Kieshra Shapeshifters

[Galadas]

(Best bred :3 also, I didn’t know how long the journey would be, and since I began writing it as if Darafv and Oluk were at least two days away from the city, I thought, at best speed, Oluk could be there within 12 hours x] )

‘I did not flee!’ Oluk snapped, stepping forward towards the Falcon. His teeth were showing.
His father wasn’t too happy about how his son did things. He grabbed him by his arm and pulled him back. ‘Show some respect, Oluk,’ he snapped as well. But his voice was much harder than that of his son. He apologized to the Falcon, mostly surprising those who were also in the room. ‘If you would be so kind to leave us,’ he said to the Falcon and the royal Bears. They seemed to take his question as a command and without saying an other word, they left the room.
Within a minute Oluk was alone with Carvvol.
‘You left Darafv,’ Carvvol said. It wasn’t even a question; it was a downright accusation.
‘He can take care of himself,’ the heir replied.
‘You left your brother to do the mission I ordered the two of you to do!’ suddenly his voice became harsh with anger. He seemed to take in Oluk as if he was a failure, Maybe he was, he made it that all bonds would be hard to hold between the Bears and the Falcons. Unless Darafv made sure the queen believed his lies.
‘You wanted me out of the country, that’s why you send me and Darafv to do some stupid mission that we both know is never going to happen!’ Oluk felt like a ten year old again. He had had many fights with his dad when he was much younger, mostly because his father was always concerned about Darafv safety, because he always had to look out for him. It annoyed him to the point of daring rebellion.
‘There is more going on than you know, my son, and you will understand soon enough. But mind you, Darafv was your responsibility, you are his brother, and you’re much stronger than him. He knows what to say, but words don’t solve every problem.’
That was bear logic: words don’t’ solve every problem.
Oluk averted his gaze, growled and wished for once his father would agree on his choice.

‘My lord.’
Darafv had his mouth full of bacon and eggs when a messenger of the Queen came in.
'Your presence is requested.'

Instead of riding at the side of Hill, like he was used to doing, the strange people he had become acquainted with, wanted to keep him at their sides. They probably figured he would run off when he got the chance: which was exactly what he was thinking, but there was no way out for him now.
The tall man was by his side, even while they had known each other for almost a full day now, he still didn’t know the man’s real name, neither did he ask. The tall man and the bald man and any man around them all called him ‘sir’. Someone Tosha was already happy enough to know the bitchy old lady wasn’t around no longer, she was up ahead, riding in her own convoy. He doubted that he would never see her again. The idea of seeing another city for the first time in his life while being held hostage enraged him, yet he couldn’t lash out, while his mind was racing to do some damage.
Meanwhile the tall man was talking about the foundation of the Protectors of the North, about the Humans they faced and eventually about the origin of the name: White Walkers. He didn’t even seem to notice that Tosha wasn’t paying attention. The heir only stared ahead, where Hill sat on her horse, looking miserable as she was still bound to the reigns. As good a friend he was, he had asked them to release her, but they weren’t fond of the idea.
He would not win their trust if he kept doing what he did, he would only make them treat him even worse. And from time to time, Tosha got the feeling that they weren’t being honest with him. Why kidnap a Prince to play an infiltrator if you’re guessing at the fact that he won’t be as happy to join.
He suspected something was amiss.
‘From that day onward, legend had them named White Walkers, disguising the truth simply in the lack of knowledge about those creatures beyond our borders to the North. A very exceptional tale, is it not?’
Tosha nodded, but all he could think was: Come find me, Hengi, please, come find me

[Cara]

(sorry, I have my post, but I am not satisfied with it. LOL. so I'll post as soon as possible!)

[Cara]

(hahah, alright. It takes a few days at least. It's a big country. For speed's sake we'll say they were on the road for a few days already.... -_-
I'll start my post. I have some plans about the falcons and the white walkers, though they're not solid yet)

Hengi looked from the young man to Mersena...Cale? Mersena? Whoever she was.
He slipped his dagger out from his sleeve, tense. "King's men?" he demanded of him. The other man nodded. Damn. Had he been spotted? Seen? He had been so careful... He was stupid to wait... Hengi listened closely. They were coming.

