Saorise didn’t have to turn as she sensed her younger brother’s horse approaching her own. The long trail of Easterners making their way through the great Eastern Forest was not difficult to miss, though they were quieter than your average army. Their armour was far lighter, so any clanking and clanging trailed from the carts that stored the weightier items.

Saorise had taken a position near the middle of the line, silent as her horse, Blizzard, walked in at a patient pace. Many of the nobles led their lines. It was certainly where Nathan and Isaac were at this moment, entertaining the young Wendolan Prince. If Saorise lifted her head at the right angle, she could see them up there. Lyle had clearly gotten sick of the pretence, a fact made even more clear with his first words to her.

“Is there really such a need to keep up this farce?” asked Lyle.

“He’s the young brother of our King, Lyle,” Saorise sighed.

“He’s got two others,” Lyle huffed.

Saorise swung her eyes in warning towards her brother, who looked away knowing he was in the wrong.

“Still, we trusted him, signed over our rights as a people, and he sends us a watchdog?” asked Lyle.

“Wouldn’t you do the same?” asked Saorise.

Lyle frowned, “You agree with this?”

Saorise rolled her eyes, “He’s just conquered and is attempting to assimilate a people who have been independent for ten millennia. In addition, the representative of those people has stated that she will not be taking up her duties in your backyard straight away. Better yet, she is a ‘she’ not the ‘he’s you are so used to running your nation”. Saorise’s tone turned sarcastic, “You know what, no, I won’t send anyone to watch her and her people. It should be fine, they’ll do exactly as they’re told”.

“We will,” Lyle huffed, though it was clear that he understood Saorise’s point.

“Just tolerate him and his party, he’s your age,” said Saorise.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll be best friends with the Wendolan bastard,” Lyle replied.

“If that’s what it takes for you not to be hostile towards them and ruin this for your entire people, you’ll f*cking marry him!” Saorise hissed.

Lyle blanched at his sister’s sudden anger, his petulant expression fading in an instant before he turned away, sulking.

“If you can’t control your expressions and your words, then stay away, Lyle,” said Saorise, “He’ll remain until he goes to Wesenhall with me. That is all. Besides, you’re Wendolan now too, don’t be so quick to use it in such an offensive manner”.

Saorise prodded Blizzard who upped his pace as she led him forward.

“Saorise, I didn’t-”

“I’m going on ahead,” Saorise waved over her shoulder at her brother.

She passed by her father and brother and the Wendolan party on the way, nodding to them and giving a quick explanation before she prodded Blizzard to go faster and he sped into the forest away from the relaxed pace of the army.

***

“Forgive me for asking, my King, but was it really necessary to send Prince Isiah?” asked Lucas.

“You fear it is too blatant of a move after I lost their trust?” asked Peter, who had chosen to ride for the first part of their journey. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but his brides-to-be and their ladies had also chosen to do the same. Unlike the Wendolan war horses, who were large enough to stand above the tallest warriors, his brides rode a slightly smaller breed, built for speed and agility rather than strength. They were impeccably well trained though, and prideful beasts. They weren’t the least bit intimidated by the war horses. In fact, Peter could swear the war horses were attempting to give the Eastern beasts a wider berth.

“I just think it would have been more polite to inform them first, my King,” Lucas replied.

“Saorise wouldn’t have been surprised,” said Peter, “And they didn’t turn them away”.

“No sir,” agreed Lucas, “But do you really believe it’s wise to send your brother? She is intelligent enough to see through your intentions”.

“Most of them will be,” Peter agreed, “But if I just let them go off without so much as a messenger, am I truly a King seeking to unite? Or am I just going to promote a divide between those who are Eastern and Wendolan born? Isiah will go and supervise the gathering of the first drafts to the Wendolan Army, as well as the Eastern Representative’s preparations. I’m sure if Saorise wanted to hide something, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to do it”.

“That’s exactly my point, your majesty, should we not have sent someone more skilled at infiltration?” asked Lucas.

“And loose the already thin layer of trust I’ve gained should they be discovered?” asked Peter, “Saorise isn’t one to go back on her word”.

Lucas looked at Peter closely, “You trust her”.

Peter frowned. Did he? He tended not to trust anyone. Sure, he delegated jobs to people like Lucas or John or even Isiah. People who had known him for many years, who knew what he was capable of should they not comply. Saorise…well, she knew what he was capable of, yet she’d risen to meet his every challenge until they’d settled on a middle-ground. As much as he hated to admit it, there was a part of him that did trust her. Or at the very least, trusted that she wouldn’t betray him without a significant reason.

“Isiah will return to Wesenhall with the Arch Duchess a month after us. Ensure that a residence is prepared for her,” stated Peter.

“A residence, You Majesty?” asked Lucas.

Peter raised an eyebrow, “A house, Lucas? The thing people live in”.

Lucas frowned, “Oh, no, that’s not what I meant, your majesty. I thought you already approved an estate for her”.

“An estate?” asked Peter, “When did I approve…?”

“The day before the Accords, your Majesty,” said Lucas, “Lady Eloise approached me with a land deed that she said was to be the Eastern Representative’s, I thought you had approved…was I mistaken?”

Peter couldn’t help turned back to Eloise. He wanted to be angry, “Which estate?”

“The old Barkwether Manor to the north of Wesenhall, Your Majesty,” said Lucas.

That old wreck? No one had lived there for years. It was so overgrown and unkept that most believed it haunted and never set foot near it.

“You thought I approved that?”

“You were in a somewhat…disagreeable mood, Your Majesty,” stated Lucas.

Peter sighed. Still, Eloise was close with Saorise, and she didn’t seem the type to request something so concisely without a reason. Despite his reservations, Peter couldn’t help feeling impressed.

“Approve it…but next time, ensure I have actually approved it before you take Lady Eloise by word of mouth, or any of the Harem, actually,” stated Peter.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Lucas stated, “I apologise for my mistake, I’ll accept any punishment you give”.

“You can walk with the troops at the back tomorrow morning,” said Peter.

“Of course, Your Majesty”.