Maysant smoothed the gossamer dress over her rail-thin body. She missed the breeches she'd worn in Tingale Forest. She even missed the sticks in her hair. Now her elven servants had washed and brushed her hair into its normal sparkling golden state.
She avoided the mirror, not wanting to see her natural beauty. Her wide eyes, so innocent and pure. Her porcelain skin and its lack of scars. She resented her beauty. It was another reminder of her heritage. Princess of Gailwyn, daughter of Queen Ambrielle. She shuddered. She'd happily give over her title, if it were allowed, in exchange for a normal life.
As she looked out the porthole in her stateroom, she longed to be back in the forest where things were simpler—instead of being drawn back into her mother's sphere, where she was expected to act every inch the princess she'd been born.
Making matters worse, she'd heard her brother Kazrack was on the ship, too. He was a pompous peacock, overly self-assured and often lost staring at his reflection in the mirror. He'd traveled to Doros as well, but instead of leading a quiet life in the forest, he'd decided to take over Agitar, throwing the orcs into chaos just before the beast attacked from underground. Maysant had heard his heroic story a couple of days ago, as it was shared from elf to elf, and would no doubt become an epic poem the bards would sing for centuries to come.
Maysant figured she knew the truth better than anyone else. Her idiot brother had probably stumbled into a situation he had no control over and was lucky to make it out alive. She wouldn't believe, not for one moment, that he'd had any hand in saving the orcs from the xarlug.
She steeled her fists at her sides. She would attend this dinner with her own story, one where she saved the lives of not one, but two unfortunate souls who'd come upon her in the forest. She'd brought these human men to the elves, where they could be of use. All Kazrack had brought were stories.
Tonight she'd prove her worth to her mother. Maybe then she would be allowed to take on a different life. One where she went out among the other races, instead of being confined to her mother's boat.
A knock sounded on the door, and a servant slunk in, her head bowed, eyes on the ground. "Your mother is ready to receive you and your friends." The voice was quiet, submissive.
"Look at me, please," Maysant asked.
The servant's head rose, but her eyes were focused somewhere to the left of Maysant's head.
"Please," Maysant said.
"I cannot look upon the princess. My eyes are not worthy." The servant shook.
"It's okay," Maysant said, though it wasn't.
The servant relaxed somewhat, now that Maysant wasn't asking her to do something against the queen's orders.
Maysant held in a sigh. Her mother ruled with an iron fist, demanding perfection from everyone around her. The poor servants lived in fear of being dismissed or disgraced. If Maysant were queen, she would change everything.
"Please, follow me, Princess." The servant stepped out of the door.
Maysant followed her down the gilt halls, where every wall was filled with paintings of the royal family and the most beautiful landscapes of Gailwyn. These were meant to make them feel at home while they sailed—but they only reminded Maysant of what she despised most.
Ghrol was waiting outside the closed doors to the dining hall, Benin in his arms. Maysant smiled at the sight of them. Finally, people who understood her.
"Prty," Ghrol said, a smile blossoming over his drooling lips.
Maysant waved a hand in the air, embarrassed.
"Yes, you look quite lovely," Benin said with a weak smile.
The poor man was still so drained. Maysant had hoped some time at sea would help him recover faster, but it seemed he was still struggling to get back to normal.
"Thank you both," she said. "But I much preferred the clothes I wore in the forest."
The servant gasped, then clapped a hand over her mouth.
Benin chuckled. "I suspected you might not be representative of the other elves."
"No, that I am not." Maysant rested her hand on Ghrol's bicep. "Are you ready to meet my mother and brother?"
The two men nodded.
The servant opened the doors, and Maysant said under her breath, "I apologize in advance." Noting Benin's raised eyebrow, she followed the servant into the hall.
"Finally, Maysant. You're late." Queen Ambrielle looked down her nose at her daughter.
At a younger age, Maysant would have pointed the finger at her servant. Not any longer. She knew her mother would have found something to complain about regardless. It wasn't worth upsetting the young elf who'd done exactly as she'd been asked.
