Chapter 1

The council had ordered an emergency meeting. Queen Tatiana started speaking as soon as everyone sat down. Her slight accent penetrated her words, making them that much more forceful.

"We have reason to believe that the Strigoi are amassing an army, banding together in ways never before seen. This means that soon we will be at war and there is no way to stop it. What should we do? How can we protect our people?"

Rufus Ivashkov spoke up first. "My queen, I recommend we call all royal Moroi back to Court, where we can more easily maintain control and guard all. If they all bring their guardians, we could last for months of siege, and the Strigoi would never be able to get in."

Marie Conta laughed at him. "What about all the other Moroi, and the dhampirs? Are we to leave them to fend for themselves, simply because they are royalty?"

Rufus sneered, "The dhampirs are beneath us, and while the Moroi are important, we simply don't have the room to protect them all. We must protect our ruling families."

Priscilla Voda chimed in, "Without the dhampirs, we wouldn't be protected! We cannot sacrifice them."

Tatiana frowned as the council began shouting back and forth. She glanced to her side and saw Hans Croft, the head of her guardians, and as such, the leader of all dhampirs. He was frowning and looked very worried. She knew that he had family living beyond the walls of Court. She called him over, wanting to get his opinion as this threat would affect his race as well.

"Hans, what do you think we should do?" She murmured, letting the council continue to fight amongst themselves.

"Your majesty, I would consider recruiting more guardians. There are many dhampirs that are not in service, and if we had a mandatory conscription, it would help. I would also advise training the Moroi to use their magic offensively, especially earth and fire users. They would be most useful in fighting the Strigoi. Of course, air and water are welcome, but not as crucial."

She nodded, reminded yet again, that this is why he was in such a high position. He had a good head for strategy.

Standing, Tatiana commanded silence. As the last of the arguments faded away, she outlined a plan, and set it in motion. Conscription notices were to be sent to every town. Each family, Moroi or dhampirs, were to send one man to the guardian training grounds at St. Vladimir's. No exceptions. She had spoken, and so it was done.

As the sun rose the next morning, a teenage girl crept out of her house, and into the forest. Hidden behind the trees, she began her morning workout, practicing with a dummy she had stolen years before from the guardians in town. She had watched them for years, and would come here to try the moves herself. It was her place of refuge. She didn't know if she was doing it right, but that wasn't important. What was important was the fact that if push came to shove, she would be able to defend herself. Glancing at the sun, she cursed under her breath, realizing that she'd lost track of time, again. If she didn't hurry, she would be late.

While she ran, she attempted to braid her long dark brown hair, knowing it was not a good idea to show up looking as if she had tumbled out of a haystack. After all, this was the day most girls in the village dreamed about. The day that she would meet the matchmaker, and find out if she was wife material, or if she was doomed to be a concubine, a mere blood-whore.

After all, a dhampir girl was only good for baring sons. Some Moroi men were willing to marry dhampirs, but most wanted a Moroi wife, and a dhampir on the side, reducing them to be looked forever down on as little more than a common whore, only saved from that fate by the fact that they generally only slept with the one Moroi. Even then, many of the royal Moroi had a Moroi wife, dhampir concubine, and Moroi mistress on the side. It was how things were done.

Janine Mazur glanced at the sundial, displeased that her daughter was late. Today of all days she should have been on time. Just then, Rose ran down the road towards her, panting like a dog in a summer sun.

"Rosemarie Mazur, where have you been? Look at you, you are all sweaty and you have sticks in your hair. Quick, get in the tub. We don't have long to get you ready."

"Mom, do I really have to do this? You know Lissa is planning to take me to Court with her when she finally gets to go. I could find someone there. You can't really think that a cranky old woman can know my destiny, do you?"

"Ekaterina Zeklos is a very wise Moroi. She paired me with your father, and look how happy we are. Now hold still while I do your hair. We have to make you presentable."

After her mother had dried her hair and pulled up into a bun, Rose was forced into a dress that, while it didn't expose much skin, clung to her curves and showed off her figure. It was a long red kimono style with a high neckline and embroidered flowers on the fine silk. Under different circumstances Rose could see herself wearing the dress, perhaps at a party, but at the moment it seemed wrong. Before she knew it she was being ushered into the matchmaker's hut.

Rose walked back to her father's house, eyes stinging with held back tears. Ekaterina Zeklos had decided that Rose was too outspoken to be of any good to a Moroi. Wives needed to be able to help support the common Moroi by having a marketable skill, and Rose had never had much patience for domestic talents.

Concubines, on the other hand, were seen not heard. They were servants to the royal Moroi in every way except as feeders. as such, how one impressed the matchmaker determined what station in life they were assigned. If only she was a boy. Men were sent to train as soldiers to defend against the Strigoi. Her parents had tried for years to have more children, yet none ever came, so they were content with just Rose. Her mother wised Rose was a little less rebellious, and her father longed for a son, as most men do.

Before she made it home, her best friend caught up with her. Lissa Dragomir was a Moroi, and not just any Moroi but one of the 12 royal families. She was being cared for by her uncle, until the Queen decided to bring her to Court to sit on the council.

Lissa looked at Rose and sighed. "You know, when I go to Court, you are coming with me. I'm sure we can find someone there for you. Forget what that stuffy old witch said about you."

Rose laughed, "Oh? And how do you know what she said to me?"

