Title: Heiress
Genre: Friendship/Romance
Rating: M
Warnings: Sexual Themes, Language

Natalie blew out a heavy sigh as she trudged down the long halls to her room. She felt exhausted and tense all at once, as she had ever since she'd agreed to be the Lady Regent until her brother recovered. It was lonely, boring, exhausting, and frustrating work to listen to every single self-serving complaint nobles had, every grievance a commoner brought forth, and then have to make solutions for them. And there were the daily meetings with the council, the plans that had to be made to assure stability, the meet and greets with foreign dignitaries. And she had to be perfectly poised at all times in public, dressed up and painted to look untouchable and powerful. She missed the simplicity of fighting with the team, the sense of unabashed honesty and belonging. But somebody had to rule, and she'd been the only one with a legitimate claim.

Only Matt had stayed in the area, promising to be there if she needed him. Not that she ever had, but it would have been nice to see him once or twice. But Matt had stayed away from the castle and the guards had never seen him on their patrols. She could only assume he was out in the fields surrounding the castle doing what he always did by fighting monsters for treasure. The frequent thought that he'd simply wandered off constantly plagued her. He hated staying in one place, after all, and she had the sneaking worry that he'd only offered to stay nearby out of a certain sense of obligation for her.

"Perhaps you'd like some unwinding?"

Natalie tensed before glancing over her shoulder. A single man stood there—one of the ranking guards, if she recalled correctly. She turned fully to address him, the skirt of her gown swishing around her legs. "I doubt you could offer the sort of unwinding I want," she honestly told him in a wry tone.

"There are many ways to unwind, but what did you have in mind, my lady?"

"Tracking down some smelly beast to set on fire, and then selling its skin for gold," Natalie told him with a faint grin that widened at his surprised look. "I haven't been raised like most noble women. I worked for several years as a mercenary of sorts before agreeing to help my brother, and I can't wait to get back to it. Unfortunately, that is a risk I cannot take while in charge,"

"Ah, I had no idea," the man admitted. "You conduct yourself so well I assumed you were like every other ruling house member. But as I said, there are other methods of unwinding."

"Mm, I doubt drinking my troubles away would be very much appreciated by my councilmen."

The man chuckled, "Yes, I imagine that that would cause some complaint. I was thinking something more intimate and private, however. Making love does wonders for stress, after all."

Natalie flushed as she shook her head sharply, "That is very… kind… of you to offer, but I am not seeking a lover. Good night."

And with that, the woman turned and continued on, this time flustered, exhausted, and stressed. A lover of all things. That was exactly what she did not want. But even as she had the embarrassed thought, she imagined a different man with brilliant blond hair and blue eyes that sparkled with warmth and laughter offering her the same. Not that he'd ever sought that sort of thing out; or at least not from her. She often thought Anna was more likely to get with Matt than she was. The ranger had a similar personality to the swordsman, and a similar sense of mischief and excitability.

But as she slipped into her room, nodding to the guards outside her door, she couldn't help but imagine Matt in that capacity. She flushed as she imagined him kissing her, holding her, running his fingers over her skin, nibbling at her neck. And then she imagined more sensual things like how it might feel to have him touch her breasts, her core, how he would fit inside her, whether he would be put off by her virginity. Would he be as fierce a lover as he was a fighter, or would he be as sweet and gentle as he was a friend? Would he want to cuddle after the act, or would he go to sleep immediately? Would he like the act enough to want it again, to come back for more?

Natalie's cheeks were bright red by this point, and she felt way too hot. She briskly stepped to the bathroom to run a bath before bed. A soak would do wonders for her tension, after all. And as she ran the water into the tub, she wryly mused that she had even more tension, now. The guard had meant well with his offer, but she just knew she'd be thinking of Matt taking her for weeks—a pleasant enough of a distraction during boring meetings, but also an unattainable thing to want. But as she sank up to her neck in warm water and began washing her hair, she wondered if maybe the bed she slept in wouldn't feel so large and cold with a lover in it. And as she caved to touching herself, and as she curled up to sleep, she wondered if Matt would ever want her.

