Terejhsa

Dusk was setting the colours of the skies deep shades of navy and purple. A fiery red line was drawn where the sun was taking its final glance at the world it had nurtured for the past twelve hours. Dots of fine silver speckled the waves of blue as the stars glittered in the canopy above the forest of Dheej. The evening called the trees to grow into a quiet slumber, with whispers of the night folk running between the tall teak trunks.

The elven folk, the children of the forest, often gathered at dusk to sing a prayer of thanks for the fruit they had eaten, health they had built and for the knowledge they had gained from the earth. It was a solemn affair as voices joined in a low hum laced with high tendrils floated between the trees. Garbed in woollen robes of earthen tones they assimilated in the clearing at the heart of the forest, the site where they believed the life of the forest breathed and where souls came to take their final rest.

Amongst the hundred robed shadows standing against the bleeding sky, Alherii softly offered her thanks. Her voice, barely louder than a breath, sang in unison with her people, the people she was to leave in mere moments. Her life was tangled with each and every person that stood around her. That is how the elven folk lived, as one. But now, she was to cut the strings that the held her to these familiar faces and tie them faithfully to strangers she was to meet.

As the service drew to a close that Alherii slipped from the assembly and donned her woollen travellers cloak. She drew her hood over her dark , softly curled hair, casting a sombre shadow across her pale skin, and saddled Tejh. Tejh was a fine horse, with a beautiful sleek ebony coat that challenged the darkness of night. He was a stubborn character, with immense pride. But he was Alherii’s steed, and one that succumbed to her obstinate will, even when it seemed a ridiculous request.

It was believed the winds favoured those whose last words were an offering of thanks before departing on unknown voyages. Therefore Alherii had spared a second parting with those she loved. Goodbyes had been exchanged before the evening ceremony, tears had been shed in solitude and fears had been drowned. The time had come for her to leave what she had known for twenty-four ripe years, the knights were gathering and she was to join them. She was the weapon that every non-human believed in, she was the power of her people’s prayer and she was the honour of her family’s name. She, along with the other Corsair Knights, was hope.

People began to group up together in the lower districts of the city with shouts echoing throughout the area "people of Terejhsa today we speak our voice to the queen so we can all live our life's normally and not like trash on the streets!" As a man on a small wooden podium begins yelling to the people on the streets with cheers and yells coming from the crowd "come with me men and women alike and we shall march as one!" As the man jumps off the podium and begins to march to the queen with a large crowd of people behind him.

William sat in the front of the trundling wagon that carried himself and his mother, who was sitting in the back. Night was beginning to fall, bringing with it darkness, and a distinct gurgle from the region of the scruffy young man's stomach. The wagon they rode in was one of seven in the convoy William and Amity had been raised in. Each wagon was unique, personalised by years of use and wear, but it was easy to tell at a glance that they all belonged alongside each other. The occupants of these wagons were a mismatched group, yet looked at each other and acted as though they were a close knit family. As far as they were concerned, such was the truth.

Amity walked beside the scruffy grey clydesdale that pulled the wagon, whom was lovingly christened Salty when he joined the small group of wanderers. The other horses were similarly well loved, but well exercised as well, and all in need of a trim soon. Amity broke off a ways, until she stood on a rocky bluff looking down the path the wagons were on.
"We can't get there before dark." She called back over her shoulder, jogging back over. She hopped into the wagon through the front, forcing William to dodge out of her way and yell in teasing annoyance. Inside the wagon was draped in heavy blankets to ward away the chill of winter nights, and pillows to soften the ride. It also contained wooden boxes and various necessities and knick knacks, including Amity's bow. On the back steps, Amity and William's mother tapped her chin.
"Then it'd be best to set camp before it gets too dark." She stated.

William took Salty's reins and halted him, while Amity darted past her mother out of the back of the wagon. She went up the line, relaying her mother's orders and helping people organise themselves. The wagons pulled off to the side of the road, using the bluff Amity had stood on as both a lookout post and a shield to the elements. They were arranged in a semi-circle, open end facing the road, horses tied so that they were safely between the wagons and the bluff. A fire was built in the centre, thankfully just before night fell in earnest, and the wanderers sat around. A few children soon poked their heads out of a couple of wagons, before joining their parents around the fire.

