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On the last morning of the festival, Katana woke her. Junia's body was already sore from Leandro's pushing, added to all the festivities Katana had dragged her to once she had made it back, but she sat up.

"And that's the festival done!" Katana said as she pulled Junia up. "We're back to Valkitia today."

Junia rubbed her eyes wearily, trying to make her muscles move even as they complained.

"Katana, do you know how to fight?" Junia asked.

Katana glanced at Junia curiously. "A cousin of mine taught me. That's why I always have this." She gestured at the dirk on her belt. "Why?"

For some reason, Junia didn't want to tell Katana that she had a sword. "I was just curious since you always carry that around."

"I would never be a match against someone like Leandro, but I think I am good enough to use basic attacks," Katana said, looking thoughtful. "Anyway, where were you yesterday morning? I told Lucrezia to tell you where I was, but you took ages."

"I was..." Junia paused, searching for a lie. She didn't want to say that she had been raking leaves and running around a forest. "Watching the workers at the forge. Exploring a bit."

"Ah," Katana nodded. "Let's go, anyway. The carriage is ready for us."

"Can you go ahead with Cloud?" Junia asked. "I need to find Leandro quickly."

"I'll come," Katana said instantly.

"I need you to hold up the carriage for us, though," Junia lied. "I don't know how long it will take me to find him, and I don't want the carriage heading off without me."

Katana sighed. "Fine. I don't like to be apart from you, but..." she shrugged. "As you wish."

She gestured at Cloud to follow her as Katana left the tent.

Junia counted slowly to fifty before uncovering the sword from under her sheepskin blankets. She held it close to her chest as she hurried to find Leandro, slipping through crowds of laughing Westerners. It wasn't hard to find him barking orders at a group of drunk soldiers.

"Hullo Junia," Leandro said, turning as he noticed her. "Need something?"

"I need you to look after this until we get to Lynne's castle," Junia said lowly. While the giggling soldiers turned to look at a 'bear'—a big rock that a drunk guard pointed out—she passed him the sword. He nodded and took it.

"Will do. I'll see you soon, kid," Leandro said.

Junia smiled and curtseyed before hurrying off to where the carriages were leaving. Katana was already inside one with Cloud as Junia threw herself in, shutting the door behind her.

"Why did you want to find Leandro?" Katana frowned.

"Something about Edward." The more lies I tell, the better I get at telling them.

"What about him?" Katana asked, lowering her voice as the carriage rolled forward.

"I wanted to see if Leandro knew where he was. I don't want to be near him."

Katana seemed suspicious, but she nodded. "Alright."

Junia leaned her head against the side of the carriage. It was made of wood and carved with small golden flowers, polished until it shone. Her fingers slowly traced the flowers as the carriage bumped along a small path.

"These flowers remind me of the marigolds that used to grow in our gardens," Junia muttered. "When I was born, my parents considered naming me after the flower. But then a harsh winter once came and the marigolds in our gardens never came back. Lachlan thought it would be bad luck to name me after a flower that couldn't survive winter. He said that he wanted me to grow through anything. Spring, autumn, summer, winter... he wanted me to stand strong through anything. It sounds silly, but it made sense to Lachlan." Junia laughed to herself. "My father was a strange man. But I miss him so much."

Katana watched her in silence before her gaze moved to watch what was going on outside the window. She sat like that for some time before replying.

"My father also found some symbolism in names. He kept his mother's surname of 'Westerling' instead of 'Everwood' after Lucian became king." Katana paused. "I was named after a sword because he said I would be as lethal as one. It was a name that was meant to protect me." A shrug. "But then the Southern War came, and no one protected me then. I became close to Ethelind, but she was caught, and I haven't seen her since. When I found out Lucian had her, I stopped fighting, and let them capture me, too."

"But Ethelind is with Landon," Junia replied, her eyes on Katana. She had to admit to herself that she was a bit jealous of Katana's adoration of Ethelind, although she wasn't petty enough to acknowledge it aloud.

"I know." Katana cracked a weak smile. "And I'm with the Everwoods while she remains loyal to the Shadowharts."

She unsheathed her dirk for the first time and twirled it between her fingers skilfully. "It was Ethelind who taught me how to defend myself."

"I've never met Ethelind before," Junia replied.

"And nor should you want to," Katana said wryly. "Ethelind is a confusing one. Her loyalties never seem fixed, and she is only ever playing her own game. You crave her compliments, her knowing smiles, but you fear her spies, her sharp tongue and lethal anger. She is a warrior; no matter how much she puts you down, you can't help admiring her for who she is."

"I suppose there is some part of me that can't help it; she cared for me when no one else did. I was lonely and desperate, and having someone like that give me attention... it was all I craved. I would have done anything for her." Katana sheathed her dirk and turned away to stroke Cloud, clearly ending the conversation. Junia took the hint and was quiet.

It was some time before they reached the shining capital of Valkitia, heading straight through the gates. It was Edward who greeted them at the doors to the palace, and Junia flinched away.

"Yes?" Katana asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Katana. How nice to see you." Edward smiled lightly as he bowed. "I am here with bad tidings, I am afraid."

"How come?" Katana asked.

Junia frowned as she glanced at him from behind Katana's shoulder.

"The North are marching on us according to spies. They're only two days away."

"What?" Katana's eyes widened.

"Hello, Junia." Edward looked at Junia, ignoring her. "You might want to head in and, you know. Hide somewhere." He smirked. "We're going to have to prepare for a potential siege."

But I was learning how to fight and—

Junia forced herself to glare at him. "I will not hide when the North is upon us. I will fight for the South."

"Sorry to break it to you but you're in the West now." Edward shrugged ruefully with a lazy yet arrogant smile. "Our fighting is pretty pathetic. We are just humble farmers, after all. When they start attacking, I suggest you surrender immediately. Now, I must spread the news but you... well, you should probably prepare your best pleading voice."

Junia stared after him, feeling her fists clench as he disappeared.

She wanted to murder him and wasn't even sorry for the thought.

"I can't believe it," Katana said, shaking her head with wide eyes. "We need to prepare to fight back."

"You are with us, right?"

The look Katana gave her was sincere, and Junia could find no lie in it.

"Junia, I care for you so much more than Ethelind," Katana told her. "Ethelind... I never understood her loyalties. I cared for her, but I could never feel safe in her company. But with you, I can feel as if I am part of a family once again." Then Katana's grin came in. "Plus, Ethelind didn't have an amazing dog."

Junia cracked a smile back and took Katana's outstretched hand.

"We have only two days to live, it seems," Katana told her. "Would you honour me by spending them with me?"

Junia felt strangely calm as she replied, despite knowing what was coming. A fight where only one side would emerge victorious.

"Of course," Junia said. "I don't know who I would want more at my side."

Junia forgot about the sword with the fox head. There was no time for learning how to swordfight.

Maybe another time would present itself in the future.

But, for then, she just wanted to live.

Junia chose a bad time to be in the West 😳

Love you all,
Shelly M x