"First, I can see it on your face that it went poorly. Second, I stood under the open window of course." She looked sheepish.

This is how it had always been with them. When they were young, Lissa had been at the market with her older brother Andre. Rose was wandering around and saw Andre and his friend steal Lissa's doll from her. Rose was so mad that she walked up and kicked the stick that Andre was pretending was his horse and took the doll back. She then stood before Andre and began to yell at him about how rude it was to take toys from others and that just because Lissa was a girl didn't mean that he could do things like that. She would've continued her tirade, but Lissa had grabbed her arm and pulled her attention away from the boys who were looking quite scared.

Rose grinned at Lissa. "As long as I have you by my side, I'm sure no one will be too disappointed in me. After all, being the best friend to the future queen is kind of a big deal."

Lissa glared at Rose, "You know I'm not going to be queen. Surely Tatiana will name one of the older members of the council as heir." Rose sighed. Through their bond, Rose could see that Lissa really felt that way. She didn't see how good she would be for their society.

"Rose, there you are. We need to talk." Her father limped towards them, balancing on his cane. Lissa smiled at Abe as she walked away from them. Hear him out Rose. Don't be rash. She thought, knowing that Rose would listen.

"Hello Baba. I'm sorry I couldn't be the perfect daughter." Rose spoke with her eyes downcast. She couldn't bear to see the look of disappointment she was sure her father had on his face.

He gently grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "Kiz, there is no way I could be disappointed in you, unless you stopped being you. You are my daughter and I am proud of you, no matter what. Someday the world will know it too. You don't need a bitter old woman telling you what to do with your life. In time, you will find your own path." Abe looked at his beautiful daughter, not wanting to tell her the news just yet. It could keep until after dinner.

That night, as they sat around the table, Abe broke the news "The Strigoi are pushing harder against the wards and Queen Tatiana has ordered all dhampir men over the age of 16 to report for training. It's up to them to stop this. She has also decided it's time for Moroi to fight again. I have been summoned, as an earth user. I leave tomorrow for St. Vladimir's Academy."

Rose slammed her bowl down and stood up. "You can't! Baba, you have already been hurt fighting against Strigoi. There are plenty of other men to fight! Let the young men go fight and die. You are too important to us to go. Let those who don't have families go fight."

"ROSE! It is my honor to serve my people and my family"

"So, you will die for honor?"

"I will die for what is right. I know my place; it is time you learned yours."

Rose stood up and ran outside. How could the Queen do this? Weren't there enough others to fill the ranks? Her father was an earth user, and she could see how that would be a useful talent in fighting the Strigoi. Surely there were plenty of other Moroi who could go. After all, many of the Ivashkov family were earth users. As Rose thought about this as she ran to her sanctuary. Of course, they wouldn't be sending royal Moroi to fight the Strigoi. That would be going against their 'holier-than-thou' routine. She quickly lit the lantern that she kept stashed with her trainer gear and began working out her frustrations.

Girls were forbidden to train as soldiers or even to really do any sort of training, but that hadn't stopped Rose. As she practiced her kicks and punches, an idea started to form in her mind. Late that night, as her family slept, she stole a silver stake from the stack that her father had been infusing with earth, the final element put into the stakes before they were sent off to the guardians, as well as the letter from the Queen that called him to the guardians and snuck out of the house.

In the dark, she traced the familiar path to her best friend's house. She crept around to the side window and eased it open. "Lissa, it's me" she whispered.

"Rose? What are you doing here, it's the middle of the night!"

"Lissa, I need you to make me a charm. One that will convince everyone who sees me that I am a boy. I am going to join the guardians"

"What? Why? You can't. I need you! I won't help you kill yourself." Her emotions flooded into Rose. Hurt that Rose would leave her now, worry over what would happen if Rose left, pride that Rose was brave enough to do this. She started to cry softly, not that there was anyone to wake up. Her parents and brother had been killed in a tragic accident a few years before, one that Lissa and Rose had walked away from with a few scratches, and the bond between them had been a result. Rose could feel Lissa tremble, she couldn't lose her best friend.

"Liss, I am never going to be a good wife or a concubine. I'm too strong willed to be. What else is there? Besides, my father has been summoned and I can't let him go. I already figured out a story." She smiled, with the look of someone who had figured out a plan. "I am going to be Jamie, Abe's bastard son from a drunken night a year before he married my mother. When we heard about the summons my mother decided it was time for me to know my father, so I could take his place, as war is a young man's game, not an old man who has already been injured by Strigoi. Please, please help me. I just want to do something good with my life. You know how much Baba means to me. I can't lose him." Rose pleaded, trying to get her friend to understand.

Lissa sighed, "Rose, you know I could never deny you anything. Let me find something silver of Andre's and by morning you will be on your way." Lissa turned, a serious look on her face, "Don't worry, I'll cover for you as long as I can."

Rose hugged her. "Thanks Lissa, you are the best!"

As Lissa set to work, she couldn't help but worry over her friend. If anyone discovered the truth about Rose, she could very well end up losing her best friend.

Authors Note: This is my first fanfiction, so hopefully it is ok. I've been working on this story since 2015 and am just know feeling comfortable posting this. Let me know! I do not own anything other than the story plot. Characters are owned by Richelle Mead, and some lines are from the Disney movie Mulan.