Private Tales Fraternal Diplomacy

[Orissa]

Dragon Fire.

Mahsa had in fact mentioned such a thing to Orissa years ago, when she had been younger and eager to learn how to create healing herbs and tinctures. Orissa had not been all too interested in something destructive, and so her sister-in-law kept her explanation brief.

But now, the liquid seemed to glimmer up at her, alluring in it's promise of what it could do.

"I would much prefer a small dagger, Kaveh." Something that could just cut the man, perhaps not deep enough to kill, but long enough to buy her time to run.

Orissa looked close to tears, her hands too shaken to take up her cup of tea. She closed her eyes, let out a deep and shuddering breath to calm herself, but the daunting aspects of what needed to be done outweighed her wish to flee and be done with this place. She missed Jensen, and the comfort he offered as her intended husband. She even missed the chaotic planning of her royal wedding.

But as she opened her eyes, she met Kaveh's gaze with something new and foreign in her dark eyes. "Casimir deserves something worse than burning." If anyone of their family were present, they would falter at the embers within her gaze. They would liken it to the embers that kept warm, that if one day they grew hotter and came to life, it would sing with the fiery rage of Kaveh's.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh took a long breath as the stared at the reflection of himself he saw in Orissa's eyes.

Not his figure, but the anger. The rage and what she harbored for the man. He could understand it, he knew it better than most. Except she had a right to it that he'd never had. Fingers balled into a fist as he tried to keep his own simmering rage down. Focusing not on his own anger, but Orissa's.

"He does." The Prince said slowly, calmly.

"But I need to know you're safe." He told her. "A dagger might not be enough."

That was simple reality. Casimir was no pomp noble. He knew how to fight well enough, and if he caught Orissa in the right moment or way...there was simply nothing that a knife could do. Not if the man was fast enough. "It's just in case."

He would not be there in the gardens, but at least he could give her this.

 

[Orissa]

A dagger might not be enough.

Just as her pleading and sobbing had not been enough to stop Casimir.

Orissa tucked the dragon fire into the hidden pocket in her skirts. With a deep, shuddering breath, she gave her brother another brave smile. "Do not go anywhere without Cadoc at your side. I will need you both should anything happen."

Friendly faces, no matter the outcome of this.

---

Just as Mitra had directed, Orissa found herself at the gardens that would be seen by Casimir.

There was a leather belt wrapped around her hips, a pouch hanging from one side that contained the small book she would pretend to read in order to lure him, but she took a moment to marvel at the quiet oasis around her. Where most gardens looked fresh and prim, this one was muggy and tropical. It felt more sacred in it's tranquility, and Orissa felt as if she could truly become lost under the stooping palms.

She scouted a spot to sit on the white sandstone paved flooring, where she could be seen along the mezzanine above. It was a path Casimir took when exiting or entering from his rooms.

Orissa had left Cadoc to shadow Kaveh, where another Gilded Guard would alert them both that Orissa slipped from his surveillance. It was to be a loud conversation, it was meant to have others looking for her, perhaps baiting someone to do something to the assumed defenseless Princess of Thanasis.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh played his part as best he could, though in truth he was no kind of actor. "She knows better!"

He bit off, his words echoing down the hallway and making one of the nearby servants half jump. The girl's face flickered towards the Prince of Thanasis and the Guilded Guard in front of him, but did not linger as she quickly swept away. Kaveh's eyes followed her for a moment, and then he snapped his teeth as though out of anger.

"Find her!" The Prince bellowed, his voice holding the lashing strength of his reputation. Though the rumors were a lie, and many of Thanasis' servant's loved the Prince dearly, the stories of his rage still very much purveyed.

Kaveh knew it, and right now it would benefit them. "Bit much, no?"

Cadoc said, giving Kaveh a flat stare as the Guard who had alerted them quickly fled away.

"I thought it best to overact, than under." The Prince said, sheepishness flickering through his tone. The Gilded Guard Commander shaking his head and smiling briefly before he quickly motioned towards the Prince.

"Maybe she's in her rooms." He said, a little bit too loudly, so that anyone overhearing would think they were headed in the opposite direction of the Gardens.

 

[Orissa]

"Still quite the reader?"

His voice made her jump, for Orissa had not noticed anyone approach. Perhaps she did become entranced with the words on the pages, lost in the world the tale was about.

Her eyes lifted, gazing upon the smirk that made her stomach curl with anxiety as Casimir dared another step towards her. "The Dawndrinker? Mythical dragons, your favourite thing to read." He smugged, still standing before her that the sun was not shaded by his taller stature.

