by Alice Ivinya
We must have fought for a good hour before my arms were on fire, my back aching and I could barely lift the sword anymore. I bent over, leaning on my knees, panting.
Jian spun his wooden sword in his hand. The sweat in his hair made it stick up at strange angles and curve over one eye. It should have made him look foolish, but I begrudgingly admitted, the look suited him. He was much less sweaty now than he had been with the soldier earlier. “Well, you were better than I was expecting.”
I straightened, letting my sword rest on the ground and wiped the sweat from my eyes. “If you’re sixth level, what am I?”
He picked up my sword for me and walked back to the rack, where the staff master was oiling chainmail. “Third level, possibly fourth,” he called over his shoulder.
“Third or fourth?” I said, my voice laden with disappointment. “But I’ve been training my whole life. I beat my staff master in Hava. I could beat everyone.”
“That’s not a bad level. You have the slight advantage of the Old Blood but were coddled, that’s all. That’s not an option for people here. Still, I expected you to be a two at best.” He placed the swords on the rack, pulled off his padded jerkin and strode back to the palace without a glance or a farewell.
As soon as he was out of sight I hobbled to a bench and groaned at all my bruises. I was going to need a long bath after that session, and I hadn’t managed to touch him once. Still, I supposed, if there were people defending us against monsters, I wanted them to be good.
Jeremiah came to the bench with a big grin on his face. “That was very impressive, Your Highness.” He sat down beside me and stretched out his legs.
“Was it? I feel like I was thoroughly beaten.” I groaned as I tried to lift my arm to take off the disgusting gauntlet.
My guard’s eyes were focused on the place Jian had disappeared. “I’ve never seen somebody fight like that. You stood well against him.”
I wasn’t sure I liked his gaze of admiration as he stared after the Prince. “Well, hopefully I will be able to improve here.”
It felt strange having this bit of my identity torn away. If I was no longer exceptional at sword fighting, there was nothing left of note about me. Well apart from being a Princess, but that was Elyanna, not me. I expected to feel despair and frustration, but I still loved swordplay and always would. Maybe here, the challenge would make me love it even more. Maybe I could become a sixth level swordsman too and gain the respect of these people. Maybe working hard would gain Jian’s affections. If I had been able to win Elyanna over, my life would have been so different.
Jeremiah nodded, his smile wistful. “I’m jealous that you trained with him. Most soldiers would give an arm and a leg for a session like that.”
I massaged my legs and felt them stiffening already. I hurried to take off the rest of the protective padding. “Well before you consider trading yours, help me get back to my rooms, will you? I think I may need both your arms as all my muscles are starting to die a horrible death.”
He chuckled and held out his elbow as I hobbled to my feet.
I was incapacitated for the rest of the day, but I welcomed the painful ache of my muscles. This was what unhindered learning felt like. Ruo ran me a bath and rubbed stinking lotions into my muscles that flinched at her touch, then left me lying on my front in bed, with nothing but a blanket over my back while they absorbed into my skin.
I asked her to read to me, any book which would help me understand the Borderlands better. To my surprise she picked a book of children’s stories. I frowned at the cover from my half-buried position. “I was thinking more of politics and history, Ruo.”
The older woman shook her head, her large bronze earrings tapping against her neck. “You can’t understand history or politics or indeed anything, until you understand the stories of a place. Stories are of the heart and of the blood. Every thought is governed by them. The people of the Borderlands are raised on stories and so you must read them.”
She opened the cover with a loving caress, and I grinned as I wondered if this was merely a case of self-indulgence.
She read the tales and they all spoke of the Beasts and men of the Old Blood. They spoke of half-crazed talking animals and deep magic and bravery against the odds. Men and women fighting alongside each other, but wit and cunning being praised above strength. Girls rode wolves and babies suckled from foxes. Bears loved one moment and killed the next.
The stories were so embellished, I couldn’t tell what was fact and what was fancy. But in all of them, a strong message ran: Whether rich or poor, strong or weak, the cautious and careful survived. The hasty and ill-prepared perished.
When she had finished, I eased myself into sitting, grimacing at the pain that rippled through my back. “What happened at the breakthrough ten years ago, Ruo? Were you here in Stonekeep?”
Her eyes tightened, and I almost regretted asking the question, but it clearly still impacted them, and I wanted to understand.
“I was. The Eastern Fort was attacked and some of the enemy got past and melted away into our forests. The casualties were highest at the Fort, but it took months to track down every Spirit-Beast. There were deaths across the entirety of the Borderlands. Princess Feng fell. She was only thirteen and such a bright flame.” She stopped to shake her head, then gave me a pained look “My husband died too, but not in vain. Not one Spirit-Beast made it to Sybera or any other country. We kept the south safe.”
I rested my hand on hers. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
She gave me a broken smile. “Thank you, dear. It was a long time ago now, but my son, Chen, and I both miss him still.”
“And Prince Jian?” I breathed.
“He was at the Eastern Fort when it was attacked. He was only fourteen but received a reward for bravery.”
I hugged my knees into my chest, a shiver refusing to leave my blood. “It sounds awful.”
