person indeed.” He turned walking towards a nearby cabinet and took out a bottle of wine, pouring glasses for each of the people in the room. As he did so, Kestriel poked her head out of the door and ordered one of the guards to fetch a healer. When the King had poured the wine, he handed a glass to each of them personally, holding his up in toast.

“To newly found friends and allies, may Faetheril stand for eons to come!”

Each of them raised their own glasses in toast, smiles passing across the faces of all present. Although the future was uncertain and would undoubtedly be difficult, the enthusiasm in the room was obvious and each believed that together they would undo the damage their foes had wrought and rebuild from the ashes.

Mutual Sorrow

Biara sighed as she kicked off her shoes and slid onto the silken divan, her body stretching out against the luxurious softness of the furniture. For a moment she simply lay there, her arms extended above her head, one crossed and covering her eyes to block out the sunlight streaming in through the windows of her study. She sighed a second time, tension leaving her as she let go of her worries for a brief moment and just tried to exist in the silence that surrounded her.

Her respite from her duties lasted a mere fraction of a second as she heard the door to her study open and close quietly. For a moment, she remained still, the white and gold fabric of her sleeve covering her face as she savored every last second that she could before a male voice grunted softly to get her attention. Resigned now to the fact that her sanctuary from her duties had been penetrated, she sighed again and moved her arm just enough to peek from beneath the fabric.

Braeth’el nodded at her, looking as weary as she felt, and she let her arm fall from her face as she studied his, “There’s more trouble isn’t there?”

He nodded, obviously not relishing the thought of breaking the news to her, and why would he? For the past two weeks they’d had nothing but trouble with the other noble houses and various Magi within the city. It seemed half the Kingdom was offended that she was being allowed to lead the project to recalibrate the wards around Faetheril, while the other half were offended that she’d stepped out of place amongst the other Magi and seemingly earned some small favor from the King.

When Braeth’el spoke, it was with a heavy voice, “I fear that I’ve uncovered a potential plot by House Summerwind to sabotage the project. I can only get scant details due to the fact that it is a Summerwind Magi behind the plan, but I am concerned that whatever they are plotting will happen very quickly.”

Biara grunted, shifting on the divan so she was at least partially upright and not speaking to her Master at Arms from a dejected slouch. She felt worn to the bone with all the work they’d been doing in preparing the first test ward, and dealing with various plots and intrigue had not been part of her original plan. She sighed again, shaking her head, “It doesn’t matter, the project must go on. I appreciate you taking the time to look into this though and I’ll have defenses prepared by this evening to handle anything they decide to try against our test wardstone.”

Braeth’el sighed himself and nodded, “You know I won’t abandon House Sunfire or my duties. No offense though, but I would not wish to be in this position all of the time. It’s all I can do to keep up with guard rotations, logistics, visitors from the court, and running the various parts of this estate. How you were doing this and attempting to practice magic is beyond me, and I am starting to see why you took a step back.”

“It was that and many other factors,” Biara admitted. “It was time for me to put my hand to something more productive. My politics did little to help my cause and much to hurt our House and my sister, when she is here, serves in that role much better than I did. I am sorry that she seemingly has abandoned her station though. Have you heard word from her?”

Braeth’el shook his head, “I haven’t. The last I’d heard she left to go back to the garrisons in Althera for whatever reason. Her explanation was rather terse and she’d been acting strangely from what I gather. I haven’t had time to think about it with the mounds of work piled on me over the past week and a half.”

Biara bit her lip and looked away, shaking her head and picking at a thread on her dress, “I am sorry Braeth’el. I think you deserve at least a day or two of rest. She shouldn’t have left you in such a position, shouldn’t have done what she did…” Biara’s voice trailed off for a moment before she murmured again, “Is there anything else?”

Braeth’el’s head tilted as he studied the noble Magi sitting before him. He attempted to make eye contact with her, but she steadfastly continued to pick at a thread that had long since been removed, “Biara, I’ve known you for your entire life. I’ve seen you get caught stealing spellbooks from your mother’s quarters, seen you attempt to slyly command spies, and seen you try to coax lords into taking up your cause. Just tell me, whatever it is.”

Biara turned beet red for a moment and shook her head, “I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about, Braeth’el. I should probably get to my duties before more disasters befall us.”

Braeth’el grunted, frowning and turning away, “I thought that we’d gone beyond what came between us. I have at least, even though our differences almost turned lethal in the past. I suppose though that you either still don’t trust me, or perhaps believe there is no value in a lasting friendship between us.”

He began to walk away, and Biara’s eyes widened as she rushed from the divan, her hand reaching out to catch him by the shoulder, “Braeth’el…wait…”

He paused, turning to look at her, gazing at her intently, “Just tell me. If it’s another problem we will deal with it.”

