While I hadn't minded offering to help Ervin in the market, the man waved me off. Citing I had been through enough and could use some free time to wander around town and to let him do what he did best, which was supposedly charming the crowd. I could only roll my eyes. Whatever you say, buddy. But I'll take what I can get.

I found the closest tavern to take solitude in which was extremely quiet inside. Only a few patrons resided inside drinking and chatting amongst one another not so quietly, already on a few drinks already at the bar. I took a stool against the bar, one chair away from the group of me, leaning up against the bar and ordering a mug of something light this early. "Thank you." I thanked the bartender as he placed a pitcher in front of me and I took a healthy gulp of it, sighing as the cold liquid ran down my throat and settled in my stomach somewhere.

I started to pull out my coin pouch and took out a coin to hand to the bartender until one of the patrons suddenly placed his hand over my coin. "I got you son, as a thanks for everything." The man slid his coin in my place.

"Thank you." I tilted my head gratefully, raising my mug in and the men saluted back.

"Not an issue. Did you just get back?" The man gestured to the black stain on my upper arm, peeking beneath my sleeve.

"Yes sir. Just finished seven years in the mid lines." The patrons looked at each, looks of approval on their face as they nodded respectfully. It shouldn't have but it bothered me. I didn't need their respect or approval for anything. I shouldn't need it or have it. All I wanted was things to be normal. Nothing more or less. "Was there when General Cadman and Mathler approached the middle for the truce to be signed."

"What a sight that would've been." Someone laughed lightly, snorting derisively. "In any other way, General Mathler would've struck Cadman down without fear. She should've done so." My teeth clacked together, biting back the words that threatened to burst through as I turned to face the bar instead.

"Nah, we can only be grateful for the end. Forty years of war and for what? More land? Territories? Misunderstandings? It was a useless war to just gain more ego in either kings head." Someone grumbled but the man who paid for my drink interjected, while I only listened with vague amused disinterest.

"It wasn't King Roark who started the war but King Stefan. King Roark may have just wanted to end the war so he wouldn't have to keep dipping into his money to build up our army, but at least he tried to find ground with Bra'Ah, despite Bra'Ah's assassination attempts."

"Yes, the king would much rather spend his money on his daughters up-coming weddings. God knows how much he spent on Lady Cressida's wedding to the Baron." The men laughed but my ears pricked slightly at the information.

"The elder Princess is married." I spoke up, and the men's faces turned to me. "When did that happen?"

"About four years ago now. Before the Baron took station near Alothmore to help our soldiers on the front lines."

"Oh, Lord Northill." The men nodded.

"Yes, him. Decent man, the princess chose very well." Someone muttered.

"Nah, I think the Baron was a lucky man. Princess Cressida will make a great ruler without a doubt." The men muttered in agreement while I listened intrigued and processing the slow coming new information. Far as I remembered of Princess Cressida while I trained within the palace grounds, the eldest of all the kings twelve daughters and she took after her mother the late Queen Corvina in every way. Tall, beautiful, golden fiery hair and matching fire in her blue eyes. From a young age, Cressida followed just behind her father's steps, ready to cut down anyone with looks or words. Skilled in politics from a young age along with her sisters, she had earned the title of Lioness from an early age. A lot of us when young use to admire and be the youthful, arrogant lustful boys who couldn't help but imagine a place beside the eldest princess.

Though, my interest or desire hadn't been on Cressida.

"Is it still twelve daughters? Or has the King brought more daughters into this world?" I couldn't help the question and the men laughed, raising their drinks in cheers and delight as they laughed heartily at their king.

"Nah, it's the twelve daughters, or so we still know of. Can't imagine it's stopped Roark from indulging in the company of many beautiful women." One man shook his head in mild shock while another chuckled deeply.

"One has to wonder where those women came from and whatever happened to them."

"Word has it the King got bored and got their head cut off." Christ, even that was just a little too far-fetched, even for a king.

