Author's Note: Here's another note, I make far too many of these! Just wanted to say to Dark Axem that he has nothing to apologise for, I didn't take his comments in a bad way, I was just worried that people might not enjoy the story, so outlined all the differences to see if was enough. I didn't mean it in a bad way towards you Dark Axem, and I really appreciate you reading and reviewing, so sorry if it seemed like I was having a go at you or something! I really didn't mean too!

This chapter also introduces a new character, the elvaan Princess (named Princess Astra, that name is familiar to me, but I have no idea why, any ideas?). I tried to do something really different for her (which is kind of central to the plot), so I wonder how it came out. Should make for an interesting (if not extremely difficult to write in situations) character.

Anyway, that's enough teasing. Here's the chapter! At least things should be harder to predict now, not even I know where they're going yet.

CHAPTER 35

COMPLICATIONS

"The Queen gave birth to a daughter almost eighteen years ago." Dartian explained.

"Eighteen? But that would make her plenty old enough to rule. That solves all of our problems." Olose said with a confused shrug.

"Not exactly." Dartian said.
"Perhaps it's easier for me to explain." Tarrak laughed. "I was on duty that night, after all. Although I fail to see how it can help us." He paused, before going into a full explanation. "The Queen had been pregnant for some time, and it became apparent she was to give birth that night. I was on duty, head of the Royal Guard that night, and watched as they delivered the baby. It became apparent that the Queen had given birth early, and her daughter was born far too small, incredibly underweight, at first we were worried she would die. But she was taken to the best hospital in the whole of San d'Oria, and she pulled through. She lived, but she suffered from an illness like none we had ever seen. At first we all thought it was a side effect of being born so early, but it quickly became apparent that she wasn't going to recover."

"What illness?" Arcadia asked, sounding concerned. "Why have I not heard about it? I thought it would have been common knowledge."

"Her illness was very strange. She was unbelievably weak, unable to even hold herself standing for longer than a few minutes at the most. She would fall to sleep regularly, unable to keep up with the energy it took to merely stay functioning." Tarrak explained.

"There's no way she could lead like that." Olose stated the obvious.

"No. That's why she wasn't kept in San d'Oria. Eventually it became apparent she could not be cured, nor could she ever take over the kingdom. For her safety, the King had her moved to a country house, a manor where she would be waited on by servants who would do everything they could to make her life enjoyable and peaceful until the day she died." Tarrak told Olose and Arcadia, Arcadia looked more surprised than Olose.

"I remember now." Arcadia stated. "That the Queen gave birth to a Princess, but she died."

"She didn't." Dartian laughed. "That's the girl you've just heard about. The King pretended she was dead to keep her safe, there was no way she could lead or deal with the burden of royalty, so he sent her away from it. He loved his daughter more than he cared about the family line, you see."

"How does this help us? You said yourself, she's not fit to rule." Olose pointed out.

"Ah, but as long as there is an heir to the throne, the Cardinal cannot take it." Dartian smiled. "Which means we need to go and pick her up, and bring her here."

"Whoa, hold on." Olose said, holding up his hands. "If what you've told me is true, is that entirely a good idea?"

"Not in the slightest." Dartian confessed. "But without her, the Cardinal can just take over at the end of the week. She's our only chance of delaying him."

"He'll doubtlessly say she's unfit to rule and try to take over anyway." Tarrak told the group. "But it'll buy us some time."

"Some time to do what?" Arcadia asked, sounding more and more concerned.

"Find the King and restore him. Or at least prove to the people the Cardinal is unfit to rule." Dartian shrugged.

"And start a civil war?" Olose warned.

"We have to stop him from taking over. It's as simple as that." Tarrak stated firmly. "Now, I suggest we discuss this elsewhere. That lovely Temple Knight will be back soon with an army, and we're going to be in trouble."

Captain d'Mil approached the Cardinal, who had risen from the King's throne to meet her.

"Did you catch the criminals today?" He asked bluntly.
"No, they evaded me." D'Mil answered, ashamed. "I'm sorry." She blurted out. "I hadn't expected-"

"There is no need to apologise." The Cardinal smiled. "I am sure you did your best."

