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Arethusa

Arethusa watched the poor little Sprite flee, her gaze traveling up until her flashing green eyes met violet. She rolled her eyes, unimpressed. Another chaotic member of the Tuatha Dé Danann clan, how pitiful. She had nothing against the family itself, for she had never seen them or been a part of their politics, but standing here in front of her was one of the many that relished in the fear and discomfort they caused.

”I see you've brought our prisoner. Thank you, I will see to it that your debt is payed in full.” She smiled, silky and effortless to combat the warrior's brutal features. ”You won't get much in the way of service here, so I will make sure you are well fed and rested before you make your way back to the kingdom of Spring. I apologize for the...uncouth nature of the citizens. They mean well.”

She watched the hobgoblin as he struggled against its chains, obviously miserable, as it should be. This very creature had stolen many crown jewels, and it was right that he should face the consequences. Arethusa would not partake in his punishment, she would just see to it that he would make it there. Her gaze cut across to one of the many salamander servants, and she called it forth. 

”Dear, bring me dirt. Dirt and rocks.” She said, simple words with a powerful meaning. The salamander’s two eyelids clicked down in a flash of understanding. It hurried past those in line, bringing with it two others. Arethusa's smile shifted, into something a bit less vibrant. She stood, watching the hobgoblin and getting a feel for it. He was frightened, looking back at her with strained eyes. He tried in vain to shift forms, as he probably had many-a-times throughout his trip.

The salamanders were back just a few heartbeats later. Two of them carried buckets of dirt, the other a hefty bucket of rocks. They set it down on the floor, and just as fast, rushed the curious citizens out of the door. She brought the hobgoblin up by his chain, forcing him to stand. Once he was in place, she began her work. 

Her hands and eyes began to glow, a green so unnaturally bright it burned the eyes of those with enhanced vision. Though there was no breeze in the room, her hair fluttered alongside her leafy bands. Her hands danced, and the dirt in the buckets rose, twisting and bending like serpents prepared to strike. As though they had a mind of their own, they coiled around the hobgoblin, squeezing him until his eyes began to bug and his oily face turned a sickly shade of purple. 

With a snap of her wrist, the coils unfurled, and formed a sort of claustrophobic birdcage around the  hobgoblin. He fell to his knees, gasping and clutching the bars of its makeshift cell. Unsatisfied, Arethusa shifted her attention to the rocks. They were all different shapes and sizes, but Arethusa was determined to bend them to her will. With a crack like a whip, the rocks shaped themselves into spikes. They spun around the cage, taunting the trapped creature. One by one, the stuck themselves into the cage, their razor sharp tips dangerously close to the hobgoblin’s flesh. 

The hobgoblin made the mistake of shifting, and the stones pierced his skin easily. Ichor dripped from his wounds, running down his features and dripping onto the floor. Arethusa took a deep breath, her eyes returning to their normal shade, as if nothing had happened. She pointed towards the buckets, and they were removed from the room by the servants. 

She turned back to her guest and smiled halfheartedly. ”I hope you don't mind the theatrics, my King prefers showings of violence.” She passed Raven, brushing shoulders with the infamous wanderer. ”Follow me, and we will see to your debt.”

She paused on the way to the treasury, thinking of what she would say. No motivational speech could break through the hard shell of Raven, but she didn't want to be silent during the entire walk. ”Raven, you are a courageous young woman. It was very big of you to say you would walk the four courts freely. Not many of us can do such things. Your approach is...different, but who am I to judge that?”

She chuckled, her voice bordering on human for just a moment.”Do you have any questions, about the court or the way things here operate?” She doubted that, but felt the need to ask, as it would spark a possible conversation. 

Soon, they arrived at the treasury. Two large trolls stood watch, their weapons crossed at the door. When they saw Arethusa, they stood at attention and withdrew their gleaming spears. She winked at them, and pushed through the doors. The inside of the treasury was rather neat, different varieties of precious metals stacked in piles.

Arethusa ignored the shining materials and found the stack of gold. She withdrew a leather bag, and counted out fifty gold pieces, placing them in one at a time. To her, the metal meant nothing. It was currency, for food and shelter and the preservation of life. She had shelter, her food was the sun and the soil-though she did partake in some feasts-and the life she had to preserve was that of her landform. She found no worth in coin, but observed how the weight could feel lovely in her hands. How the way the coins jingled when she walked could be her motivation.

The facade faded as she handed over the sack to Raven. ”Your pay. I hope it shall suffice. Would you like to sit in the lounge for a while? Perhaps feast upon some of the Summer Kingdom's finest fruits? It is what we are known for, of course.” She offered this mostly for herself, so she could sit and play with Lyra, while chatting with Raven. 

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