⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅ ◈ ⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

Junia and Katana lay side by side on the bed on their stomachs, revising the plan for the sixth time.

"So, King Filip arrives in two days," Katana said. "And we begin with a banquet. You have sent a message down to the kitchens asking them to begin their plans, right?"

"Right. We need to keep an eye on the food stock, though, since it is getting low. We'll have to send hunters out to replenish our meat supplies," Junia replied. "And we'll need to bring more food in."

"Good," Katana nodded. "So that's food sorted. Accommodation?"

"We'll have to put any soldiers in inns, tents, or spare rooms," Junia said thoughtfully. "It all depends on the size of the company."

"Which we don't know. Maybe it's best if we stay on the safe side for now and say three hundred."

"Agreed." Junia looked over the parchment again. "And we need to get everything sorted out soon."

Katana stood up. "Call the staff into the courtyard and address them."

"What?" Junia paled.

"They aren't just gonna know what to do." She grinned. "They're servants, you need to give them orders!"

Junia sighed but sent Cloud out with a message to spread and, sure enough, in the space of half an hour, most of the castle staff—or, at least, what was left of them—were gathered in the courtyard. She stood to the side, leaning against a pillar and trying not to throw up.

She couldn't believe she was doing it.

Annalee would be proud. This is like something she'd do... but what will Ulysses think?

Ulysses still wasn't back but had sent word through scouts that he was alive and journeying home, although being delayed by some Easterners who had decided his head was a prize that they could race for. She wished that he could get back quicker and sort out the mess she had got herself into. The Northerners had pushed into the South and settled down in strategic checkpoints, and the South didn't have the strength to take the towns back. If the North started pushing forward and the South didn't have the aid of the West... they would be doomed.

Suddenly, the importance of the meeting seemed too daunting. There was too much to lose.

"Katana..." Junia said suddenly, feeling faint as she looked at the faces of the rowdy household gathered in front of her.

"What?"

"I... I am terrible at public speaking."

Katana stared, her expression incredulous. "You're a princess! Weren't you raised for this kind of thing?"

"I can't do this," Junia whispered, going pale.

And the craven was coming back.

"You know what?" Katana asked, grabbing her hand. "I'll come with you and do all the talking, okay? But remember, you are the princess. The heir. I'm just a prisoner. They are more likely to listen to you."

"I'm... terrified," Junia said quickly.

"Calm down," Katana said, squeezing Junia's hand. "You'll be brilliant. I know you will. And if you don't want to speak, I won't put that on you."

Junia nodded, not trusting herself to reply. All her confidence was gone, and she needed Annalee there. She could almost see her twin striding onto the stage instead of her, her blonde hair in a high tail and a grin on her face.

Katana gave her an awkward smile before walking out into the sunlight. Some eyes narrowed at her and the staff muttered among themselves.

"Come on," Katana mouthed to Junia, who followed her out and clasped her hands in front of her meekly.

The hall went quiet upon seeing Junia. Expectant eyes looked at her, and Junia suddenly realised they didn't know what to make of her. She had never addressed them before and was so shy that they had rarely heard her speak.

The silence stretched as Junia tried to find words but struggled.

"Princess Junia Silverling-Everwood. Heir to the Southern throne, daughter of the late King Lachlan and Queen Emelyn, and sister to King Ulysses," Katana announced. "Niece to the late King Lucian of the North, descendant of the Everwood line, pledged to inherit the county of Devellira as soon as she comes of age."

Polite applause.

She lied. She's leaving the talking to me and is just here to stand to the side. It was an impressive announcement, though, to precede her, and touched some of the vanity in her.

"Hello," Junia said dumbly.

Some murmured responses. Most people just stared.

"On behalf of Ulysses' departure, I have invited King Filip of the West over to try to gain an ally..." Junia said, faltering.

Blank eyes watched her. Junia felt tempted to run, to break down, to faint. She turned to Katana desperately for help, but Katana just nodded at her to continue.

"And I need the castle to be ready," Junia said, her voice broken and quiet.

"Your Highness, could you please repeat that?" someone called.

Junia felt herself going pink.

Just do it! she could almost hear Lachlan scolding her.

She closed her eyes and saw him reaching out to her, squeezing her hand and grinning. A letter from a spy had announced his death that morning, and she still struggled to believe it. He was gone, mother was gone, Annalee was gone, and Ulysses...

Her eyes flew open. "Our lives are at stake." Her voice rose in anger as she spoke and drew the frustration from inside her instead of turning to fear. Anger amplified her voice where her lack of confidence could not. "Our people have been massacred, and by the very Northerners who claim honour, nonetheless. They say they are chivalrous, then turn on Lucian's grave and spit on it!"

Cheers sounded, and Junia suddenly felt a flicker of confidence boost her self-esteem.

"The East are greedy and have chosen to join them. But they will never take the South, not if we can convince the West to join us." Junia met their eyes. "So we must. To fight back, to keep what is ours. The Shadowharts killed my parents, and my sisters are still missing. I am sure this war has affected many of your children, parents, and friends, too. So we must work to end it, and while Ulysses and his army fight with swords, we shall fight with words and diplomacy." She nodded. "I need the castle ready for when King Filip arrives in two days' time. Cooks need to start preparing a feast. Guards need to work out shifts and servants need to prepare to accommodate as many men as can be managed. Sleeping arrangements will need to be sorted out, and I want Annalee's room to be prepared for King Filip and Queen Lynne. We have to show them we are worth aiding in a fight for justice."

