[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Irxxbbd.png[/img] & [h1]Nalla[/h1][/center] He had screamed for much longer than Auriëlle expected. The chieftain chosen in her tent had to be put down and restrained. Something frantic happens when a man is condemned to death. Civility is stripped away with every pleading word. Until he was nothing but a yelling, frothing animal that had to be carried by four guards. He was kept away from everywhere until the night fell. Auriëlle made sure the bonfire would be massive enough to burn him. When he was pulled towards the heap of wood, the man was screaming, pleading and kicking again. It all fell on deaf ears. Not even the chieftains who were forced to attend the ‘ceremony’ didn’t say anything as he was bound around the central pole. Then, with a snap of Auriëlle’s fingers, the first fires lit up. The flames kept roaring until dawn. Even then they were still burning high. Auriëlle had her men pull open the bonfire with spears and sticks. The flames quickly faded into embers. Auriëlle crawled up the pile to the burned corpse with a bowl. She just had to grip the carbonized flesh tight for it to crumble into the bowl. It didn’t take long until her promise of ash was fulfilled. The chieftains, meanwhile, looked hollow eyed and shocked. None said a word as they were lifted off the ground. A day later the camp was broken down and the march back to Nallan began. With Auriëlle at its head. Behind her Hyl marched with the head of Olwar on a spike, acting like her bannerman. In Nallan, she was received with cheers and glory. Olwar’s head was marched behind her and then came the three remaining chieftains with their hands bound. The street was lined with people to see the soldiers return. The warriors were embraced by parents, wives and children alike. One woman came rushing from the street and handed Auriëlle some flowers. Which she graciously accepted. But atop her highland stag she did not wave or smile. She was single handedly focused on the palace on the far off distance. “Tell the queen I’m coming.” She told one of the guards who had remained. He quickly ran off. Nalla and her retinue awaited her outside the Palace’s walls. The Queen sat underneath a cloth palanquin, wearing a red dress that covered every part of her skin except her face and head. Her retinue mostly consisted of white clothed servants, but for once, the two Blood Sylphi children sat beside her. One rested it’s head upon her lap, eyes shut in peaceful sleep. The other child played with a toy quietly. When Auriëlle approached, Nalla smiled as she gazed upon the pike. “Very well done.” she mused. “I knew you would be capable, and you have proven my suspicions correct, Auriëlle. We shall have a feast in your honor tonight.” She smiled as she dismounted. It was a confident smile. “A feast.” She said dryly. Just more dancing in a court. One night she’d have to go through it. Then she could go out again. At least she hoped. For everyone’s sake. “But right now I have something else.” With a hand signal the three remaining chieftains were pulled up until they appeared before Nalla. “I bring ash-” She said, dropping a small, opened bag next to the other chieftains. A soft wind let some of the ash rise up. Then she walked up behind the three chieftains. Kicking each in the back of their knee. Dropping them. “-and kneeling men.” Then she turned her attention towards the men. “Swear it. Now.” The three men spoke in perfect unison: “Queen Nalla. Our eternal gratitude for your mercy. We hereby swear loyalty to you. Forever.” Auriëlle had forced them to repeat the words over and over again. Until they could say it both at the same time with their eyes closed. It had to be done. In sight of everyone in Nallan. “Let this be a lesson,” Nalla began, “That disobedience, rejection and rebellion will cause needless pain and suffering. My trust in your leadership of the villages of Telegar, Moirjun, Balinol, Valigar and that fledgling city of Salavar, has been destroyed. As such, I am gifting you a regional ruler, who answers to only my authority.” Her eyes fell upon Hyl and his son. “Hyl, you are familiar with the southern reaches are you not? I give you this position, ensure that your son and his sons after, keep the peace. Take these men back with you and pray that they do not rebel again, or the consequences shall be much worse.” The two men bowed deeply, with Hyl saying, “Yes your grace.” and no more. Nalla then looked upon Auriëlle again and said, “You must be exhausted and in need of a bath no doubt, come, come.” she said, clapping her hands. Four burly guards grabbed the palanquin and began walking up the path, her retinue behind her. As the dutiful commander Auriëlle pretended to be, she remained quiet as the queen spoke. Though she smirked when Nalla mentioned consequences. She silently begged the region to revolt again now. Despite her years with Carn, she never actually had the chance to raze a village. It would send a very clear message though. She’d have to tell Hyl that he could always count on her support should it ever be required. She just gave the queen a small nod when she was invited to a bath. [i]More dancing.