Mila ran through the castle halls as quickly as her feet could carry her. She headed straight for the library, as that was where King Nikiforov was most likely to be at this time of day. His Excellency enjoyed all kinds of literature and also found the quiet solitude of the massive library rather comforting. When she arrived at its doors however, two guards stepped in to block her path.
"Halt! The King is currently not receiving any visitors!"
"Please, let me pass. I have an urgent message for the King!"
"We have not been informed of the arrival of such a message."
Mila groaned as she covered her face with her palm. Where does Viktor keep finding these meatheads? They're all muscle and no brain…
"Of course you haven't been informed…it just arrived. That's why it's an emergency message."
"My apologies, Princess, but not even you may disturb the King at this time. We have very clear and absolute instructions to not allow any disruptions to his Excellence's quietude."
Mila took a deep breath and straightened her back. She narrowed her eyes and allowed the power to rise up within her. Her normally cerulean eyes bled purple as the elven magic pumped through her veins. She called out to her most intimidating friends, sending her plea silently through vibrations she knew that only they would understand.
The guards suddenly became very uncomfortable as they noticed the change in the female before them.
"Princess, please…we're just trying to do our jobs!"
Mila paid them no mind as her ears perked up at the approaching swarm.
"It appears that I have failed to convince you of the importance of this urgent message. Perhaps my friends may have better luck."
They arrived just then, spiders, by the hundreds. They came crawling in through open windows, scurrying out from under closed doors and dropping down from the ceiling.
They formed a living wall behind the princess, their feet and fangs chattering in unison and creating an unnerving murmur. A beautiful sapphire tarantula crawled up Mila's leg and up her body, before coming to rest on the back of her left hand. Mila lifted her hand and eyed the arachnid with fascination, openly appreciating its beauty. The tarantula turned its body to face the terrified guards and wiggled its dark black fangs menacingly at them.
"Thank you for coming, friends. I promise to point you in the direction of a tasty bounty once we're through here."
Mila took a step toward the guards, her spider army moving forward in stride with her.
"Now, where were we? Ah, yes…you were about to open the library doors so that I could finally deliver this ever-so-very urgent message to the King."
Knowing that they had been beaten, the guards unbolted the heavy doors and pushed them open with trembling hands before stepping aside to allow the princess through. Mila turned to her spider legion and bowed gracefully toward them as she silently released them from their duty. As the sea of arachnids parted and dispersed, the tarantula voiced its desire to stay. Mila smiled as she looked down at the stunning specimen. Certainly! I've never before seen such a gorgeous creature as yourself. I would love to ask you about your travels! The tarantula wiggled its fangs and lifted then lowered its legs in an alternating pattern as it wiggled its body. Mila laughed as she brought a hand to gently stroke the creature's back. It brings me great joy to see such happiness from you. Come, let's go see the King. Mila lifted her hand up toward her shoulder and waited for the tarantula to crawl onto it.
The guards watched in disturbed silence at the odd exchange between the elven princess and the dinner plate-sized creepy crawler she currently held in her possession. Once the princess had stepped through the doors and they were able to close them behind her, they breathed audible sighs of relief.
"I know that her empire is one our kingdom's strongest allies…but that ability of hers is…just perturbing."
The second guard shuddered before speaking.
"Agreed. I'm not sure which is worse, the moment her eyes begin to change color like that or the trepidation that follows…waiting for whatever is to come after."
Once inside the library, Mila looked up to see the King seated in a chair facing the door. His elbows were resting on the arms of the chair and his hands were clasped together.
A teacup balanced on his knee and a bemused smile played upon his lips.
"Good evening, Your Highness. You were…expecting me?"
King Viktor motioned for Mila to take a seat.
"I hadn't been expecting you, no. But when I saw all of the library's resident spiders suddenly bolting toward the door, I figured that you couldn't be that far behind."
The princess blushed as she realized that she had been caught in the act. She gracefully picked up handfuls of her robe before taking a seat across from the King.
"That's quite a beauty you've got there. I haven't seen one in that color before."
Mila looked over to the cobalt blue spider sitting on her shoulder and smiled.
"Me neither. I feel extremely lucky to have encountered it! It…"
Mila's ears twitched and her eyes widened as she looked down at the tarantula.
The King was instantly on high alert.
"Mila, what is it?"
The auburn-haired princess brought her hand up to stifle a chuckle.
"Ah, my apologies…I was simply a bit surprised at what I heard. It appears that you have yourself a new admirer, Your Highness."
The King visibly relaxed as he leaned back into his chair.
"Oh? What does your new friend have to say about me?"
"She finds your hair extremely appealing. 'Like spun silk shimmering in the moonlight', she says."
The King brought a hand to his chest and bowed his head toward the arachnid.
"You flatter me with both your beauty and praise. Thank you, I am honored."
All eight of the tarantula's legs trembled happily before it dove behind Mila's neck, hiding itself in her hair.
Mila smiled and winked as she looked back up at the King.
"Now look at what you've done…you've embarrassed her!"
"Good heavens, that was not my intention at all. I hope that she can come out again later once she is ready."
