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**UNC. CHRONICLE OF THE ANCIENT TIMES OF YUMLAIANCE.**

**Prologue. Foreign Policy Confusions and a Forced Solution. (The Plenary).**

The autumn wind was cold in its transit towards a winter that was expected to be very hard, Arcant  III, knew that things would get difficult that season, the town had not obtained too abundant harvests, due to the bad weather in general, a summer too hot and a season of rains not conducive. To increase the unfortunate season were also added the endless runs of the bandits who came from the frozen northern territories, eager to obtain easy booties or simply to plunder the penury of Anlad to alleviate theirs that was even greater. To such an extreme came the things that the king had to summon the general courts in extraordinary meeting to seek solutions.

I don't like the idea, but I don't think I have a choice. - The monarch thought. – That will uncover other issues that I would prefer not to have to debate.

And, despite being the sovereign, his government was very conditioned by the power of his nobles and other representatives in courts. They and other delegates from the various territories also felt threatened, more than two centuries after the last struggle against the lords of Darkness that ended with the victory of the allied kingdoms of Anlad, Yum, Somer and the principality of Tibinco, and although these were expelled or destroyed practically in their entirety,  the problems had not ceased, after a century of peace and prosperity things slowly changed, and it was at times like these, of food shortages, when the flame of discontent of the common people was lit with more virulence. The monarch could hardly maintain an affordable tax collection for his subjects, promising to eradicate the threat of bandits and while keeping an eye on his neighbor to the West, the kingdom of Somer, which, although it had been an ally and friend of Anlad for centuries, now showed a dangerous change in its foreign policy, of an increasingly aggressive and imperialist nature. To tell the truth, King Someres Esert  II claimed that it was he who suffered the pressure of Yum in an attempt by this kingdom to expand in turn to the east. Be that as it may, those of Somer had formed a large army, not seen since the time of  Skarn  Dainlin. This, together with the internal disturbances and the threat of the bandits of the north, made fear spread more and more among the ranks of the nobles who were divided into two clearly opposed sides. Some advocated strengthening their respective hosts and thus being able, if necessary, to contribute to the Royal army to keep somer's at bay by showing them the strength of Anlad, and others, on the contrary, advocated being conciliatory and promoted a policy of rapprochement, and what better thing to be twinned with those of Somer than a royal wedding? The situation for the latter group was very clear, the king of Somer had an only son and heir, a young prince already of marriageable age for whom there was still no suitor. For his part,  Arcant  also had a son who would surely succeed him, Prince  Orled,and a daughter just a year and a half younger, named Esayl. And this was explained by one of the nobles of the council when taking the floor in the crowded plenary hall presided over by the monarch.

-Lord, as you know our position is leaning towards Peace, a peace that benefits our people and that makes the kingdom stronger. In our view, there is only one way to achieve that.

And this nobleman, of mature age, robust constitution, and great white mustache named Solent  went on to explain his thesis, that of those who defended the idea of conciliation with Somer. In the midst of a silence full of interest, he dyed his words with a tone full of gravity and poise to declare.

- Your Majesty, Milores, before allowing a deterioration in relations with our powerful neighbour we must exhaust all other possibilities. Princess Esayl, a beautiful young blonde with blue and sweet eyes, with a melodious voice and sensitive and docile character, would be the perfect wife for a handsome young man, of remarkable warrior qualities and with a more than careful education as mentioned to be the prince of Somer. Both young men would be satisfied since it is their duty to obey their real parents, at least in the case of Esayl, and also because with the beauty of the bride, I do not think anyone doubts that  Ishiar  will be the first to ask his father to organize the betrothal. On the other hand, surely the king of Somer would be flattered by such a link and would accept, thus sealing a new alliance between the two kingdoms that would allow the resources of Anlad engaged in the surveillance of the western border, to be diverted to the fight against the barbarian bandits of the north and to alleviate the famine that threatens to be unleashed in the kingdom.

That words immediately drew enthusiastic applause from Solent'ssupporters, but as every proposal existed on the detractor side, it was the nobles who called for greater military power to stand firm before Somer and to punish the barbarians with raids on the icy steppes of  Kalre. His spokesman, a suede man, stocky as his opponent, although somewhat younger and with black hair and beard, asked for the floor and the king granted it. After a slight tilt of the head,  Atrux,(as it was called), replied vigorously.

