CHAPTER 1: OPENING

 Three are the races.

One to rule.

One to protect.

One to serve.

 Malia was standing in front of the great stone wall. Lately, she found herself facing the large barrier more often than not. She felt lost. It was calming to have in front of her an obstacle so massive it didn’t allow her to see any of the potential paths ahead. Only then was she free from the choice. And so she stood still.

She ran her hand across the rocks that separated the castle from the outside world. The wall was old, and mighty, and quiet. She wondered if by now she was strong enough to break it. She probably was, but she was scared to try. Freedom was too heavy a burden for the aimless.

“Princess!” Lyra’s sweet voice took Malia from her thoughts, “There you are. Your uncle is angry, he wants you to go back inside…”

“What for?” Malia laughed mockingly, “I’m not about to willingly sit down and listen to nonsense. I don’t need tutors ranting at me about nothing. My time is better spent staring at a wall.”

Lyra averted her eyes, nervously fidgeting with her pudgy hands. The blonde handmaiden was easily frightened, but only she was truly loyal to Malia. Only she was her friend. She may have been the bravest person in the northern palace.

Malia smiled at her, “Don’t worry, I’ll go back inside. I know you’re the one who won’t hear the end of it if I don’t return. Let’s go.”

Several hours before Malia’s and Lyra’s exchange, a young man with ginger hair rushed into a dark room. The room was in a basement, and the basement was in the outskirts of the village of Algus.

“Boss, they found this place!” the young man said, slamming the door behind him, “Immortal troops will be here in no time!”

Gorken turned to look at his companion, “Calm down, Aldous. It’s true they found this place sooner than we expected. Our priority should be to get as many members of the rebellion as we can out of here, alive.” He paused, glancing at the sword leaning on the table. His sword. “I’ll buy us some time. You know the underground passages better than anyone. Lead our men to safety.”

“Boss, you can’t expect me to agree to that!” Aldous protested, “You can’t leave the rebellion without a leader. If you’re lucky they’ll throw you in a dungeon, if not, they’ll kill you on the spot! What will we do then? ...Without you…”

Gorken stood up and walked toward his friend. He placed his hands on Aldous’ shoulders, “I won’t leave the rebellion without a leader. You and Bayard will be in charge until I return. I won’t die so easily. You should know by now. Go, there’s no time for this.” Gorken took off the silver pendant that hung from his neck and handed it to Aldous, “Here. Hold on to this for me.”

“…Boss, are you sure?” Aldous asked, his anxiety giving way to surprise.

“I’m sure. I’ll be calmer if I know you have it. I won’t let the immortals take it from me.”

A voice coming from the hallway stopped Aldous from replying, “The immortals are here!”

“Go!” Gorken nodded.

Aldous spoke after a brief moment that turned hesitation into resolve, “Good luck, boss.”

“Same to you, boss.” Gorken said as they parted ways.

Malia was reading a book about the principles of magic when Lyra entered her chambers. They hadn’t seen each other for a few minutes at most; it was hard to believe Lyra’s agitation had originated in such a short span of time. Then again, it wasn’t unusual for her to enter Malia’s room in a hurry, so the princess had no problem figuring out what was going on.

“A human’s trial will start shortly!” Lyra put her hand on her chest, trying to regain some breath, “The judge doesn’t want you to find out, so you weren’t informed, but one of his servants let it slip when we were in the kitchens.”

“Great job, Lyra.” Malia patted her head, “I owe you one. I know you ran all the way, but could you help me get ready?”

“Of course!” the blonde assented.

They both did their best to prepare Malia for the trial as quickly as possible. Malia brushed and braided her long plum colored hair, while Lyra helped her don one of her intricately ornate dresses. The princess hated only a few things more than the discomfort immortal formal wear brought her; however, she knew better than to show up in a tunic. Moreover, for years she had made the effort to conceal her toned physique from the court; it would have greatly disturbed her uncle if he realized Malia looked like she was capable of sparring with the soldiers that protected the palace. She hid her strong arms beneath silken cloths, her sturdy legs under layered skirts.

As they expected, guards were posted outside the hall where the trial would take place.

