As the sun rose the next morning, it was met with the clear violet eyes of the queen, now dubbed Raven. To her relief, the prediction of the King sleeping in another bed that night came true. She walked out of her bedroom in a blue-silk sarong and a lighter cape for the upcoming warm day.
The storm that had rumbled on the sea the night before had laid out a sheet of rain over the large, mountainous island. And now in the early hours of dawn, the water began to evaporate into waves of steam that seemed to mystify the entire grounds of the palace.
Twittering birds of spring stretched their wings after a night of sleeping in the rain and wind. Raven followed these songs to the palace gardens on the east side of the palace.
The two princes had come at the most opportune time from across the sea. It was late in the spring, in Azar and all the leaves and flowers were in the bloom. A small fountain that was gently trickling in front of Raven signified the middle of the garden. She turned left, and took a less used path that was overgrown with blooming bushes and willow trees to the edge of the little park. Very faintly, behind her thoughts and the birds, Raven could hear the ocean.
She came to a small cliff that was blocked off by some high shrubs. She looked to her left, then to her right. The coast was clear, not that she suspected any one to be up at this hour, especially after the party of last night.
She stepped through the shrubs and walked off the cliff. She dropped a short ways then floated in mid air. Her half demon powers gave her the ability to control dark energy and to fly, and fly she did. To the top of a large twisted cypress tree she floated until she came to a clear even branch.
The tree was familiar with this young girl. He had befriended her when one night she came crying to him in the middle of the night. She seemed lonely and uncontrollable. Many of his brother and sister trees were destroyed in her untamed burst of emotion. But through the rustling of his own leaves, the tree had calmed the girl, and soon they had become close friends.
It was here that Raven could over look the entire garden, and gaze at both the never ending ocean and the entire glory of the palace. She wouldn't go back until the king summoned her. Only then would she move from her thinking place.
--
Beast boy dreamt of being a horse that ran along a cobble stone road that night. It was only when he opened his eyes that he realized it was his chamber door being knocked upon. Perhaps it was Raven?
He got up with only his half of robe on and opened the door. A young fair girl with sharp blue eyes glanced up at him and seemed to suppress a smile. She smelled of more perfume that what the queen had had on the night before.
"The King wishes to begin the tour, my Prince." She said in a light friendly voice.
"Sure, okay." He said, rubbing his face with his hand. The girl giggled at Beast boy. He only then noticed that he was inappropriately dressed. Noticing his embarrassment the girl went on.
"If you need to talk to the king at all, I'll be the one to speak for you." She said mysteriously. Beast boy instincts picked up on the attractiveness of this girl. He wanted to try flirting with her, but she bowed and walked away.
When he was properly dressed in a royal purple and black garment, he made is way back to the Great Hall, the place he assumed that they were all meeting. He looked at the sun and realized that there were only a few hours left in the morning. The early birds were already out hunting and the insects had dried their wings and were now buzzing about the late spring flowers.
"Good morning Bb!" A deep rich voice said from behind him. Beast boy looked back to see his adoptive brother, Cyborg, wrapped in silver blue robe. He smiled at the familiar half man, half science face. Behind him was a small party of lords and servants, with Slade leading them in his deep crimson robe. The blue eyed girl from before was at his side, holding a tray of fruit by her hip. Raven was slightly separated from the group in a light dark-blue cloak.
"Good morning." Beast boy said back, addressing the entire party.
"It is nice of you to be awake for our tour, young prince." Slade's rough voice said humorously. He opened his arms in a welcoming gesture as they began to walk towards the gardens.
A dark skinned girl walked up to Beast boy from behind Slade. Her black hair was tied back into two buns and she was dressed in yellow and black. With pouty red lips she threw Cyborg a haunting glare. Cyborg smiled ackwardly.
"The Queen asked about you earlier this morning. I had to inform her that you were heavy late sleeper." She said in heavily accented voice.
With that she moved off to walk behind Raven. Beast boy was soon almost left behind by the party as they went off to tour around the island and its capital.
