Gaze Upon the Stars

* Occupation: DracoMancer* * Magical form: Star Magician* * Race: Human *

[killah-do-blog]

behind steel bars || killah & maia

[killah-do-blog]

Before Killah could say or do much of anything, the prisoner had collapsed on the floor, and Killah was left on the other side of the door looking at her small form. The Magician from Atiqra. The one who’d brought the temple down on Hay. She dug in her pocket for the scrap she’d written on earlier. Maia Anthousa Fortuin, Star Magician. Wow. Things not to let Bane find out if we want to keep her alive.

If.

Killah slowly reached for the lock on the door, and began spooling out fine amber threads. They flowed in, solidifying where they could push, and tumblers were one by one pushed into position. The lock opened, and she entered the cell. Killah sat on the edge of the bed, and just looked at the unconscious Magician. She could easily kill her, right here. The simplest vengeance, and once they knew that Maia had personally caused the death of one of their own, there might not even be severe charges…

But killing a defenseless person? Who was already being kept in a cage? Killah swallowed. She stood and went over to a food tray that was there, and found a water glass. There wasn’t much in it, but she threw it on the girl’s face anyway, nudging her with a foot—not terribly gently. She wasn’t a cold blooded murderer, but she wasn’t a saint either.

[maia-fortuin]

Maia felt the cold splash of water followed by what felt like a soft kick to her leg. Still dazed for a moment from her faint, she had a few moments of blissful ignorance till reality came charging in like an angry bull. Reflexively, Maia’s hands and feet scrambled her back and up onto her bed where she curled her knees into her chest and raised her arm out defensively. When no immediate blows came upon her, Maia un-clenched somewhat and lowered her arm. Then, like a folded paper bird she started to unravel further, lowering her knees, then her arm, till she was just sitting cross legged on the bed with both her hands held in her lap – the figure of a mediating ancestor. Her shoulders were still tense and she was still trembling somewhat, but she felt a natural grace about the situation – after all it was only fitting that after meeting a spirit of hope, a spirit of judgment would follow so quickly. “You have come to kill me.” Her voice still held a slight tremble, but this was not a question, it was a statement of a highly probable fact. “It is your due.” Though in the most secret parts of Maia’s heart, it was not only a statement, but a wish as well – rather than to engage in the conversation she was sure was to follow.

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

[legend-of-lass]

Lass waved the comment in the wind. ‘I probably know a little of my own state as you know,’ she admitted. ‘I know nothing of my role to play, or why it is me who should play it. Though it might have something to do with my ties to Varamadras. Who knows, certainly not me,’ she mused. Lass had little to worry about now, and she started to act like it, she could see her old friend in herself: recklessness overtook her. ‘You can do with the words whatever you want, but if they are riddles, I suggest you solve them. The Gods love their riddles.’ Something in her gut told her what she had said was a riddle. 

Oh, this girl sure had a flare for dramatics. She patted Maia on the shoulders. She had seen many a rescue in her days, and they always went pretty well. Of course, back then Mancer prisoners weren’t kept so tightly in check as they were now. Less Knights involved then, more now as she had seen. ‘No it’s not. I understand where you come from, Maia. But you must understand how your friends feel about your capture, how they will want to make sure they can save you, and if they cannot, and you die here, they will forever feel guilty, as if your dead was at their hand. We Mancers, we can’t help but consider each other family in a way that we would die to save one of ours.’ 

[maia-fortuin]

Maia had her pen raised above the parchment, ready to cross out the Gods’ riddles when Miss Hetrix gave her permission to do what she liked with her words. It made Maia bite her lip – on the one hand, she felt a slight jerk in her stomach in letting these words live on paper rather than just in her skull – as if she was somehow cheating if she did not just remember these words in her heart alone – then again, would Maia really be able to keep her peace when she was among her friends? The temptation, combined with Miss Hetrix’s permission caused Maia to stay her hand.

