Argue with the woman

"I- I can't leave now," you say, jerking up your pants. "We're in the middle of the harvest. My father needs me."

"Your kingdom needs you," she says. "Surely, you agree that preventing needless war is more important than a few bushels of corn."

"It is important," you concede, "but so is our harvest. War is something that happens to important people in far-off places. We're just farmers, trying to keep food on our table."

"You are no longer a farmer," she says, a bite to her tone. "You are the Vessel and we are wasting time." She turns to her men. "Burn the fields and the barn." She glances at you as the soldiers move to light torches. "That will put an end to this harvest, won't it?"

"No, please," your father says, rushing toward the men. One of them grabs him by the neck and throws him to the ground.

"Stop this!" you shout, grabbing for the woman's arm. She draws her sword before your can blink, the razor-sharp edge pressing against your throat. Holding your breath, you take a step back. "Please, stop. I'll go with you. Don't hurt my family."

"A sensible choice," she says, sheathing her blade and motioning to the soldiers, who put the torches out in the dirt. You rush to your father's side and help him to his feet. He has a red mark on his neck, but otherwise seems unhurt.

"I'm sorry, father," you say. He holds you as you weep silently into his shoulder.

~*~*~*~

It is well after midnight when you stumble into the city, your feet sore, legs aching. You have been up since before dawn and are exhausted, barely able to keep your eyes open as the woman, who finally introduced herself as General Avari, leads you through the wide, deserted streets, toward the palace.

Built upon a rocky outcrop, the pale limestone walls gleam in the moonlight, tall towers reaching up into the star-studded sky. You have never seen the palace before, but you're just too tired to appreciate the immensity of the structure, the beauty of the architecture. You just want to sleep.

At the palace entrance, you are met by an older man with silvering hair and bright, intelligent eyes.

"What is this?" he ask when he sees you. "I need a Vessel, not a farm boy!"

"Steward Maizer, this is the Vessel," General Avari says. "I have seen the proof with my own eyes."

The royal steward scours you with his appraising gaze.

"Well, you're strong enough, aren't you? Though that may intimidate some of our more delicate nobles. Their loss, I suppose," he says, though it doesn't feel like he's actually talking to you. "Tall, healthy. Could be handsome or pretty, in the right light. Beautiful golden hair. From behind, in the dark, they could pretend you are a woman, if your masculinity is a problem for them. Yes, I think you'll do. Not that we have a lot of options." He has a grim, resigned air about him, as though he's just as tired as you are.

"Begging your pardon, sir," you say with a respectful nod, "but could I be shown to a bed? I am dead on my feet."

"Of course, of course," Maizer says, motioning for you to follow him. You hurry after the steward, who has a fast, powerful stride despite his advancing years. The older man glances at you as he leads you through a maze of corridors and staircases.

"You are not what I expected," he says finally, slowing down as you near a closed, white door. "I had already chosen a handmaid for you, but now I wonder if you would prefer a valet."

"I'm not sure what those are, sir," you say as he opens the door and ushers you inside. The room is dark, but Maizer flips a switch beside the door and clear, golden light fills the room, smokeless lamps glowing in sconces on the walls. You stare in awe. This bedroom is larger than the barn back home, though the ceilings aren't quite as tall. Fancy gilded furniture glints in the warm lamplight, a massive four-poster bed draped with heavy ivory curtains and a deep purple bedspread.

Something touches your shoulder and you jump, spinning around, but it's just Maizer.

"Did you hear me?" he asks. "A handmaid is a lady's servant; a valet tends to a gentleman. Due to your unique condition, I'm not certain which one you would be most comfortable with."