Magdalene’s lessons in speaking properly was an exercise in frustration for Sheilah. She’d never been particularly fluent in the language of Stormheim, and arguably proficient in elvish.
In the Redstone, there were a total of four languages that were spoken: there was the common tongue of the Redstone, with each clan typically having their own minor variations, there was the more formal ‘ancient’ tongue that everyone used for clan meetings and rituals; the time that Sheilah spent with her Dragon tooth, telling the stories of her ancestors- that was done in the ancient language, the formal language.
There was the tongue of the Wild Elves, a language that was melding into the Redstone common tongue with a regularity, and finally, there was the Stormheim tongue, something that Davian taught because “it was wise to know what the enemy said about you.”
Sheilah had learned a smattering of elvish and Stormheim as a child, but she was an indifferent student despite living with Davian, who had lived a portion of his life as a slave to Stormheim, and Ladria being the former princess of the Wild Elves.
Further, Magdalene was not nearly as forgiving as her other teachers. Ladria, Mayrin, and Davian simply taught her as she needed and as she came and went. Magdalene wouldn’t let her leave as she drilled the Stormheim tongue into her.
Fialla was more attentive, practicing her pronunciation over and over, while Sheilah seethed as she struggled with her own pronunciation.
The two girls’ reading and writing were equally indifferent; Fialla and Sheilah were barely literate, having lived in a society where reading and writing weren’t needed.
Magdalene threw herself into a chair and sighed loudly as the two girls struggled awkwardly with basic writing.
“This is harder than I expected.” She complained, as Andrea draped a small wet cloth over the queen’s eyes. “I’ll hire you some additional tutors.”
“So does that mean it’s time to learn the sword?” Sheilah asked, half-rising from her seat.
Magdalene let out a strangled angry noise, pulling off the wet cloth and standing upright. She marched over to Sheilah, grabbed a sheet of paper, carefully and elegantly wrote, “My name is Sheilah Stormheim” on one sheet, and on another wrote, “My name is Fialla Redstone” and then set each sheet in front of the respective girl.
“Write this a hundred times each, exactly as I have written it. No breaks, no interruptions, no questions.” Magdalene demanded. “I need to rest for a moment.”
She returned to her seat, replaced the cloth, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
“How much is a hundred?” Fialla asked Sheilah in a low voice.
“Probably a lot.” Sheilah replied. Fialla nodded, and bent to her work.
Magdalene made a strangled noise in her throat, but didn’t say anything or get up.
A few hours later, Fialla and Sheilah were groaning with irritated frustration.
“I wanna go hunt.” Fialla complained.
“I wanna go explore the city.” Sheilah rebutted.
“That wouldn’t be bad, I suppose.” Fialla muttered, but shook her head instead. “Nah. Remember that time when we accidentally tried hunting the same dragonling?”
“Are you talking about that time in the ravine?” Sheilah asked, to Fialla’s nod.
Sheilah burst into laughter. “Five of us all hunting the same dragonling.” She remarked, leaning back in her chair. “That was a fight.”
“Everyone was convinced they were the rightful hunter.” Fialla groaned, but she was grinning.
“You want to hunt like that again?” Sheilah asked curiously.
The half-elf shook her head.
“There weren’t many opportunities for us to hunt together. I’d like to do that again.” Fialla replied.
Sheilah nodded. “That sounds fun. Where would we hunt in a place like this, though?” She asked.
“Ask your mother. Surely there’s some place to hunt at.” Fialla suggested.
Sheilah looked over at her mother, who was sleeping in her chair.
“Clearly she’s not up to the task.”
Andrea, who was watching over the two girls, sent a glance towards the sleeping Queen Magdalene.
“The... the King has a private game preserve,” she began hesitantly, “but I believe that the Queen has plans for you two today.”
Sheilah and Fialla traded looks and grinned at each other. Sheilah could feel her heart race at the thought of hunting.
“We’ve completed the work she assigned us.” Sheilah replied, “and we are responsible for our own schedules.”
“How long should it take for a hunt?” Fialla asked Sheilah.
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“I’m not sure. If it’s anything like Thorheim Forest, then it shouldn’t take too long at all.” Sheilah replied. “Only a few hours at the far end.”
Fialla looked out the window to gauge the sun. “We could spend a few hours hunting, and still have time before dinner.”
Sheilah nodded thoughtfully. “That would give us leeway in case Magdalene has other tasks for us.” She agreed, and looked to Magdalene. “We will go to this preserve.”
Andrea made a noise in her throat and looked to the sleeping Queen.
“It is a hunting preserve reserved for the Royal family, but-” She began, “I still think you should seek permission from the King, at least.”
Sheilah shook her head. “I am the daughter of the King and Queen. More, I am an adult. Therefore I should not need to request permission from anyone.” She struggled with the unfamiliar pronunciations, but was adamant. “Lead us to where we need to go.”
Andrea gave her a vexed look. “I will remind you of the need for secrecy.” She insisted. “A trip to the preserve requires a guarded escort. Time to set up supplies, and contact the Royal family hunters.”
