Her eyes drifted to Raum’s grotesque pet as it squalled; she could feel its yearning, that desire to leave her as just another victim of its porcelain-skinned master. Had she struck a nerve in plucking at the mighty king’s oversight? Avdotya smiled for a fleeting moment. ”They should.” She returned starkly, looking back at him to meet his wild eyes without hesitation. The so-called games of the courts were more than just petty drama, they were intricate schemes, deliberate ploys that all eventually led to the same pretty prize: power. It was Raum who held that power, Raum who had what so many of them wanted, and indeed, it was Raum’s name now being whispered upon the cunning lips of Solterra’s nobles.
Avdotya had once played those games and it damn near crowned her queen of the very court he found himself at the head of. It was the way with which she strategized that got her there, and it was what spelled fire and ruin for the capitol then. He would be wise, she thought, to familiarize himself with all parties of the nation he commanded...
But wisdom did not always come to those with blood on their teeth and power blurring the sense in their mind. The viper reminded herself of that as Raum loosed the scarf from his beast’s eyes, commanding it to turn the rotting head to stone in one flash of its dangerous gaze. It was impressive, a fear-inspiring ability that would sway many who might think to challenge the king - but fear had long since lost its influence over her. Avdotya quietly noted the creature as something to be aware of, but she also noted that it sourced its terror from the eyes and that made it vulnerable. The tip of her spear glinted hungrily in the sun.
She was intelligent enough to keep to herself, to merely watch in silence while the soldier trotted off with her gift to the new crown. Raum represented an opportunity, one that she did not intend to defile so quickly. ”Indulge me, Raum, she finally called up to him from her place at the bottom of the great steps, ”how can I be of service?”
How could he be of service?
Avdotya had once played those games and it damn near crowned her queen of the very court he found himself at the head of. It was the way with which she strategized that got her there, and it was what spelled fire and ruin for the capitol then. He would be wise, she thought, to familiarize himself with all parties of the nation he commanded...
But wisdom did not always come to those with blood on their teeth and power blurring the sense in their mind. The viper reminded herself of that as Raum loosed the scarf from his beast’s eyes, commanding it to turn the rotting head to stone in one flash of its dangerous gaze. It was impressive, a fear-inspiring ability that would sway many who might think to challenge the king - but fear had long since lost its influence over her. Avdotya quietly noted the creature as something to be aware of, but she also noted that it sourced its terror from the eyes and that made it vulnerable. The tip of her spear glinted hungrily in the sun.
She was intelligent enough to keep to herself, to merely watch in silence while the soldier trotted off with her gift to the new crown. Raum represented an opportunity, one that she did not intend to defile so quickly. ”Indulge me, Raum, she finally called up to him from her place at the bottom of the great steps, ”how can I be of service?”
How could he be of service?
You’re playing my game now, @Raum
