Darkness Falls (Closed)

[JadeKnight]

The sitting room was part of one of the castle's towers, so it was actually quite small. A single window looked out at the forest that laid behind the kingdom, a small table beneath it. Two chairs were next to the table, the Queen occupied one as she looked out the window. The only one to use this little room was the Queen, so it was aptly named as her sitting room. She gestured towards the other chair as her daughter entered, giving her a smile.

"I was wondering when I would see you again. I've received reports of your deeds, wishing I could be out there with you."

She gave a little sigh as Salina sat down in the chair, arranging her dress very carefully. Salina blinked for a moment at the thought of being spied upon.

"Reports of my deeds? Did you have spies sent out after me when I left?"

Esmeralda laughed for a moment.

"No, dear. I didn't need to do any such things. I've always received reports about a young woman with a sword and rose tattoo doing such interesting things in the countryside, and it wasn't very hard to put things together on who it was."

She reached over and took her daughter's hands in her gently.

"As mush as it delights me to see you again, I'm afraid I've got some more urgent matters to go over you with. I'm sure you've noticed that the King wasn't around the castle today. Sadly, he was assassinated last Christmas by an unknown person that has yet to be caught. I believe it was a demon, but I'm not sure. Three of your sisters have been married off, but Josa, sadly died shortly after you left the castle. It was a sickness that the healers were unable to cure."

Esmeralda fell quiet as she let Salina take in everything. The young woman was quiet, tears slowly forming. She loved all of her sisters, and it hurt to hear one of them had died. She didn't have much love for her father, as he never took the time to even spend time with her as she was growing up. The news of his death didn't affect her as much. The Queen began speaking once more.

"With your return, I've done some thinking. Dark tidings have risen their head once more, though not in a way I had expected. I had heard whispering and private reports that the demons had been seen more frequently the last few months, but I did not let our people know. I fear my time is growing short and the kingdom will soon be without a leader. I was unable to bear you a brother, so the throne will most likely be vacant after I am gone. However, I plan on changing that. I am making you part of the royal family once more and my successor."

Salina blinked several times as she heard the news.

"What?!"

Esmeralda just smiled and leaned across the table, kissing her daughter on her forehead.

"I will make the annoucement tonight over dinner. It was the only logical thing to do."

The Queen stood up from her seat, leaving Salina to mull over what just happened.

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The training grounds were located in the fields outside the castle walls. The fields were divided into several areas by leather strips and posts. The areas were divided up into archery fields, sword fighting, jousting, exercising, and activities. Men, women, boys, and girls of all ages populated the various activities. The noise was almost deafening, but no one seemed to mind it one bit. A gentle breeze blew through the area, carrying with it the smell of sweat and blood.

Rosa was engaged in overseeing a group of the younger soldiers as they practiced sparring with each other and wooden dummies built in the area.

 

[Armphid]

The training grounds were in good order and that set Anya's worries a bit to rest. If those mages came here, they'd at least find well drilled troops waiting for them.

The dwarf took some time to just watch; it was good to see this was a fairly open minded society. Women and men fought together, as it should be. There were many who did otherwise for one reason or another that she had encountered on her travels. One nation fielded an army of women because most of the men had been slain by a curse meant to make the land easy to conquer, so the few men and boys who remained were valuable resources. Another had a strange culture where every man was in their army and fought but women ruled and ran the government and the rest of life. This way was best though, she thought. The same burdens shared by all.

And it was dwarf way, which made it best, but she wasn't going to share that with anyone.

Anya spotted Rosa and made her way down to where the captain was supervising sparring practice on one end of a field and pell practice on the other. She made no secret of her approach, bowing her head to Rosa and smiling in greeting, but did not speak for now. Once there was a pause, perhaps, but she'd interrupted the woman's duties enough for today.

Once there was a lull, the buxom battler came to Rosa's side. "Captain. I'm nae here to disrupt your work more, and I'll wander off if ye'd prefer it. But I was thinking that you might be able to work me in somehow. I don't know if there's anyone you'd like to have me spar or drill but I'm a damn good fighter, if I do say so myself, sword and board being my specialty."

 

[JadeKnight]

Rosa had stepped back for a few moments to take a breather when Anya approached her. She gave a smile for a moment as she listened to the dwarf's request, nodding for a moment. She didn't speak for a few seconds as she thought of the best way to handle things.

