Managing to arrange hair back into a state that wasn’t bordering on crazed wildling having just recently run through the woods with not a care in mind, summoning mother back to the Queen’s court was both easy and unnerving. Although she hadn’t come alone. Something he had wished she would have. To spare Liriel or Nysia from having to bare witness to any of this. Only their brother was absent and that probably was due to the fact he was likely out of the palace currently. Whether that was a boon or not, was unclear.
The court was emptied of any additional guest under the means of emergency meeting. A true fact that didn’t make his stomach stop flipping over another. Watching the mages arranging various clay blocks into a circle on the floor. Realizing that they were going to pull the prisoner from the depths of the halls by magical means rather than having carried or crated the demon up here. Unclear he was if that was a better choice or not, Renus shuffled noticeably on his feet.
Earning mother’s attention and slight tilt of head. Though she spoke not, she had situated herself into that of throne. Watching the mages sparingly but the curiosity was telling. It wasn’t every day that such people would graft a magic circle before the queen without her knowing ahead of time.
Eventually she was the one to broach the room, “What is it that has called such a pressing matter so soon.” She looked once more slowly between each person present. Lingering in her own way to hone on what they might be showing without knowing and he was easily one to flinch. Glancing to Calia only once and deciding to speak.
“It’s come to our attention that the crafting of what we’ve called holy weapons is a farce. A sham, your majesty.” He felt a slight waiver in his voice and it was enough to add to his nerves. “At least, they do not deserve such a title when they are absolutely not the things of that nature.” Mouth hung a moment.
Where voice broke forth from the Master. “Prince Renus and Princess Calia aren’t pleased with the methods of how we have crafted the weapons from that of parts from those in which would slaughter and devour us.” That got him to glare at the master.
“I stated the process itself is of use. But the sheer brutality that you continue the creation and cultivation of such things is incredibly barbaric. Monstrous and fitting to be described as perfectly demonic as well, Starling! Do not mince or play words at this time for it will benefit you not!” Tone dropped once more with his waning patience. Stepping forward and issuing hand quickly as a fluid gesture, “Deep within our own home, demons are hanging from the ceilings. I’ve seen butchered pigs treated with more care than this. Living, breathing beasts of hell in our own palace, beneath our feet being harvested like everlasting grain for blood. Bone. And whatever matter else to create a supply of products with no honour. Just malicious intent that spills their blackened spoils of vitals upon our own earth. Tainting and likely harming our very home.” Eyes lifted to the tree, “Harming the earth and roots of the very Fae Tree itself!”
The Queen sat there. Her face turned into a mask of disbelief and disgust. Artful as it was, the way her hands were coiled upon the throne’s arms was enough to speak the truth. She didn’t know this. Jaw clenched. Muscles tensing and words filling mouth with a measure of ire that was unknown but being chewed upon to find something better. “You best start explaining yourself Starling Everflame. For the agreement was to use the demon’s bodies and materials when they were dead. This is not what the agreement was. Nor was the authority given for you to taint my home with things that only have use after they are dead.”
The master stood there silent. His associates having finished their work only to scuttle away to the edges. Hopefully fretting about their involvement in any of this. “Speak, child. For my patience wanes.” And he did not. Just a show of concern resting upon features while searching for something to say. Save it wouldn’t come as the queen had not been careless with her statement. “Remove him. We will speak of this in the presence of Omal and Crown Princess Liriel. We will see what fate it is of yours by our decision. It will be your hubris that falls this day, Starling Everflame. For you will consider yourself merely lucky to simply have a strip of your title be the only repercussion though you should not hope for such lenient punishment.”
“Wait!” The white haired man blurted. Fingers curling upon the air, “Your majesty, please. Wait.” Tongue darting between lips in a frail hope that what came next would turn the tide. Side stepping to gesture at the magic circle, “If I may at least present you one offering of a recent discovery. May it be allowed to grant me something from you.”
Renus found himself tensing then and the queen narrowing her eyes. Giving a bare flicker of fingers that was being truly more gracious than she ought to be. And he squeezed his eyes shut. As the motion for the associates to return was allowed. The group of four including Starling turned to face the ring. Raising hands and speaking quickly in a haunting rhythm. Light flickering along the clay stones. Sparking and jolting in a race to finish a complete circle around the stones. Leaping from each one till the bend of light became a near solid circle to simple discharge with a burst into its centre. Erupting no sooner to let the figure that had not changed from what they had seen below. Save it was in the streaming daylight and seemingly presenting the state of its gore all the more.
The sound of throne being dumped over was enough for him to flinch. The pounding steps of heeled feet practically running forward and the resonating crack of hand upon skin that surely no one had expected. “How dare you,” Ashera hissed. Low. Murderous as hand remained lofted. Starling holding the spot the palm print would bloom, “Renus,” His mother’s voice was as frigid as the ice in the highest northern peak. “Give me your sword.”
And he knew what was going to happen. “Now!”
Never did he think that showing her Archimedes was going to go well but he hadn’t also expected that his own mother would kill the traitor herself. This was the perk after all about their weapons. They killed demons. Most the time they didn’t come back from his knowledge. And why he was hesitating.
The demon himself looked perfectly baffled. Pained both physically and something else. Flickering the singular eye between the slapped stunned mage and furious Queen. “Renus, I gave you an order!”
The tension in the courtyard was so palpable it could be worn as a cloak. The entire central royal family was present, save for the other Prince of whom Calia had not yet met, and of course the children to which Calia hoped they were stashed away somewhere well safe as even she wasn’t sure how all of this was about to go down.
