As the scenery shifted by Fin on the way to the vessel, he could feel his stomach twist in all kinds of unpleasant yet impressive knots as he thought about Annika being left alone with the discovery of her brother’s death.

Aidan at least had the good sense not to say anything as the carriage lurched hesitantly down the long stretch of hill towards the harbor, but as it travelled Fin suddenly noticed a strange amount of cats appearing by the edge of the road. They all sat idly watching, their numbers increasing…

A small frown crossed over the redhead’s features.

What was going on?

Speculating why in the world there looked to be every cat in Austice staring at the carriage passing by, Fin waited until the only one he could talk to would appear…

After what felt like an entire day had come and gone, the carriage drew to a halt at the harbor. Fin alighted from the carriage, and immediately his eyes landed on the fluffy black kitten who was going through an impressive growth spurt seated atop one of the dock pillars.

“Kraken, what is going on with all of those cats?” the redhead murmured hurriedly as he noticed Aidan speaking with someone on the other side of the carriage.

“My pack has made a successful truce with the others of Austice in the name of justice.”

Fin blinked. “What?”

“My Witch, do not worry about it. Why is it you are leaving with your strange smelling father?”

“It’s a long story, but don’t worry about it.” Reaching out, the redhead proceeded to pet and scratch his feline's head and chin.

“I do not think I understand, but if you need me… you know to call.”

“I’m going on a boat. You got scared of the water basin when the aides were doing dishes.”

“A boat stays on top of water, it doesn’t douse me in it.”

“Not unless it sinks…”

The feline glared.

Fin chuckled and resumed petting the cat, sensing over his shoulder his father rounding the carriage towards him.

“Stay safe, Kraken.”

Dropping his hand and turning away from his familiar, Fin faced his father wearing a stony expression as he pressed his hands into his pockets.

“Stand up straight Finlay! How a man carries himself tells people their first impressions of- Oho. Is this your familiar?” Aidan tried to glance around his son but the redhead shifted to block his view.

“I’m not going to eat him, I just wondered what sort of beast my son is bonded to.”

Fin ignored the man entirely, and began to step away towards the docks when Aidan’s hand clamped down on his forearm like a vice grip.

“Like me or not, you will show me the proper respect, am I clear?” The Chief of Troivackia’s voice dipped to a dangerous quiet as Fin gave no reaction to the order.

Instead he waited to be released, and resumed his walk down the docks.

Aidan turned a curious eye to the fluffy kitten. He noted the small spray of white fur on the beast’s chest, and the shaggy tail that swished back and forth while staring back at him.

“I can tell you are going to be a large cat… that’s good. It does a witch no good to have a familiar that can easily die.”

Turning to follow after Fin, Aidan moved to leave the feline on his perch, when the animal’s paw swiped out and caught his sleeve, its claws digging in until it met flesh.

The fire witch rounded on the cat with a smile in his black eyes. “Yes? Is there something you wish to say?”

Kraken peered at the fire witch for a prolonged period of time, his regal aura enhanced by the magnificent puff of his chest fur. Suddenly, the feline swiped his paw through the fabric of the coat and skin before disengaging and fleeing into the crowd.

Letting out a small yelp and grasping his bleeding arm, Aidan glared after the familiar.

‘I’ve never tried to roast a cat, but there is a first time for everything I suppose…’

“Sir, the vessel is ready to set sail. Where would you like Mr. Ashowan to be kept?” A Troivackian man who, unlike the soldiers, wore fine clothing, addressed the Troivackian Chief of Military.

“Keep him with the men in the hammocks below deck. He will be preparing meals for the crew during his stay.”

With a slight bow, the assistant scurried off to inform the ship’s Captain of the new arrangements, weaving in and out of the Troivackian sailors as he went.

Stepping onto the dock, the heels of his boots thumping mightily as he strode towards the gangplank, Aidan Helmer smiled to himself.

It was going to be a most enjoyable week one way or another.

What the Chief of Military was unaware of, however, was that things wouldn’t go exactly according to plan…

*

Annika sat in a dazed stupor as Mr. Howard informed her that due to Troivackian law, she could not bury her brother’s body on Daxarian land. Meaning; he would have to lay in his box and stink until the ship returned to cart him back off to Troivackia in a perverse show of ceremony.

