I had been working on something else, another thing entirely, and this just basically slapped me in the face. "Write me, write me NOW!" Though it does not help I'm playing Xenoblade again. Things are great on a second playthrough, especially when you can just zoom right through certain areas. Though I swore to myself once I hit Alcamoth again, I'm going to go on a quest break.

Chapter 1

"I'm so late!" Rineah panted as she raced through Alcamoth. "They're going to kill me," she moaned. As she ran, her retainers were keeping pace with ease. She had been working at the Imperial Court for some time, and was expected to be there by sunrise.

"No one is going to kill you," Albion promised as he kept pace. She was slightly jealous, as he was not even panting.

"Why did you let me sleep so late?" she asked as they raced up the steps of the Imperial Palace.

"With all due - respect milady - you refused to get - out of bed." Vasia, her only female guard, was the only one who seemed winded as they hurried into the Great Hall.

"Don't run!"

Rineah flashed a quick smile and called, "Sorry, Lecrough!" before she stepped through the transporter and into the Audience Chamber.

The chamber was packed, but barely anyone paid notice to her entrance. She slipped away to the left, between two guards, bowed her head to catch her breath, and listened. Vasia took her place in front of her and rubbed at a stitch in her side. Albion, Izo, and Fabrion flanked out behind her. That was one thing she could always say, no matter where they were, her four guards were at the ready.

Though the only thing likely to hurt her in the Audience Chamber was words.

There was a brief moment of silence, then a woman from the front spoke up. "As I was saying, Emperor, the Nopon need help taking care of their little pest, and what better way to prove that Princess Melia is capable than to have her take care of it?"

Rineah bristled, but she did not look up. The speaker was Yumea, the First Consort. It was well known, at least in inner circles of the Alcamoth Court, that she was disinterested in Melia, and wanted her far from the city. Rineah inclined her head slightly and took a quick glance towards the throne.

Emperor Sorean and his son Prince Kallian both hide their emotions well. Surely they can't agree to that!

"I will consider what you have said, Yumea."

Rineah bit her lip to keep from protesting. She wanted to stamp her foot, to grab the emperor and shake him. She felt someone watching her and looked up, expecting to see Kallian but instead she caught the Seer's eyes. She looked away and felt the tension around her rise.

She waited until the audience started to speak in hushed tones before whispered, "She can't mean that, can she?"

"I'm afraid so," Izo murmured back.

Rineah sighed and regretted getting out of bed that morning. Though the discussions went on for almost four more hours, she barely paid any attention to them. Her mind was on Melia. And whatever it was in Makna Forest that Yumea was so set on sending her after.

"I am glad you joined us. You look lovely today."

The woman's voice jarred Rineah from her thoughts. "Thank you, Lorithia" she muttered.

Lorithia smiled sweetly at her. "Why don't you join me for lunch?"

"Perhaps later." Rineah looked past Lorithia to the throne. She was very hungry, as she had skipped breakfast in her rush that morning, but she wanted to speak to the emperor. "Excuse me."

She stepped towards the throne. The only ones near were the Seer, Alvis, and Prince Kallian. Both spoke to the emperor in quiet tones. As she drew near, they stopped.

"I'm sorry I was late this morning," Rineah said with a bow of her head. "I know you expect better of me."

"Is anything wrong?" Prince Kallian asked.

"She didn't want to get out of bed."

"Fabrion!"

The three men laughed, much to Rineah's surprise. "Surely there is nothing wrong with that, Prince Kallian?" Alvis asked.

"I think we all have those mornings," Kallian agreed.

Rineah smiled for a brief moment, then she looked past Kallian's shoulder and said, "You can't truly mean to listen to her, can you?"

"Rineah," the emperor began wearily, "it is not as easy as you think." He rose to his feet and joined the small crowd. "Yumea has more sway than most others. She is the First Consort."

"But you're the emperor," she argued.

"Yes, but how will it look if Father chooses to not send Melia? It would be seen as a sign of weakness, something Yumea knows quite well. That is exactly why she put Father in that place."

"Then why don't you prove - ?"

She jumped as Emperor Sorean placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kallian and I have discussed this. It is not something for you to concern yourself with, Rineah. Just let it go."

Rineah opened her mouth to protest, then shut it and hung her head. "Yes, Grandfather," she murmured.

"And don't tell Melia. Let us do that."

She sighed and nodded her head. It would only be fair to warn Melia, but she would do as she was asked.

The rest of the day seemed to drag on. Though she was kept busy, there was the occasional lull between delivering messages and keeping track of what happened during court. Her appearance, and her entourage of at least two but mostly all four of her guards, was a normal sight within the city, though reactions were always mixed.

Some people greeted her warmly, others ignored or shunned her. There were the few who would not even look or speak to her, and when she delivered messages to them, they would have others take it.

It was fine. She was used to it. As she walked back to the capital late that evening, she was even more aware of the reason why. Her wings were small, a sign of her half Homs heritage. And the right one was giving her trouble. Long ago, as a small child, it was cut by a Homs. It grew, but the cut never sealed so her right wing had a split up the middle. The wing itself would have the occasional spasm. As she walked, it started to twitch. She reached up and touched it lightly.

Behind her, Izo and Albion exchanged a look. Neither of them had said anything, but both of them had noticed the spasms appeared to have grown worse. But medically, nothing could be done.

When they returned to the Audience Chamber, Kallian told her she could return to her apartments. "I think we've ran you around the capital enough today." he said with a smile.

Rineah smiled and hugged him tightly. "I'll be here early tomorrow," she promised.

"I'll hold you to it."