The Fireseed Wars

She nodded. "A great deal. We're a lot alike. I didn't expect a love match when my father sold me into this marriage in exchange for a title. Like myself, Lysandros has always been alone. He was born when his mother was gray and over forty winters. She died during Lysandros' childbirth, which he believes turned his father and brother against him. His father always doted on Lysandros' older brother, Kaiphranos. The old king was another musician, like Kaiphranos, only he played the lyre instead of the flute. The two often spent entire evenings playing music together, while Lysandros was left alone. When King Kaiphranos had two sons, Lysandros was completely ignored, which is why he left Harphax to join the Free Companions at such a young age. He was desperate to make a name for himself and rose quite high, to the rank of Captain-General in the marches of Hos-Ktemnos.

"But when Lysandros returned to Harphax City, before the Usurper Kalvan arrived, it was as if he'd never left. No one in the Royal Family recognized his accomplishments; if anything, they belittled them. Most of his family were like Kalvan's University folk, strange and full of odd ideas. He told me he always felt like an outsider at home."

"And I would guess you felt the same way, since Rylla always got everyone's attention and approval."

Lavena nodded. "Prince Ptosphes never liked my father. Princess Demia thought herself better than my mother, or so it appeared to me. Demia and my father were distant cousins; she could do no wrong in his eyes. He would have married her himself, if she would have had him. I know; I've heard him say such. However, Demia wanted to be a Princess and married Ptosphes instead. I can't say as I blame her."

"Half the nobles in Hostigos must have been in love with Demia," Sirna said. "I know that Chartiphon and Xentos can't mention her name without turning red."

"Demia was the spitting image of Queen Rylla. But more devious and ambitious."

Much like you, thought Sirna, keeping her thoughts to herself. Lavena must really be lonely, though, to open up like this to someone she barely knows. And, afraid too, of the winter ahead. In Harphax City, Lavena would be pregnant and alone while she waited anxiously for a husband who might be killed in battle. It couldn't be easy for her.

"It didn't help that they lived in Hostigos Town while we were exiled in Hyllos, a backwater if there ever was one. I will admit I was always jealous of Rylla; she was a princess, while I was only a Lady. Rylla lost her mother, but I hated mine; she was a scold and a nag. Rylla's father was a prince, mine was the baron of a tiny barony. She had all these doting uncles, Xentos, Chartiphon and Harmakros. Her betrothed was the handsome and brave Count Phrames. Then she met and married the handsome stranger, Lord Kalvan. And, guess what, Phrames still dotes on her. Me, he'd never give a tumble.

"I had no one but my father. And, yes, he spoiled me. Anytime we were in Hostigos Town I felt like I had two heads… everyone pointed and stared. True, I look just like the Princess Rylla, but I'm not her. I had no friends of my own. Everyone wanted me to be like the Princess Rylla, but I refused! I'd rather be hated than be like her."

For a moment Sirna almost laughed out loud at this poor little rich girl's problems, until she thought of her own life.

"Your Majesty, I can sympathize with your problems. My parents were late in life when I was born. I think they wanted a pet, not a child. Certainly, not a daughter who had a will of her own. They were very wealthy and had little time for me. I was raised by nurses and-" Sirna paused, she'd almost said robots before her hypno-mech conditioning blocked her vocal cords; she must be more lonely than she'd thought to confide her real self like this to an outtimer-"servants with no feelings. I grew up ignored, alone and hating my parents. As free traders, they spent most of their time on long journeys; I knew it was their job, but sometimes I thought they were always leaving just to get away from me. That may be why I jumped into marriage."

"Oh, Lady Sirna, you've been married?"

"Yes, to escape my mother and father. It was a terrible mistake; he was ambitious and cold. He treated me like a servant before he died of a riding accident."

"Was he a nobleman?"

"No, but he thought he was."

"You're lucky he died and left you a widow. We had a lot of those in Hostigos after Lord Kalvan arrived. I had this one beau, a famous general, Hestophes-I'm sure you've heard of him-until my father learned Hestophes' father was a publican. Can you imagine? It's bad enough to be a castoff from Ptosphes' House, but to marry a commoner!"

And just when I was starting to like her…