Chapter 01: Pearlforest

Castle of Pearlforest, Southern Dukedom, Kingdom of Aruhel. Year 284 After Unification.

The gardens were Maela's favourite place, especially the bench under the oak tree. The shade provided by the tree's leaves was an excellent place to practice her embroidery or play some music, and she often sat there with her cousins. Hanika would bring her harp and would hum some song as she played while Hamya would endlessly chat about the latest gossip of the castle. How Hamya always found out about everything happening in the castle and the cities around, Maela would never know. It seemed her cousin had a gift for finding out information. Maela didn't complain though; it was highly entertaining. If another life, she would have made a great spymaster, and Maela sometimes wondered if she wasn't one already. Maybe Maela could create that role for Hamya when she would be Duchess of the South to keep her busy.

However, she wasn't sure there would be much work for her beyond the latest gossip. The South was an uneventful duchy, where even the weather was always good. It was almost always sunny and warm, and it hadn't snowed in four centuries. The last storm had been for Maela's birth, twelve years ago. As such, Hamya would surely be bored as the South's spymaster. But it was alright. Maela liked her life the way it was. After all, she had everything anyone could ever hope for. She always made sure to thank the Nine Paramount Gods for this, whom everyone called the Nine. Her childhood nurse had always told her that if she wasn't thankful to the gods for what she had, they would punish her. It was probably nothing but a story to frighten children, but Maela still made sure to pray every day.

The only thing missing in Pearlforest was love. She wanted to go to the capital and meet dozens of gallant knights to fall in love with, witness the mightiest tourneys in the kingdom and befriend the most gracious ladies. Her cousins were her dearest friends, of course, but she had known them since her birth. They didn't have many stories to tell each other, beyond what Hamya discovered. Maela wanted to make friends, new friends who weren't her cousins. Moreover, she had been told by countless travelling singers that the capital was the most beautiful city they had ever visited. Which, of course, only increased Maela's desire to go. Father had told her she would, one day, but she was impatient. In the meantime, she busied herself with her studies and Hamya's gossip.

"Have you heard the latest story? The kitchen boy, Luke, he's going to wed the kennel master's daughter."

"Lilia? I didn't think he would ever settle down for one girl. He's broken a dozen heart last month."

Hamya snorted, which was quite unladylike, but something quite expected from her. Maela had never quite understood how Hamya and Hanika could be sisters. Hanika was the epitome of a shy lady whereas Hamya probably knew more curse words than the rest of the castle.

"As if! She's three months along so the kennel master threatened to set the hounds on Luke if he didn't take responsibility."

"Three months along?'' Maela exclaimed, gobsmacked, putting her embroidery down. "She's with child?"

"What else?" Hamya shrugged. "Gods, I pity that babe. Luke is unable to resist women, and Lilia has the worst temper. She'll end up feeding him to the hounds herself."

"Don't say that. Marriage and fatherhood may settle him", Hanika said gently.

Hamya made an unconvinced face, and Maela sighed in defeat. Hamya was almost always right regarding these matters, which could be extremely frustrating. She had learnt years ago to never bet her dessert against Hamya's predictions. Still, it was so very sad for Lilia. Being cheated on was awful, and no real man should ever dishonour his wife in such a way. Perhaps she should make something to comfort the soon-to-be mother. Maybe an embroidered blanket for the babe would help her mood? She didn't know Lilia well.

"Hamya, what does Lilia like? We should prepare something for her, to help her mood. Do you think she would like an embroidered blanket for the babe?" she asked. "Oh, I have a better idea! How about a dress for her wedding?"

"I think she'd rather have another husband", Hamya laughed. "But a blanket for the babe might be a good idea."

"Well, I should start working on it soon, then. I want her to have it before the birth. Hanika, will you help me?"

"Of course. We received some new fabrics, I'm sure we'll find something suitable for a babe. Their skin is very sensitive, after all. I've been meaning to make myself a new dress for a few weeks, it will be a good opportunity."

