‘Trust is earned, yes… but some people seem to forget, trust is also given…’

-The Wisdom of Zug Twill

Alathor Iminalia sat on the floor of her study room as sunlight poured in through large windows, gleaming on the polished blonde-coloured planks that made up the floor. The girl was in her blue and white Hanbok, legs crossed, pouring over history texts. She had a gongchaek - notebook - on the floor beside the texts, and a pen in one hand, so she could mark down notes.

She read about some ancient history, about the great and powerful warrior Infinity, and one of her campaigns against darkness. It was stirring and exciting, and made Alathor long for her own adventures.

With a pout on her lips, she tapped her pen against them, and continued reading.

She didn’t like being cooped up like this. She envied her Sister, who’d been out with Alta recently, having adventures.

She’d heard about how they’d taken down Helmdom.

She wished she could go talk to Hart about it, hear the details… but she was stuck here.

As usual.

‘Princess Alathor,’ Auntie Meema said in the Emahra tongue behind the woman. Alathor turned to watch the small, frog-like woman striding toward her.

‘What is it, Auntie Meema?’ Alathor asked.

‘Gather your things,’ Meema said.

Alathor furrowed her brown in confusion. ‘What? I thought you told me to study.’

‘And now I’m telling you to gather your things. Your Parents have sent someone to bring you to the palace.’

Alathor noticed that Auntie Meema looked grim.

‘What’s going on, Auntie?’ Alathor asked, feeling concern wrapping around her heart, remembering what she’d overheard the Emahra Warriors in the hallway talking about earlier.

‘I have not been told, but you are to gather your things and make best possible speed to the Royal Palace. Your Parents need to talk to you about something very important.’

‘What?’

‘I told you I do not know,’ Auntie Meema said sternly. ‘Now shall you gather up your things and go, or do I need to encourage you.’

She slapped the dried reed she always carried, on the floor.

‘Alright, alright!’ Alathor declared, and she started gathering books. She tucked the pen into the gongchaek.

Her mind was racing as she stood up, books in arm, and followed Auntie Meema out of the study room.