“They seem young,” Malia whispered, “maybe I could knock them out and go inside in one swift move.” She noticed Lyra flinching at the suggestion of violence and reassured her, “I’m joking. I wouldn’t do that to them. They’re just doing as they were ordered. The judge isn’t an understanding man, he would have them executed if they let me in. We need to find another solution, but we’re running out of time. We need to get there before they fetch the human from the dungeons.”

Malia tapped her hand nervously on the pillar she was using as cover; she didn’t want other nobles to spot her before she had a guaranteed way in. Immortals loved attending trials, as they existed for the sake of amusing them. In most cases the verdict was decided before there was even a prisoner. She would become the main attraction if the bored nobles gathered around the gate saw her.

“Princess,” Lyra murmured, “if I may, I have a suggestion. We could use the servant’s hidden corridors to get in. I know it is offensive for me to expect you to walk through those dirty tunnels but…”

“Lyra you’re a genius!” Malia kissed her forehead, “Let’s go!”

As Malia hoped, she arrived before they could bring in the human. Spectators were still settling in their seats; the timing was perfect. She walked smoothly towards the podium where the judge was standing. He was an old man, and his harsh features contracted upon her sight. It was obvious he didn’t want her there; he made no effort to conceal that fact.

Malia greeted him politely, going through all the pleasantries expected from the princess of the Daimonlance clan. Even so, she went as straight to the point as immortal culture would allow, “It is my wish to purchase the human who would stand before you today, your Honor.”

The judge bowed his head slightly, “I’m terribly sorry Princess, but as much as it pains me, I must decline your offer.”

“May I ask why, your Honor?”

The old man slowly grabbed some of the parchments in front of him, pretending he was inspecting them, “Apparently, the last twenty two humans purchased by the Daimonlance clan were released the same day of their trial. The creature we are about to place judgment upon is no normal human. As far as we know, he’s the leader of a group that fashion themselves as rebellious. We cannot apply the same standards to him as to the rest of his kind.”

Malia sighed, “I must admit I’m appalled. To think you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that what a noble does with one of their possessions is not of your concern. Furthermore, as civilized beings, we immortals should pay no heed to the status of a beast within a primitive society. Of course,” she bowed courtly, “if it is your wish to stand trial yourself for the crime of denying the heir of the Daimonlance clan her birthright then…  I confess I am no one to stop you.”

The judge regarded Malia as an insolent brat. That was a fact he couldn’t conceal, no matter how hard he tried. And yet, after long seconds of irascible pondering he was forced to comply, “Very well, Princess. I shall prepare the documents for you to formally own the human. In the meantime, you’re free to do as you please with him. He’s still in the dungeons. Perhaps you’d like to visit him and spend some time with him?”

“Thank you, your Honor. I’ll consider it.” Malia responded cordially, “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Lyra followed her as she exited the hall, to the disappointment of the highborn crowd who had converged seeking entertainment.

“Send for the human.” Malia instructed her handmaiden, “He must be scared, and he might be wounded. Be careful, if he seems hostile don’t approach him. If you feel safe, remove his shackles. I’ll join you after I change out of these clothes.”

Lyra followed her orders; the handmaiden was standing near the door when the guards dropped Gorken in Malia’s room. She greeted him shyly, and noticing he was composed decided to speak more to him, “My name is Lyra. You've been purchased by my liege, and you're now in her chambers. She will join us shortly so please, make yourself comfortable.” She gestured tensely, “I'll remove your shackles.”

Gorken thanked her. Then he peeked around the room, intending to memorize the placement of doors, windows, passageways and possible weapons, “Nice to meet you, Lyra. If I was purchased… What am I now, a pet?”

Lyra was surprised by the human’s confident demeanor, but her surprise didn’t delay her answer, “No! You're wrong! She isn't like that! She wouldn’t-!”

Lyra’s sentence was lost due to Malia’s arrival, “Hi there!” she said as she closed the door behind her, “Sorry to keep you waiting. I brought some clean clothes so our guest could change and…”

Gorken turned around. He stared at her face in disbelief, and Malia did exactly the same when she saw his. Their expressions froze. There was a silence. Suddenly, they spoke at the same time:

“...Gorken?”

“...Malia?”