Chapter 8

Astrid pursed her lips as she entered the expansive Royal gardens. The Queen's garden party was already ongoing and ladies from all walks of Nobility were milling about. None came with male escorts as only women were allowed in at these parties. The men had their own social gatherings where women were not allowed entrance so when Queen Valka ascended the throne, along with her husband, she decided to implement several social gatherings for women. When the Royal court ministers had begun to protest she had shut them up with but a single glare, so the story goes.

Astrid still remembered her father griping about these gatherings when her mother attended and later when she was old enough to attend, namely at 13. The parties were fun but they were also ripe with gossip. Things that the men had no idea women talked about. Things that made Astrid blush when she had first heard them.

"Lady Astrid please smile. You look like you will kill the next person that greets you," Minden whispered. The three ladies in waiting were also accompanying Astrid as they were also Nobles. Astrid put on her best business smile but she was still worried about several things. First off was Sierra's position. She had known Camicazi since they had been children. Something must have been desperately wrong if that woman gave someone a helping hand. It also didn't seem that Sierra was lying. Astrid had introduced her to Stormfly and Toothless just to be certain. Toothless ignored the maid and went back to sleep while Stormfly ended up trying to preen her. Her dragon didn't turn anyone into a strainer so the girl was no threat. The other thing bothering Astrid was that this was her first social debut after getting out of prison. She was sure she would be the highlight of conversation. Camicazi and several other snobbish women were also attending and Astrid wondered if they would use this opportunity to shame her more. Her engagement hadn't been made public yet as there were several documents both she and Hiccup had to go through so her status as the future Crown Princess was still unknown. Basically no status means you're a free feast for the vultures.

The music was light as women socialized. There were all types of sweets present along with tea, wine, champagne and other exotic drinks. Several ladies had taken to playing a game of Polo on the wide open field. Astrid held her light blue parasol lofty as she strolled past. Her hand tightened around the handle as she heard several older ladies gossip very loudly about her.

"Oh my my…."

"What is she doing here?"

"She's not a Noble anym…."

"The nerve of her…."

"Showing her face…."

"Disgrace…."

These were some of the things Astrid heard. Her Ladies in waiting were close by and she spotted the three women sending murderous glares at several older women. The gossip quieted down somewhat when Queen Valka greeted Astrid heartily with a hug. Most women blinked in shock since the Queen had never hugged anyone at the parties before. Astrid was ushered to the Queen's table where other high ranking Noblewomen sat, now including Camicazi. The blond, and future Duchess Jorgenson, was quiet though as Astrid noted Cami simply observing her.

Astrid gave her polite greetings to the table and sat down. Camicazi sat to the Queen's left while Astrid sat to the Queen's right. The other ladies at the table seemed to be the widowed Duchess Larson who was a connoisseur of the fine arts, 'and men' Astrid's mind supplied. It was well known that she took over as head of the family after Duke Larson's passing, refusing to remarry and instead becoming the patron of several now renowned artists. Astrid also recognized Countess Berta, Camicazi's mother. The woman had a severe face but Astrid actually liked her. Underneath all that severity was a mother who doted on her daughter and loved her husband very much. Countess Berta was not meeting Astrid's eyes and if she had to guess, the woman felt guilty for her daughter snatching Snotlout on Astrid's wedding day. The two seats next to Astrid were empty but next to Countess Berta sat Marchioness Stormheart. Nikora Stormheart was something of an enigma in the Noble social circles. The territory the Stormhearts governed lay all the way on the northern tip of the Berkian island. That area supplied 70 percent of Berk's fish so they had a large fleet of ships and several ports there. Astrid knew since she was small that this woman could be ruthless. She had a reputation and everyone knew she was loyal to only Queen Valka. What the Queen had done to earn such loyalty….. Now that was a mystery.

"Well ladies, how are you enjoying today's party?" Valka asked while taking a sip of her wine. "There are still two people that need to arrive to complete this little group."

Astrid blinked. The Queen had just hinted that she had added them all here at the table for a reason. Her future mother-in-law hadn't even been subtle.

"You know I hate parties," Nikora grumbled. "I fail to see why you keep dragging me out here."

"Well you can't just stay holled up in your manor all day." Valka smiled. "You need some sun." The Queen then perked up as someone approached. "Ah, here is another. Welcome to the club Lady Thornston. Or should I say Doctor Thornston."

Astrid's brows shot up but she immediately schooled her face into a more neutral look. Inwardly her mind was screaming at her. 'Just what was Ruffnut Thornston, a doctor that now worked with the masses, doing in the Palace?!'

