I watch the maid run, she tries to keep her voice down but her panic betrays her, "T-there's any enemy mage, in the courtyard. They've invaded! They've invaded!"
I look around and find a good tree to rest under, crossing my legs and taking a deep breath, taking in the serene scene not meant to be enjoyed by someone of my birthright. I gather the raging currents of my river and calm them, it would be no good to waste any of my power here and now. Not when I have no idea how I'll be received by Prince Rythel.
It takes several minutes before I hear an organized clatter of steel boots thumping down the hallways connecting to the courtyard. They loudly burst into the courtyard in an organized fashion, all 4 connecting door swinging violently open at the same time.
But I'm long gone by this point, zipping through the air just above the castle walls, whooshing past unsuspecting watch guards. Their attention is not drawn to me, something much greater is happening, and they scramble to be the first to report it.
"Captain, Sir, CAPTAIN!"
The tanned olive skinned man with a sheen in his wavy shoulder length hair, a single red gloved hand, and an unbelievably beatifically adorned scabbard for a 4 and a half foot scimitar, steps out onto the wall. The wind flaps his dark red cape in the wind behind him, blowing his hair into his eyes.
He smoothly brushes it out of his face, he has chiseled features, hard as stone and glacier blue eyes, "Yes?"
"Captain, sir, I believe the army is retreating. As to why, I'm unsure, but this is huge news. We should tell the prince right away!"
"No. Good work reporting this to me, I handle the situation from here. Continue your watch."
With this he spins on his heels taking evenly paced but hurried strides back into the castle. Just before he enters the door, I suddenly feel his gaze pierce right through me, but when I go to look he's already gone inside. How ominous.
I've felt the magical traces of the prince and my most beloved idol, the Queen. I know my destination.
CRASH
Glass shards spray across the room, landing just short of the Queen, but spattering themselves across the prince who is still in bed, hair unkempt. Several cuts appear on the prince's face, his elaborate golden nightgown shredded, but altogether he is not seriously harmed.
The prince is astonished to be feeling pain, he renders into a complete state of shock once he feels the small bits of blood trickle down his face.
"WHO WOULD DARE?" Rythel furiously glares around the room but sees no perpetrator. His wrath turns to fear as he remember the massive army encroaching his personal freedoms, "D-did brother fire catapults? At me??? I thought you said he wouldn't kill me, Mama?" His eyes reverting from their carnal desire to punish any who oppose him to their more natural state, a deceptive wide eyed begging, his pupils perfectly dilating to fill his eyes with dark circles surrounded by his royal signifier, dark purple irises, which always seem the be shimmering regardless of the surrounding light sources.
The Queen's head was upturned, facing the ceiling, her mouth ever so slightly ajar.
Prince Rythel slowly raises his gaze in horror.
I'm upside down on the ceiling, a fly spell active to hold my position, a telekinesis spell holding my skirt in a respectful position, ironclad at my ankles.
I effortlessly drop, spinning around and landing without a sound in front of the Queen and that bastard. My knee touches the ground, my head bends, all directly towards her.
"My grace, it is truly wonderful to be graced by your presence again."
"Please rise, you're a trusted member of Rythel's inner council now, you only bow to me when formality and tradition call upon it." After another moment she adds, "I can see now you've found yourself. How marvelous. What can I call you now?"
"Jessica."
"No last name?"
"No ma'am, my parents were simple farmers."
"Then your name shall now be Jessica Spellweaver, from here and henceforth."
"As you command it." I rise, my gaze now dragging over toward the prince. I do a small curtsy, so as to not leave myself vulnerable to the suspicion of dishonoring my employing liege. This seems to finally break him of the stupefying spell he was under.
Rythel's face flashes with fury, "GUARDS THE GLASS BROKE! GET IN HERE!"
Immediately two heavily armored men zig-zag into the room, their halberds swooshing into offensive, threatening positions.
The Queen watches with a contemplative stare. She wants to see how I'll handle this.
Prince Rythel sneers at me, "I hope you're ready to pledge an oath of absolute obedience. That's the only way someone like you can be trusted in my service. I'm sure a commoner like yourself hasn't the faintest of what the royal oath can do. If you disobey, you die. As it should be."
"No thanks."
"W-what? How can you dare to refuse a direct command from royalty. I could have your head for this."
