~Serana⚜

My night had been fitful at best. What little sleep I did get was riddled with nightmares and memories I desperately wanted to forget. Giving up a good hour before dawn I rise from my bed and head into the bathroom where a cold tub of water still sat.

Stepping into the water I wash down with the frigid water, letting it chill my skin and wake me up. Shaking dry I go back into the bedchamber.

My feet ached from walking on stone for so long. After my bag had been thoroughly searched it had been given back with everything but my bow and medicines. The guard stationed within my room had fallen asleep standing up and was leaning against the wall.

I knew that if I really tried anything he'd wake up in heartbeat. He wasn't in a deep enough sleep if he was still managing to keep himself upright.

Being as quiet as I could I pulled my bag from under my bed and sat on the edge. Reaching in I pulled out a pair of leather foot bindings that consisted of one solid piece of soft sturdy leather with pieces that attached between the toes and around the ankle and used a string of leather to lace up the top fitting it perfectly to the foot. Nani had made them incase I needed to walk on hard surfaces over an extended period of time for any reason. I had refused to wear them thus far but my feet have finally trumped that folly and I would especially need them for today so I set my stupid pride aside and slipped them on before lacing them up and securing them tight to my feet.

Flexing my toes I stand up and shift my weight from foot to foot, testing there feel. The sensation was odd, especially between my toes, but I couldn't complain too much they did feel a lot better than the stone under foot.

I reached for my bag to put my leathers on when I realized that I couldn't wear them around the city, they were good around a village but would be noticed and draw attention here in Algrei.

Sighing I lightly dropped the bag back onto the bed and went to the wardrobe placed on the far wall next to the large locked window.

Pulling it open I freeze and cringe when the doors make a terrible squeak that seems to roll through the room like a crack of thunder. Holding my breath I don't dare to move a muscle. After several long moments I hear the shifting of armor and glance over my wing to see the guard still sleeping soundly, grumbling under his breath.

Releasing the breath I wasn't aware I was holding, I open the wardrobe the rest of the way on now silent hinges. The moon was full tonight and shined through the adjacent window giving me plenty of light to see by.

The wardrobe door blocked most of it but I could still easily make out the shapes of clothes, I couldn't however see there color in such low light.

Reaching in I grab a pair of shorts and slip them on. I didn't notice the cuts in the sides until I accidentally put a foot in one. Getting my feet in the proper holes I pull them up and adjust the fabric around the slits on either on either hip that run from the front of my pelvis back stopping just before it reached the thick muscle of my rear. The slits weren't large or wide but they seemed to give me an extra level of movement without being so restrictive like most clothing.

I liked them for that reason and opted to wear them before diving back in to search for a top. I came out with a regular top that looped around the arms and latched across the nape of my neck. It appeared to be the same dark color as the shorts but I couldn't be certain and just had to hope that it would look good in brighter light.

Closing the wardrobe with a soft click I walked over and sat in the middle of the bed with my wings lazily fanned out around me.

I sat there fretting about the day to come for what felt like ours but could only have been no more than a handful of minutes judging by the sky just now turning a lighter shade of gray as the sun made its way around the curve of the land. The sharp bark of a woman shouting quickly followed by the sound of armor shifting and clanging outside my door has my head snapping up as the guard stationed in my room nearly falls as he startles awake and snaps to attention.

The door is practically thrown open and in steps a slightly disheveled Fyko. The flitting of white feathers flashing in and out of view tells me who's with him waiting in the hall and what happened to the guards. Swallowing thickly I slide of the bed and grab my bag securing it around my waist without looking.

"The queen request your audience come with her." His voice is clipped and clear, he was obviously a little scared. Whether it was for the upcoming events or from a confrontation with the queen, who seemed far less than happy at the moment, I wasn't sure which.

Not daring to speak I duck my head and slip through the door. My eyes landed on white feet clad in black leather footwear much like the ones I was wearing but of a better make. White flight feathers flit and draw my attention, the dull sunlight streaming from my room window into the hall catches her feathers showing a glimmer of silver that also shined on the bare skin of her legs.

Forcing my eyes up I notice that she's wearing a black top that wrapped around her neck and either side of the bottom ran diagonally down to the top of her hip where a silver ring held it and two more pieces of black fabric attached from the ring to the front and back of basic black shorts with a silver chain peeking from around her hip and hooking to another smaller ring that attached the pieces of her top to the shorts. She didn't acknowledge me, she simply spun on the heel of her foot and started marching down the corridor.

Physically jolting I take long quick strides to catch up. My eyes glanced down again and I saw that the chains crossed in the back and hooked to the opposite ring from the front.

"Eyes up." Fyko's voice husk in my ear. I suppress a jump and my eyes snap up to the queens long black hair. It fell in tumbling waves as dark and glossy as the stripes in her wings falling a little under halfway down her back.

"My eyes are up." I hiss back.

"Sure they were." He chuckles lowly.

"Quit muttering." The queens voice interrupts before I can retort.

"Someone's in a bad mood." I comment just loud enough for her to hear. "Was her majesty awoken too early?" I was mocking her which was dangerous enough without her being in a bad mood.