Days passed and Natalie handled affairs as always. Her brother had written that his recovery was going well, but that it would be some time before he could walk by himself again. He thanked her once more for being the awesome sister she was, and promised the best chocolate he could find upon his return and that they would eat cake until they barfed to celebrate her belated birthday. Natalie smiled as she thought of the sweet letter and silly antics of her brother. He'd make a great ruler when he returned, caring for everyone around him with good, relatable humor. The mention of her birthday had thrown her, though. She'd forgotten it was today, and was thankful that no one in the castle knew of it. The last thing she wanted was a party in her honor that she'd have to preside over, manage, and smile through. Plus it welcomed idiots looking for her hand in marriage, and she'd had enough of suitors asking after her.

"So, my Lady Regent, what do you think should be done?"

Natalie blinked at being addressed and rapidly pulled up what scraps she could recall of his long-winded speech. "Would it be possible to summon Lord Reil here for a mediated meeting? I would preside, of course."

To her relief, she'd recalled his complaint accurately, and he bowed. "Of course, thank you, Lady Regent."

"Now then, if that is all, I believe this meeting is adjourned?" Natalie asked expectantly, looking around the table. The men all nodded, and she slid her chair back, "Then let us be off. I have it on good account that there is an exquisite spread being prepared for lunch that will be ready in the next two hours. Do bring your ladies."

The men smiled as they stood and bowed with murmured thanks. Natalie waited for them all to leave before sighing and turning for the special door that led almost directly to her chambers. Her personal guards flanked her down the hall before standing at attention outside her door. She entered her room and shut the door before slumping against it with an exhausted sigh.

"Sounds like you're having about as much fun as I thought you would be."

Natalie leapt straight up in the air in shock, one hand over her suddenly racing heart. Her wide eyes fell on Matt sitting at the bay window, and her face split into a massive smile. "Matt!" She cried, leaping forwards to give him a hug. "I had no idea you were going to be here! How have you been? What brings you?"

Matt returned her hug tightly, lifting her off the ground a little before letting go to step back. "Like I'd miss your birthday and leave you surrounded by stuffy nobles to celebrate it," he teased lightly. "And I've been good. I took care of a bandit band that was preying on the village about a day's walk to the east of the castle."

Natalie slumped in relief, "Oh, thank the gods. I was beginning to think I'd have to go out there myself to get it done. The guard captain was spouting bullshit about it being out of his jurisdiction, and people were endlessly coming in to complain."

"So, what's your birthday feast going to be?" Matt asked, rubbing his hands together with a grin.

Natalie laughed and shoved him. "Figures you came for the food. But to be honest, I forgot my birthday was today until reading a letter from my brother, so there's no feast."

Matt's face fell, "You, what? Seriously?

"It's been so busy and mindless here," Natalie explained, her smile falling some. "I haven't really spent any time for myself beyond sleeping and bathing."

Matt sat back down, studying Natalie's face. Now that she'd mentioned it, she did look exhausted and tense. There were faint lines by her eyes, and shadows under them, though she'd hidden them pretty well with makeup. Her entire posture suddenly screamed exhaustion, and there was a tightness around her mouth that suggested she was really tense. He'd wondered if the strain of ruling would get to her, and had been to a few of her public outings to try and gauge how she was holding up. She'd looked like she'd been doing well, and the people adored her. He'd even heard a few guards in one of the local taverns saying she was a blessing to get the houses cooperating. But it looked like all that good was coming out of her own happiness.

"Can you take a few days leave?" Matt finally ventured.

Natalie shook her head, "No, I've got some ambassadors coming in over the next few days, a dinner party two nights from now, a royal inspection of the wall a week from today, a private negotiations between two houses a week after that, a-"

Matt cut her off with a wry smile, "I get it: you're busy. Did James happen to say when he'd be back?"