"Cale, we can't stay here. Not if they find you. And they only said a person with red eyes. They could think it was you!" he said. Dallion looked at the door and then the window. They couldn't jump, it was too high, and someone would see them. He looked at the young man with red eyes. There was no time to ask questions. "You," Dallion commanded, looking at Hengi. "Hide under the bed, there." The red-eyed man hesitated, assessing the situation quickly, before darting under the bed.
Dallion grabbed Cale by the shoulders, stepping closer. He could hear the soldiers pounding up the steps. Next door, a woman shouted as the door was kicked in. "Hey, what are you--" "Oh, sorry..." "Let's go..."
Mersena's eyes were frightened. "I'm sorry for this," Dallion whispered to her, as he shoved her against the wall. "Keep your eyes closed," he whispered, right before he kissed her full on the mouth. Two heartbeats later, their door was kicked in.


The Queen looked down from her throne at Darafv. "Yes, I requested your presence. There has been a change of plans, to take effect immediately," she said. The Queen looked at her daughters before continuing. Darafv could see that Saeina was even more unreadable than usual, which only meant that she was pissed. That's what he had gathered from being around the falcons so much. It was so strange from his own people. When the falcons were upset, they closed down, hiding their emotions behind cold courtesy and a mask of steel. The bears were emotional people, especially when it came to anger.
Elmyra was still, her face flat and far away.
"My eldest daughter, High Princess Saeina Peregrine will be leaving tonight for the Skarine. She will treat with the King Renner and Princess Elmyra will journey with you back to Aliaska, after which she will make renew her vows before the Heart Tree."
The Queen looked at Darafv, as he took this in. He was shocked that the Queen would do this and so suddenly. No wonder her daughters, no the entire court! was so sullen.
"That would do," he said, "but what is your reasoning?"
"Your father sought council with us, did he not? I think it time my daughters start to take on the responsibilities that befit their station.... War is coming, bear," she said, her voice chilly. "We must prepare, for war between the kingdoms little stays between just two kingdoms." Darafv nodded. "Moreover, a number of my Mercy will travel with my daughters for protection. Do you agree to this? Your word is that of your father's. I already have agreement with King Renner."
Darafv took a deep breath, heart pounding. "Agreed."

Mersena's squeezed her eyes shut as Dallion leaned into her and kissed her. She gave a startled gasp, as his hands traveled to her waist, gripping her tightly. Her heart was pounding as she hear the door break.
She tucked her head into his chest, hiding her face.
"What is the meaning of this?" she heard Dallion demand, as Dallion broke off the kiss and turned around, outraged
She peaked open an eye, daring to see what was going on. Four soldiers, two in the room and two in the hall, stood in the doorway. They looked at Dallion and Mersena. She noted how one of the men looked her up and down smirking at Dallion.
"Alright, nothing here. Let's move out," he said, and they disappeared into the hall. One, two, three, four, five... She counted heartbeats, holding her breath.
Suddenly she felt Dallion's eyes on her. "I told you to keep your eyes shut," he said, softly at her. She looked up at him, seeing how troubled he seemed, and ashamed. "I'm sorry to throw that on you," he said, "but it keeps them from asking questions."
She only nodded, as Dallion went back and pushed the door closed, throwing a bolt across the door.

[Galadas]