-Majesty and Milores, it would not be wise to hold a wedding that, in the long run, would grant inheritance rights over Anlad to a foreign monarch, in the event that the current prince of the kingdom died without issue. On the other hand, a good expedition that would take the bandits by surprise and raze enemy villages taking as much loot as possible, would greatly alleviate the problem and bring prestige to the Anladesarmy, making it safe from a possible  Someresainvasion.

And after the fiery applause that this speaker provoked in turn, Solent  again got a turn to reply.

We are all aware of the proximity of Duke Atrux's fiefs to the Kalrerian lands.  We also know that his rank of general and his large and well-equipped army give him great authority to speak of war and military campaigns, but he must not forget that the barbarians are poorer than our own peasants of Anlad and that nothing could be gotten from such an attack, except useless expenses for him and for the kingdom. On the other hand, I do not think it necessary to remember how dangerous it would be if two orders such as  Esil  in Anlad and the Kail in Somer, came to face each other after centuries of firm and cordial alliance. That would be like opening the doors to a return of the Dark Lords from whom rumors still come that they have not completely vanished from the  Magmund.

The applause was now replaced by whispers full of trepidation upon hearing the latter. This caused a man who would be around sixty years old, dressed in a long white robe embroidered with stars, to take the floor to testify.

As Grand Master of Esil  I have to say that our order took an oath of eternal friendship and help with the order of the Lords of the Kail of Somer, which is reciprocal, but which is below our oath of allegiance to the king. Anyway, if the worst fears that Duke  Solent  has exposed were confirmed the war between the two kingdoms would be a great disaster. An expedition against the barbarians would not be bad to teach them to respect our borders for a while, but I doubt it would definitely solve the problem. Instead, a renewed alliance with Somer could be very beneficial to both kingdoms. I would also like to remind this royal council that our princess is a magician of  Esil  in her elementary grade and that the crown prince of Somer, as marked by Someresiancustoms, has also been trained in some disciplines of kail. What better than that symbolic union of both orders that would also unite the two kingdoms by family ties?

Now the murmurs became one of approval, that the Grand Master of Esil  took sides decanted things quite a bit. Even so, Duke  Atrux  again used the word to insist with a tone of greater uneasiness.

Without daring to doubt the wisdom of Grand Master Argord  I do not think that those of Somer took this as an alliance of equality, but as a sign of weakness. They could believe they have the right to enter our kingdom or to ask us for help against those of Yum or those of Tibinco, known is the expansionist interest of  Esert  II. It could drag us into a war against other kingdoms or wait for the wedding to be held and harbor ideas of legitimacy about our crown.

And although he soon heard some murmurs of disbelief, others, such as Ambassador Anlades  in Somer, recently called to be relieved, said after requesting the king's permission.

-My lord and Milores of the council, from what I have been able to verify during my more than twenty years as ambassador, the king of Somer is a person of great military drive and with a tremendous ambition.  He is violent in nature, but at the same time very cunning and pragmatic, he knows how to smile full of cordiality when it suits him in the same way that he can stab in the back the next instant. He took care to strengthen his army and to unite it with the help of his warrior monks. He has made incursions into Tibinco and has obtained several strongholds there, in response to the same problem posed to us by the barbarians of the north. Only at the beginning of Vagash  has he stopped.

- That's it. - Solent replied after requesting the word. - Indeed he is not a fool, he knows that Tibinco has much richer and more productive areas than  Vagash,the places he has invaded and conquered are much more profitable than the cold erial in which Duke  Atrux  wants to put our troops. I believe that both situations are incomparable and that it would be absurd to try to imitate his actions, without forgetting the fact that he possesses the means and riches that we have lacked here for many years now.

And once again the bewildered silence of all those present, although now it was the king himself who, rising from his throne located in the center of the hall addressed his nobles.

-Milores. This question is very complicated, all of you put forward good reasons and I, of course, share your concerns. You are looking for the best for Anlad, but you will undoubtedly focus on the part of the territory that you have to protect. Nothing can censure you for it, but my duty as monarch is to care about the globality of our kingdom. Attached to that is my no less important part as a parent. - And after clearing his throat he continued in the midst of the attentive silence of his nobles. - The princess, as you all know perfectly well, is my daughter, still young, but already worthy of her high rank. He knows what his duty is to the kingdom as I know mine. I also think that both ideas you put out are partly correct. After meditating on it for days, already knowing the positions that you were going to defend, I decided. - There was a tense silence until the monarch added solemnly. - I think that the most benefits for Anlad is the alliance with Somer, in order to seal it with guarantees I will offer the hand of the princess to the heir to the throne Somers.

