Summer Jams 4: Gorask - Part I

As she watched Ilyana go through the motions with her dagger, sparing against an imaginary partner with narrowed eyes and a concentrated expression, Tori played ‘Eye of the Tiger’ in her head.  Ewan, who was practicing with an imperial knight off to the side, didn’t seem to be in such a fervorous state as Ilyana.

“I’m starting to worry that when we get to Gorask, Ilyana is going to stab everyone who ever wronged her,” Sonia said in a careful voice as she squinted.

Albert was seated on a rock, slumped forward and exhausted.  He’d barely kept up with Ilyana and was worn out much faster.  “If she does, they don’t stand a chance,” he replied with a heavy breath.

Tori rolled her eyes, though had to admit, such an idea wasn’t too difficult to imagine if anyone saw Ilyana as she was at the moment.  “She’s just getting out her frustration and anxious energy.  I do the same thing with a sword.  Releasing pent up energy can be healthy.”

“Using yourself as an example is even more disconcerting,” JP told her.  “I’ve seen you hold a wooden practice dagger to von Dorn’s neck.”

“It was a regulated match.  I didn’t attack him for no reason.” Tori let out a little scoff as she sat up straight.

“I only hope she is able to get out all her rage before we reach Gorask tomorrow,” Sonia said.  “She hasn’t seen those people in years and I’m worried they may overwhelm her.”

“Ilyana is no longer the child she was when she left Gorask,” Constantine said as he turned the page of a book.  “It has been many years and she’s experienced many things to help her grow.”

“That’s true.  She’s had to deal with many merchants more experienced and shrewder than she is,” Henrik told them.

“Other merchants aren’t the same as childhood bullies,” Tori replied with her eye still fixed on Ilyana.   Her lips tightened into a frown. “But if they think our Ilyana is a hapless little girl, they’re in for a rude awakening.  And I am very willing to throw my rank behind her.”

Ilyana did one final cut and brought her dagger back, close to her body and still gripped in her hand.  She took a deep breath and seemed to lower her guard as her arm loosened.  She sheathed her dagger and wiped her forehead with her arm.

Her flushed face filled with a smile as she skipped back to the group.  “Tori, do we have any more snacks left?  I’m a bit hungry.”

“We have plenty of snacks,” Tori replied as she stood up and walked towards their carriage.  “What do you feel like snacking on, Ilyana?  We have some smoked meat and spread, some jams, some bread we bought at the last town.”

As Ilyana let out a thoughtful hum and considered her choices, no one would describe her as a dagger-happy lunatic.  If anything, when Ilyana was out playing with others, she was just a beautiful young lady living her best life.  If they didn’t know the kind of people she would likely encounter when she returned to Gorask, Tori and the others wouldn’t have suspected she had any worries.

“Jam and scones...!” Ilyana’s musical voice rang out.

“Oh, I want some with the butter we got at Phenic!”  Albert perked up.  His eyes glassed over.  “That’s the most delicious butter....”

The fat content was higher in that butter and Phenic was a small rural town in a region famous for dairy.  They’d stopped there on their way to Enda at the recommendation of Eili.  Anything dairy-based out of that region was rich, and Tori had secretly hoarded jars of fruit yogurt; most of which was sent back to Viclya on For Whom the Sun Rises.  So far, the only one who suspected she still had some was Ewan, who asked where her morning jars of yogurt were coming from.

The knights with them helped unload the snack baskets prepared for that day’s travel and arranged for a small picnic under the tree where Sonia was quilting Henrik and Hiedrun’s entwined initials in her memory quilt.

Tori prepared some tea after heating up a kettle with her crystal.  She was still limited to what she could do, but small things like this had returned to her quickly once she started practicing.  There were still limitations within her that she felt when she grounded and collected energy.  The flow through her channels was still tight and slowed easily.

She inwardly sighed.  She still had quite a bit to go before she returned to ‘Avatar Tori’ mode.

The group gathered to eat to take a relaxing break before they continued.  Gorask was in the far north of Osten.  It was both the name of a town and the valley and surrounding mountain region the town was in.  Due to both location and elevation, summer felt more like spring and it wouldn’t last long.

While relatively warm in the day, the temperatures dropped once the sun set and the topography of the area made for heavy wind activity in the evenings and mornings.  The roads were almost mountainous and often curving with blind corners, so caution always needed to be taken.

As a result, their little caravan of fancy carriages equipped the latest crystal technology - because, of course; the Agafonovs had to support their daughter and their daughter’s best friend, traveled a shorter distance per day than they would if they were traveling in the south.  Still, with the good weather and the well-kept roads, they’d arrive in Gorask about a week after disembarking at Austur Port.

Their entourage was not simple.  While technically, all of them could fit in a single carriage, it would get cramped after a few hours and someone would start arguing or pestering someone else and voices would escalate.  To ensure the comfort of Ilyana and the others, Baron Agafonov sent not one, not two, but five carriages, each drawn by four horses, with a driver, a spare driver, and a footman, each.  Not counting the spare two wagons sent because he was told that they were bringing things with them.

As if afraid that Ilyana would starve during the trip, there was a third wagon with food and supplies for camping, for some reason.  Tori wasn’t sure what to expect on their week-long journey to Gorask.

Were there no towns before Gorask?  That was partially true.  There were a few scattered villages and homes not far off the main road, but with each village where they planned to stay for the night, accommodations had been made for everyone in advance, including the horses.  A villager would also meet them at the entrance of the village to help lead the way to their lodgings for the night.

