Yanhua gazed at the end of the room, the cold iron handles of the door still in her grip. The woman she found who sat atop an intricate throne, well more a very nice chair, of dark wood represented regel quite well. She was obviously a woman bred and raised for this very position. The queen’s only striking feature was… her age. So young, it was a shock to her. She had lost everything and yet, still so young. The moment of her entrance passed, a deep breath and she began her descent into the room. Hands folded in her lap like always and her eyes gazing at the stonework, the patterns and shapes carved into the very floor – a distraction as her mind worked for the words. That burning feeling within her chest grew with every step, that mixture of pride and magic that was nearly addictive was swelling and Yanhua would act every part of that fire within. Her stride came to a halt, raising chin to stare into those emerald eyes that belonged to the woman she was to pledge her life to.
“It’s an honor to meet you” The older woman produced a curtsy, hands leaving her lap to rub against the fabric of her dress before holding its edges; small embers seeming to dance from this small but respectful action. Her hazel eyes never left Elya’s face as she began her small speech “I am the sorceress Yanhua, of the house Tristis born to the city of Stormguard and I am pleased to say I shall be your guard along with my companion Rayf. I hope this is acceptable” Her hands by the end of it had come back to clasp and rest within her lap.
Elya studied Yanhua in silence for a few seconds before she spoke. "You are Alcean," she stated calmly, "but your speech is not. May I ask where you have spent your time, my lady?"
Her voice didn't show it, and neither did her straight posture and schooled expression, but beneath the young Queen's calm there was fear. She hadn't been raised to share much of the small-folk's fear of otherworldly powers and had no real animosity toward them. But the last sorcerer she had known had been the same man who took her husband's life and she was unwilling to trust anyone who could call on such powers.
Her words brought that wisp of a smile back to Yanhua's features "At a young age I was sent away to be schooled, in the nation of Awari. I am sure you have heard of it but only in passing due to their small size, they are a people who pride themselves on their knowledge of magic and hold many an institute to teach what they know to all who are willing. They have a rather interesting language that begs for that beat of an accent to speak it, it's hard to unlearn after so many years." Her head bowed as her words died in the air, hoping her answer was sufficient in what her majesty needed to know.
"I see," Elya replied, inclining her head in acknowledgement of the words, "I have heard of these institutes, as you call them. Perhaps the knowledge you have gained there can help us against Janolf." She considered with her lips pursed for a moment, the expression of emotion making her appear younger. "I know little of sorcery. Could you give me some notion of how powerful you are, lady Yanhua? Say, in comparison to Janolf."
Her face had turned hard, a harsh breath blown out. "You insult me, your majesty." Silence stayed for a moment, the woman shaking gently as her chest warmed "Of course it will help you against that vulture. I will do everything in my power to help Alcea be restored to its former self. You must understand, your majesty, that I have pledged my life to Alcea and subsequently you." Her eyelids closed, her breathing replacing her abrasive tone. "I cannot compare myself with Janoff for I do not know him or his true strength" Those visions of blood stained stone and gaping maws of twisting shadow crossed her mind, she knew nothing... absolutely nothing.
She swallowed, eyes opening to meet with that strikingly young face "However I am strong." Her shaking had grown, seeming as if she was freezing to her onlookers but inside she was near melting. Her turn from her audience was abrupt, walking from them at a hefty speed. Her retreat stopped in the middle of the room. Her right foot stepped forward and slid, bringing her face back to meet eye contact with the Queen and as it scrapped that heat in her chest escaped into the world – dancing flames of sweltering heat erupted around her foot, licking up and out into the room. Her hands danced along, erupting more of her soul into the room, letting it dance and twist upon itself as it grew and quickly died before more was birthed into the air. Her eyes betrayed her own exhilaration at finally, after what felt like an eternity to release that built up magic. The air seemed to sing as it crackled, joyous and full of life to her own ears. How arrogant am I to enjoy this so much? To be entranced by my own magic…
Steam left her mouth as she took heavy breathes, body seeming to come to embrace itself as she laid to rest her magic. The room was silent and no traces of her dance was left, the tired woman stood before the queen again as if the performance had never happened but she still heaved and that euphoria was still evident in her features. “Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
Several seconds passed in silence after Yanhua's display. The Queen had paled, involuntarily pushing herself back into the back of the chair, shying away from the fire. Sir Stefan, standing by the side of the room, had reacted differently; half a foot of his sword was already drawn and he gave his Queen a questioning look. Elya gave a small shake of the head, forcing her breathing to slow and her face to regain its calm expression.
