“Twinflower seeds! Can you believe that, Dawnie? That's what the big emergency was, one of our shipments didn't make it to the Empire. How often does that happen? All the time! You'd think they'd be able to handle something like this by now. But no, they need input from the future head. What does that even mean, input? I didn't say anything for the entire meeting, just nodded and smiled. Dawn? Are you even listening to me?”

Lilian D'viritazi pouted at her little sister over a pot of steaming tea, her bright blue eyes almost accusing. There were few things in this world that gave her more joy than venting over the fact that she was stuck learning how to be the next head of the family, but it meant nothing if the person who was supposed to be sympathetic towards her wasn't listening. She might as well have been shouting at a wall for all the good that it did her, “Why are your eyes closed?”

The long suffering Dawn sighed as she raised a hand to run it across her weary eyes while the other lay on her swollen belly. Her tea sat untouched and cooling as she finally decided to fix her sister with a pointed stare, her dark grey eyes shimmering as she scowled, “I'm trying to ignore you, Lilian. You said the same thing yesterday, and the day before that. I'm nearly eight months pregnant and I've been cooped up in the Nest for far too long. I'm sorry, big sister, but I'm afraid the last thing I'm thinking about at the moment is your problems.”

“That's pretty mean, Dawnie.” Lilian huffed as she deflated, laying her head flat on the table even as she stared out over the balcony and into the nothingness beyond.

Freida had told them to meet in her drawing room in the Nest. The two sisters were surrounded by the trappings of wealth, art that Freida had painstakingly accumulated over the years from all corners of the continent. It was something of a hobby of hers, though Lilian had never seen the appeal. She'd been more partial to the collection of weapons herself and boasted quite the number, truth be told, but she could never see the beauty in a painting like 'Nian by moonlight'. That particular piece was Freida's favourite and sat pride of place on the other side of the room, above the mantle. A gift from Deirdric on their wedding day. A little stuffy and pompous he may have been, but it couldn't be denied that the man knew his wife well.

Such delights to the artistic senses could be seen in all corners of this place; Tapestries of the finest silks devised by the Venosians, sculptures of marble from the artisans of the Queendom, there were even some strange little amalgamations of stick and bone from the Nariti plains. Though why Freida wanted something made by such a savage folk was beyond Lilian's guessing. Her sister did have some rather strange tastes, spending more time buried in books than actually living life. Lilian had thought that would change after she'd married, but it hadn't. She and Deirdric were annoyingly similar. They'd just done the same thing, but together.

“Gods, do I hate this room.” Lilian said distastefully as she looked around with narrowed eyes, “It's all so... clean.”

“Ah yes, your famous hatred of all things ordered and neat,” Dawn rolled her eyes, whipping her stylishly tousled auburn hair away from her face as she put up her delicate feet on the provided footstool, “I should have known.”

Lilian scowled at her sister, “You know, I liked you better when you weren't pregnant.”

“So did I,” Dawn said, sounding exasperated before she fixed a fond smile on her bump, “Not for much longer though.”

Lilian's heart melted at the sight of the look on Dawn's face. Since she was a little girl, all she'd wanted to be was a mother. In many ways, she'd been mothering her siblings since she was old enough to speak, even Freida and Lilian, “Bet she'll be cute as a button.”

“He will be, yes,” Dawn winked at her sister.

“How do you know it's a boy?” Lilian asked for perhaps the thousandth time.

“I just do. Call it a mother's intuition,” Dawn said with a happy sigh as she sipped on her tea, “I just hope William is back before the birth.”

Dawn's husband, William, was currently a captain with his own ship in the Ragoran Navy. From all accounts, he was a solid and dependable soldier, one of means that was born to one of the lesser Noble families of Nian. He'd charmed Dawn with his serious nature and severe sense of responsibility, which may speak to why Lilian didn't get on so well with the man. She was certainly more carefree than most, despite the fact that she was set to inherit the seat of one of the most powerful men on the continent. A fact which she tried to forget at nearly every opportunity.

“He will, don't worry,” Lilian hurried to reassure her sister with a smile, she knew how much having William present for the birth meant for her, “He's as dependable as they come. Almost scarily so.”

“I love how you say that like it's a bad thing, Lilian.” Dawn laughed.

Lilian beamed at her little sister, basking in her happiness as she looked out over the lip of the balcony. There was only one saving grace of Freida's drawing room in Lilian's opinion, and that was the stunning view of the city below.

The D'viritazi home, or the Nest as it commonly known, was situated near the top of the towering form of Dealanaich, the Throne of Thunder. The mountain may have been small by the standards of the mainland, but it was the largest in the Eastern Islands and had been the home of the D'viritazi clan since the time of the First Knight. If myth was to be believed, the First Smith of their family returned to this place after the passing of the First Knight and built this as a symbol of what their country could become. It was a sprawling manor built into the mountain itself, with some of the rooms, including the library, completely enclosed by the blackened stone. It truly was a marvel and one which even to this day confounded scholars and thinkers the continent over. It was labyrinthine in scope and scale, a rival for even the distant sight of the High Lord's tower. An immovable and impregnable bulwark which had been the home of those who had gently guided Ragora for centuries.

The reason it had been built so close to the sky was an obvious one. D'viritazi Knights became more powerful when a natural storm occurred and they appeared with almost unnatural frequency above Nian. Lilian herself often trained when lightning cracked the black clouds overhead, each boom of thunder filling her with strength beyond what she should be able to possess as so young a Knight. It was during these times that she would spar with her father, the King of Lightning himself. It was never a fair match, for even enhanced as she was, Mastan and her mother experienced the same boost in power. Still, it made for a great way to reinforce her teachings from the Hall.

The morning was just beginning to appear for Ragora, setting fire to the horizon as the endless, unbroken and writhing mass of the White Sea swayed with a calm that was rarely ever seen in this part of the world.

