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How To Deliver Justice (with KiraMusani

Sapphire straightened up, and smoothed her repaired gown. "A puzzle for the Princess Sapphire of the future. When I get back home from here. I can't deal with Drakovia until after King Gregor settles the public trial of Duke Igthorne."

Cinnamon grimaced. "I just realized, with me replacing Calla as Princess, I have to co-preside that. It might be after the games except the ball, where we'll have a week in between the final game and the Snowflake Ball." She cleared her throat. "There's this parade, making our ballgowns, tree hunting, and dessert making, before the week hiatus to the final point thing, which is the ball, and Calla announces what many of us already know. She's chosen Dr. Aurora Service; probably because she fell for her when the physician saved her life. Others are also allowed to make their choices known at that time."

Cinnamon, herself, would replace the chairs as they left, including her throne back up the dias, much to Amethyst and Tuxford's chagrin, but what did they expect from the Baroness of Pastries?

When they reached the starting point of the parade route, applause was just dying down from the King's speech. Ruby and Kenna politely clapped, but by Ruby's dropping head, Ethel missed a very intensely boring speech. Ruby's body language looked like she could fall asleep on Clair any minute.

Gregor noticed the three arriving and said, "And now the moment you all have waited thirty five minutes for," scattered laughter from Dunwynians, "Your new Princess of the Realm, Cinnamon Baker!"

" LONG LIVE THE NEW PRINCESS! LONG LIVE THE NEW PRINCESS!"

Cinnamon blushed but began waving to the people with the same 'smile and wave' manner she had seen Calla do hundreds, if not thousands of times in the last four years. "Guess I'm on the princess greets her people clock," she whispered in a laugh, to Ethel.
 
Clair listened to the speech but also seemed to be in her notebook as it went on, perhaps she was taking notes? Or perhaps she was working on more designs?

Ethel looked to see some cheering as others nodded off. It certainly seemed like it was informative at least, if not a bit dry.

Ethel looked to Cinnamon and returned a smile.
"Yes, and I believe they are waiting, so best get out there and address them."
 
Kenna elbowed her daughter, jostling her, and causing her to bump slightly into Clair. "What? Who? How? Where?" Ruby asked, snapping to.

Cinnamon took her place at the King's side, while waving. She cleared her throat, smiling, and made her speech short and sweet (much like her pastries) "My dear Dunwynians, many of you have seen me growing up amongst you and know my business savvy and customer services. As I embark on becoming the princess of the realm, I promise you with that same demeanor and sense that I brought to my father's business and financial dealings, I will bring to my new role. I will always be accessible to you, well, except today, obvious reasons, and until 9pm until 5am! Your new princess DOES need her beauty rest!" Scattered laughter. "And now, let's have our yearly parade!" She stepped back and waved some more, to a more thunderous applause. Probably because she kept it so short. She motioned for Ethel to join her and the knights up front near Gregor.

The king and new princess, with their knights including Ethel, would lead the procession, followed by Queen Kenna, Ruby (and Clair, as Ruby would latch on her now that Ruby was awake again) followed by Calla, in her Cordonian Knight dress, and Aurora. Sapphire, being royal also would follow Kenna's entourage. Diana and Cassandra would follow Sapphire, as Cordonia and Jewel Kingdom were both guests from the continent, while Diana was just up north near Scotland. Cassandra didn't have her realm in Scandinavia and those Amazons, yet.

One of the dollmaker daughters approached Mrs Handler, and looked quickly around. "I couldn't approach Cinnamon when she was just a Baroness, afraid to say the wrong thing, now that she's like ROYALTY, how can I ask about help because of Igthorne? Or even if the trial is over?"

She hadn't paid attention during the King's speech, Igthorne's very public trial would happen two days after the tree hunt for the castle, which everyone had been invited to decorate. That's how dry Gregor's speech had been.
 
"Oh! huh? you okay?" Clair jumped at the sudden contact and looked toward the confused seeming Ruby.

After the speech Ethel noticed her being beckoned over, she was surprised and hesitated, usually preferring to avoid the spotlight whenever possible. But she didn't want to give the wrong impression so she made her way where Cinnamon had asked.

