The Bard leaned forward in his chair, thoughtfully studying the fire as it snapped and chewed on the logs in the fireplace.
"So, how did the Empire fall?" Kailynn looked confused. "The Queen still lived."
"Yes and for awhile that held everything together. But when the Queen gave birth to a daughter and joined her King during childbirth, the fighting started over who had the most right to rule the Empire."
"Why not wait until the daughter was grown and she could rule?"
"She disappeared, spirited away before assassins could get to her. There were some who fought to keep the empire together for her if she should return when she was of age. She never did."
"In the story, you mentioned a Lord Beaufort..." Kailynn turned in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "That was your ancestor?"
"It was. The Horse Lords fought with the other Loyalists to preserve the throne for... for the Ash King's Line."
"What happened?"
"They lost. The Northmen were able to retreat into their snow and ice fortresses and kept most of their holdings. So now instead of a Lord in the North we have the King of the North."
"Who fought against you?"
"Everyone, all but the Northmen. The Lord of Shadow was gone along with all his people. Their cities were deserted as if they had all just vanished all in the same instant Lord Modian of Shadow did."
Kailynn turned back to The Bard. Her heart started beating faster, pounding away at the inside of her skull. Her breathing shallowed. "You have been calling me My Lady... am I, am I from one of the traitor houses?"
"No My Lady," The Bard took a knee in front of her, "You are the last Princess of the Ash King's line."
Kailynn stood quickly, the blood rushing from her head and into her stomach. She looked around the small cabin. Everyone was on their knees with their heads bowed to her. Well, everyone but Alac who stood coolly in the corner balancing a knife point down on the tip of his index finger. He winked at her, smirked and turned his attention back to the knife.
"I'm nobody! Do you understand? I'm no one to anyone!" Kailynn's voice pitch was raising in the panic that was threatening to drown her. "Get up!"
She rushed over to Sera, and grabbed her shoulders trying to lift her off the rough wooden floor. Sera resisted and kept her head bowed. Kailynn dropped to her own knees in front of Sera and looked her in the face. "Sera! Please. I don't want this."
"This is your destiny, My Lady." Sera said in a low voice. "Not even you can change that."
Kailynn stood quickly to her feet. "I command you to stand, Lady Beaufort!"
Sera rose and met Kailynn's eyes as they brimmed with tears. "I need you," Kailynn whispered, her voice cracking, "Please just be my friend."
Sera stepped in and swept Kailynn into a fierce hug. She smoothed her hair as Kailynn hugged her back. "I will always be your friend, My Lady."
"It's just Kailynn."
"Not anymore, My Lady. You are the Ash Princess, the last of the Line. You are the only one who has a chance of bringing the Empire of Everwind back."
"Why do you care about an old empire from hundreds of years ago?"
"I want to finish what my family failed to do. To regain our honor and be the Horse Lords again for you My Lady."
"Can you just call me Kailynn in private then?"
Sera smiled at her. "Yes. If that is what you wish. But in public and around others you must wear your title as your name."
"Unless we are in hiding." Alac broke in. "Not the wisest move to be using titles in the local tavern."
"True." Sera's eyes danced merrily, "and as long as someone doesn't blow our cover with a banned song."
"I was trying to scout for potential allies!" The Bard protested.
"Annie died there." Kailynn cut into the laughter. "Instead of me."
The group looked at her as she stood in front of Sera. "You told me many more will die, Sera."
"Yes. War has casualties Kailynn."
"A war I'm going to start."
They all exchanged glances. "Yes."
"I'm going to bed." Kailynn announced, "I don't feel like this is a moment for laughter. We just killed hundreds if not thousands of people." She turned and walked into her small room that she shared with Sera and shut the door behind her. They all looked at each other with sober looks. Their host spoke first.
"She understands the weight of a crown. We should be grateful."
❧
The next morning was a sober affair. Sera and The Bard were leaving to go meet with the King of the North. Kailynn had asked a few questions about the meeting. Now they all sat in silence.
"Well then little Ash Princess," Alac broke the stillness. "Your training starts in an hour. You might want to stretch beforehand."
"Alac!" Sera hissed at him for his irreverence.
Alac ignored her. "Whatever your title is or isn't, you need to be trained in the finer arts of sword play and how to act in court."
"And how to ride a horse," added Joseph. "Along with how to use a bow and dancing."
"Great." Kailynn muttered. "I have been around highborn all my life, I can fake it."
"We will see."
As Joseph cleared the table, Sera lingered at the table with Kailynn. "You are going to be fine while I'm gone, ok?
"An old man and a Deathdealer. What could go wrong?" Kailynn stood abruptly. "I have to go get ready. Good luck with your trip and your meeting."
"Kailynn!" Sera called out to her back as Kailynn stormed off.
"She will be fine." The Bard leaned down behind Sera and wrapped his arms around her chest. He pecked a quick kiss against her ear. "We do need to get going though."
Sera leaned back into his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. "Lets go."