The scenery outside rolled by at a snail's pace. The rocky hills have long since given away to a thick forest that still glittered green, even as the grass lining the bumpy road has long since browned. In the distance of the graying sky, a storm threatened to roll in from the north, promising chilly winds and icy rain.
How pleasant it was for her, Princess Minette Franka Bellanyx, Mint to her closest friends. Observed all this from inside her modestly warm carriage. Wrapped in her thick fur cloak, she observed the knights escorting her rub their arms as the wind howled. The violent gust rocked her carriage violently, as if challenged to roll it over. Wisps of freezing air slipped through the cracks of the doorframe, causing her handmaidens to shiver.
"What a frightening wind," one of her handmaidens said, pulling her cloak tighter. Mint couldn't remember her name, nor could she recall the other's name, either. They had only recently been assigned to her. Right before her father told her of her engagement. His parting gift for his 'beloved' daughter.
She was the ninth daughter of King Bellanyx of the Nacht Nymph clan. To the outside world, they were known by many names, moon elves, night elves, shadow elves, but most commonly they were called the Nyx.
They were by far the most mysterious of the Elven races birthed by the Goddess Elfania, mother of all elves, and one of the three primordial goddesses. Perhaps people found them so mysterious simply for the fact their abilities weren't so easily defined.
Nymph were forest elves, Sylph were wind elves, Salamander's were fire elves, Gnome's were earth elves, and Mermaid's were sea-elves. All her cousins were very easily defined and recognizable. The Nyx on the other hand, were shrouded in mystery, rarely seen, with some believing they were only a myth. Even their elven cousins knew little about them.
Perhaps, I find these useless tidbits to be a fine distraction from my current predicament.
Since her scenery couldn't offer any stimulation, recounting the lessons of history, etiquette, and dancing drilled into her by her merciless tutors was her only source of entertainment for her first and most likely final trip.
Not that she was getting executed or anything, oh no, she got the fine privilege of being married off to another Nacht clan located somewhere beyond the horizon. A fate she perhaps would be more accepting of if she'd been raised properly into the role of princess and got to enjoy the life one could expect of such a position.
Perhaps then she could fulfill her duty to her family with her head held high, knowing she had a debt to pay back for living such a lavish life of tea, cake and finery.
But she hadn't. Oh, Mint knew the life of the princess, she's seen it up close. She's served their tea and cake, dressed them, and washed them. Going so far as so scrub between their toes.
To put it plainly, until only a half a year ago, she'd been a palace maid. The same as her mother, who she worked alongside.
Whether it was a life one could call fulfilling was the wrong question. Sure she was a servant, though effectively a slave by another name. She lived in a castle, had a warm bed, a full belly, and a mother who loved her. Overall she hadn't considered her life a bad one.
That was until the King, who she only knew as the king and nothing else, summoned her to the court in front of the entire royal family and all the nobles of the land. She'd been given a humble, but beautiful dress to wear. She feared she would be made the king's or perhaps one of the princes' mistress.
In hindsight, it was foolish to think she'd be given such a position in such a grand fashion.
No, he'd declared her his, ninth daughter, and spun an fantastic story that he had her play the role of a servant to protect her from danger or some such excuse. She of course, couldn't reply with anything but a nod. So stunned as she was.
The King and Queen claimed her and thus she went from Minette a humble palace maid to Minette Franka Bellanyx, the ninth princess.
After all the pomp and circus, in a private meeting with the king, it was revealed she was indeed his daughter, and her mother was… well her mother wasn't even allowed the title of mistress.
A passing fancy was what the king described her as. A midnight fling and nothing more.
But you are still of my blood.
Mint recalled her father's words as he laid out her future. She was to marry some prince from another clan, in place of her half-sister, who desired a different prince from another land. Both marriages were desirable, so why not have both?
She was being made a princess, what more could she ask for? Nothing, obviously. There was nothing she could say for or against it. Her surprise public announcement was to ensure she couldn't escape.
It's one thing if the king's secret bastard child disappears, but a publicly known princess? They'd never let me get away.
During her fast and harsh tutelage her 'mother' the queen made it appoint to bring her to every tea party and such event to make sure everyone knew her face. She was paraded around so that if there was ever a need to find her, people would know her.
