Disclaimer: I own nothing that comes from the Kiesha'ra series. But I own most of the plot, and my OC (Evalyn).
Frog: Ok, new story and new section. This isn't Fire Emblem anymore. Though I must say that something about Zane reminds me alot of Naesala. Maybe it's just that their both cocky, and kind of act like the bad guy half the time, while the other half their being good. I don't know. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks their similar. This story is going to be AU, and if any of you don't know what that means, it doesn't take place in the Hawksong/Snakecharm (so far the only books I've read of the series) world. It's more set in a medievalish time period. There is no shapeshifting (another simularity between those two, and both of them seem to like black...alot) in this story. And it's going to be kind of differant than my other two multichapters in that is doesn't have as much humor, and I didn't make up the main character. Also, we lent our cousin both books so I couldn't remember some names for the life of me, so I had to use other characters that I did remember. For instance, I can't remember the name of Danica's brother. I think that's all I have to say at the moment, which is alot. I have a bad habit of rambling. I hope you all like this story though.
Danica sat on a bench in the palace gardens. Her eyes were closed, and her face tilted upward to face the sunlight as she took in what she could of the afternoon before her duties could no longer be ignored.
She was the princess of Avia. Her kingdom was currently at war with the empire of Falcane (don't you just love my country names), and thus their funds were very stretched. Her father, Gerald (I know that's not it, can someone remind me what his name is?) had just returned from the front lines not even a week ago, and would be leaving agian in about a month or so. Her mother, Nacola, was in charge of the rest of the country's dealings, especially when he was away. Her older brother, Andreios, oversaw the war from home, acting mostly as a stratigist. Her brother's betrothed, Kel, was the princess of an alli country (and a very close friend and confidant of hers) who had been sent here for protection since her home country shared borders with the enemy. Danica, herself, took care of petty civilian matters to lessen the burden on her parents.
"Milady?" came a soft, timid voice from her right. She turned to see Evalyn, her personal attendant. The girl had light brown, wavy hair, though at the moment it was braided, and deep brown eyes.
"Yes?" she asked kindly, though she had a feeling she knew what this was about.
"Lord Vasili is here," the petite woman murmered. Danica sighed.
"Very well," she motioned for her servant and closest friend to lead the way.
Vasili was a nobleman whose father oversaw the southern areas of the kingdom. He was a fine, but somewhat detached young gentleman. Not to mention, he was her only currant suitor since he went out of his way to challenge all others, and they either backed down, or lost in whatever he challenged them to. Danica didn't love him, however. Mostly because he treated common folk like they were worthless and easily expendable.
The only reason he hadn't recieved her hand in marriage yet was because her parents were waiting until the very last moment when she would reach the age that all noblewomen in their culture must be wed by to see if there was any chance she could be married away to seal an alliance. That didn't appeal to her much either, but then again, that's the way the life of a princess always was.
Vasili was in a parlor near the garden. He smiled at her as she entered, and she returned it with one that seemed delighted, but was completely hollow. She was a princess after all. Princesses aren't supposed to be rude.
He handed her a bouquet of flowers. She took them greatfully, and fingered a few petals, a charade of fondness though there was none present in her heart. In fact, she didn't even really look at the flowers though her eyes were on them as she handed them to Evalyn. She had recieved so many gifts like this, and now they were all the same. Her servant took them away, supposedly to put them in a vase. But her friend knew her better than that, and they were the only two who knew that the flowers were really going into the fireplace. Danica didn't care for cut flowers anymore. They were dead now...
Dead. Just like her heart would be soon, was her main thought as she sat down on a couch across from Vasili. He started talking, and she just pretended to listen. Her heart would die when she married, because she knew she wouldn't love the man she was bound to. She would never recieve a chance to expierence such a thing, and love someone because she wanted to, not because she had to pretend to. But the life of a princess wasn't as much of a fairytale as everyone made it out to be.
And where did these fairytales come from anyways? A knight in shining armor atop a white steed? There were seemingly countless such people around the castle, and they were hardly fairytale matierial. Over half of them got drunk at least once a week, and would sleep with any girl they could get their hands on. Which were considerable in number becuase so many innocent, naive village girls believed the fairytales until it was to late. Few of the peasentry knew of all the scandal that went on inside castle gates.
No. Fairytales were just that, tales. Fantasies that someone came up with about a perfect world where right always won, and true love could overcome any obstical. Poets and their overly wild imaginations. There was no such thing as a happily-ever-after as far as this princess was concerned.
"Princess Danica?" Vasili saying her name cut through her thoughts, and she realised she had been zoning off in some random direction. Obviously not listening.
