In Judaylif, capital of Nethus:

  Keleis followed Ricard along the streets of Nethus, overshadowed by the castle in the distance. She was carrying a bound Barodel, having decided that the King of Limbs would likely draw too much attention.

  Keleis hesitated as she rounded a corner, and saw Ricard on the steps to the towering castle, guards watching him.

  "It's all right. They'll allow you through." Ricard called out, as he walked through the doors.

  Keleis watched the guards for a moment, before stepping forward, entering the castle herself.

  A crossroads of hallways was the first sight a visitor to the castle would see, one that would baffle any poor person unfortunate enough to go there without a guide.

  A servant standing inside saw Keleis standing there confused, and pointed wordlessly down a hallway. Keleis walked down the hallway, looking around, until she saw Ricard arguing with guards at an ornamented door.

  "I don't care that Lord Achiel is speaking to him, he told me to return post haste. Get out of the way!"

  One of the guards, who looked to be much younger than the other, glanced over questioningly at the older guard. The older guard grumbled, then let Ricard through.

  Ricard waited in the door until Keleis walked through as well, then stepped into the room.

  Sitting on a throne was a weathered man with black hair and a lean face. Next to him, a blond man was speaking irritably.

  "This war is pointless, and bad for our funds, Gauton." The blond haired man spoke.

  "Lord Achiel, we have a stranger present in the room. Shall we postpone? It seems my advisor has something important to inform me of as well."

  Lord Achiel turned his gaze to Ricard and Keleis, and a flicker of irritation crossed his face before he calmed himself.

  "So it seems." He said, stepping close to Ricard, smoothing his own clothing.

  "I had heard that you ran into trouble." Achiel said. "I am elated at your safe return."

  He walked to the door. "Another time," he said, exiting. "Your Majesty." He muttered.

  The king, for that is what he must be, Keleis realized, sighed, then spoke.

  "Ricard, I am glad to see you alive, and unhurt. Could you recite an account of what happened on your mission?"

  Ricard began an explanation of his experiences, and the king nodded along, occasionally turning his gaze to Keleis, watching her.

  "And this is the one who saved you?" The king interjected, looking at Keleis.

  "Yes, my lord." Ricard answered.

  The king nodded. "I assume this is all very confusing for you. When Ricard goes on an errand, he conceals his identity. he would be a quite valuable prisoner."

  "I see." Keleis replied.

  "Now, what is your name?"

  "Keleis, Your Majesty."

  "No family name?" He asked.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "And what is it that you want? I think at least some reward is in order."

  "To tell you the truth, Your Majesty, I just want something to do."

  "Oh? Let me consider..."

  "My Lord, I did not mention. Keleis is an Aether user." Ricard spoke.

  "Indeed? In that case," The king said, addressing Keleis. "We can certainly give you a position in the military."

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  "That's acceptable." She replied, after a moment's consideration.

  "That's how you defended Ricard so easily, I assume." The king said.

  "Actually, my lord, the leader, who is with us now, is also an Aether user." Ricard said.

  "Then you'll certainly be an asset." The king said, speaking to Keleis. "An Aether user with important battle experience. Very well."

  "Ireul." He said, turning to the side. "Could you escort our newly named Keleis Kingsdaughter to a room, get her settled?"

  A man stepped out of the shadows, and motioned for Keleis to follow.

  How did I not see him? She asked herself, dropping Barodel for the two guards who strode into the room to take. He wasn't even that hidden!

  He led her out of the room as Ricard began speaking in low undertones to the king.

  Ireul led her down a side hallway, then into an expansive, uncovered area where tens of people were fighting, training, and interacting.

  "This is the Aether training area. People with abilities such as yourself train here, or sometimes stage duels."

  He led her further, and into a square room with doors along the walls, each labeled with a name above. Looking up, Keleis saw several floors, connected by walkways and flights of stairs, each floor holding several doors. Ireul stopped by a blank door, and opened it.

