'Elaina? Can you tend to Barth?' the medic yelled at me.

'I'm only fourteen and already I am her medical slave, I only started my training a month ago!' I muttered under my breath.

I went and did as I was told though; Barth had a large cut from his most recent drunken brawl. Here at the castle, that was common, the soldiers had nil to do and the monarch had no control over their forces.

In the Territory of Ixia only one ruler had ever really had control over the army, or so I read in my history studies. That person was Commander Ambrose, he had been a fair and just ruler, he treated both sexes with equal respect. Which means that if he were still alive, I would be in the army at the moment, part of Briant's retinue or maybe even Daurth's. Instead I am stuck in the infirmary learning medicine, cleaning out Barth's bloody gash.

Although, that didn't mean I couldn't learn to defend myself, which I did, I had been learning to fight ever since I walked through the castle doors nine years ago. Mickel, the prince of Ixia, and his friend Briant who is now a captain, helped me train and taught me how to fight. They said I had natural ability, I had now bested every male in the castle, save His Majesty the King and Briant. Briant because he was too good a fighter and the King because he refused to fight against anyone, probably because he is hopeless.

At that moment, one of the soldiers walked in and engaged the medic in conversation, I turned away, continuing to clean Barth's wound.

'Elaina, finish what you are doing and come over here please,' the medic requested.

I did what I was bidden, then walked over to the medic and the soldier I recognized as Barzul, he wasn't a very good fighter, but he was a fantastic archer. 'Yes?' I asked.

'His Majesty the King wishes to see you,' the medic replied, 'follow Barzul to where he is waiting,'

'Yes, ma'am,' I said.

Barzul opened the door to the infirmary for me and followed me out.

'So do you know why he wants to see me?' I asked casually.

'No, he just said it was urgent,' Barzul replied.

'I don't know why he couldn't have waited the extra three hours until my shift ended,' I groaned.

'You know what he is like, only cares about himself and his precious family,' Barzul added.

It was a normal thing for the common people to insult the King and his family, I did it because that was what everyone else did, I didn't really like the royal family, save for Mickel, but even he got on my nerves. I was a little grateful to them, because they picked me up off the street when I was five years old, I had been standing on the street corner screaming for my dead parents when their retinue went past. The Queen insisted upon taking me in, I was grateful, but not overly, once I was in the castle I became housekeepers' aid. I stayed in contact with the Royal Family though, at Mickel's request, he had become infatuated with me ever since I could remember, while I had become infatuated with Briant. Briant and I were sort of a couple, but we didn't exactly tell the people because it would be unseemly.

'You seem angry,' Barzul commented.

'I am over learning the difference between a right calf bone and a left calf bone, it's ridiculous and tedious and I am not one to sit on my backside all the time,' I raved.

'You like to fight.' It wasn't a question but I answered anyway.

'Yes,'

'Why? You are a girl, girls don't fight,'

'Not anymore,' I muttered.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Barzul asked, affronted.

'Go back twenty years ago, when Commander Ambrose ruled and both sexes were able to fight in the army,'

'Really? How unseemly,'

'Barzul, I seem to recall besting you not a month ago and still you think girls can not fight. How about a duel, best of three, training yard four o'clock. I win you never tell me girls can't fight, you win I will stop convincing you they can, deal?' I proposed.

'You're on!' we shook hands, sealing the deal.

'Making bets again, Elaina?' Briant asked, coming out of the closest corridor.

'When aren't I?'

'Let me guess, female rights?' Briant said.

'You caught me,' I laughed.

'You don't actually believe her do you, Captain?' Barzul asked in astonishment.

'Of course, she has bested male in the castle except the King and myself, that includes you,' Briant repleid, 'Did you get called to the King too?' Briant asked me.

'Yes, what do you think he wants?' I answered.

'By the smug look on Mickel's face this morning I can guess,' Briant muttered.

'What do you mean?' I asked, bewildered.

'You'll see,'

At that point we rounded the corner to our destination, Barzul knocked on the door and proceeded us into the room, he announced us and then asked us to enter.

