"Oh, Quattro; you were right, it is beautiful!" Rio exclaimed, looking down at the fjords of Tenjo from a high palace window. The fjords were deep waterways that cut into the rocky cliffs that made up the coast of Tenjo. The interior was made of mountains and valleys, making Tenjo the rockiest of all Heartlandish countries. For weeks now, the Arclight royal family had been preparing for a summer vacation in Tenjo. Because the Tenjo royal family had ended up stranded in Arclight for the better part of six months, they had decided to extend an invitation to the royal family to stay in their kingdom for the summer, to make it up to them.
Quattro had been excited to show Rio the fjords, because he knew how much she liked natural beauty. Therefore it was more than just a little annoying that Kite had taken over in giving them a tour of his palace. Sure, Kite knew more about the place than Quattro was- the last time he had been here was before Rio had arrived two summers ago- but that didn't mean he should but in the way he had. Now, though, Quattro smiled. Rio was happy with something he had given her. Sort of.
Quattro couldn't explain it, but recently he had been trying especially hard to please Rio. That morning, when they had arrived, Kite had shown her the rooms where she and Iris would be staying. The rooms were far more luxurious than the servants' quarters where the sisters lived in Arclight. Rio had thanked Kite quite graciously for the rooms in the guest wings of the palace. Quattro couldn't stand watching that arrogant pest getting so much attention from his best friend, and so had volunteered to talk to his father about moving her and Iris into nicer rooms back home.
"After all," he'd reasoned. "You're like family now." And it was true. Rio and Iris had helped ease the pain of the separation from Quinton. Rio was like a mother to Trey, who had never known his real one. Both of them were like daughters to Byron, and Iris was like a sister to the boys. Quattro couldn't see Rio as his sister. Every time he tried to imagine it, he felt uncomfortable. He wanted Rio to be more than that.
King Byron had noticed his son's increasing feelings for the Barian slave girl, but he had waved them off. Thomas was young and Rio was the girl he came into contact most. It was natural that he would have a crush on her. It would wear off with time. Besides, she didn't seem to have similar feelings for him.
Kite, too, had realized that Rio was on his thoughts frequently. Whenever the idea of his having feelings for her had arisen, though, he had pushed it back down. He was a Prince, and she was a slave. He was a Heartlander, and she was a Barian. A member of the race that had attacked his people for generations, taken his mother from him, and crippled his little brother. He didn't blame Rio; but he couldn't be linked to her in such a way.
Hart, however, did not bother considering such factors. "My brother likes your sister," he said to Iris as they sat in the garden.
"What?" Iris was startled. She was excited to play a game of checkers with Hart, a Barian game similar to the Heartlandish chess, and so had quickly gone with him after their arrival and introductions. They were now sitting by a fountain in the palace garden, not as elaborate as the Arclightian one, but still very nice. Hart had explained to her that they could only use the garden in the summer, because in the mountains temperatures were cool most of the year, and sitting outside wasn't very comfortable.
"You came at just the right time," he'd said.
But Iris wanted to know what Hart had meant by saying his brother liked Rio. "What do you mean, likes her?" She demanded. Orbital sighed in enjoyment, oblivious to the tone the girl's voice had taken. He was lying on the ground next to her, and her hands had been immersed in his thick fur, stroking him continuously since the checker game had begun.
"I mean she's the only girl to ever gain his respect, so he's infatuated with her," Hart said, making several jumps. Iris scowled.
"Gained his respect?" She echoed. "Yeah. When your sister confronted Kite and yelled at him for yelling at you, he gained a lot of respect for her. No one- especially not a slave or a girl- has ever dared to speak to him that way. Of course, he won't admit it to himself."
"Oh." Iris was quiet for a moment, thinking this over.
"It's your turn," Hart reminded her. She made a move which he easily countered, and after his next turn, he'd won. "Come on, Iris. You're usually better than that," he chided her.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"About Rio. If Kite really likes her… well, I thought Quattro liked her."
"Yeah? Well, maybe they'll end up have a duel to the death for the beautiful maiden."
"Hart! Couldn't that start a war?"
"I was kidding, Iris," Hart smiled. "Besides, neither of them can really have her, anyway."
Iris nodded slowly. "You're right." In more ways than you think. Rio is a Barian Princess. She can't be yoked to Heartlandish princes.
"How about another game?" Hart asked. "And this time, you have to focus."
"Okay," she agreed.
"And this is the grand hall," Kite said swinging open the double doors to reveal a large room, the floor covered with a plush rug and the walls made of decorative panels. At the end of the hall was a staircase, made completely of marble.
"Is that a crystal chandelier?" Rio asked, gazing up in awe.
"It is," Kite said proudly.
"We have crystal chandeliers, too," Quattro said hotly.
"I know," Rio told him. "But none of them are that big!"
Kite smirked slightly. "The mountains are filled with caves where crystals form naturally. We can afford larger and more things made of crystal than they can in Arclight, where they have to import it.
