Empire of Lies and Death

4, Moticia

Dawn had yet to arrive and Moticia was already sitting on her elegant horse, Lovette. The horse was a strong, tall mare with a black coat mane and tail. 

Wilder sat on his mount beside her. Brego, his horse was pawing at the ground, impatient.

Motica agreed with the horse. "Great heavens. Where are those two?" She glared around. The girls had been given quarters in the castle and they're mounts were waiting for them.

"I don't trust the short girl." Moticia remarked to her guard.

"Lorelai."

"I don't like the pirate either." 

"Brandy."

Moticia glanced at him, raising her brow.

Wilder gave her a small smile. "You'd be wise to commit their names to memory. It will make your long and strenuous journey easier than shouting 'short girl' or 'pirate' whenever you need them."

Moticia snorted. "They've got to get their hindquarters out here first."

"Some of us have been here the entire time, Princess Moticia." A voice that sounded like an angel's on a windy day graced Moticia's ears.

She looked up to see a female figure crouched on the stables roof. Her hood up, casting her face into shadow.

"Ah, short girl, you've finally decided to arrive?" Moticia curled her lip.

The girl silently slipped off the roof, the wind picked up and swirled around her to bring her gently to the soft dirt ground. Her posture was ridgid yet lose. "I've been here the entire time."

"Oh, yes, you're the assassin. What? Were you waiting to kill me?" Moticia mocked.

The short girl glared at Moticia. "Do you want me to?"

"Life. Death.  Doesn't matter to me." the princess replies. She eyes the girl. Remembering yesterday when the Storm Wizards uttered spells and something woke in her.

Though she'd hidden it she was panicking. One moment she was fine then the next she was on fire and it flooded her veins with such force and rage it nearly made her fall over. It had taken forever to rein in the magic. 

She'd gotten very little sleep last night. Even with Wilder right beside her they'd had to grab the water bucket and put out flames all over her room. Her favorite sofa was now in need of new upholstery.

Even now, Moticia felt the well inside her. It felt as if something she'd missed and yearned for all her life had returned to her.

She hadn't know a peice of her was missing but when the fire sprung from her veins to her skin and engulfed her in it's loving flames she'd relaxed. Despite her being in the midst of panic.

Now Moticia felt that well ready to be summoned and eager to taste the air. It felt bottomless. Like it could be rage on forever.

Just then the pirate walked out. "Top of the morning, girls. How are you on this jolly morning. Hey we've got a mission. Even better? We're legendary. Like how cool is that?"

Both girls gave her flat, unamused looks.

Brandy grinned. "I almost drowned a servant this morning. Don't know what she was doing but bam, the water in her pitcher? Don't know what she did to it but yikes. She's alive, barely, but breathing."

Moticia thought this girl was quite odd. Perhaps it was the lilt of her words, her strange humor, or the way her blonde hair contrasted with her dark skin. She was definitely a beauty. 

The short one, in the time her hood had been knocked free of her head also showed stunning looks. Raven hair with hazel eyes and smooth brown skin. 

Moticia rolled her eyes. Having assessed her travel companions she turned her horse to face the gates. "Saddle up. Dawn is passing I would like this unwelcome trip over as soon as possible.