Young Writers Society

Princess Rea - Eajra - Day 1
I frowned at my vanity, nudging a perfume bottle over just a bit to the left. I backed away again and frowned at the display. I returned and moved it slightly to the right. A maid knocked on my door and peeked in. “Dinner is in a few minutes, Princess.”

“Rea, please,” I murmured out of habit and waved her out as I studied the vanity from a distance again. Five minutes were spent in an attempt to get the perfume bottles in perfect order. I tried to leave three times before that but couldn’t quite talk myself into ignoring the fact that the perfume bottles refused to be separated evenly. Eventually, I just took one of the bottles off the vanity and threw it away.

I hurried down the hall, worried that I would be late. With two guests, it just wasn’t acceptable. I slowed my pace a bit as Tim and Demitri came into view and gave Tim a smile as he turned to face me. He looked tense, not that that was anything new. "You okay?" When I didn’t get a verbal answer, I turned to Demitri with a cheery smile. "Hello, Demitri."

He returned my grin if a bit less enthusiastic. “Princess Rea.”

“Rea please,” I murmured and exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes. Finally, I turned to Tim, trying to ease fears I’d never understood. "Tim, it'll be okay. You've met him before, I think. He's the brother or King Megarus." I grimaced when he stumbled. Wrong thing to say. We were almost at the dining room when the drapes caught my eye. They were just a little… I stopped.

Tim hesitated, and I waved him on. “I’ll be right in,” I murmured and could barely restrain myself enough to wait for them to disappear behind the dining room door before I went over to the curtains. It was an easier fix than the perfume bottles. One of them just needed to be pushed to the left a bit, but apparently, the maids didn’t dust curtains because I drew my hand back with dust all along the palm.

I went cold, my hand tingling oddly. It was just dust, just dust… I could handle it, just wipe it... I tried to brush it over my skirt, but I couldn’t quite do it. If it got it on my skirt I would have to change entirely. As it was, I would have to go back to my rooms, call for hot water…

Guests.

My slowly spiraling mind came to halt and focused. I couldn’t be much later than I was. Reluctantly, I brushed my hands together. They both felt soiled when I stopped but looked fine. I forced my feet toward the dining room and opened the door, working a bright smile on my face.

"Princess Rea," Marius said, standing as I walked to my seat.

"Just Rea will do," I murmured automatically and flashed a smile at the rest of the people at the table. Sitting beside my mother, I started talking to Demitri and pretended to include Tim from time to time. The conversation shifted to world affairs, pulling Marius and Mother into the conversation. Though I had trained myself through the years to appear to be listening at all times, I made sure to actually listen to Marius. I didn’t always actually enjoy our guests, but he was what I would like to be. He held strings, pulled them at will, and got to sit back to watch the countries whirl around like tops. I grinned at the idea.

There was a lull in the conversation, so I asked Demitri about Talentra, glad to hear about a different place. I smiled at his description of the ocean as he glanced down and back at me.

When Demitri presented the cloak, I ooh’d and aah’d dutifully and excused myself. My hands still felt funny. Even though I was pretty sure it was all in my head, I wanted to scrub them in hot water until they were red.

I was halfway up the stairs when I noticed. My pinky was gone. Not connected to my hand. And my ring finger was quickly following.

Magic.

The word smoldered in my head, and an image of Ataia fluttered in my thoughts. I dashed up the stairs, hiding my hands in my skirts. I was fumbling with my door, finding it hard to open it when I couldn’t see my fingers which had all slowly disappeared.

“Rea?”

I stiffened, trying to keep my voice even. “Ah… Yes?”

~Vysperian

Warden of the Prison | castle of Lethe (and other places)

*


"Wars bring nothing good."


I stayed staring at the world outside. "What wars?"

As I turned back, I found my brother giving me a strange look from his throne.


"Any wars," he said slowly. "Neither brought nothing good."


I shrugged, not quite agreeing. Neither Lethe nor the Prison had anything to do with wars others fought, and I never understood Orion's interest in other countries. The were across the ocean, never paying attention to us, so why should we pay attention to them?


"I am not interested in wars," I said.


"Perhaps you should be. Wars make people change to their worst. Wars bring you prisoners, do they not?"


I looked out of the window again, observing our two realms. It seemed strangely crowded when seen like that - both the capital of Lethe and the Prison, overlapping like drawings on different pieces of paper. I could see my prisoners walking around, passing through people as if they weren't there. I knew how lost the newer ones felt, and how desperate to be unable to touch or talk to some of the men and women around them. They didn't even need chains or scary legends - being nonexistent to others of your own kind was bad enough. I knew exactly what that felt like.


"They don't bring me prisoners. I'm just a watcher. Protector. Observer. I don't care who they are or where they came from." I know, but I don't care.


"Perhaps you should," my brother said, and walked over to me. We were of same height, and I wondered if we'd look the same if I removed all my masks. My appearance changed without me even noticing, and the one I kept when visiting Lethe was the easiest to keep for a long time. People thought it was my natural appearance, and I just went with it, despite of the fact I looked nothing like my twin brother. "Do you know of everyone you have in there?"


"I know of each of them," I said, not even trying to explain. The Prison held more people than one would ever think - yet I knew, when I wanted to know, about each one of them.


"You could stop wars, Vys," Orion said, and I frowned. I didn't like him going there - I didn't like anyone interfering with the Prison's business. I don't teach you how to run your country. "You have armies in there. You have kings and queens, heirs to thrones and lost lovers-"


"I have prisoners," I cut. "I don't interfere - I never did, nor did those before me. You just stay out of things you don't understand."


I regretted saying it the moment I said it - he didn't like me making big differences between us, and neither did I. Yet those differences were always there, ever since we were children. I got to be a god of my own dimension - he got to be a king of his land and see whichever part of the world he wanted. I wondered if he was even jealous of me, and if he knew how hard it was never to admit I was jealous of him.


He was frowning, and I didn't want to fight, so I just shook my head, moving my hand through the air. It twirled a little, as if for a moment we were seeing the rest of the room through hot smoke, and then calmed down again.

"I have things to do," I said. "We can meet again later -- or tomorrow. I will let you know. And, Ori..don't care too much."


With that, I took a step forward, knowing I've disappeared from s sight as my realm spread before me.

*


It was winter in the Prison, and it was snowing as I stepped in. The floor beneath my feet was white, and snow crumbled as I walked down the hill. In the town, where I could see people moving around, there was almost no snow, having been casted away by fires they built. From up where I stood, I could see men carrying the woods and moving themselves from the women's way. The hills and the forests, however, were covered in it, and I could see the sea being frozen at some places. Beyond the shore, further to the open sea, the ocean had the colour of amaranthyne, and the Mist seemed silver, barely visible against the white sky. I smiled a little, though I felt nothing like smiling - it held my prisoners inside, always turning them back and making my job easier, but it also marked the line I couldn't have overstepped. Even before I'd have became the Warden, taking my role from the previous one, I'd feel sick when approaching the edges of the kingdom - now, when I served more or less as the personification of my realm itself, I knew I could never leave.


Closing my eyes, I listened to the Prison whispering to me. It told me its news and secrets, tales people told and of everything that went on while I was gone, and called me to just close my mind to everything around me and disappear in the land of dreams. Your way out, it always told me, yet I always shoved those thoughts away. The woman whom I took the title from, and whom I never saw again after I did that, told me never to listen to the voices for too long. They will take over your mind, and make you trust them. And you will no longer be able to tell where you end and the Prison begins.


I sighed, turning and walking away from the city, to where my fortress awaited. I called it a fortress, and my wife referred to it as our castle sometimes, but really it was neither; the building tended to mostly look like a cathedral, from the inside, and a school or an actual prison building from the outside. Whoever built it - I was rather sure the Prison did it itself - took their time to take care of the decorations, making it at the same time frightening and enjoyable to look at. I liked that, and though I was pretty sure I could've changed it if I wished to, I kept it the same as I found it.


On the inside, however, I was rather sure it shaped itself based on my wishes. It had no throne room nor servants, yet I managed to feel like a king inside. Its spacious hallways, under the high ceilings, seemed to change every now and then, depending on how much time I wanted to spend on getting somewhere, or if I wanted someone else to get lost. Theoretically, anyone could've entered it - just as anyone could've at any point call for me and ask to get their freedom, yet no one ever did either.


I glanced at myself in a mirror next to the bedroom door, stopping in the middle of a step. My hair switched from dark red to blonde, and then hesitated oh stopped changing in the middle of silver and blue. I sighed, staring at myself. My eyes were light blue as well, and they looked mad. Well Orion and his outer world can go to hell. I frowned, making my appearance get back to something more or less normal. Not quite succeeding, I managed to get myself look like a shorter-haired version of my brother. Perhaps this winter should end. It's making me more touchy than I like to be, and I can't properly sort my thoughts.

In reply, my clothes turned green, with golden floral ornaments. I sighed.


"Spring, I get it. You'll have your spring--" I smiled in the middle of that sentence, thinking of something. "In a day or so." I could practically feel the Prison grinning. "What?"


"There's been a murder.. I have a body in my street."


I sighed, running my fingers through my hair - it turned purple - and felt my bad mood rising again. Why can't just one day be calm and peaceful? Why does there have to be some idiot, every time, who gives in to his needs and kills another prisoner, knowing he'd get punished for it? And on top of everything, I thought as I told the Prison to bug me with it tomorrow, my brother decides to play a saint, making me feel guilty about something I shouldn't at all be feeling guilty about.


I closed the door behind me with my heel, and glanced at Ataia as she got up from the bed and walked towards me. There you go, Orion, it's not like I never change the fate of my prisoners. She's my wife now, and when she came- I stopped myself. Those thoughts could've only made me feel worse, and I knew it very well. Ataia wasn't another prisoner. Not even when she first came. She never did anything wrong, but had been born with wrong abilities in wrong place. That was what made her so interesting, her not being anything like a regular prisoner, stalking me as I observed her..I suppressed a smile, remembering out first days, as she approached me.


"How did your talk with your brother go?"


Don't remind me.

"Fine."


I moved to the table, getting rid of all the mostly unnecesarry things I brought back with me. Moving through Lethe in disguise, I was always interested in the objects from there, collecting coins and buying things in their fairs. Ataia walked up behind me and rubbed my shoulders, and I stopped playing with a small toy I picked up somewhere. What do I have to do with wars? Like I'm not busy enough.


"Want to talk about it?"


"No."


"Fine," she snapped back, squeezing my shoulders tighter and making me regret the way I acted. Not her fault. You're mad at your brother, or yourself for not wanting to be mad at him..not at her.


"...I'm sorry." I said slowly. "No, I don't want to talk about it."


"That's alright."


I could feel her breath on my neck, her lips almost touching my ear. I know what you're doing. I won't tell you. I sighed, letting the Prison voices in once again.

"I have them waiting..should they be punished? The girl wants to talk to you. Oh and your wife was around before - she helped the body before it was a body."

I tipped my head back, trying to calm myself down. Ataia was always reckless, always trying to help me doing my job. I doubted she really understood that the Prison could punish her just like everyone else if I happened to be away - but that wasn't what troubled me the most. I wanted to tell her I must go, because someone called for me - it happened rarely, almost never, in the history of several previous Wardens - but I stopped myself before doing that. I never told Ataia it was possible. I never told her I could let people go if I judged their request to be justified.

"When she finds out you've been keeping her here.."

I blinked to send the voice away, and almost heard chuckling from the air and the walls. Not funny. If I told her, she would never understand why I didn't let her out alredy. She is innocent of any real crimes, after all.

I did my best to make my voice sound normal.

"What did you do today?"


"Mm, not much.."


"Oh?" Except for you obviously helped that dead person before they were dead. You should tell me about that. "I heard you had a bit of trouble."


"Who did you hear that from?" She knew very well that she did something I wouldn't particularly like hearing about, and she acted sweet and seducing to make me change the subject - and it was almost working.


Who told me? The Prison did. I chuckled. I had told her I could understand it, but I never wanted to talk about the details.

"That's not important."


"Come on..." Her hands moved across my chest, and I recalled the sight of the town from before.


"I didn't have to hear it from anyone," I replied. "It was fairly obvious. Men aren’t that polite, naturally."


“It’s good to hear they got the point.” She murmured.


"What did you do?" Do I want to know? Whatever it was that she did, pretty surely was, in its essence, a good deed. Yet I knew her ways tended to be something I didn't really like hearing about, and I found myself imagining more than I wanted to imagine.


She hesitated. "I caught three men raping a woman."


I can think of what you did to them. I sighed. "Are there bodies for me to clean up?" Apart from that woman, who apparently got killed after you helped her. I didn't want to tell her that - I knew she'd feel guilty to handing that woman over to someone who took her life.


"Mm-mm. I didn't kill them," she said in a soft voice, and I was pretty sure she smiled to herself. "They'll be fine. No work for you to do."


"Good," I said, suddenly feeling more tired than ever. The prisoners, whoever they are, will have to wait tomorrow. I don't feel like doing anything tonight."


"...Pity," she said, "I had an idea."


Oh, did you, now?

"What?"


"Well." She pulled my cloak off, laying to the side, and pulled me closer. "How about you take a guess?"


I closed my eyes, too tired to think. I rarely felt bad enough to not be in the mood for Ataia - it surprised even myself, but even as she pushed me on the bed and sat in my lap, it was impossible to concentrate on her with the Prison fighting for my attention.


"Very interesting individuals, the two.. But you know it already, of course you do... One with family all over the kingdoms, and one with no family at all. They make a cute couple - certainly intriguing enough to be worthy of spending one night separated from her, yes..?"


"I don't know..." I muttered, opening my eyes.


"I'm sure you'll enjoy it." She cooed, and I felt her hands under my shirt, as she smiled down at me.


"The lost Queen wants out, you know..perhaps we could let her leave. Participate, for once.. I miss our name being said in fear. We are not a mere legend."

"I'm sure I would," I said to Ataia, dumping her off on the bed and getting up. Way to kill the mood.


I couldn't have let them go - could I? It would be interfering. It would be doing the exact opposite of what I said to Orion. Wars.. but it didn't mean a war would start, did it? That girl, the young Queen who dreamed of going home, had done nothing wrong - just like Ataia, really. She was born in the Prison - I remembered her as a baby, and I remembered as her parents died, and I couldn't have blamed her for wanting out. We do not interfere with the businesses of the Kingdoms. We never had, we never will.


"Her line might die with her here..you're not like that. Besides, don't you want to be free? Don't you want us to be stronger? We need our prisoners - real prisoners, not our children."


"What happened?" Ataia asked, but I couldn't focus to answer her in a proper way.


Could we-- could I really? Could the Prison be strong enough to take care of itself? Could I get out, from time to time at least? See the kingdoms, be somewhere where I wouldn't have to wear a disguise, not in someone's dreams but like a real living person..? I chewed on my lip. I did let a prisoner go once before - but that was different. It was because we shared a certain kind of bond, and I felt more real in his dreams than in any other person's. Letting princess Van Aldarean out now..after centuries her family has spent inside..it would change more than just the feeling I got from visiting people's dreams. It could change everything. Could it bring a new war to those lands?


"It could..you know it could.. But what if it doesn't? It could bring peace, couldn't it..? If we get stronger, we will be able to take care of the world. Not make it worse, but make it better. You control us now - imagine controlling the world like that. One move of your hand could build cities and change seasons. And your beloved princess.." I looked at Ataia, who now eyed me somewhat concernedly. I smiled at her and walked back to the bed.


"Oh, yes," the Prison whispered as I closed my eyes again, "she could be free and happy and always by your side."

*


| The Prison

Day One


I kissed Ataia to wake her up, practically feeling my eyes changing colour as she opened hers. I grinned at her, and she eyed me somewhat suspiciously.


"Mm..what?"


I moved from her, letting her sit up.

"I wanted to show you something." Her lips curled into a smile, and I got up. She followed that example, though still seeming somewhat unsure, putting her usually tight clothes on. I stopped in buttoning up my shirt, leaned against a wall and looked at her, until I felt tingling in my back.


"Come on..watch her later."


I sighed, but grinned as she turned back to me, giving me a look in between of expectation and suspicion. I took her hand, leading her out, and the door closed behind us.


Neither of us said a word as I led her to the same hill I appeared on the day before, coming back from Lethe. No new snow had fallen over the night, yet my footsteps from before we're gone. I could feel the Prison expecting, waiting for my next move, and I could hear its voices again. You should stop listening, I warned myself, taking a stronger hold of Ataia's hand. She was still giving me the same suspicious glances, and I couldn't help but grin all the time. I closed my eyes for a second.


"Shall we?"


I opened them again, wondering if they've changed colour. Yes, I replied its question, unheard by anyone but myself. Let's make it spring at last. Do your best - and be imaginative.


If its tone was a person, they'd be bowing. "Only as imaginative as yourself."


At first, nothing happened - for a second as long as eternity, we just stood still and silent. Then the wind became warmer, and I could feel everything changing even before the Prison began its transformation. The snow beneath our feet was melting, but not turning into water - as if it slowly disintegrated back into snowflakes which made it, or dispersed in silvery dust. Nearly the moment it drew away, tiny dots of green appeared on dark dirt, growing into grass and flowers as we looked at them, as if someone has sped up the time for them. Ataia's hand squeezed mine tighter - I didn't know if she was afraid or impressed, or a bit of both - and I absently smiled to her, observing as green took the place of white. Mountains, forests, all across the land - everything was changing, even the ocean, shifting into darker blue and shining under the new sun. Only the Mist stayed the same, silverish and slightly moving in the distance. I looked up as the clouds cleared, and grinned at Ataia's expression as I looked back down. I've never before made a season change before her eyes - just like for everyone else, it seemed natural for her before as well. But now.. She's not a normal prisoner. If I hadn't loved her - if I hadn't wanted her by my side, safe and as happy as she could possibly be, I'd have never even kept her inside.


A tree raised from the ground behind her, casting its shadow over us, and she backed off in surprise, more or less falling in my hug. Wind played with her hair and pulled my clothes - which changed into that dark green and golden again - and I closed my eyes again, wishing I could hold her like that forever.

She looked up at me and smiled. Moving my hair through the air, I watched as a flower appeared, handing it to her. As she took it, hesitating a bit, hundreds more sprouted around our feet - daffodils, her favourites. I shrugged as she gave me a surprised glance.


"I'm sorry about being weird last night," I said. "It wasn't your fault I was in bad mood."


"I know," she smiled, reaching up to kiss me, and I pulled her closer.


"Ataia, I-" sudden rain cut through my words, making us both wet in a second. I closed my eyes, frustrated by the Prison interfering - like a jealous lover - and found Ataia laughing as I opened them again. I grinned apologetically. "That..wasn't a planned part of this showing off."


"It was quite of a showing off," she played with the flower. "Is that how seasons always change? I never saw you doing it."


I nodded. "I know you didn't like winter," I said. "I wanted to show you how spring can be made - but I don't always do it myself."


With my hands on her shoulders, I gently pushed her, until her back touched the tree. Then I kissed her again, and she kissed me back, running her fingers through my hair. I wonder what colour it is. I didn't want to let her go, ever..but I wondered how long is forever when it came to the Prison. The Warden before me, she said that time will never treat me the same way it treats others, yet she never cared to elaborate. Folowing the line of her neck with my kisses, I considered lying to the grass around us and spending the rest of the day there with my wife - but a wasp buzzed around us, and the next moment I felt my wrist stinging. What now..ah, right. Yetch and Aqui. I sighed, pulling away from Ataia and frowning at my hand. She glanced at it, and then looked back at my face.


"You have to go, don't you?"


You know my expressions too well. "Nothing would make me as happy as avoiding my job right now," I said. "Nonetheless, I have to go, yes. I've been called for." Despite of the fact it was distracting me from spending time with her, I couldn't help but feel a bit proud - or excited - for no prisoner has ever used that right in the years I was the Warden.
***


~Aqui
Queen of Scarthia | The Prison
*


I draw a line on the wall with the burnt match, and sighed as it broke in half. Rubbing the trace from the wall with my finger, I heard someone screaming. A woman. I turned to Yetch, sitting on the ground and glaring at flames turning some bunch of papers into ashes. He looked up as she screamed again, and I blinked to make myself stop staring at the fire myself. I spend too much time with him.

"Come," I muttered, walking out of the narrow alley we were in. He muttered something, but got up and followed me, and we both joined a small group of people observing the show. The woman no longer screamed - what was more than understandable, seeing her mouth were rather occupied - but tears she'd down her face.

Someone pushed me aside to get a better and I bumped into Yetch. He grinned down at me.
"You did that on purpose, really."

"Shut up," I muttered, crossing my arms on my chest and observing as Princess Ataia arrived to the scene.

It was pathetic, really, to see people coming to watch, but not doing anything. Prisoners or not, guilty for something or not, if just one of the men I saw around thought of interfering, they could've helped that girl and there'd be no need for the Warden's wife to do her thing. I smirked at myself, knowing half of them were thinking the same. I could hear my mother's voice in my head, clear as if she stood right next to me. "Someone must lead, my love - and it's on the kings and queens to make the first step, not on the followers." I lived by it as a child. She lived by it all her life - and got killed eventually. In the Prison, no one cared of who or what I was. I could've worn a thousand crowns and call myself the queen of the world, and it wouldn't stop some passing idiot from stabbing me to death because he felt like it at the moment. My mother's advices were honourable and noble, but applied to the world outside. Having been born in the Prison, just as myself, she should've known better - yet she insisted on holding to her codes of royalty, and it resulted in me being alone for the biggest art of my life. Not counting Yetch, that is - though to be completely fair, he was probably the reason no passing idiot has tried to stab me yet.

This girl.. I watched as Princess Ataia - whom I stubbornly called by her title, even though she was no more a princess here than I was a queen - separated the men from the woman. I couldn't help feeling mad. Not at the men, but at her - what was she thinking? Didn't she know she always had to watch herself? And the screams..did she really expect someone to help her? Was she that new? even if she was, she must have heard legends. People should pay more attention to legends.

Princess Ataia knelt by the woman, stroking her hair out of her face. Is that what a future queen should act like? I glanced at Yetch, who seemed to be somewhat bored - I knew him well enough to be pretty sure he imagined the way that woman's hair would smell caught by the flames, the way they'd reflect in her eyes and licked her skin, and what the screams would sound like. I frowned at myself, wondering if I was giving it too much thoughts.

"D-don't hurt me. Please." The girl whimpered. "I-It wasn't my fault. Please."

"I'm not going to hurt you." The Princess looked up, glaring at us. Oh, no. Don't involve me now. I don't- "Yetch, Aqui, get this girl to the infirmary. Immediately."

I forced myself to stay silent. After all, she was the Warden's wife - and even put her infamous way of dealing with prisoners aside, she was the authority. Yetch gave me a quick glance, and we helped her up, heading to the infirmary.

I could have told the way to it with my eyes closed - before the tenth year of my life, I'd known the city as the back of my hand, and I always looked to memorize the way of reaching a certain destination. Yetch on the other hand, though he had arrived to the Prison before I was even born, never cared to remember the way through the streets.

The woman was surprisingly heavy. I recalled listening of how unconscious and dead bodies were always heavier than conscious live people, but the hasn't faded yet. You could walk on your own feet, I almost said, biting my tongue before I did. She just went through something really unpleasant. Let her calm down a bit before you call it her own fault.

“Bunch of sickos," Yetch noticed.

I could practically see his wish to turn the buildings around to ashes.
“You’re one to talk," I said.

He looked back at me.
“You know, your skin really glows when you do that."

I frowned, not aware I was doing anything special. "Do what?”

“Breathe.”

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. Will you never stop with that? I liked him - in a friendly way, and as a person who was around me ever since I've known of myself - but I've told him to stop with the useless flirting..or whatever it was. I turned to the woman. "Don't worry, we’ll reach the infirmary soon.”

Yetch said nothing more, keeping the rhythm of my steps as I lead the way to the infirmary - the building looking like a prison itself, probably because they knew that many would try to take advantage of sick and wounded if they got the chance. I wonder if this place's warden even knows what it's like. I wonder if his wife even ever tells him. Yetch knocked, and lady in dark blue - the nurse - opened the door for us.

“What happened?” She asked.

“Girl got raped," I said. She covered her mouth, and I kept my face expressionless. Was she surprised? It was stupid to be - it happened all the time, and I knew she was well aware of that. At least they didn't cut anything off her. But you might get yourself a few more patients as Princess Ataia finishes her deed with this girl's attackers.

“Oh my, that’s terrible," the nurse said, eyeing the girl, and Yetch smiled. Well, I know where you will take the conversation...

“Nothing a bit of fire couldn’t fix.”

And there we go. I didn't even try to stop him, and the nurse eyed him with a strange expression, as if trying to figure if he'd serious or joking.

"What?”

“Here,” he said, holding his palm for her to take. "Give me your hand.”

“Maybe we should help this girl fi-”

Yetch didn't let her finish, grabbing her hand. "We can deal with her later." I watched as he made fire flow through his fingers - it was always somewhat fascinating, though I was never planning on admitting it to him. As if fire literally ran through his veins, under his skin, appearing at the tips of his fingers and moving up the nurse's arm, like a pet trying to get its owner's attention. "See, doesn’t this feel nice?”

The woman screamed - not as loudly as I expected her to, and not in a long, loud way most people did, but it was screaming nevertheless. I frowned a bit at the smell, and the fact it was making me hungry. Someone should've told me how close were the smells of all burning animals to that of burning people. Surprisingly similar - the first time I felt it, I thought Yetch was making us dinner. It was one of the least pleasant surprises in my life. I never touched any meat he offered me to eat after that.

I watched as he let her go, her hand now black and almost unrecognizable as a body part, and she just continued screaming. Shut up, I thought to myself, it's not going to help you. Go fix yourself inside, screaming won't make it any better. As if she read my mind, she turned and stumbled inside. I turned to Yetch, wishing to tell him he could've stopped before making her hand completely unusable, as the girl we were holding suddenly got heavier. She passed out - and almost pulled me with her as she slode to the ground.

I tried to get her back on her feet, still glaring at Yetch. “Now look what you did.”

“She’d be a lot lighter without all the extra skin," he replied. Oh, come on. I liked fire, it was something he was well aware of - but he was addicted with making things burn, and for some reason, people were among the most interesting test subjects. I didn't even try to stop him, as he repeated the deed with sending flames at her. At least she's unconscious. Sometimes it was almost better - dying in fire, especially if they weren't aware of it, was certainly a better fright than being slowly tortured to death, or enslaved by someone stronger than you, or raped and used over and over again. I was born in the Prison - I saw its marvels, the way the seasons changed over the night and the way Mist shined, almost invitingly, passages changing and Wardens replacing each other.. And I saw its horrors, the dark sides of people and the streets at night, and prisoners disappearing or getting hurt for breaking the rules no one ever explicitly explained to us.

“She look much more lively this way, doesn’t she?” Yetch's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I focused at the girl again. Flames jumped on her skin, seeming happy as children playing, burning her clothes and exploring her skin, then devouring it like a hungry animal, so hot that heir hearts turned blue instead of orange, and their tips seemed almost golden.

“More colorful, I’d say.”

I felt his eyes on me, and was pretty sure I knew what he was thinking of. “Wouldn’t it be lovely to look like that yourself?”

Ever since I was a little girl - probably due to the fact he was around back in those times as well - I liked playing with fire, and I've burned my fingers and my lips as I tried doing tricks with it. Eventually, I learned how to properly do them, but my mother said it wasn't suiting a princess to play a street magician. Yetch's fire, however, wasn't the kind the matches made, not for me at least - his fire came from magic, and no matter how real it seemed or how it could affect others, it couldn't have hurt me. So I smirked at his question.
“You can try.”

“You won’t hide behind those powers of your forever,” he said, throwing a flame at me. I watched as it burned down on my skin, feeling the heat but not even pain. "One day, I will get you.”

“Of course you will," I said, observing as the girl turned to bones and ashes. That was rather fast. I knew he knew that he couldn't hurt me, and no matter how much he wished me to give him my consent, I wasn't planning on testing how exactly my powers worked. I knew I couldn't get hurt by magic - just like my mother and all the royal Scarthians before her - but I wasn't sure if that'd change if I actually wanted magic to affect me. Perhaps, if I believed something wouldn't hurt me, I could be affected by it..but Yetch's fire wasn't something I wanted to try it with. I know you wouldn't be able to control yourself - just like you weren't able to control yourself now, and this girl just got killed in a few minutes. I froze. Killings in the Prison never ended well - and if Princess Ataia reacted the way she did on those guys raping this girl, how would she react on Yetch..on us..killing her? I mentally smacked myself for being so stupid, glaring at him. “Great, now we’re both gonna get punished for this.”

He shrugged. "Hey, maybe you should’ve stopped me.”

Who is the adult in this pair, again?
“What was I supp-”

The ground moved - or was it us who moved through it..? Either way, I felt unable to move and run, and the next moment I fell through darkness.
*

I screamed as I landed in water to my waist, not being able to control myself from shaking. Control yourself, I tried to tell myself, but it was like something gripped hold of my mind and made me unable to think straight. I hated myself in that moment, wondering blankly how stupid it was to be afraid of water. I ran my fingers through my hair, leaving it wet, and forced myself to breathe calmly again. Why is here so much water? Why is it so freaking dark? I wanted to see something, anything around me. I wanted to try to find my way through the water, reach a wall or stairs, pull myself out of it. More than ever, I wanted to see a flickering flame, but nothing was happening, nothing was changing.

