Private Tales The Legend's Heir

[Serafina]

Both girls nodded and Violet clambered in to the carriage first. Sera paused with one foot on the step at Solgrin uttered his command. There were more than a few reproachful looks on faces but none of them hesitated, not yet anyway. She hoped that whatever loyalty they felt to Solgrin held firm, even if they didn't feel any of it towards her. Einar came over with Kip trailing behind him and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. The warmth had returned to the Northerners eyes a little.

"It'll be all right," he had taken her hesitation for worry or fear. He probably wasn't far off. Her eyes flickered between him and Sol and then she smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.

"I know, but thank you," before clambering into the carriage. It wasn't long before all the Bandits remaining had mounted up in their armour once more and they were on the road.

Neither girl sat where an arrow hole could still be seen in the carriage seat opposite.

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin mounted up along with the others, the procession far more solemn than it had been in the morning. The Band had lost friends, brothers, sisters. It was not the time to talk, not the time to joke or laugh. All of them knew that.

All of them could see it.

The journey was kept silent, aside from a few passing comments or calls to look at something or someone a bit more closely. Everyone mourned in their own way, taking time, saying a prayer or two. It was a subtle sort of thing.

Solgrin noticed all of it. He knew these men, these women. He knew how they acted around one another, and each time he could see an expression of hurt or pain he couldn't help the pang of guilt that ran through the center of his chest.

Then finally, blissfully, the call went up.

"CITY WALLS!"​

It was Jorun who shouted out, a call that the city was up ahead. Solgrin road quickly towards the front as they crested a hilltop, taking in the marble towers and the massive stone wall that ringed around their destination.

A breath filled his lungs, it was time for a different sort of battle.

 

[Serafina]

The carriage and its team joined the rest of the traffic heading for the city gates. Those on foot quickly moved out of the way of the rich looking carriage and some murmured at the odd arrow mark in it. By the time they reached the front of the queue most of those behind them were hurrying to get inside talking of robbers on the roads. One of the guards held up a hand to call for the group to stop.

"You really wish to detain my lady longer, sergeant?" Sera could just about see Einar through the gauzy curtain as he sized up to the gatekeeper. "We suffered an assault on your roads by thieves and she wishes to rest before the ball this evening!"

"He is quite smart," Violet commented quietly and Sera glanced to her friend quizzically. Violet sighed but continued. "The volume of his voice - it is intentional. Everyone around us will have heard it, it'll create a mob to get inside so they won't press questions," as she spoke the carriage did indeed lurch forward and soon they were passing through the gates and into the city beyond.

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin had kept quiet at the gates, instead he's kept a hard gaze on the guard that had halted them. It was a look he had perfected a long time ago, the eyes if a General staring down a foolish soldier who had overstepped. It was that combined with Einar's words that had seen them through.

As soon as the carriage passed through the gates the sound of the city captured them.

Hundreds upon hundreds of people milled about the market square, each one of them seeking out a path through or something at one of the stalls. There were men, women, soldiers, coopers, even blacksmiths.

Above them rose tall marble buildings, some decorated with gargoyles and others more plain. The city stretched out in front of them, a vast expanse thrice the size of anything that either Sera or Violet had ever seen before. "I hate cities."

Solgrin grumbled quietly, causing Einar to break out in a loud bark of a laugh.

Slowly they pushed their way through the crowd, making their way towards The Rose Crown Inn.

 

[Serafina]

Even the dark start to the journey couldn't ruin all of the girls wonderment at such a large city.

"I never knew this many people could live in one place," Sera whispered in awe as she pressed her face to the glass of the carriage and hungrily drank in every detail she could. It looked beautiful. Sun glinted off the marble spires and pretty red tiled roofs which looked so regimental in their rows. Little bridges arched over man-made rivers designed to help cart goods further into the city streets without the use of horses. It was the sheer amount of people in a variety of races, colours, shapes and sizes that really drew her eye though. In their sheltered home on the edges of the mountains they had only come across an odd dwarf or elf. Once, Violet had seen a half-giant but that was only at a distance.

