Kythaela Wyvernhide
~A few days after Ariella’s capture~
The half-elf stood frozen in the middle of the throne room, absolutely gobsmacked. She, Kythaela Wyvernhide, serving the Goddess’s reincarnate? An insignificant peasant from some backwater village, personally caring for
the Goddess Aurelia? This had to be a dream. Kythaela would have slapped herself across the face with all her might to check if she was not in the presence of Emperor Ulric Blackwood and a small audience. So she waited, just for a moment or two, to see if she would wake up, or if someone would reveal that they were only playing a prank on the gullible woman. But when neither happened, her hands shot up towards her mouth, failing to stop Kythaela’s soft gasp from escaping her lips.
Words could not possibly describe how honored she felt. She had never been more proud of herself: she was chosen to do something special. It was a warm feeling that gradually turned cold as the exact words the Emperor uttered reached Kythaela’s frontal lobe. A scapegoat: the Emperor chose her to be sacrificed for “the greater good” … all because she kind of looked like Aurelia’s reincarnation --- and unlike her, Kythaela was expendable.
Terror’s cold embrace took ahold of Kythaela. Thoughts ran wildly through her head. She thought of death, the finality of it. Was she prepared to die for her country, her Goddess? She thought about what would happen if she failed this holy mission. Are the consequences of failing something Kythaela can live with? Even the thought of flat out refusing the Emperor’s request flashed through her mind but that was just as quickly pushed out. Although Ulric chose his words carefully, his “request” was a thinly veiled order. As a mere commoner, a subject of the Great Aerowyn Empire, defying the direct order of Ulric Blackwood was treasonous. The Empire would make sure that Kythaela and her family were disgraced and unwelcomed as long as they resided within the Empire. She could not do that to her family.
The train of thought that lead to her family loosened terror’s grip on Kythaela, allowing her to relax. Recalling each of their faces, voices, and mannerism made her realize what was and always had been her top priority: her family. Whatever she decided at that moment would affect her family no matter what, so Kythaela had to be absolutely sure that her decision benefited them.
Kythaela closed her eyes and took in a depth breath, before bowing. “
There are no words that can accurately express how honored I am to be chosen for such an important role.” The people around her nodded in agreement or looked at the display with indifference. No one here expected her to say no to Ulric: she was a servant and he was her Emperor. This meeting could not have played out any other way. Up until the point where she continued with a, “
However.” Kythaela could feel the room become uncomfortably still, eyes all staring down the foolish half-elf.
“
I must humbly request two things from you if you wish me to take on this duty, your Imperial Majesty.”
Kythaela’s elven ears heard the audience mutter amongst themselves, shocked by the nerve of the lowly woman. Kythaela swallowed as she lifted her gaze towards the Emperor.
“
I have a family that I love very much back home. A great distance separates us, but not a single day has passed that I don't think of them. As much as I wish I could be with them, we are not financially well off, hence why I am working here. My first request is that they are compensated handsomely upon,” Kythaela hesitated to get the next words out, “
the unlikely event that I should perish.” The silence that followed her sentence and Ulric’s hand movement commanded her to continue.
“
My second request… is that my family will not be punished for my actions during my service to the Goddess, no matter the outcome.” Kythaela rounded up all the courage she could muster at that moment to look straight into the Emperor’s eyes, “
My failures are mine, and mine alone. I will bear any punishment without resistance, but my family cannot be blamed for what I do.”
She bowed her head down, praying to the Gods and Goddesses, “
These are my requests, your Imperial Majesty.”
For a few moments the Emperor looked down upon Kythaela, his hardened face not moving a single muscle. His council watched him carefully, holding their breath in anticipation until suddenly a warm chuckle escaped Ulric's mouth and he smiled. "
You are brave, aren't you girl?" He gestured as if to wave her off, out of the council chamber. "
So be it then. You shall have your wishes."
~The day before Ariella’s meeting with the Divines~
Praise the Gods, she did it. She had no idea how, but she managed to do it: Kythaela forged a legally binding contract with the Emperor. He could probably nullify the contract if he truly wanted to, but at least Ulric would not able to do it in good conscience. Kythaela would have to have really mess things up for the Emperor to become vindictive enough to go out of his way to nullify the contract. That or the Empire itself would have to be in a dire situation in need of someone,
anyone, to blame. A situation which the Goddess Aurelia was to save them from…
Hopefully.
Kythaela straightened her dress, in an effort to look more presentable, and took in a few deep breaths for the seventh time since she reached the door. Just passed this door was a mortal deity, an awe inducing powerful being; the god who can change the world. Her heart couldn’t stop racing. Perhaps it was a fruitless endeavor to even try to calm herself down, but she didn’t want to make a bad first impression.
Stay cool, calm, and collected, Kythaela. You can do it. She pulled out a paper filled with key phrases in the Kassian native language. Kythaela only just started to study Kassian, so she was far from fluent. She did, however, hope that hearing something familiar would make the introduction process much smoother.
After putting the paper away, the servant knocked on the decorative door. When she got no response the second time she knocked on the door Kythaela let herself into the Goddess’s private quarters, “
Pardon my intrusion, Goddess.”
It was impossible for anyone’s eyes not to be drawn to the beautiful figure in the room, despite the elegant decorations that overflooded the space around her. Standing near the window, in all her holy radiance, was the Goddess Aurelia. She who saved Aerowyn from evil many centuries ago; the one so powerful that she could shape the world as she pleased. Kythaela felt her cheeks blush when the Goddess locked eyes with her. The half-elf quickly averted her gaze to look down at the floor. To think that someone would ever mistake someone like Kythaela with the Goddess, flattering, but it was an insult to the Goddess.
Kythaela performed a formal Kassian greeting gesture, “
<Good day, oh great one. You honor me with your presence.> ” The Aerowyn accent was thicker than molasses and even with how slow she talked, Kythaela still fumbled with the words. With how badly butchered her following sentences were, Kythaela should have stopped using Kassian, yet she trudged on. Maybe the servant would have noticed the change in the Goddess if she had just looked up, but she didn’t. “
<With your permission, allow me to introduce myse---…>”
Ariella's gaze snapped towards the girl, eyes shooting icy daggers with intent to kill. "
You mock me?" Her hands slowly curled into fists as an animalistic urge came over her body. "
Leave!" She pointed to door, face beginning to flush with anger. "
Get out! NOW!"
At first, Kythaela didn’t know what had happened. Did she do something wrong? Well, she must have. Why else would the Goddess be so furious with her? She opened her mouth to explain that she meant no ill will, but instead of words with meaning, a strangled noise took its place. Kythaela turned pale, breaking out into cold sweat, as panic set in. Her throat tightened to the point that she couldn’t breathe. This couldn’t be happening now.
No. Not now of all times.Where did the courage to negotiate with the Emperor go? Was this meeting not just as, if not more, important for her family?
In a last-ditch attempt, Kythaela tried to fish out the piece of paper with Kassian on it, but her trembling hands made it near impossible to do such a simple task. She was a heartbeat away from fainting when she finally pulled out the piece of paper. Perhaps it was because she felt some form of relief when she finally got the paper that Kythaela’s throat relaxed. As soon as it did, however, instead of a sound ---whether it be a pathetic noise or actual words--- coming from her windpipe, what Kythaela had for breakfast shot out of her gullet.
She may have managed to save her family from the wrath of mortals… but what could she possibly do to protect her family from the wrath of a Goddess? Nothing. All Kythaela could do was pray and hope that another God would take pity on her miserable soul.
