Renat sat on a bench watching the princess and Brinn spar on the training ground with some interest. Despite being ordered not to be a nursemaid, Mairwen repeatedly tried to take charge of the poor scientist's care.

This was his first time out of bed since the incident, and the princess had arranged a great multitude of pillows to be arranged such that the boy could recline and watch her. At least, she claimed she wanted him to watch her practice. Really, Mairwen wanted to keep an eye on her foolish rescuer.

Renat liked the attention, but thought the pillows were a little overboard. He adjusted himself for the hundredth time against their softness. His left shoulder and arm were in a sling, which made it harder to get comfortable. But the scientist put on a brave face. He smiled and nodded each time Mairwen looked his way.

"Stop looking at that idiot and focus, or I will send him away." Brinn hit the girl with the broad side of her practice sword. "These soldiers here may go easy on you, but I won't."

"Ow!" Mairwen objected. "That hurt!"

"If you were in a real battle, you would be dead," the elf responded brusquely.

"If this were a real battle, you would be on my side and not knocking me with that wooden toy." The princess pouted.

"We can go get the real swords. I hate these dummies anyway." The elf gave a mischievous smile. She had a strong desire to actually combat the princess. Brinn believed the girl had more in than she let on.

Mairwen quickly declined the offer. "I will be more focused," she promised. The girl thought about the real battle she endured. Were it not for others' protection…

The princess took a stance and raised her wooden sword with new determination. "Let's do this."

"That is my girl," Brinn was pleased. The ladies began to spar. The elf insisted that the princess wear one of her old dresses instead of the wide-leg pants she often wore for field practice. It was impossible these days to know where a fight would arise, and so it made sense to practice in her regular clothes.

The gown caused Mairwen to move awkwardly at first. But the more she focused, the better she became. Brinn hit her a few more times, but the princess began to parry her moves.

"Better," Brinn called. "Balance your weight. Bend that knee. And most of all…" the two swords locked at the hilt so that the elf could come close to her opponent's face. "… use those puppy-dog eyes every chance you get. Especially on that boy over there. It melts him like butter."

"What?" Mairwen faltered.

Brinn flashed a smile before flinging the princess down and pinning her to the ground with the sword. "Don't. Get. Distracted." The elf dropped her weapon and helped the princess to stand.

"You weren't even trying that hard," Mairwen complained.

"Unless you plan to fight elves, there is no need for me to try. Using only half my strength is still better than most humans." Brinn shrugged. "But I mean what I said about that helpless look. Let them feel guilty and underestimate you. What you lack in strength, you can make up for in strategy."

Mairwen had done that very thing with the assassin. "Got it," she agreed.

The ladies walked over to Renat as Eira and the rest of the detail joined them.

"That was quite a show!" Renat praised them. He thought about applauding, but realized how painful that would actually be. "I would love to learn a move or two myself."

"Did they teach you nothing in the army?" Brinn raised one eyebrow.

Renat gave a negative gesture. "Kitchen boys do not exactly have time to learn the intricacies of sword fighting. My days were filled with cooking and my off times were spent with my mistress."

There was an audible gasp.

"Mistress?" Brinn asked. The others were likewise slack-jawed.

Renat replayed the words in his head and realized what he had said. "I meant Science! Science is my mistress. You all need to put your minds toward purer pursuits. Get out of the gutter!" The boy turned bright red.

"I knew what you meant," Mairwen responded, though it was clear by the relief on her face that she did not.

"My point was that I would love to learn to fight like you do, Your Highness," Renat said with admiration.

"Perhaps we could practice together?" The princess suggested. Now the looks of shock turned on her. "I mean practice at the same time, not with each other. When you are feeling better, of course, not now." Now Mairwen and Renat were both red as roses.

Brinn sighed. "You two are too easy. You have taken all the fun out of it."

Looking up, the elf caught sight of a small messenger bird as it traveled over head. She tracked its path as it descended toward the palace menagerie. Realizing the direction it was coming from, her heart began to race.

Mairwen noticed the change. "What is it?"

"We need to find the keeper of the animals. I believe he has news." Brinn responded vaguely. The princess and others became serious.

Going at Renat's slow pace, the group reached the menagerie around the same time as the Empress and Nurlan. Aurora gave them a curious look.

"How did you know?" She queried.

Brinn was ready with her cryptic reply when Mairwen jumped in, "We saw the bird!" The elf shot the princess an angry glance, but the girl had no idea why.

Aurora searched for the keeper, and her eyes fell on a little man who was no bigger than a child: his back was hunched and his white hair stuck out straight on either side like a goat's beard.

"There you are!" the Empress exclaimed.

The animal keeper bowed deeply, his large nose nearly touching the floor. "Glory to the Empress. Welcome, Your Majesty. I have a message for you," he drawled.

"Please give it to me," Aurora requested with all her patience. Inside her mind was spinning with all the possibilities.

The keeper moved over to the bird cages and pulled out the grey bird with surprisingly shimmery feathers. From its foot he removed the message and handed it the eager Empress. His movements were so slow, that Aurora basically snatched it from his hands.

Aurora read the note. She sighed. Everyone waited.

Finally Brinn could take her silence no longer. "Well, who is it from?"

Aurora looked at the elf with her brow furrowed and her lips pulled tight. "It's from Devrim, I think…"

"You think?" Mairwen was confused. The rest were likewise bewildered.

The Empress twirled her hair absentmindedly. "I am pretty sure it is from Devrim. He did not put his name, but I do not know who else would tell me that they love me via messenger bird." Aurora paused and then nodded with conviction.

"Well? Are they safe?" The elf prodded. She and Mairwen were the only ones among them who could ask.

"I think so."

"Are they on their way home?" Brinn tried again.

"I think so," came an identical reply.

"Is Alaron with them?" Mairwen held her breath.

"I do not know," Aurora said, exasperated. "It will be easier if I read the message to you. It says "On our way. See you soon. Love you.' That is it." The Empress dropped her hands to her side as she finished the note.

"What kind of message is that?!" Brinn said along with a few choice words. "Do we at least know where the message came from?" She asked the keeper.

The old man checked the bird. "Its tag seems to have been damaged in transit. Based on its incoming direction, it seems to be either from Oblivion, Obsequence, or one of the Outposts."

"So…basically from anywhere north of here." Brinn's hands were firmly planted on her hips.

"Yes, ma'am," the keeper agreed.

Just then, Zan pushed his way through the knot of people and bowed before the Empress. "I heard that a message came in from the north. Is it from His Majesty?"

Everyone looked at him silently for a moment. "We think so," Mairwen answered, mirroring her mother.

The Chief looked expectantly. "What does it say?"

Brinn put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a tired look. "Nothing…it says nothing!"