She had their attention, she knew, but was suddenly embarrassed as her anger faded and she came back to herself. Her face grew hotter, and her hands shook. She put them behind her back to hide it.

"Have a good day," Junia said weakly, before practically running out. Everything was spinning, blurring, and she was too hot, too...

Katana ran after her.

"That was great!" Katana gushed.

That was all Junia heard before she fainted.

* * *

She awoke in her bedchamber and sat up groggily, feeling her head only to find Katana pushing her back down.

"How long was I out for?" Junia asked.

"A few hours. Do you always faint when you speak to people?"

"I easily get anxious," Junia said miserably. "That was torture. Sometimes things get overwhelming and I just... black out, I guess. The royal physician says it's not something he can treat. I think I forgot to breathe."

"Gods, I hope you don't faint when you see King Filip. A fainting twelve-year-old is not exactly ideal for negotiating."

"I'm thirteen," Junia corrected. "My name day was two moons after Kael took over Lucian's castle." She had memorised it and counted the days only to lose track of it in the mess of the past few months. Not that anyone else had remembered, she reflected miserably.

Katana raised her eyebrows. "Good for you."

She was in her room, she noted as he looked around. She forced herself into a sitting position, her neck leaning against a cluster of pillows.

"King Filip is arriving tomorrow. He's sent news saying he's bringing his sister, Lucrezia, and Edward Braxton."

Junia nodded.

"Just sleep a bit longer," Katana said. "Preparations are halfway done. The whole castle is at work, and everything will be ready when he comes."

"Everything will be ready," Junia repeated.

"Everything will be ready," Katana agreed. She turned to the medic. "Can you leave us for a moment?"

"Why should I take orders from you?" he demanded.

"I order it," Junia said sleepily from her bed.

He reluctantly bowed. "As you wish, my lady."

He turned and left the room. Katana instantly turned to Junia when she was sure he was gone, her eyes wide and unlike herself.

"Listen, Junia, I just received a letter and..." She hesitated. "It's from my father. Damek Westerling."

Junia's body went rigid at that. "My father always said that he was a horrible man."

"That's for people who didn't know him. True, he was horrible to his enemies and could have bad mood swings. But he wasn't a bad man," Katana said.

Junia didn't have the heart to tell her about the Northern village that Damek had burnt and massacred. She could still smell the smoke and see the charred remains of the houses, once bursting with life.

Images flashed before her. A falcon soaring in a blue sky. A black mask floating in the fountain.

The world spun, and she took a breath to stop herself from passing out again.

"What... what did he say in the letter?" she asked weakly.

"He's become deranged." Junia was surprised to see tears streaming down Katana's cheeks. "He's not the man he used to be. He's always been cruel and resentful, but... he's delusional, and I'm afraid of him..."

"May I see the letter?" Junia asked softly.

Katana pulled an envelope from her sleeve and passed it to Junia. The seal was broken and Junia pulled out the letter, reading it carefully.

Dearest Katana,

It is I, Damek, your father. I am glad to say I am back. I have heard that you are free from your prison now, and I hope my spies got this safely into your hands.

I urge you to leave Teravardi at once, no matter what they tell you. I plan to become a king. I know you will find me delirious, but I am an Everwood by blood. Lucian was my brother, and his sole heir is just a young girl. I am the next in line. When I mobilise my army, I will take back what is mine with ease. I will reclaim what has been taken from us by a young boy who has done nothing to prove himself. I am going to kill Landon, then I am going to kill Audrey. No one will be able to stand in my way.

I am a peaceful man who only wants the best for our divided world. All I ask from you is to join me. Come home, Katana. You have no place in the South, and I hear you are now frolicking around with the craven Junia. The South is going to fall under the North, and you will die when it does.

Benedict asks to send you his love.

Junia re-read it twice before turning to Katana.

"Benedict... that's your brother?" Junia asked.

Katana bit her bottom lip. "I miss him every day."

"You should bring him here," Junia offered.

"No, he'll only spy for my father." She shook her head. "My father claims to be peaceful, but he's lying. He has been waiting for a moment like this for a long time. He always used to rant about greatness and glory, and it used to be so scary because he got so... animated about it. Too eager to kill and torture."

They had all heard about Kael's death by that point. Speculations had started on who had done the deed, some suggestions downright preposterous, but no one really seemed to care that much. The plain fact was that he was dead, with a clear killer or without, and everyone seemed optimistic. A war against a seventeen-year-old boy seemed a lot easier to win.

"You won't go, will you?" Junia asked uncertainly.

Katana smiled slightly. "Of course I won't. You're the first friend I've had in a long time, and I will stay by your side for as long as you need me."

Junia jumped up from the bed and hugged Katana, even as she was struggling to stay upright from exhaustion. Katana hesitated for a second, as if unsure of what to do, before hugging her back.

"Your father's spies, they're here?" Junia whispered.

"Any servant could have been paid to pass on the message. Now, go get some sleep." Katana helped Junia back into bed. "You'll need it when King Filip arrives."

I have run out of things to say at the end of these chapters

So here are some puns I found online under 'best bad puns'

Sorry not sorry

- What did the grape say when it got crushed? Nothing, it just let out a little wine

- Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana (I didn't get this one until I stared at it for like five seconds omg I'm dumb, I was trying to mentally work out what happens if you throw a banana)

- Ladies, if he can't appreciate your fruit jokes, you need to let that mango (I-)

- The Middle Ages were called the Dark Ages because there were too many knights

- What do you call the wife of a hippie? A Mississippi.

Okay I'll stop now

Please don't stop reading,, I swear I won't do it again :))

I love you all,

Shelly M xx