Fearing it would be the worst of the worst, because that was just her luck. Prince Renus had made a stirring decree that he would help her, but he could not speak for his mother and she knew that well as a royal child herself. If the woman decided Calia’s hand in all this was too much to stand and there would need to be retribution… well. It didn’t really matter what Calia felt was right and she deserved – she would not accept prison or death. There was too much for her left to do to accept a final end here at the elven capitol.
As the mages continued their work of constructing a strange magic circle, Starling and Renus began the means of explaining deep down in the laboratories under the palace. Remaining silent, for it wasn’t her place to get involved and honestly finding this entire thing a new kind of terrifying. Nauseating even trying to grasp how much of a burden it was having the fate of an entire kingdom of people hinging on one person’s decisions. Hating how Renus’s scathing words were still ringing in her ears. To stop being such a coward and run from things when they felt too hard.
Shooting staring daggers at Starling when the mage attempted to paint this as two royals just not liking the dirty work. Fuck him! Glad when Renus called out his bullshit and revealed the truth of it.
Watching carefully the reactions of each of the powerful women within the courtyard. The Queen’s immediate disgust, tempered with a professionalism and restraint that was incredible. Crowned Princess Liriel’s was much the same, though in a way that spoke of disappointment more than anything. Then Princess Nysia, whose shocked open mouth gaping spoke volumes all by itself.
Thank all the gods in all the pantheons of the world, she thought. Calia was not sure she could’ve withstood another heartbreak. All too painfully aware that if she’d lost her faith in these people, that she wasn’t sure she would’ve ever been able to place her hope in something again. Even after the prince’s impassioned words to her.
Although she was about to curse this silver-haired mage to kingdom come when he decided to make this meeting an entire dramatic scene, holding his tongue only to try and use Archimedes to save his own ass! Drawing the demon up with the constructed magic sigils to put on display like an animal in a circus! Liriel had taken her sister’s whole head into her arms to shield her from the grizzly scene when the younger woman had shrieked at the sight, shocked herself but bold enough to not look away. The Queen’s actions being swift, and surely what Starling should’ve expected to get slapped out of him – but maybe he hoped her vehemence about the demon might actually make her forget what a monstrous mess this actually was!
Help them. Help them. Protect them.
The words rang and sang and shrieked in her head to the point of cringing pain, not sure if she was more set off kilter by that or the fact Prince Renus was actually standing there defying his mother.
HELP THEM, HELP THEM, PROTECT THEM.
“STOP,” Calia shouted above it all, swiftly moving to stand inbetween Mother and Son. “Stop. Please. Can’t you hear her begging for help?”
With hands out pleading the Queen to pause, to listen, Calia herself had to squeeze her eyes shut because she knew this sounded like batshit nonsense. She didn’t understand what was going on with that front anyway and this damn screaming tree, but at least she could be sure Queen Ashera acted with all of the information and not… well… not done regrettable as Calia would’ve done!
“Are the stories I heard about the man Archimedes true!” she shout out in a hoarse breath. “That there was a terrible plague here and he was trying to stop it. That in his efforts he’d fucked up and unleashed demons into your kingdom? Well intentioned but a stupid bastard, yes?”
Shit, Calia didn’t know where she was going with this but she had to speak quickly, because patience was not going to last here.
“This is probably not the time to tell you this,” she lamented even second guessing it as she was doing so, “My heart was stolen and I woke up to HIM, as a stupid bratty beetle demon! He doesn’t have a bloody clue of whom he was or what he did! And my own stupid, vengeful rage made a deal with that demon. A deal that HE broke because my ire was too much. And even still, he’d saved my life twice afterwards as well as group of my fleeing villagers.”
That was such a condensed version leaving out other details, but those were not vital in the moment.
“I am not saying he deserves to live, that is your choice to make. But do not make it now full of anger and vengeance to spill his blood over the roots of your ancestral tree. Please. Just- just wait. Then if you still deem his fate to die, then take him away from here.”
There were probably only so many times in his entire life that he had resisted or refused to obey any command his mother had given. Almost all of them being when he was just a mere child trying to find his own way still and disliking being told to do something when he wasn’t ready too.
This was not that and he swore that if he didn’t think of something fast, she was going to take his own head. Probably not actually but thoughts tore wildly.
So it was a shock to probably all of them that Calia yelled. Bringing a moment to be nothing more than a strange girl standing between queen and prince. Ashera looking at Calia as though she was trying to reason if she had overstepped or was curious enough to be interesting. Glancing to around at the whole can’t you hear her begging for help? The room was silent. A look, a scour and there was likely no one who could be set to fill that role that Calia said. Only that it wasn’t exactly the end either.
Asking a question and continuing to explain the reality that he had only found out a bit ago. Moving to stand beside Calia as he was not about to be protected. Looking to his mother as she chewed her lip in an uncharacteristic fashion. Fire controlled those eyes but she was listening. A skill he could truly be envious of because he could see his parent walking a tightrope of hatred and loathing and desire to hurt. But she remained attentive.
Curling hands into fists. Looking to Liriel, to Nysia. “Take your sister out of here, Liriel.” Her shoulders were tense before looking at those mages that had joined Starling. “Take yourselves to my office. I will deal with you shortly. All of you.” Hissing the words as she pushed back a rogue lock of hair falling from her crown. Only for her eyes to look at the state of the demon.
