“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

  ???

  The continuous clashes of steel against steel echoed through the training yard of Nightray Manor.

  The end of spring was evident in the way that the blooming spring flowers on the branches of the courtyard tree had begun to wither, giving way to summer. The leaves of the tree were turning a deeper green, their vibrant hues signalling the seasonal shift.

  Sweat glistened on the bodies and foreheads of the four individuals in the yard, with their muscles straining as their blades clashed continuously.

  Fourteen-year-old Yuliana Nightray moved like a coiled spring. Her strikes were swift and without hesitation, and her footwork was precise, swift, and silent. Every movement was the result of years of training, honed to near perfection.

  Across from her, Gale Valemire staggered under the force of her assault. Despite being a head taller, he is far less precise in his strikes, compared to Yulia. His sword barely intercepted Yulia’s twin blades, and his stance faltered.

  He had the aquamarine-green eyes of the members of House Valemire, with longish-black hair reaching down to his earlobes. Dressed in a sleeveless black training shirt that exposed the dark blue markings of his House on his left bicep, it also showed off his lean and wiry muscles gained from years of training and combat drills.

  Elias, as calm and fluid as ever, moved beside them with quiet confidence. He adjusted mid-step, shifting his heel just enough to intercept Yulia’s second blade with a counter that threw her slightly off-balance.

  “Again!” Gareth barked from the sidelines, sounding more like a commander barking orders at his men than a retainer. “You drop that guard one more time, Gale, and I swear to the Goddess that I’ll use your sword to gut a boar for dinner.”

  Gale panted, wiping his brow with the sleeve of his shirt. “Why do I feel like that’s not a metaphor?” he asked flatly.

  Gareth didn’t answer. His glare at the Valemire heir was answer enough.

  Gale offered a weak grin at Elias, before both boys rushed at Yulia from either side. Despite being smaller than both of them, Yulia parried their swords easily. Gale let out a surprised gasp as the hilt of one of Yulia’s twin short blades slammed into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. The other blade was hooked around Elias’s sword, and sent flying across the ground.

  Both boys froze as the ends of Yulia’s twin blades were pointed between their eyes.

  Elias sighed. “I concede,” he murmured, hands raised.

  “I concede, too,” Gale muttered a moment later. “I swear that you get faster every single time we train.” He grumbled good-naturedly.

  “I wouldn’t be much of an assassin if I’m slow,” Yulia teased, even as the trio made their way towards the open hallway adjacent to the training yard.

  “Take a short break,” Gareth called. “Are you both staying for dinner?” He enquired, looking at Gale and Elias.

  “I wouldn’t miss a Nightray dinner,” Gale said immediately, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel. Elias said nothing, but raised a hand in silent agreement even as he drank deeply from a water skin.

  “I’ll let the kitchens know, then,” Gareth murmured, heading towards the direction of the Nightray kitchens, and leaving Yulia, Gale, and Elias alone.

  For several moments, the three childhood friends merely basked in the silence comfortably, with Yulia staring up at the clear blue skies, with not a single cloud in sight. A single petal from the nearby tree fluttered down to their feet, being carried by the gentle breeze.

  “Spring’s almost over,” Yulia murmured.

  “And with it, harvest period is almost upon us,” Elias sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Wonder how it’s going to be like this year, though. The last few harvests haven’t been great. Not to mention that recently, we’re seeing an increase in skirmishes in Rovaryn territories. Bandits, mostly. And even outlaws.”

  “Same with us,” Gale admitted, his brows furrowing. “My father’s been away on patrol more often than not these days. Heard that some of our villages are struggling with grain shortages, too. My mother’s trying to come up with a plan, but House Valemire doesn’t have many farmlands.”

  “Same here,” Yulia admitted, leaning back on her hands as she gazed at the sky. “From what I hear, almost all of the Ten Great Houses are facing similar problems. Lord Kael, especially, had it the worst, as his territories span the entirety of the northern borders. But this time, his issues isn’t with outside forces. It’s internal. Mainly bandits and outlaws. Even raiders.”

  “Yeah, I heard my father talking about that,” Gale frowned. “It’s like we’re still stuck in post-war recovery, even though the war with Nuvelle ended nearly four years ago.” Elias and Yulia exchanged looks, but said nothing. Gale sighed. “So, what are you going to do after this?” He asked Yulia. “We still got a few hours before dinner, right?”

  Yulia was silent for several moments, before she looked at Elias and Gale. “I’m going to make an inspection in one of my border villages. You two might as well come with me.”

  “Us?” Gale blinked, pointing to himself, and Yulia nodded. “I’m game.” He shrugged. He looked at Elias who looked concerned. “What about you, Elias?”

  “I’m definitely coming. I’m not letting you walk alone into whatever’s waiting for us,” Elias said cryptically, much to Gale’s confusion. Elias turned to Yulia, concern shadowing his face. “If what I heard from my mother is true, it’s not going to be pretty.” He sighed. “We’d better bring our emergency packs.”

  Gale blinked. “Huh?”

  Elias shook his head. “You’ll understand when we get there,” he said quietly. “Stay alert when we arrive. Keep your hand on your sword at all times. Don’t let your guard down.”

