Strides to the darkness [Rhaella]

She conquered her demons

Calmly her mare moved under her. Through the thickest of mud, the heaviest grounds, the steepest hills and the hardest rocks. With a steady pace her hooves brought Faylice through Navarre, encountering all the dangers that came along. And that were plenty. Now, she heart distant noises, probably from wild animals. But that wasn’t scaring the woman, nor her little mare, anymore at least. It were noises that growled, like animals fighting for meat, or creeping steps behind them. Indicating they may be lunch for a wolf, or worse. There was only one thing scarier than that, and that was utter silence. It were the creeping steps, but then not generated by wild animals, no, it was the mind that did that. And so were the creatures behind it that used it as a tool, to play or whatever they wanted to achieve.

Even though Faylice wasn’t traveling on the main route that rushed through the landscapes of Navarre. She followed a pretty clear path, created by those who didn’t want to be seen basically everyone, though especially the guards from D’auvignon. The noises slowly died off as the woman went on, traveling further through the deep woods. But before the whole silence took over, the next were already hearable. It almost brought peace to her mind, maybe, just maybe this would be a normal night.

As the time went on the flashes of the passing tree’s all blended together like a dark substance filling the void. Just like all the weeks she had been traveling before, surviving because surprisingly that was harder than she anticipated before. Not that Fay had time to plan this whole thing, but she had enough time thinking along the way. There wasn’t quite anything else the woman could think about, surely she could think about the past events. But every time her mind went there she blocked it off.

A slight change in her light mare made Fay’s head tilt upwards. She had been so lost in her thoughts she didn’t even notice a house dooming up in her eyesight. It was the house the dark-haired woman needed to be, or at least, thought so. Even though she sent some letters, Fay didn’t if they had even arrived. But it was her only change and maybe with the help of the red-eyed woman she could begin to make a plan on her on. Almost rigid Faylice swung her leg over the saddle, after being so long in the saddle her whole body seemed to protest against any other movement. Taking a deep breath in and rearranging her simple dress she knocked on the door of the cozy house. Hoping a certain person would open, hoping that she was alone, and more important than that, hoping she was willing to help.

The small brown floppy eared rabbits where jumping up an down as soon as they heard the door of the small stable opened. Rhaella made her way through the door and closed it to banish out the cold from outside. She was holding a small basket with dandelion flowers and leaves in it. A bright smile fancies her rosy lips as soon as she saw the small rabbits hop. Hello you.. Are you hungry guys? she asked them as if they talk back to her. She placed the basket on the table and grabs a hand full of flowers which she places into the pen. Immediately the fluffy creatures started eating their hearts out and she leaned a bit forward and let her slender fingers run through their soft fur.

She leaned back and leaned back again. She pushed some of her curly red strands away behind her ear and twists a ribbon around the rest of her hair. Creating sort of a messy ponytail. Most of the time her hair would fall wherever it wanted, she was kinda get used to it over the past couple of years. She twirls around herself and made her way towards the hedgehog she recently found in the forest. The little guy had been wounded and she wanted to make sure he was fully healed. Rhaella gets on her knees and slowly pushed her hands around the animal picking it up as careful as she could. How are you doing today little one? her voice soft. After a short moment of examine him she stood up placing the animal in her arms. He looked healthy enough to continue his adventures into the big wide world. Slowly she made her way out off the stable and moved herself out off the garden. After a few meters she saw a small pile of leaves and stopped there. This is your stop little dude. Rhaella leaned over and placed the animal into the pile of leaves making sure to place some leaves on top of him to protect him from other animals and the sun. She stood up again and brushes a lock away, making her way inside again.

This place was her own small heaven. A small house with a small barn and stable deep within the forest where she could take care of her animals. It was everything she ever dreamed of. After everything that has happened this was her safe haven to give her mind some rest. But not only the animals made her mind feel at ease, also the blonde haired guy who completely thrown her life upside down had give her the comfort that she had always longed for.

If she would have told outsiders this version of her ‘life’ they would definitely believe that hers was perfect. But it had been far from perfect. The events that has happened and still going on have taken their toll on her. But she was still hoping that maybe one day everything could be normal again.

Eros had left the house a few days ago and he would probably not return within the past few days or even weeks. She did not knew where he went and she did not want to bother him too much with her anxiety. After all he was a free man but he knew he could always return to her whenever he wanted to. A watery smile was placed on the corner of her lips as she thought about the man. She craved for him, but maybe it was not right to feel that way. They had only known each other for a few months right now so everything was still unsure. Dreaming away into her thoughts again she stirred in the small plan that she placed onto the stove. She moved her slender fingers over the fire place and it immediately began to burn. A small soup would be enough for tonight. She was not very hungry and there where no visitors that she expected. After that thought ran through her mind she heard a few knocks on the door. Abruptly her red eyes turned towards the hallway and she tilted her head slowly. Now who could that be.

