The Ambition of the Dreadlord Raveres
Part III: Debts to be Paid
Episode Twenty-Five
"Raveres! Guard up!"
Bringing his blade high the male Druchii didn't hold back as he struck his student's training sword and easily beat the dull weapon aside. Her defences now down Raveres tilted her head to the side, refocusing her eyes on her instructor. She'd been temporarily distracted by figures moving around the outer edge of the courtyard, and stealing upon this opportunity the elder duellist instructing the young Naguii was about to deliver an important lesson.
Before his strike met her body, Raveres was able to move just enough so that the flat edged blade only bruised her ribs rather than breaking them outright. Her padded leather cuirass helped soften the blow too. But now winded, the she-elf let out a gasp for air as she shuffle-stepped to the right and attempted to parry her attacker's weapon.
Easily avoiding her sword her instructor backed up, disengaging the melee. Shaking his head in disapproval the man raised his empty left hand.
"Stop." He ordered sternly.
"If this were a real fight your entrails would be bursting from your side at your sloppy movements right now."
Continuing to gasp for air as she clutched her left hand to her chest Raveres gave in and fell to a knee, grateful for the brief respite that her failure had granted her.
"Do you understand? You're dead."
Nodding haphazardly and using her training sword to help balance her weight the instructor let out a scoff before kicking the blade from her loose grip.
"What have I said about that? You'll ruin the blade's tip! It isn't a cane or a crutch, girl!"
With a second kick Raveres' instructor sent the teenage Druchii stumbling backwards, his voice rising in disappointment and irritation.
"You're dead! You fall to the ground and bleed out in the muck and mud, and that is the end of you Naguii."
Sweating and struggling to get a full breath Raveres nodded desperately,
"W-water… master Shalis."
Letting out a huff the instructor reluctantly allowed her a drink. Raising his left hand again he looked at one of the Naguii household servants standing mute along the wall of the courtyard and waved the slave over.
Bowing her head at the neck the young human stepped forwards, a serving tray topped with two goblets and a silver pitcher of honey-water in her hands. Groaning and wincing on the ground Raveres struggled to her feet, doing her best to hide her anger and utter embarrassment.
Flipping the sword around and sheathing it into the leather strap across his waist, blade master Shalis crouched down and eyed his student sternly, his patience with the young woman having reached its end.
The slave had knelt down carefully so that Raveres could reach the tray while remaining seated on the floor. Once the goblet was in her hands the Druchii greedily began slurping at its contents amidst her breathy panting. Narrowing his eyes at his student Shalis tilted his head forwards, a bead of sweat running down his crooked nose,
"What is it that has you so absent minded today?"
Avoiding his gaze and continuing to drink noisily the young Naguii ignored the question. Bringing his sword hand up and planting a finger in the middle of Raveres' brow the instructor quizzically grunted while poking her,
"Hmm? How many times have I told you, here and now? You think or allow yourself to wander and you end up-"
Swallowing a mouthful of the sweet tasting water Raveres finished, her voice rising exasperatedly,
"Dead. Yes, I know…"
Moving his hand from her face the instructor raised an eyebrow, his first question still remained unanswered,
"Well?"
Taking another long drink Raveres planted the empty goblet onto the tray forcefully. The slave's eyes widened as she struggled to keep the heavy surface level. Childishly the young noble intended to remain silent as to what her distraction was.
Tilting his head backwards and looking down his nose at his student Shalis shot his right hand out and backhanded the slave so hard that she fell over, the tray slipping from her hands as the pitcher up-ended and water splashed onto both the floor and Raveres.
The slave stifled a sob as she immediately lunged for the scattered items. Apologising fearfully as she scrambled around in horror. Ignoring the operations of the slave Shalis stood back up and his voice became deeper, and angry,
"If you want to take your emotions out on a slave, that's how you do it. Openly, directly. Not like a fucking child."
Raveres hide her surprise at the abrupt and sudden action and the shock of the water splashing her. Shalis raised a brow as he continued, pointing at the young Naguii,
"You continue to allow yourself petty distractions, and these petulant modes of outburst."
Turning around and drawing his training sword the male Druchii chuckled in disgust.
"You think out there, outside of this pleasant, soft, home, you can merely slam a cup on a tray? Do you think, little girl that your fine looks and your smooth face will earn you your keep?"
The slave had now gathered up the tray goblets and pitcher and was darting out of the courtyard to the kitchens sobbing under her breath as she sped away. Raveres groaned as she wiped beads of water and sweat from her cheek. When her instructor turned around, he had readied his sword and was furrowing his brow intensely at her.
"I thought we were finished for the day?" she asked quietly, her voice wavering with uncertainty.
"You thought?" Shalis asked, "What have I said?!" he growled.
Raveres' head twitched at his raised voice and she brought her legs closer to her chest as she sat upright.
"Get your sword, or so help me I will finish what I started and break those ribs!"
The young Druchii's eyes widened and she immediately rolled to her side as Shalis lunged forwards, his voice booming in an animalistic battle cry. Rolling again and reaching for her training blade Raveres took hold of the well-worn handle and brought it up as Shalis resumed her training session.
When the steel of their blades met Raveres winced and grit her teeth as she pushed back with all her might. Sweat was running down her forehead and she could feel her rough-spun underclothes sticking to her breasts, chafing her skin under the awkwardly fitting leather training cuirass.
Shalis' expression was almost blood-crazed, and the ferocity with which he delivered his strikes made the teen shiver involuntarily. Leaping backwards she beat his blade away and readied a riposte as he attempted to feint and slash along her front thigh. Thinking quickly Raveres brought her blade down, lowering her upper defences while pivoting with her front leg to deliver a roundhouse kick with her left.