And after the enthusiastic applause of the victorious side, the monarch, faithful to his idea of contemporizing, added to the other part of the assembly.

"But that's not all. I don't see why both ideas can't be carried out at the same time. While we send the proposal and establish contacts with our neighbor to the west, we will send a punishment expedition north, in order to occupy and maintain defense points that plug the trickle of bandits. Anlad will be strengthened and with it we will reaffirm our independence from anyone who believes we can be a target. Of course Duke Atrux  will be in charge of commanding the troops that he will also have to finance for the most part, given that it has been he who  has proposed this strategy so brilliantly. As a prize you will enjoy the percentage of benefits that correspond to you and a new fiefdom, if you manage to establish it in enemy lands.

"For me it will be a great honor, my lord. - He replicated this immediately by taking the knob of his ceremonial dagger that he wore sheathed on his right side. -

"Well, this is what has been decided, the sitting is adjourned," the king solemnly declared. -

      And a chamberlain thundered the marble floor with a large golden rod causing those present to get up from their seats to head towards the exit. The monarch made his way to the throne room. Without wasting a moment he commissioned one of his nobles to warn his daughter. He fulfilled the requirement to the point and the young princess was informed through her ladies-in-company. Leaving them in the garden and followed by an escort of guards, commanded by a knight of Saga.

**Chapter I. The announcement**.

Esayl did not take long to go to the call, he had been presenting for a long time that something important and at the same time painful was reserved for him. Her hitherto serene and quiet life, accompanied by her ladies, playing hide-and-seek, embroidery and reading novels was sure to change.

I'm happy in my court, with my ladies-in-company and I wouldn't want to have to leave. But I'm a princess. My rank has many privileges, but also many obligations. - It was said with regret. -

It was meditating on this that she entered the chamber where her father was waiting for her along with other courtiers and the personal guard of the palace. In this way, together with the rest of his companions, he bowed when he arrived before the king and with a submissive and soft voice, he declared.

"Here I am father, my lord and king. I appear before your call. What do you want from me?

"First of all, always remain dignified and be the pride of Anlad, my daughter. - They were the words of the sovereign when he conveyed to the princess the decision he had made in the council. -

Esayl nodded slowly lowering his chin, his blue eyes did not want to face his father's so as not to show him the pain that oozed in them. He could barely retort with a faint voice thread.

I will do what is expected of me as Princess of Anlad.

The king turned his gaze to the group of courtiers who accompanied them in the throne room, these without hesitation were leaving there, since they knew well the intention of their monarch to chat alone with the princess. Although when the last of them, the one who led his guard, was about to leave, Esayl stopped him with a gesture addressing his father.

"I would like Yaribrand to stay here with me.

The sovereign observed that officer who was actually a woman, a young girl, more or less the age of his daughter, perhaps somewhat older, brunette, with deeply blue eyes and long hair collected in a braid hidden under the warrior of the uniform of the palace guard he was wearing. The girl also looked at him, apparently feeling uncomfortable, waiting for the king's instructions. This, despite the request of the princess, told her to leave for a few moments implying that she wanted to chat with Esayl in a personal way, only between father and daughter. The other girl obeyed after bowing by closing the door behind her as she exited. The monarch then shaved slightly, clearing his voice to address his daughter.

- You know that for me you are the most precious asset I have, the only thing that reminds me of your late mother, but there are times when we must sacrifice ourselves for something that is greater than us.

Esayl looked at him with resignation, she did not want to marry at all, and less with a stranger, however charming he was. Of course that was the version that both his father and some other nobles had given him of the prince of Somer. Anyway, she felt very close to someone for a long time. However, that, in his position, meant nothing. Now he experienced the bitterness of having to give up his own feelings, just as he had done until he met the person who occupied his heart. But all that was inconsequential now, she too had been educated in duty and in the awareness of the role she should play, considering that she was a woman and the younger sister of the crown prince of Anlad. The truth is that his destiny was marked, either in an advantageous marriage for his country, or to sign an alliance, or perhaps to add some autonomous territory to the crown, even as a bargaining chip for his brother's future wife.