Maia was at first startled as Miss Hetrix patted her on the shoulder, but then sunk into the gesture gratefully. She hadn’t realized how much she needed the personable contact (even if Miss Hetrix was strictly speaking, no longer a person). She then listened uncomfortably as Miss Hetrix chided her for not wanting to be rescued. It evoked a similar conflict in Maia’s guts as her failure to cross out of the riddles. On the one hand, Maia desperately wanted to accept Miss Hetrix’s words – to nod and agree that she should even be willing to give up Demonland’s secrets if it gave her friends more time to prepare a rescue for her – but on the other had, Maia knew this was wrong – but a much deeper wrong than keeping her written riddles.  Maia had access to many records on rescue attempts over the course of the war, and the possibility of any poor outcomes scared her deeply – especially when she could say by name who would put themselves at that risk. Even if the Mancers’ had a hundred percent success rate of rescues in the past (which they didn’t), Maia could not bare the loss of a single one of her rescuers. Still, Maia could also not stand the thought of her friends waiting in Hagafosiel cursing themselves responsible for her death, when she was the only one who held that sin. Moreover, she could easily see more than one of her friends acting recklessly and getting themselves into more danger under such a curse. If only she could talk to them…

Maia rubbed her face with frustration when suddenly a marvellous, though thoroughly risky idea ran through her. “Miss Hetrix! I… umm…I… I have a request?” Maia flew to the little desk and shuffled her letters together. “I would never think to ask this burden of so great a being, yet I am bound in these circumstances.” Her heart beat thunderously in her chest as she presented the bundle of papers to Miss Hetrix, “Will you take these letters to a carrier who may take them to Hagafosiel?” She then picked up another paper from the desk tenderly, as if it might burn her fingers to touch it and added it to the top of the pile, “There is also this. Umm… This is for my uncle. He lives in this city but I have never met him… Umm…”

Maia then began speaking very quickly to counteract her boldness, “Of course, you are well in your right to say no, please say no if you must say no, because I would understand this if you said this, please, I was just wondering if you would consider this? Please? No?” Maia then kept her head bowed and awaited a response patiently, finding it much easier to look at the floor than at Miss Hetrix’s reaction to her disgraceful display.

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

[legend-of-lass]

‘Ah no, I think it is pretty clear. I am what I am. Just the word, you may know. It means I live for a single purpose only,’ she said, and sighed. ‘But I’ve been called it before, so it’s not your fault.’ Lass nodded her head and looked around at the accommodations of the cellblox. They could’ve done nicer things, at least to get rid of the normal prison idea of the place. She knew she had had a big place in ensuring prisoners of war in HagaFosiel and Yartihn were met with normal living standards. if only to make sure they wouldn’t try to escape and make a mess of things. If she had been imprisoned here, she would surely make a mess. 

She had no idea what Maia was talking about, but awaited to see whether her confusion could be helped. ‘Now why would I say “ps. Juvion can you water the plants for me”? Seems like a silly thing to say,’ she mentioned, looking at the scribbled words. For such a good handwriting she surely lacked in writing marks. ‘I am guessing they are for Juvion?’ Then she gave Maia an other look. ‘Did I say something odd and forget what I said?’ Could this be some dumb god thing that she had to do, but do it without knowing it. Sounded like just the thing Gods would do. ‘I am sorry, but if I can’t remember or read the words I spoke to you, they might be just for you.’ 

‘Far from it, I think,’ she said, when Maia explained her treatment in this damned place. ‘Have they shown any light upon the matter yet? Do you know if Dras is making arrangements for a rescue, or whether this new king of Trolian has an open mind towards exchange of prisoners? I know the last few hadn’t. Surely not with captured Mancers. I don’t want to make you frightful, Maia, but make sure if it seems like no exchange will follow, that they have a valuable reason to keep you locked up in here.’ And she was very serious about it. 

[maia-fortuin]

Maia fumbled with her hands as Miss Hetrix talked wistfully about her purpose. It seemed it was not her place to dissuade Miss Hetrix from her melancholy state – this was the realm of Gods she knew too little about. Maia then goggled as Miss Hetrix read only the post script of the letter she had written to Juvion, not the words Miss Hetrix had said with her own mouth. Miss Hetrix then rightly pointed out that perhaps this was a trick by the Gods as these were words for Maia, not her. “I believe you are right Miss. Thank you for your patience with me. I have only read of Shini in books of fiction – but it seems I know few facts. I will treasure these words as they are from you, even if they are for me alone.” Maia bowed respectfully. “I will erase them from where they are written as they are my gift.” Maia went to her parchments to seal the words to her thoughts alone.

