Walking up the next morning was a surreal experience. She’d been too exhausted and emotionally drained the night before to do more than follow Cecilia and the soldier Adrian to what seemed to be some kind of barracks. It sat towards the center of the city, up a slight hill, made from salmon-colored stone bricks. Out front was a courtyard, the kind of large open field that always seemed slightly familiar by virtue of being so commonplace. She’d been shown the way onto a second floor and into a small room, a nice one, with a window and even a bathroom attached. She’d fallen into the bed and almost immediately asleep.

Now, with the traces of sunlight that snuck between shutters to rouse her, she found the bed at once familiar and foreign. It felt like being home, to sleep in a bed after weeks curled on patches of grass or a hard cot in the back of a wagon. But at the same time, it didn’t feel like her home. She was still a stranger here, still didn’t understand this place, for all that she seemed welcome for now.

She sat up in the bed and stretched, her hands reaching for the stone-covered sky before they dropped forward towards her toes. A moment later she swung her legs onto the floor, shivering a little at the cold of the floor, and padded her way over to the adjoining bathroom.

When she returned, she looked over her quarters in more detail. The room itself was bare, walls and floor empty of any decoration or insulation, but other than the bed it had a sturdy looking chest and cabinet, a small desk with a chair, and what appeared to be some kind of rack for weapons or tools.

She walked over to the window and opened the shutters. The sunlight, accompanied by a cold breeze, disoriented her for a moment. But her eyes almost immediately adjusted and she gazed out at a partially visible expanse of rooftops and walls.

In the daytime, she could see the city far more clearly and in all its full color. Many rooftops had small gardens or planter boxes of wood, with green vegetables and the occasional smattering of more colorful flowers or herbs. Others had clotheslines running across or between them, some with clothes already hanging on them. People were visible here and there, some moving through the streets purposefully while others seemed content to relax and talk with each other.

Something about the sight seemed to strike a chord in her, and she searched for a long moment trying to remember, but there was nothing there. Whatever had sparked her memory had just as quickly passed.

She exhaled deeply, breathing in the cold air, and then turned to look around the room again. A quick investigation revealed that the cabinet and chest were empty, understandable given that she owned nothing. The same went for the desk. She stared at the door. She was, surprisingly, a little hungry. There must be a kitchen or pantry somewhere, right? Should she just go and search for it?

Before she could work up the courage to exit the room and risk the awkward conversations that might come with meeting someone, she noticed that something had been slipped under the base of the door. A sheet of paper, it looked like. She stepped over and picked it up. It had a few short lines written in a lovely, flowing hand. She wrinkled her nose, doing her best to make out the shapes of the letters.

Idy,

I hope you enjoyed a well-deserved night of respite. As you are no doubt hungry, please be informed that there is a cafeteria located on the first floor to the left of the stairwell, and you are more than welcome to avail yourself of any of the food there.

Idelle frowned at the paper. When did Cecilia get this… pretentious? It was her who wrote this, right? No one else used that stupid nickname.

Once you’ve eaten, you may find Lieutenant Adrian in his office; also located on the first floor. Unfortunately, my somewhat less than royal exploits yesterday have resulted in my temporary confinement until some necessary work is completed, but I will attempt to abscond as soon as can be arranged to fulfill our promise. Until then, you are welcome to ask him for anything you might need or directions around the city.

Yours,

Cecilia Lerne, Princess of...

She didn’t even try to make herself read the several titles written in nearly incomprehensible cursive that followed the name. Maybe Cici was showing off because she was mad that Idelle hadn’t believed she was a Princess. How mature. At least she now knew where to find breakfast.

Setting the letter on the desk, she slid on her rather ragged shoes and went off to do just that.

…

It seemed that she had slept in, as most of the men and women remaining in the cafeteria were finishing eating as Idelle slightly nervously wandered in through the doorway. A few glanced up at her, but none seemed to give her a second thought as they returned to their meals and conversations.

