Nisanre's Story :: Nisanre

	Nisanre's Story
Home My Poetry Nisanre Guestbook	Nisanre This is Nisanre's story...I created this character for the IWG (international writer's guild...for more information sign my guest book and I'll give you more info.) Also check out my friend Arah's sight: Now... Nisanre's story: Dear Friends, I am Nisanre, or rather, Princess Nisanre, of Trinity. My father is King Neikron, and he is king over all of Argentenial as well as Zinthe and my mother is Queen Dianthe, former princess of Chistalis, a small city in Argentenial. I love living in Trinity, it's so beautiful, full of flowers, and fountains, and beautiful buildings, all of which have stained glass windows. There is every kind of weather imaginable here, but that is all beautiful too. The thunderstorms will always produce rainbows, and there is never an overcast day that feels oppressive. I wanted to tell you my story straight off, but Arah, my cousin, said that it actually started before I had it start. So I have to rewind and tell my story from the beginning. I have the privilege of introducing some of the most interesting points of the story: the Armagratia Magicus, my parents, Dartanius the Shadow King, and my conflicts. According to my cousin, my story starts with my parents and myself, one day in May. It was a glorious day, but I was about to get really upset and it was going to turn ugly. "Nisanre," my father said as I walked into the council hall. All of his royal advisors hovered around his shoulder, but he pushed them away, "Nisanre, you are getting older..." I rolled my eyes, I am 183 years old, and for an elf, that's very young. He continues, "it's time for you to start thinking about marriage." I tried not to groan. I knew it would come soon, he had been hinting at it for some time, but I didn't want it to happen. "And since you have not the initiative in finding a worthy husband, I have invited all the princes of Argential to a..." "Croquette party!?" I shouted at my mother later while she was brushing my hair out (something she had done a lot since the accident) "A croquette party. Who's crazy idea was that? First of all, I don't want to get married, and second of all...croquette? Who plays croquette? I don't play croquette!" My mother stared at me calmly, "I think it's a wonderful idea..." she said dreamily, "You know, your father and I met at a croquette party." "That explains a lot," I muttered under my breath, luckily my mother didn't hear me. "Besides, my mother continued, this gives you an excuse to get Arah here, I know how much you've wanted to have her come and play." I smiled at this. Arah and I had needed to talk for some time, since the last Milinautis, Finea, died. It is important that I intoduce the Miliantis and the Armagratia Magicus, as well as my means of sending messages. The Armagratia Magicus is three sorceresses, two elves and a human, all of royal decent. The human third who closes the triangle is called the Miliantus At the moment, these three are Arah, myself and...well...that's a problem. Finea, the former Miliantus, unfortunately passed away nearly three months ago, we still have yet to figure out how. The Armagratia are the force of all good we cannot be swayed to do evil, or at least it is not very likely that we will because we have seen 'the light'. I cannot explain this experience, to the extent of my knowledge, none of the Armagratia have been able to. It is somewhat of a calling from 'on high' but that isn't important. What is important is that all of the events that happen in Zinthe, and possibly farther we're not sure, is based on the Armagrita's success or failure to hold back evil. They are governed by the six elements. Fire, water, earth, metal, time and air, because of this our powers encompass these elements. My powers for example have to do with the earth and metal. Arah, fire and water, and of course the Miliantus time and air. All elements govern each other, Water governs fire, fire governs metal, metal governs air, air governs time, time governs earth and earth governs water. It's all very complicated and sometimes we aren't really sure how it all works because it dates so far back in time. Let's just leave it at the fact that it does work, and that because of this government, the Armagraia Magicus, is equally balanced in power. The Armagratia, when the triangle is complete whether they are separate or together, are unconquerable. However, when one of the Armagratia dies, or is "out of service" the triangle is obsolete, and the powers of the others wane, and for a time become nothing. Also when this happens, there is a sense of urgency in finding the third, for when the Miliantus is about to die, the planets align in a fashion much like this: X X X X When the Miliantus dies we have (time period) to find the Miliantus and join our forces. During this period of time, when the planets are aligned like: X X X X The two remaining Armagraita have no power. However, when the planets align thus: X X X X They regain their powers and their search for the third must be completed before the planets look like: X X X X Otherwise, the Armagratia Magicus will fail and no longer be effective, and all will fall into darkness. (pretty bleak huh?) Dartanius, is my messenger, or rather, a messenger. He delivers messages for all good creatures if he is needed. He is a very interesting per-well, he's not a person, he's...a shadow. The shadow king to be precise. He governs the world of shadows, and can see the world from beginning to end. He always laughs for he prefers to look into the future, and though it may seem bleak to the unseeing eyes of the creatures of the world, he can see what the end will be and he finds it humorous. He knows that in the end that evil will fail and right prevail, so you can guess what side he is for. He wears yellow, red and orange, and appears to those with shadow power, particularly those who have started to go down the path of evil. I met him in such an encounter, but now is not the time to discuss that. All you need know, is that he can appear to those without shadow powers, only if they believe in the power of pure magic, which I do. All shadow actions do not happen without his knowledge, and every evil acts pains him, though you cannot see it. He cannot die, nor be intercepted, even by a fellow shadow, for he can be invisible to any, or take any form he desires. His goal is to turn to all evil to good before the end of the world. Before Arah and I became the Armagratia Magicus, he served my mother and Arah's mother, however I never knew of him. Needless to say, he "serves" the Armagratia Magicus and is loyal to them to the end. Now, with all of that long bit of babble done, I can move on with my story. As I left off, my father was having a croquette party, and I didn't want to go, and I need to talk to Arah, for we had not found our Milliauntus. I sent the message through Dartanius, and since I knew travel between Argentential and Karfania takes time, all I could do was wait. The next morning, I was rudely awoken from a sweet dream of peace (something I have only felt in sleep, more on this later) when Petra, my body guard, splashed water on my face. "Nisanre!" she said, "Nisanre, wake