MADELINE CLOUDS
The night before her escape was more than what she could have asked for. Surrounded by the civilians of higher up Juno, the sweet swaying notes of Violins and Pianos, and the thick scent of assorted foods; Madeline Clouds was served as a Queen rather than the rising General of Defense.
The sultry scent of exotic orderves of each city, with the provided exception of Jupiter and Mars, and the callused hands of Juno's finest of civilians yearning to share a final dance with her. Had she not decided to lead the life of serving her people and protecting the 12 great cities, she would not have minded living her life like this. Living her time out as her Mother had intended it to be spent.
Her mother wanted her to stay in Juno. Accept the throne for her own, for she was all that the Queen had birthed before her resignation to Madeline's father only weeks after her birth. All the other Heirs? Busy in Military work. Her first cousin Nemo would have to carry the burden of a kingdom that bore no concern with the world outside. Then again, what kind of burden was that?
She wanted to be more than just a simple Queen seated on top of a gold throne. She wanted to protect her people, and not only lead them. For the military amongst the entire population of the cities was only growing smaller. Not many would dare to venture below the reaches of the canopied forest. But she would.
"Brave, young Madeline." Her mother- hands gently adjusting the golden band around her pointed collar bones, soothingly caressing her cheek once her appearance had been perfected into that of regal figure- sighed. Her hair, the flowing locks the color of night, was tied back into a rather... confusing braid. A golden ribbon elegantly laced it's way through the tied strands, and Madeline wondered as to how her mother could achieve such a beauty as this. But her mother never shared secrets as such as those.
She smiled wide down at the face of her child, Stroking back any loose strands of hair she saw. "You look just like me when I was young." She spoke in a tone so sweet and gentle. "Beautiful... Graceful..." She paused and pride gently slipped into her look. "And powerful. You would have made a wonderful Queen."
"Mother, you know I wouldn't have." She held her head high as she spoke. Her Mother wanted her to live this life out in royalty. But that just wouldn't have worked. Madeline was built for defending her home, not sitting atop a throne and handing out orders.
Her mother gave her a doubtful look. "Madeline, you know you would have." She smirked ever so softly. "Don't be Modest now. You could have ruled this city with an iron fist. A firm hand."
"I could have, but that isn't the life I want." She straightened out the body hugging dress that her mother had even chose for her. A reflective satin that bore the catching pigment of deep viridescent.
Her mother frowns ever so lights at her words, but says nothing in response. Instead she steps back and sighs with what Madeline hopes would be satisfaction, or something of the close sort.
"You look stunning." Her frown shifted into a look of admiration. "Now, Let's get you to your father. The grand ball should be starting soon, or so I hear." The hint of contempt in her voice startles Madeline for a moment, as it always does. Her mother never seemed to show much affection for the King, which seemed odd in a sense. The way her father always put it? The two were madly in love, and showed no hint of disdain for each other.
But, in any case, she nods and follows by her mother's side as they make their way 0ut the room and through the marble column filled hallways. As they went down, the slow playing of instruments and gentle unrest were heard. She grips her Mother's sleeve nervously, and glances up at her with some unease. Her Mother, in response, lightly rests her hand onto her daughter's.
"Do not worry, dear." She looked straight ahead. "You will be fine."
She took in a slow deep breath as the doorways opened up, and the sounds of life grew louder to her ears. She kept her back straight, her head up high.
Her father stood at the balcony as they entered, his hand out stretched for his daughter to take. His olive cheeks turned a light shade of red as he saw his only child step forward, a wide grin forming. She took his hand, noticing with the same unease that he would not acknowledge her mother. Then again, why would he? He couldn't see her. He never could.
"My little Madeline." He spoke in a raspy voice, scratched with age. He soon brought her into a tight hug. "You look just like your mother... Oh... If she could see you now."
She smiled sadly. "She'd be proud?" She glanced back to see her mother, her prideful look hiding the disdain that filled her eyes as she saw both father and daughter in a gentle embrace.
"More than that." He chuckled softly, separating to take in another look at her. He shook his head and sighed softly. "Madeline... You look exactly like her. It's almost scary."
She had seen pictures of her mother in her youth, and she knew, in a sense, that he wasn't exaggerating. Same long Ebony black hair. Same light olive skin. Just about same everything. The staff, even now, would occasionally slipped out her mother's name instead of her own when referring to the once previous Heir to the throne. It was annoying at times, sure, but she knew they couldn't help it.