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  Despite the warm spring day, the light breeze that swept through the courtyard felt oddly cold, and Gale swallowed nervously.

  There was something in Elias’s voice, and even the way that Yulia looked, that told Gale that he isn’t going to like what they’re going to see.

  ???

  Gale was familiar with the lands within Nightray territory. He had spent just as much time within Nightray and Rovaryn borders growing up, and is as familiar with them as he is with the lands and territories of his own House.

  He kept looking at Yulia even as the trio of childhood friends rode on their horses beneath the overcast skies. All three of them were dressed in plain travelling clothes—nothing that could identify them as members of one of the Ten Great Houses.

  Yulia was frowning as she urged her horse forward, her eyes glued to the map that she was holding, giving occasional looks to the Alathian countryside around them.

  Gale had read about Silvarend, a village nestled deep within Nightray lands. He had never been there, but he knew from his studies that Silvarend is a village renowned for its crafting and embroidery, rivalling even Rovaryn craftsmanship. The village is also famous for its silk manufacturing, and was highly prized, being durable, long-lasting, and beautiful. Many noble families and merchants travelled far and wide just to be able to acquire them.

  Which is why Gale was taken aback when the roads leading to Silvarend looked so…neglected.

  The path and roads were overgrown and desolate. The wooden signposts pointing them towards Silvarend were scorched and rotting, with the swinging lamppost having rust coated along the rim and chain.

  Yulia’s jaw was clenched tightly as her sharp eyes surveyed the surroundings. “I heard the rumours, but…” she trailed off slowly.

  She pulled on the reins, bringing her black horse to a stop. The animal let out a confused neigh as Yulia dismounted, with Yulia patting the horse gently on its neck and offering it an apple, which it crunched happily.

  Elias and Gale dismounted as well, with all three tying their horses to the warped signpost. Gale would be worried about horse thieves if he hadn’t known that all Nightray steeds were trained as war mounts. Any thief stupid enough to try to steal Yulia’s horse would get a rude shock, and likely wouldn’t live long enough to regret it.

  “Stay on your guard, Gale,” Elias said quietly, even as they pulled the hoods over their heads. His hand dropped silently to the hilt of his sword. “And whatever you see or hear there, don’t react.”

  Gale only frowned at Elias’s words, but the moment they entered Silvarend, he understood immediately.

  What was once a thriving village is now almost desolate and filled with an air of despair, looking almost half-dead. Village homes were almost in ruin, leaning precariously, with crumbling timber and thatched roofs that looked to be in severe need of repair or replacement. There was debris cluttered along the roads, with broken or damaged lampposts. Most of those lamps don’t even have oil in them.

  Villagers who looked both emaciated and almost skeletal were slumped in doorways, with most of them looking like they were just waiting for death to come and claim them. Most of them didn’t even lift their heads as the trio passed.

  A young mother was slumped against a crumbling doorway, watching them with glassy eyes, clutching a bundle in her arms. But the baby in her arms isn’t moving at all. The children of the village aren’t any better. Most of them were bone-thin and almost ghostlike, looking more like skeletons masquerading as humans.

  The air within Silvarend was thick with rot and despair, unlike the village that Gale had envisioned whenever he thought of Silvarend.

  Gale only watched with fascinated horror beneath his hood, whereas Elias and Yulia looked on grimly, unsurprised. “I heard the rumours, but…” Yulia bit back a hiss. “Damn it…” She muttered something beneath her breath, to which Gale realised a moment later that Yulia was calculating if she could stretch the grain reserves to send some to Silvarend. “…Maybe Blackwatch? No, they are low on food as well. Maybe I can check our grain reserves? See if I can find enough medical supplies to be sent as well. Maybe station a few men here as guards…”

  “Is this what you meant?” Gale asked Elias quietly.

  The older boy nodded grimly. “I doubt your father ever took you on inspections. Lord Valemire probably wanted to spare you from knowing the grim reality of what is going on in Alathia. But this sight…” Elias jerked his chin towards Silvarend. “It’s an almost common sight these days. Not just in the rural provinces, but even in the territories of the Ten Great Houses. And don’t get me started on the territories of the minor noble families. We’re all facing the same problems in food shortages.”

  A sudden movement from the side caught Gale’s attention just then. As one, the trio’s hands immediately fell to their weapons. Gale’s taut muscles then relaxed when a small child stumbled towards them from behind an overturned cart that was probably once part of a stall.

  The child is in threadbare clothing that has seen better days, being little more than rags. Her hair was dirty and matted, with dirt caking her bare feet. Her clothing, too, was barely hanging onto her emaciated frame, even as she stumbled towards them, her eyes huge in her thin face. She lifted trembling hands towards Gale, also caked with dirt.

  “Please…” she whispered, her voice low and breathy, like she doesn’t even have the strength to speak. Her lips were chapped and dry, like she hadn’t had anything to drink for days. “May I have some food?”

  Gale was already reaching into his satchel, fumbling for the ration pack inside. But before he could even pull it out, Yulia’s hand closed around his wrist. Bewildered, Gale met Yulia’s eyes. Yulia looked regretful, but there was also a hard expression within her silver eyes.