-My personal happiness does not count, I have always known it, but it is one thing to keep it in mind and another when the fateful moment comes to make it happen. - It was said. -

Of course, she meditated on it in silence without making a gesture to speak, or even to respond to her father's conciliatory attempt to encourage her, and he was trying to justify himself even  more, he added.

- Do you remember what I told you when you were very young? That which, in turn, my father told me.

   Esayl nodded reluctantly and instead listened to his father continue with more animation.

-I was just a newborn when the old Grand Master of Esil,  Eryd  E'Don, came to the court to see my parents, she prophesied to them that a maiden of the most noble lineage would be born who would do the miracle of uniting two great kingdoms, despite the great sacrifice she would have to make. But she would get something that would reward her a thousand times. I am convinced that this maiden is you, my daughter. You will do great things for this country and for the entire  Magmud!

I just hope to be worthy of that great responsibility. - She muttered lowering her head. -

- Of course you will be! - The king immediately replied by laying his hands on the girl's shoulders to sentence. - You are the most beautiful and the most charming girl in Anlad.

And after giving him a fatherly kiss on the forehead the king left the throne room, outside, anxious for that family reunion to end, was Yaribrand. The gentleman walked nervously until she saw how the large door of the hall opened, immediately stopped her walk and bowed to the monarch who walked away passing by her after nodding slowly to the greeting. The woman did not take a second to enter the room discovering there the princess who now remained standing, in the middle of the room, with her eyes flooded with tears.

"Everything is decided, Yari. - Esayl could sigh. -

The gentleman hugged her trying to instill encouragement. After a few moments like this, he separated from his mistress and wiped away her tears with a thin handkerchief and told her.

"I will always remain by your side. Wherever they take you.

   The princess tried to answer, but could only look at her interlocutor with discomfort, Yaribrand insisted on giving her support and with a slight smile added.

-You will always need an escort or at least a lady-in-company.

- Lady-in-company, you? - Esayl was able to smile now despite her tears when she added. - Agirl who has been raised as a boy!

"Well, believe it or not, I'm not to blame for my father not being able to have children with my mother. Only me and my sister Wenda.- She replenished this one with a funny gesture, now twisting her mouth in a grimace of feigned horror to add. - But I prefer my way of being to that of my older sister, she has only lived to be a perfect wife, she is looking forward to marrying some nobleman and ruling in her own house. I could never be as shallow and stretched as she was.

-I would gladly give you my own betrothal. - Esayl said. -

-Surely she would love it, it would be her dream come true, to be a princess and one day queen, and of Somer no less! Nice country. - Yaribrand valued to add convinced and at the same time even sorry for it -. Too bad my sister and I are simply the daughters of an earl and that she doesn't have enough rank to marry a prince.

-You are much more than that. - Secured the princess by gently stroking the knight's cheeks while listing. - You are more than my friend, you are the only one who has understood me since we met.

-I am at your service, my life is yours. - Yaribrand sentenced bringing his face closer to that of the princess, he had to bend down a little given the difference in height between the two, although he immediately recomposed the gesture by discreetly moving away when he heard the door open.

Esayl looked at her as if waking up from a dream, just then he became warned of the presence of Count D, Overt,Yaribrand's father. That man, tall, gray-haired, with a leafy mustache, stocky and middle-aged, perhaps in his fifties, bowed respectfully to the princess and went on to address his daughter.

-Delighted to see you your highness. - He waved to immediately address his offspring. - I was looking for you, I must talk to you. With his highness' permission of course. - He added with a much softer and considerate tone than his usual dry firm voice-.

"Speak without reservation, I must go to my camera. – The princess replied by moving away from them to leave the room. -

After bowing de rigueurly, Yaribrand and her father did the same by walking along a long corridor that overlooked the outside, went out to the gardens and during the journey the count told him.

-I guess you already know the news, the princess's wedding has been agreed with the courts, now it remains to reach an agreement with Somer.

"Yes, father, I know." He admitted this with zero enthusiasm -.

I hope that, as the princess escort, you will keep your eyes wide open. You never know who or who  might try to sabotage this compromise. The count added by giving a look at his daughter that seemed more of reprobation than warning. -

Yaribrand tightened the gesture, would his father never give him the benefit of the doubt? Did it always have to seem that she should ask for forgiveness or prove her worth? He could barely contain his anger when he replied.

