"Areida, it's been too long. And who is this?" Ella was asking about the girl who was so obviously Areida's sister. She had the same cinnamon skin, and her hair was gathered up in braids on the top of her head.

"This is my sister Isti. She helps me run the inn."

"Pleased to meet you, your Highness," said the girl with a curtsy.

"Please call me Ella. I have never accepted the title of Queen, and I don't expect to start now. This is the one you should respect. King Charmont." She gestured toward Char. How she hated calling him by his full name.

"In matters such as this you need respect me no more than my stubborn wife." His face was happy and upset at the same time.

"It's settled then. I'm Ella and he's Char. No need to bother about silly titles. Areida, we've had a long journey, and you and I have much catching up to do. What, may I ask, is for dinner?"

"Vegetable soup is being served as we speak. But in light of present…shall we say *conditions*, I think it would be best if we had dinner separate from the rest," said Areida nervously.

"Yes that would be best," Char answered, "but of course we will not make you or your sister cook a new meal. We will have soup as well."

They walked into the inn and took the ways to a spare room so as not to pass through the common Room. When they came to the kitchen, Isti gathered four bowls, and the King and Queen insisted they all serve themselves. When everyone had finished the meal, they started to talk about the war.

"So, Areida, do you know why King Euyrn has declared war against Kyrria?"

"Actually, no one has given a reason at all. You would think that at least they would make one up."

"Yes that is rather strange. Why should he hide the reason in the first place? This does not sound like my friend." Char still could not believe that there was a need to talk about this.

'There are only three reasons why he would conceal the cause: either he does not know, the people would consider him a fool, or there is no reason." When Isti made this comment, all the others thought that this obviously was true and why it hadn't dawned on them earlier.

"Of course," said Ella, "The question is which of those it could be."

"I refuse to believe that Euyrn would start a war for no reason." He would not even consider that as a possibility.

"I completely agree. So this means that either he doesn't know or the people of Ayortha would ridicule him." Ella felt the same as her husband. She too had been good friends with Euyrn.

"What if," Areida mused, "What if it is some combination of those."

"What do you mean, sister?"

"What if someone 'discovered' something about Kyrria, and told him. It would have come as a complete surprise to him. Our law states that if you take credit for someone else's work, you are to be imprisoned for life. It is one of the worst crimes you can commit here. If this is the case, it means he would have had to admit he knew nothing about this approaching danger."

"He couldn't do that, because then the people would think him an imperfect king," finished Ella.

"Well that does sound like King Euyrn. I would stake my crown on that being truthful."

"Now all you need to figure out who would tell the king such a lie, and what the lie was." Isti was very helpful with her serene logic.

"We may just find that out tomorrow." Ella hoped that her husband and she could stop this.

***********

"Well, wish us luck." Char and Ella were in their carriage and were leaving for the Palace.

"Good luck," called Areida and Isti.

They passed several markets and inns on their way, but they really saw none of it as both were dreading what was to come.

They walked into the outdoor room, which was used for Ayorthian royal matters. King Euyrn and his advisor where standing in the middle. The rest of the court was seated in wooden pews that encircled the room making an aisle towards the double doors they had just come through.

"King Charmont, I'm so pleased you could make it," said Euyrn, although his face looked like he wished Char had not. "Please sit down." He gestured to two seats across the table he was standing behind. The four of them sat down simultaneously.

"I'm glad you would have us. Now if you don't mind let us skip all the formalities, as we always have, and get to the point."

"Why have you declared war against Kyrria," demanded Ella.

"My dear, please. There is no need to raise your voice. Now I have heard that you and your husband have been plotting against us. Now-" "That is not true, Euyrn. Our countries have upheld peace for hundreds of years. We are good friends. Why would we plot against you and disturb that peace."

"I have proof," yelled the king, obviously forgetting that they needn't raise their voices.

"What proof can you have if it is not true?" Ella was getting angrier by the minute.

"We have proof, that is all you need know. If you admit that you have been plotting, and swear on your crown that you will stop-"

"I'm afraid that we can do no such thing," said Char as calm as ever, "I cannot stop something I have not started; therefore I cannot swear to do so. In addition, I will not lie and admit to something I have not done. Now if you don't mind I find this whole thing ridiculous. Let us put this whole misunderstanding away, as that is all it has turned out to be."

"GET OUT OF MY COURT! I will not put this aside. Starting three days from now, we are at war. I think that is a substantial amount of time for you to leave this country."

"Euyrn-"

"GET OUT!"