Princesses Are Never Lost by Maikel Yarimizu

Author:Maikel Yarimizu [Yarimizu, Maikel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-29T22:00:00+00:00

Princess Gwenevrael, daughter of King Artundus of the Fifth Court and Duchess of the Lonely Grove, had never been so lost in her life. This wasn't even the normal sort of lost, which could be solved with a good elven-made map. Not even the greatest of cartographers could draft a chart to a person's heart, but that was exactly what she needed here.

The khan's daughter sat on the log next to her, but not beside her, if that made any sense. There was a gulf between them that was far wider than the few inches of bark and wood. She wasn't sure if they had ever had a real conversation, more than a few words, that wasn't a disagreement or argument of some sort. Back at school, they'd rarely run into each other at all, and that was only partly by accident. Surrounded by like-minded friends, neither had felt the need to bridge the divide.

Well, they needed a bridge now, and Gwenevrael could only think of one thing that would work. "I'm... sorry. I apologize for what I said. About your father."

"You mean that?" Selvi sniffled. "Not just sayin'?"

"Yes. I definitely mean it. You're not the only one who misses her father. I've barely seen mine at all in the past five years."

"Huh. That's elves for you." It was a quick, snide remark, but she could tell it was just a knee-jerk reaction.

She chose to accept it, because it was the truth. "Unfortunately yes," she agreed, which got a surprised blink out of Selvi. "I don't know how much you know of elven politics, but it is best described as the politest slaughterhouse ever conceived. The great lords and ladies live incredibly long lives, shuffling through ranks and stations on a whim, and in their boredom they find ever more creative ways to stab each other in the back. I..." She sighed sadly. "I'm a point of weakness for my father, and so he sent me away. To be safe."

"For him or for you?"

"For us. No assassins get into Lady Amberyll's. I don't doubt that's why your father sent you there are well."

That bridge between them, built so far mainly on her own words, wobbled unsteadily as storm clouds formed over Selvi's face. "My father sent me away 'cause I was weak."

"Somehow I doubt that."

"What other reason is there?" Selvi shouted. "If I was stronger, I wouldn't haveta be put someplace safe. I'd be right by his side, fightin' our foes and upholdin' the Code of the Khans, like my father and his father and his grandfather the great Hamrai Khan who united the peoples of the high plains under a single banner! But no, I'm weak and my father, he... he doesn't need..." Selvi stopped herself, turning her head away so Gwenevrael couldn't see the tears she was sure were there.

Here we are, she thought as the silence deepened. Two little girls who just want their fathers to come and rescue them, though we'd never admit it. Child of elves and child of orcs, but still the same beneath it all.

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