Shalis easily blocked and avoided the attacks but Raveres noticed something across the grizzled features of the old master-at-arms. His mad expression faltered and she saw that under his stubble and angry disposition, the duellist was smiling.
…
Passing along the halls of the palace Raveres had heard the striking of steel and the grunting and echoes of manly chuckles. Though she didn't see it she knew that there were men, in a courtyard, or in an area of the gardens in a faux melee. Training or perhaps merely having a friendly spar.
The corner of her mouth rose in a private smile as she recalled her own training with fondness and nostalgia.
'Master Shalis,' she mused wistfully, before furrowing her brow at a realisation, 'Probably the only man I've ever called that!' she let out a scoff incredulously.
Her eyes widened as she became self-conscious, just how plainly had her face shown her memories? Or her affections?
Darting her eyes to her sides she saw that Yurin was talking with Jacque, and Shen's eyes continued to look around the stone walls, painted arches, and delicate tilework with an appreciative interest. None had heard her noises, nor seen the change in her expression. The Druchii sighed noiselessly; her brief memory remained a private affair.
Satisfied, the she-elf looked forwards as they continued on. Raveres' odd party walked about the halls and beautiful columned porches slowly, at a languid pace only a hungover, elven, noble was capable of.
It was strange, but to Jacque the way that the she-elf was carrying herself, the way she spoke or interjected into conversation, and especially the way she was ignoring the eyes of others. To him it appeared that she was far more leisurely, or at home, than he would ever have assumed before.
This manner of walk which she had fallen into irked Jacque somewhat; his martial upbringing and curt childhood under Sir Jean had insured that such a style of walking was not only to be avoided, but was, to him, indulgent past the point of a momentary respite, or a 'breather'.
Shaking his head, the squire continued to be cordial, and to be polite, focusing instead on the fact that he was able to view 'his elf'.
Despite the revelation and the revulsion, he felt with regards to what she had presumably done in the night, and the evidence he had seen when they had roused her earlier, he wanted to focus on the fact that there she was speaking, breathing, walking… just like before.
Jacque looked from Shen to Yurin as the two talked, and Raveres was stepping along and posing queries to both him and his companion, as the retainer dutifully translated between them all. Smiling the young squire tried to relax and focus on the moment.
If only he knew that the pace at which Raveres was travelling was because she had been focusing on keeping herself level, her steps straight, and her breathing steady. Or in other words, she was intent on keeping the cost of last night's indulgences hidden from present company.
So far it had been a far more straining activity than she had previously thought it'd be…
Despite the pleasant memory and daydream of her instructor, her head began to feel thick and cloudy. The noise of voices and footfalls boomed with irregularity in her mind. Sounds quieted or increased in volume and her temples throbbed.
Raveres was no stranger to drink, but this headache thundered with vigour and peculiarity unlike any previous hangover, she was about to say something aloud to Yurin when she made the realisation and thought, 'The poppy oil… It must be…' she shivered with revulsion, 'All that damned smoke has addled my brain…'
Groaning she directed the party by waving her hand as she strode ahead, her movements speeding up just a little.
'Gods, fresh air, I need fresh air.'
Jacque followed the Druchii on her left side, and beside him followed the easterner Shen, while beside Raveres close to her right was the increasingly indispensable Yurin. His tongue was constantly waggling, switching languages without a second thought as he relaying questions from one person to Raveres and her reply back to them.
As they proceeded along it was plain that the halls were quiet, but not deserted. Occasionally a pair of guards would march up or down, shifting out their postings with sentries who stood at columned entrances or at closed doors while servants, slaves, and eunuchs scurried along; to and fro. They'd bring things from one room to another, carrying laundry, trays of food, or concealed oddities under bundles.
The she-elf would receive the occasional glance from a more adventurous guard or slave, but for the most part, Sadalsuud's most esteemed guest, and her companions, was able to glide around the palace at her complete leisure.
The four were coming towards an open entrance and voices could be heard amidst the muffled distant activity of the city and the pleasant, salty breeze of the wind. In a strange turn of character Raveres announced,
"I've heard much about the palace's gardens. And this whole while I've not yet seen them."
Blinking and offering a strange smile she looked at Shen and Jacque, raising her hand and indicating the exit along their left she asked,
"Shall we?"
Her voice made the question sound as a given, and she didn't slow her movement so as to allow either human the opportunity to respond. Yurin did relay the words, but by the time he had Raveres had already passed under the arched doorway and out onto one of the tiered, step porches.
Taking a breath through her nose and shutting her eyes tightly, the Druchii did her best to hide her discomfiture at the brightness of the day. Below them were three tiered staircases and two wide porches leading down to the Sapphire Palace's exotic gardens.
Nestled along the southwestern side of the palace, the main garden which the porches overlooked were occupied with palace servants tending the flowers, picking fruits, or fanning and following the various courtiers walking about the greenery.
The pleasure gardens of the blue palace's grounds were beautifully cultivated and cared for and the group quieted as they followed after Raveres and down the first set of stairs.
Drawing a deep breath, the Druchii's rigid, forced, posture finally relaxed and she stepped along with a more normal gait towards a stone railing. Raveres winced as she leant forward and planted her elbows on the flat of the stone. Turning to look at the three humans behind her she tilted her head and smirked almost playfully.
"So young Jacque, it seems you're well on your way to your knighthood."
Moving her eyes from the young Breton the Druchii offered a rare smile as Yurin translated the message, shooting her eyes to Jacque's side she indicated Shen.
