Private for Pillar and Owly

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    Darran sighed and shook his head. "Very well. Whatever you say," he responded tiredly. "Just...don't pull it out when we get to the camps, alright? Not unless you're in absolute danger. You know how everyone feels about women fighting."

    "You just have to concentrate on the blade, imagine how it feels in your hand," Darran said. In truth, he had no experience with the matter, but this was what all the books he'd had his sister read to him said. "Hold out your hand. It should appear in ten heartbeats." However, if Lilo did attempt this, her blade would appear instantly.

    Carefully, Lilo did so, holding out her hand and trying to concentrate. She made a point to keep her hand turned away from the two of them as, suddenly the sword seemed to bloom from her palm, extending out and phasing through the canvas of the tent. Lilo was speechless, eyes wide like saucers as she instantly released the sword, and it vanished.

    Darran stumbled back as the sword instantly appeared. "Storms!" he swore, eyes wide. "Were you trying to summon it before I spoke?" That had to be the only explanation, surely, unless she had a heartbeat like a rabbit.

    Lilo was silent, holding her hands to her chest as she looked up at Darran, desperate for him to understand. "I don't... Darran.. I don't know what I'm doing..."

    Darran put his head in his hands. "We're going to the shattered plains, in and among the elite of Alethkar, the KING himself, and you don't even know how to control your own storming shard blade!" Struggling to compose himself, he took a deep breath. "We have to handle this. Somehow."

    Lilo flinched from his voice, clearly shaken up. "Darran.. please understand... I-I won't use it.." Not that she knew how. But, dammit, she has to do something.

    Lilo relaxed, sighing and nodding in defeat. "Okay.." She whispered, laying down and pulling the covers over her shoulder. She never fell asleep, though, inwardly missing her pottery and tending to the courtyard.

    The camps of the ten highprinces had started to look more like cities after six years. The shattered plains stretched out before them, a huge spread of plateaus of various sizes and elevations. It almost seemed like some giant fist had struck the earth and cracked it. The camps were situated at the edge of the plains, facing inwards. Somewhere deep among those plateaus, their enemy the parshendi dwelt.


    Darran looked out through the carriage window as they rolled into highprince Sadeas' camp. "We shall have to present ourselves to Sadeas as soon as we arrive," he told Lilo. "It's custom. But afterwards we can go see what our quarters look like." He smiled at her. "Everyone has been here so long that they've established permanent housing. Even after the parshendi are annihilated, the Greatshells and their gemhearts will keep the Alethi court here for decades to come."

    Lilo nodded to Darran's words, holding his hand with her own free hand. She had dressed nice for the occasion, but it only made her anticipation worse as she constantly readjusted and shifted about in the damned-to-be-fancy silk dress. "I hope this all goes well.."

    "It will, trust me. Just keep yourself under control, alright?" The carriage pulled up outside of Sadeas' estate, and Darran gave Lilo's hand a reassuring squeeze. He opened the door and helped her out. A lighteyes of the lowest dahn was waiting to greet them. "Brightlord Sadeas awaits inside, brightlord, brightness," he said, bowing to them.

    The next few minutes were a blur. Lilo held Darran's hand until her knuckles were white, and the circulation was most likely cut from his own hand. She only smiled and occasionally dipped her head gratefully, not finding the words to speak as they entered the large building; an expensive house with beautiful craftsmanship.

    Highprince Sadeas had his back to them as they entered the sitting room. He was standing with a glass of wine in his hand, staring out of a large window at his camp. He turned to face Darran and Lilo once the door had been closed by his servant. The highprince had curly black hair, a bulbous face and a ruddy complexion. He looked them over impassively as Darran bowed. "So, you have come," he said at last. "You are a full half day late. I was beginning to wonder if you had ignored my summons."


    "Never, my lord," Darren said hurriedly. "I apologize for my tardiness, but we were waylaid by a group of brigands. Deserters, I think. We took care of them, but it took longer than I would have liked..."


    Sadeas waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind that. You're here now, and I am willing to forgive your tardiness. You brought your shard plate, of course." When Darran nodded, he turned his gaze to Lilo. "And you must be that Seymour girl. You certainly married below your station, didn't you?" Darran flushed at the highprince's remark. It didn't seem like he had said it to deliberately insult Darran. He just didn't care.

    Lilo was taken aback by his lack of formality, her composure shattering for a few moments as her eyes grew wide. How rude, how immature of this man. He shouldn't treat his loyal soldier like this, especially his wife.
    Struggling to smile, she gave Darran's hand a squeeze. "I believe my affairs are among me and my spouse, brightlord. But it's a true pleasure to meet you."

    "Yes, I'm sure it is." The highprince sipped at the glass of wine in his hand, mind clearly elsewhere. "You may go. I have arranged your quarters. I expect you to be refreshed for the next plateau assault."


    "As you say, brightlord," Darran replied, head bowed. He gripped Lilo's hand tightly as they walked out and back to their carriage.