Whispers of the Keeper

Chapter 1: Soberg

Arenreid, 1705, first month of Winter.

"Sigra... please don't leave me," Liv whispered, clutching her best friend in a desperate embrace. It was against protocol for the Queen of Blarvale to hug anyone outside her family, but in this moment, Liv didn't care. Not when her only true friend was being sent to the farthest reaches of the kingdom. Tears seeped through Sigra's cloak as Liv continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why didn't you let me convince Erik or the Commander to keep you here? Why didn't you fight for your dream? I'm going to be so lonely without you."

Sigra gently pulled back from Liv's embrace, her heart aching as she looked down at her friend. She offered a bitter smile, trying to memorize Liv's delicate features. Liv had always been the center of attention, with her petite yet curvaceous figure, heart-shaped face framed by long, luscious blonde hair, and captivating green eyes, their color accentuated by the deep green and cream gown she wore. The emeralds in her diadem sparkled like stars, a stark contrast to Sigra's rugged and-in Blarvale's eyes-exotic appearance.

"I didn't want you to interfere, Liv... Your Majesty," Sigra corrected herself, glancing briefly at the Sentinels who stood within earshot. But Liv shook her head. "You can call me whatever you want, Sigra. I may be the Queen, but first and foremost, I'm your friend. I don't want to lose you. It will be five years before you can leave Soberg! Five years!"

Sigra searched for words to comfort her friend, but nothing seemed adequate. She held Liv at arm's length, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It will be over before you know it, my dearest friend. I expect to hear about little princes and princesses in the meantime, especially with the way you and the King..."

She let the sentence drift off, a smirk playing across her lips, her gaze flickering to where a few Sentinels and courtiers stood, engaged in their own conversations. In spite of her own emotions, Sigra couldn't resist gently teasing Liv. After all, it was Sigra who'd witnessed firsthand the stolen glances and tentative touches between Liv and the King, Erik Helvig.

Liv quickly shushed her, pulling Sigra further away from the Sentinels. "Let's not spoil the men's ears with too much information," she murmured with a sly smile. But once they were far enough, Liv's expression grew solemn in an instant. She tugged Sigra down to her level, her voice dropping to a whisper. "While Erik is... relentless, and I would be the happiest woman in the entire Elder Lands to give him an heir... it seems I can't carry a pregnancy for more than a month."

"Oh, Liv..." Sigra murmured, her voice soft and filled with understanding. She knew the importance of an heir to the Blarvale throne, the pressure it must have placed on Liv's shoulders. She could only imagine the physical and emotional toll it was taking on Liv.

But any further words were cut off as Liv embraced her tightly once more. "Do not speak of it to anyone, Sigra. It's a state matter. People will find out eventually, but for now, I want to keep it quiet," Liv warned, whispering in Sigra's ear.

Nodding in agreement, Sigra pulled Liv tight against her. "Of course, my friend," she promised, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of Liv's head. While she might tease her about many things, the tender and caring side of Sigra was usually reserved for those she held close to her heart. "You will succeed, Liv. I'm sure that one day, I will return from Soberg to find you surrounded by little ones, and you will be complaining about the headaches they give you."

Liv huffed, the sound filled with both hope and grief. As the women clung to each other in their final embrace, a voice called out from behind them, impatient and firm. "Sigra, we must go. The road to Soberg is long and arduous. We can't delay."