Princess Celyz turns away from the painting on her desk, wrapping all her unfurled tendrils back around her torso, and faces me. Her head makes several rapid nods of agreement.

“Very good! Yes, we are going to attack you through your sources of food, but not only.” She says with a resounding voice that is somewhat higher in pitch than usual, is she having fun?

“Shouldn't you be … I don't know, mad that I figured it out?” I ask, baffled once again by her willingness to share information.

“Who are you going to tell? I assure you that, even four years after the incident, our patrols are still doubled in numbers and fully alert. Escaping the valley without being seen is quite simply impossible.”

“I was afraid that you would confirm that.” I sigh. “So, how long have you been here?” I ask. It has to be something like a decade, I don't think anyone would venture this high into the mountain twins for no reason so it isn't odd that they weren't discovered.

“Three years, the incident that I mentioned is the very reason behind our presence.”

“You've built all this in three years?” I ask, baffled.

“We brought some supplies with us when we came here, but yes. Rykz workers can keep going for fourteen to sixteen hours a day and they display no reluctance to fulfill their tasks.” She makes her ovaloid head nod a few times along, proudly.

“Why are you pushing me to figure your plans out, Princess, to the point of helping me? I agree that I won't be able to use this information but that hardly seems like an incentive for you to do this. You obviously enjoy these conversations about history, about how your hive functions, and so do I. But again, that doesn't seem enough to justify all the hints, the effort you're putting into making me think it through rather than straight up telling me.”

“Take a guess?” She inclines her head with curiosity, eagerness in her tone of voice.

“Your hive has a problem but we're not part of the overall solution, otherwise, your Queen would have spoken with us at length instead of pretty much ignoring us. You didn't come here for the arable land, after seeing your mushroom pit fields, that's quite obvious.” I try telling her what I've figured out so far, see what she reacts to.

“Ah, we actually did chose to come here in part because of the fertility of the Izla's lands.”

“You want to steal the food, not just prevent us from harvesting it.” I whisper in realization. “You can't easily breach castles or dungeons so that puts a lot of the Izla's grain reserves out of your reach, at least if you don't lay siege to them. You're going to attack after we finish sowing wheat, but before the cornfields are ready for harvest. That's the only window if you want to take the food for yourself, otherwise, you'll have to attack fortified granaries and mills.” Even the poorest villages have erected stone walls to protect their food stores.

“Well thought, we will indeed attack in one or two weeks at the most. The tunnel was discovered because we have already begun sending scouts out. You truly are quick, what other thoughts do you have?”

“Why? We … we're just a remote corner of the Empire, why bother invading us? I'd say that you'll only end up with an army stuck on an island but that didn't stop you from coming here undetected. Why bring war here? To us?” My voice sounds resigned to my own ears. They're here and they won't leave now, what's the point of knowing why?

“Because this isn't an invasion, this is retaliation.” Princess Celyz answers in a low tone that has a shake to it. Anger.

I rein in my curiosity, stopping myself from asking more and remaining silent. Princess Celyz has always given me the most complete answers she allowed herself to give every-time I asked a question. If I want more information on the things that she conceals, I'll have to somehow figure it out by myself. She won't answer me even if I keep asking stubbornly. Doing that would only put a strain on a relationship I currently depend on to preserve my life, our lives.

“So, you want to use us to retaliate? Is that the reason you captured us?” I ask to bring the discussion back to its original thread, finding out why Princess Celyz herself keeps pushing and helping me figure out their objectives.

“I captured you because you surrendered and we have an army to do the retaliation, think deeper.”

“Negotiation? Delivering a message?”

“I am afraid that there will be no negotiation or messages, we will take the Izla regardless of what happens on the human side. We are ready to face the Emperor's phalanxes if need be.”

“But this isn't about the hive's plans, this is your own personal gambit.”

“Yes.” She nods.

“Before trusting us with anything, there needs to be trust between us. You need to know us better, you need to know if we will respect our side of the agreement if we make one.”

“While you need to find out whether you can trust me for yourself.” The Princess adds.

