Long Suffer the King

XX

A/N: I haven't written anything for this story in so long!!! But I'm back! I finally had the inspiration to write some more and I'm really thrilled people are still reading it! I hope this doesn't disappoint, it's somewhat short and slow but I did my best :)

"I asked to see you last night." Joan says when Ophelia enters her tent. Ophelia nods to the guards to leave them. "Sorry about that. Klaus had distracted me." she realizes how that must sound to Joan, the person who knows Klaus best, and adds "he told me about Reya."

Joan's shoulders tense, her back is still turned to Ophelia, looking over the map on the table. "What did a princess have to say to his offenses?"

"He did nothing wrong." Ophelia voices, meaning it. Joan turns around. She looks tired to Ophelia. "I saved him you know. He owes me his life." she motions to the pitcher of water and Ophelia walks over to pour two cups for them. "When I found Klaus, I was still young. I had just run away. But I knew he needed help and so I stitched him back up best I could. He didn't wake up for three days; that was terrifying. I didn't know him and yet I wanted him to live. After he did wake up, he swore to protect me until I died. I keep him to that promise. I knew help from men like him could be a blessing and dangerous. But Klaus was kind and broken, he wasn't as harmful as he could be today."

Ophelia hands Joan a cup before setting hers down on the table and walking around it to look at the map. "I see Reya in you. I never met that woman but Klaus talks about her so much I have a vivid image of her in my mind. I hated her for the longest time even though she was dead. Now that I'm older I understand what she was to Klaus. But he was willing to lose everything for her. He was exiled because of her. She ruined him and yes it led to great things but... I fear you'll hurt him as badly, if not more, as Reya did. He cares deeply for you. I don't know in what way, but he does." Joan warns her. Ophelia stops in her tracks, fingers trailing on the map. She doesn't look up at Joan.

"I will make sure not to hurt him, then." Ophelia promises slowly. Satisfied, Joan nods and moves on. "I'm going to send Citlali out soon to search for the sorcerers. You'll be joining her is this correct?"

"I would like to, yes." Ophelia moves to stand beside Joan as they look at the path Citlali had made with a series of tacks and charcoal. "This could take months." Joan mumbles. "I do hope you come back with something."

Ophelia nods, realization hitting her that this was going to be harder than just asking for help. "I'll have six of my better men accompany you on this, for safety. As easier and stealthier it would be for just two women to travel Anivard alone, I will not risk the future queen to the bitter land ahead." Joan continues.

"We'll leave tomorrow morning and set for the first point of contact. My only fear is how loyal your men truly will be if we do gain an ally with sorcerers." Ophelia challenges, eyeing Joan.

The older woman chuckles. "Trust me, they will be loyal."

Ophelia adds after brief silence, "I don't want Klaus along."

Joan gives her an odd look. "You have nothing to fear from him."

"No," Ophelia muses, drawing out her sentence, "but I can not guarantee he'll be much help. He and Citlali butt heads."

Joan nods, convinced. "Very well. I'll prepare a group. Citlali already knows, just warn her to be ready to leave tomorrow. That's all." It's her dismissal, but Ophelia lingers. "Joan, could you offer me advice? About speaking to these sorcerers?"

"Don't promise them anything. And let Citlali do the talking." Joan offers, a smile on her face. Ophelia laughs, nodding. "Sound advice."

"You learn your lessons over time." Joan mumbles and Ophelia leaves her.