Coming together

A few days after being advised by Mis'Ra, Mitri worked up the courage to talk to her sister about Broden and her growing feelings for him. She found her sister in one of the music rooms, practicing with a harp, but looking as if something was bothering her. The sisters loved each other, but hadn't been particularly close since their father had passed away. Talking to Lethila about her perspective romance would be a big step for Mitri.

"Hello," Mitri called out to her sister, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

"Hello Mitri. Is everything ok?"

Mitri thought she saw a moment of panic on her sister's face, but didn't understand what could have caused it.

"I'm fine, more or less. I just... I wanted advice."

"Advice? I can't remember the last time we actually talked and asked each other for advice. I'm happy to help however I can."

"Ok... So there's a guy that I'm starting to notice more than usual..."

"Who," Lethila asked, and Mitri felt there was an edge to her sister's voice.

"Is something wrong?"

"Tell me who it is and then I will explain. "

"Ok just... please stay calm. I think I'm developing feelings for the Orc that mother hired. The mercenary."

Mitri watched as Lethila visibly relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's so much better than what I had imagined."

"I'm confused. I just admitted feelings for an Orc, and that's the better scenario?"

"Yes actually. Look, you need to know about what I'm dealing with."

Over the next hour, Lethila and Mitri talked about Rienlest and his actions. Mitri learned of how he had taken advantage of her grieving sister when their father passed, and now his **** and likely false promises to leave Mitri alone. She hadn't seen the darkness inside of their father's old friend, but as Lethila laid his sins bare, things became clearer for her. When questioned as to why she couldn't go to their mother, Lethila admitted that her sluttiness was a factor, but she was worried Rienlest may still have someone shadowing Horace in case she betrayed the prince and their "bargain."

"So that's the story. I will endure being his plaything to keep you and Horace safe."

"There has to be something we can do. I swear to help you as best as I can."

"Thank you Mitri, but lets not dwell on this for now. I would rather discuss your boy problems. What drew you to Broden?"

"So it started a few nights ago. I sort of.... stole another pie. I took it to the training grounds because I thought no one would be around that late, but I found Broden. He was going through some routine that looked more like a dance than training, but I was captivated. He's so big, but his movements are so swift and precise! And the way his muscles moved and rippled...."

"Oh dear, it seems that my sister has had her first taste of lust. It would seem that you found something tastier than a pie," Lethila teased playfully.

"Don't tease me," laughed Mitri in return. "I wasn't sure what I should do. Mis'Ra suggested watching for a weakness, but she also said that you may be able to help."

"Mis'Ra... She seems to be popping up a lot lately. I noticed her sneaking around with Sir Valhren as well. I do feel that I can be of help. Two sets of eyes and ears are certainly better than one, plus I do know men a little better than you. So, lets do some planning."

The next few months passed quickly for the twins. Lethila spent more time around their mother and the nobles than Mitri, so she spent a lot of time listening to their gossip and Broden's reports. Mitri would spend much of her free time with her sister so that Rienlest would have fewer opportunities to catch Lethila alone to call her to his room. They had spent a lot of time working towards their goals of exposing Rienlest and helping Mitri with her love life when Lethila was able to give Mitri some useful information. Mitri had rushed to the hedge maze, not far behind Broden and Ethimilee as they sought privacy for an ongoing argument. She made sure to slip down a path that would let her be close by so that she could listen in on their conversation. She missed the first part, but as the voices grew clearer, she heard a third voice.

"First off Broken, this is a festival of life for Trymir. The flowers will be blooming beautifully in the festival garden and it will be be a sign of hope for us all. Second, it is the duty of the Queen and her children to hold it on the castle grounds to show that they care for their people and that they are under the protection of the royal family. It is also the one festival where the nobility and the commoners will be seen as one and will dance together."

Rienlest had followed the pair instead of giving them space. Mitri knew that his goal was to drive a wedge between them, and had it been anyone else, Mitri might have appreciated the effort. Instead, she despised the man even more. He was not only trying to work his claws into their mother, but just a few nights prior he had once again brutalized her sister. Between these acts and his slights against Broden, Mitri could hardly suppress the anger that was growing inside her.

"And while that is all well and good prince, we still have to keep in mind that-"

"Broden please," interrupted Ethimilee, "I have heard your argument and I fully understand the risks. I have faith in you though. I know that no matter what, you will keep me safe."

Of course. Her mother wasn't going to be useful at all. Mitri and Lethila loved the festival, but both of them had heard Broden's concerns and frankly felt he was justified. Missing one festival wouldn't make the country collapse. They had bigger concerns with the war waging well within their borders.

"Or it could be that he simply doesn't know how to dance."

After a final jab from Rienlest, Mitri heard the sounds of people leaving. She was about to head out herself, feeling that there was little else she could do, but then she heard Broden speaking to himself.

"Dance huh?"

He was still there! And now he was alone... This was the chance she had waited months for. His moment of weakness.

"Do you really not know how?"

She heard him move, perhaps looking for where she was hiding.

"Princess Mitri?"

"I... I'll teach you."

"What?"

"Meet back here tonight."

Mitri fled the maze, her heart beating fast and her hopes soaring. She had to find Lethila and enlist her help. Tonight she would begin her plans to make Broden hers.