“Now,” Baron Rooke placed his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and looked her square in the eye, “be on your best behavior. You are under the king’s protection while you travel to Aedon. I expect a letter dating when you arrived and how you were received.” 

“Of course,” Gyla waited patiently for her father to finish his usual demands. 

Her hands shook with excitement. She would have a chance at pursuing her own match rather than be pursued!

“Naomi, Ajax, and Phlad will be accompanying you. Please do not try to make their lives difficult.” He could not stress enough how much she should remain with her guards, even inside the castle walls. 

Unlike home, where the people he trusted surrounded every turn, Baron Rooke had only visited Aedon Castle once. The people were polite and knew of his ranking. He was also a man, well-armed. His daughter would be a different kind of target to the large cities and countryside. 

“I keep my blade in my boot as always.” Like all the people of the northern territories did. 

Nomadic tribes roamed beyond the ranges she called home, but they offered trade and stories to her people. The mountains harbored the most threats to her people. Nature had a way of whittling out the weak from its garden. Every town armed its citizens under Baron Rooke’s decree. Guards would not always be enough when the capensi swarms descended from peaks or should a creche of discus emerge from the forests. 

Steel blades with simple leather straps were common to have. Gyla had one with the crest of her family, the Discus, stamped into the hilt of her blade. 

“Good, good.” Her father hugged her tightly before releasing her. “I will be heading back home now. In a few weeks, you are leaving to catch your prize.” With a sad smile, he chucked her under the chin. 

“I will be fine. Send my love to momma and I hopefully will return with an offer.” Gyla smiled brightly despite the nervousness that knotted her stomach. 

“I have no doubt you will. If you decide he does not meet your fancy, you are to tell Queen Farida immediately and come home.” 

“Without question,” Gyla agreed. 

Gyla waved as her father and his guards left for home. The southern court of the king a stark contrast to the court of home and to the court she would be visiting. 

“I hope you are excited, Gyla.” Queen Fardia approached her from behind. 

“Your Majesty,” Gyla turned without a moment’s hesitation and dipped low. 

“Come now,” Farida grabbed her hands and helped her to her feet. “I hear you are fond of riding. Shall we see what all the grounds have to offer?” 

And like that, Gyla settled into the king’s court with little misstep. Farida’s ladies welcomed her into their group with the chatter of all the court gossip. 

Lady Sylvia traveled from the eastern plains, granted her court position as a means of peacekeeping. Her brother collected quite a reputation with a serious gambling addiction and her father lacked the backbone required to tame such a son. 

She enjoyed Gyla’s relaxed hairstyles except for the knots her thin hair would ravel into at the slightest breeze. Her cheeks reddened easily under the sun and her freckles were like stars in a white sky. A beautiful girl with much to learn under the queen. 

Lady Cur came from a similar borderland bloodline with skin richer than the queen’s and hair thick with curls. Her doe-like eyes and dimples garnered her an innocent look. She’d been stationed at the capital for a little under two years now, often helping important guests of the queen. Since Naomi traveled with Gyla, her services were reserved solely for Her Majesty. 

Naomi gathered every scrap of detail from the servants about the duke. Her guards kept out of such sessions, but they no doubt would stand in his way should the duke turn sour to her company.