"I know you are a guest of my daughter's, but I don't think she would mind you helping me at all. I don't have any place or anyone in particular in mind for you help, so feel free to fill in where you can. I know the younger soldiers could benefit from your skills."

She lifted her left hand and gave a gesture for her to go ahead where she would like.

 

[Armphid]

"Aye, Captain. I'll leave yer lads and lasses better than I found them." The dwarf woman thumped her fist against her breastplate in a dwarven salute and then looked over the training ground. She could teach the veterans drilling there a few things but they were already skilled, however they'd also be the most able to absorb what she could show them without it disrupting the training regimen Rosa had them doing already.

But the younger soldiers were the ones who needed more teaching and not only that, but more confidence. They were also young and fit and sweaty...mmm!

Anya shifted her shield on her back and strode forward to where a group of very new, very raw young men and women were drilling. "Hold, you lot!" They managed to check themselves fairly well and the faces that turned towards her were full of surprise at not only the interruption but who was doing it. Being confronted with a busty dwarf woman in skimpy armor was, apparently, a bit outside their experience. "You lot are so new you smell fresh even sweating! But Captain Deadrae thinks you have potential, so I'm here to give you some special training. My name's Anya Ironpounder, but you better call me "Sir" or you'll my boot so far up your ass you'll have to open your mouth and spit it out!"

She was grinning, her expression both fierce and cheerful. This was kind of fun. "All right, lads and lasses, you're just getting the basics drilled in but what I'll teach you will give those basics the kind of twist that comes with experience. Now, fall in and follow my lead!"

 

[JadeKnight]

Rosa did her best to conceal a grin as she watched the dwarven fighter take over the training. She watched Anya go through the training regiment for a few minutes before she came up with an idea. She motioned to a couple of the other instructors and whispered a few words. The two nodded and took up a nearby position themselves to watch. Rosa figured they could probably use a few tips in training as well.

She had turned to go and grab some water when a young soldier came running up, panting softly. She frowned for a moment as she moved over to him, who straighten up to salute her.

"Captain, I have grave news to report. The King's statue has been taken."

"What do you mean, taken?"

The young man took a moment to catch his breathe before speaking once more.

"Ma'am, a village had reported a large black cloud appearing around it it earlier. I ran to see it for a myself and saw it with my own eyes. I tried to enter it, but it was like a solid wall and lasted for several minutes. When it dissipated, the statue was gone. Another scout also reported the camp in the field outside the city disappeared as well."

Rosa growled softly for a moment. She expected something like this after the news from earlier, but she couldn't do anything yet.

"Find any clues you can and report back after the evening meal."

"Yes ma'am."

She watched the young man disappear in the direction he came from before turning back to the training field.

 

[Armphid]

"Come on now, what have I been saying?" Anya grabbed the top of one of the trainee's shields, a man who was twice as tall as her and probably double the mass, and pulled. He stumbled forward and she clucked her tongue. "An orc'd have your guts hanging in a second like that."

Given that the nearby orc tribes were a constant thorn and the enemy the troops were most likely to encounter, Anya was giving them a crash course in the way to fight the beasts dwarf-style. "Remember, they're bigger than you and have a longer reach. Keeping your shield flat or tipped forward gives them something to grab or hook with a weapon and pull you off balance. Keep it forward but with top towards you and bottom pushed out. That takes away their reach advatage; puts your hunk of metal right in between you and them."

She demonstrated the stance again and watched her "students" follow suit. They did have talent; most of them had it already. "Good! You lot might make out of a fight with an orc whelp yet!"

She continued speaking, talking about the normal strikes they'd been taught and how to adjust them for orc fighting but her eyes and her mind noted the soldier talking to Rosa and her reactions.

Something had happened. And it wasn't good.

Given that they weren't immediately sounding an alarm and rushing off to fight, it wasn't an attack of an assassination attempt. So it could wait for a while, until she was done here, anyway. But she needed to know what had caused Rosa's face to twist into that frustrated grimace and then find Salina.