"Aiding a second maiden? Why I think your Lady goddess would be very much in approval."
The squire pursed his lips and nodded, somewhat uncomfortably, somewhat unsure if she was teasing him. Sensing his apprehension and making sure not to sour the otherwise pleasant atmosphere Raveres looked away for a moment.
"Are you looking forwards to returning home?"
The boy nodded and straightened, speaking calmly and politely before Yurin translated.
"He says that he is. Even though it's been so long, and he's sure there are many things he doesn't remember, he knows that he'll be glad to see it."
Jacque's smile cooled but he remained straight, a strange sense of maturity painting his words. Yurin cleared his throat,
"He says he'll also be glad to see Sir Jean laid to rest."
Raveres squinted up at the distant wisps of cloud, tracing shapes in the unique formlessness of the thin, white, pillows. The wind swept calmly over the palace's walls, through the garden and over them as she nodded, letting out a sigh at the touch of the cool air along her arms and collar.
The subject of the dead knight made the relief she felt at the wind's caress melancholic, yet denying herself the release of emotion Raveres cleared her throat and changed the subject. Turning her gaze towards the newest among them, the she-elf asked,
"And you, Shen. Do you look forwards to the fields and peasantry of Bretonnia?"
Curling her lip in the corner Raveres arched a brow ever so subtly,
"Forgive me, but I don't believe you'll fit in as well as you should hope."
Yurin looked down from his master, hiding his own discomfort at her tone waiting for her to finish before repeating. When he looked back up towards Shen and Jacque, he made sure to avoid the causticness with which she had delivered her words. Despite this attempt by the retainer at diffusing Raveres' strange abrasiveness the two women looked at one another knowingly.
Shen wasn't dull, and could tell at once that the translator had made an effort to soften and change the Druchii's words; his off-the-cuff reinterpretation came across uncertainly in his Bretonnian.
Bowing her head and averting her gaze the almond-eyed easterner forced a well-practised smile as she replied, determined to pay the elf back, but tempering her attitude so as not to give the Druchii the satisfaction. Dutifully Yurin repeated Shen's well practised Bretonnian words.
"She says that she does look forward to the change in scenery my lady. She's also asked me to tell you again that she is forever grateful to your mercy and generosity in allowing both Jacque and herself to journey alongside you."
The human had ignored Raveres' shot. The Druchii's expression changed, and her earlier vague smugness shifted. Despite Yurin's translation and despite the expression that Shen had while talking or Jacque's quiet nodding in affirmation, the she-elf couldn't help but feel, somehow, strangely insulted.
Before the Druchii could open her mouth, the human woman nodded at Yurin and continued, much to Raveres' surprise. Almost as if relieved, Yurin's voice rose as he cheerfully repeated Shen's words, a polite smile erupting across his erudite face,
"Shen adds that she cannot help but admire the vibrant colour of your hair and the fineness of your skin, despite the deserts' kiss. Among the gardens, you seem most suited here."
Raveres tensed in her arms at the strange compliments and merely gave a muted 'hmm' in response, suddenly being forced on the back foot.
"She heard from others that your beauty extends to your skill in battle as well."
Shen brought a hand to her face, covering her mouth as she stifled a purposefully timed giggle of admiration. Yurin straightened, suddenly feeling relieved at the budding diplomatic interaction he was overseeing.
But for Raveres she merely deepened in her strange apprehension and dislike of the eastern woman.
…
"I must admit, I'm almost disappointed there are no more foes for you to fight. I would have loved to watch you 'dance'…"
Finishing her giggle Shen nodded and brought her hand back down from her face. Smiling the woman tilted her head as she looked out over the garden. Jacque was grinning and his head was moving from side to side as he looked at the two women,
"She's almost akin to a knight herself Shen, I swear it!" He added enthusiastically.
Nodding at the endorsement the woman looked back from the garden to see Yurin repeating the words to the Druchii. The male retainer looked from his mistress towards Shen with a polite smile of approval.
Neither male had noticed yet the strangeness between the two women, and were continuing to believe that they were proceeding along cordially. Turning her head away from the three humans at her side Raveres furrowed her brow and looked out over the rail quietly, thinking.
Being hung-over, on a come down, and supressing her hunger it took the she-elf a little longer to process the whole of what Yurin had repeated to her, but eventually the she-elf let out a low chuckle when it all sunk in.
At this Yurin furrowed his brow, while Jacque looked over with a raised expression. Shen moved her head to the side and looked out the corner of her eye at the female Druchii. Leaning more onto the rail Raveres began to howl with strange laughter.
Then rising from the stone railing the she-elf turned towards Jacque and Shen. Her face was now reddened by humour and Jacque was awkwardly smiling as he cocked his head in confusion, unsure whether he ought to laugh as well.
Shen's face was struggling to rest on an adequate expression as the Druchii stepped towards her.
'Perhaps she sees through me now?' She thought with a cold shiver.
From the moment she first beheld the Druchii Shen knew that the she-elf was dangerous; and more so than simply being competent with a sword, or vile with her tongue. This, Lady Raveres, contained a vicious soul.
At first Shen had hoped that it was merely the moment, or the awkward circumstances of their meeting but it was now utterly clear to her that the Druchii had indeed disliked her from the outset. Something which concerned her almost as much as how tenuous her passage to Bretonnia did.
Yet Shen hadn't survived this long, and gotten this far without being able to tell at once everything she needed to know about a person. Unfortunately, she may have gotten too carried away with her words.
Typically, the verbal sparring she had become accustomed to in the eastern jade courts had some level of etiquette about it. Even here in Araby she'd learned that among nobility it was a given that such manners of speaking were allowed, even encouraged.
