A slow, unreadable calm settled over King Master's face as he finished studying them. He smiled warmly. "It is an honor to finally meet you Solace, truly," he said, " I'm sorry for the crowd, and the noise." His gaze moved briefly to the others, and he nodded with what looked like genuine admiration. "And your crew… I watched the recording but seeing them, seeing you, is different." Arlenna stepped a little closer to Solace, quietly watching.
King Master continued with the same gentle tone. "It is rare to see a Sovereign so young lead a crew with that kind of composure, you should be proud." He gave a small smile. Solace fidgeted, uncertain what to do with the praise.
King Master turned to Thiago."You can work with whatever you have, and you do it exceptionally fast, it's incredible."
"I'm just doing my job," Thiago said, shrugging.
King master chuckled and his gaze shifted to Arlenna.
Thiago looked over at Solace, "It's not my fault I was born different, you know."
"Born a bum maybe," Solace replied with a smile.
"Hey little sov," Thiago said excitedly. He was grinning ear to ear before saying flatly, "I hope the next time you eat fruit it's all soft. Actually navi I take that back… I hope it's all mushy."
Solace placed a hand over her heart and curled her fingers "Did you just curse me… I swear if my fruit is soft and you cursed me, we're gonna have problems."
As she talked, Thiago had a hand up and his four fingers were tapping on his thumb. After she finished he said, "Yapping, yapping and um…" He held his chin and looked up at the sky for a moment. "...Oh yeah, yapping, that's all I heard."
Solace squinted her eyes,"Just remember what was said here today bud."
"And you," King Master said, "Your timing was impeccable, anticipation like that cannot be taught, It is felt." Arlenna's brows lifted slightly. She only acknowledged him with a small nod.
King Master's attention moved again, and paused when his eyes landed on Kidwild. "And what do we have here?" he asked, curiosity threading through his calm. "I wasn't expecting you." She lifted her head slightly to look at him. "But you are welcome," King Master added.
"Thank you," Kidwild said flatly.
Finally, his gaze returned to the three as a whole. "You are a strong crew," he said. "Stronger than you realize." King master put his hands together and bowed down to the group "Bowing is the highest form of respect."
Solace didn't hesitate, "Oh and Kidwilds the newest addition."
Thiago's head snapped toward her, eyes wide. Why would we possibly need a child on the crew? You cannot be serious. Am I expected to pull my punches around her too, what a joke.
"That's exciting, If Solace wants you on her crew I'm sure you're special as well," King Master said.
"Not at all," Kidwild replied immediately.
Solace rolled her eyes, "Relax with all of that negativity wildkid."
Arlenna glanced at Kidwild, then back to Solace, expression unbothered. She leaned in toward kidwild and whispered, "If you need anything don't hesitate to ask." She straightened and looked away.
Kidwild just stared at her until Arlenna noticed. Arlenna smiled at her and she smiled back. "Thank you," Kidwild said genuinely. Arlenna just winked at her.
King Master looked at Solace for a second longer, then inclined his head slightly. He exhaled a small breath. "It has been a long day for all of you," he said, "I can see that." He gestured toward the massive flight of steps leading to the entrance. "If you would like, we can go inside."
Solace lit up, "Yes, let's go inside."
"The castle is beautiful," Arlenna said, after taking a good look.
King Master gave a small smile, "I call it Big House 1676." He stepped aside and put a hand out. "After you"
Solace jogged up the stairs, at the top she turned around and waited for the others. As the door settled behind them, a figure emerged from a side hallway, King Master's grand mender.
She was tall, around five-ten, just a little shorter than Arlenna. Long straight black hair fell freely down her back. Her eyes were an impossible blue, bright enough to look unreal against her incredibly sun kissed skin. She had on an oversized, white tunic with wide sleeves that swallowed her arms. She wore a high-waisted belt around it, slim black pants, and white boots with multiple horizontal buckles. Only her ears broke the illusion of peace, they had once been pointed. Now the tips were blunt and uneven, cut short in a way that was unmistakably deliberate.
