The Great War

(Hey Dre Anton passed one of the Maids on to me)

As Bastion left, Petra dropped the cover she'd clutched to up to her neck. She was barely dressed, and didn't want the strange, nosy man to see her body. She turned to Milla, who was sharing the bed with her, still.

"What was all that? What does he want from us?" Petra asked, more out of fear than anything. She was rather shy to strangers in the bedroom. She shook her head, and sighed. "You don't mind if I use the rest room first, do you, Milla? Need to get changed- back into uniform. You heard the prince. We still...have a job to do."

She slipped from the bed, and stalked towards the gleaming restroom, where she knew her uniform lay. On the walk, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. On the prior occasions she'd had dalliances with the prince, she'd held her head high and felt quite the siren, but this time, something felt off. She continued to the rest room and closed the door. She knew Milla would respect her privacy. The older maids didn't approve- too busy pretending to be friends with the faerie, no doubt.

In the large, ostentatious mirror, Petra splashed her face with water and examined herself from different angles. Still looking okay. She felt the room lurch, and staggered to ready herself against the sink, and opened her eyes wide. They gleamed white and pupiless, as a voice entered her mind.

"You are ready. Come home, now, Petra."

She blinked and shook her head, and quickly got dressed, thinking how unnecessary the maid uniform looked, now.

= = = = = =

Ahsha's eyes refocused, and she exhaled as her eyes turned from milky white to their usual black. She smiled to the Chief and Chieftainess. 

"Why, this fight is really heating up, isn't it? I wonder who will be left standing?"

Her eyes found Freya across the field of unconcious bodies. She was facing down a behemoth of a man, her hammer looking almost like a toy compared to his. Freya raised one eyebrow to Ahsha. Ahsha gave a slight nod.

With a swing, Freya leapt upwards, shattering the teeth from his mouth with one one fell swoop.

= = = = = = 

Petra returned to the other room. Her eyes caught with her friend, Milla. The only person she felt close to, in the castle. They'd met one day while cleaning the trophy rooms, and had made fast friends. They'd grown ever closer with the dalliances with the prince, too. It helped to have someone to talk to when things were...strange.

"Milla..." She began, shaking a little. "I need to tell you something. You can't tell anyone."

She looked back up again, to her friend.

"I'm pregnant."

Once they were dismissed, Larry immediately stood up straight and began making his way to the exit. He planned to head straight to the meeting area, and as he walked the corridors, he was met with various frowns and disapproving looks. Even though he wasn't there for the announcement ceremony, many people in the kingdom knew of him, and many felt that he was a liability to the interests of Britannia. He simply kept walking, he didn't care what they thought of him. No one was gonna punch him in the mouth about it. However, he put his destination on hold as he took it upon himself to tour the area. He hadn't had many opportunities to walk the hallowed halls of the palace. Of course, he couldn't just go wherever he wanted, but he would take advantage of where he could.

Once he was satisfied, he started to make his way to the stables. It was there that he saw the hulking Azorius, seemingly waiting upon his stallion. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the Prince using such a scene as a picture to impress women. "Eager for the glory to match the fame, Prince?" He asked casually as he walked over to inspect the horses. After the incident in the War Room, he didn't know what to expect. Whether the Prince would be friendly or stern.

===========

Kinchai and Callan both stayed silent on the way to the stables as well. The awkward silence didn't bother either much. As they arrived and Takeshi began going over strategy, Kinchai nodded in understanding. And of course, he wouldn't argue being placed behind Callan. Not until he proved himself worthy. And there was nearly 700 years to make up for.

Callan simply kept silent, he didn't feel any of his input was required. He looked to the horses, and noticing they were short one, he motioned for his brother to take one in his stead. It was likely that the Emperor took in account his lack of need for transportation. Kinchai nodded and took his seat upon the final horse. As Takeshi finished up and started his way, and Kikiyo followed, Callan began to walk aside her, covering her rear as Kinchai followed behind him. It seemed their leader had done at least some research into their abilities, and that spoke to his tactical planning, at least.

