Nepeta

Light streamed through the transom window and into the tower bedroom. The young maiden Nepeta sat on the cushioned windowsill with her knees pulled to her chest and with a piece of parchment and board to rest it on. Stroke by stroke, Nepeta sketched two felines who's tails intertwined to form a heart. She smiled at her creation and kept adding details. She had gotten so invested in her drawing that she almost missed the sound of footsteps traveling up the spiral staircase.

Nepeta stood as quickly and as quietly as she could and placed a throw pillow from the windowsill over her parchment and quill. She hurriedly smoothed out her dress - she knew how her governess hated when she wrinkled her dresses - and took her needlework from the drawer she kept it tucked away in. She took a seat in the large wicker chair and began her her needlepoint, carefully and slowly. Her governess thought that drawing was an utter waste of time for the heir to the Sea Queen's throne. She believed it was only productive to do womanly things in her idle time.

The door opened without a knock and a beautiful maiden entered the room. She was tall and slender and black cascading hair outlined her pale white face. Governess Aradia walked in carefully, her dress kept still even as she moved. That was what it meant to be a lady; to be elegant and poised at all times. That was what she was training Nepeta to be. Aradia smiled, but it morphed into a frown as she gazed at Nepeta's sewing.

"Oh, sweet Nepeta," she cooed. "This really isn't your strong suit is it? Perhaps we she try something you're more capable of." She smiled warmly and comfortingly. Aradia was nice enough, it was just the things she had Nepeta do that she despised.

"Purrhaps," she murmured and giggled beside herself. She was fascinated by cats. She adored them. She had even asked for one when the young queen had taken her in, but her governess had told her that animals were not to be in the castle. She had been so disappointed, but Aradia had made it up to her by giving her a leather stocking cap that head the features of a cat.

"Darling, our carriage is ready for us," she said, dismissing Nepeta.

"Where are we going?"

"I have very important matters to attend to, and I cannot leave you on your own. You are to be on your best behavior, though. No wandering off to explore. Do you understand?"

"Yes, m'lady," Nepeta agreed. Usually she was allowed to stroll whatever area she was taken too while her nurse attended to whatever matters that needed attending. She narrowed her eyes and examined the older woman's face. She could sense trouble behind her eyes. Aradia seemed to be both frightened and pleased. It was something she had never seen in her face before. It nearly made her scared to see it.

Aradia took Nepeta's hand and helped her from the chair. She set down her needlepoint and then was lead from her room and down the tower steps. They walked quietly but with an urgency that Nepeta didn't understand very well. "Does Queen Feferi know that we are leaving the grounds."

"Yes," Aradia breathed, "But she is sending me to find out the details. So we must not draw too much attention while we're out."

Nepeta kept quiet after that, even as she was assisted into the carriage. Aradia took her place across from her. Before she knew it, they were off, the sound of hoof beats ringing loud against the paved path to the castle. They pounded still as they turned off paved roads and unto gravel paths. The journey took almost an hour and yet still, he silence remained. When the carriage finally came to a stop, and the maidens were lead down onto the ground, Nepeta found herself lacking even more words than before.

Around them stood the tallest trees that young girl had ever seen with green leaves shimmering in the sunlight. Crickets chirped and birds sang and Nepeta was lost in the sounds and in the beauty. Even before being taken in by the young queen, she grown up in a small but bustling city and never expierenced much of the outside world. When Aradia had come her home that afternoon and revealed that she was the next maiden heir to the Imperial Kingdom, due to old royal blood that had trickled down into her family, her family was eager to see her off to a better life. Nepeta had liked her new life just fine but she missed the simplicity of the one she left behind. This forest reminded her of that.

"Beautiful," she finally whispered as she twirled around to lay her eyes on a small cottage. It was built of carefully quarried stone, and with a roof built from only the most beautiful redwood. Off to the side of the cottage was a large furnace and table and various blacksmiths tools. Someone lived here, but Nepeta had a feeling this isn't who they came to see.