"Not for another couple months. He said it's been slow progress on his legs, and a ruler needs to walk to appear strong," Natalie sighed. She moved to sit beside Matt and slumped down to rub her face, uncaring of the makeup she was smudging. "I just want to go set some monsters on fire. Is that so much to ask?"

Matt smiled sympathetically as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You'll get back to it soon enough, don't worry. Do you have anything else going on today?"

"Just have to meet a group for lunch," Natalie replied as she sat up. She glanced out the window and sighed before standing, "Speaking of, I need to get ready for that. Will you be here?" Her voice had taken on a hopeful cast as she paused by the bathroom to look back at Matt.

"Of course. I'll swing by the kitchens and snag some food for myself. See you soon," Matt replied evenly.

As soon as Natalie was gone, his face fell into a frown, and he stood up to go get food. She looked and sounded miserable and like she was half a second away from telling the world to go fuck itself for a day or two. As he trekked down the hall, he wondered if there was anything he could do to distract her for a day or so. A part of him felt a little guilty for not coming by sooner. He'd considered it countless times, but hadn't wanted to pressure her into leaving or make her think he thought she needed help. But considering her expression, he wondered if maybe it would have been better to have him there more often. She was probably lonely, definitely bored and stressed, and anxious to leave.

"No, I haven't asked the Lady Regent again."

Matt blinked out of his thoughts to find himself in the kitchens. A group of guards were sitting at one long table, eating some kind of stew. He cast them a curious look, wondering what they were saying about Natalie. It wasn't anything bad, since they hadn't cared about the people coming and going. He wondered what they'd asked her as he grabbed his own stew and a chunk of freshly baked bread.

"Damn, and here I was hoping you'd have juicy details for us. She has such an awesome rack…"

Matt choked on a mouthful of stew, though his coughing went on ignored. He listened to their conversation with a certain level of anger at their derogatory remarks toward his friend.

"Yeah, I was sure she'd agree to at least one night, but she refused. Apparently isn't interested in a lover. Or she prefers the company of women. Who knows."

"Or dogs," a different man snickered. "Did you see her face when that mutt ran up to her? She kissed the dumb thing! Maybe that's how we can get into her bed—just bring a dog along."

Matt slammed his spoon down, cutting off the round of laughs, and stood up to glare at them. "Natalie just knows better than to get involved with pigs like you. One more disrespectful word out of any of your mouths and you'll be shitting your teeth out for weeks."

Dead silence fell as the guards gaped at the young blond glaring at them. He was a strange face and dressed commonly, through his weapon said otherwise about his wealth. And he referred to the Regent so familiarly… Still, his threat couldn't go unpunished.

"Watch what you say, boy. We could have you hanging from the gallows with the snap of the fingers."

"Oh, fingers will be snapping alright if you think you can take me on," Matt growled. He took several paces forwards and slammed his hands down on their table to lean forwards and hiss in their faces, "Stay away from Natalie."

"Who are you and what are you doing this far into the castle?"

"I'm a friend of Natalie's, and I have her royal permission to go anywhere in the castle and on its grounds," Matt snapped.

Instantly, the guards' faces paled as they recalled the small group the Regent traveled with. They realized that the blond before them must be Matt, known kingdom over for his strength and skill, the last member of a great house of born and bred fighters of unimaginable talent. And he was also known for a vicious temper when his friends were threatened. Immediately, the men averted their eyes and mumbled promises and apologies. To their relief, he merely grunted and stood back. Then he was gone, leaving a half-eaten bowl of soup and a few crumbs of bread.

Matt stormed back up to Natalie's room and let himself in after a brief nod to the guards. He then threw himself back down in the bay seat and scowled out the window, burning with an angry, possessive disgust. He couldn't believe the guard thought they had any chance of bedding Natalie. Never mind that she was their princess, but it was pretty well known she detested being seen as an object for pleasure. To have actually approached her for sex… He snarled under his breath at the thought. And those awful comments and jokes had been way out of line.

"Hey, Matt, I'm back."

