The Great library was filled with chatter. The main room was crowded and loud. Students chattered happily among themselves as librarians demanded silence. There was many a scholar nestled deep in corners straining desperately to memorize scroll after scroll. The building was bright and fire-lit and it warmed the messenger as soon as he entered. The messenger stood out in the library, his appearance drew so many eyes. His pale yellow locks hang limply over his brown eyes and flicker white in the firelight to match his standard gray messenger robes. He stood at an average human height and carried a standard short sword at his waist. The messenger made his way, over and around the scattered piles of scribes and desks, and mountains of books, to the large desk in the center of the chaos. He knocked on the desk thrice with a quick hand; He expected perhaps the sudden exposure of the missing desk keep. Nothing, after a few long moments the messenger raised his hand to knock again. Suddenly a hand trapped his wrist in a strong sure grip.
Frightened, the shaken messenger turned to look over his shoulder. There stood a tall robed figure his hooded face in shadow. The messenger jerked free and backed away his hand going to his sword, but the hooded figure merely passed him to sit behind the desk. The messenger sighed in relief. He opened his mouth before he heard a deep voice.
“I am the Record Keeper.”
“Ah, beg pardon…I, ah…?”
“I Am Busy, what is it that you need?” the figure said.
“The Queen…T-the Queen Tamasi, I have a message for her highness” started the stuttering messenger.
“Not here.”
“I beg pardon! The meeting of the Council”
“The Queen is not here. Lady Chele is in a private room using a magic pool to converse with the council. She is not to be disturbed.”
The messenger gaped as the Hooded figure stood and brushed past him. He turned to watch him stride away only for the figure to stop, turn, and stare until he awkwardly turned away. The messenger gulped and looked around the large room. He shook his head before straightening his back and rolling his shoulders. He was charged with this mission. He had to be sure his message got to the Queen. By the King’s Order! The sister would lead right to her.
Fortunately he spied a doorway when entering, with heavy lettering above. Ah, there it is. He made his way to the back of the room. Above the door, “Magick Tongues” was written in pictograph. It was the door to the chamber of pools. The magic pools, which could be used to speak to those leagues and even countries away. He quickly glanced behind him, before stealthily pulling the heavy door open and ducking inside. Dashing quickly down the stairs he came to a short corridor. There were three doors, two on either side and one at the end. Which to choose, which to choose…
“Great Council, please if you would just listen-I beg your pardon-Just listen-What? I’m-What? Oi! Oi, What do you Yellowbellied Pigmies mean you’re charging people for use of the public hunting grounds? They’re public-it’s in the name! No! I’m not asking my sister, she doesn’t even have to hear this! I’m here because isn’t even worth her time. No!”, Chele splashed the magic pool ending the public council meeting. These so called nobles were infuriating! Great families and chiefs, who once held power because of their strength and their willingness to protect the people, were now desperate to follow in the footsteps of the Tengen. Now there were many who wanted nothing more than to be the wealthiest. As if more riches was a way to prove Kalutan strength. It was utterly stupendous. If her sister had not been Queen she’d have nothing to do with it.
“My lady”
“Ahhhhh!”Chele screamed spinning around.
“Pardon, my lady, I have a message from the King”, the messenger started, feeling a bit smug. How wonderful, the girl was alone and unarmed. Small and unassuming in kalutan gold, she was obviously shaken and easy to handle. Finally luck was fortuitous. She would, she would… he stared down chest to find the hilt of a large dagger. He gasped, blinked, gasped again. He falls back, unto the door way, makes to grab the dagger but his hand falls limply to the side. He dies like that, staring blankly down his chest as the pale gray fabric darkens to dark red then black.
“Heh” Chele blinked, “Ye gods…” She walked over to the body and looks out the doorway. The corridor was clear. At least, everyone else listened. She grabs her blade and wretches from the corpse. She peeks down the corridor again, and then quickly kneels down to search the body.
“I got a new sword, heh. Messenger from the king, what codswal…low, oh” She held up a royal seal. “Oh.” Her ears drooped. “Well”
After leaving the Great Library, She pointed her steed toward where she knew her sister would be….
By the Gods, Where was she? Chele had been searching for too long. She should have had her sister in sight! Sudden her ears stand at attention. Pew! There, that was the sound of an arrow. Growling she dismounted, before tying the reins to a nearby tree, briskly patting the horse on the head and stomping toward her sister.
Finally, she saw her sister in the distance. Chele grumbled under her voice as her sister turned toward her. Suddenly She ducked as arrow flew passed her. She panted wide eyed as it landed with a loud thunk, right behind her head. There was a moment of silence, as she listened to her heart beat in her ears. Another moment, then she could hold it in no longer. She cursed as she scrambled to her feet. She cursed again dropping down to pick up her fallen blades and curses thrice more when she trips on tree roots behind her and falls flat.
The queen sighed before helping up her sister from where she lay prone on the ground. "By the Goddess, Chele, I could have killed you! What are you doing here?"
"I had to track YOU down, because a messenger came from the high king today. I couldn't find You anywhere in the..." Chele paused, her ears folding back against her head, looking around as she folded her arms. "What are you doing here? Do you realize how close we are to the Otannu border? " Chele asked blankly. Of course she did. Tamasi turned with a roll of her eyes to address her kill. "I was merely getting something for dinner."
"You know we have people who can do that for you now. Since you won the right to ascend the throne, it's best if you leave that to your royal hunters." Chele was tired of having this argument. Her sister went hunting without invited any of the other ‘nobles’ and they acted as if she declared they were too good to hunt with them. Then they acted out so much at council meetings that Chele never got a word in. As if this country needed more of that bureaucratic bull-mess. Strength, Self-reliance, the ability and willingness to help the people…Hopefully with Tamasi on the throne things would be put to right…But in the meantime she’d be there for her kin… No, she wasn’t strong enough yet. More training.
Shouldering her prize the queen walked past her sister toward where she had left her horse. "It wouldn't have tasted the same. I don't feel like I've earned it."
"What does that even mean?" Chele grumbled as she trailed behind. "You said something about a message from the high king?" Her highness questioned quickly changing the subject.
"Oh… yes. The high king is having a feast in the first month as a celebration of peace. Everyone is invited.” Then she continues a bit sarcastically, “Isn't this exciting? We get to go to castle Earlewood!" Just for good measure, she squees a little at the end.
The Queen smiled slyly down at her sister. Chele shivered as a chill went down her spine. "Then I'd better do some more hunting to bring the king a proper tribute."
The Queen quickly set off leaving Chele staring after her. Chele blinked, and then glared at her sister’s retreating back. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, rolled her neck and set a quick pace back to her horse. As if her sister was going alone