AN: Hi! This is going to be the full backstory of my character Akasha, who was created for the biggest DnD idea my group had yet. I had a basic backstory a few months ago, but this is the revised and story form for it. I put a large amount of time into this, and would really appreciate some reviews to better help my writing. Note: most of the story is already written, but if there is a way you think I can improve the writing, the grammar, etc, please either review or PM me. Also, this story takes place in a homebrew world, so please dont rage if it doesnt match your world. Thanks!
Chapter 1: The First Time
There was a soft chirping which sang through the air in the trees high above the forest, a finch like any other. It was a nice, if slightly warmer than usual, day. The sun gently beat upon the world, bathing it in bright light. Only a few strings of clouds drifted high above in the heavens.
A mother watched her three children, a sad smile across her kind yet softly aged face. The queen of Rilia, her kingdom. The queen's name was Loriana Harkon. She had ruled this kingdom for nearly 27 years, and has ruled alone for over 9 now. She gave a soft giggle as her little sunshine tried to tackle the eldest daughter.
Rina was the oldest of the siblings and was heir to the throne. Her short, curly black-and-brown hair closely resembled her mother and father's. A very common color for the kingdom, of course. Her skin was lightly tanned, with the kind green eyes of her father, jaded like gemstones and shined like a star . She gave a short curse as she was knocked down. Rina was 14, though hardly acted as such, much more like the youngest.
Off to the sides was Grace, smiling wistfully. The middle and last official child. She was barely 12 now, and was more regal than any child had a right to be at thst age. Her hair was down, only slightly curly and as black as her father's had been. Her blue eyes held a soft light that Loriana was proud to say was as close to her own as possible, made more obvious with the darker colored dress she wore.
And, finally, was the only unofficial child the Harkon family line has ever sired. Her name was Rowan, the little ball of sunshine. Bareilly 6, she filled out any room with the energy that only a child could. She laughed as she got off her oldest sister, careful not to tug on her hair like she usually did. Rowan was short, wearing a bright yellow sun dress. Her skin was as pale and pure as porcelain or snow, her eyes a golden color and her hair was straight and, unlike her sisters, was golden blond and bright fire red intertwined.
It was easy to see, physically, how she wasn't 'legitimate'. She didn't have the curly hair of her mother or sisters, nor was it dark like any of her ancestors. The Harkon lineage had always had dark, curly hair, as you can guess. Rowan had neither. Harkon's also were prone to slightly darker skin tones, and yet here her sunshine was the color of snow. The eyes were the greatest show, for no one in the whole royal court had golden eyes.
"Rowan! Grace! Rina! Time to come inside!" Their mother called, all three moving towards their mother, though Rowan stayed back, seeming to not want to leave the outdoors. But after looking to the stern face of her mother, she ran over as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"You three get washed up, we have company." Loriana said, Grace simply nodding and walking off as the other two groaned. Rina let it go at a sigh and a grumble, heading off to her room to have the maids wash her.
"But mama! I ain'ts a dirty! Look!" Rowan chimed, holding her hands up for her mother to see. Loriana chuckled, gently picking her child up and holding her.
"Well my dear Rowan, you still need a bath. Besides, do you want to miss out on Angela's stories?" Loriana asked her youngest, the child shaking her head in the negative quickly. Loriana set her down, kissing her forehead gently. Angela, Rowan's maid came out of the hallway, seeing her charge. Rowan ran over to her, giggling.
Loriana sighed happily, glad there was no problems between the three. It was her greatest fear that the two would turn on their youngest sister. She loved her family, truly. She breathed in once the sweet summer air, banishing the worries as she went to get ready The agents of Lord Dagon would be wanting to eat soon. Her nose wrinkled, disliking the smell of her guest from here. She wasn't certain who this Lord Dagon was or where he ruled, but it had to of been by the sea. These agents smelled like sea rot. She could smell it from here, she swore.
Loriana sighed, releasing the sweet air as she moved deeper inside, heading to the royal dining hall, dodging trails of drippings. Probably the new apprentice of the chiefs. Her steps were soft and light, as she slipped into the hall.
The decor was simple yet as royal as any other royal castle and only just below a palace's. The single rug that went under the table was a dark red, the cadabras on the table uniform and alit with new candles, the walls aligned with a few paintings and cases of old weapons. It was so normal it was almost alien.
The queen moved beside all the formal arrangements, heading to the servant's door that hid between two old paintings, knocking once as she moved aside, a boy bursting out with two large platters on his arms, heading to the table. A thick, squat man wondered out, hardly fitting through the doors.
"I trust all is well?" Loriana asked, both as friend and queen. The man's name was Richton, best (dwarven) chief and royal cook of the kingdom. The two had grown up together, though. He was the old head cook's boy when she was just a young princess. They had played together, and when they grew up she kept him on.
"Ai, me'lady. New boy is clumsy as all hell, but knows how to crust a pie. Not as good as I, but I can hardly do it all myself!" the dwarf boasted, laughing to the heavens above. Loriana could only grin, the old fool older than the queen yet still the greatest of friends.