Stepping forth to rest a hand to mother’s arm. “Driira.” Speaking softly in hopes that she would not unleash suddenly. Where she turned arm over and took hand. Squeezing it tightly. For gaze to settle upon Calia once more. Seemingly waiting for the room to clear save for them. Stopping the mages from pushing the demon back to where he had been beneath the ground. Stating to leave it because it was unclear what she was going to do yet.
So they waited. Waited till it was no more than him. Her and Calia, and one creature that seemed almost relieved to be left alone.
“Yes.” Ashera spoke. A weak sound. “Yes, the stories you heard were true. A plague had begun. Things happened and,” Her free hand fell slack in motion to the demon that thankfully didn’t seem too interested in looking at them. Merely sort of slumping as much as he could with that of his current chains and hooks. “The results of one’s hubris proved to be the downfall of thousands of people. His own family included! My family suffered and still suffer for it.” Eyes did narrow, “How is it you know so much about him. A contract with a demon doesn’t offer the contractor information outside of what a demon can provide them. Powers and such and yet you state this monster cut you loose. Saved you. Saved others. You best not be trying to pull the wool over my eyes further, Princess Calia. For my patience is limited.”
He squeezed that of her hand, “I don’t think Calia has much to lie about any further.”
Ashera frowned. Making lip raw with the depth of chewing upon it, “Who is begging for help?”
Calia witnessed the courtyard empty at a record pace. The princess Liriel crooning soft words to her shocked sister as she escorted her away from the scene. The filing of the mages and even Starling with such grim expressions of unknowing what their own fates were going to be, likely also imagining the worst sort of things as she herself was doing. Watching as Renus reached out to try and sooth the woman, glad at least she was not angry at him, with the simple affection of squeezing his hand.
Though when the woman turned those fire burning eyes in her own direction, Calia had that wish to be a mouse again. So she could scurry away under something where she couldn’t be slapped or stabbed. Relieved to be asked questions, because questions meant the woman was not so consumed with her own rage and grief to hear her out.
…Calia didn’t even know what she was trying to accomplish here! Things happened so quickly and she a real bad habit of acting on instinct more than thinking!
“I’m- I’m liable to act a fool, but I do listen to people when they speak and heed their words,” she confessed with a bit of embarrassment still of her own behaviors. “To warnings, to gossip. I asked the right person some questions about things that were said to me and surmised he was one and the same.”
Nothing of special note there, Calia was no mystery solving genius putting together enigmatic puzzles. All it really took was paying attention. Leaving gaze to wander over to the butchered demonic form of Archimedes, finding there really was no getting used to such a sight. It twisting her up inside for a multitude of reasons.
Wrinkling her a nose a little at the statement of much to lie about, as damn it all Renus, she didn’t have anything else to lie about now! They’d basically stripped her down to her bare bones now for all the world to see.
Then there was the question of the day. Just who was screaming and shrieking in her head and driving Calia mad today.
The princess full on pointed at the great tree, full of nothing but frustrated scowls about it.
“I don’t know why you can’t hear it. Not that she’s saying much now. Preening mostly, I suppose, now that she’s being acknowledged.”
“I should not be surprised.” Raising palm to press its hold upon brow. Said Queen took a moment to just listen to the world. Not quite taking Calia’s statement as a moment to experiment to see what could be heard but just to try and alleviate the horror of the moment. The reality and attempting to block away so many other things that were liable to both make her sick. Sad or angry all the more. Worrying mouth once more.
Almost replicating the look to the pitiful creature that had once been the bright-eyed and mischievous youth that happily played the eager fool just to be sure that things were jovial. Of course she had never suspected to see the being ever again, considering if he was smart he would have never come back. And she knew the former Archimedes had been smart. Otherwise he alongside his innate gifts would have been selected by her hand to be Carlisle’s advisor when the time came. Although there was obvious differences between the past and now, the ringing statement of Calia’s held.
The thing here didn’t even acknowledge its history. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d been in this hall! The children had always run around here when the court was not in session. Preening under the leaves of the great Fae Tree and just living. Now, there was nothing.
Wishing that her ire had been allowed to fester so she could have taken the head off of someone that she too had once held and cradled and loved like a second mother. Finding those memories were still strong enough to make her hurt. “Renus,” She squeezed his hand again, “My sapling.” He smiled softly. Seemingly aware that she wasn’t about to continue on the attack but the two of them looked curiously upon Calia when she expressed an awe about how they could not hear her.
It took a moment and finally dawning came. Brows lifted some, looking to said tree. Hovering and glancing through the corner of eye back, “Well then.” Ashera hummed but nodded, “We’ll have to do some curious exercises and hopefully the Fae Tree knows that we only want to be sure she is safe.” Breath pulled, lungs expanding and shoulders raising.
Swallowing shortly after to pat her son’s hand. Releasing it to turn and look upon the demon once more. One that wasn’t replicated from himself. “Since you know him then Princess… what would you do with him. Knowing what limited knowledge you have.”
Fae tree. That explained everything and nothing all at the same time. All Calia really knew about the elves were that they valued natured above all and were once fae themselves before settling in this realm. They loved their trees and it seemed perfectly natural that they’d have one ancient and old in their largest and most populated cities. A legacy to garden. She sure as hell didn’t know they held their own little thoughts and feelings.
That was almost creepy to think about being watched by trees. Why did fae things have to be so damn weird.
“What-” she blurted out with a sudden start as the Queen’s turned to that of asking what she would do with Archimedes. Forcing her to give a wide-eyed blink at the carved up demon covered in his own blood and gore. Practically flopped there bounded by chain, hook, and magic with likely no energy left to fight against it.