It was a miscalculation on Shen's part; and the Druchii, she was quickly learning, played on alien rules. On terms no one here yet knew intimately. She'd hoped that Yurin's diplomatic character would prevail over the whole of this strange walk and talk among the palace halls.
Being Raveres' retainer Shen assumed that he'd a working relationship with her. But it seemed he was just as unaccustomed to Raveres as Jacque was, and she'd learned that he 'knew' the Druchii for a shorter period of time than the squire had. Shen swallowed nervously, doing her best to hide her gall, and apprehension.
'Gods…' she thought, 'Perhaps I was too excessive?'
Standing now very close to her the Druchii's laughter began to slow, subsiding into an eerie calmness as she reached her right hand towards Shen's.
Taking the human's comparatively small and nimble fingers into Raveres' long, calloused, elvish ones the males looked on silently. It became apparent, even to Jacque that the moment which he and Yurin had thought was a polite exchange of pleasantries was something else entirely.
This close to the Druchii Shen could smell the traces of alcohol wafting out of the she-elf's pores, as well as the scent of familiar incense, and finally something more concerning. Opium…
Breathing in sharply through her nose, the familiar smell made Shen want to curl and recoil in disgust, growing rigid instead she made only a small, minute, wince as the elf took hold of her flesh.
Flipping Shen's right hand over to view her palm Raveres traced her eyes along the ridges and swirls and lines in the human's flesh. As if she was playing at being a mystic. Quickly however the Druchii's eyes widened when she saw several shiny patches of scarred tissue.
Raising her own right hand and placing her index finger into Shen's palm the Druchii looked up and stared into the human's eyes as she traced across the tiny burn marks which pocked her flesh in several deliberate lines along her palm.
'You are a liar and are hiding a great many things easterner.' Raveres thought with a predatory smirk.
At first Shen was servilely compliant, looking down and pursing her lips in self-controlled neutrality and deliberate ignorance. But as the Druchii opened her palm, and began touching finger to finger, tracing the smooth remnants of old burns, the oriental woman's expression shifted, and her previously placid demeanour hardened involuntarily, her façade slipping.
The two women now looked at one another knowingly. Raveres withdrew her hands and let Shen's go, but didn't yet back up from her close position.
Studying one another closely the two women entered into a nonverbal battle of the eyes, and of the bodies. Like two lionesses measuring one another up. Shen watched the Druchii's liberal gaze; how she was scrutinising every inch of her face before she traced her body.
It was unsettling and uncomfortable, making Shen want to bathe merely from the feeling. There was a strange air of entertainment coming from Raveres' expression, as if she was 'figuring' something out about her.
Feeling her disgust rise to a head Shen's façade slipped enough that her face showed what she was thinking, and she forced the thought out into her skin. Doing everything she could to say it without the need for words or translation, she began chanting in her head; 'you know nothing elf.'
Raveres raised a brow as the two locked eyes.
'You don't know me; you don't know anything about me.'
Shen calmed as she repeated the thoughts. Despite the uncomfortable proximity of the Druchii, and the strange situation she now found herself in, the woman focused herself. Wilfully her body relaxed as she silently looked back at Raveres.
Despite losing the 'verbal' sparring earlier, Shen realised that Raveres was boldly asserting herself physically. And the human took confidence from it, for the moment.
'She's compromised in herself, and you've proven the point.'
Coolly Shen exhaled, 'Now however we must let it go, and avoid her. We cannot push this further you fool.'
Disappointed Shen wanted to smirk, 'Even if it'd be fun to watch this elf completely unravel.'
Stiffening, her inner monologue continued,
'As much as we'd like to pull her apart, we must play the supplicant, the quiet one, but a while longer. And then we will be away from here and from risk.'
…
Raveres was resenting more and more about the human woman in front of her, and wanted to do something physical in retaliation. And with all the recent activity the Druchii could safely say that she preferred open action far more than intrigue or subterfuge, especially in trying to talk smoothly, her own attempts at lying and deception giving her only nasty feelings and a sickening taste in her mouth, words were more tools of the weak.
Thinking happily as she did, Raveres daydreamed, looking away from Shen's eyes and down to her hand.
'I could rend this woman's skin from these soft, supple, fingers, and having done it so recently, I confess I've a desire to better study the art of it! Yet… there are others here, and things to consider…'
Raveres wanted to snarl as she reluctantly let go of Shen's hand. Finally unable to keep up her false civility any longer Raveres' nose crinkled and her lips moved, parting enough to show a sliver of tooth.
But before anything else happened Jacque spoke up, snapping the two women out of the situation as he stepped forwards, his hands moving in between them so as to force them apart.
"Raveres, Shen? What in the Lady's name is going on!? You've only just met!"
His voice cracked in desperation as he spoke, utterly aghast at the strange turn between his 'friends'. Yurin began speaking too, shifting languages between Bretonnian and Druhir as he stepped forwards awkwardly.
"My ladies, I don't understand!?"
Raveres looked at the squire with a forced smile, but she could barely contain a growl when she looked away from the boy's eyes and back to Shen's face. Acquiescing to Jacque's play at peacemaker the Druchii stepped back from Shen, taking a deep breath before looking back out over the stone railing at the people walking among the garden.
Some of the noblemen had begun looking up at the Druchii's party, pointing and whispering among themselves as they watched the small, sudden, drama unfold. Looking away from the view to her side the she-elf spoke,
"Yurin."