"There's a centaur," her friend gasped as the creature trotted by, talking with a tall man who looked as though he were made of wood.

"Do you think we'll have time to explore?"

 

[Solgrin]

Their trek through the heart of the city eventually ended, destination coming into view as a massive marble building dominated the area around them.

It was walled off, though not in any defensive sort of way. A slight set of stone parted the Rose Crown Inn from the outside streets, pulling it away from the features around it and giving it the air of a palace almost. The carriage and those ahead of it stepped into the walls with a wave from Solgrin.

"I did not miss this." The Bandit Chief said as he slipped from his mount and landed on the ground.

An attendant ran up to him almost immediately, his face neutral.

"My Lord, how may I he-"​

"Be silent, cur." Solgrin hissed at him. "I require six rooms, and the master of this house immediately. My Ladies will not be attended by the likes of you."

His voice was thunderous, stern. "GO!"

He shouted, the man before him practically jumping back to rush off back towards the Inn.

 

[Serafina]

It was Kip who opened the carriage door with a sweeping bow, though he didn't quite duck his head in time for Sera not to see the grin plastered on his face. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. All of them had suffered Solgrin's temper before but there was something humorous about him doing it in that suit of armour and when they were all trying to pretend to be something they weren't.

As she stepped down she took in the great palatial inn they were going to be staying in. It was an effort to keep her face neutral when what she really wanted to do was gasp. It was the most beautiful work of art she had ever seen come to life. A little fountain was set in the courtyard and the front of the marble exterior was simply covered in roses creeping up carefully maintained lattices.

"I suppose this was the best that could be done on such short notice," she sniffed to cover up why she had lingered so long staring. Taking a deep breath she strode for the door.

 

[Solgrin]

"My Lord, I offer only the greatest of apologies."​

The man who greeted Solgrin at the door as he moved forward towards the door was dressed in the finest livery money could buy. Expensive purple silk wound around his body, and just from the look of him the Bandit Chief could practically see the level of pride he carried.

"We shall see if your apologies mean anything at all." Solgrin growled as he looked at the man.

"My lady has already been attacked on her journey to this...city." He said the word with such disgust that the man seemed to recoil. "She required rest, relaxation, and something better than you likely have to offer."

The man offered a deep bow.

"Yes, yes of course My Lord. We shall prepare only the best rooms. Please, Please come this way."​

He was practically groveling as they were lead into the lobby of the hotel/

 

[Serafina]

Violet nudged her forward.

"Oh, right," she murmured under her breath. She was so used to others going first and pulling up the end with the baggage that she missed the cue to follow after the Steward. Collecting the skirts so she wouldn't trip over them she daintily glided after the liveried man.

The inside of the hotel outdid the exterior. The roses flowed up the columns that held the mighty gold-leaf ceiling high above their heads. The floor was polished marble and she could clearly see the gold veins threading through the impressive slabs. They were led up the grand staircase and up another to what the man declared was their Penthouse suite.

"The rest of your men will be roomed the floor below you, My Lady. Would you like for me to send people to draw you a bath?"

"My maid knows best how I like things. We will require food to be sent up, and some wine," she added hastily - that's what nobles always asked for right? "You may go," she dismissed and turned to flounce towards the bed.

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin of course remained in the room for a few moments, doing as any man in his position would do and checking every room of the penthouse suite for 'security' purposes.

It was a task that he completed with a surprising amount of scrutiny.

One would expect a place such as this to be about as secure as anyone would imagine, but he knew better. infiltrators, spies, and assassins were about as common as feathers on a bird. He would not be taking any sort of chance when it came to this.

Not here.

Not after what had happened.

As Sera flounced herself onto the bed and crashed into the tapestry of soft linen and goosefeather pillows Solgrin finished checking the other rooms. He appeared shortly after, a look of consideration on his face. He glanced towards the closed door. "It'll do."

The Bandit chief commented quietly.

 

[Serafina]

"It'll do?!"

