Veiled Chaos

Darkmin sighed softly and for the first time in many years, smiled unintentionally, whilst on the job. A luxury he allowed himself for the briefest of moments, this handy piece of information had just thrown itself upon his lap. His eyes scanned the Queen and Princess. Their close affection, the sparkle in The Princess' eyes, the blushes and eased expressions on both of their faces, it was an afterglow.

Darkmin knew then he had the perfect disguise, an eastern shore slave. This was it, it was time to get truly serious. He needed to speak with the Barbarian King, preferably before his arrival to the court. The Barbarians would enter the town, that would be his chance to intercept the entourage and discuss with the King some terms. This was a risky move, but in the beginning risky moves made the greatest progress, he had built up nothing and thus there was nothing to close simply the matter of re-disguising and being on his way.

Speaking of building, he needed contacts in this realm. He also need a face for his schemes, someone for his contacts to see and know, and another face to be loved and trusted. All of these things would come in time. however, now he simply needed to be alone.

The Dungeons, quickly Darkmin approached them being ever cautious of the stairs, he had caused too many 'accidents' via death by stairs and now tread lightly upon them. The blood soaked stairwell glistened in the torch light as he descended approaching the scratching and moaning of pain. The Stoic face changed to one of intense emotion as he spotted a guard before the dungeon. "Relief has arrive early head to the barracks at once, shifts are to be tightened in preparation for tomorrow's events."

Information was everywhere, even in the lowest places of the palace.

"Get me out of here!" A grizzled looking man screamed, gripping tightly to the bars of a cell. He had been dragged into the dungeons earlier from the Ale'ling Wench. "I didnt do anything! Gods above, I was just having breakfast." his voice petered out into a pathetic mutter. He sank to his knees, still gripping onto the cell. He was one of very few who havent been strung up or otherwise prepared for the Red Sisters. He still had his clothes, his tongue, and some semblance of dignity.

Darkmin walked towards the cell of the man, "Prisoner stand." He commanded. Recognizing the man. How lucky that the same man who provided him with the uniform of the guard unwittingly may provide him with more. "I propose a deal to you," Darkmin's voice lowered to a whisper, "answer any questions I have with none of you own and only answers and I will let you out of your cell to wander free. Understand me?" His eyes glowering towards the younger man. (by his standards)

"Yes yes please! I'll do anything, just please get me out of here!" the man stood and rambled on about how he didnt want to be a play thing of the Red Sisters, and how he had seen some of the bodies in the dungeons so mutilated and scarred and rotting yet they still breathed. "What would you have of me, sir?"

Darkmin smiled, the compliance was welcome, "The Eastern Shore Tribes, do you know of them? if so tell me exactly how they usually appear, I'm particularly interested in skin tone. In fact tell me all you know about them with as much detail as you can muster." his eyes flashed towards the man, "and no lies I want all that you know do not feel as though you need to fill in any gaps in your knowledge just what you know will suffice."

"The people from the Eastern Shores? What would you possibly want-" the man started, but the guards's look silenced him. "They's a tanned people, with skin the color of aged oak. Tall most of them. The men's got these big broad shoulders, fer haulin' fish in nets onto theyre boats, y'see. The womens that I've seen theyve a body that would make more than a man's desire's rise." the man gulped, not sure if his information was enough to grant him freedom. "Theys dressed usually in cloths and loose pants, cause of the heat out on the sea, and they wear accessories that glint in the sunlight like a fish's scales."

Darkmin allowed his face to smile lightly, "Very good, but one thing you were vague in the shape of the woman's bodies do you have specifics or should I assume every desirable female body is of the eastern shores?" After all it was clear to him that the Red sisters enjoyed the female form, finding out if they also enjoyed the male form would be risky and unnecessary, besides most of the council and courtiers were male it was more advantageous. Darkmin placed his hand upon the lock for show.

"Gods above, why do you need this information." the man muttered under his breath till he saw the guard place his hand on the lock. "Alright alright! The women are usually voluptuous. Large hips, large breasts. Slim waist." he paused, racking his brain and trying to remember. He had only seen the women of the Eastern Shores once, and they were with a travelling group. They were dancers. "Uh, round face. Almond shaped eyes."

Darkmin's hand gripped the lock and with a swift click undid it allowing it to creak open. However, Darkmin was already marching up the stairs, albeit with caution stairs are dangerous after all. Leaving little more than a "Good luck." to the man before he vanished into the halls escaping to where he saw the councillors speaking earlier, if he recalled correctly they reconvened shortly.

The prisoner had given him something very important for tomorrow.