Maia started suddenly as Miss Hetrix words, “Oh Miss Hetrix! I do hope not to be rescued! If my friends were to risk their lives over my mistake, I could not bare this!” She clenched her fists in impotent frustration and raised them for Miss Hetrix to see her invisible bonds, “If the prisoner exchange will not take place, I cannot live! It is improper!” Maia started to rub her hands together, “I have spoken to the King. I believe he thinks me a fool and will dispose of me humanely. He may even bury me with my sword.” She then clapped her hands in a mock prayer and said very seriously, “This is what is good and true.”

[killah-do-blog]

behind steel bars || killah & maia

It felt natural, really, for her to go speak to the Mancer in the dungeons. She was probably the closest to a Mancer that the Knights had—well, up until they’d started seeing her as a hero. Now, with her new and all-too-bizarre good reputation amoung the troops, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to visit in order to get information for her King, or just to get a taste of the more familiar scorn that she was missing from her compatriots these days. 

Getting to the cell, she knocked, and peered in. “Oy. Captive. Hiya. How’s the gruel?” Her smirk faded as the prisoner stirred and the light caught her features. “Holy stars—” Her eyes grew wide as saucers, and her stomach turned to knots. “You?”

[maia-fortuin]

The floor was cold and rough, but Maia didn’t mind. Since her visit with Miss Hetrix, Maia had experienced a brief burst of energy and she was putting it to good use by engaging in some simple workout routines well simple for Maia. Even though it was a small gesture, the delivery of her letters to her friends gave something Maia had thought lost to her – hope. If nothing else, she felt sure she had said enough that her friends would no longer seek to rescue her. The comfort of this had encouraged her to do something besides wait and felt more a blessing than even a message from the Gods. Still, there was the riddle to ponder – but besides hope, Maia also now felt like she had a future.

Suddenly Maia heard a noise in the hall. She lowered herself from her handstand and creeped cautiously to the cell door’s window though somewhat less so considering the caliber of her most recent guests. A face appeared in the window so terrifying, it struck Maia as still as if she had been preserved in amber – and by the time the figure the Knight had said “You?” Maia had fainted and fallen to the ground.

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

[legend-of-lass]

The confusion was clear in the young woman’s face, and she smiled softly to show no ill will. She could understand the feeling, it had rushed through her being the second the Gods placed her back on the land she had thought she had left behind centuries ago. She waved the word away with a bit of grace, thinking the term to be odd, whether it was man made or god spoken, to be called a Shini told her more than she wanted to know: once her mission was completed, she was no longer needed. 

‘A Shini, yes. Probably. it is what they call what I am, I suppose.’ She sighed, and rubbed smear from Maia’s face. ‘What was that love?’ she asked when Maia spoke some words but they were mostly rumbling to her. She had to learn to speak up. ‘How are they treating you here? It doesn’t seem like much changed when it comes to prisoners in this war.’ She got sad all of the sudden. ‘He met his end by enemy words, and his fight by enemy hostility.’ 

[maia-fortuin]

Maia blushed as Miss Hetrix wiped dirt from her face in a fatherly way. She then looked sympathetically at Miss Hetrix as it seemed that the news of her position had worried her. “I am sorry Miss if I had troubled you… perhaps you are something else?” Miss Hetrix seemed puzzled by Maia repeating the words she herself had spoken moments ago. Was it some trick of the Gods? Maia had filled her letters almost back to back and who knew when the king would be kind enough to send her more paper – but she could probably squeeze the words for Miss Hetrix to see. Maia ran to her letter to Dea which had a little margin of space and wrote the words down. “Miss, you said this to me. Can it be these words are not for us both?” Maia considered Miss Hetrix kind consideration about her treatment. “I suppose there are worst ways to be treated… but if this were a palace, it is not my home.” She said wistfully. “It is too kind of you to trouble over me Miss Hetrix.” As Miss Hetrix began to speak again, Maia found a little more space on the letter to Juvion to squeeze more of the riddle on.

[maia-fortuin]

Friendly Faces || Maia & Deas

[deasuef]

Deas watched her closely, moved by the intensity of her emotions that made her magic show herself. “My condolences for your losses,” Deas said quietly. He was unsure of how to deal with Maia’s revelation about her family, but thankfully, she quickly moved on from it and didn’t put him on the spot by virtue of loss of words. Her fate – and her father’s – was terrible, and it was exactly this sort of thing Deas wanted to put a stop to. 