“So we talk, and you give hints. Why not tell me all of it directly, why play this game?” I ask, frustrated.

“Because it builds up the trust between us every time that I answer you truthfully, it also takes much less effort than the alternative.”

“Less effort?”

“Intelligent beings have an easier time trusting the knowledge that they find out for themselves rather than the knowledge that is given to them.”

“So what, you wanted me to figure out for myself that the Izla is already lost, no matter what I do?” I ask bitterly.

“Indeed.” The Princess nods once. “I think you have much to think about and it is getting quite late, I'm sure that your companions are waiting for you.”

“One last thing.” I say quickly as my eyes wander on the odd Rykz relief painting on the desk. “How do you estimate the age of your old records?”

“The old record keepers left a small mark on the back of each painting every-time that they were copied to preserve them when old age wore the paint thin, it is very hard to estimate the amount of time that elapsed between each copy.”

I nod to acknowledge that I heard her answer before I turn and leave the … library. The Princess follows outside soon after and closes the door. As she guides me through the streets towards the building she assigned us to, I think back to everything she said.

“Was that war between Rykz hives, ten thousand years ago, because of a shortage of resources? You mentioned that such wars have happened in your history.”

“No, Rykz hives have not fought each other for resources since we established ourselves on the surface, a hundred thousand years ago.”

“The history of your race seems old beyond comprehension to me. You said that human and cold blood civilizations began organizing themselves ten thousand years ago, that alone is further back than I can imagine, and yet you speak of events ten times older.”

“Our Queens and Princesses have a longer lifespan than any other intelligent being that we have met. There have been fewer generations and as such, the oral transmission of our history suffered much less than yours before our record keepers started recording it on cave walls.” She explains, resounding voice quick and enthusiast. “That being said, we know of the precise date that we emerged on the surface because every single day since that event has been marked by the creation of a single small round stone representing the sun.”

“That's … I can't even begin to imagine the number of stones that you would need to do that.”

“It is said that the first hive has more sun stones than Rykz inside of it.” Princess Celyz makes her odd chuckling sound.

“How do you even count such a large amount of stones?”

“Year by year, decade by decade, century by century. The first hive finished the task of counting and reorganizing the sun stones ten thousand years ago, after about a century of work I believe.”

“That time period has come up a lot.” I mention casually.

“It has indeed. A coincidence, no doubt.” Princess Celyz chuckles once more.

She guides me to take a turn at a street corner and I recognize the building we sleep in. Before I leave her to rejoin the others, I take a wild guess.

“Does that date, ten thousand years ago, have anything to do with the blessing of the Lake of fire? With flow? It is our oldest legend along with the story of our lost home plains.”

“It does, but I don't know if I would call it a … lake of fire. Although, … after reconsideration, I find it to be an apt description.” The Princess chuckles. “How poetic … or perhaps …” She remains lost in thought long enough that we arrive at our destination in front of the door. “Do you know where the lake of fire you are referring to is?”

“No, no one does. It is just a legend. Do you know?” I ask eagerly.

“Interesting. My knowledge of the matter is also limited to our own legends.”

The Rykz definitely know more than we do about the blessing. There is nothing to gain by pushing her if she isn't telling me already.

“Thank you, Princess Celyz, you gave me a lot to think about.”

She nods before turning around abruptly and leaving with her swaying gait. I push the door and walk in the building.

Lady Lance, Yvonne, and Patrick, are sitting on the ground in the furthest corner from the door with their backs against the wall. There are windows in the walls on either side of them but this is still about as isolated as they could get inside this building.

Looking around, I notice that the silver lion pommel that my Lady let drop to the ground last night isn't on the ground near the bed. I can't remember if I saw it or not this morning. I drop to a knee and check under the bed I slept in, finding that the broken piece of sword was pushed all the way against the wall.

They're not asking me what I was looking for or offer any explanation, interesting. I get up and join them, forcing my eyes to remain fixed on the spot where I intend to sit. Now isn't the time to get lost staring at her. As I bend my knees and sit down with my legs crossed, Yvonne speaks up.

