Flight of the Five Swans
Fear Chapter 2

Cliodne

“Checkmate.”

Cliodnestared at the board in consternation. Back in Kyoria, she had been the undefeated chess master since the ageof six. Her sisters had long stoppedtrying to challenge her, and even Ty hesitated when she invited him toplay. Defeat in chess was an unpleasantfeeling that she had never really experienced before coming to Deturus.

Correction:She’d never experienced defeat before playing against Soran.

She blew ather bangs and glanced up at her opponent. Lord Soran tossed his white-blond hair out of his eyes and lounged inhis chair, a crooked, somewhat cocky smile on his face. As eldest nephew to the as-yet unmarriedDeturian king, Soran was King Einor’s heir and closest advisor. He had personally taken it upon himself toensure that Cliodne’s stay was both comfortable and productive since herarrival at the palace nearly five months prior. In fact, it was largely due to Soran’s natural diplomacy that trade negotiationshad been completed so swiftly, as Deturian custom typically did not favor fastaction of any kind—though Cliodne herself would not have labeled a two-yearendeavor as fast by any means. Soran hadbecome Cliodne’s almost constant companion, escorting her on rides through theforest and outlying villages, recommending all manner of books for her to read,and thoroughly thrashing her in their now-daily chess matches.

So maybe hewasn’t entirely diplomatic after all.

Cliodneleaned back as well, mirroring Soran’s unconcerned position.

“Icompletely missed that knight.” She said ruefully.

Soran beganreplacing the chess pieces in their proper starting places on the board. “You were too distracted by the queen.” His green eyes darted up to meet Cliodne’s,holding her gaze a split second more than necessary before glancing back downat his busy hands. Cliodne cocked herhead and narrowed her eyes. This wasn’tthe first time she’d suspected Soran of flirting with her and to be perfectlyhonest, she didn’t know how she felt—nor what to do about it. Eralie had always been the romantic one, orRaia.

“Andspeaking of queens…” Soran began. Cliodne felt a slight twinge of panic. “Has your sister responded to ourinvitation yet?”

Cliodnealmost laughed out loud. “Well, Eralie’snot the queen just yet, though I do believe it’s only a matter of time beforeFather makes it so. But I didn’t writeto her, I wrote to Father. And no, I’veno response from anyone yet.”

“Pity.”

Cliodne setto work helping Soran set up the pieces for another game. As she contemplated her first move, the doorto the drawing room opened and admitted the robust figure of King Einor. Tall yet sturdy, the king of Deturus’simplacable expression concealed a heart of gold and deeply generous nature—aswell as a rather wicked sense of humor. He was around her father’s age, and had been one of Kyoria’s closestallies for a number of years.

“I knew I’dreplace the two of you in here.” He boomed, his twinkling eyes making up for thelack of smile gracing his face. “I hopeI’m not interrupting.”

Cliodnestood and curtseyed. “Not at all, your Highness. Perhaps this is my cue that I’ve humiliatedmyself enough for today.”

King Einorlaughed, a full chortle as robust as he was. Lord Soran merely smiled, and though she knew her joke had been ratherweak, Cliodne was disappointed. In fivemonths, she had yet to hear Soran laugh. He smiled, certainly, and his smiles seemed genuine, but she had yet tosee anything amuse him even to the point of chuckling.

King Einorwas still chortling as he reached into his vest and handed Cliodne an envelopemade of heavy parchment. Cliodne knewfrom where it had originated even before seeing the Kyorian royal seal stampedinto the wax.

“It must bemy father’s response!” she saidexcitedly, taking the envelope. Thetemptation to rip it open was great, but Cliodne refrained, calmly acceptingthe silver letter opener offered by King Einor.

She scannedthe contents quickly, highly aware of King Einor and Soran’s gazes as she didso. A smile crossed her face.

“Fathersays that he can’t make it—I expected that—but my sisters would like to come!”

King Einorsmiled one of his rare smiles, a clear indication that he was happy at thenews. Soran seemed to hold his breath amoment, then asked her, “All of them?”

Cliodneglanced at the page again. “Well, Eralie has said she won’t be coming, butFather advises us to be prepared to welcome her all the same, as ‘things mightchange’.”

Lord Soranchuckled.

Cliodnestarted, glancing at him in surprise. King Einor didn’t seem to think anything amiss. “And welcome them, we shall!”

Soranclapped a hand onto the king’s shoulder. “I’ll send for a bottle of champagne,shall I? This is a cause forcelebration!”

King Einorchuckled, “It’s a bit early for champagne, m’boy. It’s not past three.”

But Soranwas not to be deterred. “A glass of wine, then, Uncle! Just enough to make a toast.” He strode overto the door to hail a servant and pass along his request. Cliodne folded her letter and tucked it intoher sleeve. She would reread it morethoroughly when she was alone.

King Einorturned to Cliodne and clasped her by the shoulders. “Princess Cliodne, I want to thank youpersonally for all of your hard work. With this new treaty, my people will soon be clothed in the finestfabrics Kyoria has to offer, and your buildings adorned with the loveliest ofour Deturian stained glass!”

Cliodneglowed at the praise, and while she knew humility was supposed to be a virtue,she couldn’t help feeling proud of their success. She had not had an easy time of it, to besure. While Kyoria and Deturus had beenallies for over a century, the exchange of goods between the two nations had alwaysproven complicated due to the different customs of negotiation. In general, Deturians saw the citizens ofKyoria as impatient and impetuous when it came to trade, while Kyorians feltthat those from Deturus were laboriously slow in decision-making. In years previous, negotiating trade agreementssuch as theirs had always taken a minimum of five years to complete. Yet here they were after less than two yearswith an agreement that pleased everyone.

Cliodnefelt she had good reason to be proud.

King Einorreleased her and turned to stare at the chessboard and the chess pieces stillwaiting for the move that Cliodne would no longer be making that day. He picked up the white queen, and rubbed hisfinger over the face of it.

“You know,Cliodne,” he started, “Your father once spent an entire year here in Deturuswhen we were kids. He was a goodfriend—still is—and he’s a great man. And you’re just like him.”

He coughed,slightly. Cliodne could not raise hergaze from the white queen in his hand. She felt moved, but also slightly awkward.

“What I’mtrying to say is that I’d be proud to count you among my family.” The kingconcluded. Cliodne smiled and claspedhis hand—still holding the chess piece—between both of her own.

Lord Soranreentered the drawing room, his crooked smile firmly in place.

Immediately behind him was a manservant holding a tray witha wine bottle and three glasses. Cliodnedidn’t recognize the servant, which surprised her; she had been studiouslyattempting to learn the names and faces of all those working in the Deturianpalace, and she was disappointed at this sign that she had clearly missedsomeone—possibly even multiple someones. The man placed the tray on a small side table near the chessboard andmoved to pour the wine, but was waved away by Lord Soran. He backed away from the table, but Cliodnenoticed that he did not leave the room. Rather, he took a place by the door, standing with his arms behind hisback as though guarding it from intruders.

Lord Soranpoured the wine himself, filling each glass halfway with the ruby-coloredliquid.

“I believethat’s more than what we’d need for a toast.” Cliodne observed ruefully. King Einor chuckled and nodded at her, butSoran took no notice. He handed two ofthe glasses to Cliodne and the king before grabbing the third for himself.

Lord Soranraised his glass in the air. “A toast!” He glanced at the two of them, and thenback at the silent manservant by the door. “To changing times!”

As Cliodnetook a sip, sounds of shouting broke out in the corridor outside, followed bythe metallic chime of swords.