 

[JadeKnight]

For Rosa, shifting the bad news to the back of her mind was nothing new for her. After all, her soldiers needed her attention and the current events weren't going to be stopped because of her involvement. No, she needed to focus on the task at hand to make sure the army was ready when the time came. A war was coming and there was probably nothing more than delaying the inevitable. The commander watched Anya's training for a few more moments before moving to check on the rest of the soldiers.

Inside, Salina left the sitting room to find her magic teacher for answers. She spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the castle, but didn't have any luck. When she finally did ask where Jaffery went, she was told he had gone out on a small retreat in another country. Upset, but not mad, she lost herself in the library to find the information she needed. It was nearly time for dinner when a maid woke her to get her ready.

Rosa called a halt to the training about two hours before the evening feast was ready. As the soldiers made their way from the training field to get cleaned up, she went to Anya.

"You did a fine job of showing the men and women new fighting skills. Thank you for the assistance. "

She smiled for a moment to the dwarf, looking towards the sun, which was slowly going towards the horizon.

"It's still a little bit till the feast, which the Queen planned in honor of Salina's return no doubt. I'm sure the maids would be more than happy to help get you into something more fitting for this evening."

 

[Armphid]

Anya mopped her brow with a handkerchief and inclined her head at the compliment, "Thank you, Captain. They're good lads and lasses, I think they'll do ye proud in time."

She looked down at her sweaty, armor-clad body and then laughed, "I suppose clanking steel inn't exactly what the noble set expects at dinner, is it?" The dwarf woman nodded, "All right, I'll get cleaned up and see if there's anything suitable." She sighed, "Probably get crammed inta some child's dress."

Even if her figure was adult, any shops she went to in predominantly human lands always tried to see her clothes for children. She understood that tailoring for a dwarf wasn't something they were used to, but she didn't want to look like a child! Not to mention that there wasn't a little girl's dress out there that could contain her chest.

She shrugged and started off with a wave, "Hope t' see you at the festivities! I bet ye clean up real nice!" She wouldn't mind seeing Rosa in a dress...or a lot less than a dress. Or the Queen for that matter. And especially Salina...

"Gods, but yer a bad girl, Anya Ironpounder," she murmured. She was often a bit randy, but this was ridiculous! Lusting after every pretty woman she met! What had gotten into her?

The castle was busy and bustling; guards and men-at-arms as well as maids, servants, cooks, and the rest. But once she was in her appointed quarters, a maid assigned to her arrived and the preparations began.

First, Anya took a good bath; stripping down and scrubbing her lush body, all the while flirting with the young maid and asking her if she wanted to join her. She undid her hair and washed it, combing the long locks out as she dried off in a bathrobe that was only a little too big.

She was pleasantly surprised by the clothing offered her; it seemed that the Queen had the foresight to get the tailors working on a dress that was going to be part of a gift meant for the wife of the dwarven Jarl whose hold was in the mountains nearest the kingdom. Which meant all it needed was a little fitting and letting out here and there, and she'd actually have clothes built for a woman of her size and frame!

Hours later, Anya waited in an antechamber for the feast guests to sit down and the introductions to be made. She felt very pretty but also a little silly in such finery...she was made to wear armor, not fine fabrics! All the same...she hoped she looked good.

Her golden hair had been arranged and rebraided to have a thin braid framing her brow and going around her head and a single long braid at the back of her neck that went down to the swell of her butt. At each knot of the briad, a silver hairpin set with a different gem glinted in the center. Her face was only very lightly made up; a light blue dusting over her eyes, a faint rouge on her cheeks, and a thin layer of red lipstick. Her dress was a snug fitted shoulderless garment that hugged her curves well and set off her ample bosom fantastically; low cut enough to show a thorough amount of flesh and cleavage. It was charcoal grey with golden yellow lacings and trip at the hem of the long skirt, the ends of the sleeves, and for detail and decor. The yellow trim set off a pair of vertical red strips on either side of an emerald green center panel that went down the middle of her chest, cinched at the waist with a red leather belt with a golden buckle that resembled a shield. A wrap of luxurious brown fur, bear maybe, fastened at her neck with a simple silver clasp and covered her shoulders and upper back. A golden necklace with an eye-sized garnet was around her neck, the pendant part sitting comfortably in the valley of her cleavage, and a pair of silver, rune carved bracelets were on either wrist. Her boots were fine and of soft, supple dark red leather, polished to a dull shine.

