The Throne Among Spies [open]

[Queen Isandra]

Once again, I will ask you: Who sent you to spy on her majesty the Queen?

Isandra slouched slightly in her throne because she knew nobody was watching. Her mens' attention was completely focused on the man slumped on the floor. Usually torture was done in the dungeons, but currently all the torture cells were under repair. Many a stray firebolt or energy ball had gone astray and hit something (or occasionally someone) and caused some form of damage. Now they all needed fixing.

So the queen had ordered the prisoner to be brought to one of the royal halls for questioning. At first she was nervous, wondering if the prisoner would be strong enough to escape the unprotected walls. But the spy had melted before the onslaught of powers against him.

Isandra winced as one of the guards, a particularly brutal one as was favored by her dear uncle, hit the spy with an energy ball. It was a low-charged one, but it still looked like it hurt. The guard raised his hand again....

ENOUGH!

Isandra stood from her throne and glared at the guards.

This is getting us nowhere. Put the prisoner back in the dungeons; we'll finish this later.

She left before she could see them drag away the injured man. The queen was not stupid; she knew her men thought her weak. Perhaps she was; for years she had watched torture, for her grandfather always made her watch. Over that time she learned to hate it, and now she hated to have to have people tortured. But she was surrounded by spies, and needed to find out where they were coming from. She had her suspicions, but she wanted to know exactly what they were sent to find out, and for whom. And sadly enough, none of them would ever leave the castle again.

The queen returned to her main chamber where most events took place; this is where villagers came to seek her help, balls were held, and where ceremonies took place. Isandra sat in her thrown and covered her eyes with a hand and sighed; it wasn't easy ruling a kingdom.

[Mirage]

Mirage paced outside of the palace doors, wondering what insanity had made her come back to the place she had always associated with pure, unadulterated evil. I wish to speak with me cousin, Mirage thought as she looked out over the city. Mirage had thought herself to be the only remaining royal member alive, and so she had been quite surprised when Daemon told her that the Queen of Forinasi was her cousin. Mirage walked over to the doors. The guards looked at her with suspicion. Figures, last time some of them caught a glimpse of me, I assassinated their king, she thought. "I seek an audience with Queen Isandra," she finally said to the guards.
"Do you have an appointment?" one asked.
"No, I don't. But I wish to speak with my cousin whom I do not recall ever meeting," Mirage replied.
"You may go in," the guard replied. Mirage entered the palace and found herself in the queen's audience hall.

[Jade [Maggie]]

Isandra heard the huge doors opening and sighed lightly. Was it another spy to be questioned?

But when the queen looked up, she found herself staring at a woman, quite the same age as herself. She blinked in shock, feeling as if she recognized the person. But she had never seen her before. Isandra straightened in her throne and was speechless for a moment.

Er... can I help you?

The queen cocked her head and regained her composure.

[Mirage]

Mirage bowed awkwardly to the queen as she approached the throne. "This place seems much brighter than when I left at the age of seven," Mirage said as she looked around the large room. Guards watched her from every shadow. "I wanted to get acquainted with my cousin whom I was just informed by an old associate of mine is the queen of Forinasi," Mirage said as she stopped and once more looked around. She pushed her hood back and said, "I'm Mirage, the late king's daughter."

[Jade [Maggie]]

Isandra's mind froze, and her face was blank. Cousin?

Mirage?

Isandra said it without being able to hide the shock in her voice. She blinked again and stared, looking her cousin up and down.

It's definately been awhile. Let at seven you say? No wonder I didn't recognize you at first. My gods....

She shook her said in amazement.

You came back just to see me?

[Mirage]

"And to ask if I could become a member of the your army. I know, that other than the Sanguine Revenge, I have sworn no oath of allegiance to anyone but then again there is a first for everything," Mirage replied. "But, I also do wish to get to know the cousin I never knew existed. I thought that you were but a distant relation and that I was the only one left on my father's side. Not that I would have accepted the crown even if they had offered me the position. Leadership is not my forte." Mirage smiled slightly as she looked at her cousin.

