The thief would find themselves unable to open the door - the next day she'd spend time going through corridors, trying to open various doors when the guards weren't peeking. The first few locks she managed to sneak up to didn't budge to the key - but she did figure out more about the layout of the castle.

Straight ahead were the main entry areas and the main hall - located conveniently where the lord might be receiving guests - along with the kitchens and other amenities that would be necessary for such a thing to function. To the right was the area where the nobility seemed to stay, but the curious woman wouldn't get far - there was always an alert guard on duty there. Perhaps it would be worth sneaking past, but if the castle itself was any indication there probably wasn't much worth stealing. She'd hear Zarva's wonderful voice, though.

To the left was the area where the commoners employed in the castle stayed - barracks for the guards who worked in the castle, a few more guest rooms, and a small, damp room unworthy of human habitation. A small distance from a cell door it'd be easy to see racks of cots going from the short ceiling to the floor with only about a foot and a half of head space. Perhaps twenty slaves were crammed in the room, largely unmoving as they rested from the day's labor. She'd likely recognize the thirteen year old on a rack near the door sleeping with her face buried in her arms.

Eventually she'd find a nice looking, well maintained door down one of the subhallways in the center - the oak the door was based in was well made, if not opulent. Without any guards looking, she'd pull out the key.

Her hands would come up empty.

Well, she had to admit the castle was bigger than it looked. Through her sneaking about, she got a good idea of the castle's layout. A good idea for any working thief to know. She had come up empty so far, though. She found an area that seemed to be where most of the nobles would be staying, but it was more or less fairly well guarded and she didn't want to take a chance just yet. She could hear Zavra's voice, though, and as beautiful as it was she still couldn't get what happened at the dinner out of her head. She was not going to be on the receiving end of something like that.

And last were what she could only describe as a prison - she grimaced at the sight of it. Disgusting, that's what this was. Even back home on the streets, she had better than this. At least a room only shared with a few others at most. Not to mention, the slave quarters she did see, they were...cramped, but at least they weren't shoved together like this. She quickly moved on though, wasn't none of her business.

When she finally reached a door that looked like it might work, she was reached into her pocket and -

shit

She quickly looked around, immediately paranoid. Where was the key? No no, time for that later she had to get out of here. Lana walked quickly back to the others, though made an effort not to appear in too much of a hurry before finding Valora and the others.

---

The next day, Isabella had a bit of an easier time waking up. She had spent most of the rest of the day yesterday simply lounging about doing nothing. It was a little...boring, to be perfectly honest. Finding something to occupy herself with proved difficult. She didn't have books, so she couldn't read. She didn't have the gardens to get lost in either, so all she could really do was just walk around the castle for awhile and spend some time with her guards, who mostly were busy doing their jobs.

Today though, she had something she wanted to do. Dressing up in the armor, she finally decided Valiant had enough of a timeout and pulled him out of his corner before sheathing him at her side and carrying him out the door. With a quiet wave to Gracie, Isabella found a quiet place in the castle that she wouldn't be interrupted in before finally speaking to Valiant.

"Uhm...Valiant?" She spoke quietly, making sure to take a quick look around to see if anyone was watching. "So...what can you do, exactly?" She questioned.

Gracie raised an eyebrow as her mistress - and current lover - left the room they had been inhabiting. She could tell the girl was getting a bit anxious, and even though they were becoming more comfortable she needed some time alone. With that talking sword.

As Izzy found herself asking two sword its first question, there was a slight pause - perhaps the weapon didn't hear her, or was contemplating what it was going to say. "Princess ... I ... cut things. My magical essence even allows me to hit things that would normally be untouched by steel - spectres, ghosts, and the such. I can also glow slightly in the dark." As if that was an important feature, the sword proudly lit up slightly as if it were some sort of blue-burning candle.

Valiant's voice was a bit ... hesitant, perhaps? Maybe he wasn't saying everything?

---

Was that it? Was that all this magical talking sword could do? Were ghosts even real? If they were, she had never seen one, but then she had never left the palace. She had heard rumors of the occasional ghost story in the royal crypts, but they were just rumors and gossip from the servants...right? Though, she supposed nothing was impossible.