'Your Majesties,' Briant and I said, bowing respectfully. The room we had walked in was the war room, it had a large, roundtable, the King, Queen, Princess Garna and Prince Mickel were all seated. A servant pulled out a chair for me, I sat as gracefully as I could, Briant sat next to me, we exchanged pleasantries before a serious look overcame the King's face.

'Now down to business,' the King said, 'I have a proposition for you, Elaina, but before we begin. Will you Elaina, allow Briant to speak for you as a brother figure?'

I turned to Briant stunned, he looked resigned but he nodded to me. I turned back to the King, 'Yes, I allow Briant to speak for me,'

I knew that this would be a serious conversation because the King was getting someone to speak for me. Something only done for the most serious exchanges, as I was a female and under the age of seventeen I had to have an older male speak for me. Briant, like Mickel was seventeen, so therefore Briant was eligible to speak for me.

'Good, I will now address all matters concerning you to Briant. Briant, I have a proposition for you, I think that it is time for my son to marry and Elaina is a perfect candidate, yes, she is young, but suitable. There would be a long engagement of course, three years, so that Elaina has a chance to come of age. What do you think?' the King asked.

I was shocked and nauseous, I didn't have a choice, I had to marry Mickel, and otherwise I would be banished for insubordination. I had always known this day would come, but not so soon, I had been hoping that Briant would ask for my hand before Mickel and the King had a chance. It was underhanded for Mickel to do this, he was Briant and my friend, and he knew we were dating yet he had still continued to pursue me and now he was forcing my hand in marriage, this was low, even for him.

'I think that I should discuss this with Elaina first, I cannot decide her future for her without knowing what she wants.' Briant replied.

'No, you are talking for her, this isn't for her to decide, she as bestowed the responsibility on your shoulders so therefore you will answer,' the King said sternly.

'In that case, what does your son, Mickel, Prince of Ixia has to offer Elaina?' Briant said. It was a customary line when discussing marriage, what could each person bring to the marriage.

'His stature, his lineage, his wealth and his protection,' the King answered automatically. 'What can Elaina give?'

'She can bring her medical skills, her fighting abilities and her charm, Elaina does not own any jewelry as her mother died before being able to pass it on and none of her jewelry has been found,' Briant answered for me.

'I am satisfied that Elaine will make a fine wife for my son and I wish for their engagement to start immediately. Are you in an agreement, Briant?' the King asked.

Briant turned to look at me, sadness in his eyes, I had tears falling down my cheeks and we both knew that this was the end, Briant took my hand under the table and squeezed it. He then looked the King straight in the eyes and told him that he too, was in agreement.

'Elaina? Why the tears?' the Queen asked, no concern whatsoever in her tone.

'H-happiness, I suppose,' I coughed.

'Of course,' a sly smile came over the Queen's face.

'I guess we shall be sister's now,' Garna said to me. Garna was ten years old rather innocent for her age; she didn't realize what was happening.

'I guess we shall,' I agreed. 'I am sorry to leave so abruptly but I haven't finished my shift in the infirmary and I don't want to be seen for tardiness,'

'Of course, my dears, go, but notify the medic that today will be your last day. No member of my family will work like a common servant,' the Queen said sweetly.

'Yes, ma'am,' I replied.

'I too, have to get back to my team, I am running an exercise,' Briant added.

'Go, Briant, thank-you for being so civil,' the King replied.

I ground my teeth in frustration, I hated politics, and this was all a part of it, I smiled and gracefully stood, 'Good Day,' I said and walked out the door, Briant copied me and we walked out together.

'Do you want me to tell Barzul you no longer wish to fight him this afternoon?' Briant asked.

'No, it will take my mind off things,' we used small talk all the way to the infirmary. 'Bye'

'I love you and I will miss you,' Briant said.

'Don't leave me,' I said tears streaming down my face. 'I love you,'

'Goodbye,' Briant hugged me, kissed my forehead and then left.