* * *
Rocsui
* * *
I lie back in my bed, blonde hair spread back behind me like a fanned tail. I can feel that it's morning. There are no windows in my room, so I can't see the sun, but the birds outside in the garden are singing. I've always felt a kinship with them since even before Father gave me plumage. I can hear them go on about just how bright it is this morning, how beautiful.
Something to look forward to.
My arm drifts out to the side so that I can brush the cheek of the boy who shares my bed. He's still deep asleep, but makes a little grunt as my nail traces the underside of his jaw. I turn to fully observe him.
There's not been much time for observation. I only made advances yesterday, after all. And he's an excitable young boy, and not prone to introspection. I...well, I suppose I differ, there.
My fingers drift up and down along his jaw, then start to comb through the dark brown curls springing from the top of his head. Fun to play with. Not as fun to pull as I'd hoped. But then...
...Well, I suppose it's rather impolite to say so, but he's not as fun as I'd hoped. Perhaps because he was a virgin? It's so hard to tell. I was as well, after all. (Well, to some extent. Daddy wouldn't like to know that the nymphs and dryads in his gardens were just as amicable towards the Princess as they were towards the King. But none of them had that...well, maleness. Except for the mushroom dryads. They kind of had to.)
Nothing's as fun as I'd hoped. I'm still sleeping in the same old cage, just as the birds outside are. Most animals in the Palace have been freed, but even with Faun putting the wild back into them, some won't move their nests. I wonder, though...
...I wonder if he should have put the wild back into me. I wonder if that's what's missing.
Whatever the case may be, I don't really...care for Jaxhelshon. Not that he's been anything but a gentleman, and anything but kind. He's been a bit bumbling and forgetful, but he's young, and a man. Or a boy, perhaps. Should I feel like I owe him gratitude? No, I am Royalty, and I owe nothing to anyone in my Kingdom who is not a citizen. That much Father taught me, and I take it to heart. Jaxhelshon has his own Kingdom. And though I will keep treaty with his Kingdom if I rule Aurocale in my Father's stead, that does not imply that it brings with it my favor.
Am I already thinking of ruling this place? Well, it must be done. While emotions stir slow in my heart if ever they stir at all, I must admit that the Armed's attempt at a coup has angered me. They may call it maintaining peace if they like - it still doesn't change that they are putting someone outside of the royal line on the throne. No one asked them to.
Yes, this might be anger. I could call it that emotion. It's firmer and colder than what I felt when Iaen mocked me in the form of my Father. I've never really had a chance to attempt more emotions than those necessary to be Daddy's perfect, demure, blushing little doll of a daughter. And in a way...
...Well, I just don't know why I'm so cold. But I don't have the time to just lie here thinking about it. I wake the boy beside me. He'll prove useful today, after our morning fun.
After that, I've other things to do.
* * *
Camden
* * *
I'm not sure if you could call what I had last night sleep. I did work a nap in, just to eliminate the possibility that I might again contract the sort of hair-trigger paranoia that lost Jhe Blackirons a foot that one time. Since then it's been agreed that I do need to obtain some form of rest each night, for the sake of peace.
I'm pretty sure I spent that hour or so of rest mentally flicking through the paperwork that I'm looking over now. Orders have come back from Radia, you see. They were quick about it, thank goodness. I was getting nervous, but as the Judge is leading these operations personally, there's not much bureaucracy to wait on.
I'm to return to Radia.
I put the papers down and push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. This is a...development. It isn't that I wasn't looking forward to returning with Cade in tow. It's just that...
Well, there are two things.
First there is the time that these orders were written and sent to me. Technically, they are from later today. That means that when these orders were made, someone found it necessary to muck about with time to make sure they were carried out even faster than is usually possible - as in, before the orders were actually made. It's always a headache when someone messes with time in this way, and since the Judge usually gets the biggest headache of them all from it, it must be for a very important reason. There's some reason that I, and some of those under my command or Armed protection, absolutely should not be here in the next few hours. That's upsetting - it's more than a premonition, but a guarantee that something bad will happen in this Palace today.
The second thing is the reason my presence is requested in Radia. If it were for sanction due to negligence or some other error I've made in the course of carrying out my duties, that would be one thing. I wouldn't make any complaint. If I'm found in error, then I must be disciplined. No, this isn't sanction. I'm being called back to fill a role that has just become necessary again.
When not training Armed or doing a number of other duties, I train, direct, and command armies. That is the role of the Peacekeeper. If I am needed in Radia for such a thing...
