Konstanz

Elya had scoured the library for information on Volhiniya and its capital before the journey. It was an insular region, hardy and fiercely independent. The influx of the Dragon Lords over the last two centuries had dramatically shifted the political landscape, pushing the province further away from the Emperor's control. The local tribes and nobles never pushed anything too far, but little respect was shown for the Imperial officials dispatched here.

At least until the war and Nikolai came.

It was hard to ignore the armies of the Emperor coming to your aid.

Sitting upright in her saddle, Elya donned her helmet, adjusting the nose guard's alignment to perfection. She twisted in her saddle to pull out the Drake wings the Knights of Chernigov were famous for and slotted them into position behind her. Her squire brought a ceremonial lance bearing the streamers of her House and Order, which she hoisted with a grunt. Knights formed around her, a riot of colours and power. Squires and women-at-arms trotted alongside, carrying spears and banners representing more than half the cadet Houses of the Suzdal's.

Their Knight Order was unique because only women were allowed to join. There had been jokes at its formation many centuries ago, but they had proven their worth on battlefield after battlefield, shocking friend and foe alike with their skill and ferocity, becoming one of the Empires elite forces. The requirements for entering were strict and impartial, nepotism non-existent. To the Order, becoming a Knight was all the rank one needed.

The Imperial family agreed, granting all who passed the terrifying trial of Knighthood the rank of baroness immediately. No one wished to displease a person that could bring down a Drake after all.

Content with the appearance of her convoy, Elya observed the walls of Konstanz growing before her. Repairs were still ongoing, the massive rents testament to the fierce fighting that had filled these streets just a few months ago.

Despite the damage and new construction, Konstanz was still filled with an ancient air.

Created in antiquity by a nameless tribe long forgotten in history, the town had been rebuilt too many times to count. Whether famine, war or plague spread across the lands, the people of Konstanz remained, and they were proud of it.

As they neared, she could make out a group of people before the main gate, armoured and bearing the banners of House Morales and the Dragon Lords.

"Didn't expect those stubborn fools to show." Alexis muttered.

"The Dragon Lords swore allegiance to him. Not the nominal fealty they offer the Empire, but they became vassals by their own traditions. They would be his most ardent supporters." Elya's eyes narrowed, the banners represented almost all the Dragon Lords, their gathering like this unheard of until now. A party no less impressive than her own.

"There are no personal crests. It's unheard of to meet a bridal convoy without a member of the House in the greeting party." Alexis' rage transferred to her mount, and it whinnied in discomfort.

"There are only three of them in their House, and we only told them we were arriving today. They could be occupied." Elya soothed, having her companion incensed with her future in-laws would be an issue.

"Still should have someone here." Alexis grumbled and scanned the town again. They were close enough to make out the welcoming expressions on the greeting party and it eased some of their worries, but suddenly she froze and checked their surroundings again. "There are a lot of soldiers on the walls Milady." Alexis leaned in to whisper, pointing out the small troops that patrolled the town. There were too many for it to be regular and they tensed up at the possibility of danger.

"Have someone go over and find out." Elya ordered. "Quietly." She added before Alexis shouted and brought attention down on them. There were plenty of civilians and elders of House Suzdal in the convoy and causing a panic would be a disastrous start to this engagement. Elya squeezed her lance as a young squire broke away from the group and circled around to find one of the other gates to make inquiries.

Bridal convoys like this were not rare in the Empire, but out here in the border lands it was enough to make townspeople and visitors alike gape at the vibrant formation of cavalry and carriages. High-ranking members of the Order rarely married into other families, but to uphold their reputation the Knight Commander had dispatched an entire cohort as escort and bridal train.

Fidgeting as she waited, Elya tried to get a sense of the place that would be her new home. There was a vibrancy to the people, the new trade routes bringing merchants and immigrants from all corners of the Empire. Smiles shone on many of the residents and they gossiped near the gates, watching her convoy in excitement. Alexis hurried back, the squire in tow, her strange expression made Elya's heart sink.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Milady… the soldiers are patrolling on the orders of the Count's mother. Apparently, their orders are to stop him from leaving the town." Alexis had even brought the squire back with her to corroborate the story.

Elya was stunned why would anyone want to stop a noble from moving about his lands?

"Milady, this may be just a guess, but… I don't think he knows we're coming." The Vice-Captain was whispering like she couldn't believe her own words.

"That makes things… complicated." Elya found herself tracing the scar on her face and jerked, it was a habit she was trying to break.

The absence of the Morales House members themselves suddenly took on a sinister cast. If they found themselves in the middle of a conflict between mother and son about marriage, it could be a costly proposition for the Suzdal's honour. They would be duty bound to exact vengeance for the shame, raising a host to take this town, the happy smiles of the townspeople would be replaced by fire and blood. Not something she wanted but more than that, thoughts of her annulment shot through her mind, vivid and painful.

"Please. Not again." She mouthed, afraid to look up at the greeting party that approached them.

Even Elya was unsure whether she was afraid of war or rejection.