In the back of her mind, Tori couldnt help but think about the showdown the to a classic western. She sat in front of Ewan on their outrigger canoe. A few paces to their left was another canoe, with Gideon in front and Fabian in the back. She narrowed her eyes as they bobbed up and down.
Her fingers twitched around the shaft and grip of her paddle, as if ready to pull a trigger the mont Instructor Ignatius shouted for them to go.
Her heart was beating quickly in her chest as she turned her eyes ahead of her and positioned her paddle.
Leave the steering to , Tori! I can do it! Ewan said behind her. Tori nodded her head, but kept her eyes forward.
Paddlers! Ready! Instructor Ignatius was waist deep in water not far from them. He held up a small red flag. Go!
Her paddle plunged into the water and their boat shot forward. All Tori could hear was the rush of wind. From the corner of her eye, she could make out Gideon and Fabians boat. They were keeping up well, perhaps only half a boat length behind. She couldnt waste ti watching them, but it seed that this would be an endurance run.
She braced herself against the sides of the boat and continued to dig her paddle into the water. She hardly noticed the buoys that marked their path. Ahead of them, on a small fishing boat, a knight sat along with one of the villagers to make sure they went around the furthest buoy.
Ewan, match my pace! We need to get ahead to get a tight turn!
Understood!
She felt them uncoordinated a few tis, but Ewan was quick to realign himself with her speed. They managed to get a good length away from the other boat and then proceeded to round the buoy with enough space cleared between them.
Once they rounded it, she and Ewan continued their steady pace. She didnt want to use their last burst of energy until the very end. The finish line was ahead, and all eyes were on them. The blurs of their friends were on the shore, jumping up and down while yelling their nas.
From the corner of her eye, she could see the tip of the second boat. Gideon and Fabian were close. They were paddling hard to catch up.
Now? Ewan asked.
Hold steady! she said. Her eyes narrowed. On the count of three! One! Two! Three! They passed the last set of buoys before the finish line and their pace quickened. Their bodies leaned forward, swaying in sync as their boat increased speed.
They were close and didnt stop until they were well past the finish line and their ti was called.
As soon as it was, the two dropped their paddles over their laps and collapsed forward or back, laughing as they tried to catch their breaths. Knights ca forward to help pull their boats closer to shore. Toris heart was still pounding as her lungs burned.
She tilted her head and watched the other boat being pulled onto shore beside theirs. Gideon and Fabian were flushed red and panting. She let out a laugh.
Good job this ti, she said before leaning back and letting out a pant. It was close!
Next ti, Gideon said, also out of breath. Next ti, Ill win.
Heh...well, you keep dreaming. Tori laughed and raised her arms for JP and Constantine to pull her up and help her out of the boat. Ilyana rushed forward with a small towel for each of them.
Congratulations!
Thanks! Hows our ti? Tori asked as she patted her face and neck with the small towel.
My apologies, my lady, but Sir Madsen and I have a better ti, one of the knights on the shore said with a bit of a sheepish look.
Tori laughed as she passed him and patted his shoulder. Hey, its not over yet. We may end up doing a final heat. She went to sit down on one of the lounge chairs and closed her eyes, her chest still heaving for air. I need to work on my endurance.
We were a good boat length ahead of them, Ewan said as he sat down in the chair next to her. Its very clear that we won.
Thats all that matters, Tori said. She lifted up her arm and one of the villagers who was an attendant rushed forward. Please bring out so chilled fruit water for everyone.
Yes, my lady!
If we lost, does this an we are out of the race? Fabian asked. Tori wasnt sure who he was asking, but she answered.
Right now, we are doing the tid heats. The fastest half will go on to race again. Then the fastest half of that group will race again until its the two fastest pairs for the final heat, Tori said as she stretched out her arms. If a sizable number of pairs are slower than you, then you still have a chance.
Sit down and rest, Gideon told him with a motion for him to sit on one of the nearby chairs. We dont know if well need to race again, so we should rest while we can.