  She shook her head. “Don’t.”

  Gale was taken aback. “We can’t leave her like this! She’s starving!”

  Elias spoke next, shaking his head, one hand on Gale’s shoulder. “She’s right.”

  Gale looked at his two childhood friends in disbelief. “What the hell is wrong with both of you? We can’t just leave her—”

  Yulia’s voice interrupted, as sharp as any blade. “If you give her food, she’ll be dead within the hour.” Gale stared at Yulia with wide eyes, stunned. “You’ll make her a target. She would have been killed for the food she was given. By those starving. Her neighbours. Maybe even by her own parents.”

  Gale was taken aback by the words, looking around Silvarend. And now, he noticed the hungry eyes watching them. Filled with desperation and even madness. The child who had approached them was frightened by the sudden tension, quickly turning around and vanishing into the dark alleyway between two collapsed homes.

  “W-What do you mean?” Gale swallowed nervously, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

  Yulia pressed her lips together in a thin line, sighing softly. “I’ve been hearing whispers lately of what is happening since the war ended. Rumours,” she said almost bitterly. “Stories that I didn’t want to believe. But it’s worse than I thought.” She gestured to Silvarend. “People are starving all over. It’s gotten so bad that some have even resorted to cannibalism.” Gale turned green. “There were even riots. Raids. People killing their neighbours and even their own family in some cases over a crust of bread.”

  Elias nodded grimly. “I’ve been on a few inspections with my mother in Rovaryn lands,” he admitted. “It isn’t as bad in my territories yet. But it’s getting there. We’re running low on food, medical supplies, and even essentials. Even Rosecross is struggling. We’ve been trying to help our people, but we’re running low on everything. Even the other Ten Great Houses are unable to help, as they’re also all in the same boat. Everyone’s desperate.”

  Yulia nodded grimly. “The raiders recently? I would say that some of them are doing it out of desperation. Everyone is starving. And desperation turns people into monsters. Since the war ended, most of the relief funds have been diverted straight to the capital. Parliament is rendering aid to the inner cities, but not enough to the rural areas.” Gale could only stare with wide eyes. “Even most of the noble lands are being neglected. It’s come to such a point that we’re practically funding repairs and help out of our own private treasuries.”

  Yulia sighed. “I don’t know if your parents have been complaining, but this is commonplace everywhere now. And because the soldiers are all exhausted, not just from the war against Nuvelle, but also because we are unable to give them new gear and weapons, they’re also struggling against common bandits that trained soldiers would otherwise have no problems against. Those bandits and raiders are practically taking it as an open invitation to attack villages, especially those in the rural provinces.”

  Elias frowned, adjusting his gloves. “I heard something similar from my mother,” he admitted slowly. “Our territories are hanging on. Barely. But only because we mainly focused on agriculture and medicine. Even then, our reach is limited. Most of the damage is beyond us. We are still able to feed our people. But even we’re having problems with food. The other Ten Great Houses, and even the other minor families have been requesting for medical aid, and we’ve been doing what we can. But it’s not enough.”

  Gale ran a hand through his hair, still shaken from what he’d just learned. “Same here,” he admitted. “My father has been gone more than he’s around these days. I’ve been managing local duties in Windmere Bastion in his absence. But even I didn’t know it was this bad.”

  Elias nodded quietly. “It’s been that way since the war ended. The peace is fragile, but only for those with power. And if it’s bad for us? I’d wager it’s a million times worse for Lady Maris,” he added grimly. “She’s the head of House D’Aragon now, with the deaths of the late Lord and Lady D’Aragon. House D’Aragon had monopoly over the navy and seas, so it likely wouldn’t be as bad for them. Even still, I’d wager they would still have the same problems we have with bandits and raiders, and even food.”

  Gale looked at Yulia. “What about the Crown Prince? Prince Rem is the heir. Isn’t it his responsibility to address this? Why isn’t he doing anything?”

  Yulia’s expression darkened. “Either he has no idea what’s really happening, or he trusts Parliament too much. Them and their empty promises.” Her lip curled. “Idiot prince. I warned him against trusting Parliament too much and giving them too much power. And it’s like whatever I said went in one ear and out the other.”

  Elias sighed. “So you did warn him.”

  Yulia nodded. “More than once,” she replied. “But our relationship hasn’t been the same for a while now.” She looked toward the edge of the village. “Rem isn’t a bad person. But he’s trusting the wrong people. Handing the power of the king over to Parliament… It’s a disaster waiting to happen. The problems that we’re all having now? Wouldn’t be surprised if Parliament is responsible for most of it. Whether it’s due to their inaction or something they did.”

  Elias exchanged looks with Gale. “And as a result of the Crown Prince’s blindness, people are dying and suffering because of it,” he murmured.

  Silence fell between them.

  Gale looked around Silvarend once more. None of them had to say anything further. The very truth is visible all around them. In the people. In the villages. In the suffering of the citizens.

  At this rate, if Prince Rem continues being blind to the truth, then the clock is already ticking toward the end of Alathia.