"I'm sorry. You were saying?" she asked politly.
He looked at her worriedly, though nobles were so skilled at faking, she didn't know how much concern he really felt, "Is something the matter milady? You look upset."
She waved her hand dismissivly, "It is nothing."
"Very well. What were you thinking of?" he asked, curiously. She felt some irritation flare up inside her.
"What I think is none of your concern! A lady is entitled to her own thoughts," her voice came out harsh and clipped. He sat back in surprise, and she immidiatly realised her mistake. So she regained her composure, and lowered her head.
"Forgive me, milord. It has been a long day," she apologiesed half heartedly.
He nodded in understanding, "I suppose dealing with commoners can make even the gentlest among us tempermental."
She tried not to frown at this, thinking his judgement unfair. But she stood up and answered, "Thank you for your understanding milord."
She curtsied to him and retreated to her bed chambers. Evalyn was there, casting the last of the roses into the fire, and watching them burn with keen interest. Yes she was a bit of a pyromaniac, but not dangerously so.
"Gentle indeed!" Danica fumed, throwing herself onto her bed in a rather unlady-like fashion.
"I'm sorry, milady," Evalyn sighed, "Would you like me to get your bath ready?"
"If you would, please," the princess muttered tiredly, her voice muffled only slightly be her pillow.
The other girl nodded obediently, and entered the bathroom. She came out a little over ten minutes later, and told her liege it was ready. Danica thanked her, and locked the bathroom door. She undressed, and slipped into the hot water, the scent of strawberries filling her nose.
She remained in the bath for an hour or so, taking her time to wash herself. When she finished, she dried off with a towel and wrapped her silken robe around her. She sat on a bench in front of her mirror, and started brushing her long, curly blonde hair. Yes she could brush her own hair when she wanted to. She took her time doing that as well. Then she dressed in the simple cotton nightgown Evalyn set out for her.
"Do you need anything else?" her servant asked when she came out of the bathroom. Danica looked up in thought.
"Well you could help me pick out a dress to wear tomorrow. I have to settle an argument between two village leaders," she explained.
Her servant clapped her hands together excitedly, and quickly agreed. She loved to go through Danica's clothes, and the princess always let her try stuff on. This made the process longer than it needed to be, but I guess you could say that the modern equivilant would be two girls going to the mall. They discovered something new every time due to the fact that the tailors were always putting new things in.
They didn't know how long they had been exploring her room sized closet before they found a suitable dress, shoes, and a few other accesories; but it had to have been at least a couple hours since it was black outside when they came back to her bedroom. Evalyn gasped suddenly, and her hand flew to her mouth.
"What is it?" Danica asked worriedly. Her friend took a few deep, calming breaths.
"I just thought I saw something for a moment, but I think it was just a flicker of the fire light," she sighed.
"I hope that's all it was," the blonde girl murmered turning to the fire place, and then shook her head, "No. It couldn't have been anything. No one would be able to get to my room without the guards noticing, or climbing up five stories of wall."
Her friend nodded shakily, "It-it was just my imagination, I'm sure. You know how paranoid I can be." Though both girls silently admitted to themselves that something didn't feel right.
"Good night," Danica called as Evalyn headed to the door. Her friend smiled warmly at her, and moved to go out into the hall. Instead, she froze in the doorway.
"D-D-Danica..." she whimpered, her face going sheet white. The princess hurried to her side, and gasped.
In the center of the hall lay the three guards charged with guarding her bedroom door. She quickly knelt by the nearest one, while Evalyn remained paralyzed in the doorway. She touched his neck to feel for a pulse.
"A-are they..." her friend swallowed hard, "dead?"
Danica sighed and shook her head, "No. Just drugged I'm hoping."
"Wh-what should we do? Who would do this?" Evalyn asked, shaking.
The princess of Avia stood up straight, determintation flashing in her eyes, "We need to go get help. It isn't safe here."
Her friend nodded, and they turned to run down the hall. Suddenly, Danica found a strong hand covering her mouth, and another around her waist. She tried to scream, but her voice died in her throat. A frightened squeak to her side told her that Evalyn was in a similar situation, so she fought as hard as she could against the infinitely strong arms that held her effortlessly in place.
"Not so fast, princess," a cool and smooth male voice murmered in her ear.
Frog: Sorry about the cliff hanger everyone. I hope I had Danica in character enough for the situation she's in. Please review and tell me what you think. I take constructive critisism (I don't think I've ever spelled that word right). I'll try to update often when I'm not too busy trying to finish my other story. Bye!