William had taken first watch, sitting up on the bluff, sharpening his sword. He stared at the distant lights of the city, and could have sworn he could hear shouting on the wind. He shook his head, thinking it was just his imagination, and tried to resume his watch. However, he couldn't help but think about where they were headed.
"If I can get this close without you noticing, I hate to think what someone could do to the camp before you stopped daydreaming." A familiar voice teased over his shoulder. Surprised, William leapt to his feet with a startled shout, and swung his sword at the empty air Amity had wisely and quickly vacated. She stepped forward again as her brother regained his breath, and sat down beside him. William sank back down to his seat.

"What's got your head full of cotton?" Amity asked. William looked away and shrugged. Absently, he started sharpening his sword again.
"I'm just excited. This whole knights thing, finally getting a chance to give the Genius a piece of our minds. I can't wait." He answered. Amity sighed deeply.
"You and I both know it's never going to be that easy..." She warned. William grinned at her reassuringly, and finally sheathed his sword.
"Of course it's not, but we'll figure it out." He stated, giving his sister a one armed hug round the shoulders. Amity gave him an uncertain look, before glancing back at the campfire. William followed her gaze, and his face became solemn.
"Edgar's missing a hand, Gerda and Jim have the twins to worry about..." Amity muttered.
"Even mother is getting too old for this." William added. Amity leaned her head on her brother's shoulder and sighed in concern. The plan was for them all to offer their services, but it was seeming less and less viable by the day...

A gnome in a fancy suit wandered through Terejhsa, barely avoiding getting stepped on by passersby. Not that he minded, he was used to humans and their plodding footsteps by now. His attention was drawn to a man standing on a wooden podium. He was shouting about how they were going to march on the Queen's front doors. That was interesting enough for Iator to wander over. Then another human stood and shouted about how dangerous it was to follow the man and it seemed like at least a few others agreed and left, but there were still many marching towards the castle.

The gnome shrugged and followed behind the protesters, staying far enough away to not be counted in the group, but close enough to make sure he could see what was going on. He hummed a tune as he walked, wondering if this would be an easy solution to the problems that his people faced.

The large crowd of people stood in front of the queens main gate began to yell at the the gate and to draw the queen to them with the person in front rallying the people "we have made it to the queens gate we don't have to stay silent we can tell her what she needs to do for the people and not for the sake of the wealthy and for her but for the people that lives their lives sleeping in rams hackled housing and eating small amounts of food and water while the wealthy eat to their hearts content drink all they and live like kings!" "they do not care for us they will walk past us when we are writhing on the ground like we are trash and we are tired of living like trash today we will live a normal life eating a regular meal and live in a normal house and not eating scraps and not living in a house made of paper!" " At this point the crowd of people erupted into a roar of vigor and began shouting for the queen to come out.

Amity and William both looked up as more shouting rose from the city before them, carried to them on the wind. Amity stood and brushed some hair out of her eyes, to see the city better through the darkness. Their mother looked up from the camp.
"What's wrong?" She called up to the pair. William jumped down to the wagons.
"Something's happening in the city." He replied, as Amity followed him down from the bluff. Their mother looked down in thought, glanced at the fire and the eyes watching from around it, before she turned her eyes back to them. She took a deep breath.
"You two... Should scout ahead." She stated. They could see in her eyes that she didn't like separating them from the rest of the convoy, especially this far into the Genius' territory. She knew as well as they did that many in the convoy deserved to rest after so many years on the road, not to join a fight that was like to claim them all. The only ones truly fit and ready for it... Were William and Amity. It hurt all involved, but letting them go meant that they'd at least have a head start.

The convoy always travelled with one extra horse, usually in case on of the others was injured, but Amity and William tacked up this extra horse, known as Buttercup, to ride. Buttercup was a large skewbald, with a white patch on her face that gave her a distinct, pale-eyed look. She was also a large, heavy horse, who didn't bat an eyelash when the siblings both swung onto her back. In such a small group, Amity and William had gotten used to riding double long before even William reached his teenage years, and they both slid into position with ease. Katy, the smallest member of the company, badgered Jim until he lifted her to Amity's level. She thrust a tiny fistful of blue flowers at Amity, which she'd been plucking from the fringes of the camp, under Edgar's watchful eye. Amity smiled and accepted them, slipping them into the pouch at her hip. It abruptly occurred to Amity that she'd forgotten something, but her mother, as though summoned, appeared at her elbow to hand Amity her bow with a rueful smile. She rest a hand on both siblings knees.
"Be safe." She warned them. With final 'see you later's and "good luck"s, William urged Buttercup to carry him and Amity into the night.