Biara shook her head, looking down, “It’s Kyli… It… will be hard to hear.”

Braeth’el nodded, his tone softening, “What happened to Kyli?”

“It’s not what happened to her, it’s what she’s done,” Biara began hesitantly. “When last she and I spoke, we fought. I suspect that it is one of the reasons she rushed off to the distant garrisons.”

Braeth’el spoke softly, understanding there was more behind the words, “What did you fight about, Biara?”

Biara stared at the floor as she spoke, as if she didn’t want to look him in the eye, “Braeth’el, Kyliska…slept with Rayleth. I-it was at one of the garrisons in Althera. I had been traveling there to speak with several of the apprentices assigned to the outposts and to pick up reports. I-I saw her heading towards his barracks. She was walking as if she’d been drinking, and then she disappeared inside. I…snuck up to the doorway and listened. I heard them talking. I heard them…”

Braeth’el was silent as Biara’s voice trailed off. The pain in her tone and the way she trembled gave a weight to the words that nothing else could. He felt like he’d been struck in the chest with an arrow, and for a moment all he could do was stand in place as emotions raged through him. All this time he’d thought that Kyliska had changed, that she had seen something in their relationship that meant something special to her. He’d thought he had finally found the end of his path, the place where his retirement from being a spy would start and a new life would begin. All of it was crushed in a moment by Biara’s words.

He gave a strangled grunt of anger, shaking as he moved to the divan Biara had just vacated and sank down on it, his head cradled in his hands. Although he managed to keep his tears in check, the pain coursed through him all the same and he found himself speechless for a long time. He heard the rustle of Biara’s skirts as she moved, and felt her hands upon his knees. Hesitantly he managed to bring his hands from his face, and found her kneeling on the floor before him, tears in her eyes as she looked up at him.

“Braeth’el, I am so very sorry,” she said, her tone soft and consoling. “It felt the same way for me. Rayleth...he and I had something together, something special. My sister has taken this from both of us, and then when I spoke to her of it, she ran off, unable to hear the truth of the matter. I didn’t want to tell you, I was afraid you would not believe me, afraid that you would leave when I needed you most. I was selfish to keep it from you, and I can only beg you to forgive me.”

Braeth’el blinked, the clashing emotions in him warring with his astonishment at seeing the Lady Dayfire kneeling before him, begging him to forgive her for something that had been far behind her control. The hurt on her face mirrored what he felt in his heart, and he found himself reaching out and taking her small hands in his, squeezing them as he spoke, “It was not you who did this to me, nor was it your place to tell me. I’m your spymaster; if I cannot see my own lover cheating on me then what good am I to you and to this House? It is I who’ve failed here. I should have seen through it all, seen what was always there.”

“None of us could have known that she would do such a thing,” Biara replied. “I trusted her as I always do, and she let me down once again. She is my sister still though, and I love her enough to forgive her eventually and have her come back, but I will not lose you in the process, at least not your friendship. If you wish to leave the service of this House before Kyliska returns here, I will understand and will consider that you have honored all of the oaths you swore to my father long ago.”

Braeth’el shook his head, sucking in a deep breath and forcing his emotions down deep. He was a professional spy and he’d sworn oaths as Biara had said. It hurt worse than the blackest poison he’d ever felt, but he’d be damned if it was going to break him. He squeezed Biara’s hands again and nearly growled, “Tel’athar’s blood runs through your veins, and as long as you live I will serve this House. I will do what I swore to your father I’d do.”

Biara looked almost relieved, giving him a half smile, “You can’t know what that means to me. I need you here now more than ever. You know how important my work is, what we can accomplish. Our realm could be safe for thousands of years if we can complete the spells. I just need a little more time, a little more-“

Biara’s words cut off in mid-sentence, and Braeth’el’s mind immediately snapped into action as he watched her eyes roll up into her head. For a moment she didn’t move or even breathe, but the magical wards on her right cheek and running down the left side of her body began to spark and glow with bright blue magical power. The energy was so strong that he could clearly see the light from the spells glowing through the fabric of her dress. He rose and then knelt beside her, his hands coming up to her shoulders as he shouted, “Biara! What’s the matter?! Can you hear me?”

Biara’s eyes snapped back into focus, bright blue energy leaking from them and vaporizing in the air near her face as tremendous amounts of magic surged through her. She shivered once, her voice coming out in a jerking stutter, “S-someone’s…breaching wards. C-can’t hold them b-back for long…e-estate under attack!”