A bit curious she made her way towards the door and opened it. As her eyes got adapted to the light and the shadow in front of her became clear a confused look was placed onto her face. Faylice? … What are you doing here? her voice warm, yet curious.

She conquered her demons

In the few moments Faylice had to wait, standing there for the door, she thought back about the time they had spent together at court. Being little as they were, there weren’t many others she could spent time with. And although her father and uncle had pure hatred for each other at the time, Rhaella and she always found each other. Fay remembered them exploring the whole castle, every single hallway, all the little passages and sometimes even the underground corridors. It made Fay smile just a little bit. Those times both of them seemed to forget what kind of dark fate they had stitched on already. As the years passed that became clear for both and their contact watered, it was until Faylice left their ways truly part.

It were intense and violent times. Comparable with a storm that stirred up the waves until the white had shown through. Thriumph had pushed her over and over, playing his wicked mindgames out on her. “Training” her for every possible situation, he wanted her to experience her dark side. She had seen his, being as curious by nature. Knowing that that darkness ran through the whole Medici bloodline, knowing it hadn’t stopped after her father. Still she refused, to the frustration of Thri who only pushed further. It was a very gloomy morning Fay finally decided that she couldn’t take much more of that. She didn’t even had the time to inform her niece, leaving the dark haired woman wondering how she experienced it.

Unsure of how Rhaella would react to her sudden arrivel she followed the suture of her reasonably casual dress. Fiddling with her fingers around the dark brown fabric until the door opened. Softly the door swung open, getting rid of the last change to run away. Leaving the woman face to face with her niece, her icy blue eyes meeting the fiery red ones of Rhaella. The look on her face told the dark haired woman that her letters probably hadn’t arrived, seeing the confusion there. Her words calmed the stormy mind of Fay just a little bit, unintentionally breathing out and letting the tension fall of her shoulders a bit. ’Rhaella,’ Her voice just as warm, but soft as ever. ’I need to know one thing,’ Her words became more worried for a second, glancing behind her to look for any signs of life. ’Are you alone?’ The question, simply as it was, had some vital information that came with it. ’How have you been?’ It was the second thing that came to mind, knowing that her father wasn’t the easiest either. And although it may be the stupidest thing to do according to, for example her father, she did care.

In the smallest of seconds that she had opened a door Rhaella was still wondering who it would be. Eros crossed her mind. And to be honest she would not mind if it was him. But there was one thing not right; he never knocked, he just came in as normally or came in trough the stables. For another second her father crossed her mind. But the old man wouldn’t be so dumb to visit her here at her own house. He knew that if someone caught him they both would have bigger problems. So then, who could it be? On her face there was still a large question mark seeable. And as soon as she opened the door and saw the dark haired lady, she breathed. Her head tilted a bit to the side and for a short moment she was pinched to the ground. Thoughts about their time at court passed her mind as she saw the gentle appearance of the lady in front of her. Rhaella had placed her hand on the door and with her other hand she pushed a curly lock back behind her ear.

The lady looked tense, and with her father and all her burdens she could understand that. But what would be the purpose of coming here. She called her name and she blinked. The worried tone she had in her voice made her narrow her eyes a bit. Still wondering, curious about what could have happened. Rhaella saw her niece glancing behind her and before she could say anything about that the words came from fay her lips. Rhaella decided to take a step back from her. She acted weird as if she was not herself. Could be a trap, but Rhaella knew how kind and gentle she was. Yes, yes I am currently she replied. A bit more hasty than the moment before. I am absolutely fine, but what’s going on with you Faylice? You look strained. A worried look appeared on her face as she opened the door fully for her niece. Not knowing what happened with the lady she pointed her gaze on her again, inviting her in her house. Please, do come in, could I get you a drink or anything to eat? With a concerned look on her face she let the lady enter her house. As she closed the door behind the dark haired lady she turned herself back towards her. Please, Look out for the animals, there might some that are running  through the room. if it came to her animals she was a lion, a fierce beast, a protector. After all these years it had been animals and their love that calmed her down, so .. as expected her house was filled with them. From the smallest mouse to the largest snakes. I don’t want any accidents with them she rushed behind her words to make them sound less ‘overprotecting'.

She conquered her demons

It had been so long, and even though there was a little awkwardness between the two, the air was far less tense. It dropped weight from the shoulders of Fay, having lived in such an heavy atmosphere for so long. She had been living outside, encountering everyone she didn’t want to meet. Like she had a beaming ray of light above her. An arrow pointing, visible from the whole country. Wherever she was, it didn’t matter. And it even seemed like everyone had become her enemy, even the ones she had previously loved so much, and still did, made it very hard to keep sanity. The worst thing was, her and herself only were the blame for that. She screwed up, very badly this time. Leaving too much room for everyone who wanted to hurt her, damage her, to close in. To get on her skin. Maybe they waited, until she really couldn’t see a way out anymore, if she lost her mind. Maybe they just get to her anyways.

