The heart of the continent – a land which was once heaven to almost all the population of Aquos. A land of moonlit gardens, towering spires and bustling cities. Now a realm of quiet emptiness. The great stand their cracked marble facades patched haphazardly, their grand halls echoing with the absence of the thousands who once filled them. Yet life persists, the surviving nobility led by the widow queen who rule from the moon spire, the only palace fully restored. Now – before her throne Cassandra Borland has been summoned. She is a weapon disguised in beauty, a knight which her sword has silence many voices despite her young age – she's seen what many at her age haven't seen. She knelt before her queen, her green eyes facing the stone floor.
The throne room was too large for the handful of people in it, Cassandra, Queen Druselle and the royal guards standing like old statues before the door. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching on the vines creeping in from the outside. Beyond them, the distant green mountains stood like silent sentinels. The southern wall a shadow on the horizon, the queen studying the knights elegance appearance. "I might've heard the excellent job you're doing" Druselle's voice scattered the room – bold and husk, but yet smooth. A voice of a mother. Cassandra still kept on the wait – to hear the reasons why she's been summoned. Perhaps she's getting promoted, just words of gratitude, a reward for her loyalty to the throne or finally she's setting her free – for heaven's sake these thoughts kept swirling into the back of her head. She's been serving the queen for the past two years and awarded as a knight just not more than a year ago now she's tired – tired of serving, at least back in the pits she can live all she want even if it meant she have to take somebody's life for it.
"Rise warrior" She rose, slowly. Her eyes barely looking at the queen. The iron throne ancient raised on a stone dais, the armrests carved with crest of the moon but the gilding has flaked away in patches. Her majesty continued. "I know you wish to spend the rest of your life in the ruins…fighting your people in the rotten pits" Is she not done insulting her. Maybe a little thank you for training the Solcrest lazy troops who are now wise thanks to the knights skills but Cassandra remained quiet. "Your resignation will cause me harm – but at least you can find something to do. Something that'd keep you busy since you think being a knight keeps you less useful. You'd prefer working for the crime lords in the waste streets…assassinating your own people, my people. Knight, I'm sending you to the north, to join the slayers collegium" Her eyes flickered a bit barely catching the queens snare. "You leave tomorrow…first light" She didn't say anything, the queen didn't bother leaving room for queries and so she left. Hissed at the guards who gave her a small nod, that all she gets as a thank you. Lifted her hood and covered her dark silk hair as she disappeared into the corridors of the palace.
The evening silence broke. Lords and ladies – the noble blending into the live music. A royal feast with the finest wine underneath the burning chandeliers. Her majesty seated on the iron throne and on her table, crown prince Elliot the rightful heir to the throne of Hearthmire, Solcrest kingdom. He is the light of the south but despite his debonair appearances he couldn't compare to Denise, crown prince to Virensgard kingdom. Rumors says he strikes with a lightning bow and his charm is all known across Aquos. "The future of our kingdoms depends on you – young princes. There's plenty of young ladies who'd leave their homes, all ready to be future queens" Stated queen Novette of Virensgard. Her voice sooth and rather persuasive – the north had come to negotiate trade deals with the south no marriages or joining houses. Both kingdoms have been natural rivalries until the death of the king in the south leaving all the nature's glory to the queen Druselle and Elliot who'd inherit it.
"You have raised such a handsome man – your grace" Her eyes shifted back to queen Druselle who smiled in response. "Next time I'll bring my daughter" Added Novette, her smile faint at least she tried to keep the tension much lessor than it was – oh save for the music. Perhaps it wasn't the right time to chat all she want – the queen and the princes didn't show much affection but pure made smiles, thanks to the nobles who seated on the table. Unpleased by his mother's chats and whispers – the never ending entertainment and the eye gazing crowd, the crown prince of the north stood up. "Please…pardon me my queens" Denise taking a courteous bow to the queens – might as well to the light of the south. Perhaps the unfamiliar walls were intimidating, unfamiliar faces, he didn't want to come but his father – the king has insisted he must take responsibility, what kings does, responsibility. Then his mother decided to come with, perhaps taking an unplanned tour to the south with her son. Which also meant that they needed tight security to accommodate them even though the south was a lessor treat nowadays. Druselle is no coward to strike a mother and son for a king. She'd send her famous knight.
As soon as he despair from the royalties, a couple of guards already surrounded him close. "I bet the queen decided she's better at negotiating than you're" Stated the Captain of the guard – Kael Thorne. His white silver hair tamed into a pony tale, a handful set of cleaver blades crossed on his back. The other guards now walked behind letting the captain accompany the crown prince as they walked hallow passages of house Hearthmire. "The negotiations have been done – she's talking other" Replied Denise as they pass nearby the long windows, the blue moon beaming in the horizon. The prince was in pursuit of a better view. Kael Thorne said nothing in response, a nod and a smile and their walk extended to the far end of the corridors. The captain didn't bother asking where he was leading him, he'd walk with him every corner of earth – sworn to protect him, to protect all that registered to Virensgard.
Whilst chasing the cleared views – perhaps a balcony. A training hall came first, doors opened. Steel clashing into screaming sounds in the end of the hallway, the prince and the captain found themselves watching swordplay. A group of soldiers surrounded two female soldiers in a circle, testing one another's limits. This was no training, they wanted to devour each other – each blocking ones massive blows but their faces, they seem enjoying. A grin – a smile, as if they knew when, what and how ones going to strike, their speed. The captain wondered if he were to face one, will he end victorious. And his guard, would they match their movements?. This is no training – art, pure art. They are dancing, he thought. They were.