up, Arah is here!" I sat straight up in bed, and looked at her, "You've got to be kidding me," "I'm not! She arrived...express." I was confused, what this "express" could be I didn't know, but it didn't matter, all that mattered was that she was here. I leaped out of bed, yelling at Petra to tell her I'd be down in a minute, as I started dressing. But Arah wouldn't wait. "Nisanre!" she said bursting into my room. I emerged from my dressing room, fully dressed in a beautiful green dress, embroidered with gold flowers. "Arah!" I threw my arms around my cousin. It had been so long since I had last seen her. Something was different though, I checked her out and then realized, "Where are your bodyguards!?" She smiled, "They are carrying in my luggage. I needed to speak to you alone, and my new body guard was getting on my nerves." I smiled, Arah was famous for carrying a lot of luggage, because she (couldn't part with her mirrors/used to store all of her mirrors in her castle, but when her mirrors were found she began little by little to bring them to my palace. Some were large, and since she owned quite a few she brought as many as she could in her trips. "So how many mirrors did you bring this time?" I asked. She laughed, "Only five!...hundred!" I laughed too, but then sobered. "We have to talk." I said. She nodded solemnly, we both knew the severity of our time. "But not now," Arah said smiling, "now is a time for celebration. We have to decide what we're going to wear tomorrow!" I smiled. For the rest of the day, Arah and I talked about everything happy, it was nice not to have to worry about things too much. The next morning, I woke up to the sound of something scuffling outside my door. However, when I opened it there was nothing there. I closed my door and wondered about it, until I remembered that I needed to discuss everything with Arah so I ran down the hall to her room. "Come on." I said, when I noticed that she was already up. I lead her to my library. This library is the most awesome library ever! You will never see a library quite like this one. It holds every book ever written on every planet, and is constantly growing. It is the largest room in the palace, and since the storage of it is always growing, so is it. However, thanks to my great great grandmother Andrea, it is impossible to enter without powerful good magic. She made it this way because there are many dangerous, terrible and wonderful things contained in some of the books. This is where I store my collection here. (You may say it is the obsession of the Armagratia, to collect things-Finea collected clocks, but that is besides the point.) It is my "obsession" to collect magical artifacts of all types. There are so many in the world, ones now, ones from the past, I think I even have one from the future, but no one could ever be sure, it may just be from a distant land. All of these artifacts, each of which is special and unique, have a special meaning, and thus a special box. Each of my boxes are engraved, or decorated in someway or another. However, despite all of the danger, and importance of the books and my artifacts, there is one object that is more crucial to any point of the enemy. The Opacus, the book containing all of the spells ever written for and against the light, this is where ages of the Armagratia Magicus, have met. As soon as the doors of my library had closed, Arah began talking, "Nisanre, you know as well as I do, the urgency of finding the Miliantus, the planets-have you seen them recently? I went out flying yesterday, and noticed that they are nearly half aligned." I looked at her as I busily lit the many, many candles in the room. Suddenly the rest spouted up in flame. Arah smiled at me, and I glared, and then we both laughed even though our discussion was serious. "Yes I know that the search is urgent, but why so much now? It was probably just as urgent nearly two months ago, when the planets began shifting, why is it so much more urgent now?" (I apologize if this is a little bit of a choppy dialogue, but most of it we did mentally and the spoken part I only faintly remember, so if it seems a little off the bat, then I'm sorry.) Arah sighed, "Cerus, is a spy. He and the enemy are planning an attack on the Armagratia Magicus, they know that we are broken Nisanre, and they are trying to find the Miliantus just as fervently as we are. Their spies are everywhere. Nisanre, we are in big trouble if they find her before we can rejoin." I sat down on one of the plush chairs facing Arah, "That is not good, Arah, why can't you bring good news? I don't even have good news, I too have been watching the planets, nothing looks good at the moment." I sighed, "I'm sorry, I can't do this, this is too stressful, I mean when Rinthana died this wasn't a problem because we found Finea so quickly!" She nodded, "I know, but what we have to remember, is that we could still lose our powers and be completely useless to all of the people whom we have sworn we would protect!" "I know," I sat back, then a thought occurred to me, and I sat bolt up right, "Arah, we haven't lost our powers. That happened almost instantly after Rinthana died, and we haven't lost them yet! Maybe our powers are so fully developed. Maybe they-" "Don't say that!" Arah shouted covering her ears, "remember when our mothers said!" I stood up, and then there was an instant cold in the room. Both of our mothers had been in the Armagratia Magicus before their accident...even though they had been gone nearly one hundred and fifty years. Though, just before the accident our mothers had told us both that when we would inherit the Aragratius, and the first Miliantus died, we would lose our powers, and for everyone after that. We both remembered so vividly the events of that day. I shook my head, "No, no, no, no, no! They had to be wrong! Our powers can't fail, they just can't not now!" "What about Rinthana?" She reminded me. "We had just come into our powers!" (one thing I have to say about myself, I am stubborn, that's why Arah and I get along so well, she's not. Unfortunately being stubborn has its disadvantages...such as when you are in the wrong...anyway, sorry) "What about Kareena?" that stopped me dead, what about the Miliantus whose death caused our mothers..." I put my hands over my eyes, as she trailed off. "Don't" I whispered, "We never knew, they never knew if they had come into their full powers. The darkness is stronger, Dartanius keeps telling me this, and I have no choice but to believe him especially since I feel it as well. Besides, you have to remember the prophesy, that the third of third generations would be the strongest, you know tha's us, it always has been us!" Arah sighed, "I hope you're right," she sighed again, "my father must feel the darkness too because he wouldn't let me go anywhere till I had my second bodyguard." I nodded my head towards the only source of natural light, a sun roof in the ceiling (it was high enough that the light was useless) Up on the highest shelf of books there was a telescope from which I had watched the planets. "I don't want to admit how close they are Arah, they're almost half aligned." she nodded, "We had better find her soon, or we are all