“You shall be a rich man; I can see it.”

With only those languid words whispered in the crease of a nobleman’s ears,

Fir’s King’s dictatorship ended.

She watched as the flames engulfed the kingdom she oh so hated.

Through a throne of silk, drapes, and fuzz,

For the first time in her life but not the last,

Victoria offered a whole kingdom to the one she worshipped.

The Empire could now count on the kingdom of Fir to fight against those that had given it its name.

Political games, Tome 2: Victoria.

“Nay, why do you always feel the need to take a sword with you? I want to offer you a gift, and you’re scaring the tailor!” Veridienne was as shy as before at a first glance, but if you were friends with her, this timidity vanished, giving place to a young, intelligent, mature, and slightly teasing teenager, who spoke with a decisive voice. Three years had gone by since Nay had received the letter of the Academy.

Veridienne had just reached thirteen years of age, Nay was close to fourteen.

“I will not go out without it, I told you before. And you are helping me find a gift for Lisana, not for me.”

“Pfuh!” Puffed the noblewoman. “Gifts to Lisana are gifts to you, don’t take me for a Tritty! We are in the Golden alleyway. What is there to fear here?”

The Golden alleyway was the single marketplace on the Ducal plateau. Everything there cost absurd amounts of coins, but the quality was vastly superior to what you could find in the shops of lower-Gite. Everything here expressed wealth: The marbled pavement of the road, the stalls of precious stones, foreign spices, and enchanted objects…Even the streetlights were covered with gold leaves. The only exception to this lushness was the wooden shed, in the middle of the road, perfectly functional but only that, that served as a security centre for the Virnyl guards.

Nay grimaced. She felt more in danger here than anywhere else in the city.

“What if that madman sees me and wants to fight me?”

“Nay! Please! Do not talk about the Commandare like that. He is a respected man; it does not matter if you think otherwise. And he is quite handsome…Moreover, he doesn’t know where we are.”

Nay scratched her neck. She did not comment on the fact that her friend looked almost sorry when she had said that last sentence.

“Sure…can’t know where I am…we weren’t stopped for fifteen minutes at the eastern lifts because I didn’t have a mark of passage and that you had to negotiate with the guard…guard that definitely won’t relate the whole thing to his direct superior…”

Veridienne rolled her eyes to the sky.

“Oh, come on, get back on Ja’s earth! The most important man of Gite has other things to do than to come terrorize young and frail ladies doing their shopping.”

Nay pouted. “Maybe you’re right.” She said with no real conviction.

“Of course I am right! What do you think about this?”

She showed the elder sister a transparent black silk nightdress.

“Erm…Lisana is going to be five years old? Even Borealis’ district’s joy ladies wouldn’t dare to put that on!”

“Obviously, they wouldn’t put this on, they would never be able to afford it.” Retorted the blonde girl sarcastically.

“You were much nicer when you were younger, you sounded like Trinne right now.”

Veridienne was losing her childish look in profit of those of a beautiful woman. Her long blonde hair was flowing to her back. Nay had no idea how much time it took to care for such a large amount of hair. Hers were always cut short. Not like a boy, Ra’fa would not permit it, but not long enough to easily be grabbed during a melee. Or cut by a sword.

“Ha! My arrogance is not so bad that I believe the beautiful Redrick Darkstar to be thinking about me constantly!”

“Hey” Nay protested.

Her friend grinned and changed the subject.

“You would be surprised what young women of the plateau wear nowadays. Prostitutes cannot reach the daring levels of bored and wanton noblewomen…if you know what I mean.”

Nay gave her a disgusted look.

“If Fredere heard you…”

“He’s waiting outside, should I go and bring him here?”

The grey eyes of the young girl sparkled in amusement.

“He would die of shame with less than four steps inside. Just seeing what you’re holding would make him as red as a Tergee apple.”

“Tergee apples are yellow.”

“What? No, those are Grives!”