"Is that all?" Isabella asked, frowning lightly at Valiant. "A-ah! Not that it's not impressive, but uhm, shall I say...you looked more impressive." She sheepishly stated, feeling a little bad for saying something so bluntly.

The sword pointedly remained silent for several seconds - the blade didn't give off any 'feelings' to its wielder, so it was hard to tell if it was insulted, quiet, or simply contemplating how to respond. After half a minute, the sword finally managed a firm reply. "The person who wields me also tends to become a more proficient fighter - or should I say when I wield them." Valiant paused for a moment. "I cut through more than specters - a strong blow from me can dent the most well crafted blades and slice through armor."

Valiant waited for a moment. "I apologize if my abilities are not satisfactory."

---

"Uhm, it's not that..." Isabella replied sheepishly, feeling more and more embarrassed by the second. "I was...just...there are tales of magical artifacts in certain tales in my homeland." She chuckled, looking away from the blade. "The spear wielded by the Spirit Saphine can control water and allows ones body to become as water. In another there was a blade forged by Gaaldir that could force a man to speak the truth and command the wind. Haha, there was even a staff blessed by Aphion that could allow one to speak with plants." They were all tales and legends of course, from the Monarchies long histories, but often there was a hint of truth to even the smallest legend. Of course, items of such magical nature are still looked on with wariness - magic in general is viewed with heavy suspicion at best, and persecution at worst.

"I was...just expecting something far too grand, I suppose." More importantly though, he mentioned something about him 'wielding' the one who held him? Whatever did that mean? "Uhm...what do you mean you 'wield' people though?"

Valiant expression as Isabella spoke of the stronger, more impressive swords was steely and difficult to read. It was difficult to cut through the blade's shell and try to figure out what it was thinking at times - there was no 'emotion' transferred through their bond it seemed. It took a few seconds after the princess stopped speaking for the blade to finally offer some response.

"... If you are afraid of some sort of possession, fear not. So long as you wield me in a battle, every blow you swing will be swung with the technique of every prior wielder. You will still be the one swinging, but it would be as if you had centuries of experience you do not possess."

He didn't comment at all on her speaking cheerfully of these other more powerful swords - was he offended? Injured? It was hard to say.

---

"E-eh? Really?" This sword could pass on knowledge of centuries of swordsmanship? That was...well, actually quite an impressive talent. Her eldest brother would be jealous. She was giving him a skeptical, or perhaps curious look as she held the blade in front of her. How exactly did it work? She wasn't questioning that he could do it, but rather how he did it. You couldn't just immediately train one's body to do things it was physically incapable of doing. She couldn't swing a sword with any amount of coordination, not to mention her rather lackluster physical ability and strength.

"Show me." She simply said.

The sword paused. "... Are you intending at swinging at a wall, your highness?" Isabella would probably swear she heard Valiants cold, serious voice be cut down to simple confusion.

---

"U-uhm..." The princess puffed out her cheeks, blushing a bit as she felt a little embarrassed but continued on anyways. She didn't really get his problem with her suggestion. "You don't need a target to swing sword or practice forms, do you?" If she was going to potentially be using Valiant in any capacity, it was better to familiarize herself with how it worked in practice before putting it into practical application, wasn't it? "Just show me." Valiant might notice she has an easier time speaking to him than she does with other people.

"... show you? Hmmm ..." The sword thought about how to explain this. "Honestly, its probably best to train against an actual partner. And not with me. I ... adjust to you, not vice versa. If I tried fighting with you like I did with my previous wielder, you'd find yourself exhausted and possibly injured."

The blade decided to clarify. "I've been wielded by women in the past, several of whom were independently competent. It'd probably be best for me to figure out which one of them is most similar to you and adjust that style to your strengths and weaknesses."

---

Isabella puffed out her cheeks more, waving Valiant in a rather comical manner to show her disapproval.