King Master glanced toward her. "This is my Grand Mender, she works at a distance. I'm going to be right back while she tends to you."
The mender lifted her head, and her hands remained relaxed at her sides. "If you allow it," she said gently, "I can tend to your injuries, no contact needed."
Solace blinked. King Wonek told her about this technique, but she was still surprised. She'd never heard of a healer that didn't demand physical touch, and this one stayed well outside her space. Solace hesitated, then gave a small nod.
The mender brought her hands together, and for a brief moment nothing happened. As light gathered between her hands, she spread them apart horizontally. The light condensed, shaping itself into a long pale wand.
She raised the wand and slowly made two circles in the air before pointing it at solace. A light flowed outward, guided by the faint movement of her hands. It danced over to solace, a mix of yellow, pink, and blue. When it reached solace, warmth spread through her body. The cut on her lip closed, her ribs stopped aching, and the bruises went away. The shoulder that was once out of place popped back in, and her neck was no longer sore.
The mender stepped back, "All done, If anything still aches, tell me and I can adjust it."
Solace pressed her fingers lightly to her ribs, no pain. "Thank you so much, I was being held together by those bandage wraps, the ones you put on your body." Solace started laughing as she took off all of the cohesive bandages.
"How many did you use?" The mender asked, eyes wide as she watched a pile of bandages form next to her.
"Before I answer that," Solace said, "What's your name?"
"My name is Claudelle," She replied, "Now back to my question."
Solace started chuckling "Um, we brought a ton just in case there was an emergency so… all of them."
"All of them is crazy navi," Arlenna said.
"Well, Adaptability is the key to life, and I don't do menders so I adapted," solace said, "I didn't know I had so many injuries though, I think I got used to it overtime."
"Wait, that's what you were doing in the trunk of Miss Motion?" Arlenna asked, "WAIT, That's why you didn't get the tattoo on your waist, or show it to me when I asked."
Solace shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not."
Thiago glanced back and forth between Arlenna and Solace, "You're telling me you spent all this time just wrapped up?"
Solace nodded, "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do." She smiled, "I wrapped myself up so tight I couldn't move my torso."
"Wait a second, you got a tattoo with broken ribs and a beat up body?" Claudelle asked.
"I just got them on my arms it wasn't bad, you don't know how long I've been looking for good numbing cream," Solace said, "And I got ones that moved, so I just moved those to where I would have gotten them if I wasn't sore.
"I knew you were lying," Arlenna mumbled.
"That's insane," Claudelle said.
"I survived, it's all good," Solace replied.
Arlenna pinched her nose, looked down and laughed as she shook her head.
"The things that you will do just so you won't get touched. Wild, but I gotta respect the determination," Thiago said.
"No, you really don't," Claudelle said, disgusted. Thiago and Arlenna looked over, saw her grimacing face and cracked up. Thiago turned as he laughed and slammed into a chair hard, it folded him at his waist and his legs came up.
Solace, Kidwild, and Claudelle burst out laughing. Arlenna had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard, and Solace was getting a cramp. Arlenna and Solace laughed harder once they actually realized kidwild was laughing too.
Thiago got up, and was immediately annoyed, "Why would they put a chair right there bro."
"People usually sit on chairs, I guess what you did works too," Arlenna said. Thiago started glaring at her.
"Is that how everyone who's born different sits on a chair, or is that a special technique?" Solace added. When Thiago looked at her she turned. "Wow such lovely decor, wouldn't you say Arlenna?"
"Truly spectacular," Arlenna replied, "Some might even say devine."
"You guys are not funny," Thiago said, and everyone chuckled. Even Thiago.
At that time King Master came back into the room."Food will be ready in a moment," he said, "And it doesn't matter if you're hungry or not, I had a few options prepared for everyone."
"Wow, what perfect timing," Solace said. When he came in Claudellle's laughter cut short, she turned around, and walked out without saying anything.
King Master led them down the quiet hallway toward a dining space prepared for travelers. He pushed the door open and gestured for them to enter. They sat down, and not too long after King Wonek came to join them.
"You guys look a lot better," King Wonek said, "Had a visit with the mender I see."
