22: Preparing for war

"Am I interrupting something?" Ivailo asked, entering the armoury. Kafei lifted her head from where she had been polishing her armour.

"No, not at all." She replied. "I was just polishing my armour."

"How are you feeling about going to war?" He asked.

"I feel like going to war is the right move, and doing so with the help of Asharia is an even better move."

"Good, it feels nice to know that I am not making a huge mistake." Ivailo sighed.

"Okay, what's up?" Kenia asked.

"How do you mean?"

"I know my little brother well enough to know when he isn't telling me the whole truth." Kafei motioned for him to sit next to her. "So tell me, what is worrying you?"

"I imprisoned the former lords of the high council for treason today," Ivailo admitted, sitting down on the hard wooden bench.

"Serves them right."

"That's not all." Ivailo breathed. "I also made preparations for while I am away at war."

"Go on," Kafei urged.

"Amaris will reign as queen while the war is being waged, but should I die Lyra will get the crown."

"Smart move. Leading the country while you are away at war will be an excellent test of her strength and leadership capabilities, two things that she is going to need if she is going to be your Empress."

"Excuse me?" Ivailo asked, stunned that Kafei would even think that far ahead.

"I see how the two of you act around each other." Kafei breathed. "Plus, I think she has everything that it takes to be the best Empress Acad has ever seen. So, what exactly are you concerned about?"

"The lords are cunning, I would not put it past them to do something while I am away. For all I know, they already have a plan for brutally torturing Amaris and are setting it into motion as we talk."

"The lords are cunning, but they are not so rash as to think that they can hurt your Amaris and get away with it while you are here." Kafei let out a breath. "But that won't stop them trying to while you are away. Too bad there is not enough time to organise a public execution before we leave tomorrow, it would make things so much simpler."

"Yes it would, but alas, we don't have the time. So, sweet sister," He turned to face Kafei. "What do I do?"

"You could give her your seal," Kafei suggested. "It would at least give her some security and a bargaining chip if she really needed it."

"But that would mean proposing to her." Ivailo pointed out.

"So? you love her, don't you?" Kafei asked. "If you didn't, then why do you lead her on? And you need to have an empress to have legitimate children. I do not see why you shouldn't give her the seal."

"I wish that you and Lyra weren't always right."

"We are your older sisters. It's part of the job description." Kafei nudged his shoulder. "Now go give me a sister-in-law."

"Yes, mama." Ivailo replied, bursting out in laughter.

"Again!" Jasper shouted as Amaris swung at him again. "Not strong enough. Give me more power!" he yelled, dodging another swing at his jaw. "Better." He said as Amaris's fist collided with his chin. "Remember, your opponent may very well be at least twice as strong as you are, so you are going to need to give them as much power as you can muster in a place that they are least suspecting it." He said as he kneed her in the stomach. "Plus, whatever tricks you try to pull, you can guarantee that your opponent knows them, and may use them against you."

"You are an asshole." Amaris said, trying to recover from being kneed in the gut.

"No, milady. I am the difference between your life and death."

"Milady!" Kenia screeched as she came into the empty chasm that had been their training ground. "Milady, are you alright?"

"I'll fine, Kenia. I will be okay."

"You better be. His majesty is looking for you."

"Is he now? And where is his majesty?"

"In your bedchamber, milady."

Ivailo paced the room for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. He had been nervous before; he had almost been the one to tell Amaris that he loved her before she had beaten him to it. But this was different. He was going to ask her to be his wife, his empress. He felt his breath hitch as he heard the door open.

"Is everything okay, Your Majesty?" Amaris asked as she entered the room. She looked exhausted and had bruises blooming all over her arms and chest.

"No." He said as he approached her. "Who did this to you?"

"I had a fight lesson with Jasper, the head of my guard." She said.

"Really? Why?"

"If I am going to be the queen, even if temporarily, I need to know how to fight."

"About that," Ivailo said shyly, backing away slightly. "I have something to ask of you, and please be aware that it is perfectly okay for you to say no, but I am going to ask it, anyway." He knelt down and pulled out the crimson seal that had adorned so many of Acad's important documents. "Lady Amaris Willow, The Lady Of the People, would you do me the great honour of becoming the empress, my empress, my wife?"