She closed her book, setting it aside, but made no move to stand. Hysteria welled up inside her, but for all it was worth, she thought of her brother. How this was his moment to exact the revenge he wish he had taken on that dreadful day.

"The Dawndrinker was the largest and oldest black dragon. A feat that is not impossible. Besides, in the Palace's Hall of Honour, the scales of Dawn—"

"You are afraid of me." He interrupted.

Orissa stilled.

He saw it and chuckled. "Forgive me, Your Highness, for the foolish acts of a man so in love... but I hear congratulations are in order."

In her books, they always said a face darkened when the worst thoughts crossed their minds. Orissa could not picture it, but watching Casimir now had painted the picture into her mind forever. His head tilted, casting a shadow that hid his scowl, but his eyes narrowed, the colour devoured in the glow of shadows.

"T-thank... thank you." She wanted to cry, to run away and get as far away from him. She could not do this, Orissa was instantly uncomfortable from the moment he snuck up on her. But she needed to make him into a villain. Her hands grabbed her book, hugging it to her as she looked up at Casimir and showed her fear. He drank it in, seemingly growing taller with delight. "A reasonable match I—"

But he interrupted her again. "A commoner is no match for a Princess." He neared to a snarl. "Princess Orissa... why did you not ask for my hand? You knew of my affections, and my family has been friends to the Crown for many generations. You can keep your commoner, but I will have you as my wi—"

"— I was not done speaking." Orissa lifted her chin.

But regretted it instantly.

---

Go to her now.

The whisper was quiet, but clear enough that it reached both Cadoc and the Prince. He stilled, whipping his head back in time to see the telltale sign of Sirine walking the opposite way.

"My Prince, did you not mention that your sister loved quiet gardens?" He asked loudly, and to his relief, a Yurelian noble stepped towards them and spoke of the very gardens Orissa would be found.

Once they arrived, now with a crowd amassed behind them, and a number of the Yurelian Royal Guard present, Orissa was nowhere to be found. All except for a book found in one of the reflection ponds, pages torn from it... and scrunched balls of damp paper dropped at the corners of the halls leading to the rooms belonging to Casimir.

Cadoc looked to his Prince, a cold fury igniting in him. He stalked behind Kaveh, keeping two paces behind as they both thundered towards his suite. Glad he was for their entourage, yelling and angered words left in his wake as they began to piece together what may have happened.

"Was it not just a rumour?"

"He refused every perfect match for a wife here in Yurelia! Does this not make sense there it truth to the stories?"

"The poor Princess. May the gods be with her and keep her strong."

Cadoc knew Casimir was not well liked here in his new home he had been exiled to, and he opened his mouth to speak to Kaveh before Orissa's screams pierced through, just a hallway away from where they were.

"No! No! NO!"

 

[Kaveh]

Their brisk walk broke into a pair of sprints.

Both Kaveh and Cadoc broke out into a burst of speed. Neither of them cared much for decorum once they heard the Princesses' cries. Steps turning to launching strides as they sprinted passed noble and servants alike, most of them carrying looks of curiosity that were only slightly tinged with concern.

Gossip would already be flowing by the time the pair reached the gardens, though neither of them would care. Kaveh's mind was plagued with only one thing; making sure that his sister was safe. Heavy boots thundered against the marbled floor, crashing in resounding thunder and they turned left and right through the winding halls.

Stairs were left behind as they bounded upwards, both the Thanasian's coming crashing through the entryway of the gardens.

"Casimir!" The voice that left Kaveh's throat was not his own.

A twist of pure rage clung to his tone. Anger already wreathed within fire. Lines of red burst through the Princes' eyes, drawing from the blue of his iris' to the outer edges. Shaping and framing the Dragon's rage which already held him. "Do not touch my sister."

He demanded as he stepped into the garden proper. His hand gripping for a small blade tucked into the edges of his sleeve.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa had dropped to the floor as a last resort to fighting off Casimir. He had gripped her by both wrists, straining to keep her from wrenching free from him, and he spoke to her so gently, so loving, it almost hid the entire message of his words. "Why can you not see how this will make you happy? I would be a loving husband to you, I would —"

"No! No! NO!"

Anger consumed him. Orissa thought her wrists would snap under his grip, that her tears streaming down her face would be enough to plead with him.

