The sun was high in the sky heating the air baking the shops, inns, and homes. The town was mostly made of stone and lumber but the castle was all stone. It kept cooler on hot days than most places in the city. It was also bustling with activity as people of all classes moved around going about their business. Outside in the streets, carts were being pulled back and forth during the usual daily activities. People haggling with the vendors could be heard throughout. Larin was built upon a peninsula, the city stretched from the sea inland where it butted against a dense forest.

  Irinia was sitting in a window at the top spotter's tower. Her purple satin dress and matching ribbons tying back her white hair were blowing in the wind coming in from the sea. A silver circlet resting on her head with two small inlaid jewels signifying her role as a princess. The only princess of Larin in fact. She loved sitting up here to relax. The view was wonderful and it was away from other people. When she was a child she would venture up there to await her father's return from his travels to neighboring kingdoms. She could see beyond the city walls making it a great vantage point. Now being older, she would just sit up alone with her thoughts. There is not much travel between the kingdoms lately either.

  She sighed and swung her feet down to the floor. “I wish there was more to do around here.” She said to nobody.

  “I can arrange some activities for you, Princess.” A voice came from outside the entryway startling her.

  “Is that you, Alyn?”

  “Yes, Princess Irinia. Everyone is looking for you.” A man a couple of years older than her and slightly taller stepped around the doorway. He had brown hair cut short. He was wearing the lightweight armor that soldiers in the city wore during the hot days of summer in times of peace.

  Irinia stood and walked towards him. “Thank you, Alyn. I will make my way back to the throne room.”

  “Would you like an escort?” Alyn held out his hand. Aside from serving under the king, Alyn also kept a watchful eye on the Princess. It was the King's orders, she knew, since she tended to wander about alone too much for her father’s liking. Her father meant well and Alyn kept enough distance to not always be noticed, but having a boy following her around all the time grated on her patience.

  “No, thank you. I can manage on my own.” Irinia walked past him and down the stairs. He will follow no matter my answer anyway.

  “As you wish.” She heard him say from the top of the stone stairs.

  The cordial pleasantries bothered her. She was sure he would rather be doing anything else other than following her around all day. Everyone was always nice to a princess because they had to be. Not being one to tell what others were thinking she could never be sure if their words were sincere or not. She thought it was a mix, but she could never be sure.

  She continued down the spiral of stairs. Occasionally the path would flatten to a platform that would lead into another room in the tower which contained some of the city's surplus armaments. Ten minutes passed until she reached the bottom. She could hear the light footsteps of Alyn further up the tower. He was doing his best to follow her, but not quietly enough. She could lose him.

  Emerging from the arch at the bottom of the tower she had to shield her eyes with her hand from the bright sunlight until they adjusted. A merchant's cart rumbled by with containers clanging together making quite the ruckus. Irinia crossed the road and into the shop across the street. The shop was dimly lit with large doors to the right. Those were cool to the touch from the ice within that was brought down from the northlands. Irinia walked up to the counter and looked up at the shopkeeper. “Could I have some water, Haran?”

  The shopkeeper bowed, “Of course, princess.” He turned and reached for a cooled skin of water. She stopped by this stall when she left the tower. Haran was a nice man, but the convenience of the location could not be beat. He sorted through several skins before he picked one. It looked like all the others but he presented it in a way that implied that there was some sort of special quality. “The best skin in my wares for you.”

  Irinia reached into a pouch she kept close to her breast that held her coins. She pulled out one piece of silver and set it on the counter. Haran looked puzzled. “What is the matter, Haran?”

  “No need to pay me, Princess. You are… the princess!”

  “I’m aware.” She gave him a deadpan stare. “And that’s nonsense, I will not accept that skin if you do not accept my coin.” Irinia persisted.

  She could tell the shopkeeper did not want to take her money. That much was obvious by his eyes looking anywhere else other than matching her gaze. Word around town about Haran was that he is a kind man and very generous. She did not enjoy accepting free things from the people of the city. Princess or not, business was business. “As you say, Princess.” He reluctantly reached for the coin she had placed on his counter.

  She smiled at him sweetly as she turned, “Thank you. I am sure that this will be the best water that has ever touched my lips.” Exiting she heard Haran shout, “Have a wonderful day, Princess Irinia! Thank you for your business.”

  Continuing down the street sipping from the water skin she tasted the cool water. It felt wonderful as she drank under then sun. Once she reached the large wooden doors to the main entrance of the castle she stopped. Looking up to the top of the doors she could see the large engraving of a basilisk. She thought that it was beautiful. Basilisks inhabited much of this area at one time, but they were wiped out by daem and war. It was saddening to know that the construction of this city had a role in their disappearance as well. We may not be so different from those evils that plague us in the end.