“As to your question. Well, Miss, when I was young I was told that all Dark Souls were terrible monsters who would eat my heart the moment I came within their reach, and that it was the king’s duty to protect his people from such dangers,” he replied with a faintly amused smile. “As you can see, the thing’s we’re told as children aren’t necessarily so black and white as they seem at the time. Nevertheless, you’re right, it does not change the fact that we are still enemies. As king I also have to uphold my duty to keep my people safe – now, the obvious solution to both of those problems would, naturally, be for me to kill each and every single one of you Dark Souls indiscriminately. Until there is no one left alive to threaten the people under my protection, and that would be that.”

As history had shown for the last handful of centuries, however, that plan of attack had worked about as well as throwing stones at a castle would have any effect at all. “I am not, however, a supporter of needless killing. And there is another way – if there were peace between the Cold North and the Goodlands, my people would be safe and no more would have to die. “And that’s my plan, Miss Fortuin. I will bring this war to an end not through conflict, but through goodwill and peace.”

It was much too idealistic to ever actually, Deas knew that. Yet it was a good starting point nevertheless, and he hoped that with enough perseverance they could at least reach an acceptable point.

[maia-fortuin]

Maia felt a strange blush in her face when the King offered his condolences without much of a show of emotion. It was not embarrassment or even affection – but a cold dread that she had said far too much to the wrong person. However, she could also not fight a distinct pride in herself for her boldness of confronting his hypocrisy in the face of her fear. As the king elaborated on how his thoughts on Dark Souls had changed over the years, Maia’s heart started to race with some hope that in this cold place, perhaps she had found a friendly face in this waking nightmare. However, that hope quickly fell as he continued, more dramatic for its sudden loss as he explicitly declared Maia as his enemy. Though it seemed this King was eager to find peace, he did not consider her kind ‘safe.’ All things considered, it was not the worst news – but somehow, from his earlier kindness she had been expecting more. It seemed she was a fool. Miss June had been right – though this king did not want to see her dead, he would always see her as separate – different – as he would see all the children determined to be of her kin that would be forced to leave their homes for his people’s ‘safety.’ Maia looked up at the king and tried to sound as grateful for his concessions of peace, but inside she felt a dull ache from the effort, “I understand. I hope for peace as well.” She bowed respectfully, “If there is nothing else Sir… I am sure you have more urgent duties than to speak to a prisoner.”

[maia-fortuin]

[maia-fortuin]

What's the first thing you're going to do once you're back home?

Beg for forgiveness

[maia-fortuin]

How are your spending your time in captivity?

Wishing I was home

[maia-fortuin]

Friendly Faces || Maia & Deas

[deasuef]

Any hope Deas might have had that this conversation would find a happy ending vanished when the Mancer all but burst into tears again at his words. Gods beyond, why was this so difficult? With a frustrated frown Deas bent over, catching Maia by the shoulders and dragging her back up into a standing position. “You are not going to die here! I am–” Deas paused, unsure of how to continue. “I am not my brother, Miss Fortuin, and neither am I a beast spawned from the depths of Out of Time. I don’t want you to die.” And he didn’t, even beyond needing her for the exchange. There had been more than enough senseless death already, and truth be told Deas would be glad if there was no more needless casualties both among their own numbers and among the Mancers as well. It was a sentiment he kept closely guarded, however; he knew well enough how most others would take to the idea.

“Your father’s sword – if you had it with you when you were captured, then it is being kept along with the other belongings you had on you at the time. They will be returned to you as soon as the exchange goes through,” he explained. “Which it will. Don’t doubt that, Miss Fortuin. I want it to happen, and I’d wager that the so does the Demonlord. And we’re influential people, he and I; we’ll both see to it that everyone is safely returned to where they belong. There’s no need for you to worry.”

He smiled at the young Mancer, doing his best to both sound and seem reassuring. It was a bit disconcerting to have to rely on the goodwill of a person he’d never personally met, but Deas was confident that Varamadras would want Maia back unharmed just as much as he hoped for Daneal’s safe return. Deas could understand Maia’s trepidation well, though, and he hoped that he could convey some sense of security to her. 

