I will not fail

“Oh. Yes, I see it.” Not quite done with speaking, Ellinor tries to sort out the thoughts that run wild in her head, with little success.  “So it would not be a breach of contract if I told people you were just a friend keeping me company?”. 

Tyrina’s eyes were kept on the brunette princess before her. For so long she had waited for another one to protect, someone who would give her life a purpose again, someone who made all those years of training worth something. She was not one to be happy too early, something could still go wrong though, as long as the contract wasn’t properly sealed there was always a way out. But right now she could see Ellinor’s resentment waver. She was so close...

“This could prove disastrous but if it is the will of the people,I will stand by it.”

“I do not think the people are in the right position to chose now. They are not objective, they do not need to carry the sentence out themselves. It is easy to kill someone if all it takes is your word.”

Ellinor found herself being both relieved and anxious by Tyrina’s answer, improbable as that was. Relieved because she had not lost something that she wanted, but anxious because she was not quite sure that she did want it. Or need it, for that matter. “I… I have been thinking about this, you see. If I was… If I was to make a deal with you… Would it be known to the people around us? Or could it be kept a secret?” She asked hesitantly.

The warrior kept a smile from forming on her lips again, she had not expected such a question and could not help but feel happy and contempt. Yes, Tyrina had not wasted her time telling the princess about her profession. “If you desire someone to know, you can of course tell them. Otherwise it will stay a secret. I would have to visit you more frequently though, if I am to keep you save. It is after all not something that can be done from the distance”

“I have, thank you. And yourself?” She looks around, making sure they are not being watched, although she’s not quite sure there’s a need for it. “And have you made any… business deals lately?”

Tyrina smiled at the question though the answer does worry her a little more than she admits. “I have been fine too, but no we seem to live in times of peace now. I yet have to find someone who is in dire need of my protection, someone who understands that our times are still very dangerous. You would not know of such a person, would you?”

“It’s been a while since we have talked.”

“Yes, indeed. And I hope you have been well since then, princess.”

“It seems to me that the only way to gain power through them would involve the thieves showing themselves. To ask for something in return for the jewels perhaps? Should we just sit around and wait for the culprits to make their move? Or do you believe there is some other way they could use the stolen items?”

“Things like that, things people believe to be powerful, always hold power of a magical kind. Surely the artefacts stolen from the rulers of the badlands were of magical nature in some way and for the other jewels... One could do a lot with such items. And they have already done a lot. The kingdoms feel insecure once again it will not take long until they start searching for the culprits in their own ranks and turn on each other.”

“So which one is it? Do you believe this was the perfect crime? Or perhaps this thief has left a trail that we can pick up?”

“I have hunted many a person in my time. Everyone leaves a trail, no matter how small. Albion is the land of justice, surely they think no crime to be perfect. And in these kingdoms nothing stays hidden for long. Whoever stole those jewels will surely want to use them somehow. Why steal them if not to gain power through them?”

Ellinor thought the woman’s words denoted some sadness, or else she was just projecting her own feelings concerning what Tyrina had said. She enjoyed being tranquil, calm, without a care in the world - even if those instances were getting rarer by the hour. An existance in which she had to be on her guard every single moment was difficult for her to imagine. And yet Tyrina did not seem to resent her way of living, she seemed comfortable in it. “No, I’m sure I will be just as merry showing you the castle. And if I’m not, the night is still young, There will be plenty of time for me to celebrate afterwards,”

“Of course there will be! I imagine these festivities will continue throughout the entire night. I thank you for your generous offer then.” Tyrina smiled, intrigued now by the prospect of getting to see a side of Albion she yet had to discover. She looked forward to leaving the room, too, towards having some time alone with the young princess. Who knew, maybe it could even help her achieve her own tasks in some way. “You grew up in this castle, did you not? It must have been quite an interesting place to play in.” She smiled, motioning for Ellinor to lead the way. 

“Well, yes, it’s guarded… really well guarded… I think.”  Ellinor was trying to be positive, but her good mood had suffered a light blow, at the very least. “You could try and be joyful too, you know. Do you know the castle well? I could show you around.”

“No, I have not been to the castle grounds many times before, at least not to most parts of it.” Tyrina tried to remember the last time she had been inside the castle. Was it during the war, when she met those soldiers at the stables? She could not remember. “It is not my task to be joyful. For joy can be blinding. I have to keep my eyes and ears open, to protects those that need protection. But yes, I would love to see more of the castle, see its defences for myself. Are you sure you would not be happier here with all these celebrating people though?”

“I don’t understand how they got away. Isn’t the castle surrounded?”

“Cloaking spells, Shadow magic, maybe they used brute force to escape and somewhere a poor guard is lying dead in the shadows, maybe they had friends in the castle... There are so many possibilities. Anyone could have done this in any way possible.”

“Don’t apologise. You only spoke what was in everyone’s mind. Everyone with sense that is.” The woman’s frankness was a breath of fresh air, really.

“What makes you say so? Have you seen or heard something?”

“I saw nothing today, and I heard even less. But this is not my first ball. Festivities like this always work for the darkness. But do not let me destroy your joy. I am sure the hall is well guarded.”

“I would consider it a failure if it did not draw a few pair of eyes, I will admit that.”

She smiled at the courtesans remark, before letting her gaze drift through the hall. It was interesting to see so many different people once again united in celebration and for a short moment hope began to rise in her chest, hope that this could be a future for them all...

“Isn’t this exciting?”

“Excitement can turn into danger faster than one expects. Especially if so many people spend time together.”

Ariadne circles the castle’s large hall, her gifts – fine silk and a bottle of richperfume -  had been collected before shewas admitted inside.  She admires thedecorations and the vestments the guests are porting. The courtesan is wearingone of her finest dresses – white, richly embroidered at the top, flowinglightly all the way to the floor.  Shewears a thick cape to protect herself from the cold of the winter months, butthe dress itself only starts under her shoulders, and the bottom becomes see-throughat half the length of her thighs. She wished to look like a lady from afar, butreveal her true position for those who cared to look up close, and she thoughtthe dress told just that story.  She walksaround; searching the hall for any familiar or interesting faces, and hearssomeone approaching her from behind.  Sheturns to see who it might be.

“What a delight to meet you again. I would apologise for staring, but I suppose a dress as beautiful as yours was sewn for staring at." Tyrina's voice was low and soft, her words meant for the courtesan in front of her and not for the entire hall to hear. But she herself could not tell how much truth they held. The young warrior had entered the hall not to find a celebration but to spin her web further, hopefully finally finding someone to agree to a deal before her sisters became as uneasy as she was starting to get. Her own dress was cut in a rather unremarakable fashion, for the colour itself was attention grabbing itself: The dark red colour of blood to symbolize not only her own past but that of the kingdoms. Tyrina had put more thought into her own attire than into the gift for king and queen, after all she hoped this night would change one or more things for her. "I do hope you are enjoying yourself, Lady Ariadne. It seems to be quite the cheerful celebration from what I gathered so far. I only just arrived though, have I missed anything yet?"