Fyko's eyes went wide with shock and terror and the gravity of what I just said and to whom hit me like a merchants cart landing at full speed with an eight prel team carrying it.

Before I could try to back track my gravies mistake a low humorless chuckle fills the silent air. The queen, taking her time, turns around and fixes dark blue eyes on my orange and red ones. She stares at me until I think I might pass-out from lack of air, then she starts walking back toward me. Each of her light padded steps sounds like bang from a catapult until she's standing a hairs breath in front of me.

I never really noticed until now that she was a little taller than me. Our shoulders the same width but mine hung low, loose from decades roaming the woods with my bow only worried about finding food, her's wear held back high, strong and unforgiving in their gentle curves of lean muscle. All reminders of who she was in comparison to me.

She searched my eyes my features for something, a chink in my armor. I wasn't sure what she saw but I hoped it wasn't the fear eating away at my gut or the worry whittling away at my mind. I hoped she saw nothing, no emotions she could use to hurt me.

"You are very strong in your convictions of me aren't you?" Her voice was low, soft even, and though the words were formed like a question they were stated like a truth. "Be careful Serana. I don't want to hurt you anymore than I would any other of my citizens, but that does not mean you won't suffer if the need arises." Her voice was still low, still soft and gentle. It made me want to scream and cry all at the same time. She leaned in her breath causing my hair to flutter as her lips grazed the shell of my ear. "We're not the only players in this game. I would think it wise to consider who's side you stand on."

The warning rang as clear as day, something was happening like Fyko said the day before, but he had believed the queen knew nothing of today's importance. Looking into her eyes now I could see pieces moving, the game playing out in her mind. She knew more than Fyko and she wanted me to know it. He was her informant, but even he didn't know everything.

Clenching my teeth I swallow thickly and incline my head ever so slightly in a small bow. I didn't like her, but like Fyko said wither I liked it or not she was the only thing keeping me alive.

The corner of her lip twitched but that was the only outward response before she turned back around, grazing me with one large wing, and started back down the corridor toward our destination.

Hesitantly I follow after her, having to focus a little too hard on my breathing to make sure my lungs kept working.

We followed her through the castle to an inner garden where we stopped in front of a huge pool with a large marble depiction of the Drace with the Fore Mother. Without faltering the queen stepped into the pool and started wading through the almost waist deep water toward the statue.

Fyko followed without hesitation but I halted at the edge of the stone. Looking into the pool I glance back up at my companions to see they were already a good distance into the water.

Taking a deep breath I picked my foot up forced it over the water. The moment the bottom of my foot grazed the surface I saw black teeth and slitted eyes. Jerking away I took a few hasty steps back, away from the water.

Memories of out running the vyx were running on a jumbled track through my mind. Memories of falling in the creak and narrowly escaping massive jaws that would have rent me to pieces.

I was so focused on trying to calm the jumble of images crowding my head that I didn't notice one of my companions had come back to get me until they stepped out of the water sending waves crashing around the pools edge.

Snapping my eyes up I focus on a pale white face and deep blue eyes. "Is there something wrong with the water?" The unmistakable voice of the queen, sounding almost concerned was jarring enough to dislodge the unwanted images.

"No, the water's fine." I cough to clear my throat after hearing the forced tone in my voice.

She didn't say anything but gave me an incredulous look. She didn't believe me and she wanted to know what was wrong.

Swallowing my pride so we could get on with the day and out of the castle I give a vague answer hoping it would suffice. "Just a....a bad memory is all." I force a small laugh that makes me want to cringe at how pathetic it sounds to my own ears.

She didn't say anything at this, didn't even move just kept staring at me. Shift from foot to foot I waited to see if she was going to push the matter farther. When she finally moved after the longest minute of my life, I was surprised when she didn't turn back around and make some comment about me getting over it. A cool pale hand gently took hold of my wrist and a large white and black wing half wrapped around me and pushed me forward toward the water.

I stumbled the few steps it took to reach the waters edge and halted the same as I had the last time. But this time there was someone there stepping into the water and pulling me forward until I had no choice but to step in or fall.

The water was cold, freezing me from the waist down, but oddly the cold felt nice on my skin. Cooling down the blood rushing between my head and feet.

The hand holding my wrist continued to pull me forward toward the statue in the center of the pool.

Pulling my arm out of her grip I quickly grab her hand again when my foot slips and I almost fall. "What would the rebels say if they saw this? The queen helping a villager afraid of the water." Fyko's deep voice echoes with amusement around the garden.

He promptly shuts up after his comment's met with sharp glares from both the queen and myself. "I'm not afraid of water." I mutter under my breath.

I wasn't paying attention and slipped again but with an arm under both of mine keeping me up out of the water. I could feel my cheeks flush with heat as I glanced up, muttering a soft, "Thanks." Before finding my feet and reaching out for the statue platform to hoist myself out of the water.

The queen followed suit and moved part of the statue to reveal a tunnel underneath the garden.

She dropped in disappearing out of sight. I followed close behind, not wanting to be seen hesitant again.

The stone underfoot was cold and damp coated in a thick layer of dirt and grime. My face twisted at the slimy feel.