Fabian nodded and took a seat. A villager brought them both drinks as they watched the next set of people get into the boats.
As everyone crowded around to watch the race, Tori finished her drink and stood up to go back to her tent. Like everyone else, she also left her comcry inside during the race. She slipped into her tent and shifted through her things to dig it out.
It was well into the middle of the afternoon. At this point, she hoped that whatever Piers needed to do while she was keeping Fabian distracted and away from his comcry had been completed. If she wasnt concerned about causing a problem if she called at the wrong ti, she wouldve slid her finger across and called Piers to check at once.
Instead, she weighed the comcry in her hand and tucked it into the top fold of her swimsuit. She looked down and frowned, noticing it jut out against the cloth. In her original world, it wouldve been tucked neatly and unobtrusively in her cleavage.
I miss that boob pocket.... She sighed and turned around to leave when the faint glow against the fabric caught her eye. She snatched it out imdiately and opened the top. She slid her finger across. Axton?
Is Fabian still there? he asked, a bit out of breath.
Tori knit her brows together and glanced towards the closed flap of her tent door. Yes, theyre outside watching a boat race.
The first operation is done, but try to keep him away from his comcry a bit longer in case soone tries to contact him, Axton told her.
All right, but I cant keep him away from it forever.
I know, but were worried soone might try to call him.
She wanted to ask so badly who was trying to call Fabian. I understand. Ill try to keep him occupied. How about you all?
Everyone is fine, Axton said. No injuries.
Tori narrowed her eyes and frowned. I thought it was just paperwork.
Ninety percent paperwork, Axton said. Either Piers or I will call you when its clear. Thank you for your help!
Before Tori could react, the call ended. She took a deep breath. What the hells going on? At the very least, her precautions were useful. She tucked the comcry back into her top, grabbed her straw hat, and walked outside.
She could hear the lively cheering as two boats were almost beside each other as they raced towards the finish line. Tori squinted as she stepped off the deck and onto the sand. It looked to be two pairs of knights.
You look serious, JP said as he stretched out to the side. He and Sonia were set to go against the Empress and one of her aides next. Are you all right?
Yes, Im tired from all the work this morning, Tori told him. The eting was longer than usual since we reviewed feedback from last weeks event.
JP nodded and didnt seem to think anything of it. Tori returned to her seat, wishing she had sunglasses to cover part of her face, so she didnt seem too bothered. She tugged her hat lower and laid out beneath an umbrella.
The boat race had its final heat two hours later and Tori and Ewan were no match for so of the knight pairs. The last race was against two sets of imperial knights.
Perhaps I shouldve partnered with Sir Carmichael, the Empress said, frowning. He seed to have improved after the first few tis I made him paddle with at the palace.
Sir Carmichael has been assigned here nurous tis lately, Tori said. She was familiar with the usual knights. She narrowed her eyes. Have they been practicing during their off-duty hours? From the corner of her eye, another knight who was on duty tensed. Tori slowly turned her head towards him. Have you really?
He swallowed. Yes, my lady. The spare outrigger canoes are housed across the river, and it is common for off duty knights and staff to have races. We were told this was approved by the village and project leads.
Yes, I also approved it, Tori said with a nod. She thought that having healthy recreational options would be good for everyone. I just didnt know it was very popular.
The Empress let out a scoff and sat up. Youve been practicing without ! No wonder all the top tis are by knights!
Tori could almost see so sweat collecting at the knights temples. She smirked. Yes, it almost feels as if they were cheating us today.
Of course not, my lady!
The Empress frowned. Im going to have the rotation a bit more varied from now on.
Tori held back a laugh as she watched the knights expression drop. At first, no one wanted to be assigned to the delta, but now it was a popular place to be assigned.
Winner! Sir Madsen and Sir Vandenholt! Instructor Ignatius shouted the nas of the winners and clapping ca from around the shore. Most people were now laying down on the lounges and hammocks, or seated on chairs.