The retainer had his hands behind him and was standing almost martially, in between her and the human woman. He perked up at her voice, but his face was uncertain. Exhaling through his nose he acknowledged her,
"Yes my lady…"
Raveres privately smirked, 'Already such a well-trained dog.' He stepped forwards, his tense features shifting as he looked on quizzically. Tilting her head to indicate the Breton and the mysterious oriental Raveres cleared her throat, her voice becoming neutral and plain,
"See if they might make use of the palace baths, and see if they need anything for the voyage, or travel in general."
Yurin nodded slowly, "Aye my lady…"
Smirking and straightening back up from the rail Raveres stifled a wince,
"After that find me here, I wish to see Sadalsuud."
Jacque was looking from Raveres to Yurin expectantly, his mouth pursed and a worried expression over his brow. Yurin pointed back up the steps and asked them to follow him, repeating the Druchii's words in an awkward tonal shift. Deliberately attempting to ignore what had just transpired. The young squire looked at the adults with trepidation and disbelief, struggling to accept that they were to just so plainly move on from what happened.
Shen however nodded at Yurin's words, taking to the stairs first after the retainer. Jacque stood for a moment looking from the two climbing the stairs back to the palace and then to Raveres alone near the edge of the porch.
The Druchii's expression hardened when she met the squire's gaze. The reminder of her emotional attachment to the boy left her feeling almost disgusted. Jacque was about to open his mouth when Yurin called down to him. Looking back at the man the squire reluctantly stepped up the stairs.
Looking over his shoulder the young Breton furrowed his brow and searched the stone floor before looking back at Raveres. The she-elf's face was still and her eyes motionless as she stared at him. The young man let out a small noise before continuing up the stairs and whispering to himself,
"I was an idiot…"
He pursed his lips as he came to the top of the short staircase, "Sir Jean was right."
Watching the three humans disappear from view back into the palace Raveres finally let out her bottled-up breath before turning around and leaning upon the railing again. Lowering her head to the stone and breathing deep, shuddering breaths, as her headache swelled the she-elf whispered her thoughts aloud,
"Not much longer… gods be good I'll be home soon."
…
Getting up the courage to walk down the porch and onto the garden's gravel pathways alone took Raveres a little more time that she'd like to admit. But as she ignored the staring humans and focused instead on the flowers, the statues, the exotic plants, bright birds and vibrant alien fruit, she eventually relaxed. And more than that, the Druchii allowed herself to enjoy it.
Tension left her shoulders and she walked more freely, a strange relief entering her chest, lightening the weight of her wounds and itching of her stitches. Even the bruises and burned skin along her body ached less and less with each moment passed in the palatial oasis. Behind her sounded the crunching gravel of two sets of feet, and Raveres raised a brow speaking before she turned,
"Yurin? My, my, you're far quicker than I- Oh?"
Instead of her retainer, two men stood to greet her, one was known to her and he nodded his head in a respectful bow, while the other shot his eyes to the ground before giving a deep, reverential bow. Raveres let out a light chuckle,
"Prince Balik? This is a surprise… Yet a bizarrely timed one, unless of course you've recently learned Druhir."
The man who had bowed deeply cleared his throat before speaking, his accent awful as he did so, "M-my lady! I am Prince Balik's humble servant and I… I speak your tongue, or I mean I shall speak your tongue on his behalf!"
The man was thin, bookish, and the tips of his fingers were black from ink. Raveres hid a smile, before teasing,
"Did Prince Balik just pluck you from the nearest scrivenery?"
The calligrapher shook his head, "No my lady I-"
Furrowing his brow Prince Balik shot his elbow into the servant. Nodding and clearing his throat the man set into his practised message;
"Greetings most dreaded lord Raveres! My lord and master extends his sincere gratitude to you, and wishes only blessings upon your house and the esteemed noble sovereign of your people, King Malekith."
The Druchii straightened involuntarily at the name of her distant monarch, but the formality of the scribe's words also added to the overall diplomatic moment.
Prince Balik had his arm in a sling and his overall disposition was far more solemn than any time she'd seen him before. His previously cavalier attitude and boastful smiles had been replaced by maturity and sobriety. Raveres looked from the scribe to the prince almost impressed.
"Prince Balik would like me to tell you he has considered your generous offer very seriously since you had your retainer make it to him."
At first, she was puzzled and wracked her brain as to what the hell the man was referring to, but like a flash of light, the memory came to her of her hollow jest and veiled threat disguised in her 'offer' when she'd met him in the Sapphire court. Thinking about her official introduction seemed so long ago, but Raveres nodded as soon as she had remembered.
"While he wishes me to tell you that he would wish to travel the world and to see the frozen homeland of your people, Prince Balik has received support and allies here in Araby."
The pauper-prince puffed up and smiled, offering a nod.
"In following you, and in your endorsement of his aid in your actions, my lord will forever be in your debt! For it was you who proved to others that he was one to be feared, long has my lord known of his derisive nick-name, long has he suffered under the eyes and disdain of others."
Raveres furrowed her brow, almost stepping backwards in confusion.
"By your belief in him, and allowing his presence alongside you there are those now who have flocked to his cause, intent on restoring him to his rightful place!"
The Druchii smirked and let out a chuckle, but before she could say anything Prince Balik dropped to a knee and his translator fell to the ground, prostrating himself but continuing to speak in Druhir.
"He offers you this, a token of his eternal thanks."
Prince Balik nodded and reached into a fold of his loose, blue, silk garment. Bringing his fist out he opened it to reveal a white cloth wrapped around something. Using his thumb and grunting her uncovered the mysterious gift one-handed.
