There was no way Mirelle could have expected this. After Aurora had been possessed by The Faceless and kidnapped Elyn, she and Luna went back to their separate kingdoms to begin the Esterlin wide search and figure out what resources they could use to find their missing friend. Starling, the Griffin Knight, did her own searching on the ground while the princesses went to work. But when Mirelle returned, a mysterious cloaked figure claiming to be an emissary for Sixellia accused her of being an accomplice to Elyn’s kidnapping.

Not only did they do that but Mirelle’s own council seemed to believe this person’s account and had turned on her. Now she was facing judgment and a prisoner at their hands within her own royal palace in Fort Quatran.

To begin with, she had been bound and gagged and tied to a wooden pole at the top of the tallest tower of the castle. A large, wide shutter was then opened for all to see as a tribunal was held to determine the princess’ fate. So far, none had stepped forward to defend her and her council, headed by a woman who had served under the previous king, had read out a list of charges. She knew they were making them up but she couldn’t say anything in her defence.

The woman, a steely-eyed, older brunette had almost always been at odds with the gentle and sweet princess when she had been given the throne. But there had always been rumours about her and the woman’s corrupt ways when she worked under the rule of the previous ruler, the king who had invaded the Seven Islands and was put to death. It seemed to Mirelle she would use any excuse to remove Mirelle from her throne. And now she seemed to be succeeding.

Standing there, tied to the wooden pole, Mirelle grunted into the black cloth covering her mouth and nose. The colour of the cloth was meant to cover what were deemed ‘foul and cruel’ words of a liar who had manipulated her people into a false sense of trust. This couldn’t have been further from the truth but the gag prevented Mirelle from speaking to that.

The ropes on her body, attaching her to the pole, didn’t help matters either. Her wrists were bound behind her back, with more ropes pinning her arms to her sides and also attaching to the wooden pole behind her. More ropes bound her legs together at her ankles, above and below her knees, and at the very top of her thighs, all of which kept her firmly attached to the pole behind her.

Though she struggled and tried to free herself, the act was pointless. Not only could she not reach any knots but, even if she did free herself, her own guards would probably just arrest her again. The worst part was how they had shackled Captain Vera and dragged her to the dungeon and locked her away, gagging her the same way as they had the princess. She was the only one who had defended her and the cloaked stranger named her as an accomplice in Princess Elyn’s kidnapping as well.

Mirelle wondered why it was the people trusted the cloaked stranger’s word over hers but the person appeared to provide a letter passed between herself and Vera, supposedly delivered to the Thief Witch to call for the kidnapping of the Sixellian Princess since Elyn, apparently, was an obstacle to her plans for the union of Esterlin. This couldn’t have been further from the truth and the letter was not held up to any scrutiny while this trial proceeded.

“I ask you, noble people of Fort Quatran,” the head of the council said. “I ask you to look within. Ask yourself the question I aim to ask of you. Will you stand for another black mark upon the crown of our great kingdom? I, for one, cannot hope to stand for such a blatant attack on our morals by our princess. To kidnap not only a fellow princess but a supposed friend, in the name of seeking power... it is a breach of our trust.”

“Mmmpphh!!” Mirelle shrieked, struggling with her bonds. There was nothing she could do to stop the woman’s words. Her name... Marla... she had not forced the trial upon the king who had come before her. But still she pretended to be on the side of justice.

“You will be given a period of one day to decide her fate. Until then, the princess is to remain bound and displayed to all for what she has done. Be that your sentence, that would be fair. Should you wish for something harsher, that, too, shall be just. Weigh the evidence of what you have seen. And should any new evidence come to light in that time then the trial shall, of course, be extended. Do what you must, good people of Fort Quatran.”

She was speaking to the council and few nobles who lived nearby. Most of the people of the kingdom weren’t present. If this were truly a fair trial, left to the people of the kingdom, then all of them would be here. If Mirelle were running things... but she wasn’t. Not anymore. Marla would have her way, it seemed.

The entire council had been acting strangely. Before they were a friendly sort, appointed by Mirelle herself, and had always been good people. This betrayal it was just... out of nowhere. What was causing them to act this way?

At first, Mirelle though The Faceless had come and perhaps was influencing them but the cloaked figure was much larger than The Faceless or Aurora so that made them unlikely. She did notice how tense they all seemed to be and nobody wanted to even so much as cast a glance toward the cloaked figure, save for Marla, who was quite eager to present them as the ‘anonymous witness’ who was ‘threatened with death’ by Mirelle. Of course, Mirelle would never do that but now there was, perhaps, enough reason to doubt her.

So Marla adjourned the trial and let the rest of the council to leave and deliberate for a day to make a decision. Until then, Mirelle would remain bound and gagged on the pole, at the top of the tower for any passerby to see and cast judgment. Helpless as she was, Mirelle could only hope for a miracle.

