“It’s ‘my lady’ or ‘madam’ until you have earned my trust.” She swept out of the room, pausing at the doorway for a moment. Her shoulders drooped and she placed a hand on the doorframe, leaning against it for support. “I have been so impressed with your hard work recently. I thought you were truly trying to make up for your selfishness and restore what we have lost. But I see now that I was mistaken. You cannot think of anyone but yourself.”
“Stepmother... Madam, please.” Ashlin felt as though she couldn’t breathe. The disappointment in her stepmother’s voice was agonizing. “You are all I have left. I want nothing more than to go back to the happy family that we were. I will do anything to protect that.”
Her stepmother’s gray eyes were guarded as they looked back at her. Ashlin could still sense her sorrow, but she clung to the hope that they both wanted the same thing.
“Your selfishness has brought this family to the brink of ruin, and now it threatens the only hope we have left. I want to believe you are capable of growing past this childishness. Perhaps your work at the palace will teach you how to think of others as well.” She sighed deeply, as though untangling her thoughts while she spoke them. “For now, I think the previously discussed arrangement is oddly fitting. I will let you know if there is a greater way in which you can prove yourself.” She gave Ashlin a final glance filled with pity and then left the room.
Ashlin’s desire to cry had been replaced by a firm resolve. She had willingly taken on more responsibility as they had slowly let their servants go over the past few seasons, so this would not be much different.
Returning to the broom, she began to sweep the pile of broken shards into the tin dustpan. The delicate swan-shaped figurine had been a favorite of her mother’s. While tossing away the broken pieces, she almost lost her resolve. Her life could never be the same as it had been in her early childhood, but at least she still had the promise of a new family.
Chapter 6
“We have been steadily increasing the number of knights on guard here at the palace, and we will continue to do so for as long as we can.” Onric gestured towards the towers around the perimeter of the palace gates. “Every entrance to the palace has been doubly manned as well.”
Lord Munney listened attentively as Onric led him around the palace perimeter.
Ian followed as well, although he had already given the councilor a detailed account of the larger defense plans throughout the kingdom. As the crown prince, Ian was second-in-command of Iseldis’s troops. Onric, the second son, was in charge of the immediate defenses of the palace and capital city.
“Have you been watching for Majis spies here?” Lord Munney said, directing his question at Ian.
“We have been for some time now. However, that would be a question for Onric as the palace defense is in his command.”
“Ah, right.” Lord Munney turned back towards Onric.
“We have been speaking with all unrecognized guests to the palace since last harvestreign, so nearly a year. We have been keeping an account on each person’s reason for visiting as well as where they have traveled from and the duration of their stay.”
“Is this within the palace only?” Lord Munney asked.
“Currently, yes. We have not yet instituted these measures throughout the city...”
“With the upcoming ball, Crown Prince,” Lord Munney said over Onric, once again addressing his comment to Ian, “the city will be receiving an influx of visitors. I think it would be wise to extend these same precautions to the city gates.”
Ian nodded, but directed his own gaze to Onric. “The city is under Prince Onric’s jurisdiction.”
Lord Munney turned back to Onric. “Wouldn’t you agree?” His voice was curt and for the first time, he lost a small sliver of his gracious composure.
“Yes, of course,” Onric answered quickly, feeling the need to prove he knew what he was doing, even if he wasn’t the crown prince. “As I was saying, we haven’t yet extended these measures to the city gates, but we have begun discussions with the city guard to implement such measures as soon as the invitations for the ball are sent.”
“Excellent.” Lord Munney turned back to Ian. “Chendas has already received accounts of returning Majis attempting to reintegrate as spies on the coasts of Etrar and Allys. It is good to hear you are alert and ready here in Iseldis.”
Ian nodded once again, but he raised his shoulders at Onric behind the councilor’s back. He could only redirect the conversation so many times.
Onric rolled his eyes in response. He was used to it, even if it still hurt to be overlooked. He decided to take the conversation back into his own hands. “Have these Majis spies helped the examiners to learn more about the magic?”
“The few that have been captured are being sent to Chendas for that very purpose. Hopefully we should know more soon.”
“What other types of defenses can we expect from the findings of the examiners?” Onric kept his questions direct and firm.
“I cannot say for certain, as that is not my area of expertise.” Lord Munney spoke with the ease of one who had spent his life at court. “But they have hinted they are coming close to sharing a series of spelled items that can be used to deflect any magic-based attacks by the Majis.”
“That sounds promising,” Onric replied. “Do you know the strength of these spelled items?”
“Do you know the strength of the Majis’ attacks?”
“No, but I do know the strength of this castle, which is in my care.”
“Let us return to the Great Hall,” Ian cut in diplomatically. “I believe King Frederich wanted an audience with you, Lord Munney, to hear your opinions on our current status.”
