[center][h2][u]Five Days Previous[/u][/h2][/center]

"[color=LightSeaGreen]Father, you cannot be serious![/color]" Ariella raised herself from the ground, dusting snow from her ground length robe. "[color=LightSeaGreen]You expect to send me off to the Savannah? To live with House Bosanda?! Where they depict their so-called Gods as silly ani-[/color]"

"[color=SeaGreen]Ariella! You will hold your tongue or so help me I will call upon Xeion to cut it out![/color]" Her father's booming voice cut her off, his icy glare making her feel like a small child. 

Ariella knew not to speak, so instead she stood still and met her fathers gaze with equal disdain, feeling warm pigs blood slide down her fingers and stain the snow beneath her feet. Just minutes before she had been enjoying her regular morning ritual praying to the Gods, decorating herself with the blood of a sacrifice for guidance. It had been a nice quiet morning in the open field under the great willow tree, it's long leaves covered in ice. And to think, she thought today was going to be a good day... why hadn't the Gods warned her?

The willow tree they stood under was sacred in their lands, only to be used by the nobles, and the base of the tree was covered with dried blood. Legend had it that the Gods were attached to the tree and would always be listening to those who prayed beneath it. Xeion was their mighty God of mischief, chaos, destruction and death - to speak his name aloud, especially under the sacred willow tree was certainly a bold threat. Normally they did not speak the Gods names, unless they truly wanted their presence. Thus, Ariella and Lord Dederick Laventis stared at each other in a silent stand off. 

Finally after what felt like an eternity Ariella's father let out a bewildered sigh and turned his eyes on the sacred tree. "[color=SeaGreen]House Bosanda is a good, respectable house Ariella. You will go, it is the King's wish as it is mine. The letter from the King is in my study if you wish to read it.[/color]" Lord Dederick turned to face his daughter again, a frown on his aging bearded face. "[color=SeaGreen]Lord Cheick would make a fine husband.[/color]"

Ariella practically rolled her eyes into the back of her head. Nonetheless, she could not fight him on this. She was stubborn, but not dumb. "[color=LightSeaGreen]Yes, father.[/color]" She spoke through her teeth, bloodied hands curled up in tight balls at her sides. "[color=LightSeaGreen]I will... pack my things.[/color]" 

As she turned to walk down the stone pathway to their castle, she heard her father, "[color=SeaGreen]You will act proper and courtly, as well.[/color]"

[hr]

[center][h2][u]Current Day[/u][/h2][/center]

[i] Clara,[/i]

[i]This place is dreadful. I use to think that Crescent Bay was a wasteland, but I have to admit that I prefer it over these sand-filled lands. The sand is everywhere! It gets inside everything. EVERYTHING, CLARA! Pray to the Gods for me, ask them to grant me the strength to make it through these two months. I am not sure if they will be listening to me this far in the south...[/i]

[i]I miss you, your warmth. It's awfully hot here, but I would still hold you close if you could have joined me. Being a Phoenix, I didn't think I would be bothered by the heat, but I believe it's made it worse on me. The sun is harsh...[/i]

[i]I meet with Lord Cheick soon. Wish me luck. Thinking of you always,[/i]

[i]Ari.[/i]

Ariella put her feather ink pen back into its case and closed the black bottle of ink, looking over her short letter to her lover back home. The handwriting was a bit of a mess, as the carriage she rode in wasn't exactly the smoothest to write in, but it would have to do for now. Nervously chewing on the edge of her bottom lip, Ariella folded up her letter and sealed it with crimson red colored wax. She pressed a stamp of her family's insignia into the wax and left it to dry on the seat next to her. 

Her mind raced as she stared out of the carriage window, examining the architecture of House Bosanda's land. Everything was so foreign here, and she would stick out like a sore thumb as soon as she stepped foot out of the carriage. "[i]Damien, I hope you're at least watching over me. Grant me your strength... your wisdom.[/i]" She thought, sending out a silent prayer to her deceased brother. If things had gone as planned, Damien would be living another life, unaware of who Ariella was... but she still thought of him as if he were still there to guide her, despite how much it went against her families belief system. 

"[color=khaki]Miss Laventis, we have arrived.[/color]"

Ariella's stomach twisted in knots as she heard the coachman call from up front. She took a deep breath as she waited for the coachman to open the carriage door. "[i]Proper... Courtly.[/i]" She thought to herself just as the door slid open, letting in a stream of sunlight. Squinting against the sunlight, Ariella took the coachman's hand and stepped out of the carriage. Looking forward, she was at the front of the main castle and what looked to be the Bosanda family waiting in greeting.

"[color=khaki]Lady Ariella Laventis, House Phoenix of Crescent Bay.[/color]" The coachman announced her presence, bowing deeply to her and the Bosanda family.

Forcing a tight smile, she met eyes with whom she assumed to be Lord Cheick. "[color=LightSeaGreen]Pleased to be here.[/color]" She lied, bowing her head to the family in respect.