"Oh come on," She frowned. "I just want to see how it works. You don't have to do anything really fancy!" Isabella insisted further. Really, it wasn't like she was going to do anything super difficult! She just wanted to see what it felt like so she wouldn't be surprised or intimidated if she had to use it for whatever reason. "Y'know, better to be prepared with what you have then find yourself unprepared later while waiting for something possibly more suiting."

Valiant remained quiet, not answering the princess for a short time. It was hard to tell if he was annoyed at being waved around like some sort of child's plaything. "Fine. We will do as you ask, though against my advisement. Put me in the scabbard and swing me at the wall." The sword went silent. "And like you mean it. You still have to be commit the action, I simply provide the skill."

As the princess began to intend the blade to swing at the wall, she would feel her footwork adjust to a better stance. The edges of her vision would blur slightly, as if there was an intense moment of focus ... and a feminine battle cry in the distance? Her hips would move with the shot, and her grip on the blade would be the optimal level of loose.

When she swung the blade, she'd hear it hit the wall with a resounding boom that echoed down the castle hallways as a portion of the wall chipped off. It was a good strike - one a knight would be proud of. Her brothers would be proud of.

A noticeable pain would ripple through her body as if various muscles were pulled on in ways they weren't meant to be, especially at her hips, knees, wrists, and shoulders. None of the aches would be excruciating, but it was certainly there.

Valiant spoke absentmindedly, reviewing the events. "... I think your hips are thicker than hers, and your shoulder isn't as loose."

---

Isabella's lit up with a level of enthusiasm that most wouldn't have seen on her before. She quickly sheathed the sword, eager to get this underway and try it. Commit to the action, right. Of course. She could do that. The spellbook said something similar - once you start, you had to commit or you might mess something up. So same principle applied here it seemed. She could do that easily enough. Oh, how should she swing it though? She had to make it look good - her brother always managed to be totally cool and also strong at the same time, so she could do it too! Wouldn't be hard.

"Hup!" She wrapped her hand around the hilt of Valiant, noticing her vision blurring slightly as she summoned whatever power from the blade Valiant would let her. She felt incredibly focused - not as much as when she was practicing that magic but it was clear that Valiant could help with concentration.

"Haaa!" She drew the blade from the scabbard, some sort of battle cry ringing in her head some distance away. Odd? Something from another of Valiant's wielders? She wasn't sure, but she didn't question it for long, for Valiant was already unsheathed and met the wall with a resounding boom that echoed through the hallway, a chunk of the wall chipped right off from the strike.

"E-eh?" For a few seconds, Isabella simply stared as Valiant's voice as she held him in her hand. "...I...did that?" she stared in disbelief before grinning and giggling a bit as she held the sword in front of her, not caring that Valiant had made a little jab at her. Didn't notice the armor or pain, either - or rather she was too excited to really pay it any mind.

"Oh, did you see that? Ahaha, that was great! I could even give Valora a challenge with that."

Valiant as always remained motionless - a couple disappointed words entered her mind. "I can't-" The sword went silent as the princess continued to celebrate privately for having hit a wall with a reasonable amount of force. The sword let out a slightly happy version fill the royal's head. "Congratulations, Princess Isabella. That which ye Broad Sides of Barns cower in fear from. May every wall tremble in horror at your approach. I dub thee 'Izzy the Wall Beater'."

---

"Ehe," Isabella blushed a bit, too happy to sense the sarcasm in Valiant's words. Oh, she wanted to show someone! Normally she'd talk to her brothers but well, they weren't here and she doubted Gracie would like such a thing. "Oh, thank you for showing me, Valiant." The princess replied thankfully. "I wonder if Valora wouldn't mind teaching me...?" She lost herself in thought for a bit, thinking about various ways she could convince the older swordswoman to teach her to protect herself with a blade. She had always admired people who could wield a blade well, and was always mildly envious of them - if only she could be so skilled.

...perhaps she could do something about that now that she wasn't confined to the castle?

Valiant didn't bother to correct Isabella again, instead simply offering a brief agreement with his wielder. "Of course, Princess. Anything for you."

For a few more seconds the sword would remain quiet, allowing the Princess' thoughts to drift off wherever they went - but soon enough the sword forced itself back into Izzy's mind. "Someone's coming down the left hallway."

