Spring is drawing to a close. Already the days are warmer, longer, brighter. The streets are busy in Denocte, equines brushing along like fish in a stream. They pass and nod or smile in her direction. Some greet her, “Welcome back, Queen Antiope,” or “Safe travels?” The streets are full of horses. When did they become so full of horses?
She missed it all, the budding of Denocte like a springtime bloom. But her travels had been necessary. Antiope could not have begun her sovereignship as a stranger to the other courts. She didn’t want her people to become another statistic. She doesn’t want to be another bizarre thing, another secret. No more of that.
She had passed beneath the shadow of a nearly completed structure on her way in from the mountain pass. The Queen smiles now, thinking of it, as she pushes on toward the citadel. Now that she is back in her home there is much to be done and so little time to do it all. If Antiope was not much of a sleeper before, she certainly will not be one now. Her magic will have to get her through the precious short weeks to come.
As the doors to the castle are opened before her, she turns toward one of the pages—a young boy with paper ivory skin and morning blue eyes, not quite blue but not quite green, pale—and speaks. “Aubin, will you please go find Morrighan and have her meet me in the great room?”
The boy bobs his head and hurriedly moves down the steps and into the streets. He is, perhaps, the only child in the entire kingdom who isn’t completely afraid of the Warden. Antiope thinks he is rather awed by the woman’s magic and would like some of his own, someday. She tries to picture him wielding fire like Morrighan, and can only hope that he grows up with less of a temper.
She moves into the great room, where the embers of this morning’s fire pulse in the fireplace on the far wall. The smell of woodsmoke still lingers in the air. “M’Lady,” one of the kitchen maids says as she polishes a table nearby, “It’s wonderful to have you back. Would you like anything? Surely you must have an appetite after your trip.” Antiope smiles, and appraises the girl.
“A meal would be lovely. Whatever the cook has, for two,” and moves to wait at one of the tables for Morrighan to arrive. Hopefully the Warden will bring her appetite with her, and plenty of news of the state of the court while she has been away. She is reminded of what all there is yet to do.
She didn't realize just how much there is to the Court until Antiope left.
It had been one thing to wander the streets and the outskirts of the borders. Then Antiope had tasked Morrighan with keeping an eye on things while she went to the other Courts to maintain alliances. She took this job very seriously of course, but she had underestimated how much more work and energy it'd require. Maybe it's simply that she sets too high expectations for herself. It just felt that there was even more to monitor. Not just looking around at the streets for idiot thieves, but also making sure that it all ran smoothly. All the way down to the little mundane things.
She hadn't spent much time in the castle before this, except maybe here and there to visit Isra. She's too used to the comforts of her small home or the cobblestone streets of the markets. Now that she had spent many nights in there, it's like a whole new world unfolded before her. The food especially surprised her and she wonders if she should've spent more time here a while ago.
It had all been worth it though. The many nights she spent looking out the windows with eyes like a hawk. The many individuals she yelled at to get their shit together and do their jobs. The poor page from the castle that she probably could've cut some slack with. Oh well, it'll be good for him to develop some thick skin.
And, in the end, the kingdom hadn't burned down. That alone should be seen as an accomplishment.
So when the page arrived saying that their Queen had returned, Morrighan smiled. With Bram close by, they all headed back to the castle. They didn't exchange words (most likely because he was terrified of the Warden and her wolf), but her mind was swimming with thoughts anyway.
Before winter had ended, Morrighan had asked Antiope who she might appoint as a Regent. It was then that she realized how badly she wanted the job. Her task to watch Denocte in Antiope's absence had to have been a test that she very much hopes she passed. Now with this meeting, hopefully she will find out.
At last, her footsteps echo down the halls of the castle towards the great room. Morrighan can smell woodsmoke faintly in the air and, before the doors even open, Antiope will see flames come back to life within the fireplace. It wouldn't be like the Warden not to make such an entrance.