The man from the Ale'ling Wench couldnt believe his eyes. The guard kept his word and unlocked the cell! He opened it carefully and chanced the stairs. Only the gods would know if he could escape with his life. Coming out of a side door was a tall man with a blood stained apron, holding a rather large cleaver. Kerza looked at the escaping prisoner with not a small amount of confusion. "Where do you think yer goin'?"

Haedria easily slid into her court gown and slippers. On her bed, Sera still lay naked, panting with exhaustion.
"Come sister, its time to get dressed." the queen said coolly.
"How do you expect me to get dressed right after all that?" Sera moaned, rolling over onto her side. She pushed her hair back and watched Haedria as she got dressed, wondering what power she had that allowed her to emerge so perfect after such a vigorous activity.
Haedria only laughed good-naturedly. The black dagger found its home in its sheath upon the queen's thigh. Behind her, Sera finally got out of bed and went to get dressed. Some of the princess's gowns were kept in the queen's chambers for this very purpose. While Sera groggily wrestled with her dress, Haedria gently brushed her sister's hair, whispering into her ear.

Darkmin slipped into the Court eyeing left to right, nothing had begun yet. Unfortunate, Darkmin stood waiting at attention. No thoughts to be spared for the prisoner he had left to his own fate.

Keeping his ears open Darkmin let his mind wander creating an image in his head of the form he would take it had to be flawless, not in a strictly bodily sense but as a disguise it had to be perfect, accurate, yet enchantingly beautiful. Though before that he had to negotiate with The King of the Barbarians, reveal the trap to him in exchange for his playing along and paying tribute in the form of a disguised Darkmin. Perhaps no one has seen the King personally, surely he could convince the King to send an ambassador instead for a living King in your debt could be a useful tool for future endeavours.

The Red Sisters strode into the throne room where court was to be held. The queen walked in as regally as ever, while Sera almost tripped walking onto the dais. The sisters took their seats: the queen at her throne and the princess at her right. Sera scanned the room, seeing the courtiers look away from her and busy themselves with their papers. She spotted the guard she sparred with earlier and smiled a little. Haedria sat with her hands delicately folded over her lap, then called for court to begin. A handsome young man dressed in purple and gold stepped forward. He had a delicately handsome look. In the seconds before he opened his mouth to announce himself, Sera muttered under her breath that he was a 'precious sheltered pretty boy.'
The queen, who heard, smirked slightly. The young man was a prince, asking for the princess's hand in marriage for the "strengthening for foreign ties" and what not. Haedria's eyes narrowed, and Sera knew her sister was angry. The queen replied with a curt 'no'. The prince made the mistake of attempting to change the queen's mind.
"Guards, escort this man out." The queen ordered.
"But your Highness, surely we can come to an agreement-" the prince said, trying his best to sound persuasive and look handsome. The queen rose from her throne and the room fell silent. She unsheathed the dagger and held its sharp tip against the prince's throat. A slight added pressure at the blade would draw blood.
"You asked for her hand, and I say no. Now if you value your life, you will leave." the queen's voice was steady and threatening. The prince shook in fear and retreated from the blade and the mad queen holding it. He bowed quickly and left the court.
Haedria resumed her place on her throne and it was like nothing happened.

Darkmin chuckled mentally as Haedria telegraphed herself to him, protective, short-tempered, disliking of men, and even possessive of Sera the Princess. Sera clung to the Queen like a favoured pet in bliss at the slightest notice of her master, 'I wonder would would happen if the Princess realized her position. Probably can't understand it on her own, too happy to be under another, but even content creatures are intriguingly useful'

Standing cold at attention Darkmin was partically statuesque attention focused he did catch the Princess glance and even the light smile cast upon him. He felt the need to do a small bow to thank her royal majesty for giving the slightest attention to a lowly guard, and hellish schemer.

As the Prince left, marriage unfulfilled, A realization hit Darkmin. The Princess was not married, nor was the Queen. There was no heir to the throne, 'Oh how ripe an opportunity this could be, how many kingdoms have splintered in war over heirs and claims and the ever complex webbing of Monarch politics?' Darkmin breathed deep the dank air of the court made fresh by his own enthusiasm. The Queen was possessive of Sera the idea of sharing clearly held distaste in her mouth and as such, the Queen being dominate was most likely preventing an heir from being conceived. Oh what a perlious platform the Dais they stood upon was, solid construction yes, but for how long?

Court would be interesting.