Well, war would not be unexpected now, would it? But as ready as I am for it, and as skilled as I am in the fighting of it, it makes me nervous as all Hell. A war with Audiva Rocale would imply the Treaty is done with.
Nobody wants to imagine those two great Empires going to war again. That time was long ago, but the wounds are still healing. Even the scars in the land are still there. Not to mention the scars in the people's consciousness...
I don't want a war with Sul, but my hopes that I'm merely being called back for precautionary measures feel in vain. I sigh, then look through the papers again to make sure I've missed nothing. No, everything is in order. These people are to return to Radia. Myself, my trainees, Jhe Gerude, Jhe Cruxradia. A few more wounded besides Gerude as well - the rest of my men will remain here. And...the King's daughter that Jaxhelshon took up with. It seems proper that she visit her Father, given that it might be his last days in this world. There is also simply too much danger for her to stay here any longer.
Well, I imagine that issuing out those commands will be a fine and peaceful experience and involve no kicking, screaming, or even hairpulling.
It's difficult to write lies when you're a Poet, even when they're meant as sarcasm.
Ah, and then there's the matter of my replacement to direct operations here.
Jhe Julia Wysthaven.
Well, the less said about her, the better for me.
* * *
I had said that I thought the transition would go smoothly. While that was said in outright jest, I did, at the time, think that it would go over slightly better than it is currently.
"You are not taking me away from my country." Jhe Rocsui crosses her arms over her substantial bosom and narrows her eyes at me, the jewels lining her brow and cheeks twinkling in a strange counterpoint to the disdainful glare. Behind her, Jhe Jaxhelshon shifts uneasily, as he always seems to do by default. How cute. He's considering being useful for once.
I cock my head. "Oh? And just what is there for you here? It's a mess, Jhe Xaillyndesse, a mess that needs cleaning up. Forgive me for putting the concept forth so abruptly, but your life is in danger if you continue to occupy the Palace at this time."
She glares at me further, actual emotion beginning to peek around the corners of her eyes. "Oh? And whose fault is that, Peacekeeper Briarseal? Perhaps I should travel to Radia, then, and take up such matters of incompetence and intrusion with Jhe o'Radia. He, perhaps, will listen to reason."
My face does not shift one bit past the realms of diplomatic calm. "That is fine, if you wish to do so. The avenue is not only open to you as an envoy of Audiva Rocale, but I can forward the paperwork to expedite your request and move you to the top of Jhe o'Radia's agenda." Oh dear. I've mis-stepped with my words, by the lift of her eyebrows. I should have phrased that last bit much differently, or not said it at all.
"Oh?" She pops her fan open, propping it just under her chin. "Why would I not be on the top to begin with, Jhe Peacekeeper?" Her words fall cold and heavy, the very stones that seal tombs.
There's no way I can dig myself out of this, but I make a valiant attempt. "Beg my pardon, Jhe Rocsui. I meant to say-"
"That Father will be absolutely delighted to make your accquaintance." Jaxhelshon takes the Princess's hand before she can mince me with her glare, then meets her eyes. "I'm sure there'll be no problems at all. And you did say that you would love to see my homeland, Roxie." He smiles then, that goofy-arsed smile that he shoots at all the ladies. She doesn't melt, but it certainly knocks her balance off. Hell, I'd be off my kilter if that boy gave me sweetheart-eyes. I wonder if she'll follow up the momentary balance loss with a prompt evisceration, as Geillg'a and I would in such a situation.
She seems at a loss for a reply, and Geillg'a and I are robbed of the opportunity to witness possible bloodshed. "I...of course."
I take a closer look at her, while her focus is off of me. Geillg'a's attention draws upon the girl as well. There's something odd...does Jax notice? Or is he thinking entirely with his cock?
"Great! Then it's a date." His eyes sparkle, and he layers on yet more charm through his grin.
"I...I suppose." Rocsui turns, flustered. She's projecting worry as much as she'd previously dripped condescension. Now she does have our attention, and Jax's, but it's a pity mine is lost quite fast as another concern decides to air itself.
A shadow brushes by so fast, and by so narrow a breadth, that she almost hits me. To others, it would look as if a sudden gust blew through the room, perhaps causing a blur in their peripheral vision. I've grown accustomed enough to our shadow agents that I see her, though. Besides, she whispers a message to me through our Arms.
Go home. I'll secure things here.
Ah. Jhe Wysthaven. Earlier than I had expected, optimism be damned. It would be time to get my things, then.
I don't wish to speak with her right now. Truth be told, there's a rather large mess in the Palace for which she will most likely blame me when she gets the idea to. Therefore, I let Jaxhelshon handle the Princess (though I regret phrasing it in quite that way) and see to making my withdrawal as promptly as possible.