-To date I do not think you have had complaints about my behavior, both in the tests to be named a knight of Saga, and in my work of custody of the princess. -

-You are a knight of Saga in the testing phase still. Don't forget that. - She was reminded by her father almost atoning her for it, and added almost without giving time for the girl to fit that last pullazo. - Consider yourself very lucky to have managed to enter an order that was always exclusively male. My friendship with Duke Lorted,Lord Galdran'solder brother, your master, was something that helped you a lot. As for your work as a guard of the princess, so far all you have done is accompany her to falconry sessions and walk around the garden, as we do now. But this time things could be different and get really hard if someone tried to attempt against his life.

      The girl's gaze said it all, her eyes burned with indignation, she passed the harsh tests to which the instructors subjected her and with the added difficulty that she was a woman! Even so, and thanks even to the intercession of Esayl, and her own father, she had to accept that a trial period of three winters was imposed on her to be officially named a knight of Saga. It was totally unfair, but being born a female had those disadvantages. On the other hand, he was glad that, at least, he coincided in one thing with his father. Both desired a male education for her, even if each other's motives were diametrically opposed. Yaribrand since she was a child gladly accepted that distinction; she was never interested in dolls or learning to cook or behave like a distinguished lady, wearing convoluted dresses and dancing with handsome young men, as her older sister had done. He had, of course, to study the notions that the label required for his rank. Then, from the age of twelve, she was trained like a boy, she learned to fight, to fight by riding. Then, at the age of fifteen, he was initiated into the order of Saga. Needless to say, her male peers did not accept a woman into their ranks, she had to stay isolated always and progress as best she could almost by herself. And when, after three years, he finally finished the instruction, because of the circumstances, he was left with that additional probationary period. It had to do with other aspirants, much less gifted in most disciplines, being armed knights while she was postponed. She could have even been rejected in the last of the challenges, the hardest and most dangerous. Luckily he met the princess then, although that was another story.

Not to mention the marriage propositions that I have had to dodge. Fortunately my father preferred to get into the order of Saga, being the most powerful along with that of the White Mountain, being part of it is a great honor. And, in addition, you must be celibate. Which suits me very well. That way I've been fortunate either to avoid more suitors.

    Of course, she was not interested in any young man, no matter how attractive and virile he was. That was precisely what he disliked. His love interests were going down a totally opposite path and he was thanked for having had the possibility of escaping from a marriage.

"I could never have done that. – I thought almost trembling. -

And that was how little he had been able to really scare her. As for her father, she knew well the reasons for that hostility, if not anger, which paradoxically were sometimes combined with a strange attitude of supporting her to the end in her aspirations. It was easy after all, for his father the desire to have had a son who inherited his surname and his lands was a vain goal. When Yaribrand was born, her mother had complications in childbirth and she had to be removed from almost the same stomach. The Countess was saved, and she was born without problems, but at the cost of her mother being unable to have more children. That was a severe blow to the Count who, although she never openly admitted it, blamed her for such a situation. Those lapidary phrases that he let go of when Yaribrand was younger; "if you had been born a man", or, why do I want two daughters, being in the absence of a male heir? "Now our legacy will be lost" That had hurt him a lot, but over the years his character hardened and tempered. Actually, now he didn't care, he only aspired to do his duty well and never leave Esayl alone.

-Father. - He was able to respond by trying to calm down. - Try to trust me, I will do my duty, even if it costs me my life. Nothing bad will happen to the princess, I assure you.

- Good. - The count nodded reluctantly, to conclude. - That was all he came to tell you, be careful and stay  alert. Let it be as you say and let it not be a member of house D,  Overt  who brings dishonor and misfortune to this court. I only pray to the gods for that, don't forget.

And without expecting any answer he walked away squeezing the pace, leaving his daughter with a rictus between desperate, powerless and sad. Anyway, Yaribrand recovered right away, she had to be stronger than anyone and more cunning than anyone to be able to succeed in any company she undertook. Many times he was inspired by that story that Esayl had told him in his long candlelight conversations. The princess indeed spoke for hours and she listened to her with authentic devotion, narrated very well the legends and more than any, the story of the Grand Master Eryd  E, Don.