[maia-fortuin]

Maia stared at the King with fascination as he laid hands on her to help her to her feet. But nothing compared her to the surprise at his words. Wasn’t the whole point of the war that his people wanted her and her kind to die? This could be some kind of Knight trick, but she could not help but see the sincerity and kindness in his eyes being so close to his face. She could only stammer, “Sir…?” Maia heard Deas’s report on her sword and felt a sudden overwhelming feeling of relief. It was not at her side, but it was safe – and she had the King’s word for it. Still, though he assured her she should not worry every action he had up till this point confused her so much, she just had to ask him about his kindness – but how to ask? Maia took a step back from him, and started to fiddle with her fingers. Finally, she got the courage to speak. She spoke slowly, but only partially managed to keep the fear out of her “Umm… Sir… I do not mean to offend, but when I was a child, I was raised without my mother or my family – my father raised me and told me we could not return to our homeland – here – because I was born in a way that made men fear me. When I told him I was not fearful, he said he knew that, but few people did… When I was six, men tortured him to death because he refused to let them kill me – when he did not betray me, they burned my village to the ground and killed everyone I had ever known…” Maia turned to him, a slight glow of the stars on her skin, “I know it may be rude to ask, but I must know… how is it the King of the Goodlands does not wish me to die?”

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

[legend-of-lass]

Despite her warning, the woman did seem frightened, and she felt like holding her. She had never been a prisoner of war, but often been in contact with those of high status who had been captured by their enemy, by the Goodlands, and broken until they shared valuable information, or until they died. Sadness claimed her as she thought of this possible conclusion to happen to a Magician so young. 

‘Oh no, this is not a dream. I am here, I am alive. For as long as they need me,’ she spoke, her tongue loosened by the situation, she could remember something, something vague, something close. ‘No child,’ she said, and grabbed the woman by her arms again, lifting her from the ground with all her strength. It was easy, little weight had to be pulled. ‘I am but here because the Gods wanted me to.’ She looked confused for a moment, something was knocking on the side of her head, spitting words into existence. ‘He was a man to the hearts of others, a soul of love and suffer.’ Once the words had passed, she couldn’t remember saying them. 

[maia-fortuin]

Maia goggled at her. Miss Hetrix had been sent by the Gods? The Gods did not want her punished? They knew who she was? Then all of a sudden Miss Hetrix said something incomprehensible. Had Maia misheard her speak? Miss Hetrix looked back at her as if she had no idea what she had been saying – as if she had not spoke at all – but Miss Hetrix had assured her this was no dream. “Please Miss? I do not understand.” Maia looked at her desperately. This was all too overwhelming for her. Then suddenly, comprehension started to dawn on her. “Miss, is it… can you be a Shini?” Maia did not know much fact about Shini, but she had read one or two romance novels about the subject – long lost lovers and friends returned with a riddle from the Gods. So could that mean those the incomprehensible words – were Gods sent? Maia spoke the words slowly to help her recall them as she would have no way to write them down for some time, “He was a man to the hears of others, a soul of love and suffer… I wonder what this means?”

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

[legend-of-lass]

The world had changed so much. 

Lass walked everywhere now, and whenever she visited known places, she was shocked at how much they had changed. She would bite her lips in frustration when she thought of the fact that she had been dead. Being dead was a distant memory however, as if her life among the living had happened earlier. 

Something told her she had to visit the cells of Trolian, the place where one of her own had been locked up by the Goodlands. Her name was Maia, and she was a sweetheart, or that was what Lass had heard. She carefully made her way through the hallways, until stopping at the door that was meant for her. She should be here. 

The young Mancer recognized her. Had Varamadras shown them all pictures of her? Paintings? She smiled gracefully at the thought. To be remembered, even in death. She placed her hand against the door, and with that she managed to open it. ‘Maia,’ she said, and walked in to place her hands on the girl’s shoulders. ‘Do not be frightened.’

[maia-fortuin]

Maia flinched away from the door as it swung open. Miss Hetrix walked in, an ephemeral vision in the silver moonlight. Maia started to wonder if she had fallen asleep and this was some strange vision – but as the long deceased legend approached her, Maia started to doubt her own assumptions. Firstly, Miss Hetrix seemed too real – too present – not to mention the smells and sounds around her had in no way changed before her new cellmate had arrived – but to believe that Lass Hetrix was not only alive, but in Trolian and in her cell, seemed impossible... Miss Hetrix spoke as she put a very real feeling hand on her shoulders and asked her to not be frightened. “Miss I…” Maia started, “This is not a dream?” “What are you doing here Miss Hetrix?” She said, still amazed at the situation before her. Then recalling her position and the enormity of her crimes, Maia stood back from her and fell to her knees in supplication. “You have come to punish me.” She said with a steady and firm voice, “Please Miss, I will accept your judgment above all others.”

