I'm a bit dissatisfied with this chapter, but posting it up anyways.
As per usual, comments, et al.
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[Act I, Chapter IV - Herald of the Storm]
The ambassadors from the Orchid Kingdom had an exquisite grace in their stride, Yossie noted. When they came to a halt a few feet away from where Queen Sayumi stood, the three women gave a polite bow of respect.
Just as Yoshizawa opened her mouth to protest, her remonstrance died in her throat. The general found herself utterly speechless as she looked agape at Rika and her attendants. Their appearance was so bizarre that Yossie found herself lost for words. She recoiled in instinctive horror as she realized the bright aura the foreigners generated came from blasphemous sigils that revolved about their heads, some of which winked in and out of existence. The aversion was only deepened upon further examination - Yossie noticed all of them had marble-white skin and ice blue eyes that sparkled in the torchlight.
Rika was the first to rise from her salute. She wore a thin, revealing lace dress whose color seemed to be in a constant state of change. The diplomat brushed a strand of silver hair from her flawless face before she spoke to the queen in a melodic tone. "Your Highness," began Rika, "The Orchid Kingdom graciously offers whatever aid we may render you in your struggle against the tyrant Fujimoto. These are dark times we live in, Queen Sayumi, and only united can we hope to prevail over the Empire..."
Suddenly, Yoshizawa felt a warm scent in her nostrils, a heady odor of perfume that entered through her head and dripped down her spine. It relaxed the tense general, and she could feel her suspicion and xenophobia slough off bit by bit. A voice in the back of her head brought her back to full consciousness however, and she snapped out of her reverie with some shock. Yossie looked around the council chamber, noticing with vague terror that everyone else wore a pleased, satisfied expression as Rika continued to speak. With a single fluid motion, Yoshizawa's right arm flew to her left hip and drew her sword.
The light from the visitors reflected off the blade as Yossie flourished her weapon. She leveled the point at Rika, who turned to look at the sword now just inches away from her head. Everyone else in the room seemed oblivious to the standoff.
"Foul witch," snarled Yoshizawa, "I will tolerate no sorcery in the presence of my liege and sovereign."
Rika sighed in a bored sort of way, before waving her hand. Instantly, the smell vanished; the faces of Queen Sayumi and others in the chamber changed from placid delight to utter confusion. It was surprising, Yossie noted, that Rika merely continued to talk as though nothing had happened.
"My apologies. It was merely my intention to render this esteemed council more receptive to our prescence."
Sayu's voice betrayed no hint of her inner anger. "Be that as it may," said the young queen flatly, "I will tolerate no more use of magic. We will either converse with our wits intact or this meeting is over."
Yoshizawa sheathed her sword as the queen finished. "Your Highness, witness the depths of their treachery. They wish to hoodwink us, to use the Lilac Kingdom as a shield against the fury of the Empire."
The girl on Rika's right now flashed a glare at Yoshizawa, and began muttering under her breath. However, Rika turned towards her - the other girl abruptly ceased her incantation. "No, Erika. This common slime is not worth your hatred." Rika now craned her head towards the Queen. "This is an outrage. A vulgar soldier has no place in the business of nobles and kings."
Sayu fumed. "That vulgar soldier is General Hitomi Yoshizawa." she began in a cold voice. "And you will show her the respect due to a servant of my crown, Lady Ishikawa."
Rika raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? Well then, Hitomi-chan," said the diplomat mockingly, "forgive me for mistaking you for a commoner. Perhaps you should ask your tailor to make sure your clothing matches your station." She looked derisively at Yossie's appearance; with the exception of her cloak, the general was indistinguishable from a simple peasant.
"Better poorly dressed than not dressed at all Rika-chan." snapped Yossie, referring to Rika's thin and immodest garb. The two girls stared daggers at each other, unblinking with mutual disgust.
"Enough." ordered Queen Sayumi. "Every moment we waste with pointless sniping is another moment that Empress Fujimoto plots the downfall of both of our nations."
"Sorry, Your Highness." said Yossie bluntly, though she continued to glare at Rika. For her part, the Orchid Kingdom ambassador turned away.
"You speak words of wisdom, Queen Sayumi. Let us return to the matter at hand, and away from these meaningless distractions." She shot a pointed look at Yossie, whose face was scarlet with fury. "As I stated earlier, it is only through unity that we may conquer the threat that we all face. Without our aid, I believe the Lilac Kingdom will fall beneath Fujimoto's heel."
Yossie snorted. "I fought the Empire's slave-soldiers three years ago. We crushed them so thoroughly that we couldn't find a place to bury all of their dead. We need no help from the likes of you, witch. Our army can stop them once again."
"Perhaps you didn't notice," responded Rika, "but your precious army has been all but destroyed." Queen Sayumi blushed with humiliation at these words, and looked at her feet ashamed. "And this time," continued the diplomat in an even tone, "Miki has new tricks to play. I doubt she will have much difficulty dealing with your crippled forces, Yocchan."
The way Rika used the dimunitive form of her name grated badly on Yoshizawa's nerves. She tried hard to keep her voice level. "What kind of tricks are you talking about, witch?"
"Magical ones."
Rika continued. "A traitor to the Orchid Kingdom, who shall remain nameless, transferred many tomes of arcane knowledge to the Empress in exchange for titles and gold. Fujimoto has instructed her commanders in the deepest, darkest secrets of magic, with which they have used to great effect. Already, the Empire of the Rose has annexed the Tulip Dominions using their newfound powers. You of all people should know this."
This was news to Yossie. She raged inwardly, frustrated with her ignorance created by a year out of command. However, she kept an impassive exterior, betraying no hint of her emotions. "Then why do you warn us of this, Rika-chan?" asked Yossie. "What does it matter to your masters if the Lilac Kingdom falls? There is no love lost between our countries."
There was a sigh before Rika responded. "If the Lilac is crushed, then the Orchid will follow. We offer our support in sincerity, and all you can do is suspect ulterior motives? For shame, Yocchan."
"I have had experience with your kind, witch." growled Yoshizawa. "Your people are a scheming one, and I will not see the Lilac Kingdom used as a pawn in your games."
"Then you will see your precious Kingdom burnt to the ground by Empress Fujimoto. Only with our powers can your country hope to stand against the Empire."
Yossie sighed. "Fine. What help will the Orchid Kingdom give us?"
Rika smiled. "The Lilac will receive the infinite power of the cosmos." She nodded to the girl on her left. "Greetings, General Yoshizawa. I am Lady Yui Okada. We three will tutor you and all other leaders of the Lilac military in the ways of sorcery and magic."
The Queen now spoke again. "Please accept my thanks for this generous offer."
General Yoshizawa was aghast. But, she reasoned, it was better to gamble with the Orchid Kingdom's inscrutable plots than to see her country reduced to ashes by a magic-wielding Empire. Nonetheless, she felt a lump form in the pit of her stomach as the three diplomats left. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she felt so uneasy, but her soldier's instincts told her something terrible was coming.
A storm was brewing on the horizon...
Topic: A Kingdom's Lament [Act 1, Ch.5] (Read 12731 times)