Lilian felt her stomach constrict at the strange sight. Even on the quietest of days, with a gentle breeze on the air, the White Sea was never calm. It always contained an almost indescribable menace. It was named for its violent nature, its impossible unpredictability. The few who sailed these waters knew well just how terrifying the Sea of Storms could be. One moment of relative peace could turn in an instant. Many ships littered the seabed deep below, prices paid by the many who'd thought to tame the untameable. It felt alive in a way, emanating a strange hunger that always strove for more victims. Yet today the waters were clear, for reasons that were far beyond Lilian's understanding. She'd sailed the White Sea enough for that to trouble her. She knew that more than a few sailors at port would be thinking the same thing she was. She would bet on more than a few ships not leaving dock today.

As her eyes moved to Nian, far below, she felt her soul settle a little. The sight of the city had always been able to draw that reaction from her. She still recalled that moment when she caught sight of it for the first time in years, after returning from the Hall of Tyra. She'd felt burdens she hadn't even known she'd carried fall from her shoulders. It had been made all the better by the sight of her family on the shore, all smiling at her, all waving as they shouted her name. Things had been so perfect then.

Now... Well... recent events had changed quite a lot of things.

Nian was a city of many influences. It had been built during a time when Ragora was still made up of a dozen clans, all vying for control of the Island. It had been the D'viritazi who had united them, who had pushed them all towards a common purpose, a dream that extended far beyond their own shores. At the base of Dealanaich, their capital had begun to form. At first it was a few huts, then a small village. Now it stood as a metropolitan hub, the centre of trade for nearly every country in the East.

In every single facet of the city, Lilian could see evidence of her ancestors wanting to escape from their savage roots. The centre of the city was uniform and militaristic. Every street was regimented and every home was built to the same standard. But as the city had grown, so too had a bit of chaos been interjected into its design.

Some houses looked Imperial, others Zealethian, nearly every building seemed to be made with different techniques and materials. It was a melting pot of cultures all thrown together and Lilian loved every curve to each of them. As one reached the outskirts of the city, Ragoran architecture once more became dominant, with sweeping tiled roofs and wood being the fashion of the day. It made for a breathtaking sight, made all the more beautiful with the blistering heat of the sun reflecting off of every building, setting the city ablaze in pure light. This light was reflected off of the tower of the High Lord in the distance, a shimmering spire to inspire all who approached by sea.

Lilian felt warmth settle in her breast as she smiled. She'd been back for nearly two years and yet it still hadn't sunk in. If she never left Ragora again, she could die a happy woman. Not that there was much chance of that considering what she was to become.

That thought was enough to whip the smile off of her face. She was never meant to be in charge. For a time, she'd thought that was her path, but then Tristan was born. As a Smith, he immediately jumped forward in line to become the new head of the family, which Lilian was only too glad about. When he'd been sworn to Princess Alice, she hadn't been too saddened by it, because little Rainie was also a Smith. She was a bit delicate for the role, but Lilian was sure that her youngest sister would be up for the challenge. At the time of Tessaraina's birth, she'd been so relieved. After all, there was no chance of a second Heir being born in one generation, was there?

That would be fucking ridiculous.

Lilian felt her teeth grit and her soul begin to seethe as flashes of her mother's horrified, guilt-ridden face rose to the fore in her mind. She recalled her father's impassiveness as he told them the truth of Rainie's 'death'. How could he be so cold? He'd let them believe she was dead for ten years and yet he'd barely flinched as Freida screamed.

“Lily,” Dawn said softly and Lilian suddenly snapped back into herself, pulling her eyes off of the horizon and turning to face her sister, “The cup.”

Lilian blinked and looked down at her hand. The frail porcelain, another one of Freida's precious items which she'd acquired from Ingemar, had shattered in her hand and cut it open, the tea mixing with her crimson blood. The wound was already healing as she picked up her napkin and wrapped it around the cut. She didn't want to stain the table, Freida would throw a fit again, “Sorry, I didn't notice.”

Dawn smiled knowingly, the sadness there a mirror for Lilian's own. She knew what her sister was thinking about, for how could she not? It was all any of them could think about, even after weeks had passed them by, “They'll be home soon. Alden and Deirdric won't fail.”

“I know,” Lilian sighed and leaned back against the chair, letting herself drift into the pillows, “I just wish they'd get back already. It's getting harder to stomach all this by the day.”

“We'll get her back soon,” Dawn said with a chipper smile as she reached over and squeezed her sister's wounded hand, “I'm sure she's fine.”

“I doubt that,” Lilian grumbled, “You heard what father said. Alden gave Rainie to a mercenary in Venos. Spirit knows what's she's gone through, but I very much doubt she's having tea with Princess Elora. The Heir is a common born orphan. At best, she's living with him in some shithole in Myrin. At worst...”

“You can't allow yourself to think like that,” Dawn replied with her familiar brand of stern authority, “There is nothing we could have done. There is nothing we can do-”

“Don't give me that bullshit, Dawn,” Lilian snapped, “You knew therewas something off about Rainie's death as much as I did. Lost? On the White Sea? That's just fucking insane, and why wasn't Alden with her when the ship went down? When did he ever leave her side when she was little? He would have died for her. It was an obvious lie.”

“Because we were children ourselves,” Dawn said helplessly, shaking her head, though her eyes spoke to the truth she heard in Lilian's words, “We couldn't have known.”

“You're right,” Lilian replied instantly, “You were a child. I wasn't and neither was Freida. We were both grown. We should have seen this.”

“You can't blame yourself,” Dawn spoke with firm resolve, “Just as Freida shouldn't.”

“Yet she does,” Lilian placed her closed fists over her eyes. It had taken the sisters weeks to convince Freida to leave her rooms. Even Tilia had helped them, which spoke to the urgency of the matter. At nights, the keening cries of the delicate woman echoed throughout the Nest and beyond. In many ways, Freida had been more of a mother to Rainie than even Theodora. They had all felt the betrayal, but for Freida it was a pain that continued to torture her, “I'm sorry, Dawnie. I'll be better.”

“You're the oldest, Lilian,” Dawn said softly, “We look to you for guidance. You have to be strong for her, for all of us.”

“I think that's your job,” Lilian said with a smirk.

“You don't give yourself enough credit, Lily,” Dawn shook her head, “I was just as much a mess as everyone else. You brought us all together again.”