If she were Queen Ashera she would kill him. …maybe. Honestly unsure in that moment, because the woman said the stories of him were true. He’d been on the track to royal mage advisor and made a stupid fatal mistake resulting in the deaths of so many, even those that he was closest too. This was something she understood all too well. Wanting to help and one wrong turn having it all blow up in your face. To lose your very memory of it all and become a demon on top of it, too? A terrible fate.
…of course she could not forget he was also a massive asshole. To her. To that one girl in the tavern that didn’t have to die.
Even still, after all he’d done beyond that. There was more to than man than just a demon and it wouldn’t stop niggling at her.
“I’d kick him a few times,” she did admit. Couldn’t help herself, really. “…but he’s spent the whole time in the demon’s realm, then only to find himself stuck with the likes of me. To then be tortured in a way most foul. That seems like more than enough punishment for someone who once only had good intent and then went the wrong way. He’s not been out to harm anyone, just be a floozy sort of menace. I would let him go.”
“…and then kick him a few more times just to be sure.”
She was going to have instruct Liriel and Nysia that the young not so human girl was in fact part fae. At least. Of course she couldn’t entirely tell how deep that ratio was but the fact she was able to hear the tree itself, only lent itself to that reasoning. They were cut off from their fae roots and it sadly meant they lost a lot more than just being closed out of a former realm. They couldn’t hear and understand the beings of such lineage unless they knew the tongue spoken now. Which evidently the Fae Tree didn’t. Or didn’t want too.
It would be good to have Calia stay. To learn. To understand and of course, she trusted her daughters had further reason as well. Plus they had to find a way to stave off the demons but now there was a new complication in that manner. Something more to stew on but right now there was a problem before them.
Omal and her and Liriel would deal with what Starling had done. To lay consequences of course. And then they would need to decide what course of action would be taken with the weapons crafted from such monsters.
Now, they just had the first problem in which was Archimedes. Which she didn’t know this demon. She only knew the past and it did in fact cause her to pause. To think about what could be done. Even if her anger was still present and wanting nothing more than to disobey the idea of staining the tree’s roots with blasphemous blood, she resisted.
A soft hum came from Renus at Calia’s declaration of kicking the demon. Not that the very thing seemed to be that responsive. Breathing through the horrid state that proved how frighteningly resilient demon’s were, but also it likely was hell itself. To be able to stay alive like this only left in pain. Listening to the girl as she detailed her thoughts. “He’s a demon, Calia.” Renus stated in such a matter of fact way. “Letting him go is only inviting horror and pain on someone else. Many people.”
Ashera stared down at the state. Thinking over all that had been said before humming. Smirking, “He was a floozy too when he was of age.” She stated so casually that Renus’ head may have almost tore right off with the whiplash. “But Renus is right. He is a demon. We cannot just turn our heads and pretend not to notice him escaping.” Fingers tapped and pressed upon lower lip. “You said he doesn’t recall who or what he was. Spent his time in the demon’s realm which means he has knowledge unlike anyone else. How implausible is it to make him remember what and who he was. So he would want to rectify his wrongs,” her tone was implying similarities to Calia. “We’d get knowledge that no one else has ever had. An internal insight and he’d start serving penitence for everything done.”
“Are you certain of that? How do you know it’s even possible?”
She raised a finger. “For one to be a demon, they have to make a deal. And deals with demons are never as they seem. Whatever Archimedes promised to have whatever he was looking for, it likely was not for his benefit. The deal would have been in favour of the demon who did it but those are not set in stone conditions. One can’t actually lose their memories like stray socks, sprout. It stays in one’s head. Demon’s are sneaky. They made him one, rather than killing him. Meaning he likely was worth more alive than dead. So I am guessing those very memories that made him Arc, rather than Archimedes the demon, are still there. Traumatic things can push those things back into place. And well, he is due some suffering and anguish.”
Eyes fell upon Calia once more. “What do you think. Do you think he’s better dead and gone. Because the weapons here will be sure to make sure of that. Or do we keep him alive and be of use if we can get things to be returned.” Ashera motioned to the tree, “What does the Fae Tree say with her profound knowledge.”
Fantastic, Arc had been a huge slut as an elven man as he was now. Completely annoyed with the idea, despite the fact she enjoyed her own activities, supposing it was because he was so much more obnoxious about it. Not really able to argue with either of them that letting loose a demon – even one that didn’t quite act the role of bloodthirsty mayhem maker – wasn’t really the best of ideas. He would cause trouble in one way or another, and if he didn’t… he was liable to open that dumb mouth of his and land in a terrible state just like this again. In the hands of some other power-mad monster to be used up as regeants in an evil spell. Perhaps even that Imperial Queen everyone seemed to be so afraid of.
Queen Ashera seemed to have some foresight, however. That if he were to remain and somehow be reminded of whom he was and be willing to make up for foul deeds, he could be of use for their kingdom. Someone with knowledge of the demon realm, how it works. All those demon lords and their hells and potential a wealth of additional information.
If he was actually as intelligent as they’d all seemed to claim. Calia was still having a hard time picturing that.
She followed Ashera’s gestured towards the tree, looking incredibly dubious about this means of speaking to it. Especially if the blasted, beautiful thing was going to start yelling in her ears again.
Still, for all the chaos she’d created today, this was the absolute least she could try. Tilting her head to listen, because she was fully aware the tree itself was paying it’s own attention. Having always watched over this court for an innumerous amount of generations.
The answer did not come in the form of a voice with clear words. A shift of wind, maybe, and that tugging pull that she’d felt on her arrival here. Curious causing her to fidget with her hands, to twist that spot on her finger where his marking had once been.
