#arsky art

[sharkjumpers]

we can get even nicher (this is for aaron)

[ambersky0319]

Cinomed Chronicles : The Rulers

Masterpost

Chapters : Prologue | Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three |

Summary : In the far off world of Fandahli are kingdoms, most peaceful. But on one continent, Vola, two kingdoms are fighting a war that seems never-ending with both rulers constantly at a sword’s end. And on Earth, where things seem to be going well for everyone, one young woman suffers a torture worse than death. Another woman not far away waits for death, all hope gone until a spark ignites her will to fight once more. It isn’t long until their tales intertwine.

Taglist : Haha- no one reads my original content but if you’re interested in this story I’ll gladly make one!

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Not an effort-filled picture but it sums up this chapter- dear god help her

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To say that people were overworking themselves to please the Hayes family was an understatement.

Always rushing around the halls, servants bending backwards to keep their visitors happy. It was astounding to Evanna how quickly the mood in her kingdom shifted, even if it happened annually. The chefs were doing their best to make the food perfect and every time the words ‘your majesty’ left someone’s mouth while addressing Evanna, she felt like a new layer of dirt coated her skin.

She needed to keep the smile though, she refused to let it slip. When the King and Queen of Hayes - the rulers of the largest kingdom in Vola - visited you, you have them nothing but smiles and anything they asked. All the smaller kingdoms knew that messing with them would have been a grave mistake, quite possibly the last mistake they'd get the chance to make.

But within the walls of her study, she was safe. Enchanted long ago by one of her ancestors, only she could enter unless specific permission had been granted. Even in her room people would waltz in to tell her about some news, constant guards needing a decision to be made. Her study was untouchable in comparison.

Evanna poured herself over books, skimming their titles until she found the proper one. Some so old their covers could break if pulled too swiftly off the shelf, others new with the font shining harshly in the soft candlelight. Sometimes, if she felt enough inspiration, she'd add to her own books. Evanna filled the pages with poems, some long and some short.

Seldom able to visit her beloved escape, Evanna cherished her time there more than ever. Even if it was for only a short time. If she managed to read or write one line, she felt at ease.

There was a knock at the study's door, the sound echoing through the bookshelves and only making her headache worse. Still she rose to her feet, the knock anything but unfamiliar. Pulling a smile she could only imagine to look as forced as she thought, Evanna answered.

She slipped out and let the door click shut behind her, meeting Gideon's gaze for the twentieth time in the past few hours. "Your Majesty, if I may, why do you only choose to try and find me when I find time for a break?"

The King laughed, just as loud as about anything else he did. Evanna pretended to laugh along, before her smile faltered a bit. "But really, what is it that I can help you with?"

"It's the guards, they refuse to let us see the Traitor this year."

Evanna's smile disappeared completely, and she folded her arms over her chest. She still felt weird, not wearing the light but tight metal armor.

"As they should. No one but the royal chef, Erin, and myself are permitted to speak with him."

"Was it not different last year?"

"That was last year, your Majesty. A lot can change in one year." Evanna clamped her hands together. "I apologize that you cannot actually see Kendle today. But you should start getting excited, the hanging's in two days after all."

The words slipping past her lips burned, tasting of ash worse than what lingered outside. Evanna hated the fact that she needed to encourage people to be excited for the Hanging. She frowned, glancing around at the lack of guards. "Where are they all? They normally don't leave their posts without instruction."

"They went to help the rest of Tongyi in the festivities." The King held his head high, a sense of pride radiating off him. "Under my instruction, after all. They needed to stretch their wings."

Evanna really, truly wished it wasn't Kendle they'd be hanging in a few days.

"Very well then," her smile was tight and her voice strained slightly, "if you'll excuse me, I must go get-"

Bells ringing drowned out the rest of her words, a confused and almost pained look appearing on Gideon's face as they chimed louder and louder. Then silence swiftly followed, and Evanna rushed past the king to her room just down the hall. He was hot on her tail.

"What's happening? Oh stars I can still hear those blasted bells-"

"Stay. Here." Evanna was suddenly in her armor, having it on faster than any guard Gideon had ever seen. Her sword glinted dangerously as she opened the nearest window. "And for once, actually listen!"

Before Gideon knew it, Evanna had flung herself from the castle, wings extending and she disappeared from his sight.

