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Yassia was highly tempted to snap back something along the line of: ‘Well, if you won’t ask again I don’t have to answer’, but she thought better of it. Now was not the time to let her temper run wild, not at all! Cenred meant every word he said, she saw that. He would not hestitate to hurt her in whatever manner he saw fit, and the princess could well live without that. Why was he still insisting on wanting to know why she had crossed that darned border she didn’t even see? To people living here the landmarks might be known, just as she herself knew well where Ailantha ended and another kingdom began. Rivers were such landmarks, or even just tiny creeks, mountains, hills… but as far as Yassia recalled, she had not come past any prominent landmark where they had snatched her right off the pathway.
“I didn’t cross any border on purpose, how often do I have to say that until you believe me?!” She sounded exasperated. “I was on my way to Camelot, as I am visiting a relative there, but I didn’t know the way so I must have crossed this invisible border. It’s not like they are well marked, you know!”

Should she have mentioned the relative or not? Maybe that would make him think up some vile plan of ransom or the other, but she didn’t care. Leon didn’t know she existed. As long as Cenred didn’t find out about her precarious state of some kind of political fugitive, all was fine.
“Then what DO you want to do with me?” It was a question born out of curiosity as well as desperation. Some part of her still thought this to be a sick joke. A very sick joke but still a joke. The other part was slowly beginning to understand, and the sheer thought filled her with anger and dread. “You can’t very well keep me here against my own will! And why should you? I’m not of any use to you!” she stated boldly, chin still up.

At least he was granting her this little piece of dignity. Yassia didn’t dare to think this might be a turning point for the better, but she kept any snide comment bitten back, even though it cost her much. This was also not the time to be taking too many risks. Rubbing her aching hands to get the blood flowing again – and also to hide how much they trembled – she then reached with the left hand into the inside of her worn riding dress, right over her heart, to first retrieve the ring dangling from a chain and then her many times folded pergament of her birth certificate she had hidden inside her bodice.
“I may be a woman but I’m not stupid, King Cenred”, she commented, offering him the said things. “I know I would not get far ‘attempting anything’, so I just bide my time and wait until you grow tired of your games.”

Civil? If the situation hadn’t been so tense, Yassia would have laughed. That was something, quite some nerve this Arthur had, asking bandits to be civil. It only added to the air of confidence Yassia felt around him. He didn’t seem to argue to save his own hide, he made it sound like he wanted to spare THEM the pain of getting hurt by him. As if he could take up the whole lot of them alone! He might be good with a sword but no one was THAT kind of a legend, right?
The leader of the bandits seemed to have come to the same conclusion. His "I don't think so," ringed through the room, ulitmately wiping away all hope this matter could be solved in a peaceful way. Yassia prepared for the worst.

From one moment to the other, the fighting started and Yassia found her every muscle going tense. How could Arthur possibly win this? And yet, only after a few blows and blocks, Yassia felt oddly reassured. The man shielding her and his friend from the bandits was as good a fighter as she had ever come across. His reflexes were flawless, his technique aggressive enough but not reckless… he reminded her very much of when she had seen her stepbrother Mircea fight. He had done so more than once on their journey when they had still been together and also at home in Ailantha, even if those had been only training fights. With Mircea she had always felt safe… and now she started to feel a bit more comfortable about Arthur too.
Merlin, not in so much pain as before, even had it in him to sit up, but Yassia didn’t like it. “Please try to move as little as possible or the suture will come undone and I might have to start all over again. Best keep out of the whole thing!”

Yassia followed his gaze and saw the man with the crossbow. She couldn’t blame Merlin to be wary of him, he was the one able to cause most damage here. Arthur would have to eliminate him quickly or there might be more trouble to come. The princess knew he probably was thinking the same thing, but even a fighter such as him could not be everywhere at once! Already two of the bandits had managed to move closer, using their fighting companions as a shield. The smirk on their faces made it clear they were sure of their own cunning and ready to attack Arthur from behind – or eliminate his companions for that matter. But Yassia was still armed and she would not let that happen! Raising her bloody dagger threateningly, she hissed: “One step closer and you’ll regret it!”They laughed, exchanging amused glances. “Technically, to MAKE us regret it you’d have to be a hell lot closer, puppet. And then it would be too late!”

