"I've brought the potatoes, Yao. Where do you want them?"

"Ah! Shijen, through there to the kitchen would be perfect. Thank you for collecting those for me today. It's just been one of those mornings."

"No problem," Shijen said, stretching his back after setting the large sack down on a back table. "Don't suppose I could trouble you for a chilled cider?"

"It's on the house!" Yao smiled and ushered Shijen to his usual table.

"Thank you, Yao. So, what's the latest?"

"Still no news on the supposed war, but the dragons have been sticking to their own territory. No trade in or out."

"That would seem suspicious under normal circumstances. As things stand, it seems to confirm the dragons' plans for war."

Yao nodded.

"Any word from the Alpha on our tribe's plans?"

"I know that the military has been recruiting pretty heavily and practicing extra hard, running drills night and day. The princess has been overseeing a lot of the training after her exchange last summer. Some of the soldiers came by after practice yesterday. Apparently she is quite the taskmaster. She adapted some of the Dragon Tribe training techniques. Obviously, she isn't as cruel as the dragons, but she makes the men work hard."

"It makes sense for her to adapt Dragon Tribe techniques. What better way for the men to learn about their enemy?"

"Well, you've heard the rumors about what happened during the training exchange last year. One of the Pack Hall maids told me that Huo Lohse still wakes up with nightmares from whatever they did to her."

"Still?! It's been almost a year!"

"Whatever they did, the princess still refuses to talk about it, but it must have been horrific."

"Why hasn't the Alpha declared war on the dragons? They hurt his little girl irreparably."

"I think that might be the princess's doing. She's against starting a war. But, then again, the Alpha may be wiser to not provoke the dragons. I don't know that we could win a fight against them as things stand currently."

"Don't forget the Bear Tribe alliance! If we went to war, the bears would join us."

"Still, Shijen. The Bear Tribe isn't particularly militant, and it's hard to know what's going on beyond the southern mountains. The dragons may have a vast army that we can only begin to imagine."

***

"This is the crossroads between the Lion and Phoenix Tribes?" Lolo asked.

"I believe so, at least, that's what this sign seems to indicate," Haowan teased.

"I'm going to wait here for Ulana," Lolo informed the boys. "We made plans to meet up."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Zhongyan asked.

"Slipped my mind. And, honestly, I wasn't sure that you guys were even coming this year."

Zhongyan rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"Princess, do you want us to wait with you?" Fengli asked.

"I told you, Fengli, Lolo is fine. Calling me 'princess' feels awkward. And, nah. You can go ahead."

Haowan grinned at his twin. "Come on guys, leave her to have her girl talk with Ulana."

Zhongyan picked up the hint and put on his silly falsetto voice. "Oh, Ulana, that Standig fellow is such a hunk!"

Haowan followed suit. "Personally, I think your brothers are super cute."

"Oh, stop it, Ulana! I know my brothers are the most attractive boys at the exchange, but you can't go around rubbing it in my face. It makes me depressed just thinking that I'll never be able to find a boy as handsome as them."

Her brothers busted up laughing and Lolo took the opportunity to encourage them on their way down the road with a swift kick to their backsides.

"Ouch, Lolo! That really hurt!"

"Beat it already, will ya?" Lolo moved as if to strike again.

"Alright, alright! We're going, we're going. Geez!"

Fengli observed the whole exchange and laughed.

"You too, Fengli," Lolo said with a grin that suggested similar consequences should he linger.

Fengli bowed, "princess, er, Lolo. Can you work with 'princess Lolo'?"

Huo Lohse rolled her eyes and set her bag down to wait for Ulana. She only had to wait about twenty minutes before Ulana entered visual range, and Lolo ran to meet her friend with a big hug.

"Hi, Lolo! How are you doing? I hope you weren't waiting too long."

"Not at all. It's great to see you! You ready for another summer? It's just you from the Phoenix Tribe this year?"

"Just me. Saikhan's parents wanted to keep him home."

Lolo sighed. "That's a thing this year. None of the smaller tribes are represented this year either, and I know Bellechen is staying home, as is Shanti. Come to think of it, I think we are the only girls this year, unless there's a first year that I don't know about."

"I don't think there will be any first years, Lolo. I heard someone from the council tell my dad that they were considering a freeze on the exchange for the time being. Something about unsustainably low turn-out."

"Well, if there are no new trainees, of course there will be a low turn-out."

"That's just what I heard. There's been talk about phasing out the exchange. You know, just letting the people already in the exchange finish their five years and then disband it until things settle down."

"Honestly, that makes sense. Everyone is torn between the exchange and staying home to help prepare for war. Even my brothers debated coming this year, right down to the final deadline. My dad finally convinced them to come because the Lion Tribe exchange heavily emphasizes military tactics and strategies. General Arum is something of a legend in his own right."