Hanika was almost seventeen, so many boys had started courting her, especially passing knights. Perhaps she had started wondering which one of them would make a good husband. Nonetheless, Maela hoped her cousin would find a good lord or a rich merchant to marry. As a Yale of Pearlforest and the Duke's niece, not every man could hope for her hand. As the future Duchess, Maela wouldn’t allow a worthless man to ask for her cousin's hand. They were the blood of the South and Pearlforest, one of the Ancient Houses.

"Anyway!'' Hamya exclaimed, clapping her hands together. ''Now that we’re done talking about Lilia's and Luke's disastrous wedding to come, let me share the best information I got my hands on in years."

"There aren't many scandalous stories in the South, so I must guess. Has a lord died or gotten married?" Hanika asked.

"No, we would have received a raven", Maela replied. "I'd say there was something with this summer's harvest."

"Boring! Your ideas are boring!" Hamya exclaimed. "A death, a wedding, and the harvest? You can be more imaginative than this."

"A mage has appeared in the South!"

Mages were incredibly rare, for the Gods rarely bestowed gifts to humanity. The Ancient Houses had each received a hereditary gift thousands of years ago, but the Gods sometimes liked a human well enough to give them a unique ability. However, it happened so scarcely that mages were fought over, and the most powerful ones could start wars just by existing. Once, there had been a mage who could heal all wounds. Three kingdoms had fought to capture him and force him to work for them, but it had been pointless. The mage had taken his own life, heartbroken by all the deaths and suffering caused by the war. Because of this influence mages had over kingdoms, some people had begun to hate mages, while other worshipped them.

"No, but it was a good idea", Hamya replied.

"I'd love to meet a mage one day", Hanika sighed. "Someone picked by a God must be extraordinary!"

Hamya shrugged.

"Anyway, it’s not a mage. Try again."

"Has a war broken out on the continent? The relationship between the Isles and Ruelen has gotten worse the last few years", Hanika suggested.

"No, that is far beyond my reach. But at least, it wouldn't be boring", she joked. "Anyway, I'll tell you because I'm excited to see your reaction. Right before dawn, a messenger arrived all the way from the capital. And not any type of messenger. One with the king's banner on his chest."

"A royal guard!” Maela exclaimed enthusiastically. There hadn't been a royal guard in the South in two decades. "A royal guard has arrived this morning!"

"Exactly."

"This is why the maids told me Mother and Father are busy!"

"Yes."

"Do you know what kind of message he brought?" she asked, grabbing her cousin's hands.

Hamya gave a mischievous smile which implied she had something up her sleeve. Probably a prank.

"This is above my paygrade."

"You don't have a job, you’re not paid", Maela replied, frowning.

"Exactly."

"Then what do – Oh. Do you want my dessert again?"

"Well, I wouldn't say no to a new dress."

"Hamya, stop blackmailing Maela. You're fourteen, and she's our future Duchess", Hanika sighed. "Maela, don't make her a new dress. I’ll help her with her embroidery, she’s just jealous you’re better at it than her."

"Jealous? You always complain that I'm a better singer. Who's the jealous one?" Hamya exclaimed, falsely outraged.

"And Maela is better than the both of us. If I'm jealous of anyone, it's of her. I complain because you never work."

"Alright enough!" Maela exclaimed before the sisters started fighting for real. "Hamya, please tell me. I’ll get you something."

"I was kidding, I wouldn't ask you something against my gossip", Hamya said with a bright smile. "Gossip is free, it's the whole point. But to be completely honest, I don't know what the messenger is here for. He spoke two words to Father and went straight to Uncle. And now, well, they're locked in there. According to the maid who brought their meal, the conversation was amiable, but she didn't stay for long and there was a broken teacup. So, it must have been more tense."

"We need to find out", Maela decided.

She got up from the bench and smoothed her pink and purple skirt. There were some grass stains on them, and her long hair was a bit tangled despite being braided. She would need to get changed first; she couldn't meet an important guest dressed like that. She turned to look at her cousins, embarrassed.