Nay noticed Veridienne was giving her a mocking look.

“Fine, fine, I’ll believe you. Could you put the artifact destructor of virtue back in its place?”

Acting like she was terribly disappointed, her friend put the clothing back.

“Best would be to bring her here, so that the tailor can take her measurements.”

Veridienne was back to talking about Lisana, it was why they came in the first place after all.

“I know them.”

“You know her measurements by heart?”

“Yeah, I often take them.”

“You often take what? No, forget about it, I don’t want to know. You’ve got a serious sister addiction; did I ever tell you that?” Veridienne said with fake shock.

“Yes, I know, you tell me every day. You shouldn’t be jealous.”

They looked through the clothing and fabrics in silence before being interrupted by a masculine voice.

“Could you hurry up? It’s freezing outside you know?”

Fredere had peaked inside the shop, his nose blue and running.

Veridienne immediately reacted.

“My dear friend? What would you think about such clothing on my person?” She had taken out the transparent clothing out of its rack in a flash.

The boy became red as a Grive and immediately fled outside.

“How rude! Wasn’t even able to answer me. Really Nay, can you believe it?”

“I hardly believe we ever thought you were naive and sweet. Poor Sage Berth, if only he knew…” She said laughing.

Despite their teasing, they hurried back outside so they would not find their friend transformed into a frozen statue. Nay had found a fabric with animal motifs that she liked, and Veridienne had ordered it to be made a dress at the quickest.

“Thank you for the money Veri, but I’d like to order by m…”

“Out of the question: For the one time I find something you like, let me make you a present.”

“It’s not for me it is…”

“…For Lisana, I know! Same thing.”

Fredere saw them coming out and met up with them. He blew warm air into his ivory leather gloves in an attempt to warm his hands, until he saw theirs were empty. “But…” He exclaimed with horror. “What about the gift?” He probably imagined they had to go to other shops and that the trip was not over yet.

Nay answered him, with a contrite look: “Veridienne wanted to make a ‘special’ order, it’ll be ready next week.”

“Which is forcing her to get back up on the plateau, which explains her desperate look.” Veridienne then talked directly to Nay: “You should get used to it you know! Next year you’ll be here for at least three…”

“I know!” The young girl’s answer was dry. Maybe even mean, she realized. There was a short silence before Nay apologized: “Sorry, you know that I…”

“No, I shall be the one to apologize” He friend cut her off. “I went too far. If it’s that much of a problem to you, I won’t force you to come back.”

“Thanks…”

Fredere grinned.

“I still need someone to carry it all!” Said Veridienne in answer to his expression.

And his smile transformed in a grimace.

The two girls laughed loudly.

The only thing Nay knew about Veridienne’s gift was that it was a nightdress, she had not said more than that.

Usually, Nay would have absolute trust in her friend, and she knew the gift would be perfect and in no way improper. She was sure of it.

Almost certain.

Definitely not doubtful.

So, the next week, she was waiting for her two friends with a bit of apprehension. They were late and she would soon need to train with her father.

The school was enjoying its last rays of sunlight for the day. They were disappearing behind the Ducal plateau and soon would only illuminate the sky. Marke had already prepared the torches in the courtyard.

Today was their “trance” practice, which always resulted in failures.

She was positive that climbing the cliff would activate her “gift”, but her father still refused she try.

“Dad? Can we wait before beginning today? Veri and Fre are coming to bring me something.

The soldier thought about it.

“No, they’ll know where to find us, and it gives me an idea.

‘Oh no.’ Said Nay inside.

“What does that expression mean? Do you have a problem with my ideas?”

“What?” She answered innocently.

“Mhmh. Stand straight, we’re warming up. Series five, seven and one.” He barked before moving.

She did as he asked.

“Your knees! More apart!”

“Why are you looking at the ground?”

“Focus!”

She sighed. His remarks never changed.

She saw at the half-point of the practice that they were not alone anymore.

