***

  Unlike the Sunflower Court, which was near the city of Salapantier, the Lapanterian Kingdom’s Crystal Palace grew amidst the dales of Lapanteria. Rolling hills and valleys lent themselves to sheep, and fields that stretched on for miles.

  The Crystal Palace was primarily named due to its main feature, a very large glass greenhouse. Instead of a standalone structure, it was built in the ruins of what had been the Great Hall of a once formidable stone castle, whose remains the rest of the modern palace's plaster-faced buildings were nestled into.

  One of these buildings was the audience waiting room. One needed to cross a bridge from the old castle’s gatehouse to go midway up from what had been the castle’s watchtower. The waiting room now featured windows that overlooked the countryside along with ornate frescos that showed spring rains falling upon the palace, nestled amidst the fields.

  It was in the ornate room where a blonde-haired woman in White Order robes sat watching two guards flanking the still-closed door that led deeper into the palace. Sighing, the Erisdalian’s mischievous blue eyes studied the paintings as she fished into her pockets to pull out her shaking hand mirror.

  Opening it, Dany, Mage of the White Order, watched as Frances’ visage appeared.

  “Hi Dany. Has there been any luck?” she asked.

  Dany put her mirror on the table beside the chair and took a sip of the tea she’d been provided. “I’m afraid not, Master Frances. You certainly have gotten them into a quandary. The guards were not very happy when I barged in.” The young woman grimaced. “Is this your way of getting back at me, by the way?”

  Frances giggled. “Dany, you know I’ve long forgiven you for accidentally getting me to touch Lightbreaker. Besides, if you hadn’t, Lightbreaker may not have hinted to Edana to introduce me to Ivy’s Sting.”

  “You didn’t tell me that!” Dany exclaimed.

  Frances winced. “Oh! I’m so sorry.”

  Dany held her expression for a moment before she cracked and let out a chuckle. “You did tell me that a while ago. I don’t think you were paying attention when you told me, though. I’m just pulling your hair.”

  Letting out a sigh, Frances rested her head on her hands. “You know that’s considered quite rude where I’m from.”

  Dany was about to apologize, but she heard rapid footsteps on the bridge that led to the waiting room. Picking up her mirror, she said, “Sorry, got to go. I’ll call you.”

  She caught Frances waving at her just before she shut the mirror and rose to meet the new arrival.

  Princess Sallene stormed in, her dark purple dress looking quite wrinkled. Dark brown eyes were puffy and ringed with shadows.

  “Mage Dany of the White Order?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

  Dany rose and curtsied. “Greetings, Your Highness, Princess Sallene.”

  “What are you here for?” Sallene asked.

  “To see your father and mother with Master Frances, though, I don’t appear to be getting anywhere,” said Dany.

  A flash of utter shock was followed by a glare that got both guards standing a lot more still. “She’s coming with me,” said Sallene.

  The guards blinked. “Your Highness—”

  “This madness needs to stop now,” said Sallene. She brushed past the guards. Dany followed her on her heels as they made their way into the palace proper.

  “Thank you, Princess,” said Dany.

  Sallene glanced over her shoulder. “I’m just sorry I didn’t think to do this sooner.”

  “You did it, and that’s what’s important,” said Dany.

  The princess sighed. Turning a corner, the pair entered a stairway tower, with every wall lined with sabers, muskets, and armor. “Get Frances on the line. I need to explain a few things,” said Sallene as they took the steps.

  Dany pulled out her mirror and concentrated. By the time they reached the third floor, Frances was back in the mirror.

  “Dany? You’re back quick, what’s going on?” Frances asked.

  “Princess Sallene is taking us in,” said Dany.

  Reaching the top of the castle, Dany briefly took in the palace’s solar. The residence of the Royal family in the Crystal Palace had a ceiling fittingly made of glass to let in the light, which could be adjusted by blinds and hatches on the outside roof.

  Dany had no time to take in the scenery or the furnishings, private paintings of different distant family members in a far more intimate setting, and poses as Sallene marched onwards.