“She says he ought to be leashed until he remembers his place in the world,” she muttered, amused with the thought but not finding it at all helpful. “A contract or binding.”
“She is wise.” The queen bowed her head to that of the grand beautiful tree. Eyes following upwards to the streaks of bright light spreading downwards in halo’s of beauty. Smiling quietly to herself a moment till attention could be given back to the two before her. A nervous mountain princess and an fretting elven prince.
Reaching to cup that of son’s cheek. Brushing thumb over in hopes to alleviate the mass of growing worries that were turning likely into his own private little mountain inside. “Binding a demon to someone is not an easy feat. Especially when they are typically the ones who will do so. But not impossible.”
“What do you mean, driira?” The youngest prince furrowed his brows as she turned fingers over to let them caress backs down to chin. Lightly squeezing the spot before she released it. Pulling in breath to shortly release. Stepping over to kneel before the dias of imprisoning magic. Noting that ears lifted just enough to indicate that while the ghastly state of the man turned demon, was still quite aware of things. Folding her hands across knees and waiting for the horrid features to turn so they might present at least one of the rings of concentrated violet to her. Searching a quiet moment to see what it might say. But it lacked anger.
Or loathing.
Mirth nor mischievous.
Pain surely ruled but it wasn’t controlling everything. “We have the magic circle.” Ashera stated, “As it is already keeping him within its range. And just a bit of magic to bind or leash as you would, to someone.” Ashera tilted her head then looking between the two. Eventually turning back to the being, “Will you cooperate with the binding, pau daer?” Ears moved to show recognition, something in gaze had sparked only for sockets to squeeze shut and a deep low pained groan made it clear that she was right on the matter of memories. He still possessed them but they were blocked. Turning to near whining but nodding surprisingly.
Actually even she hadn’t expected agreement. “Then whom shall be the controller of your leash?” Ashera pointedly looked at Calia then.
Who knew that if you held on long enough without losing your temper or trying to murder someone that things could come to a place of calm resolution. Granted, there was so much more that Queen Ashera would have to deal with. Of her mages and her kingdom. Calia too had a lot to learn here, especially as she was not being thrown out on her ass or banished away. Still, for a very brief moment she could feel a little bit of that weight lifting off her own shoulders.
…then that devious woman turned to stare her down so pointedly, only a true idiot would’ve missed the context of just WHOM she intended to be bound. Immediately meeting that stare with a horrified expression that said not a fucking chance! in a dozen different languages she didn’t even speak!
Calia expected Queen Ashera to take that mantle, as it was the woman’s own son who lost all those years ago. Her own kingdom affected by all of Arc’s choices and decisions. Including this grand plan of hers to use the man to learn more about demons and their realms. It was the option that made the most sense.
Use his magic.
Although… With that helpful enticing little whisper from this pesky, annoying tree, that would be possible. Her head tilted the other direction, interested, thoughtful. There was a deep, deep desire to have magic flowing through her hands again, any magic at all just so she could feel closer to herself even in some tiny small way. Arc’s magic was no tiny insignificant thing! She’d be powerful again. No longer this weak, vulnerable squishy thing!
It was TOO enticing. Because what was going to happen with all that magic the next time she lost her temper. Calia was liable to kill someone and it wasn’t guaranteed to be someone that deserved it.
“I am not so sure it’s a good idea to put his magic in my hands,” she admitted, then and there. “Should he not be bound to you, your majesty? The one whom he actually owes reparations to?”
“I don’t have the means or the time to go out amongst the world to correct the means of one’s memory.” She stated simply, “I have subjects I need to attend too. A kingdom to be mindful of. Now mages that need to be dealt with and a mass creation of weapons that have to be altered, changed and managed in ways that is going to be no easy feat. And there is anger in my heart still. Not to mention, I have no aptitude for magic in general, it would not work well. It would be akin to taking steel and trying to merge it with water to make the same compound.”
The demon winced in the after math of whatever it was that resulted in the pain. Leaving her to stand up and reach out to hold Renus’ arm. “Nor would it be feasible to ask Renus to do so as a commander of the very order. This mess with the weapons is going to need his attention when the General returns as someone who has bared witness and I have tasks for him. Liriel is busy as a new mother and I would not subject her to that, add on she is the crown princess and Nysia is now trying to help you at the same time. There is too many potential issues that could arise.”
Renus sighed a bit, “You do have the history with him by being bound by a contract. Just this time, you’d be the contract owner. Not him. You’d be in control. You know what to expect right? And have the history of magic in your hands, even if yours is missing. It would only be until his memory is returned, if what the Fae Tree stated. Bind him till he has his memories. Then you could end the binding.”
The queen softened her gaze once more. “What does your heart say, Princess. What does the fae tree say? As you may not realize it, but to hear such a important being of our history, is a great honour. No elf in this age can and yet you, can. Think about that. Lean on her wisdom if you aren’t sure of your own. Otherwise we may just have to kill him and be without an advantage. It’s not a good idea to have him free on his own after all. But we won’t force you to do so. Just an answer does need to be made now. So we can decide if he is to be moved away to be executed or not. I know its not an ideal situation but we are limited on a solution.”
Calia never should have mentioned she could hear the tree. She could have made her pleas without that knowledge given and everything could have resolved itself fine on way or another. Surely. Instead, Queen Ashera had effectively listed off all the suggestions Calia might’ve made and perfect excuses on why none of them could take up the mantle that was Archimedes. They all had their duties and obligations that would make such a task more of a burden on them.