“Speaking of,” Lilian shook her head, shaking off her melancholy, at least until the dark thoughts of Rainie's fate once more reared their ugly heads. She was also more than a little uncomfortable with Dawn's validation of her efforts. In Lilian's mind, she hadn't done nearly enough to warrant it, “Where is Tilia and Cassie? They were supposed to meet us here.”

“Tilia is down at the docks, I believe,” Dawn said casually enough, “A meeting with some Noble or another. Apparently his father has a rather large stake in a new venture to export grain to Fero. You know what she's like.”

Lilian chuckled at that. She was more than a little jealous of her second to youngest sister. Tilia was officially the face of the family in many ways. It was her that went to the balls and parties, making the D'viritazi known to high society as she rubbed shoulders with the Ragoran elite. Many saw her as a vapid little girl, mainly because of her age and obvious beauty. That was a fact that Tilia liked to enforce at every opportunity. Lilian knew better than most just how shrewd she was. More than one piece of business had arrived at their door due to Tilia's efforts. She had the kind of mind that their father did, cold and practical, able to make the most out of almost any situation. No doubt that Noble would be begging her to be involved with this new venture before the morning was done, such was the power of Tilia D'viritazi. Lilian often wished she could be that effortless in social situations, but she lacked the grace or patience for it.

Tilia may be like their father in more ways than the rest of her siblings, but even she was shocked by the revelation that Rainie was alive. Lilian had held both her and Dawn as they wept in her arms.

“And Cassie?”

Dawn frowned, “I thought you would have heard. Her ship was called out for patrols. She'll be gone for a few days.”

Lilian sighed in frustration. Tilia she could understand, the young woman was always looking for a way to boost the family's portfolio, but Cassie was another matter. The newly minted Naval officer had barely spent five minutes in the Nest since she'd heard the news about Rainie. It was difficult for all of them, Lilian knew that, but she needed her stoic sister at home. The family needed to come first.

Lilian nearly laughed out loud when she thought that. She'd have to be careful, or she'd actually start sounding like the new head.

“She's dealing with it in her own way, Lilian,” Dawn's statement broke through the mist of Lily's thoughts, “We all are.”

“I understand that. I just wish she was here to help us with Freida.”

Dawn shrugged, “She was called away, it couldn't be helped. Even being a D'viritazi doesn't give you favouritism in the Navy.”

Lilian snorted in disbelief, “I wouldn't have put it past her to volunteer.”

“Even if she did, we have to respect that,” Dawn insisted, “Besides, Freida is better now. It's been weeks since she last had an episode.”

Lilian looked to the horizon once more, noting that the sun had almost completely risen above the edge of the world, “She's late.”

Dawn detected the hint of worry in Lily's tone and smiled, “She probably just slept in. It's a good thing, it means she's slowly getting back to normal. Don't worry about it.”

The two sisters fell into a companionable silence after that as they enjoyed the sunrise. After fetching herself a fresh cup, Lilian tucked into her favourite Ragoran blend. The leaves were relatively common in her homeland, but when she'd been at the Hall there had been little chance of grabbing any except on rare excursions to Ingemar. It was one of the things she'd missed about her home.

“What do you think he's like?” Dawn asked suddenly, her hand rubbing her baby bump, as had become her habit over the past few months, “The Heir?”

Lilian blinked with a frown. She hadn't really thought about it, in truth. She knew very little about the person who her sister had been sworn to, only what their father had told them, “I don't know. I do wonder how alike he is to Alice. Now there's a leader. She has Tristan wrapped around her finger, and her other Smiths besides.”

Dawn winced, her eyes filling with profound pain, “He still doesn't know.”

Lilian nodded sadly, “We can't tell him, not now. And no, I'm not just saying that because father ordered it. It was hard enough hearing about this in person. I wouldn't want to find out from a letter.”

“Oh, I don't know,” Dawn replied bitterly, “I might have preferred that to mother's crying and father's impassiveness.”

“It's like he truly believed he did nothing wrong,” Lilian sneered at her tea with furious eyes, “I don't understand how he can think like that. That's not the man I know, that's not our father.”

“Rationalisation can enable someone to forgive terrible things,” Dawn shook her head, “And father has had ten years to reinforce his reasons for sending Rainie away.”

Lilian sighed, “I just want to get her back safely. We can deal with everything else as it comes.”

“Do you think they'll find her before Samuel does?” Dawn asked, the quiver in her voice making Lilian shiver, “If they don't-”

“To use your words: We can't think like that,” Lilian said, trying to still her trembling hand. She'd had the pleasure of meeting Samuel once. It had been one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. Her father couldn't compare to such a being as him, one so... broken and committed, “They'll be back any day now. You just wait. One day we'll sit down for tea and they'll just-”

The doors to the drawing room slammed open. The heavy clang of the oak smashing against the walls as a whirlwind in a dress ran inside.

Freida D'viritazi was the second to eldest of their family. To Lilian, Freida would always be her delicate little sister. She had never been a great warrior like Lily or Cassie, nor had she been savvy like Tilia or Dawn. No, Freida was a thinker, an intellectual who enjoyed the company of books rather than people. Deirdric was the first person she'd ever really opened up to. Even with her siblings she had been withdrawn, more accustomed to sitting on the sidelines and watching rather than participating. That had changed more in the last two months than in the years before, but it was still present in their every interaction. Freida had always been awkward in social situations and, as far as Lily was concerned, it added to her charm.

Lilian felt that was the reason that Freida had connected so intensely with little Rainie. Her other siblings were all strong, independent. Rainie never was, even for one so young. She was a shy little thing, pretty as a peach with the most beautiful eyes that shone with an innocence that was too good for this world. Lilian knew that Freida saw a lot of herself in their littlest sister and so she went out of her way to make sure she was taken care of. Spirit, they spent nearly every waking moment together. Lilian had to actually bargain with Freida to spend any time with Rainie, even for something as simple as taking her to the market.

Lilian smiled fondly at the memory of it. Rainie's laugh as she sat on her big sister's shoulders, small hands tangled in auburn hair as she waved at all who passed her by. But the recollections were tainted by what followed, of her sister alone and lost in a foreign land, bound to a boy she didn't know, all for the sake of their father's machinations.

