The Borders of Vallis

Among a list of much more intricate studies, I was assigned the simple task of submitting a review of our borders. I suppose a proof that I’ve ever looked at a map is a test of the minimum required competence.

To the West: To the west lies the capital through which the Vena flows into the Calm Sea.

To the North: To the north, a mountain range forms our border. Beyond its western peaks lies Nordenheim. East of their lands there is only tundra.

To the East: To the east, scarred ridges separate us from Multis. If not for this natural barrier, there would be no reprieve from our warring with them.

To the South: To the south there are dense woodlands. Past where their treelines end is a vast sea of plains claimed by no kingdom. It spans from Vallis to Oremaris.

Consequences

Diane has met the qualifications to submit proofs of wisdom on the lands surrounding Vallis.

Florian

Though I’ve known Florian for only half a month, a friendship has formed over the course of our daily meetings. He’s been an ambassador who never ceases to entertain. At least, that’s what he’s said of himself. I find it to be true for the most part. From unification wars to flower tradition, Florian describes every aspect of Oremaris with a silver-tongue.

However, there are consequences to meeting such a flamboyant foreigner everyday. Now that his existence is known to me, some of the staff have become eager to present me with their accusations against him.

Accusations from members of the royal guard. “He’s a man with little honor who cheats during practice duels.”

Accusations from some of the maids. “Since he’s arrived, he’s been playing with the hearts of the younger maids.”

And an accusation that even extends beyond the estate. “I say this having witnessed it myself. That man frequents the taverns with a married woman.”

But for each accusation I relayed to him, he presented me with adequate answer. The guard members who accused him of cheating were displeased with the rules they felt favored his rapier. The younger maids had mistaken his amiable behavior for genuine advances. After all, this is his first time in Vallis, he comes from a much more open culture. As for the married woman, he says that she is his youngest sister, Heather. She married a flower merchant who is currently expanding his trade to Vallis.

Verification is still required for that last one, but aside from that, none of the worries brought on by the staff have stuck with me. This is of course only when referring to the staff’s worries. Over the past few days, I have developed my own reservations about the man. With thoughts of confrontation on my mind, I came to the garden.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.” Florian entered shortly after I had arrived. “What brings you here today?” He said it as if we hadn’t been meeting there everyday.

I ignored his silly question. “What story do you have ready for me today?”

“Hmm,” He took a spot standing next to where I sat and grasped his chin. “I wonder.”

“Hopefully it will prove a better story than yesterday’s.”

“What was wrong with yesterday’s story?” He had told me the myth of what had happened after the stars tore the Broken Isles from the continent.

“It was boring.”

He looked at me as if what I said was shocking. “You find the tales of mermen and sea horses boring?”

“As I have already said, I’m fine with fiction, but the story has to be something that could feasibly happen.”

He shrugged. “I don’t see the problem then.”

“Sea horses and mermen aren’t real.”

“Oh, but I’m quite confident they are.” He spoke through that smug grin of his.

“You may have convinced me about the lilies that bloom from the corpses of shipwrecked men, but you won’t convince me of this.”

“But, Your Highness, it is the history of Oremaris.”

“A history that the Unified Pact has declared false.”

“Did it? I don’t recall the pact saying outright that any history written before it is false, just that proof is needed before believing the words of legends. After all, we still believe in the Black Comet, don’t we?”

I sighed. “Please, try not to go too far when attempting to convince me that your lies are truth.”

Florian laid his hand behind his head and showed me a dramatic pose. “When have I ever lied to you, Your Highness?”

He had given me the kind of question I was looking for. From the start, I had led the conversation into this topic. “You lied to me about why you came to Vallis.”

He tried to play it off, “What are you talking about, Your Highness?” But I had seen the shock on his face before he masked it with playful confusion.

“I can hear it in your voice, you know. Every time you talk of your homeland there is longing, but when an opportunity presents itself to speak of a return, you never take the chance.” Even when I talked about him coming to Oremaris with me on a visit, he showed a reluctance unbecoming of him. “You long for it, but you never mention a return. I can only assume that it is because you are unsure if you’ll ever be able to.”

“Your Highness has made quite the theory.”

“More than a theory.” I had years of practice and study in communication behind me. “It will be easier for both of us if you tell me the real reason why you’ve come to Vallis.”

“I’ve told you before, I am here for a new experience.”

“Florian, a man’s word is important and he should do his best not to be seen as a liar. If what has brought you here is worth punishing you for, then my mother would have already punished you. I’ll do my best to judge your situation fairly, so please, do your best to trust me.”

Florian turned from me and looked into the distance. It was his turn to sigh. “Your Highness has judged me too well. Very well, I shall tell you the truth. I am here because I killed a man. For sport, I challenged him to a duel and I killed him by accident. The duel was legal and we had both agreed to it, but he was a man who I could not have afforded to kill. To protect me, my father shipped me off to Vallis. He said he’d contact me when it was safe for my return, but since coming here, I am yet to hear from him. And when my sister messages him on my behalf, those messages never receive a response either.”

“I see.”

“Now that you know the truth, what shall you have done with me?”

I looked to his hand resting upon his sea maiden hilt. “I suppose I’ll have you teach me the sword.”

“Your Highness?” He asked.

Of course what I was saying was surprising to him, but from the beginning, I had every intention to defer to my mother’s judgement. She had done no more than keep Florian close enough to watch and I intend to do the same. I wish she had left a few more instructions on his situation, but she wasn’t exactly given much notice on her coming demise. Whether it be true or false, hopefully his testimony can point Eliza in the right direction for further investigation. “Judging by your story—and the complaints of some of the guards—you must have some skill with the sword. I’ll make teaching me your payment for lying.”

Florian made a troubled face and tightened his grip on his sword’s hilt. “I’m not sure if I’d be comfortable with that.”

I spoke nonchalantly. “If you are comfortable enough to train with the guards after killing a man, then you should be comfortable enough to train with me. There’s no choice for you in this matter.”

His grip loosened a bit when I said that. Maybe he was scared of hurting me? Maybe he had thought this was a ploy and that I’d call the guards when the timing proved convenient. Maybe he realized that if I did call the guards, he didn’t stand a chance. Regardless of what reason he had for gripping his sword so tightly, he had now resigned himself. Florian took off his hat and lowered head to show his respect. “If I have no choice, then I will say that I am honored to teach the princess.”

I nodded. “Very good.”

Upon receiving my approval, Florian returned to his usual demeanor. “Now that we’ve dealt with the serious things, let us proceed with the day’s story.”

Festival’s Eve

With today’s end, what’s left of the fall’s major harvest has been planted. As such, a day of celebration is imminent within the capital and across the kingdom. Such a day is not fit for work or study. But if that is the case, what pursuits are left to me? Should I celebrate with the masses or should I see what I can get away with while the staff is away? I should make the decision before I go to bed. If I’m going to the capital, I’ll need a guard escort and Eliza to come with me. Eliza’s notice will be coming at the last minute, so I’m sure she’ll be annoyed.

In Consequence

With what she has learned from their meeting, Diane has asked Eliza to perform a discreet investigation on Florian. Diane can also be taught Swordsmanship by Florian now.