As Lord Cedgewick’s daughter, I believed that we ellassens were created for more than we’ve been given.
Father returned from work the day after Spring Equinox with his shoulders slumped.
“What is it, Dearest?” Mother asked him when we all sat down to supper.
It was a candlelit affair, with polished silverware and proper table manners. Thankfully, my twin brother and I, who were still considered fanwas and fanwassen, were allowed to speak at the table.
“The Council decided what to do about the attack on the square,” Father said, his mouth tight.
“What did they decide, Father?” Timithen, my twin brother asked, his voice eager to hear the news.
“We’re sending Princess Selena to relearn the ancient fighting magic from someone called the Wizard of Ages on a world called Neim.” His words held a certain finality to them as he took another bite of roast.
My eyes went wide in shock. “An ellassen? They’re sending an ellassen to learn fighting magic?” I asked. It was incredulous. We ellassens were typically homemakers, not the type the ellases sent off on dangerous missions.
“Did the king decide this?” Mother asked.
Father nodded. “And a majority of the other lords all voted for it,” he said. “There was nothing I could do.”
“Well, perhaps it’s for the best,” Mother said, her voice lighthearted.
“Ellassens are meant to marry well and keep house,” Father bit out. “She shouldn’t have been the one to be sent to Neim.”
“Perhaps you underestimate what ellassens can do, Father,” Timithen said in his carefree, jovial way. He leaned toward me, a twinkle in his eye as he whispered, “I have a really good idea for you, Gwynneth. It involves you working an ellas’ job.”