Dracia returned to the Fortress with Roderick by her side. They left their horses in the care of the stables and walked into the back door to find Darron coming down the stairs.

“Are you just now coming down from your rooms, Darron?” asked Dracia looking up at Darrion as he descended the last flight of stairs.

“Yes, breakfast has barely started in the hall. Not all of us are as early risers as the two of you, at least when there isn’t a reason for it,” he replied with a small smile.

“We would have appreciated you riding out with us this morning,” said Dracia politely.

“Oh, I doubt that very much, Captain,” said Darron as he walked towards her.

“You are my second as much as Roderick. I would have liked your opinion on the coming Disciplines as much as Roderick’s.

The all three turned to and walked through the right hallway to move towards the hall for breakfast.

“What opinion is there to have? The Disciplines will happen as they always have. We will see who comes out on the other side,” said Darron as they walked through the large archway into the hall.

They walked along the side wall towards the head table at the front of the hall. Elites who were eating on nearby tables stood quickly as the three made their way. Dracia nodded at several as she walked by.

“We have an unusually large group this year,” said Dracia as they walked. “We haven’t had a full class in ages. It will be a challenge to manage putting them all through each session efficiently.”

“We have plenty of seasoned Elites who are used to leading sessions. I don’t foresee any issues.”

“We will also have duties with the palace this summer. There will be a large amount of guest, and the king would like the Sentinel to have a presence at court. This will complicate things, of course.”

“We will be attending court often?” asked Daron as he stood behind his seat, waiting for Dracia to walk behind him to her middle seat.

“Yes, it seem so.”

“What is the occasion for all these guest?” asked Darron looking at Dracia as she took her seat. He and Roderick sat down on either side of her.

“The king is going to parade potential brides in front of the prince,” said Roderick, putting a sausage on his plate from a nearby platter and offering the platter to Dracia.

“Must be nice to be a prince,” said Darron. “to have to do nothing more than spend time with beautiful women who would do anything to become his bride.”

“The Crown Prince has many duties you would not find to your taste, Darron,” said Dracia before taking a sip of tea.

“Perhaps not, but I am sure a prince has many opportunities that make would make it worthwhile.”

“I need you to focus on the duties you have in your current position,” said Dracia sternly, “And not fantasize about something you will never be. You will have a full day today. We all will.”

They all three ate their breakfast in relative silence. Dracia looked out over her Elites from the high table. While the hall was mostly full, the ones who had retired where noticeable. The idea of the Sentinel not being at full strength unnerved Dracia. The fact that the king was inviting two of the strongest kingdoms in the land to the palace bothered Dracia for reasons beyond the obvious.

Of course, she was bothered at the idea of Leal spending time with other women, beautiful high ranking women, but she knew this day was coming. She had prepared herself for it. He may have talked to her of promises, and a future, but despite wanting to believe him and even fooling herself for a while, she knew she would have no future with Leal. She had to keep reminding herself it over and over if she was to survive. She needed to start distancing herself from him. She needed to let him go.

Besides the heartache she knew she would have to endure, she believed the king was playing a dangerous game inviting these foreign kingdoms into the palace, especially two as connected as Navalia and Siccaria. Even though it pained her to think of Leal marrying anyone, she also knew if he did not choose his bride wisely, the kingdom could face opposition and soon. If the king was going to play this game, he better hope his son was a willing participant. She had a feeling Leal would not be the game piece the king wanted him to be.

Dracia knew she needed have a talk with Leal soon. It would not be easy. He would not want to hear it. He would refuse at first, but she would have to hold firm. She could do it, she would. She was the High Captain of the Sentinel. She was as strong and steady as the Fortress she lived in. She would withstand this heartbreak and stand as strong as the walls had for over 1,000 years.

Dracia wiped her mouth and stood. Roderick stood immediately, with Darron stretching in his seat before standing up slowly.

“I am going to pray in the chapel before the novices arrive,” said Dracia.

“Would you like me to come with you, Captain?” asked Roderick.

“No,” said Dracia looking at him. “I need you and Darron to stay here and make sure the Elites are inline and ready to receive our novices. I expect you both to oversee the moving in of the novices.”

Dracia turned and looked to Darron. He smiled smugly. “As you command, Captain.”

Dracia turned back to Roderick, leaning towards him slightly. “Please come fetch me if I am gone too long. I want to be back in plenty of time to open the Disciplines,” she whispered.

Roderick looked at her with concern. “Are you feeling well, Captain?” he asked.

Dracia nodded. “Yes, I just wish to start the Disciplines off with the blessing of the king’s gods. I also need to think through some other things.”