The clanking of metal filled Saffron's ears as they stepped into the training grounds. It was a large area with many facilities. Knights did not just use the grounds to train their swordsmanship, but also strength, fitness, horsemanship and magic.
The sound of Fae magic hurtling through the air was something Saffron could rarely get enough of. The sounds were distinct. Defensive spells tinkled like a bell, whereas offensive spells had always reminded her of running her finger across metal. Of course, adept spellcasters could muffle the sound of their magic, but the squires were not taught that until it was time for them to join the battlefield. It was much easier for them to learn if they could hear what was coming their way. Once they had the basics perfected, they could move on to how to predict their opponents' moves without an indicator.
Scanning the grounds quickly, Saffron spotted a wisp of silvery hair. She cupped her hands around her mouth and drew a deep breath.
"Silver!"
Her voice carried cleanly across the field. Silver's head whipped up to find the source. He nodded in acknowledgement and went back to helping the squire with him.
"He'll be with us in a minute," Saffron told them, leading them over to the rest area.
She took a seat on one of the wooden chairs and gestured for the princes to do the same. It wasn't long before Saffron could hear the crunching of boots approaching. She looked up to see Silver approaching, wiping the dust from his hands onto his trousers. He stopped in front of the group to bow.
"Your Highnesses."
Saffron stood, waving for Silver to relax, and offered a smile. Regardless of his opinion of her, she considered him a friend.
"I hope your day is going well," She said quickly, wanting to ease him into the conversation rather than spring their questions on him, "Have a seat!"
Silver glanced cautiously over at the Princes, but when he sensed no objections, he took a seat beside Saffron.
"What did you need from me, my lady? I'm sure you didn't come here just to catch up."
"Perceptive as ever, I see," Saffron commented, stifling a laugh, "You're right, I have some questions for you if you don't mind."
"Ask away, Your Highness," Silver replied, "I will help you if I can."
Saffron gestured to Blaze, prompting him to step in.
"Right, it's nice to meet you, Ser Quinlea," Blaze began, "If it isn't too troubling, we have a few questions about your mother."
Silver visibly stiffened at Blaze's words. He was silent for a few moments, his eyes distant.
"Go on," he replied, giving a single nod of permission.
"Alright. Our first question is, do you know if your mother was close to the Queen?"
"My mother was her handmaiden. I was too young to remember, of course, but my grandmother told me that she often sang Her Majesty's praises whenever she visited home, so I assume they were indeed close," Silver answered, seeming tense.
"And I suppose you can anticipate my next question," Blaze said slowly.
"Yes," Silver said with a frown, "My mother's official cause of death was simply 'ill health', but, if I may speak freely, my grandmother found that very suspicious, as did my father.
"We'd like to agree," Prince Ash said, startling Saffron as he spoke up, "We find the entire situation suspicious. Did your family have any theories?"
Silver eyed Saffron for a moment, clearly hesitant to speak.
"Anything you say will not leave this conversation," Saffron assured him, "You have my word."
"My father secretly had another physician check her body. That physician believed she was poisoned, but before he could figure out what poison was used, the King had her body moved to the serving hall."
Saffron frowned, processing his words. The 'serving hall' was a mausoleum for high-ranking palace servants. Particularly for those who were loyal to and favoured by the royal family. It was natural that her mother's servant be laid to rest there, but typically the preparations were made by the servant's family.
"Poison, you say?" Blaze murmured, looking at Saffron with a perplexed expression, "Your mother's body showed no visible sign of poisoning."
"If this was as suspicious as we believe, there's no way the perpetrator would allow there to be visible indicators," Saffron sighed.
"Your Highness, do you..." Silver hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "Do you believe your mother's death was also murder?"
Saffron was quiet. She had considered it suspicious, naturally, but hearing the word murder filled her with an amount of rage she had never felt before.
"I do."
Silver's shocked expression was something she had never seen before. He had always kept his composure. It was an even bigger surprise when he dropped to one knee before her.
"My mother served yours faithfully, and if helping you can help get justice for my mother too, then I will serve you with the same unwavering loyalty."
Saffron watched him carefully before getting to her feet. She could feel the eyes of the Princes fixed on her.
"That is a big commitment, Silver. I will not inherit this Kingdom, so, in effect, you will be swearing loyalty to the Phoenix Kingdom," She reminded him, wanting to make absolutely sure that he would not regret this decision.
"My lady, I came here not to become a knight for my own fame, but to bring justice for my mother. That is and always has been, my only goal. She was stolen from me as a babe and though I can never bring her back, I want those who took her to suffer."
"Very well. I intend to punish those who hurt my mother, regardless of what it costs me. I will bring justice for your mother too," Saffron declared.
