It was a while before the door opened again. It was their husband. He did not look happy and, despite his earlier praise, made Amalia nervous. The way was blocked? He suspected treachery? The icy fingers of fear dances down her spine, making her shiver. What if they were attacked and her husband killed? What would become of her and Onyx? She didn’t want to think of such things.
The ride was silent and bumpy. She was half afraid one of the wheels would sink into the marsh and they would be stuck. But the driver was very cautious and trusted the horses’ instincts on where to place their feet.
The smell became worse and Amalia covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, coughing quietly. She didn’t complain. It wasn’t Wilhelm’s fault they’d come this way. He’d had no choice.
It was eerily quiet. Amalia could feel the nervousness of the horses, wishing she could comfort them. It would have been a comfort to herself as well. She had wished for plants but the trees she saw were black and twisted. Like everything in Drakka. Why was everything in this land so... poisoned? Even the water looked fetid and vile. Her imagination created fearsome creatures that she swore she could see moving under the dark water.
The carriage slowed even more as the horses picked their way over a particularly muddy patch of ground, to the point where it was like they were sitting still. Staring out of the window of the carriage Amalia spotted a quick movement out of the corner of her eye. It was a shadow, but of man or beast? Standing and moving to the door, Amalia opened it and leaned her head out.
“My lord?” She called, her voice questioning. Any reply was cut off but a fast moment by her head. There was a sharp pain as an arrow nicked her ear as it shot past her, embedding itself into the carriage wall behind her. Amalia fell backwards to the floor of the carriage.
Amalia screamed in alarm, feeling her ear and pulling her hand back to show blood.
Amalia was certain her heart stopped when she heard her husband's voice. Thankfully it was quickly shocked back into beating when she felt his firm hand on her back. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. But he was not angry. He was... impressed? She looked up at him, startled. She had been expecting to be yelled at for interfering, but instead he paid her a compliment. The first she had ever had in fact. Heat bloomed in her cheeks at his words, causing a rosy color. She was blushing. Actually blushing. "T-thank you milord," she said, proud of herself for only stammering once. She climbed into the carriage obediently.
Onyx was already inside. Amalia released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The spot he had touched on her back was tingling. Her hands shook. At her sister's compliment she shook her head. "It was nothing special, really. I just..." she paused then looked at her sister with wide eyes. "Oh Onyx, I don't know what came over me," she said honestly, touching her cheeks to find them still hot. "I was so afraid but I couldn't stop myself. And he..." she looked towards the window of the carriage. "He wasn't angry." Leaning forward, she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Our lord husband, he hasn't... he hasn't acted as the other Drakken have. He has been civil and last night he didn't..." her blushed, which had been fading, came back full force. "And just now, he didn't punish me for stepping out of turn. Do you think it is possible that he could actually be kind?"
It was a whispered hope, a plea to the fates for such a blessing.
Amalia gets all flustered and blushes with Wilhelm, then inside of the carriage she discusses with Onyx if their husband could actually be not that bad of a guy after all.
Blacked stone and iron. Harsh ice. So there was nothing gentle or comforting in what was to be her new home.
Amalia nodded respectfully to Wilhelm's words, thankful he has answered her questions instead of becoming angry at her for asking them. She stared at her plate, thinking of his words and struggling not to weep. Was it selfish to want something that was soft and gentle and warm? Again the memory of her parent's garden went through her mind. If she closed her eyes she could almost see the green plants, the bright bold flowers, the soft warm soil that held so much life...
If it was a quarry then the ground would be hard and packed tightly, not useful for growing anything but the ore he spoke of. Why did she keep hoping? It was better to just accept the cold tomb that would be her home for as long as she could survive. Who knew if either of the Gems would make it there in one piece? The country was dangerous even for Drakken to travel.