Clair was surprised that she was brought up with the rest of the royalty but didn't want to pull away from Ruby, as that would feel mean. Her face was red as a tomato while up there though.

Mrs. Handler would subtly inform her of what she seemed to have missed, not wanting to make her feel bad for missing it but wanting to be sure she was informed.
 
Ruby just smiled sadly at Clair, "I was kinda nodding off, and instinctive clapping. So Mother elbowed me, and I stumbled into you. I'm sorry." This was before Cinnamon's speech, but as they prepared for the parade walking through town, and Ruby latched onto Clair, it was more because Kenna wasn't going to separate the two because of Ruby's station being royal.

Meanwhile, Gregor asided to Ethel whilst waving to the crowd. "You were helping Cinnamon with Sapphire during the first part of my speech, so you missed where I mentioned starting this year: Advisors and knights march and wave as part of the Royal Family. After all, Cinnamon isn't my blood, unless the Bakers are several generations removed from the Dunwyns. We take several of our laws from Cordonia, Ethel, and Stormholt have always had their knights and advisors stationed near the King, Queen and family... As if they ARE extended family. Calla used to, when she didn't understand anything, just smile and wave, or nod. I felt Dunwyn needed to, especially since you were instrumental in finally bringing my brother to justice, damn the consequences. Besides," he gave a wink, "Crimson Avenger finally had enough evidence against him that he couldn't wiggle off the hook, using his station, and you are my advisor, and I hope friend. Mercenary or no, you deserve to be up here with Cinnamon, me, and our knights."

Just before the parade got underway, Kenna addressed the Handlers. "Since my daughter latched onto yours, she'll be walking up with Ruby and myself. Calla has to, as the newest Cordonian Knight. Fall in step behind Dr. Aurora Service of Valtoria as the fourth Great House, although it looks like the physician will be walking with Calla." Royal winked at the newest Cordonian Count and Countess, "I think we all know why, I've never seen a patient so enamored by her doctor in all my days."
 
Ethel listened and nodded along, standing beside him and letting him finish his speech before she responded.
"Yes, thank you, though I should tell you, as I do consider you a friend and ally, know this, that does not make me blindly loyal, I'll always use my own judgement first. As long as you keep making decisions that benefit the majority I'll be happy to help and advise." She replied, being quite frank, her young appearance making what she was saying a little jarring if someone did not know her.
"As for being up here, I do not need any recognition for what I do, the positive effects I will see from those actions is good enough for me, besides staying as an unknown entity helps make my job easier."

Mrs. Handler nodded to Kenna.
"Yes that all makes sense, and although I would of loved to work with my daughter, I'm sure she will be happy to walk with her new friend. It's also nice to see her with other girls her age, she had been so hesitant to socialize with anyone other then my and my husband before this whole thing."
 
Gregor nodded. "Well, I hope I continue to live up to your scrutiny. To hear Olivia talk, and from what I've witnessed, you're centuries more experienced." He chuckled long enough causing Cinnamon and Amethyst to give him the side-eye. "That's not possible to live hundreds of years, unlike biblical times. It IS possible to learn through history and personal family traditions, though, and you haven't advised me in anything that betrays that. As long as I'm king, or Cinnamon is queen, I'm pretty sure Dunwyn can meet those standards. Except for the trial in about three days, I need my people to at least see that I trust you. Meanwhile, enjoy your fame, it sounds like you earned it, even if you don't like recognition. Accepting earned recognition shouldn't be considered discouraging."

Ruby waved and smiled with her free hand, and encouraged Clair to do the same, whilst behind them Aurora, waving , asked Calla pointed, yet nicely, if her proximity to the new Cordonian Knight meant what she thought. She'd heard the whispered rumours flying around the court. Calla just blushed whilst continuing to wave.

Kenna nodded, waving to the crowd. "I hear I have my newest knight to thank for that, not that I'm complaining. Once a hero, and all that." She mused.
 
Ethel, kept stone faced as Gregor spoke, she had learned that even a slight change in facial expression can give away plenty to the right onlooker. She simply nodded along as he spoke.
"Well, I am glad to hear, I am also glad that you can see beyond my physical age and trust my knowledge of experience."