Matt started, and his anger mostly evaporated at the sound of Natalie's voice. He turned to see her standing at the door in a simple day dress with her hair braided and piled on her head. Delicate jewelry sat against her throat, on her head, and hung from her ears, sparkling in the light. Her eyes were scanning his face with a hint of concern in them, and he realized she could probably tell he was upset. Her next words only confirmed his suspicion.

"What happened?"

"Oh, a few of your guards ticked me off, is all," Matt replied as he stood up. "Did you have a good lunch?"

"Yeah, we had roast quail with seasoned bread and an awesome fruit salad. How was your lunch?"

Matt started and sheepishly rubbed his head, "Er, what I ate of it was pretty good? I forgot to finish it, though."

Natalie's eyebrows shot up, "What happened that made you of all people forget food?"

Matt opened his mouth to explain, but shut it again as he studied the mage before him. Instead, he asked, "Have people been pressing you to get together with them?"

Instantly, Natalie's face flushed bright red. She spluttered for a moment before coughing into her hand. "That's awfully forwards of you," she joked.

"I just want to be sure you've been safe," Matt pressed.

Her eyes softened and she nodded, "I've been fine. A few noblemen have approached me about marriage, but I've turned them down. Oh, and a guard asked if I wanted… casual sex… to unwind, but that was only once and he hasn't pressed it since I said no. What brought that worry on?"

"Your guards are about as respectful as the tavern bouncers," Matt told her in a wry voice. He explained what he'd overheard and said, and was partially amused at her expression even as he frowned from anger at the remembered remarks.

"Yeesh, I'll speak to them about that," Natalie mumbled in a mortified tone. She met Matt's eyes and added, "Thanks for standing up for my honor. The last thing I need is a rumor that I'm into bedding animals to start circulating up the grapevine."

Matt nodded. He hesitated before asking, "Have you considered a lover while you're here? The guard is right that it would help with the stress."

Natalie's flush returned and she glanced to the side with an awkward laugh. "What, are you volunteering?" she joked, before continuing more seriously, "I've thought about it, but there isn't anyone around here I could trust isn't just using the status of being my lover to further themselves. I'll be fine for a couple more months."

Matt noted that meant she had considered the option fairly thoroughly. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about that. On the one hand, she was being rational about the idea, and it was important for her to find outlets for her stress. On the other, he felt a strange disappointment that she'd been looking at men like that, and had written him off as a joke. That hurt. He wondered if she just didn't think of him like that, or if it had simply never occurred to her.

"I'd do it, if you wanted it," he murmured, glancing down at his feet.

Natalie froze at that, and gaped at him, unable to quite believe her ears. But his flush and awkward avoidance of her eyes told her she'd heard right. A part of her was flattered and pleased at his offer, the other part was mortified that he'd taken her statement seriously. Then she smiled as she realized he was offering for her, for her health and happiness. And she wanted to take him up on his offer almost more than anything she'd ever wanted in her entire life, but she wanted it to be for the right reasons. A friend with benefits relationship was not something she wanted with Matt.

"Thanks, Matt, but I really do think I'm fine," she assured him. "I really appreciate it, and I'll keep it in mind, but you don't need to do that."

Matt bit his tongue to keep from protesting that he wanted to do that. She'd made her choice, and he wouldn't press her; she had enough stress in her life without his feelings or libido making more. So instead he shrugged, "The offer stands if you change your mind. Now, then, what should we do for your birthday? Spirit you outside this stone behemoth for a few hours? Sit and chat? Take a stroll through the gardens to set off the gossip?"

Natalie snorted at the last option. Sometimes, she forgot that Matt had been born and raised into nobility, and it was little jabs that mentioned his awareness that reminded her. She cracked a grin and whispered in a conspiring tone, "Imagine the salacious rumors: the princess to the royal family, and standing Regent, seen tittering through the gardens on the arm of the sole survivor of house Roszak."

