Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Reality

Darya had never imagined that she would prefer the feeling of her feet on solid ground to the alternative; but she hadn't given thought to how much nicer it was to be standing on something, as opposed to being flown around, hoping that you would not get dropped. Hoping that the person carrying you would not crash, leaving you helpless.

Shuddering, Darya forced her mind away from the fears of the flight that brought her home, reminding herself that there wasn't a moment that the Vayan warrior carrying her had seemed to lose control, and the style of flight had been smoother, more long range and stable than the Rulin flight down. Not that she thought she should bring up the differences, knowing they were still two diverse people with specific pride in things like that.

But she had landed safely, and now she was home, though already itching to leave it. Darya had accomplished her task and knew that from now on she would be idle and waiting for direction from anyone, let alone her sister, had always irritated her.

It was easy to work with her sister when there were things she could do. But they would soon return to their cool distance and outright disagreements if Val decided it was time to 'guide' Darya, as she called it. Darya loved her sister, and knew Val loved her, but they couldn't stand one another most days.

The keep loomed in the growing darkness of evening, with only a few windows showing lights within as she made her way up along the wall, watching her sister's knights as they made their way directly inside, to report on their observations.

She liked the two women, but she wasn't sure how far to trust them, knowing that they would inevitably side with Val, and were keeping track of every detail throughout the entire trip. Including reporting on how she had represented the family interests and behaved, though Darya had done everything she could to build bridges, not burn them down, she knew that she'd also acted based on her own beliefs that her sister would probably judge as not political enough.

She didn't know why she dallied, looking up at the clouded sky above her, knowing her sister waited for the Queen's response, knowing Tisa probably was too, but feeling unwilling to face the two of them with a head so filled with roiling and changing emotions. Clairval needed peace. The Princess-Heir needed support, and had seemed to be an intelligent and honest woman, though Darya had only learned that through talking and watching Akina.

"I have a wager going on, so I must ask you. Who flies better? Rulin or Vayan?" The Vayan General stepped up beside her, following her gaze upwards for a long time, before he looked down at her, giving her a grin.

"You remind me of ships, I think." She shrugged and glanced down at him, grinning and explaining when one of his brows rose in surprise. "Some just have different purposes. To cross the island? I would prefer Vayan wings. But I think they can manoeuvre better than you in close quarters."

He grinned, nodding to her. "And as you were flying across the island, I will take that as Vayan for the win."

"Was there ever a moment where you didn't want to listen to Queen Veranandien, and you wanted to kill the Rulin, even the King himself? That you didn't believe in what she was saying, or what was happening?" She asked suddenly, watching his expression get far more solemn as she spoke.

"There were a lot of times. A great many opportunities. Not the time in the clearing, no. There was a solemnity about it that even I wouldn't break." His words were soft, thoughtful. "But other times, yes. Where my anger would kick in, near the beginning. But what Verana asked of me was what I knew in my soul was right. When I allowed my mind to focus on what was before me, I saw Drakos was very similar to me. We had both lost our fathers to a war that only existed because we enjoyed killing one another. And if I tried to kill him, one or both of us would die, and the only thing that would accomplish, would be that neither of us had children that would carry on the battle. I saw then, in that thought, that unless we trusted Verana, we would destroy ourselves. It was the only outcome."