~~~~~~
Once breakfast was finished no time was wasted. A carriage stood waiting to carry them away. While supplies were being loaded Amalia wandered towards the horses. They were the largest she had ever seen! All black, including their eyes. One of the Drakken men was trying to subdue one of the horses, who seemed very agitated. "Miserable cur," the Drakken snarled, trying to force its head down. The horse fought, pawing at the ground and bucking his head. It was in pain.. She knew... She could feel it... When the Drakken raised his fist to strike the animal Amalia couldn't stop herself. "Don't!" The Drakken turned on her with a nasty expression. "Get into the carriage woman," he ordered. "No," Amalia said, her voice and body quivering but not backing down. "Don't hurt him! Can't you see he's hurt?" "I have been around these horses my entire life and you presume to tell me what to do?" he snarled, advancing on her now. He would never lay a hand on his master's property, but intended to try and scare her away. "This animal is a nasty son of a bitch who needs to be reminded who owns him." Amalia's heart was thudding in her chest. There was fear in her eyes but she refused to give up. "Please, let me try." The Drakken laughed and waved her on. "You want a kick to that pretty face, be my guest."
Amalia breathed, trying to calm herself before she approached the already agitated animal. His head still bucked up and down. She came from the side, in full view of the large horse, making certain he could see her. "I know. You are angry. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not going to say it's alright, because it's not is it? " Amalia asked in a quiet, soothing voice. "You are hurting aren't you? Something is causing you pain." She kept speaking in the same gentle tone as she approached. The horse slowly calmed, watching her warily. Amalia came around to the front of the animal, slowly lifting her hand to touch him. He snorted repeatedly, moving out of reach of her touch, but she kept her hand steady until finally he allowed her to touch him. The horse seemed to almost immediately call under her touch. The Drakken stood with his mouth hanging open in shock as this little slip of a woman stroked the beast. She spoke to it like it was a child, reassuring it with soft words and gentle cooing sounds. Her gentle hands moved from the horse's nose to its neck as she stepped closer, placing her head against his shoulder and rubbing gentle circles on his neck.
Amalia listened carefully, closing her eyes and reaching out with her feelings. Earth Gems could not talk to or control animals, but they could feel an empathy towards them and, if they listened hard enough, could get a pretty good idea about an animal's feelings. Dropping to her knees, Amalia ran her hands over his leg and finally reached the hoof. The horse jerked at her touch and she paused a moment, soothing him once more before encouraging him to lift his hoof. There, wedged in between the loose shoe and the hoof itself, was a sharp rock.
"Bloody hell," the Drakken swore, coming down beside her. The horse jerked and whinnied, ready to kick the Drakken. Amalia jumped up and wrapped her arms around the horse's neck, soothing it. "We know what is wrong now. He can fix it. It's going to be okay. Shh," Amalia said, keeping the horse calm while the Drakken removed the rock and tightened the shoe.
Amalia laments Wilhelm's answer and pines for her garden. Outside Amalia makes friends with a horse, realizing he is in pain and calming him as someone fixes the problem.
Amalia woke from a long hard night plagued by bad dreams. She stayed abed, her eyes closed, wanting to pretend that if she didn't open her eyes morning would not really have arrived yet. It seemed strange to wake as a married woman. She didn't feel that differently but that could be because her new lord and husband had not taken her or Onyx. She pondered the significance of such restraint. Did he not find them attractive perhaps? She had heard of males who enjoyed the company of other males only. Was Wilhelm perhaps one of these men? If so, mayhap he would find it distasteful to be around the women. The thought should have brought her happiness, but oddly it didn't. Rather, the Earth Gem found herself secretly hoping that that was not the case. Maybe he was tired? Maybe he didn't like travel? Would things be different once they reached his land?
Land... The word conveyed images of green grass and flowers, teeming with life. How she longed to feel rich earth between her fingers once again. The soft, life-giving soil. It made her heart ache for it. To simply sit in her parent's garden, the sun on her face and warm soft earth in her hands... she would give so much for one more day there. Was it terrible that she missed the garden more than her parents? They had never been close, always polite but distant to keep themselves from becoming attached to a daughter they would ultimately lose. While Amalia understood their reasoning, it didn't mean she didn't resent it at times. She had once asked her nursemaid if her parents loved her. 'They do not dare,' had been the reply, followed by a muttered 'cowards'.