"You'll stop noticing after a while." The queen's voice whispers from where she stood a few feet away. "Under the pool is the worst part but once we start heading away from the water and our feet dry the slimy feeling goes away." She assures.

Grunting in acknowledgement I step to the side so Fyko can drop down as well. Once we're all inside he shuts the tunnel entrance and after a few moments to adjust our eye sight we follow the queen down the tunnel.

"There's a tunnel leading from the center of the castle to outside it's walls?" I ask incredulously, my brows drawing down in a stern furrow.

"Of course not." The queen hisses over her shoulder. "This leads out under the Royal barracks, there's an entrance in the archery range." She explains.

"How are we supposed to get out that way?" I ask even more befuddled than before. "That place is teaming with guards and I thought we wanted to get out without being noticed?!" I'm almost shouting by the end of it barely restraining to just loud whispering.

"The guards change shifts in a few minutes and we can use a service entrance meant for allowing carriages through that are to heavy to be flown over the wall." She explains her reasoning once more before continuing. "Your nani said you were good with a bow, is that true?" She ask finally sparing me a glance over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I was a hunter in my village." I confirm. Where was she going with this?

"Then we can get you a bow while we're there. A quiver too though I will warn you, they're not very comfortable to wear at first until you get used to them." My eyes almost bulged out my head and I stopped in my tracks.

She's actually entrusting me with a weapon?! Fyko runs into me with light grunt followed by a low growl.

Jumping slightly I start moving again and almost sprint to catch back up to the queen. My body thrummed with excitement at the thought of getting a bow back in my hands. A bow from the royal armory no less, and an actual quiver. If I was lucky I'd get the special kind of arrows that collapsed and opened when slung out locking to full length.

When we finally reached the exit I was practically vibrating with anticipation. The queen lifted a large stone covering the hole and pushed it out of the way.

Poking her head out of the small opening she glances around for several long moments before calling down to us. "Clear." She moves the stone slab all the way off the exit and climbs out. Turning around she holds out a hand to help me up.

Taking the offered hand I'm slightly surprised when I'm hoisted out of the hole and onto my feet with seemingly little effort. It would appear the queen was a lot stronger than I have her credit for. Granted I didn't give her much seeing how she was the queen and all, she didn't necessarily need physical strength but it seems she had it none the less.

As she helped Fyko out of the tunnel I took the chance to get a look at my surroundings. We were in a large room with a long shooting range and balconies to practice shooting from along with what appeared to be some sort of obstacle course to train shooting around pillars and allies. Not gonna lie, I was higher than the sky right now. I wanted to test my skills on the targets and see how good I was compared to the guards and what I could learn to be a better archer.

"Not here to sight see lass." Fyko's voice whispers in my ear as he passes me.

"Leave her be Fyko. At least one of us on this trip should be excited about something." The queen half scolds. I noticed her voice had a certain smoothness to it, like silk covered marble.

It made it almost easy to forget why I hated her. Fyko's words from the day before surfaced from the recesses of my mind. I was angry with her for so long about something she hadn't done. But it seemed she didn't hold any anger toward me for the crimes my vavi committed.

I still didn't necessarily like her personality or general attitude. But the least I could do was give her a chance like she was giving me. To prove that the faults of our parents didn't have to affect how we treated each other.

Following them to a large locker room Fyko pulled on the door but it didn't budge. "Locked. Any plans to get past this one my queen?" He ask turning his head to look at her with an expectantly sarcastic look.

I wanted to smack him in the mouth and he wasn't even talking to me. How the queen managed to completely ignore him and step around him to get to the door, I didn't understand.

Kneeling in front of the lock the queen pulls out what looked like a thick version of a nail file like the maid had used on my hands the first night I had arrived. Extending the pinky claw of her opposite hand she stuck it in the lock along with the thick finger file and shifter her finger around until her claw seemed to catch on something. Using the file she turned something in the lock and was rewarded with a soft click.

Standing up she pocketed the file gave a gentle pull on the barred door. The door swung open with no resistance.

Opening the door all the way the queen glanced over her shoulder with the smuggest look I'd ever seen. Fyko and I just stood there trying to pick our jaws up as she stepped into the locker and started shuffling around looking for something.

Fyko was the first to regain his composure and thankfully had enough sense to keep his voice down. "You know how to pick a lock?!" The awe and shock in his voice mirrored my own feelings about this discovery.

"You'd be rather surprised at what I know, and even more so at what I can actually do." The queen responds not turning around. She continues to shuffle around with something black and gold in one hand until she finds what she's looking for and turns around with a white chunk of marble.

Curious about the folded object in her hand I start reaching for it before catching myself and yanking my hand back to my side. She holds out the white object telling me I could take it.

Reaching out I gently cradled it in both hands realizing that it was in fact wood and not marble. I also couldn't help but notice how light it was, it weighed almost nothing compared to the heavy set wood of my last bow.

The queen stepped around me and started fastening something to my left wing just past the first joint. "You are left handed right?" She ask pausing to make sure she has the information correct.

I just nod in response, it must have been enough for her because she continued with fastening what I assumed was the quiver to my wing.