"Listen to me Yari," I said when they were both lying on the princess's bed. -This admirable woman was once a young woman of high lineage whose illusion had been to become a great magician and who achieved it despite all the impediments she encountered in her path, given her sex and condition. But on a journey through the great desert of Vagash  he changed his life, there he joined a great hero and his companions, one of them another warrior woman, engaged in a divine mission. The then young magician, along with her uncle and her fiancé, a knight from Saga, fought bravely to help them. His uncle, the legendary  Dorein  E don and his fiancé, a knight named  Galad,died fighting against the beings of darkness, but  Eryd  managed to help that hero to return to his distant land and thus fulfill the mission he had entrusted by the gods. In this way the girl was able to return in the company of a repentant former bandit who sang  praises of her, realizing her value. For some reason, perhaps the millennial wisdom, or the temperance and virtue they possessed, the Magi of  Esil  were not as intolerant of women as the rest of the people. The girl, being in addition to the lineage of the glorious  Banil,E Don, national hero  Anlades,managed to berecognized and was able to culminate a brilliant career that led her to be the first female Master in the history of the Order.

"It's incredible. Although what strikes me the most is that warrior woman. -

-Well, according to the chronicles it was very much like you. - Esayl was laughed, detailing. – rhea with long black hair, intense blue eyes and great stature, he surpassed most of them men in height and vigor.

"Well, I'm tall, but not so much. – The gentleman laughed in turn. –

Esayl gave her a kiss on the cheek and continued to chatter endlessly about that legendary master, about how she could impose her desires on a world of men and learn magic.

I would like to be like her, in all aspects, including mastering those complicated spells. - The princess asserted. -

Yaribrand wanted to think that she would get it too. To be like Eryd  E Don, or perhaps like that other woman from distant lands and unknown name who accompanied the foreign hero. He sighed trying to breathe encouragement and returned to the interior of the palace heading to the royal rooms of his lady. There he soon ran into Esayl. The princess was sitting on her bed, fiddling with a gold chain that slipped between her fingers just as the knight knocked on the door.

- Yes? - Inquired the Esayl in a muffled voice, from the other side. -

- It's me. - He heard his guardian reply. -

Esayl didn't have to say anything, Yaribrand opened the door and walked in slowly until he reached her. A moment of silence passed and that was when the princess sighed taking the floor.

"I wish I wasn't the king's daughter. Sometimes I just wish I was a peasant girl who wasn't tied to marriage pacts.

-I believe that women are always subject to the decision of men, the same gives nobles as commoners, rich as poor. - Yaribrand opposed with a tone of frank and resigned sincerity. -

"Could I refuse, you know?" - Replied the princess who now seemed more affected when speaking, barely able to do so without sobbing when she added. - If I wanted to refuse, I could be tried for treason to the crown and even, why not?, executed or banished. If it were only for me, I wouldn't hesitate...

   Yaribrand sat next to her with a comforting arm over her shoulders and pulling her to himself, Esayl turned to the knight so that both were united in a hug.

"I have already told you, I will go wherever you go, I will share your sufferings and if necessary I will die for you. If you  refuse I will support you and they will have to execute us both because I will pierce with my sword anyone who tries to touch you! - He sentenced clinging to the silver knob of his weapon, sheathed in his sheath on his right side.

And boy did he mean it! To hell with the family pride of a father who reproached her for not having been male. However, Yaribrand was convinced of one thing, no man would love his princess as much as she did. They only saw the appearance of a beautiful and submissive young woman, but Yari knew the restless part, full of dreams and illusions and love that Esayl had within him. If instead of a princess she had been born a commoner, she would have taken her with her to the end of the world. But all those ideas died instantly as soon as her protégé added with deep regret.

"But every time I remember the faces of those children in the villages we crossed, faces of misery and hopelessness, I tell myself that I have no right to be so selfish, deep in my heart I know that I must do my duty.

- Don't say that! - Yaribrand was able to whisper to him now with a broken voice. - You know you break my soul when I hear you talk like that. You take all my strength away. I would die for you, I would fight an entire army to get you away from this, but only if you wanted to!

The princess remade  herself a little of her regret and slightly separating herself from Yaribrand caressed the cheeks of the knight to join her lips to hers in a slow and warm kiss, when she concluded she could respond by looking into her eyes.

