then there was fate

many things seemed to celestine to be strange these days. people no longer acting themselves; abilities shifting. she didn’t care for it. not at all. she longed for the predictable. to wake and walk among known liabilities. she hadn’t lived this long as a subservient being seated at the heel of the king and royal family for all of her work and effort to be for nothing. unknown variables equated to unknown risks. she was powerful, the most powerful witch known to exist; but even she was not incapable of death. she had her limits, for things to change now was…concerning.

still, her concern was easily hidden as she heard the greeting, head cocked for a moment, listening, like a cat on the prowl attempting to keep track of its prey. she’d felt a swell of magic, something soothing and sweet. something she had been drawn to, even as she worried in the back of her mind that cecilia had struck again. worried she would find the village of garudo burned to the ground, naught but cinders remaining. when she was sure the trail she had been following had indeed, run cold, she sighed internally before a smile graced her features. 

“sir rowan,” was offered by way of greeting, a gentle tip of her head as much respect as she was expected to give to one below her own station as nation’s savior, silly as it was. she watched him quietly for a moment, eyes of complex brown taking in his posture, how he held himself. their last encounter had been strange to say the very least. he had seemed more a child in the midst of a storm than a bold and brave night of elestren. he seemed more himself now, but the good witch couldn’t help but to wonder if the panic had been an act, or if it was the swaggering confidence of a knight that was the true deceit. 

with curiosity burning and having lost her original target, she allowed her own countenance to soften, gentling as her smile grew sweeter. “i hadn’t intended to be here, but something required my attention.” eyes running over him a final time she hummed. “unfortunately it seems i was too late to be of assistance after all, and it has been a while since i walked the village. though, i might say the same about you, sir knight.” it was an actual battle to keep her brow from hiking upwards in curiosity, to keep the accusation from her tone. “regardless, it is good to see you. it seems you are feeling better than you were when last we met." 

“ah, i don’t want to assume anything but it almost sounds as if it was a good thing you didn’t find what you thought,” there was a smile that curved the corner of his lips. no accusation in his words but he certainly had a feeling that perhaps, she had some in her mind.

hearing her bring up the last time they had run into each other, he could already feel a little warmth on his cheeks. whether he liked it or not. but he chuckled in acknowledgment as he nodded. “i am feeling much better.” rowan started, relief in his words because it had been difficult. “in truth i was having a few days where i wasn’t feeling like myself. as if the choices i made in this life were anything but mine.” he rambled in explanation. close enough to the truth that it was indistinguishable.

@nbmrowan​

Rowan had been acting a bit off the last few days, but Matteo had taken it in stride. His Captain of the Guard must have a reason for his odd behavior. He trusted his faithful knight and could think of no one better to help with this demonic uprising. 

There had been whispers of demons preying on Elestrens in their own forest.  People were disappearing, though it was often no one would miss. Considering his own parents–no, the Griffiths– lived in the woods, it had become personal for Matteo. Though their relationship was nonexistent now, they had cared for him for many years. The least he could was make sure they could go into their own garden without fear.

Matteo wondered if the demons were under the orders of the Dark Witch. Was this some kind of covert attack? Was it a way for her to try and take over their kingdom? Though it had been three-hundred years, was that even a long time to an immortal? She could be bidding her time. After all, who would want to rule the Darien Vale when they could rule Elestren?

Matteo had trained under a different captain of the guard, but he admitted that Rowan likely knew more of what he was doing. Still, he was glad the guard was at least willing to let him pretend he was the lead on this mission. “The encampment should be close by,” he said. 

As this was a stealth mission, they were in minimal armor and Rowan was the only member of the army coming along. “Hopefully, there aren’t too many demons. Still, promise to leave me some,” he said, jokingly bumping Rowan’s shoulder.

it was all a little too much.. that didn’t stop the universe from piling on just a little bit more. in the form of the crowned prince looking to see what there was going on regarding the missing people. ones taken from their own woods and if there were demons at work. hua knew, logically, that should sound exciting but also, logically, he wasn’t rowan and didn’t know how to fight demons. 

of course the captain of the guard would be with the prince, really, he probably should have told him to completely back off and take the lead but... he.. didn’t. nodding along as the prince spoke, he desperately searched his mind for his name. he knew it, but everything in the moment was a blank.. oh no. 

the shoulder bumping into his was all the pulled him out of his small internal panic. the small chuckle he let out was, almost mechanical, “of course, couldn’t take all of the fun..” confident knights said that right? definitely a thing. “but if it’s agreeable, we should do some reconnaissance. before rushing in..” it seemed reasonable. cautious..