Chapter 4
The trip to the Mastari lands was a long one, but worth it. My insides twisted and turned no matter how calm my face showed to be. I was going to meet with the Avians in front of the wise ones; I was going to end this war.
We made it to the city in about 23 hours, and it proved to be an exhausting trip. We were met at the tall stone border of the city by 3 tigresses. They chatted with my sister and mother as they led us to the reception hall of the fairly new city. I had been blocking out mostly everything until the moment we were escorted through the door- I let out a breath I hadn't even been aware I was holding. The Avians were no where in sight. As if she had read my mind, one of the small tiger's turned to me with a smile.
"The Avians will not be arriving for another hour yet. Relax, please," He extended his arm in a brotherly way pointing towards beautifully sewn pillows upon the black stone ground.
"Have a seat and recuperate as we wait for their arrival." My mother nodded her head and smiled courteously. I couldn't be as calm and took to standing next to Adelina impatiently.
"Zane, please sit. Quit worrying yourself to death over this..." My eyes flashed down on her in anger. How could she tell me to sit and be calm where this could very well turn the lives of my people around completely? Adelina's face grew cold as she turned away from my gaze. I knew she had only been trying to help, but that made me no less prone to anger towards her dense comments.
The minutes felt like hours themselves until, finally the Dio and Disa of the Mastari lands entered the room with a few of their people. They all sat quietly, and I decided it was time for me to sit also. Closing my eyes I forced calming thoughts into my head and tried with all my life to breathe normally. It was time, I could feel it. The Avians would arrive any moment now... I sensed someone come through the doors and knew it was them. Feeling eyes on me, I opened mine to find myself face to face with Danica Shardea herself.
Her eyes were the same twin pools of molten gold I had seen in my dream and a look of pure panic shown on her face. I took my gaze from her eyes over her body, noting that she was indeed as a beautiful creature as ever. Before I could say anything, one of her guards seized her arm and tugged her out of my line of vision, with a hateful glare directed at me; to which I returned with an eyebrow-raised smirk.
My nervousness was leaking away as I began to see how incredibly intimidated by me they all seemed to be. At least I wasn't the only one who seemed to be slightly scared here. The Disa rose from her seat and silenced the court.
"I already know that is not going to be easy," She started off.
"But so long as you both are willing to make an effort, there is always a chance for peace." Adlina made a rude comment to the Mastari queen's words and I sent her such a deadly gaze I even was surprised that she didn't turn and die right then and there. There was no way I was going to let anyone destroy this for me. I wanted this- I wanted peace, so badly that it seemed that I could taste its sweet promise of life upon my lips as I awaited the Mastari's judgment for it. The Disa turned to my mother and asked
"Charis, you are Naga, are you not?" My mother nodded, and began to explain,
"I am, but my Diente is dead. Zane hasn't taken the thrown yet, but you should address him as our leader."
"Zane, have you not taken a mate?" The queen turned and asked me. I was a bit surprised at the question. What had that to do with anything? I had thought of Adlina, but knew we were not ready for such a commitment no matter how in love we were. So my answer was
"Taking a mate in the middle of this war would be giving a death sentence to a woman in return for her love. I've learned from experience that even a woman with child is not safe from the killing, not when she's carrying a Cobra's blood." And it was true. To ask a woman to be at my side during such a lethal time would be to ask her to die. The Disa nodded and then turned to the Avian's queen.
"And among your people, Nicola, whom should I address as your leader?"
"My daughter," I heard the answer come from the soulless avian queen. Her face was blank as darkness and emotionless as death's cloak.
"How soon?" Asked the Mastari queen with a caring tone. I saw Danica's head lower in shame and couldn't help but wonder what was going on. The old queen answered in hesitance, "My daughter has no Alistair. The one she was raised with was killed in this war, and sine Shardae is old enough, I want her to choose her own. When I said soon, I simply meant..." The queen trailed off and my mother raised her eyebrows. She knew what was going on, and it seemed she alone was the only one on our side of the court who did. "I am tired of this war, tiered of being queen. My daughter still has faith, and if anyone is strong enough to lead us to peace, it is her. She will be appointed Tuuli Thea on her next birthday."
