Arya: Duties

Arya couldn't stop thinking about the man who had been bound and whipped; Ethan, a murderous rebel and hero. She had tried to push the thoughts of him away but, it was impossible. There had been an instant attraction to him as soon as she had seen him. Both physically and mentally. And her Yin mana had gone completely crazy. His Yang had attracted and drawn in her Yin the way honey and sugar attract wasps.

His Yang had even made the air around him vibrate and move! She shuddered as she realized how strong he must be as a magician; many times stronger than herself. But without the Yin runes, he was like a child compared to her.

And now she had the power to do whatever she wanted with him. Both legally and in terms of sheer power. It made her twitch. Who was he? One thing was for certain; she would never bring herself to execute him. However, if it came to it, she couldn't be there to watch and would never be able to do it herself. The very thought made her feel sick.

Instead, she had developed some kind of possessiveness and desire to protect him.

'I must think of something else,' she thought to herself.

"Robb, what about the Moon keep? How many men do we have there?"

'There's so much I need to get my head around.' thought Arya.

"Uh, you don't have to think about the Moon keep... it's lost..."

Arya spun around and glared at Robb.

"What do you mean?"

"It's possessed by monsters, and the land around it is claimed by the largest wolf shifter pack on the continent."

"But the Moon keep is part of my land or, have I misunderstood?"

"It was your land... before we had a... conflict with wolf shifters. In the peace settlement, they got the Moon Keep."

"I've heard nothing about conflict between shifters and the Royal House or the Lodge. When I was informed, they said the Moon-keep was part of my pro..." Arya interrupted herself mid-sentence and, she sighed.

"I assume the Moon-keep is to the north and, the shifters' entire territory is there as well. "

The royal family knew what had happened. They had told her it was okay if she wanted to expand her territory or province northward...

But the royal family wouldn't take that fight. Had they thought to, they would surely, have marched troops here already.

"Yes, that's right, my lady."

"Do we have a peace agreement or, is it a truce?"

"There is no written peace agreement. But it has been peaceful for years except for small incidences. And they won't do anything if you don't come onto their land."

"But their land is part of Ellyrium."

"Yes. But they don't see it that way. And in their defense, they've always come to our aid when demons threaten us."

What did that have to do with it? Arya's head ached.

"How many more problems do I have to deal with?" Arya didn't know she'd said it out loud until Robb replied.

"Many."

"How many?"

Robb didn't answer at first.

"For starters, you hold the title of High Lord of the North. All six noble houses in the northern province are under your command at the moment. The title goes to the strongest house, and it is not appointed by the royal family but is decided by ourselves... You have it because you are Maga and have the Lodge behind you. I think... the nobility wants to meet you as soon as possible."

"The Lodge and the Royal House didn't tell me I was High Lord... I don't have much land, but I possibly have the Lodge, so how am I supposed to live up to being high lord or rather a high lady if I only 'possibly' have the Lodge?"

"Marriage..."

"Uh what... wouldn't think so."

"Can I renounce the title 'high lord'? "

"I don't think that would be a good idea. That's not how it works up here in the north. They'd think you were abandoned by the royal family and would certainly take your land and kill you..."

"Somehow, you need to strengthen your power or show a demonstration of power. It is expected of you. The alternative is to be good at politics..."

"Are there other problems I need to be aware of?"

"The increasing demonization of the world." Robb laughed.

"What's so funny about that?" Maybe he hadn't heard about the attack on the tower and the death toll.

"Nothing, sorry for offending you, my lady."

He bowed and, he sounded genuine in his voice, so Arya let it go.

"Who owned the land I've got before me?"

"It was a clan that was killed twenty years ago. There were no heirs. Slaughtered by demons mainly by assassination. The Crown took over the land along with the Lodge but showed no interest in it whatsoever. Not until now."

Arya looked up at the sky. Her familiar was there flying around Sun Castle.

Arya could see what he saw with his keen vision. The people in the streets were generally happy. Ships were sailing in and out of the harbor with cargo. It was a surprisingly rich city.

'Jori, fly north and see what happens.' Arya linked the thought to her familiar and, the golden eagle turned and glided on the warm updrafts northward.

"Can you show me to my quarters?"

"Of course," Robb replied.

They went into the largest of the five towers. It was free-standing in the middle of the courtyard and the other four stood to the north, west, east, and south of it; linked by great black walls.

To enter the core tower, one had to pass through two gates with steel doors and portcullis.

They were welcomed by several guards who saluted. The guards still didn't know for sure who Arya was, but rumors had begun to spread.

Robb and Arya continued up spiral staircases and through a corridor to reach an apartment.

"This is your quarters, my lady." Several servants were standing outside with bowed heads awaiting orders.

"You have a library, bedroom, common room, reception, study, and a bathroom with a small hot pole. If you need a servant, just ring the bell... If you wish to stay elsewhere, that can, of course, be arranged." Robb said.

"This will be great... If you'll excuse me, I need time for myself. So many things have happened... you know... Can I see you in the morning an hour or so after sunrise?" asked Arya.

"Of course, my lady."

Robb turned after a slight bow and left.