“Yetch!” I couldn't keep my voice calm, and the call came out sounding almost as terrified as I felt. Light that f*cking fire now, damn you!

“I’m right next to you, why are you yelling?”

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply. At least he was still there, and I wasn't all alone. At least I could focus on talking and not on..wherever it was that we landed. "Because of you, we’re waist deep in water.”

“Is that what this is?”

“Of course!" I found yelling to be strangely helpful - perhaps that's why everyone screamed as they burned, I thought absentmindedly - not because of the pain, but because of the fear imprisoning their hearts. "What else would it be?”

“You know, I’ve alway wondered where the bathroom pipes run," he said, and I could imagine him smirking. It's not funny!

I wanted to get out of there - I needed to get out of there. So desperately that I could barely properly breathe, shaking as I tried to orientate. There had to be some kind of exit..some wall, something..anything. I stopped in the middle of a step - or whatever it was that I was making, seeing I couldn't normally walk through the water - as I thought of something else. What if something is living here? What if I come to a wall, and find something crawling over it? What if something shares this water with us? Or someone..? What if there are bones of all the others, on the bottom, of all those who did something wrong and ended up here? What if they never let us go? I smirked at myself, well aware I didn't even quite know who they were.

I sighed, recalling what I've heard from my parents - the Prison itself could punish the prisoners, lock them in their deepest fears and kill them or use at will. I used to think it was just a story - but on the same note, most people of the outside world though the entire Prison to be a legend, didn't they? I bit my lip, hard, thinking of the previous Warden. I didn't know her very well - I didn't really know her at all, seeing she left without a trace when I was just a little girl - but I recalled my mother knowing her, and her being very nice to our family. "You can call for me whenever you need me," she once said. I couldn't tell if that was a regular policy when it came to the Wardens, or just a friendly offer..but not like I had anything to lose. I licked my lips, trying to keep my voice somewhat authoritative this time.

"I believe," I said, "I have the right to ask for the meeting with the Warden."

"What?”

“I wasn’t talking to you," I snapped at Yetch.

“I suppose you think there’s someone else here then?”

“The Prison is listening," I said. That I was sure enough of - as a child, I sometimes talked to it, and my mother told me always to be careful with what I'm saying. Is the Warden listening too?

Yetch was silent for a long time, and I turned again, trying to get to a wall once more. After a while of moving around, I gave up, figuring I can barely feel my legs. My skin was freezing, and I felt my lips trembling, and I wished I had my coat - I'd been taken it off as we observed the fire, and now I was so cold I couldn't even recall what warmth felt like.

Something moved next to my leg, and I backed away, new wave of coldness passing through my body as I moved. Just let us go. I'll stop him from killing anyone else, just get me out of here. I calmed myself again, feeling my heart racing as I figured I couldn't hear a thing. I'm not alone, am I? Yetch is still here.. Right?

"Yetch?" I called, barely louder than a whisper. Nothing happened, I didn't even hear him make a move. Don't tell me you left me alone here. "Yetch. Yetch!"

I felt someone's hands grabbing my shoulders from behind, and I couldn't help taking a sharp breath. Then I heard Yetch chuckling, and turned, slamming my hands into his chest.
"It's not funny!"

I could practically feel his grin. "It actually is rather funny."

"Shut up," I cut. "Don't do that."

I was shaking, and I knew he noticed, but I couldn't make myself move away again.

"What, are you actually afraid?"

Can't you just for once be a normal friend and stop joking? Yes, I'm f*cking afraid! "I'm not afraid. Shut up."

"..so, your big fear is water?"

"Shut up!" I caught his hand, realizing after a moment that I couldn't do anything - I couldn't drain his energy, not even a bit to make him stop teasing me. "..I can't use my powers."

"Yeah. Figured that - if I could use mine, we wouldn't be in the dark, would we?"

I said nothing. What if there's something magical in here? I'd be unable to protect myself - both of us would. Would you protect me if something attacked us? I somehow doubted he would. Why is nothing happening? Didn't the Prison hear me?

"Yetch," I muttered, hating myself for feeling like a frightened little girl. You're a damn queen, Aqui. "Tell me about something."

"What?"

"Anything."

"How about water?"

I wanted to kill him - but that would leave me alone there. "Fine," I sighed, "I'm scared. Happy now? I was never left powerless in a pitch dark room filled with freezing water, and I wasn't exactly prepared for it scaring the shit out of me, is that what you want to hear? Now stop being so f*cking mean and shut up about it!"

And those are not tears, I wanted to say, my hair is just wet and water is dripping down my face for that. I didn't say it - because he didn't ask.

*

| The Prison (and other places)
Day One


I didn't know for how long have we been kept there. The coldness never went away, and the water seemed deeper with every moment - though I knew it was only so in my mind - and I had to force myself to focus on Yetch talking about fire and the way different materials looked when burned. I was sure the night has already passed, and standing in freezing water made my legs hurt and numb at the same time. I was tired, but there was no place I could sleep. I was thirsty, yet I didn't dare to try and take a sip of the water around us. I was hungry and I felt terribly weak, but even if I had my magic, I wouldn't want to almost kill Yetch to make myself feel better again.

"So, you've called for me."

I turned to the voice, blinking rapidly as I figured the room was now softly lit and completely dry. I stepped back from Yetch, letting go of his hand - I wasn't even aware of holding it - and frowned at the figure in black. His hair was black as well, and eyes seemed almost golden. Appropriate, I thought to myself, thinking of my own eye colour.

"I..I have." Took you long enough. "Are you the Warden?"

"Indeed I am. Take a seat, would you?"

I blinked as two chairs appeared, looking almost like thrones. He can do everything here. Reluctantly, I sat on one, and Yetch took the other. I really want to sleep. And eat. I wonder if my powers are back. With no more water and darkness around, I felt far more confident.


"You're here for a reason," the Warden said. "That girl died."

"I wasn't-"

"You could've stopped it," he cut through my words. I frowned.

"That's not what I wanted to say." He cocked his head to a side. "You know who I am, don't you?"

"Yes," he said. "Yes I do, Aqui."

"If you expect me to adress you with your title, you should address me with mine," I said before I managed to stop myself. I didn't look at Yetch, wondering if I'd just gotten us into even worse trouble. The Warden smirked.

"I didn't ask you to adress me in any way," he noticed, and I looked away. Touche. "What did you wish to talk about, then? Titles?"

"I.." I took a deep breath. What did I want to talk about? "I want to get out of here. Of..not of this room, but out of the Prison." He was just looking at me. "I was born here, not sent. Not even my parents - not even my parents' parents were sent here. And those who were, they practically came willingly. I believe.." I hope.. "..that you have the power to let people go."

He ran his fingertips over his chin, carefully observing me, before he slowly nodded. "I have that kind of power, yes." He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a moment, and then glanced at Yetch. "What about him?"

I bit my lip. I didn't know what I could do - I was well aware that he was actually guilty of the crime the Prison was punishing us for committing, but I didn't feel like entering the outside world with no one I knew by my side.
"He..is coming with me," I said silently, praying he doesn't disappear and leave us to the dark water and cold again. He seemed to be considering it.

"Give me a good reason," he said then. I glared at him. "The one you gave for yourself..I can accept that. He, however, was sent here. And for a reason, even."

I looked back at him. "Let him go with me, and I'll be owing you a favour."

"..a favour."

"Yes," I nodded. "Any favour at all, whenever you wish. I'm..sure you'd have your ways of reaching me."

"Indeed.." He waved his hand and a wall shifted, turning into some kind of soft mass. "Way out," he said. "Just pass through it."

Yetch and I both got up, neither eyeing the portal with anything but suspicion on our faces. "Just..like that?"

"Just like that," the Warden got up as well. "But you must also promise me something, Queen Van Aldarean." He was silent for a moment, as I reached to touch the wall. "Promise me you won't start a war."

I frowned at him a bit. I am going home. I'm going to meet the rest of my family, to see my country and my people.. Of course I won't start a war. "I promise."
***

~Daerys

Prince of Barqarnon | Gardens of castle of Merillial

Day Two

*


As I left the castle to find Quill in the back garden again, I considered apologising for whatever it was I did before to put him in such bad mood - but I knew he wouldn't believe if I said I was sorry anyway. He was lying on the ground, and though he smiled at me, he also gave me a somewhat strange look - as if trying to make me get rid of whatever was troubling him, perhaps. Well if you just told me what's the problem, we could work it out, couldn't we? "How was the lunch?"


I thought of what to say, as he reached his hands to me. "Come." I didn't move. "Come on. There's no one around."


I considered it, frowning slightly, wondering how good a swordsman father was. Him and his brother, I was rather sure, got the same lessons as children - and uncle Marius used to be known as the best all across the kingdoms. I was barely aware of the moves I was making. Perhaps you are an idiot.


I thought of just letting it all go, and letting Quill do whatever he wanted with me. Quill has called me to come to him playfully, yet at the same time it sounded like an order - more so, like an order he wouldn't tolerate being disobeyed. It was usually the way I talked - to Lierre recently especially - but Quill was recently really choosing bad moments to act like he's the master in our relationship. I looked back in his eyes. I wonder how you'll react to this.

"I challenged my father to a duel," I said.


His hands fell down, and his smile got wiped off. I was almost surprised to see such shock in his eyes - I expected him to be caught by surprise, yes, but in a more..angry..way. Not so much like I told him I was going to die in an hour.


"...Megarus?"


I glared at him. Do I have more than one father?

"Who else?"


He slowly sat up, seeming lost. Does he really care about me so much..?

“Back out," he said. "Tell him you can’t, pretend to have broken a leg.. Anything!” At the end of that sentence, he was practically shouting.


Well, that is new. Are you mad at me? I observed his face. No, it wasn't quite anger - or if it was, it wasn't the kind of anger Thran felt before when I blocked his sight to Lierre, or the kind people felt every day for numerous reasons. It was more than that, it was fear - fear and worry, most likely because he could've done nothing more about it. That's interesting. And not really expected. And I want you to say it.

"You're afraid?"


He got up in one swift move, now seeming mad as he looked down at me.

"He’s going to kill you, and you won’t even know what happened," he said. "You might be good,” he gripped my chin, making me meet his eyes, “but he’s a thousand times better."


That is great to hear. I sometimes wondered if spending so much time with me made him unable to properly handle emotions. No. It's because he knows he can tell you anything and you won't care anyway. I frowned.

“You’re my teacher, so teach me how to win," I said.


He was silent for a second.

"When's the duel?” He asked then.


“I don’t know," I said. "It’s up to him.”


He seemed to be fighting with himself.

"You’re an idiot,” he said then. And you're dangerously close to overstepping it. “It’ll take years to..” he shook his head, taking the swords and handing one to me. “Lets play a game."


What now?

“...A game?”


“Yeah. It’s called ‘spot the weakness’.” He took his position. “You figure out my weakness and attack.”


Your weakness.. I looked at him for a moment, as he was looking at me, waiting for me to take my position as well. He wasn't really guarding his leg properly, and I was fairly sure he was doing it on purpose. But just pointing that out wouldn't be nearly as interesting.. I pressed the blade of my own sword against my neck.


"What are you.." He gave me a puzzled look. Do show me I'm right. I know I am. I'm your biggest weakness. I wondered what he would do.


The sword dropped from his hand, and he stepped forward, grabbing the blad of mine and pulling it away. Would you have done it if it wasn't dulled as well? His lips brushed against mine, and I made myself keep my eyes opened. I wanted to let go of the sword, hug him an bury my fingers into his back, hard enough to make him show it hurt. I wanted to kiss him and bite his lip, until it bleeds. I wanted to take him to the room or to some lonely spot, chain him to a bed and cut his skin until he tells me about the pain he feels and begs me to stop. But I didn't do any of that. Because I knew he wanted me to - I could see it in his eyes - and I didn't want to play by his rules. Go ahead, I thought. Do it yourself - see how I'll react. Show me you care, again and again, like I will never show you.


"Don't do it," he muttered. That sounds almost desperate.


"I think that earned me a point," I replied.


He leaned his forehead against mine, and I met his eyes. If looking carefully enough, I could've seen every emotion in people's eyes. With Quill, it was harder than with others, because he knew more than well of how to keep them hidden - yet on the other hand, I knew him for long enough to learn exactly what kinds of emotions is he trying to hide.

"Yes," he said slowly, so silently that I wouldn't have been able to understand him if I stood one step further. "Don't die, please."


That is desperate, I couldn't help thinking. But satisfying at the same time. He hugged me, pulling me closer, and I kissed him back as his lips met mine. This time, he was much gentler than before breakfast, even though I knew I have pushed his emotions even further than usual. I was almost surprised by him being so gentle - I expected him to push me to the ground and disregard my words as I tell him to stop constraining my movement, but he only let go of me after a moment - strangely short, too short moment - and took a step back.

"Let's spar. For real this time."

*


Quill seemed pleased as I made him stumble back, yet I was sure he was still somewhat lost in his thoughts. He paused, and we moved back to the part of the garden we started out duel, and I stopped in the middle of a step as I spotted Thran, Lierre and Ludiv.

“Hey Thran," I greeted.


“Dae," he nodded. What, are you mad at me for making fun of you before? You asked for it.


Lierre stepped away from him, approaching and hugging me. I thought of kissing her, for a moment, kissing her and holding her tight and right next to me, until she'd give in and kiss me back - just to see how Thran and Quill would react. Just to find how that'd make them feel. You need them, I reminded myself again. You need them to get married, and for that, you need Thran to like both of you. Or her at least - if he gets to be too much of a problem to you, you'll be able to deal with that.

I glanced at Thran over her shoulder, feeling my lips curling into a smile as I noticed the way he looked at me. Jealousy won't help. She will always be mine, even after they say she's yours. She smiled a wide smile to me, as Thran approached us.


"I wish to see you later," I whispered to her, before turning to her fiancé. He looked like he wanted something. Sparring? Possibly. To show Lierre he can beat me. Very well, then. "I think Quill could use a break."


I gave him a short look, wordlessly telling him to go with it. He didn't seem pleased at all - I was rather sure he didn't like my sister hugging me, but I wasn't intending to act like I cared.


“I certainly could.” Quill said, offering Thran his sword.


“Want to spar?” I asked. The Prince hesitated.


“Meh...maybe later.” He rolled his shoulders again. “I want to talk to you, right now.”


“Ooh," I almost grinned. What about, want me to tell you what your future wife is like in bed? "Am I in trouble?”


“Shut up.” He pushed me to follow him, walking by. “Let’s go. Now.”


Or I can focus on learning how not to die to my father, and you can go away.

“I want to spar.” I insisted.


“I could spar with you, Lor--Prince Daerys, if you want someone to spar with.” Ludiv, Thran's guard, offered. I am not a prince here.


“No," Thran cut. "We’re talking. Now. You can spar with Quill.”


I had a feeling I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about. Lierre surely was watching herself, yet I knew it wasn't hard to notice her..discomfort..around men.

“I can spar and talk.” I said.


“I...” He glanced at Lierre and sighed, confirming my doubts, and then looked back at me. “Fine. I can wait.”


“Practicing being a big boy for once?" It was almost stronger than me. He was so easy to tease. "I’m impressed.”


“Shut up.”


I smirked.

“Nice comeback.”


“I thought you wanted to spar."


Winning again. So soon, though..

“I do.”


“So does Ludi. Ludiv.” Slip of tongue, now, wasn't it.. “So get to it. I want to talk to you.”


"Your guard?" I acted surprised by his offer. "Fine."


"Better watch it," he said as a warning. "She'll stomp your ass into the ground if you don't pay attention."


Charming way with words indeed, I almost said. No wonder they send you on diplomatic missions.


Thranack's guard, not completely unexpectedly seeing her position, was talented. She made me back off, over and over, and it wasn't easy to spot any weakness I could use. Perhaps I should put my sword under Thran's throat this time, maybe she works the same way Quill does. I shoved away that thought. Father has no such weaknesses. You won't be able to pull that stunt on him. Focus and learn to win properly, Dae.

I more listened to the sound of our blades meeting, than actually followed the fight. He's a thousand times better, I heard Quill's voice in my head again. He was, I knew he was. I dueled uncle Marius once - it took him barely five minutes to get both of our swords pointed at me, and his breathing didn't even fasten.


He will cut you into pieces. I didn't know what I'd do if father decided to have the duel later that day. Or the next morning. I wasn't afraid, but I knew I would've been if I could. Anyone would be - but I brought it upon myself. My biggest problem wasn't the fact we were to duel, even, but I didn't want to tell anyone about that. My biggest problem was the fact I couldn't have afforded killing him, and I knew he would want to kill me.

I had thought of killing him and taking the throne before - but ever since he came to Merillial, it was hard to think about anything else. I needed to get away. I wanted that crown, I wanted that title, I wanted for once to have others doing as I say. To sit on a throne and have others bow to me, instead of expecting me to bow to them. To raise my armies and to show the people that Barqarnon can have a different king, one they'd need to respect because of all he could do, not because he only expected everyone to worship him.


I imagined him fighting against me, with real instead of dulled swords. Thinking of his blows before performing them, keeping his face as unreadable as I kept mine, perhaps trying to lock his eyes on mine to make me hesitate, like predators would do with their prey. He never does that with you. I recalled him avoiding my gaze - every single time, except for that moment when he accepted my challenge, and a dark smile crept up on my face. He wasn't doing it, because I wasn't a prey. Because he was well aware of that - perhaps even afraid of it enough.


Cutting something other than his head won't kill him, I thought to myself. One clean, swift cut, and he could never be able to make another child to hate. It could be complicated. Cutting a hand would be good enough, and much easier to achieve.


I tried to calm my thoughts - but for once, unusually, my mind wasn't listening to me. I saw blood on those blades. I saw mountains of Barqarnon, even though I was practically never there. For the first time in years, I could practically smell the coldness and feel the wind, and I imagined it silencing screams, deleting the words and curses. My sister was mine. The crown was mine. The future..belonged to me. I wanted to be free, to fly away on my dragon and go home, and to force my father bow in front of me. To force them all on their knees - Lierre and Quill were already doing it anyway. To make the kings pay, and to chain my father in the dungeons and find a way to drain him of his magic. Fast enough to make him unable to do anything, yet just slowly enough to be painful. I couldn't have killed him yet, because I needed him alive. But one day.. One day I will make him beg for his life, and then cut off everything that can be cut off. Starting with fingers, one by one. And I'll keep the damn rings.


I found myself pinned to the ground, with Thran over me and holding me down.

"Stop it, Dae!"


"Get off me!" I yelled back. What the hell. I'm never yelling. I cursed myself for making such a stupid mistake, in the end figuring it'd be the best if I just kept acting really angry. For whatever reason - I didn't want to make Thran too suspicious.


"What's wrong with you?" He snarled, and I calmed myself down instantly, observing him. What do you want? He was angry at me - I wasn't quite sure for what reason.


"I’m not going to talk to you while you insist on lying on me," I said slowly, buying myself time.
“You were just sparring.” He got off me. “Not playing for blood.”


Oh right. I wasn't fighting father now, I was fighting his guard. I had no intention to tell him what was going through my mind. I wanted to be alone with Quill, to tell him how strange it was - almost how strange it felt - but I wasn't planning on showing that side of me to anyone else.

“She shouldn’t be jumping into fights she can’t can’t win," I stated coldly.


“Because losing is such a foreign concept to you.” He noted, jerking my sword back as I tried to get it again. Point for you. For once you managed to talk down on me.


“If she can’t handle herself, she shouldn’t spar with men," I said, knowing it will make neither of them happy. To be honest, she's better than you, Thran. And you're a man. “And you shouldn’t interfere.”


“I’ll remember that.” He growled, slamming my sword into my chest. “Next time I unarm you, I’ll just go on and bash your brains out.”


Just do it after you've married my sister and made her the heir to the crown, and I'll pierce my blade through your heart with pleasure.

“Thranack, you-” Quill interrupted, and I wondered if he disliked Thran's threats or guessed my thoughts.


"I suggest you keep out of this, Lord Jonquille," Thran threatened, and Quill looked at me.


I turned my eyes to Thran again. Don't you dare threaten Quill. Don't you dare andswer Quill. Just keep away from both him and my sister. I cursed myself as I recalled Lierre was still standing there and watching. Good sweet caring brother.. I sighed.

"Fine. I went too far. Happy?”


“Apologize."


“What?"


“Apologize to Ludiv," he demanded. What for? I had no idea what he was talking about - the swords we dulled. I did nothing to her. I could've killed her, or at least tried to - I probably would've, if he hadn't stopped me. Don't you understand, I could cut off your head right now and never feel bad about it, and not even blink to the reactions of others. Stop provoking me.


“No.”


“Now," he snarled, grabbing hold of my collar. I gripped the sword tighter, and imagined putting my hand on his face, whispering a word - just one word to make him turn into thin air. You need them to get married.


Quill interfered again, squeezing Thran's shoulder, and I surprised a smile. I suggest you to let go of me now.

"Quill, this is your last chance," Thranack said. "Get your f*cking hand off me, before I kick your ass too.”


Go ahead and try. And let me watch. I almost wanted to see them fighting. Possibly with swords which weren't dulled.

"It's Jonquille, Prince." Quill corrected, and I smirked.


"I don't give a shit what your name is. Just get your f*cking hand off me, now. We all know who'd win if it came to blows here."


Quill slowly removed his hand, staying calm as if someone deleted his emotions - but I could see the way his eyes were burning, probably wishing to hurt him in some way. Don't. I need him to marry my sister.

"Is that a threat, Prince?"


"Take it however you'd like."


Anger. Is that what I should be feeling? Annoyance? I bit my lip, wondering who even thought of naming emotions. How could I know how they actually feel? I only knew what they made people look like, do and say.

"You could at least give me the civility you demand of my tutor," I said, looking down at Thran's hand holding my shirt. Or I could cut it off. He could surely marry Lierre without a-- stop thinking like that.


"You can give my guard the civility I give you." He countered, letting go of me.


I almost found it amusing that I couldn't come up with a comeback in time. Perhaps he was right - without them knowing that I really didn't care a bit, they probably only thought I didn't care if Ludiv would get hurt. That makes sense only in your own head.

It was stupid of me to fight Thran at all - normally, I would've apologised right away, if I'd ever even lose myself like that. But I wanted to see their reactions. I needed their reactions, I needed to see other people's feelings because I knew I should be feeling on my own. I knew how other people would feel in my place, getting ready for a duel in which their own father might kill them - but I felt nothing, nothing at all, and though I was used to it, I couldn't reconcile with it.


I turned to her. "Please excuse me, Miss Ludiv. I didn't know what I was doing."


She nodded. "It's fine, Lord Daerys. I'm fine."


Thran seemed to have relaxed a bit, and I smiled a little. You care about her, don't you? More than one should care for a servant. I wanted to get away from there, lock myself in a room and not get out until father called me to get over with that duel. I glanced at Lierre, talking to Ludiv, and at Quill, eyeing me with a strange expression. I couldn't help imagining them both with no clothes on, tied up so they can't move a muscle, as I'm drawing silver blades across their skin. I wondered if my sister would agree on that. Was father doing something similar? She did say she'd do for me all she did for him.. I know Quill would.


I couldn't think of that now. I couldn't have let my mind wander around so much.

"Do you mind showing my sister around the waterfall garden?" I asked Thran's guard, biting my lip again. I felt no pain, no matter how hard I did it - as a child, I tended to make myself bleed like that, and by trying out various weapons on myself before repeating the process on animals and objects..and later on Quill. "It's just, I need to discuss something with your master, in private."


Ludi for once looked at Thran for hints, and he nodded - and I couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him. Is she sad? Hurt? Disappointed for me winning over her? I shook my head. It was irrelevant - intriguing, but, for now, irrelevant.


"Of course, my Lord. It would be an honour." She turned towards my sister, and I hoped Lierre had no troubles with being alone with another woman. "The waterfall garden is very beautiful at this time of the year, Princess..."


Ludi ushured Lierre down the path, glancing at Thran once more before they both disappeared into the gardens.

Thran sighed.


"Alright...they're gone," I stated. "Let's talk."


He licked his lips, now seeming to be hesitating. I wondered if he was sorry about fighting me - or if he thought I was mad at him for it. I wondered if I should tell him I didn't care, and if he would believe me.


"Dae.. I was wondering.. I'd like to hear more about your sister. Lierre, she.. She's about to be my wife, after all, and I barely know anything about her - only what Ami has told me, and that wasn't much."


Oh, so there we are. I eyed him suspiciously, wondering if he'd noticed any remaining bruises. I have, when she hugged me before, but I knew where to look.

"I don't know her very well either - your sister has spent more time with her than I did. You know that."


He nodded. "Yes, but still. You two obviously care of each other - and she looks to you, doesn't she?" I said nothing. "What have you told her about me?"


I was fighting with myself. I am teaching her how to act on her first wedding night, and she will never be yours, I wanted to tell him, just to see how he'd act. I didn't.

"I told her she was marrying a good person," I said, keeping to the truth. He seemed somewhat surprised. Don't think I did it for you. I need that marriage for the future of my country. "You will find you're marrying a good person as well."


He nodded, slowly.

"You talked much since she came here, haven't you?" And far more than talked.. "Is something troubling her?" I tensed a little, wondering which path I should choose. I considered telling him the truth - or part of it anyway - but that would make him hate our father, and reckless as he was, he would take a wrong step. And Lierre.. While father was alive, she was afraid. And I needed her to be afraid for a while longer.


"Why would you ask that?" I muttered, making sure to keep looking at him, so he'd suspect nothing. I found very early that people tended to trust other people if looked in the eyes during the conversations - it was completely irrelevant to me, but I tended to oblige that when I really wanted someone to believe in my lies.


""Well..," he stalled, "I saw a bruise on her neck, and she wouldn't tell me how she got it." So it was visible after all. Why would she tell you? You're just another man wanting something from her. I almost smirked - nothing like myself, the dearest brother, the only one who actually cares. I did my best to focus in his words instead of on the memory of what happened after she said that to me. "It...worries me...She didn't ask me to talk to you...but...I think someone's hurting her."


Damn.. I knew he'd have to see it eventually. On their first wedding night at least - probably. I haven't expected him to ask me about it. I glared at him for a few seconds. Perhaps it was better than making her answer it. You have to remember to warn her to never tell.

"It was actually my fault," I said, dipping my head a bit, acting guilty. He seemed surprised. Good. "She..surprised me as I was practicing throwing knives. Luckily it didn't touch her with the sharp side."


He blinked. "You're practicing..throwing knives?"


"..I just started," I replied dryly. "That also explains it."


He looked like he was about to laugh, but in the end he changed his mind and stayed serious.

"She doesn't want to marry me, does she?"


Oh, how ever did you conclude that?

"She doesn't," I confirmed. There was no point in lying about that, not like she could've hide it if he'd ever ask. "She's a fourteen-year old girl, about to marry a person she's never met. And you're almost twice her age, while on the subject."


"It wasn't exactly my idea," he said. I know. It wasn't my idea to get sent here either, yet here we both are.


I wondered if I should keep playing the part of caring brother - it would make him like me more, and make them both trust me more..but it would make him be nice to her. Perhaps too nice. I knew he would never hurt her - but I didn't want her to fall in love with him. Not more than she's in love with me.

"You will be alright," I said. "Both of you." Until you do something and I figure I don't need you anymore. He made a move as if he wanted to leave, but I lifted one of the swords again and gently poked him with it. "Promise me something, Thran."


He eyed the sword. "Yes?"


"Promise me you will never hurt her." I couldn't help imagining her tied to the bed again. Her skin was so pale, as light as my own - dark, thin cuts would look like art. "And that you won't take her from me." Caring brother. "I will always watch over her - she's my little sister. It..will be hard to let her out of my sight."

*


I left him with those words, heading to the part of the gardens I sent Ludiv and Lierre to. I was surprised, turning a corner not even two meters away, to meet my sister's eyes. She looked at me as if I caught her doing something forbidden, but then smiled a little smile.

"Did you really mean that?"


Shit. How much did you hear? Or even worse, how much did you understand?

"Mean what?" I asked innocently.


"What you just said." She stepped closer to me, and I resisted the desire to pin her to the wall and kiss her, much the way Quill did to me the same morning. I wonder if father ever chained her to anything. I could've imagined it - I took quite some time imagining it - but I was rather sure her trust in me would be shattered to pieces if she woke up like that one morning. Her mouth shot and her eyes blindfolded, left to my complete control and allowed only to reconcile with it and do as I wish. I shoved away that thought. I couldn't. I needed her to love me, to trust me, to feel safe with me. Perhaps lace and satin instead of chains. Perhaps candles instead of blades. She hugged me again. "I don't know what I'd do without you, big brother."


I smiled at her, hugging her back.

"You don't need to think of it," I said. "I will never let go of you."


I took her hand and lead her back to the castle, vaguely aware of Thran and Ludiv staying in the garden behind us. Good. I really need my time alone at last. Or, well.. I glanced at Lierre, and the way she played with a rose in her hand. She was happy, wasn't she? Or close enough anyway - much calmer than before. Well of course. She's far from father, and you're here with her. I wondered what was it about me that made her think I was so much different from all the other men. If you wanted love, you should smile like that to Thran. He's the kind of prince ladies dream of - I'm the kind of prince their fathers dread and the citizens of their countries pray for.