After Rainie's 'death', Freida had been lost as well, in her own way. She withdrew even more, pushing all away from her and seeking solace in the knowledge contained within the family library. It was there she'd met Deirdric, whose family curated the collection that the D'viritazi had amassed over the centuries. It had taken time, years, but eventually she'd begun to seem like her old self again. Even then, a piece of her had died. To find out Rainie was alive after so long, well... It had opened old wounds. Better to say it had poured salt into fresh ones.

After Deirdric and Alden had left for the Republic in search of Tessaraina, Lilian had put her own training with Hector on hold to keep an eye on her. She didn't want to believe that her sister would do something extreme, but the concern remained in her heart all the same. Dawn, Tilia and Cassie all helped in her task. It was a month before she spoke to anyone, then another week to actually get her to emerge from her rooms in the Nest. Mother tried to speak with her a couple of times as well, but that hadn't ended well, usually with more screaming and priceless art thrown around the room. To get her to come to tea once a day was a victory in Lilian's eyes. It let them just spend time together as a family, to enjoy each other without having to worry about anything else. It was difficult, but some semblance of normalcy had returned to the Nest. Of course, a cloud still hung over all of them. It was in every kind gesture and word, tainted by the betrayal of their parents.

Freida D'viritazi sprinted into the drawing room, her small hands pulling up her dress to save herself from tripping. Freida was a tall, classical beauty. Like Lilian, she favoured father more than mother, sporting big, sky blue eyes that shone with a sharp intelligence which had been honed to a fine edge over years. Her form was slim, almost painfully so. Lily was nearly convinced that such rapid movement would cause her sister to break in half, such was her slightness. Her auburn hair was wrapped in an elaborate bun, a style Freida often wore for no other reason than it kept her hair out of her eyes when she was reading.

“Ah, finally awake, Freida!” Lilian cried out with a roll of her eyes, “We've been waiting near half the morning. Come on, have a cup before it gets cold.”

Lily chuckled as she turned back to the pot, taking up a cup and about to pour once more when she noticed Dawn's expression. Her pregnant sister was still staring in Freida's direction, her lips parting even as her eyes narrowed in concern.

Confusion as to why Dawn was so worried made Lilian turn back to her younger sister, an eyebrow cocked as she tried to discern what had gotten her so worked up.

Freida was still standing by the door, her hands so tightly wrapped in her dress that they'd very nearly turned white, a colour that was so stark against her sun-kissed skin. The sharp eyes of Freida were staring at nothing at all as she panted into the air. The expression there was one that Lilian hadn't seen in her since Deirdric had left on a ship to the mainland with Alden in tow. Despair, but touched by something far more profound. A hope that defied belief.

“Freida?” Dawn asked kindly as she pushed herself to her feet, a difficult thing for one in her condition, “Are you alright?”

“Word from the port,” Their sister said quietly, though her attention was fixed somewhere far away, “Tilia sent word. A ship has arrived at our private dock. It's Deirdric and Alden. They're back!”

Lilian was on her feet in an instant even as her heart leapt within her chest. Dawn waddled behind her as they both near ran up to Freida, “You're sure?”

Freida nodded insistently as the tears inevitably began to flow, “Tilia is there now. But why are they home? It's too soon. They couldn't have found her so fast. It's too-”

Lilian cut Freida off before she could finish the thought, wrapping her sister in her arms. Freida clung to Lily with a desperate need, her body trembling so badly that both Lilian and Dawn were concerned for a moment that she was having another fit, something which had been a problem when they'd been far younger.

“Of course they found her!” Lilian all but shouted into Freida's ear, hoping to keep the hope alive for as long as possible, even if she too was beset by doubt. Alden and Deirdric had only been away for a couple of months. They would have had to be extremely lucky to track Tessaraina down so quickly. Even father hadn't known Rainie's exact location, the need for secrecy so great that he'd purposely blinded himself to prevent exposing the Heir to danger.

“Lily's right, Freida,” Dawn backed up her sister joyously, “They wouldn't have returned without her. The Old Gods and the Spirit must have been with them.”

Freida laughed into Lilian's shoulder, the sound mixing with her sobs as she nodded insistently. Lily patted her back gently, soothing her troubled soul as she nodded meaningfully to Dawn, who made for the door with all haste. Well, with as much haste as a woman who was about to give birth could, “Dawn will get the carraige, we'll leave now.”

Freida nodded again, though the hesitance remained, “I didn't think... I thought I'd have longer. I don't have anything ready. Maybe I should stay here. I could fix up her room, maybe pick up some sweets from the market and-”

Lilian took a hold of her sister's still trembling hand. Nervousness held Freida's body in a tightening vice as she began to ramble. She had a tendency to speak without thought if she was feeling anxious, “It's fine, Freida. Rainie will want you there. If there's anyone she's going to remember, it'll be you.”

“I... I don't...” Freida looked genuinely terrified as she glanced at the balcony, to the city of Nian beyond, before continuing in a hushed whisper, “What if she doesn't? She was so small when she left.”

“Not that small,” Lilian said with a grin, “Don't worry, Freida. This is a good day. We'll bring her home and everything will be better, you'll see.”

“Y-Yes,” Freida suddenly smiled, almost as though she was trying to convince herself, “Yes! I'll deal with everything else once we're back in the Nest.”

“There you go,” Lilian brought her sister in for another hug before separating, keeping both hands firmly placed upon her shoulders, “What about mother and father? Do they-”

“I don't want them anywhere near her!” Freida snarled into the air with such ferocity that it took even Lilian aback. The anger she saw on that sweet face was so unnatural, yet justified. What their parents had done was beyond anything they could have envisioned, “They sent her into purgatory for years. I want to get her settled before they have a chance to damage her further. Tilia thinks the same, she sent the message to us, not to father.”

Lilian agreed completely with her sister and so didn't argue the point, only nodding in support. If she could avoid Rainie seeing either of their parents anytime soon then she would, but that would be impossible. She wouldn't be surprised if her father already knew about the ship's arrival and was just allowing them to do as they pleased. Little happened on Ragora that he didn't know about. Mastan's reach was great and especially so in their homeland. He spoke and people listened.