She looked over the kingdom, looking for where they’d been attacked. Evanna’s heart pounded in her ears. No one ever told Gideon what to do, but she had little faith in his combat techniques. The queen cursed under her breath, finding no new breach in the walls and no guards. No Sadian was in sight, nor any other scouts or soldiers from other kingdoms. Evanna however did see a child be pulled into a nearby house, and she landed in front of it. The bells had stopped chiming - whoever had shot the warning arrows was nowhere to be seen - and instead a silence cascaded over her small kingdom.

She knocked on the door, sword gripped almost too tightly in her hand. Her shoulders already ached, her legs prickling as medicine wore off.

Of course, Evanna thought almost bitterly as she knocked again. Need to keep up with it.

The door opened with a creak, and an elder Dali peaked out at the queen. She blinked almost owlishly at Evanna, noticing how the younger woman was becoming impatient.

“Ah, my queen!” She finally cried, her eyes seeming to widen more. “Is- Is he gone yet? Did they get ‘em?”

“Get who?” Evanna opened the door further, casting a glance down the street just in case. “And where are all the guards?” The elder opened her mouth, before being cut off by a sudden wail from inside. She left the doorstep immediately to aid, cooing softly at the child. Evanna huffed silently. “Mara! Where are my guards? I heard the bell and-”

“Your majesty! Please!” Evanna jumped as a young man appeared beside her, dozens of blankets bundled in his arms. “Keep your voice down, no one knows that we’re all here, alright? And we just got the babies to sleep.” He closed the door, effectively trapping Evanna inside with them. Then he passed off the blankets before giving all his attention to Evanna. “The guards are all after the Traitor, as well as whoever broke him out.”

“Kendle escaped?” Evanna hissed, despite any relief she would have normally felt, she knew Kendle was not one to just let out of your sight. “Surly someone saw him leave the dungeons.”

The man shrugged, hugging himself and casting a solemn look at the quieting child. “Mama Mara was the only one around, and then there was an explosion in the forest and some shouts and all the guards left- y’know, since most are still in the medical ward healing. Mama Mara can’t seem to recall who it was, though. I’m sorry.”

“Which way did they go?”

He frowned. “My queen, you cannot seriously be thinking of-”

“Tell me where they went. That’s an order.”

“East,” he sighed.

Evanna was out the door within seconds, taking off once more. She squinted, seeing no smoke towards east. However there wasn’t any smoke in any other direction either. A shiver shot up her spine as the sun began to dip behind the horizon, painting the land gold.

"Great," she muttered, "just great." After dark, she knew they wouldn't be able to return home. No one ever made it back after dark until the next morning, sometimes they just never came back.

After flying for a short time, she heard distant shouts and flew closer to the canopies. The sun was sinking faster and faster below that distant line. The voices got louder and louder but it was clear it wasn't all the guards that left.

She just hoped they'd turned back.

Evanna tucked her wings in and covered her face as she dove into the treetops, catching herself on a branch. Peering down at who were arguing, her voice caught in her throat.

Kendle, tied up and screaming at the top of his lungs. A small fire not far away- a camp. And then four of her guards, two arguing, one watching over the escapee, and the other had his hands clamped over his ears. Evanna squinted at the supposedly deranged man, wings clamped to his sides. Tears streamed down his face as he ripped his vocal chords. 

"He's coming! Thanks to you he's coming! It's all your fault! He's coming!" Kendle choked out another sob, shaking his head frantically. "He's coming…"

Kendle spotted Evanna, eyes widening at the sight of her. He fell silent. Evanna jumped from her branch, landing with just a small thud. Her gaze flicked to the guards, the arguing two having also fallen silent. All four watched Evanna as she crouched in front of Kendle, reduced to a shaking mess of tears.

"Hey Kendle…" Evanna's voice was soft, the tone you'd use to calm a distraught child. The guards took a step forward, then another, only halting as Evanna raised a hand. Kendle bowed his head, clamping his mouth shut in an attempt to silence himself.

"Your- You- My queen, I'm- help-"

She shushed him lightly. "Deep breaths." Evanna placed her hand on his shoulder, rubbing lightly. He melted under her touch - how long had it been since anyone had even come near him? - and took deep breaths, still trembling violently. 

"Now, relax. Okay? You'll feel better." He nodded slowly, looking up through his bangs. She brushed his hair aside, moving to sit beside him. "Whenever you're ready, you can explain, alright?" Kendle nodded again, his wings twitching slightly.