[Jade [Maggie]]

Isandra looked at her cousin thoughtfully.

You are family, and you have a place here anytime you wish. But are you certain you want to tie yourself down, especially after coming from something as mysterious and independent as Sanguine Revenge? I will of course accept you into my army, but I want you to be sure it's what you most desire.

Isandra's face clowded for a moment.

You are a Refugee, yes? Not a Blood Member?

[Mirage]

"I was driven out of all ties to the revenge when the Sanguine Revenge was betrayed to my father. I think that it is finally time that I chose to do something for the right reasons. If Daemon taught me anything, it was to put aside my vendettas against others and to learn to trust others. I am refugee, and you are the only ruler I shall ever swear an oath of allegience to," Mirage replied for the first time with confidence. "Assassinating the king was out of revenge not out of loyalty to anyone. I would like to lead a more honorable life than I have been in the past, and I would like to be of use to you."

[Jade [Maggie]]

Glad to here it.

Isandra smiled lightly. Trust others... It was a trait that the queen had never developed, and one that she wasn't allowed as queen. She had to harden her heart and always question loyalty.

But this was her cousin, and she'd make an exception.

You are of course welcome here. I appreciate you coming.

OOC: By the way, I just realized I was responding with my Jade account. Sorry about that =]

[Mirage]

"Thank you," Mirage replied as she bowed once more and turned to leave. She stopped and turned around again. "Where should I report for duty, or whatever it is that new recruits due in the army?" Mirage asked.

[Queen Isandra]

Isandra blinked again, surprised her cousin was leaving so shortly after coming.

You can just report to me if you'd like. And I'll summon you if I need you on a mission. In fact, I may have something for you. But that can wait. Will you join me for a ride?

Jade rarely asked others to join her on rides--it was usually her time of peace and independence--but she wanted to spend more time with this stranger that was her family. After all, it's not like there was any family left... unless you counted her grandfather's brother's children and grandchildren. But they were living elsewhere and probably wouldn't be showing up anytime soon. And if they did, it's not like they'd be enjoyable company.

[Mirage]

"Sure, I 'll join you for a ride," Mirage replied. She bowed once more and waited for Queen Isandra to tell her where the stables were.

[Queen Isandra]

Isandra couldn't hide her grin.

Wonderful!

She marched through the audience hall, which was thankfully quite near the entrance hall. Within a few minutes she was at the massive doors to the castle. She was walking quickly, and covered the short distance to the stables in no time.

I just need to change out of this horrid gown.

Isandra was wasting no time at all in her excitement. She ran into the room where she kept riding clothes and changed quickly, then dashed back out to her cousin. She felt like a young girl again she was so happy. It had been a long time since she had been able to go and talk with someone.

Any preferences on horse?

[Mirage]

Mirage followed Queen Isandra quickly and soon arrived at the stables. "I prefer a black, Friesian, stallion," Mirage replied. "Where do you like to go riding?" Mirage asked.

[Queen Isandra]

The queen looked at a stable hand standing near by.

Did you hear that? And get Estrelo for myself.

The boy nodded with vigor and scampered off. Isandra was no stranger to servants as there had been plenty at her mother's country home where she had grown up. But she was astounded by the shear mass of them here--they were everywhere! But it was nicer, as things got done faster. A few stablehands came back quickly, leading the Friesian, and Isandra's personal stallion, Hortensio.

Your horse is called Kazakhstan, but we call him Kaz for short. This here is Estrelo--he's my favorite.

Isandra spoke with unhidden pride of her steed as she pet his dark neck. The seal brown stallion tossed his head gently, as if willing her to get a move on. The queen handed Kaz to Mirage before mounting Estrelo.

As to where I ride... anywhere, really. We'll be going to my private strip of forest today. There's some great trails there. It's just over that ridge over there.

Estrelo snorted as Isandra guided him in the all too familiar direction of the forest.