Well, so did Calia! He own problems to manage and Archimedes was such a pain in the ass!
Still, she could not discount the fact this tree was as ancient as the land they stood on. Ignoring the preening, smug thing (she could easily imagine it having the most wrinkly, smug old woman smile) would be an insult to something she did have a great deal of awe for. An instinctual respect for something of the old, ancient natural world that apparently still had power here to look over it’s living people, even if they couldn’t hear her.
And if Calia were honest, what else would she have when she left this kingdom on her own journey. She hated to admit that it had been easier traveling with company. More than that, though, the next time she ran into demons, she didn’t want to get beaten into the ground because there was one too many for her to handle with what skills she did hold.
Perhaps now was the time to take the Prince’s advice. No more running and hiding – take the responsibility.
“Well, I hope you know I’m going to be incredibly unpleasant once he’s well and talking again,” she warned them, with such a heavy sigh. Clearly acquiescing to the Queen’s request in that moment of deflation with a nod of her own. “I will take him.”
If there was anything to go by, it might have been both Calia’s informative statement about her state of being when the said demon was back to health. And how the currently one eyed demon seemed to be almost perfectly annoyed between hushed pained whines. Something about that caused Renus to hide the lower half of his face whilst Queen nodded her head elegantly to princess.
Showing a sense of palpable respect for the decision.
“Step this way,” Hand opening to gestures to where Calia was to come and stand. Or rather kneel in front of the living mutilation. “Declare what you need from this contract. His limitations and allowances. And when it ends. Then with him having already agreed to the binding, the magic circle will react. The chains, should the binding take affect, will break.” Pushing back stray locks of hair that had cone unraveled in her original excitement, Ashera smiled gingerly. An encouraging show.
“He will be bound by your word. Unable to do anything against your terms. But be mindful, not to break him. We want information and for his alliances to come to us, not forced. Even servants can break.” The queen warned as if having a prelude to cruelty at Calia’s hands if she felt inclined to do so. “The binding cannot be made for slavery otherwise we are no better than the demonic lot.”
A gradual motion to indicate the floor was open, Arc was watching once more. The annoyance gone but there was an obvious uncertainty. Still he made a bare tip of torn face to indicate he wasn’t about to fight either.
This truly was fate wasn’t it. Something bizarre woven long before she was ever even born, now come to roost in the form of this twisted, unwelcomed partnership. All Calia could do was hope that maybe in this second chance they could get through at bare minimum a week without wanting to strangle each other. That at least some good might come out of it.
Who was she kidding, twenty four hours max before she’d be fed up.
Regardless, at the Queen’s beckoning Calia did approach, kneeling down on her knees in front of this pitiful battered version of Archimedes. Somehow actually preferring the man form that had vexed her the first time she’d say it, to this abused and flesh carved monstrosity. Listening with due attention to the Queen’s instructions on how all of this was meant to work.
Calia got to set the terms this time. What a fun little detail. Not saying her thoughts out loud, unsure what weird thing would sliver into the binding by accident, merely catching his eye and making it very, very clear with that solid contact that she hadn’t forgotten all the mean shit he’d said and done. But there was a softening too when she leaned back with a quiet huff. Neither of them wanted this, but he didn’t deserve the torture he’d fallen into nor did he deserve to die.
“I’m not going to control you, Archimedes. I promise I will not try to kill you again, nor are you going to try to kill me,” likely the most important thing. Let them fight if they had to, but they could both sleep soundly knowing neither were liable to stab the other. Nor did she have any interest in trapping him like a caged bird, because such a thing was a horror to herself and this binding was already coming too close.
…that part was more for his sake than hers, though. Continuing quickly now that she’d decided a proper end to this new binding contract. Something better that wasn’t going to be all one sided where he reaped all the benefits and she just had to deal with his bullshit.
“I am going to use your magic in my own way and should I ever get my own back, you’re welcome have a go at it. You are free when you no longer need me, and I no longer need you. If you accept that, then let it be so.”
He would likely regain his memories sooner than later, and all Calia wanted was her heart back. That was an acceptable agreement to her.
As the princess came to follow the queen’s instructions, there was obviously some sort of strong familiarity between demon and human. Although not willingly if one had anything to say about it. Where he was curious the depth of how his parent knew how to bind someone to another, it would be a conversation for later. A private one. Likely to be part of a larger detailed talk that would ensure they were both asking and giving replies. For now, he was watchful. Studying the interaction even if said bastard that had rotted their kingdom was left without words.
Curious how long it took a demon to recover from the extent of injuries. He knew they healed impressively swift but he also had no idea what sort of caliber this Archimedes was. Evidently worrisome enough to topple a portion of their old lands and murder enough innocents. Strong enough he made contracts himself but no lord either.
As Calia spoke, Archimedes was watching. The lone iris following Calia with due focus. Ears telling how they moved slightly and body barely jiggled from the containment of various forms of solidifying him to one spot.
As she stated what the terms were going to be, how the contract would end and taking a look to mother to see whether she had any additional advice, there was a moment of pause. Royal violet focus drifting in a manner that indicated thought. So he wasn’t mindless as a part of him personally had hoped he was. Loathing the fact that even he could recall enough memories with Archimedes that he felt practically betrayed that the demon didn’t! He could sense the cruelty that his mother was going to put on the monster. To get back his memories was truly a means of psychological warfare.
There was a hesitation that seemed like the beast wouldn’t comply. But he nodded eventually.
