(link:"When the castle goes to sleep, they leave.")[As the castle falls silent, the Princess sneaks out of her tower bedroom.
She creeps down the spiral staircase, past every sleepy guard, down into the bowels of the castle, and out to the stables where her knight is waiting with a horse.
They stuff the horse's saddlebags with the Princess's supplies, then the two of them climb up onto the horse and ride quietly [[out into the night]].{(set:$K to 0)(set:$P to 0)}]The knight is very, very sad. She's determined to help her princess, but she doesn't know how. She wishes they weren't here, that they didn't have to do this - but she'd never let the princess do this by herself.
There's a traitorous whisper in her mind, wondering if there's another way. If there's anything else they can do. But she's lived a long time, and she's done so by making hard decisions.
She's not listening to the whisper. Not yet, anyway.
[[♥|out into the night]]{(set:$T1 to true)(set:$K to $K + 1)}The princess is thinking about reponsibility. About being there for her people, and making hard choices.
She's thinking about the position she's put her knight in, and - she doesn't regret it, but she feels bad.
For both of them.
[[♥|out into the night]]{(set:$T1 to true)(set:$P to $P + 1)}The horse trots through the little village outside the castle; hooves clattering on the cobblestones.
The princess clings to the knight as the cold night breeze cuts through her. As they pass under the city gates, she squeezes just a little tighter, and buries her face against the knight's cold armoured back. Then she sighs, and lets her go.
The knight is straight in the saddle, but her brow is furrowed. She guides the horse out of the city steadily. If her hands are shaking in the reins, nobody can see it.
(link:"♥")[The princess taps the knight's shoulder, and the knight turns.
The princess says [["Ride slow->RIDE SLOW]]. We don't want anyone to think something's wrong."]{
(set:$topics to (a:"bravery", "being stubborn", "caring"))
(set:$topic_index to 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index)
}
They ride slowly through the quiet village, and past the open fields.
They talk about (link-repeat:"[$topic]<topichook|")[{
(set:$topic_index to (it % $topics's length) + 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index)
(replace:?topichook)[$topic]
}].
[[♥|>]]"Princess," says the knight after a time. Her voice cracks. She doesn't know what to say.
"It's okay, Althea," says the princess. She's not smiling, but her voice is light. "I promise - it's okay. I know what I'm doing. It's okay."
"It's not okay," says Althea. Then she sighs.
{(if:$topic_index is 1)["You're brave," she adds. "The bravest woman I've ever met. I just want you to know that. And I'll be here with you until the end."<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[The princess does smile, then. "Althea," she says, "stop! You'll make me cry. And blush. I'm not brave, I'm just doing my duty."
"Trust me princess," says Althea dryly, thinking of the squires she's trained, the duties they've avoided. "That's brave."
As they talk, [[they reach the forest->CONTINUE RIDING]]. The horse picks its way through the trees.]](else-if:$topic_index is 2)["You know," she says. "I've known you for your whole life, and you've never once given up on something you've set your mind to."
"Are you saying I'm committed?" the princess asks with a smile.
"I was thinking stubborn," Althea says, and the princess laughs. Her laugh is high and light, a surprised flurry that startles some nearby birds. Althea can't hold back a smile.<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[Then she grows grave.
"I know you won't back down on this," she says. "Of course you won't."
"I can't," the princess says softly. "This, more than anything. I can't."
I wish you could, Althea doesn't say.
As they talk, [[they reach the forest->CONTINUE RIDING]]. The horse picks its way through the trees.]](else:)["You have a big heart," Althea says. "Doing this for the kingdom - for your people - I don't think many people would."
The princess sighs. "I think you'd be surprised," she says. "But either way - this is what ruling is. Making tough calls and enduring consequences for the sake of something greater than yourself. I know this will help the kingdom, so I have to do it."
"You'll be an incredible ruler," Althea says, then bites her tongue.
<br/><br/>
*Would have been*.
<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[There's silence, and Althea knows the princess is thinking the same thing.
"My mothers were incredible," the princess says eventually. "If they'd been here, it would never have come to this."
