Ghruz and Silviana stood at the bottom of the stairs, flanking either side of the queen's carriage door. Ghruz was dressed up in a glimmering full plate, their whole body covered in metal carved with images of orcs, warsigns and historic places. It was like the armour itself could tell legends. Ghruz opened their hand, and stared at the sun sigil engraved in the leather palm of their gauntlet, a sad smile on their face.

Ghruz jumped when they felt a hand on their shoulder, turning to see a concerned look coming from Silviana.

“Is the armour not good enough?” she asked softly. “After the trip, we can have something better made.”

The orc shook their head, and grinned at her.

“Nah, this is perfect. I didn’t think armour could fit this well. I almost feel like I could hunt in it.”

Silviana’s eyes went wide, and she stood straight up, beaming with pride.

“Yes! It is laflaethil, a metal created in this city. It is lighter and stronger than most materials because it’s imbued with sky magic. All of our men in the military are given a set to guard their lives.”

Ghruz nodded along, frowning in contemplation.

“You still haven’t told me what a man or a woman is.”

Silviana paused for a moment, and tapped her forehead. She perked up and dragged one of the nearby soldiers over to the orc.

“Sir, if you would be so kind, remove your helmet.” Silviana said, not so much of a question as an order. The soldier removed his helmet, revealing a stern, angular face. The man said nothing and looked straight ahead. “This is a man, and I am a woman.” Silviana framed her face with one hand.

Ghruz squinted, their eyes darting between the two elves. They brought their face closer and studied each elf carefully, before stepping back.

“Yes you are both very pretty. What’s the difference?”

The man gave the orc a concerned look, before turning to Silviana.

“Madame, may I please return to ranks?” The soldier asked. Silviana nodded, and the man replaced his helmet, turning to join the rest of the guard. Silviana turned back to Ghruz with an exasperated look.

“Are you saying I look like a man?” She asked, in a slight panic, before shaking her head. “Okay, never mind. How should I put this? You spoke of progenitors. With elves, humans, satyrs, and many many creatures, we distinguish with gender. The woman is one who gives birth to young, and the man is one who seeds the woman, so life may grow.” Silviana looked like she was about to cry in exasperation. Ghruz cocked an eyebrow.

“You mean like a steer and their doe?” they quipped. Silviana’s mouth hung agape in shock, and nodded.

“Then why didn’t you tell me that from the beginning? It seems like a stupid thing to care about when there are more important matters at hand.” Ghruz said, a grin spread on their face. Silviana stared blankly before frowning.

“You already figured it out, didn’t you.” She almost glared at the orc. Silence hung in the air before the orc bent over crying in laughter.

“The queen told me about it before I even got to the kingdom. I just wanted to see what would happen if I got you to explain it, but I do think it’s stupid though.” Ghruz stood tall, barely able to contain their snickering. Silviana punched the orc in the arm, the metal echoing in the courtyard.

“You are horrible,” she said, as she glared up at the orc. She let out a deep sigh, turning back to her clipboard.

Ghruz gave the elf a wink before turning to stand at attention by the carriage.

“Here comes the queen.” Silviana scribbled something in her notebook before looking up at the palace entrance, the queen looking down at her soldiers.

“I hope you are all ready, this will be a long trip,” the queen spoke firmly. Everyone in the convoy bowed down, their arms out and their palms facing the skies. “Rise, no need to be so formal. Let’s get going.” Titania paused for a moment, moving her finger in the air, before frowning.

She sat on the rail of the stairs and slid down right before hopping off at the bottom. Ghruz watched as the queen stomped over to her attendant, glaring at her aid.

“Why are there six soldiers? You know how I feel about even numbers!” Titania hissed. Silviana pinched her brow, thinking for a moment.

“The governess recommended a minimum of six, and I wanted to keep our trip as light as possible,” the attendant said. Titania paused for a moment, before shaking her head.

“No. Even numbers are vile and evil. It cannot stand!” The queen stomped her foot like a petulant child. Ghruz looked around; no one else seemed to be concerned with this behaviour at all. It was a far cry of the person they had met when they first arrived.

Silviana sighed and gestured to Ghruz, who looked her in the eyes with a pleading look to be spared.

“You have Ghruz, and that makes seven.”

Titania looked between Silviana and Ghruz, before a grin formed.

“Yes. Yes, this will do. Let’s go stop a war.”