"Wouldn't surprise me. Afterall, many a men are wandering into the castle and coming out in separate pieces afterall. Have to wonder how far they pissed off one of the princesses or the king himself with their offer in hand."

Hmmm, this was new. One of the men - the one who paid my drink, noticing my intrigue leaned in close to divulge new information. "We've been getting visitors all around the Kingdom, even from across the oceans; rich and poor, apparently all are welcome. Though there hasn't been word of invitation in the palace but it's seeming to be many are seeking a princess for marriage. Afterall, who wouldn't want to marry one of them."

"Indeed," I hum in mock agreement, quirking a brow but the barman standing on his side of the bar obviously listening in since there was no one else around.

"Don't make light of it. You've been gone long enough but those women take after Princess Cress. Earning a hand with one of them is pure luck and good status and finding something priceless." He leaned in close, his single eye, filmy and blue staring into mine with an intensity that quaked my nerves. "Resourceful women, they set up a lot of refuges for people fleeing the war from either kingdom and for fallen soldiers and their families." The barman shook his head, his face expressing extreme awe and wistfulness. "But, there's something more going on in that castle."

"What do you mean?" I asked, leaning my arms on the bar.

"I don't think its guests getting killed over a slight with a princess or the king. Something darker plagues that castle. It's plagued the shadows of this city since Queen Corvina's death and whatever it is, it lingers. The royal family is the host for something dark and dangerous." His voice was quiet and soft, a smoothness to his words without stutter, sending goosebumps along my spine. The tension was broken by the chortling of the drunken patrons who laughed outrageously at the barman's words.

"Please...darkness and evil. All old tales. Anything dark and evil lives in Dengr' and they prefer to stay there. We are more than glad for that but the Unseen won't bother in humanities wiles and life." The barman shook his head, throwing a narrowed glare in my direction.

"Say what you will, but you trained within the palace. You believe in what you want. But I saw the battlefield once. I can believe it." With a final glower at me, he trudged off down the bar to clean the glasses left behind as some of the patrons left, stumbling out the door. I remained sitting, just staring at the spot where the barman once stood and rummaging over his words. I had lived within the walls and the castle. Hell, I'd even broken a few rules here and there as a young lad but dark things within those walls...No. I hadn't felt that way. I'd felt it only on the battlefield.

And I'd rather keep all those dark and evil things on the dead wastelands to stay.

"I must say my friend, you are looking mighty fine." Ervin was snickering quietly behind his collar. I scowled at Ervin, fidgeting with my collar which felt a little too tight around my neck. The uniform of a royal soldier fit too tightly over my chest and shoulders. Bloody hell, I would much rather be wearing just simple worn clothes or battle clothes. I'd be more comfortable than dressed up and appearing presentable. But thank God I at least got a damn bath. A much needed bath after a couple days travel with another person and some horses. Ervin was tittering and tsking at me like a mother hen and now his hair was a little shorter after he got it cut earlier. My hair hung below my chin, a little rough and messy but cleaner than it had been in a while.

"Too bad you didn't see Little Mrs. Peri. She was delighted to hear that you survived and hopes you'd stop by at some point at her shop." Ervin winked at me and I gave him a dark look, following the line of soldiers walking up the castle stairs. The castle towered over us, reminding me of the first time I saw it.

I was certain I almost shit myself, especially with the soldiers that liked to spook us kids in training.

"Hey Vin," Ervin glances at me. "While you were busying yourself and whatnot, I noticed some of the new buildings near the church that I don't remember being there when I was here?"

"Ah, they're support homes. Built at Cressida's orders when she turned twenty. There were people leaving their homes that lived too close to borders. Some were coming through from Bra'Ah, looking for shelter." I couldn't help nod, a heap of respect coursing through me. "The Princesses, the older ones especially, are known to get involved in some form with the war. So, it's common to see them around the city volunteering their time and effort to help those that have been coming back home in the past few years." Humming silently at the thought but I wouldn't say I wasn't impressed. To have royalty involved and helping as much as they could wasn't unheard of but it gave more hope for the future monarchy, with Princess Cressida at the helm.