Maybe, Althea doesn't say. The late Queen and her consort were legendary figures throughout the kingdom - brave and passionate, but selfish and aggressive. Althea remembers a time when it felt like war was around every corner.
"We're lucky you're here," she says instead.
The princess doesn't reply.
As they talk, [[they reach the forest->CONTINUE RIDING]]. The horse picks its way through the trees.]]}The forest is dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the leaves above. Small animals rustle in the underbrush as they pass. Far above, a single owl cries out.
The princess {(if:$T2 is true)[clings to the knight](else:)[[[clings to the knight->PTHOUGHTS2]]]} as the horse walks slowly through the forest. The knight {(if:$T2 is true)[keeps her eyes forward](else:)[[[keeps her eyes forward->KTHOUGHTS2]]]} through the trees.
(link:"♥")[The princess stifles a yawn.
"Princess," says the knight. "If you're tired, we should rest."
"Thank you, Althea," the princess says. She continues, "Yes, [[let's make camp|CAMP NOW]]."]They climb off the horse.
(link:"♥")[The princess sits awkwardly on a fallen log. She's not sure what to do.
The knight busies herself with setting up bedrolls and a small campfire. She moves with the grace of familiarity.
(link:"♥")[When the coals in the campfire are smouldering, the knight sets up a pot of soup. When it's ready, the princess and the knight sit around the fire and eat together.
"Althea," says the princess, then she hesitates, uses putting her bowl down as an excuse to stop talking.
"What is it, princess?" asks Althea, frowning.
(link:"♥")[The princess looks away and smiles. "You'll think I'm silly," she says, "but I just wanted to say - thank you. For coming with me. You didn't have to, I know where we're going. I can ride a horse."
"You can't set up a campsite," says Althea flatly. After a moment, she winks. "No, you're welcome," she continues. "I had to come. For the kingdom. And for you."
The princess smiles at her. "You always act so tough, but you have such a big heart. I've seen you with the orphans, you know."
(link:"♥")[Althea rolls her eyes. "Those brats?" she says, but she's smiling. She sighs. "I can't hide it any longer, I suppose. I love children."
The princess very carefully doesn't point out that Althea has none of her own. She has known Althea for her whole life, and she has never taken a life partner, never borne or raised children of her own.
"Me too," she says instead. Then she remembers that, thanks to the ritual they're riding out to complete, she will also never have children of her own.
She stops talking, and begins to cry.
Althea takes the princess into her arms.
(link:"♥")["Princess," she says softly, into her voluminous hair. "Valerie."
"I'm sorry," Valerie says, snuffling into Althea's shoulder. "I just - I'm sorry."
"I know," Althea says. "Me too."
Valerie smiles through her tears. She pulls away from Althea, though something deep inside her wants to put her arms around her knight and just keep crying. She wipes her face and sighs.
"We should get some sleep," she says. "We still have a long way to ride."
(link:"♥")[The two women curl up in their bedrolls on either side of the fire.
Far above, the stars twinkle. Their campfire burns down to ashes.
[[They sleep->DAY 2]].]]]]]]When they wake, Valerie {(if:$T3 is true)[is quiet](else:)[[[is quiet->PTHOUGHTS3]]]}. She hovers around Althea, picking up things that look like they need to be picked up, and just generally getting in Althea's way. Althea {(if:$T3 is true)[is efficient](else:)[[[is efficient->KTHOUGHTS3]]]} at packing, moving with the grace of experience.
(link:"♥")[Eventually, the horse is packed again, the clearing is bare, and Althea pulls Valerie onto the horse behind her.
"Hold on tight," she says. "The path from here on is on unsteady ground. I don't want you falling off."
"Thanks," Valerie says softly, wrapping her arms around Althea. She sighs, and rests the side of her face against Althea's back. As they walk slowly through the forest, she watches the trees and ferns pass with half-closed eyes.
So much of her [[bravado]] from the previous day is gone.]They ride through the forest, the horse picking its way slowly between the trees as the ground gets rockier and the path gets narrower. They make their way up what feels to Valerie like a small mountain, then back down into a densely forested valley.