doomed to-" I was suddenly cold again, the candles and fire had gone out, "What just happened?" I asked. I couldn't see Arah, but I felt her shake her head, "let's get out of here, she whispered." I nodded, "Arah," I said as a thought struck me, "Can you light the way?" I felt a little bit of power behind me, and then nothing. I gasped and raced up the stairs to the telescope. I knew the path in the dark, because I had been sneaking out of bed at night, and watching the planets move often falling asleep in the big cushioned chair I had up there. I looked in the telescope and then screamed down, "ARAH! THE PLANETS! THEY'RE HALF ALIGNED!!" I felt the shock from the top of the stairs, and then I ran down, "We have to get out of here now, or we'll be locked in until the end of the half phase," I said running grabbing Arah's hand and running out of the library. As soon as we left, I skidded to a stop. "William!?" I exclaimed whirling around. A tall young elf, with golden blond hair turned to face me, "Nisanre? Is that you who just whizzed out of that room?" He asked, "And Princess Arah," he bowed, "how nice to see the two of you." I gasped, "William! It is-I can't believe-I thought-What are you doing here?" "Nisanre," he scolded smiling coyly, "Is that any way to treat a friend?" I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, "I'm sorry I just can't believe, I thought you'd been-wait..." I turned around and saw that Arah's eyes were ablaze, with so much more understanding I turned back to William, and was glad the Armagratia's magic had "failed" for the time being. I believe Arah would have roasted me for hugging William (she didn't know it yet, but she was in love with him. From that second on I backed off a bit) "Arah, did William replace Cerus?" she nodded, "William! You-You got the job! Ohmygoshwilliamican'tbelivethatyouactuallygotthejob!!!" Everything was being revealed and I was shocked. "How, how do you know Sir William?" Arah asked. I laughed, "Oh! William was with the Zinthan army, and was stationed here after he enlisted. He had..." I trailed off not knowing how much to tell her, "He and I were good friends when he was head of guard, and almost a brother to me!" Arah's eyes relaxed and the flames in my heart were extinguished, I smiled at her. "So..." William started, taking first Arah's arm and then mine, and slowly leading us down the hall, "what time does that croquette party start?" I stopped, "no!" I exclaimed, "It started...twenty minutes ago! We're late! My dad's going to kill me!" I dropped William's arm and started running. My long red hair flew behind me as I ran, and as I did so I almost tripped on my skirt as I tumbled down the stairs. When I reached to door to the garden where the party was, I stopped and looked in the mirror. My face was dirty and my hair was an absolute mess! I tried to conjure a brush and washcloth, but my efforts failed. Suddenly the set was behind me. "Need these?" William asked. I jumped and then laughed. "Thanks Will!" I said taking the brush and running it through my hair, while Arah took the already damp washcloth and washed my face. She, of course, looked perfect for while her hair was about the same length as mine, it was finer and didn't move or muss as easily and living in "desolate" Karfania hadn't done her complexion much harm either. I had always envied my cousin for her beauty, but had never thought much about it until I realized that William could not take his eyes off of her. I smiled, it was the perfect match, even if neither of them realized it. Practical, wise and beautiful Arah and handsome witty and fanciful Sir William would work so well together. When my hair and face were as perfect as they could be, I sighed. "Well here goes!" I said. I opened the glass doors to the garden and was instantly flooded with light. I blinked and everyone looked up. Prince Vandriabilt dropped his mallet and started along with all the other males there. I knew many of the princes there, having had met then when my father went to their kingdoms on "districorial business" Prince Vandribuilt, and I had met each other when we were six years old, and had never seen each other since. I nodded courteously to all of my guests. My father handed Arah and myself a mallet and ball, but there was none for Sir William. I wanted Arah and William to get together so bad that I willingly forfeited mine so that they could get to know one another. I felt a wave of relief when my father didn't say anything about it, because I would just be able to sit, and not play until a voice that I had never heard before piped up from under a tree. "Your majesty, if I may, I would willingly share my equipment with Princess Nisanre, so that she, as the hostess could play." I tried to protest, but my father laughed, "Of course, sir, that would be marvelous!" and then glared at me. I had to conceit. "Thank-you sir." I smiled. I walked down the back steps to where the game had been set up. The man who had offered his "services" was tall, almost a foot taller than myself. He was of a small stature, but his arms looked as if they could have taken on several men at once. He pushed a lock of his dark brown hair out of his piercing blue eyes, and smiled. It was his smile, surrounded by a moustache and goatee that made my heart all a flutter, but I ignored this feeling and took the mallet from his hand. I was bound and determined not to let anyone win, because I didn't want to have to deal with the punishment, I mean ha ha, the reward for winning. That would be, a kiss from the princess as well as the reserved first dance, for all male winners (I guess my father didn't believe that any of the women or I would win) They had barely started the game so I wasn't too far behind, everyone had just finished taking their first turns, so it wasn't too hard to fit Arah, William and myself into the game. It also wasn't too hard to assure that I won. I got into everyone's way, saying that I was "marking my spot for my ball because Oryn needed it." I flirted with every single prince on that palace ground (much to the delight of my father) and it distracted them while they hit the ball, making it go astray. Yet it seemed that I was not the only one playing this game, my partner seemed to be doing the same! He was flirting with the women and it seemed sometimes trying to bribe them I watched in fascination as I saw one rather pretty girl miss 12 perfectly good shots, for a kiss on the cheek. He and I reached the spike in the same turn, and then the game got ugly. With both of us "poisoned" we had to eliminate all other balls from the playing field. I bribed my cousin, Rodolfozol, who has very low morals into letting me hit his ball (taking him out of the game) for a kiss. (I shudder to think of it...he's so nasty!! shudder anyway...) With his ball out of the game, I could use it as my own. The game continued, we avoided each others balls like the plague, hitting everyone else's. Finally, it was just him and me. He took his stroke, and...Barely missed my ball! I smirked knowing I had won, and took my shot and...my ball missed as well!! I was flabbergasted! It was the young man's turn to smirk when with a single stroke, he hit my ball. I was dead. I