Court continued at a rapid pace, though its mood was a hundredfold more tense than when it started. The queen's quick anger hung on everyone's mind as they stepped before the dais and appealed to the queen. Haedria's attention was on other things, and she was barely listening. She had shot down yet another suitor for Sera. She glanced briefly at the younger girl, noticing that at least the princess was paying attention. Was it the right thing for her to do? She loved Sera dearly, but the thought of some man laying hands on her boiled her blood and turned her thoughts to ripping the offenders throats out with her dagger. Yet her protective presence over the princess was like a cage guarded by a snarling beast. Was Sera truly happy with her? Did Sera want to find and fall in love with someone other than her? Sera saw the queen staring at her, and the princess smiled back with a wide, happy smile. Joy and contentment lit up the princess's beautiful face. Haedria couldnt help but smile back.

A couple from the town below came before the queen. Their mood looked even sourer than the queen's. The woman, middle-aged with clothes bearing dried mud, pointed a quivering finger at the man beside her. Her tale was that the man, a farmer by trade, had raped the woman's daughter and killed her. The man's defense was that it he never laid a hand on the daughter and the woman, a potter's wife, was still angry with him for slights done against her years ago. The began bickering right there in the court, having forgotten they stood before the Red Sisters of the Kingdom of Ash and Blood. Sera snickered, while Haedria smiled. The light domestic chaos took her mind off of Sera. When the potter's wife pushed the farmer aggressively, the guards moved to restrain them. Haedria motioned for Sera to stand. It was about time the Princess dealt with a matter of the kingdom.

The princess stood and brushed her dress down nervously. She wasnt sure who was right or wrong, who was telling the truth. She approached the couple and had them retell their stories from the top. The potter's wife said her daughter was raped and killed by the farmer. The farmer said the potter's wife stole a portion of his harvest every year for several years. The began to argue again, and the noise and lack of clear solution caused the princess's head to throb. She ran a shaking hand through her red hair, restraining herself as best she could. When the couple kept on, oblivious to the stress they were causing the princess, Sera walked over to a guard and took his sword from his hip. With a roar, the princess hacked off the farmer's head. The potter's wife looked on in shock and opened her mouth to scream. It was silenced by a sword through her neck. With a quick twist, her head rolled as well. Blood coated Sera's hands and splattered against her dress. Tossing the sword back to the stone-faced guard, the princess sat heavily on her throne beside the queen. Haedria only grinned in the most predatory way, quite pleased with how Sera handled court.
"It's no easy task to sever a man's head." Haedria commented.
"You have to find the right angle." Sera replied.

The young Princess was an interesting creature in Darkmin's eyes. The slaughter was not how he imagined it would be, 'The Princess eye's they show .....uncertainty, disappointment even.' it was odd. They were not bloodthirsty eyes. Darkmin had a theory to Sera's actions, insight into her personality. The stress of being unable to come to a solid judgement drove the Princess into such a state that she killed both individuals. Sera was perhaps a nervous killer, stress and nerves leads to violence a comfort factor for her. Although the fact that she had tried for so long said something as well that she wasn't entirely bloodthirsty.

The Queen on the other hand was far more bestial than the princess, Darkmin's eyes wandered. The grin, the pleased grin spoke volumes. The Bloodshed pleased her immensely treating the spectacle as bloody entertainment. While the Princess held a sort of childlike desire to emulate her Big Sister living the lifestyle but having her deviations from it Haedria seemed to relish in it.

Darkmin's mind lingered on the Princess' last line, 'you have to find the Right Angle'. Darkmin smiled, that was his job.

There was one last person to appeal before the Red Sisters in court. It was a young man, dressed in the plain clothes of a farmer. He was lightly tanned and the well muscled body of one born for manual labor. He nervously wrung his hat between his hands as he stepped over the pool of blood from the couple earlier. He bowed low and respectfully twice, once to the queen and once to the princess. The queen's eyebrow shot up, partly in disbelief. This man has proper manners for one born so low. He shall keep his life. Haedria thought. Sera tried to hide her stare, but she couldnt take her eyes of the man, having never before seen such a physique.

"You Majesty, I humbly appear before you..." the young man began to stammer. He gulped and took a breath, praying the gods would let him keep his head. "There is a drought upon the fields, you Majesty. The irrigation system is proving its use, but nothing can be coaxed from the earth. Nothing will grow, and my fellow farmers fear there will be a famine in the coming months, and not enough stored for away for winter."

Haedria's brows knitted together as she thought. There was a drought upon the fields, she could not water the earth and feed her people with blood obviously. Enough of the kingdom's coffers were emptied for trade. Asking the trade partners for grain they could normally grow on their own would cause havoc in Sagna.