What probably had been meant as a joke, oddly enough got Yassia thinking again. It was such a peculiar situation. One minute she felt completely comfortable with Morgana and especially with her being the new queen, then at a moment’s notice the ease was gone and doubt crept in again. The image of guards backing away reminded her of how she barely had seen a familiar face in the last few days. Those soldiers bearing the crest of the tree had all been in the army conquering Camelot, she was almost sure of it. Where were the others? They couldn’t have been all killed, now could they? That would have been a horrible slaughter! And something else tugged at her mind, a comment her father had made once about his brother Guifré. ‘If you want to see the true nature of a man, look at how he treats his subjects… not his equals.’
Yassia decided she would have to watch out for signs of that, but for now she knew too little of how Morgause would treat her subjects. She forced herself to smile and nod. “As long as they always return, where’s the harm in it? Sometimes they need a little deflation of their pride!”

Holding off contact was one way to deal with external affairs. Yassia didn’t have any experience on that department yet, so she couldn’t very well say if she would act differently it would be the better way. Morgana had grown up here, she must know best about the relationships between the various kingdoms here. Maybe laying low for a bit until internal affairs had been settled was best under the circumstances? And as long as it did benefit Yassia herself, who was she to complain?
“That is really most generous of you!” Yassia’s surprise was slowly crowded out by gratefulness, although a little itch remained. You’ll be deeply indebted to her, her inner voice told her cautiously, and you know better than to strike a bargain you cannot hold. What will she ask in return? You might as well be walking into a trap with eyes wide open. Remember… underneath all that kindness might lie the steel intent that made her march onto her home to overthrow her own father.

To that last comment Yassia gave an uneasy chuckle. “I’m not sure if I am the right person to ask for direction, your Highness”, she confessed. “I took so many wrong turns, lost direction more than I can still remember. But I will try my very best so that those scouts won’t get lost. And if they travel on horseback, they might be ever so much faster than I was, ever since I was washed ashore far south. But let me know whenever I can speak to them and I will gladly do so!”

As much as she hated to admit it to herself, Yassia really started to fear for her life now, or at least for her general safety. This Cenred really was no one to mess with lightly, and she might have really made the biggest mistake of her life by trespassing on his territory. How could she possibly find a way out of this mess? This man was like a cat of prey in the mood to play with its victim. Who knew what he might think up next?! It was an unspoken rule you better did not make any cat of prey angry, and she had done just that. Oh her stupid defiance and temper! Why couldn’t she just lay low for a bit?
And now he mentioned Uther Pendragon. Yassia knew enough of politics to know that she had to tread carefully now. She was not a member of any league here, so she couldn’t very well take up the cudgels for a king she barely knew, on the other hand, she DID want something from the king, and if it was only his willingness to let go of one of his knights so they might work out a plan to get her throne and crown back.
“Not that I have to answer you in any way, but no Uther Pendragon is not my prime concern in this matter. I take it you don’t like him?” she answered with another question.

The rogue’s grip around her wrist hurt, and she angrily jerked her hand away, thinking of the bruises she might get out of this encounter already. Being tossed on the floor had not been healthy either. But she could call herself lucky if bruises was the only thing she got out of this.
Sometimes it was clearly better to not say anything, and what could she have possibly replied to his threats? So all Yassia did was keeping her chin up, showing that she was not broken yet, but also not willing to be the one keeping this argument going. It was not HER fault she was here!

Yassia couldn’t keep a snort from breaking through her lips though as he entitled her an offspring of this foreign king she had never seen in all her life. Right! This just got more ridiculous by the second. Had it been late spring, Yassia would have assumed to be a victim of what in her homeland was called dia broma – prank day. Cenred’s face however suggested that he really considered this possibility. What was it with him and Uther? It was unnerving to be in the middle of something she had not even the slightest idea of!
“Déu meu, no!” she exclaimed. “You couldn’t be more wrong! I know very well who my parents are, and they are by no means related to this Uther Pendragon!”

