Hadriana has expected everything... Being used as a slave, a hostage, even rotting in a wet cell somewhere in the catacombs, where nobody would hear her screaming or rather loudly cursing her fate. The worst case scenarios suddenly became very real to her. She would never have expected a tastefully arranged room... Or, for example, her clothes neatly folded and cleaned, lying on the little bedside table. This is not how you treat a prisoner, is it? Especially not one who was accused of killing decent soldiers. At least not usually and not where she lived.
It was clearly time to get dressed, she needed to pull herself together and find out, what the fuck was going on. She felt a little nauseous, still worn out and weak, but she moved to the table to get her clothing. Getting dressed was a simple activity, she would never have thought it would require so much energy like it did now. Just as she began to put her tunic on, she noticed two very slender, delicate, almost weightless dimetrium cuffs around her wrists, very close to her skin, so that she would not be able to get them off. At least not in the easiest way. She WAS a prisoner after all. Hearing movements and a rustling just outside the door only confirmed her suspicions. Guards? Most likely. No... Obviously. More Red Riders... Let them come at me. Although the cuffs strongly affected her shape and made her weak, she was still very motivated to find a way out of her current situation.
She took a look in the mirror standing beside the bed and almost gasped in terror. Her green eyes were hollow and empty, she had dark circles under them, her hair was tangled and dirty, skin looked pale and sick and her lean body showed signs of a desperate fight. She looked like a freaking mess, so she decided to think about her next actions while getting her hair and face somehow sorted out. At that very moment, she heard the door opening and a person stepping inside. She turned and saw an elvish looking older woman closing the door behind her. She was just as pale as Hadriana, had white hair and was quite tall.
„Before you scream or throw anything at me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fiona aep Anisse, servant and chamberlain of the viceroy. I was told to check on you... Now that you are awake, I see that some food and a bath are in order. I will take care of this," she stated boldly, clearly not caring about what Hadriana had to say in that matter. The Mage wanted to tell her to sod off and leave her alone to think, but she thought better of it. The woman could prove to be useful in providing some information. So, let's play along. They have not hurt you yet.
„Thank you, I am Hadriana Stannard... It is nice to meet you," Iana decided to play civil, assuming that Fiona was not expecting a polite small talk in her own language. The elf looked utterly shocked. „ Let me guess... You weren't expecting a civil conversation with a human? I am no d'hoine, relax and do as you were told... We don't want you to get into trouble just now, do we," she told her slowly, in elder speech, chuckling slightly, suddenly being aware of the elf's facade. Who knows what the soldiers told her about the mage.
Hiding fear and respect under a thick mask of confidence and boldness was something Hadriana knew well. Let's break the mask then.
„I...I will be right back... I'll fetch everything..." The elf stuttered and left the room, only to come back a couple of minutes later with some strange looking food and wine.
While the mage started to convince herself to trust the elf and eat, the servant prepared a hot bath for her. Hadriana was starving but didn't manage to eat much... The strange thick soup, vegetables and wine tasted amazing, but the constant slight dizziness and weakness made it hard for her to keep her food. It will get better soon, she knew it... This was not the first time she had dimetrium cuffs on her wrists, they always meant trouble. She was glad they were not bound and allowed her to move her hands and arms. After she undressed and entered the bathtub, the elf started to wash and comb her thick, chestnut-colored waves. Iana was thankful for that, her hair was a nightmare even without tons of mud in it.
„If I promise to behave, will you take my beautiful bracelets off?" The mage decided it was worth a try.
„No... I was told to help you, and I will fulfill my duty. But I will do nothing beyond that, I have my clear orders directly from His Highness and his viceroy" Fiona appeared to be Eredin's loyal servant.
„Where am I? And what does your King want from me?" She asked the working elf, while she was cleaning her body and face from mud and blood. It took a moment for the woman to answer.
„We are done here, stand up, here are the towels... You need some adequate clothing, I took the liberty to bring you some robes you can choose from..." the elf tried to avoid the questioning by distracting Hadriana from the subject.
The mage decided to show some manners and gratitude and to try again later. She chose a red, long tunic with some gold embroidery on the collar and sleeves, black trousers, and a black, cape-like robe, made from a thick material. It should be warmer than her own clothing... It was really chilly in the room and probably even colder outside... Was it winter already? And where was Tir Na Lia anyway? She was sure she has heard or read the name somewhere before, it sounded like an elven name. She was digging in her mind for some more information while braiding her hair but found none.
