It was strange to Fiama, walking towards Jeraf's cabin in broad daylight, especially without the intent of changing and heading out to patrol the roads. But it was the easiest and quickest solution she could think of in the little time she had. She also knew Jeraf would do well to play along, and she'd explain all she needed to when the week was over.

"What is this place?" Ziedas asked carefully as they approached the cabin.

Smoke was billowing from the chimney on the roof, a welcome sign that Jeraf was home and Fiama wouldn't have to track him down. "I told you, I was taking you to someone who can help you meet your vigilante."

"He lives here?"

Fiama choked on a laugh. "Oh— gods no, this isn't... No, no no, I'm taking you to see the castle's head stablehand." And then as a quick afterthought, "He seems to know everyone."

"And this stablehand, he'll be able to take me to meet the vigilante?"

"Or at least point you in the right direction." It was hard for Fiama to hide her grin, not only for the irony of the situation but the position it was going to put Jeraf in when he realized the purpose of their unexpected visit.

She'd apologize later.

They were quiet as they approached the door, both for their own reasons. Fiama was trying to work through a plan that would get her out of this as quickly as possible. She could only imagine what was running through Ziedas' pretty head. A knock broke the silence and Fiama thought she heard murmurs of voices on the other side. Odd, Jeraf didn't normally have guests, and if he did Fiama had one more thing to tease him for later.

The grin was no longer hidden as the door opened, and the surprised look on her best friend's face was worth it.

"Fi— I mean, Princess Fiama. This is an unexpected visit," Jeraf managed to get out as he realized Fiama wasn't alone.

"It is, and quite an urgent matter, if you don't mind letting us in."

"I, uh..."

Jeraf was stalling, which was extremely out of character and immediately made Fiama suspicious. "Are we interrupting?"

"Maybe," Jeraf murmured.

Before Fiama could inquire further, a familiar yet unexpected voice called from within the cabin. "Don't keep your guests standing on the doorstep on my account, Cousin."

Fiama felt the blood rush from her head. "Timin," she whispered. She had completely forgotten he arrived at the same time Ziedas rushed in.

"I'm sorry," Jeraf mouthed silently before stepping aside. Outloud he said, "Timin, you remember Fiama."

Timin seemed to have jumped from his chair as Fiama stepped over the threshold, the princess tossing Jeraf a sideways glance before plastering on her most royal smile at his cousin. "Timin, it is so wonderful to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine, Princess," he said as he knelt at her feet, taking her hand between his and placing a sincere kiss on the back of her palm.

His lips lingered against her skin a moment longer than expected, and Fiama was unable to keep the blush from her cheeks. Timin was not an unkind man, coming from the side of Jeraf's family that preferred royal banquets and diplomacy rather than tending to the land and caring for livestock. The noble's dark blond hair was tied behind his head with a red satin ribbon to match the detail on his embroidered jacket, and his bright blue eyes, so full of hope and expectancy, met Fiama's dark gaze in a way that made her chest tighten.

No, Timin was not an unkind man. But he was still a man...

The clearing of a throat snapped Fiama from her reverie. She first looked at Jeraf, but his attention remained on her blonde companion that still lingered in the doorway. Stepping away from Timin and his warm lips and his soft hands, Fiama motioned to the Emissary's daughter.

"Allow me to present to you both Ziedas of Ithoya, daughter to Emissary Brokand, and currently, personal guest of the royal family of Morakar."

Ziedas finally stepped over the threshold as if she was waiting for the announcement to accompany her grand entrance.

"This is Jeraf," Fiama continued, "head stablehand for the Kingdom of Morakar."

Jeraf frowned as Ziedas held out her hand. She should have expected such a reaction, especially after what she had told him about their last encounter. A gentle nod of her head told him now wasn't the time and thankfully he took the hint and accepted Ziedas' hand for a quick shake.

Ziedas looked almost disappointed when she didn't receive the same attention Fiama received from Timin, but there was no time for bruised egos when they were there with a purpose. Timin, for all his manners, approached Ziedas with the smooth confidence of someone who was trained in court politics.

"My lady Ziedas," he said, bowing at the waist. "I am Lord Timin, your humble servant."

"Your father is a Lord," Jeraf reminded him as he closed the door and stepped back towards the sitting area. Fiama relaxed her shoulders as she felt the tension of formality begin to ease.

"Lord by association, then" Timin correct, giving the women a slight smile and a wink before following his cousin back to his seat. Cups of tea in front of each chair explained what they were doing before they arrived, and Timin began pouring fresh cups for each of them.

Fiama didn't want to make herself too comfortable. They were there with a purpose, and one she would have rather completed sooner than later. She met Jeraf's gaze and was about to explain the reason for their unexpected visit when Timin spoke.

"How are you enjoying Morakar?" he asked Ziedas, motioning to the chair across from him as if in invitation as he placed down a steam cup of tea.

"It's been... interesting," she responded kindly, taking the offered seat but turning her attention to Jeraf. "I've been informed you know the vigilante who's been patrolling the roads."