Oluk was about to leave, his eyes closed and his dead gaze pointed at the door behind him, but his father caught him by his shoulder before he could step away.
‘I’m not done with you yet, son,’ he said, his voice had lightened. When the young bear opened his eyes he could even see something in his face had changed as well. Only then did he see how old his father was, how worried, and not just about the kingdom, but about his sons as well. He didn’t know whether he would act he same way if he had kids, surely he was too young for that, but instead of anger, he now felt stupid for acting like a child in front of his father and the whole court. He wanted to be a grown up, but nothing had changed since he was a small boy, he still looked after Darafv.
‘Okay,’ he replied solemnly, turning back to face his father, nothing but inner rebellion clouding his face as he tried not to show how stupid he felt, how ashamed.
‘Your idiotic act was not the only thing the Messenger came to tell me about,’ the King said, not refraining from such words. ‘The Falcon Princess will travel to Alaiska, meaning they’ll be here in some days, Darafv with them. The eldest daughter of the Queen will travel to Skarine, and you will travel to the Vail.’
‘The Vail? To talk with the lions? I hear they’re not on our side, neither interested to talk with Bears or any other kind of Kieshra.’ Oluk was growing suspicious. The Skarine, the Falcons of the White City, the Bears of Alaiska, and the Lions of the Vale, he wondered if whatever alliance they were creating had already been made between the Falcons and the Bears, and his father was keeping his real intentions from him. Darafv probably knew, they talk far more than he did.
‘Yes, to meet with the Lanasters. Are you able to do that?’
Oluk was surprised to say the least; he looked up to find that his father wasn’t kidding. This was probably the first job ever that sounded as if it was important. He kept himself from asking whether or not Darafv would come with him, something told me that the boy would stay in Alaiska for the time being, while he would go to the Vail. The Vail, a place he could’ve only dreamt of, an adventure that would be. ‘Yes, I am,’ he finally answered, staring right into the deep brown eyes of his father, who seemed not to be shaken by his sons inner amazement.
‘Try to act strong and persistent, the Lions are people who appreciate strong men, and I’ve arranged you a marriage to one of the King’s daughters.’
That fact hardly surprised Oluk, for one he knew his father would want him marrying some high lord or lady, a bear who’s family had a lot of power, and he was okay with that. Darafv wanted to marry Elmyra, he was a sucker for romance. ‘A mixed marriage?’
‘Yes, a mixed marriage that is only for the sake of our houses, if you want children, you marry a bear aside. The Lanasters won’t mind nor see it strange, since they do it all the time.’
King Measters never spoke highly about the Lions, nor about the Wolves or the Horses, tribal people will a rare sense of honour and above all no idea of the laws of the Kiesrha. He was against mixed marriages, against children that were born from those, but he would give his son away and kill all his chances of getting children just the bond between the Lions and the Bear could exist. And as simple as that the King of the Lions would give a daughter away, take from her all the right to ever have children.
‘Okay.’

Darafv only placed his gaze upon Elmyra for no more than a couple of seconds, as he left the room, his heart beating to a rhythm created by his fears. To return to Alaiska, that meant his mission had gone well, there were no further questions about Oluk, which meant that the queen knew well enough why his brother had left, and while the idea of travelling with the Princess of the Falcons generated happiness in his heart, he could not see past the fact that he was warned for war. War was coming, and war scared him to his bones.
He headed down to his room, tried to fake a smile when he met Nima on the stairs, but she saw right through it.
‘What has happened?’
He sighed, knowing he would have to explain things to her, she deserved that much. ‘We’re going to Alaiska, with princess Elmyra.’
Nima always saw the great things in live. ‘Oh, I like her, she’s pretty,’ she said with a smile, and took Darafv’s arm in hers. ‘Cheer up, Dar, we’re going home, isn’t that wonderful. I mean, I know you like it here, but this city is boring, and home is nice and cold.’
Shaking away all of his worries, Darafv generated a smile and focussed on the task ahead. Elmyra wanted to go to the Heart Tree, her kind had some connection with the Tree, and he could convince his father that he should go with her. She would like it if he went along with her, and he could try to make it happen, could he not? His father would want them to grow closer, to have some visible alliance between the Bears and the Falcons.

(not done yet, but you can post if you want :3)

[Cara]

(Ahh it's been so long, I have to think about what my plans had been!!! )

Mersena looked from Hengi to Dallion. "What now? They will surely have people everywhere. What happened? What is going on?" She looked at Hengi. "Are they really after you?"
Hengi paused, looking from Mersena to Dallion, as if to assess if he could trust them. "Yes," was all he said.
"Well that doesn't concern us," Dallion said, glaring at Hengi. "Cale, let us be away with this man before he get us both killed."
"It's Mersena here," Mersena said. Her eyes hadn't left Hengi. "What did you do?"
Hengi looked at Mersena. "You will both find out eventually. I killed King Renner."

Back in her room, Elmyra looked out the window. This was her home. She would be leaving tomorrow at dawns light. Her mother hadn't said when she would return...or if she would return. On that part, she was mute. Her sister Saeina had not left her quarters since the dismissal of the Council. She was too busy storming about, enraged at her mother, but she would never let anyone see her that way. Only Elmyra had ever seen her sister cry, and that had been once, when they were learning to fly. Saeina had fallen and broken her arm. She was already skilled at hiding her emotions, so stoney faced, she raced back to Elmyra's room before bursting in tears, telling her what had happened. They had been so young then.
A maid knocked and entered. "Princess Elmyra, the Queen has requested that I prepare your things for tomorrows journey." Elmyra nodded. She liked this maid. Her name was Sana and she was a sparrow. She was slightly younger than Elmyra, but so innocent with bright eyes and round cheeks, and when it was only the two of them, she enjoyed chatting with Elmyra because Elmyra was the only one who would listen.
"Oh Princess, you are so lucky! You get to leave the White City!" she purred.
Elmyra smiled sadly. "Yes, but not under the nicest circumstances," she said. "You know, Sana, I have always wanted to leave this place, but now that I am going, I don't want to leave."
"Oh natural, Princess. You will need warm clothes! The north is a cold place!" She opened up Elmyra's clothes, flicking through the typical soft, thin, flowing fabrics that the Falcons normally wore. She pulled out thicker gowns, coats, and capes of wool, heavy silk, and beautiful embroidery. "How long will you be?"
"That I do not know."
Sana pouted, a funny expression that made Elmyra smile. "Oh. Well I think this should be enough!" she said, packing it all away in two great trunks. "You will like the North. I have hear stories. Everything is white! Like the White City here, but it's made of something called ice!"

