Young Writers Society

Author's Notes: 2,099 words.  Ugh the italics.

The written language of Fayne, Eremia felt, was a nuisance at best. There was a symbol for each word or idea, so that it was both hard to remember and use properly. When stuck in a cramped wagon in the mid-day heat surrounded by boxes, blankets, a lamp, and assorted books, writing was the last thing on her tired mind. Naturally, Katerina was now opening a chest and peering through its contents, pulling out pieces of paper.

As she turned around and observed, Eremia could see Yorew walking behind the wagon at a steady pace. When he had been asked to leave by both girls, who found that his presence made it hard for either of them to sit or stand without touching him, he had been characteristically quiet about it. He now seemed unbothered by the heat and elements, waving aside some of the dust from his face as he focused on the wagon, though not looking directly at its passengers. It was impossible to get a read on him, which only reminded her of what Jonathan and Madeleine had told her of him beforehand.

There was no doubt in her mind that he was innocent, as she had always seen him as loyal, silent, caring, and helpful. Of course, she had felt the same way of her country, to which she now felt ambivalence and confusion. Frustrated, anxious, and pained as she was, that nagged at her the most.

Feeling something being placed on a leg, Eremia shifted her focus to it. On the piece of parchment, placed over the green dress she had been given, was scrawled one symbol. Hello.

Katerina placed a small paintbrush and bowl of ink between them. Questions swirled around Eremia’s head as she struggled to think of the symbols she wished to use. Finally, she set down the paper beside the bowl, writing down what was the front of her mind. Who are you?

More than a student, responded Katerina, after gingerly taking the quill from Eremia’s hand. I was trained to learn, watch, and spy.

Eremia glared as she read, snatching the quill from Katerina’s hand and shooting back a question.  Is that why you are with me? To watch me?

If I did, I would not tell you to be silent for an hour and avoid the eagle by writing.  Audibly sighing, Katerina handed her message to Eremia.

Is that what he is here for? Is that what he has always been here for? Eremia’s writing, in her rage, was sloppy and disorganized, causing Katerina a few moment’s confusion.

No, he has never been with us before the past few days. Madeleine has repurposed him, as he is afraid to go home, but still trusts his country and its allies. Mostly, she believes he cares for you, and there is no sense in sending him away.

Eremia felt a tinge of guilt inside her as she finished reading, her mind flashing back to when she snapped at him and when he had tried to protect Yorew. Uncomfortable, she waved for Katerina to continue writing.

You might not already know, but I am not human. I was trained to work for royalty, you see; it was my people’s agreement with Wyandanch. We were meant to be impartial guides that could bridge the gap between nations. What are the odds I should find a princess?

After hesitating, Eremia raised an eyebrow. What are you, then?

Smiling broadly, Katerina crossed her arms and shifted, sprouting red fur across her body as her face contorted and elongated to that of a fox. She sniffed with a protruding nose, her smile now eerie among her rows of teeth. This is the real me, she wrote, struggling to move the quill with clawed hands. I am now loyal to you alone. My former mistress is a nice lady, but she is not royalty.

What is she? Who are The Doves? Disturbed, Eremia struggled to read Katerina’s scratchy handwriting and found it hard to look into her face. Still, she was intrigued by Katerina and the prospect of having a loyal spy capable of answering her greatest questions. Hence, much as she wanted to leap out of the wagon, she persisted.

Katerina took away the piece of paper and pulled another one from the box, squeezing her hand in while keeping her face from bumping into the wood. The Doves are who they say they are. Seres founded them as a peacekeeping force, as you cannot stop swords with mellow words. They deal with local troubles around the Confederacy, even among the nations of the Alliance. As a small army, they cannot challenge any of the Kings, who are content to let them travel as they may. I know little of the generals, though I can say Madeleine is from the lion’s country. So is Alarick.

A name flashed into Eremia’s mind, dissipating as quickly as she tried to write it down. El… she began, before staring at the quill in intense frustration.

Katerina took the quill from Eremia’s hand and finished the word. Elchanan, yes. I am surprise you know so little of the world around you. You are aware they border Exedor, right?

Yes, responded Eremia without hesitation. Yet, I do not know much about them. My parents allowed me to visit the country’s borders with them, but I did not personally come to see negotiations. Visitors, travelers, and books have taught me about the Confederacy and some of the surrounding countries, but not much about their cultures or people. You cannot believe how much the world has grown for me.

For once, Katerina raised an eyebrow, mixing surprise with, of all things, expectance. It seems your parents have raised an insulated heir. We feared as much.

Why do you fear Exedor? wrote Eremia, hand shaking as she did so. Her breathing quavered.

