Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

A Mission

Treasa didn't know how she knew, but the moment she woke up, she felt that something in the air had shifted. Something about everything, about life, was different, though she couldn't put her finger on it. She woke up, washed up and changed her clothing, before eating the meal that was brought to her.

When she had finished, the Guard who delivered it opened the door and told her she needed some fresh air, and chided her for hiding in her room for so long. He was good natured, but it surprised her. She had honestly assumed she was confined to the room she was in, so she walked carefully outside, squinting in the late afternoon sunlight as she took in the scene before her.

She was in some sort of inner training yard, though most of the fighters had stopped what they were doing and were discreetly watching the argument that was taking place between Commander Lianza and a female who looked related to the royal family she had met so far.

The Princes were standing on Lianza's side, apparently supporting whatever stance he had taken, and a off to one side, feigning disinterest, was another winged man who didn't look Rulin at all. He was handsome enough, with a scar crossing his features, his wings falling closed down his back. His hair was blonde and skin more gold than the reddish tone of the Rulin. He stood out because of these differences, but not nearly as much as the woman who stood beside him.

The woman's wings were like his, though they sparkled with so many colours it dazzled Treasa to look at her, where the man's were a light tanned skin tone.

She was smaller than anyone else in the yard, and her ears were pointed as sharply as a Feysha's, which was more than the prince's. Her clothing was simple and functional, and Treasa didn't hesitate to make the decision that she was looking at Queen Verana, if only because of the resemblance to her children and the stories she had heard of the woman.

Not far from his wife, King Drakos stood, listening to the argument with a dispassionate expression on his face. But Treasa recognised that expression from her own interview with him and knew the man was most likely taking a very keen interest in what was going on.

"Absolutely not." Lianza's growl broke through her contemplation, pulling her attention back to the argument at hand.

"How about we just ask her." The woman motioned in Treasa's direction, and she saw Lianza narrow his eyes, before glancing her way and getting a resigned expression on his features.

"I think that's your cue, kid." The guard who was still standing beside her muttered, and Treasa nodded, walking the small distance towards the group carefully, letting her eyes wander as she tried to weigh her likelihood and desire to escape from whatever was about to happen.

She didn't know what she was walking into, it just felt like a trap. Or some other odd surprise that she couldn't possibly have dreamed up.

This place, this family, this kingdom, got weirder and weirder every day.

"Miss Treasa, this is Princess Mireyana, Rulin's new ambassador to Clairval." Lianza murmured, before nodding at the Queen and the strange-looking man. "That is Queen Veranandein, and that is General Anzael, of Vayana."

Treasa bowed to the Princess and the Queen, and with no idea how to address a General properly, she just offered a half sort of wave that brought an amused grin to his face, making him look a great deal younger. "Majesties... General."

It was the General, the Vayan man, that stepped forward suddenly, glancing to the Princess. His expression was serious, which didn't seem to fit right on his features, as if he didn't have a serious bone in his body. "I have to side, officially, with Commander Lianza here. She's a child. She has done her part. There is nothing to ask. If Rulin is afraid of looking like the bad guy, leave it to Vayana. I'll go cause some trouble, make a scene and force them to listen to me. Everyone loves Vayana. They think we're the nice ones."