Matt chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I don't think I can imagine you tittering like the other, vapid women here. But just think of all the hopeful idiots' dreams we could crush. No more high blood marriages, no more proposals. Oh, I ache to think of the crocodile tears that would be shed."

Natalie gave a very unladylike snort at Matt's droll, dramatic tone. She'd missed having humor in her life, missed Matt's grin and sporadic bouts of surprisingly perceptive and intuitive behavior. But she pulled her thoughts back when Matt fixed her with a patient, expectant look, waiting to hear what she wanted to do for her birthday. She tilted her head in thought, before finally speaking.

"Mind being my… unofficial bodyguard into the city? I want to pay the healer's temple a visit. Then we can get some dinner."

"Oo… A date as an incognito princess with a nameless ruffian," Matt grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. "Whatever will they say?"

"Nameless ruffian? If anyone's going incognito, it's you, lord Roszak," Natalie shot back with a widening grin. She turned for her bathroom to dress in one of her old dresses, calling back over her shoulder, "Imagine all the swooning ladies turning into screeching banshees as they realize they will never marry into your great house."

Matt's playful groan followed her into the bathroom, and she heard him mutter to not remind him about the proposals. She swung the door mostly shut before stripping out of the extravagant gown the nobility claimed was a simple day dress, and swiftly tugged on her old Red Dress. She pulled all the pins from her hair and undid every braid before tying the orange locks, wavy from the braid, into a loose ponytail. Then she washed all the makeup from her face and when she looked in the mirror, she smiled, finally feeling like she was herself again. Well, herself plus an expensive vanilla perfume that she had to admit she adored. She replaced the gold, diamond and ruby encrusted jewelry with her old red earrings before leaving the bathroom with her black boots in hand.

"Ah, so there is a real person under all of that makeup," was the first thing out of Matt's mouth when she emerged.

"I know, weird, huh?" Natalie chuckled as she moved to sit on the plush bench at the foot of her bed to tug her boots on. She relished in the firm, supportive leather rather than the painful torture shoes they called high heels, or silk slippers—good for plush carpets and not much else. "Oh, it is so good to be back in this," she sighed as she stood up.

Matt's mouth curled into a half-smile. "You seem about ready to bolt."

"Don't tempt me," Natalie joked.

She gestured for the door, and followed Matt out, pausing only to inform her guards where she was going and to keep quiet. The pair, whom she'd grown to know and like, merely nodded with winks and zipper motions over their lips. They respectfully inclined their heads to Matt before returning to attention on either side of her bedroom door. Then the pair was slipping off down the hall, whispering and laughing as they took the side passages the servants normally used until they were out of the castle.

Natalie was beaming as they walked down the street side by side, heading for the temple where the healers practiced. It had been so long since she'd smiled this much, or had had this much fun. Matt had poked fun at every single issue nobles usually dealt with, flew in the face of common sense and protocol, and yet she was safer than she'd been in over a month. She could see him monitoring everything and everyone they passed, watching out for her safety. Maybe others would see what they were doing as massively irresponsible, but she knew better. Matt might behave childishly most of the time, but the safety and happiness of his friends was always his top priority, and she knew he'd take a hit for her in a heartbeat—not that he'd let anything get that close to her, anyway, or that she was a sitting duck. Her Crystal Staff glinted over her shoulder, faintly emanating power that she could harness in an instant.

"So, how're Lance and Anna?" Natalie asked as they turned off the main street, headed down a busy side road.

"Ah, last I heard, Lance was popping in and out of Greenwood, pestering Anna. She came by to complain about him a couple weeks ago. You probably know what it's been."

Natalie chuckled, "Peeping, questionable touches, staring, crude remarks, and perverse gifts? Or Lance being Lance, in other words?"

"Got it in one," Matt agreed. He shook his head with a smile, "But where it switches up is that Anna started doing the same back to him, and he doesn't know how to handle that. He told me last time I saw him that she's taken to losing her shirt as soon as she walks in her door from working in the fields if she knows he's there. Then she starts loudly talking about bedroom conquests. And she barges into his house while he's showering to ask if she can join him. I have no idea how much of what he says is true, but his expression when he told me was priceless."