---

The princess continued to make a few practice movements, trying to copy her brothers fighting styles she had watched for years. It was a rather terrible copy, and she quickly began to realize that her body was a bit sore, but she didn't let it stop her from having a little fun. This was her first time actually being able to do something like this - she wasn't about to pass it up just because she was a little tired. Just as she finished rather comically throwing the sword around, Valiant alerted her to the presence of another person.

"..." She quickly stopped, turning to face the hallway, only to see Valora standing there with a rather bemused smile on her face.

"Princess is everything alright...?" She looked over to the chipped wall curiously and then back to Isabella.

"...mhm." She replied quietly, quickly sheathing Valiant.

"Well, we heard a rather loud noise - may I ask what caused this...wall to be damaged?" Isabella offered no response, merely stood quietly causing Valora to sigh. "Well, if you're alright then I suppose it isn't a problem." The guard turned, beginning to walk back down the hallway with Isabella quietly following behind her. A few awkward moments of silence passed before Valora decided to break it. "...you know, it'd be better to learn how to use that if you're going to be keeping it."

"....!" Isabella tilted her head curiously at the older woman. It's what she wanted to ask, certainly, but she wasn't entirely sure how to approach the subject. She quietly watched Valora as they walked, eventually reaching the hallway just outside of their room.

"Ugh, I can't believe I'm doing this..." Valora mumbled to herself. "Look, if you want I can show you the basics." She offered, causing Isabella to jump a bit in surprise at the offer, but quickly nodded her head yes a few times. "Fine, fine. Go tell Gracie I'm borrowing you for the rest of the evening then. We start now."

After the Storm

The storm eventually blew itself away sometime the next day - the sun was shining as if nothing had happened, and the peasantry were in the fields working away in the now humid air, and the various trees and animals that had hidden in their own unique ways from the might of the windmothers were returning to their normal activities.

The directions given to Izzy and those she would choose to bring along (Gracie wouldn't want to come, but she'd obey her Princess if she was told to) led to a location that was a couple hours away at most. After travelling along halfway through well tread paths, the group would have to go through a tree filled wilderness for the second half. Despite the slightly ominous forest, they would find no bandits or other nefarious forces hiding there. Instead the group would arrive to what appeared to be a large hill unhindered, where they would find their objective on the other side.

From a distance it was easy to see that set into the hill was a pair of large, stone gates. Inlaid in the hill were also two statues of Eagles in a hostile position - or rather, one full statue and one that looked like it had collapsed with age.

What would Izzy and her crew do?

---

Turnip trotted quietly down the road, Isabella taking him out for a bit of a stroll while there was time when the storms weren't raging. She patted the side of his neck gently, the warhorse whinnying pleasantly as he walked. She was sort of nervous without Gracie here. Valora, Prescott, and Tripp were the only ones she decided to take with her, leaving Kinsey behind with the others. Nothing was likely going to happen, but she couldn't help but to feel anxious as always.

She glanced over to Valora who was walking some distance in front of her. Tripp and Prescott were walking alongside her, chatting back and forth occasionally. After traveling for a few hours, the small group was eager for a small break and it finally came in the way of them reaching their destination. The large hill in the distance had a large, old gate set into it. The gate was flanked by two large statues of eagles, one of which had collapsed with age. As Izzy dismounted Turnip, she frowned lightly, a small chill of excitement running up her spine.

"Princess," Valora said. "Don't get distracted now." Isabella nodded quietly, taking her eyes of the old statues. The king hadn't really given them a solid objective aside from simply scouring the ruins to find some instrument that may or may not be there. Not something that would easily be done. Isabella walked over to the large stone gate, Valora staring up at them and contemplating.

"Looks like nothing we've seen inside the Monarchy." Prescott said curiously. "How old you think it is?"

"Does it matter? Lets just get it over with. Old places like these are probably crawling with foul spirits."

"Yes yes, but think about what adventures and things could be had-"

"Alright, that's enough you two, help me see if we can get this gate open." Valora interrupted their little conversation as the trio walked over to the gate and attempted to open it.