Marke, noticing the same thing, stopped. She did not, he had not authorized it.

“What brings your presence amidst us during this beautiful evening, Miss Amber and Mister Cavano? If it is just to disturb us, get back up there, if not, take a sword and join us.”

Veridienne and Fredere looked a bit worried.

“Erm.” Began the boy. “Sorry master but we just passed here to tell Nay we deposited the package at her house, erm, your house, so we’ll just go back…”

“Package?” The Legio had a menacing glare. He addressed his daughter: “You didn’t ask a service to those noblemen, did you?” He pointed with his finger towards the two new arrivals. His reaction surprised Nay: Her father was not one to discriminate people on their blood. When he taught, he insulted everyone equally.

“Well, Fredere is a bourgeois, not a noble…” She corrected him. And as she did, she immediately regretted her big mouth. To question the words of the Legio now was stupid.

“Don’t get smart with me now, little girl!”

He knew she hated to be called that. Moreover, he talked to her as if her friends were not there.

And just as she thought that, as if just to prove her wrong, he turned towards them.

“You’re already disturbing us, so go take a sword and dagger if you don’t want me to double your running laps tomorrow.”

This was the first time Marke invited others to their evening training.

The two young teenagers sighed but obeyed. They knew better than to discuss the orders of their fencing master.

Once gone in the armoury, Marke gave Nay a furious look. She stopped moving.

“You think it is not a problem if your friends help you? You think it poses no problem if they offer gifts? Give away money? You are deadly wrong little girl; they are different from us. Maybe it isn’t true between these walls, here you are treated the same, but once out of the school, the abyss between you is uncrossable. You’re young, maybe you don’t feel this difference now, or worse, maybe you’re aware but just trust them anyway. Ra’fa would say that this is all a ploy so that in the future they’ll use you. That they’ll make you a slave, until they’re tired of you or you die…”

Nay could not handle such accusations against her friends, and with a voice trying to contain her anger, she retorted: “Fre and Veri would never…”

“Shut up, I’m not done.” His voice was full of authority and she held her words. “Let’s imagine they won’t, that they’re the good noble kind, or bourgeois, doesn’t matter. They’re the just ones! Well, those people have enemies, a lot, believe me. And if you really are their friend, you will become a hostage to the political games they’ll be playing. The less scrupulous nobles, or should I say, the ‘normal’ ones, they’ll see you as a weakness. A weakness they’ll try to use.”

“Well let them! I can protect myself!” Nay exclaimed with fury.

“Oh, against guards, bandits or mercenaries? Yes. You’ll show them exactly how much they misjudged you. Then, they’ll poison your sister, assassinate your children and cut your throat while you sleep.” Her eyes widened; the implacable voice of her father was akin a bludgeon falling on her. Because it sounded like something he had experienced first-hand.

She believed him.

She felt the past reside in his words.

“But…you and Ka’in…” She said.

“We could have been friends. Maybe we have been. But both of us know of the differences that separate us. Even if we collaborate occasionally, it never goes further than that. But we will continue this conversation later.”

Veridienne and Fredere were arriving, sheepishly, sword in hand.

“Well worms? Were you taking a holiday? What took you so long?”

“Sorry master, it was hard to find the swords, the room is pitch-black…” Fredere apologized.

Veridienne seemed way too intimidated to try speaking.

“And you didn’t think of coming back to borrow a torch?”

“If we came empty handed, we’d have been insulted even more…” Said a little voice Nay barely heard. Her friend had to be extremely upset to forget her shyness. She most likely hated the idea of a surprise training, which was quite understandable.

“You said something Miss Amber?” Asked the Legio in an almost scream.

The young woman kept her eyes fixed on the ground and shook her head hastily.

“Good!” He readjusted his leather armour. “The three of you will attack me. Work together.”

“Master? Nay has no helmet on?” Questioned the young bourgeois.

