Chapter 13

Princess Claire Ena Rasor walked quickly through the halls towards her father’s study, a sly grin on her face. As she walked, she wondered over the news one of her maids had just passed her about a secret meeting between her older half-brother, the crown prince Nile, and her Father, King Torn.

There had been rumors about a knight patrol from her brother’s Order going missing, and Claire couldn’t stop her curiosity. She was a beautiful girl, with short red hair and emerald green eyes. She was tall for a woman, with an athletic figure. From a young age she had ignored the more girlish pursuits that had been pushed on her in favor of the shining armor and swordplay of her father’s knights.

As she walked, she felt someone grab her hand. She turned, flipping her wrist as she twisted the arm she had caught. What she found was her twin brother Claus, a pained expression on his face as he asked for forgiveness.

“Please Sis, I just wanted to give you a scare, you're breaking my arm.”

Claire let go with a huff, “I’ve told you not to do that.” She said plainly as she resumed walking. Claus followed, catching up to her. He looked quite similar to his twin with more manly features.

“I see you got the news too huh, I thought you weren’t interested in the throne.” Claus jabbed.

“I’m not, I’m interested in whatever could take out a whole patrol of knights, especially if the rumors about the shard user are true.”

“There was a shard user?” Claus said grinning. “Father won’t be happy about that, no wonder brother tried to meet him in secret.”

“It was only one of those thugs from Nile’s knight order” Claire said dismissively

“Even then, I heard Nile had to beg father for days just for the four he got. Father’s been wanting to focus them into the 1st and 2nd Orders. This is a good chance to take him down a peg.” Claus said happily.

Their older brother had always looked down upon Claire and her brother. Nile was the crown prince, born to their father’s first wife. He held significant backing among some of the older nobles and had grown a strong faction in his favor for the succession.

Meanwhile Claire and Claus had been born to a maid that had caught the king’s eyes. After she had passed away when they were young the King had shown them mostly apathy, letting them do as they wanted. Claire had been able to pursue her martial talents and Claus had decided to wrestle with his older brother for the crown.

They soon arrived at their father’s office and Claire barged in, ignoring the guards at the door who half heartedly tried to stop her.

“Good morning Father, Brother, Baron Rills…” Claire said cheerfully as she strode in. Claus followed along repeating her greetings.

Inside the spacious study sat hew Father behind his desk with Nile and his toady Rills sitting in front.

Her father, King Torn was an imposing figure with a strong jaw and rough red hair, he always wore a cold look as if disinterested with anything that wasn’t the Kingdom. They said he had been different with her mother, but Claire couldn’t believe it herself.

Nile had also inherited most of their father’s features, He cut a handsome figure that had already received many marriage proposals. Claire felt like if people knew what he was like though there would be far less.

Baron Rills on the other hand was a small heavy-set man who had attached himself to Niles at an early age. Since then he had been the crown princes yes man, eventually being put in charge of the Knight Order that Nile begged his Father to organize.

Her father just sighed at Claire’s entrance while Nile and Rills gave her a dirty look.

“I wasn’t informed there was any meetings going on today, have we intruded on something? Claus said slyly.

“You…” Nile started angrily but a wave from their father forced him to quiet. The king waved Claire and her twin in as he continued the discussion.

“The loss of a shard user is serious problem Nile. You should understand the time and effort it takes to develop each user. What was so important that you sent one of the few Shard users we have out towards the Deep Forest?” The king asked seriously.

“I understand father, I’m not sure what caused Knight Captain Gislan to head that far out but I know whatever it was must be important. I am planning to investigate for myself what may have happened to them.”

“Is that a good idea? You’re the crown prince brother, you can’t be heading out on your own to look into something that might have killed a group of twenty knights.” Claus said, dripping with fake sincerity.

Nile started to argue but the King silenced him. “A good ruler knows not to risk his life foolishly. A group large enough to protect you wouldn’t be able to properly investigate.”

“Then I will have Baron Rills send a few of our best to look into it.” Niles said and Baron Rills nodded in agreement.

“I want to go along as well!” Claire said cheerfully. “There’s nothing to worry about if anything were to happen to me, right? I’ll go along with just a couple of my maids to keep the numbers low.”

“This isn’t some game!” Nile snapped at her.

“Yes, Claire should go, a neutral eye would be a good idea.” Claus spoke up as well.

“Are you accusing me of something?” Baron Rills said testily.

“Not you Baron, but your men may be hesitant to report any mistakes their comrades might have made.” Claus said grinning.

“I’m tired of being cooped up, and this is a good chance to get out. I’ll leave most of the investigating to the Baron’s men.” Claire said to her father.

The king thought for a moment and then nodded, “Fine, Claire will go along as leader of the group while Baron Rill’s men head up the investigation. Find out what happened to our shard user and bring any results back immediately.”

Claire and Claus shared a secret victorious smile while Nile stood and angrily left with Rills.

“Make sure to tell me any of the interesting details once you get back sis.” Claus said as they left their father’s study.

I’ll grab whatever dirt I can, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that rotten bunch just went back to being bandits. That’s what happens when you recruit criminals and rejects from other orders” Claire said plainly.

“Well be safe and bring me back something to use” Claus hugged his twin and left heading back towards his own rooms. Claire went to go tell her maids the news.

Nile and Baron Rills arrived at his room and quickly went inside to his private study. “You understand what you have to do right? Nile said seriously.

“Of course, Sir. The Village must have a shard if they dealt with Gislan, just as you suspected. I’ll have my men go to make a show of it, then come back immediately and report insurgents from Lutel. I’ll have the Order move into position beforehand so we can move in quickly. We’ll be able to claim the shard for ourselves in no time.”

“And my Sister?” Nile asked, locking eyes with Rills.

“Will be taken care of.” Rills said smiling.

“Good…” Nile said turning to look out his window at the city below.