T H E . S O L D I E R . a n d . T H E . S O R C E R E S S
a chaptered story by insensato
disclaimer: teen titans will never be mine for the taking
I didn't wanna keep you guys waiting so I finally updated, but I'm really disappointed with the chapter. It was all very well in my head but when I tried applying it to paper, it didn't work out the way I intended things to be. The characters are all so OOC, and some people out there would probably flame me or shoot me in the head but I've learned to deal with it. I know that just cos you're writing fanfiction doesn't mean you can completely warp the characters so that the only similarity is their physical appearance but I'm awful at characterization (and now some people are gonna be like "Wth are you doing writing then?". I also tried with the dialogue but the "thees" and "thous" just seemed too heavy-handed so I'll try to stick with a formal colloquial version.
I think after this, I may go on hiatus for awhile because I'm just not feeling the urge. I have like maybe 15-20 percent of Clash of Wills's chapter 4 done. I had it plotted out perfectly in my head and then yeah..
Anyway, please read and review, it's much appreciated. I live for feedback.
Raven ran a comb through her violet locks which cascaded around her, falling to her lower back. Memories of Arella patiently brushing her hair would always flash through her head, leaving her with guilty feelings if she were to take a pair of scissors to her tresses. However long hair was impractical, and Raven felt that it also represented excess, a common sign in Trigon's court, and she could not deal with an association like that. To compromise, she kept it to her waist.
She sighed as she stared into the large mirror at the vanity. She vaguely recalled being compared to the classically-featured Arella, but she could never come close to matching her mother's beauty. She wished she had a photograph or an etching of her mother, something small she could keep in her pocket or in a locket round her neck. It hurt her that she had absolutely nothing from her mother, save for a simple hand mirror. After Arella's untimely death, Trigon had secretly destroyed her all belongings.
She would have run away long ago, but she couldn't bear the idea of leaving her mother's palace. Azarath had been the land of her mother and her mother's mothers, a matriarchal society until thirty years ago when Trigon arrived. He somehow managed to kill the original King and Queen and all of Arella's relatives and his other rivals. He forced Arella into marrying him, and impregnated her. After she gave birth to Raven, Trigon became increasingly physically abusive towards his wife until that fateful day, when he struck her and she never got herself back up again.
Raven's knowledge of her homeland was filled with gaps, as Trigon had had all the history books conveniently burnt, and forbidden her from going to the villages to speak with the people. Not that the villagers would have spoken with her, as far as they were concerned, she was demon spawn. She was basically confined to the castle, which fortunately was not such a horrible fate in thanks to the secret library she had chanced upon. Despite the books that could let her mentally travel to places she could only dream of, she wished she knew more about Azarath's past, for her mother had always spoken of a wondrous city of learning. And now, the land was barren and filled with misery thanks to Trigon.
Raven's eyes narrowed at the thought of her father. She trembled as waves of rage overtook her and had to force the emotions out of her head. She would not lose control and give into rage or vengeance. She would not be like him.
With a sigh, the princess got up to go to the library that only she frequented. She had discovered it one day, tired of resting by the fallow grounds or in her chambers. There were a few old tomes that spoke of healing magics, and so far, the books had proven interesting and rewarding. She was grateful for her father's extreme dislike of literature, for if he found out that there were books that taught magic, albeit white magic, he would have his henchmen scouring the room and defiling the shelves looking for books that taught darker forms. Of course she doubted that he didn't already have men with magical abilities.
And if Trigon discovered that she could do magic as well... Raven forced the thought out of her head. She didn't want to consider what she might be forced to do.
"Azarath metrion zinthos," she whispered and a small ball of light appeared in her outstretched left hand, guiding her down the dimly lit corridors. It was fortunate that there were no functions tonight that required her presence.
"It won't do any good, I think we should have a small scouting party sent ahead to assess Azarath's preparation and landscape," Roy remarked as he stared at the large map that lay on the table. To the west of Gotham lay Bludhaven, to the east, Jump, and to the south, Tameran. A wide stretch of rocky moutains and swamps separated the four kingdoms from Azarath. Because no one had ever gone there and returned sane or alive for that matter, no one knew what exactly the region was like.
Victor shook his head. "Who would be willing to go? We certainly can't send footsoldiers. They're inexperienced in scouting thoroughly and would probably be too scared to want to journey to an unknown land."
King Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully, reclining in a hard-backed wooden chair. He was in his early fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and slight stubble on his stern face. He tended to be a somber, reflective man, a marked contrast from his vivacious wife Diana, who though in her late forties, looked as though she were still in her mid-twenties. "Perhaps one of you can lead two or three others for a few days. We don't need Azarath's entire perimeter surveyed, and general descriptions are fine enough."
"I'll go," Roy and Victor both said in unison and glared at one another. There was always a sense of friendly competition amongst the two. Though they knew that they were equal in the prince's eyes, Richard had to formally declare one his second man and the other his third man. Victor liked to point out the fact that he was the prince's second man while Roy would retort with a mangled idiom in poor context
that "Third's the charm."