groaned and he smiled triumphantly. * * * That night, I sat in my room preparing for the ball that evening and talking to Arah. "I still can't believe that Sir Oryn beat you at croquette! Of all the games...who knew that he could play!? I am-" I tried to smile, but couldn't "We both know he beat me, can we please not talk about it? It's bad enough that I had to actually play croquette, but then to be beaten by your bodyguard! What's up with that? Does Oryn have magic? I bet he has magic and that-" "Nisanre!" Arah shouted exasperated, "Would you please just let it go? You're beginning to make me think that you might-" she blushed "never mind, you'd hate me if I said it so I won't" "What-" I started, but I knew it was no use. If Arah didn't want to tell me anything, then she wouldn't. I also shut up, but still fumed beneath my green silk and velvet dress. There was silence for a moment until there was a small knock at the door, I was in the middle of curling my hair, so I asked Arah to get it for me. She walked over, her blue dress of similar make to mine swished as she walked over to the door. "Nisanre," she said, "this is for you." She bent down and picked up a piece of paper and handed it to me. I took it and looked at it. It was in a flowing script that I didn't recognize. The front of it read: "To her most Fair and Gracious Majesty, Princess Nisanre". I opened it cautiously, expecting a hoax. When I read it, I gasped. Dear Princess Nisanre, I am sorry for behaving as I did this afternoon, when I beat you at croquette, it was not a very gentlemanly gesture and for that I apologize. According to my sources, you were quiet upset about this loss and I apologize for any harm that I have done you. If any harm was done, it was unintentional, all in the heat of battle. To make up for it, I will not force you to dance with me at the ball this evening, and I invite you to a meeting which I will give you more information on at a later time. Again, I apologize for my egotistical and competitive manner. Sincerely yours, Sir Oryn I read and reread the letter several times before sitting down to write a reply: Sir Oryn, No apology is necessary, I suppose, that I have more of a reason to apologize. I should not be so sensitive over the subject of losing. I am just an emotionally strong person and I beg your forgiveness. To make it up to you I will attend your meeting, and dance with you at the ball this evening. Thank-you for you letter. Sincerely, Princess Nisanre * * * That evening, was the ball I entered with Arah and all in the room turned and bowed. I rolled my eyes and bid them rise. They all did so, I smiled. Sir Oryn and Sir William approached the two of us. William walked to Arah and whispered something to her. She nodded though there was resentment in her face. They both walked towards the food table. I shook my head, I knew what they were trying to do, and it wasn't going to work, Not a chance. My father stood, "Thank-you all for coming tonight to the ball in honor of my daughter." everyone clapped. Rodolfonzol whistled. I tried to smile prettily. My father held up his hands and the noise died, "However, my daughter is not the only one who we are here to honor. We also recognize um...the knight," Argumenon, one of my father's guards, and my favorite of them leaned forward and whispered something to him "Sir Oryn," mild applause followed, "And as was promised he is now to kiss the Princess Nisanre, as well as dance with her!" Oryn blushed, as I did I'm sure. My father tried to keep a good face, though it was obvious that he wished that Oryn was a prince or that someone else had won. My father brought us together, by one hands, and put them in each other's. Oryn's grasp was firm, but his hand was shaking and clammy. He smiled a weak smile at me, and I returned it. Then, we kissed and it was over. Nothing big, in fact it was more of a peck than a kiss. Can't say much for it except for the fact that both of our faces were red. Actually, it wasn't just our faces, it was also my father's but that's another story. "All right! Let the party begin!" he proclaimed. He turned to the conductor of the band, "Maestro!" the band struck up a lively tune, and I smiled at Oryn. "Come on, they're waiting for us." I said, then I felt dread fill his heart. 'He has stage fright' I thought. "No one's will be watching you," I whispered, "they're all more interested in me." He smiled and led me to the dance floor. As we began-or rather sort of began to dance, I realized that Oryn did not have stage fright. He couldn't dance! He stepped on my feet thirty times in the first thirty seconds. If I hadn't felt so sorry for him, I would have laughed, but as it was, I just pitted him. I stood on my toes so that I could whisper in his ear, "Let me lead," he shook his head, and I rolled my eyes, "Look Oryn, we both proved that we are prideful this afternoon, but we will both loose that if you don't let me lead." I felt him relax, and allow me to take the lead. I started steering him towards the balcony. When we were outside, I dropped his arms. "You can't dance." I said bluntly, but as soon as I said it I regretted it because it was rude. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't-it's not my place-" "No, I embarrassed you this afternoon. You have every right to-" "No I don't! Let me try to make it up to you, you tried to excuse yourself from this, so I owe it to you. I'll teach you how to dance." "Will already tried." he muttered. I tried to picture William trying to teach anyone to dance. To him dancing was like sleeping. Can you imagine trying to explain sleep to someone who hadn't ever slept and had never even felt tired? That would be kind of how it be for William. "How now wool sack! What mutter thou?" I laughed. He smiled, "Come on Oryn what have you got to lose? I am the only one out here, and besides, William couldn't teach a swan to dance. It comes too naturally to him. Now, let's start." He nodded, and we began the lesson. We spent three hours on that balcony as I tried to teach him to dance. However nothing seemed to work. I didn't know what else to do. Finally I stepped back and sighed. "This isn't working." I said. "I noticed," was his biter rely. "I guess I have two left feet, I can't dance." I sighed, "There is nothing wrong with your feet. You dance divinely, you just can't remember the steps. I just need-" suddenly an idea hit me. I grabbed the sword that I kept leaning against the wall just outside of the doorway. (I had always figured that if I got too bored during one of my father's parties, I'd come out and practice sword play. It was very nice to be able to do that.) Anyway, I lunged at Oryn; he was caught off guard, but he quickly drew his sword in defense. By the time that he had caught his guard, I had the upper hand and thus controlled our motions. However it wasn't too long before he gained the upper hand and the battle was over. He wiped sweat off of his brow, "I revoke thee demon!" he shouted, "for I know that the one attack me is not Nisanre. Come out!" I smiled. "Oryn, it is me, you and I just danced." "No! Demon, come out of her, or I shall have to force you out!" I laughed at that point, "Oryn, relax. Really it is me. I just...how