Private Tales Fraternal Diplomacy

[Kaveh]

Kaveh tilted his head in a nod. "Finding out who is friend and who is foe is absolutely paramount."

If they knew they could trust someone, it would at least give them another hand to work with.

"I will send her a missive, perhaps a meeting." The Prince considered for a moment, remembering a trick that Nasri had once played on him. "We can share some of what we have found out so far, but...change something."

He offered. "One of the details we know to be fact. Perhaps from her reaction we might see the truth of her intent."

If he spoke, Orissa could watch her, and at least that might offer some indication.

"There is also the more...drastic option." Kaveh offered, glancing briefly towards the window. His eyes settling on the distant fields, where Rayvath and the other Dragons still remained. Waiting for their time. "A threat could work as well."

Though it would doubtless damage the friendship...

 

[Orissa]

Orissa chewed at her lip, a habit she used to do relentlessly that her mother's scolding began to rub off on her older brothers and they too chastised her for doing so. But it was a coping mechanism, a physical indicator of her thoughts.

She was learning warfare, had a keen interest in it, but despite all her learning it was clear her heart was never in it. Kaveh's presence helped her a little, and never did he make her feel foolish for making the wrong decision. He ensured she still had her own say in control.

"We could ask one of the Gilded to fly back. Ensure their departure is seen. We have cause to send word home... since... he is here. Say that I wrote to my intended. Not to call for an army... but enough vagueness to see whether they would make a next move?"

A drastic option... her nerves were running at a high, and her own teeth bit off more than she intended. Her lip began to bleed, and Orissa licked it and frowned before lifting a finger to the stinging wound.

 

[Kaveh]

A good lure. "Yes."

He agreed, though in truth, he did not like how readily he said yes. There was too much scheming as of late. Too many plots. Kaveh could try to blame his brothers, but he knew that he was just as much at fault as they were.

These games had to stop sometimes, problem was the switch was not held by him.

"I believe that will stir the up." The Prince said, regarding his sister and the others. "We still do not know enough."

He mused. "But perhaps if we make them nervous it will be an opportunity to learn more."

 

[Orissa]

If was worth a shot.

Within the hour, Orissa was sat at the writing desk and peering at her feigned letter. It had been decided that Sirine would be seen handing the letter to Arken, and on his magnificent blue dragon would they be seen taking leave.

But the letter needed to be perfect.

With helpful instruction by her brother, Orissa crafted the perfect letter of an uneasy bride, scared of rumour reaching her intended but promising to tell him the story upon her return. Should Arken be apprehended, at least the letter would not rise anymore suspicion.

"Right... we seal this and..." Another minute later, the Royal seal holding the letter closed, it was in the hands of Sirine and moving. Orissa watched as the Malennis rider left, disappearing behind those doors and she let out a shudder.

"What now?" Her eyes turned to Kaveh. So much like their mother, Orissa's eyes softened with worry. "Should we ask for..." but speaking her name died on her lips. Another thought wrecked at her mind, demanding she give this up and demand they return home.

But a threat was still here. A threat that could kill many... and Orissa did not want to admit to herself that she wished to watch Casimir burn by Rayvath's fire.

 

[Kaveh]

"We set up our meeting, and bait the hook." Kaveh confirmed, nodding his head as he placed a gentle hand upon Orissa's shoulder.

He did not like the idea that Mitra was perhaps pulling on the very same strings as those who wished to see them dead. They were old friends, and Sheriam had once loved her as a sister. The betrayal would cut deep, but it would not be the first.

"Do you remember Oltic?" Kaveh said softly, reminding her of the servant-boy they had befriended in their childhood. One they had found themselves suspicious of, but who had simply been framed by one of his brothers plots. "That is what I wish for this to be."

He said softly. "Simply another mistaken suspicion. So that I may have a friend a little while more."

Kaveh looked down at his sister, offering her a rare, sad smile.

"Is that childish, Sister?" He said softly, as if he were truly unsure. As if this human part of him was something that he needed to cut free. Just as Nasri had. "Wishing for such a thing."