The silver-haired king frowned. "We can't have both of you off on this expedition. One of you has to stay behind as well to train and lead the contingents later on."
"Well I believe I should go, because I am an archer and can shoot from far distances to protect myself, should the need arise. I am an excellent sniper."
"No, I should go, because I won't run out of arrows and I can deal quite well in hand-to-hand for an extended period of time," Victor countered. "I'm especially proficient with the mace and club for the blow that keeps the enemy down indefinitely."
"Are you suggesting my aim is subpar?" Roy asked incredulously. "You're suggesting that the man who can shoot bullseyes atop a horse galloping at full speed or from a mile can't aim for the vital areas?" Tension rose between the two men, threading itself around them.
"Enough," Prince Richard interjected as he strode forward. "Both of you have your own individual strengths and weaknesss and offer your own advantages for leading. But I think I should be the one to lead this scouting expedition."
"With all due respect son," King Bruce began slowly, as he tried to think of more diplomatic terms to put what he intended to say, "I am not doubting your abilities, but you are a prince. You cannot mean to go into a strange land where horrors and traps alike await. You are the heir to the throne, and if you were to perish, there would be much conflict over who would be next in line."
"Victor and Roy are not expendable either," Richard responded, a bit incensed. "You have to stop thinking of me as a child, father. I am twenty years old. I am a man now, a man who can and will fight for his land."
"And I too," Victor voiced.
Roy nodded. "I as well. Could we all not go? With the three of us, we could more quickly survey the land as we are all proficient. There would be no time wasted training inexperienced men or exposing them to whatever it is that Azarath offers."
King Bruce shook his head. "I cannot allow it. The possibility of being captured or killed is too high to sacrifice all of you, especially you," he said as he stared reprovingly at his son. "Think of what the other nobles will say--'Oh Gotham had to send its prince to do a soldier's work.'"
Richard grunted. Sometimes he hated being a prince for it made his life all the more complex. "Garth is just as able a commander."
"But he is not as dynamic as you three are. Though he is wise, he is soft-spoken. Men need someone more formiddable to allow themselves to be led," the King replied. "Perhaps Victor, Roy and Garth may embark upon this trip then, as a compromise of sorts."
"I refuse to be exempted because of my birth," The prince argued, a bit of anger creeping into his voice. He didn't understand why his father always had to set him up on a higher up pedestal than his companions. "You know I am capable. I train just as much as Victor, Roy and Garth do."
"As I have said, Richard, I do not doubt your abilities but do not forget that you are a prince. First in line to the throne. What would they say if they heard that I have sent you on a death mission?"
The black-haired prince shook his head. "If you are not skeptical, then you will allow me to go. Roy is right to suggest that the three of us go as we will complement one another and be able to lead a thorough reconnaissance."
"I cannot allow it." The king responded determinedly. His son could be so unreasonably stubborn sometimes. Didn't Richard understand what would happen if the people were to find out that Gotham had to send its only prince upon a reconnaissance mission? Conspiracies and plots would arise, and unification was extremely important as Gotham and its allies took the first steps prior to war. "I could not have said this enough. You are the heir to the kingdom. You cannot go fight a war that is not yours to fight."
Victor sighed and looked down at the stone floor before looking up again, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "With all due respect, sir, if we have made up our minds to go, then we will go, regardless of your approval. I am most apologetic to suggest that events may come this far that we must disregard your orders."
King Bruce kneaded his forehead with a hand, wondering what to do. To be young again, to be an adventure-seeker, to journey to the unknown... it was an era that had passed long ago in his life. Oh to hell with it and society's whisperings. "I see no point in attempting to argue against your stubborn logic. Very well then. You have my blessing and prayers." He eyed his son with a glint in his eye. "Don't come to me when your mother finds out."
Richard smiled and bowed. "Your approval is very much appreciated father." The three young men then grinned at one another. "To Azarath!" They chorused and left to prepare, leaving the king behind to reflect upon the map and what lay in store to come.
"Have I sent them to certain death?"
and that ends chapter two.
The Black Crow: Raven is 18... i guess you mighta read a bit too fast cos i do that sometimes and miss something :p
TTFan: thanks for that pm. to keep it simple for my sake, azarath will be on its own
abyssus angelus: of course it'll be a rae/rob fic hehe. i'll probably have them meet in chapter 3 or 4, assuming i get that far
inner universe: Gar is 10. Richard, Roy and Victor are all 20. Kori is 19 and Raven is 18.
Jordanals: yeah i wanted to stick with writing in modern dialogue but it seemed kinda weird so like i said, i'm gonna use formal colloquial english
Novemberscorpion110388: hehe the names of the lands are the names of the cities/worlds
dragonslayerraven: wow actually i never even thought of the romeo & juliet association... hmm maybe i'll take that into play a little bit
and to all the other reviewers--thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment or two. i would respond to everyone's but then you'd all think i wrote a lot for the chapter itself when in fact it comes from my babbling so i'll just respond to like questioning/open-ended reviews