Food was waiting for them.  Hot baths.  Someone washed their clothes and returned it to them clean and pressed the next day.  There were even hired villagers to take care of the horses.  If anyone doubted how much money Baron Agafonov had, let them travel with his daughter to open their eyes.

“My lady, Sir Dassler called,” Sir Lloyd said as he knelt down and bowed his head at Tori. “We will reach Gorask well before sundown and he has contacted the Baron.”

“Excellent.”  Tori nodded her head pleased.  “Was Alexander any trouble?”

Her cat would not get down from Sir Dassler’s horse and Sir Dassler believed Alexander wanted to join him.  Why, Tori wasn’t sure.  She was not a cat.

“No, my lady.  Master Alexander is now being fed at the Agafonov Manor.  Young Lord Illarion has been waiting and personally oversaw Master Alexander’s meals, as written by Lady Agafonova.”

Tori’s eyes slowly squinted. ...Did he go ahead so he could eat a hot meal?  That cat will not allow himself to be wronged.  She pursed her lips and nodded to herself.  As expected of my cat.  Sir Lloyd didn’t appear at all surprised by the information that Ilyana’s brother, Riri, had been excitedly waiting for Alexander so he could feed him.

She pushed her thoughts out of her head and focused on the fact that they’d be there soon.   She was looking forward to not having to wake up early for another long day of travel.

“It will be about another week and a half from Gorask to Hellenstradt,” Ilyana said.  “It’s mostly flat and we have to cross a minor mountain range, but travel will be faster.”

“We haven’t reached Gorask yet and you’re already looking forward to Hellenstradt?”  Albert raised a brow.

Ilyana let out a heavy sigh.  “There is more to do in Hellenstradt.  It’s the capital of Osten...and I’ve always seen Buchenberg when we pass through, but I’ve never been inside of it, let alone near its grounds.”

“Is it different from the other fortresses?” Ewan asked with a partially eaten scone stuffed with smoked salmon in one hand.

Ilyana nodded, but Tori answered.  “The eastern boundaries of the empire were constantly pushed back and forth.  If you’re thinking about fortress castles for defense, as well as seats of power, Buchenberg differs.  Osten’s defense fortresses are used strictly for defense along the border regions because we often have skirmishes, if not war.  They wanted the von Schwert seat to be somewhere stable, so it’s actually on the other side of the eastern mountain range.  Axton said it’s a few days away from the border.”

“I also read that it is styled more palatial than fortification, like the Fortress in Presidio,” Ilyana said.  “You’ll understand when you see it.”

Tori had seen pictures. Buchenberg had military fortifications, as it was still the seat of a march, but the inner castle looked like a fairytale.  Her eyes narrowed.  Why did all the castles associated with Piers look like palaces and fairy tale castles while the ones in her family were relics of wartime?

Osten was the march that saw the most military activity, too.

“What about your house?” Constantine asked.  “We won’t be too much trouble, will we?”

Ilyana wrinkled her nose and shook her head from side to side as if the thought were crazy.  “We have plenty of room!  It used to be the manor house of a local lord, but their family line died out, so it was in disrepair.  Daddy bought it and much of my early childhood, there was construction happening to make it livable.  It’s very comfortable and we’ll each have our own rooms.  Mommy said she’s looking forward to having a lot of people visit.”

Ilyana seemed so pleased with this, Tori wouldn’t dare question if the Baroness were excited for guest because they were still being ostracized somewhat.  It had been years since Ilyana’s parents married and neither originally came from money or nobility.

“That’s a relief,” Sonia said with a relaxed breath.  “There are a lot of us.”

“Don’t worry, all the horses will have places and all the knights will be taken care of,” Ilyana reported, puffing out her chest.  It was finally her turn to show her friends hospitality and she seemed determined to do so well.

Their snack and rest time was completed and soon they were on the road again.  The drivers picked up the pace as the road became smoother and there were fewer curves going down into the valley.

The jagged, rocky mountains that still had snow on some peaks began to be greener with thicker vegetation and dirt paths leading off the main road.  The valley Gorask was situated in came into view and Tori was glad she opted to ride on Layla so she could take in the sights.

In her imagination, Gorask was this quaint hamlet nestled between snowy hills and forests, with scattered homes and a few cleared grounds with a few large manor houses.  Ilyana always described it as small, modest, and underpopulated.  It was a ‘mining town’, so Tori had the image of an old, dilapidated, but busy mining town.

Her imagination was wrong.

This is a fucking alpine ski town.  Tori drew her lips into a tight line, feeling somewhat tricked.  The main road they were on grew wider and was the central road cutting through a long, narrow valley with a vast network of humble estates and clusters of homes.  It did not appear in any way dilapidated.  Perhaps not as wealthy as big cities, but it was doing quite well for itself and in the summer, everything was vibrant and green.

“Are we in the right place?” JP asked from Nuage on her left.  His look of confusion and disbelief matched hers.

“This does explain why Ilyana is good at winter sports,” Sonia said with a slight nod.

“Tori!  Ilyana says that some of the mountains still have snow and we can go sledding!  Sledding!  While we grill outdoors in the summer!” Ewan’s excitable shouting came from the carriage behind them.

Tori’s lips tightened into a line.  “Who told him I planned to grill while we’re here?”

“Ewan sniffs out food like a hound,” JP replied.  “Don’t be surprised.”

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Tori said in a deadpan voice.

“It could be Albert.”  Tori didn’t reply and JP lowered his eyes.  “It was me.”

Before they reached the north gates, they were caught up in a line of caravans heading into the city.  Many merchants took advantage of the warm months to bring cargo from Austur Port into northern Osten, so this time of the year was busy.