“I… am sorry Lady Ashowan for your loss,” the King addressed her regretfully, his expression pained.

Annika turned her somber stare to the monarch, and after a brief moment of hesitation, bowed her head in wordless appreciation.

Ainsley sat on her left holding her hand, but saying nothing.

“When it comes to your sister-in-law and niece… it might be best if they found a way to suddenly… be difficult to locate,” Captain Antonio explained hesitantly, his eyes darting around the table as the men all nodded in understanding.

“I will…” Annika paused and cleared her throat. “I will make arrangements.”

“Very good. Now, I understand that you must want to rest. Given the shock you received this morning, I do not believe any noble here at court will complain if you should choose to reside in the castle for a few days to recuperate,” Norman explained while receiving several reassuring nods from Mr. Howard and Lord Fuks.

“Thank you, your highness. However, I think I would like to return to my estate for a few days for some… quiet time.”

Ainsley’s grip on her hand tightened, but the King merely nodded his head in agreement.

“Of course. Thank you again,Viscountess. Please send word if there is anything you require.”

Releasing the Queen’s hand and standing stiffly, Annika dipped into a small curtsy, then pardoned herself from the council room.

Striding out into the corridor, the anxious pit in her stomach began to make her feel nauseous again, while her racing heart succeeded in making her feel unpleasantly dizzy…

“Lady Ash- Jenoure!” The Queen’s voice called out as she exited the council room and pursued her friend while glancing around to see if there might be any noble lingering around that might overhear.

Taking a brief breath to steady herself, Annika felt the castle walls momentarily spin before she slowly turned.

“Yes, your highness?” She managed to dip into a curtsy without losing her balance.

‘Gods I need to sit down soon…’ The Viscountess thought to herself somewhat weakly. Physician Durand had mentioned that the dizziness was normal...

“Are you… alright?” Ainsley’s whispered tone and worried gaze helped Annika focus and offer a small sad smile.

“I will be. I just need to rest. It’s been an unpleasant day today.”

Ainsley frowned. “Your hand was burning warm, are you ill? Shall I send Katelyn Ashowan to see you?”

“I may be fighting off a small cold, but no need to bother Mrs. Ashowan. I’m sure she is more than a little occupied with worries surrounding her son.”

The Queen didn’t appear to like that answer, and so persisted. “Then I shall call for Physician Durand and he-”

“Ainsley, please… please, I would like to return to my estate and rest. I… I thank you for caring so much, but I would…” Annika felt her body involuntarily go lax, as a strange wave of nausea swept over her and… was Ainsley sideways?

The Viscountess lost consciousness on the castle floor, while Ainsley let out a yelp and attempted to catch her, only to end up hurting herself as she still had not yet fully recovered from giving birth nearly two weeks before.

The guards outside the council room doors let out a shout that had the King and the rest of the council room members bolting outside, and immediately summoning the Physicians.

It had only been a few minutes before Annika managed to fight off the darkness that was forcing her body into a relaxed state. She knew that if she didn’t revive herself quickly that Katelyn Ashowan was going to come and then a whole new world of stress would be flung open. Stress that she could handle on a different day.

Sitting up hastily, and working on not allowing the dizziness to overtake her again, Annika’s hearing gradually came into focus as the crowd of men around her and the Queen tried to figure out what had happened.

“Lords, your highness, I am fine. It was just the events of the day that- Ainsley! Ainsley are you alright?” Annika then noticed her friend’s pained expression as she clutched her abdomen.

“I’ll be fine; I’ll just have one of the physicians- ouch!” Norman had tried to lift her, but was forced to place her back down.

“Come, Viscountess. How about we let the physicians take care of her majesty and-” mage Lee offered his arm down to Annika.

“She’s ill as well! Please, there is no need for both physicians to loom over me.” Ainsley grasped onto Norman’s sleeve who cast an appraising albeit worried glance over to the Lady and noted her pale face.

“I swear, your highness, I will return to my estate and rest. There is no need for further dramatics.” Annika was already counting down the minutes until her mother-in-law would arrive.

Reaching up towards mage Lee, the man pulled her upright.

“Please, Your Highness’, take care of yourselves. I will take my leave now, thank you for your concern.”

