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Within Zarr's Castle; Early-Evening, The Minor-Dining room.
The Queen was surprised, but not completely, by his unlikely choice for Governor, rather, Governess. Anastasia had known he was planning something of the likes, and while her husband stood side and side with the queer woman, she clapped along with them, Rachelle and the children joining in on the congratulations without any real strong emotions either way. It was not such a horror-struck shock to them, idle curiosity, yes, but unlike the nobles, it held no significance beside the the reaction of said class.
Who knew what Zarr hoped to accomplish by handing the city to the Magus Fold? Perhaps the expand its influence, or no longer have to deal with the whining of the governor of their freakish magicks. No doubt this woman was some sort of sorceress, reminding Anastasia of Isa, but more docile and less unnerving. She obviously enjoyed her promotion, and Ana could not see why she wouldn't A Governess, a true rarity among such an elite city as Osi. The only recent ones she could remember would be the wives of the diseased governor, and their reign was a filler until a more 'suitable' governor could fill their place. Ana's applause was sincere, but she had her doubts about the sullen looking men that had dined so happily only minutes ago. They seemed eager to go now, Zarr having effectively crushed any hopes and ambitions that had been so bold to flower in his presence.
Anastasia suspected had it been anybody but Zarr to deliver such outrageous news, they'd be much less disappointed, and more enraged. Yet he presented himself and the Governess as one, and they weren't so rash to forget the rumors of Zarr's immense strength, only dwarfed by his sadism. No doubt this cloaked woman would be of the same breed, seeming so content in their misery.
Their little party had dwindled from it's height as soon as the King and Queen departed from their dance, and as it slowly burned itself out, noblemen and woman reluctantly congratulated Ethel, while recalling their fealty once more to their King, and leaving. Micella was particularly cheery about being told she could leave, her mother dismissing both children, as they were no longer needed for appearance, and in all honesty, Anastasia wouldn't mind leaving herself.
With about half of the noble houses still remaining, Mica bid her father farewell, her sour mood quickly dissolved for a giddiness, hopefully Ecily and Arin were around still, " Buh-bye." She'd give a slight curtsy, because there were still people around, though 'buh-bye' wasn't the height of formality, who was going to hear?
"Where are you going?" Rachelle would perk in, standing beside Anastasia, and hearing the young Princess begin to take her leave.
"She's going to go play with her little dumb friend." Maxwell answered for her.
Mica's face, which had been a content smirk dropped into a stormy look, glaring at her brother, "She's not dumb, she knows how to talk, she just forgot, idiot. I bet she's smarter then you." She'd taunt, her brother only rolling his eyes, refusing to admit the only reason he'd cut in so bitterly was because he was jealous, realizing that without Mica, he had nothing interesting to do. But he'd not stoop so low to go play with her little dumb friends.
Rachelle could see a brawl brewing, and tried to cut in, but Max was too quick, " I wish you'd forget how to talk."
"I wish a pirate would kidnap you and cut out your tongue, so then you couldn't talk, AND THEN, he'd throw you off his pirate ship because no one would want to buy you(Because your ugly) and then fishes would eat out your eyes and your guts." That was quite the little disturbing monologue from the ten year old, who was iconic for her original threats, going on at length at a gruesome, and apparently watery, grave.
Anastasia opened her mouth to interject, but she silently paused, thinking over what the little girl had just said, and realizing her youngest was better at threats then she was. Mica used this moment of shock to turn, and stomp off. Max watched her go, his brow furrowed, not knowing how to really react.
"She should become a poet." Rachelle remarked, with a dry laugh...Anastasia sort of blinked, and nodded.
Luckily, the little scene went relatively unobserved as the Prince and Princess went their separate ways, the rest of the night fairly quiet, and within a half an hour, all that remained would be Zarr, Anastaisa, Rachelle, Ethel, and a few guards and servants who'd been standing in astute stillness for hours at end.
Edge of the Low Fields, Mid-Day.
"Worse? You're kidding, this looks so much better, so open-..and wide, and..I'unno, better!" She wasn't the most antiquate speakers, but having spent a week in her constant presence, her difference slurs and odd sayings would make much more since. Elsa had no idea on how the vast flatness would be to their disadvantage, highly visible, and dangerous for two 'wanted convicts'.
She was far more ignorant to her own land then Akai, and eager to leave the trees, she'd urge her horse forward, and down into the u shaped valley, a bowl of long brown grass, and it's other rim was a vague line in the distance, a broken chain of hills and mountains. Food would be scarce, and civilization, scarcer. Luckily, and Akai was half the guide he claimed to be, they would be able to begin sloping west, and make way for the Black Forests. Elsa has no clue where they were going, she was along for the ride, and though she constantly complained, she'd have it no other way. At the pace they were going, it was still another week until Heiglas. From there, they would be relatively safe from the bloody hands of the Inquisition, but the maw of beast and vermin were a very real threat until they finally broke into the forests of Celondia, a haven among chaos.