[maia-fortuin]

Lady in the Moon || Maia & Lass

Maia sat in the dark of her cell next to her drawing of Moto, still overwhelmed at the fragility of her position. If only she had some guarantee that she would return to her friends and she would cause no harm or shame to the ones she loved in the process – if she knew that, she was sure she could wait forever. But instead, all of the possible outcomes the trade with the other knight consumed her. Maia had been held captive in her past after the burning of Pai before the knights, but escape was easy when she had nothing to lose. Now she could cost so many so much if just one yellow magician got a whisper of the strategic knowledge she held – and then all of the family she had been blessed with from her father’s sacrifice could be wiped out in an instant. Her hands flew to her stomach – how she wished she was brave enough to take her own life. Suddenly, Maia heard some noises outside her cell, and then a face appeared at the grate in the door. In the poor moonlight provided by the skylight above, it did not look like a soldier, though, nor did it look like Sir Deas had returned. Maia leaped to her feet and cautiously went to look at the face peering through the door. It was hard to see the face in full – however, as Maia approached and recognition set in, her hands flew to her mouth. It was a face she had seen many times in portraiture in the hall of the war council, but never in person – after all, this person was supposed to be dead. “Miss Hetrix?!”

[maia-fortuin]

Friendly Faces || Maia & Deas

[deasuef]

Deas stared at the Mancer for a silent moment, caught between surprise and shock. This wasn’t at all the reaction he’d expected, and once more he was hit by the realization that he didn’t know how to handle the situation. Karadas would’ve handled this better, no doubt about it – he had to pull himself together.

“Are you to–No! I can see why you might think that, but no.” It came out more vehemently than he’d intended, and, surprised by his own reaction, he took a step back from the Mancer. More softly, he continued, “You’re not going to die here, Miss Fortuin. In fact, the sooner you take your leave of us the better – one of our own Knights has been captured. If all goes well, we’ll trade: you get to go home, and we get our compatriot back.”

There had already been several inquiries as to whether there would be any rescue mission sent out for Daneal – Deas had refused those requests. The current situation was one which could be solved with no blood shed at all, as long as the Cold North agreed. And he saw no reason why they wouldn’t. Maia, though, would not know that, and he hoped that his words had managed to reassure her at least a bit. A Mancer captive was fine in and of itself, but a crying one was not something Deas wanted.

“That being the plan, however, the life of Daneal – the Knight who has been captured – hinges on your stay here, Miss. If you were to escape, I would have nothing to bring to the table in the exchange talks. Meaning that for the time being, you’re going to have to stay here.” He kept his voice deliberately level and his face expressionless, as he’d been schooled to do in his early years. There was still the chance that Maia was simply faking her tears – for whatever goal – and if that turned out to be the case, Deas didn’t want to get caught in it. “I hope that is agreeable for you.”

[maia-fortuin]

Maia flinched when the King spoke so intensely. He seemed aware of the startling tone of his voice, however, and took a step back. This comforted Maia somewhat. When he told her of the other captive knight and the possibility of a prisoner exchange, though, Maia practically squeaked with excitement. It would be a shame to lose a potentially valuable captive of the knights – but she couldn’t help but feel overjoyed at the possibility of returning home without her friends having to risk their lives over her mistake. Deas then noted how the trade was dependent on her staying in her prison cell and her fears returned anew. His words reminded her of how fragile the hope he had given her was – What if the other knight died in his cell? What if the other knight was rescued while she waited here patiently for this so-called trade that never came? What if her friends tried to rescue her without her consent and failed – or even worse, died in the attempt? What if this was all some wicked Knight trick to achieve some sort of nefarious goal? The shear dependency on the numerous things out of her control caused Maia to begin to shake and refresh her tears anew. By the time the King asked her if her situation was acceptable, Maia had no idea what to say. Of course this was not acceptable – she didn’t want to accept any of this – what she wanted was to go home. Maia began to glow somewhat from the stress, but kept herself still. She did not want to appear threatening to the king. “I…I… I will accept this.” She stammered. Then suddenly, Maia’s hands flew to her right side, and then to her mouth in abject horror, “My... my sword... my father’s sword...!” Had she really been so distraught she had not noticed it was missing? Maia’s eyes frantically searched around her cell for that object that was as familiar to her as her own arms – before reality set in. Maia wrapped her hands around her body to keep herself from flying apart with the enormity of the loss. She then dropped to her knees in supplication to the king, “I know I am but a dog to you Sir Deas, but if you have any mercy and this trade is not to be... please bury me with my father’s sword.”