Then the doors open wide and the smell of food hits her nostrils. She can feel her stomach turning - either from hunger or nerves, or both. Her Queen is sitting by a table waiting and Aubin steps aside to let Morrighan and Bram pass.
"Queen Antiope, I present, Morrighan Ciardha and.. uh.." the page announces, but hesitates as he tries to remember her companion's name. The wolf laughs.
"That's okay, he's not as important," Morrighan says as she walks over to the table, a smirk on her face. A growl can be heard coming from Bram, but he stays off in the corner and lays down. He's too tired to argue back this time.
The Warden gives a nod to the Sovereign and takes a seat. "How was the world out there? Glad to see you're back in one piece." It's a bit of a joke, but Morr had never been interested in traveling outside of Denocte. She can't imagine how different the world must be outside of their borders or how the other Courts are. Desert sands? Swamps? No thanks. At least the big threat of Raum is gone so she didn't have to worry too much about Antiope's safety. Besides, the woman had made it clear how powerful her magic is.
She is still nervous and eager to ask what the woman is thinking moving forward. However, if she's learned anything in her time being Warden, she knows how important small talk can be at times. She'll have to wait it out and just hope there might be some good news coming very soon.
Antiope does not have to wait long for the Warden’s arrival, and anticipates it by the reigniting of the fireplace on the wall behind her. Though she doesn’t see it, she hears it, like the sound of the air in the room suddenly being depleted. The sound of a fire starting is a strangely unique sound, like a whooshing, and then what meager pieces of wood are left set to crackling.
She can’t imagine it will burn long without kindling, but she’s certain that Morrighan is pleased with herself nonetheless as the woman enters the room at Aubin’s announcement. She wonders how many times that happened while she was away, and momentarily considers removing all the wood from the fireplaces in the castle once they are done speaking with each other.
The thought almost puts a smile on her face, and Antiope composes her features as Morrighan reaches the table, nods to her, and seats herself. “It’s nice to see that your relationship with your bonded has improved in the time I’ve been gone,” the sovereign says, though there is a mirthful gleam to her sapphire eyes.
Before she has a chance to respond to Morrighan’s question, the kitchen maid arrives carrying a tray of food and drink. She carefully and quickly places the meal before each of them upon the table. “Thank you, Isla,” Antiope tells the young woman as she bows her head and dips out of the room.
It all smells wonderful, and from what she can tell there is a hand pie no doubt filled with some sort of vegetable or cheese mixture, and what appears to be a spiced applesauce on the side. She hopes it is the chef’s special, which includes a mixture of pears and apples, and a little bit of citrus. The drink is dark in color, and over ice. Most likely a tea.
Giving the food a moment to cool, Antiope turns her attention back to the conversation. “The other courts are so very different from ours,” she remarks, voice thoughtful and eyes distant as though remembering the places she had seen, “But, I see so much of all of us in each other.”
At their hearts, she truly thinks the courts are not so different at all. Each has their own beliefs, their own trades, skills and specialties, but underneath that? They are all just equines searching for the same things in the world.
“My hope is that we will be able to foster good relationships with them,” and perhaps it is naive of her to hope such a thing, but she can certainly try to do her best. There will always be troubles in the world, dark things and places and souls, but as long as there is support and trust Antiope would like to have allies within the other courts.
The sovereign glances at Morrighan as she finally takes a sip of the tea, and cuts open the flaky pastry on her plate. “Tell me, did I miss anything important while I was gone?” Traveling Novus was like nothing she could have expected, but she had missed her court.
At Antiope's comment about her bonded, Morrighan can't help but laugh. Truthfully, their relationship has improved. While her teeth clench at the thought of telling him how she feels, she does appreciate having him around. Also it's just nice having him as muscle if she needs it. "Eh, you know," she replies with a shrug. From his spot, Bram rolls his eyes.