Ulana nodded. "That's why I'm going this year too. Besides, I'm not much help back home."

"Aren't you still training as a shield maiden?"

"Yes, but shield maidens are more ceremonial than anything else. We aren't taught battle strategies or given opportunities to really grow as a swordsman. I intend to be more than just a ceremonial soldier."

"Good for you, Ulana! I think that's great. You've definitely got the raw talent."

"Hey! I've been practicing my aerials! And I learned a few new ones from an obliging captain." Ulana flushed a little.

"Oh? A cute captain?" Lolo caught Ulana's bashfulness.

"I took a page from my sisters' book and kind of used my charm to persuade the captain to teach me a few things."

"I repeat: a cute captain?"

"Not especially. I mean, he's nice enough. I'm just more interested in what he can teach me than starting any kind of relationship with him."

"Well, if there's anything I've learned from having six brothers, it's the motivational effect a cute girl can have on a guy."

"You're one to talk!" Ulana nudged Lolo. "You've got Standig, Fortus and Durfein wrapped around your baby finger! Durfein may be the only one that's come out and confessed, but-"

"Ulana, Standig is just a friend. Fortus is just a friend. And Durfein, well, let's just say that the next time I see him, I hope he's moved on because I don't share his feelings, and I still hope we can be friends."

"You say that now, Lolo, but you've got to admit, you've got some pretty attractive options. A sensitive artist, a strong, stoic type, and a dashing soldier."

"... Because that's just what I need in my life: a horde of boys competing for my attention."

"Don't be so negative about it! It's flattering, isn't it?"

"Since when were you so interested in boys, Ulana? I thought you disliked the boy-hungry Zugeer girl stereotype."

"Talking about boys is not the same thing as being boy-hungry. Besides, we're talking about our effect on them, not which ones we like."

"I suppose there is a subtle distinction between those two things," Lolo admitted shrewdly.

"Of course there is! For my part, this year I discovered the advantage of being a cute girl, and I kind of like it. It's fun flirting! And it's harmless."

"Yeah, until someone takes you seriously and gets their heart crushed."

"It's not like you have to promise anything. When you flirt, all you're doing is making a guy feel good about himself, so he likes having you around and feels more inclined to do things for or with you."

"That doesn't feel totally shameless to you?"

"Not in the least. It's just the tactical advantage of being a girl, and goodness knows we need every advantage we can get. Putting in the effort to look pretty and be more confident makes your attention a bigger compliment, and there isn't a single guy I've met that doesn't enjoy getting their ego stroked."

"Huh." Lolo was suddenly deep in thought.

"What?"

"Tactical advantage. My mom used that phrase to persuade me to learn how to do my hair and make-up. I've never understood what she meant by that until now."

"You're mother is a wise woman," Ulana laughed.

The walk to the Lion Tribe palace took about two hours. When they arrived at the front gates, Ulana whistled.

"What?" Lolo asked as the gates were opened.

"Oh, I just think I'm going to like it here."

"What makes you say that?"

"Come, now, Lolo. You can't tell me that you didn't notice all the handsome men in uniform!" Ulana exclaimed with unnecessary volume.

"Ulana!" Lolo blushed hard on her behalf. "They can hear you!"

"So what if they can?! They know they look good, don't you, soldier?" Ulana addressed the closest of the Lion Tribe guards.

He blushed but managed to keep a pretty straight face, all things considered.

"See? He knows!"

"Yes, he's very handsome, but leave him to do his job, Ulana," Lolo grabbed her friend's hand to drag her away.

Ulana winked at the guard before allowing Lolo to move her very far.

"What's gotten into you?" Lolo whispered as they continued down the path lined with guards.

Ulana sighed, suddenly a little melancholy. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. Something about all the doom and gloom of a coming war has made me want to find ways to be more lighthearted. I was serious about discovering how fun flirting is this year, and the nature of flirting is a win-win. The guy feels good, you feel good, and for a moment, the world doesn't seem quite so... heavy? Maybe that's the immature and silly Zugeer girl in me, but you can't deny that it's an easy way to spread a little cheer around."

Huo Lohse smiled. "I didn't realize that flirting could be a form of altruism."

"Well, it's not exactly. I did say it was a win-win. But it never hurts to make someone feel good about themselves. That guard back there, for example, will likely be talking about the two cute girls from the exchange that made a point to compliment him in his uniform for weeks."

Lolo laughed her cheerful, infectious laugh. "Did you see his face? He had to work so hard to keep it straight."

Ulana laughed too. "I told you it was fun."

They reached the palace steps giggling and, in Lolo's case, self-conscious.