Watching with a furrowed brow Raveres tensed until finally Balik revealed and offered the treasure towards her. Under the cloth was a lilac-coloured amethyst. Angling his hand downwards Balik smiled as he showed off the facets, glittering and refracting light like it was a drop of clear purple water. Looking up from the ground the servant grunted as he took a breath,
"The gem is said to have once been in a Dwarven crown, passing hands after the fall of its owner until arriving in Tilea. According to the man who my master bought it from, the original gem was the size of an eagle's egg. The Tilean who had it, cut the original into three identical gems, creating the genesis of a new shape."
Balik nodded as Raveres stepped closer, entranced by the eerie colour of the stone. Meeting the prince's eye, he cleared his throat before speaking in Druhir, his words were stilted and the emphases off but it mattered not, Raveres was miles away as he spoke.
"I knew that you were the only one to own such a unique colour. It is as if your eye has been made immortal." He laughed, "The shape is something called a trilliant. But perhaps a Ravilliant would have been better!"
He smiled as Raveres moved her head, changing the angle at which she viewed the flawless lilac stone. She'd never seen such a shape before, but he was right to have mentioned its colour being similar to her eye's own.
It was like she was staring at a small mirror, or portrait of just her iris. She let out a scoff in disbelief as she traced the shape. More complex than a mere triangle, the amethyst showed such a skilled craftsmanship she almost refused to believe a human and not an Asur, or even a revolting Dawi had cut it. Nodding Balik spoke in Druhir again,
"Take it, Lady Raveres."
Looking up from his palm the Druchii blinked as he held it up higher towards her.
"Prince Balik, I'm… at a loss for words."
Shaking her head, the she-elf furrowed her brow. Balik rose from his knee and extended his hand towards hers. Shaking his own head, he spoke in Arabyan while his servant pushed himself off the ground.
"My master wishes you to take it that you might place it in a coronet or crown of your own when you return home."
Furrowing her brow Raveres looked from Balik to his servant smiling nervously,
"Perhaps, if it reminds him of me, why does he not keep it?"
The servant repeated her words and Balik's face furrowed before he turned back to face the she-elf, his features were confused as he retracted his hand. He spoke briefly with his servant and the man repeated,
"You would wish him to do so?"
Raveres straightened her back and nodded, doing her best to hide her amusement at the strange situation. Yurin appeared near the edge of the garden, Sadalsuud and a few of his courtiers in tow. Those in the garden who had been watching Raveres and Prince Balik turned to watch the arrival of the regent with interest, talking loudly and beginning to wave and respectfully acknowledge the rotund brightly dressed man.
Darting her eyes towards Sadalsuud Raveres saw a flash of jealousy across Prince Balik's face as he too turned to look at the regent. Her refusal of his gift was obviously something he had not expected, and now with the arrival of the ruler of Al-Daouk she knew the prince was twice shamed.
It was well known that Sadalsuud held a strange affection for the elf, why he had even declared it to the court. Raveres couldn't help but smirk as she thought,
'By the gods… I have vying suitors?'
Then like a splash of cool water she got a perverse idea. Stepping beside Balik Raveres shot her hand downwards and took the jewel from the man's hand. Turning his head to face her, his eyes widened and his face lit up happily.
As Yurin and the entourage got closer the retainer smiled and nodded his head to Raveres, his expression wordlessly apologising for the small crowd of people he'd brought.
'By no fault of his own I'm sure…' she thought.
Yet before they entered the garden and were within earshot Raveres tapped her hand to Prince Balik's arm, and spoke lowly, still loud enough for his translator to hear
"I've never liked round men who can't fight… But I wouldn't mind someone such as yourself to think of me with fondness occasionally, I want you to keep it."
…
The sultry drop in her voice had sold her words, even though Balik had yet to understand them. Leaning herself a little closer to the prince she slipped her fingers into his hand and redeposited the stone before leaning backwards and stepping away from him.
Shooting him a sensual, playful, look of her eyes Raveres walked away and greeted Sadalsuud, before speaking to Yurin. Prince Balik's servant quickly translated her message and his face immediately changed from confusion to satisfaction.
Sadalsuud loudly spoke while waving Raveres to join him as he and his followers began their own journey of the gardens. Yurin latched himself to her side and they began walking towards another corner of the palace's grounds.
But before she'd left the she-elf looked back over her shoulder at Prince Balik, flashing him the barest hint of a smile. Bowing his head at the neck Balik struggled to contain his glee as his servant lowered his voice and stepped beside him,
"My lord, d-does she m-mean what I think she means?"
Bringing his hand to his chest Balik placed his fist over his heart, clutching the gem as tightly as he could. Unable to contain his emotions his mouth broke into a broad smile, his cheeks rising as he let out a chuckle of dumb glee,
"By the prophets all things are possible!"
Looking away from the Druchii the pauper prince punched his servant on the shoulder, smitten and completely believing Raveres' words.
"I knew she never liked that bloated fool! Ha! But to know she favours me?"
Prince Balik walked out of the gardens, his body feeling lighter than air as he went on towards his destiny. Following behind him his servant nodded,
"Truly my lord! Though it is not to be…"
Balik shook his head before opening his hand and looking down at the stone.
"Bah! What does that matter? She wanted me to have it to picture her!" he laughed, "Say it again! Say what she said again?"
The servant sped up and nodded,
"Yes, my lord, she… she said 'I want only someone like you to think of me and my fondness'."
The servant's mistranslation was already decaying in fidelity, but it didn't matter, nothing could now dissuade the prince from his new presumption. Balik let out a laugh of triumph as he looked to the thin translator,
"And the last part! Say the last part again!"