Really, did they need go through such exhaustive means. They already had everything I cared about.
Though it was never said, Mint knew her real mother's, Mildred, life was on the line.
I wish we could have acted as we'd always had at the end.
With her new status came restrictions, she could no longer openly hug her mother, or even call her, her mother. Nor could her mother do the same for her. They were as far as everyone else was concerned, strangers.
She raised me, all by herself, while working as palace maid. I spent every day of my life with her and now she' s just some 'woman' who was tasked with caring for me! How am I supposed to just pretend she's not my mom!
Mint let out a long drawn out sigh that fogged the window of the carriage. If she got riled up now, she'd grind her teeth to dust.
I wonder if her smile was real when she waved goodbye.
Not even at the end was she allowed a proper goodbye with her birth mother. The fact her mother was allowed to serve at the Queen's side the day of her departure was the only concession her father would make.
She couldn't quite decide if that was his way of showing he cared in some way or another cruelty. Probably the latter, honestly.
"Princess Minette," One her handmaidens called. It was the blonde one, both were human Elfanians, humans who worshiped Elfania and thus worshiped elves.
"Yes?"
"The captain of the escort is worried the weather is about to turn for the worst. He would like to know if you want to stop and begin making camp early tonight. We are unlikely to reach the next settlement before the storm rolls in."
Mint only blinked, why were they asking her? Right, though she thought herself a fake, she was the highest authority here, so long as she didn't try to escape.
"He may do as he pleases… that is whatever he thinks is best." Mint frowned as the two handmaidens fixed her with exasperated looks. "What?"
"That kind of language won't do, Princess. You must be clear, concise and speak with authority. You are a princess after all." The blonde handmaiden smiled and spoke in the way her half-sister's would. "Say, let us make camp, dear captain, or perhaps, we shall make camp at the next most suitable spot."
"Remember, be commanding," the pale green haired handmaiden added.
"Right," Mint opened her window and called the Captain over. "We shall make camp at the most suitable spot, I will leave choosing to your discretion, dear Captain."
"Many thanks, dear Princess," The Knight captain bowed in his saddle. "There is a popular spot a few miles ahead, we should reach before dusk. It has trees we can use for shelter and a pond, though it may be frozen, it will provide for us."
"Very good, alert me upon arrival."
"Of course, Princess."
After closing the window and the curtain, Mint sighed as she sagged her seat, glaring at the two handmaidens to dare and reprimand her. She couldn't escape, but she could tell them to catch some fresh air outside if she truly wished.
They understood this and thus, knew not to push her when it wasn't warranted.
"Before we reach camp, do you wish to go over whom you'll be marrying, again?" The blonde asked.
"No… I've heard about him enough times and I'm sure I will hear of him more. Just leave me alone with my thoughts."
"Of course, please feel free to rest, until we reach the campsite."
Mint sighed and closed her eyes, her entire body bounced along with each turn of the carriage wheels.
As if I can rest like this…
--break
They arrived at the captain's chosen campsite within two hours. Cutting it close as the clouds in the sky turned a dark gray, the northern winds battering them with its icy breeze.
The site was small clearing of trees located on the southern side of the road. The entry curved slightly, providing them extra shelter from the north winds. As described a small pond rested in natural earthen bowl, it's waters crystal blue and shallow. Small trails ran along the its shores through the trees, a vegetation laden stone structure lay on the opposite shore.
Mint observed the site as everyone went about their business, setting up tents, gathering kindling and firewood, preparing food, and refilling canteens. Watering horses and all that. All things she was perfectly able to help with, well, equestrian activities were a bit beyond her purview. She was an adequate cook, and anyone could gather kindling.
Alas, it was her duty to sit to the side and observe the goings on. Surely her half-sisters and father would find sitting on a cushioned stool relaxing after a long day's ride, and a part of the natural order. For Mint it only made her antsy.
"Is there's something wrong with your foot, my lady?" Her blonde handmaiden asked.