I opened the door of her room for her. Someone - most likely some servant who knew to keep his or her mouth shut about everything they saw - cleaned the room in the meantime, making it perfect and calm again, filled with fresh air and some flowery scent. Lierre hesitated before entering, and I could tell what she was thinking of. I smiled at her again, going through my pockets. Before meeting Quill, I've met some others - made some deals and pulled some charming tricks - and I pulled out a key on a thin string.


"In theory," I said, "they'd put guards before your door, and they'd stay without a key so they could assist you in any case of need. However, I managed to convince them it'd be highly..improper..to leave a young lady's room exposed like that, especially seeing the traditions of her homeland." Her smile widened as I put the silver key in her hands. "No one will come in unless you let them. Not father, not Thran, not the servants..not even me."


She was looking at me as if a god descended from the clouds to adress her, and I would've smirked at that thought if there wasn't for my need to have her trust me. She looked a bit uncertain for a moment, so I bent down and kissed her, holding her chin with one and pulling her closer with other hand. I sliced my fingers, following the curve of her jaw, and stopped around her neck. So pale, so sweet, so fragile. All it'd take to break her--


"I love you, Dae."


Why, I wanted to ask her, just like I wanted to ask Quill - though he'd never say it to me, I just knew. Why would you be so stupid? I don't love you back, I never will. I am only playing my part because I find your reactions interesting. Only because I shall get something of it.

I hugged her tighter. "I love you too, Lie."

*


I lied on my back on the bed, with my head in her lap, and she played with my hair. I've been asking her questions about home, though I knew she didn't exactly have much happy memories of it. Bad memories are better than no memories at all. You don't know what happy memories are like anyway.

"When it snows in the mountains," she said, "everything gets white, and it see se so clean and perfect. You can't tell where one mountain ends and another starts - and the lights of the villages look like some kind of magical beings calling you to follow them."


I smiled a little. It was very similar to what uncle Marius had told me once before - I knew he was taught to see the world that way, by his wife who died before Lierre being born.. I was rather sure he taught my sister to do it as well. She suddenly streached, and I sat up, watching as she took a piece of paper.

"I want to show you something," she said. "I couldn't have done it the last time I was here, but I got pretty good at it by now." She folded it in a crane, holding it on her palm for me to see.


"That's pretty, where-" I grinned as it slowly moved, flapping its wings up and down as if testing them, and then slowly got up from my sister's palm, gliding through the air around our heads. "impressive."


"I can do it with everything," she sounded proud, and I was pretty sure she was happy to be able to show off to someone. "Well, with small things..like toys." She looked around. "Do you have any toys, Dae?"


Oh, I have many. I'm talking to one right now.

"I think," I said. "I will bring you some of my old ones that I kept..after dinner, perhaps." I got up from the bed, watching as the paper bird flew down on her shoulder and streached its neck. Lierre seemed less happy now. "I would love to stay with you - but between us, your fiancé's guard was surprisingly good, and I really need to sleep a bit before dinner. And sort my thoughts, so I don't do anything to neight father nor Thran as I get there.

*


I got out of her room, heading to mine, and stopped a bit in front of our father's door, putting my palm on it. I imagined them burning, locked and never turning to ashes, as the fire spreads inside, devouring everything - and everyone. Sighing, I backed away. Calm down. Soon enough, Dae. Soon enough.


Few steps further, Quill joined my side, as if one of the shadows separated from the wall to catch my steps. I've been wondering where he was.

"You heard it all, haven't you?" I asked. "In the garden, that is."


"That was a charming little threat you told prince Thranack," he said, and I smirked.


"I merely pointed out how much I cared for my sister dear."


I opened the door to my room - it also had a key, it was something I took care of rather early in my years of living in the castle - and let Quill close them behind me. Ignoring his presence and the fact I knew very well what went through his mind, I more or less collapsed on the bed. What even made me so tired? Dueling? Lying? Pretending to feel so much things in short period of time? It was probably the last from the list - or all of them combined.

With my eyes closed and my face buried in a pillow, I smiled a little as I felt Quill getting to the bed, holding himself over me. You won't let me just sleep, will you now?


"My Prince.."


"Hmm.." I am not a prince here.


He shifted, holding his weight with only one hand, and sliced the other under my shirt. "Are you really that tired?"


Yes, yes I am. I turned to my back, glaring up at him. His hands were by my sides, but he wasn't holding me down this time. Very well. Telling you once was enough. I considered the idea of just turning again and ignoring him until he'd give up. No, I decided. I suppose he's deserved it - and besides, you have been thinking of having someone chained up, have you not? I brushed my lips against his, but didn't kiss him, a smile playing on my lips as he automatically moved towards me.

"No," I said silently. "Not like that. I don't have everything I need - if you'd get me all the toys..perhaps it'd get me in the mood."


He gave me a look in between of fear and expectation, grinning at the same time.

"Now, young master..you want to play?"


I want to make you unable to move. I want to cut every inch of your skin, and kiss away your screams.

"Yeah."


I watched him as he got up from the bed, and then closed my eyes and sighed.

*


The blades look like dancing. Moving, twirling against each other, barely ever stopping to touch - like lovers meeting after such a long time. Lovers trying to pass each other to pierce their masters' hearts.


I glance up, meeting my fathers eyes - and we are no longer fighting..

No longer were we enemies - instead I was looking up at him, holding to my mother's dress, as he left the room, shutting the door behind him and not even saying goodbye. I didn't understand - and mom seemed almost happy. Why did she look happy? Did she want dad to die? I could hear the shouting in the castle, and I knew uncle Marius was leaving too. [i]I'll miss him - I think mom will miss him to, but Anea and Ari will miss him more. He hugged them both before leaving, I saw it from our window. It was nice of dad to let them stay in the castle with me and mom - I liked having someone to play with.


The sound blades make as they meet each other again, pulls me back to now, and I find myself pinned to a wall, being held by the shadows, unable to move, unable to scream, unable to do anything. And he's smiling, knowing there's no one around to help me, no one to hear me in these mountains, no one to help me anymore.


The cuts now hurt more than ever - slowly drawn across my skin. I don't want to show my fear, I don't want to cry and I don't want to make a sound, yet I can't help it. Over and over, I feel the blade running through my chest, until I was too tired of dying - until I was ready to beg him to stop, to just let me live and serve, or do want ever he asks.

With another move of the blade, there are no more shadows - and no more father either. I'm sitting on the throne, like a king under the heavy golden crown, looking over the mountains and valleys, seeing the world burning. Looking down, I find the throne's been built on bodies of people - of men and women and children, people I've seen in the streets and others who's faces I imagined.


I look back at the world in flames, as a shadow turns into my father. His heart is gone - I can see the cut on his chest and I can tell who made it - yet he's smiling, and can't help but feel fear gripping my heart as he approaches closer.

"Is this what you desired so? You killed me. You took my place. You made them bow - and you got them fear you. You burnt down the world, so you could rule over the ashes. You think they like you, love you, respect you more than they did me?" He chuckles. "No, [/i]your highness. You are nothing better - you will never be better. Can't you see? We are the same - but where I made a flickering flame, you're making hellfire."


I want to answer - I want to tell him he's wrong, to find something to counter, or to make him burn along with the world, but I can do nothing. On my throne buil upon the dead, with the world dying before me, I can say nothing - because feelings I can't even name are filling my chest, suffocating me and gripping my heart, threatening to crush me and turning the blood in my veins into very same fire devouring my kingdoms.

*


I sat up with a start, shaking like leaf in the wind, trying desperately to calm my breathing down.


"My Prince." Quill's voice sounded worried, and I could read from his eyes that he figured I've dreamed again. I hated those dreams. No, I feared those dreams, because of what they did to me. They changed me and played with me, making me different and taking away my control, messing every idea of emotions I've built over the years. I wanted them to stop, I wanted never to sleep again just so I wouldn't feel that way as I'd wake up.. Yet I clinged to them like a child to favourite toys, not wanting to let them go, for they were the only fragments of emotions I had.

I ran my fingers through my hair, closing my eyes, and frowned as I felt Quill's hand around my shoulders. My chest was hurting, my throats was hurting, my everything was hurting, and felt as if something was trying to break through my skin out, shattering my bones and leaving nothing of me behind. I was afraid and lonely, despite of Quill being right there, I was confused and lost, tired and terrified, and I could do absolutely nothing about it - it only got worse as I tried to calm myself down, yet I tried it over and over, for I never wanted it to go away, to slowly run out like sand from a hourglass and leave me as caring as a stone statue might be.

Like never in m life, I really could see I felt something in those moments. I hated them. I loved them. And I needed them like a man drowning would need his air.


I moved away for a second as Quill tried to kiss me, and met his eyes. I wanted to feel something for him - anything - but I couldn't find it anymore. Like water dripping through fingers, I was loosing my connection to myself, everything crumbling back into nothingness and slowly making me as cold as I always was - it was almost physically painful, so much that I couldn't have handled it myself. I looked at Quill again, feeling as if my body was falling apart.


He seemed surprised as I kissed him. I kept my lips on his, not caring if either of us can breathe. I tugged his hair with my fingers, holding him as close to me as it was physically possible, and yet trying to pull him closer. I grabbed hold of his shirt, thinking of it turning to dust - it was always easier as I'd wake up from those dreams, and I didn't even need words. Not even opening my eyes, I moved both of my hands to his chest, pushing him down to the bed. I didn't separate my lips from his - I made him lose his breath like I lost mine, I bit his lip as hard as I could and disregarded the silent noise he made, and I could barely talk as I moved away, my throat and chest feeling like they were about to explode.

"My-"


"I want to hurt you," I cut his words, my lips still barely an inch away from his. "I want to make you know what I feel like."


Letting him kiss me this time, I moved my hand over the requisites he'd brought and left on the bed. I used them all enough times - ever since we've stolen them from the old dungeons beneath the castle - and I could've handled them with my eyes closed. Holding his one hand by the wrist, making him stay calm, I tightened the steel bracelet around the other, chaining it to the frame of the bed.


"Sneaky," he muttered as I moved a bit, releasing his lips. I smirked, repeating the deed with his other hand even though he tried to pull it away. "My Prince, I-"


He turned silent as I pressed the silver blade against his neck.

"Tell me," I whispered. "Tell me what pain feels like. Tell me what tears feel like." Tell me what love feels like, I stopped myself from saying, all traces of emotions leaving me again, like sea from a stony beach. I could tell Quill noticed the change - I could also tell he grew more worried of what will happen next. Worried or excited, it was hard to tell.


I want you to be mine. Right now and forever, and I want you to be well aware of that. I moved the blade down his chest, carefully enough not to cut through his skin, just enough to make him expect it any second. I want to see blood running down your skin, until you get cold and the shadows start seeming deeper, until you get called by the other side and beg me to bring you back.

I kissed him again as I made the first cut, catching him by surprise with both. The way his whole body tensed, the way he frowned a little and tried to catch a breath as the silver blade pierced the skin over his ribs, over and over again, the way he closed his eyes as I moved the blade up to his chest again..it made me as close to happy as I could get. It made me wish to do it again, and wish to just kiss him and take care of him at the same time. I brushed my lips down his neck, smiling a little smile as I felt his heartbeats - strong and regular, reminding me of ticking clock. Waiting for what was coming next.

I kept that smile as I gently ran the blade over his chest, stopping it over where his heart was. There was a scar there already - one in shape of a stylized D, which I cut there many years ago and which I ever let heal. I knew it hurt more every time. Cutting through it again, watching as dark blood appeared on his now paled skin, I could tell he was forcing himself to stay silent. Not to make a word, not to break the unspoken rule of silence that I always indirectly put in.


Do you love me now? Do you want to make me happy now, would you do everything for me now? I kissed him again, letting go of now dark red silver

and following the lines of his body with my hand, again smiling a little smile as he tensed once more - this time, not of pain. Mine, I thought to myself. Everything you're feeling is completely under my control. I wanted him to tell me how that felt - not what I was doing, because I knew that well enough myself, being more than able to feel those kinds of physical sensations, but knowing the fact it wasn't him who was in control of it. I wanted to know how it felt to know, and be able to do nothing about that fact, that another person - person that feels nothing but curiosity at the moment - holds the keys to all your pleasure and pain. I wanted him to tell me, yet I didn't ask, because I knew he wouldn't be able to reply. It was so with people and emotions - even though they were used to them, they were lost when asked to actually describe them.


I recalled Lierre doing the same thing to me earlier - it was hard to believe it was the same day - and I stopped. No. I kissed him again, this time feeling his heart beating faster - and less regularly. I moved my hand once more, grinning as his teeth clenched when I calmed again. Ask me, I thought, slowly unchaining him but not letting him move his hands or get up. Call me your master and promise me to do whatever I want, and I might be nice.

"Don't move," I said silently, letting go of his hands. They turned into fists almost instantly, but he didn't move them from the pillows. "What is it?" I asked as he frowned, moving my hand down his chest again. Like I don't know.


"My Prince," he said again, in a silent yet surprisingly strong voice. He moved his hand as I smiled again, and I backed away.


"Don't touch me."


His hand fell back down. "Why? What did I do?"


I shrugged. You tried controlling me. Don't you remember?

"I want you to be..imaginative," I said slowly. He eyed me suspiciously, and I grinned. "Let me rephrase that. I don't want you to touch me..with your hands."
*

~Vysperian

The Warden of the Prison | ..the Prison

Day One - evening (mostly)

*


I frowned slightly as the wall turned solid again, already wondering if letting them go was a good call to make. The girl had valid points, yes, but still, still.. She promised you she won't start a war, I said to myself. And you know she won't let her friend get out of control either. Right? I sighed, turning around, and froze in the middle of a step.


Ataia was standing at the entrance to the room, her eyes fixed to where used to be a portal a few seconds ago. I cursed myself for not making sure no one was around.


"You did make sure. She sneaked in after you." Not for the first time, I wished for the Prison to be a person whom I could punch in the face.


You could've warned me about her. I ran my hand over my face, trying to read Ataia's expression. She glared at me for a moment, then slightly shaking her head as I parted my lips - with no idea what to say - and turned, disappearing from my sight again. Shit. That wasn't supposed to happen.


I followed slowly, barely noticing the halls around me changing as I walked, and frowned again as I closed the door of our bedroom behind me. She wasn't there - but I wasn't quite expecting her to be either. I sat down on the bed, pressing my fingers to my eyes. What were you even thinking? You should've told her about it earlier.


I got up, made a circle around the room and slammed my fist at the wall, only to end up sitting back in the exact same position as before. I wondered where she was. She should be here by now. Why isn't she here yelling at me or something? I thought of tracking her down - not like I didn't have my ways to appear right next to her right now if I wanted to - but then forced myself to calm down. She had every right to be mad. Didn't she? I lied to her - well, I kept the truth from her - and now that she saw me sending them out.. I got up again, running my hands through my hair, not even caring what colour it was. What if she wanted to leave as well? I wanted to believe she was happy with me, I wanted to believe she didn't miss her homeland and she knew that I'd give her whatever she'd wish for.. But did she? I knew she'd be mad at me for not telling her I could do that, but that I could handle. She's been mad at me before, after all, and I've been mad at her, and we always got over it. But if she told me she wanted to leave--


The door opened, and she seemed a tad surprised to find me there. Then her expression hardened again, and she met my eyes.

"You let Yetch go," she stated.


Well, no point in denying that, is there.. "I let Aqui go," I muttered, more than aware that I'm just finding excuses which don't exist. "He happened to have a reason to come along."


"So...you mean, you can pick?" She asked, something other than anger present in her voice. I didn't want to think of it. "Or...do people have to do certain things, to get released?"


I bit my lip. They only need to ask. You could've only asked.. "No one gets released for no reason - but if they do, then yes, it's my choice entirely."


I could see in her eyes that she was thinking about the similar things as myself. "...You mean...you could release me, if you wanted to?"


But I don't want to. I want you here with me. "I..could." Don't ask me to. I wouldn't know what to tell you.


"Oh." She turned her back to me, pretending to be interested in putting some coins on a shelf. I wanted to reach out and touch her, hug her and pull her closer and apologise for not telling her, or find a way to make her forget what she saw. But I didn't - I couldn't. Instead I just closed my eyes for a second, hating myself for what I was about to ask. Leave it be. Perhaps she doesn't think the same way you do. Perhaps she is happy here.


"You make it sound like you want to leave," I almost whispered. I didn't want to know - but I needed to at the same time. She didn't answer for a long time - or at least that's what it seemed like to me.


"...I was a roamer," she said then, in a tone I haven't heard her using before. "An adventurer...I'd explored the entire city, by the time I was twelve...I like going places, Vys, seeing things." She turned, facing me again, and sighed, and I wondered if she had any idea how her words were making me feel. "I don't want to leave you...but...holidays aren't so bad, are they? Couldn't you let me in and out?"


For a moment, I wanted to order the Prison to literally lock her in a cell, to keep her there forever - but I knew that'd never make her smile again. I can't let you go. I don't want to let you go. I can make you things to explore, more things than you could get to know in a lifetime. I didn't let my thoughts show..but I couldn't really hide them either. "If I let you out, could you get back in?" I asked silently and shook my head, knowing the answer even though I also knew she'd deny it. "No, Taia. You'd then wish nothing more than to stay out."


"That's not true," she sounded almost accusing. It is. Even if you don't think so yet. "I love you, and you know I do. It's not like I have a home to go to, anyway-- my family wants nothing to do with me, if you'd forgotten..." She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me, and I closed my eyes again as I hugged her back. "You're all I have. You're the only person I want...but...I've been here a long time."


I didn't want to show her how I felt - because I never really did that. Oh, but I'm not all you have. And how can I know you won't find something - someone - who'll need you, or who'll make you realise you were missed in the world outside? How can I compete with members of your family? "So you'd pick me, over the world?" Keeping my voice cold required a surprising effort. "Eternity here over your adventures and freedom? I find that hard to believe."


She pulled away again, looking up at me. ""Why shouldn't I?" She snapped. "Are you saying I shouldn't pick you?"


I shrugged. You should. Please do. "I wouldn't. But that's not the point."


"And just what is your point?" Her tone was far from friendly already. "That you've got power, and you're going to hold it over me?"


"I do have power over you," I said before I managed to think about my words. "And yes, I don't want to let you go! You were sent to me. I already gave you more than any prisoner should have."


I regretted saying it the moment it crossed my lips - I knew she hated it, and she had every right to hate it. I never wanted to think of her as of one of the prisoners - and I never, never have addressed her as such before. I wanted to apologise - but it was too late already anyway. Her fists were clenched and she was glaring at me with something crossing the lines of mere anger, and I couldn't not notice the things around the room rising into the air.


"Oh? Prisoner now, am I?" Her voice was trembling, and I almost wanted her to start crying and stop being mad at me. Before I get mad at you too, love, please drop it. "Just a lowly, scumbag fugitive that you, out of the kindness of your heart, decided to bestow gifts upon?" I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off. "Stupid me. I didn't know our marriage was some charity of yours."


Really now? That's the way you want to play it? I felt my hands curling into fists as well, more or less automatically. I had never - and I would never - raise my hand at her, but for a moment I wanted to grip her wrists, pin her to a wall and show her that being nice to her was a choice I made, not something that came as natural behaviour towards anyone. In the end, I made myself calm down and just suppressed her magic again, back to the way it was when she first came to the Prison, automatically making the objects around the room fall back in their places. Don't play with me. I love you, but don't push my limits too far. I met her eyes again and smirked at the way she was looking at me.

"See? You haven't even yet stepped outside, and already you're acting like I'm your enemy."


"You're right, you are the enemy!" She snarled. "You're the Warden - I'm just a prisoner." She turned again, storming to the door. Feeling as if my blood got turned to fire, I made a swift move through the air, and the door shifted, turning into another portal, offering the view to the shores of Talantera. She froze, her back still turned to me.


"There you are," I said, not sure if I wanted to cry or kill something - or both. I didn't even feel like fighting anymore. "Go. I'm letting you - go to your magic and adventures, and the freedom you desire so much."


Her breathing was heavier now - I could more feel it than hear it, though she wasn't that close, and I wondered how she react if I'd decide to chain her up somewhere and make her stay. After what both of us just said and did, I doubted she'd be all that surprised.. I stayed silent, glaring at the portal myself. If I could, I would've stepped through it. And she..I couldn't have blamed her for wanting it, even if I tried to. At that moment, it was hard to remember why I loved her so much, why I even cared - yet I prayed to whomever was listening that she doesn't decide to leave.


"I..." She muttered, rubbing her face. "I f*cking hate you."


"Good," I snapped. "From what I know of enemies, one is supposed to hate them. Now if you want to leave, leave." You will never know what it's like to say that. "Before I change my mind once and for all."


She was silent for another terribly long moment. "Not like this," words slipped through her clenched teeth, as she rubbed her face again. Are you crying? Perhaps you should be. "If I go, I don't want it to be like this."


I don't want it to be at all. I let the portal close, turning into normal door again, and then just stood and watched as she opened them and stormed out, letting them slam behind her again.

*


Night


I stood before the window, observing the town that spread far around me. So high above the roofs and the streets, I felt like a child playing with its toys. It was so easy to imagine thin strings attached to the people down there, and myself making them move as I wanted them to. I could've done whatever I wished with that town, and I wondered if they were aware of that. I could've made it grow over night, I could've made it burn or flourish, I could've turn all the houses into palaces or crush it all to dust - all with one wish, one order directed to the Prison itself.

I closed my eyes, leaning my forehead against the glass. It felt cold - or my skin really was burning, though that was highly unlikely. I didn't want to think of what happened earlier; I didn't want to get mad again, I didn't want to come close to those strange dark feelings I felt before.


"Really, why don't we crush the town? They could build themselves a new one - not like they're really busy with anything else."


I opened my eyes. It was almost tempting - and it'd be so easy.. No. Taia is there. And I'm not like that. I could feel the Prison practically stretching it's metaphorical muscles. I will not use my powers like that. I've decided that a long time ago.


"You do have the power to do it. To do anything.. You should show her that as well."


"I said no," I spoke out loud. "She..I'd never do that to her. I'd never hurt her - she's not just a prisoner."


"She's here," the Prison remarked dryly. "She's a prisoner, you like it or not. If she isn't, let her go. Our doors are always open for people who want to come back in, you know."


I shook my head, stepping away from the window, and more or less fell to the bed. I wanted to sleep - I missed the times when I actually needed to. Calming my breathing, I closed my eyes and did what I liked doing best - or, well, second best, at least when my wife wasn't so angry at me she didn't even want to come back home. Slightly worried as I wondered where she was, I let myself slip into the mind of someone else.


His dreams were clear as ever, so detailed than I found myself almost admiring the way his mind worked - perhaps due to all the memories, I was able to reach him..I never knew, but nor did I really care.

I observed him as he watched his wife, and let my appearance change into one person I was pretty sure he didn't want to meet. Really, the relationship he had with his brother was even more bizarre than the one I had with mine. Orion and I had our differences, but Megarus and Marius were like polar opposites, and not only by appearance. I didn't know his big brother, but I did know how Marius felt about him - and that kind of mix of emotions was almost making my relationship with Ataia calm and perfect. They cared about each other, yet hated each other. They'd never really hurt one another, but the walls between them were too high to be crossed.. I shook my head. He blamed his older brother for the deaths of his family, yet he'd have no trouble killing any other if it happened to threaten Meg. For a moment, I just watched at the way Anea's golden hair shined under some far sun.


"Memories won't bring her back," I said. He turned to me, frowning.


"Charming appearance."


"I figured it might be amusing," I said. It was strange to see my body like that, though I was used to be constantly changing. These rings are actually quite nice. "You never dream of your brother."


"I see him enough in my awake life, I suppose." His voice was cold, but he didn't manage to mask that strange note of something else, something almost desperate, as if longing to care less. "What is it, lord Vysperian? You never come for no reason."


"Mm..true." I walked towards him, letting the dream change as I did so - it was a lovley thing to do, and it was somewhat relieving to use my powers without having the Prison suggesting things in my head. I had a fight with my wife and I needed a place to cool down before destroying half of my world. Tell me about your day. "I came to tell you something..which you might find interesting."


He didn't take his eyes off his illusion - for a moment, I imagined Ataia in that place. Would she want kids? I didn't even know if we could have a kid in the Prison.

"Do tell."


"Two people left the Prison," I said, not quite sure why I was even telling him that. "Both might be someone you'd benefit from meeting."


"Since when do you care of my benefit? Since when does Prison interfere?"


I don't. It doesn't. But I could as well act already. And after all, get in another war if you wish - the world being dangerous might mean Ataia stays with me. I shove those thoughts away.

"He's a brother to your queen," I said slowly, thinking back on what I knew about Yetch "but she might not even know it - and the girl is a queen herself, of a country she'll soon find is nothing but a story." He kept looking at his wife and kid, and I sighed again. "Living in past so much can't be healthy."


"Seeing I have you in my head, I suppose you're right," ne noticed.


"I was able to do this since before they died. If I weren't, you'd still be in Prison." I almost laughed. The Prison was right, I was doing things the way I pleased before already - I was interfering. I just didn't like to call it so. "I shall take my leave now..it's almost morning." I felt as if something was pulling me back, and I knew it wouldn't have been wise to leave the Prison uncontrolled for any konger. "Enjoy the rest of your dream."

*
Day Two
*

I opened my eyes to find the bed and the room empty, and frowned slightly. Ataia wasn't there - she hasn't even been home all night..

"Where is she?" I muttered, talking into the air though I knew it was listening. "Find her."


"she's alright." The Prison sounded almost bored, as the air in front of me twirled a little. The next moment, I was standing on a rooftop, and my wife was sitting on an unusually small chimney, glaring at the distance. "There you go."


I took a step towards her, and she got up as she noticed me. I wanted to just hug her and apologise - or make her apologise to me, I wasn't quite sure - but at the same time, I almost didn't dare to touch her.

"I don't want you feeling trapped," I said, somewhat surprised as I realised I really actually meant it. "I want you to be happy - if that means you must leave, then I'm letting you go."


She sighed. I can tell you haven't slept..are you still mad at me? "I...can be happy here. I wasn't lying last night, when I said I loved you, and I'd choose to stay here, to be with you. I can be happy here. Can you be happy if I'm gone, for a while?"


No, I can't. I freak out when you only don't come back to the Fortress. I fear something will happen to you even when I know you're in a place I can completely control. How could I possible be happy with you being out there alone? I let my eyes slide over her face - she really wished it. She hoped I'd agree..it was important to her. You can't take it from her, can you? I knew I couldn't - it was her right to ask to get out, after all. Of course I could've denied, but other than being selfish, I had no real reasons and I was unpleasantly aware of that.

I could barely hear myself as I spoke again - especially after the rain came down and blurred the city around us. "..can you promise me you would come back?"


She seemed relieved - though she tried not to show it. "If you can tell me how, I can swear I'll do so."


"I'll wait for you in my brother's Throne Room," I said, moving my hand again and presenting another portal to her. I couldn't have sent her further than the countries we bordered with - only the creatures sent to hunt down future prisoners could move with no such restraints - but I showed her the point closest to her home kingdom. "Every night, to lead you back home as you return."


She smiled for a second, then made the smile disappear and looked down. "About last night," she muttered "..I'm...I'm sorry. I got out of line. And..I didn't mean anything I said. I don't hate you."


I forced myself to smile a little. You will be back. Please tell me you will. I finally did reach for her, pulling her close in a hug, and it was hard not to show how much it meant to feel her hugging me back. "I know you don't," I said. What if she doesn't come back..? "I.. probably should've told you. It was your right to ask to leave all these years."


"There was no need for you to tell me," she said quietly, talking into my shirt. "I never told you I wanted out."


"I should've told you anyway," I insisted, sending all my faking coldness to hell. "Truth to be told, I was afraid I'd lose you then."


"You won't." She hugged me tighter. "I love you."


To let go of her hand as she did step through that portal was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I kept looking after her, even as I knew she could no longer see me, feeling like by closing that passage I'd close the door for her. She promised. I sighed, closing my eyes as I let the portal disappear. I couldn't have left it open, I was well aware of that - but having her there and not being able to go after her..


"There are ways, you know," the well known voice crept into my mind, sounding so friendly, so comforting. I never before noticed it can sound like that. "We can get stronger. We can take over the others.. We can return our former glory."


I felt a smile stretching my lips. "Well then," I said, not for the first time feeling as if the energy of the Prison itself slowly replaced my blood in flowing through my veins. "Shall we?"
***


~Marius

Diplomat for the Crown of Barqarnon | castle of Eajra

Day One

*


I smiled at Queen Mina as her daughter excused herself and left. The gift from Talantera shined under the flickering flames of the torches and candles, and it reflected in her eyes. With her children around, she seemed happy - though I could tell there was something on her mind, something troublesome regarding her family, and I wondered if she thinks of her eldest daughter. I should've shipped my family to the Prison. I got up too, followed by all three pairs of eyes.


"If I may," I said, feeling like my face would fall off from all the smiling. "I would like to excuse myself as well - I've been traveling for a couple of days and tomorrow brings a lot."

The Queen nodded, waving a guard to escourt me to my room, but I knew my way already - I've been to the castle enough times, and I was always given the same chambers with the windows turned to the west. The first time I visited, I was sure it was done so I'd have a nice view to far mountains of Barqarnon if I'd lean out enough, but in the meantime I figured it was more about the guest rooms simply being in that part of the castle.