[maia-fortuin]

Friendly Faces || Maia & Deas

[deasuef]

They had a Mancer stuck in the prison cells, and Deas was not entirely sure what to do with her. Or more, everyone seemed to have an opinion what should be done –namely, interrogate her for everything she was worth– but with one of their own currently caught by the Mancers, Deas’ plans hinged on an exchange of hostages he was not willing to jeopardize. No. She was the first prisoner they had taken since he’d become king, and vital for his plans going forward. That being the case Deas felt that it was only right that he went to meet her. Upon his request, a soldier led him to the dungeons, indicating with a bow and a curt nod when they had arrived at the cell holding the Mancer. Steeling himself, Deas took a deep breath, knocked on the door, and entered the cell.

The Mancer, he immediately saw upon entering, was facing away from him, turned toward the wall. With a start Deas realized that she was crying – softly, yes, but the room was so quiet that it was impossible to miss. Even worse, he didn’t know how to deal with it – any attempts at comforting her, he figured, would only serve to worsen the situation. In the end he decided to pretend as if he didn’t notice, and coughed quietly to clear his throat. “Miss Fortuin,” he greeted her with a nod he was not sure she would see. “Pardon the intrusion. I am Deas Uef, King of Trolian.” 

Nodding at the room around them, he continued, “My sincerest apologies for the current state of your quarters. They are the only type of secure holding cell we have at our disposal.” The Cold North, he knew, had proper housing for their prisoners, but as far as he was aware the Knights as a whole had never much cared for the comfort of their hostages. And while a gilded cage was a cage nevertheless, it did not, he hoped, ooze the sort of dismal air of depthless despair this place did. He would bring this up with his advisers later, Deas decided.

[maia-fortuin]

Maia heard the door creak open and held herself tighter, awaiting the blow – physical or mental. Instead she heard the soft, dignified, but nervous voice of an aging man. He had even addressed her by her last name only, as was custom in Pai. The presence of a man who spoke thusly, caused her to unclench somewhat. Then, after politely begging her forgiveness for intruding, he casually announced that he was the king of the Knights. In the presence of such authority, Maia’s instinctive need to be polite to royalty caused her to jump from her curled position on the bed and kneel on the floor. Then, remembering to whom she was kneeling, Maia got up, somewhat embarrassed and tried to make it seem as she had fallen. Maia then stood with her hands tightly clasped and her eyes on the floor. She fought hard to not respond graciously to the King’s well-mannered introduction and kept silent. The King then apologized for the state of her room. This surprised Maia as, in terms of a holding cell for prisoners, this room was well constructed to contain a soldier of her magical and athletic ability. It was not that she enjoyed this place, but as a burgeoning strategist of the Mancers, she was well aware that of the cost of jailing prisoners comfortably was not practical when one had their own soldiers to feed (even though, she had to admit she thought the Mancer prisons were much nicer). Unless this king has some pretention that Maia was some sort of guest to be well cared for? Was he truly so soft towards those he was supposed to be against? This gave Maia some comfort – though it was more likely the King was just being pleasant for some ulterior motive. Unless of course, he had intentions of keeping her happy so she could go home? It was too much to ask for. Maia bit her lip, trying to not speak to a man she must hate, till she could take the stress no more and had to ask the question most pressing on her thoughts. “Please Sir Deas. Tell me truly. Am I to die here?” she said softly, restraining her tears.