Sheilah blinked at that, confused.
“I don’t understand,” She replied guardedly. “Why would any of this need to be done? My sister and I are going to hunt.”
Andrea let out a pensive sigh.
“My lady, If I understand what it is that you are suggesting- that is to say, that you yourself and Fialla be allowed to hunt without guards, escorts, or hunters- then I feel it necessary to explain how it is done in Stormheim.”
Sheilah traded confused looks with Fialla; the half-elf gave her a confused shrug.
“Go on.”
“A hunting excursion requires a schedule, with invitations and summons sent out beforehand. A guarded escort will need to be arranged for protection. A competent staff of servants and staff to provide for you during the excursion. Naturally, any guests will also need to be invited, and accommodations for their staff and escorts provided. Finally, the royal hunters will need to be contacted, and provided a list of the beasts you wish to be hunted on the day of the event.”
Sheilah and Fialla grew more and more confused. Why would any of that need to be arranged?
Sheilah’s eyes narrowed. “All Fialla and I need are our weapons and directions to this... hunting preserve.” She explained. “That should be sufficient.”
Magdalene sat upright at this. “You’re new to this, Sheilah, and you don’t understand the responsibilities that come with your new role: You’re a princess now. Hunting is not something you do yourself. It’s much too dangerous to risk death or injury.” She paused, and then added, “Besides, hunting is a thing for men to enjoy. It’s not considered a ladylike pursuit. You should give it up.”
Sheilah took a shaky breath, struggling to contain her frustrations.
She wanted to hunt, feel the dirt under her feet, the scent of prey in the air, the thrill and danger and the cathartic rush of reward.
It wasn’t just her, either. That part of her that was becoming a dragon wanted it too, to release the fetters that chained it, to spread its Supremacy, to feel the brilliant, savage delight as it chased its terrified prey, smell of fear baking off of it as it felt the dreadful inevitability shroud it.
The mortal screams as it was torn limb from limb, the feel of flesh and bone between the jaws, the hot rush of lifeblood gushing down the throat.
Sheilah shivered with anticipation and the need to hold it back. Suddenly the need to destroy everything around her with dragonfire surged up within her.
“I want to go.” Sheilah stated, struggling with the irrational need for destruction. “I won’t be gone long.”
Magdalene sat up and looked at Sheilah while rubbing her lower back. Sleeping upright in a chair hadn’t done it any favors.
“Let’s negotiate, then:” Magdalene began. “I will permit your hunting as long as you commit to your studies and lessons. All of them. When you are seen outside of these apartments- and you will be seen, you can trust me on this- you will comport yourself with the appropriate gravitas and manners befitting your station.”
Sheilah closed her eyes and breathed deeply, sweat trickling down her forehead. It was difficult to struggle with herself, with all of the impulses and desires that seemed to surge up, all at once.
“I want to hunt every day.” Sheilah agreed.
“Refused.” Magdalene replied, amused. “You would empty the hunting grounds too quickly for that to be feasible. How about once a month?” She asked curiously.
“I think that’s unfair. How are we to eat?” Fialla asked.
Magdalene rolled her eyes. “All of your food, clothing, shelter... everything is already provided for you. The only things you need to do is learn to behave as is appropriate your station.”
Sheilah’s hands ached; she was driving her nails into the palms of her hands again.
“And what is that?” Fialla asked, after a glance at Sheilah.
“Reading, writing, conversation, dance, poise, and manners, to start. After that, some scholarly pursuits, the history of the nation as well as knowledge of the noble houses. Diplomacy is a must.”
Magdalene let out an ostentatious sigh. “And I suppose you’ll be wanting lessons to use that beastly sword of yours.” she finished with an eyeroll.
“You must also learn the necessity of managing the royal house as well as the kingdom, as you’ll be inheriting both when your father and I pass on.” Magdalene ticked them off on her fingers.
“Most women learn all of this throughout their childhood. You, Sheilah Stormheim, have only two years.” Magdalene added, stressing the time limit. “You will have very little time with which to play around.”
“Every ten days, then.” Sheilah argued. Fialla nodded in agreement.
“Once a week seems reasonable.” Fialla agreed. “Surely there are other things we can do to vent stress.” She looked around the room. “I can’t stand to be confined by these walls, either.”
Magdalene frowned, confused.
“A week is seven days.” She objected.
Sheilah and Fialla traded puzzled looks.
“That can’t be right.” Sheilah argued.
“It seems there’s a lot more than just attitudes and learning that you’ll need to pick up.” Magdalene groaned, and looked to Andrea. “We’re going to need to get an army of tutors.”
Sheilah gave Fialla a very tiny smile. “Every seven days is fine.” She agreed.
Fialla’s eyes widened. Giving up the Redstone’s calendar wouldn’t be so bad if they could hunt more than three times a month.
“Let’s go.” Sheilah stated decisively. “Fialla, let’s get ready.”