"Your Majesty, why are you being nice to this… this traitor?" The guard's voice was young and hushed as they gazed upon Evanna and Kendle quietly.

Evanna didn't even look away from their prisoner. "Kendle-" she stressed his name, "-is still Dali. Traitor or not. Besides, if we ever want information, we need him calm."

One of them snorted. "This guy? Calm?" Evanna ignored him, instead she moved her hand to rub at the joints between his wings.

Kendle's spine straightened at the contact, before he slumped into Evanna's side. She cooed gently. "You all must be tired. Sleep."

"But what about-"

"I'll take first watch, everyone just rest up, alright?"

"Yes, my Queen."

Like a young child, Kendle had fallen into a deep slumber in seconds. Evanna's skin crawled at the thought of putting this young man to death. And for what? She never knew. It was always the people that chose who would be that year's Traitor. Her guards were more hesitant to sleep, deciding to lay down on the opposite side of the campfire.

Evanna exhaled slowly, feeling the stabbing pain that shot through her shoulders. Kendle began to shake in his sleep, curling further into her side and under her wing. It was going to be a long night.

She had only gotten an hour of sleep by the time the sun began to rise. The fire had dwindled until it was nothing but ash, and the only one to wake up during the night was Kendle.

He shifted against the tree, a light groan escaping him, stomach twisting tightly as hunger raked through his body. Kendle squinted at Evanna, who had moved away from him in favor of stretching her wings out. He bowed his head again, feeling the rope burn his tanned skin.

"My queen, he's coming. Surly you know. He's coming on my death day- he will not hold back." Evanna frowned at his words, looking back and tilting her head.

"Who's coming?"

Kendle swallowed thickly, his mouth dry. "You don't know…?" Evanna shook her head. His eyes grew wide. "No, no no no no no. That… that's not good. Oh stars that is not good."

"Uh, Kendle?" He snapped his head up, eyes brimming with tears. Evanna crouched in front of him. "What's not good about who coming?"

"I can't- if, if I say he'll kill me."

"You're already going to die, Kendle. People want to see you hanged. What can be worse than that?"

He shook his head and made an attempt to reach out, grasp her shoulders, but failed as the rope rubbed harshly against his skin. "So much- so much is worse than hanging…"

"Fine," Evanna sighed. "You don't need to tell me who's coming. But who let you out?"

Kendle remained quiet for a moment. "Why was I thrown in there in the first place?"

"Huh?"

"The cell- why did they even- Jonah!" Kendle lit up suddenly, jolting in his restraints. "That's why I escaped! Jonah- where's that boy? I didn't see him leave. My queen, where's Jonah?"

"Jonah…?"

"Or for Rikki's sake!" Kendle lurched forward at Evanna, catching himself before he could collapse. "Jonah! That little… that little prince! The one with sharp teeth! That little brat let me out and then booked it-"

His shouting had finally woken her guards, and he only continued to struggle in his bonds. "Please, you must help me find him- he will make him come! Jonah is making him appear!"

"Kendle, sit back and-"

"If you say relaxed, I swear to every deity out there, you will be bitten."

"Oi! That's it, you do not threaten the queen!"

"I have a sword too, sir."

"That doesn't mean-"

"Stay out of it-"

"But he-"

"No!"

Evanna stared down the guard that had drawn his sword. The guard slowly backed off, and Evanna released her tight grip on her own weapon. Exhaling slowly she looked back to Kendle.

"This is Prince Jonah we're speaking of, yes?" Kendle nodded hurriedly. "He let you out."

"Moments after an-"

"-explosion?"

"Yes! Yes! I never said I wanted out! The boy claimed he could let me out and then the guards were hot on our trail, and it was nearing dark and then they caught me but I couldn't see Jonah and then you appeared and… and…" Kendle shook his head, hands starting to shake. "Please, we must find him. He will make everything so much worse."

The guards stared on in utter disbelief as Evanna got to her feet. "I'll find the prince. You four," she barely even blinked at the guards, "make sure Kendle gets back to the castle. In one piece. And give him food. Understood?"

"Yes, your Majesty," echoed back to her. Evanna took off without another word.

In the light of the sun, it was far easier to see where the explosion had occurred.  The flames had clearly been controlled since no more remained, the ash heavier than any place in Tongyi. She lowered herself over the destruction sight, wings causing a small flurry of burnt tree to fly up into the air. Evanna couldn't remember what was around this place.