Valerie finds herself {(if:$T4 is true)[stifling yawns](else:)[[[stifling yawns->PTHOUGHTS4]]]} with one hand, trying to stay alert. Every time she yawns, Althea {(if:$T4 is true)[yawns too](else:)[[[yawns too->KTHOUGHTS4]]]}.
(link:"♥")[In the late afternoon, the light filtering golden through the trees, Althea brings the horse to a stop.
"Princess," she says in a low voice, "someone has been through here recently."
She helps the Princess down from the horse, then swings down herself.
To Valerie's untrained eyes, the clearing seems like every other clearing the pair have gone through. Althea can clearly see something else, however, as she creeps around and [[examines->EXAMINE]] the plants edging the clearing.
]"Are you sure?" Valerie asks eventually. "It looks pretty normal to me."
Althea shakes her head. "I'm sure," she says. "I've hunted down enough bandits to know what to look for. Whoever this is, they've hidden their tracks well. But not well enough."
"Okay," says Valerie, unconvinced. She stands with the horse, idly patting its neck, and then -
"Wait," she says. The sun has slipped lower, and an errant ray has shot through the clearing, glinting off something in the underbrush. "What's this?"
(link:"♥")["Princess, be very careful," Althea says, rushing over, but it's too late. Valerie kneels down, and then stands back up. She's holding a thin golden cord with a small crystal hanging from it.
"Huh," she says. "This is beautiful. I guess you were right, Althea. Someone was here, and they left this behind."
Althea frowns. "I've never seen anything like that crystal before. Princess, I don't like this one bit. No bandit would have something like that, or hide their tracks so well. We need to leave right now."
"Well you're the one who wanted to stop!" Valerie says, exasperated. "But sure, let's go. It's getting late, anyway. We need to camp somewhere."
(link:"♥")["Nowhere near here," Althea mutters darkly, putting an arm around Valerie's shoulder to hurry her to the horse. She shoots one last look around the clearing, then stops dead.
"Princess," she whispers. "Get behind me. [[Now->ENCOUNTER ELF]]."]]Althea pushes Valerie behind her and draws a dagger from her belt.
"Stay behind me," she hisses, holding an arm in front of Valerie.
"What?" Valerie whispers back. She's squinting into the sudden dimness of the clearing, but can't see anything that would have startled Althea so quickly. "What's wrong?"
A voice rings out, filling the space.
(link:"♥")["I mean you no harm."
"Sure, buddy," Althea snaps. "If you're so peaceful, why don't you come out where we can see you, huh?"
A shadowed figure steps out of the gloom. "I sincerely apologise for upsetting you and the princess. That was not my intention."
Althea's grip tightens on the dagger. "What makes you think either of us are a princess?" she asks.
The figure sighs. "This went better last time," it says. "Or - maybe next time?"
(link:"♥")[Valerie can see that Althea is quickly losing patience. She ducks around Althea's outstretched arm, and puts her hands up in a placating gesture. "Let's start over," she says, over Althea's hissed protestation. "We're Valerie and Althea. What's your name? And can you come a little closer? We can't see you."
"My name is Paralumiel," the figure says, and walks closer. In the gloom, it's hard to make out a face, but the figure is slim, with long hair, and clothed in what look like leaves and leathers. "I am the guardian of the shrine."
"The shrine?" Valerie asks. "Wait - the one in the ritual?"
Paralumiel nods their head. "Exactly. I had come to warn you - but it looks like you are already on your way. Or did I reach you?"
Valerie frowns. "No?" she says. "I mean - surely I'd remember. I don't think we've ever met before."
"Perhaps not this time," Paralumiel accepts.
(link:"♥")["This time?" Valerie asks.
"Never mind that," Althea says, cutting Paralumiel off short. "What do you mean, you'd come to warn us? You're a guardian? You have a lot of explaining to do."
Paralumiel nods again. "Of course," they say. "Come, it is dark. Let us set up camp, and then I will explain everything."
Valerie looks back at Althea, eyes wide.