She felt a fool for not being able to reach for the Dragon's Fire vial, felt so small and weak that she thought herself capable of handling him. No, Orissa had been a scared rabbit the moment the wolf gave chase. She cowered with fear as he neared her.

And she was useless now, scared and terrified for what would happen. Why did no one hear her scream?

But then a roar thundered down the hall, a name said with rage and a fury that promised violence. Orissa turned to see if it truly was Kaveh's presence she felt, and sobbed at the sight of him. Her eyes flicked to Cadoc, pleading with him.

Casimir did not let her go. He crushed her wrists, eliciting a pained whine from the Princess.

"You cannot touch me! Your brother will hunt you down! She is mine. Nasri promised her to me once he is King. Do you hear me? She is to be my wife and you cannot stop me!"

 

[Kaveh]

Nasri.

In that moment Kaveh had not known he could feel more rage. The anger within him drove to explosive pain. Coursing trough every vein, every muscle, every little bit of him. The steps he took thundered within his hears, echoed through the fiber of his being.

Rage did not flicker. It birthed into the very heart of him. Subsumed and subsisted into his very soul. "Casimir."

As he spoke, a spark flickered over his eyes. Power that seemed to radiate through the whole of him. An echo of Ravyath's power, her anger, her echo.

"Unhand her." His voice echoed through the garden's. Bouncing from the walls and calling to those standing around them. The Prince's words seeming to bite into the very air itself, an echoed throb of pain that ate into the ears of those around him. "I will rip you to shreds."

He warned. "I will tear the heart of you."

Kaveh's voice boomed, his eyes sparking with red anger. "I will rip the very soul from your body. No matter what my brother promised you."

The prince swore, a sparkflickering within his maw.

In all his life he had never felt such rage. Such pure and uncontrolled anger. Pressure built within his chest, a roiling coil of seething fury. As he spoke, flames lashed over his tongue and drew into his bite. ”Let. Her. Go.”

He demanded one final time as a breath filled his lungs and the acrid smell of burning air cast into the room.

 

[Orissa]

"Remove your hands, Casimir Reverois, or we will have them removed from our Princess of Thanasis." ​

Cadoc's voice boomed across all around them. Many nobles and servants came to peer around, to witness the tearful Princess on her knees and the ambitious man restraining her hands from pulling herself free.

They witnessed the Prince of Dragon's Rage, giving the offender a chance to leave all of this with his pitiful life still in tact.

"Casimir... please, listen to him. Please, let me go." Orissa all but sobbed. She was shaking, afraid to look up into the face of the man that had wanted her all to himself only because of the title and standing a union with her would bring him. He would be kin to Nasri, would make their botherhood solid.

But Casimir knew he would lose.

"Kill me, and Yurelia will attack. Do you even know the first target the Pike will take down?" Casimir's smile was feral as he looked to Kaveh. Then, slowly, his gaze dropped to Orissa.

She felt his stare, summoned the courage to look up into his golden eyes.

Then the realisation came to her, and she pulled her arms from him with no use. "NO! You cannot! I will die." The Princess screeched.

Casimir knew the death of a Royal would spark a war, and with Kaveh's rage on full view, what would he show when his own sister died before his eyes? Would their allies become afraid of that fire?

 

[Kaveh]

Nothing Casimir said mattered anymore.

Nothing anyone could have said mattered anymore.

The second that he refused him. The second the man brought the blade even a centimeter closer to Orissa's throat, it was all done. There as no holding him back anymore, there was no gate to keep back the Dragon's Rage that had already been overflowing.

Whatever dam had kept him check, whatever small amount of control the Prince had ever had was simply...gone.

Anger flowed from him, and with it came power.

The power that had brought Thanasis so it's peak. The strength which kept them as the terrors of Malakath. Kaveh had taken Rayvath's rage, but with it came so much more. His mouth seemed alight with flames, his eyes rimed red.

As Casimir's eyes dropped low, Kaveh suddenly burst forward. Each step became two, his hands curled to claws, and within the span of a breath the distance between the three of them closed. His fingers, bare, wrapped around the knife at Orissa's throat. Fingernails digging into her skin, put stopping the steel from touching her further.

A startled cry echoed from the captors lips, but it was already too late as Kaveh opened his maw and released a gout of flame. Bright red fire flickering over Orissa's shoulder, and immolating the other mans face as he recoiled and screeched in anger and pain.

 

[Orissa]

She knew only two things at that moment.

One, her thoughts and love ran down her tethered bond with her Ransa. She told her sweet boy to be safe, and if he needed to fly, then he needed to fly closely to Rayvath. If her death was to come, she would not want it to be at the cost of her sweet dragon.