„You clearly avoid answering me... I am not used to this and I find myself hating it..." she turned to face the elf. "I. Warn. You... Where am I? As a hostage, I should know where I stand, don't you think?" And what..." Iana started to get impatient.
„I believe I can answer at least some of your questions, my Lady. But only if you answer mine and stop threatening my staff," she heard a deep voice coming from the now open door.
She immediately turned around and saw an extraordinarily tall male elf coming inside. He wore a beautifully stitched white and cream tunic with a high collar. He was an older man, his hair was already gray, but his blue eyes were bright, deep and full of vitality. He wore a studied half smile, it never reached his eyes. Hadriana bore her emerald green eyes into his blue and decided to smile back, her smile looking just as dishonest as his. It was blue against green, a smile against a smile, desperation against sheer curiosity and respect on both sides.
„You are no hostage" he added."At least not exactly. We also wish the bracelets were not necessary, just as the guards" he moved further in her direction. The way he scanned her with his eyes was unnerving. Just as if he wanted to see her soul.
„This is Tir Na Lia, we have the year 1765, the world and land of Aen Elle. My name is Ge'els, I am King Eredin's viceroy here, in the capital and you are in the Moon Palace as my guest, just as long as His Majesty is away. Before you ask, yes, our Red Riders brought you here from your world, Aen Seidhe..." he stated. „I must admit, I was a little surprised as I heard about Eredin's unexpected special guest, but I got curious about you... You almost seriously maimed him, yet he still insisted on taking you with him instead of simply chopping your pretty head off" he chuckled.
„I will seriously maim you if you don't get to the point, knife ear. Either you are mental because you talk about shit, that never happened, or I am mental because I don't remember that shit... I am tired of this, dear viceroy... Very tired, so kindly stop speaking in riddles and tell me why I am here," she quietly said, still smiling, causing his features to freeze.
She held her head up high, but at her core, she was shell shocked and close to tears. Aen Elle... The Elves of Aen Elle, the Alder Folk? Aen Seidhe's cousins, almost forgotten, living in a different world. She vaguely knew the stories about them, Aen Seidhe knew so little about them. What were they doing in Aen Seidhe and how did they get there? Portals? Alright, apparently this is getting really serious.
„Sit down dear lady, drink some more wine. I have a feeling, that it will be an interesting and long conversation," he offered, clearly ignoring her harsh undertone and a very unfortunate choice of words. A true diplomat, or so he seems. She did as he asked, suddenly feeling, that it was the best idea to hear the man out and ask concrete questions. She couldn't do much else in her state anyway.
„First of all, I need to know something about you... What is your name?" he politely asked.
„Hadriana Stannard..." she quietly replied.
„You seem to be... Aen Seidhe? A D'hoine mage? Or maybe a halfling? A simple human doesn't know the elder speech as well as you do" he wondered.
„A halfling... My father was Aen Seidhe, he was also a sorcerer, just like me. Is there anything else you really need to know or can we get straight to business? I don't see why you need to know me" she liked to get the facts straight and focus on the most important matters. "I don't think we will become friends or allies, yet you appear to need something from me, so out with it" she added.
„I see that you are not in the mood for polite introductions or small talk... Very well then. You are here because King and commander Eredin Breacc Glas wishes you to be... Do not fear too much, if he wished you dead, you would already be dead , this doesn't give you the right to do as you please here, his patience can grow thin. As for his reasons to keep you here... I recommend asking him about it... He will speak to you soon anyway when he returns to the capital. Until then, you should try to get comfortable here...I have a feeling that your stay in Tir Na Lia will be a long one. Should you need anything, let me know." he offered. He then stood up, bowed and turned to leave. As he reached the door, he turned towards her again.
„One more thing, Lady Hadriana... The Tir Na Lia traditional court clothing suits you perfectly" with that, he left.
Bastard... At least he was apparently not a thick-headed brute like that fucker Imlerith ... This folk was apparently quite special in every aspect. Suddenly she felt the urge to empty that wine bottle that was still placed on the table. Eredin Breacc Fucking Glas...