"I think they seek to restore the King." She told him. "At least, that is what it appeared to be. They may be rogues, but their intentions are honourable."

"Of course they are." The Cardinal gave a fatherly smile. "But at times such as these, it cannot be allowed."
"The King is the true ruler." D'Mil said awkwardly. "He should be in charge."

"I know that." The Cardinal said warmly. "But he is not here, and we are still reeling from war. We need a leader and cannot have the masses waiting on a figure who may not return."

"I understand, your eminence." D'Mil bowed. "I shall gather my troops and catch the criminals. Sorry if I was seen as disrespectful."

"You have nothing to apologise for." The Cardinal laughed. "Now please, catch and punish those responsible. It pains me to order such punishment, but we must appear forceful to maintain a control over the population."

"I understand, your eminence. I shall get to it right away." D'Mil turned and exited, and the Cardinal allowed himself a grin.

Arcadia shuffled on the uncomfortable tavern seat. They were all hunched over a table in the darkest corner of the dingiest tavern they could find, and Arcadia felt very uncomfortable.

"So, what now?" Olose asked.

"Somebody needs to go and pick up the Princess." Dartian decided.

"Send me." Arcadia volunteered. "I am more of a liability than anything staying here, and I'm used to interacting with the higher social classes. I should be able to handle talking to the Princess."

"She's a little different from who you are used to." Tarrak smiled. "I haven't seen her since she was sent out there, but remember, she's had no interaction with the outside world, and is barely strong enough to move. She's going to need constant care just to survive the trip back to San d'Oria."

"I shall be able to handle it." Arcadia nodded. "You need to stay here, and disrupt whatever the Cardinal is planning."

"Arcadia's right." Olose admitted reluctantly. "We're more capable in combat than she is, and it looks like things are about to become very combative around here."

"The ability to fight is not the only thing that is important." Arcadia said proudly.

"Perhaps not. Fine. Arcadia, you need to find the Princess. Tarrak, tell her everything you know about this girl and where to find her. Then, Arcadia, you take our carriage with our driver there and pick her up, with whoever else she needs to care for her on the journey. We'll stay here and see what we can do about the Cardinal." Olose outlined his plan of action.

"I shall depart also." Tarrak decided. "And head to the highlands in search of evidence as to what happened to the King. If he is dead, we need to alter our plans quite drastically."

"Good idea, that leaves the two of us-" Olose gestured to Dartian and himself, "-to try and stop the Cardinal from taking over the whole elvaan nation."
"I am beginning to see why you are a captain." Arcadia said softly.

"Now, let's get to work!" Olose cheered.

It was some time later when Arcadia was sat in the carriage heading towards the Princess's hiding place. She overlooked the papers Tarrak had given her on the girl. Her name was Princess Astra. A fairly pretty name, Arcadia thought, suitable for a princess. There wasn't much on her, except those who had talked to her said she was a gentle soul who had utterly failed to be corrupted by the world she knew so little about. Arcadia didn't know how she would respond to being told she had to bear the burden of saving a whole kingdom. If she would even know how to respond. The papers weren't even specific on whether or not she knew who she was, or whether she was completely without clue as to her origins. They mostly comprised of dull medical research into trying to find the source of her illness, but eventually put it down to her muscles developing too slowly to keep up with the growth of her body, something they could do nothing about.

Arcadia became more interested when she read a theory it was a curse. But to be a curse, somebody would have to have inflicted the Queen before she gave birth, and it was impossible for anybody to get near her, she was always surrounded by either the Royal Guard or the Temple Knights.

The Temple Knights? Arcadia pondered this carefully. It couldn't be possible that the Cardinal had planned this, could it? Infected the poor girl before she was born so that the King could have no heir. She shook her head. The Cardinal couldn't have planned that much. He couldn't have planned to take control of San d'Oria before he knew about the war and the loss of the King, it didn't make sense. She peered out the window at the setting sun, and began to wish Olose was with her. She wanted to rest, but couldn't. She had heard too many stories of carriages being attacked by monsters to allow herself to slip into a sleep.

She awoke to a voice.

