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A Journey for Peace

Don't worry; it'll finally happen on my next post!

A Journey for Peace

Hugo and Alexis fell into idle chit-chat for at least ten minutes. It was the sort of empty conversation that was had when you knew everything about a person and what they did that day but needed to talk to pass the time for the mere sake of talking.

Finally, Queen Alexis set her fork down. "He's lost track of time again," she snapped, clearly fuming. "I told him this was important. I told him Princess Kiara was here. Still, he does not come!"

"He probably lost track of time at the library again," King Hugo muttered. "I never understood that boy -- why read about something when you can live it?"

"He's a daydreamer and idealist like you."

"Yes, but I only read when necessary."

"Well, I'm getting sick and tired of him--"

"I'll go get him," King Hugo muttered, setting his napkin down. Even the Berinike king knew of matters. He began to rise out of his chair.

"Wait." Queen Alexis shot Kiara a sly grin. "Have Princess Kiara fetch him. Alone."

The king raised an eyebrow, giving his wife a look as though she were daft. "Alone? She doesn't even know where the library is."

"One of the servants will escort her there and will make sure she finds him. Perhaps, after Lamont sees her, she can manage to convince him to join us at the table." She smiled at Kiara, though it was strained with hard expectation. "Go on; if your betrothed won't come to you, you'll simply have to go to him."

A Journey for Peace

I seem to be really stalling on introducing Lamont. It's coming very, very soooon... I have it all planned out :3

A Journey for Peace

The dining room was full of contrasts; a recurring Berinike theme. The undecorated table was large with sturdy legs, the wood thick. Though there was a healthy variety of food to choose from at the center of the table, most of it consisted of food that seemed a bit heavy for lunch -- steak, turkey legs, and potatoes. King Hugo's plate was heaped with these things as well as plenty of vegetables, a mug of wine nearby. The plates and serving platters, however, were delicate, the silverware pristine. Candles around the room would give the space atmosphere in the evenings, but sunlight bathed the room in afternoons such as this one, the windows yielding to a breathtaking view of the valley below them and the distant mountains beyond. A violinist played soothing songs nearby. Servers stood at the ready for the royal family's beck and call.

Unlike her husband, Queen Alexis primly nibbled on a salad. There were two more places set up for two more people. A servant guided Kiara to one of them, pulling out a chair beside the queen. Wine was poured instantly, soup served, and a waiter waited patiently to bring any food that Kiara deemed out of reach.

The remaining empty plate, across from Kiara, had no one sitting before it, and both parents kept passing glances at that seat as they ate.

Ostus was nowhere to be seen, not since the king escorted him away after Kiara's command. Not since Ostus managed to cast her a scathing glare over his shoulder before looking away in defeat.

"You look lovely; much better than before," the queen murmured, though she had barely glanced at Kiara. "Pick whatever you'd like to eat. It's a bit heavy for a lunch to you, I'm sure, but it is Berinike custom, especially to guests."

A Journey for Peace

All sorts of things gave it away -- the way Ostus addressed Kiara, Kiara's reaction, and Ostus's reaction (though I forgot to mention that part).

And yes, guys can be very dense sometimes, lol

Ah, distractions... had to finish up a TV show with the boyfriend. A glorious evening of no homework. Too bad that can't last :p

A Journey for Peace

She definitely knows! Mwahaha

A Journey for Peace

Ostus turned to look at Kiara, complete shock all over his expression. He had defended her honor, tried to protect her from these assholes, but somehow she did not see any of that. Somehow, she saw his loyalty as a nuisance and was treating him no better than a common servant. He gazed at her as though he could find the answers just from looking, trying to understand why Kiara would turn on him like this.

Then she addressed the king and queen, firmly stating her desire to send Ostus away. She did not want him here.

Stunned, he looked away, staring at the ground in disbelief. Those words hurt him more than he ever expected them to, like losing a best friend. Perhaps he had. Perhaps, somewhere along the way, he had started to fall in love with her and he just hadn't realized it until now. He thought of Kiara laughing in his arms, of her dancing just for him. He thought of the kisses they shared; he had believed there was meaning behind the exchange. She had shed tears for him, confided in him... where had he missed the obvious cues that he was never anyone of real importance to her, just someone to be used?

