Page 63 of The Awakening of Essensia

“I don’t think so, Cassi,” said the other, more timidly.

Erryn straightened. “Cassivelle. Ottelienne. How can I be of assistance?” Her voice was polite but edged with iron.

“Oh, Erryn dear, we simply could not believe it when we heard,” Cassivelle trilled. “You, here? Among the… practical folk?” She glanced around, wrinkling her pointed nose. Ottelienne stifled a smile.

Erryn tilted her head slightly but said nothing.

“If our chapel was open, we wouldn’t have come, of course,” Cassivelle added, placing a manicured hand on her sister’s shoulder. “But we needed to pray.”

“Why isn’t your chapel open?” Vaelira asked.

Cassivelle didn’t spare her a glance. “You should already know. Unless they’re just handing out uniforms these days.”

Erryn clasped her hands behind her back. “Vaelira is a recruit,” she said more firmly, and turned to Vaelira. “Her Majesty has been using the noble chapel daily. It's been closed to others indefinitely.”

It didn’t surprise Vaelira that Queen Mairese was devout, but claiming the chapel for herself was bold. It would anger many people.

Cassivelle’s lip curled. “I do hope they aren’t making you scrub the latrines,” she said sweetly. She tapped a finger to her lips. “Perhaps if I speak to Father, he might be able to secure you a transfer. You remember our parents of course, Lord Beredain and Lady Viondrella?”

Erryn inclined her head. “Of course. We are all grateful for Lord and Lady Dorevanne’s continued commitment to keeping Caerthalyn safe.”

Cassivelle and Ottelienne looked at Vaelira.

Vaelira cleared her throat. “Yes. Very grateful.”

Cassivelle’s eyes dropped to Vaelira’s boots, her simple plait. She didn’t bother hiding her disdain.

“Mother and Father refuse to visit the town,” Ottelienne said, attempting her sister's sneer but falling short. “They insist the air makes them congested.”

“I think I must agree with them,” Cassivelle said. She brought her fist to her mouth and let out the most ridiculous, high-pitched cough Vaelira had ever heard. She had to bite the inside of her cheek not to laugh. As far as she could tell, the mountain air was the same in every part of the city.

A muscle twitched in Erryn’s jaw, but her face remained unreadable.

“We must retire,” Cassivelle said airily. “Mother will be inconsolable if we return any later.” She linked arms with her sister and swept away, offering no farewell.

Erryn exhaled, turning in the opposite direction to continue their patrol. Vaelira jogged to catch up.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“An insufferable reminder of my past.”

“You’re noble?”

Erryn’s stride faltered, but she kept walking. “Not anymore. I left that life a long time ago.”

“That must have been difficult,” Vaelira said gently. She didn’t want to push. She didn’t want to talk about her own past either, but she couldn’t help but wonder how a noble girl had ended up as a member of the Royal Guard.

“Easier than you’d think. My father…” Erryn trailed off as they turned down a narrower street into the residential district. “Let’s just say, he’s worse than those two.”

Vaelira laughed quietly. “They were terrible. Why are we grateful to their parents again?”

“Their father donates gold to the Guard. It’s bought him the King’s favour. Not that he uses it for much besides—”

Erryn stopped. Her hand went to her sword, head on a swivel.

Vaelira scanned the empty street, but she saw nothing.

Then the stench hit her.