...

“What do you mean she’s been arrested!?” Luna’s rage boiled and it was such a display of emotion that her messenger, a stout, jovial man with a well trimmed beard, shrank back under her icy gaze.

“I-it is just as I say, my lady,” he said. “Her own people arrested her for kidnapping Princess Elyn.”

“But she did nothing of the sort! How could they possibly think such a ridiculous thing!?”

“I-I-I don’t know, m-my lady. That is all I was told. I was shuffled away very quickly. Th-they didn’t seem to want me around.”

“That’s absurd! What right to they have to arrest their own princess!? I will not stand for this!”

“O-of course not, my lady...”

Luna leaned back in her throne and closed her eyes, her fist tightly clenched. She flexed her arm as she rested it on the arm of her throne and let out a deep breath. “I apologize for shouting, Nikolas. Mirelle and I have just been under a lot of pressure lately and now... well... she is my wife.”

“I understand. I would certainly be angered by such news as well.”

Luna opened her eyes again but they still burned with fury. “Send for the Griffin Knight.”

“My lady? What of the search party for Princess Elyn?”

“Send it out,” she said. “I will be leaving myself shortly for Fort Quatran. I will get to the bottom of this.”

“Alone?”

Luna sighed. “I have no other choice. The Griffin Knight must be made aware of the situation but... she is to remain searching for Princess Elyn. We cannot abandon that.”

“Of course, my lady. Anything more to add?”

Her head pounded and she rested her head in her hands, closing her eyes once more. “Gather any reports you can about Nara the Blade. We must know of her whereabouts. She is still a threat to all of Esterlin.”

“At once, my lady. Any further assistance?”

“No, Nikolas. Thank you. I will be leaving shortly. Report all of your findings to the chancellor in my absence.”

“I will. Good luck, my lady.”

“Yes. You as well, Nikolas.”

The messenger left the pale stone room, leaving Luna to stare up at the two banners hanging from the ceiling. Those of her kingdom, Fivellin, depicting the white bear on the pale blue fabric and the one of Fort Quatran, a verdant tree trimmed in gold and earthy brown.

“Oh, Mirelle...” Luna said to herself. She stood from her throne and headed for the door behind the throne to take the stairs down from the palace to her waiting horse. In no time, Luna was headed out of her own kingdom once again and charging forward to Fort Quatran.

...

The cloaked figure ducked into the crowd and remained well out of sight. They weaved through the streets of Fourin, the capital of Fort Quatran, and pushed themselves into a dark alleyway where no one followed. Another cloaked figure waited for them there, dressed in an identical dark cloak to the figure. Though this figure was thicker set and looked a little taller, though they both were quite tall.

As soon as they were sure no one was looking, they both lowered their hoods. The one waiting revealed herself to be Nara the Blade, the silver-haired, one-eyed pirate captain. The other was her paid ally, a pale-eyed, caramel-skinned woman known as The Shroud but known to others, in secret, as Leila.

“The sentencing will be carried out tomorrow,” Leila said. “Where is my payment?”

Nara smiled and reached forward, brushing aside her cloak and handing Leila a heavy sack of gold coins. “Plenty more where that came from if you can bring down the other one, too.”

“You are not concerned about this Faceless? Once they find the book, it will be the end of us all.”

“One thing at a time, Shroud. One thing at a time. I have to say, it was a stroke of genius this time. I really should let you plan these things from now on. I would have just kidnapped her and held her for ransom.”

“And it would fail. Just as those plans of yours always do. I told you when you captured the guard captain and I told you when you captured the princess of Fivellin. These women do not cave to demands. Instead they must be dealt with discreetly.”

“I’m seeing that now,” Nara said. “But this extra pay... it’s worth it. I mean, framing her for her friend’s kidnapping? And coming up with proof? Not only that, but then even kidnapping a member of each noble house on the council and extorting them into finding the princess guilty? I couldn’t ask for a better plan.”

“I assume the captives are secure on the ship?” Leila asked.

“You should know by now. Captives don’t escape from me. Unless they’re pulled away by witchery or sorcery...”

“Which was your own doing. You should never have sought out The Faceless.”

Nara shrugged. “I came out all right, didn’t I? Besides, having someone that powerful on my side... you have to admit, I’d be unstoppable.”

“Assuming they agreed to help you.”

Nara scoffed. “Ah, petty details! So it didn’t work out? There’s always a backup. And you, my dear, are that backup. Speaking of... why are you doing this anyway? You don’t seem the sort motivated by money alone...”

Leila’s steely gaze did not break as she met the eyes of Nara the Blade. “I have my own goals.”

“And what are those?”

“I need not tell you,” Leila said.