"Do you come to Norah often?" Vin shrugged.

"Once every few months. Always have new products to sell that I get from elsewhere and the city is open enough for merchandise and product." At my look, he frowned. "Why?"

Frowning silently as the line of men moved up the stairs to the castle and we followed with. "Since I got here, I've been hearing rumours going around about some coming to the castle or invited into the castle, looking for a hand-in-marriage-"

"Ah, that." Ervin hummed, shrugging as he seemed unsure of what to say. "I honestly don't know much about it, only rumours myself. But since I've been travelled here a handful of times the past couple years, apparently anyone, rich or poor, man and woman have been coming to the palace supposedly seeking a hand of the princess or even a favour with the king." Ervin bent over to fix the laces on his boots. He straightened with flourish, fixing his hair as he leaned in to speak. "But that's some rumours being spread around. I think that is part of the reason people are coming to the palace. But I've been hearing other things."

"Like what?"

"Well, you remember how the king was when Queen Corvina died suddenly?" I did remember but I was a young boy, visiting the capital city when news got around and my family mourned for the Queen who was said to have been beautiful, gracious, smart and caring. But her daughters, Cressida, Willow and Asterin took after her in every way, especially Cress.

Catching my look, Ervin nodded. "Yeah, the King was struck with grief but he moved on, not emotionally but ended up with a harem of women. When Princess Maeve's mother suddenly disappeared, the king grew incredibly strict with his daughters, even Cressida, forbidding them from even leaving the city, or at least without a whole squad of soldiers." He glanced over his shoulder at the soldiers a foot behind us and glancing at the city briefly. "Even now, a princess can't come into the city without an entire platoon of soldiers. I can't imagine the princesses would be too happy with that."

"They are royalty and the kings precious children. God forbid anyone laid harm to any of his daughters." I mutter, my mind flickering to a brief moment in the past. One young man had been running through the city and one young princess had stepped in his path and neither saw each other until they collided. If the princess hadn't stood up for that boy, that boys head would've been taken clean off. Grimacing silently at the thought but Ervin nodded in understanding. "But apparently, word of mouth going around is that the princesses have been leaving the city and it's driving the king insane and furious but he doesn't know how they are getting out. It's such a scandal." Ervin snorted.

"That sounds a little...far fetched."

"Yeah, that's my thought. But really, I don't know anything hundred percent." He raised his hands up an apologetic look on his face as he shrugged. "Anyway, those seeking a hand-in-marriage probably wouldn't get very far. The three eldest daughters are taken and they are the more prized of the daughters."

"They are? Princess Willow and Elza are married?"

"Nah, just Cressida. She's the only married one of the twelve but Willow and Elza are engaged to those of their choice. Willow is engaged to Lord Bram, don't know much about him. Elza's hand has been taken by General Mathler's niece, Kerrain Mathler."

"I thought I had heard strange smugness in the General when she said she would related to royalty." Rolling my eyes at the implication. Great. "But I've heard her niece is a decent woman, smart and educated."

"Yes, she is. Works in medical alongside Elza and Twyla in the city."

Before I could say more, the crowd of soldiers flowed into the large hall which had been spaced out and opened with large tables and chairs and most space was taken up by hundreds of soldiers. The large open hall was open and warm in colour, with red burgundy stone walls, the windows half covered in red, black and gold tapestries that had the emblem of the Kingdom of Noarth on it; a mountain lined in black silk thread on a red background with a golden thread circled around it as the sun. The tremor and hum of voices rose and fell in the hall as people mingled. At the other end of the room, on a higher step was a long table of polished mahogany and at least fourteen chairs sat on the other side, facing the crowd of soldiers and a couple of women sitting in them and two men. One chair in the middle was the larger of the chairs, polished and painted in dark burgundy and black that flickered a lighter colour in the candlelight from all around. And in it, sat King Roark who sat straight and tall in his chair watching the crowd with dark eyes. His hair was down to his shoulders and he was dressed in a simple uniform and a glass in hand, occasionally speaking to the woman and man who sat on his left. The woman was tall and slender but had wide shoulders and her golden hair was done in a rough braid and very little jewellery adorned her. She was clutching the man's hand next to her. Obviously Cressida and her husband. Ervin stood next to me as we take a glass from the table filled with red wine. Before we could take a sip of the alcohol, the king slowly stands from his seat and the room grows silent immediately, anyone sitting standing up with a drink in hand, turning towards our King who stands before us.