Ignoring her mother's barb, Maysant bowed and said, "I'd like to introduce you to Ghrol and Benin, the two human companions I brought from Gailwyn Forest."
Ghrol set Benin down on a chair, then clumsily sat next to him and rested his elbows on the table.
Queen Ambrielle's eyes grew wide. "I'm pleased to meet you both." Her tone was short and sharp, an obvious contrast to her words.
"Aren't you pleased I didn't bring any orcs with me, Mother?" said Kazrack. He was already seated next to their mother, looking resplendent as always. "Of course, many of them wanted to come along and meet you, but I thought it would be best done under proper circumstances."
Maysant sat down angrily, the chair rocking as her bottom hit the soft cushion. How dare her brother make such snide comments about her guests like that? She glared at her mother, waiting for her to chide her son, but a reproach was apparently not forthcoming.
"I brought them here because their people shunned them," Maysant said. "They want to work with us. Ghrol has become somewhat of a personal bodyguard for me, and Benin was once an advisor to the human queen."
Kazrack's eyebrows rose as he took in Benin. "I did everything I could," he said.
Benin looked at Maysant, then back at Kazrack. "What do you mean?"
"Your queen," Kazrack said. "Lissa. I tried to save her, but I couldn't. When the ground opened up, she fell into the chasm. Of course, I sprang into action, diving into the hole. I grasped her fingertips, begging her to reach farther. I wanted so much to save her. But just as I got a tight hold on her, the chasm opened further, swallowing her whole." A small tear formed at the corner of Kazrack's right eye.
Benin's eyes closed, and Maysant's heart broke for him. The woman had treated him horribly, but she certainly didn't deserve to die. No one wanted that.
"You didn't know?" Kazrack asked in disbelief. "I thought everyone had heard by now. I'm sorry I had to break the news, my poor man, but it's best coming from me. After all, I was there. I could tell you the truth of what happened, instead of you hearing a garbled story from another."
"You were truly advisor to the human queen?" Queen Ambrielle asked, sounding intrigued.
"Yes, I was. I had been her advisor for many years," he answered quietly.
"Then why weren't you with her in Agitar?" Kazrack asked. "The only man who had her ear was the head of their army, Brax."
Ghrol dropped his fists on the table, pounding excitedly.
Maysant leapt to his side. "Shhh, calm down, Ghrol. It's okay." She patted his shoulder until his agitation ceased. Then she looked over to Benin, wondering how he'd handle the question. Would he tell Kazrack he'd been left for dead? That his queen had turned on him in his greatest time of need?
"I was unwell," Benin said. "I had stayed behind to recover. That was when I met your sister. She's a very capable elf, you know. I have been very impressed by her survival skills. She, along with Ghrol, nursed me back to health." He rested his hands on the table, lacing his fingers.
Maysant took her seat again, relieved at his answer.
"I am distressed to hear of her death," Benin continued. "Queen Lissa was a wonderful leader. You know, her father, Hugh, was killed by the orcs. That's why the war began. She wanted to exact revenge."
Queen Ambrielle nodded. "Yes, I was aware of that uprising. I was quite impressed the human army managed to break through the pass at the Barrier Mountains."
"That was my doing as well," Benin said, his chest puffing up. "It was my advice they squeeze the orcs at the pass. It was quite clever, if I say so myself."
Queen Ambrielle relaxed back into her chair. "I would be curious to know what you say about the current situation. A xarlug emerged from underground, killing many orcs and humans alike. What does this portend?"
"Why don't we discuss this over dinner?" Benin suggested with an arrogance that surprised Maysant. He had never been so commanding.
"Brilliant idea, Benin. I concur." Queen Ambrielle waved one hand in the air toward the servants, who quickly brought out the warm fish and bread. She took the first bite, then invited the others to do the same. "Now," she said. "You can tell us everything you know."
Maysant could see that both her mother and Kazrack were intent on Benin's next words, and she tamped down her pleasure at the situation. She'd brought them a great ally. Maybe now they would finally afford her some respect.