  “Archmage, I will dispense with the pleasantries. I am quite certain my brother is going to start a war with Erisdale. It is probably too late to stop him as he’s been considering this course of action for some time, and negotiations seem to have been failing,” said Sallene.

  Dany frowned. “If he was trying to start a war, what was the point of the negotiations then?”

  “A last-ditch attempt to try the easy route, to buy time, and because he thought he could provoke Erisdale. He figured he could intimidate Princess Rowena into doing something stupid, but it seems the opposite has happened. He’s issued a flurry of orders, and something’s going to happen at the town of Jentsburg by the Pike River by tomorrow evening,” said Sallene.

  “An attack? But when? The Lapanterian army isn’t in a position to do so. At least it isn’t quite yet,” said Frances.

  Sallene pushed a door open, unceremoniously kicking it closed as Dany followed her. “There are other units that the White Order may not be aware of. In any case, I don’t think it’s war just yet, but he’s trying something at the border, perhaps even tomorrow. To what end, I have no clue, but you need to let Princess Rowena know.”

  Dany took a breath. “If the prince is going to start this war no matter what, what can your father and mother do?”

  “That’s what I want to find out,” said Salene. She knocked on the door. “Father, mother, I’m coming in with a guest whether you like it or not.”

  With that, the princess pushed the door open.

  King Sebastian of Lapanteria had been resting on the lounging couch near the fireplace. To his right, a large balcony with glass doors enabled a stunning view of the countryside. His wife, similarly cleft-lipped Megara, put her book down and rose, eyes wide.

  “Sallene? What’s going on—Why are you bringing White Order mages here?” Queen Megara asked.

  Dany turned her mirror, studying the royal couple as she did so.

  Sebastian had seen better days. He was still handsome, but his crown lay on the table, and from the book that rested against it, it hadn’t been moved in some time. The king did react to seeing Frances, but the right side of his body remained quite still, even as his left hand pushed himself into a sitting position.

  Frances must have also taken this in because she paused for a moment before she spoke.

  “Sebastian, Megara, if you feel even a little bad about how you manipulated a fourteen-year-old victim of child abuse into joining an army behind her mother’s back, you will listen to me. You need to step in. If Lapanteria goes to war against Erisdale, I will resign from the White Order and join Martin and Ginger’s side.”

  Sebastian groaned, the sound almost discordant. He clearly was still weak in his right side. “Frances, there’s nothing you can do.”

  Sallene almost let out a snarl. “Father, we have to do something! If we don’t stop Alastor, we will be at war with Erisdale and Roranoak! Maybe even Alavaria if they take offense to the fact that Alastor took in Imperla!”

  Sebastian blinked. It took a moment, but a look of horror came over the left side of his face. “That fool.”

  “Things have escalated too far. Right now, if you both go to the Sunflower Court, you still may be able to restrain Alastor. You may even be able to relieve him from his position as regent,” said Frances.

  “The problem is we might not be able to,” said Megara.

  Sallene sighed. “I know the nobles are for Alastor—”

  “No, the nobles are against us, Sallene,” said Sebastian.

  The princess froze. “What?”

  Queen Megara pressed a hand against her forehead. “Alastor is the only reason our house hasn’t been overthrown. Even as their stubborn refusal to give up control over their personal lands led to our industrialization efforts falling behind, the nobles blamed us for losing the peace to Erisdale and Alavaria.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Sebastian sighed. “You…too young to remember. We argued with them for years.”

  “Until your father’s stroke. Alastor has made more headway with them than we ever had,” said Megara, gently holding her husband’s hand.

  “By starting a proxy-war with Roranoak. Taking in Erisdalian insurrectionists—marrying a claimant to their throne, and now starting a war against those that fought beside you against the Alavari?” Frances asked. Dany trembled slightly. She had never heard the grandmaster’s tone so cold and so backed with restrained fury.