[/i] She thought. Of course Nalla didn’t tire of it. There was no doubt, she loved the exchanges, the diplomacy and the stewardship of her lands. It almost felt as if she did it effortlessly. As effortlessly as Auriëlle waged war. In truth Auriëlle just wanted to go on the warpath again. Instead she quietly followed the queen’s palanquin inside. [hr] In the twilight of day did they finally eat. The dining hall was lit dimly, as always. The table was littered with foods and drinks, from honeyed duck, to cooked stag, there was anything and everything. Far off in the corner, there was also a group of three people using instruments to create a strange tune, one that accompanied the atmosphere. Nalla sat in her usual spot, this time however, Hyl sat next to her on the right, and his son sat to the left of her. All along down the table, most of the spots were filled with regal looking people, or at least, people trying to look regal. Even the Slyphi had joined them, sitting across from one another right next to where Auriëlle sat. Aurinia and Chio were their names, and they hardly took their eyes off from each other. Nall rose suddenly, holding her cup high as she looked to Auriëlle. “Here’s to you, Auriëlle. For putting down that rebellion and ushering in a new age of peace within my lands. You have my thanks.” She drank, the rest of the table followed and Nalla sat back down. Auriêlle raised her cup as well. She offered the queen a small nod and a smile in response. Inside, just below her skin, she winced when she heard Nalla talk about peace. ‘Whatever god of war is real, I truly hope you won’t let it happen.’ She thought on her prayer, hoping it would be enough. Unlike most, Auriëlle didn’t make an attempt to dress regal. Or even as a woman. She was clothed in a comfortable tunic and trousers. It clashed terribly with the form fitting, silver and gold embroidered dresses many of the other women wore. The women leered at her with sharp eyes. It was the one small delight she got from the evening: watching the others squirm and feel uncomfortable simply by her presence. They preferred the impeccably dressed queen no doubt. Much to Auriëlle’s surprise, not that many men had any attention spare for her. All of them either had their eyes either on their plate, battling their inner demons, or had resigned themselves and were openly admiring the queen. Auriëlle tried to keep her eyes off Nalla for now and focused on a piece of honeyed duck. Which she devoured in such a fashion that betrayed a decent upbringing. Once the piece of meat was eaten, she turned next to her, to one of the Slyphi. “Where did you two come from?” She asked, blunt but clearly interested in the strange beings. Chio, the male turned his gaze towards her. “We came from a land down south. Ever heard of Arborea?” “The world tree!” chimed Aurinia. “I haven’t seen a single tree to compare.” she leaned on her hand as she stared at Auriêlle with large eyes. “Arborea? never heard of it.” Auriëlle said. “So it’s a big tree then?” There were big trees everywhere. Some druids revered big trees. As if trees were ever more useful for anything else but wood. “The biggest tree!” Aurinia smiled. “Well, yes and no. Aborea is the place that surrounds the tree. The Tree of Genesis. The first tree, or so they say. The Sylphi have a thriving community there, with humans that live alongside us.” Chio said. The sorceress took it all in as she took another sip from her wine. “You must’ve travelled a long way to reach Nallan then. Or not?” She couldn’t know, the furthest she had ever gone south was Salavar. Aurinia nodded her head quickly. “Yep! We travelled through the forests of Yandor, then the Gardens, then the gap, then we saw those elk riders and then Nalla took us in!” A big smile formed on her lips. “So many places.” She droned as Aurinia summed them up. “Tell me everything. And I do mean everything. Where is this gap? What are the gardens? Who lives there? Where’s the forest of Yandor? How big is it?” Aurinia giggled and took a bite of some stag meat. Chio took a drink before saying, “Well… The Gap is in the Mountains. Where the great boar lived. You have to be careful though, for there are creatures in the night. The dwarves are friendly enough though, they protect travelers.” “Before that is the Gardens, lands so fertile that anything can grow. The people that live there are kind and happy.” Aurinia chattered excitedly. “But before the gardens exists the forest of Yandor.” Chio lowered his voice, “Endless trees as old as Genesis. Things walk there that no one even knows about. It is eerie as it is beautiful.” “It all sounds wonderful. Truly wonderful.” She said. Hoping one day she could travel to those places as well. Perhaps Nalla’s ambitions truly would be limitless. She cast a sideway glance towards the queen. Yes, someday she would march her armies through the gap for sure. Just not when Auriëlle was still