I took the longer route, passing next to the rooms of the royal family, hoping to catch the princess before she'd go to sleep. I felt my lips curling into a smile again as I spotted her before her bedroom doors. Really now, this smiling..


"Rea?"


She seemed caught by surprise - she turned, holding her hands in her skirts, putting a smile on her face. Soon enough, that will become your mask, just like mine. "Ah.. yes?"


Her voice was deceitfully calm - I couldn't help wondering if she'd grow up to be for or against her family. One can never tell what might destroy all traces of loyalty and care and leave only duty to your title.

"I was wondering if you'd happen to have time to talk," I said. I found the princess's company rather enjoyable - she seemed to be able to keep up, or at least properly listen to everything I was saying - and I wanted to see how much she's changed since the last time I've seen her. "For a game of wits, you could say." For a moment, she looked like she didn't know what to say, and I couldn't help but notice her hiding her hands. I didn't stare, but a couple of quick glances as I talked told me enough, and I was sure there was only one thing a princess would so eagerly have to hide. I gave her another one of my smiles. "Tomorrow, perhaps. I won't keep you anymore - and I'm tired myself. Goodnight."

*


I entered my room serious, closing the door behind me and then turning to the bed. She just sat there, her hair falling on her back, in colour in between of gold and brown, as she was relucantly untying her dress. I watched as the upper layer of it fell to the floor, slowly frowning, and then walked over and soon in front of her.


"Stand up."


She listened as if she was my slave, never looking up, never meeting my eyes. Two years younger, yet still just a girl, not even sixteen and shorter enough for me to rest my chin on her head as we stood in front of each other. So frightened and lost, left alone in a country she knows nothing about, after she's been given to a husband she also knows nothing about, knowing only she'd most likely never see her family again. Her hands were shaking as she moved them to untie the under layers of her clothes as well, and I sighed and stopped her hands with mine. She stilled in a second, staring at my chest and trying not to show her fear. So pale, with dark blue eyes seeming so big on her face, and those lips that seem as if drawn on her face.


"No," I said, slowly pulling her hands away from her dress. "Not like this. Not until you'll want to."


With that I turned, leaving the room again, staying outside and observing the stars, and I only came back as I knew she has already fallen asleep.


I woke up to dark room, and it took me a moment to remember where I was. Pressing my hands to my face, I wondered if I could make that memory last longer. Seventeen years, Mary. It's been seventeen years since she died, and twenty since you've met her. I smirked at myself. That is ridiculous. Remembering all those details will drive you crazy. Yet I didn't get up. I didn't make myself open my eyes and wander around for the rest of the night - for once, I was dreaming of something I wanted to see, and no matter how bad it eventually made me feel, it was almost addictive. I knew I was eventually going to see the scenes I hated again - it was always that way - but I missed seeing any of those scenes, and I needed them almost like breathing itself.


I was lying in our bed, listening to the rain outside, drifting in and out of dreams, thinking of everything and nothing specific, as I felt her hand on my chest. Careful as if touching a species she knew nothing about, moving her hand up until I finally smiled at the way her fingers barely touched my skin, and she stilled her hand. I turned my head to her, finding her looking back into my eyes as if testing some dark waters. Shifting to my side, I stroke her cheek, moving away a long strand of hair, and she didn't look away. She was surprised as I kissed her, but didn't try to move, and it was reassuring to feel her snuggling up closer instead of further - she wasn't afraid, and she wasn't trying to get away, not even after I shifted again, this time holding myself on my arms and looking down at her.


"Memories won't bring her back."


I turned at the voice, though I knew who it was, and furrowed my brows as I met the eyes of my brother. "Charming appearance."


"I figured it might be amusing," he said, observing his rings and moving his fingers for a while, as if testing if they're working properly. "You never dream of your brother."


"I see him enough in my awake life, I suppose." I frowned at him. "What is it, lord Vysperian? You never come for no reason."


"Mm..true." He approached me, and the scenery of the dream changed as he walked, turning into another room, placing the illusions of Anea and a baby on the floor before the fireplace. I stared at it, observing as the flames jumped up and down, as the smells of that day returned to me as if I was really just standing there again. "I came to tell you something..which you might find interesting."

I kept staring at the scene, as she smiled and as the baby played with a wooden dragon. "Do tell."


"Two people left the Prison," he said. "Both might be someone you'd benefit from meeting."


I couldn't help but frown again, knowing he never just tells things for no reason. "Since when do you care of my benefit? Since when does Prison interfere?"


"He's a brother to your queen,"he said slowly, not answering my questions, "but she might not even know it - and the girl is a queen herself, of a country she'll soon find is nothing but a story." He looked at me for a long moment, as I observed the pair playing on the floor. "Living in past so much can't be healthy."


I couldn't think of what he said - I never could, not until far after he'd leave - so I just nodded absentmindedly. "Seeing I have you in my head, I suppose you're right."


"I was able to do this since before they died," he replied. "If I weren't, you'd still be in Prison." He gave me an odd look. "I shall take my leave now..it's almost morning. Enjoy the rest of your dream.."


The image blurred as he disappeared, and the moment I smelt fire, I knew I wanted to wake up.

No. Not again. I wanted to wake up recalling happy dreams - just once..


The road was long, and it wasn't until we took the last turn that we knew something was wrong. Smoke was raising for the castle, twirling around its towers, thgh no fire was to be seen anywhere. My smile died before I even glanced on the torn pieces of flags and swords lying on the ground, and I ignored my brother as he tried to stop me from turning and riding up the hill..


Day Two


I sat up, gripping the sheets and starting at a random spot on the wall across the room. Having a dream be over so soon was unusual - and it'd make me feel much better than normally when waking up..if there wasn't for my memories. I knew what happened next, I could tell every detail of it even if I never saw it again. The dead in the hallways, the way it smelled, the way the wind blew through the chambers, the dim light of their bedroom as all but one torch extinguished, the bodies, the blood..surprisingly little blood. The way their eyes..


I got up, trying to calm myself down by walking around the room, feeling like some kind of animal in a cage. Approaching the mirror, I stared at myself, wishing I could affect my own feelings like I could other people's, and eventually leaned my forehead against the glass. It was ridiculous. It was ridiculous and pathetic and I hated myself for still caring that much, yet I couldn't help it. Night after night, like some morbid theatrical performance which needed to be seen so many times to be properly appreciated.

"They're dead," I muttered to myself, slamming my hand at the glass. "They died, and it happened seventeen f*cking years ago." It was as if I told to a wall, and I knew that as well - but just as I couldn't keep the memories away, nor could I make myself just drop it. I wanted to find the person - or people - who did it. I wanted to know their names, I wanted to see them and ask them why, and I wanted to run Throne through the hearts of their families and make them watch.

I stepped back again, running my hand through my hair and absently thinking of how much I looked like my father - except for the eyes..his were much darker, and my brother took that after him. And Dae after him - really it was hard to recall a king of Barqarnon whose eyes were lighter. Perhaps that's why Meggie changed his..why am I thinking about that?


Sighing, I picked my sword and left the room, leaving it unlocked and ignoring the smells of breakfast coming from somewhere on my left. I turned the other way, remembering my previous visits, and took a deep breath as I found myself outside.

*


Practicing with Throne was like like dancing with an old flame, a dance one can never really forget. Whenever I took it out of its scabbard and moved it through the air again, I couldn't help recalling the old days. Years ago, back in the time when Anea and Ari were alive - even before Ari was even born - back when I was so young and careless and running around the mountains of Barqarnon.. back when Meg and I made up stories and ran from our tutors to play epic duels on our own.. Throne seemed to remember it as clearly as I did, moving almost at its own will, seeming so strangely light in my hand.


I sparred with a tree, moving around it and making sure never to cut too deep, trying to hit the same spot every time - it mostly worked, and I let my mind slip from it as I repeated the moves over and over again, smiling to myself as I spotted the Prince observing me. He stood behind my back, half hidden by another tree, yet unmistakably watching me. I put Throne down, leaning it against a tree as I slid m us hurt back on, and grinned without turning around.

"Good morning, Prince Timothy," I said, and practically heard him freezing caught spying. "Are you still as interested in fencing as you used to be?"


I turned, meeting his eyes for a short second before he turned his glance away. Smart..though I know you're not doing it to avoid my magic. He was accompanied by two guards, and looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. I kept my smile on, walking to him.


"If I recall correctly, you used to be a very promising young talent," I said. "If I could ask your company to borrow us their swords, I'd be thrilled to see if that's still so."


He stared at me, his eyes wide and seeming even lighter than they normally were. Well, you are certainly afraid for no reason..

"I-I d-d-don't.." His voice was trembling, and I was fairly sure he was actually shaking, as he looked to their guards in a silent cry for help. I knew that look very well - I've seen it on the faces of citizens in Barqarnon more than often - but the guards obviously didn't, for they took out their swords, one handing his to Tim and the other offering his to me. For a moment, I wanted to let the kid go and take that terrified look off his face - but then I took the sword, keeping my face emotionless. It's not my battle to fight. I'm not everyone's protector, nor would I like to become. He was a Prince - he needed to learn to do things he didn't like, he needed to learn how to talk to strangers and people he didn't like, especially seeing he was to one day become the King.


I stepped back, taking my position, holding the sword in my right hand - I could use it with both, because I was curious enough to learn it as a kid, but I considered myself better with my left. And I didn't want to show him the best of me; he was creeped out enough already. He hesitatedly took position as well, gripping that sword as if his life depended on it. I glanced at the guards, and they got the hint, moving further away and discussing something in low voices. There you go, Prince. Whatever happens, it's between us.


I let my sword touch his a few times, getting used to the way they felt. He was holding it properly, and had more or less the right posture - old habits seemed to never be dying, and I knew how one can never really forget how to use a sword after he'd wielded it once - but he seemed more than hesitant to use it, let alone attack me with it.

"You're not guarding your left," I said, shifting my sword to demonstrate a possible attack, and smiled a little as he moved automatically. "Good. Keep that position. Now, try to attack me." I stood still, practically with my sword down, and he moved carefully towards me. I had to admit it, he was far from what I remembered, and it was at the same time a bad and a good thing. When I was his age, I was already named as the best in the Six Kingdoms - which was somewhat ironical, since there were really only five of them - but on the other hand, he was a prince, and wanting peace instead of knowing how to war was always a better option.


His sword touched mine, and I reacted almost instinctively, pushing it back up and attacking. I didn't intend to hurt him, not even to actually touch him with the blade, yet for a moment he looked as if I was going to kill him.


Then his weapon suddenly charged back up, slamming against mine and making me take a step back. I frowned, searching his face to find what has changed, as he kept attacking. It wasn't faked defense anymore, but the kind of offense one would use in a proper battle, and I found myself wondering just how sharp those swords were. He moved differently now - without a trace of hesitation, swiftly as a dancer and wielding his sword as if it was the simplest thing in the world; something I knew quite a bit about.


I shifted my sword to my left hand as my back touched the tree I was sparring with before. It's been a while since anyone got me backing away like that - it's actually been years, and it was never done by someone younger than myself - and for a moment it was hard not to bring out the best I had. Attacking him and fighting like I'd fight an enemy would surely make me the winner of our little duel, yet I knew I couldn't afford hurting a prince of my host country. Biting my lip, I moved my sword again, forcing him to back away, recalling the days I'd practiced with my brother. Except for those swords were dulled. And both of you knew that you wouldn't hurt each other. I didn't like the expression on the prince's face - he seemed different, not scared nor reluctant about what he was doing, almost as if he wasn't the same person anymore. I sighed, charging this time, pulling a trick my old tutor never approved of, ending up with both swords in my hands and the prince pinned to another tree.


For a moment we just glared at each other, then I put the swords down and he grinned.

"You certainly have lived up to that reputation of yours," he said, as I moved from him and handed the swords back to the guards. They eyed me with a strange expression, but I just put up another of my smiles.


"You could leave us for a while," I said to them, glancing at the prince. He was still leaning back to that tree, eyeing Throne. The guards looked at him, he waved them off and they reluctantly left, glancing at me as they did so. What do you think I will do? Even if I wanted to kill him, I wouldn't be as much an idiot to leave you two as witnesses. I turned to the prince, trying to read his face. He didn't look scared, he didn't seem to be wanting to leave, he didn't even stand with the same posture as before.. "If you keep it up," I said, "it seems I'll soon enough be stripped of that reputation."


"You already had it when you were my age," he noticed. Thanks for reminding me how long it's been.


"I never dueled those living in the streets, forced to know their way with swords to survive," I said. "I never won any tournament by killing actual enemies - titles are tricky, and reputation shouldn't be something one should rely on too much." I picked up Throne, smiling a bit to myself as I recalled Meg and I running from our tutors to spar the way we wanted to, playing the big heroes of the past. No one cared about titles back then..none of us had the title back then. I turned back to the prince. "You are good, and that's what matters." I hesitated just for a second before continuing. "Very good, to be exact. Almost as if taking a sword in your hand makes you a different person."


"I've heard that before," he said, and snickered as my brow furrowed. "Don't get too used to it."


"Oh?" I kept observing him, wondering how to go on. He was different - different enough that, if I wasn't with him the entire time, I'd suspect him having a twin brother whom he just switched places with. You've seen things before..and heard some others.. "Too bad, really..I quite like the person I'm talking to right now."


He tensed, looking away, seeming as if he was trying to make me forget everything that just happened. "I..I am the same person, sir. I don't really know what you're tal--"


I stepped closer again, slamming my hand to the tree next to his head. He looke back at me, frowning and glaring back into my eyes, and I smirked, pointing my finger at him.

"That," I said. "See? I was here numerous times before, and you've always avoided my eyes. I sparred with enough people in my life to know of many different styles, and yours has changed drastically in a few seconds. Not only the way with the sword, but also the way you talk - though I admit this last attempt of hiding it was rather good." He kept staring at me, and I wished to be able to read minds. "So, then, do tell me. Whom am I talking to?"


He stayed silent for a long moment, and I almost thought I was wrong. The boy could've just liked fencing a lot, couldn't he? You know you're right. I kept my face impassive, not taking my eyes off him, wondering if he'd look away if he knew what I could do by keeping eye contact. He probably would - everyone did, everyone expect for my brother and his heir. One because he knew I wouldn't hurt him, and the other because he knew I couldn't. Forcing my thoughts to stop wandering, I focused on the Prince again.


"Zain," he said then, keeping his voice silent yet authoritative. Don't talk down to me, that will get us nowhere. "That's my name."


I stepped back again, smiling a little at him. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Do you go by my Prince as well, or am I allowed to use the name?"


"I am the prince," he replied slowly, eyeing the Throne again. I slid my hand on its hilt, passing my fingertips over the leather around it but not looking down.


"Are you? I got the impression you were a completely different person."


He looked back up, seeming a bit caught off guard. "I am.." He frowned. "That doesn't make me any less of a prince."


"Fair enough," I said after a moment of thinking, turning serious again, figuring the fake smiles wouldn't make much sense anyway. "And your mother and sister, do they know of you?"


He shrugged, as if they were irrelevant to him, though I was pretty sure it was far from being so. "Our family hates me," he said. "Like most of people anyway."


I almost grinned. He acted far more authoritative than Tim did, more like a prince would be expected to act, playing all cold and different, but I knew to read people better than that - it was what was making me good in my job. He might have been more serious, or brave or confident than Tim could ever be, yet I could tell he was troubled by his own problems as well. I wondered if he was around for a long time, and what it was like for him. Stop it. Being interested will get you caring eventually. I shoved that thought aside. I was interested in most people around me - doing what I did simply demanded that trait - and I couldn't help but already think of what I could do with information I just got. I wondered how far can I go before making him mad.

"Why would they hate you?" I asked, carefully observing yet making sure not to stare. I could make you calm and peaceful and wish to tell me whatever I want to hear..but that'd be no fun. "What did you do?"


"I didn't do anything. Except for getting Timmy out of trouble, that is."


I leaned against a tree, tapping my fingers on Throne's hilt. "You're the one protecting him, then?"


He narrowed his eyes at me. "Maybe I am. Why do you care about it?"


I shrugged. I knew it'll come to it eventually. "I'm curious. It's interesting..and not like I'd tell anyone."


He eyed Throne again. "Why didn't you fight us with that?"


Change of topic it is, then. "Did you kill my wife and kid?"


He frowned, eyeing me with a strange expression. "I don't think I was even..we were kids back then."


"Then I have no reason to fight you with it," I said, smiling a bit. It's strange how easy it is to actually talk about it. I bit my lip - it was actually so easy that I found it almost hard to keep myself from talking far more than I could afford myself to. Except for with Meg - my brother and I never really talked about it, and it was impossible to do it without recalling what happened to tiniest details. I promise you, they'll be safe in the castle, and I won't ask you to fight for me again after we return. I realised I was gripping the handle of the sword as if wanting to stab someone with it, and I forced myself to calm down. "I keep Throne for my enemies."
***

Brekyr Elgan- War Chief
Merillial- Day One



I walked along the edge of the roof, stopping as the wind played with the sweaty hair on my forehead, closing my eyes, breathing deeply, waiting for a response.

The Duke was threatening to withdraw his support from the King. Obviously, I couldn't tolerate his threats-- they had to be neutralized, immediately, or the other Dukes might decide to revolt, and that just wouldn't do.

One had to wonder, though, what had caused this attitude. The Duke had been nothing but loyal for years, and now was making unprecedented threats? It didn't add up. I suspected it was the Duke's son. The Duke had always put far too much consideration into what would please his son-- and the lad was getting old enough to cause trouble now.

I'd sent Thranack to see-- and to make it clear that we weren't going to tolerate this nonsense much longer. I was certain that Thran would make that point very clear-- my only worry was how long it would take to clean up the mess he always left in his wake. I already had my most oily tongued spy waiting by the Duke's palace, ready to clean up whatever mess he made.

No, be nice, he might not-- The pigeon landed on my hand. I gave it a cracker I'd been saving for it, and sent it on its way, quickly unfolding the small scrap of paper. I quickly read the paper. I stopped a moment, slightly dazed. He started a bloody war.

"Dammit Thranack, you little asshole." I sighed, running my hands through my hair. I knew the boy was talented, but I didn't know he was capable of starting a war in a single afternoon.

I irritably folded the letter and slid it in my shirt pocket.

"He's the only person I know who can irritate me so quickly..."

I paced back and forth for a long while, smoking more than I should've, until I finally got a better explanation of what happened. I pressed my palm into my forehead, sighing, smirking despite myself. "Only Thranack..."

I shook my head and slid the letter in my pocket. "Only Thranack would call the son of a Duke a 'little bitch'..."

I guess that means it is the Duke's son, causing all this trouble...being a little bitch... I chuckled, and climbed off the roof. The second letter assured me that my spy took care of the situation. There'd be no war-- nor withdrawl of his troops-- as long as 'that little asshole' didn't set foot on his property ever again. Those terms, I could understand and honor.
~

|Day Two

I watched the small cloud of dust as Thranack stopped just outside the gate to the city, a second horse, presumably Ludi, arriving a moment later. They argued a minute, until the rest of his guard caught up, and then entered the city.

"Poor, dumb boy...he thinks he's got away with it, nine chances out of ten."

I shook my head, lighting a cigarette. I stood, watching as they got to the stables. Thranack charged out of them before his guard could catch up. There was an explosion, and Ludi charged after him. Poor, poor Ludi. What ever did I do to you, assigning you to babysit the prince? I'm sorry. I should tell you that-- "sorry". You didn't know what you were asking for.

"Lord Elgan."

I instantly flicked the cigarette away, slowly breathing out so the smoke wasn't as obvious, before I turned towards the voice. A stable boy was standing behind me.

"Yes?"

"I, sir, I was just going to tell you, sir, that the prince didn't put his horse away right, sir. You said, sir, that I should tell you if he didn't, sir."

I grinned. That was probably the very best part of my post-- everyone was terrified of me. Well, everyone who doesn't know me. "Thank you."

"N-no problem."

"You may go."

Relief washed across his face. "Thank you sir."

He bowed hastily and sprinted away.

I hesitated a moment, looking around, then sighed and walked towards the barracks. I walked through the barracks, quietly singing to myself. "On the first day of March it was raining, it was raining worse than anything I'd ever seen."

I turned the corner to my office.

"I drank ten pints of beer, and..." I trailed off as I noticed the door to my office slightly ajar. "Cursed all the people there."

I stepped to the side of my door, and listened a moment as someone wandered around inside. I drew my dagger and threw the door open, spring inside. I accosted the person inside and slammed them against the wall, pressing my dagger into their neck before I bothered to look at them well. "Who are-- Jaime?"

The girl whimpered. "Janel."

Shit. I pulled my dagger away from her throat and sheathed it, looking into her eyes, taking back my calling her the wrong name. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I just came to...talk to you. And you attacked me."

"Sweetheart." I cooed, brushing her cheek.

She waved my hand away. "You attacked me."

"Dearest, I'm sorry. You startled me."

"It's called a surprise." She pouted, looking down. "Being spontaneous-- it's not supposed to get me a knife to my neck."

"Honey, dear, look up at me."

"No."

"Come on, darling." I rubbed her soft face, brushing her golden curls out of her eyes. "You know I didn't mean to."

She looked up at me, worrying her lip. Perfect. I focused on her memories, right up to the point I burst through the door. I deleted each memory as I came to it, and replaced it with me walking through the door, grinning broadly, and her running into my arms.

I blinked, and looked at the slightly dazed look in her eyes. She hesitated a moment, then smiled and snuggled into my tunic. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly, sighing, relieved.

"What have you been doing, Breky?"

Cleaning up Thranack's messes, sleeping with Jamie, talking to Creyo, sleeping with Jamie's sister... "Missing you, darling, every moment of every day."

"I've missed you too..." she slid her hand down my abdomen, into my trousers. "All of you."

I consulted my watch. I had plenty of time to talk to Thranack later. "Then what do you say we do something about that?"

She giggled and pushed me into the wall.
~

I rolled the pen across the desktop, a pleasant tingling in my fingers. Janel was one of my favorites. I told each one that, of course, but I actually meant it with her.

I sighed lazily and looked towards the back door, the door I sent her out. I shook my head. You've got a letter to write.

I grabbed a sheet of parchment and dipped my quill in the inkwell.

"I don't know how to answer. Thranack just got back..."

I sighed and stood up. I walked out the back door of my office and quickly found a few servants, easily locating where Thranack and Lierre were. I silently followed to where they were.

“Stories...” Thranack squirmed. “Who have you heard those from?”

Oh dear.

“I don’t recall.”

He's not going to shut up, darling. Just be out with it.

“Well...they’re mostly embellished, anyway.”

Modest? I'm surprised.

“And nearly any one that Dae will want to tell you...won’t be...don’t listen to any of his stories.”

She smiled. “Why not?”

Because Master Daerys has a game his likes to play-- "Make a Fool of Thranack". It's quite amusing, but not quite a fair representation of him.

“Um...” Thranack cleared his throat.“You know, er, uh...he enjoys watching me squirm, I think.”

No. You think?

“Ah...” She answered softly. “And do you oblige him?”

“More often than I’d care to.”

I grinned. They were such an adorable couple. You're a lucky boy, Thran. I hope you realize that.

“What’s that?”

I squinted at them. Thran ticked her off. How, I wasn't sure, but judging from her expression, he needed to apologize.

“Nothing.” She snapped.

“What happened to your neck?”

Her neck?

“What happened to your lip?” She countered.

Aw, is she a little hothead too?

“I...Fair enough.”

Not going to talk about it? I'd bet on you taking that as an excuse to brag on your every scar.

“Mm.”

Well, it looks like they're getting on alright. I turned and silently moved back to my office in the barracks. I picked up the quill and dipped it in the inkwell as I pulled a fresh sheet of parchment out.

"My dearest Marius,

It was a pleasure to hear from you, as always. I hope you and your family are getting along well? As for your family in Merillial, they are doing very well. Prince Thranack just returned today at lunch from a Council I sent him on, but he and Lierre are becoming aquainted as I write this letter, and appear to be getting on marvelously.

Prince Daeyrs and Princess Lierre have spent a good deal of time together already, and it seems that both of them are looking forward to being nearer to each other-- though the Princess, understandably, is a bit nervous about being so far from home. I'm sure she'll adjust in time, though.

King Angroth seems less than satisfied with his stay, I'm afraid, but I assure you that he is well fed and entertained as often as he'll allow anyone near him. I'm not sure he's exactly fond of Prince Thranack, yet, but is...more accepting of Prince Thranack than he is Prince Daerys. I'm afraid your brother and nephew have been at odds lately. With any luck, they will be able to work their odds out before the wedding.

Do you think you will be able to attend the wedding?

If I don't hear differently, I will be eagerly anticipating your arrival.

All the best,

-B."

I thought a moment, and then sealed the letter. Marius Angroth knew very well how things would be going. He knew my Royal family as well as I knew his-- and we both knew that the egos in both families were far too inflated for a truly pleasant visit.

I ought to ask Mar about that bruise Thran saw on the Princess...

I shook my head and called for a messenger.

No. I'll ask about it when he's actually face to face with me, when I might have a prayer of spotting a lie, if he chooses to withold the truth.

With a few brief instructions, I sent the letter on its way to Marius. I sat dumbly for a few minutes, glancing around my tidy office, unable to get hold of a solid thought to focus on. Now that I thought of it, I realized that I didn't know what sort of relationship Mar had with Lierre. Or Dae. Or his wife, for that matter.

I knew the relationship that this post had with his king-- and I was pretty sure that that was the only relationship that he had with Megarus. But I wasn't really sure about anyone else. I should see what I can observe, if he comes in for the wedding...he should come....

I shook my head once more, to clear out all the thoughts of Marius and the rest of the Angroths. I had bigger problems to deal with. One stood about 6'2". And refers to nobles as 'little bitches'. I honestly didn't know what to do with him any more. I'd beaten him. I'd grounded him. I'd worked him. Nothing worked; and I was starting to lose hope that anything ever would.

Sighing, I walked over to my mail-box and unfastened the locks on it. I grabbed the fistful of updates inside, sighing again, and relocked the box. "Honestly...why must you all do so much stupid stuff that I have to keep an eye on? The least you people could do is have a party. A stupid party. That way, I won't have to try and keep track of all you."

I threw the letters down on my desk and scanned each one, answering the ones that needed responses, tossing the ones that didn't into my firebox. Finally, I sorted through the entire stack and had each letter sent off to the spies they needed to go to; and had a boy sent after Thranack.

"The entire world is filled with idiots." I sighed, rubbing my temples. A twig snapped outside my window-- and my head whipped around. "Including whatever fool is trying to spy on me."

There was a moment's silence.

"Whoever you are, stand up, right now."

A young, blond girl stood up. Jackie?

"Breks?"

Jadelyn.

"Jade, darling, what are you doing here?" What the hell is with you women coming to my office? You know you're not allowed to come here.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too, dear, but you know you can't come here." I caught her as she half-fell through the window as she tried to climb through.

"Why not?" She pouted.

"Honey, I've got a dangerous job and I have bad people in here sometimes."

"I'm not afraid."

"You're going to get me in trouble, dearest."

She frowned. "So you don't want to spend time with me?"

"It's not that, dear. It's just that, well, the king's my boss and you know, make him mad, I'll lose my head and all that."

"You'll calm--"

"No, dear, I'll literally lose my head if I make the king angry." I rubbed my throat. "He'll lop it right off."

"Then let's be quick."

"What? No."

"I'll be right in and out." She dropped to her knees. "He'll never know."

"What are you-- oh...I guess...I...I love you, Sweetest."
~

I sighed, shaking my arms out, rubbing my face. Thranack was coming. I saw him and Ludi on their way down the hill, towards the barracks, but my body wasn't working properly. I was still sluggish. Wake up...wake up...maybe I should just sit at my desk. That would make the boy nervous the entire meeting...no. He's going to be complaining about his trip. And he needs a thrashing for being so stupid on the Council.

I flexed my hand and drew my dagger as I glanced around for a vantage point. I'd been hiding behind the door. Last time, I noticed him looking for me there. Today, I wouldn't be so easy to find.

I heard the snap of a sheath, so quiet it was barely audible. I hadn't heard him approaching. He was very good at making his footsteps silent-- one of his few admirable traits, when it came to this profession.

The door flew open and Thranack stepped inside, his back turned towards me so he could look behind the door. I lunged toward him, carefully turning my hand so that I'd punch him in the neck if he wasn't fast enough-- but not actually kill the boy. That wouldn't be easy to explain at all.

He turned at the last second and grabbed my forearm.

You got lucky.

I threw my fist toward his head, but barely felt his hair on my knuckles as he ducked.

Lucky again.

He threw his forearm into my chest, his weight throwing me to the ground. He clawed at the dagger, trying to snatch it away.

Heh. I slipped my feet under his chest. You gotta do better than that, Thranie-boy

I sent him flying across the room and rolled to my feet. In a single bound I was across the room, to where he laid. I stomped at his chest, but he rolled to the side just in time to miss the blow.

He staggered to his feet, still unsteady. I didn't give him a moment to recover before I dove at him, throwing my fist into his gut. He grabbed my shoulders and threw me into the wall, knocking the dagger from my hand.

I felt my breath coming harder already. I wasn't as young as I used to be, and Thranack wasn't as weak either. But you're still a young pup.