Before anyone could object any further, clutching mage Lee’s arm, Annika dipped into another curtsy and began moving swiftly away from the scene that was beginning to draw the servants.

She had very nearly made it to the stairwell, when charging up with her skirts in her hands came Katelyn Ashowan.

“Whatever is all the commotion about?!” The healer burst out when she realized who she was about to pass by.

Mage Lee opened his mouth while casting a glance at Annika worriedly, but her sudden grip on his forearm had him silenced.

“Her majesty harmed herself and is down the castle corridor. The King cannot move her without causing her pain.”

Katelyn gave a serious nod, then sprinted with impressive agility down the way Annika had mentioned.

Half pulling the mage along, Annika forced their way down the stairs as more servants ran up trying to go aid their Queen.

Once in the front entranceway, Annika was grateful to spot Clara speaking with one of the footmen.

With a quick wave, and a moment of meaningful eye contact, the maid nodded in understanding and immediately sent for a carriage.

“Viscountess, are you quite sure you are alright? You are acting quite peculiar,” the mage observed with a small frown and a hesitant tone.

The grand doors opened just as a clap of ominous thunder rang out.

“Of course mage Lee, I simply wished to be alone, and I know that her majesty will needlessly fret if I were to remain in close proximity. She still needs to rest.” Annika did her best to give a sad genuine smile.

The mage studied her closely for a few moments, but after another minute patted the hand that was still clutched onto his secretly muscular forearm.

“Viscountess, do tend to yourself. I know Mr. Ashowan would be incredibly worried if he were to hear-”

“My Lady, your carriage is ready.” Clara appeared so suddenly that the mage gave a small start.

“I bid you good day, mage Lee. I shall send a carriage for my sister-in-law and niece once she has recovered enough from her traumatic journey.” Giving what she hoped was her final curtsy of the day, Annika turned and left the castle without a second look back, knowing that more than a few members of the council would be questioning her strange behavior.

*

The storm had broken out as soon as dusk had fallen, and when it had brought with it a significant drop in temperature, Annika could no longer deny that she still felt uncharacteristically warm. Sitting in her bedroom chair with her arms and legs crossed, she silently turned over the events of the day in her mind.

Her brother was dead.

Her sister-in-law would have to be placed in hiding with her niece.

The Queen injured herself.

And...

Finlay was gone.

She wasn’t cold, but the thought still made Annika rub her arms. Letting out a long breath, she stood and sidled over to the window where nothing but darkness and water could be seen.

‘I need to focus on work. That will help this time go by quickly, and there is supposed to be a letter sent to the King every day from him… I need to avenge Charlie…’

As she began to think on how her next objective would have to be finding out how to next infiltrate the Troivackian government, a knock on her bedroom door rang out.

“Come in,” Annika called over her shoulder, suspecting it was the maids to stoke the fire a little higher.

The door opened, and the footsteps drew closer to her, and promptly stopped.

Annika caught a glimpse of a woman standing behind her in the faint reflection of the window over her shoulder thanks to the firelight. It couldn’t be one of the maids, they would’ve said something by then…

Moving suddenly, Annika side stepped further away from the figure while simultaneously drawing her dagger to see who the intruder was.

The startled face of Katelyn Ashowan in the firelight had the Lady immediately let out a sigh of relief.

“Good Gods, Kate!” quickly sheathing the blade, Annika crossed her arms over her chest again feeling all too aware of how thin her silk nightdress was. “What brings you here? I thought you’d be staying at the castle with the Queen after-”

“Her majesty is fine, she just needs a bit of rest. More importantly, her highness told me you fainted from fever earlier? I am sorry that I was not able to come see you sooner, Fin visited me this morning before… before he left. He told me you were unwell. Also, I-I am gravely sorry about your brother.” Kate took a step forward, her hands clasped in front of her skirts.

Annika’s teeth clenched and she forced her hands to remain relaxed even though she was already bracing herself for what she knew would be happening next. She knew her mother-in-law was about to try and heal her, and if she didn’t come up with some convincing lie immediately, her little secret was about to be discovered.

‘Gods Finlay… of all the powers your mother could possess, why did it have to be one that would tell her too damn much?!”