Unwilling to be completely unarmed, she had a long knife hanging off the belt in a well made but unadorned scabbard. Anya still felt naked without her shield and sword, but decorum wouldn't allow that kind of armament for a fancy dress occasion like this. So dressed and adorned, she looked not like a hardened warrior but like the daughter of a wealthy dwarven Jarl...which she was, actually, but still!

She took a deep breath and tried not to fidget as she waited to see if she'd be introduced with Salina or on her own.

 

[JadeKnight]

The maid who had helped Anya soon appeared in the antechamber to lead Anya in. She lead the dwarfess into the large dining room before stopping a few feet from the entrance.

"May I present Lady Anya Ironpounder."

The dining area was very large, and decorated in flowers, multi-colored ribbons, and animal statues. It was obvious this dinner had been planned out, from the large number in attendance. Four long tables were lined up in parallel pairs of twos, eight more long tables in a u-shaped further up. The parallel tables were filled with some the soldiers that Anya had been training with earlier that day, men and women dressed in elegant, but simple outfits. Rosa sat at the head of the right set of tables, dressed in a simple green dress. Her white hair was made up in a pair of buns on the sides of her head, though she wore no make-up. The older lady stood and gave a curtsy, as did the rest of the soldiers.

The u-shaped tables were filled with nobles from around the kingdom, lining the outside of the U. They applauded the young drawfess as well. Three empty seats were in the middle of the U. The very center seat was the Queen's throne. The maid led Anya to the empty seat to the left of the Queen's throne.

"Here is your seat m'lady. Her Majesty and the princess shall be along shortly. Feel free to eat while you wait."

The maid gave a curtsy to Anya before she headed out one of the doorways near the back of the dining hall. It wasn't normal for the Queen to be late for such functions, but the princess needed to be found as well.

Out in the dining hall, a male servant came along the table, bearing a large platter of cooked turkey slices. He made his way along the length of the tables, laying out two pieces per guest. Following him was a pair of servants, dishing out mashed potatoes and vegetables to each guest. Lastly, a young maid came through, filling each goblet full with red wine.

 

[Armphid]

Anya smiled and inclined her head at the applause as if she was used to being presented to royal courts all the time. Inside, her guts were churning. Where were Salina and the Queen? Their absence was noted by more people than just her but she schooled her face into an expression of happy indifference.

Just smile and act natural. And hope to the Gods they were late choosing dresses or something instead of dealing with a demon attack.

She caught Rosa's eye and winked. The older human woman looked nice in a dress. She caught worry on her face too; was it about the absence of the other women or was it something else? The mysterious business that called Rosa away earlier?

The buxom dwarf sighed. "I hate bein' in the dark all the damn time." She looked up and smiled at the servers as they came around with the food and wine. Without hesitation, she started to dig in. One thing she'd learned as an adventurer; when you got a chance to eat, you ate.

 

[JadeKnight]

The banquet guests didn't have long to wait for the two missing women to arrive. The young page that had announced the Queen earlier in the afternoon walked in with his small horn through the same door Anya entered from. The young bot lifted his horn and gave a short blow for attention before dropping it once more.

“Her Majesty and the Princess Salina.”

All conversation stopped at the announcement and everyone stood up from their seats as they waited for the Queen to enter. Esmeralda walked into the banquet hall, Salina following close behind. The young page bowed for a moment as the two women passed, his horn tucked under his arm. Once the two women passed by him, he turned and hurried out to his other duties.

Esmeralda wore the same dress has she had first held court, but her hair was made up different. She wore the royal crown on top of her hair, her hair made into a bun inside the crown. The ruby set into the center of the white gold band shined in the candle and torchlight as she made her way to her seat next to Anya. The maid who had discovered Salina sleeping in the library didn't like the mess she had made of the first dress, so she had Salina change her dress. Now she wore floor length red dress with short sleeves and plunging cut front. It wasn't what Salina was used to, since she was used to the more modest cut dresses. Her red hair was braided back in the same single ponytail braid, a rose jewel brooch pinned on the left side of the top of her head.

The princess was about to sit down when the Queen stopped her. Esmeralda raised her hand for a moment.