She finally landed, the ground far too soft and flaky. With each step more ash blew into the air. The trees still standing were scorched black, and the ground fared no better. Evanna almost started choking on the ash when she took a deep breath.

Her skin pricked nervously when there was a small snap, clearly not a snap of a fallen branch. Hand resting on her hip, just near her sword, Evanna began her walk towards where she'd heard the sound. She tried to keep her footsteps quiet, occasionally slowing to look at something. No noise followed the small snap, none that she found out of the ordinary at least.

Her sword was drawn as she rounded the tree, fully prepared to strike. The gold faltered when a small squeal of fear greeted her, a small creature cowering away and closer to the bones of-

Oh.

She sheathed her sword, recognizing the child as a werewolf. They weren't uncommon after all, but most werewolves stayed with their clan. They were covered in ash, fur color indistinguishable. Soft whimpering escaped them as they shuffled closer to the tree.

Evanna glanced around, spotting no adult werewolf. She frowned, looking back to the pup. "Alright, um, I'm not going to hurt you, okay? Here." She removed the sword from her hip, setting it as far away as she could. 

The pup still watched her in terror. Evanna let out a soft sigh. "Was… was this your village?" The pup whimpered again. "Is there anyone else?"

The young werewolf looked back to the remains of the undoubtedly older werewolf, ears drooping and tail curling around themselves. Evanna took that as a no. "Can you speak?" A nod. “Are you willing to speak?” The pup shook their head.

She looked back to the burned village. How just an explosion could have caused this she didn’t know. If she had time, she would have tried looking for more survivors. “I’m from Tongyi, do you want to come with me?”

The pup hesitated, looking over towards what Evanna could only assume to be more remains. Charred flesh doused in ash greeted her when she followed the pup’s gaze. Then they nodded, taking a careful step towards Evanna, then another.

“I’m going to carry you, alright?” Evanna reached for the pup, waiting for the nod before picking it up. It curled into her chest, smearing the ash deeper into its fur and leaving a light coat upon Evanna’s chest plate. Evanna took a slow breath, grabbing her sword once more and taking off as carefully as she could. The pup yipped as the air rushed by them, starting to shake in Evanna’s arms. She held them a bit tighter, staying relatively close to the treetops.

Finally, after almost three hours of flying as slowly and carefully as she could, Evanna landed at Tongyi’s gate. The air was still stained with ash, but it was still far better than breathing in the heavy smoke and fresh ash from the destroyed forest. Her lungs hurt, and she could only imagine how terrible the pup felt, fast asleep in her arms and coughing occasionally. Evanna’s wings ached, every movement like a dull knife stabbing into her back.

“Evanna!” She looked up, feeling the grogginess finally hit her. She cracked a smile as Erin jumped from the wall, landing in front of her without much trouble. “Where in all of Vola have you been?”

Evanna knew Erin wasn’t furious, not really - but the show he put on for their visiting monarch was quite convincing. Hands on his hips, eyes narrowed, all the while a hint of worry and excitement glinted in his eyes. The pup stirred, a small whine escaping them, and Evanna just nodded for them to head inside the kingdom. “I’ll let you know once I take care of this little one.”

“Is that a-”

“Yes, now pipe down before you wake them.”

Erin walked beside Evanna, peering at the pup curiously. He kept his voice low as they walked to the medical ward, where Evanna believed the nurses could look over the child and be sure they were still healthy. “Kendle was brought back three hours earlier, why did this take you so long?”

“Long way from the explosion to where I found Kendle and the guards,” she hummed. Erin slowly nodded, holding the door open to the medical center of Tongyi. "Hey Dolan?"

The healer in question looked up sharply, eyes widening for just a moment before narrowing. "Queen Evanna Mays the fifth, where in all of Fandahli have you been?" He snapped, snatching something off a table.

"Not relevant, just tell me out here." Evanna waved off his question, and instead placed the pup on the bed Dolan stood near. "I need you to look over this kid, make sure their lungs aren't damaged and that they haven't been injured and all that."

Dolan huffed, glancing to Erin who shrugged before turning to the pup. He took a quick step back as the werewolf began to wake up. "You brought back a werewolf. A werewolf, Evanna! You know they won't be happy!"