That shock turned to painful anger. She had stated that she hated him several times. She had blamed him before for her problems. He was merely her protector, her provider, the person to get her here, and now that she had arrived safe and sound, she had no more use for him. Her kisses... her dancing... she was lonely, so she used him; that's all it was. Now she had her betrothed to chase away those fears and lonely nights and whoever else was unlucky enough to get to know her.

He did not look at her again as he raised his head, his expression hard, gazing out at nothing in particular but shattered memories. He straightened his posture, clasping his hands behind his back, at military rest. "I'll leave at my earliest convenience, Your Highness," he said, his tone sharp, biting. Since he had gotten to know Kiara, he dreaded leaving her side. Now he wanted nothing more than to leave as soon as possible, to place as much distance between himself and her as he could. Fuck royalty and their pig-headed, narrow-minded selfishness.

The queen wheeled herself forward, stopping in front of Ostus. She peered at his face before shifting her gaze to Kiara, a sharpness to her curious expression. Then she began to circle around him, scrutinizing him as though he were cattle.

This made Ostus feel uncomfortable. He wanted to say something as he followed her movements, but knew he was already in precarious enough of a situation as it was.

"How good are you with that sword?" Queen Alexis asked.

"A master," Ostus declared, sending a glare the king's way. He returned the gaze coolly, looking almost bored.

"What other weapons can you use?"

"Anything designed to kill Beri--people, I am sufficient in." Why was he answering all of these questions? What was this crazy bitch getting at?

"You are not to leave until you meet Lamont," Queen Alexis said firmly.

"What?" both Ostus and the king said aloud.

"Lamont has turned away every other weapon master in the area," King Hugo said with exasperation as Queen Alexis wheeled back to her spot. "He will not tolerate this one."

"Unlike the others, this one is an elf," Alexis proclaimed, "who is not afraid to speak his mind... to anyone."

"I'd rather just return home," Ostus said dryly. "As Princess Kiara says, there is absolutely no use for me here."

"Nonsense. You will meet Lamont."

"Dearest," King Hugo began in a patient voice, "this man has insulted you. He--"

"So I am an ungrateful bitch," she said firmly. "This footman--"

"My name is Ostus Osa--"

"will meet my son, and he will finally train him in the art of combat, and you, my king, may finally feel pride for your youngest."

King Hugo sighed and shook his head.

Queen Alexis smiled at Kiara; Ostus thought a crocodile would look more welcoming. "I understand completely how you feel," she said sweetly. "You've journeyed a very long way indeed. How rude of us to treat you, our future daughter in law and resident at our castle, with such disrespect. You must forgive us; we have been on edge as of late with the war, as you are well-aware. I am grateful that your courage will soon bring peace to both of our kingdoms. Now, a servant girl will escort you to your chambers. There you can enjoy a hot bath, have a change of clothes, get that beautiful hair of yours combed out... Then you will join us for lunch where you can meet Prince Lamont. I would love to get better acquainted with you. All I ask, dear one, is that you command your footman, who so courageously saw to your safety on your travels, to stay just long enough to meet the prince. Because you seem anxious to release your footman from your employ, I will ensure that his time with my son will not interfere with the time the two of you will spend together."

King Hugo rolled his eyes but said nothing. He was used to his wife's antics. He just couldn't understand why she insisted on keeping this wretched elf in the kingdom longer than necessary.

A Journey for Peace

Queen Alexis's expression darkened. She wheeled herself closer to Kiara, seemingly not intimidated by the arrow the girl held so tightly in her grip. "I was not always like this," she remarked coldly. "I once could walk. I could run. I could defend myself. If I hadn't fought for my life, I'd be dead. Instead, I am this."

She wheeled in a circle around the princess, scrutinizing her carefully. "At least you're not a meek mouse of a girl," she remarked. "Your betrothed will need your... spirit. That still doesn't excuse your appearance. It is utterly disrespectful to come tramping in here like--"

"Disrespectful?!" Ostus exploded. "This woman has risked her life to not only bring peace to our country, but to your country as well! You should be thanking the stars that she is even here, you ungrateful bi--"

"ENOUGH!" the king bellowed, though he did not rise from his throne. "Shut your trap, elf. You're lucky I haven't cut you down."