“Now before everyone continues, I have an announcement about a decision I wish to enact. I know that my husband, rest his soul, and decreed that my daughter, Salina, was cast out of the royal family due to her gifts. I believe he was afraid of what she was, but she has shown herself to be quite skilled and talented in her travels away from the kingdom. Since the King is no longer with us, it falls on me to make this decision and new decree. My decree is to restore Salina Ledaro to the Ledaro royal family and that she shall be my heir to the throne.”

Salina was blushing bright red beside her mother as she stood there, though she knew the announcement was coming. There was stunned silence in the hall for a moment. The first to break the silence was Rosa who started clapping. She was followed by the soldiers and then the rest of the hall. Both ladies waited for the clapping to die down to take their seats, followed by the rest of the hall.

Though she was still a bit red, Salina leaned forward to looked towards Anya with a little smile.

“It looks like even a dwarf can be cleaned up.”

Esmeralda smirked for a moment and nudged her daughter with an elbow.

“Now be nice to our guests dear.”

 

[Armphid]

The Queen's announcement was a right shocker, no doubt about that. How would the kingdom receive it, Anya wondered. From the queen's telling, Salina's exile was all the old king's doing but had his beliefs been just his own or more widespread?

It didn't matter though. Salina would be one hell of a queen. Especially if she kept wearing dresses like that one! Hammer and tongs, she was always lovely but she looked downright scorching tonight.

Anya clapped along with the other nobles, though she also blew a few loud whistles and thumped the table. Good! It was no less than her friend deserved.

The busty dwarf raised an eyebrow at Salina's sally and then grinned at the queen's chiding response. "Aye, Your Highness, be nice now. Not that you aren't being nice by giving all of us such a view of your goods. Gods have mercy!"

She laughed and actually reached out to take the bottle of wine from the servant who was bringing it to the royals. "If I may pour for you, Your Majesty, Your Highness." She filled their goblets and set the bottle down, "I'm happy for you, both of you, to be so merrily reunited. Well deserved."

 

[JadeKnight]

The Queen smiled as Anya filled her goblet and Salina's as well.

“Thank you very much Miss Anya.”

She stood up once more, raising her filled goblet.

“A toast...to the Future!”

There was a moment of silence for a moment before the others raised their goblets as well, echoing her toast. Salina just smiled and sipped her wine. The Queen sat down once more, draining her goblet quickly before setting it down again.

“Please enjoy the feast and entertainment will soon arrive.”

Salina leaned forward and grinned at Anya for a moment.

“You better watch my back so that I do fulfill the role of succession.”

She leaned back at the next course came in, the main course of roasted turkey. As the servants went along serving up the meal, the promised entertainment arrived. A four person musican group playing a lute, viol, shawm, and timbrel, along with two female dancers. Shortly after they set up, the large hall was filled with upbeat music, and the occasionally whistles and catcalls. The rest of the guests engaged in conversation about the various states of affairs, but there seemed to be a heavy undertone of dread as well.

 

[Armphid]

This wasn't the kind of party she was used to, that was for sure. But it was fun in it's own way. The food was great, the wine better, the musicians knew how to play, and those dancing girls certainly knew how to make the temperature rise! Funny, she'd expected the entertainment the Queen provided to be more...staid and proper, somehow.

And those outfits the girls were wearing, the way they jiggled and writhed...maybe the Queen was a lady after her own heart. Now if only Salina and Rosa were too.

She chuckled at the thought. The young dwarf fighter had eaten enough to feel good but not quite full or stuffed; risky to do, even when you thought you were safe, as it could make you slow.

Her eyes scanned the room several times. People were talking, watching the dancers, a few cheering or whistling, but everyone was tense. Had word of why they were here spread? Good if it had, as being prepared was better than surprised, but still. Fear could be a killer. It could chill the blood, slow the response, and worst of all, make you give up before you even started.

But could anything be done to counter fear? The party and the entertainment, surely that was the purpose...but it didn't seem to be doing the trick.

Maybe it needed a little help.

She drained her wine glass and set it down firmly. "Your Highness, Your Majesty, I'm sorry if I cause trouble or offend you here, but this party's a little too dull. Everyone's on the knife's edge and they're going t' get too stressed and sloppy this way. So...I'm going t' try an' liven it up a bit. Sorry if it embarrasses you."