Practically the motion igniting the magic circle to flare into a bluish glow that burst into a metallic clunk. Clay stones crumbling into fine soot and the sound of demon barely managing to throw hands forward to catch himself from going face first into the ground, pain ignited in a shrill hiss. Unable to keep himself from at least toppling sideways. Faltering down to elbow then the other to be a show of false praying. Noticeably trembling from easily the hold he had been in and the state of form, it was his mother that stepped forward. Offering hand to Calia to aid her to stand. “I think it’s time you took a bit of a break. This day has already gotten long and well, I doubt this one is going to be wily any time soon. Renus, grab a few guards to hoist Archimedes up and take him to at least a suitable dungeon to hold until Calia is ready for her minion.”
It was his nature however, “How can we help with the state of him?”
“We don’t. Let him suffer. As a reminder of what can happen if he decides to disobey Calia.” It bothered him to hear such a thing but he knew his mother was still angry as she had a right to be. Only he didn’t know if this was the way to go about it, but also wasn’t about to push against her decision either.
That metallic clunk heralded a twist in her that was alarming to be certain. For a split second feeling the entire scope of his pain before it ebbed away just as quickly, leaving behind a different sort of pulling. Discovering in that moment that this contract involved a lot more than what was previous, but also should have expected that he would now share her strength the same way she’d had his in that brief single day.
Wondering if now he bore a mark that reflected herself and what that would even look like.
Glancing at the offered hand, there was a sheepish look before she accepted it to draw herself back up to her feet. A terrible urge to immediate go reaching for his magic so she could weave it through her fingertips just to have it for a moment. Refusing to do so in that same breath as… well, he looked like his own kind of hell right now and needed it more than she did just to mend the damage. Unsure of how deep it went, but if that split second feeling was any indication, even as a demon he was going to need a good while to recover.
“I doubt he’ll stay in a dungeon cell any longer than I would’ve,” she remarked as a gentle warning. Not only was he a demon, he’d seen her break out of a cell. If he was as smart as they said, he’d likely have tricks of his own too.
The sound of rest was becoming a heavenly phrase, however, quickly nodding her agreement that she was more than ready to go do so. If not for her mental state that had been obliterated to the moon and back, this new pulling needed it’s chance to balance itself out.
Somehow the great tree preened it’s smug pleasure enough to be a robust shimmer of green in it’s spring leaves.
There was a gentle pat-pat to the back of hand with the warning. Both a sort of hint of what she knew and just how much trouble she could have been as well. Only for the queen to level a quiet sort of imposing gentle pressure onto the girl. “We have our ways.” Not about to declare the depth of what they could or could not too. Never mind the fact that as a queen, a former parental figure and someone with memories to what the once upon a time elf did as a youth, she was probably more aware that nature didn’t shift everywhere to make things entirely different.
She actually expected the being to escape. Was mentally encouraging it for it was going to help her discover the depths of what was still Arc and what was now a demon. Such things were kept to herself while glancing backwards to see Renus working his way around to determine how to handle the creature with her orders issued.
Letting the two of them gravitate out of the grand hall –not without a proper bow to the grand glittering tree and a word or three upon the native tongue that bid the ancient being proper respect. And knowing that there was much to learn now with said not quite human princess. She’d have to do some additional quiet work.
As they moved into the doorway that led into a sprawling room, the queen lightly shut the door behind. Paying little heed to her own grand office but motioned they were to sweep out from it into the attached hallway. Intending to escort the young woman personally back to her allocated room and to naturally check in on her daughters. After all the scene that had unfolded was not for the faint of heart. Even the strong of heart, it had been quite the affair. “This would be the time to ask things before I am far too busy to even give you a glance of eye, princess.” The queen smirked a little as if she needed to encourage conversation. “Even something as simple as if we have chocolate in the palace for dessert.”
Calia was a little surprised at this lingering means of contact and even more surprised that the Queen herself escorting her off. Finding it all too intimidating to walk with the woman, who was so perfectly actualized and confident with herself. Full of multiple lifetimes of experience, both good and bad. And even despite this slip of her poise in regards to Archimedes, had control and certainty about her. It didn’t matter what power Calia held or how hard she could fight to survive, it was such a different sort of strength in Queen Ashera that Calia could not compare.
“Where do you-” she cut off with the false start, frowning then and switching gears. “Why do I-” No, that question wasn’t any good either.
The princess was finding she had way too many questions. About Ashera herself, her family, the elven lands… about how one lives up to the title of being a queen without being a menacing brute.
“How do you trust the ones around you without worrying about it every single second? When do you just let it go and let it be, after experiencing what I’m sure has been many betrayals in the past? Because it’s hard. I don’t want to be solitary, but people are… difficult after some time.”
There was no actual rush for the girl to find the cement of her questions. However long they took to percolate into something truly solid didn’t actually matter. The parts that were important as the means of the girl thinking. Outside the realm of her own inclusive personal bubble. A task that went unmentioned for it was a task for each and individual soul to complete nearly every day. It went without saying and didn’t need a lecture as if this was some academic learning.
Each half started question that found itself thrown into the void was enough of a telling that at least Calia was thinking.
Eventually settling on a expansive question that was more personal than generalize. Whether she realized it or not.