She awkwardly looked them over in turn. Some seemed to be teenagers but more looked to be in their 20s, both in and out of the now familiar uniform. Past them, a counter held large plates on one end and various large pots and platters, mostly still with some food on them. She picked her around the edge of the room to grab a plate, along with a knife and spoon.

A few moments later she had her food. She contemplated the various tables. Almost all of them had room. But no one happened to meet her eye, and she ended up sitting at one towards the corner of the room that was completely unoccupied.

The food was nothing amazing, but it filled her up, and the room was mostly empty by the time she finished. She scrutinized her empty plate. No one had so much as looked her way during the meal. She supposed it made sense. They all had reasons they were here and stuff they were doing, and she’d just showed up out of nowhere this morning.

She stared at the plate a little longer. What did she want to do now? Cecilia had said she could find the red-haired soldier, Adrian, if she needed anything. But her only plan in the city had been to find an alchemist to learn something about magic, and she’d somehow managed to stumble into something several steps better than that. Should she try anyway?

A voice broke her out of her reverie. “Ah, Miss Idelle, I was wondering if I’d see you here.”

She looked up, surprised, to see Adrian standing by her table.

“Oh, um, hello. You don’t have to call me ‘miss’ or anything.”

“Not at all, Miss, any friend of Her Highness is deserving of appropriate respect in my mind.” She flushed a little. She really didn’t think that her and Cecilia could at all be called “friends” at this point. Still, she wasn’t about to say that under the circumstances.

“All right, then. Um, can I help you with something?”

“It’s the other way around, actually. Her Highness requested that I arrange clothing for you, so I was looking to find if you preferred the services of a tailor or would rather simply wear one of our uniforms.”

“Clothes?” Idelle glanced down at her baggy dress, worn over a ragged shirt and trousers and shoes that were barely holding together. “I mean, uh, you don’t have to do that for me or anything. I can take care of it.”

He gave her a quizzical expression. “Her Highness was under the impression that you had never been in the city before, and had, shall we say, limited financial resources.”

Idelle tried not to wince and failed. “Ah. Um. In that case, I’ll take the uniform if that’s all right. I don’t want to be a bother.”

He nodded. “Certainly. I’ll arrange for our smallest size to be sent to your quarters, but please let me know if it’s still a little too large.” She winced again and her face reddened, but she nodded. He continued, “Is there anything else I can do, while I have you here?”

“Do… do you know when Cecilia— I mean, Her Highness— will be free?”

“I’m afraid not, but it sounded like she intended to visit as soon as able.”

“Ah, all right.” She hesitated. “Do you have anything you’d recommend for me to do in the meantime?”

He shrugged. “There should be conditioning drills going outside, and weapons training will be conducted throughout the morning and early afternoon when that completes. You’re more than free to join in either. Or if you’re…” He looked down at her scrawny arms, “...less martially inclined, you’re also free to explore the nearby city. As you’re aware, Her Highness is more than capable of finding you if she returns.”

Idelle gave him a look that was only a little nasty, doing her best to ignore her ever-intensifying blush. “Actually. I think I will join in the training. Thank you.”

“Not a problem. Are there any training weapons you’d like me to have sent over with the uniform? A staff or a spear, maybe?”

She started to reply, then paused as a distant memory— no, maybe it was a memory of a dream— bubbled up in the back of her mind... A man, hair streaked with gray, wearing a narrow smile as he demonstrated how to step forward and strike.

“No, not those actually. A sword.”

Adrian looked slightly annoyed at her response. “Are you sure? The sword may be glamorous, but other weapons are far more practical and easier to learn.”

She nodded obstinately. “I’m sure.”

He seemed to hesitate for a moment. “Do you have some reason for it? I might be able to advise as to a more suitable weapon for whatever your purpose is.”

She met his eyes. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

He stared at her, then shrugged. “Suit yourself, Miss. I’ll have everything sent up to your room in a few minutes. Feel free to go join in the physical training session in the meantime.”