Natalie was doubled over with laughter. "Yes! Finally, someone has unnerved Lance! I thought it would never happen! Woo, Anna!"

"Why are we woo-ing me?"

Matt and Natalie whipped around to see their other two friends standing behind them with matching arched brows. Lance's cheeks were pink as he guessed what they'd been laughing about, while Anna looked amused. Natalie's face split into a wide grin, and she darted forwards to greet them with hugs. Anna readily returned it, while Lance backed off with raised brows.

"Something tells me you're not supposed to be out here," the gunner said by way of greeting. He shot a glance at Matt and added, "How many people know she's left the castle?"

"Mm, her two guards at her room; maybe a servant or two?" Matt replied, tilting his head in consideration.

"Well, at least you've let someone know. The last thing we need is rumors that we've kidnapped the Royal Princess."

Anna rolled her eyes, "Lighten up. It's her birthday! Where're you two headed?"

"The healers' quarters: it's one of the only places I can use any kind of real magic, right now," Natalie replied as she waved them to follow. "Matt's my excuse and bodyguard; not that I'm expecting trouble, but they'll lay off on the yelling since he's the one here. We were talking about dinner afterwards, though we're not sure where, yet."

And so the group trekked down the streets in the early afternoon sun. They chatted, and swapped what they'd been doing. Natalie told them about some of the edicts she'd imposed, and places of trouble. Though she didn't ask, the others silently marked down the names and places she listed with exasperation and frustration, planning to handle the issues after they split up again. Lance mentioned a defense project he was working on that would store a person's mana and redirect it into pin-point shield without the user's awareness. It was still in the early works, he admitted, and might never be completed. Anna told them about Greenwood's latest harvest, and about a new kind of elk they'd found in the depths of Ashwood. The animals had the potential to be ridden, and she'd already trapped a few and brought them back to Greenwood to tame and train, and that things were going well there. Matt told Lance and Anna about the bandit band he'd taken out, and about rumors of a cult of Godcat fanatics they should keep an eye out for.

They'd fallen back into their usual camaraderie so quickly that none of them felt like there had been any time apart. And as Natalie greeted a surprised healer in the temple and smiled as she was led off to perform some healing, they were glad they'd come. Lance and Anna had noted the signs of tiredness in the mage's expression, and the way it seemed to evaporate in their presence. And they noted the way she seemed to be sticking extra close to Matt. Matt, in turn, had casually guided her with a hand on her lower back once or twice, but nothing more. It was an interesting turn for their friends, and they couldn't wait to grill the swordsman as soon as Natalie was out of hearing range.

"So…" Lance began as they settled down on a bench by the door of the sick room, watching Natalie work. "Have you scored, yet?"

Matt shot him a confused look, "Scored what?"

Anna coughed and discretely gestured at Natalie. "You two seem a little closer than before. Have you been stealing secret visits to her?"

Matt flushed slightly, and turned to look over at Natalie. "No," he admitted. "Today's the first time I've seen her since she agreed to rule in her brother's absence. I'll probably be visiting more from now on, though."

"How's she holding up?" Lance asked, also turning to study Natalie.

"She's overworked, but then what ruler isn't?" Matt sighed. "I asked if she could spare a few days to go hunting monsters, but she's gotten her schedule packed for the next three weeks. Oh, and her brother's recovery is taking longer than expected, and he won't be back for another couple months—something about his legs."

"Poor Natz," Anna sighed. She leaned one elbow on her knee and propped her chin on her hand. "She looks ready to sleep for a week, if she doesn't explode from tension, first."

"Speaking of, one of her guards noticed she was tense and offered sex to unwind," Matt mentioned in an off-handed tone.

Lance choked on a laugh. "Is he still in one, un-melted piece?"

Matt scowled, "Unfortunately. He must've been pretty polite about it, because Natz seemed embarrassed, but not upset from the offer. It's a different story when she's out of earshot, though. I chewed a group of guards out for the usual lusting."

