Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Soiree

Darya didn't know why she was so determined to go to the evening court. She hated the Court; she hated the milling around, talking about idle things that didn't matter, being idle in ways that didn't matter, and wasting time that could be better spent doing more than talking.

Perhaps it was because she couldn't do anything else at the moment and despite her adventure earlier that morning, she was still going stir crazy. And the pain had dulled to a tolerable level throughout the day; not to mention that it appeared no one had noticed she had gone out in the morning and Val looked relieved that she was willing to leave her room, as if it was the sign that told her sister that Darya would not die.

At least she had an excuse to leave the event early if she grew more annoyed with the surrounding people than she was with sitting in a chair reading a book, though she wasn't sure if the annoyance or pain would come quicker.

Besides, Tisaso and her sister were going, so neither one of them would be around to play chess with this evening, nor did they seem very willing to discuss what had happened that day that had brought them back by lunchtime, both looking like the world had just got worse than it already seemed to be. Val had given her a look that Darya recognised well, her sister preparing to offer a refusal if Darya even asked for an explanation.

Darya wasn't sure if she wanted them to, knowing that if something had happened during the trial. Darya was certain that if Corvin had somehow squirmed out of his crimes, she would probably die trying to kill him.

So, she was here, wearing loose pants and a tunic, with a loosely laced corset, more to keep her ribs and bandages still than as a fashion accessory, watching as nearly the entire court of Clairval milled through the garden courtyard, listening to music, talking with various ambassadors and other dignitaries.

There was an odd feeling of normalcy, one that she hadn't ever seen in the palace, as if this was what was meant to be, though it was so out of place.

Normal was weird.

The breeze was flowing from the ocean, cooling the day down as the sun set. Darya had hoped to stay with her sister, or even Tisaso, but both women had separated from her after making her promise not to move very far, leaving her sitting off to the side, watching the crowd. She saw the Queen, standing regal and straight-backed, though thin and drawn looking, making the gratuitous circles through the court with her daughter, Princess Akina.

Darya saw the thoughtful glances from the Peerage, the worried looks, assessing expressions as they watched their regent. And Darya found confirmation in those expressions that there was something afoot between the council of thirteen and the Regency.

Though she understood she stood outside of that circle, the mild annoyance in her being in unaware of what was going on still simmered and made her annoyance at the court come to the forefront of her awareness.

It was only when her eyes picked out Princes Mireyana, who bowed respectfully and had a brief conversation with the Queen, that Darya began to get worried about whatever the secret was. The Rulin ambassador watched the Regent with a look of alarm and concern crossing her features.

She wondered if it was the conversation or something that the Rulin Princess could sense, until she saw Prince Davanos stop mid conversation with Lord Cansal and frown, his eyes locking on the Queen from across the room. Even Cansal noted the concern in the Prince's demeanour and expression and casually turned to look in that direction, raising a curious brow before offering a careful, barely noticeable shake of his head and appear to say a couple, low words to the Prince.

Darya watched Davanos turn to look at his human companion, knowing that she would have to wonder at the sudden friendship between the two men later, his expression closed, before the Prince nodded and then the two of them continued their conversation, though slightly more subdued, until they found themselves in the company of a couple very attractive and very flirtatious seeming Ladies.