Cassandra strengthens her arm to Correa . "You've let your guide down…this time". Her smile faint, then – their hands met and she pulled her up. Sure there was uninvited guests at the door, she could sense eyes on them. Her head twitched for a snare at them but her gaze didn't last longer, it was back to the soldiers that surrounded her. "Let's call it a wraps up for today" She wasn't prepared for their questions if she'd tell them she's leaving tomorrow. Whilst the prince and the captain gazed at the soldiers. Lord Malrik, the hand of the queen. Served the fallen king and still loyal to the throne, forwarded his generous courteous to the prince of the north and his companion. "Your – grace".
Denise nodded in response, allowing the hand to continue. "Please, allow me to accommodate you. This palace is a mixture of labyrinth" Perhaps a little reminder that they're just visitors here. The prince allowed him to escort them back to the hall – he is long forgotten about the view of the blue moon.
The night long and the full moon on it's brightest. In her chambers – the knight struggled to find rest. Despite the immerse training sessions and she needed it for the journey tomorrow. Silence, as she plays with her silver steel sword. The comfort of her bed sheets warming her back, her green eyes staring at the ancient ceiling as if something stared back. Sometimes the night is too long for her to be asleep – that's why she kept her light on. No matter how long the night lasted, no dark would bother her – no more nightmares, no more blue eyes staring at her. She hissed at the thought and got up, and covered her wild hair with the hood. Off she goes, the moonlight silenced the haunting shadows of the dull long corridors. But here, the dark is the last thing that'd terrify her. The end of the corridor revealed an open balcony, fresh air could fade many haunting shadows in her room , the back of her mind – oh save for many souls her blade has taken.
The prince of Solcrest already occupied the space, though the balcony is wide enough to accommodate many more. She regretted leaving her chambers and now she wanted to turn and leave but Elliot already seen her. "Perhaps the knight has come to assassinate me in this lovely night?" His gaze shifted from the range of the mountains and just a faint smile crossed over his face. His brown eyes dense in the reflection of the moon. The respectful courtesy, she hated it. Hated it more than she hates the royalties but no one would see the knight of Solcrest bowing to the royalties of house Hearthmire – save for her pride, her identity. "Forgive me for disturbing your peace, milord" Oh she hated that too. "Am I big enough to occupy the rest of the space?" Questioned Elliot, his brown hair curled, falling short on his forehead. Maybe today he'd ask her to call him by name like the last time Cassandra disturbed his peace. Anyway, when did the crown prince started leaving his big chambers with much more open space – an open balcony that views all the towers of Solcrest, the mountains and the wall beyond. At least she's leaving the south for good, leaving Solcrest and the streets of Endeavour. She's leaving the sight of Hearthmire, the queen and her perverted son.
"Thanks, milord" Deep down she wanted to curse at it but let it all sink for now. Perhaps she can silence him now and disappear to the north – the message won't reach the gates before she exits, she smirked at the though and minded her business. Silent as if she wasn't there . "I heard, you are to join the slayers in the north" Yes she always wanted to be a slayer ever since she was seven but the last fourteen years life kept her in the south. Mostly in the streets of Endeavour, in the pits where she discovered – her blade can take souls, for her survival, for the gold. But she kept a clean profile now since she works for the queen, who's disposing her to the north. Her eyes flicked to the crown prince a bit. "Yes, I am to leave soon" Elliot's smile turned into a faint smirk. "And when would you return?" A question Cassandra haven't planned to answer yet. She's not planning on returning anytime sooner. "Soon" She lied.
"Good then – good luck on your journey" Convinced enough Cassandra won't fall part of his sluts. Everyone knows how the prince of Solcrest supports the pleasure slaves down in Endeavour – rumors spread in the streets and into the corners of the kingdom. She turned to the admiring view without saying a word. Right when she thought the crown prince has left, he stopped to say. "They say it's cold in the north. Find yourself something to keep you warm – nights will be very cold sometimes" She only tossed an eye at him and smirked when his footsteps sound faded away.
Morning came and she's already prepared herself for the journey. Oh she won't bother saying goodbye to the queen, she searched the halls for Correa and the rest of the soldiers she usually train but they weren't there so she had to leave without seeing them. Outside the castle – Everly waited, the reins taut in the knight's grip. The horse's warmth seeped into her palms, a small comfort against the bone deep chill of leaving, she's never left the south before. The journey will be long but she was not leaving alone, ahead the queen's carriage loomed like a gilded cage, its curtains drawn. The queen of Virensgard is marching home today. The crown prince rode at the front, rigid, flanked by Kael Thorne – the captain's hands resting easy on his pommel, his gaze scanning the road for threats that hadn't yet to come. Behind them, the Virensgard guard in formation, their banners snapping in the wind, a wall of knives polished and pitiless.
At the rear, Cassandra rode with the stragglers: the hopeful, the desperate, the ones with nothing yet to lose. Solcrest riders, their cloaks patched and swords dull, clustered together. A few leaving Solcrest for a new start in Virensgard, some truly wanted to join the slayer's collegium with different reasons. "We heard you were looking for us" Cassandra gasped, spotting Correa riding up close next to her. "What are you doing here?" Perplexed, surprised. A mixture of emotions. "You thought we'd let you leave alone?" Uttered Stone catching up with them. Her voice carried by the wind. "How many of you are here?" Her smile brightened. "Fever's catching up too at the back" Added Stone. "You're insane" Said Cassandra. These knights have left their place in Solcrest to join her or maybe Druselle have disposed them too. She'll ask questions once they settle in Virensgard. They rode through Solcrest, the old streets of Endeavour greeted her but no face could recognize the knight in her black hood. The high tower's of Hearthmire castle disappeared, the buildings of Endeavour vanished and the mountains engulf Solcrest. Through the great wall – the watchmen were kind enough to let them through. Now – to Virensgard.