He went on about the economy of his country as they walked through the hall, admiring other pieces of finery, when Rio stopped in front of a portrait of a woman with golden eyes and long, green hair. "Who is this woman, Kite? She looks familiar somehow."
There was an awkward silence until Quattro said, "That's Kite's mother, Lady Tenjo."
"Oh." Rio turned red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Kite said stiffly. "My mother was the daughter and only child of the previous Lord of Tenjo. My father was just the royal consort until-" He stopped, the rest of his sentence going unsaid.
"Oh!" Rio said. "That's why your father is Lord Faker, instead of Lord Tenjo." Rio said.
Kite nodded. "Let's continue the tour," he said abruptly after another moment of awkward silence.
That night, as Rio tucked Iris into her luxurious guest bed, the smaller girl said, "Tell me something about our brother."
"Well," Rio began, sitting beside her on the bed. "It was incredibly easy to tease him; he got agitated quickly. But it would vanish in an instant if it came to protecting me- and you, too." She thought for a moment. "Let me tell you about a time he saved me even though it had happened because I had been teasing him mercilessly. Once, father gave him a new sword he's had especially made for him, and I was very jealous. As a girl, I didn't necessarily need weapons, but it didn't seem fair…
"Give it back, Marin! That's a special sword Dad gave me!"
Princess Marin stopped running and turned around to face her brother. "No way! It's not fair that only you get to have one, Nash!" She stuck her tongue out at him before sprinting away, laughing.
"Give it back!" Nash demanded, chasing after her. They ran around and around, until Nash finally managed to catch hold of the sword's hilt and yank at it. The two engaged in a tug-of-war, until they suddenly both lost their grip and the sword went flying. Thrown off balance, Marin struggled to regain her footing, but crashed into the wall, dislodging a spear that hung there.
The Princess stood, petrified, as the huge weapon descended on her. "Marin!" Nash cried, seeing the danger she was in. "Look out!" He pushed her out of the way, and as she fell to the floor, she heard a cry of pain and a clatter.
The little girl's sobs called the Emperor and Empress to their aid. "Nash!" Emperor Ralphenom knelt next to his only son. There was a deep gash in Nash's shoulder where the spear had dropped on top of him.
"Mama!" Marin ran to her mother, the guilt of what had happened causing a fresh burst of tears.
"Oh, there, there, sweet girl, don't cry. It's alright."
"Don't be mad," Nash said, "But I think I may have damaged the sword you gave me, or that special spear. I'm sorry."
"Nash! You are my son, far more important than any sword or spear. Of course I'm not angry."
"Dear," Empress Toria said gently, "We need to take care of that cut."
Rio swallowed a sob as she finished the story, turning away so Iris wouldn't see her tears. "He sounds like a really nice person," the greenette said.
Rio was startled. "Sounds like? Iris, don't you remember him?"
Iris shrugged. "I only have vague images."
"Oh," Rio said. It's true; Iris was only four when we last saw Nash. I suppose it's natural that she can't really remember him. "Well, get some sleep. I'll tell you more about him tomorrow."
The older girl quickly got into her own night dress and snuggled down under her covers. It was the most luxurious bed she'd slept in since becoming a slave. Wherever you are, Nash, I hope you haven't forgotten us.
The next few days passed quickly. Iris spent time with Trey and Hart, playing all sorts of games, while Rio spent time with Kite and Quattro, drinking up as much knowledge as she could. She had discovered that an active brain was just as necessary for staying sane in this situation as active hands were. She had mastered the Heartlandish alphabet, and while Quattro continued to teach her Arclightian, Kite began her instruction in Tenjo. Every night, Rio would tell Iris more about Nash, whether it was a fact or a story, trying to paint a picture of him for Iris's young mind. Little did Rio know that she was the one about to get a clearer picture.
One morning, Rio went to find Quattro and Kite in a heated argument. The two of them had been arguing quite a lot recently, mostly over her. Though she scolded them for it, she was secretly pleased that they both wanted to impress. As she approached, the two princes fell silent.
"Good morning, boys. What's the problem now?"
"Well," Kite began, "There's an important meeting today. King Byron, Thomas, and Michael will be able to attend, since this matter concerns them also, but you…" He trailed off.
"That's alright," Rio said, "Iris and I can entertain ourselves until the meeting is over."
"But that's just it!" Quattro exclaimed. "You shouldn't have to! This matter concerns you too. It's about… your home."
"Thomas!" Kite hissed. "It's not going to be the type of thing she wants to hear!"
"So? She should still be able to come if she wants to."
Rio thought it over. She didn't want to hear a bunch of powerful Heartlanders condemn her people, but it had been so long since she had heard anything from her homeland. "I will go," She said decisively. "Don't worry, Kite. I will remain silent until the meeting is over."
