Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Future

Mireya strode through the large and breezy palace hallways, following the lone Clairvalan Guard striding in front of her and Byzan. Behind her, two of her own Royal Guard walked with a dangerous violence that reassured her. She hadn't liked the Herald who had received them and tucked them away into a corner of the palace. She hadn't liked his sneering assurances that the Queen was very busy, but would see them when she could find the time.

She hadn't liked the smell of him, she distrusted him immediately, could tell he was just as much in contempt of his Regent as he was of them. She remembered her mother explaining the scent of anger and violence that preceded the attacks on her uncle and grandmother, as well as the Challenge issued by the General of the Rulin Court before her parents had been married.

This was the closest thing she'd ever smelled to those descriptions, and she had dealt with a great many Vayans and Rulin that didn't like that she existed. Who despised that peace existed between the two winged nations, but none had smelled quite so dangerous as where she now was.

She had been surprised when she had barely processed her next plan of approach and this member of the Guard had shown up.

And it had been a relief.

The guard was not friendly, so to speak. They were wary of her, primed for violence with a healthy dose of fear. But Mireya could deal with that. She could understand those basic emotions and work with them, because she didn't smell the other dark emotions behind them. She hoped the woman she was being led to see was more like her guard than her palace servants.

Or this would be a brief trip. Followed by a war council and a decision on how to properly protect Clairval, even if it meant invasion.

They stopped at the large doors, and she had time to motion to her two trailing guards to stay outside the room, when they swung inwards, followed by a clear, military like efficiency of the announcement of her and Byzan. The Princess sitting on the Regent's throne had auburn hair so dark it was nearly black, her skin pale, scattered with freckles, eyes a light sky blue. She wore a small circlet, to signify that she was the Heir apparent, and her clothing was a simple yet richly appointed dress.

Mireya herself was wearing pants. The skirts that humans favoured really didn't suit flying, nor fighting, but she could see the attraction to them. They were beautiful, and they showed a sort of feminine elegance that Mireya wondered if she even possessed.

Ignoring those thoughts, she strode forward and offered a bow, letting Byzan do the same before she started. "Princess, it is an honour to be received by you. I understand that your schedule is extremely busy. King Drakos sends his regards to you and your mother, the Queen."

The woman was nervous, terrified really, and filled with a soul eating dread, though it didn't show on her features. She had practiced that unaffected look that Mireya herself had, and that would fool all but a few in this world.

There was worry, desperation, and something akin to hope within the woman, which gave Mireya pause, and the woman offered a brief smile and inclined her head. "Thank you, Princess Mireyana. Clairval is always eager to receive guests from our friend and ally, Rulin. I hope your father and mother are well."

Mireya knew she had discussed with Byzan the prudence of sounding the girl out, of taking stock of the situation here in the capital, and she had watched her mother's arrival in Morningside a few days ago so she knew that the woman was struggling more than outward appearances lent credence to.

But she also didn't like small talk, and knew the woman would not benefit from a prolonged wait, so she glanced at the four guards standing in the room with them. A ceremony certainly, they had to know that the four of them wouldn't be able to stop Byzan, if he chose to be a threat. And that hope from the other woman latched onto something in Mireya's soul and change her mind, changed her game plan to one of candour.