do I put this taught you how to dance." He put his sword away. "Oh really? You don't say? Well...prove it. Show me how you taught me." I smiled, "Lunge lunge parry, lunge lunge parry." He looked confused, and I took his hands. "Lunge, (I parried) lunge (again I parried) parry (I lunged) do you see? That';s the basic waltz step. I just taught you how to dance in a way that you will never forget." And I was right! Within the next couple of dances, he was dancing as if he had been born a dancer. I laughed delighted "Oryn, you better not have been holding out on me!" I said. "I swear I wasn't." he replied. I smiled, but then I felt dread. My father! The time! "Um..."I said quietly, "we should probably go back inside." He nodded and we did so. As soon as I entered I felt my father's wrath, but I ignored it and danced the rest of the evening with whomever asked me. I knew that if I did my punishment for disappearing would be less severe. Finally the last dance came. I was so tired I didn't want to dance it, but I knew it was my duty to do so, and to choose the "appropriate person" to dance with. Prince Vandrabuilt and Sir Oryn both moved towards me at the same time. I wasn't sure which I wanted to dance with. I did not want to admit that I liked Oryn because there was still the littlest bit of resentment after that afternoon's events, but yet, I had hated Prince Vandrabuilt for as long as I could remember. Vandrabuilt arrived first. Oryn was only a few steps behind and when I accepted Vandrabuilt's offer to dance, Oryn's face fell and he left the room. William who had been talking to Argumenon, looked as if he wanted to follow him. I caught his eye and he glared at me, I shook my head, I hadn't meant to. He nodded then he saw Arah talking to Petra, and sighed. Someone had to stay, I nodded at him to go, that I'd watch her. He nodded in thanks, made his excuses to Argumenon and then left after Oryn. Once the dance was over, I migrated over to where Arah was standing and tied to motion that we should get out of there, but I felt a hand on my shoulder before I could escape. "Nisnare...We need to talk," I smiled forcefully at my father as we walked out of the room. "where were you for the first half of your ball?" he insisted trying to keep the anger out of his voice. "It's not my ball," I replied, "It's yours. And I was helping...a friend with a problem." He sighed furiously, "You don't say? Well...I appreciate you compassion Nisanre, but you can't just up and leave your ball and neglect your guests." "Whose guests and whose ball? I spent time with my guests. Look if all you want me to do is..." "Don't even say it Nisanre." I smiled, "All right, won't," I walked away leaving my father to ponder my attitude while I said good bye to his guests. * * * Later that evening, or rather earlier the next day, (I spent the rest of the evening talking to Arah) I was awoken by a hand covering my mouth, I opened my eyes to find Sir Oryn standing over me. "Forgive me, your highness," he said, "but we have a meeting to go to. Come with me, and be quiet." As soon as he turned his back I grabbed my robe and pulled it on, I wished at that moment that I had my magic so I could zap myself something a little more appropriate for a night excursion. (one of the benefits of my purple power is conjuration...very useful) As we walked, we had an interesting conversation...too bad I don't remember much of it. I was very groggy still, and as Oryn recalls it...I was sort of ramblely, and I said a whole bunch of really random things, but I don't believe a word of it. Anyway, off on another tangent...the meeting was apparently being held in one of the guard huts outside of the place grounds. As I entered the light I had to blink to clear my vision. The one roomed hut was crammed wall-to-wall with soldiers, most of whom I recognized as my former guards, or my father's. There were also several soldiers however that I did not know. As I entered, the room again went silent, I ear whispers all around the room, Oryn smirked lightly, I could feel the questioning glances flickering from all sides of the room. I sat next to Argumenon and ignored all of the people. Chistophos, sat next to me on the other side, forcing Oryn to sit behind. After a moment, Ididus, another of my father's head gaurds stood, "It is time to start, I call this meeting of the Night Stalkers together, We will start wit the introduction of our new members Are there any?" Oryn pushed me and I stood. "Um..." I said intelligently, then I managed a grin, "Yes, well I really don't know what's going on here or why I'm here, but Sir Oryn seemed to have thought that I would be a good addition to the team. Could someone explain to me what's going on here?" Idius glared at Oryn and then smiled at me. I took the glance at Oryn as a personal offense, but I knew that Idius must have been an important person so I paid attention to him anyway, "We are the Night Stalkers, a special force of fighters that are shuffled into the regular forces of the army of Zinthe. All of the warriors you see here have some sort of strength be it in magic, fighting or both, they are here for the purpose of defeating all evil, particularly this new evil that seems to be growing throughout the land. Oryn, I'm afraid your highness...may have made a mistake in bringing you here...for you see, we have a requirement that they be in the Zinthan army..." With these words, Oryn shifted uncomfortably, "Yes, well, Oryn did not make a mistake." I laughed slightly, "I am part of the military, I enlisted nearly fifty years ago under the name of Persyphone." Looks of shock filled all of the faces present in the room, the most prominent on Argumenon, Idius and Oryn. I laughed. "You, are Persyphone?" Idius and several others asked. I nodded, "We have been looking for her-you! During the Citadel Feuds, she had shown such skill in battle, that we desired for her to join us. However after the war she disappeared without anyone knowing anything about her...not even those with whom she fought." I smiled, "Actually that's not entirely true, there is one person with whom I fought that knows who I am! William!" I called "Tell them where I was during the Citadel Feuds." Sir William who had just walked in the door stopped, "Um...she was fighting," he said "under the name of Persyphone, because her father had refused to allow her to help in any war efforts, so she secretly left to spite him." All in the room started muttering, the questions and the statements all flooded at once, finally Idius spoke, "Persyphone was right under our noses this whole time, William, and you didn't tell us?" The room fell silent waiting for Williams reply. "I couldn't on my honor as one of the king's soldiers." he said shrugging slightly, "I had sworn to Nisanre, to keep the identity of Persephone a secret...I wanted to tell though," he looked at Oryn in apology. "All right, Persyphone, or rather Nisa-" I cut him off, "In this company to protect the name of Nisanre, I shall remain Persyphone. My life, as a princess, is endangered even farther if my enemies find that I am to fight in the wars. For I intend to fight. However, in public I am, and will remain Princess Nisanre." Idius nodded, "All those