The halls were filled with silent servants in black—a dreary reminder of her loss that made the walk to her destination an increasingly exhausting practice.

We are all shadows without her. Amnicity thought.

A loud rumble of laughter echoed down the hall. Amnicity's back straightened as she pressed her teeth together. This would be more of a battle than she expected if these men did not even mourn. Even the lace could not obscure her vision from perceiving their smirks at the door from a few steps away.

"Announce my entry," Amnicity dictated.

"Princess Amnicity," the guard on the right spoke as both bowed. "Are they aware of Her Highness's arrival?"

"That is not of your concern. As the future Queen, this is my palace. Are you in the habit of questioning your leader?" Amnicity returned, halting before him.

"No, Your Highness," the guard on the left returned, glaring at his colleague. "We are sorry for our impertinence."

Amnicity stared at the guard on the right.

"Uh—yes," the guard on the right finally murmured. "I did not intend to offend the crown."

The ladies bestowed the guards with a questioning gaze, waiting for them to open the door.

"Well then," Amnicity sighed. "Are you to announce us, or shall High General Lessure learn of your disrespect after I dismiss you?"

The guard on the left opened the door for the ladies, clearing his throat. The four gentlemen became silent in their high back leather chairs around the oversized round, wooden table. Amnicity's eyes focused on the empty King's chair pushed against the back wall. She would ensure that the forgotten chair found its rightful place at the High General's Council.

"Guard Jeron," an older gentleman greeted, raising his glass. "Have they brought the next bottles of wine?"

Amnicity met the eyes of High General Serin, who slowly let his glass drop back to the table.  

"Princess Amnicity of Vetus," Guard Jeron announced. "And—uh, her ladies."

The four gentlemen quickly stood from their chairs, clasping a hand to their chests and bowing. Amnicity would have been more impressed if High General Breelon of Wrestan and High General Serin of Pran had not stumbled in the process. Except for James, all of the High Generals carried extra weight, and High General Breelon remained the worst of them. These gentlemen were once handsome examples of power and intelligence. Maybe an attachment to James would not be the wisest of choices. Amnicity smirked underneath the lace.

"I see you are all taking the loss of my mother quite well," Amnicity started, enjoying seeing even more color reach their cheeks. "And, High General Lessure, your guards need better training when it comes to etiquette. They questioned me for even wishing to enter this room."

Amnicity walked around the table until she stood beside the King's vacant chair. "Is there something they did not wish me to see?"

"Of course not, Princess. The guards are trained in the realms of protection and serving the crown, Your Highness. Etiquette is not part of their training," James responded evenly.

"Then perhaps they should have increased training in both areas as my mother is dead," Amnicity glanced at the chair against the wall while James took his seat. "Though, perhaps I can see where the folly stems. Guard Jeron, could you please help me with my chair and then call a servant to remove the wine. We will only be requiring tea and water for the rest of the meeting."

Lady Toria would later take great pleasure in describing each High Generals' face following Amnicity's orders. High General Breelon did well to swallow his words. While High General Serin quickly finished the rest of his drink. Only High General Ettore smirked, resting one hand upon his belly contently.

"Of course, Princess Amnicity." Guard Jeron moved the chair to its rightful place for Amnicity to take her seat.

"Lady Toria," Amnicity called with a slight wave of her hand. "Please remove my lace."

"Yes, Princess." Lady Toria provided a small curtsy while completing the custom with care.

"High General Lessure, it seems Lady Elry and Lady Toria require chairs. Since you are so eager to find yours, perhaps you could be so kind as to collect theirs."

"Of course, Your Highness." The sound of James's chair scratching upon wood remained the only indication of his distaste for the task.

Amnicity hid her shock at his sober state. Usually, the high generals had some minor coordination difficulties by this time in their meeting.

Amnicity sat down and motioned towards the gentleman with her hand. "High Generals, please be seated. There are matters to be discussed concerning the state of our lands."

High General Ettore gleefully took his seat while Breelon and Serin practiced a bit more caution in their actions, exchanging a subtle glance.

"Princess Amnicity," High General Breelon started. "Are you sure you can sustain such a conversation? Would not the King be better suited?"

"High General Breelon, one day, I will be the ruler of these lands, and my parents have made sure that my education would enable me to make wise decisions to benefit the people.  I am here to represent the crown. Thus, it seems there can be no question about my readiness, as there is a need for me to take an active role in his absence. I will be Queen, and it is time my people see me as such."

"Here-here, Princess," High General Ettore nodded, raising his empty wine glass.

"I worry that the High General's Council may not be able to sustain such extended conversations and make vital decisions in their current state of mourning," High General Breelon tried with downcast eyes.

Amnicity's eyes flickered to the wine and glasses being removed from the room.  "You had appeared to suffice thus far.  I could hear your mourning halfway down the hall."