Silver took his hand in his and pressed his lips to it, beginning his pledge. She had never imagined that a day like this would come.
"I swear my total and absolute loyalty and fealty to Princess Saffron, First Princess of the Fae Kingdom and Crown Princess of the Phoenix Kingdom. A vow made between a royal and knight is bound in blood."
With the word 'blood' uttered, Silver grabbed and bit down on the palm of her hand, making Saffron wince as he broke the skin. Blaze and Ash jumped up but quickly stopped when Saffron bent down to bite his hand in return, drawing blood. Pressing the two wounds together, Silver closed his eyes.
"With this oath I pledge my life to serve you, in this life and whatever may come next, so that not even death will sever the bond."
A pale blue swirl of fae magic left Silver's palm, wrapping itself around Saffron's forearm like a snake. It solidified into a silver-ish tattoo in the shape of a set of wings.
"I hope you don't regret this, Silver," Saffron murmured, a look of concern on her face.
"Do all of your rituals involve hurting yourself?"
Saffron turned to see Ash who's expression looked like a mixture if irritation and amusement.
"No," She answered curtly.
Silver got to his feet, rolling up his sleeve. His own forearm was not decorated with a set of wings, but instead a golden phoenix feather.
"What is this?" He asked, looking up in confusion.
Saffron looked up in surprise, turning quickly to the Princes for help, but they also did not know what to say.
"My lady... Are you hiding something from me?"
Silver's eyes had begun to harden again. Saffron drew a breath.
"You must remember that your swore fealty," she reminded him.
"Speak, my lady. As long as you help me bring my mother justice, I don't care."
"Last night... Blossom tried to kill me. That's when we discovered this," Saffron began, sliding the ribbon up her arm to reveal the feather mark below, "My maternal grandmother hails from the Oriel phoenix clan. We found the markings on her body too."
"Her Majesty was only half-fae?" Silver's eyes softened quickly, "Could this have contributed to her death?"
Saffron thought quietly for a moment. Her mother's wrist had three marks and one which was faded. Did she only have four lives, or did someone know her secret? She looked over to Ash and Blaze.
"What does the final feather mark of a phoenix's life look like?" Saffron asked.
"The same as the others," Blaze answered.
"And do they ever fade..?"
"Not unless they die mid-rebirth. That can typically only be done with extremely potent poisons, capable of taking all of the remaining lives at once."
Saffron fell silent, staring at Blaze for a moment.
"My mother's four marking was faded."
The princes exchanged a look, seemingly sharing the same thought.
"Then this is most definitely a murder." Ash said firmly.
Saffron didn't realise her knees had given way until she found herself looking up at Silver, Ash and Blaze, who had all acted quickly in an attempt to stop her fall.
"I'm okay," Saffron said slowly.
"I'm sorry, that must have been quite a shock," Blaze said quickly.
"No, no. I expected this its just, to hear it for certain, I..." Saffron drew a deep breath, her throat tightening.
"The perpetrator must have been aware of your mother's heritage," Silver said as he helped her to her feet, his face was cold and angry.
"Did your mother... Did she do my mother's makeup after she died?" Saffron asked.
"Yes, it was the last thing she did before she fell ill," Silver replied, his voice hard.
"Then she was the one who covered her markings..."
"Do you happen to have any of her belongings?" Blaze asked quickly.
Silver fell silent for a moment, almost as if he wasn't sure he should answer. His eyes flicked to Saffron, who was leaning forward, curious to hear his answer. His tension seemed to ease a little when he saw the serious expression on the second Prince's face.
"We lost most of in it in the fire not long after she died, but my father managed to save one thing. My mother had a little lockbox that she kept hidden away. Only my father knew where it was kept. The trouble is, it's sealed with magic, and nobody has been able to open it," Silver explained, "We were hoping there might be something in there that could give us a clue about her death, but we've been stuck since it won't open."
Blaze clapped his hand on Silver's shoulder lightly, an excited look in his eyes.
"Do you think we can take a look at it?
Silver seemed hesitant. It was clear that, although he had placed his trust in Saffron, it would take time for him to trust in the foreign Princes.
"If Her Highness is also present, then I will allow you to examine the box." Silver said slowly, looking at Saffron.
"Of course, that's not a problem," Blaze replied, nodding enthusiastically.
Saffron knew that this was probably some kind of fun game to the Princes, solving a mystery like in so many novels they may have read, but to her this was her life. It was her past and possibly her future. She fell silent as Silver went to excuse himself from training, returning soon after. Fifteen minutes later, they had departed from the castle, on their way to Lord Quinlea's manor.