Clair paused before catching on and doing the same as Ruby, looking to her for how to wave and what motions to take, doing her best to mimic her.
 
Gregor nodded and smirked as he pointed with his head towards his own daughter, "I've had experience learning from someone who without all her book knowledge, and a year exile, self-imposed, that gave her seemingly centuries of swordsmanship knowledge with a rapier, to trust what I have seen. Before her exile, Calla could barely understand the fundamentals of swordfighting; I fought highway men alongside her after. Completely different person, including the wealth of knowledge. Ethel... I didn't recognize the young woman I fought next to. That's how much she had improved. I could no longer believe that was my daughter. She was smarter, more adept, and wiser. I only learned recently, Calla was not wise enough for Athena herself. I shudder to think who would be, but what I have heard and seen of you? You might pass her wisdom tests. You don't look much older than she, and wager you're about Diana's age. I take a person's age, especially a lady's, with a grain of salt. Especially if the knowledge and experience supercedes her assumed life years." This would tell Ethel that Gregor would have chosen either Diana or Olivia as an advisor had Ethel not returned to court. He valued true knowledge over assumed years.

As the parade was wrapping up, and the true meet and greet would commence back in front of the drawbridge crossing back into the castle proper, Ruby asided to Clair, "I'm not sure what to do if they ask a lot of questions about me.... Cordonia, sure; the court season, of course; even finding a new hobby which I owe entirely on you, thank you... I dread this part. I don't wanna talk about myself, it's too selfish sounding, like I'm prideful. Bernice woulda loved that, she stuck around. Help me, Clair?"
 
Ethel nodded.
"Well I am glad you are able to recognize these things and look beyond appearances, I've had plenty of times where my youthful look prevented men such as yourself from taking my opinion seriously. I do appreciate you regarding my opinion so highly"

Clair blushed slightly.
"I think I have similar issues, I don't know if it's because of the same reasons, but I just find it hard to talk about myself, I think maybe I am just boring. But I can help you with talking about yourself, here" she said pulling out her notebook.
"I have plenty of notes" she offered.

Diana had overheard the two.
"Hey girls, couldn't help but over hear. You two are too shy, probably not self confident enough. Try to look at yourself how you would see others, what you have done and how you act"
 
Gregor looked at her from the side. "THAT I can believe, and assuming not just men. We were just the worst offenders." He then addressed the other ladies of the court. "Look alive, and be on your best behaviours! Those of you from other countries, you are representatives of your prospective lands and guests in Dunwyn." He looked pointedly at Cassandra and Clara. The snarky Amazon and the Scot had been the overall rudest of the court season. Considering Clara's father tried to control the court through manipulating and power plays, and in spite of Clara only being rude, this wasn't a surprise.

Calla, The Crimson Avenger, and new Cordonian Knight had talked at length with her other knights, and knew from her experience at other court seasons, that a participant or no, her place was as guard to the princess took precedent over points for the game, having taken her place near Ruby and Clair, she overheard Diana. "I concur. Usually, regarding personal questions, they refer to how you have fared, or your travelling here. Or your personal opinion on ways you have improved. You both have improved a lot."

Kenna raised an eyebrow at Calla. "Dame Avenger. WHAT do you think you're doing? You are a participant."

"Unless you relieve me with someone else, my job, Your Majesty. Your orders were crystal clear. Protect the princess at all costs." Calla answered, straightening even more erect.

Ruby looked agape at Calla, then her mother, and finally turned to Clair. "She was just knighted before the parade! I saw Mother pull her aside, and watched her talking to Mother's guards... But in just over two hours, a seasoned knight response? It's like she's been a Cordonian Knight for years. Already. And not hours!"

This would confirm what Gregor had told Ethel on Calla's seeming life experience abilities. Even Ethel knew Calla had only been knighted, and by Queen Kenna, just this morning, only hours ago!

Kenna sighed, and nodded. Apparently, somehow, her new knight already knew Cordonia's stringent laws regarding the bodyguard for the princess. It took most almost a year. All she could do was say, "Very well, Dame Knight. Carry on." She shook her head at Gregor's raised eyebrows. Calla was following Cordonia laws to the letter, taking her new job very seriously.
 
