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[center][sub]One week after the Queen's death[/sub][/center]

The unrest in Lunaris in the month following the Queen’s death was palpable. 

It was to be expected of course. A major political figure’s death would surely spark change in the kingdom’s leadership, and with it, changes that would ultimately effect everyone in the city. 

Katherine wasn’t watching the unrest from the streets however. She had a front-row seat to the event as a ranking member of the Selune clergy, much to her dismay. It wasn’t that politics bored her; quite the opposite was true. She loved being in a position where she could make an actual difference in the lives of all Lunarians. No, it was the fact that now [i]she knew.[/i] She knew that the Inquisition pulled strings from the shadows, unknown to the King or late Queen. 

[i]The Queen is dead... ... ... Long live the Queen.[/i]

Even now from her position in the court, Katherine’s eyes nervously glanced between two council members sitting opposite from her among the other nobility. [color=9e0b0f][b][i]Eyes towards the King, Sorrowind. Don’t get any ideas.[/i][/b][/color] The icy voice pierced her mind as one of their faces cracked a smile for a singular heartbeat. 
[color=19CACA][i]I will never get used to that.[/i][/color] Katherine’s heart raced, fear lacing her thoughts. The blood-magic leash that they’d put on her weeks ago was ever-present. She was powerless against them as long as it remained in place. Blood magic was forbidden for a reason, and Katherine was learning exactly why that was, first hand. Her only current hope was that leaving for Dawnhaven would put enough distance between herself and the Inquisition to render the spell powerless.

[color=9e0b0f][b][i]I wouldn’t count on it.[/i][/b][/color] The voice whispered in her head, slivers of pain causing the young woman to clutch her head and drawing the momentary attention of the nobility seated next to her. 

[color=19CACA][i]I’m so fucked.[/i][/color]

[center]*   *   *[/center]
[center][sub]One week before current date.[/sub][/center]

The road to Dawnhaven was going to be a long one. According to the castle scribes, a blizzard was setting in in a day’s time and would become a problem about halfway to Durnatel. Katherine had braved her share of cold nights during her survival training, but the thought still didn’t give her any comfort as she rode atop the carriage next to a single Lunarian guard tasked as her escort. [color=19CACA][i]Like he’s going to be any help in a real fight.[/i][/color] Katherine mused in her head, [color=19CACA][i]though he may come in handy during the long winter nights.[/i][/color] Her cheeks flushed a bit at the thought, glancing to the clueless guard for a single moment before returning her gaze forward.

The first night’s camp was setup quickly between the two travelers; it consisted of a medium-sized fur teepee with more furs lining what would become the floor, along with a few oil lanterns to provide light and warmth, and finally a pair of bedrolls. [color=19CACA][i]Though if I have my way, we won’t be needing two.[/i][/color]
With the horse tied up and blanketed, Katherine and her unlikely roommate closed into the teepee for the night just as the storm began to brew. Dinner this evening consisted of cheesecloth-wrapped military rations and Aurelian tea; even the Queen would admit it was one of the few things that the southern nation did better. In contrast, the biscuits left much to be desired. Only by dipping them in the tea did they become edible, and even then there was more flavor to be found by eating a raw potato.

As the priestess awoke, her cheeks flushed as she felt the furnace of a man still peacefully asleep behind her, his arms across her torso in a gentle embrace. The night before would remain nothing more than a blissful memory with a nameless stranger in a few hours. [color=19CACA][i]But for now, you’re all mine.[/i][/color] A grin spread across Katherine’s lips, before turning herself to face her temporary lover and cuddling up tight against his chest.

[center]*   *   *[/center]
[center][sub]Present date.[/sub]
[sub]Location: [i]Northen entrance of Dawnhaven.[/i][/sub][/center]

The wagon wheels struggle to move in the deep snow and the horse is clearly not having a good time as they crest the final hill and Dawnhaven comes into sight. Katherine rolls her neck back and forth, the feeling of the invisible blood-magic leash much weaker now but still ever-present. [color=9e0b0f][b][i]Don’t you worry Sorrowind, I’m still in your head.[/i][/b][/color] Fucker.

Her mind wanders to her companion sitting to her right and warmth fills her body once more. Seven days of consequence-free, commitment free fun with a man she will likely never see again. What a tragedy.

Katherine hops down from the wagon into the knee-high snow as the single-wagon caravan approaches the gates, and she swears she hears a sigh of relief from the horse next to her. Looking back to the gates, the guards have clearly seen her and while they don’t look alarmed, they’re clearly alert and watching her every move. [color=fdc68a]“Traveller, identify yourself. State your name and purpose.”[/color] Her eyes glance to the voice with a nod, closing the distance a bit more before producing a document from her coat. In her hand, a letter with the Lunarian court seal adorning it’s front. [color=19CACA]“I am Priestess Sorrowind of Lunaris, sent by the Qu—”[/color] Katherine’s voice falters for but a moment [color=19CACA]“Sent by his majesty the King.”[/color] The letter reads the same, and the guard returns the parchment to it’s owner. [color=fdc68a]“Head on in Priestess, warm yourself at the inn. The Prince has organized a feast in celebration of the blizzard ending. You’ll find the temple of Seluna inside as well.”[/color] 

[color=19CACA]“You have my thanks.”[/color] Her voice is warm and gentle despite the frigid air, and the caravan officially takes its first steps into Dawnhaven. And in crossing those next few steps, her leash is only the slightest sensation in her mind and the voice falls quiet. [color=19CACA][i]Maybe this will be easier than I thought.[/i][/color]
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