"I know that your main weakness is your big heart, Yari. You would fight a legion of dark demons, but you are unable to see an innocent suffer. You always behave like a true knight of Saga and that is your tragedy, as mine is to be a princess unable to close her eyes any longer to the truth of my situation, those eyes that you yourself opened to me when I met you.

    Yaribrand did not respond to those words, he clung to her by gently knocking her down on the bed and Esayl let herself be done, given over to the caresses of her companion, to which she responded in turn with the same sweetness. And during that exchange of attentions both stripped off their clothes entering under the protection of the sheets,touring the body of the other as if it were the first time. After a while, the two rested, Esayl resting his head on the chest of his guardian while she played with the hair of the princess.

- Will we both be allowed to stay together as we do now? - The gentleman asked in a voice, almost as if she threw the question to a non-existent interlocutor or that she did not deign to listen to her, although it was Esayl who answered. -

Princesses have always had the prerogative of keeping at least one lady from their homeland to serve them and make it less difficult for them to acclimatize to a strange land when they have to travel or go to live in it.

Yaribrand kept a thick silence, both she and Esayl knew full well that this was not the point of their question. Would the princess's future husband approve of this kind of union between the two? Who knows! Perhaps there was hope that the Princess of Anlad was only a mere political duty for him and that as soon as he married her and the first weeks of marriage had elapsed he would leave her aside to continue with his usual life. Surely he would have numerous more or less official mistresses in Somer and would devote himself to them. All you had to do was be patient. But, when he thought like this, it was inevitable that another much more terrible idea would cross his mind as well. What if it wasn't? What if that foreign prince really fell in love with Esayl? Who could reproach him?

-She is beautiful, intelligent and sweet. Who wouldn't fall in love with her? – It was said with anguish. -

         What would happen if he kept her with him in an iron and unaffordable way and separated them? No, I couldn't stand that! They would have to keep their love a secret. Although it could also happen that he discovered everything and that far from bothering him it seemed an added incentive. Yaribrand was not unaware that for men she was still a beautiful woman. She recalled again that, despite her rough manners or her prowess in combat, her own companions sometimes tried to seduce her, either with false promises or with sincere desires for marriage, but she would never accept such a thing. Intimate relations with a man were not acceptable to him. However, if it had to be with the prince of Somer, by Esayl... She swallowed meditating on it, before she would rather kill him, and then be executed, or take her own life and was convinced that Esayl would follow her, but they returned to the problem that gripped them both, their respective feelings of loyalty and duty not to themselves or their families, but to the thousands of disadvantaged of their homeland. And those thoughts were underlined once again by his companion who muttered barely audibly.

"Every time I close my eyes I see those looks saying. Help! And I can't refuse to do it in the only way I have.

Yaribrand nodded slowly. That was Esayl's drama, being so gentle and pure-hearted.

-You are tired. - The gentleman whispered lovingly in his ear. -

And gently coming out of bed he let him sleep, the princess was still lying down, already surrendering to sleep and she dressed again. He was to go to his guard post. That night she had to be awake. After gifting her with a couple more short kisses he came out of the alcoba. Fortunately, no one was in the corridors nearby. The guard was stationed at the entrance of the main corridor, completely oblivious to what was happening in the princess's chambers. Beyond, there was the prince's chamber, Yaribrand moved his head resigned to the future sovereign of Anlad, a boy of little determination and with a minimum concern for his kingdom. It's not that he was a bad person, it's that he just didn't have the necessary sights, he just led a comfortable life trying to do what his father told him to. Arcant  III  was a good king, prudent and respectful. In spite of everything, Yari could not blame him for the decision made, he understood that for the monarch it was equally painful as for Esayl herself, but it was simply the only thing he could do given the circumstances. Why couldn't it be Prince  Harat  who married some foreign queen leaving his sister the succession in Anlad?

- I wish the world were like this! - He sighed. -

And that was an easy question to answer. He was the oldest and above all he was a man. Even if I hadn't shown it yet. Yari shook his head wishing to forget about it and continued with his round. The girl remembered those days gone by, when that terrible decision took shape, when, both she and Esayl, discovered with horror the authentic  situation of their kingdom.

"We could never even imagine it. - The gentleman thought with even a feeling of guilt. -

That morning the princess was particularly radiant and Yaribrand began to fear for the future...

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