Do they win anything? JP asked. The two knights were ecstatic as their peers either ca to congratulate them or playfully jeer.
Now that I think about it, we didnt offer a prize this ti, Ilyana said, looking over at Tori.
All that effort and they get nothing, Sonia said with a hint of pity.
Tori chuckled. Well, they have bragging rights. But Im not going to let them walk away empty handed. She pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the group of knights. All of them seed to tower over her, but as soon as they saw her approaching, they cald down and made room. Im going to give you a few choices....
She ran through a list of the items she was able to provide them, and the two knights listened intently, exchanging looks every now and then and nodding or shaking their heads. In the end, they accepted five al vouchers for Henriks restaurant and a set of nswear from the delta collection, which included the leather shoes and hat.
Lady Guevera, can we use the al voucher on another person? Sir Madsen asked.
Tori nodded. Of course. If you want to bring out four of your friends for a big al, thats fine. If you want to take a partner out on a nice date, thats also acceptable.
His face reddened at once and Tori figured he wanted to take soone out. As much as she wanted to find out more gossip, she turned her focus back to the crowd. It was ti for dinner and rather than have everyone change, Tori provided all the n with short sleeve shirts and had the ladies wear light dresses over their swimsuits as they walked over a small creek and on to the pronade to have dinner.
It was quite noisy, and Tori couldnt help but look at Fabian. He seed focused on Gideon. She didnt know how else to distract him after dinner. Eventually, Fabian would return to his tent and if anyone called at that ti, Tori couldnt stop them. Her stomach twisted as she began to grow anxious.
She tried her best not to appear distracted throughout dinner. Unfortunately, there were no fireworks tonight to buy more ti. Her only consolation was that the Empress told Gideon to accompany her on a post-dinner walk, and Fabian, of course, followed behind them.
It was then that Axton called her a second ti.
Are you alone? he asked.
Tori glanced towards the pronade. It was that ti in the evening when everyone ca out for their evening walks. Im at the restaurant. Give a mont to get back to my tent and Ill call. She slid her finger across. Ilyana, I need to make so calls. Ill be in my tent.
Okay, were going to sit here for a while.
Tori gave them a nod and ran off. She didnt go to her tent by the beach, but instead went to her usual tent in the encampnt, which had permanent silence charms along the walls. Two knights always remained at her door, and she gave them nods as she slipped inside and waved her hand to activate the light crystals.
Call Axton du Nassaun, she said as she sat at her desk.
What is he doing now? Axton asked.
Hes escorting Prince Gideon, who is accompanying the Empress on her evening walk, Tori said. Whats going on?
Do you rember what I said about the sword style he was learning after your match with him? Axton asked.
Yes, you said its uncommon in Soleil-
But practiced in the Duraga Federation. Tori, we went to arrest Fabians sword master.
If she hadnt placed the comcry on her desk, she wouldve dropped it.
What? Tori knew Fabian's master was terrible, but they wouldnt have arrested him for simply being a terrible person. Hold on, is it all right for to know the details of this?
Considering that Piers went ahead and got you involved, you should know whats happening, but I cant tell you all the details. Axton said. Senior Kasen was angry that Piers got you involved. Im sure if Piers wasnt a prince, Senior wouldve beaten him to the ground.
Tori took a deep breath and made a ntal note to contact her brother when she could. I agreed to help. Though at the ti, she wasnt exactly sure what she was doing. Why was von Dorns sword master arrested?
He was using a fake identity. He was going by the na Dustin Pete; an Eastern Army soldier who went missing years ago.
Tori narrowed her eyes. And youre sure hes not the sa man?
Were sure, Axton said. There were physical differences; scars from earlier battles, that the impostor lacked.
Toris stomach twisted. She had a good idea of what was happening. So, soone was posing as a forr soldier and trying to get close to the second princes knight?
That seems to be the case, but we couldnt trace who hired him. Or rather, we know its Adrien Rosiek who put him in touch with Fabian, but we have no proof of how they t; if Rosiek put up a notice and Pete responded for the position or if they knew each other previously, Axton said, sounding annoyed. We are watching the Golden Cow and Rosiek closely.