The King picked up his teacup and took a sip before placing it on the table next to his chair.
"Now, Mila. What was so urgent that you had to terrify my guards into letting you in here?'
Mila blushed a color that nearly matched her usually fair skin to her hair. She had completely forgotten about why she'd come in the first place. She did not yet have full dominion over her powers and using them on such large numbers tended to muddle her thoughts and cause some forgetfulness.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I carry a very urgent message from Sara, the assassin. Her hawk flew in less than an hour ago."
Mila reached into the cleft of her bosom and pulled out the piece of parchment the message was written on. As she handed it over the King, he sighed and shook his head.
"Lady Mila, that was most unladylike of you. A true lady does not keep messages hidden in her cleavage!"
The elven princess shrugged.
"My family absolutely insists on clothing me in these impractical flowing robes. Beautiful to look at, and without a single pocket in sight. You're lucky that that's where I chose to carry the message, this time."
The King sighed once more.
"Incorrigible."
The King unrolled the piece of paper and scanned it quickly, eyes darting back and forth as he took in the message. A dark look washed over his features and he abruptly stood up.
"Excuse me for a moment."
The King walked off and disappeared behind a large bookshelf. Mila braced herself. Here it comes. A stream of angry Russian obscenities and threats soon followed.
Этот невыносимый, упрямый, сопливый ублюдок! Если он как-то еще не умер, я его сам убью!
About a minute later, a slightly red-faced monarch reappeared from behind the book case, nonchalantly adjusting the collar of his suit. He walked regally back over to his chair and retook his seat. He then reached for his teacup and gulped down its remaining contents. After clearing his throat and having regained his composure, the King spoke calmly.
"Ah, ahem, yes…this is urgent news indeed. Thank you for bringing it to my immediate attention. How's the messenger hawk? Do you think she'll be ready to fly again any time soon?"
Mila shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, Ciocco is currently in no condition to fly. She pushed herself to near exhaustion flying here as quickly as she could. She requires at least a solid four hours of rest."
The King brought his finger up to his lips and he considered his options.
"Understood."
The King suddenly stood up and walked over to the writing desk. He picked up a quill and unrolled a fresh piece of parchment. Once he'd finished writing his orders, he sealed them with melted wax and his royal seal. He extended the scroll to Mila and she stood up, stepping forward to accept it.
"Take this to General Otabek Altin. It contains special instructions for the search and rescue party."
Mila nodded and bowed her head to the King.
"The general is a good choice, Your Highness. No one is more capable in combat than he."
The King smiled wryly as he looked over at the auburn-haired princess.
"General Altin is not to be the leader of this excursion. He's just the muscle."
Mila was confused.
"Pardon? I'm not sure I understand."
"I will personally lead this party. I want to be there when we find this brat…I mean, Squire Plisetsky."
Mila brought her hand up to her chin and stared at the ground as she mulled things over.
"Is it wise to leave the castle for this kind of mission? You have a highly capable general and dozens of highly-trained fighters at your disposal. I know that you feel responsible for Squire Plisetsky, but I'm quite sure that he's put himself in this situation all on his own."
The King tilted his head a bit off to the side and his lips parted to expose a dazzling white smile.
"I'm quite aware of what's at my disposal, Lady Mila. However, more than anything, what I want is to personally wring his scrawny little neck…I mean…ensure his safety and well-being. He is a valued member of the court, after all."
Mila sighed. King Nikiforov and Squire Plisetsky got along about as well as oil and water. They were often at each other's throats and their storied shouting matches were infamous. Squire Plisetsky had been orphaned at a very young age and had been entrusted into Viktor's care since that day. The tragedy that had befallen him at such a stage of his youth made him into a very angry and difficult young man to deal with. He often refused to listen to reason and did as he pleased, which usually resulted in the kind of situation they currently found themselves in.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall take this message to the general's quarters immediately."
"Thank you, Mila."
"Oh, one more thing."
Mila reached behind her neck and coaxed the tarantula back out of her hair.
"She wishes to explore the library. She's also a bit...hungry. Is that alright with you?"
The King nodded. Certainly. She is to consider herself a guest here at the castle. She's more than welcome to take care of anything she deems tasty here in the library."
Mila placed the tarantula on the ground and watched it scurry off into the library's depths.
"Be sure to inform the cleaning staff of her presence. We don't want any dead servants or guests."
"I shall."
Mila curtsied and bowed to the King before knocking on the doors to the library. The doors opened and the guards stood at attention as she passed.
"Thank you, gentlemen. Hopefully next time I'll be able to obtain your cooperation without...erm...support. Have yourselves a lovely evening."
With that, Mila set off running once more.
terminology_
Этот невыносимый, упрямый, сопливый ублюдок! Если он как-то еще не умер, я его сам убью!
(Etot nevynosimyy, upryamyy, soplivyy ublyudok! Yesli on kak-to yeshche ne umer, ya yego sam ub'yu!)
That insufferable, stubborn, snot-nosed bastard! If he somehow has not died yet, I will kill him myself!