"Kiara will soon be a part of your family!" Ostus retorted, forgetting to refer to the princess by her proper title. After all that they had been through, he was not going to stand by and be treated like garbage. He was not going to leave Kiara knowing she would be treated so disrespectfully. "You should be welcoming her with open arms! You should--"

"This is an affair of politics!" Hugo roared as Alexis wheeled back to her husband's side, "not family! You are grossly out of touch with the way the world works, of the sacrifices that are made every day to ensure you eat, sleep with a roof over your head, and live to swing that pathetic sword of yours around for another day! Do not test my patience or you will not live to know when you have exhausted it!"

Ostus glared, seethed, but said no more. He had fought against armies led by this man long enough to know that he meant every word.

"Princess Kiara, you will be shown to your new living quarters. You will clean up and prepare to meet our son, your betrothed, prince Lamont. As for you, elf, I had considered granting you the choice to stay as a familiar face to help our future daughter grow accustomed to life in Berinike and to serve as a bodyguard for her; our men our stretched thin from this wretched war. Now, I'm not so sure, especially given your loathsome attitude and the impression the princess seems to be implying with her 'spirit' that she doesn't need you."

A Journey for Peace

Hehe, nice...

... And Alexis is a bitch :p Trying to think of a snappy comeback from Ostus; he can't be silent forever!

On that note, I'm heading to bed. Work tomorrow, joy. Talk to you tomorrow :D

A Journey for Peace

Ostus felt better having his weapons back, though seeing Kiara's blatant anger concerned him. He wondered about the intensity of it, but said nothing as he fell in step beside her, tense and ready to draw a weapon at a second's notice. He wished he could comfort her somehow, only imagining what kind of anger and fear she must be experiencing to meet the man that would soon be her father-in-law, a person who had commanded the actions that had killed so many of her people.

It was tempting to kill King Sidia -- he was only two strides ahead, his back turned. It would be too easy. Killing the king would end the war.

However, Ostus wasn't so foolish. Killing the king would simply worsen the war and put Kiara in a far more dangerous situation that she was already in. Still, he wished there was some way he could at least soothe her anger without risk of getting killed.

The throne room was massive, with high, vaulted ceilings and stone pillars. In some ways, it reminded Ostus more of a cathedral than anything else, though the walls were decorated with the Berinike crest and various weapons. "A few trees in here and you'll feel right at home," he joked in a soft voice to Kiara.

Despite the immense space, the room surprisingly felt cozy, almost homely. Perhaps it was the natural lighting combined with the many sconces, or perhaps it was the fact that no one seemed concerned about the king's safety with these two new visitors. This frustrated Ostus. Was he so insignificant that no one should feel concern in his presence? In Astora, he was a hero. Here, he wasn't even acknowledged.

Waiting at the back of the throne room was the queen of Berinike -- Ostus believed her name was Alexis. She remained seated on a chair beside the king's throne, a vision of cold beauty. Her skin was a flawless toffee color, long black hair, smooth as silk, pinned back from her narrow face and spilling gracefully over her shoulders. Chocolate-brown eyes regarded Kiara coldly, no welcoming smile on her full lips. Age lines lingered around the corners of her eyes and mouth, but did not seem to lessen her beauty. Like her husband, she wore no crown. Her dress was a rich maroon color, delicately embroidered and snugly fit over a startlingly-slender frame. Earrings dangled from her ears, several necklaces hung from her neck, and many bracelets decorated her wrists. The woman seemed to like her jewelry.

"Finally, Princess Kiara graces us with her presence," Queen Alexis remarked coldly.

Hugo sighed wearily. "Don't start, my love," he murmured, attempting to be quiet about it, as he settled on his throne beside her. "Remember who she will become."

"I know full well who she will become," Alexis snapped none too quietly, her jaw tightening with anger. She shifted her glare back to the princess and moved forward.

Ostus blinked. She had moved, but did not rise to standing. That's when he noticed the large wheels on either side of her chair. The queen... she was crippled! Was this a natural occurrence or did something happen to her? Ostus knew very little about the queen except that she never participated in battle.

"You look a fright," the queen said haughtily to Kiara, "though I suppose it's typical Astorian custom to love nature so much as to appear to be living in the dirt. Come closer so I can take a good look at you, and explain your tardiness. We had begun to think your family had betrayed us on the deal."