The energy within the Magi surged even brighter, and Braeth’el looked away as he felt power coursing through the rather fragile Faeril elf in his arms. In a distant part of the estate he heard a thundering boom as something, some power, broke through House Sunfire’s defensive wards. The sound was followed by what sounded like secondary explosions and the patter of many somethings falling atop the roof of the structure or perhaps in the courtyard outside. The entire building rocked as a second boom echoed through the very floor, screams rising up in the corridors beyond.

And then, in a moment, it was over. Biara seemed to sigh, slumping forward as the energy in the wards on her body began to twinkle out slowly, leaving fitful traces of glowing blue sigils across her right cheek. Her eyes closed and Braeth’el found himself holding her upright as she shuddered once. He spoke into the silence, his tone low, “Biara? Are you alright? What happened?”

For a moment she didn’t respond, and he feared she had passed out. After a long pause she stirred slowly, looking up at him through half-lidded eyes, clearly drained from whatever had just happened. When she first spoke, a strange glowing vapor escaping from between her lips, the last of her power fading, “We were attacked by saboteurs.  There were enough of them working together to partially breach my wards. They were going for the wardstone we’re preparing. I-I…I couldn’t hold them back. The stone is destroyed and I can no longer feel the spells or presence of two of my apprentices.”

Braeth’el frowned, shaking his head and still holding her in his arms, “It’ll be alright. We’ll clean it up and start over. Dammit! This is my fault; I should have found out about the plot sooner. They must have been planning to move close to the estate to launch the attack.”

Biara didn’t respond, tears beginning to spill down her face. When she began to cry openly, Braeth’el found himself in a strange place stuck between warring emotions within himself, “I’m sorry. I know this is hard. I wish I could have warned you sooner.”

“It’s not that,” Biara said, choking back her tears. “I’ve failed again. I thought that maybe, maybe just once I could do something a different way. That I could make a positive change or try to help in a way that my magic would not harm anyone. I thought if I took a step back, if I let Kyliska run the House that I could avoid all of this and that no one else would have to suffer because of my mistakes. And now it has cost the lives of two more of my apprentices and Aura knows how many of our guards and servants. I’ve failed Faetheril, failed this House, and failed my father’s memory.”

Braeth’el snarled, grabbing Biara by the shoulders and nearly shaking her, looking directly into her eyes, “Snap out of it! This is not the Biara I know. Yes our enemies have gotten one step ahead of us and served us a defeat, but when have you ever let that stop you? When have you ever laid down to die? This House exists because of your energy and drive, because of your unfaltering will. How many of our enemies have you struck down?”

Biara didn’t answer, her mouth opening and closing in surprise at Braeth’el’s sudden harshness. It was if all of the anger and pain within him had solidified into a driving fire that was hot enough to burn her in its flames. When she took too long to answer, he actually did shake her once, almost shouting in her face, “Are you going to let them destroy this Kingdom because they don’t like you? Or are you going to do something about it?!”

“I-I….I’m going to stop them,” Biara said. Braeth’el’s anger was a palpable thing in the air and it was infectious. She could almost feel his rage creeping across her skin from where his fingers dug into her arms, and it enflamed the outrage at what had been done to her plans, to the King’s project, within her own house. When she spoke a second time, she nearly quivered with anger, “I’m going to make them pay for this. No one is going to destroy this kingdom while I draw breath. I’ve bled for this realm. I’ve lost loved ones and all I once possessed for it. I’ve seen myself nearly brought to ruin. I will not let some…some charlatans who think they know what true magic is attack my home!”

Braeth’el released Biara, his voice cold now, his tone commanding. He rose, looking down at her, “Then get up. I’ll get the horses saddled and we’ll ride immediately.”

Biara stared up at him, actually enjoying his decisiveness in the moment of disaster. It was what her father had seen in him all those years ago shining through in his eyes; he’d do his duty and let his enemies be damned if they tried to stop him. In that moment, she would have cut through the wall of her study with her magic if he’d suggested it would get them to their destination faster. She rose, one last question on her lips as she followed him out into the corridor beyond, ignoring the cries of the servants and guards who had been nearly killed during the attack, “Where are we going?”

Braeth’el didn’t look back, shoving a hurrying guard out of his way as he continued onward. When he responded over his shoulder, he said only one sentence, but Biara felt hope soar within her as he spoke, “We’re going to see my friend Kestriel and we’re going to do something about this.”

As they rushed towards the stables in the courtyard far below, Biara prepared her combat spells in her mind, already beginning to weave wards of protection around herself and Braeth’el. If their enemies had prepared an ambush in the forests beyond Sunfire Estate, they were about to learn a very harsh lesson about Biara’s mercy when it came to the enemies of Faetheril.