"Indeed," Aradia agreed. She took Nepeta's hand in hers. It was cold but comforting. She truly did love her as if she were her own. Nepeta could be the only daughter she'd ever have, at least without breaking her vow of virginity. "Come."

The two stepped to the door and before either could knock, it swung open to reveal two male elves. One had short, disheveled black hair and an angry expression. The other had long ebony hair that was tied back into a ponytail. He also wore dark spectacles, but the lenses seemed to be cracked and broken.

"You must be the Lady Aradia," said the one with glasses as he took a bow. He turned then and bowed to Nepeta. She could feel the blood rush to her cheeks, turning her red. "And the young Maiden Nepeta."

"You must be the blacksmith," Aradia curtsied. Nepeta followed suit. The older woman turned to the other elf. He was wearing simple clothing but a long sword hung at his hip. He was a knight of the Queen of the Sea's court. "And you must be Sir Vantas."

"Damn right," he spat angrily. Aradia looked appalled. "Uh, sorry, miss. I'm not used to being in the company of women, least of all those of such imperial status. My apologies."

"You are forgiven," she smiled. It was forced, Nepeta could see as much. She had a distaste for vulgarity. It made Nepeta giggle under breath. She found herself looking to the blacksmith, who had been watching her giggle with a smile smile upon his face. She looked away with a redder blush than before. "Is she here?"

"Yes, in the back. Come in," Sir Vantas said as he lead Aradia into the cottage. The young girl began to follow but Aradia gave her a look that told her to stay outside. The less she knew, the better. The blacksmith looked into the house and then back at the girl. He closed the door and came out into the open air with her.

"I am sorry for all that, Miss Leijon," he told her.

"Please, call me Nepeta," she smiled up at him. He was tall with a muscular build, probably attained from years of metalworking every day. His skin was the same pale white of all elves, but his hair seemed much darker. However, his face looked to be the kindest Nepeta had ever laid eyes on.

"I cannot do that, Princess," he said, "It would not be right."

She nodded slowly, both happy for the respect but sad for the lack of familiarity. "Would you at least give me your name, sir?"

"Equius Zahhak, good lady," he offered his hand and she laid hers in it. His hand was large and callused and it could have easily closed around all of Nepeta's. She kind of liked it, if she were honest with herself.

"I am not supposed to wander," she began, looking toward the forest, "If I'm accompanied by a very capable man?"

"I... I don't know," he said slowly, sweat beading upon his brow. "That isn't acceptable in the class order."

"Mister Zahhak, it would please me very much if you took a short stroll through the woods with me."

And so he held out his arm and she took it. The unlikely pair made their way under the trees and soon found an old path that Equius used to walk when he was younger and lived alone with his father, or so he told Nepeta. The two exchanged stories as they walked. Equius told her of his passion for inventing and metalcraft, and she told him of her old life and of her passion for felines. He found that especially funny, but in an endearing manner. It wasn't until they were making their way back to the cottage that Nepeta found herself asking about Aradia's business here.

"Can you please tell me what is taking place here?"

"You really shouldn't concern yourself with it, I assure you." Equius offered a smile.

She sighed and knew exactly how to get the information. It had become increasingly obvious that Equius lived by the social code; he was lower class and had to respect the authority of those above him - and he liked it that way.

"I demand to know. By order of the heir of the Sea Queen, Princess Leijon."

Equius nodded and wiped a line of sweat from his forehead. "I don't know exactly what's going on. All I know is that Karkat - er, Sir Vantas - came across a woman in the woods, near the edge of the Spider Queen's territory. An exile, we presume. All we know is that she is in bad condition, but if your governess can use her healign abilities to at least get her conscious, we may have a great ally against the Spider Queen."

"How do you know that?"

"She had on a pendant, one that we recognized as belonging to those of the Spider Queen's court. Someone on the inside. If we're lucky... We might get the information we need to take her down."

Nepeta nodded sadly, now regretting her decision to ask. This was more complicated than it all seemed. She knew what that meant, taking the queen down. A war could be coming soon, a whirlwind set of battles and death. Perhaps, the pseudo-peace between the two courts would be coming to an end and all of Alternia would fall into the casualties.