“She doesn’t need it.” He waited for the two teenagers to equip themselves, then with no warning, attacked.

‘The three of you will attack me my arse.’ Thought Nay while trying to catch up to her dad.

Fre and Veri were not used to this kind of training. At school, there were rules, well-oiled exercises.

But Marke would never act like that during the evening training. Everything was improvisation, reaction, and survival. The two teenagers, taken by surprise, reacted tardily.

They had never faced Marke directly before.

“We’re not ready!” Shouted Fredere.

Nay sighed internally, as she saw him collapse immediately after saying those words, her father’s wooden sword striking him straight in the stomach.

He now stood above the boy. “You think an Assini will wait for you to be ready?” He commented mockingly.

He was saying out loud what Nay was thinking.

The collapse of Fredere gave Veridienne and Nay time to regroup. Both had adopted a defensive stance and were patiently waiting for the fencing master to finish explaining all the flaws in the bourgeois’ technique.

Marke finally turned towards them. “Well? No surprise-attack? Aren’t you supposed to attack me? Did I not ask for that?”

The two girls did not move.

Nay knew, her father never let down his guard.

For a fraction of a second, the Legio’s Rreico disappeared as he lunged. It was a feint aimed at Nay. She was getting so talented at feeling the Rreico that it was almost a disadvantage to her. Too sensitive to the rhythm of life, the littlest of unnatural change could make her lose her concentration and create an opening.

Fortunately for her, very few individuals could create this opening. Two, to her knowledge.

Unfortunately, her father was one of those two.

This time as well, it took her by surprise. But instead of her, it was her friend who grunted in pain and crashed on the ground. He had mowed the blonde teenager’s leg with such raw strength, she seemed to levitate in the air for a few seconds before falling heavily on the ground. Without her kneepad, the strike would most likely have broken a bone or two.

‘He should have attacked me first, I’m the more dangerous opponent…why?’ Nay was trying to understand what her father’s plan was.

“Your falling techniques Miss! Always your falling techniques.” The fencing master commented.

Veridienne was not really listening, curling in pain, and trying to catch her breath.

Nay leapt back to avoid the dagger aimed at her right temple. Marke had made his Rreico vanish again, but this time, she was ready for it. He had wasted the perfect opportunity to get rid of her at the start of the fight.

“Don’t need a helmet, don’t need a helmet. You seem way too serious for me not to put on a helmet.”

“Focus Nay, or your friends won’t be able to walk for weeks.”

So that was why he was targeting her friends instead of her.

“Ah!” She said in surprise. As much because of her newfound understanding as because she spotted Fredere getting back on his feet and trying to attack Marke from behind.

“Years of practice and no sight of you getting control over your ability, I think you need more motivation. Protect your so-called friends or watch them drag their feet for months or worse.”

Fredere had managed to sneak close enough and used the fact that the fencing master was talking to his daughter to try and strike him on the top of the head. Well, that was his objective. Unlike Nay, the bourgeois boy did not have the long experience of the impossibility of attacking the Legio without him knowing.

If she could have, she would have facepalmed hard as she saw her friend’s dumb attempt.

‘He’s been there six years and still as…well, at least he didn’t shout before striking…’

She did not have time to finish her inside sentence that Fredere was on the ground, head in dirt, holding an important part of his anatomy with both hands. The back kick had been quite accurate.

“You don’t seem that concerned about your friends…little girl.”

She grimaced. She was getting tired of his insults. She inhaled, exhaled. Do not get angry. Protect your friend.

She was serene.

“Yes! Remember that feeling Nay.” Her father was suddenly enthusiastic.

“Veri, stay on the ground.” Said the young teenager calmly. She was faced with the stunned expression of her friend, then she attacked.

Her father was waiting for her, almost smiling, dagger hidden behind his back and sword raised in front of him.

Her first attack was an acrobatic spin, reversed sword strike.