I swiped his legs out from under him, and was on him in an instant, pushing him down as he tried to get up. I recovered the dagger and pressed it against his throat. He froze a moment, then frowned and let his head fall back, panting. And you've got to do one better than that if you want the upperhand.

"You're dead." I smirked and got off him, shoving my dagger back in its sheath, offering him a hand up. I gave a small, mocking bow as he got to his feet. "My Prince."

"Yeah." He grumbled, pouting, rubbing his neck.

"You let an old man beat you...again." I knew he hated when I brought up how old I was.

"Whatever. I'm tired. I've been riding all day."

So what? I've been f*cking most of the day. You want to talk exhausting. Those girls have no mercy.

"Oh, I didn't realize. I'm so sorry." I mocked, sitting down. "I'm sure anyone trying to kill you will be far more considerate."

He grunted, taking his seat opposite my desk. "Alright. I get it."

"If only you did." My life would be so much easier. I poured myself a cup of coffee.

"At least I got the Duke's support."

I always appreciated when he made it easy for me. I didn't have to lead up to it. "He threw you off his property."

"A minor detail."

"After you called his son a little bitch." It was still hard not to smile when I repeated that.

"I called it like I saw it."

"You can't do that, Thran." I rubbed my face, sobered once more. Not in this game. In this game, you have to smile and lie through those pearly white teeth of yours. Tell people what they want to hear. "You very nearly started a war."

"But I didn't." You did. I just stopped it before you knew anything about it. "He came to his senses."

"I cleaned up your mess." I corrected.

"So quickly?" He frowned. Yes. So sorry to ruin your game. I had a kingdom to think of.

"I have people to watch my people."

He rolled his eyes, pouring himself a cup of my coffee. "Well, I hope they're more...loquacious than I am."

A rock is more loquacious than you-- and no, your sizeable vocabularly doesn't get you off the hook. You're learned, not smart.

"Always." I grinned at him.

"...What is that supposed to mean?" He glared.

Aw, little Thranie-wannie figured out I was making fun of him.

"It means, Thran, that you're a poor, dumb goober who puts his foot in his mouth as often as he opens it."

"I...okay. Fine." Thank you for not being too blind to see that. "I guess you found a good spy to follow me, then?"

"My most diplomatic." I rolled my shoulders. Thran wasn't gentle with me either. "Don't worry, Dearie, he's very good at saving your ass...you've given him plenty of practice."

He frowned. "...No point in employing someone who's not good at what he does."

"I know, but your'e good at fighting, so we tolerate your lacking diplomacy in Councils."

He glared. I smirked. Good. I hope you do get mad. I hope you get so mad you get your head out of your ass and start acting like a prince.

"Though, you really should try to think before you insult people."

"That's what she was telling me." He muttered, jerking his head at where Ludi stood behind him, trying to be unobtrustive.

"Oh, yes, hi Ludi." I smiled at her.

I liked Ludiv. She was so sweet. So smart. So polite. Everything Thranack wasn't. And she actually acts like she should. It's so refreshing.

"Sir."

"Smart girl." I nodded. I am sorry about giving you this post. But you did ask for it. "Hard headed, but smart."

"Tell me about it." Thranack sighed.

I saw Ludi's eyes flick down at Thranack irritably. I nearly grinned again.

"Well, she might be a bit more agreeable if you were kinder to her."

Say, if you didn't make her chase you down to protect you.

"I try that!" His eyes were wide. "It doesn't work! Watch."

He turned in his chair. What is with you nobles wanting to show off your guard?

"She's not a dog, Thran-- don't try to make her perform."

"I know she's not a dog." He turned around, crossing his arms, glaring at me.

"Mm." I looked at him a moment, just long enough to make him shut up, and then looked back to Ludi. "How are you, dear?"

"Fine, thank you, sir...And yourself?"

"Oh, fine, aside from putting up with Thranie's nonsense."

Thranack's eyes instantly narrowed, resenting the pet name I'd dubbed him with years ago. You know, you liked being called Thranie when you were a kid... and now I like calling you it, just to make you angry.

"That's a job, sir." Ludi answered.

"Indeed it is." But not enough of one to get you so discouraged. "But what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, sir."

"I know you better than to believe that, Sweetheart." And if I didn't, it's obvious to see that you're your father's daughter, and I knew him well."You seem...distracted, distant. What happened?"

"Nothing, sir." She repeated harshly, her eyes flashing.

Defensive, are we? Well, I can always ask blabber-mouth here. I glanced at Thranack, lifting my eyebrows in a silent question.

"She was sparring with Dae and lost." Thranack quickly supplied. "I think she's still sore about it."

"Oh, there's no shame in that." I nodded reassuringly. "Dae's an excellent swordsman."

"Yes, sir, I know." She answered coldly, glaring at Thranack. I wondered if he even noticed.

"Look at Thranie here-- he loses every time I spar with him, but you don't see it getting him down." I can't even get his attention when I beat him. "If he let losing bother him, he'd have some severe mental problems."

He might already have some. It can't be natural to be so dense.

Ludi looked like she was starting to relax, as Thran was beginning to bristle at my words.

"But, no, he lets it roll off his shoulders. That's what you have to do - just let it go. I know it's hard, but after you get as much practice as Thran here has, it's easy." I know you think I'm a jerk. I don't care.. "Really, I mean, when he first started losing he'd sulk for days. But now it's second nature, right Thranie?"

I couldn't help but throw in his pet name, just to sink my point a little bit deeper.

"Yeah, guess so." Thran grunted, glaring at me.

"See?" I was starting to wonder how long Thran would let me get away with insulting him. I enjoyed doing it-- and it seemed Ludi was enjoying it as well. He'd have to stop it if he wanted it to end. "He's even got gracious about admitting how good of a loser he is. Why--"

"Alright!" He snapped, cutting me off. "I think she gets the point."

I laughed, and I Ludi did the same. I'll make fun of Thran to cheer you up anyday, Ludi.

"Good." I fixed him with a stare. "Do you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I get the point-- I can't beat you." Honestly, now, your train of thought can't be that short and fragmented. You were taking notes on my teasing, but not the lecture? Damned boy. "Yet."

Heh. Ever.

"See, Ludi, dear? He's been losing for twenty years, and he keeps clinging to the hope that he can beat me one day."

"Yep. Now let's talk about something else."

I lifted an eyebrow. "And he still seems to think he's got some type of authority here."

"He is the Prince, Sir." Ludi said kindly, without the offense she usually took on his behalf.

"I know." I grinned. I got to hear about him being the Prince lots when he was about twelve. "And I plan to take advantage of that fact."

I looked between the two of them as I threw my feet on the desk and leaned back in my chair. Lord I'm tired. "I can't tell him to shut up when he's the king and actually has authority over me."

"I'll remember all this." He grumbled.

Liar. "No you won't."

"Hm..."

The hairs on my arms stood up as I felt the first blast of magic loosed out in the yard. I rubbed the hairs down, unsuprised-- the plans already authorized by me-- and smirked as Thran jumped, grabbing at his own arms.

"Sir, is the Crimson Guard doing magic drills in the yard?" Ludi asked, excited.

"Yes, Sweetheart." I nodded, glacing at where Thran sulked, hoping he wouldn't deny Ludi this chance. "Want me to take care of Thran here for you so you can go?"

"Can I, sir? Prince Thranack?" I hadn't seen Ludi this excited in a long time.

I nodded. But of course. You can use a break, and Thran and I need to discuss some things.

Thran shrugged. "Of couse."

She bowed and hurriedly left the room. Thran stared after her a long moment after she was gone, then turned and took a sip of his coffee, trying to hide feelings he didn't seem to know he had. Oh dear.

I had other things to address now.

"You are aware..." I stood up and lazily paced towards the window. "That the gate to the city is in plain view of the castle?"

Thran's posture stiffened and he stood, concern passing across his face before he forced it to relax. "...Oh yeah?"

Oh yes. You know what you did.

"Oh yes." I nodded. "And yes, I did see your little escapade."

"I..." He took a deep breath, searching for words."Was..."

"Making thier jobs impossible." I supplied. "The purpose of a guard is to protect you. They can't do that if you're a quarter mile ahead of them."

"Then I guess I'll just have to protect myself." I saw his chin raise. Like he was twelve again.

"Thranack..." You can't watch everything. You can't beat everyone. You're not observant enough to realize when you don't see everything and can't beat someone. Just... "Don't be an idiot."

"Do you mean to say that you didn't do a thorough enough job of training me to--"

"Shut up." Don't you dare blame your inability on me.

"Fine." He crossed his arms, sulking.

"It's not fair to your guard."

"What do they care?"

"Well, Ludi, for one, is very, very loyal to your dumb ass." And all of your guard answers to me, and I to Creyo. You're gambling with more lives than one. "If anything happened to you, she would blame herself."

"Mm..." He frowned. "Fair enough. I'll be more careful, so I don't worry you old ladies."

"It's all I ask." That-- and that you don't develop feelings for Ludi. Just...don't.

He drained the rest of his coffee and put his cup down, hoping to make a retreat before I finished. "Well, if that's everything, I'll just--"

"I never said that that was everything.'

"Fine. What else is there to yell at me for?"

"Boy, I could scold you all afternoon, night, and half of tomorrow and cover every thing you deserve to be chastised for." I said sharply.

"I..." Not even he could argue with that. "You're not going to do that, though, right?"

"I'm not." I took a sip of my coffee.

"Then...?"

Give me a moment. I'm not sure which things I should yell at you for.

"You didn't put your horse up."

"Oh..."

"Mm?"

"No...I didn't." At least you're a big enough man to admit it.

"And you haven't cleaned out your stall in how long?"

"Who told you all this?"

"I told you I saw you arrive-- and it doesn't take a genius to know you can't put a horse away properly in the fifteen seconds you were in the stable. I investigated."

"Mm." He glared at me, the slits that were his eyes doing a poor job of hiding his whirling thoughts. 'I don't have to shovel that shit. I'm the Prince." Bah!
"Don't even go there."

He looked up at me, slightly surprised.

"I know that look. I don't care that you're the damned Prince." I set my mug down and walked towards him briskly, hoping to get near enough to him to scare him out of saying something stupid."You'll still take responsibility for your things, while you're studying under me."

"You don't have the authority to--"

Like that. You don't talk like that to me, you little shit. I busted him in the face, knocking him off his feet. He recovered more quickly than he usually did-- or my reaction times were still slowed. Either way, he managed to knock me off my feet as well. He tried to hit me. I diverted his fist, and punched him in the gut several times before he rolled away.

I was on his trail, hitting him, elbowing him, kneeing him-- careful not to hit his face after my first blow. No one could see the bruises-- especially not since he was going to be married soon. But he'd damn sure know I'd been there, especially in the morning.

Finally he got good blow in, actually hurting me. You bastard. I grabbed his shirt and hurtled him across the room, over my desk, making him fall on my chair. He pushed himself up and threw himself at me, coming back for more. I wrestled him away from me, slamming him into the wall.

He kept clawing at my face, and I turned my face away. He got behind me and jumped on my back the instant I turned. I threw him over my head, making him land squarely on the chair he'd been sitting in. He got up a bit more slowly, but came at me once more. I was getting tired of fighting him off.

I grabbed the shoulder of his tunic and one of his legs and made a circle, gaining momentum, and tossed him across the room. I bit my lip as he hit my file cabinet, and fell to the ground writhing.

I didn't mean to do that.

"You asshole." He squeaked, clutching his back.

You asked for it. "You done?"

"F*ck you."

I lifted my eyebrows. Dammit Thran. Drop it. I'm exhausted.

"Yes." He grumbled, forcing himself up into a sitting position.

"Good." I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. "It's tiring to kick your ass."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." He snarled.

"Apology accepted."

He glared dangerously. He's actually pissed.

He stood up and stumbled toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Away."

"Well then I'm going to follow you. I promised--"

"I'm going to go get her. You don't need to babysit."

"Be nice." I ordered.

"What?" He stopped, turning to glare at me disbelievingly.

"You need to stop ordering her around."

I could see his eyes flash back to the thoughts.

Honestly? Do I have to thrash you again? "I'm serious, Thran. You'd just as well get used to women not listening to you-- you're about to be married, son, and I'm afraid you're in for a rude surprise."

"...What do you mean?"

"With Ludi, you ask her to do something, she doesn't, so you order her, and she does, right?" I asked, righting my chair and sitting down in it.

"That's how it works."

"When you get married, you ask, she says no, you order her, and you end up sleeping in the barn."

He hesitated, trying to decide if I was teasing, and then nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

I looked him up and down. He looked ruffled-- like he'd just been in a fight. "You might want to smooth down your hair, too. Unless you want to explain to Ludi what--"

"I got it." He shut the door.

I lit a cigarette and walked over the window, smoking it quickly, letting it relax me, and then flicked the butt out the window and turned back to my office. I kept it sparse, so it didn't take time to clean up after the scuffle.

I glanced at the small mirror I kept hidden in my desk drawer. I look like I've been a fight too.

My stomach rumbled.

And I'm hungry.

I rubbed my neck, groaning. I'm too old for this shit. I flipped the lock on my office door and walked out. As soon as I left the barracks, I forced myself to walk straight, with my head raised high. If Thranack played his part right, no one would ever know about that fight...unless I bruised. Then a few people would know. But I was sure any of the people who saw them would kiss them and make them all better.

I quickly went into the castle, easily avoiding everyone wandering around, most of the nobles contained in the diningroom. I quickly made my way to the kitchen, stealing what I wanted for lunch rather than begging for it, and strode up to my room.

I allowed the attendants to draw me a warm bath as I scarfed the food, before I shooed them all off. I took a quick bath and chose a clean set of clothing, identical to the clothes I just took off, only clean.

I stopped dressing myself before I pulled my shirt on, and flopped down on the bed. A moment later there was a knock at the door. I groaned. I swear, if that's another girl...

"Who is it?"

The door opened, and I sat upright, grabbing the dagger beside me.

"Relax, it's just me." Thranack slumped against the door he closed behind him.

I looked at him impassively, wondering what he was doing here. It wasn't like Thranack to hide in my room after we had a fight. In fact, I fancied he should be hiding from me, not with me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'll clean Reb's stall as soon they go to their rooms, just don't make me leave."

Wow.

It felt like I should have something scathing to reply, but I couldn't seem to find anything witty to say. "Hiding from Lierre?"

"No." He hissed, glaring at me. "She's the only ally I had, and she abandoned me."

I lifted my eyebrows. Allies already? That's good.

"She left me, trapped between Father and Megarus."

"Trapped?" A strange verb to describe a dinner with your father and father in law.

"Yes. Trapped. They both want to interrogate me."

I smirked. "Are you sure they weren't just trying to chat with you? You tend to get uncomfortable in social situations."

"This wasn't a social situation. This was an...anti-social situation, if anything."

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad." I watched as he paced.

"He asked if I was a habitual liar, or if it was special treatment that I reserved for him."

I cringed. I couldn't say that I envied the boy. I doubted he left me much of a situation to work with, either. "What'd you say?"

"Nothing." He rubbed his face, leaning against the door once more. "I just sat there, staring at him like an idiot until Father began his investigation."

"And then?"

"Then I wormed around until I found a scrap of paper in my pocket."

"And then you traded the paper for their silence?" I mused, smirking at the obvious discomfort that lingered on his face. He'd never outgrown looking adorable when he was angry, like most people tended to.

"No." He was glaring. Adorable. "I said that it was a note from you, summoning me."

"I didn't call for you."

"You called for me earlier."

"You already came."

"But you did call me. Just not now...so I gave the truth spectrum."

I grinned. "Fair enough." Maybe you are starting to learn the rules of the game.

Thran grunted and strode away from the door stiffly, holding his arms still at his side, rather than letting them swing as he usually did.

"How badly did you bruise?"

He glared. "Don't worry about it."

I lifted my eyebrows. "Not badly enough, it seems."

He resentfully pulled his tunic off and shrugged. "Not much."

His abdomen was strewn with dark blotches, his right side, mid-way down his torso, was a solid black bruise that wrapped from his stomach to mid-way around his back.

"Come here."

"I'm fine." He insisted, never hesitating as he automatically strode toward me.

"How's that feel?" I asked, gently laying my hadn on his side.

"It--" He sucked air in through clenched teeth as I pressed down on the bruise. He answered without unclenching his jaw. "Hurts like hell."

"Figured." You broke it...well...I did.

"You bastard." He spat, carefully lying down on the bed beside me. "I hate you."

"If you hate me." I laid back too. "Why are you hiding in my room instead of your own?"

"Mm...Father thought I was just trying to hide from him and Megarus."

"You are."

"Yes, but he wouldn't very well give me his permission to hide from him."

"You think he's going to check your story, then?" I grinned at the canopy overhead.

"He claimed he was going to."

Oh.

We sat for a long moment in silence, both of us stretched out on the bed.

"You should get that looked at."

"What?"

I turned my head to look at him flatly. "What hurts?"

"Oh..."

"I think you broke a rib. You should have the physicians wrap it."

"It's fine."

"Or, you could be a dumb bastard and make me wrestle you to the infirmary."

He was quiet a moment, those stupid thoughts flashing across his face again .

"Making sure to take a detour past the dear Princess's room, so you can explain how you got your ass kicked to your fiancee."

"Fine. I'll go."

"Good."

I stared up at the canopy another long moment, neither of us saying any thing. So many thoughts flashed through my mind. So many people I could ask about. So many things I could repremand him for. In the end, I decided to be nice...ish.

I glanced around. "Where's Ludi?"

"In the hall."

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. His tone was too harsh. "You two have a fight?"

"Nope."

"Fine, I won't pry." I said, closing my eyes, him making it obvious that he didn't want to talk.

"Good."

There was another comfortable silence. We both need to get moving. We can't hide here forever.

I sighed. "You should get going. I never keep you much longer than this."

"I know."

You have no intentions of moving, do you? I can fix that.

"And so it probably wouldn't look good.'

"...What wouldn't?"

"You and me, lying in a bed, half dressed--"

He was on his feet in an instant. "F*ck you!"

"Yeah, that's what I'm saying..." I grinned.

He grabbed his shirt and started toward the door muttering. "Bastard..."

He slammed the door after him. I laughed until tears came to my eyes. I was nearly as homophobic as Thran was-- but not so much so that I couldn't mess with him. It was so much fun to mess with him.
~

I wondered, not for the first time, if this is what I put Thran through when I called him into my office-- not knowing what it was that I wanted, not knowing if I was angry with him or simply wanted to talk, not being able to form a proper defense.

I grinned at the thought of Thran thinking of me on the level I thought of the king, but quickly dismissed the thought. It's not your place to even be thinking like that. I drummed my fingers on the wall I was standing beside, waiting for Creyo to call me into his throne room.

Finally, the doors open and I strode in. I stoppped in front of the throne he sat on and bowed, waiting to be addressed.

"Oh, drop the act, Brekyr."

"My king." I acknowledged, lifting my eyes to his face.

"What did Thran do?"

"Did he not admit what he did?" I asked, lifting my eyebrows. That wouldn't do.

"No, he admitted it. He told me all about his fight with the Duke's son. He said that you did something to stop a war."

"Ah...well, I won't bother you with the details of it all." You are far too likely to tell Thran who my spies are, if I told you. "But, yes, I did calm the Duke and his son down."

"Do you think they'll give us any more trouble?"

As long as you're on the throne you'll have trouble to deal with...at least. I will, on your behalf.

"Certainly." Wrong answer. Look at that frown. "However, I don't think you'll have to deal with either of them in the near future."

That's better.

"Of course...I'm sure you have it under control."

I inclined my head. I have everything under control, my king. You can't take a shit without me knowing about it.

"I'm sure you're very busy."

Terribly so.

"So, I will let you go so you can get to your tasks."

My tasks? Psh. I'm f*cking, as soon as you let me go. "Very well, My King."

I bowed and took my leave.
~~

"Say my name." She gasped, desperate, yanking on my hair. "Say it slow..."

"Jaim..."

I opened my eyes to find her glaring at me. Shit.

She pushed me off her and stood up angrily. "You asshole."

Jaime's little sister.

"Janel, darling--"

She whirled around, lifting her fist. Dammit. I forced myself not to block it. You deserve that one.

I staggered backwards as her fist struck my cheek, surprised at her strength.

Oh, right, I remember-- Jackie is the strong one.

"Jackie, I was--"

"Third time's the charm, right?"

"Honey, I was just joking."

"Ha-ha." She said flatly.

" Honest." I lied. "I just wanted to see what you'd do."

"A magic trick."

I followed her to the door.

"I'm going to disappear."

F*ck. I knew that's where she was going with this.

"Honey, look at me." I pleaded, catching hold of her hand.

She whirled around, glaring up into my face. "What?"

I quickly deleted her memories, replacing them with a pleasure like no one had ever given her before. I pulled her cloak back off as she looked at me, dazed.

"Brek...why'd we stop?"

"You asked me to." The perfect gentleman.

"Well...You shouldn't have listened to me."

"I always do what you ask of me." Even when I can't remember what you want me to say.

She let herself fall back onto the bed and pulled me on top of her. "Then finish what you started."
~

Day Three

I rubbed my face, yawning. Jackie really was my favorite. Her stamina surpassed even mine. I nibbled at a roll I couldn't remember swiping, and wandered through the yards, stretching. By the time I finished the roll, I was awake, and alert.

I heard swords clattering together, and moved towards the noise. I found Daerys and his tutor, Jonquille, sparring. I started on the last roll I had and moved towards them, watching as they went back and forth, nearly evenly matched, Quill slightly better.

Thran's getting closer to equalling your skill as well...what will you do, then, Brek? When Thrannie-boy can actually best you? His mouth will never stop.

"Good morning, Lord Elgan. It looks like the start to a lovely day."

I fixed my gaze on his face, noticing his slightly too-happy smile. I finished off the roll, nodding.

Aqui

Queen of Scarthia | Talantera

Day One

*


It was warm, surprisingly warm, and sun shining above my head seemed different. Even the air seemed different - it smelled like something exotic and spicy - and the colours just seemed too bright. The people didn't look the same either; I wasn't even realizing how pale my skin was until seen compared to people around me. Neither of their eyes had anything close to silver either, and a few of them eyed me somewhat suspiciously. Closing my eyes for a second, I concentrated on listening. They were speaking in a language I knew, the language of the Great Kingdoms, though it sounded somewhat differently than the one I was taught by my family. I wrapped my arms around me. I was outside - I was alive and I was outside.. But I wasn't in Scarthia. And I didn't know exactly where I was.


"We're in Talantera," Yetch said, and I opened my eyes again, signing a tiny sigh of relief as I figured he was still there. He pointed at the ocean. "We came from the other side..I suppose this is the farthest he could've shipped us."


I opened my mouth to ask how we were to get to Scarthia, as a carriage suddenly drove past us - if Yetch hadn't grabbed my hand to pull me away, it would've pulled me along. He glared at it, and I glared at his hand. Really tired.. I didn't even notice what I was doing until he tensed.

"Aqui-"


I backed away, crossing my arms on my chest. "Sorry," I muttered. "I..don't touch me." He said nothing, looking around with a little frown, and I moved to stand in his line of sight. "Don't even think of burning something."


"It's like asking me not to eat or sleep - or breathe. I promise not to think of burning anything else if you just-"


"You won't die of lack of pyromanic activities," I cut. "And you know your fire can't touch me, nor am I eager to change that."


He gripped his chest with his hand. "Such a cruel queen you are, breaking my heart like that."


I rolled my eyes at him, but couldn't help a smile appearing on my face. We were out - we were free. I could finally go home. I pictured myself crossing the streets, telling people who I am, asking about my land and my people, finding some guards and perhaps meeting the royals - and I took a step back, hugging myself. I've never been outside of the Prison. I've never even been around people, normal people, who could see me and touch me and hear me, and the world outside of where I was born wasn't the way I expected it to be. Everything was louder, crowded, bright.. foreign. I read about the kingdoms, I've heard my share of stories, but I was never in one, and I felt lost. Biting my lip, I turned to Yetch.


"We shouldn't be staying here - we should find a way to get to Scart-" A sudden thought crossed my mind. "You.. are going with me, aren't you?"


He gave me a lazy grin. "Well I'm not planning on staying here." He pointed his finger west. "That's the quickest road to Eajra."

*


I've been observing the land around us, as we traveled on the back of a wagon filled with straw. The owner of it, born in Eajra and on his way home, seemed thrilled to have someone from his home country to talk to, and Yetch acted his friendliest self. He introduced me as his lover, and I could do nothing but play along if I didn't want to get the man suspicious, but I made sure to take straws from his hands whenever the sparks would dance over them.


"Stop it," I hissed as he did it for the hundredth time, putting my hand over his and trying to pull the straw from his fingers. He held it tightly, and grinned as his flames moved over my hand. For a second, I glared at them as well, wondering if anything would happen to my skin if I let them burn long enough - nothing happened. "He's getting us where we need to get. And isn't asking for anything in return, so control yourself."


"Like you're not thinking of eating him," he muttered, and I frowned. He was right, whether I liked that fact or not. I hadn't taken anyone's energy, not even a bit, in a long time already - I knew I needed to do it soon, if I didn't want to bring myself to the brink of death. I've never experienced it; but my mother had warned me never to let myself stay hungry for too long, for that might get me to a state in which either I'd feel like being tortured, or the victim I managed to find would feel that way.


I watched as the sun followed us as we moved further to the west, and I couldn't help but smile as I caught sight of the woods of m land, still so far yet seeming almost close enough to reach and touch it. My land. Home. I jumped from the wagon as we stopped, following Yetch as he moved towards a town we saw not far before us, as the man who drove us suddenly crossed our way. He was shorter than Yetch, but taller than me - neither was much of an acchievement - and I just now figured how strangely muscular he was. Doing their jobs in fields, living outside. Of course they'll look able enough to crush little royal willowy built girls like you.

"Where to?" He asked. "I don't recal getting anything in return for what I just did for you."


"Thank you," I said. "It was really nice of-" His hand gripped my shirt, and I could feel his breath on my face.


"I don't know where you're from, but you can't be as stupid to expect--" smell of fire filled the air, and he pushed me away and ran to his wagon, waving the dagger in his hand. "What the hell have you done!?"


Yetch stood with a burning straw in his hand, with the rest of the wagon in flames behind him. I didn't like the look on his face - but the one that appeared on the man's as a tiny flame started dancing on Yetch's palm was even worse.

"Magic," he spat, staring at it, pointing a dagger at him. "I knew I wasn't supposed to.. You should be in prison. You should be in the P--" I shut his mouth with my hand, breathing heavily, feeling as his energy started to leave him, and took a deep breath as I let him fade and fall to the ground. Yetch came closer and glared at him.


"Is he dead?" He asked, and I shook my head. "Oh, right, you don't kill." He was right - it was a habit of mine to stop draining people in time, never overstepping. Murder was punishable in the Prison, and if I could've avoided it, I would've. Yetch, on the other hand.. I sighed as flames danced their way from the wagon to the unconscious man on the floor. Yetch shrugged, seeming to be suppressing a grin. "What? I didn't say I don't kill."


"Great," I hissed. "How will we get to Scarthia now?"


He didn't answer for quite a while, staring at what was left of the man even after the flames went out. "We," he said then, slowly, "have nothing to do in Scarthia."


I felt as if someone drowned me into that cold water again. He can't seriously want to leave me alone now.. "I..I thought you were coming home with me. You said you've never been there, I thought.."


"I've never been there," he cut, "because there's nowhere to be." He smiled a bit as our eyes met, the way he'd sometimes smile before torturing someone just for the sake of it. "You're living a dream, my queen. There is no land to return to. You think your parents would stay in the Prison if they thought anything was still waiting for them outside? You think you'll meet people in Scarthia?" He smirked. "You could see a lot of trees and stones there, nothing more."


I couldn't find my voice to say anything in reply. Why would you tell me that? Why are you acting like this all of the sudden? You used to share my ideas.. My hands clenched into fists. "You're lying."


"It's not a lie just because you don't want to hear it."


"it's a lie regardless of what I want to hear. If it was so, my parents--"


"Your parents asked me to keep silent, but not like there's point to that now." He shrugged. "I'm not lying. Friends don't lie to friends."


"You're not my friend then." It couldn't have been true - I just refused to believe it. Scarthia couldn't have turned into some kind of a wasteland, it was ridiculous. With all its wealth, with all the power and everyone living there.. I clenched my teeth now as well, not wanting to show him just how upset I was.


"If there wasn't for me, technically you'd still be in Prison," he noticed.


"Don't you dare turn it that way." I was having troubles keeping my voice relatively calm. "I could've left you there."


"And get here alone? You'd die without me."


"F*ck you. I don't need you." I turned my back to him, marching in the direction of the town. There had to be someone who could take me home from there. Perhaps I should speak to the royals of Eajra. I turned to a general direction of the castle, feeling like burning form the inside. What is he thinking? Ungrateful son of a.. He has no right to treat me like that. I didn't do anything to him. I stopped as I almost bumped into a wall, realizing I reached a dead end. I turned, finding nothing but a small stand with fruit and a woman observing me strangely as she met my gaze. For a minute, we just stood like that. Then she packed up her stand and left, and I followed a pear with my eyes as it fell from her bag and rolled across the street. I sighed. I'm so tired. And so hungry. I should've drained Yetch and leave him there. I shoved those thoughts away, picking up the pear and observing it. I never needed normal food - I could eat it, but it'd be like eating air, nothing would change. I needed energy in a different from, and for that I needed people..


