The Lancer League

Chapter One: Royal Duties

    Selshi watched as Rain paced the atrium, the metal tips of her combat boots clicking against the tiled floor.

    “There was truly nothing I could do Rain, I…” Selshi trailed off, watching as her words fell onto deaf ears. 

    “It’s been what, seven years since my banishment? And now they want me back?” Rain muttered, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

    “You have become an Elemental under strange circumstances. It’s only natural that your homeland be interested in that. Alec returned when we found out. It’s not very convenient for anyone, but nonetheless, you’ll be with family again.” Selshi rationalized, leaning against the oak desk in the room.

    “Family that hasn’t bothered to contact me in how many years?”

    Selshi sighed, pushing a stray hair away from her face, “The laws in Lancer Territory are extremely strict, you understand that more than anyone. Communication hasn’t come in or out of there in years. Even now that it’s under new ruling, they probably haven’t overturned the bill yet.”

    “Then how did they find out I was an Elemental?”

    Selshi pondered it for a moment, “Leon. Most likely he wanted to mess with us. Though during that time, I believe they were fighting some sort of ‘uprising’ from the people, and couldn’t tend to that matter right away.”

    “That’s stupid.”

"I'm painfully aware of the stupidity of that clan. Nonetheless, you must understand, I cannot be a leader and a friend. I would go to war for you," Selshi sighed, fiddling with her necklace, "but I don't have an army to go to war." 

Rain wanted to be furious. Yet sadly she understood the position. It was Rain or her people, and while Rain was important, it was one life or thousands. All she could feel was some sense of grief, that the good times were over. That Leon had been the least of their worries.

"It'll be okay. It lasts a couple years at most, right? Three? I'll be great." She babbled nervously, chewing on her nails.

Selshi wanted to say something, anything, to console her poor friend. She walked up to her and set a hand on her shoulder, but before the words could come to her, she was greeted by four guards at the window opening of the atrium. Her guards, dressed in white and gold clothing, led in Lancer Territory guards, dressed in a signature red.

The glass doors opened and the four guards knelt, a warm breeze cutting through the building, "Malady, they have arrived for Madam Rain," One of the guards announced, head still bowed to the floor.

Rain turned to Selshi, and pulled her in for a fierce hug, "Visit me or else,"

Selshi solemnly chuckled, "I'll try my best. Good luck,"

Rain took a deep breath, and motioned for the Lancer Territory guards to stand, "How long is the journey?"

One of the guards took a moment to think, "We’re traveling by coach, so we will arrive around dusk, Malady,"

"Then we should be on our way,"

The coach was beautiful. Too beautiful to be her taking her from the people she loved. A fine, polished wood with carefully crafted engravings, and windows dressed with red silk curtains. The bench was made from a velvety red, and there was a window where she could speak with the guards. 

The elegance of the coach took away a little of her anxiousness, being too stunned to think. She kept drawing figures in the cushion while the guards readied the horses. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe this wouldn't be as awful as she thought.