His flout was acid and Yassia had a hard time not snapping at him again. How dare he pronounce her title in such a derisive way! Where was the respect she deserved? There was not much dignity in kneeling on the floor and nothing regal in having your hands tied behind your back. And just that proved to be the biggest problem now. Her proof, her father’s royal signet ring and a piece of parchment testifying her birth and origin was tugged away safely in the bodice of her dress. Only the chain did show on her neck, but there was no way of reaching it without her hands. And other hands doing this for her – it was unthinkable! Degrading and disgusting!

“If you want your proof, King Cenred, you will need to untie my hands”, she stated, hoping to sound as if there wasn’t even another option to think of.

The soldiers were reacting to her voice at once, which almost caused Yassia to smile. A few months posing as a commoner on the road and yet she had not lost her touch. That was a reassuring fact. Of course the soldier first and foremost had reacted to the other lady’s voice who had ordered them to lower their weapons. That was a better start than Yassia would have hoped for. On the other hand, this woman probably was just sure that she could not be threatened by a mere female travellor, not with all those guards around her. Unless of course she suspected Yassia to be capable of magic. It was still such an odd thought to get used to that here, in Camelot but also in the adjoining kingdoms, magic was thought as a common threat, something so many people seemed to be afraid of. In Ailantha magic had been rare, but those able to use it were held in high regards. Wise women they were called.

When she was asked for her name, Yassia hesitated for a moment. What should she say? Only her first name and be on the safe side? This was a noble lady, but recent events had shown her all too clearly that noble or even royal blood didn’t mean the bearer was honorable. And amongst her own kind rumors travelled fast. If word of her whereabouts reached the wrong ear… she had been too close for comfort to be taken hostage to shrug it off just a few days after.
On the other hand… maybe she could trust this lady? Hmm… it was a true dilemma.
“My name is Yassia, Milady”, she finally said, bowing her head slightly, out of respect, not of devotion. There were many ways to show your status other than actually voicing a title. Most of them included body language and general demeanour. “May I ask who I have the pleasure to meet?”

Hestitation? Oh yes there was. But could Yassia be honest with the new queen? How would she possibly take it when the princess said: ‘You are the cause of my hestitation, because I don’t know if I can trust you. A coup d’état was your rise to power, and only the stars know what might be next.’ No… she could not say any of that, it might be her rapid undoing. So what to say instead? “It’s nothing, your Highness”, she lied and hoped it was convincing enough. “Just that this land still is a bit foreign to me. You have other customs, other ways to deal with things.” Not that there was much difference when it came to take over power… “I don’t think you can do anything to resolve cultural difference”, she finished with a smile.

Yassia raised an eyebrow in surprise at Morgana's words. 'One of Arthur's knights'? Surely the queen must be aware of her uncle's importance! Leon had never been just one other, at least that was the impression Yassia herself had got during the last year. "I'm sure finding out about his fate might not be all that difficult", she stated, a mild reproval not entirely to be erased from her voice. It was just too odd. "He is the second in command after all, after Prince Arthur!"

She didn't withdraw her hand though. It felt so nice... in a way. Did Morgana really not want anything bad? Did she really understand how it was for Yassia right now? Leon had been the only one she really trusted at this court, her reference point, the safe haven in foreign surroundings. Now he was gone and Yassia felt so very helpless. Could she trust Morgana enough to confide in her? If she only knew!
"Yes, it hurts", she agreed, shuddering. "I thank you for your understanding, Highness. I really would wish to know how I can be restored to my rightful place as quickly as possible. Who knows what my people might suffer under Guifré. He always saw only the power, not the responsibility."

Something about what Morgana had said rubbed terribly wrong, but for the moment, Yassia herself was too distraught and torn to be able to put her finger on it. How could she possibly find a way through this quagmire? And here she thought she was apt in courtly ways!