Dallion had his sword out before Mersena could even take a breath. "You killed the king?"
Hengi glared at Dallion, giving an unworried look at the rapier in Dallion's hand. "Want to say that any louder? You might as well open that door and tell the soldiers to come back and arrest us all."
Dallion didn't drop his sword. "You are the King's Bloody Hand, aren't you? I should call them back and have them arrest you right now!"
"Why would you do that?" Mersena asked, confused. He was an assassin?
Hengi gave a smile, his pointed teeth adding a cold element to it. "Call them back. You won't get more than two words out of your mouth before I slice your throat open." In a flash, Hengi leapt forward, twisting the sword away from Dallion and throwing him back against the wall. Mersena shreeked, falling back. She had never seen anyone move that fast! They couldn't be possible!
"Lion, do not test me. You may be stronger, but I am quicker... I am not here to hurt you or your girl, but get in my way of escape, and I will kill you."

[Galadas]

(TELL MEEEEE! *in Loki voice* )

Tosha was getting colder with the miles they passed, it was probably because it was night, but something told him he wouldn't find the Northern weather enjoyable. he had slept on his horse for maybe an hour, feeling tired as always. The others didn't talk to him, especially Hill was kept well away from him. He was still their prisoner after all, even if he had agreed to help him.
'Your job will be something,' the tall man said, he smiled shyly.
The prince only shook his head, not hearing a single thing that actually got him to feel more optimistic. He would do this thing, that was what he agreed upon. He would get the cure and return to his father, even if that meant months and months of feeling homesick and horrified.
'How far are we from that place?' he asked, half asleep.
'About a day, you asked that before.'
Tosha nodded. 'Inevitably asking if things have already changed.'

Oluk was standing in the courtyard, swinging his wooden sword at the targets with up most precision, but most importantly he used it as an escape. Moving was the best way to avoid having to think, and thinking only brought him back to the same conclusions, his father was right. He should've stayed there, be at his little brother's side, but he was as always blinded by the fact that he thought his father choose the younger sibling over his first born.
Eventually Darafv and the princesses would arrive in Alaiska, and he would have to get going again. Meeting up with his brother would seem as if nothing was happening, since the boy always made it seem that way.
He looked around the place, it was always the same, no matter the season or the weather it would always remain in the same state.
Two women, probably around their late thirties, walked up to him, carrying their battle gear with pride and bowing as the came closer. They showed respect, which meant they knew who he was, and it also meant that they needed something from him.
'Prince Oluk,' one of them said. 'Could you arrange a meeting with your father?'
Oluk shook his head right after, looking surprised. 'You may do that yourself. Who do you speak for? And may I say this is the wrong way to go around with it, so you're probably not professionals.'
The women nodded. 'We're speaking for the North, we come with grave news.'
'Don't you always,' he growled. 'You may speak your dismay and I will get it to my father.'
They shook their heads. 'This is vulnerable information, we must deliver it ourselves.'
'Very well, go yourselves,' Oluk replied.