  "This is your room. Do with it what you want, lock it if you must, just ensure that when the time comes, you meet the person assigning you missions when they come by, or at least allow them a place to leave a notice."

  He began walking away. "Do whatever you desire. You won't be needed for a while."

  Keleis was left standing there, alone. She opened her door, noting the emptiness save for a few essential furnishings, before she closed it again.

  She began walking back to the training area. Stepping through the door leading out again, she watched, noting the surroundings in greater detail.

  A few people were dueling, and Keleis stepped closer to watch. After a while, she found herself bored, and began observing the room again for anything of note.

  This time someone caught her eye, not because of anything he was doing specifically, but rather, because of the way the people around him behaved.

  He was training in the middle of a small section, but no one was near him or even acting as if they even noticed him, besides several very conspicuous guards watching over him.

  Keleis walked over, and the guards eyed her suspiciously.

  The person training halted for a moment, appearing somewhat confused.

  "Hello. What is it?"

  "I was curious. Also, that's somewhat of a rude way to start a conversation."

  "To be honest, I didn't expect that someone would try to talk to me. Most people know better."

  "What is that supposed to mean to me?" Keleis asked, a slight edge creeping into her voice.

  "Just that this country doesn't end up treating people who do talk to me well. Lord Achiel doesn't like me much."

  "Why is that?"

  "Well, he used to be a friend of my father's. Now, they're always at odds, and Achiel's dislike transfers onto me."

  "And your father is?" Keleis asked, a little annoyed that it was taking so long to get to the point.

  "Oh, my apologies. It seems that my isolation from the court has dulled my manners. My father is Gauton, his Royal Majesty, King of Nethus."

  Keleis blinked.

  "And I, am Oren, Crown Prince and heir. Though that means basically nothing in this age. Achiel has all the power."

  "You're the heir to the throne?" Keleis asked, incredulous.

  Oren laughed. "I don't look it, do I? Well, you don't expect royalty to be under the care of guards that look like they want nothing more than to kill them."

  Still at a loss, Keleis stared for a moment, then spoke.

  "Is it really that bad for the royal family? People follow Lord Achiel over the king?" Keleis asked.

  "Lord Achiel and the council." Oren said. "You weren't born in this country, were you? The council proudly proclaims the goodness and morality of their system to every child growing up."

  "I don't remember my past."

  Oren cocked his head. "Really?" He said, losing his royal mannerisms for a moment.

  This guy really doesn't seem like a royal. He's a lot more human than I'd expect. More like the mask of royalty and proper court manners is something he puts up. Keleis thought.

  Oren shook himself, and his manners returned to him. "Sorry, that was just unexpected. And you signed up for the military? Instead of finding out about the life you had?"

  "That sounds a lot less interesting, to be honest. Besides, I have no idea how to get that started. I woke up in the middle of nowhere, and the first thing I noticed was that Ricard guy being attacked, so it's not like there were clues as to who I was nearby."

  "You're the one who saved Ricard? That makes a lot of sense, actually. I heard you were a little strange."

  "You heard about me that quickly? Your information system must be impressive."

  "Yes." He said, smiling. He wilted a little. "Well, to be honest, one of my friends just spotted Ricard with you carrying the bandit behind him. That's not something I can claim."

  "Ah." Keleis said, a little amused.

  "Anyway, that's why people don't like me, and those that do are scared off by these useless fools."

  "They're always watching you?"

  "Except in the times when I'm in my own room, and when I manage to shake them." Oren said, then noticed something. "Is that blood?" He asked, pointing to Keleis' collar.

  "It looks like it, but it was like that when I first woke up, and I wasn't wounded at all."

  "Hm." Oren said, considering.

  One of his guards approached. "Excuse me. The prince's safety is our priority. I must ask you to back away."

  Keleis nodded. "Of course, I understand completely. Another time, Oren." She said, as she stepped away.

  She watched for a while, but the guards made sure to leave no opening for interaction, so she instead withdrew to her room.

  Well, at least the politics and people here aren't boring. Keleis thought, as she began to drift off to sleep.