The shutters against the wall pulled back into the pillars standing the corners of the room, revealing floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows. Trish smiled at the view of the ocean that was slowly revealed before her.
With the shutters being pulled back, the dark room was flooded with a wave of sunlight.
Katryna’s face lit up with astonishment at the marvels surrounding her. Higher up, the walls were decorated with enormous frescoes of faded paint, depicting battles fought long ago. Full suits of chainmail and plated armour stood beside long weapon racks with every type of weapon imaginable, from swords, shields, and spears, to maces, war hammers, and flails.
Banners bearing the spiral pattern of flower and vines, the Bower family sigil, hung from the stone pillars lining the room. The red and white sigil was powerful yet elegant- a striking metaphor for Camridia and Castle Bower, yet the opposite of how Katryna saw her family and her House.
But the most striking feature of the war room was located at its centre. A monumental, waist-high table with a painted map of Alyria on it, spanning metres in length and beautifully crafted with rich details.
“Wow,” Trish said, walking over to admire the table. “Is that… the whole world?”
“Not quite,” Katryna replied, running her hands softly around the edges of the continent. “This is only the nine kingdoms in Alyria.”
Trish exhaled. “There’s more?”
“There sure are. There are whole islands and even another continent out there.”
The table was grand, each kingdom labelling and highlighting the notable cities, landmarks, and borders in an immaculate display. The mountain ranges of Alyria jutted out three-dimensionally from the table, with the Creator’s Fist in the north a standout, given its height and size.
Katryna pointed to Frostcliff, in the Highlands. “That’s where my father found you,” she said fondly.
Trish was in awe. “And where’s Tewin’s Eye?”
Katryna looked around for the island, spotting it even further north out to sea. “There… is that where you are originally from?”
Trish shrugged. “I think so… but I don’t quite remember, to be honest. We used to always travel all along the northern coast. My father never actually told me where I was born.”
Trish had only come into her family’s service recently, after her father’s trip to Frostcliff. It was a pleasant surprise for Katryna- the girl was attractive, yet somewhat reserved. But she was a capable handmaiden and becoming a good companion.
“Alright, I’ll admit it, m’lady. This was worth it,” Trish said with a grin. She too was just as fascinated by the war room.
“You don’t always have to call me ‘m’lady’, you know Trish,” Katryna joked. “Makes me feel like some snob.”
Trish bit her lip and raised an eyebrow. “Well…”
Katryna scoffed with a smile. “I am not!”
“You’re not far from it, if you don’t mind me saying, m’lady!”
“I do mind, actually!”
The girls laughed before shooshing each other, remembering where they were. They did not want to be caught.
“I’ll take that on board,” Trish said.
“You can call me Katryna, or Kat. When we’re not around others, that is.”
“Alright,” Trish said with a cheerful smile. She kept staring at Katryna with admiration in her eyes, before peering back to the table.
“So which kingdom is yours?” Trish asked.
“My family’s, you mean?”
“Yes.”
Katryna pointed to Camridia in the southeast of the continent. “All of this is Camridia. And we are… here.” She fingered the symbol for Ravenrock.
Trish studied the symbols and shapes. “It’ll be yours one day!”
Katryna shook her head. “After my father, Rowan will be the next king. And then Rowan’s son after him.”
“But… you are older than he is? I thought the crown went to the oldest-”
“A woman can’t be king.”
“Why not?”
Katryna chuckled. “A woman can be queen to a king, but in Camridia, only men can take the throne. That is how it has always been.”
Trish was visibly confused. “That’s a bit messed up.”
“It’s the law and always has been. Besides, I don’t want to be queen.”
“Why not? You’d make an excellent queen,” Trish said, resting against the table.
“I wouldn’t.”
“I think you would. You are smart, fair, and you value important things. I think you would be a great queen. Queen Katryna.”
Katryna could not help but feel warm by the certainty in Trish’s voice. She could see that the handmaiden really looked up to her. Nonetheless, she shook the ridiculous thoughts from her mind. She knew she did not have what it took to be a ruler.
Imagine mother’s reaction if I ever became queen! She’d drop dead on the spot!
Suddenly, there was noise coming from outside the war room. The girls spun to look back at the red doors, but it was too late for them to even attempt to hide.
The doors swung open and two Infinity Guardsmen marched in. Their visors covered their faces, but judging by the brutish way they lumbered in, they did not appear impressed.
“Uh oh,” Katryna said. “Caught.”
The guards forced Katryna and Trish to the king and queen’s quarters. Inside, Mira Bower was sitting in an armchair beside the lit fireplace, caressing a soft toy with her long, spindly fingers.
Next to the armchair sat a side table, covered in a sprawling mess of opened letters, old papers and a letter opener.
She did not rise as the guards came in with her daughter and daughter’s handmaiden. She did not even glance at them.
The room was gloomy, with its curtains drawn and low fire burning.
“My queen, we found the princess and her handmaiden sneaking around in the war room,” one of the guards informed.
Katryna looked to her mother, noticing the bags under her eyes and the toy she was holding.
It was one of Willem’s toys.
“Leave us,” the queen muttered, eyes still glued to the fire.
The guards exited.