“I sent a runner,” Dawn said with a red face as she walked back into the room, “We should go now.”

“What about Cassie?” Freida asked, her eyes glancing around the room as though to spy their quiet sister, “We should all be there.”

“Cassie's at sea,” Lilian said in a soothing voice as the trio left the drawing room, “She'll be home soon enough, but we can't wait for her.”

The three sisters began their slow navigation of their home, ignoring the servants that bowed at their passing as they made their way to the entrance to the Nest. Dawn, Freida and Lilian moved with swift purpose, their thoughts one and the same. It was lucky that Freida's drawing room was on the eastern side of the manor. It meant they wouldn't have to pass their father's study and risk running into their patriarch. Lilian wasn't sure if he would wish to join them at the port, but she wouldn't put it past him. The problem was he wouldn't be going for Rainie. He had made it very clear when he'd told them what he'd done that the Heir was more important in his eyes. He hadn't said as much, but he didn't need to. Of all his children, Lilian had spent the most time with the old man and she knew how to read him.

It seemed like Lily blinked and she was passing through the great doors to the Nest, the smooth construction of their home giving way to the blackened stone and sharp edges of Dealanaich. In many ways, it spoke to the duality of lightning. At least, that was how Mastan described it. Beauty encased within savage ferocity. The mountain remained the same as it had since the Nest's creation. Much like the White Sea, Dealanaich had a presence to it, a gravitas that spoke to its history and its significance to their family. If myth was to be believed, this very place was where the First Knight mastered lightning with the First Smith of the D'viritazi. Lilian's father insisted the story was a fable, but she liked to believe it regardless. It made all her training sessions at the peak so much more meaningful, as though she was following in the footsteps of the legends who came before her.

“Should you not fetch Hector?” Dawn asked as they passed through the doors. The family carraige was already waiting, the horses saddled and chomping at the bit. The path down the mountain was treacherous at best and downright impassable at worst. There were only a few drivers who had the experience and training to tackle such a journey, all employed by their family, “Just in case?”

“No need,” Lilian felt at the Bond with her Smith. He was still asleep, their connection quiet and calm, “We were training late last night, trying to reach the First Circle. He would be next to useless if I woke him now. Besides, I very much doubt there will be fighting.”

“Rainie wouldn't hurt us,” Freida chided as she climbed inside, “There won't be any violence.”

Like her husband, Freida had an almost pathological aversion to violence and confrontation. It was why she'd never taken to combat, nor visited Cassie or Lilian when they fought. That fact alone made her attack on their father all the more soul crushing.

“I'm more concerned about this new Heir,” Dawn said as she took her big sister's extended hand, accepting her help in climbing up next to her into the small box, “We know little about him, only that he isn't of the First Knight's blood. We should be ready for anything.”

“Alden wouldn't have brought him here if he was dangerous.” Lilian rolled her eyes at Dawn's wariness as she hopped up behind her easily, her years of training showing in every graceful movement.

“He would if it was the only way to bring Rainie home,” Dawn insisted as she settled into the soft silk of the black carraige. Despite the opulent nature of their ride, it was still very uncomfortable, padded though it was. The heavily pregnant D'viritazi grumbled in annoyance as she shifted in place, “Spirit, but do I hate riding down in this thing.”

“We could always walk if you prefer?” Lilian smiled at her sister, eliciting a scathing look in response.

“Maybe you should stay, Dawn,” Freida said, concerned as she placed a hand on her sister's belly, “You're too fragile right now.”

“And miss Tessaraina coming home?” Dawn scoffed as she patted Freida's hand, “Not on your life.”

“Alden is there and you know as well as I do how dedicated he is to the family,” Lilian continued as she closed the door and rapped on the wood behind her head, signalling for the driver to begin his precarious descent, “I very much doubt that an untrained Knight, even an Heir, would be a match for someone like him. In any case, you're worrying for nothing.”

“You say that and yet I am not put at ease.” Dawn took a deep breath as she closed her eyes as the carraige began to move.

The journey down the mountain took nearly an hour to complete, but it might as well have been days for the three sisters as they sat confined and anxious within. Lilian's thoughts moved a mile a minute as she thought on every scenario, on every contingency. Freida was right, she reaffirmed, they shouldn't have come back so soon. It was almost unthinkable. Unless they somehow arrived at the Venosian border and found Rainie waiting for them, they should have been gone far longer. Time was of the essence, but Lilian had thought it would take them months just to locate their sister and the Heir, never mind to return to Ragora. Venos was a large country, many times more than their own homeland, and Tessaraina could be anywhere.

She couldn't help but wonder as to the reason for it.

It was only when the rumbling and rocking of the carraige came to a stop that Lilian glanced out of the little window to her right. The stone of Dealanaich was replaced by buildings now, the smoothness of the road beneath them eliciting a sigh of contentment from Dawn as they continued on their way. Hopefully they would reach the port in good time, though that depended on the traffic. Mid morning and early evening were when the streets of Nian were at their busiest.

“Damn!” Freida's sudden shout caused both of her sisters to jump as they glared at the delicate woman, who was looking at them both with wide eyes, “I forgot about the heat! I should have brought Rainie a shawl, something to cover her. She's been in Venos for so long, I bet she's forgotten what sunshine is. Can we stop somewhere? Maybe that little boutique near the fountain?”

Lilian grumbled in amusement at her worrying little sister as she bemoaned her lack of forethought. She was right in her assessment. In fact, she may have been downplaying it a little. Even the locals like to stay inside when the sun was at it's highest. It could be unrelentingly punishing during the summer months, almost to the point of torture. Since the arrival of autumn, the heat had begun to fade but it still became blistering at noon, “She'll be fine, Freida. She's Ragoran.”

“We'll be back in the Nest before it gets too bad, I'm sure,” Dawn threw a pointed look to Lily as she squeezed Freida's hand, “And Lilian's right. Tessaraina is Ragoran. I'm sure she's forgotten quite a bit about living here, but I very much doubt that the sun is one of them.”