I felt the blade pressing my neck, and the pear dropped from my hand.

It wasn't until then, being all alone and with a weapon seconds away from cutting through my skin and taking my life, that I realised how much I have depended on Yetch. There was no one to protect me now - and I couldn't turn to touch the person's skin and drain his energy either, for the way he was holding me. "I don't want to die," I muttered in Scarthian, addressing the gods of my land - wherever they were. Scarthia can't be gone. I can feel it, it has to be waiting for me. And I have to go back. I licked my lips, this time speaking in the language of the kingdoms. "What do you want?"



"What I want," he replied in Scarthian, and I would've smiled if the situation was different - he spoke the language. Why would he do that if there was no more land to which the language belonged? "Is practice for a craft that not many approve of," he finished, and I frowned. Craft. You picked yourself a wrong target.



He was from my homeland - perhaps there were others around as well. But then again..he wanted to kill me. Which was probably a more pressing concern.

"What would that craft be," I asked, feeling angrier with every second, "killing the royalty of your own land?" What's wrong with people here?



He didn't seem convinced at all. "A craft is a craft. But royalty is not royalty without proof. Do you have proof?"


It was as if I've never left the Prison - but here, I was queen. Even more, his queen, judging from the language. I gripped the wrist of his hand, though I knew I couldn't move the blade from my throat that way even if I tried. Proof.. How the hell could I have been able to prove it? I didn't have anything with me - I never had any yewelry, any money, any relics or whatever else a Queen might have on her side..I only had my blood, and my looks..and my name. "I'm Aqui Van Aldarean, queen of Scarthia and the heir to the Great Crown," I said, putting all the dignity I managed to gather into my voice. "And you could at least show enough respect to talk to me the proper way."



He seemed to be hesitating for a moment. "I'm sorry, my Lady. I haven't met anyone from our country before," he said then, drawing the dagger back from my neck and letting go of me. He took a step back, and I turned the moment I felt free again, gripping his hand. Don't you dare attacking me again. Especially not when I happen to be as hungry as now. I found it surprising to see how young he was - not as young as myself, and quite taller than me, but nonetheless, he couldn't have been older than early twenties. I let go of his hand, not sure if I wanted to make him more tired than I already did. He just tried to kill me - but he was the first person I've met since I've left the Prison, and he seemed to be able to have normal conversations without anyone threatening anyone. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Lovely magic you have there, little Lady."



Little Lady? I just told you my name..

"My lovely magic could kill you before you'd get time to stab me with that knife of yours," I said, and he smirked.



"Who says that's the only trick I have?"



"I could second that." I wonder if you have any magic - if you do, try using it on me. I hoped I was a good enough liar - at that moment, I couldn't quite really think of what would my other tricks be.



"So, after telling me that my craft isn't good, you're going to start at it too?" He now teased, and I turned serious. No, I almost blabbed, I never kill. The place I came from taught me of consequences well enough.



"How come you never met anyone from Scarthia before?" I asked instead.



"Because Scarthia disappeared years ago and there are hardly any of us left," he said, deleting every thought from my head. No. Not you too..



"That..that can't be true."



he scratched his head, seeming somewhat confused. "What, you didn't know? Where have you been living for your whole life?"



"I- that doesn't matter!" How would you react if I told you the truth? "If it was so, they would've told me." I felt almost desperate. Why would my parents lie to me like that? Why wouldn't they tell me, why wouldn't Yetch tell me, why wouldn't the Prison tell me? "What kind of proof do you have?"


"The fact that our generation only knows Scarthia as 'the country that fell'?"



"That's not possible." I felt my eyes stinging, but I didn't want to cry, and my own voice sounded to me like coming from great distance. "It's the country of arts, of inventions, of..dreams and future and..the kings and queens wearing one of the Great Crowns come from it!" I was practically yelling, but I wasn't able to stop myself. Tell me you're lying. You can't be--



"And it's in forgotten ruins in a corner of this country," he said. I didn't trust him - I couldn't trust him. Why would he lie to you, Aqui..? I forced myself to appear strong again.



"Take me there, then," I said, and he sighed.



"Look, I have my life," he said. "I don't have the time or desire to take a Lady to the ruins of a kingdom. People need other people killed out there, you know." I am your Queen, and you will do as I say.



"Well, aren't you after money?" I suggested. "Scarthia has gold." It does, doesn't it? "Take me there and take whatever you wish"



"Gold... you do know there's nothing left." He played with his bracelet, seeming to be considering the offer, and in the end sighed again. "I'll take you there, but I'm not going to be responsible for your protection or anything that happens along the way."



"I didn't ask for your protection," I snapped automatically.



"Good. So. Can I go back to my inn, or are you going to keep me here all night?"



I blinked. He wanted to spend a night here? Why? I was tired, but I only needed to find myself a person to take a bit of energy from, and I'd be as good as new..couldn't he do it by eating, or something? "I won't keep you here - we are going now."



"We?"



"We," I repeated. "You and I. To Scarthia - you just said you'll accompany me." And I will not let you trick me..



"Yes. Tomorrow morning. Some people do actually need sleep. I'll admit that I'm not usually one of them, but your trick made me tired, little Lady." Stop calling me that. I'm not even that little.



"How do I know you won't just leave or disappear?" I asked.



"I- I'll give my word?" If I grew up in a place where a word meant anything, I might even go with it. "Most people normally accept that for my jobs..."



"People are stupid, then. I learned not to trust people." Just a few minutes ago, to be precise, but you don't need to know that, do you?.



"Where did you- never mind. Do you have money for a room?"



"Um..no." I only vague knew how the system using money worked - and I couldn't really see the point of it. If one wanted a goat, and had a sheep, he could've jsut traded them. What was the point in first having to pay some pieces of gold or silver or whatever for the goat, and then selling the sheep for the same sum? "I don't really have any money."



"You're not sharing my room," he said. "Oh, wait. I guess you want me to pay for the room for you."



"Well, it is you who doesn't want to hit the road right away," I said, suppressing a smile. I told you, I have no money.. And you did just try to kill me, one could say you owe me a bit, eh?



"Because it's the middle of the bloody night and I've been work- never mind. Scarthia better be full of good," he muttered, then turning to the main road and walking in the direction opposite of the one I came from. "Follow me, little Lady."



"I have a name, you know." And really, I could only be a few years younger..and a few inches shorter. "While on it, I don't recall hearing yours." I wondered if he'd tell me - or if he would, if he'd tell me the truth.



"I have a name that I go by, and that's Akim, little Lady. I don't feel like using your name for the moment." I noticed as much.



"Fine, as you wish." I turned my eyes from him, observing the town around me - it wasn't all that different from the cities in the Prison. If there wasn't for my memories of my conversation with the Warden, still so fresh in my mind, I would've doubted that I've ever really left. I sighed silently, letting my thoughts fly back to Scarthia. "So..if the country fell so many years ago, how comes you still know the language?" I asked, turning back to him. He didn't seem particularly happy with me asking him questions.



"Because my parents talked to me in Scarthian," he said, looking like he'd rather be talking about anything else.



"Do your parents know you're practicing your craft on strangers who happen to be alone at night?" I asked carefully, again wondering if he'd tell me the truth. It was hard to tell whether he was lying about his name - but I was fairly sure he wasn't lying now.



"My parents," he said through clenched teeth, "are dead."



Well then, looks like we're more alike than we're even aware. I bit my lip - he did answer my question, though he didn't seem to be into talking about the subject, and I felt like it'd only be fair to do the same. "Mine as well," I muttered, suddenly eager to change the topic myself. "So..if you're from Scarthia, what brought you here?"

"I'm not truly from Scarthia, but I am Scarthian, and as I said, my craft." He sounded a bit more relaxed than a moment ago, but still somewhat tense.



"Are there so many people wanting to kill other people in Eajra?" I asked, just for the sake of keeping the conversation going. If we turned silent, I knew I wouldn't have been able to shut my inner voices, and all the thoughts of the most pessimistic scenarios possible would storm into my mind.



"Not just in Eajra, but yes," he said. "The world is a nasty cruel place where everyone with money wants someone else dead." I almost laughed - living in the Prison made the world seem quite lovely.



"Living your life repaying someone else's debts.." I was now just thinking out loud. "So when you say you're not quite from Scarthia, it means your parents were?" Perhaps we could find someone older than him, and that someone might even know my family..



"More like my parents's parents's parents," he said, making my thoughts disperse again. He stopped in front of a tavern, and held the door. Open for me. "Right, here we are, little Lady." Quit calling me that. "Be quiet and let me do the talking," he whispered to my ear, guiding me inside.



I didn't even pay attention to the place around me, letting him talk and lead me on once again. It was hard to keep telling myself all the things about Scarthia being gone was a lie - I could've convinced myself that Yetch would pull a "joke" like that, but this guy, Akim, he had no reason to do it. He didn't even know me, and he seemed as surprised with my questions as I was with his answers.


I followed him up small wooden stairs, automatically counting them in my head. He again opened the door for me - the one on the right - and I entered the room somewhat hesitatedly, fully aware he could've tried to kill me again. What if there will be no gold in Scarhtia? What will keep me safe then? A woman entered after us, bringing in a futon, and I approached the window, turning my back to the room as she put it on the floor.


From where I was, I couldn't really see much - the street below, some stores across and rare people walking around, rushing to get home before the dark swallows the entire land. I felt slightly dizzy already, and could practically feel Akim's presence in the room behind me. You need to eat something. Soon. I heard him lying down, but I didn't turn, not even after he spoke up.



"What's on your mind little Lady?"



"Home," I confessed, not even trying to keep my voice queenly anymore. "Have you ever been there?"



"Scarthia? Never."



"Why not?" I wondered, as another thought crossed my mind. Perhaps.. "And if you were never there, how can you be so sure it's the way you're told it is?"



"Because, little Lady, it's common knowledge. Everyone grows up learning that Scarthia was destroyed. Kaput. Gone. Nothing left." I didn't even care for how he was calling me - I felt more lost every second passing.



"But that..that means it happened so long ago. How could the kings and queens let it happened?" I would never. "What happened to the people?"



"The kings and queens weren't there when the kingdom was attacked and the people fell when the kingdom was attacked," he said. "History lesson over." I felt the stinging in the corners of my eyes again, and I shifted so my hair hid my face from him. I didn't want to cry, I almost never did - but I felt like my dreams were crushed, over and over again, and I was helpless about it. "Well," he muttered, sounding somewhat uncomfortable. Did he notice how I feel? Is it that obvious? "I'm ... going to sleep now."



I wanted to talk more. I wanted to ask him everything about Scarthia, or everything about anything - I'd even settle for talking about my life, if it meant I could keep myself occupied with a conversation and far from all the dark thoughts and feelings. But he said he was tired - and I've made him tired earlier - so I bit my lip not to ask it and sound as pathetic as I felt. "We will leave early," I said instead. "Goodnight."
***

Akim – Assassin
Eajra – Day One, night-time

Demitri

Morning had come and gone. The main palace of Eajra was already a twenty minute ride behind me. I had left without saying a word to any of the royal family nor the castles inhabitants. The only remnants of my departure that I had left behind was the flustered face of the messenger, tired with the effort of having to send a note of preparation to my ship at such a short noticed. I had paid him handsomely, hopefully the profit would be spent in a way that would keep him out of the path of anyone who could cause me trouble.
Never before had I harboured such self-hatred inside of myself. When burdened with a power such as my own, the only person I had to work to earn the respect of was myself.
I did not know what had come over me the previous evening. The first event, of letting Zain pursuit his desire was one thing. But the knowledge of that I had leaked my song to Tim crushed me completely. I had vowed to myself never to let him hear me sing, it was the only thing that kept me sane, kept me alive, to know someone out there would love me on their own accord. Yet now there was nothing left in my heart while my head was alight with ideas of destruction and boredom. Tim had heard my song. There was no one left in the world to impress.
I had sung out of fear. An impulsive fear of hatred. Now that fear was replaced by a fear of incompleteness, a strange pressure that was far to incomprehensible to even bring me sadness. Now I felt like everything was simply nothing.

The town drew upon me, even though it was a harbour settlement it was very different to anywhere in Talantera. Salt water did something to a place that fresh water just could not simulate. It grew into your skin, your hair. It rubbed through the wood and stone, scrubbing it clean and raw. Here everything was just wet with the stench of algae and moss under every step. A familiar form stood upon the driest rise, far above the moisture and gravel. I turned my reins toward her before dismounting and meeting her eye to eye.
“Princess Rea, what a pleasure to meet you here at this hour” I said, addressing her with a slight bow.
She eyed me, her lips were tight and her eyes bore into mine before she smiled.
“Well, it is just as surprising to see you leaving so hastily as you were not scheduled to leave until tomorrow.” She stated smoothly.
She had seen through something I had not expected, and my face clearly gave away the rest. Docking the ship always took a while, she could easily make it to the castle, inform Tim and have him back down here before we were even out of lake. That would really be inconvenient.
I put on my most sincere face and let it settle.
“Rea” I said softly, addressing her with a personal touch as she had always requested. “Please do me a favour, do not tell Tim about this until after the ship has long sailed.”
“Why?” she put bluntly, giving no hint as to her curiosity.
“Its personal Prin... Rea, please, may I have your word?”
“I am sure that it is in your interest to trust me Demitri” She purred before changing the subject, “My carriage is awfully late, do you not agree?”
I smiled at her, almost impressed at her attempt to fool me yet smug because it had failed.
“I can tell you know my dear Rea, I have certain ways of ensuring your word stays pure, yet it would seem such a waste to use such a trivial thing on a girl of your intelligence”
He faced paused for a moment, void of expression as she considered my reply.
“It is dangerous to underestimate someone who shares your secret” she told me.
My heart skipped a beat for at first I thought that she was referring to my voice. My singing was a secret so well kept because anyone exposed to it would be too infatuated in my voice to see anything more than it. I released my tension as I realised she was referring to my departure and instead continued with about battle of honey-coated words.
“At this rate there may be more than simply one secret between us” I said, letting my tone settle on a deeper note. She raised her eyebrows, she had not been expecting me to say that. Good.
“What would those secrets be?”
I leaned in closer and spoke even more softly so only she could hear.
“You tell me.”
She came forward a bit closer in return. “Nothing…yet”
I stood upright, re-establishing the distance between us and breaking the moment. “about that promise?” I asked, igniting the initial request once again. She sighed, accepting the truth of what I wanted. “I supposed if it’s the only one we have, I will keep it.”
I was content. Although I did not trust her completely her word was better than not. I looked behind me at the great ship. Docking was ahead of schedule, perhaps it would not matter. I turned back to Rea.
“You should come to Talantera, you would probably find it pleasant at this time of the year.”
“I think a lot of countries are having mild weather around now” She replied, “it’s good because then we can focus more on political issues rather than famines and illness”
“That is true” I agreed “I know several alliances are being consolidated.”
“Like that marriage in Merillial that I heard about” Rea suggested. “ How about your kingdom, how fares the emperor’s rule?”
“Of course it goes smoothly, all according to plan” I said, deciding to have a play at something. “I do admit sometimes I think that everything is very direct, forward minded, you could say narrow, as if it was choices of only one person, but in my opinion I think it works very well, after all I agree with all that they enforce.”
“This person is the emperor” she inquired thoughtfully.
“I was speaking metaphorically.. you could say”
“I see”
I looked back that the ship, the sailors were preparing the sails, the Talanterian emblem printed brightly on their fronts.
“I need to take my leave, Princess.” I said, nodding at her as an idea sparked in my mind, “I hope to see you soon”.
She nodded in return, looking almost sad but wishing me my best and expressing her interests at my return.
I remounted the steed and rode the last length up the street before boarding the ship.



I slept for most of the trip. As soon as the ship was on the river my legs just had seemed to buckle. It was the distant swish of waves that had woken me. The whisper of the sea in my ears had been absent for so long that I had become accustomed to the silence. Now it was all coming back.
Although I was happy to return I was also lost at the feeling. In Talantera my entire family were simply mindless puppets; agents of my rule. The vast marble halls seemed empty even when they were full of guests. The entire royal court had heard my song numerous times. They loved me not for me but for what I had made them. I ruled Talantera, every war, every declaration of peace, every law, every commission was a statement of mine, simply filtered through my father’s face and mouth.
I enjoyed the power, and the loneliness was cured by spending time on the ocean. She sailors were crude lipped and full of surprising actions. However their misbehaviour was never allowed past the shoreline however. I had plans for Talantera. It would be perfect.
Everything clean. Everything pure.
My funding went to the scholars. They invented new medicines. New inventions. The ships were equipped with weaponry unlike any others. Cannons that were efficiently operated by gear-works that were now portable. Talantera had a transportation system of carts on rails that were powered by hand levers. Gliders were now in operation to send packages from the tops of the cliffs and across to the marble palace. I enforced a strict law to make sure that my cities efficiency would not be interrupted. Magic users were banished as was anyone else who would threaten the existence of such a growing utopia. I prided myself in its power. Talantera was such an unsuspecting nation to the rest of the world. I assumed no-one saw it as much more than a fishing village.

When I arrived home I proceeded directly to my quarters. The palace was built in such a fashion that most of the rooms were not only underground but also below water level. The surface structure was simply an architectural artwork, hardly functional at all and very fragile, the real fortress was under the earth, filling the volume of the island. Everything was supplied by a freshwater fountain that ran through the centre of the building up through all levels. I opened the great brass doors to my room and pressed aside the braided curtains. The whole north most wall was made of glass that pressed exactly under the water. I walked up to it and placed my hand against its cool surface. I could feel the entire ocean pressing against me just by touching the glass. The waves fighting to get inside. Often enough seals would watch me through my window. Their room looked into mine. They always seemed so longing and beautiful when seen through the living window; nothing like the washed out catches that the fishermen dragged in.
My idea from earlier resurfaced in my head. It was driven by anger and frustration. The will to simply give up. What else was left? I sat down at my desk, pushing aside the parchments and taking some of the most delicate paper stored especially for occasions. Quill in hand I began to scrawl in my most perfect calligraphy a letter addressed to the Queen Mina.
….proposes to arrange a marriage between Princess Rea of Eajra and Prince…
I paused my pen. My younger brothers name was on my mind. Yet he was so young, only twelve, it would seem so inconsistent. The feelings of loss welled inside me once more. I had nothing to lose.
…Prince Demitri II of Talantera. This would be most beneficial for….
I continued the letter with a flowery explination of plausable strengths for Eajra.
…Signed.. … Empereor of Talantera.
I lifted the nib and a single drop of ink fell beside the name, leaving a dark spot seeping through the thin skin of paper. I folded and graced it with the official seal, the Sea Serpents eyes watching into the heart of my soul.








I am in the orb. The orb is sitting on his lap. He is lying on the beast. The beast is in the cell. The cell is the dungeons. The dungeons are in the city. The city is in Barqarnon. Barqarnon is on the earth. I am on the earth. I am bored. The earth is boring.

“You should try to escape” I tell him. “You have a large beast. You could escape.”
He shakes his head. A human gesture. I know what it means. It means no.
“I need to try and help Ami, she has far more troubles than I do, if I stay I can help her.” He tells me.

This human is called Sae. At least that is what he tells me to call him. Sae has recently become attached to another human female called Ami. Sometimes the Ami will come and visit the Sae. They talk a lot. When they do I get the most strange sensation. I cannot describe it. Is it loneliness? I have been on the earth too long. I am picking up on human emotions.
“Do you not wish to be free, Sae?” I ask him. “How can you stand this, day after day, not being able to go anywhere.” The questions I ask him reflect my own situation. Not only can I not move but I cannot see. I live in darkness inside this orb. I can’t feel the outdoors, taste the life around me. I can only hear the words of humans in the distance.
“I just told you” Sae says. I think he is getting hindered by me. Am I bothersome to this human?

I hear footsteps. Judging by the pitch and intervals of steps it is a male human, one-hundred and ten kilograms, one hundred and eighty four centimetres in height. Wearing leather boots soled with iron. The boots are two weeks old.
“Shut yer ramblings yer crazy prisoner” the new coming human sneers at Sae.
“That guard is very well fed” Sae tells me in his language. I laugh.
The guard is frustrated.
“How’d yer do that. Two different voices. Yer possessed.”
The footsteps depart.
“A word of warning” I tell Sae. “His tone was very agitated. I anticipate trouble.”
Sae dismisses me without a word. He thinks he can get away easy by teasing the guard.

Time passes quickly in my realm. An hour later for Sae we hear more foorsteps. I hear 3 men, all is leather iron soled boots.
The large beast of Saes growls. A new voice is heard.
“Silence that beast prisoner, or we shall do it for you, which will result in a lot for blood.”
“Don't fight” Sae whispers in his own language. The beast moans gently but complies. I listen. This is entertaining.
“Address me with respect!” The new man yells, “do you know who I am!? I could have you executed without even lifting my little finger. Now I demand you reveal this black magic that this good sir claims you were using.”
Sae once again speaks in his native tongue.
“I was talking to myself. Do you see anyone else? You are the crazy men.” He lets out a subtle chuckle. Sae likes to play with fire. It is no good for him, but at least it quenches my boredom.
The man’s breathing is hurried and angry.
“Flog him!”
The cage is cast open. The two lesser men than the one in charge seize Sae. The beast does not fight them.
“Search him”
Sae is searched. It is very loud. They find the orb.
“What is this? Some sort of pearl? A dark artefact?” Sae says nothing. The man pockets me.
“Twenty lashes” he tells the two lesser guards. I hear the whip crack. Sae grunts. I used to be entertained by humans beating humans. For some reason I do not enjoy this.
We leave before the lashes get to fourteen. I hear Sae's scream in the distance.

It is evening. The authoritative guard tosses me up and down in the palm of his hand. He is greedy. He is thinking about pawning the orb.
“Greetings” I say.
He screams and drops me. I rolls across a carpeted floor.
“Wh-what are you?” he stutters, tapping against the glass with the tip of his sword.
“Why I am a genie of course. I am here to grant you three wishes” I say.
“R-really?” Humans are easy to fool.
“I wish for fortune!” he almost shouts. “A bag of ten thousand gold pieces right now!”
“Oh I can’t give you that.” I instruct him. “You see I am a trapped genie. Caught into the orb by the dark magician that you took me from. He was about to use me to wish his way out of prison. You saved me, therefor I am indebted to give you three wishes. However you must first release me.”
I could hear his heartbeat. It was almost jumping for joy. He scoops up the orb hurriedly.
“How do I release you Genie!?”
“You must break the orb”. I couldn’t have asked for a hastier fool. In a moment he had a hammer in his hand and was swinging persistently at the ball of glass. The first blow made a crack. I feel a rush of cool lightness inside me. Yes. Hit it again. With the third blow the glass shattered releasing smoke from the orb into the air. My vision was instantly regained. The man is wearing decorative armour. He seems to be a high ranking official. The room is richly decorated. I can’t see why he wants more money. He cowers at my feet.
“Gr-greatness... Lord Genie, please reward me for your freedom.” His face is terrified. I am tempted to laugh.
In his eyes I have become a seven foot man, built to wrestle bears, with skin made of gold and four arms.
I stretch. I have been confined for eighty years. It was good to be out. I look at my snivelling slave and yawn.
“A genie needs ale if he is going to perform the wishes properly” I say. The man scrabbled to his bed and draws out a hidden bottle. He offers it up to me with shaking hands.
“Wh-what is your title my Lord Genie.”
“Me?” I ask, “You may simply call me Me, for I am me, myself and no-one else.” He nods without a question.
“And who are you?” I ask.
“Luker, Officer Luker, High Commander of the guard for His Highness Megarus King of Barqarnon”
I sipped the ale. It tasted foul. I dropped it on the floor.
“My wishes?” Luker dared to ask. I laughed.
“I’m not a genie, you blubbering idiot.”
He lets out a mournful cry, and then starts ranting about freeing me for nothing. I ignore him and head for the exit. I have trouble fitting through the door as I am still in the image of Luker, however I manage to squeeze through. Outside is a tone corridor. It is made of tightly packed rubble. Luker chasing me out. I pick him up by his shirt. It is very convenient when people imagine gods to have vast amounts of strength.
“Take me to this ‘Megarus King of Barkingdogs’” I command Luker as I place him down on the floor lightly. He has a sudden change of attitude after having been picked up.
“Yes-sir!” He yells, very enthusiastically then salutes.
He hurries up a set of cobble stairs. We get about halfway up when he pauses.
“I’m sorry. I remembered his highness is absent from the kingdom today. He crumples into a ball and starts sobbing.
“Cut the excuses, get up of the floor” I say, picking him up. He seems so much more frail now. He can’t even be too old. In fact, the more I look at him the more I think he can’t be native to the area. His skin is dark and his hair is brown and curly. I consider where I may have seen his kind before.
“I will just explore” I say. “You can be my guide, so just follow along for now”.
He nods. I continue up the stairs. Perhaps I should pay Sae a visit before I leave the dungeons. I am curious to see if he is still alive.

Rea - Eajra - Day Two

I studied my hands nervously. They were visible now, had been since last night, but I was terrified it would happen again. Perhaps I should take up wearing gloves... Everywhere I go. I shook my head. That wouldn't be noticable at all. I stood on the stairs of the castle, trying not to fidget. I had't been out in a while, except the gardens, and that only for a few minutes.

I needed to go to town though for a fitting. Though I didn't enjoy it, such things had to be done if I wanted to have appropriate clothing. If only the carriage would get here... I jerked away at a suspicious buzzing sound. Bugs were on the top of the list of reasons I didn't leave the castle.

I tried to think about other things, my eyes wandering over the well manicured lawn. Things that weren't bugs... like... people. I blinked as I saw Marius walking with... Tim. I wrinkled my nose, remember how nervous he had gotten last night. How strange, and strange with Tim was often accompanied by someone else...

“Tim!” I called impulsively, stepping off of the safe cobblestones of the stairs and onto the ground, watching where I stepped as they stopped to wait for me.

“Not quite."

I frowned, glancing at Marius. There were my suspicions confirmed. “Are you going into town?” I asked Marius with a cheery grin, feeling a bit sick.

“Oh, yes. I had some business to attend here, and I was free enough to invite prince Timothy along.”

I blinked. Was Zain playing nice today? It seemed he went out of his way to make things obvious. "How lucky! I was just heading there myself." I glanced back at the carriage that had just rolled up, then down at the road, hiding a grimace. My shoes would be all dusty by the end of this, but I could let Zain do something stupid. He always was. "I think a little fresh air would do me good, and you said something about a game of wits last night?" I leaned forward conspiratorially . "Those are my favorite kind."

He laughed softly and then asked, quite to my confusion, "Do you believe in legends, Rea?"

I frowned and said slowly, "I think it would have to depend on the legend."

He studied me. "Fair enough... What about the story of the Prison?"

I stiffened, my smile freezing on my lips. Was he joking? "I'm all to sure of that one, I'm afraid." I watched his face, searching for a hint at his thoughts. It was easy to forget about Taia now. It had been a long time, but that didn't mean I couldn't take a bit of offense.

I couldn't read his face.

He merely gave me a pleasant, if sympathetic smile, and patted my shoulder. "Of course you are. I apologize if it makes you upset, though I'm sure that a woman like your sister has found a way to be as happy as she can there. Shall I find us another topic?"

I was silent for a bit, surprised and impressed by his fast recovery. I finally shrugged delicately, pretending that I hadn't been quiet for a beat too long. "It's an old wound. I'm sure you didn't mean to bump into it. What about the Prison?"

"You know of the Van Aldarean family?"

I tried not to look as interested as I was. "I do as a matter of fact. I studied them quite extensively with my history tutor. Are you telling me that fairytale of them running to the Prison is true?"

He glanced at me, an eyebrow raised. "I'm merely asking if you believe they did. Do you believe in this legend, Princess?"

I had to give that some real thought. The romantic in me, the sixteen year old girl, I suppose, thought it was quite a lovely idea, but I just tilted my head to the side, saying coolly, "I would like to believe that story was true."

"If it is true and if they are still alive, I wonder what they look like now."

I blinked at him, having no idea how to answer.

"It might be good to know. I mean, if it's all true- there's a person, the heir, who is really there and knows of his or her legacy... What do you think might happen if they got out?"

"I suppose they would try to reclaim Scarthia."

He nodded. "But do you think they'd know what Scarthia is like today?"

"Sometimes people do things for the principle, not the true gain." I smirked. "That's how you use them."

He smirked. "There are many ways one can be used, Princess. Not many people would agree that you should be doing it, though."

I barely muffled a laugh. "And how am I supposed to get something done otherwise?" I bit my lip, wishing I could take the words back. They weren't exactly subtle words. They were merely truthful, and the truth wasn't exactly the best diplomatic technique. I cleared my throat. "Er... I meant..." I glanced up at him to see an indulgent expression.

"I think that is what you meant, Princess, but perhaps not what you wanted to say."

I blinked. "Ah..." My shoulders slumped. "What should I have said?" I asked softly, meeting his gaze again, and had a ridiculous rush of happiness at his look of approval.

"Several responses would work. You could lie, but it's the easy way out, and not a good habit to get into. Too many will trap you so make them scarce. Silence is unnerving when aimed at the correct people, but often a look will do more than suffice."

I waited, but he didn't clarify. "...What kind of look?"

He smirked at me. "Why don't you tell me, Princess?"