 

[Orissa]

Orissa pursed her lips and rose from her seat, crossing to where her brother stood and embraced him. It was times like this that she remembered she was the older of the two, but growing up she had always felt they were twins at least. They always had one another's back, had spent the most time together, and Orissa had always been there to hold Kaveh whenever his temper rose.

She sighed, deeply, and stepped back to look up at him sadly. "I hope for your sake that is how this will appear... but I am certain we can trust her. She was not introduced so readily upon our arrival, and I cannot feel but as if that was a clue as to her not being part of any of their plans."

Releasing her brother, she drifted to one of the settees, and fell across one.

"What I am most scared of is what our brothers would do once they hear of these plots. What father would do..." She did not need to mention her intended husband, whom showed his loyalty and affections for the Princess every time they had gotten together at the palace or visiting his home. She was glad to not have come here alone, to have her dearest brother at her side and protecting her and the future of Thanasis. "Or perhaps Nasri will welcome his friend home and not care of the treason he was planning." She said bitterly. After Casimir had attacked her, her elder brother had laughed and told her that Orissa was a pretty young lady, it was a wonder other men had not reached for her.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh shook his head. There were so many questions they could ask at this point, so many things that could still yet happen. It would have been a lie to say that he was not afraid, more of one to claim he knew exactly what it was they had to do.

Yet the path forward was clear. "That will not happen, Orissa."

The Prince assured his sister as she spoke of Nasri welcoming his 'friend' home. Head shaking almost immediately as he reassured her.

"I would sooner see him dead than ever step foot in Thanasis again." He told her. "Even if I have to hire the blades of Keltyr myself."

He continued with a slight snarl, evoking the name of the ancient assassins who were said to lurk beneath the mountains of Malakath. "Whatever conspiracy unfurls here, I promise you, the end will see him undone."

His featured hardened.

"Properly this time." Without anyone to interfere.

 

[Orissa]

Pride, and assurance, swelled within the Princess. She had a heart that was soft and tender, but a mind slowly learning how to become as unyielding as steel. She had to with the way her brothers were, at first to protect Kaveh, but now, to serve Thanasis as the people's Princess. The throne was never in her sights, but that did not mean she wished to learn how to assist the throne, whomever sat upon it.

"I try to tell Mother and Father that your rage is not something to fear unless you are an enemy to our city." She smiled, still proud of the brother she was blessed with despite the faults others saw. "Is it wrong of me to hope they make a mistake just so that we can show the extent of our force?"

She could not even muster a sheepish expression, but rather one of calculation and wonderment. Orissa was curious to see a city at fault, but she knew she would not have a hand in such an outcome with a Ransa Dragon.

"Perhaps I just want an excuse for you to end Casimir..." Thinking of him wandering this castle made her feel ill, anxious, and wishing to be home where the walls were safe.

With a deep breath, she turned her gaze to the windows and view of Yurelia sprawling in the distance. "Let us set the meeting then. We are ready..."

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh smiled, it was a strange, sad sort of smile. "An excuse would be welcome at this point."

The Prince said firmly, standing as a bulwark against his sisters doubt. Had it not been for the matters of diplomacy and decorum the man would have been dead long ago. Kaveh had held back once, and he would not do so again.

Not in this place.

"Yes." He answered finally, slowly drawing away from Orissa. "Lets."

The next hour was spent with a quick flurry of writing and missives being sent. Mitra was contacted, and not long after they received an answer. The siblings of Thanasis received a whisper, told to meet the young Princess within the lower Gardens, where the servants ate their lunch.

Kaveh knew the place well, for Mitra had taken him there in his youth many times while visiting. As they moved from the apartments they wound their way through the palace and down the backsteps, moving eventually into the servants passages towards the back until the stairs began to lead. A small doorway, more of a cutaway in the wall, appearing before them.

Beyond it sat a lush garden of green, and there upon one of the benches sat Mitra.

 

[Orissa]

Mitra waiting for Orissa and Kaveh looked the very picture of a Princess. The garden was full of life, nothing they both had not seen before, but here in Yurelia, Mitra seemed to command the area. Despite the late hour after the ball, Mitra still looked wide awake.

Orissa only smiled once Mitra did. Her own exhaustion weighed on her, but her eyes were careful to assess the other Princess with an outsider's gaze.