"You misunderstand me," she spoke, her voice conciliatory, "I did not mean to cast doubt on your intentions, only to express my hope that your knowledge might... give us an edge. It was always said in the capital that Janolf's knowledge of magic was unmatched, but he was never at any of these institutes, as far as I know." She paused, studying the other woman intently. "As I said, I know little of sorcery, but your powers do seem impressive. You can use this" - she waved a hand vaguely, indicating what had just taken place in the room - "to fight?
A soft “oh” left the girl’s lips, suddenly feeling very foolish and as if she had been transported back to the classroom of her younger years. Stone eyes studied faces and what should have been shame was instead a disgusting pride. Fear had been itched into their faces clear as the full moon and though Elya had calmed, regained that regal composure it's shadow was still in Yanhua mind. "I would be honored to teach you about sorcery, if you would allow me. Perhaps that would be far better for understanding than simply watching" She bowed her head in that way she always did, a show of hoping for forgiveness that she had learned from an old man long ago. Her right hand rested upon her breast as a cough left her throat "Yes, I can use my pyromancy, fire magic, to fight." The Alcean seemed to slip through the cracks of her accent's beat, seeming to alert her own humiliation.
"Good," the Queen said, "Hopefully, we will not need to fight our way through Alcea, but..." She sighed. "Well, I am not welcome there. Nor is my son. And if we were to be attacked, I wish for him to be protected."
She trailed off, distractedly tapping her fingers against the armrest of her chair as she studied Yanhua from under half-lowered eyelids. "You are a warrior," she said after a few seconds, half statement and half question, "Tell me: would you kill for me, Lady Yanhua?"
She gave another nod "I understand" Yanhua bobbed her head like a bird as she observed her studier, letting the euphoria of moments before still pump through her veins. Fingers toyed with warm ceramic as she waited. Smile cracking through at the woman's words, all action stopping "My Queen" She spoke the words slowly, loud and pronounced, making sure Elya understand exactly what she was implying. "I will burn to the ground anyone and anything in my way. I will kill for you, my queen, without a second thought." Her fingers began to idly play again with her beads, thinking as she found herself in a good position to ask. She stared off, letting herself take in the room once more "My queen, I do indeed have my own agenda. That is, if we succeed" Her head slowly was brought back to her majesty's, letting her request roll off her tongue "If we succeed, I request to become the royal sorcerer and have funding to set up a school for the magically gifted. I find the tradition of sending children off to long forgotten relatives, to even other countries or... worse, letting their own power consume them to be barbaric." She stood silent for a moment, hoping in earnest that this was not the wrong move, not the wrong time. "I am a warrior, but I am also a scholar" Her smile from before had softened though truly genuine, she found her own heart to be beating faster than it did when she was informed of this very quest...
"I will let you think about my request, I find foremost getting you home safety to be my priority" Another sly cough resounded, her words quickly following her request.
At the sorceress' promise, Elya's lips curved up in a small, not entirely pleasant smile and she inclined her head, showing that she understood what Yanhua was offering her. The smile turned to thoughtfulness when the older woman continued, and she pursed her lips in consideration as she listened to Yanhua's words.
"I will think on your request," she said, "But you can rest assured that any service to my son, the true King, will be amply rewarded, whether it is with that specifically or not. I must think about all that you have told me. A servant will show you to a room where you can rest. I will call on you when you're needed."
***
“Some more wine, my lady?”
Conrad, his Highness the Emperor of Ilvance, held out a finely made crystal decanter, eyebrows raised in politely inquiry. Elya shook her head, giving the emperor a small smile.
“No thank you, Highness,” she said, “Let us speak of what I have told you. What do you counsel?”
“Well…” the man said thoughtfully, “You are determined to go?”
