I have translated the book a little more. It is...strange. It has yet to mention anything about The Gift. It focuses on the uprising of the First Queen, Visara. The more I read the more I realise the true extent of the lies told throughout our history. Visara was not the hero we have been lead to believe. Though now I face a different problem. Do I write about what I have uncovered and tell people the truth? Or, do I keep it secret? For if people knew who Visara really was then will that impact our own Princess Illyana's claim to the Throne?

Perhaps, I won't even add this part to my book.

Perhaps, I'll be dead before I can even publish it.

Is this even a book anymore? Or is just a bunch of useless texts that will never see the light of day. I don't know what I am even writing any more. Am I writing history or am I writing my own account of what is happening in the castle during the True Trial? A Diary? I can't tell. Everything is a mess.

~Writings By Master Audwin

Three Years Ago

Our dining hall has been transformed. The Hall itself is long. The floors a cream marble with marble pillars rising up to the painted ceiling. Chandeliers of sparkling diamonds hang from the roof. Large windows sit equidistance apart down the walls. Tall and decorated on either side by soft silver curtains. The room is light and airy. That isn't what has been transformed.

We have all our meals in this room. The long table that runs down the middle is normally only set at the very end where my father and the five of us sit. Occasionally, it is set for more when we have guests or parties. Today, my father has gone all out. The white wooden table has been set perfectly. Crystal champagne flutes and wine glasses all sit perfectly in line along the table. The finest silver cutlery has been placed just as perfectly. Probably measured to ensure it is in the right place and angles. China plates sit in front of every chair, decorated with intricate swirls of silver. A napkin, white and silky has been folded on top of the plates also. Then, there is food going down the centre of the table. Plates full of extravagantly presented fruits, breads, cheeses and almost anything you could imagine. Tarts, cakes, yoghurts, salads, pasta and anything that we the kitchens could cook. I have to give our chefs credit.  They have done a magnificent job along with the servants who set the table. The table looks incredible. 

"Wow," the Solavar says as we look over the room. I then think about why my father ordered such a feast. These people come from a place that has very little food. Even less of that food actually tastes nice. This whole thing is a power play. Showing the Lupine how we are better than them. I gulp nervously and wait for my father and the council to enter behind me. My father gives me a glare as he walks past me. He walks to the head of the table. His chair is slightly bigger than all of ours and more intricately decorated. He sits down. We all find our places and follow suit. The council members sit closest to him. I am placed next to Councilman Flarain, the Councilman of Medicine and Healing. On my right, sits the Solavar. Opposite, my sisters sit. Various other members of both the Lupine soldiers, our own soldiers and some other Nobles sit at various places down the table.

"Let's eat," my father grins. Everyone reaches forward, helping out food onto their plates.

"This is quite the selection of food," the Solavar says to the king, sounding impressed. "Your chefs have done a fine job," he continues, his voice deep and accent thick.

"Where is the meat?" a Lupine next to him asks. The Solavar gives him a warning look. My father smiles.

"I am sure my men brought you along the paths through the Flatlands," he says. The Solavar nods. "You should have seen all the hundreds upon hundreds of crops that were growing," he begins. I take over.

"The soil of the flatlands is very fertile and perfect for growing a large variety and quantity of grains, fruits and vegetables," I continue. "We do not see the point in wasting such fertile soil on growing grass to feed livestock. Especially when a field full of crops feeds more than a field full of cattle." He nods his head and smiles.

"I see," he replies. The room falls into an awkward silence before one of the councilmen makes a crude joke and my father laughs. Fallon looks at me before dramatically rolling her eyes. I laugh and shake my head. The councilmen all begin to chatter amongst themselves with my father. Ignoring everyone else as they laugh loudly and shout their jokes at each other. Cordelia, Rayana and Shaelyn eat nervously and quietly as they whisper to each other. Some of the Lupine talk in their own language to each other and I don't know what the rest of the soldiers and Nobles are doing. Probably keeping an eye on me and the Solavar to make sure I am not "attacked" again. Fallon leans back in her chair, bored and picking at her food. My father sees this and frowns but doesn't do anything but go back to his conversation. I also nibble at my food. Not because I am bored and don't want to be here, but because I am nervous. This is all very strange. Lupine are in our home and my father and the council are sat making cruse jokes and laughing as though they were having their very own private dinner. What they should be doing, is beginning talks of peace. That is the reason why the Lupine are even here. I sigh and I can tell that the Lupine are just as annoyed with the blatant disregard and disrespect the king has shown them. I look at the Solavar.

"I am very sorry for my father's actions," I tell him with a sigh. He smiles warmly.

"They were as we expected," he replies. I look down, feeling ashamed. Licking my lips nervously, I look back up at him. "Though you were not what we expected," he replies. I feel my face get warmer with a slight blush. I let out a small laugh.

"You thought we would be just our father. Spoilt, petty and entitled?" I ask.

"I am ashamed to say, yes," he replies.

"Do not be ashamed," I reply. "I thought you were going to be disgusting, mutilated savage. A monster who is neither man nor wolf." He laughs. "Our stories here certainly don't lack imagination," I tell him.