"Prince Rythel, you are in no position to make such demands. Do you think The Wizard of Ames of Beckan of the Blue Flame have made such oaths? You would make a mockery of yourself, why would your head wizard need such an agreement, unless the Prince is a fool or must make slaves of his most trusted council. I am simply doing my duty, giving you some clearly needed advice."
The Queen's face breaks into a subtle smile before she quickly extends an elaborately decorated fan, obscuring her mouth. The fan is covered with intricate golden dragons stitched thousands of times into the vibrant pink silk. It's a clear gift from the King, his family crest being that of a golden dragon. Yet the base color is something different, it's a signifier of a family or clan I don't know.
The Prince's sneer quickly retreats from his face as his brows furrow in an open frustration. "I-I don't want to be lectured by the commonwealth. But I see your-"
The olive skinned man with the scimitar quickly paces into the room, nodding to the Queen, looking over to me seeing the knights holding weapons directed at me—which he only addresses with a slight eyebrow raise—then directly addressing the Prince, "Your Highness, the enemy has withdrawn. I believe it will take another fortnight for them to return. But I believe they will do so in full strength." His eyes flutter over to me for a brief moment before he returns his attention to Prince Rythel.
"Captain Salem." The Prince has in incredibly difficult time transitioning to what should be wonderful news. I enjoy watching the inner turmoil battling throughout his body until it's completion. Rythel manages to finally mutter, "Why did they retreat?"
Furthering his humiliation, Captain Salem, takes two measured steps forward before saying, "My apologies, Your Highness, I was unable to understand you." Salem turns his head, his ear now directly pointed towards the prince.
"Why in the hells did my brother retreat? Have the gates been opened? Do we have fresh supplies?"
"Yes, Your Highness, 10 wagons full of food and fresh water have already been organized into our storage. We are currently managing the acquisition of new equipment for the soldiers, as well as attempting to figure out the logistics of a stockpile for once the enemy returns. The strategists believe that by delaying the siege we might be able to encourage a clash between your older brothers. We believe Prince Leon will be camped on their return."
I'll get to meet The Wizard of Ames so soon, my heart nervously twitches. For a brief instant my river surges. Captain Salem glances back at me. The guards are still threatening me with halberds so I just flash him a quick smile before he returns his gaze to the prince.
Prince Rythel attempts to retake control of the room, "Good. That's good. And what of our requested allies? Any news?"
Prince Salem looks down uncomfortably, Still no news. Although I've heard rumors that Duke Stallington has declared his allegiance to Prince Leon. There's still nothing official."
Rythel slams his hand against the bed angrily. "H-how dare HE? My offer to betroth his daughter is not something a glorified merchant like himself could ever dream of." He begins to nervously chew on his thumb, wildly glancing around the room.
Captain Salem finally dares to ask what's clearly been on his mind, "Who is this, Your Highness?" Gesturing over towards me, "The... enemy?" Uncertainty, bare in his voice.
"I-I-I, That's... I", The Prince stutters and stumbles before the Queen interrupts him, "Captain Salem, that is Rythel's wizard. Introduce yourself."
I deeply curtsy towards the Captain, "My name is Jessica, uh, Spellweaver." Salem's eyes are filled with shock as I say my last name. He looks at the Queen with a raised eyebrow and then to the prince with a mix of concern, pity, and frustration.
"I take it you were the one behind the retreat?"
A sly smile appears on my face, Prince Rythel's mouth falls agape, the Queen's eyes simply narrow the rest of her reaction deeply hidden behind her fan.
"I cannot claim know the inner workings of a royal army."
"But it was you that my men saw? Attacking the army?"
"Yes."
"What did you accomplish?"
"I slay 4 wizards and greatly maimed Ruthkar the Great. I cut his dominant arm and leg off."
A deep grin appears on Captain Salem's face. "Very excellent. They did not have troops to deal with a... powerful wizard. It would seem that one of the wizards you killed was Fire Orion, a high level general within Prince Leon's army. This and the other's deaths made it so that without retreating Ruthkar might have sustained permanent damage." So that tanky bastard is still alive, yay. "Without a doubt Jessica, you are why we have an opportunity."