It was not long at all before they reached the city, since they didn't have to keep a slow pace to keep a convoy together. They rode through the city, though more slowly. Amity had to regularly reach forward and calm the horse, as Buttercup was unused to such an environment. The wagons didn't often enter the heart of a city, they usually skirted the edges. The horse and her riders earned a good deal of odd looks. It wasn't often in these parts to see a horse, a man with a sword at his hip, or a woman with a bow across her back. Amity and William both simply gave the onlookers winning smiles, and continued on their way. Before long, they could see a crowd marching ahead of them. William started to urge Buttercup to catch up, but Amity tapped his shoulder.
"We don't know what exactly is going on. This might not be where we want to get mixed up." She hissed. William nodded, and looked around again. He caught sight of a surprisingly small man, hanging back from the crowd, and guided Buttercup over to him.
"Sir?" He asked the man. "Could I ask what's going on?"

Iator watched the proceedings with growing anticipation. Humans always took the violent route, it seemed. He began to lag further and further behind, making sure that he wouldn't be caught up in any frenzy if it came to it. It was after the leader of the group made a second speech that a couple more humans, these two more similar than most others, came riding up on a horse.

"Sir? Could I ask what's going on?" The male asked.

"Well, from what I can tell, it looks like there is to be a riot if the Queen does not answer this man's attacks on her reputation." He said, eyeing the two. "I personally don't think she will find the time to respond."

The Queen was in her solar meditating between her plans for the upcoming war, a war that hadn’t been written, and a war unknown to the opposition. That blasted girl had done away with her blue prints and the prototype that now lay as charred coal tangled upon the ruins of the research wing. This had her set her back more than she could afford. Resources were dwindling throughout the land, export had become slow to say the least and the economy was all awry. Something had to be done to unite the ever dividing populace that she called her kingdom, and that was war.

Nothing united the peoples more than a common enemy. It gave them a reason for patriotism and a reason to rejoice The Queen once more. Yet, she couldn’t move forward without ensuring victory, for that she needed her toys and for that she needed funds. Funds that were already dire, were further stretched now that she had to rebuild the innovation heart of the research wing.

That blasted girl.

She will pay with her family’s blood.

Her thoughts broke as the silence was cut with a roar of voices outside. She could feel the weight of angered souls clattering against the gates of her not so humble abode. A strong presence gathered them and called out infamies against her. Treason.
She called for Yahn, an elderly yet skilled knight, to escort her to the balcony that hung over the cobbled streets of the old rotting city. As he drew to her side, she swept off the floor in one sharp movement, gathering her navy robes about her like a royal raven swooping down upon its prey. She softly adjusted the wimple about her face tucking away any stray greys. The Queen then made her way over to the balcony, stopping only at a mirror perched on the wall just beside it and wiping away any creases that sat on her face and padding a dab of rouge upon her lips. Presentation was key. Beauty was power. Power was wealth. Father would be proud.

The Queen took a step into the light, greeting the day and her people with a soft warm smile as would a mother to her child crying out for reassurance. This kingdom was her baby and it was sick. There were parasites everywhere and she had to rid the weak little body of them. Starting with the one who stood below her. Beneath her. Not worthy of her time. Yahn stood beside her, a silent shadow, a pillar, some strength.

“Kind friends,” She began “I am sincerely hoping that such a large crowd of you have come with happiness in your hearts. But reading the sadness in your eyes I feel that this desire is not fulfilled. Have I wronged my dear beloved in any way that I draw them with such anger shouting from their souls. Please forgive the mistakes I have made, for every step I have taken is to better your future. Nay, I speak incorrectly, there is no you and I, it is us. I have done what I have to better our future. But please, speak your heart for I am your vessel and I am here to listen and to improve.”

