Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Hope of Youth

Darya hadn't been avoiding people the last couple of days; she told herself that she hadn't been. She had just been doing her best to follow the healer's advice. She only got up that morning to walk around because the coolness was less nauseating than the heat of the day. It had nothing to do with avoiding seeing people.

It wasn't a full lie; she had been feeling dragged down, less well than she'd been before the event with the court, though the healers didn't find any additional injuries or infections. It was as if her body was just incapable of moving forward.

She toyed with the thought of taking her leave from Val, after the trial had been finished and the Council had fallen into discussing defence, war, and alliances, opening up the discussions to the Vayans and the Rulin and some of the lesser nobles with things to say.

Her job was done here, she tried telling herself. Although she had felt so drawn to being involved in protecting Clairval, there didn't seem to be anything she could do now that the intrigue was done.

And she could heal perfectly well enough on the Calamity, at sea, away from Peers who thought they could charm her by talking down to her and others who thought they were being respectful while treating her like a china doll.

But she didn't know if she'd be much use on her ship.

Still, she hadn't broached the subject with Val yet, and she was sure that her sister wanted her around for Akina's coronation at the very least. The Queen was dying; they had figured that much out, poisoned by Corvin, who was waiting execution.

Healers had come to the capital to help the Queen, but it hadn't been successful. A woman had died yesterday trying. It was scary, thinking about it, and the part of her that was loyal to Clairval, that respected the Regency was upset about it, but another part of her was detached enough to want to just leave, to avoid all the official ceremonies and duties that came with an abdication, a coronation, and a royal death. She wondered if she was cold-hearted or just as tired as she was in pain.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the sound of voices until it was too late to avoid them. She strolled around the corner to see Sir Reynald, standing and speaking with Commander Lianza and a young human girl.

Darya was about to slip back around the corner when Lianza lifted his head and turned to look at her, and she cursed the gentle breeze that was flowing through her hair towards the three of them. He met her gaze and Darya continued forward, though if she were honest with herself, she didn't mind either man. Reynald glanced up toward her shortly after, followed by the girl, who looked absolutely shocked and somewhat frightened as Darya approached the group.

Darya paused a safe distance away, giving the girl some space, seeing how Lianza shifted to place himself slightly between the two of them.

It was then that she noticed that Lianza now wore a new rank, so she offered her best smile. "General. Good morning."

"You know her?" The girl asked the large Rulin incredulously, before covering her mouth with her hand and blushing fiercely at drawing attention to herself.

Lianza looked down to his charge, then back up to Darya, his expression promising death for a reason Darya didn't understand. "This is Lady Darya. I met her when I was with the Queen in Morningside."

"Captain Darya." The girl corrected him, before giving her a smile and offering her hand to shake. "I'm Treasa."

Darya blinked in surprise before nodding and accepting the handshake, smiling at the slightly confused expression on Lianza's face. "I know that name, though I apologise. I don't know how you know me, Treasa. I've heard a lot about your bravery the last little while. I wasn't aware you were coming back to Clairval, but it's good to see you home, and it's an honour to meet you."