Solace smiled, "Yeah, I can actually bend now."
King wonek chuckled, "That's good news."
"Where have you been," Thiago asked.
"Just doing some work around the castle," King Wonek said.
King Master smiled, "He can never sit still,"
King Wonek laughed, "I don't know what's wrong with me."
Another door swung open, and a woman stepped out. King Master glanced over. "This is Julie-June," he said, as if he knew she wouldn't speak.
She was small, only a little taller than Solace, around five-two, with the same unobtrusive presence that made her movements easy to miss. She had hazel eyes, and her skin was a sun kissed dark brown. Her hair fell in long, loose curls down her back, dark brown mixed with lighter shades that shifted gently as she moved.
She placed dishes from the cart onto the table one by one without seeking eye contact. Roasted vegetables, soft breads, and soups. Solace's gaze tracked the tray Julie-June carried. Near the back, set slightly apart from the others, was a small plate that clearly belonged to her. The textures were softer without being mushy, and the portions balanced. Solace watched Julie-June. The blank expression, the fast, sure hands, and the absolute lack of wasted movement. Julie-June set everything down and stepped away without a sound.
King Master smiled faintly, "I asked her to make something that would be comfortable for you." Solace didn't respond, she was still watching Julie-June.
After the last tray came out, the dessert selection was small, mild pastries and sweet breads, nothing Solace cared for. Kidwild ate her food but didn't care for it. When she saw the dessert selection, she gave a small smile and never stopped going back for more, stacking her plate as high as she could every time.
Julie-June placed a small bowl of fruit, slightly unripe, and cut into perfect bite sized pieces in front of solace. It was exactly how Solace preferred it. Julie-June stepped back again, her expression unchanged. Solace stared at the bowl for a quiet moment, then she rose. She took the bowl with her and slipped out of the room, her steps so light Thiago never noticed her leave, he was still focused on his own plate.
Arlenna glanced over a moment later, only realizing then that Solace was gone. Her brows lifted slightly, Thiago looked up when he noticed Arlenna searching, but by then Solace was already moving down the hallway.
Solace was eating the firm fruit one piece at a time as she traced Julie-June's path with soundless footsteps, drawn to the girl with the blank face and perfect knife skills. She slipped into the kitchen as if she belonged there, it was warm and quiet. Julie-June stood at the counter washing her hands.
Solace stepped further inside, holding her bowl. "Thank you."
Julie-June jumped, eyes wide for one second before settling back into neutrality. "For what?"
Solace lifted the bowl, "For this, nobody makes food the way I actually like it." Something flickered in Julie-June, a small internal shift rather than any visible softening. She looked at the bowl, then at Solace. "Do you want more?"
"Yes," Solace said immediately.
Julie-June nodded, and reached for a container she had prepared earlier. She added fruit to Solace's bowl, paused, then said, "There's more if you want it."
Solace's face, usually unreadable, brightened just a little. She scanned the room and found a small stool tucked under one of the counters. She pulled it out, sat down quietly, and placed the bowl in her lap. The kitchen hummed with a steady calm that wrapped around them both. Julie-June returned to her station, pulling out a cutting board and a knife.
Solace took another bite of fruit, and watched Julie-June. "It's good."
Julie-June didn't turn around. "It wasn't hard." Her knife moved with perfect precision, every slice identical. After a moment, she added, "I knew you'd like it a little unripe. Nick asked me to make your food firmer instead of softer, so it made sense."
Solace paused mid-chew, "You noticed that?"
Julie-June glanced over her shoulder, almost offended. "I notice everything in the kitchen." She immediately went back to cutting.
Solace grinned, "You're pretty cool navi."
Julie-June froze again, only for a split second before she turned back slowly. "I cut things, you fight people, how am I cool?"
"Because you can do things I can't," Solace said, "And you're really good at it."
Julie-June stared at her with a neutral expression, processing the words. Her voice lowered in a rare, unguarded tone. "I'm not from this continent."
Solace's chewing slowed. "That's cool, where are you from?"