Riding fast, and picking up speed, Elsa finally made it into the ocean of dry, dead, grass. It wiped at her exposed ankles, and the woman began to cuss soon after, kicking her free feet of the stirrups, and drawing them up. Madly, she pulled back at the reins, and her noble steed slowed to a stop. The plains were much more luxurious from a far, she was quick to realize. Glancing back for Akai, the city-slicker simply stared at the foreign grass, and let her horse graze, " I don't see what you're crying about..it ain't so bad..."
To the far north, a mocking clap of thunder shook the earth, and following quickly after, a sharp gust of wind nearly blew Elsa off of the back of her horse. Looking around in shock, there was not a single cloud in the sky. At the horizon, dark skies loomed, and she looked helplessly back at Akai, "We-..We ain't going that way, right?"
Within Zarr's Castle; Early-Evening, Vague Parlor.
Micella's steps were as harsh as she could manage, her feet curled into tiny flat shoes, and the hardened heel of them clattered lightly against the stone floors. The noise annoyed her, as did her thoughts lingering back on her brother, and making her face grow redder and redder. Finally, she'd just stop in the middle of the floor, and pull off the painful shoes, carrying them for a second, before she'd toss them down the hall, trying to release some of her bent up aggression. It worked a little, and as she kept walking in search of her friends, her shoulders began to relax, and she'd sigh softly.
They normally played around here, where no one came to bother them, and it was fairly lonely. They liked it, being able to do as they wished most of the time, Fel was there, but he hardly cared unless it was stupidly dangerous. A few servants milled around now and again, but they were easily dismissed, and as far as Mica knew, her mother hadn't discovered the new hide out, nor her brother.
It surprised the young Princess to hear yells, and rough noises, but she grinned none-the-less, knowing Arin must be around. Excitedly, she rushed toward the noises, curious of what Arin was doing. It wasn't hard to find the door, bright light seeping from beneath it, and once she was there, Mica didn't pause to throw it open. The scene before her was surprising though-..it seems their haven had been discovered.
On the ground, Arin lay, yelling, and struggling to stand while an older boy kicked at him. He was about Max's age, and stood at least two full heads higher then her friend, who was in turn was her age, and shorter then Mica herself. Fel was standing in the corner, unable to do anything because the noble brat's family was far more influential then Arin's own, and it would be only worse if he stepped in. Ecily clutched at his leg, sobbing pathetically. Mica's dark eyes narrowed, the boy not noticing her entrance. He seemed to be enjoying himself, having outsized the younger boy, and he didn't seem to care if he was hurting Arin bad. Though Arin stood finally, he was pushed back down, his head cracking to the right, and he'd get a glimpse of Mica, shocked, and now, her anger was provoked once more. Having just been subdued.
"Hey!" She'd call, the boy turning around, at first fearless, then his eyes flashed to her crown, which still rested delicately atop her black hair, and it didn't take him long to recognize it was the Princess. " What do you think you're doing? That's my friend-..look what you did to him!" She'd bark, the boy, though older, inclining his head, and trying to explain.
"H-he startled it, your...uh-.Grace?" He'd tighten his lips, she was just a little girl...what was the worse she could do? Boldly, he tried to once more reassert his cocky smile, " It isn't my fault he's common scu-.."
"Does it look like I care who started it? And don't call him common scum, his father is Lord Respar, and he heads the King's finances. What does your father do, hm? Kiss my fathers ass?" She was lying when she said he was a lord, but Sir, Lord, all the same to her. She put extra emphasis on the 'a' word, as she was not allowed to say it, but it delighted her to do so.
The boys smug look disappeared, and he'd blink at Arin, who stood, and wiped the blood from his nose, looking as cocky as any victor despite the fact he'd had the snot beaten from him, "I-..I did not know, Princess...I just-.."
"Shut up! I don't care, Arin, what happened?" Mica commanded, despite being only ten, she was very good at mimicking her father, having a natural talent, and the boy shifted uneasily, looking down guiltily, as he knew he would not be a hero in Arin's story.
Arin rubbed a bruise, and cleared his throat, " I thought ya'd never ask, Mica. I did'unt start it. We were waitin' for you, but then we thought you'd find us better here, because you had that party to go to, but he musta' followed us, because he walked in like he owned the place. He started makin' fun of Ecily, 'cause of her hair, an' she started crying. Fel told 'um to stop, but he didn't care, and he tried to touch Ess's hair, and was callin' her dumb, and I said if he didn't leave m'sister alone, I'd beat 'um bloody. Ecily don't like bein' touched, you know that! So she was hidin' next to Fel, and Fel can't do nothing he said, 'cause the boy wouldn't listen to him, and we'd all get in trouble of Fel hurt 'um. He told me to leave him be, but I wasn't goin' to let him go 'round makin' fun of my sister...So, I did punch 'um first, but he deserved it!"
