[b]Aqui

Queen of Scarthia | Scarthia[/b]

*

I observed as the small delegation stopped at the base of the First of my nine Temples. My guards surrounded them in a blink of an eye, silently emanating from the shadows - I could've sworn some of them weren't even in human shape merely seconds ago.

"We should put him in the dungeons," King Megarus noted, and I narrowed my eyes at him. [i]We should, eh? I especially like the[/i] we[i] part of that statement.[/i]

"Lord Elgan," I paused, wondering if I was even pronouncing it right. Judging from King Meg's smirk, I did it with an accent which shouldn't have been there. "..he came as a diplomat, to [i]discuss[/i] certain matters with me," I slightly stressed the last word. "I don't tend to imprison my guests the moment they set foot on my land."

He stayed at the top of the stairs as I moved, and members of my army cleared me the path as I approached our visitors. They wore the colours of Merillial - black and white and red, and the coat of arms on their chest - but bowed to me as I stood before them. I didn't plan on showing anything to this Lord Elgan, but I did smile a little smile at him, and he responded in the same way. I glanced quickly over the way he stood, the weapons he wore and the way he was observing me in return, and then spoke to my army, never looking away from him.

"Take his men to the Third Temple," I said in Scarthian, wondering if my guest understood it. If he did, he didn't make it show. "Make sure they're settled and treat them well, but leave them guarded." I glanced at them and they bowed, putting away their weapons - a few turned to smoke as they slowly simply disappeared, and the Merillians eyed them suspiciously. As they left, I gestured to my guest and led my way back to the First, where King Megarus awaited. "Welcome to Scarthia," I said, stopping half way up and turning to Lord Elgan, deciding not to attempt to address him properly until I've heard someone else doing it and found out which part should be stressed. "I would be free enough to say I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay."

"I can surely tell I shall enjoy the company," he inclined his head a little. "I must ask, however, what have you ordered to be done with my entourage."

[i]I wonder if you really don't know.[/i] "Don't you understand the language?" It was hard to believe - if I held that kind of position, I'd make sure to know the languages of the lands I'd travel to.

"Not that well, I'm afraid."

"I see. I told them to take your men to the Third Temple. It's one of the best preserved - unfortunately this land isn't exactly in its best shape, as you can surely tell." [i]Better than myself. I only learned of it a few days ago - I didn't even know I would have the army I now have.[/i] "They will be safe and given everything they need," I stopped for a second, wondering if I should tell him everything. "I did, however, instruct to keep them under guard." Surprise slid over his face and left it unreadable again after not even a second - if I wasn't observing, I wouldn't have noticed a thing. "It's merely a manner of precaution." [i]I've learned enough times not to trust people.[/i]

"Fair enough," he said, and we climbed the rest of the stairs in silence. We both stood before King Meg. Lord Elgan bowed, which made me think of my position in a more sober way. [i]He can like your company all he wants, but you need his country - nothing more and nothing less. And he will bow to everyone if so the situation demands.[/i] "King Angroth."

"Lord Elgan." [i]So [/i]that[i] is how you pronounce it.[/i] He turned to me. "You will excuse me, Queen Aqui," he said, and I felt my eyes narrowing again. [i]What now? I thought you were going to accompany us for dinner.[/i] "I have some matters to attend. We will discuss the relevant matters after your.." He glanced at Lord Elgan, "..meeting."

"If I judge anything relevant, I shall call for you to discuss it," I replied dryly. [i]Don't do this. I admit you're powerful and have the title, but this is [/i]my[i] land.[/i] "Lord Elgan, if you'd follow me inside.."

*

The glasses clinged against each other, and I smiled a little again. [i]I could get used to these smiles. Is that what ruling is like, drinking and smiling and talking, and pretending you either know more or less than you do?[/i]

"To the seven kingdoms," I said, and his eyebrows furred.

"[/i]Seven[/i], your Highness?"

"Yes." I glared slightly, but made sure not to look angry. To tell the truth, I felt almost playful - and though strong, I knew that wine wasn't the reason. [i]I happen to quite like you, sir. That's further than many manage to achieve, for your information.[/i] "I tend to think of the Prison as a kingdom as well."

"Ah," he nodded a bit, "you're a person who believes in legends, then?"

I brought the glass to my lips. "You could say I was born in a legend," I muttered, taking a sip of the wine.

"So you come from [i]that[/i] side of the family," he acknowledged silently. "Now it makes more sense." I slowly put the glass down, turning to look through the window, not sure if I wanted to speak about my past. For a moment, I did, but.. [i]Be smart and shut up.[/i] "Can I ask you a question?"

I turned back to him. "..sure."

"I can't really tell if I'm pronouncing it right when I call you the Queen in your own language," he said in Scarthian, seeming to be having troubles recalling some words though with surprisingly clean pronunciation. I grinned, glad to hear I wasn't the only one with doubts when it came to languages.

"That was as close to native as it could get," I said, still smiling.

"Why, thank you. It's a rather difficult language to master - it has how many cases, ten?"

"Nine," I said, gesturing to the window as I got up. "There's a story which tells that each of the Temples was built to remind the Scarthians of their grammar," I shared as he joined me, both of us staring outside. From the top of the First, the Temples were all visible - that which remained from them, that is. The Second was the closest, and though it kept its construction, the forest has completely took over, branches and flowers hugging its pillars and ornaments. The Third and Fourth still stood, twins seeming like guardians, each on one side of the road leading on. Only the thin towers of the Ninth Temple looked as if separated from the family - in a different style, of different materials, always locked. I wondered how many legends Lord Elgan knew. "That story isn't true, though," I said, pulling myself out of my thoughts. "In fact, most of the Scarthian rulers raised cities for their children."

"One can only be fascinated with legends of your land," he smiled, observing the remains of wine in his glass. "Is that what you wish for, if I may? To build cities for your children?"

[i]I will rebuild the world for my children.[/i] I looked up at his face and grinned a little again. "I'd say I'm still far enough from thinking of children, my lord."

*