"Could you help me with my hair, first?"

000

In the end, she had been right to change, since she had been summoned with her cousin to Father's office as soon as she had entered the building. She put on a light auburn underskirt, with atop of it a sleeveless tight copper dress. The waist was marked by a simple golden belt with pearls, and the bodice of the dress was embroidered with House Yale's banner, a wild cat. This dress was her latest creation, and it was Maela's dream occasion to wear it for the first time. She readjusted her traditional hair jewels as she walked towards Father's office, impatient. If it wasn't for her cousins being with her, she might have run all the way to the door, but she had to behave properly. She knocked once and waited for Father's authorisation. Usually, she would simply walk in, but she knew her parents expected her to be on her best behaviour.

"Who is it?"

"It's Maela, Father! Hamya and Hanika are with me."

"Come in!"

She pushed the doors opened and, as always, was impressed by the room's beauty. As the Duke of the South and Lord of Pearlforest, her father had decorated the office richly. The South was incredibly rich compared to the other duchies of Aruhel and some people said its economic power rivalled a kingdom's one. Maela knew it wasn't just words. Until 284 years ago, the South was called Yggalë and was an independent kingdom. Despite being conquered by Aruhel, it hadn't lost its main power: a powerful economy. With a good weather all year-long and a fertile soil, the South had the best harvests of the continent and fed much more people that lived there. Moreover, the South shared borders with several countries and ships came and went from the main port all day long.

Therefore, the Duke of the South needed to look the part, and Father always did. With his multiple jewels and rich clothes, he looked like a king. Next to him stood Mother, with a beautiful dress whose bodice was embroidered with many flowers and small gems. Both had the usual Southern looks: dark amber skin and jet-black hair. Mother's hair reached her waist whereas Father's stopped at his shoulder in beautiful waves Maela had inherited. Sitting on the couch, the royal guard looked completely out of his element. His skin was the colour of a peach, and his hair were blond, a hair colour quite rare in the South.

"Mother, Father, we came as fast as we could. I believe our summon is related to our guest?" she asked before turning to the man. "Welcome to Pearlforest, my lord."

The man immediately bowed when she curtsied, and she was pleased to see he bowed lower than her. She had learnt that the only people she should truly bow to were royal families. Dukes and their heirs were her equals, but anyone else was of a lower station than her. She would hate to make a mistake this early in this meeting. The man took her hand and kissed it.

"I'm merely a knight, my lady. It's my honour to meet the famous Lady Dawnbringer."

Maela couldn't help but blush slightly in embarrassment. Lady Dawnbringer was a nickname the singers had come up with for her birth. Mother had laboured an entire night to birth her while the biggest storm the South had ever known was raging outside. But when Maela had been born, it was dawn and the storm had calmed down with her first cry. Many had started to believe that Maela herself had changed the weather, while others that Maela's birth had been celebrated by the God of Woods, the deity favoured in the South.

"I hadn't expected this nickname to reach the capital, ser", she replied politely.

"How could it not? An heiress born at dawn after a raging storm is a singer's dream", he replied. "Alas, I’m not here to talk about music."

"Of course. Father?" Maela asked.

"Sit down, girls", Father said, coming to sit with them. "As you all know, His Majesty has yet to choose an heir to succeed him after his death."

Maela nodded. Usually, the King's heir was his eldest son. However, His Majesty Rolan had had twins and then two other sons in rapid successions from a noble mistress. The four boys all had a good claim to the throne, and choosing the future King's identity was all merchants talked about. Hamya had once told Maela the princes weren't on good terms with each other and sometimes brawled with each other. As such, it could easily escalate into an armed conflict. She shuddered at the thought. Aruhel hadn't known an open conflict since the conquest of the South. She hoped it would never come to this. War was awful.

"And, sadly, the situation between the princes isn't getting better. Worse, the King's health is declining. As such, he has requested the support of the four Dukes to help him. I am requested to go to the Royal Keep until a new king is chosen and enthroned peacefully."