Ethel nodded, she knew that women, and especially young women were not seen as a source of authority or knowledge in the world's as it was. She was glad that at least this King seemed to have broken that pattern.

Clair looked back to Ruby. "Oh yes, I suppose that she has been preparing to be a knight for a long time, so she was able to start acting like one really quickly"
 
Ruby frowned in a puzzled expression. "A knight can be punished for talking back to the king and/or queen, though. I never got to read what is required to protect the princess, considering I am said princess."

Calla, hand on the hilt of her sword, answered, "As the sworn, or named protector of the heir, As the heir goes, so go you." She replied, quoting word for word the overall rule. "That's why your mom backed down so quickly. She assigned me the job of protecting you upon my knighting."

She smiled and nodded to Clair. "You are not far off the mark, my friend. I could only ask the other Cordonians about the new laws I am to uphold."

Ruby shook her head, still puzzled. "As I go, so go you? I don't get it."

Calla watched as the people were finally allowed to approach the court. "Basically, princess, I literally am to protect you with my life. If you are harmed or killed on my watch, I'm harmed or killed as you were. It's a very stringent law, as it should be regarding the royal heir." She left her hand on her sword hilt as a woman approached. "This is your first test, ladies. I'll be right here, but try to ignore me."

The woman cleared her throat as she looked at Calla. "And if my question is for all three of you?" She looked at Ruby and Clair. "As I said, for all of you; now that the season is over, what are your plans to busy yourselves until March, if you are returning then?"

Ruby blushed as she glanced at Clair and then Calla. "Oh. I... I don't know that I will be back. I guess I'll see what I can learn about nature and natural remedies, to help our medical advances?"

Calla nodded to Clair to answer before her.
 
Clair listened to the others as they spoke, becoming a little worried as the woman approached. Not realizing that she was to answer until a pause and a glance in her direction.
"Huh? Me? Oh I suppose I have lots of things to work on in my workshop, inventions and stuff." She replied.
 
The Dunwynian woman nodded with a smile and turned to Calla last. "And you, Princess?" She had heard Gregor's speech, and even Cinnamon's first speech as the princess of Dunwyn, but Calla had always been princess.

"Uh. I abdicated, ma'am. I'm not princess anymore, just a knight sworn to protect this princess. Ruby of Cordonia. I won't be back either unless Ruby changes her mind. I'll be settling into my chosen role of keeping the Cordonian heir safe from harm." She shrugged. "A proper continuation for the Crimson Avenger, wouldn't you agree?"

The woman admitted that Calla continuing to hero was indeed a fitting end, thanked the ladies, and left.

The next woman, slightly older, was less cordial, and drew a rapier and charged Calla with a roar.

Before any of her fellow Cordonian Knights could react, Calla was clashing swords, disarmed her after a little over a minute, and had the point of her own rapier at the woman's throat. "Do you yield?!" She hissed in an angry voice never seen by Ruby, Kenna or Ethel before. Only Diana and Gregor had ever seen her this steamed. "Consider yourself apprehended and under Cordonia arrest!"
 
Ethel listened and watched as the events continued, preparing herself to step in if need be it the woman's attack managed to get the best of Avenger. Though it seemed she was no match for the hero.

"Well done, some fine sword work, you appear to be improving every time I see you fight"

Clair nodded.
"I'm no expert but that was a very quick disarming"
 
The Captain of the Guard approached Calla as she sheathed her sword. "She won't tell us which of you she was after, but did say you are a traitor to Dunwyn."

Calla grimaced and rubbed her face, before running the same hand through her long blonde braided hair. "Traitor how? Cordonia and England are allies. Dunwyn is part of England. Charge her with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That's good whether it was me or Princess Ruby. By what you're saying, it was probably me, so assault on an official. I am Ruby's bodyguard." As the captain nodded, Calla took a breath, and turned to Ethel and Clair. "First extremist I fought who didn't know very many techniques. She shouldn't have been easily thwarted."

"Long live the country of Lythikos!" The woman roared.

"Get the name of MY country out of your mouth!" Everyone heard Olivia hiss. "A true Lythikan would never attack so cowardly!"