  Sallene ran up to her mother, almost falling on her knees, but just barely able to remain upright to grasp her parents’ hands. “Father, mother, the nobles may be against us be we need to do something. Thousands are going to die! The Stormcaller and the Firehand are on Erisdale’s side, as is Erlenberg and even Roranoak! Worst comes to worst, Alavari has been offended by Alastor taking Imperla in, and the dragons roosting in Erisdale’s mountains may even choose to get involved! Why aren’t you acting?”

  Sebastian and Megara held onto their daughter’s hands, but they didn’t reply. Dany scowled as the pair couldn’t quite meet Sallene’s pleading gaze, and a suspicion she’d had started to grow.

  “It’s not that you can’t act. You can. The risk is just a bit too high,” said Dany.

  The king’s eyes narrowed, his lips wriggling as he struggled to form words. “Watch your tongue!”

  “With all due respect, Your Majesties, I’ve worked in Lapanteria for years as the head of a White Order branch. I know the balancing act you play. I also know that when it comes down to it, you can remove Alastor as regent. It’s just the consequences would be terrible for the royal family.” Dany crossed her arms. “If you wanted no risk to the monarchy, you need a reason, an excuse.

  “Mage Dany, what are you suggesting?” Sallene asked quietly.

  Dany levelled her glare at the Lapanterian king and queen. “Your parents aren’t acting because it suits your family’s interests, no matter if he fails or succeeds.”

  Frances, wide-eyed, mouthed a curse. “You can’t be serious.”

  Looking utterly exhausted, the king still faced the glares. “I am. If Alastor fails, we can remove. No popular and noble support. If he succeeds. Lapanteria prospers.”

  Sallene stepped back, flinging her parents' hands back as they burned.

  “Father, are you insane? Lapanteria falls! Administering both kingdoms and fighting that resistance will be a nightmare!”

  “Which is why we suspect Alastor will fail. Then we can disinherit him and forward you as the next queen,” said Megara.

  Sallene blinked, staring at her mother. For a moment, her expression screamed pure, unadulterated joy.

  Frances coughed and asked, “How many people are going to die when he fails?”

  The cold tone stabbed through Sallene’s reverie. She let out a soft gasp as she turned to Frances and Dany, her smile cut down.

  The princess turned to her parents, shook her head, and made for the door.

  “Sallene! Where are you going?” Megara called out, trying to catch her daughter, but she was too fast.

  “Something, anything to stop this insanity rather than what you are doing!” Sallene hissed, slamming the door behind her.

  Frances briefly closed her eyes. Her jaw was tight, and her fingers were rubbing against each other. “Sebastian, you disgust me. King Jerome and Queen Forowena died at Kairon-Aoun to make sure the human kingdoms wouldn’t fall. Martin and Ginger fought and led hundreds of Erisdalians across numerous battlefields against your enemies!” She took a breath. “Danny, advise all branch heads. On my authority, prepare to pull all White Order staff out of Lapanteria.”

  Sebastian blinked. Megara stammered, “Wait, why?”

  “You have confessed to me you’re doing nothing to stop a war from breaking out, in direct contravention of the terms of the Treaty of Athelda-Aoun. If war does break out between Erisdale and Lapanteria, you will no longer receive White Order protection or services,” said Frances.

  Megara grimaced. Sebastian sighed, “Do what you have to do.”

  Dany bowed. Before she turned to follow Sallene, she glanced at the king and queen.

  “It’s not too late. You can still change your minds and do the right thing,” she said. Without another word, she left the room and made for the solar’s exit.

  “That didn’t work,” said Dany, turning the mirror so Frances faced her.

  “Unfortunately, no. We’ll have to do what we can. Dany, Rowena may need to extract. Prepare an escape route for her brigade with what mages we can spare,” said Frances.

  Dany nodded. “Understood. You do understand that will break our neutrality agreement, right?”

  Frances swallowed. “If Alastor is insane enough to attack a diplomatic envoy, then our neutrality doesn’t really matter to him. The entire world must rally to take him down before he causes more damage.”

  The Grandmaster of the White Order pinched the bridge of her nose. “I had hoped the Great War was the last war I would have to fight.”