She nodded and gave a gentle smile. “The Forts have held since then, but we always take care. It is not inconceivable that one or two Spirit-Beasts have entered our realm undetected over the Sal’hadar Mountains.”
I looked at my sword hung on the wall and nodded. She patted my knee. “Don’t fret, dear. You are very well protected in Stonekeep. Now I recommend we take a stroll in the garden to loosen those muscles. Maybe we could think about what color drapes you would like at your wedding?”
I nodded and got dressed but couldn’t shake the image of a fourteen-year-old boy facing intelligent, giant Beasts as the Fort was overrun. No wonder he hadn’t been impressed by my little show of sword play. I suspected he would never be impressed by me at all.
The next day I did my exercise routine in my room, then decided to take a walk around the castle to familiarize myself with its echoing halls.
I opened the door and was surprised to see Jeremiah was absent and the two new guards were standing to either side. They turned and nodded at me, bringing their fists to their chests in salute. Both were dressed in chainmail with scaled armor over their shoulders and chests. One had short black hair, shorter even than Jian’s, and rings in his ears. He had a short beard that framed his mouth, yet left his cheeks bare. The other was clean-shaven and had his hair tied in a neat topknot with a red linen tie hanging from it.
I shifted on my feet. “Oh. Where is Jeremiah?”
The first one replied with an amused smile. “Resting, Highness. He is not well. We are guarding you today.” I guessed he thought Jeremiah weak for needing some time to sleep. A niggle of guilt settled in my stomach for not taking more care of him. He spent hours standing in this cold, bare corridor day and night with little to do.
I focused on the guards and lifted my chin to hide my disappointment. Jeremiah was easy to relax around and talk to. These men looked intimidating, even if they were both shorter than me. I forced myself to remember I was Princess Elyanna now. “Thank you. What are your names?”
“Cai Hong and Hai Rong, Highness.” The short haired one indic
ated that the first name belonged to his companion, who gave a sharp bow. “We’ve been assigned to guard you as long as you require. We are both of the fourth level.”
“Fourth level swordsmen?” Why were the Borderlanders always announcing their levels?
He bowed his head again. “Yes, Highness.”
I took a step forward. “I am going to take a walk around the castle. I assume at least one of you should accompany me?” So I don’t get shouted at by Jian again.
Hai Rong’s lip twitched. “We are both assigned to protect you, Highness.”
I started walking down the corridor, choosing directions on a whim. “I can imagine this is a rather boring assignment for you?”
Hai Rong chuckled. “Not at all. Neither of us have been in Stonekeep for most of the year. It will be a welcome break to spend time with our families, and we both asked to be stationed here. Cai Hong has just become a father.”
I turned to him. “Congratulations.”
The solemn man nodded. “Thank you, Highness.” His voice was deep and rich.
“Boy or girl?”
“Boy. We’ve called him Jian.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “After Prince Jian?”
“Yes, Highness. In his honor. Prince Jian saved my life at the Border. Little Jian wouldn’t be here without him. It is our prayer that he grows up to have the same strength and loyalty as the Prince.”
I looked away from the guard and frowned. “I am sure he’s very touched by the gesture.”
It seemed that even though he had few friends in Stonekeep, Jian was deeply loved by the soldiers at the Border. I supposed they got all his attention after all. I couldn’t help but feel a quiet burn of jealousy. How could I compete with them?
I rounded a corner into a cloister. The covered path surrounded a courtyard with a leafless tree in the center, shading an empty fountain. It was mostly paved in stone and looked as dreary as the rest of this place. I missed the autumn fire of Hava and the way the gardeners changed the plants in the garden so there was color at every time of the year. A gentle scattering of snow fell from the clouds and drifted around the cloister before melting. I hugged my thick fur cloak.
As we turned onto the far side of the cloister my heart dropped as I saw Prince Jian talking with a soldier. I recognized him as the commander Jian had been sparring with before me. They were deep in conversation and didn’t turn at our footsteps.
I quickened my pace up to the Prince and cleared my throat. “Prince Jian, good morning.” Behind me I heard the slap of leather as both my guards saluted, hands to chests.
There was no emotion in Jian’s face as he regarded me and gave a stiff nod. “Princess Elyanna.”
I didn’t let his lack of enthusiasm deter me. “Will you spar with me again?”
He turned his face to the side, and I was sure I saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Princess, but I am needed to train our soldiers who will be rotating to the Border next month. There are plenty of other people available for you to spar with.” He started to walk away, leaving me to follow a pace behind.
I tried to not let my disappointment show in my voice. “How far away is the Border?”
The captain responded this time. His hair was short like Jian’s and their uniforms were similar, but that was where the similarities ended. Whereas Jian was tall and slender, the captain was broad and stocky, and his cheek bore a twisted scar. If he had any of the Old Blood, it was just a trace; I was taller than him by at least a finger. “Two days’ ride to the Western Pass. Three to the Eastern Pass, Your Highness.”
I kept my attention on the Prince’s back. “Can I go and see it?”
Jian stopped and turned. “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous and the Fort is not a hospitable place.”