Her father's eyes soon drifted back to the restless crowd. "Let's introduce you, now. Tonight it your night my young one. The goodbyes we will save for tomorrow."
The morning after the party and hours before she had to leave her father's side were more than troublesome compared to her night of lights and festivity.
The staff ran around tirelessly, as though to ensure the arrival of the Marshall would ran smoothly. Of course, the building had always remained neat and tidy, not a spot of dust to be seen on the best days. And today, of course, had to be one of those days. The King took his company to his daughter, assisting her with packing and the like. Her mother, idly stood to the side, helping her with adjusting the uniform. Crisp and Clean cut white, like the marble along the halls. And Madeline? She kept to staring into the vanity mirror with her head pounding to a deft measure. Neat, clean thumps in her head, that felt less than clean as the pain collided with her panicked shakes.
She hates getting like this. Her mother glances up from her motions and grants her the normal smile.
"Don't be scared now, Madeline." She speaks in a gentle tone.
"It's my first time out of Juno." She sighs to her mother, her grey eyes partially covered by her eyelids. She's tired from the partying, surely, and her fluttering heart makes her suit feel hot and sticky on her body. She hates it. She then pauses and corrects herself. "It's my first time spending so long out of Juno."
Her mother gives her a look of satisfaction seeing that she had corrected herself. And even she didn't have to remind her to do so. "There is a first time for everything, my dear."
"16 months.." Madeline doesn't know if she can do it. For the first time in weeks since her promotion notice, she's having second thoughts. "What if he's injured in my time out? I don't know now if I could leave him, Mother, I-"
Her mother places a finger onto her lips. "Hush now." She speaks firmly, yet maintaining her smooth tone. "You will be fine, Madeline, do not worry." She soon places a kiss on her lips and glances back as Madeline's father comes through. Her earthy hazel eyes narrow for a moment and she steps back from Madeline. "I'll be in the hallway." And with that, she takes her leave.
He doesn't take notice to her leave, instead focusing on his daughter in front of him. He shakes his head and offers the same sad smile from the night before. "This is it." He drops the luggage bag besides her feet, bringing her into another pained embrace. "Oh, I thought I would be prepared for this day.." He heaves ever so softly as Madeline hugs him back.
She lightly buries her face into his soft purple suit, closing her eyes as she inhales. He smells of fresh cookies and the familiarity of comfort and home. It pains her to leave him. But she knows that she can't back out.
"I'll be back soon enough, Father." She murmurs softly, looking up at him from her place. But he only shakes his head.
"No, not soon enough." He cups her cheek into the palm of his hand. "You must call me each and every night."
"I'll try, father." She chuckles softly as they separate. "If not, when I can."
He nods and offers her his light hearted chuckle. "When you can. I can live with that, I suppose."
Theres a knock at the doorway and it takes the two's attention from their conversation at hand. One of the young maids stood there.
"Julie." The King regards warmly as she bows in his presence.
"Forgive my intrusion, your Majesty." She speaks calmly before glancing sadly at Madeline. "They are here."
She gives the other a gentle look, nodding softly as her father's breath escapes from him. It takes him a moment to regain it, and he offers his daughter a more pained expression.
"Alright."
Julie comes over to take her luggage, forcing herself not to make eye contact with the parting member as she left.
He turns to Madeline. "My child." He murmurs as he takes her by her shoulders. "Promise me you will be careful. Keep safe for me. For your mother."
She nods, pressing her lips together. Of course, she doesn't know if she can keep that promise. Work in the lines of defense were tough as is, dangerous more so. She placed a kiss on his cheek as she looks at the doorway. But she had been training to get up to this point. Surely, she could handle this if not anything.
He takes her hand as she straightens herself up, lightly taking her over to the arched doorway and out towards the throne room. There, she would meet the Marshall of Army and Defense. And there she would be parting from her father's side.
Her Mother drifted to her side, lightly holding her other hand. She was tense. Madeline glanced over at her.
"Something isn't right, Madeline." She glanced over at her. "Be careful."
Her words, of course, startle her once more. Something not right? She gulped softly and focused on the voices as they appeared at the edges by the throneroom. A group of 3 stands there. Once they get closer, Madeline realizes that the Marshall of Army and Defense isn't among them. Instead a tall woman with dark skin and flame colored hair stands there. Something really isn't right.