Evanna glared, and her voice lowered to a sharp whisper. "Their village was burned down, and as far as we know no one survived. Just listen and look over them, alright? Once they're taken care of, I'll try to see if the nearby village would be willing to take them in."

"Nope, nuh-uh. You aren't going anywhere for awhile." Erin crossed his arms, frowning at Evanna.

"And you're going to stop me?"

"Evanna darling, I'm the only one that would try to stop you." Evanna huffed softly, before finally caving. Because he was right. "Now, gonna assume you need something for pain?"

"'Scuse me?"

"Doubt you're feeling too well after that flight."

"Oh, yeah, right."

She took a seat beside the pup, who had finally woken up completely. They curled up closer to Evanna, the soot on their fur staining the sheets below it. "You're gonna be fine, kid." Evanna said gently. She carefully ran her fingers through their fur. "Trust me."

The pup whined softly, and although it trembled they let Dolan pick them up to wash them off.

Erin returned after a few moments, holding out a syringe. Evanna held out her arm for him. They were quiet for the most part as he injected the numbing serum. The medication was strong, and almost immediately she could feel her muscles begin to relax. He took a seat beside her, rubbing his eyes.

"So… you decided to just camp out with those stupid, stupid guards all night?"

"They weren't that bad, there's bound to be a brain cell in them somewhere."

"Evanna."

"They were just apprentices, if I'm correct. They'll learn how things work soon enough."

"Evanna-"

"And at least they were sensible enough to listen to me, unlike some Dali."

"They killed Kendle, Evanna."

Evanna froze mid-stretch, and she flicked her gaze over to Erin once more. "What?"

"When I said they brought him back- he was already dead."

She stared at him for a moment, before cursing loudly and booking it towards the door. "Evanna!" Erin's steps thundered behind her own as they fled from the facility.

Tongyians stared as they raced past, the last of the festival preparations being made before sundown when dragons were to start arriving. Evanna slowed at the training center, which doubled as their guard academy. Erin stopped at her side, bending over and wheezing.

"What the hell?" He yelled, throwing himself into a coughing fit. "What does it matter if they ended his life sooner rather than later?"

She ignored him, instead taking a deep breath to try and calm her racing heart. Faster and faster it beat with each passing year, it was a wonder she had yet to drop dead. He repeated his question, but instead of answering, Evanna pushed open the grand doors to the academy and strode in.

Erin groaned as he watched her wings, her shoulders just barely visible but quite clearly rigid. He glanced back in the direction of the plaza, squinting as the sun beat down on him from above. Finally he entered, following his queen up the steps to the viewing platform.

"-miracle you even survived, my dear, you really shouldn't rush out for such things!" Lyre was there, grasping Evanna's hands while looking over any exposed skin for new scars. Erin wiped the annoyance from his face at the fact she was treating Evanna almost like a child.

Evanna just allowed it to happen, her eyes not on the visiting queen but on those training below. Even from this high up the sweat could be smelled and the clashing of swords and shields echoed up to the highest floor still far above them. She seemed to be looking for someone, Erin guessed one of the guards from the previous night.

"Queen Lyre," Evanna interrupted her scolding. "Where are your sons? Prince Jonah and Dani?"

Lyre tilted her head, frowning lightly. "Actually, I don't know where Jonah is. Dani is out in the gardens with his father though. If I may ask, why?"

Evanna smiled softly, shaking her head and pressing a light kiss to Lyre's knuckles. "I was merely curious. I'll leave you to watch them train now."

"But I haven't even finished-" Evanna waved slightly before descending the stairs once more, nodding to Erin as she passed him. "Oh… is she always so difficult?" Lyre looked to Erin, almost pouting.

Erin chuckled genuinely. "No, Your Majesty. She's merely had a rough few days. Planning the entire festival yourself is no easy task." He took a step back towards the stairs. "Now, I do believe I should go with her. Have a lovely day, and hope you enjoy the festival." Erin bowed, before turning on his heel and leaving the queen alone.

She huffed softly, leaning over the rail once again. Sweeping her eyes over the crowd of Dali below, she found whom she had been watching originally. A young Tongyian with short blonde hair, almost as golden as the purist sunbeams. Lyre smiled wide, watching as the Dali fumbled once more against their training partner. She saw them hit the floor in frustration, and couldn't help but feel a spark ignite in her heart.

"Don't worry child," Lyre folded her arms over the railing, "soon enough you'll be the most powerful."