The carriage finally arrived at the palace gates, and the stately doorman helped the Woodmere family disembark. Pierce, his wife Christal, and their teenage son Victor approached the double doors, smiles borne of years worth of public events plastered to their faces.

Victor was genuinely looking forward to the night, as there were friends and acquaintances that he’d get to see that he rarely got to interact with. Since he was past the tedious preparation and countless admonitions of just how to behave, the event would be fun, he assured himself.

His parents saw the event more as a necessary chore. Their positions required their presence, regardless of their feelings, and there were advantages to be had from improving social connections and assessing potential rivals. As the family was announced to the room, heads turned and nodded, or small bows were given, as positions dictated, then the conversation moved back to the small clusters of people. Pierce turned down a glass of some alcoholic beverage, though he noticed his wife snagged one and took a small sip.

He glanced about the room, looking for a group to join or a possible conversation to start. What a bunch of peacocks, he thought, as he saw the other houses positioned around the room. Strutting about in such garish colors, making all kinds of noise.

The Marshall glanced down at his own outfit. I cannot say I am any better, he thought. I never did understand why tailors get to determine fashion. A less-experienced man would have sighed, but he held it in, maintained his affable smile, and guided his wife to the nearest group of socialites.

Victor split off from his parents as soon as he could and headed towards the corner of the hall, where he saw the other teenagers gathered. He saw most of the major houses had already arrived. Father does like to arrive ‘fashionably late’, but that makes it harder for me, the young man thought. I see Luthias is already dominating the conversation.

His rival, Luthias, was the heir of house Rothpor. They had been friendly, if not actual friends, for most of their childhood. Their falling out hadn’t happened until they had both begun to notice the opposite gender. Both boys developed crushes on the same girl, and the tension was ratcheted up another notch when their parents started talking about marriage prospects with them.

The royal house of Winterstar, headed by king Archibold, had not yet produced a male heir, a subject of much consternation and gossip in the noble households. What the king and queen had managed instead was a beautiful daughter. Cassandra was the pride of the city, and whichever house managed to secure a marriage contract would have both an envied son and a significant increase in influence.

If the king never managed a male heir, that increased influence could grow to a kingship depending on whether the king favored his son-in-law or one of the branches of his family that still held the Winterstar name. All the potential males of House Winterstar’s branches were quite distant from Archibold’s line and had minimal claim on the throne, a coincidence that the other houses were careful to leave undiscussed.

Victor waved to the group as they noticed him approach.

“Hi, Vic!” Megan greeted him.

“Greetings, Lady Arnver,” Victor bowed in mock seriousness and got a light punch on the shoulder in return. “I mean Meg,” he laughed as he shrugged off the hit.

“Hello Richard, Luthias,” he nodded to each.

Richard gave him a friendly smile. Luthias smiled too, but it never quite reached his eyes. “Hello,” they both returned.

Megan didn’t let the ensuing silence last for long. “Richard was just telling us about the hunt he and his father went on recently,” she prompted, and the attention of the group turned back to him.

“Ah, yes,” he began again, “So we approached the thicket…”

---

A staff member approached Pierce and whispered, “His Majesty would like to see you.”

The Marshall excused himself from his wife and the conversation and followed the servant towards a side room.

“Your majesty,” Pierce bowed when he entered.

The king greeted him and waved him over to a lounge. “Sit, old friend.”

When Pierce made himself comfortable - or as comfortable as one allowed themselves to sit in the presence of their king - Archibold continued. “I’ve thought more about our last conversation,” he said, searching his Marshall’s face.

Pierce carefully restrained his expression to remain neutral and waited for the king to continue.

“I don’t want to drag mud through the halls needlessly,” the king said, “and so I’m hoping that we can let that be the last of my censure.”

“You are most gracious, your majesty,” Pierce said in as humble a tone as he could manage. “I have been, and will continue to apply my best effort to making sure you are as informed of current events as possible.”