I took a step back at his tone. Han had said he was overprotective after all. “It can’t be that dangerous. Won’t I be surrounded by Borderlanders and sixth level swordsmen?” I placed my hands on my hips. “I thought the monsters haven’t broken through for ten years.”
He frowned at my guards as if they had somehow put the idea into my head, then focused back on me. “No, but there is still fighting. There are other dangers too, rockslides, avalanches, unsavory men and women, the cold.”
His gaze was too intense, and I looked down at his chest and the double row of buttons. “I won’t truly understand this place and this way of life until I see the Border.”
He turned and walked away. “Sometimes it’s better when you don’t see the dark side of things. Understanding only the light is not a bad way to live.” He disappeared around the corner and the captain bowed to me while hopping to catch up. I tugged my cloak in frustration. Why did he have to be so hard to talk to?
I would never understand him if he hid away everything that was important to him. How could I find my place here and protect myself if he so clearly labeled me as worthless?
“He’s very preoccupied, Highness,” said Hai Rong from behind my shoulder.
“He’s very rude,” I corrected.
“He might not be charming like Prince Han, but he cares deeply about what he does and that’s not a bad thing,” added Cai Hong in his softer voice. “He has thrown all his energy into the Border defenses. He’s not one to pretend. You’ll always know where you stand with him.”
I sighed internally. Clearly these men would always be on his side and those words didn’t help. I wondered what had happened in Jian’s past to make him like this. Was it simply the trauma of the breakthrough ten years ago? Or was there more of a reason his brother and men were so quick to defend him? I didn’t think they would tell me. “Who is the other man? Are they close friends? He should have introduced him.”
“Captain Cheng Jun. Jun has known Prince Jian since they were children. He’s the man ultimately responsible for the training of our soldiers,” Hai Rong replied.
I pointed to him. “Will you spar with me? It looks like I’m going to have to settle for a fourth level swordsman.”
He looked a little surprised. “If you wish, Highness.”
I gave him a bright smile. “Good. I’ll go back and get changed.” It would be nice to hit something hard and pretend that I was strong and unafraid.
6
Patience
Stonekeep didn’t have a library as such, but it did have a tower where the children were taught, and each of the round rooms was rimmed with books, maps, and drawings. It was a quiet space where I could browse and learn at my leisure unlike in Hava where Elyanna would get bored in the library and drag me away. People came here when they didn’t want to be disturbed.
I was looking for information on the Border while Jeremiah played a strange game with Cai Hong in one corner with small figures shaped like wolves, horses, whales and eagles. They could each only move on certain squares and Jeremiah was enraptured by it. He more than made up for Cai Hong’s silence by talking at length about every possible move he could do. He didn’t seem to grasp that keeping his plans to himself would be far more prudent.
The only information I had found on this floor were drawings of the Forts from twenty years ago contrasting with five years ago. In the older drawings they looked half deserted and crumbling. The more recent ones showed new walls and ever-expanding defenses. It looked like the Borderlands were better protected against the Spirit-Beasts than ever before. As for information on the Spirit-Beasts themselves, I was surprised by how little information there was apart from old myths and legends.
I left the guards to their game and spiraled up the stairs to the floor above. I stumbled around a stack of unbound pages and jumped when two heads looked up at me from another game board. It was the two Princes, wine in their hands and an apple and cheese platter scattered across a pile of books.
Prince Jian regarded me without interest, though Prince Han gave a wide grin, slapping his thighs. “Elyanna!”
I took a step back towards the stairs. I wasn’t in the mood for Jian today. “Sor
ry, I didn’t mean to disturb your game.”
Han stood up. “Nonsense. Come, come.” He beckoned me over. “I am about to thrash Jian and I want to have a witness, or he’ll pretend it never happened.” He grinned at his brother who raised an unamused eyebrow in return and sipped his wine.
“It’s only because you cheated.”
Han sighed theatrically. “It was one move, ages ago. You’re just holding a grudge.”
The corners of Jian’s lips twitched up. “I am planning my revenge.”
Han sniggered. “Need to impress your woman now she’s in the room?”
I shifted. I was definitely not comfortable being referred to as Jian’s woman, which I supposed was ridiculous since we would be married in seven weeks. But I didn’t want him to own me. I wanted to be treasured and safe.
Jian sighed and moved a black wolf onto a green square. “No, you’re the one who feels the need to impress the women, Han. Though why you like them all fawning over you, I have no idea.”
I shifted again, feeling like they had forgotten I was here. I took a step back towards the stairs, wondering if I could slip away, but Han’s head shot back around to me. “Elyanna, come and join us. It’s my last day in Stonekeep, so it would be rude to refuse.” He grinned, showing all his teeth.
My heart sank, and I chose a stack of books to balance on top of by the board. “I’m afraid I don’t know this game.”
Han shrugged. “I’m sure Jian can teach you sometime.” He grinned at his brother as if sharing a secret joke.
I ignored Jian and stayed focused on Han. “Where are you going?”
“North-west on patrol. We visit all the small villages in the west every year before winter to make sure they have what they need and to gather reports of the area. Keep track of the numbers of wolves and such.” He moved a horse away from the wolf. Jian quickly moved a whale into a blue square, blocking it from the rest of its herd.