"Greetings Queen Valka," Ruffnut greeted with a curtsy. "Forgive my tardiness. My meeting with the King ran late." Astrid's mind was whirling with 'What the hell is going on here?!' and then she spotted none other than her mother approaching the table. Astrid was still in shock as she was enveloped in a warm hug. Of course she was glad to see her mother again. Someone from the palace must have been dispatched. The table was finally full and Astrid suspected that the group that had been assembled would be talking about some serious business, yet all they did was make small talk. There however seemed to now be a wordless understanding reached between the women at the table. Soon the group excused themselves to participate in other activities.

Queen Valka 'innocently' went on with her socializing, the Marchioness disappeared in the crowd, Astrid's mother had taken the Countess aside and the women were discussing something in hushed tones, the good doctor was muttering something about having to deal with a wild chicken when she got back to her clinic, Duchess Larson had excused herself and had taken a seat under the shade of a large willow tree, and Camicazi had stood up and was now strolling towards the hedge maze.

Astrid made up her mind. As strange as this group had been she had to get to the bottom of her current problem first. She stood up from the table and also decided to take a stroll through the maze.

Astrid walked deeper in the maze and wondered which path Camicazi had taken. "Odd isn't it?" A voice asked from behind her and Astrid turned to see Camicazi stroll out from another path. "Whatever could the Queen have been thinking?" The blond woman asked casually as she kept strolling. Astrid walked next to her, giving anyone watching the impression that they were just two ladies on a simple stroll. "Myself who has eyes and ears in High society, my mother who is married to the Minister of Finance, a doctor who is both adored and feared by the populace, Marchioness Stormheart who can command the Berkian navy, your mother, the esteemed Baroness and merchant's daughter and Duchess Larson who has connections that we may not even know. It almost seems like the Queen wants to have a monopoly on the seas." Camicazi stopped. "Where do you fit in though? A disowned Noble's daughter."

"Cami can you please get to the point?" Astrid groaned. She knew the game Cami was playing. Trying to get a rise out of her. The woman had done it whenever they talked. What she didn't expect was for Camicazi to reach into the small purse she had and thrust several folded papers in Astrid's hands. "What?" Astrid asked confused as she opened them. Her eyes widened. "The property deeds of my dowry?!" Astrid knew Snotlout had kept them but she would have never guessed that it would be Camicazi that would return it to her. "Won't you get in trouble?"

"Snotlout will probably think he misplaced them. He's horrible at keeping his office organized." The blonde muttered.

"Wait, why are you giving me these? It can't be from the goodness of your heart." Astrid frowned.

"I need a favor," Camicazi finally said.

"Of course you do," Astrid's eyes narrowed.

"Snotlout went ballistic when he found out you'd been released by the way. I don't know what your position in the Palace is right now and I don't care. There are even rumors that you've been taken in as a maid." Camicazi stated. "This has to do with me trying to prevent a Civil war so I suggest you don't make light of what I'm about to tell you. The Queen likely already suspects something is afoot as well."

"Wait what?!" Astrid's eyes widened. Her mouth would have also hung open if she hadn't corrected herself swiftly. She was having an overload as her brain tried to fit the pieces together. She didn't have everything yet but she now knew that Queen Valka's political maneuvers were much more elaborate than her husband's. Women tended to work behind the scenes as seemed to be the case here and this was a maneuver on a National scale.

"Are you going to do me a favor or not?" Camicazi asked causing Astrid to snap out of her whirling thoughts. "There's a maid I had sent to the Palace."

"Sierra," Astrid raised a brow causing Camicazi to stop what she was going to say next.

"I hadn't realized you two were acquainted." Cami stated.

"It's…. A recent thing." Astrid uttered and then thought 'Mala knew, Gobber knew so then it would be reasonable for the King and Queen to know too.'

"I need her safety guaranteed." Camicazi stated. "She's safer in the Palace than at the Jorgenson estate but it's not enough."

"Why?" Astrid frowned. "What does she have to do with the Civil war you're trying to prevent?"

"That maid is the bastard child of Duke Jorgenson," Camicazi stated next and that statement alone caused Astrid to actually gape this time. "Which means," Cami continued, "bastard or not. She is also in line for the throne!"

AN: DUN DUN DUNNNNN... (Proceeds to put on a cactus costume and hide in a sea of cacti) YOU GUYS WILL HAVE TO GET POKED IF YA WANT ME! HAHAHAHAHA