"The West," Julie-June said, "The Blackthorn Dynasty." She resumed cutting. "My family didn't teach me to cook because I liked it," she said quietly. "They forced me to learn when my soothsayer ability didn't activate, they needed a way to make me... useful." She set the knife down."Blackthorns trade their daughters for alliances, my sisters had the visions, I didn't. So they trained me in domestic skills." Julie-June wiped her hands. "My father sent me here,"
"Why?" Solace asked.
"He needed to get rid of me, and Nick needed a cook." Julie-June spoke without shame or hesitation. "So my father sent me across the sea and told Nick, 'she won't be in the way'." Solace stared, sadness settling over her in the quiet way it always did.
"It made sense," Julie-June added with an almost mechanical shrug. "He needed a cook, I wasn't needed at home."
"Julie-June... that's awful," Solace said.
Julie-June tilted her head slightly, confused by Solace's reaction. "It's just what happened, so it sounds weird to be called cool." She went back to slicing fruit. "I wasn't trying to trauma dump."
"My family didn't think I was anything special either," Solace said.
Julie-June's eyes flickered toward her, surprised and skeptical. "You?"
Solace nodded. "Compared to all of my siblings I'm the weakest, but comparing yourself to other people only makes you feel smaller. Comparing yourself to yourself helps you grow."
Julie-June looked at her for a long moment. The knife hovered above the cutting board. "You're strange."
Solace nodded proudly, "Isn't it lovely." The kitchen went quiet, Solace ate her fruit and kept watching Julie-June work. Then she asked, "What would you want to do, if you could pick?"
Julie-June paused, "Can I be honest?"
Solace nodded, "Of course."
Julie-June set the knife down. "I actually don't mind cooking at all, It's quiet, predictable, and peaceful." Julie-June exhaled through her nose in a tiny huff. "I just wish I could cook for people who cared more, and were actually nice."
Solace blinked, confused, "King Master is super nice."
Julie-June slowly turned her head and gave Solace a look, "Solace," she said, "I'm going to tell you something because I like you." Solace straightened instinctively. Julie-June stepped closer and lowered her voice. "That's one side of him, the side he lets everyone see." Solace put her bowl down. "Nick says exactly what you want to hear until you relax around him." Julie-June paused for a second before continuing. "He studies you, he shapes himself around you, and when your guard finally drops..." She tapped the counter lightly with one finger. "...that's when the real version comes out."
Something cold settled behind Solace's ribs. "What do you mean?"
"If you pay attention, really pay attention, the mask slips sometimes. Just for a second or two."
Solace's chest tightened. Julie-June's face stayed blank, but her voice became deadly serious. "Solace, listen to me, he is not a nice person." She paused. "He is evil, and he does very…evil…things," She said with wide eyes. "You just haven't seen it yet. Just think about it, why would he actually want you here."
Solace froze with the bowl in her lap. Her mind raced through every small moment, every detail she noticed, everything she did not.
Julie-June saw the look forming in Solace's eyes and shut it down instantly. She shook her head sharply, "No, I've said too much." She stepped forward and gently but urgently took Solace's bowl, and guided her off the stool. "I can't put you in danger, you shouldn't even be in here talking to me like this."
She added another big scoop of firm fruit to Solace's bowl, almost like a mother packing food for a child. "This is why I don't get attached," she mumbled. She gestured for solace to turn around and walked her toward the door. "Just be careful, please," she said, "You should just leave while you have the chance, before everyone gets here." She opened the kitchen door.
Solace's breath caught in her throat. King Master was standing right outside, close, too close. For the first time, Solace thought she saw it, the mask Julie-June warned her about. A flicker of annoyance, It lasted less than a second, then the mask clicked back on.
"There she is," King Master said, "What are you doing here?" His tone was light, and pleasant.
"She wanted more fruit," Julie-June replied in a blank voice before Solace could even think. King Master held Julie-June's gaze for one long, loaded second. A silent exchange, A warning, but Julie-June did not blink.
Nick turned the mask back to Solace. "Come on, let's head back." Solace stepped out of the kitchen with the bowl of fruit, and her mind echoed with Julie-June's words.