"Chairs for Lady Elry and Lady Toria," James interrupted, waving his arm to allow the two servants entry. "There shall do."

Amnicity pressed her lips, watching James motion for the chairs to be placed against in the back corners of the room.

"Actually," Amnicity smiled. "Those chairs are to be placed beside me. One on the left and the other on the right shall do. High General Lessure and High General Breelon will simply have to move down. Now, who has been the secretary today?"

Lady Elry felt fortunate the lace hid her smirk as Amnicity spoke with the pompous High Generals concerning the brevity of the notes thus far. Well, High General Serin showed some ability to consider the Princess's redirection. However, his possible anger from being demoted to the treasury left Lady Elry uncertain of his motives.

"Where is the discussion concerning Tillen?" Amnicity asked, observing the men in the room.

"We felt no need for such a discussion, Your Highness," Serin responded. "It is in the land of Henta. Since the land is entitled to High General Lessure, it is only his concern."

"Who am I, High General Serin?"

High General Serin maintained the princess's gaze. "Princess Amnicity."

Amnicity smiled at Serin, placing her papers upon the table. "Princess of what lands?"

"Princess of Vetus."

"Princess Amnicity of Vetus. Does this not entitle me to the lands of Henta?" She tilted her head.

"Yes, Princess, but—"

Amnicity held her hand up to stop him. "The lands you guard are a curtesy from the crown. They are not inherited through a long lineage blessed by the Lord above but granted based upon the crown's discretion so that the people may have better representation to their monarchs. Is the understanding of the High General's Council contrary to this?"

"No, Princess," Serin muttered.

"Then, why is there not a discussion concerning Tillen to help me decide the best course of action concerning my people and the late Queen Christaline?" Amnicity almost hissed at the man.

"The rebels are currently guarding the borders of the town and refuse to allow us entry to regain the late Queen Christaline's body," James interrupted. "It has been decided that we should use force. What forces are available for this mission, High General Serin?"

"Has there been any discussion with the Tillen elders?" Amnicity stopped High General Serin with a raised hand. "We received communication from them before this incident when their crops were destroyed and sent them aid. Do we know if they feel comfortable with having further armed strangers within the confines of their village?"

"A troop could be readied by dawn," Serin smirked.

Amnicity leaned back in her chair and looked between the two men. "High General Serin, do you need tea?" Amnicity asked.

"No, Your Highness."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite, Your Highness."

"Then why are speaking of having troops ready when I, your future Queen, mentioned it not being a good course of action?" Amnicity asked with a steady tone that made Serin avert his gaze.

"It was previously decided—"

Amnicity leaned forward against the table while speaking in the same steady tone. "High General Serin, no such thing has been decided upon according to your notes. Only to one High General's word, that has since been rebuffed by a representative of the Crown to find a better solution."

High General Serin's lips thinned under Amnicity's gaze. She raised one eyebrow in his direction, causing him to concede a slight nod.

"Now, High General Ettore, what is the state of our food reserves?" Amnicity inquired.

"Adequate," Ettore provided. "The harvests from Kadence and Wrestan were plentiful this year."

"Good. We will have two carts loaded from our reserves to be delivered to Tillen. High General Breelon, would it be possible to have a water vessel sent with further supplies before the winter months settle?"

Breelon nodded. "Yes, Princess."

"Splendid, let the farmers know that they will be compensated. High General Serin, since you are so adamant regarding troops with High General Lessure, have a troop of fifty soldiers ready to leave tomorrow at daybreak for our departure. Be sure to brief them that they are meant to protect Her Highness and the reserves. These troops will not enter Tilen unless invited. They may be required to help rebuild parts of the town if it is a severe as expected. Sir Henry briefed us on possible damage, did he not, Lady Elry?"

Lady Elry nodded. "Yes, Princess Amnicity.  He included it in the correspondence from King Valander."

"High General Lessure, you look slightly upset. Do not worry; I am sure the tea will be here soon, and it may calm your nerves." Amnicity provided him with a slight smile before turning the notes back over to the men. "It is best you update the record for future reference."

Lady Toria coughed into hand daintily before resting a hand upon her chest. Luckily, refreshments arrived, and she could distract her mind from witty musings by attending to Princess Amnicity's tea. For Lady Elry's part, she memorized the interaction with zealous pride.

"What a delightful change this tea brings," High General Ettore smiled.

Amnicity inclined her head slightly. She took a moment to gather her thoughts and then pressed on to secure the plans for Tillen. Luckily, being escorted by High General James Lessure served as the only concession she had to make during her first meeting. Hopefully, he would be less bothersome on this journey and not wear that idiotic cape.

***

So, Amnicity has finally had to use her political mind for more than just matchmaking.  What do y'all think?