"No," he replies with a warm smile and I can't help but smile also, my heart fluttering.

"So, what do you think of the capital?" I ask. He looks around at the room.

"It is certainly spectacular," he replies. I nod my head.

"Yes, our home is...beautiful," I look down at the last word before quickly looking back at him with my smile. "Perhaps, I can show you around the rest of the castle and city. If you would like that of course," I say. He nods his head.

"I would like that, princess. It is interesting to see places so different from our home," he replies. I nod my head.

"Yes," I gulp. "I bet it is." I sigh deeply and look back at my father who now pays no attention to any one of us at all. I look over at Fallon. Her eyes are scanning the Lupine intensely, an amused smirk on her face. I laugh and shake my head at her.

"What?" she asks me.

"I know what you're thinking," I say. Her eyes widen innocently. Though darken again as they fall on the Lupine woman next to the Solavar. She smirks, her eyes not being subtle as she gazes over the woman. I laugh and pick up a grape. When my father and the council aren't looking, I throw it at her. I put a fair amount of strength into it and it passes through the air in a blur. Her reflexes are sharp and she catches it out of the air without even looking. Then, her eyes roll back over to me and she raises an eyebrow. Father, who had seen something out of the corner of his eyes, goes quiet, looking between us. Fallon and I just smile politely at him and he turns back to his friends and starts joking again. Fallon gets this glint in her eye and I tense, shaking my head at her. Don't do it, Fallon. She smiles and I see a flash of silver. My palms clap together in front of the Solavar, catching the little blade between them, the sound making people jump. The Solavar just raises an eyebrow and lets out an impressed laugh.

"Illyana..." my father begins, "what are you doing?" he asks. I clear my throat.

"Nothing," I reply, the lie coming off smoothly.

"What's in your hand?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say again, holding both my palms open to him. Just managing to sneak the tiny little silver throwing blade into my skirts before he looked. He narrows his eyes and looks between me and Fallon again. "Behave," he warns. We both nod our heads and start eating again as he goes back to talking. I look at the Solavar next to me. He has an amused smile on his face. As do some of his other warriors. My eyes then fall back onto Fallon. She is trying to show off. I raise an eyebrow at her. She grins at me. 

"Slut," I mouth at her. She laughs, not denying it. Then, she gestures for me to throw the knife back. I shake my head. I have already pissed father off enough for one day. She raises an eyebrow and gives me the same, don't be pathetic look that she had given me earlier. Knowing that when she gives me that look, I can't back out of a challenge. I let out a huff and look around casually. Beneath the table, I spin the tiny little blade in my hands, waiting for the right opportunity. It comes when Lord Drake tells a seemingly hilarious joke. Whilst the councilmen roar with laughter and raise my hand and flick my wrist. The little blade glinting through the air toward Fallon. A blur. She catches it with ease and quickly ducks her hands away before father can see. I bite at my lips trying not to laugh. Fallon grins at me and I know her next plan is not going to end well. She scans the Lupine again. I shake my head slowly. She just licks her lips, her eyes bright with mischief. I clear my throat and stand.

"Illyana?" my father asks.

"Yes?" I ask.

"What are you doing?" he says sceptically. He knows something is going on.

"I was just going to talk to the other Lupine," I say, "as is my duty as the princess," I explain. His eyes narrow again and his jaw clenches. He doesn't stop me though. If I do it, it saves him from having to do it and be distracted from his conversation with the Council. I move away from my place and down the line of Lupine, my eyes still on Fallon. My eyes fall back on father and I know I have to make it look like what I actually said I was doing. So, I stop by a few, smiling politely. My eyes quickly moving between them and Fallon.

"I am Kovan," one of the Lupine warriors says.

"It is nice to meet you, Kovan," I smile. He is one of the larger ones. He must be over six and a half feet tall and even though he sits and I stand, he still comes up to my shoulders. A wall of muscle beneath scarred and tanned skin. Handsom too, his dark hair cut short and slightly scruffy. A cheeky smile and tattoos visible beneath his leathers. I recognise his voice as the Lupine who was speaking to my father before the Solavar. "What is your job within the Lupine courts?" I ask casually.

"I am the Solavar's most trusted warrior," he tells me with a wide grin. The woman next to him, who is the woman who was on the other side of the Solavar laughs and slaps him on the back hard.

"Keep telling yourself that..." she says. I laugh and go to take a step toward the next warrior. However, a glint has me diving back toward Kovan quickly. A curse word leaving my mouth as I nearly dive over him. Just catching the little silver knife in front of his face.

"Fallon!" my father roars. Kovan just starts laughing as I step away from him, my heart rate starting to slow down again after my moment of panic.

"Holy shit," he says, looking between the two of us, a wide grin on his face.

"How dare you," he snarls and I think he is more embarrased at her lack of manners than the fact she just threw a weapon at our guests. "Leave this hall," my father snarls at her. She sighs and stands.