Her Father notices the absence of the Marshall and tenses as well. Of course, her gently shuffles Madeline back a few paces. He smiles gently.
"Greetings."
The woman turns her head to the King, motioning for her men to follow in example as she bowed. The men do so. She soon rises back. "Your Majesty." She speaks softly. "It is an honor to meet the great King Clouds of Juno."
"Quite..." He purses his lips. "Where, Might I ask, Is Marshall Cadaver?"
"Forgive him for his absence, Your Majesty. He had to take leave for a personal matter." She then pauses and smiles. "I am the Major General of Defense. Major General Patterson, your Majesty. I will be the one aiding her on her travel to Mars."
"He could have sent my advisors a message of some sort." The King grumbles softly as he eases.
Patterson glances at Madeline and smiles wide. "So, this must be the one stirring up the news in the higher areas of Mars." She speaks in an amused tone. She looks back at the King. "Would it be alright with you, as her father, if we shared a word in private? It would not take us long."
Her father, of course, frowns at the request. "I... Alright... But please, do be quick." He gently squeezes her hand and offers Madeline a look of warning. He didn't trust this woman, surely, especially with his only daughter. But he couldn't argue with her. He narrowed his eyes at Madeline and nodded softly, as though to tell her to be careful.
Madeline nods back.
With that, he and the maids and servants that were filed in the room left, leaving Madeline alone with Major General Patterson.
"So," She starts forwards and towards the empty throne. "General Madeline Clouds, is it?"
"Yes, Ma'am." She glances nervously at the woman as she moves in an unnaturally fluid fashion.
"General." She plays with the word a few times on her tongue and then chuckles. "Such a high rank for someone so..." She looked back at Madeline and a look of disdain appears. "Young."
Madeline swallows. "I've worked hard for this position, Major General Patterson."
"Worked hard? Oh, I see." She offers a sickly sweet smile to the 18 year old girl. "According to your records, you've blown through the ranks quickly." She pauses and frowns. "A little too quickly."
Madeline's Mother grips at her shoulder and glances down. "Something's wrong with this woman, Madeline. I can sense it."
Patterson flinches, her blazing red eyes staring directly where her mother stood. Madeline's heart skips a beat. She shouldn't be able to see her.
She smiles wide, exposing her filed pointed teeth. "My, My, My." She saunters forward and both Madeline and her mother take a step back. "I thought I asked for this conversation to be kept private."
The next moment goes by too quickly. A knife, silver with lettering in a language she can't read etched deep in it, comes out. Her suit is torn at the bottom. Luckily, the gash isn't deep. But she's bleeding.
Patterson's eyes go wide and she laughs. "I knew it, you little cheat." She held up the blood laced blade, drawing her pointed tongue along the cool metal. "Someone your age just doesn't naturally enter into a rank so high so quickly."
Madeline looks down to see the skin of the gash healing all too quickly. But she knew that wasn't what Patterson was looking at. The image of a peacock etched deep into her own skin, the mark she had bore since birth.
"I-It's just a birthmark." She heaves, body still tense and unmoving due to shock.
"What you have is more than just a birthmark, my dear Madeline." Her voice is a sickly sweet as her grip on the blade grows tighter. "You are one of them."
"Of what?"
Her mother grips onto her shoulder and pulls her back. "Run, Madeline."
Patterson glares at Madeline's mother. She chuckles harshly. "You are one of the select few my men and I hunt down." She purrs, stepping forward with each shift back Madeline makes. "The scum of this earth."
Madeline narrows her eyes and stands up in an ungraceful manner. "Who are you?"
"Major General Patterson." She gives her a low look of contempt. "But, before we take you in, you may have the privilege of calling me by my first name."
"And what would that be?" Madeline steps back.
She smirkes ever so slightly. "Pamella."
Her mother grips her shoulder harder. "Run! Madeline, Run!"
Of course, it doesn't take her mother's words to send her off.
When she slams the door to her Father's room she can smell the putrid scent of burning wood and velvet already. Her father is there, glancing painfully at her, eyes wide in shock.
"Madeline? My love, what has happened to you?" He asks, running over to her and staring down at her torn suit.
"The Major General... She... She's..."