“How was your afternoon?” She throws me a malicious smile.

Well, I didn't really need to confirm my towering suspicions about her role in that … well, it was all mostly my fault. Self-control, self-control, don't blush, don't stare at your Lady, me. I feel my cheeks heating up slightly. Oh well. I raise my eyes but make sure to keep them locked on Yvonne.

“Today is a day to celebrate.” I tell her, half-seriously. “I have determined, with my Lady's agreement, that I am indeed taller than she is.” I pause to savor the moment when Yvonne's malicious smile disappears from her face. “There was never any doubt.” I add without bothering to suppress a victorious smile.

You might have put me in an embarrassing position, Yvonne, but I made it out intact. Relatively intact, we're friends now. Wait, is that good for my chances, or bad? My smile dies as the question surfaces in my mind.

“Why does it feel like I'm missing several pieces of this exchange between you two?” Lady Lance asks.

Both Yvonne and I reply so hurriedly that we speak over each other.

“It's just your imagination.”

“It's not important my Lady!”

“Those answers don't have any sincerity to them.”

“I wouldn't lie to you, my Lady.” I protest.

“You know I only act in your best interests Leomi.” Yvonne says.

I wince when I hear her answer. What is she doing? This kind of nebulous response can only inflame my Lady's curiosity.

“We have very different ideas of what my best interest is, Yvonne. I'll drop it, but please don't involve Jessica in your shenanigans.” Lady Lance asks her with a sigh.

I see Yvonne's eyes widen slightly in surprise, a small smile appears on her lips soon after. I don't know what goes through her head but I hope she won't do anything like putting me and my Lady in that kind of situation again. Pretty sure my heart can't take it.

“Going by the position of the sun in the sky, I estimate that it will be fully hidden behind a ridge in about an hour and a half. I suspect that they will bring us our meal before then.” Patrick says.

“Let's discuss the day quickly. We'll sleep after we eat and try to find enough time together tomorrow to thoroughly discuss the situation.” Lady Lance announces. “First, what did you discuss with Princess Celyz, Patrick?”

“She tried to engage in conversation but I didn't say a word, I didn't divulge a single thing.” He says, proudly.

“Did you get any new information out of her?” Yvonne asks.

“No, she tried to trick me last time. These beings are too treacherous to have a civilized conversation with.”

What trick? He pushed for information until she agreed in exchange for something of equal value.

“Jessica?” Lady Lance asks me.

My eyes are drawn to her. There isn't a trace of softness in her expression, not a smile, not a gentle look, she is seriously asking me and awaiting my answer. The heat in my cheeks, provoked by the memory of my actions earlier today in the lavatory, increases by a few levels when I notice that my Lady is actually interested in what I have to say.

“I talked to the Princess for a while about a lot of things. We can all talk about it deeper tomorrow, but the short of the matter is that she's trying to get to know us personally.” I tell her.

“What is her purpose?” My Lady asks me. A shiver travels along my back in response to watching her stare at me so intently.

“I don't know yet, but if you believe what she says then the Rykz aren't invading but retaliating. Something happened four years ago that provoked them to come here in response.”

“You don't have anything more specific? I was about fourteen or fifteen back then. Too busy training myself and learning lessons to pay any attention to current events back then.” My Lady shakes her head with regret, as if she failed in some way.

“The Empire's border with the Rykz is too far for news to reach us, even if the event that provoked them four years ago was public knowledge.” Yvonne tries to comfort her.

“If it was something important enough to provoke them to come all the way here, we would have heard about it.” Patrick disagrees. “Unless it was the result of covert actions.” He adds. “But this is all meaningless because we can't neither trust the peasant nor the creature's tricks and excuses.”

I open my mouth to take Ass-face up on his challenge but my Lady raises her hand and stares at Patrick, cutting the nascent argument short.

“We will talk in more detail tomorrow.” She turns back to me but a gentle smile replaces her serious expression. “Thank you, Jessica, try to get more answers out of the Princess if she tries to speak to you again.”

