A Court of Life and Death

Prologue

Estoria. A place plagued by death, deceit, and secrets at every corner. Where everything has its price, and everyone is willing to pay. The capital was normally filled with merchants and well mannered locals all looking for one of two things, a profit or a name. The second was a bit more elusive then the first, but more sorted after then anything else in the city. But today a stranger walked amongst them, her red hood low and shrouded in shadow, blending into the bustling crowd of the market place. Those who did catch a glimpse of her soon forgot as their attention was caught by something more colourful and fun. Yet he kept his eyes glued through all of the twisting roads, and secluded alleys. He observed every movement, trying to piece together who was this strange person within the streets of his city. She was so caught up in her thoughts she barely noticed the shadow flickering behind her. She had her mission. He had his.

For a split second he wondered if someone else had been sent to watch her as well, if the twins eyes glittering with mischief lied somewhere in this crowd. He scoffed he would not need them to babysit him, after all the high mistress entrusted this task to him personally. She had given the chance for him to prove himself, and grant him the promise he so desired. And for that he would do anything. He noticed her stop and he quickly shift close by a near by market stall selling various herbs and remedies. Had she seen him?

Estoria: home of the court. Quite a peculiar one at that she had heard. Where she was from courts contained kings and queens with sparkling crowns atop their head, they sat in pretty towers while sending people like her to search out this dirty business. Though when she had accepted she did have to admit it was partial due to her curiosity of what the court truly was. Many had heard of it out of Estoria but fewer had seen it. And here she was with a front row seat.

The court itself was split into two, life and death court. Each contained six members. The life court dealt with matter of the day, of children and harvest. The death court was a slight more gruesome dealing with murderers, and crimes of the night. Though some of the names eluded her, she could remember a few from her studies. Within the life court sat the high mistress of life, she was the ruler of that court, and her final word delivered the judgemental, similar to death court. Amongst them sat five other rulers, each with their own power to protect. For that was what was truly sort after within this city. A position amongst the court. The highest rank you could ever possibly attain. Reaching into her pocket for the scroll she stopped momentarily. Before she had left a guard had provided her with a list of names of those upon the life and death court, in case she should forget.

Life court

Rosalie (mistress)

The innocent naïve child of the court, granted she was 20 years of age but she was known to be too lenient on punishments, and easily manipulated into granting false mercy. With immense beauty that made men delirious with lust, she was a true treasure to the court. Though rumour had it she kept to her own solitude often of times with her tower by her high born mother.

Decalan (misor)

She smirked at this one, the courts mischief. The reason for the glitter in many a girls eye and the expanding bellies of a few the village women, though that was purely speculation of course. He was promised to many, but kept by none. Apparently he brought a new woman into the court every week, much to the distaste of the high mistress, but at the end of the week the women would run from the court in tears. However he was more cunning then those gave him credit for, and somehow always got what he wanted without other people catching on.

Caitlin (mistress)

Most definitely deemed as the scholar of the group, and extremely intelligent. Instead of using her intelligence to seduce like Declan, she used it to subtly control the court. Her words sharp and harsh had been the cause of a number of rolling heads. However her loyalty was absolute to the high mistress, as she made no attempts to usurp her, but most suspected that if the high mistress was ever to fall, Caitlin would be quick to take her place.

Haydon (misor: in line for high misor)& Georgina (mistress: in line for high mistress)

You could not say one without the other. The twins of the life court, mischievous in their own way, and twice as devious. Many questioned if the only reason they had been born into the life court was that their older sister was high mistress. They were know for their favours becoming the ultimate merchant in the out important currency within Estoria. Secrets.

Sofia (high mistress)

A fair and just ruler of the life court. Praised by all for her kindness, and mercy. And feared for her swift punishments. As high mistress of the life court her word was law, and her law was followed strictly by those in the court. She was the first high mistress to allow outsiders into the castle to experience court life. Something that the city of Estoria convented her for.

Death court

Will (misor)

Not much was known about the elusive male, except that he valued his solitary. With powerful instinct, intuition and high intelligence, he was known to disappear from the court for sometimes weeks at a time. No one knew where he really went but there were whisperings of a shadow figure in the woods whenever he was absent from the courts. Many said he answered to the high mistress and the high mistress alone.

Paige (mistress)

She was definitely the most primal and spiritual of the group known for her doomsday predictions that more times then not didn't work out. Still she held an air of mystery that frightened many of the villagers and perhaps even the life court itself. It would be curious to know weather or not this superstition was true or false.

Mia (mistress)

Certainly claimed as the most vain in the group, she definitely contained the most beauty of all the court but it wasn't the same unspoken beauty of Rosalie. If there was a party held by the court you could count on her being the big planner behind it all. Her wedding to Finley, a fellow death court misor, was the biggest celebration that Estoria had seen and was sure to have stressed the courts treasury quite a bit 

Finley (misor)

Cerebral, and soft-spoken, many were surprised when this was the man Mia chose to marry. His kindness proceeded him and many wondered if he belonged more on the life court then the death court. But that would of course make his marriage with Mia illegal. As a death court member and life court member may never be together.

Willow (high mistress)

The best way to describe her would be a shinning blade. Beauty at sight, but if one was to touch it they would be met with a sickening pain. She didn't get the title high mistress from nowhere, they said her thrown was built on the bodies shed slain over the many years she had ruled. Know especially for her taste in men which suspiciously wound up dead a few weeks later. She ruled with a iron fist using those around her like puppets.

Placing the scroll back in bag she proceeded towards the gate, that held the courts. Surely they would be having a meeting with villagers now, and since it was still barely day the life court would be converging with the death court soon. Where better to make her entrance?

He noticed her walk more confidently as she reached the castle, she would stand out like a sore thumb there, since tonight was the night of one of Mia's great parties. His mission as far as he was aware was complete, but yet he still watched her slightly fascinated.

Her mission had just begun. She smiled to herself at the gates. It was time to collet her title. For Scarlett Rose was the newest member of the court.

-------------
A/N: hi guys! Did you enjoy the prologue? I just sort of had an idea for this and went with it so I hope you guys like it. Cause it's your guys encouragement that keeps me writing! So please leave your opinions! Oh and the song above BIG inspiration for this chapter so if you want chill and listen to this music when you read to get a better insight to my though process. Alright don't worry I'll shut up now.
Sincerely,
Alice