Both girls exclaimed incredulously at the same time. Serafina was the first to realise how she had sounded and lowered her eyes quickly, a blush smearing her cheeks, but Violet merely met his gaze and shook her head with a snort. Even if she had been Lady of the Manor, Violet had still mucked in with chores, helped in the fields at harvest time, and had gone a winter or two without patching a hole in her roof. Neither of them were used to the finery that this place offered them. Aside from the master bedroom there was a large antechamber and on the other side another, smaller, bedroom for a very lucky maid. No doubt in order to be close to their mistress or master.

"I'll go make sure the rest of our stuff is bought up," Violet excused herself and Sera watched her go with a sigh.

"Surely it'll be hard for anyone to do something in a place this... full," there were people everywhere.

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin chortled.

It was a genuine sound, not mocking, but the naivety made him want to laugh. Or cry, he wasn't really sure which one.

The words showed just how little Serafina knew about the world, how little she had seen. His head shook and he took a breath. She still had a lot to learn before her freedom came, elsewise all of her power would mean next to nothing. "No."

He said softly.

"Its worse here." The Bandit Chief sat himself down in one of the large chairs at the corner of the room. "People who operate in cities are more...clever. There's crowds to hide in, alleyways, sewers."

Solgrin frowned. "It's not as obvious, but it's worse."

He didn't mean to scare her of course, but he wanted her to be aware.

 

[Serafina]

Sera's cheeks coloured when he laughed and only grew more heated when he explained. It seemed so obvious now he had said it and she cursed herself for even thinking crowds meant safety. The thought put a little dampener on her mood but one glance towards the window stopped it plummeting. Nothing could put more than a dent in how exciting this city was for her. All she wanted was to walk every street until her feet were throbbing and sore. She just wanted to see it all. Find out what the source of those smells were...

She got up and walked over to the large French doors that opened up onto the balcony and threw them open, though was careful not to step outside where she would become a perfect target for a good marksman. Instead she just leaned on the frame.

"We used to dream of places like this," she admitted quietly. "I just hadn't thought I would visit them under these circumstances," a small frown creased her brow as her fingers ran over her neck as though she could suddenly feel the collar that a part of her mind still knew sat tightly there.

 

[Solgrin]

Again the thought that they would find this place so grand was almost amusing in a way.

This time he didn't laugh though, he only watched her. Briefly he wondered what they would think seen Oban or Vel Anir. Compared to them this place was like the town the two girls had grown up in. He frowned for a moment, running his hand through his hair.

"No reason you can't enjoy it." Oh she couldn't run off on her own.

He would never allow that. There were limits, that invisible chain, but within that chain was more than enough opportunity. Particularly given what they were actually here for. The act that Serafina was supposed to play.

"There's a life to be found here yet." He told her. "Even with everything else."

Solgrin added softly. "As long as we're careful."

 

[Serafina]

Sera's fingers lingered at the hollow of her neck. He wasn't just talking about them being careful of those who might want the gem and its power source for themselves, she was sure of it. Eyes the colour of a summers cloudless sky wordlessly slid from the view out of the window to where he sat and for a moment all she could do was study him. For the first time it was hard to read what it was she was searching for in his face but, whatever it was, she didn't seem to find it. A frown creased her brows and she turned her attention back to the world beyond. The room she had loved just a moment ago felt like another glass cage.

One she didn't intend on staying in.

"Nyx said ladies liked to take a stroll in the... park?" she thought that was the word she had used. It was an absurd concept to both girls who lived in the middle of countryside that a city might need to save some wilderness to walk through amongst all the buildings. "Before dances. I might bump into our singer there."

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin inclined his head in a nod. "Entirely possible."

He told her softly, a bit pained at the memory of Nyx. Losing someone was never easy, losing them like that somehow made it worse. Random chance. Lips thinned for a moment as he pushed the memory of the girl away, taking a breath.

"The park is in the city center beside the palace." He told her. "Think of it as a...public garden, paid for by the nobility."

Tech ically it was open for all and everyone, but in practice only the rich could really get there.

