Commander Michael decided to walk back to the lower garrison he needed the breathing time. His younger sister had light injuries considering what she had probably been through she had slept but awoken after only four hours sleep she’d requested her armour and sword. A slow smile crept across his handsome face, he’d always loved his sister’s spirit and keenly felt for her as she tried and failed repeatedly to gain their father’s approval. Willow had bribed some of their father’s knights into training her to be a soldier when being a girl failed to get a response. Willow flat out told them when she was but nine years old that if they didn’t teach her she would ask one of the many mercenaries that passed through to teach her no matter the consequences. This had sparked outrage and she had won her first battle. Chuckling at the memory Michael’s smile grew even larger. The knights had been gentle at first but her natural and agile skill soon had them intensifying her training. Sir Mathew had taught her to play chess teaching her the fundamentals of strategy; he never won a game of chess again. Lady Martha the apple of their parents’ eyes had watched Willow with bemused politeness and had rarely spoken with her. The thought of his twin sister knotted Michael’s stomach, he prayed she was safe she tended to be foolhardy and he hoped that she hadn’t taken such rash action this time.

A warning shudder ran through him, he spun round his eyes scanning the streets, seeing no movement he shook himself but paused someone had been watching him from an upstairs window he walked towards the house but stopped as he scanned the street there was the usual traffic but Michael noticed two beggars whispering near an alley that ran next to the house they turned and Michael chuckled he walked over to them.

“Louis and Newton what would you be doing here?”

“Still a free city ain’t it?” Newton replied pushing back his dirty blonde hair.

“Really, you’re not up to anything at all?” Michael asked feigning surprise.

“What you don’t believe us Commander,” Louis replied in mocking tones but a hard glint came into the young man’s blue eyes.

“Anything I should know about?” Michael asked quietly not everyone in the lower city wanted trouble with the watch.

“Probably but we don’t know either something is wrong but we haven’t found out what. Just watch yourself my lord.”

“Thank you. Send my regards to your watcher.” They nodded and walked away many knew not to hurt the lower garrison commander who had won the respect of one of the four rulers of the Undercities.

Michael continued on his way be a little more cautious of the movements around him within the city until he reached the lower garrison. He walked through the arch leading to the courtyard allowing the shadows to briefly engulf him he spotted Captain Colin and made his way towards him.

Captain Colin was yelling at a foot soldier. “You think that it is respectable to be covered in rust working on the king’s gate, and your sword can you even remove it from that warped scabbard?” He bellowed. The soldier bowed his head as he listened to his punishment, his wages would be docked and his duties changed.

“You are dismissed soldier.” Captain Colin barked turning away. He spotted Michael and smiled. “Commander, you have returned. Is Willow well? Must have been some fight.”Michael started. “What? Why?”

“Are you joking her armour was coated in blood and her helm split, I don’t know if it can be fixed?” He added he noticed Michael’s pale face.

“Has her armour been cleaned? She wishes it back.”

Colin smiled his boyish features lighting up. “All cleaned and her sword re-oiled, though you might have to fight Delran to get it back.” He added chuckling which quickly turned to a sigh as his features darkened.

“Is everyone at home safe?” Michael took Colin’s arm and propelled him towards his private quarters. Once inside he threw himself wearily into his chair and motioned for Colin to sit.

“My sister Martha has been kidnapped and the castle is recovering from attack.” Michael whispered rubbing his taunt features. His thoughts turned to King Edward, he was curious to know Edward’s next move. Castle Alexandra was one of the largest and strongest defences on the frontier, the continuous war between the Emberglow kingdom and the Shadow wasteland had caused fortifications like his father’s home. People born within the towns and castles on the front line soon learned to deal with death from a young age, the frontier was harsh and many chose to leave.

Colin’s silence began to penetrate into Michael’s distracted mind. He looked up into pale and worried features memories of his childhood friend swam before him, the way he had watched Martha, tenderness and love filling his eyes. Michael filled two goblets of mead and handed one to Colin.

