by Robin Roseau
“But I have authority.”
“You have authority.”
I shifted my attention to Father. “So, I show you my plan, and you tell me to make changes?”
“I hope not,” he said. “As the minute you leave Barrish, I can’t look over your shoulder any longer. I expect a good plan from the beginning.”
“All right then,” I said. “I need to meet with someone at the Foreign Ministry and I’ll choose my honor guard as well.”
“Very good,” Father said.
“Very good,” Ahlianna agreed.
Plans
I knocked at Ahlianna’s door then pushed it open. “Sister?”
“I was wondering if I would be alone tonight,” she replied. “Come in.”
I slipped inside and closed the door. Ahlianna was sitting up in bed. She had a lamp going and papers spread about. I approached and saw they were my report. “Oh. I’m bothering you.”
“I was just finishing,” she said. She looked over at me. “Is everything okay?”
“When are you leaving?”
“In the morning, the day after tomorrow. That’s part of the reason I came to the border, so we could spend some time.” She collected the report and handed it to me, then gestured. I stepped to her desk and left the report there, and by the time I turned, she was holding the covers open to me. I slipped into the bed, turning down the lamp as I passed it. We snuggled down. “Are you okay?”
I started to cry.
She held me and only said, “I know. I know.”
“A year,” I whispered. “Why hasn’t he sent a proper ambassador?”
“He did, and the man had a heart attack halfway there.”
“There must be a dozen people he could send, a dozen people far more qualified than I am.”
“There are,” she said. “But my future right hand needs to see to this, Darfelsa. Or have you changed your mind? Do you intend to get married and have babies instead?”
“That’s not a fair question.”
“It’s a perfectly fair question,” she said.
We didn’t talk for a while after that. I tried to stop crying and finally did, but I was being torn in two. Finally, I said, “This sucks.”
“It will be an adventure. Maybe you’ll meet a nice Gandeet boy while you’re there.”
“I find it unlikely Madam Bessari wants to travel.”
“You better not ask her, as I’m still going to need her when I get back. If you need a chaperone in Gandeet, pick someone else.”
“You’re teasing about that.”
“No, I’m not. Promise me Madam Bessari will still be here when I get back from Charth, or I won’t talk to her for you.”
“You don’t really have a chaperone.”
“I certainly do, and she’s far better at it than Mother and Father combined. I don’t get a single moment alone with any boys.”
“You’re really serious.”
“Of course, I am. Darfelsa, Gretchena isn’t going anywhere.”
I didn’t say anything, but a plan was forming.
* * * *
I spent the night with my sister. We talked for a while, then eventually we slept. But I woke in the middle of the night, and she was holding me. I turned my head, and her eyes were open, watching me. “What?” I whispered.
“I love having a little sister,” she said. “Even if she’s all grown up.”
“You know, I had a, um, discussion with Allium. I complained I wasn’t getting greater opportunity. I’m not sure I expected something like this.”
“Father and I have been watching for an opportunity for you,” she said. “I’m sorry that it takes you from Charth, but Father is right. Darfelsa, that position isn’t forever.”
“I know.”
“You’ve got maybe another three years there, but I find it unlikely you’ll still be there once you’re 25.”
“I think I knew that.”
“All right then.”
I glanced at the window. It was just growing light. “I should get up. Are you going to my meetings with me?”
“No. You don’t need me, Darfelsa. One of father’s secretaries will tell you of your appointments.”
“All right.” I kissed her head and slipped from bed. “Talk to you later.”
“Later.”
* * * *
I returned to my own room and got dressed. I headed downstairs, out the palace doors, and turned right, heading to the palace guardhouse. There were already people up and about, which wasn’t surprising, and several of them turned to watch me. I approached the first woman I saw and asked, “Who is the most ranking person who is up and about?”
She looked around. “I am, Princess Darfelsa. I am Sergeant Felist.”
We clasped hands for a moment and then I said, “I have two things. I’m not sure who to talk to about either of them. The easiest: I have been neglecting my defense training. I wish to address that.”
“For that, you may talk to me, if you wish.” She offered a smile.
“For the second, I will be traveling and have authority to assemble a team.”
“For that, you talk to the captain.”
“When could I see him?”
“When did you wish to address your defense training?”
I gestured to my attire and smiled. “Every morning, although perhaps not necessarily this early, beginning whenever we can arrange it.”
“How about now?”
“Now is good.”
“The captain tends to know when we’re training,” she said. “I imagine he’ll find us if we make enough noise.”
“I don’t want to wake anyone.”
“We won’t. Come on.” She gestured with her head. I followed her, and we headed for the practice yard. And while they were subtle, we were followed. Once we reached the yard, she asked, “What is your preferred weapon?”
“Rapier and off-hand knife,” I replied. “Or just the knife in a pinch. I don’t generally carry more than that.”
She eyed me. “Do you normally have three knives?”