  ***

  Rowena had been practicing her swordsmanship with Tristelle and Jess when she got the call from Frances. So as she listened, she wiped sweat from her brow, her heart pounding from both exertion and her processing the news.

  “This is bad,” said Jess.

  “At least we know Gwen’s efforts to convince Sallene worked.” Rowena pressed her face into her towel, groaning into it. “I suppose we didn’t have a chance, but at the very least, now we know that.”

  The princess looked up at Lycia and Georgia. Both guards were trying to keep their expressions neutral, but from how they glanced at one another, as if seeking comfort in each other’s eyes, the news had clearly unnerved them.

  “Lycia, Georgia, what do you think they are up to at Jentsburg?” Rowena asked. She was not really trying to get their opinion. Rather, she just wanted to distract them.

  Whether they saw through her attempt, Rowena could only guess as Georgia held her pointed chin. “Could be anything. A raid. Sabotage. Border incursion.”

  “Perhaps it’s a raid, or maybe they want to seize a town?” Lycia asked.

  “Or an assassination attempt?” Jess mused.

  Frances shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t require troops to be moved.”

  “If Alastor wants war, then he probably is launching a raid to either divert our forces,” Georgia said. The goblin snapped her fingers. “Jentsburg has an important bridge that can allow for the transit of heavy wagons for logistics, but it’s only one of several that we have to guard. A raid there would draw our forces south and away from the other bridges.”

  Lycia pursed her lips. “Taking the bridge may also be the goal, Georgi. Think about it. If Lapanteria can secure Jentsburg, they can advance their forces along the south coast to Glasport and even onward to Erisdale City.”

  “A raid would also humiliate the kingdom and put pressure on Erisdale, and on me. It would make the kingdom and me look weak, and maybe that’s his aim. He just wants to unbalance me with an unexpected strike,” said Rowena.

  Jess shook her head. “Hold on, if he orders a raid, that would mean war, and he’s not declared it. I know he wants war, but does he really want it tomorrow?”

  “Not necessarily,” said Frances. “Alastor could use the proxy and mercenary forces he’s been employing in Roranoak. They work for Lapanteria, but they’re not part of the Lapanterian Military. He could claim that a mercenary group went rogue and deny responsibility.”

  “Unless we captured them,” said Rowena. She rose to her feet and curtsied. “Frances, thank you for your warning. Can you call my father and mother to let them know? I’m going to make a call to my aunt Mara.”

  “Certainly. Take care, Rowena. Lycia, Georgia, ensure Colonel Sun is advised and has an evacuation plan. I don’t trust Alastor. If he tries something on Rowena, the White Order will side with Erisdale to get you out.”

  Thanking Frances, Rowena let the mirror fade. Raising Tristelle, she touched the mirror again and concentrated.

  “Wena? What are you thinking?” Jess asked.

  Thinking back to the sparring match that she’d had with her father, Rowena allowed herself a thin smile. “If Alastor is planning a raid or some kind of border action, we need to prepare to counter it. I have an idea.”

  As Rowena spoke, a solid-looking Erisdalian woman with slightly greying blonde hair flashed into view. Like her younger brother, Countess Mara of Conthwaite also had similarly bright blue eyes. Hers, however, were a bit sharper and a little less cheerful.

  Part of that annoyance was certainly due to how Mara seemed almost buried with stacks of paperwork that lined her desk. Dressed in a comfortable linen shirt and trousers, the countess looked up from the paper she was writing on, dark bags underneath her eyes.

  “Aunt Mara, I’m really sorry for interrupting,” said Rowena.

  Her aunt sighed. “Rowena, can this wait?”

  “Sorry, it can’t. Frances just advised me that she’s received intelligence of an imminent attack, perhaps even tomorrow at Jentsburg. She’s also advised me that war is coming. I have an idea how to counter it.”

  The countess blinked and gestured with her hand offscreen. A map was provided to her, which she rolled out. “I’m listening,” she said as she found Jentsburg.