who gladly welcome Persyphone as the newest member of the Night Stalkers say Aye." A chorus of ayes followed. I smiled and sat. The rest of the meeting was very interesting, many of the things they discussed I knew very well, such as the death of Finea and the search for the Miliantus, which no one seemed to know was not going well. (which was fine with me). However there were things discussed that I did not know about, for example the stirrings in the Eastern lands where the new evil seemed to be originating from. Spies were to be sent to find more information. When the meeting closed, at nearly three in the morning, I was suddenly flocked by men asking me about my days of fighting, but I ignored them when Argumenon approached me. "Persyphone," he said, "you fight well. Come and see me if you feel that you need any type of help," he winked I nearly collapsed after these words from the joy that filled my heart, you see, I had secretly liked him for several years, but had never had the eloquence to tell him. However when I looked at Oryn I felt guilty for these feelings (why should I though Argumenon had always watched me strangely, but I never knew why. Why should I feel guilty?). Anyway, several of the men at the meeting offered to escort me home, but I refused their offers and walked home with Oryn instead. Now that I was awake and my mind was buzzing with ideas, I was more focused on Oryn and our conversation. I found that I enjoyed Oryn's company and found that he had the great possibility of being a true and dear friend because of his endearing principles. When I got to the palace I tried to go back to sleep, but my mind was so busy that I could not find rest, so I went down to my library, I hoped that though I no longer had my powers it would still know me because I needed to think, however it would not let me in. I sighed and returned to my room. On my way back to my bedroom I noticed a book lying on the floor, I picked it up an read the first page. It was the diary of one of a former princess, who was also a Night Stalker, and the founder of this organization. I read the journal until I finally fell asleep later that morning. *** Often in fairy tales, it is said that true love conquers all, and while I have not had first hand experience with it, I believe that this is true. I have seen it at work. Enemies turned best friends with a simple, "You know, I hear he likes you..."William and Arah for example, but you're not supposed to know about that yet so I won't spoil it for you...Actually...no, that isn't polite, then it doesn't give Arah any room to tell her story! Nevertheless, I promised I would try to avoid my tangents this time, so I will try to stick to the point, but first I have to apologize to all of you who think my story is a bit mushy...I do promise that there will be action and suspense, but that doesn't come until later...I wish it could be helped but unfortunately it cannot...you have to know everything that happened before the action before the action makes any sense. If that statement made any sense to anyone but me...raise your hand! Oh, sorry, random tangent, I suppose I should get back to the real story...well...first, the dreams... At the time of my last letter I had been having dreams, and given my dreams have always been so that even Arah thought I was crazy at one point, these dreams are the strangest of them all. They are dreams of farewells between myself and others or others and others. For example, the night after the Night Stalker's meeting, I had a dream...well let me tell you how it happened as it happened. I was standing alone in the hallway, I don't know why or-never mind. Suddenly my brother, Fane, a tall and dark elf, much like my father in physic appeared. "Nisanre, I wish you had told me sooner." "I know, I tried but every time, I couldn't bring myself to-" (isn't it odd how no matter how suddenly things happen you always know what's going on in dreams...) "I know, but now father will kill us..." "Not if I can help it! He would rather have me gone than you, he thinks I am stubborn hard headed and an idiot, which I probably am, but he would rather have you around than me, so I'll convince him to let you stay-" "And desert out people Nisanre? Do you think I could do that?" "No, I guess you're right...but isn't there another way?" "Nisanre, you are unbeatable, you will-" "No! I won't let you go!" "Nisanre," he sighed, "I have to go, how would if you, my sister, went to battle and I stayed here? I couldn't bear the shame," "But the problem is, few know that I am the princess Nisanre! They know me as Persyphone on the battle field...the only who know are the-" "Night Stalkers who were present at your introductory meeting, I know... Argumenon told me..." "Argumenon...is that how you found all of this out...?" He nodded."Nisanre, don't you understand, I have to go...there isn't any way out of this. The whole kingdom knows that I've enlisted...they don't know that you have, they-" "Don't say that I can withdraw from the list, because I can't...my unit has already been called to battle...I can't stay..." Fane swore then, something I never knew he was capable of...he was such a kind soul, "Nisanre, tell father, you have to! There is-" "I can't, he hates me enough, just make sure that your-" One of the gaurds ran up to the two of us. "Prince Fane, we have been called, our unit is to be leaving in a week!" He ran off quickly probably to tell the news to other of his comrades. "There is no hope for our family." I said quietly. Fane looked down at me, "But there is, you are our hope Nisanre...I never thought that I would have to fight alongside my sister...but yet...it seems that I will be, doesn't it?" I nodded sadly, "I leave tomorrow for Karfania, and from there...I leave for war" I don't know where I will be stationed, but I hope that it is where I will be able to say good-bye to you formally...you have to go and say farewell to the kingdom now..." He nodded, "I'll try to stop by tonight so that we can talk about this--" Then I woke up. That's how they all had been, Arah and I...William and I...Argumenon and I...They were all so similar, and in all of them I said that there was no hope, that something was going to go wrong, in all of them that is, except Arah's. I told her to hope, that we would soon find the Miliantus and all of this would end, that soon she and William would be back together, even though I seemed to be somewhat upset about something in that dream... They had been happening so frequently, and after a particularly awkward farewell between Oryn and I, I decided that it was time to seek guidance. It was only...I would like to say ten days after my first Night Stalkers meeting, in that time I dreamed of a farewell between Arah and William, a farewell between Fane and...a woman I did not know, and one between myself and my mother. After all of this...I couldn't stand it. "Dartanius, Lord of the Shadows The Princess Nisanre desires your guidance." Laughter filled the room and a replica of Oryn suddenly stood before me, but slowly he transformed into a tall and dark haired man. "Yes Princess Nisanre, I wondered when you would call...it certainly took long enough." I laughed, for while I was