Freida nodded seriously as she leaned back once more, though her hands continued to fidget, “Some kind of gift then? A welcoming home present?”

“Freida,” Lilian began, exasperated and about to say something foolish before Dawn's glare stopped her in her tracks. The D'viritazi Knight sighed and moved across the aisle to sit next to her sister, “There is no way to make this perfect. Just us being there will be enough.”

Freida's eyes fell to the dark wood of the floor, biting at her lip incessantly, “I know that. I just... I just want her to feel welcome. She's a part of our family, but she's been gone for so long. I don't want her to believe that she's an outsider.”

“We can't make up for what happened in one meeting, Freida,” Dawn said gently, “It will take time. We don't know this Tessaraina.”

Freida opened her mouth to object but Lilian jumped in before she could argue, “Dawn's right. Ten years is a long time and we have no idea how she's been living her life. All we can do is be there for her, show her she still has family who love her.”

“I can do that,” Freida replied, her smile hesitant but beautiful to see all the same. It was all too rare these days, “We can do that. Even Cassie can, in her own way.”

“If you mean in silent grunts and the occasional nod, then yes,” Dawn laughed, her sisters joining her swiftly afterwards.

The three loved Cassie to pieces, but she may well be the very definition of stoic indifference. She rarely reacted to anything at all, in fact. She only spoke when it was needed and even then it was like pulling teeth when you wanted to get an opinion. She was never good with her emotions. Battle was her language and it was through that medium she'd bonded with Lilian. Of all her siblings, Lilian would have to say that she was closest with Cassie, for no other reason than they spent the most time together. Growing up, they'd often pitted themselves against one another to see who was the better fighter. It was the only time Lily had ever seen Cassie talk about something without being prompted.

The image of her after she'd heard about Rainie sprang forth in Lilian's mind unbidden. Her stoic sister, the rock of their family, crumbling as she clutched the back of a chair to stop herself from collapsing. Her pale face filled with horror as she watched Freida attempt to attack their father, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Lilian shook her head, stopping the flow before it could continue. Dwelling on that terrible day achieved nothing. With Tessaraina's return, they could finally begin to heal the wounds of the past. This was a good thing.

“We are here, my Ladies,” The driver intoned respectfully as the carriage came to a stop, “I see Lady Tilia ahead.”

Lilian's heart suddenly began to pound all the greater, sweat forming on her palms as her vision swam. She hadn't had time to think, to process. It was happening so fast, so soon. The eldest daughter of the D'viritazi looked to Dawn, to Freida. Both of them looked just as nervous as she did, especially so in the case of Freida who was looking to Lilian desperately, her hands shaking as they lay clasped on her lap. Lilian hid her on unease and grasped her sister's hand with fervour, opening the door to the carraige and stepping onto the sun soaked streets of Nian.

The first thing that hit her was the familiar smell of the sea. The sweet scent of salt mixing with the fragrances of the greatest trade city in the world, adding spice to the air and setting her nostrils aflame. The second was the noise. A roaring cacophony as the day began in earnest. Trading started early in Nian as many sought to make their deals before the sun crested its peak. A veritable army of people surrounded the carraige as the D'viritazi sisters disembarked one at a time. The cries of hundreds attempting to speak over one another. Thankfully their carriage was relatively nondescript and didn't carry any symbols of their clan. No doubt this was an intentional decision by Dawn to keep attention to a minimum. Their family was well known throughout the country, but outside of their father and perhaps Tilia, the chances of them being recognised were small to none.

Freida helped Dawn along as they wandered into the mob, spying the many ships that sat in dock. It was as Lilian suspected, many were just as put off by the calmness of the White Sea as she was and would be putting off their travel for the day. It also spoke to the reason why the port was so very busy as the crowds pressed against one another, a sea all their own.

“There, Lily,” Dawn pointed at one ship in particular, one which was sitting in the D'viritazi's private docks, next to their large warehouses where the majority of their goods were held, “I see her.”

Lilian followed her sister's line of sight and caught a glimpse of Tilia through the crowd, standing at the bottom of a gangplank that led up to a small brig. It was a battered, worn down thing, though it appeared relatively sound to Lily's untrained eyes. Unlike Cassie, she'd never been that interested in ships and hadn't studied the subject more than was necessary. Her little sister had wanted to be in the Navy since she was a girl, even going so far as to reject an offer of Knighthood in favour of service to Ragora.

Tilia herself looked as beautiful as she ever did. Lilian had always been jealous of her sister's obvious grace, which she exuded without even trying, and she felt that jealousy flare as she watched her now. The dress she wore was no doubt worth many times the tunic and breeches that Lily favoured, and the Knight spotted the obvious glint of gemstones around her wrists, her fingers and even woven throughout her hair. Unlike most her siblings, Tilia had a love of the finer things in life. It was one of the things she and Freida shared in common. Her hair was woven in an elaborate braid which streaked down her back elegantly, her face looking like it was sculpted by one of Freida's lauded artisans. The only thing that marred the perfection that was Lilian's sister was her stubborn glare at the man who stood before her.

And what a man he was.

The towering beast stopped Tilia's passage onto the ship with his mere presence alone, for that was enough to cover the entire gangplank. His black hair and beard were streaked with grey, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as she stared down at the fragile looking Tilia. A broad headed axe was strapped firmly to his back that Lilian felt he could draw in less than a second. Everything about him made Lily's hackles rise. He was definitely a warrior, and perhaps one of the best examples of one she had ever seen. His worn clothing, his unkempt appearance, none of it took away from the threat that he presented with his posture alone.

The strangest thing about him though, was that Lilian thought she recognised him from somewhere.

The trio passed by the guards that kept the masses off of their docks, the men recognising the mistresses of the Clan they served and only bowing subserviently as they passed them by. It wasn't long before Tilia's voice found them, raised as it was.

“You will let me pass,” Her words cracked like a whip with every syllable, enough to make a lesser man shrink in fear. Lilian had seen it happen many times before, yet this giant remained completely unfazed, “I am Tilia D'viritazi. My sister is on this ship. You will let me pass.”

