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Spring of Storm and Shadow: Interlude #2
Ruffled Feathers "You've been silent the entire trip, Princess," comes the voice from behind her. "That's not like you." Princess C'oiavanina, astride her moon charger, doesn't turn her head when she answers, "I have nothing to say. I just need to see my brother." "Very well, Princess," Daryth sighs, and resigns himself to riding in quiet as the entourage nears the tree city of Arcaras. The tips of C'oiavanina's ears twitch. She does not mean to hurt Daryth's feelings, but she has other concerns on her mind at the moment. The trip has been long, and the events at Clear Sky haunt her thoughts. She has much to tell her brother Shivanshallos, and she wants to make sure she gets everything right. Nonetheless, she chides herself; she will have to apologize to him later. "Nina!" he suddenly exclaims. "Please, Daryth, I told you I don'tÉ" her annoyance is cut short as she notices that Daryth is looking not at her, but beyond her to the fire damaged treehomes that have just come into view. Dread fills her heart, and in an insant she is spurring her charger ahead at full gallop causing fellow high elves, craftsman and knight alike, to step aside. As the horsekeeper comes out to greet her, C'oiavanina does not wait for the charger to stop before she is dismounting more quickly than any in her party. "What happened?" she asks the horseman curtly, as she tosses the reins to him. "We were attacked milady..." The high elf replies, but does not have a chance to finish as the princess is already hurriedly moving out of the building, her pace quickening to almost a run. Nearing the five trees that mark the High King's manor, she can see it is untouched, but still she rushes on. She can sense him behind her again. She cannot see him, few could when he wanted it so, but she knows he's there. She instinctively wants to tell him to go away, but given the circumstances, she is suddenly glad to have him at her back. Up the ramp and around the tree trunk she goes, pulling off her awkward helm as she moves. Her footsteps make barely a sound. The door opens immediately for her as she comes around the curve at the top. The guards bow slightly as she rushes past them. C'oiavanina heads straight for the High King's room, handing off her helm to a page as she passes him in the hallway. She sees a figure ahead, and recognizes her cousin Prince Xanalis. She also recognizes the somber look he wears on his face. "Is he okay?", she asks, rushing past her cousin. "He's fine, Nina. You should slow down. Take a minute to freshen up in your room before you go see him," Xanalis advises awkwardly, as he falls in step with her. "Why?" C'oiavanina asks and looks curiously at the prince. There is something about the tone of his voice that piques her curiosity. "WellÉit's just that...a lot has happened since you leftÉand he's been..." Xanalis' words fail him as he tries to explain. "He's been what!?", Nina interrupts. "He's changed, C'oiavanina." Xanalis' usually jovial nature had turned was serious in tone and C'oiavanina knew something was wrong if he was actually using her full name, "Much happened in the weeks since you left. The city was attacked, Lorindoriel left for the Dim." "Then he needs me." She slides open the door to the room at the end of the hall, unhindered by the guards. A high elf stands across the room from her. His back is to her as he looks out the awning window. His dark hair hangs down his back. His hands are folded behind him as he looks out over the city. His long robes are a deep blue color and well made. "Would you tell my brother I'm here to see him, please." The elf turns to face her with a gentle smile on his face. "It's good to see you safe, my dearest. I feared the worst when I received the reports of the attack at Clear Sky. The dragon hide armor suits you well." He says, stepping toward her. "I know it must be shocking for you to see me this way. My old body is gone and I have been blessed with this new one. I admit, even I am still getting used to the changes. But it is for the better this way. There is no longer question of my heritage, or whispers about my odd appearance." "Do not speak with such familiarity toward me. Where is my brother? What have you done to him?" C'oiavanina steps back toward the door, hitting the door frame with her shoulder. Something about his words and even the strange voice are familiar to her, and leaves her very unsettled. "I am your brother, C'oiavanina." It takes only a second for C'oiavanina to realize what has happened. "But that means youÉhow could... it's not true!" C'oiavanina whirls on Xanalis, anger twisting her features, before Shivanshallos has a chance to reply. "This is your fault! You promised to always protect him! Where were you when he needed you most! You did this to him! You allowed it to happen!" she accuses her cousin. In anger and confusion, C'oiavanina runs through the manor and out the front door. Tears stream down her face as she tries to make sense of it all. Her mind races and she runs blindly down the steps until an arm reaches out to grab her around the waist and stops her. "Nina, what's wrong?" That voice out of the shadows was like a blanket of comfort to her Ð always there, always concerned for her. "Oh Daryth! He... he's changed. And it's Xanalis's fault. Xanalis let this happen to him. He's not my brother any more. My brother is gone. I mean he's still there, but it's not him. It's not my Shiver." Her words melt into tears as she sobs against her friend and guardian's shoulder. Daryth is surprised by this change of events but decides it's not so bad after all. He wraps both arms around her and pulls her close to him. She buries her face against his chest and continues to cry. "It's alright, Nina. Just let it out. I know this is hard for you." He pauses to stroke her hair lightly. "Just remember, it's still him inside. He may look different, but it's still the same ol' Shiver. I'm sure Xanalis did the best he could. Give it time. You'll get used to it." At those words, C'oiavanina's head lifts and her eyes narrow. "Have you gotten used to not being married?" The pained look in Daryth's eyes immediately answers her question. "I didn't think so." She pulls away from him and he doesn't try to stop her. "Oh just... just go away." C'oiavanina storms off Ð again - and Daryth is left standing there trying to figure out what in the world he had done wrong, "Don't worry about it, my friend. I doubt any of us will ever understand her or keep her under any semblance of control," says Xanalis from behind the princess' guardian. "What did I do?" asks Daryth in bewilderment. "Nothing wrong, that's certain." Xanalis grins at Daryth. "Go get some food and get cleaned up. You've certainly earned it after this babysitting trip. And forget what she said. Her feathers are all ruffled. She's hurt and she's angry right now. You and I both know she didn't mean it. Give her some time off in the woods by herself and she'll come back and apologize." "But she shouldn't be..." starts Daryth. "No worries, friend. I'll take care of this one." Xanalis claps Daryth on the shoulder to reassure him. In his other hand, he holds up an extra longbow. With a mock salute and a grin to Daryth, Xanalis jogs off in the direction of his younger cousin, his greatbow bouncing against his back with each step. 
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