Council Member Ronald

Daphne was still in the country with several guards and her nanny so when the older sisters met in the Castle for the first time in weeks, it was no sunrise she was missing. After the initial attack on the camp where Astraea and Teresa had been, it was discovered that two other camps had also been attacked. Thanks to advance notice from scouts there were few casualties but the issues of the secret camp being attacked and the lack of sustaining numbers of troops were still prevalent in their minds.

They had gathered in the Council Room in the Castle to discuss the issue but Council Member Thomas was absent.

"I do not understand how you expect us to come to any decisions without a full council." Ronald said.

Astraea cocked her head to look at him, "Am I not your Queen?"

"An untrustworthy Queen who made a decision regarding war that was not first discussed with this council." His face got red and puffy as he continued. "We would not have a shortage of soldiers if you hadn't decided to set up camps without prior approval and aggravate Vallsia."

"They would've attacked regardless! Our scouting mission showed troops on the move-" Morgan was cut off as the same he spoke again.

"Oh yes. Let's talk about the unsanctioned scouting mission. Did you think we had not weighed the risks of that? That is why this council exists. To protect you dumb princesses from making dumb decsions."

Astraea stood at this point. "I am Queen, Council Member Ronald. I request that you remember that and give me the respect this title deserves before I remove you from this room for treasonous words."

Morgan stood behind her and looked down her nose at Ronald. "I will also remind you, Council Member Ronald, that we have invited you as a courtesy to the position your name holds; however with the attacks on our camps, we are at war. As such the only people absolutely necessary in this room are my sister the Queen, her military commander, and her generals."

Council Member Ronald opened and closed his mouth like a fish before sinking disgruntled into his chair.

Astraea and Morgan also sat down as Astraea brought the conversation back to the important matters at hand, "We must discuss how to recruit and train more soldiers."

"What about reaching out to King Donovan and asking for assistance?" Council Member Rosemary asked.

Morgan looked at her sister before saying, "I think this might be the best possible option right now."

"What about the bet though?" Teresa raised the question out of concern for her sister.

Astraea sighed. "It is our best option although I would still like to explore recruitment in the other counties. We have a large kingdom so surely the message has not yet reached some who wish to join the Queen's Army."

"I agree, Queen Astraea. But we also have to be realistic. Even if the message gets there in time, they would need to travel and train while King Donovan's army must only travel."

"I will compose a letter tonight requesting his help." Astraea rubbed at the headache beginning to form behind her eyebrows. "What about the matter of the spy?"

Morgan spoke up here. "We have not ruled out the possibility and the people who know about the newest camps have been greatly restricted so if it happens again...our suspect list will be much shorter and easier to go through."

"We hope it will not happen again though." Council Member Rosemary said.

*****

Morgan was surveying the training grounds from the balcony of her room when Astraea came in.

"Do you need something?" Morgan asked without turning around.

Astraea flung herself on the chair next to "We need a new plan for Teresa and Daphne."

Morgan turned around and took in her older sister. Astraea was only 23 but there were random silver hairs beginning to come in at the roots. "What do you suggest?"

"I don't know. That's why I asked you."

Morgan pondered this for a second before going to her desk and pulling out a pamphlet for a boarding school. "What if we sent them here?"

"To a school?"

Morgan set the pamphlet on the table in front of her sister. "Teresa has wanted to study more advanced medicine techniques and it would be a good way for her to feel like she's helping when also keeping her out of harm's way."

Astraea lifted the pamphlet up to read it. "They are very recognizable though. How would we avoid any bad press or hostages?"

"Teresa is strong enough to protect herself and this school is known for restricting access to its high brow students. We've kept Daphne out of the spotlight so I think we could sneak her in as a noble's daughter. Her face isn't really known to the public and if we time it right no one would suspect a thing."

"How would you tell Daphne that she needs to pretend not to know her sister? You know she favors Teresa."

"We would have to tell her the truth. If she thinks it's just a game, she might mess up or just get sick of it and purposely." Morgan sat down in the chair across Astraea. "I think Daphne would understand it. She is a smart girl even at six years old.

Astraea nodded as she considered this. "This sounds like a good idea, but you need to tell Teresa. She won't like it coming from me and Daphne will have to know not to bother her sister at school. It needs to be as hush hush as possible."

Morgan took a sip of her tea. "Tomorrow, I will talk to Teresa and get word sent to the country house. Whose family will we disguise Daphne in?"

"It will have to be someone outside of the main social circle. People are too involved in everyone else's lives and would know if a child was suddenly introduced."

"What about the Dowager Duchess Roxte?"

"The one everyone says is crazy? She lives in the middle of nowhere. Is that a little bit too far in the wrong direction?"

Morgan shook her head. "She's perfect though. No one knows anything about her family because she refuses to tell anyone. She is loyal to the crown though and Daphne has visited her twice because she thinks the creepy lady in the woods is fun."

"Alright." Astraea stood to leave. "I'll send her a letter tomorrow too when I send King Donovan a letter. Goodnight, sister."

"Goodnight."