There were almost always other people within eyesight when they were on the road.  That was why Tori was so thankful for Baron Agafonov’s foresight in preparing their lodgings.  No wonder they had built a crystal mining empire in such a short period of time.

“My apologies, my lady, but as we have cargo, our wagons and carriages must go through the checkpoint,” the guide who was leading them told her with an apologetic look.

Tori waved her hand.  “We are not above the law.”  Said the woman who killed ten thousand men and personally stabbed a bastard....

They weren’t in such a big rush and this was Ilyana’s hometown. She wouldn’t cause a fuss that would reflect badly on Ilyana.  After all, Ilyana had been away for so long.  She needed to return to Gorask like the rapper who made it coming back to their hometown.

Tori glanced around.  All the imperial knights who’d escorted her thus far were with her and placed around the carriage and wagons.  This was in addition to the private guards hired.  Four surrounded Tori, JP, and Sonia, who were riding just ahead of the first carriage.  The imperial knights were all in light uniform with their cloaks and pins; the same ones Tori had noticed the first time Piers showed up to pick her up for the delta all those years ago.

Thinking about him, she made a note to call him when she arrived.  Axton told her that Piers was being worked to the bone by his father, who seemed to have ‘abandoned all imperial duty’ on to Piers’ shoulders.  Tori couldn’t help but be worried that Piers would overwork himself, so she called him more often to remind him to rest and eat.

If only she could ban the Emperor from visiting Viclya or at least, put a limitation on his stay.

“Are you upset we have to wait?” Sonia asked with a raised brow. She must’ve noticed Tori’s frown.

“No, I’m thinking about something.”

“Something bad?”

“A shitty old man.”

Both JP and Sonia gave her strange looks, but didn’t say anything further.  The line was moving quite fast and the closer they got to the gates, the lines were split so more people could be cleared at once.

City guards were well-dressed in their uniforms, showing that the area did well for itself.  They had folded booklets where they were writing notes.  From what Tori heard from the other lines, they’d be asked to show their travel papers, state their purpose for visiting, and declare any plans for trading.

“The guests’ names and papers,”  a guard said in a gruff voice without looking up.  Sir Wagner, who was leading the group, frowned at the rudeness.

Tori let out a small cough and gave him a shake of her head.  He was not to cause trouble.  At least not too much over something minor.

Sir Wagner handed him the travel records for the group.  It was a folded folio with a few pages listing their names and where they were from.  To make checkpoints into large towns, fortified cities, and ports easy, an entire party’s information was listed in a travel folio, starting with the party head’s information, which was usually the most ranked member of the party.

The guard snatched it from Sir Wagner’s gloved hand and lazily opened it.  His eyes widened at once, his face paling as he almost dropped the paper like it burned him.

The first name listed identified the official head of the party and included several commanding seals that immediately identified the importance of the party head.

Victoria Antonia Sophia de Guevera, Countess of Cosora, Daughter of Marquis Gregorio de Guevera, born in the Fortress, Presidio, Sur; current residence Viclya, Cosora Delta.  The black and gold seal of the Countess of Cosora, the embossed maroon Guevera arms, and a special gold foil and purple wax imperial travel seal stamped by Crown Prince Piers Emil du Soleil.

Even if someone missed her name, they wouldn’t miss the seal.

That seal alone gave her a sort of fast pass into their allied nations.  She didn’t even need the official invitations she had been sent to bypass the normal processes.  Any check point within the empire would know what it meant.

The guard next to the first guard looked at him with confusion and opened his mouth to ask what was wrong when he looked up and saw the shiny metal pins on the cloaks of the knights.  His eyes dropped to the swords peeking from beneath the cloak.  His face lost color and Tori watched him swallow hard.

Sometimes, she forgot that imperial knights had that effect on people.

“Impe...Imperial....”

“We are here to escort Countess Guevera on behalf of the Crown Prince,” Sir Wagner said in a low, slow voice, as if emphasizing the names.

Tori didn’t show any outward signs of impatience or annoyance.

The first guard trembled and couldn’t seem to lift his head as some sweat glistened on his forehead. He seemed to snap himself out of his stupor.  He slapped the paper back into its folded position and almost threw it back at Sir Wagner.  When he realized what he did, he swayed and paled even further. “Pass! Forgive my negligence, my lady!  I did not mean to offend!”

Tori raised a brow.  “Aren’t you going to ask us our purpose and-”

“No need, my lady!  Pass!”  The guard’s voice was abnormally loud and Tori could feel eyes from other parties looking their way.  The guards quickly stood to the side and waved their arms, as if urging them to leave immediately.

Sir Wagner sneered and tucked the papers back into his pouch.  He kicked his horse and they proceeded through the gate.  The guards they passed appeared stunned to see them.  They either gawked or averted their eyes.  Imperial knights weren’t a common sight outside of the Central Corridor, especially not in uniform and if one wasn’t used to them, Tori supposed they were an intimidating lot.

“Look up and proceed,” Tori said as she gave Layla a gentle kick.  “This is Ilyana’s hometown.  We can’t embarrass her.”

As she said it, she caught Sir Lloyd’s look of confusion, as if wondering how they could possibly embarrass Ilyana.

“My lady!” A man’s voice shouted and just through the gates, a well-dressed, middle-aged man was on horseback with two guards.  He kicked his horse and trotted forward with a wide smile.  “Ilyana!”

“Daddy!”  Ilyana stuck her head out the window and waved her arm excitedly.

“Baron Agafonov.”  Tori greeted with a warm smile and a nod.  She did motion towards the carriage.  She raised her hand  as soon as they were all cleared past the gates and in an out of the way area outside a wide, open plaza.  The carriages and knights came to a halt.