“I’ll let you off evening duty but you must take my sister her effects.” Colin nodded and downed his mead he grimaced at the sweet taste.

“Why do you drink this?” he asked coughing.

“My baby sister loves mead. They still brew it on our estate.” Michael whispered. Willow had invested some money from her estate with a brewer couple, they had tried to pay her back but she wasn’t interested in the money in return they gave her free mead and ale which was greatly appreciated. When their lord father had found out he had scorned her for not thinking things through saying she had no sense of business since the ingredients used where mainly from the Alexandra stores, to this she replied that they supplied her free mead and ale for her retainers then he went on to scorned her for drinking. Michael shook his head their father had little praise for Willow and he had never understood it, she had been an engaging child until their mother… he allowed his memories to trail away.

Colin noticed the pained look on Michael’s face and misunderstood. “It must be hard for you Martha is your twin after all.”

Michael sighed. “I am worried about Martha but my thoughts are preoccupied by my little Willow. Willow is like a flower caught in a strong wind it can bend but to much force and the stem snaps” revealing his love and protectiveness of his little sister.

“Still have the heart of a romantic I see.” Colin teased secretly moved by his friend’s gentleness he and his younger sister shared many of the same traits and both had almost otherworldly beauty about their features though Michael had darker straight hair like his twin Martha.

Michael snorted refilling his goblet. “No, she’s like a rose Colin she has thorns but yet the flower is still delicate.” He sighed, “Maybe your right I have the heart of a romantic.”

Colin chuckled. “Don’t worry so much Michael she is stronger then you think.” Colin placed his goblet on the table and stood he saluted and left Commander Michael to his troubled thoughts.

The cool evening air washed over her drying her hair the air carried the smells of the city but most over powering to her was the smells drifting from the royal gardens. She had bathed and it had helped to wake her but it also made her muscles ache she rubbed at her stiff muscles with a groan her hand paused over the freshly bandaged wound to her side it was healing nicely considering she had had little time to care for it as she had made haste to her brother and father. Shivering she walked into her room and pulled on her cloak and then returned to the balcony she stood looking out over the vast royal city.

A knock startled her, “enter.” She called not turning.

Colin entered and closed the door he gasped as he looked up at Willow. Her hair glossy with health fell loosely down her back over her fleeced lined green sleeved cloak. She suddenly turned, her almond shaped eyes darkened with laughter. She raised an elegant eyebrow, her high cheek bones and straight nose gave emphasis to her looks and her milky coloured skin made her lips seem even redder as she flashed him that devastating smile of hers.

“Are you okay Colin?” He saw her lips move and mentally shook himself.

“Yes I brought you your armour and sword but your helm is at the smithies.” He moved toward the ottoman at the end of her four poster bed, the hangings where in a rich green and gold and seemed to enhance Willow’s features more. Realizing he was staring he put her armour on the bed and inwardly chuckled the siblings really did all have beautiful faces even Michael’s though he would never say it to his commander’s face.

A hand on his shoulder startled him he hadn’t even heard her move.

“You miss Martha,” it wasn’t really a question and he turned his brown eyes locking with her troubled ones.

“May I speak with you?” He asked anxious. She nodded and motioned for him to sit on the cushioned ottoman she sat down beside him and waited.

“Whenever, I have been to Castle Alexandra since our family moved away from the front line your family has always welcomed me and been good to me and I have found a good confidant in you Lady Willow.”

“That Colin, is because you neither loved me like you do Martha and you don’t look up to me as you do Michael.” She pointed out quietly.

Colin flushed with guilt as he realised in some way he had used Willow she had always listened to him patiently yet he had taken little time to listen to her feelings. “How are you really Willow?” He asked softly. He felt her recoil beside him she surged to her feet agitated and began pacing.

“I… survive Colin, by my will alone I survive.” She whispered walking towards the balcony after a moments pause he followed her. “I realised young that I could not compare with Martha in female accomplishments so gave up trying but it’s more then that with mother. Michael tells me he loves me and that they love me but they never say it…” She trailed off her voice breaking and though her eyes filled with tears she bit her lip willing them not to fall. Colin felt his heart break, even as a child she had not felt the warm embrace of her parents love as Martha and Michael had.