Then the food comes out and is placed before them. Her stomach growls and it seems she is indeed hungry. All of it smells great and she can't help but take a bite of the pie right away. Morr realizes that was a mistake as the food is still extremely hot. She finds herself holding her mouth open while trying to breathe out to cool it off. It ends up being an awkward combination of slow chewing and cringing as the hot food sits on her tongue. Her eyes well up while Antiope continues speaking and Morr just tries to keep a straight face. This definitely tops as the most embarrassing moment of her life.
It's bad timing too as Antiope is trying to reflect on her journey and the courts. She speaks such heartfelt words and here Morr is unable to properly eat food. Thankfully, after a few more painful chews, she swallows and she's free from the burning food. Quickly, she takes a sip of the iced tea and it soothes her mouth. She nods to what the woman is saying to make sure to show she's listening. For now, she'll refrain from taking another bite until she knows for sure the food is cooled off.
Her Queen mentions keeping good relationships with the other Courts. Morr feels indifferent about them, but it's really just because she doesn't know them well. Maybe in time she will through Antiope, but for now she just hopes none of them try to pull anything. She's especially unsure of Solterra and their new king given their reputation. Many have told her the stories of before where the two Courts were at odds with each other. Raum certainly didn't paint a different picture of that in her mind. But, she trusts Antiope's judgment. Maybe she will manage to change Morr's mind and get her not to be so skeptical.
She tries to sift through all the events from the time Antiope has been gone. It's felt like a lot, but in reality, everything went fine. "Well," she says, clearing her throat. "We had some idiots get into a bar fight and break some tents in the market, so that was fun. Got it under control though." Morr remembers that night very well, but that had really been the only "crazy" thing that had happened. "Other than that, not much. Same old, same old." There were many times she wanted to set something on fire, but she was able to keep herself under control. That alone should make Antiope proud.
She leans over to feel the temperature of the pie again and is pleased to find that it's started to cool off. As she takes another bite, she hopes she hasn't made too much of a fool of herself by now.
Antiope glances up as Morrighan begins her struggle with her meal, but respectfully declines to comment and turns her attention elsewhere as she speaks, giving the woman the time she needs to gather her composure and allow her food to cool. But, perhaps, there is a mischievous glint to her sea eyes, even as she talks of her hopes for their relationships with the other courts.
By the time she has finished sharing her own tales and thoughts, it seems the Warden has calmed the veritable fire in her mouth and is ready to let Antiope know the goings on of the court while she has been absent. Morrighan’s description of the events in the market are very much in character for the paint, but they also give her pause. Her approach of others is, perhaps, something that will need careful guidance.
Wouldn’t want someone who is supposed to be well respected and intended to care for and protect the people to be calling them idiots, even if they are acting foolish. But, that sort of muscle work won’t exactly be a problem for long, anyway.
“I’m glad to hear that things were relatively peaceful while I was gone,” the sovereign says, “that seems to be a trend across the nation, I noticed during my travels.” Though there will always be struggles, big and small, Antiope is glad that all the courts have had this time to heal and grow. Her people and Solterra’s especially have needed it, after Raum’s reign. She thinks of Orestes, and everything he is doing to return the Day Court to its glory.
“You did well, watching the court while I was gone. Thank you.” While she had not wanted anything serious to go wrong, she had wanted to see if Morrighan could handle the pressures of running a kingdom. Although Antiope will be here more often than not, and the other woman would only need to support her and help her to make important decisions, if she ever had to leave she absolutely needed to know that Denocte would be in good hooves.
She thinks of the last time they had really spoken, the last time they had had a true conversation. How the Warden had said that she could be trusted. Antiope looks at her now and wonders if she has come to trust her. After a moment, she realizes it is still not her trust in others that is lacking, but her trust in herself.
That is something to think about at another time. There are more pressing things on her plate, at the moment. And more enticing things, as she begins to eat at least. Antiope is watching Morrighan, wondering if she’s going to say something or question her. It’s been a few moments of quiet between them now. Eventually, she smiles. Perhaps a little knowing, perhaps a little impishly. “So, do you still want to be Regent after all that?”