troubled, the King of Shadows has that effect on people, "Well, you know how stubborn I am, Dartanius..." He nodded, "Well Princess, what causes your troubles...as if I don't know..." He laughed again. "The dreams, Lord Dartanius...I can't make heads or tails of them...I know that there is to be a war, because that is what the dreams tell me, but...what is the war, and why now?" Dartanius laughed at my question, "Well princess, yes a war, over good and evil!" I rolled my eyes slightly, I am patient, but not when I am troubled, "Yes, Dartanius, I know that it is a war between good and evil, for that is what all wars here eventually boil down to being about, but what I'm asking is what is the cause of the war?" "You will be fighting for an important artifact, but I cannot reveal more than that. You know the rules. However I can tell you this, the war will not be long, but it will not be short either. You will lose much that is dear to you, but in the end it all comes down to how those who are left cling to one another for safety." Dartanius began fading, "Wait!" I said "I'm not done with you yet." he reappeared, laughing harder than ever. "Ah Princess, your next question is funny!" "I hate it when he does that," I thought with a grin, "Well then you can answer it without me asking." "Ask, please, ask." "How many? How many will die this time. The Citadel Wars were merely a few battles, ten tragic casualties. But you are talking like this is a full scale war...how many casualties." "Ah princess, a full scale war, this is, but that is all I can tell you. However, there are many deaths in the future. Terrible deaths. Burning and screaming and crying deaths. Yet in the end good will conquer, as is fitting and proper." "Why, Dartanius, why must there be wars? Why..." "Nisanre, do not ask that question. Just listen to your heart, everything will fall into place as the (Diety) would have it...Dear Princess, do not let your mind trouble your heart, your life will have many more troubles before your time is over." he slowly faded into the oblivion. I sighed, "war..." * * * When I emerged from my bedroom several minutes later, I was almost instantly confronted by a swearing Petra. "Princess!? Oh thank the Goddess Petra! Your father is going to kill you! He saw you sneak out of the palace again last night and he's about to blow a gasket! You'd better get down there fast!" "But I didn't sneak out last night! I haven't been out since-" "I know that! But he doesn't..." "But how could he mistake this-" I waved my red hair in her face, "for something else!?" "Look princess, I agree with you, I sympathize with you, but if you don't get downstairs right now, I will personally drag you by the hair that you are waving in my face! I don't want to be burnt to a crisp, not to mention the fact that your father is threatening to send out the International Guard to find you!" I smiled fleetingly at her and then ran down the stairs to the meeting hall. When I reached this room, nicknamed the ice room because of it's blue and silver d�cor, I was greeted by charred and flaming columns. As soon as my father realized that I was there, he stopped yelling at the guards and sent a fireball in my direction. It just barely missed my long hair. "Morning daddy!" I said cheerfully, as I began walking past the twenty four columns that stood between my father and myself. My father looked as though he was going to send another fireball at me, but resisted this strong desire, "Where have you been?" he asked his large forceful voice booming and echoing though the hall. I smiled to keep from losing my temper, "I've been asleep, in my room all night." I dodged out of the way to avoid another fireball, I sighed, "Dad, killing me, or marring my 'beauty' won't solve anything, in fact it will farther hinder your plans to get me married, because all of the stuck up princes that you send to court me are only attracted to my beauty, thus why I will not marry any of them." I finally made it to the throne of my father, all the while dodging fireballs, "besides, I lost my powers and I can't fix the hall like I normally do." Another ball of fire had begun to form in my father's hands, but at these words, it stopped and recoiled. "What do you mean 'I lost my powers'? When did this happen?" "Dad, don't you remember me telling you the day after the ball that I had lost them? Don't you even pay attention? Do you even know that Finea died?" "Finea...oh...right that arm of starfish or whatever it is of yours. Well, what does that have to do with your powers?" "WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH IT!? Dad, did you ever pay attention to mom and her work? Do you even know what I do, do you know how all of this works? Dad I can't believe that you and mom never..." "Nisanre, I don't want to hear that...now, tell me when are you going to get your powers back?" "I don't know, when the planets change again." "The planets?" I was trying to be patient, but this was the last straw, "DAD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!!!!!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM, DO YOU THINK THAT I AM JUST A DISOBEDIENT DAUGHTER WHO DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING? DO YOU THINK THAT I DON'T GET MARRIED FOR A REASON? DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT I MIGHT HAVE OTHER THINGS ON MY MIND, LIKE PROTECTING MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND PEOPLE!? DAD WAR IS COMING DO YOU THINK WE CAN JUST SIT HERE AND WATCH ALL OF OUR PEOPLE DIE!" I raved on like this for nearly five minutes. My father's face grew red with rage with every word I said. When I finally finished my dad had his say in the matter. "I don't care. I don't care about the 'war' you say is coming-which I don't believe by the way. How would you know that a war is coming. If you think that this is some clever way of getting out of marriage you're dead wrong! You are going to get married if I have to drag you by your long hair to get you to the wedding! And it will be to a respectable prince who will be able to expand-" "Dad, how can you be so blind? Do you realize that I will control the whole island of Zinthe when I inherit the throne? I don't think you realize do. You keep saying, 'expand expand expand' there isn't much more to expand to dad...just the Citadel Isles, but they're unimportant. The war is FAR more important, lives are at risk, why can't we take this at-" "No Nisanre, you will not make me go to war at because of the whims of a school girl. A woman's place is to marry and have male heirs." "Dad, I don't really want to get married, I just want to protect my people. I'm not ready for that kind of a commitment. I think that I just need to have fun. And another thing, why do you get to choose all of the suitors? I could choose the kind of man that I want to mar-" "And marry the first bozo with a sword? I don't think so. Don't think I didn't notice you with that knight." my first thought was Oryn, "William I think it was...you need to stay away from the soldiers..." "DAD! Why do you have to do this to me?" "Because I want what's best for you." "This isn't..." just then a man burst into the throne room, huffing and puffing and running. "Your" gasp gasp gasp, "majesty," wheeze, "I am" cough, "here on" cough cough cough, "an er-" gasp gasp- "errand for my lord." wheeze wheeze, "He desire-" just then the man collapsed onto the floor. I ran to him, forgetting for an instant that I did not have my powers. 