The door to the first carriage swung open and Ilyana hopped out as her father reached them.  Tori sat on her saddle, smiling thoughtfully as she watched Ilyana rush to embrace her father, who laughed heartily as he saw her and picked her up, swinging her in a circle.

“Welcome home, my daughter!”  He put her down and kissed the top of her head.  Ilyana giggled.  Her father stepped aside and motioned for another guard to come forward holding the reins of a speckled white and gray horse.  “Look who I brought!”

Ilyana’s face lit up even further.  Her eyes reddened.  “Truffles!  I thought he ran away!”

“That’s a horse, not a dog....” JP muttered as they watched Ilyana rush towards the slender horse and reach out carefully.

“How does a horse run away....” Tori said in a soft voice.

“We found him wandering the forest with some other horses,” Baron Agafonov said as he raised his hand and patted Truffles’ neck.  “I was told that the horses were stolen and seemed to have been left to wander after the animal trafficking ring was caught.”

“They probably tried to get rid of the evidence thinking they’d be able to get the horses again once they were free,” Tori replied.

Baron Agafonov bowed his head to Tori.  “Welcome to Gorask, my lady.  Thank you for caring for our Ilyana this entire time.”

“It is a pleasure.  If anything, Ilyana is taking care of me, as well,” Tori replied.  “And I must thank you for your foresight and hospitality from the moment we disembarked at Austur Port.”

He shook his head.  “Anything for my Ilyana and her friends.”

Luckily, Ilyana was wearing pants and excitedly climbed on to the saddle on Truffles’ back.  Tori had heard about the horse a few times.  Truffles supposedly ran away a year before Ilyana left for Lycée, but he’d been the gelding Ilyana had started to learn to ride on.  Everyone apparently thought he ran away one spring when a gate was open, but it seems that he was either stolen or found wandering the forests surrounding the town and taken.

Before they followed Baron Agafonov to the manor, Ilyana introduced Truffles to Tori and the twins’ horses, as if introducing her child to her friends’ kids at a playground.  The three female horses sniffled at Truffles, but otherwise ignored him.

Tori urged Ilyana to ride ahead with her father and they’d follow behind to allow them some father-daughter time.

“Seeing them, I’m starting to miss Dad,” Sonia said as she released a heavy sigh.

“When was the last time we went riding with Dad?” JP furrowed his brows.  Sonia frowned, as well, appearing not to recall.

Tori smirked a bit.  She’d spent time with her father when they were in Presidio.  They’d grilled meat in her father’s courtyard while talking about her life and plans as the Countess and as a student.  Her father supported her if she wanted to go abroad to Université’s sister schools in allied countries to further her crystal studies and expand her trade network.

Her father was actually very excited about this and Tori wondered if he just wanted her to wander outside the empire to annoy Piers.

“When we get back, you should invite your parents to Viclya and let them rest.  Spend some time with them before we go back to school,” Tori told them.  The two let out some mumbles of agreement.

It didn’t take long for them to veer off the wide, main road cutting through town and on to side roads.  They passed large grounds separated by low, stone walls.  Past the walls and trees, there were large houses.  The further they went, the more elaborate the walls, grounds, and the larger the houses.

Tori wondered how Ilyana’s family’s house was since it used to belong to a local lord.

“There it is!” Ilyana said as they turned into a low stone gate framed by metal posts with light crystals and flourishes.  The gates were open and the road curved through a rolling field to a large, whitewashed manor house trimmed with creeping ivy.

Roughly three stories tall with three protruding towers that added an extra story and a decorative battlement.  Considering the size of the windows and Juliet balconies, the manor house was not built as a defensive structure, but as a residence styled after a fortification.  At the large doorway, there were a few people waiting, including Ilyana’s mother, Baroness Agafonova, and her little brother, Riri.

In Riri’s arms was a large, fluffy, and well-fed gray cat.

“Mommy!  Riri!”  Ilyana sped up and rushed to her family.  The Baroness looked worried and stepped forward with her arms up as Ilyana barely stopped Truffles completely before getting off to give her a hug.

“Ilyana!  Be careful!”

Tori and the others got off their horses or the carriage and waited as the Agafonovs hugged and held each other.  Alexander trotted over to Tori and she looked down at him.

“Did you eat?”

“Nyaow.”

“You just left me.  For food.”

“Nyaow!”  Alexander turned his head away, as if guilty.

“This is why I’m worried when the children feed you.  You guilt them into giving you more food.” Alexander bristled a bit and turned around, lifting his tail, and snapping it.

Ilyana’s family came to greet them and ushered them into the manor house. One of the first rooms was a drawing room with several plush sofas.  It was brightly lit with tall windows between bookshelves and maps mounted on to the wall.

A large oil painting of the family had been hung and after Constantine complimented it, the family and Ilyana laughed.

“It has to be updated soon,” Ilyana said with a proud grin.  “Mommy is having a baby!”

Tori and the others immediately rushed to congratulate them.  Ilyana’s parents blushed, but Riri lowered his head and hugged Alexander once more.  Tori saw him and tilted her head.

“Riri, what’s wrong?”

“Mommy can’t travel when she has a baby inside her,” the cute little boy replied.  “So, I can’t come to Viclya.”

The group went quiet and the Baroness looked down, disappointed that she was holding back her son.  Tori looked towards them.  “Why can’t Riri come?”

“We can’t force Ilyana to watch Riri the entire summer,” the Baron told her in a gentle voice.  “And as Ilyana is starting school, she shouldn’t have to come back to drop off her brother at the end of the summer.  It’s a three-week journey and over a month for a round trip.”