Althea sighs. "[[Fine->CAMP1]]."]]]Valerie turns back to Paralumiel, and gasps.
The clearing has been transformed.
(link:"♥")[There are what look like fairy lights nestled in all the trees. She squints at the nearest one, but can't see cables or power to explain the light. Is it - a glowing insect?
Rugs are draped across the clearing floor; vibrantly coloured and densely embroidered with gold thread. Plush cushions are scattered across the largest rug, along with a silver platter of fresh fruits.
"What?" whispers Valerie, baffled. "How did-?"
"It just appeared out of nowhere," Althea murmurs back, just as shocked. "It just...appeared."
(link:"♥")["It was always here," Paralumiel says. In the light, Valerie and Althea can clearly see their face - but later, they can't agree on a description past long hair, long nose, eyes that changed colour under the twinkling lights. "The camp and I have been, are, will be, here waiting."
"Right," Althea says slowly.
The three of them sit down on cushions around the silver platter.
"Please, eat," Paralumiel says, in their slow, reasonable voice.
(link:"♥")[Valerie reaches out for a grape, but Althea grabs her hand and meets her eyes.
You know better, Valerie reads in her eyes.
"It's not poisoned," Paralumiel says.
"Of course," Valerie replies in her best court voice. "All the same, we'd like to talk first. Why do you know so much about the ritual?"
(link:"♥")["I told you," Paralumiel says, brow creased. "I am a guardian of the shrine."
"Yes, but what does that *mean*?" Althea cuts in, impatient. "How did you know we were coming? Why do you keep implying we've met before?"
"Before, later," Paralumiel shrugs elegantly. "In another time. Who can say? You're here because you are always here. I know because I am too. As for the shrine - I keep it clean, keep it safe, and when neccessary I do its bidding."
There's silence.
(link:"♥")[Then Althea sighs. "I see," she says. "We'll get nothing useful out of you, will we?"
"Not if we don't ask the right questions," Valerie says suddenly. "Isn't that right, Paralumiel?"
Paralumiel nods.
"Time is already running out," they say, as cryptic as the two women have come to expect.
"Okay," Valerie says. "What do we need to know about the ritual? Will it work?"
(link:"♥")["It works," Paralumiel says, a faraway look in their eyes. "The drought ends, the blights stop, the rebellions crumble. Your aunt rules as well as she can."
Then Paralumiel shudders, their form shimmers. Before Valerie's eyes, they begin to [[fade from view.]]]]]]]]The next morning dawns bright and clear, and the two women wake early.
When Althea starts to unpack rations, Valerie stops her.
(link:"♥")["The rest of the rations are for your journey home," Valerie says.
"There's more than enough here," Althea says. "Let me make us breakfast."
(link:"♥")[Valerie shakes her head. "We have to be pure for the ritual," she explains. "We need to get going - we still have a little further to travel, and we have to be at the shrine before the sun hits its peak today."
They pack up the camp, mount the horse, and [[continue on their way]].]]{
(set:$topics to (a:"the past", "the ritual", "the future"))
(set:$topic_index2 to 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index2)
}
While they ride, they talk about (link-repeat:"[$topic]<topichook|")[{
(set:$topic_index2 to (it % $topics's length) + 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index2)
(replace:?topichook)[$topic]
}].
[[♥|CONVO2]]
When Valerie speaks, the words are muffled against Althea's back, and Althea has to ask Valerie to repeat herself.
{(if:$topic_index2 is 1)["I was just thinking of the time you tried to teach me to fight," Valerie says, and laughs.<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[Althea smiles at the memory. "You refused to learn," she says. "You kept saying that you didn't need to, that you had me for that. You had to me to protect you."
"You got *so* mad at me," Valerie says, laughing again. She deepens her voice to imitate Althea. "I won't have you rely on me for protection, Princess. I won't have a helpless princess on my watch!"
"And I don't," Althea says.
(link:"♥")["I never did learn to fight, though," Valerie says.
"You did, Princess," Althea says softly. "In your own way, you did."