alive. Her attention returned to the Sylphi. “So what brought you to the shithole that is the highlands?” The two Sylphi shared a look with each other before they shrugged. “Can’t remember really. Something about… Umm…” Aurinia’s voice became lost in thought. “It wasn’t important. Nalla takes care of us now. We both like it here, after all.” Chio smiled. “Well yes… Nallan is perhaps the least terrible place.” Auriëlle mused. “But honestly, anything beyond these walls? I’d burn it in a heartbeat if I could. Really there’s nothing out there but dumb farmers, creeps on thrones and zealots most call druids. You did well sticking with Nalla.” She leaned back in her chair, taking a big gulp of her wine to swallow down the memories of most of the high lands. Only Nalla could make it tolerable. Nalla and Carn. Gods she was starting to miss him. “So you two. In love?” She asked, bluntly with a big smirk before taking another sip of her cup and realizing it was empty. Aurinia blushed, if you could call it that. Her leaves seemed to twitch faintly as she looked at Chio. “We are mated for life.” Chio said, never moving his gaze from her. “We will have many children together, for it is what the Queen wants. Her simply wish for us to stay prim and proper. Besides… I do love my Auri.” “Oh stop you.” She giggled. “Hey! More wine here!” Auriëlle yelled at one of the servants as she raised her cup and shook it. Then she set it down again, not caring who would look with what kind of scowls. If they had a problem with her, they could come tell her that in her face. She wasn’t about to start reading faces. Then she turned back to the Sylphi with complete focus. “So… how does that feel? You know, being in love?” Aurinia tilted her head at Auriëlle. “Have you never…? It’s like… It’s like… A really wonderful feeling. You would do anything for them, knowing they would love you no matter what. And you can be anyone, because they’ll always accept you. Your dreams, desires, motivations- shared with your best friend. Who could ask for more?” She said, turning her head back to Chio. “So you’re always together then? No matter what?” She asked, a slight tone of regret in her voice. Maybe she should’ve taken time to say goodbye. At the time it had seemed obvious. They weren’t serious. Nothing was serious. Right? No, leaving so suddenly was clean. It was quick. No lengthy farewells or pleas to stay. It was the best thing she could’ve done. Yet, then why did her heart begin to ache now? "Of course! We share our chambers with the kids but sometimes I go to the market while he stays, or he leaves to go out." Aurinia cooed. "But," Chio began, "We always come back to each other." “Always back…” She droned as a servant filled her cup again. She drank half of it in one gulp. “You think, if you left for like… five years. And then you came back” She said, pointing at Aurinia. Then she moved her finger to Chio. “Would you take her back?” He squinted at her. "Oddly specific date but yeah, depending on the circumstances. I would." Aurinia giggled. "Five years! He'd probably think I died or left him. That'd be terrible. I'd never do that to you Chioooo." She said with a soft smile. Auriëlle fell back into her chair again as she uttered something obscene. Suddenly the sight before her disgusted and hurt her. Like it was a knife being jammed in her heart. Without saying anything she shoved her chair back and got up to march away. On her way to one of the side doors she took a pitcher of wine from one of the servants. Who was wise enough to immediately let go of it. Even still in the hall, in sight of all, she put the pitcher to her lips for all to see and drank. After which she finally left the hall. [hider=Summary]Auriëlle burns one of the chieftains that surrendered as punishment and then leaves for Nallan. Where she is received with cheers and glory. She offers up the chieftains and a sack of ashes. They swear loyalty to Nalla, who’s trust in the villages is destroyed. She installs Hyl and his son as the new regional rulers and then goes back inside the palace. That evening there is a feast in honor of the victory. Auriëlle, dressed not even as a woman, is seated near the two Sylphi of Nallan’s court. Who tell her about the fantastical lands in the south. Auriëlle hopes she can visit them sometimes. Perhaps as part of the conquest. She believes Nalla will probably conquer it some day but not in her own lifetime. She then asks if the two are in love. The answer is yes and they talk at length on how that feels. Prompting Auriëlle to ask if one of them left for five years, would the other take them back. They answer that five years is a long time and the other would most likely believe the person who left is forever gone. Which prompts Auriëlle to feel guilty. Something she attempts to drown in wine as she leaves the feast.[/hider] [hider=Prestige] [b]Post Length:[/b] +10K Characters +5 >> Auriëlle Nalla = 10 10k+ chars = +5 Ending = 15 Charm of desire = 10 10k+ Chars = +5 Ending = 15 Bloodied Crown = 10 10k+ Chars = +5 Ending = 15 [/hider]