Natasha Luepke - Blood Innocence

Leonida was the first one to enter the manor house, through the kitchen in the back. A sight she had seen a million times growing up greeted her: Majka stirring a cauldron over the hearth, Vati sitting at the table, pouring over his ledgers. She paused, savoring the family she had missed. Niamh smiled and took a step back into the yard. Fenris took the opportunity to accidentally bump into her.
"Vati!" And with the release of her pent-up loneliness, Leonida went to her father and swept him up in a bear hug. Noicz Seafarer wasn't sure what had him in its grasp; the dirty red head in a torn dress resembled his late wife enough to be a ghost. Leonida's grandmother ushered in Niamh and Fenris.
"I'm home, Vati," Leonida said, pulling back. "I'm here to stay."

Fenris was introduced and Majka produced bowls of stew for everyone.
"What's going on?" Leonida asked, after her first spoonful.
"Civil war, Leo," Niamh began. "Old Queen Skadi is dying and she refuses to name an heir. Armies have formed; the country is taking sides. Some gather in your name, some in mine. Most disturbing are the few legions of Nehalennia Seastorm."
"Your name, Niamh?"
"I don't condone it, Leo. But I have been running the country - or been second-in-command - for many years."
"Who is Nehalennia Seastorm?"
"A young, inexperienced councilwoman. A troublemaker who wants power. She claims you have no right to the throne."
"Why doesn't the queen name an heir?" Fenris asked.
"Well, it's complicated," Niamh began.
Majka shook her head. "No it isn't. It's because of the prophecy, boy!"
"Prophecy?" Fenris and Leonida echoed in unison. Niamh glared at the old woman.
"The young ones don't like to talk about it. But Skadi's soothsayers have foretold of a battle between two lions. At the end of the battle, whoever holds the sword of pearls holds the kingdom."
Leonida looked to the floor, where her sword wrapped in ripped cloth rested.
"To further complicate matters, there have been manticore attacks throughout the countryside," Vati said.
"Manticore?" Leonida asked.
"Your mother..." he said softly.
Niamh looked up. "It has the head of a man, but the body of a lion."
Leonida ran a finger down her cheek. "Fenris and I have dealt with those."

Leonida agreed to stay the night. In the morning, she, Niamh, and Fenris would head to the palace.
Vati showed Leonida her mother's clothes stored in the attic. Leonida shook out a nightgown, studying it in the starlight that poured in from the tiny window.
She removed one of her mother's dresses, too, in the traditional Seafarer blue and red. As she turned to leave, a small open trunk caught her eye. Her old warrior's clothes, a mass of battle-tinged leather. Leonida shivered.

The manor house was small; there was only one bed for Leonida, Fenris, and Niamh.
"We're all adults; we'll just share it," Leonida shrugged. Fenris put a restraining hand on Leonida's shoulder as Niamh went ahead into the room.
"That may not be a good idea," he murmured.
Leonida shook her head. "What?"
"Little Vixen, that friend of yours...that dainty sweetmeat, that candied flower..."
Leonida took in a breath. Food metaphors. "Fenris, where did this come from? This doesn't sound like you!"
He ran a hand through his hair. "When was I supposed to say something? During the political talk at dinner?"
Leonida sighed. "Are you telling me in you're love?"
He grinned. "Yes."
"Just like that?"
He shrugged. "That's how it works."
"C'mon, Fenris; I'll sleep in the middle."

...Leonida was back in the attic. She watched the snow fall through the small window. She crossed her arms.
Virginia crossed the room, floorboards creaking. "You can't wait until the morning to leave with your friends. You have to go."
Leonida nodded. "I was afraid of that. Where am I going?"
"To the cliff above the palace. The palace in Mir."
Leonida rolled her eyes. "There's only one palace." She headed for the stairs.
"Leonida - this is the last time I can visit you. To help you."
Leonida paused. "Good-bye, Virginia."...

Leonida sat up in bed. Her friends slept, oblivious. She closed her eyes again. She saw herself, a few years younger. A dark-haired wolf girl told her, "Your people will need you soon." Leonida opened her eyes and extracted herself from her bed.
"Where are you going?" Fenris whispered, startling her.
"Your aunt Virginia came to me in a dream. I have to go. Fenris, promise you'll stay here, stay safe."
"But Vixen - "
"Huh? Leo? What's going on?" Niamh sleepily asked.
"I have to go."
"But it is not yet morning."
"I have to go. You two are staying here." Leonida slid out of the bed and headed for the door. Niamh followed her to the door.
"Niamh!"
"Let me help you! You're as stubborn as a mule!"
"Lamb, where are the lanterns?" Fenris asked.
Both girls stared at him. "What?"
He coughed. "A lantern?"
Niamh shook her head. "In the stable, out back."
"Thanks."

Niamh followed Leonida to the attic, trying to plait the unruly red hair.
"I still don't understand why you can't leave at dawn."
"I can't explain right now. It involves prophetic dreams and Fenris's aunt." Leonida looked up a minute, to the window. It was snowing.
In the pale moonlight, she slipped out of her mother's nightgown and hurriedly began to pull on her soldier's clothes. First the long-sleeved tunic, then short-sleeved, then the leather pants. As she tightened the belt, she asked, "How long ago was Midwinter?"
Fingers flying, Niamh replied, "Oh, about a month ago."
"Oh." The leather outer coat, knee-high boots, and gauntlets.
"Put on your helmet," Niamh instructed. She nodded. "The hair will do."

The girls silently went downstairs. Leonida grabbed Brisingamen, still wrapped in the remnants of Kat's skirt. They headed for the stable, where they met Fenris.
"Vixen, here," Fenris said, handing Leonida a lantern as she tried to saddle up her warhorse, Princess. "Fire magic. This lantern won't burn out."
"Thank you," she said, and hugged him. She affixed the lantern to the saddle.
"Magic? I didn't know you practiced magic," Niamh said.
"My entire life, lamby."
"What?"
Leonida shook her head. "Tell Vati I'm sorry."
"Fenris, will you give us a moment?" Niamh asked. He took several steps back.
Princess was restless; Leonida patted its neck.
"Leo, I should tell you -- "
"Neeve, look: I'm going to take care of everything. Then you may resume running the kingdom, and I'll leave. I won't cause any more problems."
"Leo. On the cliff above the palace, I've seen a winged lion. No one else has seen it."
"A lion! And you've done nothing?"
"I'll not risk my men."
"Niamh Donner, you know how to use a sword."
Niamh looked away.
Leonida mounted her horse. "Coward," she said, then rode away.