The servant nodded, "She said, uh, that… it was, she said 'I desire only you to have this!'"
Balik took in a deep breath as he stowed the treasure away,
"I knew it! See? She favours me, but her coldness, her distance! It is because she knows it could not be! There were too many eyes! Even from the first time I met her!"
His delusions growing Balik nodded, "It all makes sense now!"
Raising his fist into the air he passionately declared,
"I shall retake my rightful place and one day, I know she shall return to me!"
The servant believed in the delusion as well, and nodded along happily, adding the common saying,
"May the heavens make it so my lord!"
…
Raising an eyebrow and watching the triumphant exit of Balik from the gardens Raveres shook her head and laughed under her breath. She had no idea what the human was saying but from where she stood, she could tell something had happened in his head.
Clearing his throat Yurin brought the Druchii's attention back to Sadalsuud, who was looking at her with a smile of his own.
"Oh?"
"Lord Sadalsuud is waiting for your reply."
Furrowing her brow and doing her best to hide her ignorance Raveres asked,
"About what?"
Yurin stiffened, doing his best to quickly repeat and condense everything he'd said while she wasn't paying attention,
"I told you he had good news regarding your ship. A crew's been found, and the last of your trade goods are aboard. Most of the slaves have also arrived and are being made ready for the journey."
Yurin cleared his throat and smiled politely to the turban wearing regent.
"He says we'll be set to sail sooner than previously thought. Tomorrow morning actually… tide willing."
Raveres' breath stopped and she looked from Yurin to the jovial merchant prince. Letting out a chuckle the elf nodded,
"I… tell him I was so surprised I needed to hear it twice."
Yurin repeated the words and the regent nodded, letting out a knowing laugh in approval.
"I am, very pleased at this."
Punctuating her words, the Druchii offered Sadalsuud a slight bow of her head. Returning the gesture, the regent offered his hand as the group turned a corner, arriving at the garden's aviary. Regarding the man's hand apprehensively the she-elf fought to keep her true thoughts unknown as he spoke.
"Sadalsuud wonders if you'd join him here in the garden for a meal in celebration."
Watching his face carefully Raveres finally nodded as she leant him her hand,
"I'd be honoured."
…
Raveres held back a sneer as she stepped along the hall, Yurin following closely behind.
"My lady, that was not prudent!"
Mindful of the potential eyes on her the Druchii maintained an external stillness, despite her desire to let loose with how she truly felt. Finally, she spoke, her words dripping with venom,
"Prudent? He's lucky I didn't claw out his goddamn eyes for looking at me like that!"
Yurin cringed, "It was obviously the wine! He'd been drinking even before the meal."
Resisting the urge to growl Raveres shot a silent look at her retainer.
"He's a leering low creature and if I hadn't been so outnumbered and dependent I ought to have gutted him."
Stopping herself and shutting her eyes tightly the Druchii drew a deep breath as she attempted to calm herself down. Yurin approached her side reluctantly, and eventually she opened her eyes to look at the retainer, her voice had quieted, but the emotion in her elvish gaze was undimmed,
"Perhaps you are right…"
She nodded and continued walking ahead,
"He was taken with the wine, and could not hide his feelings any longer."
Yurin exhaled but the Druchii's returning voice made him stiffen,
"Bah! Enough of this. We are leaving, now."
Yurin's eyes widened, "M-my lady?"
"We put to sea tonight. I want no further delays. Ready a carriage, steal one if necessary, get your affects, find the squire"
Narrowing her eyes in revulsion Raveres continued, "and his… yellow treasure."
Arriving at the door to her chamber she wrapped her fingers around the handle and pushed,
"The horses, the dead knight. We are leaving before that fat merchant sobers up enough to act on his insult."
Opening the door and taking a step forwards the she-elf stopped. Looking over her shoulder she raised an eyebrow.
"Now… Yurin? Do you have difficulty in understanding this word?"
Shaking his head, the retainer turned to begin sprinting back down the palace hall, yelling back, "No milady!"
…
Rhea was thumbing her fingers across the holes of her flute, playing a popular Arabyan folk song. The imperial was sitting on the edge of the chamber's bed while the dark-skinned Maya sat on the floor, cross legged and nodding her head along rhythmically. Arathar was by the balcony looking out over the city and trying to ignore the human's song.
Yet, he couldn't resist the fact that it was a charming, if melancholic, melody. Finally, when the male elf could deny it no longer, he turned around and slowly walked back into the room, folding his arms across his chest as he averted his eyes and moved to the notes.
The slaves had spent the hours since their 'master' left them somewhat awkwardly. They'd sobered themselves, and averted eye contact with one another as long as they were able. The elf was the most ashamed of what had happened during the orgy.
Spreading around the room each groomed themselves and remained somewhat silent, making noise sparingly. Until the strange silence of the room was broken by the appearance of palace servants.
Food had been brought to them, as well as new clothes. It was the first-time silks had graced Arathar's skin since the 'misunderstanding' which had led to his capture. But for Rhea and Maya it was the first time that either woman had worn, or been given, such well-made, beautiful clothing. The fabric alone was worth more gold than either human had ever handled in their lives.
Once dressed and fed they began to talk to one another. Rhea, had taken the situation worst of all, and was teetering on the edge of tears when Maya had made the suggestion, she play her flute. The swarthy and lithe woman was confident that the music would make them forget the night, giving them instead something innocent to enjoy.
When Maya tried to get the male elf to agree, Arathar only 'hmmed', his guilt over being used by a Druchii was still clouding his thoughts, and was bothering him since waking.