[Cara]

Elmyra woke after a long night of restless sleep. She dressed quickly in the cool air. The fire in her hearth was almost out, and the early morning air was chilly. She pulled on her clothes: thick silks of light lavender, and dark brown. She signed as she stepped out into the air, letting her body drop for a moment in free fall before she spread open her wings. They caught there air and she coasted down from the mountains to the main hall.
Darafv, her mother, and half the court was there waiting when she landed. She folded her wings against her body as she walked up to them, bowing to her mother and nodding to Darafv. She kept her face expressionless as she looked around. Her sister wasn't there.
Her mother gave her a quick glance before turning to Darafv. "Prince Darafv, it takes almost six days of constant riding from here to the capital city, Aliaska. Two weeks if you rest your horses well...." she said. "That is time we do not have. I expect you to be there in two days time."
"Two days?!" Darafv said. "What are we going to do, fly?" and as the words left his mouth, he realized what he just said. Fly...
The Queen gave him a thin and amused smile. "You and your servant girl, are the only wingless ones here. And I will not have my daughter risk the land journey when it is so much safer and quicker to fly."
Darafv glared back at the Queen. "Your Majesty," he said, annoyed, "how do you expect the rest of us to travel then?"
She stood back at a giant carriage was lowered to the ground. Darafv opened his mouth wide.
"How do you enjoy flying?" she asked him, her eyes shining.
What seemed to be a carriage, was carried on the backs of four slaves. Obviously not falcons, but they looked too strong to be any song bird. He felt terrible. Only in the White City were there slaves.
Elmyra looked at Darafv. "Don't worry, I'll by flying with you. You will enjoy it!" she said. "You will get an experience like no other land-shifter has before!"

Merscena looked from Dallion to Hengi. She was in shock. "Ok, lets not go killing each other now..." she said, standing back up.
Dallion glared at Hengi, but stepped back.
"Merscena, this man is the King's Bloody Hand," he growled. "The personal head of the secret police."
"Oh, you got me!" Hengi said, glaring at Dallion. He laughed. "Well as interesting as this is, I must be on my way before this gets any more exciting," he said.
Before Merscena or Dallion could say a word, Hengi pushed open the window and jumped out.

[Galadas]

Darafv for a moment felt like he was the only one there, accompanied by a huge carriage that would help him on his way back home. He tried not to act too surprised, but to say the least he was about to throw in a big “wow!” in front of all these people that expected nothing more than politeness from him. Elmyra caught his thoughts, bringing him back into a world of normal reactions.
‘Can I tell you a secret?’ he asked, staring at the carriage. ‘I’ve never tested whether or not I’m afraid of heights.’
With everything packed, there wasn’t any time wasted on saying goodbyes. After the carriage was introduced the Queen had disappeared inside, and Darafv was giving the people he had come with hope that they would soon be reunited in their capital. He convinced the people carrying the carriage – not that they had much to say – that he wanted to take his servant along. Luckily Nima didn’t weigh much, so they complied. Only two days before they would be home, that was better than anything he had ever hoped for. His eyes were drawn to the presence of Elmyra. She would be flying, as much as he wanted to spend every minute travelling talking to her, something told him that he would have to wait.
‘Maybe I’m afraid of heights,’ Nima told her master as she helped men far stronger and bigger than her carry the luggage into the carriage. She always seemed so fitting in whatever situation was thrown at her.
‘No, you’re not. Before you know it you’ll grow a couple of wings of your own, and you can fly together with those guys.’
Nima shook her head and smiled. ‘I won’t mind though,’ she said, helping with the last bag she was able to carry on her skinny body, and afterwards returning at her master’s side. ‘Do you think we need to wait for the Queen? What is she doing anyway? I mean, where is Elmyra’s sister, she would come with us too, right?’
Darafv raised his shoulders. For the first time in a long time, he hadn’t figured out yet what was going on. He found his knowledge to be lacking in this very situation, as his eyes scanned for Elmyra.

With the horses dead tired, and the sun dropping, Tosha and the large group of weird ass, had conceded to walking the last mile before having their rest. During that long day Tosha had only grown wearier of the situation. He was constantly asking himself whether or not he had made the wrong choice. His mind drawing towards his father, wondering how he would hold up under the situation. And he started to miss the brothers and sisters he had left behind.
He wanted to talk to Hillmya about it, but he was only allowed in her presence if he was feeling weak, and his many tries had shown just how easy it was for others to tell whether he was lying or was really about to fall down.
The tall man was no good for company; he kept on talking to his fellow people. Ignoring the Skarine beside him, and talking horribly about the war and his father the king. The probability of them being caught in Alaiska was according to the Tall man very slim. Tosha hoped so, because if they found out he was there, his chances of getting the cure were even slimmer. His father would find him, bring him back to the capital, and keep him under constant guard.
He found himself wondering whether he would feel happy again.

(I'm sooo out of inspiration: sorry! D: )

[Cara]

(blehh..... ok working on a post!)