"Ahm..." I thought for a long moment. "Several could do I suppose."

"And what would these several be?"

"...I- um... I suppose I could laugh or... give them an arch look or... um..." My voice dwindled to silence as he continued to watch me.

"Does two constitute for several now?"

I looked at the ground. Somehow I had forgotten my now soiled slippers this entire time. "I suppose," I murmured.

"Stop supposing things. A diplomat needs to know what to do, who to yank on, and how to get everything accomplished. Supposing gets people like us in trouble."

I grinned at the thought of being included 'us,' diplomats, those who pull strings.

"Now, which of the 'several' should you have done speaking to me?"

"Um..." I blushed at his frown. "Laugh, I su- I mean... Laugh."

"Why?"

"Because I don't think you would be thrown off by an arch expression, and... I'm known as a rather giggly girl. It's not out of character."

He nodded. "Very nice."

I couldn't help but grin. "Thank you."

He raised an eyebrow. "For what, Princess?" Then, far too soon for me to believe, we were in town, and he was nodding at me in farewell. "You have a very-"

“I’ll catch up to you later,” Zain muttered, completely interrupting even as he split away. I glared at him as Marius glanced after him once.

"A very sharp sword, Princess. You just need to learn how to use it." He looked over my blush of pleasure, I'm sure, and murmured, "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have business I must attend to."

He was walking into a building when my habits finally kicked in, and I called after him, "Rea, please." I frowned as I studied the exterior of the house. It seemed very... residential. I bit my lip as to not ask anything. It wouldn't do to stop him on the front steps.

He looked over his shoulder just before he knocked, lips turned up ever so slightly. "Too late now, don't you think?"

"I..." I shrugged helplessly. "Have a good rest of the day."

"You too... Rea." With that, he knocked on the door, and I continued down the road to the seamstress'.

...

My feet were starting to tingle. It was a disturbingly familiar sensation, and I stood, trying not to twitch restlessly as I tried to wait for the carriage. I was distracted, for a moment at least when I saw Dimitri riding towards the docks. I was even more intrigued when he stopped in front of me, dismounting.

“Princess Rea, what a pleasure to meet you here at this hour," he murmured, bowing just enough to be recognized.

Struggling to ignore the tingling in my feet, I studied him shrewdly before pasting on an easy smile. “Well, it is just as surprising to see you leaving so hastily as you were not scheduled to leave until tomorrow.”

“Rea," he whispered, giving me a smile I would have taken for endearing if I wasn't so suspicous, “Please do me a favour, do not tell Tim about this until after the ship has long sailed.”

“Why?” I asked softly. Guests leaving unexpectedly hardly ever boded well. I moved one foot, trying to get it to stop.

“Its personal Prin... Rea, please, may I have your word?”

I widened my grin a bit, batted my eyelashes. “I am sure that it is in your interest to trust me Demitri," I purred and then blinked, taking off one costume to don another as I looked around. “My carriage is awfully late, do you not agree?”

“I can tell you know my dear Rea, I have certain ways of ensuring your word stays pure, yet it would seem such a waste to use such a trivial thing on a girl of your intelligence.”

I stared at him, irritation almost cracking my pleasant mask. “It is dangerous to underestimate someone who shares your secret” I said if a bit too sweetly.

“At this rate there may be more than simply one secret between us."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the hint. “What would those secrets be?”

He leaned forward, eyes glinting with a dare. “You tell me.”

I followed suit so our noses were an inch apart. “Nothing…yet.”

I like to tell myself we played chicken, and he was the first to blink because he backed away after that, straightening. “About that promise?

I sighed, disappointed that he would stop sparring so soon and that I hadn't succeeded in getting him off track. “I supposed if it’s the only one we have, I will keep it.”

“You should come to Talantera," he said, glancing back at the ships, "You would probably find it pleasant at this time of the year.”

“I think a lot of countries are having mild weather around now,” I replied with a bland answer and then added on a probing whim, “It’s good because then we can focus more on political issues rather than famines and illness.”

“That is true. I know several alliances are being consolidated.”

“Like that marriage in Merillial that I heard about," I supplied and asked, keeping my face blank, “ How about your kingdom, how fares the emperor’s rule?”

“Of course it goes smoothly, all according to plan” he replied and paused for just a second to long to be normal before adding, “I do admit sometimes I think that everything is very direct, forward minded, you could say narrow, as if it was choices of only one person, but in my opinion I think it works very well, after all I agree with all that they enforce.”

“This person is the emperor?” I murmured, afraid I was speaking the obvious yet feeling as though I was not.

“I was speaking metaphorically... you could say.”

I studied him, trying to understand his 'metaphor.' “I see.”

“I need to take my leave, Princess,” he said, nodding at me, his lips twisting into a strange grin. “I hope to see you soon.”

I returned the nod as he started to leave, a bit sorry I hadn't recognized a likely opponent in a game of wits sooner. But it was of little matter. He was gone, and unless I saw the need, I would not give away his little secret.

It wasn't until I was in the carriage that I realized I had forgotten about the state of my slippers, and not until I lifted my skirts that I realized they had simply... disappeared. I dropped my skirts, heart pounding, a cold sweat on the back of my neck.

Thranack, Prince of Merillial- Day Two

I hesitated, looking at Dae, wondering if he was angry that I threatened his tutor. Dae had always been rather protective of Jonquille. And Ludi, technically, was our inferior. Perhaps I did push it a bit too far...no. He pushed it too far.

"Dae...I was wondering..." I hesitated, wishing I had his superfluous way with words. "I'd like to hear more about your sister, Lierre, she...She's about to be my wife, after all, and I barely know anything about her-- only what Ami has told me, and that wasn't much."

He looked at me suspiciously. "I don't know her very well either- your sister has spent more time with her than I did. You know that."

"Yes..." I nodded. That's why it's not adding up. Why does she looks at you like her savior? "But still. You two obviously care for each other-- And she looks to you, doesn't she?"

He was silent.

She does. And you'd better not mess this up for me.

"What have you told her about me?"

"I told her she was marrying a good person."

Oh...well... I wasn't expecting that.

"You will find that you're marrying a good person as well."

I nodded slowly. "You've talked much since she came here, haven't you?"

He inclined his head.

"Is something troubling her?"

He tensed, slightly, just for a moment, seeming to weigh his options, never taking his eyes from mine. They were hard-- impossible-- to read. I wished he wasn't so good at staying impassive. "Why would you ask that?"

"Well..." I didn't want to tell him what I'd seen. I'll get blamed for it, if he blabs. "I saw a bruise on her neck, and she wouldn't tell me how she got it. It...worries me...She didn't ask me to talk to you...but...I think someone's hurting her."

"It was actually my fault." He dipped his head.

I was startled. I hadn't expected Dae to hurt his own sister. You had better not lay a finger on her--

"She..surprised me as I was practicing throwing knives. Luckily it didn't touch her with the sharp side."

I stopped mid-thought. Throwing knives? I blinked, trying not to laugh at the thought. "You're practicing..throwing knives?"

"..I just started." He balked. "That also explains it."

I struggled not to snigger. I'd like to see that. I nearly said so, but stopped myself in time. No. You need to find out more about Lierre. "She doesn't want to marry me, does she?"

"She doesn't." He answered, looking at me pointedly. "She's a fourteen-year old girl, about to marry a person she's never met. And you're almost twice her age, while on the subject."

Don't you look at me like I'm a cradle robber. I've stayed single and happy for twenty-seven years-- I could do it another thirty. "It wasn't exactly my idea."

"You will be alright." He answered. "Both of you."

Not if you keep playing jealous big brother.

He lifted a sword and poked my chest. And here we go. You're going to threaten me now? Fine. At least you waited until Lierre was gone.

"Promise me something, Thran."

I looked down at the sword, wondering if he wanted to hurt me as badly as I wanted to hurt him, at the moment, for hurting Ludi. "Yes?"

"Promise me you will never hurt her." I eyed him. "And that you won't take her from me. I will always watch over her - she's my little sister. It...will be hard to let her out of my sight."

I narrowed my eyes. You liar. You admitted you don't even know her...I will figure out your game eventually. "Of course." I murmured, inclining my head.

Dae seemed pleased enough with my response, and walked past me, towards the gardens he'd sent Lierre and Ludi off into. I never turned as he walked past me, but listened as he rounded the hedge.

"Did you really mean that?" Lierre's soft voice came.

Dammit. Just what she needed, to hear how much her dear brother loves her-- how he felt the need to warn me not to hurt her. I finally turned around, wondering how much women understood about the ways of men-- that, just because he threatened me, and forbade me from hurting her-- didn't mean that he actually thought I'd hurt her before. If I'm not careful, she's going to stay terrified of me.

Ludi walked up to me, seeming distracted and bothered by something.

"Lude?" I asked.

She started, her eyes snapping up to my face. "My Prince?"

I frowned. "Are you okay?"

She frowned too. "Yes, sir."

Damn women. You ignore them, they're hurt. You get concerned about them, they're hurt. I bit back a sigh. Ludi had never been as hard to handle as most women. She was reasonable. Usually. "Are you certain?"

"Yes. Are you?"

What even--? "Of course. You were the one the prick tried to hurt."

"I'm sorry." She avoided my eyes.

"I..." Now what do I do? Brek's words echoed in my head "Boy, when a woman apologizes to you, you'd better be saying 'Sorry' too. "Me too."

She looked up, seeming surprised. "W-what? Why?"

I'll be damned if I know. "Because...I...messed...up?"

"No, you didn't. I did. I'm the one who lost."

Ah, is that what this is about? "Oh, pft, don't let that bother you. Dae's a good swordsman."

"Mhmm."

"A damned good swordsman." I corrected. I can only barely beat him my-- no. That is the last thing you need to say to her.

"I know." She said quietly, unconvinced.

She didn't even correct me...she is upset. "Come on. Let's take a walk-- it'll help you clear your mind."

"As you wish."

"Mm." I grunted, turning down the path, walking fairly quickly, trying to think of something to annoy Ludi with, to pull her out of this mood. I didn't like this Ludi.

I had an idea. I pulled my tunic off, grinning at the warmth of the sun on my chest. Ludi's head snapped up once more. "Prince Thranack."

"Yes, Ludiv?" I folded my tunic over my chest.

"You really should put your shirt back on."

"Why?" I grinned. There we go.

"It's really not proper."

"So? The Princess has gone back into the castle with Dae, and Father's no where in sight."

"Even so, you really should--"

I stopped as soon as I rounded the corner, making Ludi nearly run into me. Megarus was slowly striding towards us, looking at the flowers contemptuously. He looked up at me. Too late to make a run for it. "F*ck me."

"...In case we run into someone." Ludi concluded.

I narrowed my eyes, frowning at her a moment as I jerked my tunic on quickly, trying to straighten it before Megarus got too close. I looked at Ludi. "You can go, until he's finished talking to me."

"My Prince, it's my job to protect you."

"I know...but...I don't want you to be around him." I glanced at Megarus, doing my best to hide a frown, remembering his behavior from before.

"Because I can't protect you? I mean, it's understandable, I can't even protect myself."

"What? No." I blinked, whispering. "I meant what I said about you being a fierce warrior. But you're too nice. Diplomatic. You won't tell him to f*ck off, which is exactly what he needs. He's a--"

Megarus was nearing. "Prince Thranack."

"King Angroth. What a pleasant surprise." I lied, bowing. "Are you enjoying the gardens?"

"Mm, they're too soft to suit me." He answered, taking another contemptuous glance around before looking back at me. "I don't know how you ever feel safe here."

Is that a threat? "Our kingdom is most safe, I assure you."

"Is that why you walk around with your guard?"

Would you argue, if you had an excuse for a pretty girl to follow you around all day? "I enjoy her company."

He lifted his eyebrows, seeming surprised by my response. Because royalty isn't supposed to fratranize with anyone of a lower status? F*ck that. Everyone on my 'level' is arrogant and abrasive, like yourself, Megarus. "Indeed?"

"Oh yes. I've found some of my best companions in the most unlikely places." I couldn't help but rub it in a bit further. "The barracks, stables, kitchen..."

His disgust was apparent on his face, his chin lifted high. I noticed how similar he was to Dae-- dark hair, perfect complexion, arrogant demeanor, flashy jewelry. I wondered if he'd punch me, if I made that comparison outloud. I was fairly certain Dae would've. Heh, maybe that's something they can come together on.

"And just where did you leave my daughter, Thranack?" He said sharply.

I noticed him deliberately leaving my title off, and considered doing the same for him. How would you like it, if I simply called you 'Megarus', or maybe 'Meg'. You wouldn't like that much, would you, Meggie?

I noticed the half-panicked look Ludi was giving me, as if she could read my mind. I nearly smirked. Don't worry. I'm not that stupid, Ludi. "She grew tired of my company, I believe."

"Did she grow tired of your company, or you hers, I wonder?" He sneered.

I'm certainly growing tired of yours, Meggie. I could've giggled. I was enjoying thinking of him like that far too much. "Mm, we didn't discuss the reasons for parting ways. It just seemed like the thing to do, at the time."

"And you just left her, to wander about by herself?" He took a step closer, to loom. I bit back a sigh. If I get another growth spurt, just by chance, the first thing I'm going to do is loom over you and Dae both. "I need to know my Princess is going to be safe here, Thran...ack."

That's right, you bastard. Don't you call me 'Thran'. "She is most safe, I assure you." I said icily. "No one will lay a finger on her, while she's here."

So you and Dae can come off it. I'm not going to hurt her. I haven't hurt any woman, and I don't plan to start now.

"I certainly hope you're correct." He said disdainfully.

"I am." I didn't miss his glare. "Our gardens are guarded..." And now to see how he'll react... "Besides, I believe Lord Daerys escorting her."

"Indeed." His eyes flashed. "And do you know where they were heading?"

Into the castle. I pointed towards the gardens farthest from the wing the Angroths were staying in. "That way, I believe."

He walked past me without another word. I watched him until he was well out of earshot. "You're welcome."

"You can't honestly expect him to thank you for lying to him." Ludi scoffed.

"Well..." I lifted a shoulder, smirking. "He can't expect me to tell him the truth, if he's going to be a jerk."

"You're going to get in trouble."

"Eh...I've been in trouble before. Often."

Ludi frowned at me. I grinned.

"You wouldn't get in trouble so often, if you'd only put a bit of effort into being more agreeable."

"But why should I, when it's so much fun to make people angry?"

She sighed.

I chuckled. "Come on. Let's go do something."
~~

I was starting to feel bad for Ludi. I paced when I got nervous, or had something to think about, and had been briskly walking through the gardens for hours. Slow down... I forced myself to stop and sit on a bench. You'll walk poor Ludi to death. She's got to be roasting, in that stiff attire.

I was only wearing a tunic and I was sweating; though I didn't take it off any more, on the off chance I'd run into Megarus again. I only sat a few moments before I was on my feet again, pacing back and forth in front of the bench.

This supper is going to be awful. Worse than awful. I've made a fool of myself in front of all of them. I don't want to see any of them anymore tonight...except Lierre...I'd like to see her again...

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

"It's nearing suppertime?" I knew it was a dumb thing to ask. I was plenty old enough to know when supper was served-- and to know that it was getting far too close to suit me-- but I couldn't stand her silence.

"Getting there."

I bit my lip, nodding. "Right..."

"Mhmm..."

"Ludi..." I stopped pacing and looked at her hesitantly. "Can I...ask you, something?"

"Of course, my Prince." She seemed startled.

"Lierre doesn't like me." I stated.

"I'm sure she just needs time to get used--"

"She doesn't like me." I repeated. "...Do you know how I can change that?"

"I..." She sighed. "Perhaps you could do something nice for her?"

"I'd like to." I nodded. "But...I don't know what. What do girls like?"

"I...can't answer that, sir." She sighed. "I don't know her."

I sighed too. "Me neither. Girls are complicated."

"Not really."

"Well then what...do I get her, Ludi?"

"I wouldn't know. I'm not a typical girl, my Prince."

"I know that, you're cool." I hesitated, feeling my cheeks getting hot. What's wrong with you, Thran? You can't say that to her. That's basically saying your fiancee's not cool. "I mean...just get you a knife, and you're happy."

"Mmm, although, I have quite a few knives already. I probably don't need any more." I could get her a knife... "I don't know... get her something she doesn't see in Barqarnon. What would your sister like, my Prince?"

I brushed the thought aside.

"Mm...My sister ..." I sighed, pacing. "Pretty things...toys, dolls, flowers...flowers!"

"That can't be that hard...we are in a garden, sir."

"I'll get her flowers." I stated, determined.

I started back through the garden, much slower, carefully looking for the very best flowers-- the ones that were in full bloom, but not too far. I picked a fistful of roses, picking the thorns off of each one as I put it into the bouquet, and then hurried into the castle, to Lierre's bedroom.
~~

I stopped in the hallway, nervous, and took a deep breath, rehearsing what I'd say. Lierre, I brought you-- no. Princess, I saw these flowers and...Lady Lierre, please accept...

I sighed. Too bad Ludi can't talk to her for me.

I knocked on the door. "Here, I got you flowers but am too dumb to say anything sweet. Just take them."

"Yes?"

"It's me..." Because she recognizes your voice. Use your brain. "Prince Thranack. Thran."

There was a moment's hesitation. "Hold on!"

I heard someone moving around inside. Am I bothering her? I could just leave...

I heard the key turn in the lock, and hid the flowers behind my back. The door opened, and she peeked out at me. "Yes, my prince?"

She was wearing a cloak. I am bothering her. I frowned a bit. "Are you going out?"

She pulled her cloak tighter around her, seeming afraid. "No, I was just a bit cold."

Aw. I smiled. "I brought you something."

I saw her hesitate.

"I heard you like flowers."

She took them, carefully avoiding my hands.

"Thank you. They're beautiful." She started to pull a flower from the middle, but jerked her hand back, frowning.

I carefully took her hand, looking at the small bead of blood on her fingertip guilty. You idiot, Thran. Now look what you did. You hurt her. I wiped the blood off her finger gently.

"I'm sorry. I thought I removed all the thorns." I hope she's not angry.

She seemed surprised. "You picked them yourself?"

I hesitated. What's wrong with doing things yourself? I didn't mind Meg and Dae thinking I was an idiot for doing things myself, and talking to the help-- but I didn't want Lierre thinking I was stupid. "Yes, I..."

A flicker of movement above her head caught my attention. "What is that?"

I reached for a small, odd looking animal that landed on her head. She closed her eyes, flinching like she expected me to hit her. I frowned, but urged the creature onto my hand.

"Prince Thranack?" She asked uncertainly.

I pulled my hand back, letting a small, paper, bird-like creature crawl up my arm. "Did you make this?"

She cringed, seeming suddenly very afraid of me again. I quickly let go of her hand. I don't want her to think I'm forcing myself on her.

"It's cute." I grinned reassuringly, watching it. It moved perfectly. "What spell did you use to make it fly?"

"N-no spell." Even her voice trembled. "I just touch them and they wake up."

"That's awesome." I wish I could figure out how to use magic. That would be so cool...

She nodded, still uncomfortable. Very well, if you want me to leave-- I'll leave. I cleared my throat. "Well, I should probably go and..." I've got nothing to do but fret...until dinner. "...Unpack. I hope I'll be seeing you at dinner tonight?"

She nodded again, seeming relieved that I was going to leave. "Yes, I'll be there, my prince."

"Do call me Thran. 'My prince' sound so.." I waved my hand vaguely. Obnoxious.

"Formal?" She suggested quietly.

"Exactly."

She smiled a little, and this time, it didn't look forced. "Thank you for the roses, Thran."

I nodded and stepped back, grinning foolishly as she shut the door. That was good. I'm getting better at--

"Prince Thranack, sir," a messenger boy bowed.

"Yes?"

"Sir Brekyr wishes to speak with you, sir. He's in his office, in the barracks, sir."

I sighed. "Okay. Thank you."

The boy nodded and sprinted off. I sighed again, glancing at Ludi, running my fingers through my hair. I knew he'd want to talk to me, eventually-- I couldn't punch the Duke's son and expect to get away with it without so much as a lecture. From everyone.

I shrugged and started towards the barracks. Ludi's already given you her lecture. Might as well take Brek's, and get it out of the way, so you'll only have Father's left to listen to.
~~

I went on guard the moment I reached the barracks. Brek was very good at fighting-- and he was proactive, when he decided he was going to teach you. I would be very surprised if I actually found him sitting at his desk.

I hesitated just outside the door to his office, loosing my dagger in it's sheath. I pushed the door open without knocking, and quickly scanned the room-- it was empty. Where are you? Behind the door, like the last few times?

I carefully stepped inside, pulling the door back just a bit to peek behind it. There was a noise behind me, and I turned just in time to grab Brek's arm as he swung a, hopefully, dulled dagger towards me.

I jerked him around, pulling him in front of me roughly, ducking as he took a swing at my head. I threw my left forearm into his chest and tackled him, trying to wrestle the dagger from his hand.

He got his feet under my chest and launched me over his head, making me land flat on my back. I rolled to the side, his foot landing where my face had been moments before.

I was barely on my feet as he dove towards me again. I grabbed his shoulders and threw him into the wall, finally wrenching the blade from his hand. It slipped from my hands as he kicked my ankles, cleaning my legs out from under me, dumping me flat on my back.

Before I could get up, his hand landed on my shoulder, pushing me down into the ground. A blade was pressed against my neck. I let my head fall back and looked up into Brek's face, panting.

"You're dead." He smirked and stood up, giving me a hand up. He half-bowed, mockingly. "My Prince."

"Yeah." I grumbled, rubbing my neck.

I rarely won in scuffles with him.

"You let an old man beat you...again."

He rarely won gracefully.

In fact, he nearly always had to bring his age into it. You're not /that/ old. Not old enough to have lost any of your strength, yet. "Whatever. I'm tired, I've been riding all day."

"Oh, I didn't realize. I'm sorry." He said mockingly, as he sat down behind his desk. "I'm sure anyone trying to kill you will be far more considerate."

"Mm." I grunted, sitting down. "Alright. I get it."

"If only you did." He poured himself a cup of coffee.

"At least I got the Duke's support." No point dancing around the point.

"He threw you off his property."

"A minor detail." But I'm not going to agree with him either. I didn't do anything wrong.

"After you called his son a little bitch."

"I called it like I saw it."

"You can't do that, Thran." Brek rubbed his face. "You very nearly started a war."

"But I didn't. He came to his senses."

"I cleaned up your mess." Brek corrected.

"So quickly?" I asked, slightly disappointed. I knew he'd have heard about it by now, but I didn't figure he'd have intervened.

"I have people to watch my people."

I rolled my eyes, pouring myself a cup of coffee, leaning back into my chair. "Well, I hope they're more... loquacious than I am."

"Always." He grinned over his coffee cup.

"...What is that supposed to mean?" I frowned, resting the mug on my knee.

"It means, Thran, that you're a poor, dumb goober who puts his foot in his mouth as often as he opens it."

"I...okay. Fine. I guess you found a good spy to follow me, then?"

"My most diplomatic." Brek rolled his shoulders. "Don't worry, Dearie, he's very good at saving your ass...you've given him plenty of practice."

"No point employing someone who's not good at what he does." I grumbled.

"I know, but you're good at fighting, so we tolerate your lacking diplomacy in Councils."

I glared. He smirked.

"Though, you really should /try/ to think before you insult people."

"That's what she was telling me." I mumured, jerking my head back at Ludi, who was standing behind us.

"Oh, yes, hi Ludi." He smiled at her.

"Sir."

"Smart girl. Hard headed, but smart."

"Tell me about it." I sighed.

"Well, she might be a bit more agreeable if you were kinder to her."

"I try that!" I exclaimed, "It doesn't work. Watch."

I turned to address Ludi, but Brek's voice stopped me.

"She's not a dog, Thran-- don't try to make her perform."

"I know she's not a dog." I snapped, crossing my arms.

Brek glanced at me, grunting, then looked back at Ludi. "How are you, dear?"

"Fine, thank you, sir...And yourself?"

"Oh, fine, aside from putting up with Thranie's nonsense."

Thranie I narrowed my eyes, knowing better than to ask him to stop, resenting the name he'd given me years ago, when I was a kid.

"That's a job, sir." Ludi answered.

"Indeed it is." Brek agreed. "But what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, sir."

"I know you better than to believe that, Sweetheart." Brek answered. "You seem...distracted, distant. What happened?"

"Nothing, sir." She snapped.

Brek glanced at me, raising his eyebrows.

"She was sparring with Dae and lost." I supplied. "I think she's still sore about it."

"Oh, there's no shame in that." Brek assured her brightly. "Dae's an excellent swordsman."

"Yes, sir, I know." She answered stiffly, glaring at me.

"Look at Thranie here-- he loses /every/ time I spar with him, but you don't see it getting him down." You're a jerk, Brek. "If he let losing bother him, he'd have some severe mental problems."

A real jerk.

"But, no, he lets it roll off his shoulders. That's what you have to do - just let it go. I know it's hard, but after you get as much practice as Thran here has, it's easy." A complete, utter, jerk.. "Really, I mean, when he first started losing he'd sulk for days. But now it's second nature, right Thranie?"

I hate you. I grunted, glaring at Brek. "Yeah, guess so."

"See? He's even got gracious about admitting how good of a loser he is. Why--"

"Alright!" I snapped, sitting up. "I think she gets the point."

They both giggled.

"Good. Do you?" Brek asked.

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, sighing. "I get the point-- I can't beat you. Yet."

"See, Ludi, dear? He's been losing for twenty years, and he keeps clinging to the hope that he can beat me one day."

"Yep. Now let's talk about something else."

"And he still seems to think he's got some type of authority here."

"He is the Prince, Sir." Ludi reminded him, even though she didn't seem offended like she usually did when someone forgot that I was a Prince.

"I know. And I plan to take advantage of that fact." He leaned back, propping his feet up on his desk. "I can't tell him to shut up when he's the king and actually has authority over me."

"I'll remember all this." I grumbled.

"No you won't." I know.

"Hm..." I felt a shiver run down my spine. Magic. Dammit Ludi. Don't do--

"Sir, is the Crimson Guard doing magic drills in the yard?"

I looked at her, a bit surprised. Oh...I guess it wasn't her. I rubbed my arms. I still didn't like it.

"Yes, Sweetheart." Brek nodded. "Want me to take care of Thran here for you so you can go?"

"Can I, sir? Prince Thranack?" I hadn't seen Ludi this excited in a long time.

I saw Brek nod. You seem to enjoy that type of stuff. "Of couse."

She bowed and hurriedly left the room. I stared after her a long moment before I turned around and took another drink of my coffee.

"You are aware..." Brek stood up and strode across the room lazily. "That the gate to the city is in plain view of the castle?"

I tightened my grip on my cup and stood up. Which means you saw me ditch my guard. "...Oh yeah?"

"Oh yes." Brek answered. "And yes, I did see your little escapade."

"I..." I took a deep breath, searching for a defense. "Was..."

"Making thier jobs impossible." Brek supplied. "The purpose of a guard is to protect you. They can't do that if you're a quarter mile ahead of them."

"Then I guess I'll just have to protect myself."

"Thranack...don't be an idiot."

"Do you mean to say that you didn't do a thorough enough job of training me to--"

"Shut up."

"Fine." I crossed my arms. I had no idea where I was going with my argument anyway.

"It's not fair to your guard."

"What do they care?"

"Well, Ludi, for one, is very, very loyal to your dumb ass. If anything happened to you, she would blame herself."

"Mm..." He was right, I knew he was. I frowned. "Fair enough. I'll be more careful, so I don't worry you old ladies."

"It's all I ask."

I finished my coffee and set the mug on the desk. "Well, if that's everything, I'll just--"

"I never said that that was everything.'

"Fine. What else is there to yell at me for?"

"Boy, I could scold you all afternoon, night, and half of tomorrow and not cover every thing you deserve to be chastised for."

"I..." He's probably right. "You're not going to do that, though, right?"

"I'm not." He took a drink of his coffee.

"Then...?"

"You didn't put your horse up."

"Oh..." Damn tattle-tale stable boys...

"Mm?"

"No...I didn't." I consented.

"And you haven't cleaned out your stall in how long?"

"Who told you all this?" I'll be sure they aren't ratting on me for a long time.

"I told you I saw you arrive-- and it doesn't take a genius to know you can't put a horse away properly in the fifteen seconds you were in the stable. I investigated."

"Mm." I glared at him. I don't have to put my horse away or clean my stall. That's what we--dear gods. I've been spending too much time around those damned Angroths.

"Don't even go there."

I looked up at Brek.

"I know that look. I don't care that you're the damned Prince." He set down his cup and walked towards me. "You'll still take responsibility for your things, while you're studying under me."

"You don't have the authority to--"

His fist landed on my cheek, knocking me off my feet. You knew he was going to do that. I threw my arm into his legs, knocking him to the ground, throwing my fist at his head. He blocked my fist easily, and hit me in the stomach several times before I rolled away from him.

We tussled back and forth for several minutes, each of us landing blows-- him landing far more than I was. I struck everything in the office as he threw me back and forth across the room-- all four walls, his desk, his chair, my chair.

Then he threw me again, and I struck the edge of the file cabinet. I fell to the floor, writhing, clutching my lower back. "You asshole."

"You done?"

"F*ck you." I hissed through clenched teeth, struggling to get a breath of air.