It was a horrible idea in any melee fight, as it made your whole back an easy target. But she counted on it. It was an opening no one would pass upon.

Especially not the Legio.

She could imagine the face he was making, probably extremely disappointed at her mistake.

Without seeing any of it, she parried the dagger that was aimed for her back with her own. She did not need to see it, she knew what her opponent would do in advance, maybe even before he knew himself. The strength of her father just made her turn on herself faster, empowering her own strike.

“Lebe’s lover!” Swore her father, mixture of surprise and admiration in his voice.

He lowered himself at the very last second to dodge the sword that was racing towards his cheek.

He could not do a thing against the dagger aimed at his left shoulder.

He took three steps back.

“Splendid.” The strike had to hurt, but he did not show it. To be a good sport, he dropped his dagger. In a real fight, he would not have been able to use his left arm anymore. “Still, I told you already Nay, if I can still fight, I am still dangerous.” He counter attacked.

He was serious. No holding back anymore. She needed her whole concentration to face him. Even though he only used one arm. Because being able to foresee what he was doing was useful but being able to do something about it was another thing altogether.

Fredere and Veridienne were looking, sitting on the ground, the duel unravelling in front of their eyes. The noblewoman was silently encouraging her friend but could not hide the awe at watching such a deadly dance between father and daughter.

The bourgeois was still wincing in pain but was trying to analyse the techniques that were being used. He could see, with slight sadness, that Nay had never been serious when facing the other students. He could not handle a single exchange of strikes with the fencing master, but Nay could, and even be a threat. She must have been holding back so the others would not be jealous. He grinned when imagining what Massimo would think as he saw his “rival” so many leagues above him.

Nay had forgotten all about her friends. There was only one objective, win against her master.

Or maybe it was just to enjoy this moment with her father.

Marke’s sword towards her chest seemingly twisted itself to hit her neck. It was a Trechuite fencing technique, and she used the pommel of her dagger to parry it.

The shockwave shook her shoulders. He had not used the techniques of the pirate people against her during a duel before, even if Marke had shown and taught them to her. Five years they fought together each day, and even know, he still had fresh techniques to use.

She was smiling to the teeth, and he had the same expression on his face.

She answered his technique with a slash towards his knees that he dodged with a slight movement of his hips. The sword barely grazed him.

The Legio frowned his brows. He advanced.

He countered the dagger flying on his ribs but could not dodge the sword aimed at his stomach.

He did not intend to dodge it. He used his “hurt” arm to block the blade.

She had not anticipated that move. He had not hidden his Rreico. How could she not sense it?

It was too late for her to catch up and her father’s sword was hovering next to her throat.

She sighed and surrendered.

“You used your arm.” She said factually, knowing well what he would say.

“So what? It was not of any use to me anymore! Better to use it as a shield if it makes me win the fight. No reason for me not to use it, even if I was really hurt.”

“Yeah, I know, I know.”

What bothered her really was that she had missed it.

“I don’t understand why…” She began.

“I know what you’re going to ask, but it’s too late and our two buddies here have to go back home. They’ll be enough in trouble as it is, I don’t want their parents to worry as well.”

Nay saw her two friends standing up. They were staring at her. She grimaced, that was why she held back at school, she knew people would not look at her the same afterwards.

But, surprising the young teenager, Veridienne spoke, with an assured and fluid voice.

“Master Marke, there is no need to worry, I have an escort waiting for me outside these walls. As you most likely know, my parents don’t let me out unaccompanied.”

Marke raised an eyebrow. If her sudden confidence startled him, he showed none of it.

“I see. I did not know. As I did not know you could speak like that. You should ask yourself what punishment I give to children mocking me.”

The noblewoman paled and curled up on herself, but still answered.

“You knew that aspect of my personality already, Master Legio.”

The Legio had a mean grin before continuing.

“Me? No. My wife though…you are far too smart for my taste, you were the one offering Nay a gift, weren’t you?

