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Dovasary Balitang
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Dove heaved a deep sigh. The thing she hated most about being queen was having to suffer through all the formalities. Long, boring meetings that accomplished next-to-nothing, longer court balls where Winna had to whisper the names of visiting nobles into Dove's ear, endless discussions about with whom she would produce an heir. It was all stifling to the young queen.

At times she missed Sarai. Her older sister had given Dove many headaches, but Dove had liked following her around and spying on her. Dove often wondered what it would have been like if Sarai had not fled the Isles to marry the Carthaki. Dove could have worked for Aly, spying out in the realm, keeping Sarai from danger. Always Dove stopped this train of thoughts. Sarai was selfish, and would have made a poor queen. Besides, Dove wouldn't have been allowed to work for Aly. She'd have been stuffed into some solar stitching for the rest of her days. She'd have hated that more than her meetings.

At other times she missed Elsren. He had moments where his temper tantrums were unbearable, but Winna had handled him well. Her little brother had been mischievous and silly, and he reminded Dove not to be so serious all the time.

But the one thing that Dove missed the most was the nightly game of chess with her father. Duke Mequen had never, ever been to busy to play with her. She longed for the council he could give her. Her mind was constantly trying to figure out a scenario in which her queenship could have come about without her father's death. He could have abdicated the throne in her favor. Sarai would still have to have fled to Carthak with her love, and Elsren would still have to die.

Dove stopped. She couldn't allow herself to get wrapped up in her grief for Mequen. The war took fathers from many families, along with brothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, uncles… the loss was great, but the gain was better. The raka were free and at peace with the luarin. Dove forced herself to look at the bigger picture, the greater good.

No one would ever have to know that she wore her father's ring on a chain beneath her dress, and would for the rest of her days.