Anyone who was not of proper 'class' was usually harassed and shooed away by the City Watch. Solgrin had seen it happen more than once, and each time it always turned unpleasant in some manner. "We can go there."

He said softly.

 

[Serafina]

He was trying.

They both knew the stark reality that existed between them, but neither wanted to return to those first few months. Sera didn't want to be bound and dragged everywhere and she thought Solgrin preferred the ease that came with their working together. It certainly made magic easier. Perhaps a part of him actually did care how she felt too. It had been him after all who had dragged her from that room and shown her the library and the possibilities of the keep. Serafina studied him quietly for a moment then slowly smiled and nodded, letting herself fall back into the hazy dream he had created for her to live in for the time being.

"I'd like that," it would mean she could see. "Can we walk? Is that proper?" Her legs were stiff from so long in the carriage a walk sounded wonderful.

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin considered the request for a moment.

Safety was his chief concern now, especially after the attack that they had endured. He was weary of letting Serafina go...well anywhere at all. Paranoia clung tightly to him, but at the same time he knew that he couldn't just tuck her away into a cage.

After a few seconds he nodded his head. "We can."

It was 'proper' enough, not inordinary for the folk who made their home within this city. The park was meant for people like her, and it might even sell their cover story to have he wander through the city before they actually arrived at the party.

Solgrin didn't necessarily like it. Going out was dangerous, but it was probably better for the task at hand. Even if it was hard for him to admit. His shoulders rolled slightly.

"We'll just have to be careful." He told her quietly.

 

[Serafina]

Sera took two steps towards him as though she might fling her arms around him and hug him in gratitude. At the last moment she remembered herself though and clasped her hands in front of her, wrestling with the urge. The smile she wore was still bright enough to convey her emotions though making her eyes glitter like... well... like sapphires.

"Thank you," she said in a rushed breath and then glanced down at herself. Nyx had said this was what they called a 'day' dress and so she hoped it was fit enough for a wander through this park. But then... Nyx had also said ladies weren't seen in dresses more than once. This had been her travelling gear so... With an annoyed noise she forgot Sol was there entirely and moved to the bags which had been brought up, unlacing the outer dress as quickly as she could. The under garments with the ridiculous caged skirt would still work for this next dress. Away went the colourful dress and out came instead a pristine white dress with delicate pink embroidery around the hem and dainty neckline that was an inch or two lower than Sera thought was strictly necessary.

She shoved the matching wide-brimmed straw hat with its pink ribbons on her head and pulled on two white gloves to complete the ensemble.

"I never thought I would say I miss breeches but..." she smoothed her hands over the fabric slowly then glanced to Sol. "Ready, General?" her lips twitched.

 

[Solgrin]

As Serafina busied dressing herself Solgrin walked over towards one of the windows.

It wasn't out of any sense of modesty of course, there was nothing he hadn't seen before. Instead he wanted to study the streets. It had been years since he'd come to Tel Amos, and though he could remember much of the city parts of it were still a blur.

While the 'Princess' dressed, the General peered out the window and studied the cobbled roads. He noticed alleyways, the flow of people, every tiny little detail drew across his mind. He was creating a map, just in case it came to another fight.

Paranoia was what would save them.

"I'm ready." He said with a nod.

"If anyone approaches us..." Solgrin began. "Stay behind me, even if they seem like they just want to talk."

It wouldn't be proper to let just anyone approach her after all, even if they were wealthy.

 

[Serafina]

Sera hesitated then nodded her understanding. As they left the suite, however, she silently sent a prayer up to the All Father that a fight did not break out in the middle of this 'park'.

As they made their way downstairs she caught Kip by the arm and quietly asked where Violet was. He grinned and informed her Einar was already out escorting her to the nearby shops and Sera hid her amusement by rolling her eyes and making a quip loud enough to be heard by any maids lingering nearby that she'd be switched for leaving without her permission. She was glad her friend was finding fun somewhere though.

