It was already late in the morning when Eudemas woke her. Vara groaned when the sunlight hit her eyes and turned around on her other side.

“No my lady,” Eudemas scolded, “it’s time to get out of bed. Didn’t I hear you say last night that you would read to master Caius?”

“I lied,” Vara admitted, “I couldn’t go on that ride. It’s hard enough to act normal around Cyrus. If we’re not careful we’ll ruin the alliance. Things with Tireze are fragile enough as they are. We don’t need anymore trouble.”
Slowly she sat up and looked at her friend. “What am I to do, Eudemas? Cyrus doesn’t seem to care, or even notice, that he is insulting the house Tirzé. And I can’t keep avoiding him. It will raise suspicion.”

Eudemas sat down on edge of the bed. “The wedding will take place soon,” she said in a comforting tone, “all will calm down once the party of Tireze has returned home.” She pressed Vara’s hand.

“You are a good friend, Eudemas,” Vara said, but she knew it wouldn’t be that simple.

She climbed out of the bed and sat down in front of the mirror. Quietly she started brushing her hair while Eudemas picked out a gown for her.

“Have they been gone long?” Vara asked after a while.

“A little after dawn,” Eudemas confirmed, “they took luncheon with them, so they should be gone for a while.“ She stood behind Vara. “Perhaps you should visit master Caius after all. What if the prince should confront him? If they find out you lied, questions would rise.”

Vara sighed and put down the brush. Her fiend was right. She nodded and let Eudemas help her put on her gown.
“Thank you,” Vara said. She turned to the servant girl. “Please find lady Euridice and tell her I’d like to have breakfast with her.”

Eudemas smiled amused. “It’s closer to lunch.”

“Lunch then,” Vara decided.

Eudemas curtsied and left the room.

Vara turned to the mirror again and let out another sigh. “The things I do for you,” she muttered and left the room.

***

The villagers of Dalós were bustling about when the company approached from down the Northern road. A handful of children came running down the hill to inform the village’s elders of the large group.

By the time an appropriate welcome had been hastily prepared, the group had already reached the edge of the village.

Eunice put down her bucket with grain she had been carrying and straightened her back. She  shooed the chickens out of the way and walked towards the side of the house to watch the prince and his entourage. Perhaps Vara would be there. She needed to talk to her fried desperately.

An unfamiliar man was riding next to prince Cyrus. He had an air about him and he looked like a foreigner. He must be one of the visiting lords from Tireze.

There were soldiers riding along for protection and a carriage not far behind the prince.

Eunice frowned at it confused. Where was Vara? Was she in the carriage? That wasn’t like her. She would usually ride alongside the prince.

But maybe, because of the delegation, the king had requested she behave more like a lady.

The company halted in the town square and the prince dismounted. Immediately, one of the village boys came up to hold the reins and water the animal.

A man came running with chairs and a woman carried refreshments.

Prince Cyrus sat down on one of the chairs and accepted the goblet that was offered to him.

His companion gave the village a look of disdain. “Why are we stopping in such an indistinctive place?”

“Because we have ridden all morning,” Cyrus informed him, “the horses need to rest and the men need food and water.”

Darius narrowed his eyes. “We are close to the palace. Why not ride on and have a decent meal?”

Cyrus took a deep breath. It wasn’t easy to remain civil with the Tireze prince, but for the sake of the alliance he would have to be pleasant. “Because,” he said, “these are my father’s subjects. And this is the closest village to the palace. And because I have spent a lot of time here when I was younger and I thought that perhaps the lady Ariane would enjoy a visit to the nearby lake.” He looked at the carriage door that had just opened.

Eunice glanced at the young woman that was aided out of the carriage . This woman had to be the lady Ariane Tirzé. That meant this was prince Cyrus’  bride.

Eunice took a better look. The young woman was fairly pretty with long honey colored locks. But she didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Did she think the rest of the world beneath her?

Eunice edged closer to the prince and curtsied. Patiently she waited for him to notice her.

“Yes girl?” he asked.

“Beg your pardon, your highness,” Eunice said politely, “but I was wondering if Vara had ridden with you.”

The man next to prince Cyrus narrowed his eyes at her. “How dare you talk to the prince like that? Move away girl. And you will call the lady Vara by her title.”

Cyrus smiled wryly. “You are not in Tireze, prince Darius. How these people address me is not your concern, it is mine.”  He turned to Eunice. “You are Vara’s friend, are you not?”

Eunice curtsied again. “Yes, my prince. Did she not come with you?” She glanced at  Darius uncertain, but he ignored her and walked away from them towards his sister.

Cyrus sighed. “No, she is visiting my grandparents today.”

Eunice  bit her lip. “Oh, I see.”

Cyrus looked around. “Where is your mother? I haven’t seen her.” Antonia was usually one of the first people in the square, making sure Vara was still whole and healthy and that the royal guard wouldn’t come near Eunice.

