Adventuress Emergent

Part II: Summons

Sera Silvercloud had never been to Castle Verdyne, despite having lived only a short distance away for her entire life. Visits to the towering fortress of stone and iron were reserved for nobles, diplomats, and heroes. Not peasant girls from Downside. But, as the saying went, there was a first time for everything.

Anxiety twisted in her stomach as she replayed the moment in her head. She had taken the pristine vellum envelope from the table with trembling hands, and turned it over to find the seal of the royal family. Sera had nearly dropped it then, but managed to steady herself long enough to break the wax insignia. She took a deep breath, and opened it.

"Nervous?"

Sera flinched as the sound of Wendy's voice pulled her back to the present.

"Guess that answers that question," her companion laughed. "How come? You know her pretty well, right?"

Sera nodded.

"So just act like you always do," Wendy said. "Like nothing's different."

"But this is different," she insisted. "Meeting her in the woods where nobody can see is one thing. Answering a royal summons is basically the exact opposite."

Wendy cracked a grin. "Do you call her 'Your Majesty' during training now?"

Sera scowled. "You know I don't."

"Highness?"

"No."

"Your Queenliness?"

"Stop," Sera said firmly. She failed to contain a small smile.

"The point is, you've hung out with her since she was appointed," Wendy continued. "It's not like you two aren't still friends."

Friends. That was a strange word for it, Sera thought, but not completely inaccurate. Training sessions with Brylee were the highlight of most days. But that was on the edge of the Gullweald, where they were alone, surrounded only by trees and grass and muck. A far cry from a throne room.

"I guess," she conceded.

"You know I'm right," Wendy said smugly, tossing her fiery red hair for effect. "Besides, she wouldn't have sent for you if coming to the castle would be weird."

The pair reached the end of the serpentine path that lead to the castle. A gate of wrought iron stood before them, attended by two athletic humans in armor. The guards ceased their conversation and straightened as the girls approached. Sera took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"Sera Silvercloud and Wendolyn Donnell to see Her Majesty." She heard Wendy scoff at the sound of her full name.

"On what business?" the guard asked curtly.

Sera unslung her tattered leather pack and dug out the letter. She had barely gotten it out before the man snatched it from her hand and brusquely unfurled it. After a moment, he passed it to his partner. She too scanned the letter before letting out a single grunt of acknowledgment.

The man turned, grabbed one of the iron bars, and hauled the gate open. "Straight through. Don't wander."

"Afraid we're gonna steal all the silverware?" Wendy snapped.

The other guard shoved the letter back into Sera's hands. "Perhaps you'd prefer an armed escort?"

Wendy opened her mouth to retort, but Sera's distress was obvious enough to silence her. She settled for a glare as she stomped through the gate.

"Thank you," Sera said quietly. She gingerly slid the letter back into her bag and followed.

An open courtyard surrounded the castle proper, with a pristine lawn stretching from wall to wall. A stable, servants' quarters, and a handful of other buildings were connected by a network of well-traveled footpaths. Sera spotted a few nobles near the central fountain, and an uncomfortable heat spread across the back of her neck.