Outside was beautiful chaos. She stopped for a moment on the pavement of one of the streets and tried to hide how overwhelming it all was. Sights, sounds, smells. The sheer quantity of people. It felt as though they were creating their own tide and she would get swept along in it if she wasn't careful. She slid her arm through Sol's and drew a little closer without seeming to realise it. Whatever fear she had died down the further on they walked. She paused at as many shop windows as she thought would be sensible, trying not to press her face up to the glass to stare in wonder at clothes, toys, jewellery - even weapons! Weapons in shops! - and more. They didn't seem to have a market here which boggled her mind. Even the sellers of fruit and veg had odd little shops with a range of produce up and down aisles.

By the time they got to the park she was flushed with the excitement of it all.

"I didn't think a place like this could exist. And you say there are bigger cities than this?"

 

[Solgrin]

Most people steered clear of them in a crowd.

The demeanor in which Solgrin held himself and the clothing Serafina wore spoke of trouble for any commoner that came too close. It had helped that before leaving Solgrin had pulled two of the others aside and told them to follow behind.

They were not close enough for Serafina to see, and if she did not look she would spot neither Thrist nor Ignar tailing behind the two of them.

Paranoia had gripped Solgrin now, and he wasn't going to put her in danger. "Bigger than Tel Amos?"

He mused for a second as they entered the park.

"A few, but not many admittedly." For a second he thought. "In the west there's probably only...Allira, Vel Anir, maybe Elbion. Oban and Dornoch too I suppose."

Solgrin had heard of a few cities in the forbidden sands, in the great desert of Amol-Kalit, but he could not have said for sure.

 

[Serafina]

Sera's stared at him in wonder as he reeled off the list of cities. Some she had heard of - like Alliria - and others she hadn't. All of them she added to her list of places she would visit when all this was over. Then she could take her time and go into every shop she wanted or go and eat that food people more on her level had been eating out of old newspaper. A dreamy sigh escaped her and she finally told her eyes to the park around them.

It was exactly as Nyx had described; a piece of the wilderness in the middle of chaos. Except this wilderness was carefully manicured and the rose beds were arranged like men in an army. Not a blade of grass was out of place. Tiny, sculptured waterfalls poured into carefully made ponds where tiny little fish swam beneath the surface in delicate shades of gold and red.

"Why don't they just... build their houses around nature?" she asked quietly as they walked the perfectly paved paths, nodding when they passed another couple of ladies out for a stroll. "This must have cost hundreds of gold marks..."

 

[Solgrin]

Solgrin chuckled. "It probably did."

He told her with a nod of his head.

Undoubtedly all of this had cost a Kings ransom, but that was sort of the point in the first place. These people did not live here for the scenery. Everything around them was as much a statement of status as it was cultivating a nice view.

"These people aren't motivated in..." A frown touched his face for a moment as he thought of how to explain.

"Don't think of it as you would back home." Solgrin told Serafina softly. "This is all as much about showing off as it is about the nice view. Displays of wealth are a show of power, strength."

The General said as he continued. "The people here aren't necessarily always thinking of their own comfort, but instead what would look the best."

 

[Serafina]

Serafina mulled that information over quietly as they walked as a sedate pace through the park. It was a hard thing to comprehend. Where she had come from surplus coins were stashed away for harsh winters or for when crops failed and they would need to buy some from the neighbouring towns. Violet saw herself as a keeper of the towns wealth - she even fretted over buying pretty dresses for stately visits and insisted on doing most of the embroidery work herself. She supposed she hadn't seen anyone who looked poor who was suffering for such extravagancies but then again she imagined they would be kept away from this part of town.

They were passing through a tunnel of wisteria when Sera felt the tug.

Isabelle was every bit as beautiful in person as she was in her dreams. Her long dark hair fell to her waist in elegant, effortless waves and her jade green eyes were framed by a fan of dark eyelashes that would make men and women alike weep. She was laughing on the arm of a tall gentlemen with dark red hair and matching green eyes. A brother? It barely mattered to her. All she could seem to look at was the tiny shard of the gem sitting on the woman's ring finger.

Her grip tightened on Sol.