Eunice looked down.

Concern filled Cyrus’ eyes. Had the woman died? He knew she was well in her years. It would break Vara’s heart if she passed away. “Eunice.” He had just remembered her name.

“It’s nothing, your highness. Please don’t concern yourself with it.”

“What about Vara then? Wouldn’t she want to know?”

Eunice bit her lip. What he had said was true. Hadn’t she wanted to speak with Vara earlier? But this was the prince. “She’s not well, my prince,” she said softly. Suddenly tears brimmed her eyes.”I fear she may die.”

“Let me see her,” Cyrus said and he stood up.

…

Darius glared at Cyrus’ retreating back. Why was he following that village girl? He nodded his head at Torcan, who was standing close by.

Torcan nodded discretely and moved to follow Cyrus. He too was wondering what was going on.

Cyrus entered a small house close to the wall.

“Mother, “ Eunice spoke softly, “the prince came to visit.” She pressed her mother’s hand but there was no reaction.

“How long has she been like this?” Cyrus asked.

“Since last night, your highness,” Eunice’s lip trembled, “I was bringing clothes to Celia who lives next door and when I returned…” a sob escaped her, “she eats and drinks when I feed her, but she has not spoke once. She does not even seem to realize I’m here.”

Cyrus looked at the woman in the bed. Her eyes were sunken in. Her face was pale and there was a  vacant look in her eyes. It worried him. “I’ll send our own physician to examine her,” he promised.

Eunice looked at him wide-eyed. “That is too much honor,” she said, forgetting to add his title.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cyrus said and he stood up, “I will send someone now.” He pressed her shoulder and walked out of the house, signaling for Iolaus. He whispered some instructions and watched as his friend hurried towards the palace.

…

Darius watched it all with great suspicion. Something was definitely going on, but he couldn’t discuss it with all these people as witnesses. He glared at Cyrus, but the prince ignored him.

Cyrus signaled for a village boy to bring him his horse and mounted it. “Forgiveness lady Ariane,” he said, “I am afraid I will have to show you the lake on some other occasion. There are matters that demand my attention. We will have to return to the palace.”

Ariane bit her lip and curtsied. Se let Torcan help her back into the carriage.
It was hard to hide her disappointment. She had been looking forward to  a visit to the lake, but of course, his duties were more important.
With a look of regret, she stared out of the carriage window.

It shouldn’t bother her so much. She was used to disappointment. She would accept this one the same way she had all the others.

***

She heard the commotion down in the hall and leaned over the staircase.

Iolaus was standing near the door, giving instructions. A servant hurried away.

“Iolaus,” Vara stumbled down the stairs. Worry filled her eyes. “Why are you alone? Where are the others? Has something happened?”

Iolaus caught her forearms. “Don’t worry, V. Everything is alright. They are on their way back here. Cyrus sent me up ahead.” He didn’t want to worry her. When Cyrus returned he would tell her everything. By then the physician would have visited the village as well.

But Vara was not so easily fooled. “Why would he send you up ahead when nothing has happened?” Her eyes moved to where the servant had disappeared to. “What did you tell Aaron?”

“Vara,” he stopped her stream of words, “it is alright.”

Vara narrowed her eyes. “Tell me.”

Iolaus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “One of the villagers has fallen ill and Cyrus offered to send the royal physician.”

Vara studied her friend for a moment. It made no sense for Cyrus to send his own physician. He wasn’t indifferent towards his subjects, but he didn’t care as much as to care to such a degree. Unless of course someone was important to him.

Or to her…

“Is it Eunice?” she whispered, “did something happen to her?”

“No,” Iolaus comforted her, “it is not your friend.” He looked at her sadly, “it is her mother. She…”  before he could finish, Vara had run out the door. “Vara!” he called after her. He ran a hand through his hair. There was no use in going after her. She would only fight him. And there was only one road towards the village. She would run into Cyrus soon enough. And he would bring her back.

…

It was a warm day and soon she was drenched in sweat, but she didn’t stop running. If Cyrus had found it necessary to send the royal physician… She was afraid of what she would find.

Eunice only had her mother and Vara knew all too well what it was like to lose one’s parents.

In the distance she saw riders. She recognized Cyrus’ colors.
With a sigh she urged her body towards them. It wouldn’t be long now. Cyrus would tell her what had happened.

…

“Someone’s coming down the road, my prince.”

Cyrus halted and stared in the direction the soldier was pointing.

“It’s Vara,” he said. He kicked his horse and rode up to meet her.

When he had reached her, he jumped off his horse and supported her before she could fall over. “What are you doing here, Vara?”

She was panting and sweat was on her forehead. “Iolaus…told me… “ she gasped between breaths, “about Antonia.” She looked at him with begging eyes. “I have to go to Eunice. She needs me now.”