[[They stop for a quick lunch]]]]](else-if:$topic_index2 is 2)["I was thinking about the ritual," Valerie says softly. "Should we run through the - procedure - again?"
Althea's whole body goes tense. "If you think we need to," she says, trying to keep her voice light. "But I think I remember our plans well enough. The book, the chant, the - the rest of it."<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[Valerie bites her lip. "Okay," she says, after a long silence. "I just wanted to make sure you're - comfortable - with the process."
Althea sighs. "Comfortable isn't exactly the word I'd use, Princess," he says. "But I know the role I'm playing."
She looks down at the reins in her hand. Sudden tears blur her vision.
"I won't let you down, Valerie," she chokes out.
Valerie's arms tighten around her. "I know," she whispers, putting her head back down on Althea's back and closing her eyes. "I know."
[[They stop for a quick lunch]]]](else:)["I was thinking about my Aunt," Valerie says. "Do - do you think she'll do a good job? As Queen, I mean."
"Well, she's already your Regent," Althea says. "She's doing fine so far."
"I suppose," Valerie says, with an unconvinced sigh.
Valerie's Aunt. Althea spares a moment to think of her.<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[The sister of the woman who united the kingdoms in the bloodiest war Althea's ever known. The sister of a woman who ruled fairly, but harshly, until her untimely death in a border patrol skirmish. The sister of a woman who was loved so fiercely that upon her death, her consort threw herself from the castle battlements in grief.
Against that vibrant oil painting of a woman, could any woman be more than a watercolour?
(link:"♥")["Look after her," Valerie says suddenly. "When I'm gone. I left her a letter - she'll listen to you. She's always liked you.
That's news to Althea.
"Just - be there for her like you would have been for me. When I'm gone," Valerie repeats.
"I will," Althea says. "I swear I will."
[[They stop for a quick lunch]].]]]}The princess is thinking about her role in the kingdom. How it's up to her to perform this ritual, to keep her kingdom safe.
It scares her, but she also feels - honoured. To have this power, to be able to make a real difference.
[[♥|CONTINUE RIDING]]{(set:$T2 to true)(set:$P to $P + 1)}The knight is thinking about the princess' commitment to her kingdom and her people.
She's wishing the princess could have her chance at ruling properly, at being queen.
She's wishing she could spend her life by the princess' side, protecting her.
She's wishing for a lot of things that will never happen.
[[♥|CONTINUE RIDING]]{(set:$T2 to true)(set:$K to $K + 1)}Valerie is thinking about children. She's never been able to connect with them; she attributes this to her solitude during childhood. As the royal heir, she was never allowed to spend time with other children, and being princess has left her with little time to make friends at all.
But - she allows herself to think of a possible future. A crackling fire. Herself and - someone - on a soft couch. Their child and a dog playing on the hearth.
Herself, tucking in a child and reading them a story.
Althea teaching her child to fight, protecting them both.
It can't ever be real, but it's nice to think about.
[[♥|DAY 2]]{(set:$T3 to true)(set:$P to $P + 1)}Althea is thinking about children. Valerie is right - she loves kids. Always has. Half the reason she became a knight was to protect the children of the kingdom, to keep them safe.
She's always wished for children of her own, but - she's never wanted to raise them alone. And nobody has ever understood how much of Althea's time she's needed to devote to the royal family's protection - first the Queen, and now her daughter.
The only person who could understand - well. It doesn't matter now.
[[♥|DAY 2]]{(set:$T3 to true)(set:$K to $K + 1)}Valerie is still feeling disconnected from reality. She's not sure she wants to feel grounded, either. There's a storm brewing in the depths of her mind, at the edges of her consciousness.
Better just to float through these last few days.
[[♥|RSLOW2]]{(set:$T4 to true)(set:$P to $P + 1)}Althea is trying very hard to keep her mind occupied. Just watching the ground go by.
Oh, that's an interesting fern.
Hmm, is that cloud a little dark? Will it rain later?
Did they bring enough rations? Those berries over there might be edible in a pinch.
(link:"♥")[What is she going to do without her Valerie?
[[♥|RSLOW2]]{(set:$T4 to true)(set:$K to $K + 1)}]They enter a small clearing awash in sunlight. The trees around the edge of the clearing stretch far up into the sky, branches perfectly tesselated around each other - reaching out to each other but never touching.
While Althea unpacks the rations, Valerie pats the horse. She feels - untethered. Unsteady. She looks at Althea across the clearing and feels a world away.
She looks down at the ground, instead of at the ritual book and the ritual knife inside the saddlebags.
(link:"♥")["Ready to eat?" Althea calls over to her, her voice strong and clear and very falsely cheerful.
Valerie calls back to her in the same fake cheerful voice, then walks over to her. She can see her feet touching the ground but they don't feel - real. Attached to her.
After lunch, they climb back up onto the horse and continue [[riding slowly->RSLOW2]] through the forest.]Before long, they come to the foot of a rock face; a river tumbles down the rocks into a pool of deep, clear water.
"We'll have to go on foot from here," Althea says. They dismount and tie the horse to a tree. Valerie gives it one last pat - she tries very hard not to think the word goodbye.
Then they begin to [[climb]].The river is narrow, and not too deep, on top of the waterfall. Trees overhang it on both sides, and Valerie can see fish jumping over rocks further upstream. In the distance, birds are calling to each other. Insects buzz. The sun is hot on their wet skin, and there's not a cloud in the sky.
For a long moment, they stand silently in the river, and just - exist. Letting the world go by. Taking comfort in each other's presence in a beautiful location.
Then they continue along the river.
(link:"♥")[As they walk, the river gets narrower and shallower. The trees are dense on either side of the river. Once, they hear a large animal crashing through the bushes and trees, but they never see it.
{
(set:$topics to (a:"love", "death"))
(set:$topic_index3 to 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index3)
}
While they walk through the river, they talk about (link-repeat:"[$topic]<topichook|")[{
(set:$topic_index3 to (it % $topics's length) + 1)
(set:$topic to $topics's $topic_index3)
(replace:?topichook)[$topic]
}].
[[♥|CONVO3]]]They climb out of the river and sit on the bank for a moment.
The sun is warm on Althea's face, and she leans back and [[closes her eyes|KTHOUGHTS6]], letting it dry her skin.
Valerie [[looks up|PTHOUGHTS6]] into the clear blue sky. A single shred of cloud drifts over the trees.
Then they stand and head [[into the trees]].They're standing on the top of a rocky ridge, looking out over the forest they've spent the last through days riding through. Out in front of them, before the edge of the rocks, is an open grassy area. The grass has been flattened somehow, pointing out from the center of the area, where there's a large rock standing tall, almost as tall as a person.
"There's something written on the top of that," Althea says, and steps forward.
Valerie grabs her arm, pulling her back. "Wait," she says. "You can't approach the shrine yet."
"That's the shrine? That rock?" Althea asks.
"What were you expecting?" Valerie asks.
(link:"♥")[Before Althea can answer, the rock shimmers and begins to change. Before their eyes, it becomes an altar of white marble, with tall black candles on each corner. As they watch, the candles light. Water wells up in carved channels in the marble and drips down the sides to pool around the bottom of the altar.
Valerie's grip on Althea tightens.
(link:"♥")[More than ever, Althea wants to turn and run. Gather up Valerie in her arms and just *go*. She wants to protect Valerie, to keep her safe from the atrocity they're about to commit.
"I can't," she gasps, only half-aware she's speaking.
"You have to," Valerie says, but she doesn't let go of Althea's arm.
(link:"♥")[The smell of incense wafts through the air.
"It's time," Valerie whispers. "We have to do it now. Look - the sun-"
(link:"♥")[Althea looks up. The sun is almost directly [[overhead]].]]]]{(if:$topic_index3 is 1)["Do you think we'll see each other again?" Valerie asks suddenly, breaking the long silence. "I mean - I know I'll be - I won't be around. But do you think there's - anything? After?"
<br/><br/>
Althea stops walking, because tears have sprung so suddenly to her eyes that she can no longer see.
<br/><br/>
"I know there is," she says, voice husky. "I know we'll see each other again. Princess - Valerie - this isn't the end. I know it isn't."
<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")[Valerie stops as well, and turns to study Althea's face intently.
"Swear it isn't," she whispers.
Althea steps forward and takes Valerie's hands in her own. They're soft and dainty in Althea's own scarred hands. She keeps her eyes on them - she can't look Valerie in the face -
"I swear," she says. "Valerie, I swear it isn't."
(link:"♥")[She steps closer, and wraps her arms around Valerie's shoulders.
Valerie leans her forehead on Althea's shoulder for a long, silent moment.
Then she pulls away, takes a deep, shuddering breath, and continues up the river.
Althea follows in silence.
(link:"♥")[Eventually, the river disappears up another rock face.
"Do we have to climb that one, too?" Althea asks.
Valerie shakes her head. She's panting and sweating, legs burning. Princesses don't normally get this much of a workout.
"No," she says, "[[We're almost there, though.|riverbank]] We have to go this way...I think."]]]](else:)["Did you love my mother?" Valerie asks suddenly, breaking the long silence. "I'm sorry, I know that's an inappropriate question to ask. I just - I have to know."
<br/><br/>
"Why would you ask that?" Althea asks, staring hard at the water in front of her.
<br/><br/>
"People talk," Valerie shrugs.
<br/><br/>
(link:"♥")["People don't know what they're talking about," Althea snaps, then sighs. "Sorry, I - understand. No. I loved her as a friend, I was loyal to her all her life, but I don't think that's what you're asking."
Valerie shrugs again. "Okay," she says.
"I'm telling the truth," Althea says, frowning. "Your mothers loved each other deeply. I just wanted to be their friend."
Valerie is silent.
"Can you at least tell me why you don't believe me?" Althea asks. "I've never - Valerie, I've never lied to you."
(link:"♥")["I've never asked you something like this," Valerie says. She shrugs again, and stops walking. She wraps her arms around herself, and says, very quietly, "It's just the only thing that explains it."
"Explains *what*?" Althea asks, stopping as well and turning to face Valerie.
Valerie looks up at her. "Why you've always been with us," she says. "Why you've never - you know, settled down with someone. Or at least tried to start your own life. I understand fighting the war with my mother, but after that? It's just the only explanation."
Althea reaches out and tucks an errant strand of hair behind Valerie's ear.
"It's not the only explanation," she whispers.
Then she turns, and keeps walking.
(link:"♥")[Eventually, the river disappears up another rock face.
"Do we have to climb that one, too?" Althea asks.
Valerie shakes her head. She's panting and sweating, legs burning. Princesses don't normally get this much of a workout.
"No," she says, "[[We're almost there, though.|riverbank]] We have to go this way...I think."]]]]}There's a tightness in Valerie's chest that has nothing to do with the unexpected exercise.
Althea...
Althea has always tried to protect her. She's always tried her best to keep her safe, to put herself between danger and Valerie.
It means more than she can say that Althea would try again, here and now. It doesn't matter that there's no other way - Valerie's known for months now what she needs to do for her people. So has Althea. But that she would ask at all -
There's a tightness in Valerie's chest - but there's also a warmth.
[[♥|climb]]{(set:$T5 to true)(set:$P to $P + 1)}Althea is furious with herself for not asking Paralumiel better questions, faster questions - more important questions.
*The* important question.
That was her one chance to save Valerie, to protect her from her own foolhardy decisions, and she blew it.
She's barely even seeing what's in front of her face. She can't leave that moment.
She's not sure how she's going to live with herself, after this.
[[♥|climb]]{(set:$T5 to true)(set:$K to $K + 1)}They have to fight their way through the trees, thin branches whipping across their legs and arms, thorny plants clinging to them. The birds have long since gone silent, but they can still hear the insects buzzing.
There's a strange tension in the air, and a smell like before a storm.
Althea pushes her way through the last inch of bush, and emerges into clear space. She stops short, and Valerie runs into her.
"I think we're here," Althea says, [[keeping her voice low]].[[Begin|start]]{(mouseover-replace: "Begin")[♥]}There's an ache, deep in Althea's chest. A lingering ache.