And what her own told her was that the Princess could be trusted.

"Forgive us for the hour..." Orissa began, but Mitra hushed them and stood to greet them.

"No, please! It is fine! Here, have a seat. Some peppermint tea?" Mitra moved the chairs to offer to them, smiling. "Your message said you wished to speak with me? I thought a more discreet location would better suit you after the evening you had to endure." Her eyes went to Orissa.

"I did not know... that he would be here." Her voice was small, as if he was present and crushing her. But her large brown eyes turned grateful to the other Princess for her consideration.

 

[Kaveh]

"Who?" Genuine confusion seemed to flicker over the Princesses' face, and it was in that moment that Kaveh knew.

Mitra had been telling the truth.

He was not Sheriam, he was not Nasri, but he had seen the lies of others often enough. All his life he had heard lies. From his brothers who tried to trick him, from his servants who tried to convince him they were not scared, from even his own parents.

A lie was a lie, tainting the tongue and marring ones soul. Kaveh knew the truth of Mitra's words, and he could see she had no idea who they were speaking about. If she were part of the plan, that could not be the case. "Casimir."

Kaveh explained, and Mitra frowned.

"Casimir? What does he have to do with..." She cast one glance towards the entrance of the garden, then continued. "All of this? He has been at court for some time now, friends with some of the Advisors and..."

The Princess trailed off as Kaveh gave Orissa a look. "My sister has...history, with him."

Kaveh explained, leaving any details free for only his sibling to tell.

"We believe he is part of this plot, if not the instigator of it all." He explained, finally letting out the breath of tension he'd not even realized he'd been holding.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa tried to hide the hurt and truth from springing the tears to her eyes, but the moment Kaveh tried to find a way to kindly put to words her experience in the past, she felt ready to release a sob that waited in the wings ever since she came face to face with the tormentor.

"He knows too much about Thanasis. He served on my Guard, and... and would know how the Royal family would react to this... attack he is planning." She took a shuddering breath, smiling gratefully as Mitra pushed a cup of tea towards her so that the warmth could keep the tears and sobs at bay.

What was his end goal in this? The thought repeated over and over in her mind, trying to understand his thinking in this...

Unless...

He knew a retaliation would come, he would be... prepared and baiting them...

Orissa turned quiet, not ready to speak anymore in this moment.

 

[Kaveh]

"It is clear that something far larger is happening than even I knew about." Mitra, her frown now nearly a scowl.

Kaveh could see the emotion flicker through his old friend. The anger, the distrust, the shaken feeling that she could no longer trust those around her. Dozens of questions flickered through her mind, and he knew every single one.

He had asked them all before.

"I do not know what it is they desire." Kaveh admitted, taking in a deep breath as he slowly paced around the small garden. "Killing Dragons, any Dragons would bring retribution."

Kaveh speculated. "But one of ours? Or Orissa or myself? Thanasis would burn these lands to ash and dust."

He frowned. "It doesn't make any sense."

"Unless that is what they are trying to do." Mitra offered, echoing the same thought that Kaveh and Orissa had already had. "But...with more than just Yurelia."

The Princess offered. "What if they're trying to make...everyone turn on Thanasis?"

 

[Orissa]

Orissa flinched.

"You... you think that could possibly happen?"

Her brows furrowed deeply, looking between Mitra and Kaveh as she sat straight in her seat. "We have allies in multiple cities. We protect them and go to their aid when they ask of it. Why turn against Thanasis?"

Orissa was privy to some details, especially that concerning Thagretis. With so many threats on the front, it would mean the Thunder would need to put in hard work for the foreseeable future to ensure the safety of their city.

"I should talk to Casimir." She said weakly, her eyes not leaving her tea cup. "Or... have him approach me, thinking he was in charge. Perhaps... he might say something..."

 

[Kaveh]

"No." Kaveh said almost instantly. There was not a chance in this world that he would allow his sister in the same room as that monster. Not as long as he remained free of chains or a blade upon his throat.

"I cannot let you do that Orissa." The Prince said. "It wou-"

Mitra interrupted. "Kaveh, she is her own person! Don't take away that choice."