“Come on. You can tell me. What is it? Power? You want to rule this place, right?”

“I want no such thing.”

“Well give me an idea. Leila, darling, we’re friends.”

“We are not friends!” Leila snapped. “And I have told you not to use that name.”

Nara chuckled. “Fine then... but can’t you at least give me a clue?”

Leila raised the dark hood on her cloak again and turned her back on Nara. “I seek peace. Nothing more.”

She left the pirate alone then, confused and alone, blending back into the streets of the city. Nara just shrugged and raised her own hood, walking back into the street herself. She could only shake her head and chuckle. Peace. That could mean anything. But, for now, Leila had earned the pirate’s trust. And she believed that The Shroud would do whatever it took to ensure the pirate’s ascension to become the Empress of Esterlin.

...

As night fell around her, Mirelle had given up on struggling against her tight bonds. There was nothing she could do anyway and it was unlikely she would get any sleep, forced to stand as she was. But she still found herself drifting, head slumping to the side, and her vision blurred as sheer exhaustion threatened to carry her off to sleep.

She was jolted awake when she felt her gag suddenly pulled down from her face and a figure in a dark cloak stood before her.

“You!” Mirelle said, suddenly struggling again.

“Peace...” a woman’s voice said from under the hood. “I am not your enemy.”

“Yes you are! You’re the one who fed my council all those lies! I would never kidnap Elyn! I was coming back to try and find a way to rescue her!”

“I am well aware of that.”

“Wait... you are?”

The woman held out a small gem in her hand. It looked like a diamond. “This is what you seek against the head of your council, is it not?”

“And what is that?”

“A bribe. To your own letter writer to forge the document used as the damning evidence against you. Paid in full. Marla herself signed the payment invoice. I have it here.”

The woman unfurled a long piece of parchment and showed it to her. Mirelle furrowed her brow. “Is that real or is it just some way to extort me?”

“This is real, I can assure you. I have been gathering such evidence myself.”

“Why?”

“Because it was me who planted the idea in Marla’s mind,” she said. “At the behest of another.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“I believe you know her...”

Mirelle took a moment to think. “Wait... Nara?”

“She wishes to remove you and your wife from power and unite all the kingdoms of Esterlin herself.”

“Well I know that much. She wants to be the Queen.”

“Empress, actually,” the woman corrected. “She has since changed the title.”

“Whatever the title, I know what she wants. But what do you want?”

“I only wish for peace. And I have seen it. You and your wife are the path to peace for this land.”

“Who are you?” Mirelle demanded, struggling against the ropes again.

“We have not formally met. Though your Griffin Knight knows me well...” she finally lowered her hood. The pale eyes, the caramel skin, the short dark hair...

“The Shroud! But you’re working with-”

“I walk my own path. The pirate does not control me. I will see to it this evidence finds its way into your wife’s hands. She is on her way as we speak.”

“I knew it...” Mirelle said.

“Justice will be done, Princess. I can assure you of that.”

“Why are you doing this, really?”

Leila paused for a moment and met the soft, red eyes of Princess Mirelle. “I can only say that there is a greater threat to this land than Nara the Blade. You and your wife are the ones with the will, and the allies, to combat it. I once thought she could unite the seven and bring lasting peace. But her lust for power, her greed... she has made mistakes and endangered everything.”

“She’s not the only one who made mistakes then...” Mirelle said.

“I do not regret my path. I adapt. Because that is all any of us can do. Adapt or die.”

“Then why are you still helping Nara?”

“I work in subtleties. I cannot allow those I aim to dethrone to know that I am doing so. I continue on as her ally as an illusion. Until such time that I can bring her to justice.”

“One more question...” Mirelle said, holding the woman’s intense gaze. “How did you get my entire council to betray me?”

“Coercion,” Leila said simply. “Beloved family members held hostage aboard The Blade. But the Fort Quatran guard received an anonymous tip about where the captives are being held at port. The Blade had not had the chance to collect them yet. They are being freed and returned to their grateful families. With no more coercion, their belief in you will influence their verdict. As well the evidence presented by your wife of the council head’s own corruption. In the morning, you and your captain will both be released.”

Mirelle just furrowed her brow and gave her head a shake. “I can’t believe this.”

“We fight for the same goal, princess. It is only right that I set things on the right path. Though I caused this, I planned for all of this.”

“Won’t Nara suspect something when the plan fails?”

“She’ll suspect one of her own. I sent one of her foolish pirates out in a cloak to act as a decoy. He will be the one they suspect was behind it all. I will inform her of the turncoat as soon as she finds out.”

“But... isn’t he loyal to her?”

“None of them are really loyal to her. They only fear her and her wrath. They are right to fear her but leaders who inspire through fear do not earn loyalty, as you have. That is why your council will acquit you tomorrow.”