"Fine," her bored voice mutters as she rolls her eyes. "I was bored anyway," she continues and starts walking away, looking back over her shoulder to wink at Kovan. He gulps and I move back to my chair, knife still in hand. The hall has gone silent now as everyone looks between us.

"Illyana," my father says lowly. I turn to him and I can see him trying not to smile. He gestures to Fallon's back. I raise an eyebrow and shrug. With a grin, I flip the small blade in my hand and then launch it through the air. Fallon lets out a shout, her head snapping back as it passes by her face and burries into the wall next to her.

"Fuck me!" she shouts, looking back at me as she grabs the knife from the wall. There is a grin on her face as she looks at me. I laugh and she blows me a kiss before leaving the room. Father sits back down and smiles. Happy that I had managed to show off my skills in front of the Lupine and give Fallon a scare at the same time.

"Please, don't let my daughter's rudeness interrupt your meal," he tells the room as they process what just happened. I look back at the Solavar with a shy smile. He is looking down at me with curiosity, a confident smirk on his face.

"Sorry," I say, "Fallon likes to push..." I explains. He laughs.

"Do not worry about it, Princess, that is nothing compared to the meal times we have back home," he says and chuckles deeply. I am about to speak again when I feel a hand on my leg to my left. I look to Councilman Flarain with a cold glare. He is a little drunk now and his clammy hand is right on the top of my leg. I lean toward him.

"Stop touching me," I snarl in his ear. He chuckles and leans toward me, his hand coming up higher.

"Princess..." he mutters in my ear. "Don't be so entitled," he grins. I close my eyes and let out an annoyed sigh. "Daddy is already angry at you for embarrassing him earlier. Add that with your sister's performance... Well... What would he say if you now make a scene about one of his councilmembers in front of our guests?" he laughs, his hot breath tickling my ear as I shudder. "We both know what your daddy does when you step too far out of line, Princess," he says as the stench of his alcohol-filled breath burns my nose. I shudder and glare at him with rage. "Now, just play the part of the obedient princess," he grins as his hand continues its way up my leg. I gulp, my hands shaking. I look to my father, trying to get him to help me. He looks at me and his councilman's arm out of sight under the table before looking away. I let out a little whimper. I don't know why I feel betrayed. I should have known he would do nothing. "That's a good little princess," he whispers in my ear. I try not to vomit as his hand begins to scrunch and pull up my dress. I don't know what to do. My father has made it very clear in his blatant disregard that he does not care about what is happening. However, that will change if I make a scene. Especially after what happened today in the throne room when I already disobeyed him. Perhaps, this is his way of getting back at me for that. My whole body is shaking as his hand makes contact with the skin just above my knee cap having moved my dress out of the way. 

"Princess, are you okay?" The Solavar asks next to me. I look up at him and lick my lips.

"I'm fine," I answer quickly. He frowns and looks at the fork shaking in my hand. I look back at the councilman who grins at me. The Solavar frowns and looks down at my legs, seeing the hand of the councilman ruffle around under my dress. He stands slowly.

"Your majesty," he begins. "I have noticed that your councilman is acting inappropriately toward your daughter," he states. The Councilman's hand snaps away and he stares at the king. My father doesn't say anything. My father, realising that everyone is now aware of what has happened, glares at the councilman.

"Is that true, Councilman?" he asks.

"Absolutely not, your majesty." My father nods.

"Well then," my father says. "Just be careful about where you are putting your hands. We don't want our guests to get the wrong idea about how we treat their princesses, do we?" he asks.

"No, your majesty," he replies.

"Thank you, for looking out for my daughters. Even if there was nothing there to report, I am still grateful that you brought something like this to my attention," my father diplomatically says and I grit my teeth. The Solavar bows his head.

"Though we may not be on the best of terms, it is still our duty to look out for Vivelle's princesses," he replies.

"We are grateful," my father smiles.

The Solavar sits down again but does not stop speaking. He has the room now.

"You know," he begins. "In our culture any man or woman who inappropriately touches another without their consent..." he pauses and looks at the councilman with a cold glare. "Get's their non-dominant hand cut off. If they do it again, then their dominant hand gets cut off too. If they offend a third time, well, then they lose their sexual organs. If they do it a fourth time then they are executed." He stops.

"That's very... Brutal," My father says, looking down on their way.

"It is," the Lupine agrees. "But we don't have to carry out this punishment very much at all," he tells my father.

"Well," my father smiles. "It is always interesting to learn about other cultures," he replies. Then, he goes back to chatting with his friends and the room continues as though nothing has happened. I look back up at the Solavar and smile softly before picking at my meal.

My sisters catch my eye and I smile softly at them before standing up. 

"It is time," I begin, "Now that everyone is comfortable and on friendlier terms, it is time our King began negotiating peace," I smile. "Of course, there is no place for me and my sisters here so we will take our leave along with all other non-essential members attending this meal." I smile to the room.

My father nods his head.

"You are all dismissed," he replies and I begin to walk away, my sisters rushing behind me along with others leaving the room. I know they won't start talking yet. Not until all the servants have finished clearing the tables. I wish I was there, but it is not my place. Plus, I just want to get as far away from my father and the councilman as possible.