================

Bryn raised an eyebrow as she watched Harald give his speech. He was an amusing one, she'd give him that. "Anyone who fails to use their powers will lose? Bold claims from one such as you!" she called. "And you even go so far as to declare victory over Norden? Lord Fridmund and Lady Drifa need not sully their attention with the likes of you. I doubt you even have the capability to push those here in the ring to use their abilities, let alone our beloved cheiftains!" She laughed heartily as she banged her hammer against her shield three times. Bryn's armor was glistening in the sun, as if brand new and just slipped on a few seconds ago. No scuffs, scratches, or the like. Only her shield bore signs of wear and tear, but it was still as sturdy as ever. As the battle began once more, she raised her shield to block an incoming slab of earth, which shattered on impact. "C'mon, hit me harder!" she called as the opposing minotaur charged her, aiming to impale her with his horns. She expertly sidestepped him, bashing him in the neck with her shield as he stumbled, taking a few seconds to regain his footing and face her with a roar.

Looking over at her friend the news was spectacular amazing and usually something every woman these days would be happy about and would want everyone to know.
This however was not the case.
“You’re pregnant but the only person you been sleeping with is, oh no this is a scandal they could have your head this” Milla warned.
“The royalty would never be okay with a maid bearing the young of a prince” She explained realizing the grave situation her friend was now in.

Bastion had been wandering the hallways now having had his fun with the maids somewhat bored he could have some banter with the king but he didn’t know what to do.

Rai turned as Aoife said her piece. "Yes, we shall see each other when we depart. Make your preparations carefully."

.
.
.

Raija perched herself on the castle spire, clearing her mind for the battle that would begin. She'd climbed up there after her interaction with Aoife, her words only staying with her for a short time. Her ribbons tied around her sword, her rosy hair laid down, caressed by the wind. She took a deep breath, allowing all of the elements to stimulate her senses. Away from the hustle and bustle of the floor, The soft song of the wind soothed her ears. Birds occasionally busied the beautiful backdrop of the sky, that had began to turn orange from the approaching dusk. Her pink eyes slowly panned down to the ground, the colors and true magnificence of the castle becoming more apparent. The orange backdrop was painted over seas of green and mountains of grey with snow capped mountains.

A time of rest.

War has changed landscapes.

She soaked in the beauty, a small smile creeping on her face. The stakes were the highest they've ever been, not only as leader but as Raija. Her long awaited search for truth was nigh, she took a deep breath, casting away her doubts and steeling herself for the trials to come. Tying her hair up once more, she jumped down, bouncing from spire to spire, climbing down the wall nearest to the stables, landing near Azorius and Larry. "Prince. Greed. Are you prepared?" She asked as she carried her hands through a white horse with eyes that resembled her own. The horse returned her affection with a small "neigh" and a couple licks to her hand.

"Hup!" She mounted her steed, watching the warm red crawl into the desolate black of the night. "War looms on the horizon. Harden your hearts to anything that may shift you from your cause. Keep your spirits high. We have no room for casualties. We cannot afford even one injury." Raija turned to face both of them.

"Incapacitate the enemy in the quickest and most efficient way possible. We have no time for mercy."

"What she said." Yawned Aoife, attaching her required supplies to the side of her own steed. It was smaller than the others, as she herself, as a fairy, was slightly smaller.

She went to rub its nose and it belched in her face.

"Yeah, makes sense." She smiled, petting the animal, before floating herself on top of it. "I'm ready when you guys are, who's leading the party again?"

- - - - - - -

Petra froze. Perhaps telling Milla was a mistake? She was told not to tell anyone the second she fell pregnant. Milla, however, was her friend. When Petra was sent to target the prince, she was not told he would be sweet, or that she would befriend his other lovers. The one thing she was told when she was sent to the warmer climes of Brittania was that the prince would certainly sleep with her if she made herself available. But it became so much more complicated than she imagined.

"Milla...you are right. But I want to keep my baby." This next part filled her with sadness, as she would have to lie to her only friend in the castle.

"My mother was cruel woman, and I promised I'd care deeply for my own baby, whenever I have him. I don't want anything from
the prince, not his money or many title of man. I only want to run with my baby."

She shifted uncomfortably, which would outwardly look as if she was scared she would be beheaded, but really she was worried about Milla's own safety. Petra had quietly ruined all of the sheaths the prince used, so that there would be little chance
that she would not fall pregnant.

The prince, however, had slept with more than just her, and she doubted that any of the other girls had a 900 year old demon shaman from the homelands to communicate with them across long distances and tell them
they were pregnant before they even began to show. Who knew how many people the prince could have gotten pregnant? Petra had been poking tiny holes in the sheaths for 2 months. She needed to leave, fast.

"I'll leave tonight. Will you cover for me, dear friend? I wish to disappear and never return."