What about the fake Master Pete? Tori asked. Is there any more information he can give?
Axton didnt answer imdiately. No, he said, after a lengthy pause. Hes dead.
You killed him? Her eyes widened. It wasnt that she thought such a thing wouldnt happen in Soleil, but she didnt think it was necessary considering the circumstances.
He was wounded in the scuffle to arrest him and then stabbed himself in the chest. Thats how we were able to search his body for any distinguishing marks. Axtons voice sounded heavy. Senior Kasen is now looking into possible others like him, who have sneaked into Soleil and are going by the nas of our missing soldiers.
Tori swallowed hard. How would they get in? When she was in Kings Harbor, there was a sort of customs and border check for people arriving from foreign ships. Their identities had to be checked, as well as a letter of intent and other docuntation. Andy had told her that all foreign ships are checked before they are allowed to dock. As a citizen of Soleil, she never had to deal with any checks as she was traveling on a Soleil vessel.
We cant monitor every length of our border, Axton said. They could sneak in through the mountains and forests, bypass the main roads, sneak into Soleil vessels abroad and then co in through there. When they arrive, if they do not stand out, there is no reason for them to be suspected. Our original intent was to question him; hed been in Soleil for five years simply wandering and taking odd jobs. Nothing threatening. However, he was belligerent and kept denying he was from the Duraga Federation. It escalated.
What will happen if you find more like him? Tori asked.
I cant answer that, Tori. Its beyond my level.
I understand, she said. What will happen to Fabian?
Axton let out a heavy breath. That is where we have a problem. If it cos out that his master was a Duraga Federation agent planted in Soleil, there is no chance of him entering La Garda. They simply wont trust him. Fabian has been compromised.
Does Fabian know his master was from the Duraga Federation?
No, Axton said. I dont believe he did. He also knows what this would an for him, and he never wouldve accepted him as his master if he knew. However, it doesnt matter if Fabian knew or not. A prospective student who was trained by a foreign agent is a risk. La Garda will not accept him.
Tori didnt like Fabian. There were many things shed be happy to see blow up in Fabians face, but this wasnt one of them. This went beyond whatever personal squabbles they had. If he didnt know, isnt he a victim?
I didnt think youd think of him as such considering your rather volatile relationship with him.
This doesnt have anything to do with how much I dislike him, Tori said in a pitying voice. Hes worked his entire life to enter La Garda and to be the second princes knight. This happened without him knowing. Can he still be a personal knight to Prince Gideon if he isnt accepted?
He can, Axton said. But its a bit humiliating, dont you think? And how will it look to everyone else? Especially for the other knights to know that soone without the basic requirent is assigned as the second princes personal knight?
Tori pursed her lips. Then, are you going to keep this quiet and not tell him? She wasnt sure how she felt about that.
Piers is discussing this with the Emperor right now. This is why we didnt want Fabian in Horizon or near his comcry. We were afraid that soone would contact him about his master before we could finish. We have confiscated the mans comcry, so even if Fabian tries to contact him later, he will be unable to reach anyone.
Tori nodded solemnly. I wont say anything. Ill leave this up to Piers and the Emperor, but I hope it is dealt with quickly.
Axton let out a heavy breath. Whether it is or not, its out of our hands.
She finished the call. Tori knew she could only resign herself to being helpless. This was not sothing she had any say in. She still didnt like Fabian. Shed happily fight him again if he angered her enough, but this situation wasnt fair to him. He unknowingly sought instruction from a possible enemy.
No one knew what was said between them. She didnt know how much Fabian knew about his master or if he was sympathetic towards the Duraga Federation. No one except Fabian knew the extent of his relationship with his master and as a result, even if he wasnt compromised, he couldnt prove it.
Once word got out that his master was from the Duraga Federation and killed himself to avoid capture by Soleil, it would undoubtedly reflect badly on Fabian. As of right now, very few people knew. It could be kept a secret.