“No. Usually only a belt knife, and not even that for formal events. However, I think I will look for a travel rapier. Do I talk to you when I go shopping?”
“You can,” she said. “I’d love to go with you.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” I said.
“Are we talking actual self-defense, or fencing?”
“Actual self-defense. Down and dirty, Sergeant.” I paused. “I want to tell you a story.” I told her about Allium and a man with a shovel.
When I was finished, she nodded. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t recall ever seeing you on this practice ground.”
“You haven’t,” I said. “I had a fencing instructor. We practiced inside the palace. That’s not what I’m looking for.”
“That’s where we’re going to start,” she said. “I need to assess what you know.” She led me to a rack of practice weapons and told me to pick one. I collected a rapier and dagger, and then two of the men were there. I let them dress me in a protective tunic, and the sergeant as well. Then she gestured. “Crappy weapon in a sword fight.”
“How about when dealing with street thugs?”
She shrugged. “I prefer two daggers. It’s easy to get inside a rapier. In your friend’s fight, I think against someone with a shovel, I’d pick almost anything over a rapier. The main advantage of rapier is the reach, but it’s not as long as the handle of a shovel.”
“I bet I’m faster.”
“Perhaps, but do you want to see what is going to happen?”
I thought about it and sighed. “I can guess.”
“Jeffson,” she called out. “Bring me a shovel.”
“A what?”
“It’s an implement used for digging ditches,” she clarified.
“You want a shovel.”
“Yes, Jeffson, I want a shovel.” The man ran off. The sergeant shook her head and the
n said, “I want to see your style.”
I nodded, stepped away, and then took a guard position, the rapier in the lead, the dagger ready for defense and close work. Then I began to fence with an imaginary enemy, engaging in some of the practices my fencing instructor had drummed into me.
I did that for a minute or two before she called out, “All right. That’s fine.”
I paused then lifted my blade and turned to her. She was frowning, holding a shovel. “Was I that bad?”
“You realize that I don’t care how pretty you look,” she said. “I care whether you can defend yourself from someone who is trying to kill you.”
“I was that bad.”
“In a fencing competition it is possible you could beat me,” she said.
“And yet, you’re frowning.”
“Do you think I’m going to follow the rules if I want you dead, Princess?”
“No.”
She nodded. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“No.” I nodded. “Ready.”
She didn’t wait but simply came at me. She used the shovel to bang my rapier out of line, and in the less time than it takes to write it, she hit me three times, once on my sword arm, again to push my knife hand away, and then once more with the other end of the shovel, directly into my stomach.
That blow she pulled, but I gave an “oof” and fell on my ass.
And then she gently laid the blade of the shovel against my neck. “Why did you stop fighting?”
I looked up at her. “What the hell has he been teaching me?”
“To look pretty,” she said.
I threw the rapier to the side. “This thing is worthless.”
“Actually, it’s not. It can be quite deadly, but not when you expect your opponents to play by pretty rules. Let’s switch.”
I climbed to my feet, collected the rapier, then gave her both my weapons and took the shovel. I eyed her. “I don’t have the control you do.”
“Don’t aim for my head,” she said. “When you’re ready.”
I paused then tried to duplicate what she had done. Instead of attempting to block the shovel, she dipped her sword, and I missed entirely. But it brought me off balance, and then she tapped me in the side, firmly enough that a real sword would have run me through. I stepped back, but she came after me and stabbed me four more times before she relented.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“You don’t stop fighting until he’s down and gurgling,” she said. “We’re not playing for points or first touch. If that’s what you want, go see your fencing instructor.”
“It’s not,” I replied. “Fine.” I launched myself at her. I caught her by surprise, too, and actually hit her, but she rolled with it, pushed my shovel to the side, then got me with the knife. I swung, she ducked, and she got me with the rapier. After that, having learned a little respect, she held me at bay, and while I wasn’t able to reach her with the shovel, I at least kept her from stabbing me any further.
Finally, she took three steps backwards and called, “Hold.”
“Did you go easy on me?”
“As in, could I have killed you a few more times?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, I could have, but you wouldn't have learned as much.”
“I’m not sure what I learned.”
“You learned to keep swinging, which may be the most important thing I can teach you.”
I nodded, grounded the shovel, then said, “Can you teach me?”
“Tell me exactly what you want.”
“I want to learn to fight.” I lowered my voice. “As dirty as necessary.”
“When it’s your life, it’s not about dirty. It’s about survival.”
“Can you teach me?”
“Yes, but probably not enough you’ll ever beat someone like me.”
“I don’t need to beat someone like you. I need to survive long enough for someone like you to come to my rescue.”
She laughed. “Fine. It’s going to hurt, Princess.”
“Call me Darfelsa.” I eyed the shovel. “And I want to learn to use what might be at hand.”
“All right, then.”