Anya did not wait for a reply but stood up and walked around the high table. She listened to the music as she went, finding the rhythm and pace, feeling the melody. As she came around the front of the table, she started to feel eyes on her; it was unusual for a guest to rise early and much less to head out in front of the tables.

She began to sway her hips to the music, reaching up to undo the broach on her wrap and then turned in a circle and cast the garment off, throwing it towards Rosa with a wink. Without it her shoulders were bare and the tightly fitted too of the dress was exposed, showing her generous breasts barely constrained by it, offering a magnificent amount of luscious tit and cleavage to view.

The dwarf woman joined the dancers in their writhing, lusty, sensual movements as if she was part of their troupe. They seemed surprised but went with it. "Come on now, all you gorgeous ladies and handsome men," she called out in a purring alto, "yer Princess has returned, the night is young, we're all alive and vital! Drink and dance! Celebrate!" She rolled her body backwards as she turned, giving the whole large room a wonder sight down her dress. "Come on now, are none of you brave enough to dance with us? Dance and feel and let fear go! Live!"

 

[JadeKnight]

Selina was not surprised by Anya's words and decided course of action, but she hadn't expected her to do what she did. She didn't quite know what to say in response as her friend got up and walked around to the dancers. Normally she wouldn't have been embarrassed by what her friend did, but she went bright red when most of the guests' eyes went to her for a moment. Even her mother made a comment softly to her, though she was grinning at the same time.

“I had heard the dwarves were quite the partiers, but I must say it's a first to see someone do this as a guest.”

The queen smiled as she and the rest of the guests turned their attention towards the sensually dancing dwarf and the rest of the entertainment. Several catcalls erupted from the soldiers as Anya continued to dance till the current song ended. No one at the main table really responded to Anya's call to join her in the revelry for a few moments.

The first ones to react were the soldiers. They picked up their tables, easily keeping their food and drink from spilling as the tables were placed close to the walls. A few of the soldiers surprised the dining visitors by picking their tables up and moving them away as well, leaving the other nobles confused for a few moments. It didn't take long before everyone was up and on their feet, dancing as the banquet turning into a large free-for-all dance. The alcohol flowed freely as the servants moved carefully among the crowd, everyone joining in, including the princess and the Queen.

The dance lasted well into the wee hours of the morning, though people peeled off to go sleep where they could. Selina had ended up curled up in a corner, passed out from a little too much to drink. The Queen had retired to her chambers shortly after midnight, having drunk more than she was used to.

 

[Armphid]

Anya strolled among the cleared tables with a happy smile on her lips. There was an air of exhausted jubilation to the place that had before been thick with tension and fear. It wouldn't last, and she knew that, but it was good to get that fear out and feel alive, even if just for one night.

Her legs ached a little; she hadn't danced that long in years! Not only by herself but with many others. She'd been passed from soldier to noble to servant, Captain Rosa, even dancing a few turns with the Queen herself! But it was time to turn in. The Queen had retired already and she hadn't seen Rosa in a bit but she wasn't looking for the guard captain right now. She was looking for...ah. For her.

Selina was curled up in a corner, looking deliciously innocent and seductive at once in that daring evening gown, yet so sweetly asleep. The dwarf woman grinned at her and shook her head, "I expected ye t' hold yer liquor better," she teased in a soft voice.

Not that Selina could hear. The young woman was out like a light.

Anya slipped up and carefully gathered her into her arms. Despite the height difference, dwarves were strong; stronger on average than humans and far tougher as well. Seline seemed to weigh almost nothing in her arms as she turned and carried the newly reinstated princess out of the great ballroom.

Several minutes later, the pushed open the door to her friend's rooms. Shifting Selina in her arms, she craned her neck about to look over the place. "Lawks. A princess lives in style, eh?" Then she marched over to the large, four poster, curtained bed and gently deposited Selina on it. The buxom fighter bit her lower lip as she openly ogled her friend's glorious body and then sighed. She walked around the bed to take hold of the other end of the covers and then back again, folding them over so that she could tuck the princess in. "You stay nice an' warm, my girl. Sleep well, now. I've a feelin' we'll need ye rested in the days t' come."