As Arin's story went on, Micella's face only darkened, and she turned slowly to the older boy, who had abused his own rank, rather the rank of his father, and she'd hold no qualms about doing it herself, "You were hurtin' Ecily?"
"I didn't hurt her-.."
"Liar!" Arin called, and Mica stepped closer to the boy, who stood there.
"Next time you say another awful thing to Ecily or Arin, or I hear you make fun of you, or hear that you did, you'll regret it."
"What are you going to do? You're just a little girl." This boy wasn't so bright, but he blurted it out before he even thought.
Micella grinned, and cocked her head a little, "I know, I wish I could knock ya' teeth in, but I'm not allowed to. I'm a princess, you know, but," She canted her head toward Fel, " I bet he could. And even though he's not supposed to hit little girls, If I told him too, he'd have to listen, because I'm the Princess. Right Fel?" She'd ask the burly man, who, if allowed to beat the boy to a pulp, probably wouldn't have an issue.
Gulping, the boy nodded, and looked down, " Alright...I'm sorry, your Highness."
"Don't say sorry to me, say sorry to Ecily!"
"Sorry..." Mica corrected him, like her mother corrected her when she'd apologize sullenly.
"Sorry who?"
The boy blinked, his eyes narrowed, annoyed to be treated like a child by a girl younger then him, but he knew better then to disobey her now "Sorry Ecily."
Mica nodded, looking to Arin, " How bad did he hurt you?"
"Ain't nothin'.." The boy replied, though his mouth and nose was bloody, and he'd be nursing his left arm.
Mica shook her head, discontent, " You can punch 'um in the face if you want. What's your name?"
She'd look toward the boy, who looked, astounded up, ready to protest. Reluctantly, he'd give his name though, hoping she was joking, " Edgar Des'Mari." She nodded toward Arin, who cracked his knuckles.
"I'll remember that, now, hold still, it's gonna' hurt." She'd grin, almost evilly, but the little bastard deserved it, and Arin had a right to his revenge.
"You can't!" He'd cry, but Mica raised an eyebrow, looking at Fel.
"Want him to instead?" The boy gulped, having once been in charge, but Mica was kicking him brutally back into his place, Arin stepped forward, though he wasn't a fighter, he'd rough around enough, often losing, he still knew how to throw a well enough punch for his age. The boy stumbled back, Arin cutting his knuckles off his teeth, but he grinned none-the-less.
"Ah!" Ye-..Y'broke my tooth." His mouth would be bleeding, tears springing to his eyes, and he'd whimper.
Mica stepped closer, "Lemme see!" The boy opened his mouth, Arin hadn't broken it, just sorta' pushed it a little, it was hardly noticeable, "Oh hush up, you baby, you're fine." She'd gesture for him to leave then, sharing victorious grins with Arin as the boy scrambled off, resentful, and embarrassed. "You okay?" She'd ask, and Arin just grinned and nodded, blood in his own teeth, but you didn't see him crying, "Don't worry, M'dad hates the nobles, and he deserved it. If his father comes crying to my mum, or dad, they'll tell 'um to piss off." She looked toward Ecily, assuring them that everything was okay.
Even the little girl, who never smiled, gave a soft look, wiping her tears and finally prying herself from Fel's leg. Mica's attention was now on the man, " You should of jus' kicked 'um in the teeth, he deserved it. Then he wouldn't have no teeth, and he couldn't make fun of Ecily for not talking, because he'd be like "Warblahhhh elogaaa" 'cause he wouldn't have no teeth!" She'd do a masterful impression of a toothless man, grinning hugely, the dangerous look having disappeared for a cheerier one, feeling like she'd done something good, and content that her friends were okay.
Jewelstine; Mid-Day, Surveying the gun powder.
Jewelstine's sky was a cloudless perfect canvas of blue. The city had finally stopped burning, and all around, they began to rebuild, the sound of hammer and stone replacing the roar of cannon fire, as proud Jewelstine submit, and life was to begin once more. It was time to unveil the Crown Prince's reward, safeguarded in a massive stone warehouse, and before the doors would even open, there was no doubts their was an awesome amount, perhaps even more then previously anticipated. Windows ran all along it's side, by they were now covered with different wooden, stone, and metal coverings. Obviously, it'd be a tragedy if a lose cannon ball came hurdling through the window, and set the entire building off like a bomb, so when Jewelstine came under siege, they were quickly barricaded.
