[center][h3][i][color=c2a5fd]Aymiria Cassiel[/color][/i][/h3]
[color=c2a5fd][sub]Bride of Zakroti Unalim [@darkwolf687], future sister-bride of Princess Annaveya [@Feisty-Pants][/sub][/color][/center]

Miry wasn’t sure how long she’d been there, flames seeming to lick at her skin. Voices seemed to swirl around her… Ayltam’s voice, and the stinging pain intensified for a horrible moment and then subsided again, but still she drifted, seemingly unable to pull herself from the dark. Until, that is, she noticed the light. The soft blue glow seemed to fill her vision for a moment, equally gentle words falling on her ears as her pain finally, mercifully left her.

As the pain fled, her vision returned, though what she saw was deeply confusing. A beautiful Gemminite – beautiful even compared to the majority of the girls in this gods-forsaken place – kneeling over her, offering a hand. Miry took the offered hand shyly, glancing up at the girl in not-quite recognition. She was nearly a foot taller than Miry, though that was hardly surprising- seemingly everyone in this cursed place was.

Of course, then the beautiful woman’s words fully settled onto her. Noble blood. Royal family. Again Miry raised her eyes to the young woman’s face, the determined gaze, soft, full lips, glossy thick chestnut hair…. This was none other than Princess Annaveya.  Anny. Miry’s old playmate and, at one point, friend – but here she was, and she didn’t seem to recognize her at all.

Miry slowly dropped into a curtsy, the only response she could think of. She hid her trembling hands in the folds of her skirt as she did, saying simply, [color=c2a5fd]“It is an honor to serve you – and our people – again, your grace.”[/color] After she straightened up, she shifted uncomfortably for a moment, casting around as though looking for someone – her eyes lighted on Gaikus and Ayltam for a second and she half-raised an eyebrow, noting their mildly bemused and confused expressions.

She was jostled out of any further thought by a shadow falling across them, and glanced up to see an absolutely massive Drakken, the better part of seven feet tall, standing over them with a crude smirk on his face. He had eyes only for Anny, of course, but the way he gazed at her as though she was a piece of meat… it was an injustice that a princess should not have to bear. 

Miry stepped between the princess and the warlord, glaring up at him, arms half spreading as though trying to shield Annaveya from the warlord’s vile stare. He had extended his hand, as though to grab Anna’s, but hesitated for a second as Miry stepped in the way. In that moment the tiny girl spoke, her words spilling out before she had a chance to think of them, though they were at least clearly articulated. [color=c2a5fd]“Princess Annaveya has been claimed by my lord Zakroti of house Unalim.  You may not touch her.”[/color]
The warlord took one look at Miry and let out a loud guffaw, reaching out and physically lifting the girl up and moving her out of the way. She frowned a bit and quickly resumed her place, calling water to her hands and freezing it into a pair of razor-thin blades as she again glared up at the drakken. [color=c2a5fd]“I said, Princess Annaveya has been claimed by lord Zakroti of house Unalim. You will not touch her.”[/color]

The lord loomed over her, all humor gone from his face, his hand on his sword hilt. “Little girl, you do not know to whom you speak. I will take whomever I please, and if little lord Zakroti has a problem with it he can duel me himself. Or is he really so cowardly that he will send a child to do his bidding?” 

Miry internally withered at the comments about her size, but stood resolute facing the Drakken. For another moment no one spoke or moved, until Miry, after dissolving the ice blade in her right hand, reached back and firmly took a hold of the princess’s left hand. Her own left hand still clutched the blade of ice, holding it defensively in front of her.[color=c2a5fd]“My lady, your new husband is waiting.”[/color] she said, pushing Anna back behind her as she backed away.  When they were a sufficient distance away she turned again, pulling Anna along through the doors. She cast a glance at Ayltam and Gaikus as they passed, telling them with her eyes to follow. 

The moment the doors to the great hall closed behind the girls Miry knelt, taking both of Anna’s hands and bowing her head. [color=c2a5fd]“Your grace, forgive me, I overstepped my boundaries and spoke for you as was not my right. Forgive me. I only meant… as you saved me, I should return the gesture. Lord Zakroti is… he is an honorable man, as honorable as any lord here, I daresay. He will not harm you, nor cause you undue suffering.”[/color] The girl remained on her knees even after she ran out of words, awaiting Annaveya’s acceptance or refusal.