But was that fair to Fabian?
Tori walked pack towards the plaza and took a deep breath to try to collect herself. She tried to shake the responsibility out of her head. The Emperor has to deal with this. Not you. You are just a distraction.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and put on a carefree expression as she stepped into the pronade.
As she reached the plaza, she caught sight of the Empress by the fountain, staring at her son who was a few paces from her.
What? The Empress narrowed her eyes and Gideon seed to stand up straight. Are you joking with ? She had a look of incredulous disbelief on her face and Tori couldnt help but walk a bit closer to find out what was going on.
She could see Fabian just behind Gideon, also with a surprised look on his face. Whatever Gideon said it shocked both his mother and his knight. Tori wondered if it had to do with Alessa.
Im not, Gideon said. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he dared to keep his posture when standing in front of his mother. Ive thought about it for so ti, since we ca here for Piers birthday.
The Empress narrowed her eyes. A few weeks is hardly so ti, Gideon.
Mother, Piers said that if I disobeyed you, you would send there anyway, Gideon said. However, I want to go.
Tori narrowed her eyes. Was the imperial couple planning on banishing Gideon sowhere? And where did he want to go?
The Empress took a deep breath. She stood up straight and closed her eyes for a mont, as if collecting her thoughts. This matter should also be discussed with your father.
I understand,
These are not arrangents that can be made lightly, the Empress said. Anlars naval training is not for the faint of heart.
Tori jerked her head up. Naval training? In Anlar?
I know, Mother, Gideon said. I asked Captain OTuagh and her wife, as well as so of the sailors accompanying them.
The Empress kept her eyes on her youngest son. Her shoulders seem to relax just a bit. Are you really interested in the Naval Academy?
Gideon nodded. I know there are sumr programs for those who have reached the age of majority. I can continue to go to Lyce when fall cos.
The Naval Academys sumr program is a serious, several month-long training camp for future sailors, the Empress told him. While you will not be required to join the navy after it is completed, there is that expectation. Are you willing to join the navy?
Gideon seed to hesitate. Tori watched, wanting to know as well.
I am still unsure, he said, honestly. But I want to try.
Once you join the program, you cannot leave easily, the Empress said. Unless you do exceptionally poorly and are forcibly discharged, you will be expected to continue with it. Escape is treated as an offense and there will be consequences.
Gideon nodded once more. I understand, Mother. I am willing to go through the several month-long academy training.
You will not receive leave to co back during training. This ans you will miss my banquet, the Empress said, frowning.
I will see you once I return, Mother. It is only for a few months, and I will still have ti before Lyce resus to spend ti at ho. Gideon was insistent. It appeared as if he had considered it as seriously as he said.
The Empress knit her brows together. She took a deep breath and studied her son before turning her head away. When we return to the palace, we will discuss this with your father first. If he agrees, we will contact Marquess OTuagh for assistance.
A wide smile appeared on Gideons lips. Thank you, Mother!
Your father hasnt agreed yet, she told him, her voice firm. She turned around and saw Tori approaching them. Her eyes lit up. Lady Tori! Are you also going for a walk?
Just a bit of fresh air and stretching after a long day, Tori said. I was reviewing work for the delta most of the day.
She gave the Empress a smile that was warmly returned. The Empress beckoned her closer to talk and accompany her, and Tori took her arm to do so. However, as the Empress rambled on about Toris mother in their youth, Tori couldnt help but pay more attention to Gideon and Fabian behind them.
When did you co to this decision? Fabian sounded almost hurt. You didnt tell you wanted to join the Naval Academy.
I didnt know I wanted to until recently, Gideon said, a bit embarrassed. I know its a surprise, but I want to do sothing other than sit around in the palace over the sumr.
But you werent sitting around, Fabian said. Youve been working on the hospital.
The hospitals foundational work is almost complete. It needs to be built and all of that is already in motion. I can start looking for staff in the fall, Gideon told him. Fabian, I want to improve myself.
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