* * * *
Yes, it hurt. We gathered an audience, however, although they didn’t crowd us. At first, she sent people off to gather other, everyday items, but then I think the men were thinking up ideas themselves, and they assembled a pile of things.
Sergeant Felist kicked my ass, but I believe I learned more in those two hours than I learned in years of fencing instruction. But finally, I heard a commanding, male voice call out, “Hold.”
I stepped away from the sergeant. We were both sweating, and I knew I was absolutely filthy. She stepped back as well, and then we both turned to the new voice.
“Major Hollsard,” I said. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Your Highness. Sergeant, please report.”
“Princess Darfelsa requested some real-world training, Sir.”
“I gathered. Is this a one-time lesson?”
“No, Major,” I said. “It is not. It is every morning, but you and I need to discuss something else. Are you aware?”
“I am.”
“I would like Sergeant Felist present. Is that possible?”
“It is,” he said. “Did you wish to clean up first?”
“Would it offend you if I said ‘no’?”
“No, Princess, it wouldn’t at all.”
“Sergeant,” I said. “Thank you. Would you care to attend a little meeting?”
“Delighted,” she replied.
“Someone clean this up,” said the major. “And fetch me in the future. This was… interesting.”
I handed off my latest weapon, a candlestick of all things. At least it wasn’t one of Mother’s. And then the sergeant and I followed Major Hollsard into the barracks.
* * * *
We took seats in his office. “You know, there’s something that has always confused me.”
“What is that, Princess?”
“Could we use names?” I asked. “You are Major Galdine Hollsard, but people refer to you as ‘The Captain’.”
“Ah. It is like the captain of a ship, who could be a lowly seaman, if it is his own ship.”
“Or, in this case, a not-so-lowly major?”
“Quite so.”
I turned to the sergeant and held out my hand. “Darfelsa.”
“Mariya,” she said, offering her first name.
I nodded to her then said, “Two things. First, with the major’s permission, if the sergeant is inclined, I would like to continue my lessons, daily, probably early, but perhaps not always this early. I don’t know if that is a problem.”
“It’s not,” said the major. “Sergeant.”
“I’ll find things to keep myself busy,” she said.
“We could make a schedule,” I replied, sounding unsure. “I rose earlier than expected.”
“Darfelsa,” said the major, “Our only responsibility is the safety and security of the royal family. That is our sole responsibility. I would say there is nothing Mariya could be doing that is more important than helping you to learn how to defend yourself.”
“All right. Thank you.”
“Sergeant, anything you need…”
Mariya nodded. “I’ve got this.”
“Very good,” he said.
“Two. I am leaving for Gandeet. I expect to be gone for some time. You are aware?”
The major nodded. “The king informed me this morning.”
“I need a guard.” I turned to Mariya. “I don’t know if I can ask this.”
“You heard what I just told you, Princess?” said the major. “If you want something, ask.”
“I want Sergeant Felist, but not if I’m taking her from her family. She’s based here.”
“My family is from the west,” she replied. “I’ve never been to Gandeet.”
I turned back to the major. “Was that a ‘yes’?�
�
“Yes,” he said.
“Thank you. My father has told me I am to lead this team, that I am to choose the team and make a plan. I do not know if that means I am acting as the head of the guard. I’m not qualified. Does that mean you need to send an officer?”
“Sergeant,” said the major. “How would you answer Darfelsa?”
“I would ask if our duties are ceremonial.”
“No,” I said. “They are not.”
“So, you don’t need anyone to put on a pretty uniform and impress anyone with how smartly we march?”
“No. I need people who can help keep me safe, led by someone who will quietly tell me when I’m being an idiot.”
“Well, Sergeant,” said the major. “Can you quietly tell Princess Darfelsa when she’s being an idiot?”
“I’m not sure I can be quiet about it.”
“How large a team do we need?” I asked. “Is four enough?”
Neither of them answered me right away. I waited to see what they would say. Finally, Mariya said, “Not if you look like a princess.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Six while we’re in Flarvor. If we were going to Ressaline, that would be plenty. I’ve never been to Gandeet. I presume we’d be met.”
“You would presume wrong,” I said. “We will arrive unannounced. I am given to believe we may freely travel throughout Gandeet, however.”
“Are you going by carriage?”
“I’ll be mounted, but we’ll need a wagon.”
“Do you care what the wagon looks like?”
“Yes. I care that it looks sturdy.”
“Six,” she said. She turned to the major. “Six,” she repeated.
He nodded. “Very good.”
“All women,” I declared. They both turned to me. “I don’t care to explain why. Can you find five women you trust, Mariya?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Mother wants me here for a month. I intend to leave in two or possibly three weeks. I don’t know if Mother will win or if I will.”
She offered a smile. “We’ll be ready.”
“I want to meet them. How soon do you think that can happen?”
“Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, at your training session.”
“Perfect. Anyone who can’t readily beat me is staying home.”
She laughed. “Have no worries on that, but I might not say that next time you ask.”