  “I believe Alastor is launching the raid in an attempt to intimidate me, to get revenge, or maybe to secure the bridge at Jentsburg for a future Lapanterian invasion. We should evacuate Jentsburg and counterattack the moment they take the town,” said Rowena.

  Mara looked up, one eyebrow raised. “You want them to take the town?”

  Rowena nodded, her father’s words to her clear in her mind. “We know where and approximately when they are coming. If we evacuate the town and let them take it, we can surprise them and prevent civilian casualties. Our battle at Jentsburg must be decisive if we are to send Alastor a message about what he’ll face if he tries Erisdale’s military.”

  “It’s not a bad plan. In fact, without needing to worry about civilian casualties, we’ll be able to employ our more destructive weapons. We also expected Jentsburg to be one of the trouble spots, and your plan will allow us to concentrate our forces so that the brigade commander on the ground will be able to pick the time and method of attack.” Mara studied the map for one more moment before she met Rowena’s gaze again. “Are you issuing me an order to carry this out, though?”

  “Yes,” said Rowena.

  The older woman pursed her lips, the grim look on her expression emphasizing the lines framing her cheeks. “I don’t mean about the plan. Are you alright with giving this order? People are going to die.”

  An odd, cold sensation seemed to ping through the princess of Erisdale's chest and shudder its way up her neck and to her forehead. Not quite realizing she was doing it, Rowena found herself staring down at the table on which her mirror was placed.

  People were going to die. She was issuing the orders to kill people. Lapanterians and maybe even Erisdalians. It didn’t matter if she got it right. People died in battles.

  The weight of what she was about to order settled on her like the curse that Sylva had used on her so long ago. She couldn’t breathe, she—

  Gentle hands wrapped around Rowena’s shoulders. Soft lips pressed against the back of Rowena’s neck. Jess’s lips. The realization shocked her out of her trance.

  “Rowena, you don’t have to give this order,” said Jess.

  Pressing one of her hands to Jess’s, Rowena closed her eyes, trying to hold onto her best friend, her closest person’s touch, and yet, feeling the invisible weight on her shoulders. “I’m Erisdale’s princess. I can’t shy away from this.”

  Jess sighed and rested her chin on her shoulder. “Wena, I’m sorry, but I meant that you shouldn’t be the only one responsible for giving this order. You are the princess, but as head of the army, Countess Mara can issue the necessary commands.”

  Rowena fought the voice in her head that told her to give in. It couldn’t be that easy, could it? “My father and mother were leading troops on the battlefield at my age.”

  Mara coughed, cutting in with her raspy voice. “Your father and mother only did that because they had to, Rowena. I applaud your sense of responsibility, but you need not shoulder this alone. If you must, issue me the orders to respond accordingly, but leave the details to me.”

  Rowena glanced at Jess. She didn’t know what kind of reassurance she was looking for, but her beloved friend only had to squeeze her hand, and she knew.

  “Countess Mara, please repulse the enemy attack with all available resources and ensure the safety of our people in Jentsburg,” said Rowena.

  “As you command, Your Highness,” said Mara. She dipped her head and pushed herself up onto her feet. “I’ll also advise Colonel Sun to prepare to move out. You need to take great care. There’s no telling how Alastor may react.”

  “Of course,” said Rowena.

  The mirror faded, and Rowena was left with Jess and her two guards.

  “Thank you, Jess,” she said, planting a kiss on Jess’s cheek.

  Her girlfriend nodded. “I’m glad I could help. I just wish you didn’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but I guess I’m glad I can issue these orders with a clear conscience. I’ve done, am doing, all that I can.” She looked up at Lycia and Georgia. “Do you think that we’ll win?”

  Her two guards’ jaws tightened.

  “Milady, the question isn’t whether we will win. With advanced warning and the plan we have, I’m pretty sure we will defeat the attackers,” said Lycia.

  Rowena and Jess’s eyes widened as Georgia let out a deep sigh, which, because she was a goblin, still came out rather high-pitched.

  “The question is, how severe our repulse is going to be,” said Georgia.