The warrior chuckled at the young woman, “I know your name, lass. Good effort, but I've faced worse.”

Tilia stamped her foot in frustration and spun about, her face turning red with anger as she finally spied her sisters approach. She pointed back at the man and glared at Lilian, “Lily, beat him up! He won't let me see Rainie.”

“Yeah, I might take a beat on that one, Til,” Lilian replied as she craned her neck to meet the man's eyes as he smiled at her brightly. There was no hint of challenge in his expression, he just seemed to be enjoying Tilia's tirade, “I think this here might be a bit beyond me.”

“Lilian D'viritazi,” The man laughed so loudly that Freida and Tilia both jumped, the younger taking a few steps away from the large man as the older wrapped an arm around Dawn's, “It's been some time since last we met.”

“Do I know you, sir?” Lilian glanced around the man, trying to see onto the ship. She spied a few ship-hands going about their business, but nothing else, “I was led to believe that Alden and Deirdric of Ragora were on this ship.”

“Oh, they are. They'll be down shortly. Until then, I'm to keep you lot here. We met once many years ago, when I first started working for your father. You were tiny back then, though. Only a tot.”

Lilian's eyes narrowed as she tried to recall his face. It would certainly explain why he was so familiar to her, “I feel I know you from somewhere, though not from where exactly.”

“Aye, It was my first visit to Nian. You kept pulling on my beard,” The man laughed as he stroked the facial accessory in question, “Your father all but threw you at me to get some peace.”

“S-So you work for our father, then?” Freida spoke up with a squeak, “Please, tell me. Is Rainie on board? Has she come home?”

The large man blinked, “Rainie? Oh, Tessa. Aye, she's up the back with the boy. They'll be down soon as well, I reckon.”

“Tessa?” Lilian said aloud.

“It's what she goes by now,” The giant shrugged, “Tessaraina's a bit of a mouthful and it gave away her Noble heritage.”

“If you work for our father, sir, then you are bound to our will as well,” Dawn said as she held her large belly, “I must ask you to-”

“Hold a second, lass,” The warrior raised a hand, “My name is Boldrin of Yeles, or Boldrin the Bold to my friends. Don't need none of that sir nonsense, and I don't work for your father anymore. I serve the boy for as long as he'll have me along.”

“The boy? You serve the Heir?” Lilian asked.

Boldrin nodded solemnly, “I do, and he's asked that no one be allowed on this ship till Tessa's ready, so that's the way it'll be.”

“I don't think-”

“Freida!” The shout drew the attention of all except for Boldrin, who stood aside as a cascade of robes flew passed him at speed.

“Deirdric!” The cry from Freida was more a sob as she immediately threw herself into the arms of the man who dashed into hers.

Lilian stood back with the others, watching with a small smile as the husband and wife held each other. Deirdric's face was buried in his wife's hair as Freida pressed against his chest, her sniffling giving way to chuckling laughter as she tightened her grip around the man she loved. In an instant, Lily saw the troubles that had plagued her sister fall away in the embrace of her husband. A calm that she hadn't seen in months settled over her features. Lilian's soul was warmed by the sight as some of her own burdens fell away. Deirdric was an annoying ass at times, but she could have kissed him for putting such a beautific smile back onto her sister's face.

The scholar looked far more rugged than his usual put together self. His time away had certainly changed him, his scraggly beard and leaner figure adding a wild aspect to his tall frame. He almost looked handsome to Lilian's eyes now. Something told her from the way Freida was staring up at her husband as they separated that she wasn't the only one.

“Greetings, my Ladies,” Another voice pulled their attention, one which all present knew well. The form of Alden of Nian walked down the gangplank much more sedately than his Smith, though he did chuckle a little at the sight of the embracing pair. Alden hadn't changed as much as Deirdric on their voyage it seemed, he still had the ruggedness of a warrior to him, his body a honed weapon as he walked with one hand on the sabre at his side, “It has been some time.”

“You found her,” Freida beamed up at Deirdric as she raised her hands to cup his face, “You found her, Deirdric.”

“Of course we did,” The Scholar said, his expression matching his wife's as excitement danced in his dark and intelligent eyes, “And it was far easier than we thought.”

“Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration,” Alden said with a smile, “But we did find her, yes.”

“Welcome home,” Dawn said fondly as she gave Alden a swift hug, Lilian doing the same. Tilia remained to the side, pouting and with arms folded, “You have been missed.”

“Clearly,” Alden said with a snicker as he looked to Deirdric and Freida, who still held on another tightly, “It's good to be home, and with Lady Tessaraina in tow.”

“Why doesn't she come down?” Tilia suddenly asked a little petulantly. She could be rather childish at times and not getting her way was usually the trigger for it, “I've been standing here for nearly three hours.”

Alden hesitated, his glance to Deirdric rather telling to Lilian as she narrowed her eyes at the pair, “Is there something we need to know, Deirdric? Alden?”

“Nothing urgent, my Lady,” Alden shook his head, “She will disembark in a moment. Lord Orin is speaking with her now.”

“Lord Orin?” Tilia spoke up now, her curiosity trumping her agitation, “So I'm assuming that is the name of the lauded Heir we have heard so much about?”

“He is, Lady,” Alden nodded respectfully as he beamed at the sisters, “You'll be happy to know that he is a fine, young man who cares for your sister very deeply.”

“I was unaware that the man was Nobility, Alden,” Dawn said softly, “Father told us that he was a commoner of Venos. An orphan.”

“That is true, my Lady. But he is also-”

“He is also my husband.”

All eyes went to the gangplank once more, focusing on the young woman who spoke. Lilian found herself taken aback by what she saw, though not as much as Tilia, whose jaw dropped and face paled as she gazed up at the woman who descended the platform. Framed by the sun and with blonde hair ablaze, the woman smiled so intensely that it took Lily aback, “Greetings to the house of D'viritazi from the Crown of Venos. I am Princess Elora of Myrin. A pleasure to meet you all.”

Elora walked down plank with a steady and sure gait, her rustic clothes taking nothing away from her beauty as she took Boldrin's proffered hand to step down onto land once more. It was then that she fixed Lilian with a stare of the purest gold, eyes that shone so brightly they were very nearly blinding. There was a deep well of kindness and compassion in those eyes, but also a hint of hardness.