Willow shook herself. “This is not important only Martha is important. She’s all alone and scared I know how that feels.” A gentle knock made them turn she bid whomever to enter, a young page boy bowed.

Willow smiled. “Yes, young one?” She asked kindly.

“His majesty, King Edward wishes a private word with you my lady.”

“Very well I will be with you in a moment, I have to dress.” She added after the page hesitated. The page blushed and went outside. Colin spluttered beside her.

“You’re not dressed!” he cried shocked hoping there would be no repercussions to him being alone with her.

“My flesh is covered Colin and you’re hardly going to throw me on the bed and ravish me.” She scorned with a low chuckle.

Colin floundered Willow understood a lot more than she should he shook his head ruefully. “I will go we will speak with you again soon.” He kissed her cheek and left hailing a maid on his way out.

Willow to the devastation of the maid left in breeches made of expensive cream brocade material and a close fitting silk shirt of pale green which showed off her full breasts and sculptured stomach. Willow followed the page through the richly decorated halls she passed courtiers and soldiers on patrol who watched her pass with interest though she took little notice. Colours and sounds assaulted her senses she constantly found herself pausing to stare at a statue or tapestry much to the frustration of the page. Willow hid her smile as the boy sighed with relief upon reaching the heavily guarded oak doors of the royal quarters the page knocked and announced her then bowed and left.

King Edward paused mid-pace and stared at her a gentle smile on his face. She quickly scanned Edward’s profile he looked worn. He had high cheek bones and a strong jaw, pale blue eyes fanned with long lashes where shadowed by fatigue. His sandy hair was cropped short giving him a very neat appearance. Willow bowed her eyes where suddenly drawn to Queen Katherine. The queen had honey coloured hair styled in the latest fashion her unusual dark eyes looked up from her needle work and surveyed Willow thoughtfully.

“I haven’t seen you since you were a child Lady Willow, you have grown into a beautiful woman.” Edward stirred his wife was right and it was the first time he had noticed.

“Thank you your grace.” Willow bowed bemused. Queen Katherine smiled then returned to her embroidery.

Edward motioned for Willow to be seated she bowed and sat, he hesitated and Willow smiled reassuringly, Edward shook his head ruefully, Willow just continued to surprise him and he had also noticed that she had winced every time she had bowed.

“In two days I will be travelling to your father. I wish you to accompany me, I believe he will want to hear this from you,” he paused and Willow grimaced she straightened her shoulders as if resigned to her fate. “My request for you is that you remain with my brother, I will send your mother to join you within the safety of my brother’s city.”

Willow bit her lip. “My liege, there is no need to send my mother to me, the soldiers that guard her are very good and familiar to her she is well protected now. Plus, she will wish to stay close to home for any news and she would take little comfort from my presence.”

“Come child,” Queen Katherine spoke out. “She is your mother and will take great comfort having you near.” Edward and Willow stared at each other knowing the truth but neither wished to argue with the queen.

“You are looking pale again Lady Willow you have two days to catch up on your rest.” King Edward whispered kindly.

Willow stood and bowed. “Thank you your majesty. May the God of dreams bless you and keep you both safe.” Edward smiled it was an old blessing not often used but he was thankful for it anyway. When the door closed Edward sat his mind troubled, his wife’s voice made him jump.

“You know if she wore a dress she would become the belle of the ball, such a waste.” His wife mused not unkindly.

Edward hid his smile. “You may be right my dear.” He knew his wife loved the intrigues of court especially love matches but Edward believed it would take someone special to stand with Lady Willow.

“It surprises me that Lady Eleanor would allow such a thing. Willow cannot compare to her sister Martha but she could still do well for herself.” Edward shook his head very few people knew the truth of Willow’s upbringing he himself doubted if he knew the whole truth, but he wasn’t about to correct his wife’s assumption after all his wife and Lady Eleanor where close and nothing he could say would change that nor would he wish to.