The throbbing in her head was spreading and increasing all the way down to her neck, as her eyes moved back and forth between her posestrima and the man who had her pinned at the wall. The dagger she had pulled out of the left hanging sleeve of her overdress was smaller and thinner than his, good enough to cut him or possibly even stab him, but not enough to give them the upper hand and buy them enough time to get help. And even though Mico wasn’t that much taller than her, maybe a little less than the span of her own hand, standing on the higher stairs meant he had a significant  advantage over her. 

Kalina clenched her jaw as she locked eyes with Beloslava once more before slowly lowering her dagger. “This doesn’t mean I won’t protect you!” her eyes spoke to the girl.

“Good!” The corners of his eyes curled up in a smile, as he took his weapon down and away from her neck.

“How dare you?” Came out wrathfully through her teeth. “Not once have you been mistreated since you’ve been here! Why are turning on us?

“For the same reason, you just took out this excuse of a dagger!”

Both girls’ eyes widen, with Beloslava’s lips forming an “Oh!”, before stating the obvious:

“You and Zapryan are pobratimi .”

“His vision or his speech? Which one?”  With no hesitation asked Kalina.

“His what?” 

“What was affected by the confrontation with the talasum on the bridge?”

The young man lowered his gaze, as he hesitated, before whispering:

“His sight.”

Standing in silence, he completely released Beloslava out of his grip, carefully pushing her in Kalina’s direction.

Standing in silence for a few moments, that weighted upon him like hours, he uttered as he put his weapon back in the scabbard on his right side.

“So, what are going to do about it?”

“From what you are telling me, I conclude we are to destroy the bridge, arrest the brothers and put them on trial for murder?” With a calm voiced proclaimed Svilen, yawning at the end, exposing himself of not getting a night rest either.

“No, it’s simple, but it will create problems. Besides, if we destroy this bridge, the villages of Yablovo, Drechevo, Trichevo and Raykovo, as well as the towns of Mruckovo, Trichav and Dolni Pchenik. And what about the connection to the main road to both Tzarichino and Zagorchevo.” Albena had opted to stay next to the window, close enough to see well what was happening outside, but far enough to not be seen. Her left hand was pressed against her cheek, giving the impression of her being concern with more she would ever reveal. “And we shouldn’t forget the trade…”

“Or that we don’t know if how many people are involved in this “building in”. We should be careful in our actions. If we move too fast, they might try to cover up.” Svilen interrupted his wife, who didn’t seem to mind it, rather her expression gave the impression he said exactly what she was thinking. Relaxing his whole body on the same chair he was sitting in last night, he rubbed his eyes with the thumb and index of his right hand, before continuing. “Which brings us to the question of what the nature of our approach in all this mess. Kalinka, miss Beloslava, could you perhaps share your opinion?”

Kalina, standing next to her sister, like a miniature copy of her, turned to lock eyes with Beloslava, then Mico. She was shaking slightly, not knowing if the reason for it was the lack of sleep or her nervousness. 

“I-I-I, well I don’t think of myself as someone who is versed enough to know what to do, let alone give preposition on how should act.” Albena rose one of her brows and in an instant reminded Kalina of Delyana. They were similar in some ways, whether or not her sister wanted to admit it or be told of it. “However, I do have something in mind, and I hope that if I share it with you, you’ll be as kind as always and tell me if it’s not proper for the given occasion.”

Tracing the smirking Albena’s walk through the room, who suddenly choose to sit next to her husband, the younger knyaginya continued with her words:

“As you already stated, not only would we possibly give the culprits an advantage if we move fast and recklessly. Not only that, but we are at risk of mass hysteria after history has proven numerous times people are easy to follow the crowd under such circumstances.” She paused in order to mimic the serious expression of the grown-ups standing in front of her. Isn’t that what they wanted after all? “Thus, wouldn’t it be better to do it in small bites? You said for yourself they did a fine job, so it is most natural to propose them more work, such as the reconstruction of the small church near the East entrance of the town’s market?”

The spouses mischievously nodded at each other, openly showing their intrigue with this plan. Svilen let down the palm covering his mouth and took the initiative to continue.

“I think we got the bigger picture. Very good! We expected nothing less from you!”

Smiling back, she went up to Bela and Mico, who wеrе seated close to the door.

“Are we finished for now? May we please excuse ourselves and return to my room for rest and more reading?” Kalina’s tried to mimic the voice of a sweet girl, that had no worries, neither caused them to others.

“You may return to your room,” Graciously replied Albena. The expression on her face gave away a far more gentle demeanour than the one it did ever since their arrival.

Taking a bow, out of respect and gratitude, the trio headed for their exit, only to be stopped by Svilen’s commanding voice:

“And where do you think you are going, Mico? Aren’t you joining us in the guards’ council?”

The colour from Mico’s face drained as he turned toward his masters, but before he could answer for himself, Kalina stepped in.

“I am the one at fault! Being caught up in all of this mess, I fear my head isn’t at its sharpest. I asked him if he could be my personal guard for the rest of my stay. I know, given the situation, I am being more than selfish, however, given the situation, I can’t think of a better match. And, furthermore, we should think of Zapryan. Having his pobratim close would be lifting for his spirits!”

Slightly pursing her lips, Albena gave her permission of it backed up the less enthusiastic Svilen.

Finally leaving after having to bow once more, Kalina wondered what kind of face was she making. That was Albena and Svilen’s plan. Now it was time for her own!

Character sheets: 

Kalina Petrosinova, knyaginya of Kostica   

Age: 15 and a half as of current arc

Weight: 51 kg (112.44 pounds)

Height: 161 cm (5 ft 3 inch)

Species: Human, with samodiva ancestry. Witch of sense. 

Birthday: Spring equinox, year 996 of the Suntolian tzarstvo and 6484 of the World's creation

Hobbies: Exploring with Bela and learning new things, taking care of her horse Vihur.

Favourite food: Pears, apples, grape, bean soup and cheese pitki.

Dislikes: Being forced into something she doesn't want to do or be and unnecessary conflicts.

Short bio: Born as the youngest child and the third daughter of the Petrosinovi family, one of the twelve knyaze (highest nobles) in the tzarstvo of Suntolia, the happy days of her childhood were cut short, with the death of her parent by the hand of a still unknown intruder. When Kalina was on the brink of death, desperate, her brother Vulchan and eldest sister Albena pleaded with a witch to save her, no matter the price. Now the knyaginya has to spend half a year with her family at court, while the other half she dedicates her time to being the apprentice of the witch Delyana and her sister Asya, as well as becoming posestrima(blood sister) with Asya's daughter - Beloslava, a girl with just as many troubles. 

Example of the clothing Kalina would be wearing(minus the hat and in orange and blue; credits for the imegry to Badamba - http://badamba.info/BySource/Zemen.html):