Chapter 4

The next day, the girl was forbidden from leaving her room. The two guards she had seen posted by the stairs were now outside her room. She had slept in, undisturbed, and awoke with the vague sensation that the break of schedule was some kind of punishment. She'd opened the door, only to find them standing outside.

"Ah!" One of them remarked. It was Frederick, whom she had spoken with before. She recognized his face, and saw his eyes marked with a tired pity. The other guard's face was dark with blame and annoyance. It was Frederick who spoke. "You're up at last. Sorry, girl- can't let you out of your room today."

Her face look positively crushed, and she made such a face that Frederick seemed to almost back away apologetically. "Look, it's not my decision. The Princess' handservant told us to, and he had the authority of the Security Chief to back it up. WAnts you kooped up today, says you need to learn your dependence or something."

"You're not supposed to TELL her that, you idiot." His partner grumbled. "Now she'll just be pissy that she's being punished."

"Oh, come on, Raynor. Look at her. So what if she did sneak around a bit? It's not like we haven't wanted to, only we have posts to tend to. This place is ancient and old.. just imagine what kind of secrets its dusty rooms hold." Frederick gazed reverently at the walls, looking a bit foolish.

Her face was inquisitive, and she looked at Frederick expectantly.

"What..? You didn't know?" Frederick looked to Raynor.

"If she's telling the truth, she probably doesn't know anything about the Stormsidi." Raynor said. "I think that would include how old the castle is, or why.. well, if she's telling the truth." He sniffed and looked at her, his fingers tightening his grip around the spearshaft he held.

Frederick shrugged and looked at the girl. "Well, let's just ask her. Hey, do you know why this castle is important?" She shook her head, and he looked at Raynor with a "see?" look.

"How did you even GET this position?" Raynor muttered darkly.

As if he thought the question was sincere, Frederick responded. "WEeeell, my pappy was good friends with the King, one of his personal bodyguards. Kinda like the Princess' manservant, but officially recognized. Bless the king's heart." There was a moment of silence between the two guards. (The girl's participation was more or less considered voluntary.) "So a year or so ago I got an invitation to join the royal guard. Then this guy came and asked me to spy on the royal family for them, and they'd pay me a pretty big sum of silver. Of course, I said I'd never even consider it and they'd best find themselves lost, because the royal family was good to mine and I'd never betray them, not even for all the riches of the fairies. Well, the very next day, the Princess' manservant is at my door and takes me from home and hearth and wife to here." He exhaled and took a big breath.

Raynor stared at Frederick with wide eyes and blinked. "Wasn't meant to be answered, lad. But.. I see. Well, tell her whatever you want. If she IS a.. well, then you're not telling her anything she already knows. As long as you keep it to public knowledge." Frederick shrugged.

"Sure. It's not like we know anything the public don't." Frederick responded. "Alright, listen. You know why the Stormsidi's called such?"

The girl shook her head.

"Well.. do you know what fairies are?" He asked, looking nervous. She shook her head. "They're ancient things. Not human, but they looked human.. anyways, a long time ago, they interbred with the royalty of an ancient nation, called.. erm.."

"Blackwulfen."

"Something like that." Frederick said. "And the kings and queens of that line founded the Stormsidi. Following?" The girl nodded. "As a result, their line has always been.. blessed, I guess you could say. Fairies are weird. Their blood is even weirder.. but they've always ruled well."

"You speak of our Princess, Frederick." Raynor warned.

"I mean no disrespect." Frederick said. "Just, they've always.. well, I guess it's hard to convey in words. They're not mad, or ill. Just unusual. But powerful, wise, and majestic." He nodded. "And of course, their blood empowers the Stormsidi.."

"No one really knows the secret of the Stormsidi." Raynor finished. "But the royal line has something to do with it. An ancient power.. it was last used in legend, to defend the Stormsidi against barbarian hordes."

The girl listened intently, eyes flicking between the two, leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed.