I settled into my room. Loren helped me with everything despite my statement saying I was fine. "You're all good to go milady. There's extra clothes in the wardrobe. If you need anything, let me know." He left with a quick manner. I waited for a moment and then snuck out to explore the castle. I'm sure there were restricted areas, but I needed to find Affie. I needed to find out more about her.
I wandered for what felt like forever. This castle was a maze, but finally I saw lights coming from a corridor. I followed the lights expecting noise to follow but it was silence. There was no one in the room but there were weapons along all the walls except one. The one that was empty of supplies was targets. I took a glance around and realized I was alone. I don't know what came over me and took control but I grab a spear and headed towards the target room. A screen popped up. Magic?
I selected the picture of the spear and a difficulty. I had no idea what sort of sorcery this was, but I was intrigued to say the least. Every curious bone in my body wanted to ignite with the anger I'd had rise out of nowhere. This was all so foreign and this might be a way to control it.
I took a deep breath and started. My body took over and my senses rose. I saw every magically body and managed to successfully hit each one. I felt powerful, I forgot what it was like to fight like this. I blocked out this part of me for so long, it felt exhilarating to let it out again. As I felt the spear release out of my hand to slice through the cells of the sorcery around me and complete the simulation, a relief washed over me.
"Nice throwing kid." A man with brown hair walked up to me.
"What?" I turned to face him, my staff still in hand.
"I've never seen accuracy this well in such a new member."
"Thank you."
"I'm Jeffry." He extended his hand.
I took it with hesitance. I know what this could mean for me, just by his attire. "I'm Anna."
"Anna...welcome to the Jury of Nine."
As I snapped back, I realized what I had been blocking out. All my years of training, suffering. It had risen back and I don't know why I had forgotten what I could do with my own body and mind. I turn to hear clapping.
"I don't think I could throw that well if I tried." Affie.
"You're the head guard here, don't sell yourself short." I stepped down towards her.
"No, I'm serious. That's some talent you've got. May I ask where you learned to do that?"
I hesitated, do I really tell her? Will she think differently knowing where I come from? Her face softened at my silence.
"O'Khasis." I saw her turn pale. She looked like she'd seen a ghost. "Jury of Nine..."
"I think you need to go back to your room. It's late and our meetings are tomorrow." She abruptly turned around and started to leave.
"No."
"No?"
"I have questions."
"I don't have answers. Please return to your quarters Miss Anna."
She kept walking. I stood there, confused and worried. There was something to her and I couldn't put my finger on it.

I woke up the next morning by Loren knocking on my door. "Good morning Miss Anna, Merek has laid out some clothes here-" he places a folded pile on my chair, "you have breakfast with everyone in 15." He then simply left.

I looked at myself in the mirror. It felt weird to be wearing a dress, and look so formal. I'd been in guard attire longer than I could remember. I took a deep breath, trying to let the uncomfortable feeling roll off my shoulders. I put some braids into my hair and slipped on my shoes and headed out.

When I arrived to breakfast, Garroth almost dropped his glass when he saw me. "Come sit Anna." Merek invited me. I saw down at the corner, between him and Garroth. "I'm glad you could all join me today. I wrote down a few things condoning our alliance." He pulled out a piece of crumpled paper.
I look across from me and Affie looks different today. Her hair is in two long braids and she has jewelry on, all consisting of orb-shaped crystals. She looks beautiful, and when I look over to Garroth and again feel as if I'm not enough. I've never had this feeling until I met Affie. She has a way to manipulate my emotions about myself, it's odd.
"I'm glad to hear that Merek." I snap back and notice Aphmau has the piece of paper. She's scanning it over. "These all seem reasonable for Shadespire and Phoenix Drop. I think this is going to turn out beneficial for us both." Aphmau smiles and passes the paper back.
"I'm so ecstatic that everything is going to work. Everything agreed upon may return with your departure. I expect your contributions within 3 sunsets. Is that ok?"
"Yes, that should be plenty of time. Thank you Lord Merek." They both went to shake on it but Merek hesitated and withdrew his hand for a moment. "Is everything ok?" Aphmau seemed concerned.
"Actually there's one more thing."

....

No way.
I was pacing back and forth in my room, Garroth on my bed watching me carefully.
"This can't be happening!" I stopped and looked at him. He stood up and swooped me into an embrace. "Garroth this isn't happening!" Tears streamed down my face as he held me to his chest and ran his fingers through my hair.
"It's gonna be okay. We're gonna get out of this."
"What if we can't? I can't be the reason Aphmau loses her alliance!!" I was shaking at this point.
"Anna, take a minute. Breathe baby." His hands ran up and down my arms.
"What if I have no choice?!"
"Anna-"
"What if this starts a war and it's all my fault!?"
"An-"
"Oh my Irene, people could lose their lives-"
Garroth puts his hand over my mouth. "Stop. You're working yourself up over nothing."
"Nothing?! NOTHING?! Garroth this is the opposite of that!"
"Anna please." Garroth released a breathe I hadn't noticed he was holding. "I-"
"You what?" His whole demeanor had changed and I was worried.
"I might have to let you go."
"Gar-"
"You might have to marry Merek."