"Hmm?" She was restlessly tapping her foot, how unladylike as her tutor would say. "Nothing." Mint stood, wrapped tightly in layers of thick cloaks. "I merely find myself in need of some stimulation after so many hours of sitting. I shall venture to the ruins on the opposite bank, I'm sure my presence will only burden those actually doing labor."
Mint looked at the blonde maiden as she walked past, "You are free to company me, if you so wish. I will return once my curiosity is satisfied."
The Blonde maiden chewed her lip, before her companion urged her along, and called for the two female knights of the troop to company them. The knights stood a bit beyond the blonde maiden, far enough to not overhear, but not so far they couldn't jump into action if needed.
I can't imagine a more thankless profession.
The institution of Starlight Knights order, the order of which her female knights belonged to. Was specifically created for the pursue of protecting the Queen, Princesses, and other important ladies in private settings.
They were nicknamed the Starlets, though Bedroom guards, was the vernacular used by the maids. They did ensure an important function. Their primary job was to ensure the Queen only slept with the king, and the princesses and noble brides remained chased.
A fury of twisted rumors surrounded the Starlets. Most of their ranks were filled with tomboyish noble daughters, and daughters born of mistresses. It was often joked that if the Queen was occupied, or merely tired, they would fill in for her nightly duties.
Other rumors said the Starlets would fulfill the gentlemanly role for the princesses to give them hands on experience.
The only rumor Mint knew for sure was true, was the Starlets did in fact have to stand there and listen to the King take the Queen to bed. Just as the maids did.
Yes, being a starlet wasn't quiet the honorable role it was sold as.
"The water is quiet clear," her handmaiden said breaking the silence. They were about half way to the stone structure. Mint stalled her walk to look at her reflection.
"As clear as a mirror," Mint stepped onto the bank for a proper look. Her cyan skin highly contrasted her bright saffron hair, and her mint eyes, hence her nickname. For a 'night-elf' she was certainly colorful.
Perhaps star-elves would be a better descriptor of the Nyx? Though it's perhaps a bit arrogant.
She touched her long pointed ears, which had been rather painfully pierced, several times, to allow for an elaborate display of glittering gem adorned silver earrings. It was a constant effort to not allow her ears to sag or droop.
"Is something the matter, my lady?" Her handmaiden asked, perhaps worried she was going to jump and freeze herself to death. Drowning here would take some effort, not that Mint felt inclined to do either.
"Yes, actually," Mint replied turning sharply. "Apologies, but what is your name? I'm certain I've heard it said, but I'm uncertain of what it actually is."
"You…" The handmaiden held her hands to her pretty lips, her green eyes sparkling with pure joy as she knelt to the ground. Never minding she was dirtying her skirt. "You desire to know my name, my lady?"
That was… certainly a reaction.
"Yes?"
"I am called Marigold, it would do me the greatest honor for my name to leave your holy lips." The look of adoration on Marigold's face was too much! So this was a human Elfanian. The word fanatic would suit her.
Naturally being raised in the palace, even as maid, Mint hadn't interacted much with the human followers of Elfania. She could see why her mother would call them odd folks.
"I maybe a princess of sorts, but I'm far from holy, I'm not even a priestess!" Mint argued, but Marigold didn't lose an ounce of her adoration.
"All elves are holy in my eyes. Oh forgive me. What I should say, is all daughters of Elfania are divine beings gracing us mere mortals with their light." Marigold gushed, perhaps this was a side she usually kept constrained.
"Right, if you say so," Mint awkwardly looked to the Starlets, who were just standing there, not interfering, but not joining Marigold's fanatic sermon. In this current situation, that was fine. "Though, I'm far from the gracing light of our goddess Elfania."
Linage wise, at some point in her father's bloodline, she was related to the Goddess Elfania. That is from some point from now to the beginning of time, some of her ancestors could be considered divine avatars. Maybe even demigods. Even on her mother side. Though for her bragging about it was akin to a kitten declaring itself a lion. They might as well not even be considered related.
"Even so, you shine far brighter than a human such as I." Marigold declared, clutching her skirt. "That's why I find position so difficult. If not for your father's order, I would never dare speak to you has I have."
"You're just doing your job," Mint walked back on the trail. Marigold was still kneeling. "Come, now Marigold, let us reach our destination before it grows dark."