The Disa nodded once again. "Danica, Zane, both of you have come here asking for peace." At this I sat up straighter and began to listen intently, taking in every word said like a sponge to water. "Both of your families are willing to follow you. Why do you need our help?" That was an immediate, that simple answer her driven me mad across forests upon forests to get here- I answered with every word from my soul and knew the answer was as pure and true as the sky was blue.
"Even if every one of us wants peace, our people would rather fight than be taken by surprise. Among my own guards," I couldn't help but slide my eyes towards Adelina while stating this. "There is strong doubt as to how far we can trust the avian, and among many of my people there is even speculation as to why I would want to make peace." Danica spoke next,
"We were barely able to control our soldiers these last two weeks. They don't believe the serpiente can be trusted, and unless we either give them permission to fight again, or we find some way to convince them that the cobrinana family and their people really want peace, my mother and I wont have the power to keep them from going against us." Wasn't that a surprisingly startling fact? The Avian army had more control over its queen than she of it. The Disa went back to her husband to discuss the situation and it was next the Dio who rose to make the proposal.
"You both are saying that your people doubt your sincerity, and the other side's sincerity. You two are their leaders, and if you can set an example and show them how much you are wiling to give for this peace, they will follow." The Dio looked Danica in the face and my mind twitched with warning as I started to understand where this was leading.
"the question then is, how much are you willing to give?" I swallowed. I knew the answer instantly and it scared me. I would give my life for this war to end, I would give my freedom, I would give almost anything- even if I didn't want to, I would.
"Anything." I was surprised to hear that lovely voice from across the room. I hadn't expected her answer. Even though I had seen her care for Gregory in the field the way she had, it still took time to understand that this beautiful stone creature I had believed to be as blank as the emotions shown on her face, actually had depth and feelings.
"Everything." I heard the response come from my lips before I could even think on it. The Disa stood and spoke to each of us in a voice of absolute wisdom.
"When you have hatred, you need to start with the heart to mend it. Similarly, when you have the rift between peoples as great as you have, the only way to bridge the gap is to start at the center." I saw Danica look at me across the room with worry on her face. She knew what was coming as much as I did, and I could she was not wanting to hear it as much as I.
"You came for our advice. All I can send you away with is this: you can only sew shut a rip by making the two sides one again. Danica Shardea, Zane Cobriana, you said you would give up anything, everything, to stop the war." The queen looked at Danica then at me, here it came...
"Never ask your people to do something you do not have the courage, or the determination, to do. If you want peace, start between the two of you." The Disa rose her voice as to include everyone in the last piece of her speech. "The best advice I can offer is this: Tie the two royal families. Make the two sides into one. If you are willing to trust each other, and willing to put aside your anger and your hatred, then Zane Cobriana, take Danica Shardae as your mate. Danica Shardae, have Zane Cobriana as your Alistair." The guard beside Danica shot up in protest and wasn't followed a second later by Adalina screaming her mind off.
"I think that's an absurd idea," I soon scream out. That was the advice?! I was handed a death sentence in return to my attempt at peace. For sure, it would truly mean death of the soul to marry someone whom I shared no love for. The Disa held her hands high in anger at the sudden out bursts as the Dio tried to calm Charis who seemed to be the most outraged of all. When the Disa spoke her words were laced with despair seeing that their advice would in no way be taken.
"If you, the leaders of you people are unwilling to make amends, then how can you expect your warriors to do so? Stay here for the night, think on my words—No, there was no time to think, this had to be discussed now, or everyone would have too much time to cool to the idea, and further more dismiss peace as a hopeless case... I couldn't let it happen. In the name of everyone dear to me who I had lost, I wouldn't let the war carry on.
"Wait, please—"I tried to say but the Disa cut my words short.
"Dismissed, all of you. You may return tomorrow as sunset if you wish to do so. For now, seek your beds, rest and think on my words." The Mastari guards began pushing everyone out of the hall towards our quarters, and no matter how hard I tried to get to Danica they would not let me through.