"Mm, her rack?" Lance guessed. He ignored the reprimanding jab against his side from Anna as he leaned back, crossing his arms. "Has she had any issue?"

"I think the people like her too much to try anything," Matt replied. He shook his head and added, "But she's wound up enough that she considered it; ultimately decided there's no one trustworthy around, though."

"Have you offered to show her a good time?" Lance asked, and suffered another, sharper jab in the ribs as a result.

"Lance, practice a little decency," Anna muttered.

"Says the chick who strips practically every time she sees me, now."

"You don't seem to mind very much," was Anna's reply said in a sweet tone.

Matt chuckled, but his face was a little downtrodden as he admitted, "I… I offered, but she turned me down. Said she keep it in mind, but that she didn't think she needed it. I don't think she likes me that way."

Lance and Anna's eyes widened in shock, and they each mentally slapped their faces. Finally, finally, Matt had made a move, and Natalie had cut him off. The gods only knew when the swordsman might try again. Maybe never. And by his tone and expression, he was hurt by the rejection, which meant he thought he'd had a chance with the girl of his dreams only to be seemingly friend-zoned. Lance made a mental note to speak with Natalie about being a little more direct, while Anna made the same note for Matt. But by then, Natalie was walking back over, her eyes happy and warm.

"All done," she announced. "You guys ready to get dinner?"

"Are we ever not ready to eat?" Anna asked as she sprang to her feet. "Let's go to that one by the park. They have some awesome steaks there."

Two hours later saw them leaving a small tavern with content smiles. The sun had set, and the air had cooled, bringing the chill that promised autumn was just around the corner. Their pace was lazy and slow, prolonging when they'd have to part. Natalie in particular was dragging her heels. Being with her friends for an afternoon had been liberating, but what was waiting at the castle was isolation and frustration. Yes, she'd gotten a lot of work done, but each issue she pushed forwards and dealt with took seemingly endless arguments. It was like pulling teeth from screaming children, only more frustrating and potentially damaging. She wanted to stay with people who were far more reasonable and practical, who wouldn't demand she provide personal merits and verifications for everything she said. But that wouldn't be for another two months, at least.

"You've got this, Natz," Matt suddenly murmured. He'd been watching her expression shutting down further and further with every step they took. "You're doing real good. Lasting good. And when your brother comes back, he'll continue your good and you can come back to fighting with us. And when that happens, we'll be here to greet you."

Natalie blinked in surprise before blowing out a sigh with her shoulders slumping slightly. "Yeah, after a month of sleep. I… I don't want to ask you guys for more help than you've been doing and giving—and don't think I haven't heard about your quiet efforts and actions to shut the bigots up and get my voice out there—but could you keep tabs on a few problems for me?"

"Of course," Anna immediately agreed. "Who do you need watched, and what do you need to know?"

"House Treail has been completely obstructive about getting to the bottom of smuggling in enchanted artifacts. I've healed three different curse cases, and two kids have been killed by faulty enchantments since the issue's been brought up. I think they're profiting off the smuggling, if not spearheading it. Whoever is behind it, Treail or not, it needs to stop and I can't send the Royal Guard in without instigating internal strife and backlash from the house."

"So you need someone to shadow House Treail, and shut the smuggling operation down?" Anna summed up.

"Pretty much."

"I'll take care of that; the Treail's lands aren't very far past Lankyroot."

Lance spoke up to add, "Come find me before you deal with the smugglers, if you can. People like them… They use a lot of nasty, underhanded methods, and you should have backup."

Natalie nodded, speaking over Anna's sigh. "That works out because the other problem is close to here and better for Matt to handle." She turned to the swordsman and explained, "The patrols have reported movement in the marsh. The locals say it's some sort of swamp god come to reclaim the land we've drained for farming. God or not, I've scryed in that direction, and something big is out there that's been taking the livestock. It hasn't attacked any people, yet, but I think it'll come to that before much longer. My guess is that it's a larger than average dragon, but I'm not sure, and I can't get my superstitious guard to scout in the marsh. If you could figure out what's moving out there and bring back whatever you find, then I can organize an actual force to deal with it; assuming you don't kill it yourself, of course."