Elya inclined her head. “It is my duty. Not to mention my wish. Darlond will have his throne.”
“I am not sure I think your decision wise,” Conrad said, “but I will not try to talk you out of it.” He paused, head tilted thoughtfully. “I think that you should travel unseen. Even if I gave you an army to protect you, you would not get through Alcea if Janolf knows you are there.”
“That seems to be the opinion of my… protectors, as well. And they know which routes should be safe to travel.”
“They seem competent,” the emperor conceded a bit reluctantly, perhaps disliking the idea of praising anyone’s skill but his own men’s. “Nevertheless, I will feel better if you accept some aid from me as well. One of my knights has volunteered to accompany you. Sir Nicholas Palentine. You might have seen him once or twice. He knows how to survive in the wild and if it comes to that, he can hold his own in a fight.”
“And why does he wish to accompany me?” Elya asked, immediately suspicious of the fact that an Ilvancian knight would volunteer, at risk to his own life, to escort her through Alcea.
Conrad shrugged. “I imagine he is as disgusted by Janolf’s reign as the rest of us.”
After a moment’s consideration, Elya nodded. “A good enough reason, probably.”
“Also, I would like to give Darlond a parting gift. Monarch to monarch, so to speak. That dog of mine who has taken a liking to him might be use of to you. He’s well trained. Could use him as a guard dog, or to help with hunting.”
“That is very kind of you.” Elya hesitated, folding her hands in her lap as she carefully thought over her next words. “You should know that my gratitude for what you have for Alcea is limitless. There is little I can do to repay you at this moment, but when we have taken back the throne from the traitor Janolf, I will repay you tenfold."
“All I ask is that our countries return to the friendship we had under your husband and his ancestors. And if – when – you and this resistance succeed in overthrowing Janolf, the whole world will be in your debt. You know what is said about him.”
“Yes,” Elya said, forcing herself not to shiver. She’d made sure that the rumors about Janolf reached her ears, and they became more and more unsettling. He summoned demons, he created monsters, he sacrificed his enemies to dark gods…
“When will you leave?” the Emperor asked, interrupting her dark thoughts.
“In the early hours of the morning. Before the city is quite awake, but not early enough to raise suspicions.”
“Good. I will see to it that you aren’t bothered by any guards on your way out. And…well, good luck on your journey, lady Elya.”
***
The sun had barely begun peeking up over the horizon, its rays still too few to give any real warmth or light when Elya exited the palace through a backdoor, carrying her son in her arms. She felt a bit strange wearing the simple, woolen dress her seamstress had quickly made for her, more used as she was to intricately embroidered silk or brocades. Darlond’s clothes matched hers in their plainness, but that was common for him to wear. With his seemingly limitless ability to get dirty, Elya didn’t see much point in dressing him in finery.
The sleeping boy stirred in her arms. “Mother? Where we going?”
“On a small trip, dear. Go back to sleep now.”
“When we come back?”
“I don’t know,” Elya lied easily, “But your dog is coming with us. And Sir Stefan.”
“Mmm,” was all Darlond said before he went back to sleep, apparently soothed by his mother’s words.
There were several horses waiting in the small courtyard. It had been decided that they would travel as light as possible, taking small rarely used road and hoping to avoid people. If they did meet anyone, they would pass themselves off as a family looking for someplace to settle down. Elya had been skeptical about travelling so far with Darlond on horseback, but Sir Stefan had reassured her that it was the best way. The boy might be bored, but that was a small price to pay.
The group’s supplies were already packed, burdening an ancient-looking packhorse who stood patiently waiting. Apart from that, Elya was the first one there, followed by Sir Stefan and the dog Darlond had been gifted with. She had come early, nervousness not letting her relax.
She didn’t like to admit it, but she was frightened. For three years she had lived sheltered here in the palace and before that she had lived an equally sheltered life in Alcea. When she had travelled it had been in greater comfort than most people lived in at their homes. The only exception was the desperate flight from Alcea after Janolf’s takeover, but to be honest she had little memory of those days.
Steeling herself and forcing her face to take on the calm, regal expression that befitted a queen, she settled Darlond on her hip and strode into the courtyard, standing next to her chestnut mare to wait for her companions.