Her voice was soft but carried enough strength to silence the crowd that had been gurgling with resentment. She could see a mix of dirtied faces, all malnourished from a life of unjust poverty. War was needed. War was coming. She couldn’t see her kingdom like this. No mother could see her child starved with calloused hands and haunting eyes.

Alherii had been on the road for two days and two nights now. The southern forests of Dheej were far from the centre of the poverty, the city where the wealthy strode side by side with the sick and dying. Their gold silks reflected against the coppers that sat in the baskets of the beggars sprawled across the cold stone floors. Their perfumed bodies masked the stench of the open sewers that ran open in some districts. There were fallen houses inhabited by jobless folk next to ancestral noble homes. This was the city known as Terah, the heart of the land.

Dheej hadn’t suffered like the rest of the land had, just a little too far for the reaches of the poverty. It was a self-sufficient entity whereby the elven folk lived off the land and gave to it from what they took. Their cousins of the northern mountains didn’t prosper by the same lifestyle and had fallen to the parasite that was The Queen. Little by little small tribes, colonies, races had joined with The Queen in hopes of a brighter life, a united life where trade was healthy and the people were one. Each one of these peoples had lost what they had known for centuries all to fuel the madness of the queen. Her innovations, as she called them. The machines that now scarred the once beautiful plains of Terehjsa.

Where there used to be colour was now only black and grey from the smog that hung about the small towns that encircled the great city. The working towns. This is where her precious toys were made. Alherii pushed through these towns. Never had she seen such disregard to the earth, it made her sick to her stomach. No one ate the fruits of the land here, they ate charred meat. Light barely trickled through the blanket of soot that hung above their heads. No bird song laced the air, only the clanging of metal against metal. The warmth came not from the sun but from the furnace that birthed the machines. It was a grim place and a place Alherii had yearned to escape.

And she had, within a few further hours of riding she reached where she needed to be; the old city. Her stomached swelled further with anger as she continued to witness the injustice that was thrown about her. The great divide between the rich and the poor. The discordant harmony that held this decayed town together. It disgusted her. A feeling of distaste continued to grow in her mouth as she stumbled upon The Queen delivering her feigned speech. It was something she wanted to spit out. And as soon as she heard the queen fall silent she did.

“Oh royal friend of mine, who’s heart is filled with such kindness that she claims she suffers for her friends, her people that she calls upon as us, not you and I. Answer me this, why is it that YOU are stood above us and above the filth that run through your city like sullied blood in drying veins. Why is it that I am down here starving with this people, dying with these people, that you call your own. Answer me oh Royal friend with such a kind heart!”

Alherii’s resentment to the land had grown with such valour over the past two days that she was blind to her surroundings. It had not occurred to her that there may be someone leading this procession, nor had it occurred to her that she had interrupted the assembly of Amity, William and Iator as she stood right in the middle of their crowd.

Jackie returned from her friendly, and necessary, chatter with the barkeep, carrying two beer mugs over to the table where Nora was sitting quietly. “On the house.” The thief shoved one of the beverages right under the nose of her companion, smiling at the ex-artificer before occupying the empty seat opposite of her.

“Cheer up will ya? I can almost count the wrinkles on your face.” That was Jackie's best attempt to lighten the mood. While the broker felt relieved to be back indoors, it was obvious that with Nora things were a little different.

Although Jackie's words didn't exactly get Nora smiling, she accepted the beer all the same. "I still can't help but worry over what might happen to those people. It's a good thing that some of them were smart enough to leave while they still could, but... I hope the queen decides to be merciful." Taking a swig of beer, Nora nervously ran a hand over one of her cheeks. "I'm not really getting any wrinkles, am I?"

“You soon will be if you don't stop worrying about every little thing.” Jackie retorted, stifling a laugh. “I'm kidding. Still, maybe you should smile a bit more, hmm~?” The girl smirked, leaning forward in an attempt to catch Nora's gaze. “I wouldn't want you to ruin that pretty face of yours.” Jackie's hand softly patted the other girl's cheek. “That would be such a pity...”

Nora managed a smile as she brushed Jackie's hand aside. "Maybe you're right. I've done little else but worry ever since we departed. Have you managed to speak with this contact of yours?"