Now she had to find her way back to her own rooms...or into someone else's, though that opportunity was likely gone. But it was still fun to think about. She blew Selina a kiss in the dark of her room and made her way to the door as quietly as possible.

 

[JadeKnight]

As Anya got to the door, there was a bit of rusling at the princess's bed. She had lifted herself up into a sitting position for a moment, though she was still asleep. She spoke softly, though she could easily be heard in the stillness of the room.

“Don't forget me.”

She stayed up for a moment longer before falling back on the bed, continuing to sleep. She continued to sleep through the night, until the servants arrived in the morning to wake her up. The first rays of sunlight shone into the princess's eyes, causing her to moan at the bright intrusion of her sleep. One of the maids gently shook her further awake speaking softly.

“It's morning m'lady. Breakfast will be ready soon, and the Queen wants to have you on your way soon after breakfast.”

Though she was a little upset at being woke up so early, she didn't argue with the maids as they laid out her gear for her. It only took a little while to change into her riding leathers after a quick dip in the bathing chamber. Her hair had been tied back into a pair of intricate ponytails, her cloak draped over her right arm.

She arrived in the dining room after her mothers, Anya, and a few of the guests were already there eating. She smiled and curtsied to them before taking a seat next to her friend.

“I hope I'm not too late.”

Esmeralda smiled and shook her head.

“Not at all m'dear. Eat up and then we'll discuss the dire news that you need to go after.”

Salina frowned for a moment, but went right to eating. Bits of conversation flowed freely among the few guests gathered, but Salina stayed quiet as she ate. As breakfast was cleared away by the servants, the guests left as well, leaving Anya, Salina, Rosa, and Esmeralda alone at the table. Rosa was the first to speak up.

“I'm sorry that the two of you only got here, but your service is needed immediately. We're not sure who exactly did it, but the royal statue was stolen yesterday afternoon. I didn't say anything about it so that panic wouldn't be spread among everyone. As you know, if the jeweled globe is put back together, everyone is in danger. Saek's portion of the jewel was stolen, but we don't know by who or where it was taken. You must find it.”

 

[Armphid]

Anya paused at the door, Salina's words unmistakeable. Was she awake or...no, she settled back down almost immediately. The dwarf girl smiled softly and walked back over to the bed. "How could anyone forget you, my bonnie?" She spoke the words softly, not wanting to wake the princess. She took a few more moments to make sure she was well covered and then slipped out again.

It was sweet, really. All her power, her position, her bloody dragon, and she was afraid of being forgotten? It made her even more adorable!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Anya assumed Salina's silence at breakfast was due to a hangover. She didn't have one herself though she had plenty in the past. She was dressed in plain clothes for training, intending to spend another day with Rosa's soldiers. At least until the Guard Captain made her quiet announcement about the stolen statue.

"Blood and hellfire," she sighed and shook her head. "No wonder you two were so sober last night until I shook things up." They should have told Salina, at least. She understood not wanting to create a panic but if the mage-princess had known, she might have been able to do something about it, even if just start looking.

The buxom dwarf grimaced, "S'usually better to start thief hunting right away, but the day after's not so bad." She hopped out of her chair, "I'll get my gear and go find Beth'ira, get us all stocked up for traveling, Salina. I'm guessing we need to find the trail and get after it quick as you please."

 

[JadeKnight]

The queen smiled and shook her head softly.
"No need to apologize for what you did last night Anya. I am grateful for the help to liven things up. Rosa and I have further details to discuss in preperation for the days ahead."
She stood up from the table before placing a light kiss on Salina's head before leaving the dining room, followed by Rosa.

Salina smiled a little at her mother's kiss as she watched them leave the dining hall. Finishing the last bite of food, she nodded to Anya.

"That sounds like a good idea. While you get things ready, I need to go check a hunch out. The sudden theft is bothering me."

She gave a smile to her friend before heading back to her room. After changing into her riding gear and packing stuff back together, Salina made her way to the library. Gathering up several copies of the world map, she drew several different designs connecting the racial nation capitals.

"Just as I suspected."

Beth'ra was stretched out in the main courtyard when Anya came out. The golden dragon lifted her head and yawned for a moment. She shifted into a sitting position, stretching her wings out before closing them against her body