"Hey Lolo, someone is here to greet us." Ulana's tone dripped with suggestion.

"Really? Where?"

Ulana pointed toward the top of the palace stairs, and Lolo followed her finger. There, in lion military uniform, was the single most handsome young man Huo Lohse had ever seen. He was comfortably tall, a little over six feet, with a broad, muscular build, chiseled facial features, sandy blonde hair, and warm, golden-brown eyes.

"Lolo? Lolo? Huo Lohse Lang!"

"Huh? What?"

"You're drooling," Ulana teased.

"What?"

Ulana leaned in closer to force eye contact with her friend. "Pick your jaw up off the floor."

Lolo's teeth clinked as she snapped her mouth closed, and Ulana laughed. "Ulana, I don't remember Fortus looking so…."

"So hot? Yummy? Sexy?" Ulana suggested brazenly.

Lolo blushed. "That's not what I was going to say."

"But you were thinking it! Don't bother denying it," Ulana added, seeing the protest forming on Lolo's face.

Lolo couldn't suppress her embarrassed smile. "Seriously, though, he looks different, Ulana."

"Well, all that extra military training this year filled him out and bulked him up. And he has matured. He's lost a lot of that teenage boy look and looks more like a man." Ulana and Lolo began the climb up the steps. "And from the look of it, I think he's thinking something similar about you, Lolo. He's staring at you," Ulana whispered.

"That's not helping, Ulana."

"Oh? Feeling all hot and bothered, are you?" Ulana grinned. "How delightful!"

They reached the top of the long flight of stairs much too quickly for Lolo's liking, but she was happy to see Fortus again and gave him her standard salutatory hug and grin.

"It's great to see you Fortus! Aren't you going to hug me back?" Lolo's confusion and disappointment were evident.

Fortus cleared his throat. "I'm on duty, Lolo. But I am happy to see you too." He flashed a stupidly charming smile at her, and Lolo had to shake her head to return to her senses.

"So, you can't hug people when you're on duty?"

"Something like that. I'm here as your escort."

"Oh?" Ulana chimed in. "And what does that mean exactly?"

"My orders are to present you to the king as exchange students and then show you to your rooms." Fortus nodded to two other soldiers on his left who stepped forward to collect the girls' bags. "They will take your things to your rooms."

"I prefer to keep my sword, thanks," Lolo said as one of the soldiers reached his hand out to collect it from her. The soldier looked at Fortus who gave a short nod to vouch for Lolo.

"Shall we?" Fortus gestured toward the front doors.

"You'd better go first, Fortus," Lolo teased. "Neither of us know where we are going."

Fortus grinned and obliged. "The throne room is just through here."

The girls followed him through the front doors and straight down a long, oversized hallway lined with more soldiers to another set of gilded double doors that were opened for them as they approached.

The throne room was enormous with a great, domed skylight above them that poured tons of natural light into the room. Fortus walked to the center of it and dropped to one knee. He held his arms up in a circle at shoulder height and bowed his head slightly.

"My king, I request permission to present two guests of the training exchange."

"At ease, young master Arum. Bring them forward." King Hospes was a younger monarch, only in his mid-thirties, with blonde hair, green eyes, and a classically broad, Lion Tribe build. He had an air of aloof regalness to him that was tempered by a warm smile and comfortable body language and posture.

Fortus stood up and gestured to the girls. "I present Huo Lohse Lang, princess of the Wolf Tribe, and Ulana Zugeer of the Phoenix Tribe."

Lolo and Ulana sank to their knees to bring their arms up in a circle as Fortus had done and bowed to their host.

"Rise!" King Hospes smiled approvingly. "Approach, and let me get a good look at you."

The girls stood up to obey orders, and the king extended a hand to them. Neither Lolo nor Ulana were sure what the purpose of this gesture was, but Lolo took the king's hand and dropped into a deep curtsey. Behind her, Ulana followed Lolo's lead.

King Hospes chuckled. "It is customary for anyone who approaches the throne to kiss the king's ring. Of course, I shouldn't expect you to know our traditions yet."

"Forgive our ignorance, sire. Should we try again?" Lolo smiled brightly.

"If you'd like."

Lolo still had hold of the king's hand, and bowed her face to it before making room for Ulana to take a turn.

"Well done," King Hospes smiled. "I see that you are both quick learners. I hope you will use that skill to the fullest while you are here this summer."

"Thank you, your majesty," Lolo said.

"Good, good. Master Arum," the king turned again to Fortus, "you may show these fine young women to the guest rooms now. Be sure to take good care of them."

Fortus brought his arms up in a circle again and bowed to the king before gesturing for Lolo and Ulana to follow him out.

As they left, Lolo looked back over her shoulder to smile and nod one more time at her host.