At least he removed that dagger from her throat. But Yassia was not so vain and self-assured to think he had done it because of her command. Oh no, she knew men of his like. Her uncle had been such, though she only had learned it until it was too late. And Goncal, his son, had been just like him, just a little weaker. Whoever this man was, he was sure of his position of power, used to do whatever he pleased. Either he was a vassal of a king that didn't care much what his trusted tenants did as long as they kept their estate in order, or... was he the ruler himself? She would have to pity this kingdom, if yes!

His accusation vexed her to no end. How dare he assume she was lying?! Yassia was used to her word being taken at face value, whether she posed as a commoner or not. A word was a word! "Believe what you want, it doesn't change the fact that it is true!" she snapped and glared at him, braver now that he was a little away from her. Physical proximity was an issue for her, always had been, and she prayed with all her might he wouldn't find out about this weakness, for he was surely the type of man that would exploit this to his utmost advantage.
"You would really threaten to hurt me, just because I was passing through your domain by accident?" she asked, still not quite willing to believe it. "What kind of man are you? You will never get me to 'scream for mercy'" her voice was full of contempt, even if she knew she might be digging her own grave with her behaviour. But the feared Ailanthan temper once again had gotten the better of her.

KING Cenred? Now that was really something! Yes, now she recalled to have heard this name being spoken of in some taverns she passed by. Fearful whispers, hushed voices, straying glances accompanying the little that was said. Congrats, Yassia, she thought bitterly. Now you know what mess you got yourself into...
"So... a king", she said, raising her chin defiantly still, her every word dripping with disdain. "You won't touch me, King Cenred, as I am of royal blood as well!" She had not wanted to say it, but this was no time to be overly secretive. Sometimes a status could not only be a curse, but a blessing, meaning protection. She had to risk it now, or he, so she was certain, would not hestitate to stoop to different means. Yassia saw it in his eyes. "I am Yassia Dyfrène, Princess and designated Queen of Ailantha! And before you laugh it off, I have proof!"

Morgana’s friendliness surprised Yassia. What was going on here? She had not been prepared for this! Was this all a game and Morgana just waited for her to play the right part? Her life had made Yassia wary, she had learned the hard way to trust no one, not even your closest of kin, but then again, she could not let this caution take over her life completely! That would only make her life bitter, she might end up like the former king Uther… and who would want that, really? He might have been dethroned in a questionable way, but he had not been the best king imaginable. Maybe it was for the best? In any way, it was not her place to decide what was just and not in a foreign land, and if the circumstances were as such, if she still wanted help, she might have to adapt to the new situation.

And now Morgana was asking how she was settling. Well, how was she indeed? A year here and yet nothing gained. However much she tried, Camelot would never be her home. The people here were mostly kind towards her, but she had little she really could call friends. Had Mircea been with her, things might be different. She still missed him terribly, not a day passed without her thinking: oh, what would he say to that, I can almost see him roll his eyes… yes, he would have liked that very much… How he would laugh about that, but only when we were alone…
But there was no use crying over the past. Mircea was gone, she was all but sure about that now, and he would never return. She had to move on, without the protection of her stepbrother.
Which brought her straight into the present again.

“I am faring quite well, thank you, your Highness!”, Yassia replied, bowing her head slightly. “It’s been almost a year now, and I find Camelot quite… welcoming stil.” Only that they hadn’t done anything to help her yet. She was still not one step closer to returning home with help than she had been when arriving here. But maybe with a new regime that would change as well? She could at least try and ask later. But for now, other things were more important. “They are a bit confusing, I confess, but I am sure things will work out soon.” Whether in one direction or the other, was still in the stars. Yassia wouldn’t mind Uther returning to power, but she had a feeling it would not happen without massive bloodshed and a counter-revolution.

“As for me being here, I came to seek help from my uncle Leon and the court of Camelot in a matter of state”, she explained, trying to sum it up. “I am the rightful heir to the throne of Ailantha, far south on the continent, but my father’s brother all but forced me to flee, for fear of being either killed or forced to marry.” Back at that time, Yassia hadn’t been able to choose what was worse. Now she wasn’t as sure anymore. Too much had happened.
“Speaking of Leon. Do you have any tidings of his whereabouts and how he is faring?”