“I trust because if I do not, I would be spending far too much time trying to micromanage every little detail. I might as well be running the entire kingdom by myself and in turn, I would be making many critical mistakes while being angry to why no one was helping. Even due to the fact that I would be in my own way while blaming others. People show you who they are and you should believe them. But they are people. Living entities that are not perfect. If you live in a world thinking that everyone needs to be here,” Ashera made a flat plank of her hand indicating a sort of pedestal of stature, “And they don’t meet it, then you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
Breath pulled so it might turn into a gentle sigh. “People are difficult. But they are also a balance to yourself. If you believe everyone is against you or that they are just ultimately going to betray you, you’re going to wear yourself out. A kingdom, even a family is not run on one person. It functions best when there are all different kinds of people. The good. The mischievous and the bad. We all have good qualities. And bad. It’s those who do not try to mend the bad quirks that tend to be the ones you best avoid. To know when to protect your peace and when to fight is a very hard skill to learn.”
Ashera cleared her throat, “I choose to let it go by a few reasons. Questions I ask myself. Ones of, will this moment benefit me to hold onto or to let it go. Will I feel better if I act rashly or with thought? I gauge my thoughts to the situation and decide what will be more beneficial.” Of course a finger remained lifted to indicate just a second, “It’s not always the best choice I make either. I am just as flawed as the next person, I just try to make amends when I do something wrong.”
As hand fell and they were walking along the long golden path corridor, Ashera sighed. “Today was proof of that. And I will not lie to you and say that I am suddenly all better. But the difference is this. All those years where I truly believed that should this moment have ever appeared, I would not have been swayed from my choice to slaughter… it was proven wrong. My will is strong and my anger is hot. But, I still possess memories of a past. And it is a struggle to surprisingly look at someone that had done so much wrong and realize that as much as I want to hate them, I remember them as they were. Now this is my cross to bare and to think on. To debate and see where I can make the choice to do better. Rather than to replicate the actions of savagery because it would just temporarily ease my ire.”
The queen patted her hand again, “I know that probably doesn’t help a lot. But that’s my truth, sprout.”
It seemed like it was obvious when Ashera spoke aloud like this, not that it made it any easier to do. Before, at least she had that ability to leave it be if someone had irked her or disappointed her. She could walk away and never see them again, so even if it did hurt, what they’d said or did didn’t matter anymore. There was a clear boundary then too between her outer self and her inner self, one that was safe for her to exist in and allowed herself to at least trust people to a small extent as they’d never see the truth of her.
Now there were no barriers left and not only could Calia not hide behind her secrets, she had to be a public face seeking out and interacting with others. What people thought of her mattered now, else how was she ever supposed to rebuild a kingdom. But she couldn’t force people to like her and it was an impossible task to expect everyone to!
“So it seems I have to stop trying to control and worry about what people say and do, and instead control myself and how I manage it,” she muttered, finding at least that understanding there.
That was going to be a pain in the ass.
“Thank you for giving me the chance,” she did finally say in earnest, glancing to the woman. “Even if you did stick me with Archimedes and I’m going to spend the coming weeks wanting to pull my own hair out.”
“You’ll make yourself miserable trying to control others or worrying about what they may say and do. It’s a fatigue that will eat away at you in such a way that when you realize it, it could be too late. All you can do is for you. How you feel. What you need. Boundaries are not a bad thing to have, Princess. And those who cannot respect the ones you put down, are not worth your time. You need to value yourself but not hold yourself better than anyone else. It’s a very difficult thing to manage, trust me.”
All one could do was be themselves. To keep themselves safe but not so tightly woven that they were afraid to be who they are. It was really quite the balancing act after all.
And this one didn’t even know who she was. At least not to the fullest extent. Which was going to need some time as well. Hoping that the fae tree and Nysia would be able to help in those efforts without throwing too much on this one’s shoulders. They were already struggling to hold up so much.
A soft hum promptly turned into a easy chuckle. “Considering the demon had agreed to let this happen rather than fight against it, you may not be pulling your hair out.” They had approached the door that was the room for the young woman, where the queen lightly squeezed that of shoulders. “One day at a time Calia. Regardless of how many years one can live, each day is a new challenge. To think of it as a sprint every day, you’ll tire yourself out. It’s a marathon, pace yourself.”
“I’m failry certain he hates me, but has sense enough to save himself, at least.” Was all she could really say about Archimedes. In the end he was always self serving. Maybe he wasn’t that way when he was an elven man, but sure as hell was as a demon!
Calia gave the Queen a gentle bow, not something she would do for many, but this woman deserved every ounce of respect she could give her. Bidding a weary goodbye to enter that of her own private room in the palace. Pausing to lean against the door to take in a deep breath and let it out slow.
This wasn’t how she thought the day would turn out! Unsure, even now whether or not any of this could be a good thing, or a disaster waiting to happen. Only certain in knowing she was going to have to figure her shit out and try harder than she had been. Not to just say she was trying only to turn around and fall into the same bullshit she always did. But to actually take actions that went against her usual habits, even when it felt strange and unwanted.
Shifting away from the door in a fluid motion of removing boots and unnecessary articles of clothing to head straight for bed. While the events alone were enough to have her exhausted, it really was that tugging pull of this new binding that seemed to be taking the heaviest toll. The demon had to have been in such a horrible state for even Calia to be feeling it now, so it was truly best for the both of them if she just crawled into bed and slept it off as much as she could.
Sure that now things had been settled with Archimedes, there would be a great deal of changes within the palace going on, and incredibly thankful that at least that was not something she had to be involved with! Only needing to worry about when the Princess Nysia would come collect her for an enthusiastic mentorship. Knowing with a faint scene of dread that it was liable to be more taxing than any sort of weapons training.
…grinning to herself as she collapsed into bed, because it meant that now Archimedes was going to have to suffer that same fate as well.