'poor man,' I whispered as I loosened his clothing to begin the healing process, "probably ran all the way here," I put my hand on his chest, but nothing happened. "No! Why now?" I turned to one of the guards who had been standing in the room the whole time. "What are you standing there for? You heard me say I don't have my powers, why are you not going to get a healer. NOW!" The man left in a hurry. I tried to make the messenger as comfortable as possible. In the mean time, my father descended from his throne and took the message that the man was bearing from his hand. The young man's eyes flitted open for a moment. They were a beautiful piercing blue. and they looked penetratingly at me. I felt something tug at my heart. Those eyes held the secrets of the universe in them...or something along those lines. I guessed that he was older than he appeared to be. "You'll be all right," I whispered and his eyes closed again, but this time his face did not have the strain it had before. Janrita, the closest healer to the palace suddenly rushed in. "Nisanre, why aren't you-" she gasped, "when did Finea die?" "I thought everyone knew by now...it's been three weeks." Janrita nodded. "I'm sorry, I've been at the Citadel Isles for the past month-I hadn't heard." She rushed over to the limp but peaceful body on the floor. "exhaustion," she pronounced. I nodded, "I think he ran here from where ever it was his lord sent him from." I looked at my father hoping for some kind of notion about what this was all about, but I got none. My father was reading the scroll... "I'll take him to my cottage," Janrita said, she turned to the guard who had summoned her, "Help me lift him, and be gentle." The man did as he was asked and as soon as they left my father laughed. "Oh Nisanre! Our troubles are over!" I raised an eyebrow. "How are they over father? I do not see an end to the wa-" "Here, here Nisanre! He's asked for your hand in marriage! This will end the wars and end the! Oh Nisanre!" I took the letter from his hands, "His royal highness Prince Janterl, Prince of Citadel Isle, requests of King Gareth, King of Zinthe, the hand of his fair and most gracious daughter the Princess Nisanre. Rumor and tales of her exquisite beauty and charm have reached my ear and I desire her for my wife. I am not sure if you will even read this letter. It is likely that said Princess, probably already has many men competing for her hand and heart, but I am willing to do all that is in my power to marry her..." "No, I won't! I refuse!" "No you don't." "yes, I do!" "NO YOU DON'T" I screamed and stormed out of the hall. * * * My eyes were blurred with tears and my face was hot with rage as I ran down the hall, I could barely see my hand in front of my face not to mention Oryn walking down the hall, which became very apparent as soon as I ran into him. "Omph," he said falling to the floor. I fell over next to him. Then instantly started to get up. "Your highness," he said, standing up before me and helping me up. "Are you alright?" he seemed genuinely concerned. I pushed the tears that swarmed my eyes away and took a step away from him. "I'm fine," I lied starting to walk down the hall. He followed me. "I was-just healing a young woman, but she didn't make it." "You can't get that one past me, Nisanre, I know that you and Arah lost your powers, now, please tell me what's wrong, and if there is anything I can do to help." "Oh, it's nothing really, I'm fine...it's just my dad is being over bearing again...I don't know how much Arah tells you, but...he wants more than anything for me to get married, and...I don't think I'm ready for that. At least not for the kind of marriage he has in mind." "Oh, what kind of marriage does he want?" "One to a prince of his choosing." I shrugged, "but isn't that typical of a father?" Oryn shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, I'm not a princess..." I laughed and he smiled. "Yes well...I just feel like trash when my dad talks to me. I know that he thinks Fane is so much better than me because he's a man, but I wish he'd treat me like more than a prize, like a human being." Oryn was silent for a moment, "You know, I don't think that any man should act that way. I think that a woman should be cared for and considered to be the greatest jewel, polished and...well not kept in a case on display, but...worn. Not to show off, but so that they may feel of some use..." he laughed, "I'm not very good at analogies. I'm sorry." A warm and wonderful feeling washed over me. It was a feeling I had not felt in so long, not nearly since my mother's eyes had become dimmed and devoid of all emotion. It was a new emotion, but I wasn't sure if it was mine. "No, Oryn, it was a wonderful analogy! One I completely agree with." Argumenon said walking around the corner. I smiled, "Hello Argumenon. How are you?" "Fine." He looked me over and then seriously said, "So princess...who is your father making you marry this time?" I shook my head, "I don't even want to talk about it." I sighed. "The prince accepted?" "It was the prince's idea." "Wow, I wish that I was on duty then! That would have been a good-" "Don't-" "I'm sorry, I just like seeing your father change emotions so quickly. Although, I wish it wasn't at your expense your highness." "Please, you should know by now that I prefer to be called Nisanre." "Yes, well, I do, but...with my position in your father's personal guard, it would not be appropriate. Oryn here however can call you whatever he likes." "I can?" I smiled, "Why wouldn't you be able to? We're friends are we not?" "I guess so..." he said unsure but when I nodded, he smiled and said, "I mean, it's not like you and I didn't spend hours on end on the balcony right?" An incredible sense of jealousy suddenly filled the room. I looked at Argumenon and smiled. "Well gentlemen. I appreciate this walk that we've had, but I really need to be going. I have to prepare for my wedding." I rolled my eyes, "Good bye." "Good bye Nisanre," both men said. And I left. * * * "Arah!" I said as I entered her room. "I'm in for it this time." "What, did your father actually convince you that marrying was a good idea?" she asked laughing slightly. "No, worse, he's found a prince who is willing to marry me." "WHAT!? Who is he is he crazy?" In spite of myself I burst into a fit of giggles. "Probably! Don't know what anyone would do with a warrior princess!" Arah also started giggling, "Details details! Who is this guy, where's he from and, WHY DOES HE WANT TO MARRY YOU!? Not that that's a bad, thing..." "Well...he's Prince Janterl from the Citadel Isles and"...I don't know why he wants to marry me. I suppose it's because of the "rumors of my beauty and charm"..." Arah and I both burst out laughing. Just then there was a knock at the door, and William entered, "um...your highness, is this a bad time?" "No, William of course not!" Arah said trying to maintain her
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