Galorien was once known for its unmatched power at sea. Its people had been seafarers as far as written history was concerned. They were known to build the sturdiest ships and navigate storms as if guided by the gods of the open seas. Their warships were years ahead of its neighbors that it was utterly foolish to face the kingdom’s naval fleet head on. Dawn’s father was once a general of the Royal Naval Fleet. However, despite her people being known to be great sailors, the woman was relieved to be on dry land again.

The Maiden’s Gem had safely docked. Its passengers, the entourage of Lord Caius Le Roux, Duke of Masseria, Overseer of Galorien, were escorted to the castle. Nissius, though, was more than a day’s ride from the nearest port and if sitting in a ship was tiring, riding on horseback was more so. Not that she was not used to travelling on horseback, she just didn’t like travelling much. The duke, the duchess, together with Elys and one of her older brothers rode inside a carriage. Of course she was given invitation to ride with them, but she had to politely decline. Unlike them, Dawn didn’t come all the way to Nissius for a vacation. She had a purpose, and to complete it, she needed every ounce of information she could absorb, like perhaps the main road and other possible escape routes. Although she hoped it would not come to the point where she had to run for her life. If all goes well, she would be riding home with the Lord Caius’ family.

The city built on the mountains was already visible on their second day on land, and by the fourth, they were entering through the gates. It was her first time in the capital, she told Elys on that day in the ship, but she never mentioned that it might also be her last. The walls that protected Nissius had stood for centuries, but it was the least of her concerns. The towers that were maintained by the Arcana were what she had to worry about. None of her so called friends dared infiltrate the capital for fear of losing their life for something obviously foolish, because none of them were like her.

Dawn had a beautiful gift of the mind. It was an ability so rare that it was a legend in some parts of the empire. The emperor had under his control every known mind mage in the empire, and there were only three of them. Three, plus there was Dawn. It was a gift so subtle that it would take another trained mage to figure out that one is using the magic to shape other people’s perception of the world around them, just as she could shape her own thoughts to protect the secrets inside.

The entourage had long passed the gate and was now welcomed into the castle grounds. She smiled and quietly thanked the soldier who helped her down her horse. The palace was as grand as the descriptions she heard from the duke and his wife. Had it not been housing the very people who took her freedom and the freedom of her countrymen, the lives of fathers, mothers, and children, she would have been in awe.

The little girl, though, was obviously thrilled. She hopped off the carriage and stood with her neck craned back, looking up at the looming structure of white and gold and glass. She was awfully quiet, which meant quite a lot. Her brother came down next, then her mother and father. Dawn stayed behind them, and quickly curtseyed when the duchess looked over her shoulder to check on her. 

“Come with us,” she invited. 

Dawn complied without question, walking beside Elys and talking to her in a gentle tone as the child’s high-pitched voice escalated whenever she would point out something that excited her. “Can I stay in your room?” Elys asked Dawn.

“Elys darling,” the duchess bent down and guided the girl’s shoulder away from Dawn. “She is tired, let her rest this afternoon.”

“But mother…”

“It’s alright, my lady. Elys can stay with me, I’m not that tired afterall.”

The duchess shook her head. “None sense, dear. We will be dining with the king and his sons tonight. It is most advisable for every one of us to look our best. I advise you, therefore to rest.” She turned her attention to her daughter. “You as well, Elys.”

**************

Her voice was barely audible, but Sig heard it well. He was not born with the gift like his brother was, but he surely had a good sense of hearing. This, he though, must be because of all the eavesdropping he did as a child. He was a very curious child, and he grew up all the more thirsty for knowledge and information. 

The crown prince turned to the source of the voice, but he knew the face in his mind before he actually saw her standing there. “Thank you, Risey,” he answered.

Today, she was dressed simply, wearing what most of the servants would. He studied her a moment, disguising it with indecision whether or not to honor their mother’s request, wondering what was it with this girl that his brother liked. Sig did not consider himself a snob, but he had never had the connection that Jan had with servants. He did not dislike them, but he also did not prefer to be spending time with them. In fact, he was very capable of living on his own without servants. 

Nevertheless, frowning, the crown prince asked of the woman, “Did she lost something of her possession again and would ask me to order the knights to scour the city?” Or perhaps she had news regarding his future bride – a woman she had never even seen. “Lead me to her, then.”

Sig walked to the servant girl and waited for her to walk and lead the way. The castle was one big maze if one was not familiar with its alley ways and secret passages, but surely Risey had mastered all of it. Perhaps she even knew of other passages that he wasn’t aware of. The queen was not a very patient woman, even with her sons. She was fierce in protecting and loving them, but she was easily disappointed by how his boys ignored her more and more as they grew up.
He sighed, looking sideways at his quiet companion. “I do admire you,” he started as they rounded a corner and enter another long deserted hallway. “Neither I nor my brother has the patience to put up with our mother on an hourly basis. You must have a lot of patience. She can be insufferable, but we do love our queen. I just sometimes…” The prince sighed again. “Never mind.”

She was not on his “to worry about” list at the moment. He was still not convinced about the security around the castle and in the city. Perhaps he should test it himself. Perhaps…

The pair stopped in front of a pair of doors, which was clearly the royal apartment. He thanked Risey for her help then pushed open the door. He closed it again and turned to the servant. Looking left and right to check if anybody was close enough to hear what he was about to say, he leaned close and whispered something before turning back and entering his parents’ room.

“I need your help,” he had said. “Go to my room tonight, after dinner.”