"Y-your Majesty?" the young man chanced. The queen's eyes were unfocused in thought, but there was another piece of information he had to share. Perhaps it would lighten the queen's burden. Mildly startled, the queen looked up. "A travelling sage mused that there was a spell placed upon the fields. Perhaps to cripple the kingdom. I am not sure as I know nothing of magic."

Haedria thanked the man for his information and waved him off. The farmer's relief was plain all over his face. Beside the queen, Sera looked worried. "Who would want to target our kingdom?"
"I'm not sure. We have many enemies, and several of them want our heads upon their pikes." Haedria muttered. She stroked Sera's hair for comfort. This was troubling news indeed.

All eyes turned to the leaving Farmer as the silent schemer's mind raced. 'A plot to cripple the Kingdom? Interesting, I can use this to my advantage my movements will be veiled further by others.' Darkmin preferred to know who was plotting what in his working area it made things easier for him that way, but many plots created an atmosphere humming with chaos and so long as the plotters schemes did not conflict with his own he was content to let them have their way. Further still a vital piece of information had been collected, this world was magical, he had to find to what extent.

The guards were signaled to close the gates. Court was over, and the queen had a lot to think about. Her courtiers came to discuss the new matters, but Haedria waved them off impatiently. She was halfway out the door when she noticed Sera wasnt at her side. The princess had only stopped to take some of the tea that was set out for them.
"What are we going to do, dear sister?" Sera asked rather innocently, sipping from her tea cup.
Haedria sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "What are we going to do, indeed. Sera, I need time alone to think. You amuse yourself, but stay out of trouble. Understand?" she tapped the younger girl's nose playfully, and Sera smiled. "If youre sure, sister. I will come when you call."

The queen asked for fresh tea to be brought to the library, and Sera knew the queen could spend hours looking for who knows what. With the queen refusing to discuss matters, the council dispersed, leaving Sera without much to do. She found herself in a mostly empty throne room, holding a now empty tea cup.
"I should see these cursed fields for myself..." She mused. She called for her horse and sword to be prepared while she changed into her riding clothes.

Darkmin had no moved since court had been dismissed, he like the Queen had much to think about. The Kindgom, The Fields, and Tomorrow. As he thought the Princess mused aloud. "Hmm?" He muttered curiously as a servant was called to acquire the Princess' steed, 'She's going to investigate things personally, interesting.'

Darkmin strode forward, "Your majesty," he spoke up keeping a respectful distance and initiating a polite bow. "you are heading to investigate the fields that young man spoke of are you not? With your permission I'd like to accompany you and see these fields for myself. As well of course provide you with some protection." Darkmin chuckled warmly a small smile skilfully crafted upon his face, "Well that's what I would like to say, more likely if anything were to happen you'd have to protect my sorry hide. I know you are a very capable warrior, the least I can offer is a pair of seasoned eyes to your highness if you'll have them." Darkmin initiated another bow before the Princess.

Sera laughed. "I certainly wasnt expecting a palace guard to offer my protection, or the other way around. Your company would be quite the blessing, as Haedria would have my hide if I was to be vulnerable out in the town." she smiled gratefully. "Acquire a horse of your own from the stables and meet me by the castle gates." she told the guardsman. She walked on, heading towards her chambers, trying to wipe as much blood off her hands without staining yet another gown too badly.

A basin of water was set out for her to allow her to wash, while servants set out the princess's riding gear. She dressed in a dark blue jacket and leather pants. Slipping on a pair of hide gloves, Sera set out and found her steed waiting for her. The princess's horse was a large black stallion whose shoulder came up to her head. She mounted the horse, found a pair of swords neatly tucked behind the saddle, and rode through the courtyard towards the castle gates.

Darkmin bowed, "Yes your highness, I shall as swiftly as I can" and with a turn Darkmin made haste towards the stables. The castles stables held many fine steeds, Darkmin's eyes wandered to a brown horse pulling wildly and rebelling against the stable hand attempting to ride her and presumably break her in.

"Careful with her careful with her!" The Gruff stable master shouted at his workmen who were doing their best to restrain the majestic creature without damaging her. Unfortunately She was not so keen on being dainty with the mean thrashing about and with gusto bucking the unfortunate ride off of her. The Stable master eyed Darkmin approaching and waved "Guardsmen we could use a hand with this new horse!"