Jeraf coughed on the sip of tea he had dared swallow, his attention immediately snapping to Fiama.

The princess gave her friend a slight smile and a shrug as her heart pounded. "Apologies, but the Lady wanted to find out more about your friend, so I told her we'd come and visit to see if you could assist in setting up a meeting with him."

She hoped her intonation and expressions were enough to convince Jeraf to play along.

They seemed to be enough as Jeraf finally regained his breath and sighed, turning back to Ziedas. "If I may ask... why?"

"It's personal," Ziedas said quickly, on the defensive.

Jeraf shook his head at her defiance. "Well, I can assure you, if you want to set up any sort of meeting with him, I'm going to need to know a reason why."

Ziedas pursed her lips and straightened her posture, squaring her shoulders and holding her head high as she prepared to explain herself. "Your vigilante saved my life on the road. I owe him my thanks."

"The best thing you can do to show your thanks is not need to be saved on the road again," Jeraf mused.

"You didn't tell me there were vigilantes," Timin mentioned to his cousin. "Surely something must be done."

"Vigilante. One," Jeraf corrected his cousin before glaring at Fiama. "And he doesn't much care for personal calls."

"That's what I tried to explain to her," the princess said with a shrug. "But she insisted she meet him for the sake of the future of Morakar."

"So, she's blackmailing us."

"I'm right here," Ziedas cut in, "And no, I am not. But I will reiterate it's in Morakar's best interest that I speak to him."

"And if you don't get to speak with him?" Jeraf inquired.

Ziedas sat back in her chair, appearing far more comfortable than a guest in a stranger's household. "My father is Emissary to Morakar's closest trading partner. It would be unfortunate if that came to an unceremonious end."

"That sounds somewhat like blackmail to me," Timin observed.

"Political persuasion," Fiama and Ziedas said almost in unison.

The Emissary's daughter shot Fiama a knowing smirk that made the princess' insides warm and her stomach twist. She dared give her a slight smirk in return, and for a moment she sensed a connection between the two of them.

A connection that was quickly severed as Ziedas returned her attention to Jeraf.

"How much can I pay you to set up a meeting? Name your price."

Jeraf shook his head. "You have no idea how many times I've turned down offered coin. Anything you may have to offer will not persuade me one way or the other."

"Then what will?"

"You could ask nicely."

Ziedas blinked with disbelief.

Jeraf snorted, and stood, gathering up the teapot and unused cups onto the serving tray. "Say I was to get in touch with this vigilante and say he did agree to meet with you. What then?"

"As I said to Fiama, I only want to meet him. To say thank you for his assistance, and to offer him clemency in Ithoya should he ever find his time in Morakar less than welcoming."

"Is that so?" Jeraf asked with a glance towards the princess. "And Fiama told you that I would be able to set up this meeting?"

"She did," Ziedas nodded. "She told me that you knew him personally and would be able to coordinate it."

He had made his way over to where Fiama remained standing since she arrived, and the look he gave her meant murder and revenge all in the same glare. "And when would you have this meeting, Lady?"

"This evening would be ideal."

"I'll need to speak to him but I'm sure I can make this evening work."

She shot a glare to her friend who already had a smile plastered on his lips as he rinsed dishes at the sink in the kitchen area. When she had agreed to bring Ziedas to visit Jeraf, she didn't believe he would be so quick to agree.

"Where shall I let him know to meet you," Jeraf asked.

"Where last we met," Ziedas remarked, almost dreamily. "He'll know where."

"Surely you don't intend to meet this brigand by yourself, Lady Ziedas," Timin cut in. "Allow me to accompany you on this engagement—"

"No," Ziedas said quickly. "No thank you. This is something I must do. Alone."

Fiama moved towards the door, already trying to think her way out fo this. "If that's arranged then, we best be going— we shouldn't keep the king and queen waiting."

"Oh, I won't be joining them for dinner tonight."

Fiama paused with her hand on the handle and felt like she was going to be sick. "Why not?"

"What if the vigilante wants to meet while we're in the middle of eating, or worse— while your parents are expecting me to sit with them for an after-dinner drink? No, I can't take that chance." Ziedas turned towards Jeraf. "I'll be waiting at the Wild Rose. You can send word to me there once everything is arranged."

"But—" Fiama was starting to see stars.

"I do thank you for your help, Fiama," Ziedas said as she stood to meet her at the door. "Please give my regards to your parents and we will see each other again soon."

"I—" Fiama looked to Jeraf, who only shrugged.

"It was a pleasure to see you again, Princess," Timin said, standing as well, but Fiama had already begun her exit, muttering her own farewells as she moved in a panic.

Fiama needed to think quickly. Not only would she now need to get herself out of the castle, but explain away Ziedas's absence as well. Even if she wasn't staying within the castle's walls, she would still be expected to attend the king and queen at dinner, where they would surely expect a report on the day's activities to determine whether or not Fiama was performing as expected.

Little did they know, she was already orchestrating the performance of her life.