After the Shattering of the Arcanth, Vallenna’s calendar was renewed, with time being measured in Shard Cycles of four years: one of Earth, then Water, then Air, then Fire – before returning to Earth once more. The 1stYear of Earth marked the founding of Vallenna City.
–Caldris Historical Record, Vol. I
A few days. That was all the time Kara had to prepare since the conversation in her father’s study. Far sooner than she’d been ready, she was atop her golden valmare Whisper – the swiftest mount in Hale’s stables – riding south to Vallenna City with the rest of the Hale Arcalon delegation. They’d had two nights on the road already and were getting close. Whisper thundered across the open roads, the wind tearing through Kara’s hair. She loved it. The speed. Thefreedom.
“Kara! Don’t make me chase you!” Alys’s voice sounded from behind.
She slowed Whisper to a canter. “I’m stretching her legs,” she called back.
Alys, her cousin and closest friend, caught up moments later, eyebrows raised. “You racing to get to your betrothed?”
“Please don’t remind me,” Kara muttered.
“So, tell me about him,” she demanded.
Kara sighed. She would have to talk about him soon enough. “He’s...” she hesitated, “nice.”
“Ooooft,” Alys groaned, her smile fading. “That bad?”
“No, not bad exactly,” Kara said slowly. “I don’t really know him yet. He doesn’t talk much.”
Alys studied her. “I’ve heard he’s good-looking at least.”
At this, Kara smiled. “He is quite handsome, yes.”
“Then all is not lost, dear cousin. Hale will need an heir eventually.” She said it lightly, but there was understanding beneath – this is your duty, and we both know it.
Children. With Henry. Gods.
As they rode through the final Durent mountain pass that afternoon, Vallenna City came into view, with its sprawling tiers and spires topped with domes of burnished copper. The eight white marble towers reached high above them, the House banners streaming from their heights.
Alys wrinkled her nose. “They’ve put our banner next to Thorne.”
She was right. Their emerald-green banner fell proudly from the tower in between Thorne crimson and Caldris white.
“The herald doesn’t know his Houses very well,” Kara said.
“Or he does and thinks it’s funny,” Alys mused.
They joined the flow of travellers towards the city gates and Alys nudged her, pointing at the crimson-clad delegation far ahead of them.
“Speaking of Thorne,” she said. “They’re sending their heir this year too. I’m guessing he’s the tall one riding at the front.”
Kara glanced up the column of riders, curious after all the stories, and caught a glimpse of the back of a dark-haired man in black armour and a crimson cloak. He sat straight as a blade in the saddle, the other riders closing ranks around him without a word.
“Sebastian Thorne, the war hero himself.” Alys’s tone made it clear what she thought of that particular title. “I suppose he’d be useful on a team though, they say he’s brilliant with a sword–”
Kara snorted. “They also say he’s arrogant, ruthless, and thinks he won the Isles War single-handedly.”
Alys laughed. “Of course he does. He’s a Thorne. I’m sure you and he will get ongreat.”
“Oh yeah, best friends.”
“Just imagine if you’re on the same team. That would be hilarious.” Alys laughed. “For me.”
“It would be a disaster,” Kara said grumpily. “Hopefully neither of us have to put up with him.”
As they passed under the gates, they were swallowed by the roar of city life within – cobbled streets lined with traders, queues of riders on valmares headed towards the market square, music filling the air. White stone buildings surrounded them, their balconies draped with coloured banners of the seven competing houses. All of Vallenna had come together for the Arcalon, and in two days, she would be at the heart ofit. Tomorrow, though, she had one last day of freedom, with no mapped-out future, no expectations.