A flare of rage spiked through him as she interrupted, but one that was almost immediately replaced with shame. The emotions wore on his face, but never for a second did he see a spot of fear upon Mitra's features. She knew him better than to be scared.

"Think about it." She said softly. "If they can bait you into burning Yurelia, a close ally...what will other cities think?"

Mitra said softly, showing her own cutting mind. "Slowly they might turn, and if...Casimir and others have prepared a better option..."

She did not finish pointing out the obvious. There was no doubt this was personal, but there was power to be gained here. Power that was currently wielded by Thanasis, and coveted by others.

 

[Orissa]

"No, it is fine!" She smiled, a hand reaching to rest atop her brother's. "You taught me how to defend myself, and Jensen too!" Orissa had begged Kaveh to teach her, had began to watch her Gilded Guard train in the training yard, all so that the next time someone held her against her will, she would not be useless and defenseless.

"Mitra is right... perhaps with these plans, if we can bring them to light, let the public witness what they plan to do, we could win the favour of other cities. There are representatives present here for the wedding. If we show them we are allies in need, then they will not turn away from us."

Orissa looked to Kaveh with a strength he helped repair after Casimir's attack. "Let him think he could have his way with me again. Let him be his own ruin. It will drive him mad if I avoid him in public, perhaps drive him mad enough to do something before witnesses and I show my distress being in his presence..."

Either way, it would grant Kaveh grounds to punish Casimir for touching a Royal without her favour or consent.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh's jaw set hard.

He did not like this idea. Not one bit. Every single muscle, tendon, and reflex he had fought against it. The thought alone made him angry, simmering that rage which always lay dormant within him. The Dragon's calling, they said it was.

Fingers tightened, but he only nodded. "If it is what you want, I will not stop you."

The words were curt, but not because he was angry with Orissa or Mitra. He knew that both of them were simply taking the path which made most sense. The fury came from the fact that the road had to be walked at all. The rage directed at the man whose fault all of this was.

"But." He glanced towards Mitra, and then his sibling. "If something happens to you..."

His cheeks colored for a moment, tongue pinched between teeth before he managed to finally admit his shame. "I do not think I will be able to control myself."

Kaveh said softly.

"There will be no holding back." He did not speak this as a threat, not to caution her, but as a simple truth. His rage would take over, and the shame he had born would see this city burn...and them play directly into their enemies hands. "You are right, this is likely the only way, but..."

If something went wrong, there would be consequences.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa met her brother's gaze.

Their family shied from that intensity in his eyes, had despaired in his affliction with rage, but Orissa never abandoned him. She saw through it, deeper into the depths that allowed her to see there was something else underlying. She gave him an appreciative smile, so loved by his ferocity, Orissa knew his threats were final.

"If we are to retaliate, then we must spin the story for our own sake. If we allow others to see how we are treated, it will win us favour. I... truthfully cannot see other cities siding with Yurelia if the plans they made came to light... That... I hope to play against Casimir's emotions to see if he could let slip anything..."

But in her eyes, the very same she inherited from their mother, Orissa gave Kaveh understanding. She knew that the killing blow to Casimir should come from him, when she had been the one to stop him the last time. It was not in her nature to end a life, but gods, Orissa was not above ruling when a threat should be eliminated.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh nodded slowly in agreement.

In truth, he was not so sure as Orissa that others would not turn against them. Thanasis was arguably the most powerful city in Malakath. The sway they held was the envy of others, and even the good will they had built would could be burned away with the right plot.

Though, Orissa was right, if they could reveal the plot it would make any of the diplomacy much easier. As much as he did not like it, his sister was right, and so was Mitra. "I cannot argue against what makes the most sense."

The Prince affirmed once more.

"I do not like it." He said again. "But I'll play my part as best I can. Perhaps if he believes me the angry fool he is more likely to speak his mind around you."

"If I am 'distracted', he will be more likely to come to you." As much as he despised the very thought.

 

[Orissa]

A sound pulled Orissa's attention behind her, meeting the unimpressed look of the Captain of her Gilded Guard. Immediately, a sheepish apology stayed on her expression, and she mouthed to him as much. Cadoc took up a spot to watch the Royals, keeping his thoughts to himself but she knew he would say something later about her safety in these halls.