Her smile and thanks awaken a flight of butterflies in my stomach, making me too flustered to reply anything intelligible. Unable to sustain her gaze, I lower my head and look at the ground between us.

I ignore the amused laughter that Yvonne makes at my suddenly shy reaction. Patrick and my Lady do the same as they stand up to walk towards the door. Soon after, a worker arrives. I get up and change sitting position to lay my back against the wall, suppressing an increasing need to yawn.

I see Patrick and Lance come back, each carrying a wicker basket. They put them on the ground in the middle of the group and sit down in front of Yvonne and me, forming a circle again. I ignore Ass-face as he rolls his eyes towards me. No doubt judging me while reaffirming his opinions about lazy peasants.

Yvonne grabs one of the baskets and plunges a hand inside, taking out a bowl with a spoon inside that she hands over to me. They gave us the same thing that I ate at lunch with the Rykz workers. Well some of them ate it, the rest seemed to be trying their best to push the food down their throats as quickly as possible.

I start taking large spoonfuls of mushrooms, eating them eagerly. The afternoon wasn't exactly physically straining, but it feels like my emotions went through the whole spectrum. I feel drained.

I quickly swallow my current bite and turn my head aside to allow myself to make a wide yawn. I almost tried to use my left hand to hide my open mouth because my right hand is holding the spoon, full of mushrooms, looks like I'm actually getting used to this.

“I'm going to bed right after this.” I tell them once my jaw's muscles slacken.

“Agreed.” Lady Lance answers.

The other two stay silent, I throw a look at Yvonne from the corner of my eyes. She is doing her best to look impassive but I can see the amusement concealed behind the faked indifference.

I should ignore her entirely, she's probably trying to rattle me. If I can see that her expression is an act, that itself might be the way that she's using to push my buttons. I finish my bowl, refusing the second one that Yvonne holds out for me.

I push my empty bowl and spoon towards the basket. I then put my hand on the wall and use it as a support to help myself up. A few seconds later, I sit on the frame of the bed that I slept in yesterday night, letting myself fall on the sheet hanging inside.

The fabric pushes against my body, taut but somehow giving away as it holds my weight. An odd sensation. I close my eyes, expecting to fall asleep in no time.

I hear some footsteps approach the bed, I recognize my Lady's assured steps. Probably going to get the silver lion pommel back from under the bed. She stops near the bed but I don't hear her get down to the ground, or even bend slightly, she just remains immobile for a few seconds.

She might be worried that I still have a fever, I can just tell her that I'm fine. “…” She is probably going to get the silver lion pommel back from under the bed.

Lady Lance suddenly sits down on the frame, like I did. The rate at which my heart is beating explodes. My ears are picking up every single pulse. My whole body is shaking nervously, pushing me to do something, anything. The only thing that remaining immobile is achieving is increasing the anxiety I feel.

I suddenly sit up on the sheet. My emotions are too chaotic to pick a course of action or process information so I just watch my Lady as she slips into the spot I just liberated, sitting on the sheet right behind me.

What's happening? I don't know, I want to scream. Don't do that! Stupid, of course I won't. If I scream she might leave! I know!

Lady Lance wraps her arms around my chest, passing them just under my breasts. She pulls and I let myself fall, back resting against her perfect small round breast.

My brain melts at the contact, I exhale a deep hot breath of air. I lift my hand up to place it on top of hers where they join right in the middle of my torso, coming so very close to brushing against my breasts every time I expire.

“Do you mind?” My Leomi asks me gently. “Strictly as friends.” She adds after a pause when I fail to answer.

“…” My mouth opens, but I am in no state to form any words. My mind isn't even reacting to the question yet, much less deciding on an answer to give her. “…”

“Okay, I'm glad you don't mind.” She says in a soft voice.

The air that she used to form those words leaves her lips to brush against the back of my neck. A shiver courses the entirety of my being. I absent-mindedly wonder whether I'll be able to form a coherent thought again after this trial.