"We've arrived." It was dry and emotionless, the voice of her driver, somebody who seemed to fully believe his life was utterly devoid of purpose apart from the soul aspect of taking her to and fro strange places. She found him strangely creepy, before realising her neck was stiff and that she had fallen asleep despite her previous vow.

"Oh, okay." She muttered, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She got up slowly and exited the carriage, swaying slightly. She saw a normal looking house before her, just an ordinary country cottage. "Thank you." She curtseyed formally, not that the driver ever noticed, and walked with caution up to the house. She swung open the door and walked in.

She was instantly taken aback. The whole area surrounding the door was utterly baron, devoid of anything, even carpet, but the rest of the cottage appeared to be fantastically decorated, and surprisingly full of chairs and sofas and even beds. Hand rails ran everywhere like walkways (except to the door). She observed that the chairs weren't normal, but carefully made to a position to force the user to sit up, even if they relaxed. She guessed it was because Astra was unable to support herself, and so the chairs did it for her. She was slightly surprised the condition was that bad. The handrails must be to help her get around, and by having none by the door it was impossible for her to leave. That kept her perfectly safe. Expensive paintings hung on the walls, and books were scattered all around (complete with specialised stands to hold them in front of her so she didn't have to try and hold them up herself), all in what must have been a vain attempt to keep her entertained.

"Hello? Miss Julie?" Came a very soft voice from somewhere amongst the cluttered room.

"Urm. No." Arcadia answered, assuming Julie was the woman who cared for Astra. "My name is Arcadia. I need to speak with you."

"Speak with me?" Her voice seemed confused. Arcadia walked around to see her, sat in one of the specialised chairs, forcibly upright. "You're new. I haven't seen you before." She remarked, astonished. Arcadia was more shocked at Astra's appearance. Her skin was lethally pale, white, yet her eyes sparkled bright blue. Her hair was long and golden and her long ears seemed to twitch with curiosity. No other muscle in her body was working. She looked more alive in her eyes than anybody Arcadia had ever seen, but her body looked dead. She looked like a corpse slumped after it had been poisoned. "Nobody new comes here. Please. Tell me."

"Tell you what?" Arcadia asked, puzzled.

"Everything." She answered. "What is the outside like?"

"There is lots outside. I cannot tell you about it all." Arcadia felt a bit guilty as she saw Astra's face drop in disappointment. "Well, it iss very green." She began, to try and make up for it. "Well, except for certain places. But around here, it iss very green. Full of flowers and trees and it looks beautiful. Like that painting." She pointed to a painting hanging on the wall. Astra smiled.

"Miss Julie always tells me about the place that is a painting of." She laughed. "Ronfaure Forest she says. I really want to see it, but she says I wouldn't survive the journey." She looked quite sad.

"You might be able to see it." Arcadia tried to encourage her.
"No. I cannot leave here. Even if I wanted to, I can't make it to the door." Arcadia looked, it was only a few feet. She felt a desperate urge to help the girl in front of her, but there was nothing she could do.

"Do you know who you are?" Arcadia asked, knowing time was short.

"I'm a girl who cannot move or go anywhere. So why is it important?" Astra tried to shrug, her face becoming twisted as she put as much effort as she could into moving her shoulders. It was an unusual motion, and one she didn't make regularly, and she failed, giving up with a sigh. Arcadia looked slightly confused at this before carrying on.

"You are a Princess. Of San d'Oria." She explained.

"Oh. That. I know." Astra answered. "What am I meant to do? I was taken here because I cannot rule. My father used to visit, but he's stopped." She looked sad, but didn't cry. Arcadia guessed it was just too much effort to cry for somebody like her.
"There was a war." Arcadia explained.

"A war?" Astra repeated. "War. War." She rolled the word around, practicing saying it. "What is a war? Does it delay my father from visiting?" Arcadia tried to hide her astonishment, but failed.

"Yes. I'm afraid it does." She explained. "A war is when two groups of people fight."

"Fight." She pondered curiously. "Yes. I know this word. People do it in those violent books. Miss Julie doesn't like me reading them, so usually takes them away. Isn't this when people try to hurt each other?"

"Yes, I am afraid it is." Arcadia sighed.