"As you can see, Prince Daniaris.." A stout, dark skinned man, who spoke perfect common looked back to the General-Prince, having been the business man who owned this building. He'd forfeited any rights to the warehouse for his life, and though he must be resentful, it did not show. He was still hopeful that he would be allowed to carry on his business, once he proved his worth, " We've quite the amount already mined-..but they are still plentiful, and there is still so much more left within our black sands." He raised a key, his Adam's apple bobbling as he'd push it into the lock, and push the door open. The room was pitch black, and when of the Prince's most prepared soldiers produced a torch, he'd be screamed at.
"Are you crazy? The room is filled with gunpowder, we simply cannot risk lighting it, please, Sir, put that away!" The gaunt man stared, his eyes bulging, before he'd nod to two of his workers, well accustom to feeling their way in the dark. They hurried in, and within a minute, rolled around a sizable barrel. Without waiting, they brought it into the sunlight, sat it upright, and opened the top. Inside, it was filled to the brim with a dusty sort of black soot, and touched, and sniffed, there was no doubt it was gunpowder.
Grinning, as if proud of losing his entire life's work to these northerners, the man gloated, " There are over thirty thousand casket's just the same in there...and now that Jewelstine is-..." He searched for the right word, "Liberated, we can reopen the mines." He was proud, one barrel of gunpowder was expansive enough, but if he was not lying, which Daniaris would probably doubt, and could investigate anytime, this man was quite rich. Well, he used to be, because quite obviously, Venn would not be paying much for this gunpowder, and by the end, he'd probably lose all his fortune. Unless, of course, Zarr allowed him to reclaim his business, though the gunpowder would be cheaper than before, he'd at least live comfortably.
" Are you satisfied, your Highness?" He'd ask, glancing down at the powder, and then once more to Daniaris's face.
The Middle of the Ocean; Mid-day, a Boat.
The sky was shit, grey clouds loomed, and all around, the dark waters sloshed up against the wooden ship as it was pushed around helplessly. Sabree stood up on the deck, only to get fresh air with the Sultan's son, who was sick as a dog, clutching at her leg, and staring up at the angry sky. Water coated his dark curly hair and face, as it did for Sabree, different sailors running about to secure the different sails, and make sure the rigging didn't get tangled in this awful weather.
She was quick to discover just how much she hated the sea, longing desperately for land as the waves rocked her and Tinet around, making his uneasy stomach even worse. Though there was nothing Sabree could do, under constant supervision, and she did not want any of those damned Northerners to know her particular talents. She'd heard rumors that the King held an obsession for the magical arts, and she wanted it to be her own choice if he learned of her adeptness.
Rashah was probably away in his cabin, just as sick as his son, but refusing to admit it. The young boy didn't seem to mind, adoring Sabree's company, as she'd clutch his hand like his mother, and when he sobbed at night, she soothed him. It was a shame for this boy's life to be so tragic, he'd not known a happy day in his short existence, and silently Sabree promised to change that. She'd not let him die in Venn, still so young and innocent, and if she must, she'd plead and bargain for his life. She however, would not beg for his father's, and in all actuality, she'd prefer the man a corpse. Tinet loved him, but Tinet was too young to understand what bitterness his father held toward him, and what cruelty. He'd love anyone, even that damned bastard of a Prince.
The boat leaned unnaturally to one side, and with a strike, Sabree nearly was sent head over heels forward as it smashed the other way, water briefly washing over the deck, and it was only a luckily placed mass that saved Sabree from going overboard. Tinet's tiny hand was ripped from hers, and in a sudden brash, and irrational fear, she'd search for the boy. He'd be close to the edge of the boat, coughing up water, and sobbing as he was soaked. Fearfully, Sabree rushed forward to lift him from the ground, her eyes widening as she saw another wave lift the ship, and plunge it mercilessly into the sea, water cresting over the side, and the yell of men making the woman cringe. She'd clutch the boy tightly, and hold on with all her might to some rigging as once more water sprayed and pulled at her.
Refusing to give herself to the sea though, the priestess struggled toward door that led to the belly of the ship. They were caught in a nasty storm, and it was no longer safe to dwindle on the deck. She reached it just as they raised to the top of another wave, and quickly, she'd scramble in, slamming the door behind her, and stumbling as she'd be pressed toward the wall, and thrown about like a doll. Water rushed beneath the door, and down the wooden steps, but it'd be nothing like it was outside.
Sabree carried Tinet down the stairs, hugging him close, and murmuring reassuring thoughts in his ear, that everything was going to be okay. A few seamen were scattered against the floor, groaning, and injured. She ignored them, and made way for her Cabin. Once inside, she settled into the odd woven hammock, and set Tinet against her. The boy was okay, sobbing, as he'd almost been swallowed by the sea. Kissing his temple, Sabree hushed him, "Do not worry..Shh, I won't let anything bad happen." She'd swear it to the boy, and he believed her, even as the entire cabin slid and rocked around them, he hugged Sabree, and closed his eyes.
She said everything would be alright, and he was too foolish to realize otherwise.
