Letters of the Dead [closed]

[Saalyn]

Saalyn trailed the Queen at a slow pace, sensing Alecto fall in step behind her as they were led further into the Royal Palace. Was it wise to blindly follow these people deeper into the fortress? Stepping inside the cage of a lion was one thing; sticking one’s head within its mouth was another. Alecto’s presence did bring Saalyn some sense of comfort, but it did not serve to completely ease her anxiety. Still, the Branwyn listened to what Annette had to say with a keen ear and a calm expression, even though her other senses were on alert for any suspicious movements around them.

Upon hearing that the Queen held not even the slightest hint of concern about the Sluagh, Saalyn’s brow knitted together, if only for the blink of an eye. Was this woman’s confidence borne out of a solid certainty in strength? Or was she just so pompous, so obsessed with her own image and bloated ego, that she cared not about the threat she could potentially be exposing her people to? From what she had witnessed thus far, Saalyn could only see truth in the latter.

These thoughts left Saalyn wondering how the Seelie honestly did not see any wrongs with this woman. Despite being Seelie, she at least gave them a little credit in regards to their intelligence. Or at least she had. Now she wasn’t sure if they were so deserving of even a small portion of her respect. Or was it that Annette was so powerful and influential that they dared not rise against her, and their intelligence was represented in their inaction? No, submitting to an unjust leader was never an option, especially if he or she was as selfish as Annette seemed to be.

Before she could say anything, though, Saalyn heard the woman behind her speak up, and to her words, the blonde nodded in agreement. If Annette did not see any reason to be mindful of the Sluagh, then there was no point in staying here, as she would likely not divulge any useful information to the two Unseelie unless there was equally useful information to be gained.

“Yes,” Saalyn echoed, sending Alecto a fleeting glance before settling her eyes once more upon the Queen, “It seems that your kingdom is well under your control, Your Highness, and that we have only wasted your time. For that, you have my deepest apologies.” The blonde sidhe paused long enough to bow before continuing. “We will not disturb you any longer than need be. We shall depart immediately. Thank you for your time, Your Highness,” she stated, giving one last quick bow before she turned on her heel to leave.

OOC: Decided to stop it here in case anyone else had more to say :]

[Queen Annette]

The queen smiled as Alecto spoke as she shifted her gaze to the sidhe that had interested with her. Though Annette did not view the Host as a threat, as she had been alive to see their grand army in action, she was still amused by the Unseelie’s decision to send these two messengers. Saalyn was an obvious choice, well mannered and tempered even in the face of Annette’s unrelenting arrogance. Alecto, however, seemed to be biting her tongue to the point of drawing blood, she wasn’t to lash out at Annette and the queen could see it. She wasn’t a messenger but she didn’t appear to be a warrior, what was her stake in all of this?

Still, the queen didn’t voice any of these questions and simply nodded. ”You’re not staying for a drink?” She asked, once again ignoring anything the two had said. The Seelie court’s stance had always been that of the idea that the Host should have been dealt with radically. Allowing a non-faerie race to live within the bowels of a faerie kingdom only afforded them time to grow stronger, strength that would dilute the faerie magic that resided in Alanor.

She sighed, ”Very well, then. See them out.” As she breathed the words the lions crept towards them, standing and waiting for the faerie to follow them. However, Annette wasn’t done with the faerie before her and she spoke again, ”Cel did not send you here to warn me, ladies, he sent you here because he fears the Host and their King. It was his blood that allowed those monsters to remain in Alanor, and if his people are harmed by them it will be viewed as his fault. The King has many enemies, and they will jump at the opportunity to seize the throne. I understand if you believe me to be crass, but I have ruled for hundreds of years, and I am the Fae of Reticent Fury, your king has much to learn. So tell him this: if he wishes to avoid discontent amongst his people, destroy the Host. If he fears they are rising against him, he must make the first move. The Unseelie once helped us so I will help him if he acts on my advice. If he does not, I will not waste my peoples’ lives to put down a Host rebellion that does not concern me.” Her speech ended and she bowed, she had said all that needed to be said. Cel was young and while he might have believed her to be his natural enemy, she had no qualms with the Unseelie aside from the very obvious contrast in cultures. She would act upon the Host if Cel saw it fit, and with the combined might of two courts they would easily squash the creatures. But if the Unseelie allowed it to become victims of the Host, she would not intervene. The Darkling Throne could be ruled by monsters, she didn’t care. She would eternally reign in the light.