The trip to the Mastari lands was a long one, but worth it. My insides twisted and turned no matter how calm my face showed to be. I was going to meet with the Avians in front of the wise ones; I was going to end this war.
We made it to the city in about 23 hours, and it proved to be an exhausting trip. We were met at the tall stone border of the city by 3 tigresses. They chatted with my sister and mother as they led us to the reception hall of the fairly new city. I had been blocking out mostly everything until the moment we were escorted through the door- I let out a breath I hadn't even been aware I was holding. The Avians were no where in sight. As if she had read my mind, one of the small tiger's turned to me with a smile.
"The Avians will not be arriving for another hour yet. Relax, please," He extended his arm in a brotherly way pointing towards beautifully sewn pillows upon the black stone ground.
"Have a seat and recuperate as we wait for their arrival." My mother nodded her head and smiled courteously. I couldn't be as calm and took to standing next to Adelina impatiently.
"Zane, please sit. Quit worrying yourself to death over this..." My eyes flashed down on her in anger. How could she tell me to sit and be calm where this could very well turn the lives of my people around completely? Adelina's face grew cold as she turned away from my gaze. I knew she had only been trying to help, but that made me no less prone to anger towards her dense comments.
The minutes felt like hours themselves until, finally the Dio and Disa of the Mastari lands entered the room with a few of their people. They all sat quietly, and I decided it was time for me to sit also. Closing my eyes I forced calming thoughts into my head and tried with all my life to breathe normally. It was time, I could feel it. The Avians would arrive any moment now... I sensed someone come through the doors and knew it was them. Feeling eyes on me, I opened mine to find myself face to face with Danica Shardea herself.
Her eyes were the same twin pools of molten gold I had seen in my dream and a look of pure panic shown on her face. I took my gaze from her eyes over her body, noting that she was indeed as a beautiful creature as ever. Before I could say anything, one of her guards seized her arm and tugged her out of my line of vision, with a hateful glare directed at me; to which I returned with an eyebrow-raised smirk.
My nervousness was leaking away as I began to see how incredibly intimidated by me they all seemed to be. At least I wasn't the only one who seemed to be slightly scared here. The Disa rose from her seat and silenced the court.
"I already know that is not going to be easy," She started off.
"But so long as you both are willing to make an effort, there is always a chance for peace." Adlina made a rude comment to the Mastari queen's words and I sent her such a deadly gaze I even was surprised that she didn't turn and die right then and there. There was no way I was going to let anyone destroy this for me. I wanted this- I wanted peace, so badly that it seemed that I could taste its sweet promise of life upon my lips as I awaited the Mastari's judgment for it. The Disa turned to my mother and asked
"Charis, you are Naga, are you not?" My mother nodded, and began to explain,
"I am, but my Diente is dead. Zane hasn't taken the thrown yet, but you should address him as our leader."
"Zane, have you not taken a mate?" The queen turned and asked me. I was a bit surprised at the question. What had that to do with anything? I had thought of Adlina, but knew we were not ready for such a commitment no matter how in love we were. So my answer was
"Taking a mate in the middle of this war would be giving a death sentence to a woman in return for her love. I've learned from experience that even a woman with child is not safe from the killing, not when she's carrying a Cobra's blood." And it was true. To ask a woman to be at my side during such a lethal time would be to ask her to die. The Disa nodded and then turned to the Avian's queen.
"And among your people, Nicola, whom should I address as your leader?"
"My daughter," I heard the answer come from the soulless avian queen. Her face was blank as darkness and emotionless as death's cloak.
"How soon?" Asked the Mastari queen with a caring tone. I saw Danica's head lower in shame and couldn't help but wonder what was going on. The old queen answered in hesitance, "My daughter has no Alistair. The one she was raised with was killed in this war, and sine Shardae is old enough, I want her to choose her own. When I said soon, I simply meant..." The queen trailed off and my mother raised her eyebrows. She knew what was going on, and it seemed she alone was the only one on our side of the court who did. "I am tired of this war, tiered of being queen. My daughter still has faith, and if anyone is strong enough to lead us to peace, it is her. She will be appointed Tuuli Thea on her next birthday."