Calla picked up the woman's sword and looked it over. Clair was close enough to see the intricate design and craftsmanship Olivia herself had taught her. That was a Lythikan sword, even the steel was Lythikan.

Calla frowned and pulled her own rapier, the one she had wielded as the Crimson Avenger and now wore as a Cordonian Knight. "Olivia. It's Lythikan."

Olivia rushed to her. "What?! That wasn't Lythikan swordfighting! That was shoddy wannabe English at best! I've sparred with you! We fought to a draw!"

Olivia waved Ethel and Diana over as she looked at the sword. Calla wouldn't let them hold it and Olivia knew why. Evidence. "I can confirm. It's Lythikan. So... She's an extremist. That's the death penalty in Lythikos."

"If we can prove that," Kenna commented, "it is in Cordonia, too, considering she tried to kill Avenger, The bodyguard to the Princess." She looked to Ethel and Diana as she wasn't sure the penalties in their countries, but she was positive it was extremely strict for Themiscyran extremists.
 
Clair looked toward the sword, examining it, as a smith herself she may notice something the others missed. Perhaps there was a reason the woman was defeated so easily?

Ethel nodded as she took in all the information.
"Two things are very odd here, well three. Her being as poor of a swordsmen as she was, her having this sword in the first place, and the fact that what she did would constitute the death penalty for most places as of now that I am aware." She rubbed her chin.
"It doesn't add up, we could be missing something"
 
Calla looked at her friends, the Cordonian Knight guarding Kenna, as well as the queen herself, and shrugged her shoulders, feigning ignorance. "Looks like I need to hit the books when I get to my new quarters in Cordonia." She commented, finally, causing Cassandra to raise an eyebrow and aside to Diana. "She knows something. The attacker and she have the same type of rapier. Lythikan."

Olivia spoke next, "Being the black sheep of the Nevrakis line..."

Calla couldn't help her scoff, "Why? Because you aren't a traitor? You ask me, you're the reason Kenna even trusts you, in spite of your family."

Kenna nodded to Ethel and Cassandra and Diana. Avenger just nailed it right on the head.

Olivia glared at Calla. "And YOU'RE lucky you're a trusted friend, Avenger. Watch it." She then continued her thought for benefit of those present unfamiliar with Lythikos. "We've always been a warrior country, but some, when they learn the sword, get all big and bad, thinking they can take on the world and bend it to their thinking of the Lythikan rule, whether or no the current King is a total incompetent imbecile. Most these extremists forget what apparently my grandfather did. Not even Lythikans like a tyrant. Strict, stern, but not tyrannical. And surely they have yet to learn what happens to tyrants that go after heads of state, or even their heirs. Their own heads are going to roll. Right off their necks. Lythikos doesn't tolerate extremists, especially after Luther, my grandfather."

Ruby looked at Clair. "I saw you appraising the sword as well. Do you think Ethel is onto something? The attacker got that sword under unscrupulous means?"

Olivia seemed to be the only one besides Clair to have an opinion. She looked at Ethel. "There's truth in what you say. Only knights and people who have proven good intentions," a look at Calla, "have earned that particular design. Ask Avenger, there. Look at the designs and workmanship of her well known sword. It's made specifically for fencing. Defending. Not for attacking. Even Lythikan steel can be sliced with a well made broadsword. A true Lythikan native and nationalist would have known that."
 
Clair shrugged her shoulders.
"Honestly I am not sure, I would need a closer look, and to do more research into the smithing techniques to be sure. But from what I saw it seems possible"

Ethel nodded as well.
"It's also possible there was a time where she earned that sword, but sometimes people change, or their actions betray their motives."
 
"What could cause anyone to betray their country's allies? Or call someone a traitor to their own kingdom?" Calla honestly asked as her eyes went wide.

Kenna redirected Calla, "A question for later. Gregor probably wants us to get inside so he can announce today's winner. Besides, Avenger, you're priority is still the princess."

Amethyst smirked and leaned over to aside to Calla. "Welcome to bodyguarding a stubborn princess. I warned you repeatedly when you pulled stuff, like disappearing to become the Crimson Avenger, that you were going to face payback for making MY job harder."