The second thing she knew was that the dagger she had equipped to her outfit that day was somehow at her throat. It's cold blade went unnoticed, and when her thoughts collected and it's presence became known, Orissa started to sob again.

This was to end in blood, because there was no possible way that Nasri would have Kaveh win this. There was a sadness in her dark eyes when she realised her older brother had regarded her like a pawn in his own game. Cadoc saw it, just as Kaveh made his move.

Orissa sucked in what she had thought would be her last breath, but it turned into panicked gasps as heat warmed her to an uncomfortable point.

But Casimir released her, had dropped the dagger into her lap and she felt the sting of the pointed blade strike her thigh, but the Princess was no fool. She knew when to move.

Shocked, scared, and so desperate for her freedom, Orissa crawled towards her brother.

"Kaveh..." She sobbed, unable to help the mess of emotions she was experiencing. It had been a terror, a trauma revisiting.

 

[Kaveh]

Orissa's sob was lost in a fire of rage. As Casimir let go of the Princess and reeled back to clutch at his scorched skin Kaveh launched himself forward. He grabbed the man by the lapels and ripped him forward, slamming his forehead into the bridge of his nose.

Fire still simmered between his teeth, the roiling flames seeming to snap forward with every breath he took.

Casimir's hands fell to the side, one desperately clutching for a blade tucked into his belt. The Prince did not even seem to care as the short knife was drawn and stabbed into his side. Instead he lurched the other man back, shoving Casimir into one of the great trees of the garden.

The knife still in his side entirely ignored as he bounded forward once again and struck the other man until his fists were stained with crimson. The baleful growl escaping from his throat less the sound of a man, and more a monster as picked the other man apart.

A whimper escaped Casimir's throat, a croaked and pathetic plea.

But Kaveh didn't care. Couldn't care.

He was lost within the rage, the anger of it all. Barely thinking about what he was doing, and entirely unable to stop. It wasn't until Cadoc rushed up behind him that something pierced through the veil. The Royal Bodyguard running quickly, and slipping his arms behind Kaveh's shoulders to grab and drag him back.

A shouted apology escaping from the man's throat as he wrestled the Prince back and away from his wounded and near dead foe.

 

[Orissa]

Cadoc had first gone to Orissa, but as Kaveh stepped past her and onto his focus, she shook her head and refused to meet her Captain's eyes. "Go to him! Please, stop him!"

And he would risk the flames to do as the Princess asked of him.

The crowd behind them cried out at the scene unfolding, one of the ladies of Yurelia rushing to Orissa's aid and pressing a handkerchief to her neck. Had he really cut her? So close to harming her, truly?

The tears fell freely from her, so terrified by what had happened she did not care that so many were witnessing her like this.

But she could see it in their eyes. They sympathised with her, felt sorry for the Princess, but tread carefully when the Prince had been pulled away from the motionless body that was Orissa's tormentor.

"Are you alright?" The Lady asked in Thanasian, a comfort Orissa was glad to hear.

"I need to leave... I need to leave..." She blubbered, lifting her face so that all could see how truly terrified she had been.

Lastly, she looked to Cadoc and Kaveh. The Guard had gritted his teeth against the heat that came off of Kaveh, but it was not her brother's eyes she was seeking. They were not present, taken up with the presence of Rayvath's wrath.

"Help me, Kaveh." And Orissa held a hand out to him from her spot on the stone.

 

[Kaveh]

In the barest depths of his rage, through the fire and smoke of his anger he heard the echoing call of his sister's words. Cadoc still held him from behind, The Guartd's teeth pressing together as he desperately held onto the Prince and kept him from jumping forward once more.

Heavy breaths flowed from Kaveh's lips, dragging in, and then releasing with small bursts of flame.

Below, on the ground, someone rushed to Casimir's side. The man's whimpering cries calling out in the garden just as Orissa beckoned for her brother.

The Rage within him did not die, it could never, but slowly the seething anger fell once more to a simmer. The whites of his eyes returned, the flames that lashed across his tongue disappeared, and a haze seemed to fall over his steps.

Tension leaving his body.

His resistance to Cadoc's grip finally ending as he shook his head. "I-yes."

There was a distance to the Prince's voice, as though he was not entirely sure of himself. Much less what had happened. His eyes flickered to Orissa, concern drawing over his features. Whispers called from the crowd, but Kaveh did not care as he gently pulled himself free of the Royal Guard's grip.

