Hex: #de4f0c
She was stunned to hear the name of a Tezarran that she hadn’t heard since she was a child. Her father’s sister, Yanille. She opened her mouth to ask but her father had beaten her to it. ”My child,” he said, ”I haven’t heard that name in nearly fifteen sun cycles, 'years' in your language. She was taken from us, many sun cycles ago. We believed her dead. Adawane.” The heart remembers. It was a saying among their people when loved ones were lost. The full statement goes Yadawana, Adawane, or, The head forgets, but the heart remembers.
Freya looked away, pain slicing through her core at the term. Her father had thought his sister dead. Her mother had grieved deeply for her friend and sister-in-law. She hated when her parents were in pain. She hated when her people were in pain. The term was one of pain.
Tonas looked down at the tome, rubbing his thumbs against the symbols. ”The stone, your highness, is a legend. My sister was one for theorizing the truths behind the myths and legends of our people, but you will not find the stone here. I’m sorry.” He handed the book to Freya and said to her in Tezarran, ”Protect it.” Freya nodded and stepped back. His gaze returned to Ellya. ”My apologies, your highness, for your rude introduction to our people.” He bowed his head respectfully.
”I am Chief Tonas, which you already know.” He rose his head, eyeing his daughter who gave a small shake of her head. ”This is my daughter, Princess Freya Khefkin.” He said, and Freya openly winced. It wasn’t that she disliked being a princess. She just liked it better when the princess saw her as someone dangerous and not someone on her level. ”Who’s tent you will be sharing for the night before you return to your home tomorrow.” He rose his eyebrows questioningly.
Freya gaped at him. Her mouth moved to form protests, but her voice was missing. How could he invite this stranger to share her tent for the night when there were to be plenty of tents. The princess, upon hearing about the stone, had a look of hopelessness on her face. Something squeezed in Freya’s chest and she looked away. She couldn’t allow herself to be swayed by a pretty face.
”Father. I am to prepare for the annoba.” She said, voice low and using the Tezarran word for anniversary.
”Yes, the celebration!” He boomed, throwing his arms wide. ”Your Highness is invited to participate as well. There will be food, dancing, and a large fire.” He turned, eyeing the tents. ”Which reminds me... “ He returned to aiding in the preparations leaving the two princesses standing there, surrounded by Tezarrans. ”Shit.”