The group exchanged looks.  Ilyana put her hands on her brother’s shoulders.  “I wanted to bring him.  I can take care of him, but we’re concerned about the journey back by himself.”

Riri didn’t have a nanny; the Baroness took care of all her children herself.  It was also difficult to find someone they could trust to watch their son on a long trip.  Going wasn’t a problem, but coming back was.

“There will be plenty of adults to watch Riri, especially since he will be with the other children,” Tori told them.  “And we have guards to send him back.  If he needs a nanny to care for him on the way back, I do know someone.”

Her friends looked at her. “Who?”

“Marco and Mateo’s former nanny,” Tori said.  “The boys are older now and no longer need her, so she’s working at the daycare in Viclya.  She still joins the family when they travel long distances because the twins are such a handful.”  Tori let out a tired sigh.  She loved her cousins, but the two of them were rambunctious.  “I can get in touch with her and work out the schedule.”

“If it’s Nanny Luisa, I can rest assured,” Ilyana said and looked towards her parents.  “If she can manage Marco and Mateo, she can manage Riri.”

“Mommy, Daddy....”  Riri looked at his parents hopefully.  “Please?”

They looked reluctant and Tori understood.  After all, Riri was their youngest and he’d never traveled without one of them.  “I will of course arrange a call interview so you can discuss with Nanny Luisa.”

“Nanny Luisa is also a former Guevera knight,” Ewan said.  Ilyana’s parents looked taken aback before turning towards Tori.

“Our family is very cautious about our nannies and they all tend to be knights or specialists from the marches.”

The Baron and Baroness looked towards each other and seemed to have a silent conversation.  The Baron looked determined and gave Tori a nod. “Please arrange an interview, my lady.”

Riri cheered and squeezed Alexander again.  “I’m going to call Ava and tell her!”  He bowed to Tori and rushed out of the room with the cat in his arms like a stuffed animal.

“Alexander is a very patient cat....” Constantine said.  “First, Fifi dresses him up and now he’s a toy.”

“It is some time before dinner,” the Baroness said as she clapped her hands together and beamed.  “Let our maids take you to your rooms and relax.  You’re all right next to Ilyana’s.  Ilyana, show them around before dinner.”

“Yes, Mommy!”

“I’ve scheduled a tour of the town for you all tomorrow,” the Baron told them as he stuck out his chest.  “Gorask is not famous for our food, but we have a few local delicacies.”

“And when you get back in the afternoon, we can discuss the preparations for the ball at the end of the week,” the Baroness said.

Tori tilted her head and before she could ask for clarification, Ilyana piped up.

“A ball?” Ilyana’s eyes widened as she jerked her head back.  Her mouth opened a bit and she looked over her shoulder at Tori with uncertainty.  Tori saw her clench her jaw before looking back at her father.  “Daddy, we’re here to relax....”

“But you haven’t returned in so long, I wanted to welcome you back with the grandest fanfare!” Baron Agafonov said as he held his daughter’s small, slender hands with a proud look on his face.

Ilyana appeared hesitant.  “Who did you invite?”

“Colleagues and their families, neighbors, and local nobility, as the Countess is here and it is proper to invite them,” her father replied.  Ilyana lowered her eyes and pulled her lips inward.  Baron Agafonov’s enthusiasm faded and his eyes saddened.  “Do you...not want a ball?”  He hesitated and swallowed.  “Are you afraid they will continue to treat you badly?”  A flash of anger crossed his face and his voice lowered. “I will not let them.”

They being noble and wealthy guests of Gorask.

Ilyana lowered her head and shook it.  “Tori and the others....”

Ilyana knew they didn’t have any formal wear with them.  The last gowns and suits they wore were in chests back in Viclya and Horizon.  Where would they get clothes made in time?  In addition, a ball was a large event and while they were guests, Tori would inadvertently be surrounded by curious guests as a countess and the daughter of a marquis.

Tori had wanted to go on this trip to have fun and sight see, not attend formal gatherings, and be stuck having to make small talk with strangers.  However, she sort of understood Ilyana’s parents wanting to celebrate their daughter. Ilyana’s birthday was also near, so it made sense to celebrate that, as well.

“We have dresses and suits ready for them,” the Baroness said with a hopeful look.  “It isn’t until the end of the week, so we have time to make any alterations.”

Ilyana closed her eyes and still seemed hesitant to agree.

If this ball was as large as Tori thought, then the invitations had already been sent and it was too late to cancel without it getting too awkward.  She didn’t want to make it difficult for her hosts.

“I’d like to see how a ball is here,” Tori said.  “I don’t mind.”

“I don’t either,” Sonia added, prompting the others to chorus in agreement.  They looked towards Ilyana.

She opened her mouth, hesitated, but nodded.  “All right.”  Her parents let out a relieved breath and Ilyana smiled.  “As long as everyone is okay with it, I don’t mind.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

Ilyana minded and she knew her friends knew, but had agreed because she didn’t want to disappoint her parents and acted according to her wishes.  But, even if she agreed to the ball, it didn’t mean she looked forward to it.

“You have to admit, you were bound to see them sooner or later,” Sonia said as she adjusted the bridle on Ciel Noir.

Ilyana draped herself across the back of Truffles as Tori pulled herself on to Layla’s saddle and dragged herself into the correct position.

“I thought they’d see me from afar, not meet me directly,” Ilyana groaned.  “But I can’t say no.  My parents are throwing this ball for me.”

“Of course.  They want to welcome you home and brag about you,” Tori said.  Compared to her, Sonia got on to Ciel Noir would one smooth movement.