Thank Caligo, as it seems Antiope either doesn't notice Morrighan embarrassing herself, or is nice enough not to comment. Because of this, she's able to move forward with their conversation with more ease. She takes another sip of the iced tea.
The Queen mentions seeing peace across the other Courts and this certainly is good news. Morr has been stuck in the mindset of Raum's regime and being skeptical of everything and everyone. She'll likely never get out of this completely, but maybe she can relax a little knowing the others aren't out to get them. Just a little though.
When Antiope praises Morr for her hard work while she had been gone, she smiles, perhaps more than she ever has. "You're welcome," she says. Although she wants to add something like "I told you I could do it", she refrains. While things are going well so far, there is still a part of her that's nervous. She wants this promotion more than she's wanted anything before this point.
And it seems that may be where this is going. Once again, Morr thinks back to that conversation nearly a season ago and all the things Antiope had listed that were important in a Regent. She took it to heart and has been trying to meet that expectation since. So when Antiope asks the question, her answer should come as a no-brainer. "Of course. It would be an honor," she replies firmly. Then she can't help but laugh and add, "I mean after all, the Court isn't up in flames, is it?" Even Isra would have been proud at that fact knowing just how short-tempered the mare is.
But Antiope isn't Isra and between them is a whole new level of trust that has to be built. Hopefully Morrighan has managed to secure enough to move forward. She holds her breath.
Antiope can see by Morrighan’s reactions that the Warden is not only wanting this promotion but perhaps expecting it. Humility is certainly not in the woman’s vocabulary, nor in her demeanor. Perhaps some boldness will do the court well, after its many long years in solitude, and recent stint with tragedy. She can only hope that the citizens would take well to such a headstrong and resolute force being one to help guide them.
Morrighan asserts her desire firmly, but then cracks that steely exterior to joke that the court is in one piece and not barbecued. Antiope smiles, but her stomach tenses for a brief moment. It is a scenario she has both seen upon this court and one which she almost doesn’t doubt the paint could bring about. “Fortunately, for both them and yourself,” she responds in a half-jesting tone.
Rest assured, if she had returned to any manner of chaos it would have been dealt with swiftly, and this conversation would be turning out very differently.
But that is not the case, so the sovereign tries to think about that instead. “Well, then you can consider it yours. We will hold an announcement to the Court as soon as I tend to some details of my return.” Antiope takes a final bite of the food on her plate, realizing she is hungrier than she had anticipated after her travels, but then stands and moves toward the door of the Great Room. She pauses just inside, however, looking thoughtful and considerate.
The Queen’s eyes linger on Morrighan’s face for a moment, and her lips curl up at the corners almost mischievously as she goes to turn the corner. “However, we might consider looking into etiquette lessons for you first.” The mirth in her voice is clear, as Antiope indicates with the phrase that she had indeed witnessed Morrighan’s earlier faux pas. Before the other woman can rebut, Antiope has disappeared down the hall, steps echoing off the stone until they all but fade away.
It seems like more time has passed than it actually has and she's been holding her breath this whole time waiting for Antiope's answer. Part of her worries the woman will say no or not yet and she's not sure how she'll react to that. She feels like she's worked so hard for this and the time is right, but it has to be the Sovereign's decision.
But then Antiope says it's her's and Morr almost wants to jump out of her seat from excitement. She even sees Bram perk up from where he's been resting. The painted mare keeps her composure though and just puffs out her chest with a smile. "Thank you, Antiope. I won't let you down." And she means it. Even when her anger gets the best of her, she will take her promotion and responsibilities seriously.
When Antiope gets up to leave, she makes a comment about etiquette lessons, likely referring to her food issues earlier. Morrighan's ears droop and her cheeks feel hot with embarrassment. Dammit. She shoots Bram a glare when she hears him snickering in the corner.
The Sovereign's footsteps fade down the hall as Morr takes the last few bites of her food with a scowl. It's clear now that she won't be living that down any time soon.
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