“Because they’re loyal?”

“Yes. Because you inspire through love. A power far greater than fear.”

“I... see...”

Leila pulled the hood back up over her head again. “For all intents and purposes, I must remain to appear as your enemy. So you must continue to think of me as such.”

“Okay... but what about Elyn?”

“There is nothing I can do there. The Faceless is far more powerful than I am. I can only say... the things we look for are most often hidden in plain sight.”

“Plain sight... what are you- mmmpph!!”

Leila pulled the gag back up over Mirelle’s mouth and nose and stepped back again. “You will be released in the morning, princess. Your wife is coming. Your council is free to speak. Your head of council will be indicted. Let this only be a minor obstacle in uniting and saving Esterlin.”

The Shroud then faded away, disappearing into the growing shadows around her once more. “Hmm! Cmm bmmmk! Shrrmmmmddd! Mmmmpphh!!”

Mirelle began her struggles anew but she quickly realized it was pointless. She just hoped the words of The Shroud had been true and she would be untied in the morning. But morning was still a long way off and she would spend many more hours bound and gagged at the top of the tower. With a heavy sigh, Mirelle did her best to get comfortable and await the sunrise. It was all she could do.

...

On her way into town, Luna had met a mysterious stranger who gave her the evidence she would need to overturn any charges against her wife. Though the stranger explained nothing else to her, Luna took the evidence with her and arrived at the trial in the morning where Mirelle still remained bound and gagged atop the tower.

She interrupted a heated argument the head of council was having with the rest of the councillors to present the evidence to them and, within minutes, Mirelle was released, Vera was brought up to the dungeon and Marla, the head of council, took her place in chains and a black cloth gag covering her mouth and nose.

Mirelle and Luna quickly embraced as soon as the trial ended and the council apologized to her profusely. She eased their worries and understood exactly why they had done what they did. She addressed them one final time before she would speak to her wife.

“For the time being, this is my kingdom. And I decree that we do everything in our power to find my dear friend Princess Elyn and release her from the grasp of the horrible witchcraft that grips her. I urge you, dear council, heed my call. Once dearest Elyn is safe then, and only then, may we begin anew the talks of union. I have always sought a peaceful path. Never forget that.”

The council did as she commanded and headed for the palace, getting to work summoning what help they would be able to muster in the search for Elyn. In the meantime, Mirelle and Luna convened at the top of the tower.

“I don’t understand how all this happened so fast...” Luna said.

“I barely understand it myself. I just know that it was all Nara’s doing.”

“Of course it was. She’s still after us.”

“And without Vera to control us, I guess she has nothing else.”

“But how did she pull this off. And, more importantly, how did it all fall apart again?”

“The Shroud...” Mirelle said.

“That woman working with Nara? The one Starling is obsessed with?”

“Yes. I don’t really understand why but she’s trying to help us. While still acting as our enemy at the same time...”

Luna just shook her head. “I tell you, things were so much simpler when it was just Jhana we were fighting. For all her schemes and plots, at least you knew what to expect.”

“Well we still have her to thank for unravelling that web. While spinning one of her own...”

“I don’t think we can trust her,” Luna said.

“You say that about everyone.”

“I know but... I don’t like people who hide like that,” Luna said.

“Still, something she said may have helped us out in a big way.”

Luna furrowed her brow. “What?”

“She mentioned something about looking ‘in plain sight’ for things hidden... I think The Faceless has Elyn in Sixellia.”

“That’s... that’s insane! They would have found her by now!”

“What if no one knows she’s there? They wouldn’t think to look in their own kingdom. It’s too obvious. In all those old stories, where are kidnapped princesses usually taken?”

“Someplace far away,” Luna said.

“Exactly. And that’s where they’ll look. We need to look where no one else is looking.”

Luna nodded. “Pretty and smart. I knew I married you for a reason.”

Mirelle chuckled. “Stop that. We need to get Vera. And send for Starling. Again. We’ll need all the help we can get to save Elyn and get The Faceless out of Aurora’s head.”

“How the hell are we going to do that?”

Mirelle shook her head. “I don’t know. But now that I’ve got my kingdom back... it’s time to start taking action. Are you ready?”

“For you? Always,” Luna said.

The two princesses walked together, hand in hand, to the stables where their horses waited. Sending a messenger instead to get Vera, the two of them waited and looked to the sky toward Elyn’s kingdom of Sixellia. If Mirelle was right, they may have a big fight on their hands. The Faceless did warn them to stay away, after all. But they were holding one of their dearest friends, and possessing the mind of her girlfriend, no way would anyone from the Esterlin Princess Guild stay way. No matter how powerful a being told them so.

Story Theme Song: Simon (feat. Iolite)- My Kingdom