"T-thank you, Cadoc." He said, ignoring the whimpering welp upon the floor. "I-I need to take care of my sister."

Kaveh continued, swallowing hard as he made his way over towards Orissa.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa's hands upon his arms were like a vice, afraid to let go.

With his help, she stood on shaking legs. Her arms then moved to wrap around him and buried her face into his shoulder. She did not care there was an audience to this, for Orissa was no longer putting on a performance for Yurelia's benefit. The relief that poured out from her tore at their hearts, some turning away, but the sobs haunted them.

Some looked as if they wanted to approach, but one look from Cadoc kept them at bay.

Orissa lifted her head, a sob choked in her throat seeing Casimir the way he had been left. The burns and blood, a stench that assaulted her nose and she was all the more eager to return to hiding her face.

"Is he..."

She could not bring herself to ask the rest of her question.

Was it all finally over?

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh shook his head. "I-don't-"

Everything was a blur, lost within the rage.

"I don't know." If Cadoc had not pulled him free, Kaveh was sure that he would not have stopped the beating until Casimir had been little more than a pulp. The anger he'd felt had been overwhelming, all-consuming.

Within the haze he might have done so much more if not for Orissa's words.

In the depths of his heart, he knew that he had wanted to kill the man, but now he did not know if he'd succeeded. The whimpering sounds still echoed within his ears, but if he was not dead, it was almost assured he would be scarred for life.

The flames alone would have seen to that, but Kaveh's claws had dug into his flesh, torn at his muscles and broken more than a few bones. What the man's fate would be, would be determined entirely by the speed of Yurelia's healers. "I don't care."

His voice was steel.

"He and his burn tonight." The Prince's words seemed to echo despite their whisper.

 

[Orissa]

The fire that Kaveh had breathed now left a cold chill to shiver through Orissa. She was quiet for a moment, her eyes staring but not seeing, rocked by his words and his fury.

In the smallest voice she could muster, as if the air may be transferring false words, the Princess of Thanasis would say to her brother, "I want a public execution for him."

So that others may witness it, that they too could confirm he was truly gone. That all of Thanasis would see that the threat against their princess was eliminated.

Cadoc had moved to ushering the two royals to move, to return to the lodgings they were given during their stay. Nobles and Yurelians alike simply stared after her, but before they could truly leave the area, she turned a tear stained face to those watching. "I apologise for this to happen in your kingdom, but..."

Where she trailed off, a young lady, perhaps new to court, stepped forward and bowed her head to the Princess. "He was willing to take you away without your wish. We all saw what would have transpired, Princess. I believe you."

And Orissa's heart sank. That she had been worried that Thanasis would have been baited into retaliating, and painted the villain to their allies, she forgot there were the people that would not believe so easily to change their allegiances.

"Thank you." Orissa fought back another surge of tears, but turned around before she could show how unssucessful that had been.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh was still lost in the melancholic haze that came after his anger. He heard the voices echoing out behind them, but he could not turn to face them.

Whatever sympathy these people showed to Orissa, he knew that it would not be extended to him.

They would say he'd done the right thing. They would placate him and offer him kind words. He knew that, and he knew that there would even be a truth to some. But the truth would be veiled with doubt, fear. The Prince of Thanasis was capable of being the very monster everyone feared he was.

The truth was, he could not blame them for their judgment.

He was a monster, in many away.

Fingers curling tightly, he drew in a long breath as he wrapped an arm around Orissa and began to guide her away once more.

The consequences of what had happened here would unfold over the next day or so, but Kaveh had no intention of letting his sister be any part of a victim again. Already, through his bond, he summoned Rayvath. The great dragon stirring in the distance mountains as she began to pull herself up.

No matter if Yurelia sided with them, no matter if the nobility allowed them to plead their case. Kaveh would not allow questions to linger.

There was still a plot beyond Casimir, and the man was only the first who would burn.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa was glad to have not unpacked every single thing she had brought with her for the duration of their stay.

Tearful and sniffling, the Princess began to stuff her things into whatever trunks, not paying attention to properly folding her dresses to avoid creases, nor paying mind to tossing all her hair accessories straight into the chaos and not in the velvet pouches that kept them all tidy.

She was in shock, perhaps angered but only at herself for even thinking she could go up against Casimir.

He was still alive.

Cadoc had given the report, and it only made the stone in her stomach turn to lead.

Guilt, shame, and defeat.