“Of course I did! That's why we're here. Duh!” Jackie answered underneath a mock sigh, leaning back into her seat as she felt her meagre attempt to have some fun was ignored. “He said he'd meet us here, but he hasn't shown up yet.” Jackie briefly turned her gaze towards the door as she took a swig from her drink, but she saw no sign of her contact. Honestly, it was so difficult getting proper errand boys these days.

“So while we wait, why don't we relax a bit?” Her attention, accompanied by a sweetened smile, reverted back to Nora. “You must be exhausted from all that running away...” Jackie gently slid her hand over to Nora's, her body inching forward in the same slow motion that her fingers trickled upwards from Nora's hand to her forearm. “You earned some rest, and these knights will still be here tomorrow...” The girl smiled coyly. “Don't you agree?”

"We don't even know where they are now, much less where they would be tomorrow," replied Nora. "And I would appreciate it if you kept your hands to yourself." The former artificer shook off Jackie's hand and moved her seat a couple inches further away. Nora kept an eye on the doorway in case their contact arrived, as well as distract herself from Jackie. She knew the woman would hit on damn near anyone, although she much preferred it if it wasn't her. Just then, a man in a shabby-looking coat came in, looking around warily.

"Would that furtive-looking fellow happen to be our man?" Nora asked.

Jackie nodded to Nora's question with a muffled grunt. “That's him...” In one swift motion, the thief rose from her seat. “Alright madam killjoy, you stay here and look constipated or whatever. I'll be back in a jiffy!” She commented as she left the ex-artificer and approached the neurotic man, who immediately flinched as the somewhat smaller woman got within earshot.

“Seesh, guy. If I knew you were this easily frightened, I wouldn't have hired you in the first place.” Jackie said, already making motions to unhand the valuable, or at least it was for her and Nora, information. However, such attempt was in vain as the man swiftly lifted the sealed envelope out of the greedy thief's reach. Nora watched the pair argue for a while before coming over to them.

"This is taking a lot longer than a jiffy. Need any help with speeding things along a bit?" She almost seemed to loom over both of them as she clenched her hand into an armoured fist. Seeing that Nora was prepared to back up her words with actions, the informant relented and reluctantly handed Jackie the envelope.

"This better be worth my while." The man said irritably.

Jackie snatched the envelope out of his hands, shooting her contact an evil eye before examining the note's validity. "Okay... This should about cover it." Jackie tossed the man a bit of money. "Shoo... We're done."

"So what does it say? Let me see!" Nora craned her head over Jackie's shoulder to get a better look at the note. "Looks like an address for the archive buildings in the old part of town. I know how to get there, but... it would mean having to get past that riot..."

"Well, from what I can tell, it looks like there is to be a riot if the Queen does not answer this man's attacks on her reputation." Said the small man, as he glanced at William and Amity through the corner of his eye. "I personally don't think she will find the time to respond."

The siblings turned to each other, but before they could say anything, the Genius (they refused to call her a Queen) stepped out onto a balcony above the crowd. Beneath the pair, Buttercup started to fidget nervously as the Genius started to speak, pawing the ground. William sneered slightly as the crowned woman continued to talk.
"Is she serious? Has she looked at this city recently?" He muttered. Amity poked him roughly in the ribs, and looked around for anyone else who might have heard. William winced, and frowned at his sister. It was true! Amity acknowledged that it was with a nod, but she was still nervous about saying it so brazenly on the Genius' home terf.

The Genius finished her speech, and in the next moment, a voice called out just behind Buttercup. The horse jumped and shied to one side. It was a moment's work on Amity's part to calm the horse, as William took in the new stranger, an elf woman. An elf woman of some courage by the way she called out the Genius. William turned his eyes around to the other people in the crowd, to see how they would react.

After the queen had made her speech some of the people in the crowd seemed to simmer down and stop yelling but most so the crowd kept yelling.

The man in front began to speak "our queen, can you not see how we live, while you and the nobles live in the most fancy houses and eating meals like they where snacks, we are just lucky enough to live in a shambled house, wondering every day when we can make enough money to have our next meal" he paused for a moment to catch his breath "we want things to change around here for the better of the people"