"Yes, my lady!" Marigold smiled ear to ear, as if her lover has just declared her undying love.
I kind of liked her better before. At least I could pretend to hate her then.
A puppy. That's what came to mind when she thought of Marigold now.
The entrance to the ruins, as with the rest of it, was moss ridden. A bit strange to see moss this time of year, even stranger was when Mint touched the stone pillar, it was warm. Even the floor, made of smoothed stone, radiated heat that created whiffs of steam when stray snowflakes hit the ground with in the structure.
"Perhaps taking up residence here would be more ideal," Mint suggested as they explored the ruins. There was no roof, but a surplus of rooms were littered about. "Marigold, do you know what this place was?"
"Afraid not my lady, this is my first time outside of the capital as well. Do either of you know?" the handmaiden asked of the Starlet knights.
"We've heard rumors of such places as these," The emerald blonde knight said, she was the taller of the two, and her name was Lofie, if Mint remembered correctly. "I heard from other knights who regularly travel, structures such as these are ancient shrines from before the great schism. It's said the magic of the three great goddesses still linger and is considered neutral territory."
"So we could take shelter here without fear of suffering an attack?" That certainly would be useful, but Lofie's partner, Nevi, dismissed the idea.
"We could, but any enemies would only need to wait outside the shrine and await our demise by dehydration, or starvation." She went onto detail a story from one of the older knights, who took refuge in such a shrine, only to be surrounded by Minervian demons.
The knights took refuge inside of the shrine, the demons surrounded them and would enter the shrine at night to steal or poison their provisions. So long as the demons didn't physical harm the knights, the goddesses wouldn't inflict divine judgment on them. Knights who tried to stop the sabotage where struck down by lightning. Only those who had the courage to attempt a break through, survived.
"Always remember princess, neutral territory simply means the gods will not help you." Nevi warned. "Nor will our blessings work while with these sacred halls."
Mint pulled back her sleeve to inspect the blessings the royal priests tattooed on her arms. When she tried to charge the archaic runes with divine flame, they didn't respond. She was truly powerless with in this structure.
That's frightening.
"We'll wrap our little excursion post haste, but not before visiting the alter, if one is still intact." It would be rude to enter a house of the gods and not pray. That was asking for divine retribution. Another tidbit from her princess lessons.
"A wise decision, you highness," Nevi pointed ahead. "I believe the alter would be in that direction, judging from the layout."
Since the ruins could be entered from either the east and west, it stood the reason the sanctuary would reside in the middle. In the rotunda, there were entry ways that led in all four directions. The north entry lead to a platform that overlooked the pond. To the south was the sanctuary.
Waiting for them in the only room with a intact roof were three statues depicting the three great goddess, Solaris, the overseer of heaven, Elfania, the caretaker of earth, and Minerva, the undertaker of the underworld.
Solaris was depicted as woman with large feathery wings. Elfania was depicted as woman with long ears, as expected of the mother of elves, and Minerva had long curled horns.
Elfania was their patron goddess, but…
"Since this a shrine dedicated to all three, must we pray to all three goddesses?" Praying to a goddess of an opposing faction was rather faux pas nowadays. As it could interpreted as attempting to convert, praying to all three was rather awkward considering the current dynamics among three sister goddesses.
"I believe if we simply express our gratitude, that will be acceptable and should cause no strife." Marigold suggested, though her nervous smile gave away her true feelings.
"We shall do that," Mint knelt and assumed the prayer style the priests taught. Arms crossed before her with the back of her hands touching, finger interlocked, thumbs out. This was to represent symbol of their goddess Elfania, the woven tree. "Thank you for you hospitality."
"Thank you for your hospitality." The other repeated.
All three statues pulsed with a faint light of each goddesses' divine color. Azure for Solaris, emerald for Elfania, and amethyst for Minerva.
Mint made to stand, but found her body wouldn't obey.
Huh?
Not only that, but the world was deathly silent, the only sound was that of her own heartbeat, which was gradually growing louder.
Child of our sister… two voices said at once.
Child of mine… a third voice spoke.