Prince Rythel immediately fires, "It can't be possible, Salem. H-, er", Rythel nervously tongues the tooth that Jessica punched out of his jaw the last time he called her a slur, "She only just started learning magic." Looking down his nose at me, "You must've begged MM to do something flashy."
Captain Salem comes to my defense or maybe more accurately corrects the slanderous comment with more recent news, "I'm afraid the MM has been reported as sending an 'out of service' order to the King. She's currently said to be hiding and recovering her magic for the next 2 weeks."
Prince Rythel snaps, "I bet it was all a ruse." He humphs and crosses his arms.
Captain Salem now deeply frowns before waving off the 2 knights who've been slowly lowering their halberds. They look between him and the prince before Salem swiftly lectures them, "Go now. You've been dismissed by a superior." They quickly shuffle back to their positions in the hallway and closing the double doors that had been left wide open. "Prince Rythel, I hope you are not suggesting that a royally decreed wizard has not only lied to the King but that the King tricked. Such words are akin to directly criticizing the Crown of Darkathi. I trust that you'll take back such words immediately."
"I-, yes Captain Salem. I take my words back. MM did not commit such a falsity, that much I know." He glares at me before casting his vision downwards, "Captain Salem, with the enemy withdrawn, I would like to integrate my new master wizard into my army."
"Of course Your Highness, a wonderful decision. I will begin right away." He turns to the Queen, "Your Majesty." Deeply bowing before walking over to me, "Let's leave right away, Ma'am."
Ma'am? Is he trying to grovel to me? What for? I can tell at a glance he's of noble birth. Hells, I just cannot understand royal politicing.
I curtsy to the Queen and His Highn-ass and quickly leave the room.
Once we enter the hallway, as if reading my thoughts Captain Salem says, "You outrank me as the master wizard and direct council of Prince Rythel. Not to mention your status of Spellweaver. It is only natural that I should use proper titles with you in formal settings. As for how you'd like me to address you in private, that is entirely up to your discretion."
"You can call me Jessica."
He looks at me with a distant happiness and respect, "Then you can call me Salem for I have no last name."
"Really? I would've thought you were a noble."
"There was a time, but it's behind me now."
He doesn't seem to want to share, that's fine, it's probably a sad story so I don't particularly want to hear it.
"What exactly does the 'Spellweaver' name mean?"
"It means that you are a royally recognized wizard, it's more or less equivalent to being knighted but for wizards only." After a moment he adds, "It's a great honor. Though it has not seen as much use in recent years. Most wizards now hail from respected families."
"So the royals don't want to offend them by replacing their last name?"
"Pretty much."
We walk in silence for a while, stretching through the various hallways, as we progress the decoration becomes increasingly less expensive until we reach bare stone walls. Maids and garrison men stream by us, some nodding their heads to Captain Salem but most hurrying as if they were late for something. We round a corner and the crowd dies off, there are various parts of the ceiling dripping water continuously onto the ground with some of the spots growing algae.
To the right, there's a room with a door that's fallen off it's hinges and has been trampled into the ground. Inside there's no furniture and large scratch marks all over the floor and walls. Animal fur is clumped in various spots all over. It's completely windowless.
"What the hells is this?"
Captain Salem scratches the back of his and give me sheepish grin, "It's, uh, the room granted to you by Prince Rythel."
Oh that motherfucker.
After spending an hour cleaning up the animal fur and restoring the door, I'm called back to the prince's room. Upon my arrival we are immediately leaving again, descending to the courtyard. There's a large platform that's been built right where we entered and the prince immediately climbs it. I hear the chatter of a large crowd as I follow; I try to look as professional as possible but I feel incredibly out of place.
He stands in front of the entire garrison, the staff of the castle, and the many others who chose to gather, "This is my master wizard. Her name is Jessica Spellweaver. You are to address her with as much respect as you give me. Trust in her capabilities for she is the one who", the slightest grimace flashes across his face, "routed the enemy."
The garrison erupts into chatter, some cheering, some silent, most chattering with their peers as they all turn their gaze solely to me. I wave at them before taking Prince Rythel's place on the podium.
"It is a blessing to be meeting each and everyone of you here. I hope we are able to get along, I trust I'll need your support in the coming days. With that, I know we can win this!!" I hold up a fist and I'm met with an uproarious cheer. I'm glad I could make a good impression.