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Water-Witch By: Aradia on 10/21/2001; 6:05 PM Ten thousand three hundred fifteen years after the Four Wars "It is settled, Calypso," the human declared as he leaned back in his seat. "The nations of Kestrel and Kettahr will no longer wage war on one another. And each shall release all prisoners of war that belong to the other." King Sardis Skycrest of Kettahr allowed his admiring gaze to settle on the nymph Queens striking features. Her clear skin held a faint golden tint, highlighting her raven curls and incredibly dark eyes. Her wide mouth was expressive, her straight nose small and pert. But the thing that struck him most was the radiant cut sapphire that was embedded in the hollow of her long throat. "Agreed, Sardis," Calypso replied as she returned Sardis gaze impassively. "I have already passed word on to my sister Anashrel, who is overseeing the prisoners release. My sister Silver is out among the scouts, alerting them to not capture the humans, and my sister Beraleen will meet the nymphs at our border." Sardis stroked his beard thoughtfully, his strong features contemplative. "I have heard that you also have a brother, Calypso. What is his role in all of this?" As he spoke, he stretched his muscular frame leisurely, but he was listening intently. "Indiana will most likely quell any rebellions that may crop up as a result of this treaty." "He does not sit as regent for you?" "No. Ours is a matriarchal society, and you well know that. Do I ask if you would have a woman sit as your regent?" Sardis chuckled at that. "You might, if you were less informed. But I have been thinking on that, anyway. What say you that I add a provision to this treaty? Should I ever die without leaving any blood heirs, you would become the Queen of Kettahr, as though you had been my consort. Does that please you?" Calypso gave him a frank look. "Do as you will with Kettahr, Sardis. But do not expect me to make a likewise provision, for I already have blood heirs." "Oh?" "My daughter Mi'treysa is first in line. She is followed by my daughters Jerienne, Amber, Plymouth, and Inghean." "Ah, yes. Mi'treysa is a lovely woman, as are Jerienne and Amber and Plymouth. But I have not heard of Inghean." "Inghean is but two months of age, a rightline daughter." A soft look passed over the Queens features. "She is a beautiful girl, and she possesses a calm temperament." Sardis suddenly sat upright, looking past Calypso to the big man who strode into the throne room without identifying himself. Calypso swiveled in her seat to watch the man as he approached and bowed slightly towards the King. "What ails you so, Captain Stormraiser?" Sardis asked with curiosity. "You never approach as you just have." "A thousand apologies, my King," the other man answered in a rough and husky voice. "There is a thing of concern that I felt you should know. It is that the Queen has a visitor, her brother Indiana." Sardis glanced at Calypso, then rose to his feet. "Then show him in, Captain. I have long wanted to meet her brother." Tyneth Stormraiser glanced at the serene woman briefly, then nodded and strode from the room. Moments later, he returned with a tall man, then took up station at the entrance. The newcomer strode forward to greet his sister as she rose from her seat with a delighted smile. As the two exchanged greetings in their native language, Sardis studied Indiana Starblood with careful deliberation. The Prince of Kestrel was a lean and well built man, his black hair the same shade as his sisters, his eyes the colour of the gemstone in her throat. He possessed the same striking features as the Queen, though there was nothing in the least bit feminine about him. As he bent to embrace his sister, Sardis could easily see the same feline grace as well. "I bid you welcome, Prince Starblood," Sardis finally said with a small bow. "I am Sardis, the King of Kettahr. I bid you welcome to the Silver Kingdom, and to the Silver City." Indiana returned the bow. "Thank you, King Skycrest. I appreciate the welcome after the centuries of hostilities, and I thank you for your care of my sister these last few hours." Before Sardis could continue, Calypso cut him off. "Please, gentlemen, we neednt be so formal now that we are all good friends." Both men looked at her with amusement, and she sighed. "She hates formality," Indiana said with a grin, already liking the human. "So I see," Sardis answered with his own grin, trying to not laugh at the look on Calypsos face. Tyneth came to her rescue before she could answer. "She is right, my King. This treaty also does allow for informality between our peoples." He directed a smile at the Queen, feeling his heart lift at her answering smile. Indiana took a long look at Tyneth suddenly, then whispered in his sisters ear. She gave him a startled look, then studied Tyneth for so long that he started to feel uncomfortable. "My King, perhaps you could escort my Lady around Aerialen? I should hate for her to think that this castle is all there is to the Silver City." Sardis nodded, and gestured for Calypso to precede him into the city. "Calypso? Shall we?" She nodded and led the way into the courtyard of the castle. Indiana and Tyneth fell in behind the monarchs, followed by a tiny contingent of soldiers as bodyguards. Sardis took Calypsos hand absently, leading her into the marketplace of the city. She and Indiana were instantly overwhelmed by the markets noise and the lack of discipline in the minds of the people around them. Calypso struggled to find that core of inner quiet Jinian had taught her, and reached out to her elder brothers mind. "Humans are so noisy, Indy. How will I bear it?" Indianas reply indicated his own inner battle. "If you hope to maintain good relations with the Kettahrites, Caly, youll learn. And youll manage." "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Indy." The noise of the market made the young Queen long for the quiet of her own country, where the Kestrelae were taught how to discipline their minds while still young. As she finally found that core of inner quiet, however, she realised that Sardis was looking at her with concern. "Sardis?" "Are you well, Calypso? You are a bit pale." "Im quite well, Sardis. I generally do not enter into markets, however," she replied simply. Sardis looked as though he wanted to argue, but instead began showing her the different types of artisans and merchants that thrived within the marketplace of the Silver City. After a few hours of walking, he finally stopped in front of a jewelers stall. "Master Genrag is well renowned for the quality of his silverwork, Calypso." He idly picked up a ring made of delicate silver filigree, the dual strands entwined around each other intricately, a tiny diamond set in the center. "Would you accept a ring from me?" Calypso gave him a startled look in return, as did Indiana and Tyneth. Sardis noticed their expressions and smiled ruefully. "I meant as a symbol of our truce, not as a troth ring." Before she could answer, he paid the jeweler and took Calypsos hand. "A symbol of our friendship, Caly. Thats all it is." When she finally nodded her acceptance, he slid the ring onto her right forefinger with a smile. Indiana watched the exchange in silence, suddenly seeing his sister as a grown woman. It had been hard when she had married Baron Jaric of Kettahr, and just as hard when they chose to dissolve their union, but remained good friends who wanted the best for their six children. Indiana wasnt jealous of Jaric in the least, but he was used to having his younger sister turn to him for the attention and doting shed received from him during her childhood. She still did that on occasion, but she was now independent, a grown woman who ruled her homeland with a youthful recklessness tempered by a wisdom that she had gained as a wife and mother. Indiana watched his sister silently, suddenly knowing that she would soon need to become the Water-Witch that she was at heart.
RE: Water-Witch By: Aradia on 5/23/2000; 2:07 AM The new site I'm making for Taundra is still in beta, but almost ready. All questions for the terminology or what have you will be there. I promise.
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