Matt's teeth flashed in the dim lighting of a lighted window in a fierce grin. "Consider it dead."

Natalie smiled back at him and the other two. "Thanks. It means a lot to me. Do you guys want some rooms for the night? It is pretty late, after all."

"Sure, and we can give you your birthday gifts," Lance agreed.

Natalie's smile widened and she continued leading the way. The guards at the gates spluttered at the sight of her walking in, having never known she'd left, but quickly stood down when Natalie informed them she'd told her own guards and that she'd simply stopped by the healers' temple and grabbed dinner. Still, Natalie noted the sour looks a couple of the guards shot her friends, and knew she'd be fencing complaints from a few noblemen over the next few weeks; not that she thought the evening out hadn't been worth the future issues. She would gladly trade a few days of extra complaints in exchange for being with her friends.

A/N: This is a story still in the works. I have quite a lot written on it, actually, and I hope to finish it someday. Originally, this was an alternate version of a similar plot I'd already written, but now I think I'll merge the two to make a better, more complete story. That's for the future, however. As of as soon as I post this, I will be going back to crying my way through the final battle scene for Retribution. I'm hopeful to have it out soon. Which I've said many times, now. Perhaps this time I won't be lying. ;_;

Leave me a review, and I'll see you all soon!

Responses to Guest reviewers:

Anonymous: I try to avoid explanations like "because magic" or "it's a fantasy." Those always seem lazy to me, so I refuse to do them. I do notice them, however. Like when anime characters go flying through multiple buildings/trees/cliffs/etc, I always go, "there goes their entire skeleton and life." Or when they lift ridiculously large weapons with one hand, or whatever. Or the chick is totally hitting on the guy and he's going "Herp-derp, why is she getting so close?" and I'm going "Just tap that, already, dude!" As for writing a story with fourth wall references, I try for more realistic situations/reactions/environments, but it would work nicely for a drabble, so maybe something like that will show up in The Epic Tales. Yup, summons get really underused by me. Not really quite sure why, though. I guess I just forget about them. The glitch is currently in the works in a separate story of it's own. There won't be a Praetorian, but there will be a Valkyrie 2.0, complete with surround sound and a refrigerated beverage holder. XD And the alternate reality Lance is incredibly smart, and has made adjustments for his weaknesses. And he is loaded with explosives and machines of all kinds, don't worry.

Little Follower: College has exploded. Finals are coming up, and I'm drowning in group projects and writing. XP

Favorite backstory for Matt, huh? I actually like him best as a noble-gone-renegade or sole-survivor; it gives him a little more depth, I think. Still fun to write him as all kinds of stuff, though. I like to change where all the characters came from, though, so that probably isn't much of a surprise. I should put some of the Assassin Anna stuff I have up here, but I digress.

I wish I could take a less is more approach on the fight against the Primordial in "Retribution". It would make it much easier on me. :P Sadly, it's a final boss fight, so I probably shouldn't cheap out on it.

Yeah, I totally screwed those two ideologies up. I'm ashamed. (-_-;) I meant Fascist. Similar ideology to a communist, but definitely not interchangeable.

The drops are certainly a way to handle parts and ammunition, but there are also the repair issues that come with running a tank around. Sure, he could replace a runner or a link in the field, but if a dragon had melted a chunk of the plating to slag, or fused the turret into place? He;d need to build a whole new tank, or take it to the shop/factory to do heavy repairs. And tanks are not good for hiking up mountains, or spelunking through caves, or trekking a jungle like Lankyroot, and never mind having to go retrieve it when you need or want it for something. The Valkyrie really needs its own, specialized setting to be included in a story.

I'm looking forwards to Retribution's conclusion, too. If only so I can stop worrying about writing it. T^T