Both look back as an earth shaking pounding grows against the door. Her father shudders and shakes his head. He looks off for a moment.
"Oh, Gwendolyne, You promised me this day would never come." He mutters under his breath. He looks back at his daughter, more determined than before. "Come with me, my child. We must get you out of here. Now."
Madeline shakes her head. "What? Father, What's going on?"
Of course, he doesn't answer her. Instead, he pulls her over to his wide closet. With a low grunt he feels along the walls, smiling ever so gently when he felt a subtle indent in it. With another noise of effort, he pulls along the indent. The wall slides back to create a small opening down into a lit passageway.
He feels along his sash soon after and clicks one of his golden badges on there. "Mathias. Commence plan Peahen."
Theres a beep in response to his order, and the King glances back. Madeline nervously steps back.
"Father?"
His eyes narrow in sadness. "My child. My dearest Madeline. I'm sorry that I can not explain much to you." He pauses and then shakes his head. "I am afraid that this will be the last time we will see each other, my love. It is too dangerous for you to stay."
She is in pain that is far more worse than the bout she felt in the throne room.
"Father... What... What do you mean?"
He tears up and shakes his head. "You are my Sun, my Moon, and my Stars, Madeline, do not forget this." He speaks sadly. "Even if they do not shine for the city of Juno, you will always be there to shine in their place. I love you, my daughter." He brings her into an agonizingly quick embrace and places a kiss onto the top of her head.
She wants to cry. She wants to scream. She wants to back into the wall and ask him if all of this was a joke. A prank of some sort organized by the Marshall himself. But the sound of her father's door cracking and giving into the pounding told her that this wasn't.
He steps back from her, and rushes back to the room. He soon comes back with a small yet sharp sword.
"Take this. Use it to protect yourself." He says as he hand it to her. His hand squeezed gently around hers. "Protect yourself. And join with them. Do what your mother couldn't in serving her purpose in this."
"What do you mean? Father-"
Another crack in the door.
He shakes his head. "Survive. Live. We will meet sometime in the future if you manage..."
She nods sadly and steps back into the passageway. "I will. I promise I will."
He smiles softly. "I love you, Madeline."
"I love you too, Father."
He glances back and then takes hold of the opening to the tunnel. "Go straight down and towards the light. Mathias will be there to take you to them."
She nods again as the doorway closes. For the first time in her life, She feels alone, even with the company of her mother.
Sure enough, the man named Mathias, a tall hooded figure with shades covering his eyes, stood outside of the exit. He examined Madeline for a moment, as if he weren't sure if she was the supposed person. But then his eyes trailed down to the mark. He nodded slightly to himself and glanced up at her. He preoccupies himself with the satchel hidden beneath the dark cloak he wore, frowning. He soon pulls out a spare cloak.
"Wear this." He rasps softly. "With your suit torn like that you're like a beacon out to the others under her lead."
She frowns, but nods compliantly nonetheless. As she puts the cloak on, she glances back up at him.
"Who is 'her'?"
He looks around uneasily and then softly mutters her name, "Pamella." Without haste, he takes her hand and pulls her forward. "Keep your weapon close, Ms. Clouds. Luckily, given the palace's position so close to the edge of the city, We won't be going far to meet our destination." He pauses. "But that does not mean that we may not meet trouble."
She nods once more, keep silent as her mother paces forward with her. The pace they go at is quick, unresting, but that doesn't affect her. But her body is still worn from the shock of the recent events. She still hadn't taken in most of it. To her, this all felt like a bad dream.
Her Mother offers her a gentle look. "Madeline." She starts. But Madeline doesn't want to listen. She looks away from her mother as she goes forth with Mathias. Her Mother's eyes narrow and she sighs. "Madeline, sweet heart, this is for the best. You will be safe where you go, understand that."
Of course, she doesn't reply. She simple manages to give her mother a forlorn look.
But before her mother could grant her another word of comfort, the low cry of pain coming from Mathias stirred her. He shudders forward and holds his side, looking back as his pace slows.
"Get forward! Now!" He spits out. "She'll be waiting by the Cuckoo branded Arch. Get there now-" He shudders as something imbeds itself into the side of his head, and he crumples forward. Madeline steps back, looking down at him.
"Mathias..?"
In response, the laugh from the throne room sounds into the air. She turns her head to see the same tall dark figure slowly making her way forward.