“You can’t go into the village looking like this,” Cyrus eyed her sweaty face and house-gown. Anyone that would see her in this state would think she wasn’t in her right mind. “Why didn’t you take a carriage?”

His company had caught up with them as well. Prince Darius eyed her oddly. It took a while before he recognized her. What on earth was she doing? Had the palace been under attack?

“I have to go, Cyrus.”

Cyrus sighed. Silently he cursed himself for not foreseeing this. Of course Vara would panic when she found out he had called a physician. He wished he could go with her now.
Instead he signaled one of his guards.

The man dismounted and handed the reigns to Vara. “My lady.”

“Go on,” Cyrus said, “at least take the horse. One  of my men will accompany you.” He turned her towards the animal and helped her up. Carefully he placed her foot in the stirrup and rested his hand on her calf for a  brief moment. “Be careful, Vara,” he told her.

She nodded at him seriously and turned the horse. She barley noticed Cyrus signaling one of his guards to follow her.

…

“Two riders,” Argos squinted his eyes and stared down the road.

A handful of villagers was still in the square and they followed Argos’  gaze.

“Vara!” Ethan suddenly called out. He stepped away from the group to catch the reins of Vara’s mount. Before Vara’s guard had pulled up beside her, Ethan was already helping her down.

She held him tightly. “Ethan,” she breathed, “it’s good to see you.”

Ethan answered her embrace and then held her at arm’s length. “What are you doing here, Vara? How you look!” He studied her dishelved appearance and tangled hair. Her clothes stuck to her body and dried up sweat was on her forehead and neck.

“I heard about aunt Antonia,” Vara answered, “I came right away. Where’s Eunice? I must see her.”

“I’ll take you.” He guided her and her guard towards the house. “Eunice, love,” he said as he walked in, “you have a visitor.”

Eunice turned around from her spot at the window. Her eyes went wide when she recognized her friend.

“Ah Eunice,” Vara rushed over and locked her arms around her friend. “How bad is it?”

Eunice sobbed softly. “I’m so afraid, Vara.”

“Shh, “Vara soothed, “it will be alright. Cyrus sent the physician. He will be able to help, you will see.” She let go of Eunice and sat down on the bedside. Seeing Eunice’s mother concerned her greatly. The woman did not look well. “Aunt Antonia,” Vara whispered. She gently took the woman’s hand and pressed it. There was no reaction. ”It’s Vara,” Vara continued, “I have come to visit.” Still no response.

At the table, Eunice silently cried.

There was a knock on the door and Ethan went to answer it. “The physician is here, he announced and an elderly man entered the room.
He bowed when he recognized Vara. “My lady,” he greeted.

Vara stood up and guided him over to the bed. “Please help her,“ she said.

The physician studied the woman in the bed, but one look at her told him all he needed to know. He didn’t dare say it out loud. The prince requested that he come here. This woman was important to the lady Vara. He didn’t want to be the harbinger of bad news. The prince would have his head.
He sighed. “I will examine her. Please my lady, take your friend and leave me with the woman.”

Vara nodded and took Eunice’s hand. “Come,” she said, ”let’s wait outside.” She gently pulled Eunice out of the house.

Ethan followed them quietly and the three took a seat on the edge of the well.

“It will be alright,“ Vara said, “you’ll see. He is a good physician. He has tended to lord Caius for many years now and Cyrus’ grandfather is still among us.”

Ethan wrapped his arms around Eunice’s shoulder and held her tightly. “Don’t cry, my love,” he said softly. When Vara blinked at him surprised, he cast her a faint smile. “Don’t look at me like that, Vara. I’m being perfectly honorable. We are engaged now after all.”

Vara sat up straight and looked at him wide-eyed. She moved her gaze to Eunice and back to Ethan. “When did this happen?”

“The day you came to visit,” Ethan answered and winked at her.

A smile broke through on Vara’s face. “I am so happy for you. “ She looked at Eunice, “why didn’t you say anything?”

Eunice looked at her friend with teary eyes. “I didn’t want to upset you. You were already having a hard time hearing about prince Cyrus’ engagement. I didn’t want to make you feel worse.”

“Ah dear Eunice,” Vara pushed her friends hair from her face, “I would never be upset with your happiness. I wish you all the best.” She smiled, “I expect to receive an invitation to wedding though.”

“Of course!” Eunice gasped, “there is no wedding without you.”

The girls hugged each other tightly.

“It’s going to be alright,” Vara whispered in Eunice’s hair.

Next to them, Ethan was smiling at the two girls. It had been a long time since the three of them had been together. And even if the occasion was not a happy one, it still felt good.

Over Eunice’s head, he caught Vara’s eye and he smiled at her sadly. Vara held out her hand for him to take and gently pressed it.

Yes, Ethan thought, it was good to be together again.

Things would be just fine.