[maia-fortuin]

Friendly Faces || Maia & Deas

Maia lay on her prison bunk, still sobbing softly into the stone walls – something she had been doing for hours. The meal her enemies had laid out for her lay untouched next to the door where they had left it. She had no stomach to eat. Besides, though they had endeavored to make her breakfast, all of the eggs had been scrambled. When Maia saw this, it had started a fresh bout of crying for her as it made the distance from even her smallest comforts seemed further and further away. The soldier who had dropped it off seemed apologetic, but said nothing. Maia looked up at the roof of her cell which provided the meager sunlight that lit it. It seemed it was nearing mid-day. This again, upset her as it reminded her how slow the passage of time was in this private hell. Had she really only been here for two days? It felt like an eternity. Maia felt utterly miserable. How could she possibly stay sane in this prison? If only they would give her something to read – or someone to talk to – someone nice. But how could she expect to see a friendly face among her mortal enemies? Maia had not felt this alone since she had escaped from Pai. She became so desperate, she decided to make her own friendly face. Maia bit down hard on her finger till a small bead of blood appeared on it. She then ran the finger across the cold stone to make the rough outline of a fox.

“Hello Moto…” She whispered to the crude figure. Suddenly Maia heard a knock at the door. Maia remained facing the wall and shut her eyes against the threat as she continued to cry softly.

[maia-fortuin]

Cost and Reward || Maia

The smell hit Maia like a wave before she was even aware of her new setting. She had been talking to someone – hadn’t she? Now her senses were overwhelmed with the smell of copper and congealing blood. After the shock of the smell faded, the awareness of where it was coming became fully evident to her. Maia tried to scream, but it was impossible – why? Why was it impossible? Because she had promised – promised her father she wouldn’t – but he was dying, dying for her and she was watching it – this time not from under the bed, but bound on the floor in front of him, a full grown woman, bound and powerless to watch as his guts fell to the floor from his opened stomach like a streaming river of offal – again and again and again. As the scene unfolded into even darker scenarios, Maia finally broke, and lost consciousness. When she awoke, it was somewhere cold – very cold.  She reached around her to pull the stuffed rabbit Millan had bought for her as a birthday present to hold close to her heart after such a terrible nightmare – to find it missing – to find everything was missing. The awareness of this was similar to the nightmare, slow, but equally horrifying. Maia felt down to feel her pajamas, then what she hoped would be her uniform, and lastly, what she least wanted to find, the Knight’s garb – but she was wearing none of these things. Instead she felt a harsh cloth, a simple shirt and pants akin to – a prisoner’s uniform. “NononononNononNonoo NOOO!” Maia screamed as she huddled herself into a corner. She threw her hands over her face and squeezed her eyes shut several times, each time opening them hoping to see a different view – but her setting never changed. Maia had been captured – she had been caught by the enemy – the one thing her father had lived for and then died to prevent. “Never let them catch you my love… Never. If they took you, it would break my heart. ” Her father had repeated to her almost every day they had been lucky enough to spend together – but she had gotten careless, comfortable, and she had finally done the one thing she could never forgive herself for – she had broken her father’s heart. Maia began to tremble so violently with tears she had to hold her arms to keep from shaking apart. How had she ended up here? She remembered playing with the dog – then someone speaking to her – the next thing she remembered was that awful dream and… Maia’s hand flew to her mouth. A yellow magician. It must have been. She knew yellow magicians in Hagafosiel and had always admired their power to manipulate the enemy – she had never thought of how horrifying it would be to be on the other end of it. But as awful as her experience had been with those powers, it did a raise a much more pressing issue. Maia could do her best to play dumb – her poor grasp of common usually betrayed her intelligence as it was – however, if the Knights brought a yellow magician to interrogate her and found out she was a former member of the war council, and not just a simple Mancer, the cost of her mistake would not just be her own. Maia began to look wildly around for some kind of weapon – she had to do this while she still had her nerve. In Pai, it was not uncommon for one to take one’s life when one had brought dishonor upon their ancestors – and Maia had certainly done this. Of course a quick search found no such implement. The failure of her search brought back her cowardice and fear. She did not want to die, but how could she live with herself if the knowledge she possessed cost the life of even one of her friends? Maia brought her knees up to her chest. Her father had begged her once to never commit violence on herself for any reason because he had always intended her to live – “Live longer than anyone on the earth” He had once said – and not only that, if she was being truthful to herself, she had no wish to die. The faces of all those she loved flashed in front of her eyes with an ache to see them again so much deeper than her pain could ever be. But then again – if she was to be discovered... Even though she was still sobbing, Maia clenched her fists with determination. For her friends she would live and play the fool – and if she was revealed, she would pay for her blunder with her life – and take as many of these demons with her as she could.