King Roark looks over the crowd and silence takes over the room, firelight flickering over the room and a softness filling out the room alongside some tension. With a hum, the King raises his glass of red wine and we follow suit.

"To our Fallen, we salute you. Bar-Hirim!" With a cheer, we all throw back our drinks, raising our glass in salute as the burning wine slides down my throat, making me cringe hotly. Spiced wine had never been my favorite but it had become a drink of Kings and soldiers to take. Ervin hissed, grimacing, clenching his teeth as he shuddered.

"Blah, that's...intense. But rich alright. I like it. Really wakes you up." Snorting, I place my glass on the table as the crowd picks up once again, but the voices are raised higher in volume and the energy is more vibrant and active.

"Indeed." I murmur, eying the crowd. Some soldiers move forward to meet with the King who seems quite happy to converse with his men. A band in the far right corner of the room had come alive, music ringing out joyfully and echoing merrily around the room. The wine was softening my senses but my shoulders were tight and aching as the number of bodies moved around and the sounds were loud but no matter what my head thought, all I could see was joy and lax soldiers indulging in the end of a war.

I needed a bit of space for now.

With a heavy sigh, I started stepping out of the group, ignoring Ervin's look but I gave him a slight wave and he turned back to the men he was talking to he and I remembered from our years earlier in training. Stepping through the hall doors and I stood in the smaller foyer where the stairs led upwards but soldiers stood at the bottom and outside the hall doors to prevent strangers from roaming the castle. We had come through the side of the castle where the throne room I had just come from was where the king did smaller celebrations or interventions with his people. This was an area I had lingered around when I was much younger and my brother had taken me around when he brought me along to train for the army. And this was the first place my brother had brought me to see when I completed my first year of training.

"Rhys, I don't think we are allowed here."

"Trust me, it's fine." Rhys didn't say anymore, his tone didn't leave much more for me to say he escorted me through the courtyard. It was late morning and the yard was busy with soldiers of all ages training together. Rhys took me past them and I still remained unsure of where we were heading but my nerves flickered when he led me to the side entrance, inside the castle which was expressively forbidden unless you had to.

"Rhys, why-"

"You have to see something."

"See what?" We stood inside a small foyer, with stairs before us and a bunch of soldiers around, eying us but Rhys paid them no attention and instead turned towards the wall where a few tapestries hung from the wall. But he stood me in front of the largest one.

"This is what you need to see."

Sighing, I raised a hand, letting my hand trail over the several names that ran down the length of the material but my eyes focusing on one of the names close to the bottom.

Dustin Athorp.

And there at the bottom on the next tapestry was another familiar that pulled me in instantly. My eyes burned hotly, my hand trembling as I traced the name lingering at the bottom.

Rhys Athorp.

"I'm sorry I could not save you, Dustin. I'm so sorry, brother." I played with the cross around my neck, head lowering in despair. "You always had my back, saving my ass and the one time you needed to be saved, I failed you." My lips twitched sadly. "But I know you'd be telling me to get over it and stop crying and start celebrating. I just...don't think I could ever really celebrate anything, knowing I lost you and dad...he's not well. The stubborn man he is. But, I'll go home and I'll give him hell for you for not taking care of himself as well." I stepped back, tucking my cross back in under my collar and I raised my fist to my chest once more. "Til we see each other next, brother." Stepping back slowly, arm lowering, I let out a heavy breath, bracing myself for the crowd beyond the doors.

"Such a heavy sigh like that is not permitted if you are going to be such a downer."