  The guards at the door must have noticed her since the doors slowly opened, exposing a cavernous room. She walked in and up the stairs in the back. Rounding a corner she continued down a long corridor still sipping at her water. The light coming in through the windows on the ceiling was enhanced by the white walls, white pillars, and white floors. The bright stone used in the construction was rare on the continent itself, but fairly common in this region. The castle was primarily built out of the kingdom’s prominent export. She wondered how much her home would be worth if it was sold.

  She continued for several minutes before reaching the end of the hall. As she approached the ornate entry into the throne room she could hear several people talking. She stood to the side out of sight. In the room she could see her father sitting in his chair atop a dais at the back. Having a large and strong build he made for a formidable-looking figure. Four men were standing at the base of the stairs leading up to the dais. All of the men wore cloaks. Red, blue, green, and another that was crimson. They were armed as well. Mercenaries perhaps.

  What is he up to now?

  Her father leaned forward, “You all know what time of year it is and that the festival is quickly approaching. My only daughter will be performing the ceremony to bring us into autumn. My scouts report that the daem have been sending scouts throughout the lands in the area. There have also been reports too numerous to count that their numbers are increasing. I want her protected in case the worst were to happen. I’ve heard that you’re all the best. State your prices.”

  Irinia heard the men ramble off ridiculous prices to her father. She wanted to walk in and tell him not to hire any of them. That they were just swindling him for more money than was required for the job. She wanted to tell him that she could take care of herself. She knew better however. Being his only daughter he overly protective of her. It was touching, yet smothering. It was also considered royal business. Either way this was ridiculous.

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  One of the men spoke with a deep voice, “Those are our rates, King Toran. If they are too high to request then we may take our leave if it were to be more to your liking." The others nodded respectfully in agreement. Hired swords as they were, they still served the king.

  Toran stared at the floor for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak when the door on the eastern side of the room opened slowly. He turned his head to look at who was entering the throne room while he was holding council with guests. “Not now, I am discussing matters of the crown.”

  “I may be able to help you with that, Toran.” A unfamiliar voice began to speak. “What are friends for?” Another man walked into the throne room wearing a peculiar garb. Black pants underneath a black cloak that flowed around him as he moved. The fabric was most definitely foreign. She had never seen anything like it. His boots made the sound of metal on stone when they touched the floor. When he came closer to the throne, she saw that he boots were entirely metal. They seemed heavy, but he appeared unhindered by them.

  Her father stood quickly and approached the man. He eyed him curiously signaling his guard. “Pull your hood back. I want to see your face before I have you thrown in the cages for this folly.”

  The man drew back his hood revealing black hair settling down at the top his ears. His right arm had a marking of sorts that resembled several chains winding their way up from the wrist to the top of his shoulder. The King's eyes lit up with a smile as he charged him and slapped him on the back, ”Croix, you sly bastard. How did you slip past the guards?” The King waved a hand at the guards signaling them to stand at ease. They looked as confused as she was.

  The man named Croix laughed. “You know me, Toran. There is always a way in. I practically lived here for awhile. Remember?”

  “How could I forget? Did you mean what you said about taking on the festival guard work?”

  Croix laughed and patted the king on the back, “Of course, Toran.” This man was clearly a friend of her father’s. The king would never let anyone touch him save her mother so far as she had known. Also, Croix was not addressing her father as king.

  “So be it.” Toran turned to the swords for hire, all of which which quite confused. “You men are dismissed.”

  The man who had given the King their offer stood abruptly, “But your Grace. He is but one man, an unfamiliar one at that. I have never seen him around here before.”

  “This young man is Croix. He is also a good friend whom I have known for many decades. On several occasions he has saved my life. He alone is a small army.” Toran turned to face Croix and said, “I will not hear another word of it.”

  The men stood and took their leave as they were told though their displeasure was obvious. Her father moved to go stand back at his seat. For the first time Irinia could see Croix's face. Her heart seemed to flutter and she felt odd. Croix looked in towards the doorway where she was standing. “It appears as though we have a visitor.” He waved to her.

  Irinia panicked. How did he know that I was here? She walked out from the shadow beside the door and curtsied. “Father, how have you been today? Busy I understand?”

  “It’s rude to eavesdrop, child. I want you to meet an old friend of mine.” Toran pulled Croix close to his side squeezing him hard expelling the air in his lungs. Once her father released his titan grip Croix took a deep breath and approached her. He then bowed, grabbed her hand and kissed it. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess.”

  Irinia blushed, “All mine, I’m sure. I have not heard your name mentioned before. How did you come to meet my father?”

  Toran threw his head back and laughed. “We met during a gathering when I was a young man. I saw him gorging on meats and mead so I decided to join him and make it into a contest. We were both quite ill afterwards!”