He lifted his eyebrows.

"Yes." I grumbled, panting, forcing myself to sit up, my entire body aching.

"Good." Brek wiped the sweat from his brow. "It's tiring to kick your ass."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I snarled.

"Apology accepted."

I glared at him. Bastard...I'm leaving. I forced myself to my feet, stumbling slightly as limped toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

I don't know. "Away."

"Well then I'm going to follow you. I promised--"

"I'm going to go get her. You don't need to babysit."

"Be nice."

"What?" I stopped in the doorway, turning to glare at him.

"You need to stop ordering her around."

I'm the prince. I can order her around if I want. I had the good sense not to say that.

"I'm serious, Thran. You'd just as well get used to women not listening to you-- you're about to be married, son, and I'm afraid you're in for a rude surprise."

"...What do you mean?"

"With Ludi, you ask her to do something, she doesn't, so you order her, and she does, right?"

"That's how it works."

"When you get married, you ask, she says no, you order her, and you end up sleeping in the barn."

I hesitated, then nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

Brek nodded at me. "You might want to smooth down your hair, too. Unless you want to explain to Ludi what--"

"I got it." I grumbled, shutting the door and starting down the hallway.

I guess I shouldn't order her around so much... I jerked my fingers through my hair, smoothing it down, and wiped face. I wiped the dirt from my clothes, and opened the door outside. I'll be nice. I'll wait, if she's not finished yet.

I walked up to the training grounds. It's only fair, after all she puts up with-- I stopped short as I saw her sitting on a fence, kissing the instructor. He pulled away, and she stared at him a long moment, murmuring something.

I felt a pang of anger run through me. "Ludi!"

She scrambled to her feet, looking panicked. "I'm coming, my Prince!"

She turned to the man, probably professing her love. I'll kill that-- no...I won't do that. I won't do anything. It's Ludi's right to...I don't even care what she does. She's a grown woman...

I frowned as she ran towards me, her red undershirt clinging to her form. A very attractive-- stop, you idiot. You're getting married. "Sorry for making you wait, my Prince."

"No, it's fine..." I looked at her. There's not a chance in hell you're going to be anywhere near Megarus, not looking like...that. "You need a clean shirt. You can't go like that to dinner."

"Okay then, do you want to stay here, my Prince?"

"No, it's fine. I'm coming with you." You need a guard, if you're going to go around looking like that.

She nodded and led me into the barracks, hesitating outside her door. "You don't have to come in if you don't want to, Majesty."

"No, I'm fine."

She nodded and opened the door to a small, poor lit, poorly furnished room. I frowned again, and watched as she shoved papers into a drawer and closed it. Bad reports on me? I felt a strange urge to read them.

I shook my head. Stop being so stupid, Thranack. You caught her kissing someone-- not passing information to the enemy. She's a girl, not a spy. I sat down on the edge of her bed.

She untied her shirt and slipped behind a screen. A moment later she sounded pained. I was in my feet in an instant, hand on sword, my mind generating dozens of possible scenarios of what was happening behind that screen.

"Ludi, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, sir." I sighed quietly. "I got a few scrapes when I was sparring with Itaph earlier."

"Itaph?" His very name annoyed me. "The man you were with when I was looking for you."

"Yes...that man, sir."

I flexed my hand, my entire body aching from the thrashing Brek gave me, but my mind desperately wanting to find that man and attempt to bash his head in. "So...do you like him?"

"No, my Prince. We're just training partners."

It didn't look like it was just a training partner. I don't kiss Brek.

"Whilst I serve as your bodyguard, sir, I will not take a partner." She stepped out from behind the screen. "Shall we go, your Majesty?"

She started out the door and down the hallway. Stop being stupid, Thran. I told myself that alot, yet it never seemed to help. I shook my head and followed her, slamming the door, not catching up until she got to the door of the barracks.

"But being a bodyguard is basically a life-long job." And you're not really going to stay single. Come on, Thran, be reasonable. You can't expect a woman who looks like that-- stop. F*ck. Lierre is pretty. Ludi is just your guard. I couldn't force myself to believe that.

"So I won't take a partner for my life. I chose for it to be this way, Prince, and I don't regret it."

I didn't have a response, so I just walked past her as she stopped a moment to fall into place behind me. I didn't say anything as I hurriedly made my way to my chambers, carefully checking before I turned any corners. I didn't know what to think, and I certainly didn't want to talk to anybody.

I hesitated just outside my door. "You...you can stay out here. I need a bath and it...wouldn't be proper..." I murmured before slipping through the door, shutting it behind me.

I sighed, rubbing my face, leaning against the door. "I don't even know what to think..." I breathed.

"About what?"

I pulled my hand away from my face and glared towards the voice, only to find half a dozen attendants waiting for me, looking at me curiously. "Get the f*ck out."

"My Prince, we're here to get you ready for--"

"Out!" I stepped away from the door, yanking it open. "If I won't let Ludi in here, I damn sure ain't going to let y'all in here."

They looked at each other uncertainly, then bowed and filed out of my room. I shut the door behind them, locking it, before I looked around, frustrated. I sighed. "F*ck."

I rubbed my face again, pacing for several moments, before I gathered my thoughts enough to start getting ready. My bath was already drawn, waiting for me. I stripped down, grunting and groaning, resentfully nursing the bruises that covered my body.

I took my good, sweet time getting ready, forcing myself to calm down. By the time I cooled down, and donned the nearest tunic in reach, I was sure that Ludi would be getting frustrated. I jerked a comb through my hair, sighing at the faint traces of a bruise that Brek's knuckles left on my left temple.

I hesitated, standing straight, looking at myself in the mirror. I wonder what Lierre thinks of me. I'm not built badly...and I've got a close shave. Not even a shadow of a beard, now...unless she likes beards...

I sighed again, looking down at my arms and body. I'm fairly fit. Girls like that, right? She can always dress me however she likes...oh god. I hope she doesn't want me wearing suits. No. I won't wear suits. She'd better be happy with tunics and trousers. She's not going to turn me into a wimpy prince.

I eyed the roses that the maids insisted on keeping on my night stand.

"I guess...she might..." I sighed again. "Fine. I'll wear a rose, just for tonight. I hope she'll realize I'm just doing it for her."

I picked up one of the roses, and then realized I didn't have any idea what to do with it. I can...put it...f*ck.

I walked to the door and unlocked it. "James."

"My Prince." My attendant was through the door in an instant.

"Lierre likes the roses."

"Yes, my Prince, I believe she does. They're really lovely right now--"

"I don't care. But Lierre does."

"...Okay?"

"So she'd like it if I..."

"You could take some to her." He suggested, smiling.

"I already took her a wad of roses. She liked them."

"Wonderful! There's hope for you yet." James straightened my tunic, oblvious to me glaring down at him. He stopped when he saw the rose in my hand. "Oh! Are you going to wear a rose?"

"I...should I?" It usually bothered me how feminine James was. Tonight, it was handy.

"Oh, yes!" He took the rose and scurried over to a cabinet. "She'll like that."

"Good..."

He turned back around with a pin, and frowned at me. "You're not going to wear that tunic, are you?"

I looked down at light blue tunic I was wearing. "What's wrong with this?"

He sighed. "No, no, no, wear this one." He handed me a navy blue one. "If you must wear blue."

"I...don't care what I wear."

"Good!" He squeaked as he quickly thrust a black tunic at me. "Then wear this."

"Mm...fine." I pulled my tunic off, and lifted a finger before he could start. "No. Stop. I know I'm bruised. I know you disapprove. Let's not."

He frowned. I pulled the tunic on, and stood stiffly as he got on his tiptoes and fastened the rose to the left side of my tunic. I looked in the mirror, frowning. "I look like a wimp."

"No!"

"Yes I do. I look whipped."

"Well, you are getting married."

I glared at him. "That doesn't mean I'm going to..." He smirked. "F*ck you."

"Yes, my Prince."

I sighed. "Alright. This is fine, then."

"Would you like me to fix your hair?"

"No." I glanced at him irritably, pausing at the door. "I'm not a girl, regardless of whether or not I'm wearing this damned rose. You're not doing my hair."

I shut the door before he could answer, and looked at Ludi, nodding. "Ready?"

She nodded. I nodded too, and started toward the dining hall, pausing at the last moment. Lierre. I turned and briskly strode towards her room.
~

I saw Lierre disappear around a corner, and hurriedly walked after her. "Lierre?"

She looked up, relief washing across her face. I looked past her, and found Megarus sneering down at me. Shit. "Oh, hello King Megarus." I made a point not to bow to him, looking at him petulantly, daring him to comment on it. "I was going to escort your daughter to the dinner. I hope you don't mind?"

"How chivalrous of you." Like you know anything about chivalry.

"Mm."

"Don't let her run off." He looked at me harshly, making a point. She didn't run away in the gardens. We parted ways, and if she wants to part ways with me again, I'm not going to stop her.

"She's rather quick."

She's not a dog.

He quickened his pace, leaving us behind. Lierre seemed scared. Maybe she doesn't want to talk to him. I goofed around for a few moments, giving Megarus plenty of time to get ahead of us, before I finally glanced at her again.

She sighed, seeming relieved. Maybe it's more than that...they don't seem to have the best relationship. I wonder if everything is okay...

She met my gaze and froze. She straightened her back, lifting her chin bravely. I saw roses in her hair, and smiled, glad that I consented to wear mine. "Are those the roses I gave you?"

"Yes, they are." Her voice was far steadier, though she avoided my gaze. "I like them."

I felt my smile broaden, not caring that it made me look like a little boy when I did so. I offered her my arm, slightly less awkward than before, and slowly lead her towards the dining hall-- forcing myself to figure it out myself, rather than look at Ludi every few seconds.

I should talk, right? I forced my gaze to stay straight ahead. Yes. Talk...about what? I can't very well talk about the War Council...or calling the Duke's son a little bitch...or getting in a fight with Brek...small talk...small talk, Thran...

I'd never been good with small talk. If I didn't have something important to say, I tried not to talk."...How are you enjoying Merillial so far?"

"It's warmer." She answered.

Well, that's something.

"And the castle is much prettier...and so are the gardens."

Sure...but what about the rest of-- "Oh, that's right! I had almost forgotten. You haven't seen anything but the castle yet."

"No, not yet." She smiled somewhat sadly. "I figured I would have plenty of time later."

I hesitated, frowning, for once pitying her more than I pitied myself. You poor girl...you probably feel about like I do about this, and you don't even get to stay with your family and friends.

I bit my lip.

Well...It's not much, but I can be your first friend here. I smiled. "I could show you around town tomorrow, if you'd like."

"Could brother come with us?"

Except for him. F*ck you Dae. I closed my eyes. No. It's good that she likes him. She should have friends here. Dae's as good a friend as any. It's not like she wants to marry him.

"Dae?" I mumured, "Sure, if he has the time."

Though I won't be able to take you to my favorite places if we take him. I don't trust him not to tell Father, and I must keep a few places where I can be alone.

I looked down at her, and found her staring at one of her hands, looking terrfied. Great. Now you're scaring her...relax. You don't want her to be scared all the time.

"Lierre, I..." I'm an asshole sometimes, and you have to learn to ignore me if you want to be happy. And... "I want you to be happy here."

She looked up at me cautiously. I pushed the door open and smiled at her, hoping it was reassuring. She hesitated, an expression I could appreciate flashing across her eyes-- she wanted to run, to be far away from Father, and Megarus, and...me. I didn't blame her. I didn't want to be here either.

She took a breath and walked through, hesitating again as she looked at the table. What's going on with you?

I pulled the chair out next to my own, the one that was supposed to be reserved for my sister, who wasn't even in the country. Screw diplomacy.

Lierre did a small curtsy before taking the seat. I pushed her chair in. Good idea.

I turned towards Megarus and bowed, never lowering my gaze. "King Angroth."

"Thranack."

You bastard. I felt my cheek spasm. You have no idea how much I'm dying to tell you exactly--

I straightened and bowed to father, my jaw hard. "Father."

He eyed me. I'm not going to do anything stupid, don't worry. I hated how Brek, Ludi, and Father always seemed able to read my thoughts. "It's good to see you on time."

I sat down. "Yes, sir. I even took a bath this time."

"And we all appreciate it."

I rubbed my nose to hide a grin, looking at my plate. "Good to know my efforts are appreciated."

"Indeed they are, when you make them." Father said pointedly.

I cringed and looked up at him again.

"You seem to have a talent for disappearing, though."

"Thank you." I looked at his disapproving frown, and grinned cheesily. "...But I'll be sure to be easy to find later?"

"Good."

I nodded, taking a long drink of my wine, draining the glass in a single draught. I'll just get drunk, and then...

"Is that a new bruise?"

I choked, putting my glass down, covering my mouth. I looked at him with wide, watering eyes. "Wh--Pardon?"

"On your cheek. Is that a new bruise?"

I touched my cheek, still sore from where Brek hit me. My entire body was sore. "No. Of course not."

He looked at me critically. "...Good."

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

I waved to a servant, and he came forward to refill my glass with wine. He bowed and stepped away. "Thank..." I hesitated when I saw Megarus's mocking glare flick up to me. "...You."

I didn't listen to the servant's reply, as I drew my eyebrows together and looked between Megarus and Lierre. Something was wrong. Lierre looked so small and terrified again.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly.

She nodded and picked up a fork, her hand trembling as she ate a small piece of food. As soon as she swallowed she put her fork down and abruptly stood up. "I'm sorry. I'm not feeling well. May I be excused?"

"You're being rude." Megarus commented dryly.

So are you , Meggie. I gripped my goblet tightly. Lierre wasn't looking so good.

"I'm sorry." Lierre said stiffly, carefully keeping her back to Megarus.

"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked, worried.

"No, but thank you, Prince Thranack."

She strode towards the door, curstied, murmured something and left.

I frowned, staring at the closed door a long moment after she disappeared. I didn't turn until I heard Megarus's scathing voice. "Well, it seems all of the children grew up rude."

Better than being an overbearing asshole. I grinned at him stiffly, almost merely baring my teeth at him, like I felt like doing. I really should show you rude, for once, so you'd appreciate my self-restraint.

"What's wrong with you?"

I'm trapped between a man who will be severely annoyed with me, when he finds out what I did-- and a man who just hates me for fun. I'm going to be married to a girl I just met a few hours ago, who's scared of me. I'm going to gain you and Dae as inlaws. I have absolutely no say in the matter. And I'm out of wine. "Nothing...sir."

"Mm."

You don't deign to answer me? Well, f*ck you too.

I focused on my food, eating as quickly as possible. Maybe, just maybe, if I eat quickly enough, I'll be able to escape before he brings up--

"So, Thranack."

I slowly turned to look at Megarus, forcing myself not to glare. "Yes, King Angroth?"

"I'm glad to see you managed to make it back into the castle, with your poor sense of direction."

I rubbed my nose, looking down at my drink, trying to hide a smirk. "Yes, sir, me too."

"But it makes me wonder..."

I sobered, my eyes wide and innocent as I looked at him, taking a bite of the roll in my hand. "What do you wonder, King Angroth?"

"Are you a habitual liar, or is that special treatment that you reserve for me?"

I choked, coughing until my eyes watered. I hadn't expected such...directness.

I reached for my goblet and took a drink of wine, trying to calm my coughing fit.

"I draw, from your obvious dismay, that it is indeed special treatment."

I choked again, barely swallowing before I spewed wine everywhere.

"King Angroth, I'm not sure such a direct accusation is in--"

"Look at the boy." Megarus cut Father off. "He's guilty and he knows it."

I pressed a napkin to my face, wiping away the excess wine, too surprised to think of anything smart to say. I stared at him a long moment, guilty.

"And now he knows that I know it as well."

What were you expecting, Thran? Kings can't be dumb. And he's way older than you are.

"No, sir, I assure you that--"

"Shut up."

"Yes sir." I looked down, rubbing my hands on my trousers, body tense. I desperately wanted Ludi's help, but I doubted she'd be inclined to give it to me. She's moving on, anyway. You don't need her. You can get yourself out of this mess.

I felt something in my pocket, and reached for it. I pulled a small wad of paper out-- a list of chores Brek gave me at some point. I glanced up at Ludi, but quickly turned my glare on the paper. No. You'll do this yourself.

I quickly thought, trying to make an excuse to leave.

"Thranack." Father said crisply. "Did you lie to the king?"

I gave the truth spectrum. I had a feeling that that answer wouldn't go over well. "Well, uh, you see--"

"Thranack."

I stammered a minute longer. "No, sir. I--"

"Don't lie about lying." Megarus said icily.

My mouth opened and closes several times, me searching for words. I was getting flustered. Nothing good ever happened when I got flustered. My stutter always came back.

"Thranack." Father repeated, insisting.

"I-I w-w-was, I-I." I sprang to my feet. "M-may I b-b-be excused?"

Father narrowed his eyes at me. "Why?"

A-aside from the fact that I'm stuttering like an-an idiot?

"I-I-I just rem-remembered that- that L-Lord Elgan w-wanted to see m-me."

"Mm." Father looked at me suspiciously. "Can't it wait?"

"N-no sir. I've wait-waited too long as it is." I swallowed hard, my eyes flicking to Megarus and then back to Father.

"Hm, very well." Father nodded. "I'll chat with Lord Elgan later, to see what was so important it had to interupt your supper."

"Y-y-yes sir, thank-thank you sir." I bowed hastily to both kings and practically ran into the hallway.

I leaned against the wall, once I was safe in the hall, and wiped my forehead, panting, closing my eyes tightly.

"Are you okay?"

I opened an eye to look at Ludi. I nodded, not trusting my own voice yet.

"Are you sure?"

"I-I'm fine."

"...I thought you said you'd stopped stuttering." Ludi looked at me, narrowing her eyes. "I certainly haven't heard it in a while."

"I-I lied." I panted. "I still s-stutter when-- stutter when I get-get flustered."

"You knew he'd figure out you lied to him eventually."

"I-I just didn't...expect...for him...to accuse me...of such." I said slowly, deliberately, forcing myself not to stutter. I closed my eyes again. I've got to s-stop that.

"Wild men w-who caught and sang the s-sun in flight, and learn, t-too late, they grieved it on its way," I muttered quickly, swallowing hard. "Do not go gentle into that good night."

I'd repeated that poem so many times in my life. Brek's idea. To have me recite poetry until I knew the poems by heart, and could say them automatically-- forcing my tongue to work itself out of knots, giving my mind a chance to catch up.

"Better?"

I opened my eyes, breathing easier. "Yeah. I'm okay."

"Good...are you really going to go find Lord Elgan?"

"Well..." I don't want to. He'll just gloat about beating me earlier. "I guess I don't have much choice now."

Ludi nodded, and I once again saw Itaph kissing her. I turned on my heel and stiffly walked toward Brek's room, figuring that he'd be getting on fresh clothing after our scuffle earlier.

I decidely refused to look at Ludi as we walked towards the room. When we got to his door, I only glanced at Ludi briefly. "You can stay here."

I knocked.

"Who is it?"

Without answering, I pushed the door open and walked in. Brek vaulted upright, grabbing a dagger.

"Relax, it's just me." I slumped against the door.

He stared at me, staying just as damned impossible to read as always. Yeah, yeah, I know, you don't have to say it. You want me to hide from you after that fight. If I had a brain I would be. But getting thrashed isn't nearly as bad as having Megarus interrogate me.

"What are you doing here?"

Don't turn me out. I'll do anything you want. I'll even.. "I'll clean Reb's stall as soon they go to their rooms, just don't make me leave."

He stared at me long moment. "Hiding from Lierre?"

"No." I hissed. If she was there, I'd have a reason to stay. To protect her. "She's the only ally I had, and she abandoned me."

He lifted his eyebrows.

"She left me, trapped between Father and Megarus." I elaborated.

"Trapped?" His voice was smirking, even though his face stayed impassive.

"Yes. Trapped." I sulked. They made me stutter. "They both want to interrogate me."

Now he did smirk. "Are you sure they weren't just trying to chat with you? You tend to get uncomfortable in social situations."

"This wasn't a social situation." It was horrible. Worse than a social situation even. "This was an...anti-social situation, if anything."

I started pacing.

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"He asked if I was a habitual liar, or if it was special treatment that I reserved for him." I said, turning towards him angrily.

He cringed politely, and then looked slightly worried. "What'd you say?"

"Nothing." I rubbed my face, slumping against the door again. "I just sat there, staring at him like an idiot until Father began his investigation."

"And then?"

"Then I wormed around until I found a scrap of paper in my pocket." I felt the paper, still in my pocket, frowning.

"And then you traded the paper for their silence?" He smirked.

I glared at him. You are such an ass sometimes.

"No." I snapped. "I said that it was a note from you, summoning me."

"I didn't call for you."

"You called for me earlier."

"You already came."

"But you did call me." I sighed. "Just not now...so I gave the truth spectrum."

He grinned. "Fair enough."

I grunted and paced across the room, calmed enough so that my side was aching again. I pressed my arms to my sides. I am so bloody sore.

"How badly did you bruise?"

I turned my glare back on him. I hate how he can always read my mind. "Don't worry about it."

He lifted his eyebrows. "Not badly enough, it seems."

Just do what he wants. You're too sore to take another beating today. I pulled my tunic off, shrugging, even though it hurt. "Not much."

I watched as his eyes flicked across my bare torso. I looked down, and saw my body littered with dark splotches. My ribs were broken. They looked broken. And they bloody sure felt broken. I couldn't breathe without causing shooting pain.

"Come here."

"I'm fine." I insisted as I walked towards him.

"How's that feel?" He laid his hand on my side.

What do you think? It hurts, but I'm not going to tell you that.

"It--" He pushed his hand half way through my body, or so it felt. I gasped, clenching my teeth. "Hurts like hell."

"Figured."

Then get your f*cking hand off it, you--

"You bastard." I twisted away from him, sitting down on the bed beside him, carefully lowering myself onto my back. "I hate you."

"If you hate me." He laid down beside me. "Why are you hiding in my room instead of your own?"

"Mm..." I had very little choice in the matter, after I lied to the kings. "Father thought I was just trying to hide from him and Megarus."

"You are."

"Yes, but he wouldn't very well give me his permission to hide from him."

"You think he's going to check your story, then?" Brek was grinning. He enjoyed my position far too much.

"He claimed he was going to." I sulked.

We sat for a long moment in silence, both of us stretched out on the bed.

"You should get that looked at."

Not a chance in hell. "What?"

He glared at me flatly. "What hurts?"

"Oh..."

"I think you broke a rib. You should have the physicians wrap it."

"It's fine." I ain't going to the infirmary. Those pansy-asses will try to drug me and the gods only know what else.

"Or, you could be a dumb bastard and make me wrestle you to the infirmary."

I glared at him out of the corner of my eye. You can try.

"Making sure to take a detour past the dear Princess's room, so you can explain how you got your ass kicked to your fiancee."

He's just dirty enough to do it too, Thran.You'd best just go to the infirmary...at least, pretend to go. "Fine. I'll go."

"Good."

We laid for a long moment, staring at the canopy overhead. I'm not going.

Aranys/Barqarnon/Day One:

Rain poured in buckets down from the heavens- falling in blinding sheets an soaking anything out in it to the bone within seconds.

The streets of the City were deserted, or rather mostly so. The usual allotment of ragged drunken men and street walkers who dared still braved the soaking sidewalks- and one small figure in a dark cloak.

The small figure was none other then Vivian, the apprentice of a local sorceress. She grumbled as she walked under a gutter and was drenched- her hair would be so ungodly frizzy in the morning- and she really wanted to impress the butchers boy, he was so handsome and strong- Vivian's heart gave a tiny flutter, and not watching her footing stepped in a slushy pile of horse droppings, and the dainty girl swore enough to make a sailor blush.

“God Dammit!” she growled through clenched teeth “A curse of colic on that horse and his master too.” she shook of her boot and went on- she had a mission.

She glided along noiselessly as a passing shadow of clouds over the moon. She slipped around corners, sticking to the back ways she slowly wound her way around and behind the royal palace. It wasn't an easy task, the guards were vigilant but Vivian knew their ways- she had bribed, sneaked and sexed her way into highborns houses dozens of times- they were only guarded by men after all. She grinned as she slipped by another- she knew he's be killed for not finding her, considering what she was about to do.

She came of a high wrought iron gate- it's hinges rusted with disuse.

“Really.... you would think the king would keep his grounds in better repair.” she thought to herself- but she was prepared. In her pocket was a small vial of oil- she set to, coaxing the hinges to silence with the oil and some whispered spells.

A quarter of an hour later the gate yielded to her to her ministrations and she slipped through. Now thoroughly soaked Vivian prayed that the small lantern she carried concealed in her cloak had stayed dry, or dry enough to light. Her hands shook with cold as she struggled to get a spark to light the tiny wick- she ground her teeth- why did she have to apprentice herself to a sorceress who detested fire magic? Why couldn't' she learn a simple match lighting spell? Finally a spark took and the lamp cast a dusky glow about her- even Vivian had to shudder, the tombstones about her leaned drunkenly in and outwards. This was the old part of the Royal cemetery.

Ducking quickly through the weathered stones Vivian picked her way- the smell of death and must was almost overpowering- through the ages the grounds had filled with the corpsed of the dead kings, their wives and children- far too many occupants for such a small space, and long ago they simply stacked the bodies one atop the other- in this part of the cemetary there was only a small scraping of soil over top the bones- and as if to ilistrate this Vivian looking to the left spotted a skinny dog digging furiously then pop out of his whole with a dirty white object.

The young sorceress laughed morbidly at the irony. Kings reduced to dog fodder.

Vivian picked her way carefully- every so often holding the lantern to a headstone, reading the faded words. Her skin crawled- this wasn't right and she knew it. She had her limits and grave robbing was one of them- let her teacher do this kind of work.... but no... Vivian had to, if she wanted to learn the tricks of the trade she had to get her hands messy.

Suddeny she tripped and her heart leaped into her mouth as she felt something tighten around her ankle-

The dead! They know! I've angered the spirits!

Half murmured prayers came from her lips as she lay frozen with fear on the ground, seconds ticked by as she waited for her end- to be dragged to hell or heaven only knows what... she waited, but nothing happened. Slowly her courage came back an she, inch by inch. Began to move- still nothing happened. Taking her lantern from where it had fallen she held is aloft and almost had to laugh- a wreath, she had stepped in an old withered wreath that was laid against one of the tombs. Cursing herself for her irrational fear that a moment before seemed life or death, Vivian again began searching around the tombs.

An hour later- though it seemed ages- she found the spot. It was in a quiet corner under a large spreading tree. One tombstone with to names. Vivian traces the names with her finger an grinned.

“There you are Milady, and My little lord.” Sniggering wickedly she hung her lantern on a low branch and produced a shovel from a spell, “I hope you don't mind the intrusion.” And she sent the spade deep into the soft earth.


The work wasn't hard, the soil atop the graves wasn't packed down- only grown with soft grass and the roots of the tree- but at this depth they were only little spidery things. Vivian worked with a will- mind wandering back to when she dug potatoes with her mother on the farm, she smiled faintly.

“What would you say Mum? Me digging for bodies now? Would you be proud?” She snorted. “don't care what the bitch thinks- I'm gonna make something of myself. After maybe an hour the blade of the spade struck something hard and Vivian felt a thrill crawl up her spine- this was it.

Dropping to her hands an knees she quickly cleared away the dirt from atop the coffin and pulled out her tools to loosen the stone top and a small bag for stashing her prize. Taking her crowbar she shoved it under the rim and gave a good and vigorous pry, the stone lid slid easily enough and the smell of dried roses came her her rather surprised senses. Working quickly Vivian had the top of the coffin and gabbing her lantern down a look inside- and her heart nearly stopped in fright and shock.

The body of an beautiful young woman, cushioned on a bed of dried roses met Vivian's astonished eyes, the young woman looked as if she were just asleep, as if time had not touched her. Her golden hair was perfectly laid in doll like curls and a crown of flowers encircled her head. She was dressed all In white, her face peaceful as if in a pleasant dream. In her arms the woman held the body of a small child, a boy of maybe two winters, his downy locks still stuck up like duck fluff. He was dressed in white as well, but clutching a small wooden sword in one hand and a stuffed bear in the other. Vivian viewed them with little remorse or empathy- she didn't give a damn they had been murdered, she didn't care they were dead- she had a mission and her teacher would be furious if she got sentimental now.

Putting her tools aside she picked up the bag and set it in the coffin and reached in. grabbing one of the young woman's arms she tried to move it- but as soon as it was touched the flesh fell away in a fine dust, everything Vivian touched turned to dust- and the corpses began to fall in- bones becoming visible now.

“God Dammit.” she growled- she had tried to be gentle, to be delicate but it wasn't working. Roughly she grabbed bones and shoved them into her back- not caring for the damage she was causing. She just grabbed bones and then snitched a few pieces of fine jewelery for herself.

When her work was finished she lightly clambered out of the hole- leaving the coffin open and the tools where they had fallen. Vivian didn't fear someone blaming her- no one came back here, and besides. The rain would wash anything away that might condemn her. Shouldering her bag and taking up her lantern she returned back the way she had come, whistling all the way.

She and her master had business to attend to, business with the boy's corpse. Vivian fairly cackled in glee- Necromancy, this was real magic. And her teacher had promised her that she would be able to help- not just fetch things, but really help. Holding up the back she grinned at it,

“It will be fun, I promise.”