"Ah, Richton, you always find ways to amuse me. Sadly, this isn't social." Loriana reminded, the dwarven cook's chuckling dying out, stuffing the bit of his beard that had pulled out back under his apron. No one liked beard hair in the soup.
"Yes, me'lady. The two primary courses are finished or finishing. Should we expect s third to be needed?" He asked, voice going from joyful and boisterous to gravely, fitting his role.
"That will be more than enough, though a few deserts would be appropriate." Loriana started. "And, perhaps, did you make something that was asked of our guest?" She added after a second.
"Ai, already on it. I'm assuming the usual will do?" He asked, pausing only to see her nod once. "and I've started on it. Heh, Ask? More like demand. And who the hell enjoys squid?" the dwarf demanded, letting his tongue slip.
"Apparently these men. And thank you, Richton. Also, you have grease in the tips of your beard." she teased before heading out again to the grumblings of the dwarf as he went back into his domain.
Her next stop was to check the maids and the staff, good gods above did she need to hire a good staff keep, and a few guards more than she had currently.
Her guest were past warriors, like her husband had been in life. Probably blessed with their positions by their king who had probably been a general. While she was not immediately familiar with all the kingdoms in the vast reaches of her land, she had never heard of this Lonin these men have come from. And that frightened her.
Not for the unknown, but the probable. Lands changed name and kingdoms rise and fall, but it almost always by the violent hand of war and revolutions. And when unknown men come and dine in relative secrecy, not announced to the public and names not even announced to the staff, it meant either threats or alliances.
Regardless, she would have to turn them away. Her kingdom was small yet well guarded, resting in a circle of mountains with plenty of resources and the primary defense the whole kingdom needed guarding the only human way in. Thus, they had a firm, century long pact of neutrality.
Though, she doubted they could hold out if war did come. Her forces were small, and while well equipped they were lacking in experience. A century of peace will do that, no matter how forceful the general is.
"Mommy! Mommy!" came soft chiming from the hall, Rowan running over to her. Loriana could only grin, kneeling by her youngest as the child stopped in front of her mother, throwing her arms around her neck and pulling close, nuzzling into the woman.
"Rowan!" The woman chuckled, holding her child. "Are you ready for supper?" She asked politely, for the old sayings often hold true: The walls have ears and the shadows have eyes.
"Yeah, look at my pretty dress!" Rowan chimed, letting go of her mother and spinning around arms out. Loriana could only grin, back straight now as she waited for her daughter to stop.
"That's lovely dear, the color really suits you well." Loriana lied, the green dress not attention grabbing nor decorated beyond necessity. But it's what was needed, for they needed to draw as little attention as possible tonight. She gently took the girl's hand, nodding. Rowan giggled lightly, settling down.
"Let's not keep them waiting Rowan." Loriana reminded, guiding Rowan to the dining hall for a meeting that would change their lives forever.
The details of the meal would be lost over the heads of Rowan and the staff. The child ate like any other night, stuffing herself with an assortment of sweet meats and fresh fruits while the staff constantly cycled, taking emptied dishes and refilling when needed.
But for the two primary heirs and the queen, this formal-disguised-as-informal supper was very disturbing. Of course, it started normal enough. The general ass kissing to the royal family was short, and it wasn't long before the thinly veiled threats and promises started.
"Of course, our Lord would have enjoyed coming to visit himself, but he does send his regards." the lead advisor clumsily started. Average looking overall, though his hair was tied back, and he reminded those present of a demented fish. He was probably new to this.
"Oh yes. Though, I must admit, I do wonder why he would be interested in my kingdom. Unless he is a peaceful man, wishing for trade?" Rina started, Loriana letting the eldest start this off. Rin's needed experience at this regardless.
"Well, perhaps. Though 'trade' wouldn't quiet be the right words, little girl." the leader started, and thus began the demands.
Overall, it wasn't much. By the end of the second course, a rough deal had been struck. Plenty of lumber and stone from Rilia would be traded for meager amounts of fish and a decent load of various fruits.
Many would say Loriana was doing wrong, but it was all for neutrality. Her kingdom accepted trade agreements from everyone. If they denied, it was almost as good as a proclamation of hatred. Loriana would not break centuries of neutral traditions die or break under her rule.
And while she could let them trade amongst the people, she didn't want that either. So she would strike a backroom deal with them, to be carried out as needed. They had an abundance of lumber, along with several areas dedicated to growing trees and various more forest they still had for uncut lumber in addition to what they already hsd. And the silver mines in the northern mountains had been complaining about the junk stone that was just being piled up.
There was also the unmentioned threats, at this point, but why bother? By the end of supper, a deal for the neutrality of her kingdom was in place and this new kingdom would ignore them from now on. Desserts were piled onto the table, and it wasn't long before the kids were sent up to their room and the harsh details were sorted out between her, her advisor, and the guests. And it was but an hour til midnight when the men of the new kingdom rode off.
Loriana was just glad this nasty business was over, though the cleaners of the night were just getting started, considering the large amounts of watery trails around the table. They all swore it was the new boy, who was soon to be let go.