“I’m sure you will,” the regent replied. “If I know you at all, and I like to think I do,” the king said, looking at his childhood friend, “then I’m sure you’re already doing everything in your power to correct the mistake. What do you have to share with me?”

Finally, Pierce thought. The king can be a proud, stubborn mule at times, but he is reasonably good at realizing when he needs more information before it is too late.

“In short, the Kingdom of Unity is a power that cannot be dismissed. They may be small, but some of my men were able to verify the stories of their victory over the Silver Army with some of the defeated men.”

“Oh?” the king said in surprise. “You were able to get that much back from Silver City in such a short amount of time?”

“Well, we were able to find them working on farms and digging ditches in Enderton,” Pierce stated. At least some men even sent for their families. It says something for the conditions they have experienced and the type of governance their leader prefers.”

The king nodded, wanting to hear more. “Did you learn how they were defeated?”

“The first battle, the Silver Army was ambushed. They used a new type of ranged weapon that we have not yet managed to get our hands on. It seems to be more powerful than a siege crossbow, with a fraction of the weight, from the stories we heard. Finding one is a top priority, of course. This may change warfare as we know it.”

Pierce paused and then corrected himself. “It has changed warfare already. We just weren’t aware.”

“The second battle occurred in the town occupied by the Silver Army, and it was another ambush.”

King Archibold remarked, “They seem to have a consistent style.”

“Ambushes? Yes. This one caught their enemy forces unaware at dawn, and it seems there was a minimal amount of fighting.”

“So how strong are they, really, if all they do is ambush? Can they do anything else?” the monarch asked.

“They have not needed to do anything else,” the marshal said, frankly. “We’ll have to wait until they fight a more traditional battle. I would not want to be the first to test those waters, though, and set ourselves against them.”

The king chuckled wryly, as he rested his gaze on the Marshall across from him. “That’s your subtle way of telling me I stepped in it with their ambassador, is it not?”

“You are wise beyond your years, my king,” Pierce said with his own smile.

“None of that,” the king said, reaching up to touch his partially greying hair. “I’m not that old.”

Pierce just smiled, glad to be back in the king’s good graces.

“Any other news to report?” Archibold asked.

“Plenty,” the man replied, “but I will leave it at just a couple more things. First, Unity is changing more than just warfare. They are changing everything from how they cut trees into usable boards to how they fetch water in the morning. I do not know what they will do next, but they would make for valuable trading partners.

“We are fortunate that Silver City is already at odds with them, or our trade would likely suffer in the upcoming years. We would not want Unity to fall into their hands. My gift to you later today will be an example of their ingenuity.

“What is it?” King Archibold asked, rubbing his hands together.

“Ahhh, but that would ruin the surprise, your majesty,” Pierce laughed.

“You know I can just order you to tell me, right?” the king grumbled.

“Yes, but that would ruin the surprise. And the queen would not be happy that you knew before her,” Pierce riposted.

The king’s eyes widened slightly. “Good point. I’ll just have to wait.”

“Wise as always…” Pierce was able to say before the king threw a pillow at him.

“Anyway, with your authorization, I will ask the ambassador to convey our greetings to their King Jason, and offer our friendship and trade.”

The king raised an eyebrow and asked, “You mean the ambassador I practically threw out, and who should have arrived back at their capital by now?”

Pierce stared back at him.

King Archibold sighed. “I suspect I will have to be angry with you again if I ask anything further. Yes, you have my authorization to deliver that message. And if we’re going to treat them like you say they deserve, I’m going to have to appoint an ambassador or our own.” The man glared across the room. “My life always seems more complicated after a conversation with you.”

Pierce paused, then said, “then this probably won’t change that trend, your majesty.”

“What is it?” The king sighed for the second time.

“I would like to propose a marriage between Victor and Cassandra,” Pierce said as calmly as he could.

The king leaned back and stared up at the ornate ceiling, not saying a word, as Pierce held his breath.