(1)
Kell rose early in the morning, early enough that Karyn would have been proud. Karyn liked waking up early in the mornings, not necessarily to get the day started but to at least begin enjoying herself. Unlike those comfortable mornings of canoodling that she'd enjoyed in the past, Kell woke to a cold bed and a dismally gray sky with a muted disc of light crawling over the horizon.
She dressed, ate, polished and sharpened her spear, and carefully fitted a glove over her steel hand. The last thing she needed was someone asking her nosy questions about her magically lifelike prosthetic.
When the sun had reached a reasonable altitude, and the rest of the house had awoken—save for Roran who slept like the literal dead—Kell intruded on her sister's office.
"You're up early," said Darling.
"Got things to do. Just thought I'd check in and see how you're doing."
"I'm well, staying busy and trying to keep our people out of trouble."
"I'm glad that our ornery kinsmen can keep you entertained. Are you going anywhere today?"
Darling gave her sister a curious look. "I have a few errands to run. Why do you ask?"
"I'm going to be out most of the day. Can you take Roran or Nul with you?"
"Ms. Gwendalyn told me that Roran will be out most of the day as well, and I'm sure Nul has things to do. You don't need to hover over me, Kell. I can always request guardianship from the Kings if that will make you feel better."
"That would make me feel worse. We're trying to kill those Kings, remember?"
"Yes, but until you do, we should take full advantage of the luxuries they provide. Which reminds me, I have some social events coming up later in the month. I'd like to show you off as Uhlara's Champion again. After the ordeal with the loyalists and the Esmun Republic, I want to remind both the Kings and our people that we are allies and stand united."
Kell raised an eyebrow.
"We stand united so long as the Kings live," Darling amended. "I've been meaning to ask, what do you plan on doing once you defeat the Kings?"
"If," Kell began, "we can murder all three of the Kings...I'm not sure. Theoretically, we'll inherit their crowns and become Kings ourselves."
"I don't see Roran or Nul taking advantage of that."
Kell shrugged. "I suppose not."
"Then...will you become the sole God Queen of the entire empire? It would certainly solve a lot of my problems if you did."
Kell rolled her eyes. "You political types are always looking for an angle. No, I would rather eat my boots than become a Queen of the empire. I don't know what we'll do. Roran wants to go traveling. Karyn was eager to go as well...but she's not exactly a consideration anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because she's dead," said Kell, her voice low and tired. She missed her wife.
"So? Just because Karyn is no longer with us doesn't mean she can't be a positive influence on you. If you would have enjoyed traveling together, then maybe you should try traveling to honor her memory. You lose nothing by trying."
Kell wavered. "I guess...What would you do if we're successful? I can't imagine you will be allowed to continue ruling over Uhlara without the Kings to back you."
"I might be better off than you'd think. I have the backing of several major families, I've managed to bring an influx of trade and business to the Kingdom, and my sister will be a Kingslayer. Woe to any who would harm me then."
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Kings Game
Adventure[Updates Daily] THE FINALE BEGINS!!! After losing friends and family, fighting in two wars, and suffering through more than they could possibly imagine, Roran and his comrades set their sights on the Kings. Every obstacle has been cleared from their...