After more coaxing the blonde imperial finally got up the courage to make music, and Maya offered the fellow human an approving smile, encouraging her to play song after song.
When she had finally finished Rhea shut her eyes and slowly brought the flute down to rest in her lap. Maya bowed her head and let out a loud ululating noise in appreciation, a wide smile across her tanned and burnished face. Arathar had since snapped out of his thoughts and nodded too, bringing his hands into a slow quiet clap while Rhea blushed.
The tender moment and their brief happiness were dashed at the sound of unique footfalls outside the room's door. The three slaves froze, waiting anxiously; each of their imaginations racing as they thought about who it could have been. Then they heard her voice.
Their curiosity as to who might be 'visiting' was replaced by the cold reminder of their state, and their mysterious, hostile, and sadistic, Druchii owner. When the door finally opened the pale, sunburnt, she-elf stepped in, her pace brusque and her body language impatient as she loudly announced,
"We are departing Araby this day."
Arathar, Maya, and Rhea each looked at one another nervously. Snapping her fingers and pointing to the neatly ordered pile of black plate Raveres pointed at Rhea,
"You, bring me my armour."
Pointing to Arathar she nodded,
"You collect my affects and ready your own essentials for travel."
Arathar out of habit, spoke, asking; "Where are we going?"
Raveres stopped and turned her head away from Rhea to stare at the Asur. His face had paled and his features widened in realisation too late, averting his gaze he shrunk as his voice lowered meekly,
"I… I apologise…"
Feeling Raveres continued stare burning upon him Arathar nodded before forcing himself to speak, repeating her order in an effort to make up further,
"I shall collect everything… m-my lady."
Putting out her arms as Rhea began dressing her, the Druchii nodded, granting the Asur clemency,
"See that you do. Take Maya with you."
Rhea stopped as she strapped up Raveres' right greave, the young woman shivered as she dared to speak,
"M-my lady, they can't understand one another…"
Raveres furrowed her brow and was angered at the perceived insolence of the slave, but immediately reminded herself 'One; they're not broken in yet. And two; the human's actually right.'
Lowly the Druchii thought aloud, "Indeed…"
Arathar's eyes darted from Rhea to Maya, and he interjected, his voice conciliatory,
"My lady, perhaps they might take care of those matters and I could attend to your dressing?"
Raveres and Rhea both looked to the male with interest. Rhea's face however was horrified, mostly at his ballsy lack of self-preservation. Smirking and moving her jaw from side-to-side Raveres eventually nodded,
"You, up. Go and help her carry these chests to the palace entrance. And see if you can find Yurin along the way."
Rhea stood up quickly and nodded before waving Maya to follow her. Pointing to Arathar and suppressing a perverse smile Raveres then pointed to the floor in front of her,
"You, here, now."
The freckled elf drew in a breath and nodded. As he bent to pick up the left greave Raveres cleared her throat and the Asur looked up with a raised brow.
"On your knees."
Arathar knew he was already on thin ice with the Druchii. Blinking and quietly complying he lowered to the floor in front of Raveres, and tentatively began bringing the piece of armour towards her leg. Fumbling with the greave's leather straps Arathar grunted as he tried to close the sides of the metal before realising, he had attempted to put it on Raveres upside down. Letting out a shudder at his own stupidity Arathar paused.
Tilting her head back and looking down her nose with a smirk of disbelief, the Druchii's voice rose smugly,
"Never handled armour before, have you?"
Looking up slowly the Asur's embarrassed expression answered the question. Rolling her eyes and holding back a growl of frustration Raveres complained under her breath,
"Gods help me…"
Turning to look over at her female slaves the Druchii let out a growl at their slow, inexperienced attempts at repacking their personal chests. Finally, the she-elf burst,
"Gah! Rhea? Go and find Yurin!"
The two women dropped what they had in their hands and looked at their master startled. Immediately Rhea responded, "Yes mistress!" before bowing her head rapidly and jumping towards the door, waving Maya to follow.
"He's trying to locate the squire, get him and get some goddamn eunuchs to carry all this out of here!"
Opening the door and jumping out the portal the blonde imperial squeaked as she replied,
"Y-yes mistress!"
Shutting her eyes and shaking in frustration Raveres swore under her breath before Arathar drew a breath, reminding her of his presence. Opening her eyes and looking back towards the male Asur her voice lowered as she ordered,
"Continue."
Darting his eyes away from her face and to the task at hand the attractive, bruised, elf went about the puzzle of dressing someone in armour. Her chest remained tight from everything that had transpired and as she watched Arathar, slowly, meticulously, run his hands up her legs, sparingly and fearfully touching her only as much as was necessary.
Raveres' breath began increasing, and she pursed her lips tightly. The noise of her breathing through her nostrils was growing louder as she watched the male's face. His lively emerald eyes… The splattered freckles across his nose and cheeks, his dirty blonde hair, the way his supple skin had darkened and blued into a wide bruise from her striking him.
Predatorily Raveres watched every minute motion of his eyes or of his lips as he breathed. With every second that passed her chest and heart was beginning to pound harder and louder. Making no effort to masque or restrain her noises Arathar's movements became more and more clumsy.
Strapping the right poleyn to the she-elf's leg, the Asur risked looking upwards at his mistress. Raveres' face was focused; her lips pursed and jaw tightly clenched. Swallowing nervously Arathar got up the courage to speak, his voice nearly quivering as he tentatively asked,
"My lady?"
Blinking and moving her head the Druchii snapped out of her trance. Furrowing her brow and controlling her breathing she looked straight ahead as she ordered sternly;
"Hurry up Asur."
…