"Why would two groups of people want to hurt each other?" Astra asked, clearly baffled.

"I honestly do not know." Arcadia replied. "Your father has gone missing." She said, far more bluntly than she would have liked, and wished she could turn back time and say it more tactfully.

"Do you think the group of people he war with hurt him?" Astra asked. Arcadia smiled sweetly at Astra's failed attempt at using her new word.

"He was at war with." A voice corrected. Arcadia spun around to see a simple clothed woman walk in, carrying a bowl of soup. "Honestly, why did you go and teach her a word like that for." Arcadia assumed this was Miss Julie.

"I needed to tell her of what happened to her father." Arcadia explained.

"You can't just come in here and tell her about the outside!" Julie cried. "Who do you think you are?" She paused. "Wait. Who are you?"

"My name is Lady Arcadia De Lily." Arcadia curtseyed as she always did. "Princess Astra here could be the last hope for San d'Oria."

"Well, she's not going anywhere, I hope." Julie said curtly. "She can be the last hope for San d'Oria right here."

"Please, Miss Julie, I was enjoying speaking to Miss Arcadia here." Astra said in a whine.

"Well, if you enjoyed it, then carry on." Julie bowed. "But don't go telling her any more about nasty things like war." Julie warned, placing the soup on a raised table in front of Astra. "Call me when you want to eat it, and I'll help you."

"I thought I would try on my own today." Astra said confidently.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Julie replied.

"Miss Arcadia can help me!" She suggested, as enthusiastically as she could manage.

"It is just Arcadia." Arcadia laughed slightly.

"Okay, if that's what you want." Julie turned and left without asking Arcadia's opinion. Arcadia sighed. Astra began to reach for the spoon, straining and reaching forwards with all her might. Her tiny white hand wrapped around it, lifting it out of the soup. The spoon shook without balance. Arcadia swept down and placed her hand around Astra's own, steadying the spoon and feeding it to Astra's mouth. She found herself questioning just how Astra was going to be able to do anything. Astra looked up at Arcadia's eyes in confusion.

"Why are your fingernails all red?" She asked, looking at Arcadia's hand wrapped around her own.

"They're painted." Arcadia answered with a warm smile, finding talking to Astra like talking to a confused child. She realised just how cut off she was from the outside world.

"Painted? You use paint on walls." She repeated, just to make sure she was thinking of the right thing. "Why would you use it on your fingernails?" Arcadia paused.

"Urm, I am not sure." She replied, looking at her own fingernails and feeling oddly embarrassed.

"Then why did you do it? Is it the same reason you have red lips?" That question had been burning on Astra's mind for some time. "Do you put paint on your face too, and not know why?" Arcadia blushed slightly.

"Sort of. It is supposed to make me look pretty." She replied, explaining as she would to a child.

"But Miss Julie always says I'm pretty, and I don't have any paint." Astra said, her eyes sparkling as she attempted to understand. "I'm sorry." She suddenly spurted out.

"What for?" Arcadia asked in confusion.

"I must seem like a confused child." She answered bluntly. "I am just curious. I never see the outside world or meet new people." She began to twist and shuffle in the chair, her arms on the arm rests started shaking furiously and she rose to her feet, before stumbling. Arcadia dove in and caught her, holding her up. She was quite light, but still Arcadia found she could barely hold her up. Astra clung to one of the support rails. "I'm alright." She said. "You don't have to help me. I use these rails." She began to slide along the rails curiously, pulling herself along. Her arms couldn't manage the feat however and she fell. Arcadia caught her again and strained to lift her up, placing her back in the seat. "Sorry. Miss Julie usually helps me when I fall over. It's so difficult to get back up once I've fallen to the ground."

"It's better this way, now you can eat your soup." Arcadia smiled.

"I always eat soup. Miss Julie says it's all I can digest." Astra said sadly. "I get bored of it. Please, tell me more about my father and why I can help San d'Oria. It all sounds very exciting. Exciting things never happen to me."

"Very well." Arcadia nodded. She sat down in a nearby chair, finding it incredibly uncomfortable in its unique shape. "Where shall I begin?" She pondered aloud.

She had a feeling that dealing with Princess Astra was going to be very difficult.