Sighing once more, Ilyana led Truffles out of the stable house.  Their other friends were already on horses and Riri was seated in front of JP.  Alexander was seated in front of Constantine.

A few imperial knights were with them, though Tori said she didn’t think so many needed to come.  They were just going to go around the grounds.  There was a short trail leading up the mountain and Ilyana told them it was a short ride.  However, Tori was important, so Ilyana encouraged the knights to come with them.

“Riri, I thought you started riding already,” Sonia said with some surprise.  The little boy really liked horses.

Riri let out a heavy sigh.  “Mommy said I can’t go up the mountain by myself, so JP said he’d take me.”

“He’s just starting to learn,” Ilyana told them.  She paused and frowned.  “Why aren’t you wearing a helmet?”

Riri flushed. “No one else is wearing a helmet!”

“Safety first, Riri.”

A stable hand came out to hand Riri a riding helmet and he reluctantly put it on.  JP checked to make sure it was on securely.  “He’s ready.”

“Thanks, JP.”  Ilyana led them towards the trail.  “From the top we can see the town and I’ll point out my family’s mines.”

“You can see them from there?” Albert asked.

Ilyana nodded.  “Yes.  All the main entrances to the mining camps face the town, though there are other entrances and exits for the materials to be extracted from.”

“Can we go spelunking?” Ewan asked with a glint in his eye.

Ilyana thought for a moment.  “I think so, but I have to check with Daddy.”

“Can I go?” Riri asked.

“No, you’re too small,” Ilyana told him.  Riri wrinkled his nose.

“Ava could probably go.”

“Ava is a maelstrom,” Tori replied from her side.  “Just because Ava can and would do it doesn’t mean you should, too.”

Ilyana cracked a small smile.  Ava was wonderful, but that little girl was brave and almost reckless.  She’d seen Ava hop over rocks on the cliffside like a puffin with no fear of falling.  How Lady Bridget didn’t have a heart attack watching her daughter was a mystery to Ilyana.

They tried to talk Riri out of spelunking and Ilyana caught Tori giving Ewan a silencing look as they climbed up the trail.  It really didn’t take long and the clearing with the view at the edge of their property was well kept, allowing them to see clear across the valley.

Ilyana held out her hands.  “The south mine was the first one Daddy bought.  It’s in that area,” she said, motioning to the far side of the valley.  “It’s the smallest of the mines.  Then, the eastern mine is on that side.”  With her friends watching, Ilyana directed their gazes across the valley widthwise.  “It’s the largest of the mines and is probably the safest.  There are a large, open tunnel area that connects multiple entrances.”

“When Daddy does tours, he takes customers there!” Riri told them.  Ilyana nodded.  Riri looked at her hopefully.  “I’ve also been there, so I can go-”

Ilyana gave him a look.  “If we go deeper, it’s too dangerous, so no.” Riri scrunched his face.

Ewan chuckled and whispered.  “Nice try, Riri.”

“Don’t encourage him,” Tori scolded.

Ilyana then moved her arms towards their side of the valley and north.  “The northern mine is the most lucrative and has a vast deposit of quartz.  Tori, Daddy said that he scheduled a time to take you there.”

“Yes.”  Tori’s eyes sparkled and Ilyana giggled to herself.  Her friend loved crystals and Ilyana had especially asked her father if Tori could see them.

“Those areas look rather big.”

“Yes, in terms of area, Daddy owns not only the largest individual location, but the most total,” Ilyana said.  “He was the first to take advantage of the area and has imperial rights to mine.”  She couldn’t help but puff out her chest.   She opened her mouth to give them a historical history of the town, but a low growl went across the small clearing.

She furrowed her eyes and saw Tori turn her head towards Ewan.  Ewan’s face flushed.

“It’s been a while since I ate,” he said in a sheepish voice.

“Ilyana, can we get fruit pies?” Riri perked up and gave her a pleading look that made her heart ache.  “Please?  It’s been a long time since I’ve gone with you.”  Her heart ached further.

The last time she’d taken Riri to town for fruit pies was just before she left and she tried to explain to him that she was going to school and wouldn’t see him for some time.  The little boy had nodded, but at the time, he didn’t seem to fully understand.  He just stuffed himself with fruit pies.

Then, on the day Ilyana left, Riri finally realized what was happening and was inconsolable, begging her not to abandon him.  Ilyana almost didn’t leave.

“Let’s get fruit pies!”  Her determined voice rang through and she immediately turned Truffles around.

Riri looked excited and immediately started telling them all about all the pies available at a locally famous shop.  They decided to ride directly into town, though Ilyana called her parents to let them know that they were going.  The shop itself wasn’t far from where they lived and on a plaza just off the main road.

The closer they got to the town; the more nostalgic Ilyana felt.  She grew quiet as she looked around the familiar streets, the small alleys, and the shops she’d passed with her family when she was younger.

She sat up straight on the saddle.  Now that she had thought about it, this was her first time going through town with friends.  Her heart skipped a beat as she looked around her.

Tori was right next to her, convincing Ewan and Albert that they were there for fruit pies first and if they were still hungry afterwards, they could try something from the other shops they passed.  Henrik and Constantine were discussing the stores and the surprising lack of crystal merchandise being sold.  Sonia and JP were on her other side, telling her brother about riding and promising him that when they got to Viclya, they’d give him a special lesson on riding while shooting.

Her heart swelled.  Sometimes, she forgot that she didn’t have such friends for most of her life.  Her eyes reddened.