Darkmin paid him little heed continuing to walk forward, eyes darting about the horse. 'Wild, Rage, Discomfort, Saddle.' Walking past the stable hands Darkmin drew his sword and with precision slashed the saddle off of the Horse and leapt upon her back holding her mane to support himself being careful not to tug. Leaning in he whispered soft words to the horse placing his hand upon her neck gently rubbing to sooth her, the iron gauntlet felt warm to the touch the horse began to calm understanding what was desired of her. "Hyah!" Darkmin yelled as both he and the horse galloped towards the gate brushing past the wide eyed stable hands.

Darkmin saw the princess as he galloped towards the gate, ignoring the Stablemaster's shouts of protest. "Your Highness I am deeply sorry for your wait." He placed his gauntlet in his chest and gave a bow.

Sera raised an eyebrow when the guard arrived. "You are a strange man who prefers to ride a beast without means to control it." she said. Then she grinned at the thought of beasts running wild and unrestrained. If that ever happened, Haedria would probably have them all killed. "Follow then, and try not to fall."

Sera led the way down the wide path that led up to the castle. As the two galloped into the town, she saw men, women, and children alike bow their heads and avert their eyes. Her bright red hair was a signal to her people to stay well within their boundaries, lest the find their heads separated from their shoulders. Sera's expression darkened as she saw a little girl hide behind her mother's legs as she passed. Did she instill such fear in her people, that no one would look her in the eye? She pushed the thought away, instead opting to focus on finding the fields.

Darkmin followed easily, he was lighter than he appeared and the horse appreciated that in exchange for his politeness in treating her she was incredibly co-operative. Galloping alongside Sera's right side, so that his 'blind' left eye could watch her for information. As the towns folk cowered the Princess darkened, hints of sadness in her eyes appeared. "You know my father always said, People know until they get to know." Darkmin let out a deliberate cough, "Oh my apologizes me your Highness, I was lost in thought."

Sera pursed her lips as she thought over the guard's words. "I'm uncertain as to what you mean, guardsman. That sounds incredibly confusing." she slowed her steed as they walked through the town. Drunken men stumbling out of the tavern took one look at her and stumbled right back in. Sera sighed sadly. Being out among her people drove home just how isolated she was from everyone, being always under Haedria's wing.

She led the guard to down one of the winding paths that would take them out of town and into the surrounding lands. Ahead of them on the path, Sera saw a trade caravan surrounded by strange men wearing furs and dark leather. A cry for help stirred the princess's heart, and she kicked her horse into a gallop toward the wagon. Drawing closer to the men, she recognized their armor as the makeshift clothing of the barbarians that were causing such trouble to her kingdom.

Sera drew a sword and struck out at the nearest barbarian. His head didnt quite get cut clean off, but it now sported a bloody gash. He fell to the ground twitching and clawing at his cut throat. Sera drew her other sword and leapt right off her horse, whirling the blades at the men, with fire in her eyes and a snarl on her lips. She blocked and dodged axes and swords, her blades finding soft flesh under old animal hides. It took only a minute till Sera stood among the dead, her swords dripping blood. Her breathing was fast, the fire of battle still in her veins. A weak cry from inside the caravan shook her to attention. Dropping the swords, she pried away damaged wood to find the driver of the wagon, bloodied and cut.

The princess looked around the path wildly. Near the path to her right was a shack made of mud and brick, with a thatch roof. A farmer's wife peeked out from the doorway. "You! You, come here!" she called, and the woman ducked back into her home out of fear. A second later she came back out, either out of fear for disobeying the princess or some other reason entirely. Sera helped the driver to his feet, draping one of his arms over her shoulders. "He's hurt. Get him to a healer. Understand?" Sera asked once the woman had come closer. The farmer's wife nodded dumbly, but she took the driver from the princess and called to her son who hid inside the house.

Sera slowly stooped to recover her swords as she watched the woman and her son take the injured driver back down the path, calling for help. She was covered in blood and the thrill of battle, but for the first time, she wasnt sure bloodshed is what she wanted.

Darkmin hardly had a moment to react before the Barbarians fell victim to the Princess' battle frenzy. The raging blur of death had finally ground to a halt as Darkmin's horse slowed to a trot. Silently he dismounted next to the first of the dead Barbarians surveying it. Rifling through the wretch's belongings produced an axe and a small bag of coins. Stowing both onto his possession and committing the appearance to memory Darkmin proceeded to examine each corpse for anything unusual, notes, letters, paper, or coins. "That was an impressive display your majesty." He called out, the Princess had been standing there quietly for a while now over the fallen corpses with a contemplative look upon her face. "It's just as I thought, unofficially you are in no need of protection. As well I wish the entire town had seen you fight to protect one of your kingdom, it would surely help to change their opinion of you."