Do thou not have a wish, buried deep within thy heart? Speak it and we shall grant it. The three voices spoke in unison.
Swear to me…
Make a deal with me…
Be loyal to me…
The voices of all three goddesses flooded Mint's mind, their words echoing like thunder, pounding against her skull.
For fifty, no hundred years of service, if my wish can be made real. I will heed thy words without complaint, or comprise. If by some miracle she can be free of the life her father unjustly forced upon her, and spare the life of her mother, that was enough. Anything more would be asking too much.
Once more the goddesses spoke, but only two of them did.
Heed my word and the path will be shown to you…
Survive my challenge and all will be given to you…
She waited for the words of Elfania, but unlike her sisters, only sighed.
Choose the path of your heart my child, I pray you return to my embrace.
Mint's body instantly felt cold as Elfania's divine flame weakened, but in its place, the blessings of Solaris and Minerva filled her.
Oh no… did I just CONVERT!
That hadn't been her intention! If Elfania wanted her on this path set by her father she would have been fine with it! Honestly!
The sound of the world returned and Mint stood and turned to see Marigold and the Starlets slowly rising. They didn't seem to notice anything had happened. So long as she didn't use any magic, they might remain ignorant.
"Let's return to camp!" Mint briskly walked through her entourage, making sure her arms were covered by her long sleeves. It wouldn't do for anyone to see her now azure and amethyst tattoos.
--break
Night fell and as the captain predicted, snow began to fall from the sky. The trees broke up the falling flakes enough to spare them from the worst of the storm. A quick peek through the tree revealed the frozen hellscape they would have been trapped in had they dared to stay on the road.
As the servants prepared soup for everyone the knights gathered together to discuss how to proceed. Mint by the privilege of her rank, attended the meeting. She tried to keep up with the discussion of what they should do if the road was too snowed over to continue or if they could even find it.
Honestly the whole discussion was far out of her expertise.
"You are the well-seasoned traveler captain," she said when asked what was the best course of action. "Sheltered as I was, I'm afraid I cannot impart any wisdom on this matter. Whatever you decide is best, I will endorse."
"Very well, Princess," The Captain, whose name was Tallian, seemed both relieved and distressed to be given full control of the matter.
Mint could only imagine how difficult it would be to be responsible for the lives of everyone here. The worst case was if she died and the captain survived, no doubt a harsh punishment awaited him if he failed.
On the opposite end, if even half of the caravan was wiped out, so long as she was alive, the captain's mission would be considered a success.
If pressed on the matter, Mint would readily admit she preferred surviving.
"For now, I will retire to my tent and pray to our goddess that the morning will not be as dire as we predict."
"Thank you, very much Princess," Tallian and the knights said, bowing deeply.
Mint offered her best smile and left them to their devices. Her heart sinking as she entered her private tent. The one place she could remove the mask that had become her face.
"I'm not sure asking for a favor is wise right now," She mumbled as she pulled back her clothes to inspect the three new runes seared into her chest. One from each goddess. It was comforting to know Elfania hadn't instantly abandoned her, but she was uncertain where she stood with her patron goddess.
If she full throatily rejected Elfania's sisters perhaps that would quell any lingering anger from the Caretaker. However, such a harsh rebuke after they extended their divine favor was sure to ensue Solaris and Minerva's wrath.
Well… Solaris might not be so spiteful…
Solaris was known, even among the Elfanians, to be the most patient and forgiving of the three goddesses. That was not to say she didn't have a temper. The goddess of the Azure flame would perhaps see her selfish plea as what it was. A hopeful and selfish demand that she didn't expect to be taken seriously.
Elfania and Solaris would surely show some leniency for her foolish actions, Minerva would not. In fact Mint was afraid there would be no reasoning with the Goddess of Amethyst flame.
"What challenge did she speak of?" Mint wondered while pacing the length of her tent as she observed the twisted runes of Minerva upon her flesh.
What could Minerva have in mind? When would this challenge come? No matter what Mint imagined, it was certainly going to be worse than that.
Taking a steady breath, Mint reasoned there was no point in worrying about it anymore tonight. She said a brief prayer for good weather tomorrow as she promised the knights and climbed into cot.
It's been a long day.