  “And I won.” Croix jabbed Toran with an elbow.

  “You would have a better chance of escaping the hells than defeating me in an eating contest. I won.” Toran puffed out his chest. They stood and stared at each other for a moment as if it were another contest, but began to laugh instead.

  It had been years since she had seen her father enjoy himself so much. It was good to see. His friend was a good sight to see as well. The age gap was odd though considering her father said he had known Croix for decades. He looked only a few years older than she. When their laughter finally subsided Croix asked, “So what does this task of your entail? Bandits, assassins, and the like? I didn’t think this city was having those sorts of troubles.”

  “The autumn festival is approaching in a few days time. Irinia will be performing in the ceremony and I want her well guarded.”

  “Wouldn't your city's guard be sufficient for the task?”

  “There have been reports from our scouts stating that the daem have been moving in on this area. I do not want anything to happen. It has been some time since we have had any conflict with them this far out. I won’t lie. I’m concerned that our guards have gotten soft. After humanity's last push and the barriers that were put up the training has been.. lacking.”

  Croix frowned. “I warned everyone this would happen. It happens every time. People get comfortable in this false peace and then the losses are greater than they need to be. Also, they’re moving faster than anticipated this time around. It may be best to cancel the festival at this point.” Croix shifted his stance.

  “So it’s true? There is a resurgence coming?”

  Croix nodded.

  The King was quick to respond, “The festival cannot be canceled. My people would begin to worry. I think it’s best to keep the calm and perhaps deal with the problem before it arrives at the gates.”

  “Alright then.” The disappointment of her father’s response was not hard to see on Croix’s face. “Act as the princess’ personal guard until the completion of the festival. That all” Croix looked to her father for approval.

  Toran nodded. “Name you price. For your services I am expecting to toss a heavy amount of coin your way, but it will be worth it.”

  Croix shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Irinia was shocked. No hired guard would protect royalty for anything less than a hefty sum. Her father must have not expected that response either because his jaw dropped. “You want nothing? That’s ridiculous.”

  “You are my friend, Toran. Just give me something to eat and drink, a place to bathe, and a nice soft bed until the festival is over and I will be more than happy.” Croix smiled and rested his hand on the handle of his sword. His cloak was pushed back exposing an odd kind of weapon sheathed on his lower back. “Sleeping in the woods gets old fast. A soft bed is sounding really valuable to me right now.”

  Curious, Irinia asked, “Why do you wear your weapon at your back like that? And why is your blade so narrow and curved? It's not like any of the short swords or greatswords that I have seen in our armories.”

  Croix drew his cloak back further so she could have a better view. “I use a blade like this because I prefer to preserve my agility when I’m in combat. Great swords and short swords are good for those who need to extra weight to compensate for their lack of strength. The curvature of the blade allows me to draw it quickly and slash more effectively. Later I can show you a demonstration if you would like, Princess.”

  Is he trying to impress me? “No, thank you, Sir Croix.” She felt herself blushing again and was trying to control herself. Curse this age.

  “Just Croix is fine. I am no knight.”

  She had a thought. People did not travel between the kingdoms because of the growing daem threat, yet he said he had been in the woods for months. Going near the woods between the kingdoms was suicide. Even the roads were not very safe anymore.

  “How have you been sleeping in the woods for months? There are daem everywhere.”

  “On my back next to a fire.” He grinned.

  Smartass…

  Her father spoke up. “It is settled then. Guard!” A knight near the entry where Irinia had been hiding walked over to them. “Take Croix to his quarters. Give him the room at the end of the north wing.”

  The guard looked surprised and stammered, “Your Grace, that is the room reserved for your royal guests.”

  Toran's tone was short, “I am aware of that. That will be his room until he has had his fill of the city. Also, show him the baths and feasting hall. Warn the chef. He could eat us out of a kingdom.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Croix followed behind the guard. Before leaving the room his quickly turned and bowed to Irinia and waved to Toran. “Your hospitality has no bounds. Do not forget to visit tonight, Toran. We have much to catch up on.” With that he departed the room.

  For a moment the room was silent. Then the Toran spoke, “He is a good man. Be good to him, Irinia. I want his stay to be pleasant.”

  Irinia nodded. “Of course, Father. I like him. He seems to be a very nice person.”

  “So many deeds gone unacknowledged.” Her father said looking down the hall Croix had gone down. “No need for you waste all your time here. Enjoy the remainder of your night and rest well. You will need your energy for the festival.”

  She exited through the same hall as the soldier and Croix. She walked directly back to her bed chambers. She could not stop thinking about Croix. There was definitely something different about that man. She just could not place exactly what it was. Something familiar and yet ancient and mysterious. Like standing in the presence of some kind of god.