We do not fear them, per se; we are wary of them. The eagle is not the first to run to us with news of being threatened. From what we have heard, Exedor keeps a constant smile on its face, though it is secretly strict and demanding. Perhaps it is nothing. One must go to extreme measures to survive in this world, so they might be a dictatorship out of necessity. Still, when you talked with the eagle – Aquila, was it not? – you were genuinely surprised to learn about your country’s actions.

Eremia scrunched her face in concentration. Yes, I was, she admitted. I am the daughter of the King and Queen, so I should know what they are doing, and I have seen them do nothing like what you say. Once more, Katerina replaced the paper.

Precisely – you should know, but you do not. I imagine your parents rarely speak to you, and your teachers never mention the country’s internal affairs. That is why we are more wary of them, as we do not know what they have planned for you. I wish they had told you.

It was hard to be any angrier and more confused than she was. Eremia felt increasingly tired as she wrote a sloppy response. Why did they not?

I imagine they thought you would react better to seeing it, not being told of it. I suppose it only made you defensive.

Can I trust you? Eremia resorted to lying down on her belly, legs barely dangling out of the wagon.

Katerina gasped and looked hurt. I gave you more of an explanation than they did. You have every reason not to trust me, but I am devoted to you. Do you have a choice?

Sighing, Eremia accepted the pen from Katerina. Fine. I do not think I can apologize to the eagle…I just realized he has the same name as the Lord of the Eagles. How should I refer to him?

Call him Aquila for now, but he probably has the formal name Aquila the Lesser. The Lord is Aquila the Greater, thanks to a large number of parents having the same idea as our friend’s.

I can do that. Still, I do not know if any of you – him included – can judge my country. How about you tell me about the generals?

Katerina tapped a claw on her chin, closing her eyes and humming. She still easily grasped the quill as Eremia handed it to her, and soon attempted to write. About as much as you know. Terasu could only be less secret if she screamed her identity to passerby. Jonathan is a royal from Eimhin, and Ceinen, I was told, was found and picked up by the doves after escaping his home in Eimhin, back when the Mad King instigated a genocide. Everything else has been kept a secret between the generals. The papers that do exist are with Alarick, but he watches them constantly. I cannot wrest them from him; I am a spy, not a fighter.

Holding her head in her hands, Eremia scowled at the paper. Would it not be simpler if everyone was honest?

Honesty is a vague concept, and those who are fully honest usually end up dead. Katerina tried to replace the paper with a new one, but Eremia held one corner of it in a quick movement and finished reading. If she was upset, Katerina did not show it, choosing instead to briefly yelp in surprise and clamping a hand over her own mouth.

So, wrote Eremia after accepting the pen from Katerina, who kept a hand over her mouth while pulling out another strip of paper. What did you mean when you said you would be loyal to me?

It took a minute for Katerina to contemplate a response. You may do with me what you would like. My roles are all under your supervision, so you can have me spy on, listen to, or investigate the camp as you see fit. My old leader now has no more control over me, so she might be understandably furious. Still, this is what I have dreamed for; it is what I have been raised for over my entire life. I am happy that I should be so fortunate to find you.

Eremia thought about this. Katerina acted legitimate and cooperative at every possible opportunity. She had warned Eremia about Aquila’s spying on them, was personable to a fault, and everything Katerina wrote made sense. By now, even as uncomfortable as the truth was, it was hard to accuse Katerina of being a liar. As far as Eremia could conclude, she now had a faithful attendant, one capable of providing her the truth about her surroundings. Still, if Katerina really did transfer her own responsibilities from Madeleine, there was the possibility Eremia would start out on a poor footing with The Doves. Besides, the thought of being able to watch people made Eremia intensely uncomfortable; as interesting as she found the concept, she enjoyed privacy and quietness, and didn’t want to wish anything less on anyone else.

My first request is that you continue to inform Madeleine, began Eremia. She looked up to see Katerina’s dejected expression and hastily continued. You are still welcome to talk to me, and I would like that you inform me about every time I am in a conversation. I just do not want to intrude on the privacy of others. All I want to do is look for my brother.

Katerina uneasily accepted the pen from Eremia, her hand more shaky than usual as she wrote. I do not like Madeleine, as she is so easily frustrated, but you are my lady. I will give you my report as quickly as I can find you, and I wish you the best of luck finding your brother, though you may not like what you will see.

I already have not. As for now, I am tired, and I would like to rest. Thank you.

No, thank you, for giving me my purpose. Is it fine if I sleep here?

Yes.

As she flopped onto a pile of blankets and sighed a breath of relief at the way the tension in her back subsided, Eremia watched as Katerina pulled a small box from the larger one and gently placed the pot of ink within it. Everything was put away in less than a minute, and Katerina curled up around another blanket on the opposite side of the wagon. Eremia relaxed as the beat of her heart and the rolling wheels beneath her synchronized, and her eyes slowly closed as she looked at the tarp above her head. In short order, both fell asleep.