Divided Loyalties (Incomplete)

Talk of War

Xenovia

Xenovia held back the desire to lash out with a second outburst. Instead, she approached with a calmer counter argument.

"Let me ask what you mean by saying the land of The North has declared war. Are you sure?"

Her fiancé's eyes narrowed. "Leave it to a woman to ask such a ridiculous question!"

"It is not ridiculous." She retorted quietly. "I merely mean to imply that perhaps there has been a mistake. After all, it makes no sense for one land to blatantly announce an attack against three other kingdoms simultaneously. Two of which already have an alliance for peace."

Halvar rolled his eyes and shook his head in a mocking way. "I suppose it is not fair for me to expect the royal princess to be aware of all the civil unrest and riots happening around the land even as we speak."

Xenovia gulped. There have been riots and civil unrest? Since when?

"The land of The North has been on the rampage for the last year and a half, threatening our borders and making raids on unsuspecting towns." He continued. "The land of Ruto and Luxo joined efforts to set up patrols and checkpoints to inspect all incoming travelers last summer, yet we still receive reports of attacks against our men and of spies entering our respective territories."

"But how can that be? Does the House of Ivarson really have the military force to pull off a feat like this?" She wondered aloud.

"Why would they lie about their intentions if they didn't?"

That was a good point.

Just then, Xenovia saw her father approach. She quickly bowed to him. His aged face wore a gentle smile, though she could see worry in eyes as well.

"My dear, I am sorry I did not speak of this when I made your engagement official last year. I simply did not wish to frighten you."

"Frighten me? Father, I am the princess of this land and your daughter, heir to the House of Basileos. Information such as this should not have been hidden from me!"

The king nodded. "Perhaps you are right, but it is too late to change that. Over these many months I have indulged you, allowing you to remain here longer than I had planned. However, that is not something I can permit anymore. I sighed a treaty with the House of Castillo when you were born in anticipation of these very kinds of dangers. But Halvar has brought along a large entourage, so you can rest assured that you will be kept safe on your journey back to Ruto."

Xenovia pushed away his hand and backed away. "Father, please...do not make me do this!"

"It has already been decided. Besides, it is for the best."

"The best for who?" She shouted. "For Halvar, who will stand to inherit even more than he already would as prince? What about me? Am I truly to be sent away from my home in a political exchange, like some sort of exotic pet being traded? All for the sake of your version of peace?"

"Xenovia, temper your tongue! This arrangement benefits you in the long run as well."

"No." She snapped angrily. "I refuse, father. I am sharper than any man in your army and more knowledgeable than even your most decorated scholar!"

"What is your point, exactly?" Her fiancé asked, watching her with amusement.

Xenovia scowled at his taunts. This man was certainly more devious than she had originally given him credit for!

"My point is that I deserve better than this."

"What you deserve is a good lashing for this outrageous amount of disrespect!" Halvar growled.

"Is it disrespectful because I am a woman, or is it disrespectful because I am right?"

"Xenovia." Her father warned.

"Lord, she has gone mad!"

She shot him a cold glare. "I am perfectly sane, actually. In fact, I am well aware that Ruto stands to gain far more from this alliance than Luxo. We even have a larger army than your kingdom, and the most fertile land on the continent. So, why must we agree to an alliance that would leave us vulnerable to the will of the House of Castillo?"

"You truly believe our marriage will leave you more vulnerable than you would be against an invasion of over one million soldiers, marching down from the mountains of the north? Each well trained and barbaric in nature, and capable of killing a man with their bare hands?" Her fiancé retorted.

One million well trained soldiers?

"But how could the land of The North produce such a large crowd of fighters? The snowy mountains where the House of Ivarson live is full of harsh terrain that makes even a basic form of survival difficult!"

"Xenovia," Her father said, addressing her in a firm voice. "It is your duty to marry Halvar to secure the safety of our land, just as it is my duty to fight and to defend this castle. This is the cost of your birthright. Do you understand?"

"No!" She shouted. "I would rather fight like a man then. Let me join the army, father. Let me defend our kingdom alongside you. Let me show you that we do not need Ruto's help!"

"Impossible!" He snapped.

"If I was born a son with only half as much wit and skill, you would let me do whatever I wished! You would not be forcing me to marry someone against my will, nor would you be treating me like a helpless ward!"

With that, her father motioned for the guards. In a moment of panic, Xenovia tried to dash away. Yet she was easily caught, due to the fact she was still wearing a dress and had no weapon to defend herself with.

"Xenovia, listen to me." Her father said. "There are things in this world you will not be able to handle on your own, feats even the greatest intellect or strength cannot overcome. That is why I have made this alliance with Halvar. To ensure a minimal amount of death and suffering, as well as your continued protection. Behaving stubbornly is not becoming of a member of the royal family sworn to protect Talus."

"I do want to protect Talus. I just do not want to become a slave in the process!"

"Men, take my daughter away and confine her to her room. She is not to be let out until tomorrow for her wedding!"

Xenovia tried to pull away from their grasp, but when she saw her efforts were futile, she stopped resisting. Though frustrated beyond compare, she did not resort to kicking or screaming as she was roughly escorted out of the throne room either. For it did not matter what anyone here said. She would not consent to marry Halvar. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Somehow, someway, Xenovia was going to defy this wretched fate!