Okay, don’t cry, Ilyana.  Today is a happy day.  You’re here with all your loved ones.  She giggled and couldn’t help but smile.

The pie shop specialized in seasonal fruit pies and was on the corner of the street.  There was a place to tie their horses and two of the knights dismounted to take the horses from them and tie them together.

As Tori instructed them to look at the day’s menu and tell them what slices of pie they’d like, Henrik and Constantine went to secure some outdoor tables in the patio area to the side of the shop for the group.  There were  on a few square wooden tables, so they pushed two together and gathered some chairs around them.

Ewan, Albert, and Riri immediately headed inside, despite Sonia telling them to wait for the group.

Ilyana giggled and prepared to follow them when she heard someone say her name.

“Is that Ilyana Agafonova?” The voice sounded surprised and both Ilyana and Tori turned around.  Sonia was right by the door and stepped back.  JP, who was holding the door open, gently let it close as he remained with his sister.

Ilyana looked around.  The small square was fairly busy and there was a line inside the small shop.  Perhaps it was because she lowered her guard basking in the company of her friends, but she didn’t expect to see unwanted familiar faces so soon. Gorask was small compared to Horizon, but not that small.

“I heard she was coming back for the summer.  My parents got an invitation.”  A pair of young ladies were approaching, both dressed in stylish summer dresses and bonnets as they approached.  Their eyes were fixed on Ilyana and she could feel her hair stand.

It took her a moment to identify them and then another moment deciding if she should reply.

“Lady Agafonova!  How are you?” Before she could make her decision and pretend she didn’t see the two young ladies, they addressed her directly and she grit her teeth.

“Miss Petranova, Lady Lukashenko.”  She tried to mirror Tori’s business smile on her face as she met the gazes of her acquaintances and gave them a nod.  “Lovely day, isn’t it?”  It was not 'great' to see them again.

The two young women smiled at her, but their eyes seemed to go up and down Ilyana.  For a moment, Ilyana wished she had changed from her travel clothes to more urban ones, but quickly pushed that feeling away.  It didn’t matter what she was wearing.

“We heard you were returning!  Are you finally coming back to live for good?” Petranova, a brunette with green eyes, seemed to smile from ear to ear and it took some willpower not to shudder.  Ilyana had seen that conniving fake smile so many times.  It was loaded, appearing after backhanded words spoken with poisoned honey.

How many times had Ilyana thought they were being kind when they were only teasing her?  She felt her skin crawl and her heart twist as a familiar, shameful ache tugged at her.

“Yes!  I’m sure your father is looking forward to you moving back and settling down,” Lukashenko, the blonde, also smiled, but it was smugger, as if she knew something Ilyana didn’t.  “It must’ve been so difficult for you in such a big city, being as you are.”

Ilyana kept a smile on her face.  “I’m only visiting for the summer.  I have to return by autumn to start the new school year.”

“School year?  Did you not already graduate?” Lukashenko seemed to pout and exchange glances with her friend.  “The invitation to your ball said it was celebrating your graduation, as well.”

“It’s celebrating many things,” Ilyana replied.  How did talking to these two require more perseverance than selling products to middle-aged noble matrons?

“I hope you don’t forget to bring her birthday present.”  Sonia sounded like she was smirking and Ilyana glanced over.  Her friend stood with her arms crossed and looking at the two young women with a kind of snobbish glance Horizon natives gave ‘country bumpkins’.

Ilyana had never seen Sonia look at anyone in such a way.  She didn’t think Sonia knew how, but Sonia was weaponizing it for her.  It was enough to make the two young women flush a bit and shift awkwardly.  Sonia is so powerful....

“And who is your friend?” Petranova asked.

“I’m being rude,” Ilyana immediately called herself out before they could.  “Forgive me.  These are some friends visiting with me from Horizon.  Everyone, these are-”

“Lady Liliana Lukashenko,” the blonde replied with her chin up.  “My father is Viscount Lukashenko.  Our family has overseen Gorask for three-hundred and twenty-seven years.”

“That’s an exact number....” JP muttered.

“And this my best friend, Katarina Petranova.  Her father owns the largest timber company in Gorask.  She is also my cousin.”

“Grand.” Ilyana didn’t care.  Many of the wealthy and noble intermarried in Gorask.  She was fairly certain they were all related somehow.  In fact, when her father remarried, her stepmother received so much unnecessary animosity because it was expected that a local daughter would marry Baron Agafonov.  Ilyana turned her attention to her friends.  “Sonia and Jean-Paul Visage, the current riding and archery champions for their age in the empire.”  She motioned to the twins who gave mirroring nods.  “And Countess Victoria de Guevera, my best friend.”

A warm arm slipped around hers and pulled her closer.  Ilyana felt her heart warm once more as a head topped with fluffy black curls appeared beside her, as if ready to fight at any moment.

“Good afternoon.”  Tori gave them a curt, polite nod.

“Countess?” Petranova looked surprised and looked at Tori up and down.

Most citizens knew the imperial family, the five duchies, and the four marches simply because they were the most powerful and there were so few of them.  Only locals would know about their local counts, viscounts, barons, and other miscellaneous lords.

“You’re quite young to be a countess, aren’t you? “Lukashenko’s lip curled up, appearing suspicious of Tori.  Perhaps it was because Tori was also wearing pants and had dressed for comfort and not style.

Regardless, Tori’s clothes were always of the finest quality.

“I’m surprised as well,” Tori replied with a small chuckle.  “I was appointed landed peerage on my sixteenth birthday for my work with refugees and developing a delta region.”