She could feel her Ransa call to her through their bond, the good dragon flying within Rayvath's shadow and staying close. It felt like a deep breath she needed to draw, and Orissa stopped. She shut her eyes and battled fresh tears.

Home. They were going home again... and soon. She would not feel safe until she was back in Thanasis.

"I want to throw something." She said aloud. Orissa knew Kaveh was in the room, not wishing to leave her out of his sight again. "Particularly at Nasri."

 

[Kaveh]

Nasri.

He had almost forgotten the part that his brother had played in this. There was little doubt he'd pulled some strings, but would he have touched upon every facet of the plot?

Unfortunately, only two people would know the truth of it.

Neither of which would share it with either of them. In the distance, the sound of wing beats could already be heard. Wind cutting through the distant echoes as people began to shout and call out of the two dragons appearing once more in the sky. "He will pay for his part in this."

He promised Orissa, rubbing a hand over his face.

"But first." The Prince continued as he slowly rose. "We ensure that this doesn't happen again."

A shutter ran through the palace as Rayvath came to a landing down in the gardens below. Her form far too large to still upon the nearby balconies. "I am going to speak with the King."

Kaveh said simply.

"And have Casimir turned over to us." To Rayvath's flames.

 

[Orissa]

Alarm, fear, and panic, flashed in her dark eyes, but Orissa stared at Kaveh for a moment before nodding.

She had a dark thought, one that made her uneasy when caught in her morals. Jensen had a friend that was Marked, a friend that had no choice but to be loyal to Thanasis despite the disrespect and mistreatment he received. Orissa had wanted to campaign for a second chance, not only for Jensen's friend, but for any Marked One that has served their punishment.

And yet, Orissa wanted to make an example of Casimir's family residing in Thanasis.

"His family should be Marked for what he has done. And all those that have had a hand in this plot."

 

[Kaveh]

For a second, Kaveh seemed to consider the words. Being marked was no small thing, and pressing for such a punishment would certainly be seen as provocative.

But what did they care?

The man was a monster, worse than anything Kaveh had been painted as. Half the court of Yurelia had born witness to the exchange, and even after the Prince's...lashing out, there was more than enough evidence to tear down anyone who would stand by Casimir's side.

Even Nasri would not dare to protect him. "Yes."

He agreed with his sister.

"But he burns." The twist of his mouth was more than a scowl, it was fury born. "I will not let his voice stain the air again, or his presence besmirch yours."

The sheer and utter disdain was clear in Kaveh's voice, his need to see the man die burning brighter than any hatred he'd ever held before.

 

[Orissa]

Perhaps the reason for Orissa being close with her tounger brother was the fact he was the one able to act on the raging fire she felt the embers of. They were of the same blood and flame, a balance on the scales. She loved him dearly, was his first protector when their older brothers began to ridicule him at a young age. They were inseparable, and Orissa would not have anyone else by her side when it came to family.

One day, Nasri's time will come and she would be there, standing beside Kaveh.

"Do not give him a chance to scream, brother. He does not deserve any memory as he feels death close in."

 

[Kaveh]

"I won't." There was a finality to the words, as though Kaveh dared the gods themselves to argue with him.

A long, slow breath drew into the Prince's lungs. His expression grew more stern, and the steel returned to his eyes as he pulled himself back. A part of him wanted his sword in his hand, but he already knew what he was about to do would be inflammatory enough.

He extended a hand towards Orissa. "Come, Sister."

Kaveh said as he tried to forge the inferno inside of him into the flame of a forge.

"Let us get your justice." The moment Orissa took his hand, Kaveh would lead her out the door of their apartment. He would call to the Gilded Wings, and with them the two Royals would head through the palace and directly towards Yurelia's throne room.

Their steps echoed by the beat of wings, Dragons surrounding the great Palace. Their calls thundering through every open window and door.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa looked to his hand, the promise it gave if she took it.

But not only that, he had called it her justice.

The Princess of Thanasis took the chance of seeing it through.

Kaveh led her through the Yurelian palace, but never made her feel as if she were passenger on this display. No, he presented her as the Princess Who Was Wronged, and the people of Yurelia called to her. They prayed, lamented, and blessed her. They thanked her, wished happiness upon her, but none spoke what their faces told.

They wanted justice too.

Her hand squeezed her brother's, transferring all her worries and anxieties there, until her Ransa reached out to her to soothe and calm. The tension in her shoulders lessened, and Orissa let out a cool breath. "Will it be Rayvath's flame that claims him, then?"