Nay tensed. Was he suggesting that Veridienne had proposed her help with bad intentions?

Fredere finally opened his mouth. “Veri, you can talk?”

Veridienne raised her head. It was hard to say if her cheeks were red in shame or in anger. “Of course I can talk you dimwit, I am talking with you every day!”

As it would seem, it was anger. Veridienne turned to face Marke.

“I promise you I never thought about…”

The Legio stopped her with a raised hand.

“Today, you have seen a duel between a Master Legio and his Protege, it is a unique opportunity. Nay does not owe you a thing. Am I being clear?”

Nay saw her friend’s teeth clench, then she bowed.

“Yes master.” She whispered.

“Good, I’ve had enough of you for the day, see you tomorrow. Miss Amber, be ready to run. For a long time.”

“Yes master.” Said both teenagers at the same time. Fredere looked at Nay pitifully but Veridienne did not look back. They left the cloister in a hurry.

“Why did you do that!” The young girl exploded.

“Do what?”

“You antagonized my friend! Fre and Veri gave me a hand, and in exchange they got tortured by a big bully!”

“I’m a big bully?” Repeated calmly the fencing master.

“Yes! A big bully!”

He chuckled.

“It makes you laugh!?”

“I admit, it does. That’s exactly how your mother called me the first time we met.”

“Raaaargh!” Shouted Nay who did not find this funny at all.

“Nay.” He had said her name tenderly, but his expression was serious.

“What?!” She answered aggressively.

“You are my daughter and I will protect you, even if you lose friends because of it. Never have debts to nobles, you understand? Especially with manipulative ones like Veridienne Amber.

“She’s not manipulative!”

“Oh, she is. Her shyness is a facade she uses to get what she wants, and that since she’s what, eight? She’s dangerous, I can feel it, and Ra’fa much better than I do. It’s the kind of woman who finishes up on top, married to an influential king, or down the bottom, in the hole eaten by rats.”

“I…Even if what you’re saying is true, and you know what, I believe it may be…well so be it! It is still my friend and she IS honest with us! I don’t care if she acts like a timid one!”

“And I say it again Nay, that’s the reason to avoid her! You can play buddy buddy with them if you want, but if you’re considered a close friend, a confidant, you’ll end in a grave with her.”

“SO WHAT!? That is my choice, not yours! I’d rather take the risk and not end up alone, guarding caravans!”

“Nay!” Her father interrupted her with severity.

“NO! Your turn to let me finish.”

Her voice had echoed in the night, carried away with strange force. Marke could not retort anything anymore. The reflection of his daughter’s grey eyes had pierced the obscurity surrounding him.

“I remember how you were in the Canyon of Sables. You only barked orders and checked the surroundings. All those soldiers under your orders, but not one close to you. They listened, but once the convoy separated in Gite, they all left. They were not Legios because there is only one left and that is you. You, alone! Except you then took the risk to build a school and have a family, and then you were not alone anymore. It was far from the sensible choice; you could have lost everything. We could have died, mom and I, throats crushed at the bottom of an alleyway one year later if you hadn’t trained me so well! You took a risk! You could have abandoned us, let us live on our own in this big city. You could have decided not to come back. But that is not what you decided, and that was the right thing to do! Let me make the same choice!”

There was a long blank. The young teenager was catching her breath.

Her father did not know what to say.

He seemed out of it.

“I…” He began.

He stopped.

Held himself together.

“I’m not the last Legio. Three remain. Three masters of the Rreico. My master, who is still alive I am certain. Me. And then you.”

“I am not a Legio, I am your Protege.”

“You shall be and remain my Protege Nay, forever. But you have mastered the Rreico as much as I have.”

The silence came back.

Broken by their grumbling stomachs.

“Come on Nay, let’s eat.”

Nothing was resolved. Her father had not retorted anything to most of what she said. He had not said she was wrong or right.

But it was in peace that the father and daughter came back to their family.