Had I not done so, I wouldn't have missed the next guest to arrive, and then Julia would have seen me dead before Geillg'a could so much as be drawn. Thus, there's much to be said about the life-preserving powers of discreet troop withdrawals.
* * *
Jaxhelshon
* * *
I'm so excited. I finally get to go home and see Daddy and I'm practically a hero considering I got a girl here and everything and didn't get killed. Overall things are looking up here for good ol' Jaxie.
Roxie's a little quiet, still, but she's probably just thinking about packing. Or heck, maybe she'll miss the place a bit. We head off together to her room as she maintains her silence. "You alright, there, Roxie?"
She jumps, then slowly starts tinting towards green. I lend her my arm before she wobbles off-course towards the floor. Oh man, I wish I could take that back. She might...puke on me or something.
We arrive at her door in thankfully vomit-free condition. She steadies herself, takes in a deep breath, then grasps the doorknob. "I just need a little bit of time alone. That is all." Another breath. "I...I thank you for your kind hospitality, and your offer, Jhe Jaxhelshon."
I blink. Wait, what's she going on about, now? Is this sort of like when girls go off together to the bathroom? Except she doesn't have any other girls with her. "I uh..."
She levels her gaze at me, and I lose myself in those green irises. Something in the back of my mind murmurs about the Peacock King and his hypnotism, and I startle back into awareness. "I...have not left the Palace in quite some time, Jax." Her fingers perch up under my chin, and suddenly I'm meeting her soft lips with my own.
She breaks away.
"I just need a little time to adjust, and ready myself. Wait for me." And she slips inside as quick and quiet as a gust of wind, while I'm left out here waiting.
Girls. Strange.
* * *
Rocsui
* * *
I don't want to see my Father again.
I pack my hairbrushes and makeup compacts and little perfume imps into a carry-case, then close it with a snap.
I want to stay here. Father isn't here, for once.
I feel him like a hand barely brushing the back of my neck. He's there, still, in Radia's Court, locked up. Not dead and buried yet. He's still out there, and damnit I'm afraid of him, but my tongue can't so much as spit that at anyone.
I look around at the potted plants in my suite, at the windowbox and the patio and all the greenery there. They'll wilt, die, decay. No one here will take care of them. Audiva Rocale is all but a metaphor away from suffering the same fate, with no one left behind to tend her. I cup a leaf in my hand, relishing in the cool green feel of it, smiling at the warmth my heart feels as its dryad purrs to me.
But I couldn't tell them now.
The Peacekeeper noticed, I think, though Jaxie's more concerned about his cock and how tight a grip I've got on his rocks at every passing moment. Fair enough, but I've got grown-up matters to attend to, now that Father's fallen.
Damnit, I should be here now, when the power's finally passed on! When freedom is right on the tip of my tongue! Why can't I just tell them 'no' when I can taste the word in my mouth?
I slam my suitcase shut. It's packed with dresses and feminine concerns such as all-too-frilly underwear. Do you know? It was so much easier when I could just run naked with the nymphs.
I don't want to go out. Why am I going out? Why am I going back to him?
I sigh, the curse I want to spit out unable to even make it out of my mouth, and I let in my fool of a boy toy. He's good for certain things, and this luggage is cumbersome.
* * *
Gerude
* * *
I adjust my goggles.
They're pretty cool. One of the shadows found 'em in the labs and passed 'em on to me. I checked the things over as best as I could with my one good eye, and they're pretty clean and functional. Best of all they look pretty dapper compared to, say, an eyepatch.
I figure, best put my best face forward. Said face being, in this case, one where you can't see my eyes.
Socket's pretty gory. I won't fib or play it down - that damn bird punctured my eye. My uh, former eye. Look, don't be freaked out, I might be able to get it fixed in Radia.
If Dad doesn't glare me into the floor for losing it in the first place. Sheez. Not looking forward to that.
Look, it kind of makes me a laughing-stock already, losing an eye when I'm Armed, given that Armed are kind of defined for, you know, their Aim. Shootin' without missin'. Part of that means that you get the Judge's eyes for that Aiming. So, I just lost one of 'em, is the simplest way of putting it. I get to go to the Armed Hall and give Daddy a good story about how I lost one of his eyes, and that's less embarassing than losing, say, an Arm, but only marginally so.
But hey. These goggles? Pretty sporty. I think I cut a dapper figure in front of the ladies, or at least I will as soon as they stop snickering.
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