“Did she say she was Princess Elora?” Tilia muttered to Lily, her eyes still very much fixed on the woman before them,, “Is that right?”

“I think she did,” Lily replied just as quietly so their guests wouldn't overhear, only barely paying attention to her sister, “I may be wrong, but I think we're missing something here. Tilia, is it actually her?”

“I don't know, I've never met her,” Tilia hissed in response, “She does match descriptions, I suppose, though I don't think I've ever heard of the Princess wearing a tunic. You're right, Lil. We're missing something.”

“Oh, do you think so?” Dawn quipped from the other side sarcastically, her whisper harsh before she walked forward in greeting, “Princess Elora of Venos? Welcome to Ragora. You... ah... You said that Orin of Myrin is...”

“My husband, yes,” Elora smiled so brightly that it made Lily's soul melt, “Count Orin Lostwood of House Rin, the Scarred Knight of Myrin and the future King of our homeland.”

Boldrin's booming laugh drew their attention once more, “You should see your faces. Weren't expecting that, were you?”

“No, indeed we were not,” Lilian didn't quite know what to make of this latest development, “So you and Tessaraina are... Sister-Smiths?”

“We are indeed,” Elora said with a pleased nod, “I'm so glad to finally meet you all. We've travelled a very long way for that very purpose. Orin and Tess will be out shortly.”

“Of course, the pleasure is ours, Princess,” Tilia immediately fell into a more well practiced manner as she curtseyed deferentially, “We did not expect one of your stature to visit us here.”

“None of all that,” The Princess waved her hand, “Tessa and I are sisters of a kind, so that makes us family after a fashion. Please, call me Elora. Orin will be out in a moment with Tess. I suggest we wait here for now. I have to say, Nian truly is as beautiful as the stories say. I've read so much about it, finally getting to see such a place is incredible.”

“Thank you.” Lilian replied dumbly, unsure of how to speak to the Princess of one of the largest countries on the continent. The more this situation was unfolding, the less control she believed she had. Rainie was Bonded to an Heir who was also Bonded to the Princess of Venos? What? How in the underworld had that happened? It immediately raised concerns in Lilian's mind as to the Five Families but she quelled them before they could fully form. This Orin was hardly a conventional Heir, it seemed.

“Elora,” A tired voice called out from aboard the ship, “I'm tempted just to... ah, I didn't know we had visitors.”

Lilian looked to the new person joining their little party. She was surprised to find that she didn't need an introduction for this newest arrival.

After all, who hadn't heard of the Knight of the Frozen River? The mightiest warrior in central Ouros. If Lilian was having any doubts as to who Elora was, those were banished upon seeing so great a protector.

The lithe form of Lady Vera walked towards them all with the surety of a woman with all the power in the world. Her icy eyes, like chips of a glacier and framed by snow white hair, ran through every single one of them like a rusty knife. Lilian suppressed a shiver as she met the Knight's eyes with her own. Lily didn't know what Vera saw there, but she obviously approved, because a smile graced her lips a moment later, “Greetings. I am Lady Vera of Myrin, First Knight of Venos. I didn't think we would have such a large welcoming committee.”

“I think she really is Princess Elora,” Tilia whispered to Lily and Dawn, amazingly without moving her lips, eyes narrowed as though in deep thought, “I'm almost positive.”

“Oh, do you think?” Dawn repeated with a hiss even as she continued to smile brightly.

“Excuse me, I'm sorry,” Freida suddenly spoke up hesitantly, separating from Deirdric as she did so, “It's a pleasure to meet you all, truly, but is Rainie alright? Is there something we can do-”

Freida stopped, shocked and unable to speak as her eyes were once more drawn to the deck of the large ship before them. Lilian followed her sister's eyes, heart pounding and convulsing. She knew what she would find there. She knew it with every fibre of her being and yet still she hesitated.

She'd been told that Tessaraina was alive, told that she would see her again. But a part of her, small though it may have been, hadn't believed it to be true. They'd suffered so much after her loss, their pain tainting the years that followed, dogging them like a plague. It was a part of Lily, a part of all of them. To lose someone so precious... Something like that couldn't not change you. That's why, despite the evidence that stood before her, despite Princess Elora's assertions that she would be there, despite what Alden and Deirdric had said, part of Lily still believed her little sister was gone.

That part died when she met eyes of blistering steel. The Princess, the Heir, Lady Vera, it all faded away.

It was her. Rainie was there, standing aboard the ship and staring down at them with an intensity that very nearly broke Lilian's heart all over again. She'd grown tall, she'd grown strong. Her clothes were a far cry from the dresses of days gone by. Instead she was dressed for function over form. The two daggers at her hip spoke to the reason for that.

Her hair, once so lovely and long, was rough cut and shorn with abandon, as though she'd taken one of her daggers to it herself. The prettiness of her youth had given way to a cold beauty to match her steely eyed stare. Everything about her, from the tips of her toes to her hair, it all spoke to her as a warrior, as a fighter. A killer. She was a predator, a tigress. The promise of violence was in every shift of her body, in every twitch of her finger.

But despite how she'd changed, Rainie was still there. Lily could see it in her nervous glances to Elora, in the way she kept looking behind her and how she refused to meet any of their eyes. The curve of her lips, the furrow of her brow, all of it.

It was her little sister.

She'd come home.

Lily took an unthinking step forward before bringing herself up short. She could barely see for the tears that had begun to pour. She suddenly remembered everything so clearly.

She saw herself at Rainie's birth, looking down at her in the crib and making faces to elicit a laugh. She saw all of them gathered around the fire place in the family room, father helping her walk as they all cheered her on and she giggled incessantly. Lilian's most precious memory was of when she was sleeping and the little girl would climb into her bed, playing with hair because she had a bad dream.

A thousand memories, each more cherished than the last. Things she hadn't allowed herself to think about because of the lie she'd been told. They flooded back now, crystal clear and crisp, as she looked upon the grown form of her baby sister.

“Hello, Rainie.”