She knows how she feels about Valerie. She's spent a long time trying not to be in love with her princess, but - it doesn't matter anymore. A lot of things don't matter anymore.
She only wishes - well. It doesn't matter anymore.
[[♥|riverbank]]{(set:$K to $K + 1)}Valerie keeps her eyes fixed on the sky, and the single cloud, trying desperately not to feel anything or to question everything she's always thought she knew. About Althea. About herself.
She closes her eyes and wishes for more time. For answers. For understanding, and the comfort of her castle life. For one more day hiking in these godforsaken woods.
[[♥|riverbank]]{(set:$K to $K + 1)}"You should have eaten," Paralumiel says. "You both need the strength."
Valerie looks down, but the platter has already gone. The rugs are scattered leaves. They're sitting on tree stumps.
"Wait," Althea shouts, reaching out to the fading Paralumiel. "Is there no other way? Does Valerie have to die?"
(link:"♥")[It's too late. Paralumiel has gone. The clearing is dark.
"At least we know it'll work," Valerie says, after a long silence.
"We asked all the wrong questions," Althea murmurs, looking down at the ground. "I should have asked about - I should have asked earlier."
Valerie shrugs, and tries to smile. She reaches out and takes Althea's hand. It's as cold as ice.
"It's enough that you asked," she says.
(link:"♥")["And you heard them - all that talk of time. Maybe somewhere we asked all the right questions."
"Sure," Althea says, but she looks far from convinced. She pulls her hand back from Valerie and stands. Her face is cold and remote.
"Come, Princess," she says. "It's late. Let's make camp."
Slowly, they [[make camp->DAY2-1]] in the clearing.]]"It's time," Valerie says again, and her voice is stronger this time.
The heat of the sun has grounded her, and she's suddenly so inescapably aware of the blue of the sky, the green of the far-off forest. The buzz of the insects back at the river.
The smell of the incense, and of Althea, her dearest and closest companion. Her one and only.
There's a rush of emotion in her chest.
(link:"♥")[Sadness - but happiness, too, that she can be here with Althea.
She smiles up at Althea, who's staring down at her in absolute dismay, tears in her eyes. She rubs her thumb on Althea's arm, stands on her toes, and kisses her.
(link:"♥")[Then she steps back.
She takes the ritual book and the ritual knife from her bag, and hands them to Althea.
(link:"♥")["It's time," she says again, and walks to the altar.
[[♥|next]]]]]Thank You For Playing.
[[credits]]* photos: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rimramthemajestic/">Alex</a>
* character art: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timefiddler/">Timefiddler</a>
* photoshop actions: <a href="http://exposureschool.com/retro-cross-free-photoshop-action/">Exposure School</a>
* music: 'Two Hearts Apart' by <a href="https://soundcloud.com/tyberalyx">Alyx</a>
* invaluable twine help: <a href="https://trivialfabricant.itch.io/">Leethe</a>, <a href="https://drazillion.itch.io">Draz</a>, and Google.The knight is {(if:$T1 is true)[silent but thoughtful.](else:)[[[silent but thoughtful->EXAMINE KNIGHTS THOUGHTS]]]} as she leads the horse away from the castle. Her scarred face is stern.
The princess looks back at the castle - just once. Her lip trembles, then sets. She turns back and leans her face against the knight's back. {(if:$T1 is true)[She sighs, but is silent](else:)[[[She sighs, but is silent->EXAMINE PRINCESS THOUGHTS]]]}.
[[♥->RIDE TO FOREST]]It's slow going; more than once Valerie {(if:$T5 is true)[loses her footing](else:)[[[loses her footing|PTHOUGHTS5]]]} and has to cling desperately to the slimy rock face. Althea fares better, taking her time to choose each handhold. The muscles on her arms stand out as she slowly but surely {(if:$T5 is true)[hauls herself up the rocks](else:)[[[hauls herself up the rocks|KTHOUGHTS5]]]}.
But eventually they make it to the top, and [[haul themselves over the last rock]].