Maela's heart skipped a beat as lead fell into her stomach. Father, leaving? She shuddered. She couldn't imagine Pearlforest, her life, without him present. Father had always been present for her; he had been the one to teach how to ride a pony, he had chased the monsters from under her bed when she had been a child, he had comforted her when Mother had been pregnant again and had almost lost the baby. She couldn't picture him gone. How long would Father be away? Why couldn't the King choose his heir himself? He was the King, after all!

"Must you really leave?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Yes. But I won't leave alone. Maela, will you come with me to the Royal Keep?"

Maela's eyes widened, and she felt a big smile appear on her face as all her worries vanished. Forgetting her manners, she threw herself in Father's arms. He hugged her tightly, caressing her long ebony hair. She would see the Royal Keep! She would stay with Father!

"Of course, I will! Can Hamya and Hanika come? What about you, Mother? Are you coming as well?"

"No, my dear, I must stay here and look after the South."

Maela felt her mood drop. She wished her parents would both come. She loathed the idea of being separated from them. But if she had to choose, she would follow Father. She loved Mother dearly, but she was excited at the idea of seeing the Royal Keep. Moreover, she couldn't picture Father alone and away from the South, she had always been closer to him. She had to go with him so he would never feel lonely. Mother would have Maela's younger brother, Luthael, to keep her company. He was just a two-year-old baby, but he would soon grow up and needed a lot of attention, anyway.

"Hamya and Hanika are more than welcome to come, however", Father said. "But only if they want to, of course."

"We do!" Hanika exclaimed.

"Of course! Can you imagine all the gossip I’ll get my hands on? It's bound to be exciting!"

000

They left a week later, with ser Gunther at the front of their column. Maela had decided to travel on her pony for a part of the journey, if only to see the South one last time before leaving. Although she was glad to see the world outside of the South for the first time, she would miss the South. It was her home, and the Southerners here were her people. Thus, before leaving the South for several years, she wanted to see the endless fields of flowers of House Shul, the rivers and the luxurious forests, the small cities, and the villages on the side of the Forest Road. She wanted to feel the warm sun of her home, enjoy the breeze, watch the blue sky one last time. She wondered how it would look but once she would be in the Royal Keep. Would the air smell as good? Would the wind be as cool on her skin? Or would it be completely different?

"Maela, you should keep your eyes on the road."

She turned around; it was Hamya, riding a beautiful white mare. Despite not being an adult yet, Hamya was taller than most – something inherited from her mother – and as such rode full-grown horses instead of ponies. Maela couldn't deny she was jealous. She loved her pony, Spring, but she couldn't deny that a full-grown mare was more impressive. Nonetheless, she could reassure herself by recalling that Hamya wasn't a very accomplished rider and had only accepted to mount a horse to keep Maela company on the road.

"Don't worry, Spring is docile."

"If you say so… But be careful, I don't want my future Duchess to break her legs because of a riding accident."

"I won't. You, however, should relax your hands. You're going to stress the mare", she instructed and gave a soft smile at Hamya when she obeyed. "Here, isn't it better? If you're afraid, the mare will know it and panic."

"I know. But she's so big!"

"Don't worry. She knows the road; you need to trust her."

"Alright…"

"Do you want to sing for you? It will help."

Hamya nodded. Maela smiled brightly and, eyes on the road, started to hum one her favourite songs, Ilya's Ballad.

Beyond the mountains covered in green,

I wait alone, with no home to be seen.

As hundred gems glitters upon my head,

I sing and dance and harp, as it was said.

For my music will sooth the beast to sleep,

And a hero will save me from this keep.

On a full moon, riding a stallion, came

A brave hero and I knew not his name.

As silver shone on his runes-covered blade,

The savage beast for me he fought and slayed.

I sang I am Illya of the tower,

And brave Dalìn crowned me with a flower.

Today I am the fair lady Illya,

The wife of Dalìn the lord of Lolya.

The tower lies beyond mountains of green

But of my pain is no longer the scene.

And from my opal tower in my home,

I see the land that I may freely roam.