"Oh, alright," Kite said grudgingly. "Follow me." They followed him through stone corridors to the throne room, one of the few places Rio hadn't been yet. She noticed that Quattro was being silently smug. Then, they entered the room, Kite indicated a chair where she could sit, she looked around the room to see who else was in attendance, and her entire world flipped upside down.
Heartland! Rio felt dizzy and nauseous. What was he doing here? Was she about to find out who was responsible for attacking her homeland? Had Heartland, the man who had said he came to negotiate peace with her father, actually been sent there to spy? Was this why Kite had been reluctant to let her come? She was so stunned that it wasn't until Heartland's gaze landed on her that she realized she was staring at him. For one brief moment, his eyes widened in recognition, and then the look vanished, and they both broke their gazes.
Rio heart was pounding. What could Heartland's presence here mean? Did he know what had happened to Nash? She forced herself to take deep breaths and calm herself as the meeting began.
"We have gathered here today," Lord Faker began, "Because of the curious case of this man sitting here next to me," he said, gesturing to Heartland. "Please, Mr. Heartland. Tell the council your story."
"Thank you, my Lord," Heartland said, bowing his head respectfully. "Your generosity has been most gratifying." He raised his head and scanned the room, and once again his gaze landed on the enslaved Barian Princess, and she could have sworn he smirked at her. "When I was a little boy," Heartland began, "I was captured in a raid by the Barian heathens. I was sold into slavery in their cursed land, where I refused to give my real name, and I have been passed from master to master until just a few moons- I'm sorry, months- ago, when I managed to escape. I made it here, but I passed out on the rocky shore of Tenjo from dehydration and starvation. My limited amount of supplies had run out long before. Luckily, some of Lord Faker's loyal guards found me and brought me here, where I have been treated better than I can remember."
Rio realized she was clenching her fists and forced herself to relax them. Liar! She thought. He told us that he was there to negotiate peace with Heartland! Now he's telling Lord Faker a completely different story! What's his game?
It was about to get a whole lot worse. "Mr. Heartland, tell us what you told me at our first meeting." Lord Faker looked as though he was dreading something.
"Oh, of course." Heartland cleared his throat. "My last master was Emperor Ralphenom of the United Lands of the Pacific Ocean- the leader of the entire Barian Empire. He was making plans to take over all of Heartland. I was never around to hear many details, but I knew I had to escape soon, to come and warn my homeland." There were murmurs and gasps throughout the room.
"Thank you, Lord Heartland," Lord Faker said. Rio saw red. Without thinking she jumped up from her seat and fled the room, causing more than one startled cries from the council.
"I told her she shouldn't have come," Kite muttered.
Rio avoided seeing anybody for the rest of the day. It seemed as though Heartland was singlehandedly trying to bring her father's, or rather, her brother's, kingdom to the ground. But hadn't he already succeeded? What was the point of spreading lies about her father? Who was Heartland working with? Where had those soldiers that had attacked the United Lands come from? Rio closed her eyes, trying to remember the details of that horrible night. She tried to recall what the enemy had looked like, what they had sounded like, but to no avail. The only part of the attack she could remember clearly was Nash saying goodbye.
"Well, well, Princess Marin. I never thought I'd see you again." Rio whirled around, coming face to face with her adversary.
"You! Why are you spreading lies about my father? Who are you working for?"
"Well, Princess, the answer to your first question is a secret, but I am working for Emperor Domitian of Astrania."
Astrania! Suddenly, everything was clear to Marin. The soldier's accents had been Astranian. They had been speaking Astranian, wearing Astranian dress. It was so strikingly obvious to her now, that she wondered why she had had to be told to realize the truth. "Then…it wasn't Heartland who attacked my home at all! It was Astrania! And you were sent there to spy us out! To make my father let his guard down!"
Heartland smirked. "Precisely."
"And you're here to do the same thing to the Heartlanders! Well, I won't let you! I'm going to tell them exactly what you are."
"Ah, but Princess, if you do that, I will tell them that you are Ralphenom's daughter. Now, perhaps some people you have made friends with will believe you, but most of the people will trust the escaped slave over the Barain Princess." He leaned against the wall, looking more sleazy than any creep Rio had ever seen while in the market. "And besides, if you betray me, what will happen to your brother?"
Rio froze. "What do you know about Nash?"
"Nash. I had almost forgotten his real name. You see, Domitian, at my suggestion, has renamed him Shark."
"That's what the village children used to call him."
"Yes. But some Shark he turned out to be. When Domitian's soldiers caught him and dragged him back, he decided to make his enemy Ralphenom's son his personal slave. So you see, all I have to do is get word to Domitian- which I can do more easily than you could imagine- and your brother might get hurt. It is in your best interest to keep your mouth shut." With that, Heartland turned and walked off, chuckling to himself.
Rio stood frozen to the spot. Her beloved brother, a slave like her? What was she going to do now?
Next time on A Tale of Two Slaves: Shark and Vector are becoming good friends.