"You didn't know I was the Avenger, when you said that." Calla reminded her, yet relented, as she added. "But point. However, only thing I have to worry about with Ruby, is how close she gets to Clair."

Once everyone went to go in, Gregor cleared his throat in the dining hall. "Ladies, please take a seat, as I announce the winners of the parade. And extra drama. Princess Cinnamon and Ethel have hands down won for their diplomacy. Ruby and Clair are tied with third for their helping each other during the march, and the Amazon sisters are tied in fifth for the way they fielded their own questions. Seventh went to Avenger for defending herself, her princess and her new country. I almost put her ahead of the Amazon sisters, but some of those questions they fielded were too good not to overlook. The difference between first and fifth is only ten points, and fifth and seventh is only twenty."

Gregor sighed as he looked over the shrinking list of ladies. "No one got less than 350 points, making this one of the best Yuletide parades in recent memory. You should all be congratulated. Atthough it doesn't have to be, please tell me if you want to pair up with anyone for the next event, making your own gown for the Snowflake Ball... And yes, Clair and Olivia, you need to make AND wear your own ballgowns. No exceptions."

Ruby immediately bailed out Clair by announcing she was going to help Clair. "I don't think I'll need to help her design it, but sewing it and helping her gather her supplies... Yes."

Would Ethel and Diana offer their help? After all, Olivia wore pantsuits usually, too, Dr. Aurora, as a physician hardly wore GOWNS, and Cinnamon was the new princess of Dunwyn.
 
Ethel would have answered Calla's question but it was shelved and she kept quiet.

Clair wasn't sure why the biggest concern was how close she got with Ruby. Was she in the way? Perhaps she should leave to make things easier?

Clair was surprised by the rankings and was indeed going to speak up to see if she could wear something else before being called out. She looked to Ruby and nodded.
"Thanks, though gowns aren't too difficult to make the one thing I may actually need help with is the style" she admitted.

Ethel offered Olivia her help, though it was more of a help each other situation, she had minimal experience in making ball gowns.

Diana would stay solo, confident she could win and didn't want to share the highest point position with someone who may of passed her in the last points accumulation.
 
Ruby blinked as Calla came over. "Wait? Uh, you design things all the time. Style, though? That's designing...." The more Ruby thought about it, the more confused she got. "Hooooooww???" She finally asked.

Even Calla was perplexed. "I've watched you design things all season for Olivia, myself, Clara, Doc Aurora... Is it because this is fashion that you need help?"

Olivia smirked. "Helping each other? This could work for warrior women who need to dress fancy for delegations. Most these soirees start with some fancy-shmancy ball. I know my communication skills fell behind the doctor's in this round, so I need a bounce back. Shall we start in the parlour and draw our designs?"
 
Clair blushed a little embarrassed.
"Oh, well yes it's more like, because it's fashion, I am more used to functional design, fashion is not really my thing."

Ethel nodded.
"Right, I know a thing or two, with our combined knowledge we can make a bad ass warrior gown"
 
Ruby nodded. She got it. "I want something like that too. So... Let's go back to your borrowed room (Ruby forgot Gregor hasn't separated them yet, keeping them together to protect against Dom, who's no longer a threat to anyone) and get designing something fashionable, yet functional." She turned to Avenger. "Well, since you're my bodyguard, we could design a third?" Ruby turned back to Clair. "I'll help on making them fashionable, and we'll use our house colours in fabrics. I'm thinking satin for decent durability and sheen. We gotta be pretty." This would mean they would need four colours. Red, green, slate blue and grey.

Olivia led Ethel to the parlour and she pulled out two parchment papers. "My country colours are red and black, and I know I will want places in the top to conceal small weapons, especially daggers, so we'll want denim or a less sheer cotton, maybe long sleeves. We shouldn't have any issues at the Snowflake Ball, but I've learned not to trust certain people this season, so I want to be prepared. What about you? What colour scheme would you want for your gown?"

Once colours and fabrics were chosen, everyone would send for them via a runner, unless Clair uses this opportunity to one up everyone else, and send someone she trusts (one of her parents?) with the squawker to tell them if the fabric storage has the right fabrics, after all, the satin, silk, chiffon, lace and other shiny fabrics will go fast.
 
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