The Disa nodded once again. "Danica, Zane, both of you have come here asking for peace." At this I sat up straighter and began to listen intently, taking in every word said like a sponge to water. "Both of your families are willing to follow you. Why do you need our help?" That was an immediate, that simple answer her driven me mad across forests upon forests to get here- I answered with every word from my soul and knew the answer was as pure and true as the sky was blue.
"Even if every one of us wants peace, our people would rather fight than be taken by surprise. Among my own guards," I couldn't help but slide my eyes towards Adelina while stating this. "There is strong doubt as to how far we can trust the avian, and among many of my people there is even speculation as to why I would want to make peace." Danica spoke next,
"We were barely able to control our soldiers these last two weeks. They don't believe the serpiente can be trusted, and unless we either give them permission to fight again, or we find some way to convince them that the cobrinana family and their people really want peace, my mother and I wont have the power to keep them from going against us." Wasn't that a surprisingly startling fact? The Avian army had more control over its queen than she of it. The Disa went back to her husband to discuss the situation and it was next the Dio who rose to make the proposal.
"You both are saying that your people doubt your sincerity, and the other side's sincerity. You two are their leaders, and if you can set an example and show them how much you are wiling to give for this peace, they will follow." The Dio looked Danica in the face and my mind twitched with warning as I started to understand where this was leading.
"the question then is, how much are you willing to give?" I swallowed. I knew the answer instantly and it scared me. I would give my life for this war to end, I would give my freedom, I would give almost anything- even if I didn't want to, I would.
"Anything." I was surprised to hear that lovely voice from across the room. I hadn't expected her answer. Even though I had seen her care for Gregory in the field the way she had, it still took time to understand that this beautiful stone creature I had believed to be as blank as the emotions shown on her face, actually had depth and feelings.
"Everything." I heard the response come from my lips before I could even think on it. The Disa stood and spoke to each of us in a voice of absolute wisdom.
"When you have hatred, you need to start with the heart to mend it. Similarly, when you have the rift between peoples as great as you have, the only way to bridge the gap is to start at the center." I saw Danica look at me across the room with worry on her face. She knew what was coming as much as I did, and I could she was not wanting to hear it as much as I.
"You came for our advice. All I can send you away with is this: you can only sew shut a rip by making the two sides one again. Danica Shardea, Zane Cobriana, you said you would give up anything, everything, to stop the war." The queen looked at Danica then at me, here it came...
"Never ask your people to do something you do not have the courage, or the determination, to do. If you want peace, start between the two of you." The Disa rose her voice as to include everyone in the last piece of her speech. "The best advice I can offer is this: Tie the two royal families. Make the two sides into one. If you are willing to trust each other, and willing to put aside your anger and your hatred, then Zane Cobriana, take Danica Shardae as your mate. Danica Shardae, have Zane Cobriana as your Alistair." The guard beside Danica shot up in protest and wasn't followed a second later by Adalina screaming her mind off.
"I think that's an absurd idea," I soon scream out. That was the advice?! I was handed a death sentence in return to my attempt at peace. For sure, it would truly mean death of the soul to marry someone whom I shared no love for. The Disa held her hands high in anger at the sudden out bursts as the Dio tried to calm Charis who seemed to be the most outraged of all. When the Disa spoke her words were laced with despair seeing that their advice would in no way be taken.
"If you, the leaders of you people are unwilling to make amends, then how can you expect your warriors to do so? Stay here for the night, think on my words—No, there was no time to think, this had to be discussed now, or everyone would have too much time to cool to the idea, and further more dismiss peace as a hopeless case... I couldn't let it happen. In the name of everyone dear to me who I had lost, I wouldn't let the war carry on.
"Wait, please—"I tried to say but the Disa cut my words short.
"Dismissed, all of you. You may return tomorrow as sunset if you wish to do so. For now, seek your beds, rest and think on my words." The Mastari guards began pushing everyone out of the hall towards our quarters, and no matter how hard I tried to get to Danica they would not let me through.