"I need to be seen sneaking off. Mitra, would you know the places I could be seen by... him?" Orissa asked gently, for the sake of her brother.

He had taught her how to read the intentions of others if they were to strike, how to get out of situations that would not be favourable if she could not get away. Even her husband to be had taught Orissa how to land a good punch, although it had been a ploy to get close to her as if they were already on a love filled honeymoon.

 

[Kaveh]

"Oh, yes." Mitra said with a slight smile, though it was clear she did not enjoy having this piece of knowledge.

The Princess was smarter than most gave her credit for. Here in Yurelia she was something...of a set piece, as upsetting as that was. Yet being that piece meant she knew the Palace better than most, which was why she had called them here.

"Not to overwhelm you with Gardens." She said, trying to inject just a slight hint of humor into the dreaded conversation. "But there is another on the upper levels of the palace. It is overlooked by several rooms in the Palace."

She did not have to mention that Casimir's was likely one of them. "I believe he would see you go there, perhaps if you spent a day or two..."

Mitra trailed off, letting out a sigh.

She clearly did not enjoy this any more than either of the siblings.

 

[Orissa]

"Alright then." Orissa gave them both a strained smile. "Then let us hope that would work in our favour."

That night, the Princess of Thanasis found it easier to sleep than she had thought. Her body tired more than her mind, although she could not recall what she had been fretting over by the time sleep pulled wool over her eyes.

The next morning, she had dressed and joined Kaveh for breakfast. Her hair, a warm shade of black, had been run through with scented oils that made her hair shine considerably. She wore a more understated dress, in the fashion of something she would have worn back home. It was in a deep blue jewel tone, a colour she was not known for but enough to make her stand out.

"Oh, I do not know if I have an appetite for this..." She grimaced, looking down at the delicious display of breakfast foods before her on the table. "Is there tea?"

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh was already simmering at the table.

He did not like the plan that they had set into place, the whole thing bringing something distasteful to his tongue. "Yes."

The Prince said, trying his best not to wear the emotions on his sleeve. A task which was more than a little difficult for him. Fingers reached over towards the pot, and he grasped the small ceramic a bit too tightly as he reached over and poured Orissa some of the tea.

There was no point in rehashing the conversation, in trying to dissuade Orissa or make another plan. This idea was a good one, and Casimir was arrogant enough to fall for it. But none of that made putting his sister in danger any easier.

"I have something I'd like you to take with you today, Orissa." He said, slowly pulling out a small object wrapped in silk. "Mahsa made it for me, but I think it best you have it."

Kaveh said, sliding it over. Once she opened it, Orissa would find a small vial of blueish liquid. Strangely, it was warm to the touch.

 

[Orissa]

She knew what Kaveh was going through, but she paid no heed to it, knowing that perhaps bringing it to light would anger him further, but she did not shy from it entirely. Orissa gave him a pleasant smile, although strained, as he poured her tea for her. Her hand reached for a pastry that looked like it was filled with jam, and had been about to bite into the flaky top before Kaveh slid over an object wrapped in silk.

"What is this?" Her inquiry came gently, placing the pastry onto the plate before her and dusted her fingers on a linen napkin. She unwrapped it, finding a vial hidden beneath the soft fabric. "What is this?" She repeated once more, fingers gingerly setting it back down before looking up at Kaveh. Her fear was evident in her dark eyes, for they were wide, open for him to read her easily.

 

[Kaveh]

"Nothing to be scared of." If one knew how to properly use it anyway. "Mahsa called it Dragon fire."

There was some amusement that played over his features for a brief moment.

Kaveh's third wife was something of a genius when it came to things of an alchemical nature. She had spent years studying and synthesizing different chemicals. Some born of magic, and others simple stone and dust. The Prince had never pretended to understand it, but he knew the genius of his beloved nonetheless.

"If the vial is shattered, the liquid inside will catch fire and burn like it were Rayvath's own breath." He explained.

"It is..." He frowned. "Just in case."

A harsh method of defending herself, but Kaveh would take no chance when it came to the safety of his sister.