Lost in her thoughts Amalia was startled by Wilhelm's deep voice telling them to wake. Dressing and fixing her hair to be presentable, Amalia left the room and entered the dining area. She winced slightly at the sight of the meat on the plates. Other gems had seemed to like it. It must just be an acquired taste. Amalia's stomach turned at the smell of it. How long would it take her to get used to this? The bread was a godsend. Amalia sat and ate delicately, using the perfect table manners she had been taught her entire life. She ate slowly and moved the meat around on the plate, hoping it would look like she was eating more of it than she actually was. To be fair she did try. Amalia winced at the taste. She had to do this. She had to get used to it. The second bite was worse than the first, now that her mouth knew what was coming and could anticipate it. Swallowing it was like having a stone go down her throat. By the third she was uncertain if she could keep it down.
Through all of this she never complained. Water helped her force the meat down so she drank liberally from the cup provided. A cramp in her stomach signaled that it had taken it's limit of meat for the moment. Instead she focused on the bread, finding it harder than she was used to but still good. Amalia ate all of the bread on her plate. Who knew when they would be eating again or how long the trip would be?
"Forgive me for questioning milord, but I am curious. How far away is your home?" Amalia asked. "What is it like? I was raised in a coastal area, so I have always wondered what snow is like. Does it ever snow in your land?" She hoped she wasn't being too inquisitive. But she found asking others about themselves was a good way to get them to talk so she wouldn't be expected to.
Amalia wonders if Wilhelm is gay and misses her parent's garden. At breakfast she struggles to eat the meat since she is not used to it yet, her stomach cramping from forcing herself to eat it. She questions Wilhelm about his home.
@LadyRunic I’m sorry I couldn’t help more. I simply ran out of things to do. After screwing up and screwing over my character several times I was afraid to initiate anything. I would try to write and be constantly second guessing myself as to what could potentially happen to my character depending on which action I had her do. So I figured I would wait to have her be told what to do or to meet Falk. I have been in several iterations of this rp and I enjoy it every time because you are an amazing storyteller. (I am and will forever be in love with Falk).
I am very sorry for any and all parts I played in stress or drama. It was not my intention to cause you any sort of grief. I hope to be in another rp of yours in the future. You are one of, if not the best GM I have seen on this site and it is always an honor to rp with you.
When Onyx let go Amalia felt like a child that had lost it's mother for a moment, not certain of how to proceed. She stayed rooted to her spot as Onyx climbed into the bed on one side of the Drakken. Amalia took a deep breath, willing herself to move. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time. One day at a time. One... night at a time.
She didn't like the feeling of separation she had with Wilhelm between them. What was his motive? Was this how they were to sleep from now on? If he had another wife then how would that work, unless he had a very large bed at his keep. Amalia winced at the idea of sharing a bed with three other people. Having had her own bed her whole life, this was a change and one she wasn't certain she could get used to.
Since she didn't want to make him angry Amalia got into the bed a minute or two after Onyx did. Her sister bride offered good night wishes and Amalia returned them. "May your dreams be blessed," she said. Amalia laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. How was she to ever go to sleep? After everything that had happened that day she felt overwhelmed and incredibly nervous. She felt very exposed in her shift, feeling the heat emanating from Wilhelm's body even though they barely touched.
Amalia focused on controlling her breathing, trying to get her body to relax naturally. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Repeat. Throughout the night she was plagued with nightmares of monstrous creatures devouring everything in their path. But they were not Drakken. They were something else entirely. Something much, much worse...
Amalia gets into bed and tries to relax enough to sleep. When she finally does she has nightmares about monsters.
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CleverFox