In places that are far removed from the Horizon area, they likely wouldn’t have heard of all of Tori’s amazing deeds.  The logical part of Ilyana told her this was normal and in other places, no one, not even Tori, expected villages or small townsfolk to have heard of her.  But the part of her that was Tori’s best friend wanted to shout.

“So young and you’ve done that much already?  That’s impressive for a former refugee,” Lukashenko smiled sweetly, as if she really were impressed.  Petranova’s brows were high and she nodded.

Petranova’s lip curled up.  “Yes, I almost couldn’t tell.”

Sonia and JP both raised their brows and Ilyana tensed.

“Oh, I never said I was a refugee, but there are plenty I know working at the delta who deserve far more than me for all the work they’ve done,” Tori replied in a smooth voice.  She cocked her head to the side.  “Though, I’m a bit surprised you didn’t catch my surname.”

Ilyana’s eyes widened.  She knows she mentioned Tori’s surname.  She looked at the two young women in front of her.  She knew they weren’t smart, but to completely ignore the name just to try to demean Tori...?  She was almost embarrassed for them.

“She is a Guevera,” Sonia said in a dull voice.  “As in Marquis Guevera of the Sur March.”

The name seemed to click and Ilyana watched Lukashenko’s eyes widen.  It took another moment for Petranova to figure it out and her mouth dropped.

Ilyana felt a surge of pride and squeezed Tori’s arm that hooked hers.  That was right.  Her best friend was born amazing!  Tori patted her hand.

“My own title isn’t very impressive.  I’m only a countess,” Tori said with a slight helpless smile and sigh.  Ilyana held back a laugh. Lukashenko told everyone her father was a viscount, whom Tori already outranked.  “However, that does not change the fact that I am still my father’s daughter.  My father is Marquis Gregorio de Guevera of the Sur March.  My family conquered and governed the region for...oh...a few thousand years.”

Sonia held back a laugh and beside her JP, was biting his lips to keep from laughing.  Ilyana nodded.  What was three centuries to thousands of years?

“Are you coming in?  It’s our turn to order....” Albert trailed off as he came outside.  The tense atmosphere was palatable.   He stood up straight and raised a brow.  “Is everything all right?”

“Ilyana introduced us to some local acquaintances,” Sonia said with a small flick of her wrist.  “Why don’t you call everyone else out?”

There was no hesitation on Albert’s face and Ilyana was almost surprised at how smoothly they all worked.  Albert called for Ewan, who led Riri out.  Him calling caught the attention of Henrik and Constantine, who came forward with concerned expressions.

“Ilyana, is something wrong?” Constantine asked in a calm voice.

“Just doing some introductions,” Sonia said.  She gave Ilyana a nod.

Ilyana lazily motioned to the two young women.  “Lady Lukashenko of the Lukashenko Viscount family and her cousin, Miss Petranova. Her father owns a timber company.”

“A pleasure.”  Albert threw them a polite smile and gave a nod of his head his head a in greeting.  “Albert Martin, of the Horizon Martins.  We’re one of the original Soleil tribe families and have been supporting the imperial family since the foundation.”

Ilyana almost did a double take.  She’d known Albert since he limped into their camp at the beginning of their first year after falling into the river, and had seen him in both highly formal and highly informal situations.  He never introduced himself like that.

Her eyes almost widened and reddened.  He and Tori weren’t bragging about themselves.  They were name-dropping themselves to make her look good.  To be used to affirm that not only did she have friends, but she had influential friends who were willing to support her.

This was why Sonia had him ‘call everyone else’ out.

Solidarity.

“Henrik Skuldsen, assistant director of Horizon’s merchant guild and partner owner of Lions Gate,” Henrik told them stiffly.  It didn’t stop, and Ilyana resisted  showing too much emotion.  She had to play along.  They were being so shameless for her sake.

“Constantine Zisos, I am a recently graduated theology student-”

“Zisos...” Petranova’s eyes widened.  “Are you by any chance related to....” She looked like she didn’t want to believe it.

Constantine’s pleasant, but distant smile didn’t fade.  “Yes.  Pope Zisos is both my uncle and adopted father.”

The two young women turned to the last member of the party, appearing to expect to be horrified.  Ewan beamed.

“And I’m Ewan!”

The group was quiet.  The tension fizzled out.  Ilyana saw Henrik run a hand down his face, but she couldn’t help but laugh.  Everyone was so serious and competitive, but Ewan was Ewan.

Petranova and Lukashenko looked at each other, unsure how to reply.

“Ewan graduated first in his class at La Garda and is the top choice for first tier imperial knights.” One of the knights who’d helped finish tying up the horses replied.  The two young women seemed to notice the imperial knights and squeezed together with fearful eyes.  Sir Dassler bowed to Tori, as if reporting.  “He was trained by Lord Sebastian de Guevera, heir to the Sur March, and Duke Axton Alvere.  In addition, he is the first pupil of Lady Agafonova.”

Ewan nodded, still smiling.  “I don’t know if you know this, but our Ilyana graduated first from Lycée du Soleil, the premier secondary school in the entire empire,” Ewan said, making Ilyana’s nose sour, knowing he and the knights were bragging about her to show her strength.  “And had a spot waiting for her at Université du Soleil.  There was no need to apply.  That only happens every few years.  It is an honor to be her first pupil.” 

He looked at Ilyana and Tori squeezed her hand, as if to say ‘don’t forget who you are and what you’ve accomplished’.

The smile on Ilyana’s face grew genuine.  “I hope to see you two at my ball at the end of the week,” Ilyana told the two young ladies as she pulled Tori towards the shop door.  JP held the door open as they began to go inside.  Ilyana looked over her shoulder once more before entering.  “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”