The swoosh of steel echoed through the air as Kazi practised her swordplay in the training grounds. Her movements were fluid and graceful, betraying none of the exhaustion she felt deep within. The disguise as a man had been a necessity, allowing her to move more freely and unnoticed among the soldiers. She had grown accustomed to the rough clothes and shorter hair, but it did not make the task any easier.
Kazi soon heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Kazi gripped her sword tighter. However instead of a potential attacker, she found Uriel, Princess Athiel's handmaiden, staring at her with wide eyes. Kazi lowered her weapon, a smile playing on her lips.
"Uriel," she greeted, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I was not expecting you. Is something wrong?"
Uriel flushed, dropping to her knees as she bowed her head. "Forgive me, Sir K," she stammered, "I did not mean to startle you. I was simply...observing your skill."
"No need for apologies," Kazi chuckled, gesturing for Uriel to rise. "Formalities are unnecessary between us. Besides, you would not startle a seasoned warrior like me so easily."
Uriel stood up, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. Her gaze remained fixed on Kazi, an unreadable expression playing across her features. "You are skilled," she said simply. "Very skilled."
Kazi shrugged modestly. "It takes practice, that is all. Quite a struggle when you are young, but with dedication, it becomes second nature."
A smile tugged at the corners of Uriel's lips. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is it...difficult?"
"Sword fighting?" Kazi repeated, raising an eyebrow. "It certainly was in the beginning. But there is a certain...grace to it, once you master the techniques."
Uriel settled onto a nearby bench, her eyes following Kazi's movements. A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment. Finally, Kazi decided to break the ice.
"Do you enjoy serving Princess Athiel?" Kazi asked, changing the subject.
Uriel sighed, her gaze falling to the ground. "It can be quite demanding," she admitted. "There are many rules and expectations. But there are fun moments as well, I suppose."
Kazi listened intently. "I see," she said, nodding empathetically. "Ever wonder if there is something else you could be doing?"
Uriel gave a small chuckle. "Oh, I have my reasons for being here, K," she said, her voice surprisingly firm.
Kazi's interest was piqued. What reasons could Uriel possibly have for being here? "Reasons?" she prompted, arching an eyebrow.
Uriel seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn. Her cheeks flushed as she stammered, "N-nothing! Just...forget I said anything."
Kazi raised an eyebrow, studying Uriel's flustered expression. The handmaiden was clearly hiding something, and her curiosity was piqued. But for now, Kazi decided to let the matter rest. There would be other opportunities to probe deeper, to uncover the secrets that lay beneath Uriel's quiet demeanour.
She watched as Uriel shifted her gaze to the courtyard beyond. There was more to this story, and Kazi was determined to unravel it, one conversation at a time.
The silence stretched between them, broken only by the chirping of birds flitting through the castle gardens. Finally, Uriel turned to Kazi, a hesitant question forming on her lips.
"Will you be attending the ball, K?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kazi blinked, momentarily thrown off guard. "The ball?"
"The annual Althean Ball, of course," Uriel explained, "It takes place next week. A grand occasion where princes and princesses from all over mingle, hoping to find a suitable partner."
Kazi felt a knot of confusion forming in her stomach. This ball, she realized, was another complication she had not considered. "I see," she finally managed, her voice neutral.
"Originally, it was Prince Azrael who was to make his official debut, searching for a bride," Uriel continued, "But with the potential marriage to General Kazi..."
"Right," Kazi interrupted, her mind racing. "So now it is Prince...?"
"Prince Akiel," Uriel supplied, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "The mute prince, the last son of the king and queen. It was thought that perhaps this might be the year he would finally find a wife."
A slow smile spread across Kazi's face. This ball could be the perfect opportunity to gather information, to slip away unnoticed and continue her investigation. Perhaps, she thought, a little nudge in the right direction would not hurt either.
"Perhaps," she mused aloud, "the ball is just what Prince Azrael needs. Who knows, he might find someone more...compatible."
Uriel frowned, her brows knitting together. "But...he is supposed to be marrying your aunt, General Kazi."
Kazi shrugged, "Things change, Uriel," she said lightly. "Besides, it would not hurt him to keep his options open. After all, who's to say General Kazi will even be interested in him?"
Uriel opened her mouth to protest, but Kazi held up a hand, effectively silencing her. "Do not worry," she reassured her with a wink. "I will be sure to have a little chat with my aunt when she gets back."
The truth, of course, was that Kazi was General Kazi and had no interest in Prince Azrael. If she could make him fall for someone else perhaps his father would revoke the marriage proposal, and all of this would be over. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. As well as that, this ball was a golden opportunity. A chance to mingle with the Althean court, to observe their interactions, to gather any clues that might lead her to the traitor. Sneaking out during the festivities would not be difficult, the sheer number of attendees making it easy for someone as skilled as Kazi to slip away unnoticed.
A dangerous plan, yes, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Yes," Kazi continued, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone, "the ball could be quite interesting. Perhaps I will put in a good word for Prince Azrael. He does seem to be making an effort lately."
Internally, Kazi cringed. The idea of promoting Azrael as a potential suitor was stomach-churning. But if it meant furthering her investigation, she would swallow her pride. The ball, she decided, was a gamble she was willing to take.