The little silence between the two gave Fay the chance to breath, short and shallow as it was. But the words calmed her, made her sign just that more out of relief. The soft words spoken from the red haired woman made Faylice look to the ground for a second. ’There is so much that happened.’ She spoke, almost under her breath trying to retain herself. ’I’m really glad you are doing okay though.’ The dark haired lady spoke after, the voice much clearer this time. The two ice blue eyes looked up again, still searching for the signs that she would not be welcome, just to satisfy her worried mind. But there weren’t any, Rha just opened the door for her, as she would do if this was the other way around. ’Maybe a little to eat wouldn’t be bad.’ She answered, thinking about how much she ate, which wasn’t a lot so far. ’Thank you, I will watch very closely for your little creatures.’ Fay said after, a soft smile warming up her pale face.

After the signs the lady stepped in, feeling the warmth of the wooden cabin that probably had a little fireplace lit up within. As she looked around, making sure she was very careful of where she stepped to keep the animals all safe, she followed Rhaella through the little hallway. It was a very cozy house, small but still it had all the luxury that was needed to live nicely. ’It is so nice to see that you can keep the animals here now.’ Fay spoke again, thinking about the times at court that wasn’t very accepted. Taking place on the couch that stood nearby the lady sighed softly. ’I feel hunted, like I’m some sort of price of a wicked game between my father and uncle, and everyone else that wants to enter.’ Her voice was soft and unsure, but it was true she had a reason to come to Rha, next to hearing about how she had been doing.

She conquered her demons

The warmth present in the house embraced the pale face of Faylice as she stepped into it. She could feel her skin reacting to it, and that would mean her cheeks would show some red blushes underneath her porcelain skin in a minute or two. Slowly her icy blue eyes looked around the room, the house was cozy. Small, especially compared to the huge castle they both lived in for so long, but it seemed big enough for her niece. Fay hoped, just hoped she wasn’t in a lot of trouble, let alone some with the size hers had. But she also knew that Aeron would never let her go if there was still a change for him to take the throne. Aeron wouldn’t mind getting it through Rhaella, and that angered the dark haired lady. It seemed like the two of them were cursed with their fathers and family. The rivalry between the great Medici-brothers and they were stuck in between. As two queens on a chessboard, two queens that had so much power, but at the same time were almost rag dolls with strings attached. Both of them did everything they could to get rid of those.

Rhaella’s words shook her up out of her thoughts again. The way she talked about her animals made her smile warmly. There was such passion involved, and it was hurtful to see at the time when she couldn’t bring the animals to court. Fay’s eyes moved towards a darker corner into the room, her eyes triggered by the slightest movement. A little creature had been creeping up on the red haired lady, being as quiet as it could. As it stayed still the soft light of the flames lit part of it up. It seemed like a small cat, waiting for her niece to tackle. ’I remember the times we were lost, and that the whole court was in complete chaos about it.’ The corners of her mouth went up a bit higher, thinking about the warm memory. ’We had been running off into the woods, trying to catch up on that odd squirrel.’ After her words the smile on her soft lips faded. She did remember what happened after they were back at court, what she had done with her father. Showing her how dangerous the woods were by letting her experience it herself. Quickly she pushed the thought away again, refocusing on the conversation.

’It really can’t be as bad as it was in the village earlier.’ Faylice responded, getting on on the tone her niece had set. Her eyes trailing down on that little cat she had seen before. It finally found the moment to attack the lady. The vicious charge resulted in a rub on its head and seemed pleased about it. With care she grabbed the little bow of stew, letting it warm up her cold hands along it. ’Well, its smells amazing already.’ Were her words after her first sniff, closing her eyes for a second. The words she spoke certainly caused effect, Faylice could see it on her niece. There were very few that could understand in what kind of situation they were in. ’Yes, he has been. And he isn’t the only one.’ She told the woman in front of her. It was ridiculous how normal it was, maybe it was one of the reasons she had decided to look for Rhaella. ’Aeron is after my birthright, I’m on the run for my own father, wanted in many areas of Navarre. Pushed around like some rag doll.’ Faylice her voice was stronger than before, her anger and frustration running towards the superficial. ’I’m so done with it, Rhaella.’ She spoke after, her eyes focusing on the red ones of the lady in front of her. ’I have to do something about this.’

She conquered her demons

Maybe this lady in front of her right now was one of the few Faylice could count on as a friend. More, in fact they were family. But family always had and will always have a different meaning to the two medici-daughters. For some family meant everything, being bonded by blood brought them closer leaving them no choice then to care for them. Jump for a train for family. No, that wouldn’t run through the mind of Fay. No for her, and she was sure it would be the same for Rha, family made everything so much more complicated. Hating someone, while being bonded by that blood pulled her apart. It clouded every single thing, and no matter how strong she was. The dark haired lady would always give in to her father, and he knew that as well. Being away from the pressure he gave was somewhat relieving, though there were so many at the same time that wanted everything from her. It made the lady question which option was worse.

The happy memory brought some sunlight into the clouded mind of Fay, and the smile on Rha’s face made it appear that it happened to her as well. Faintly she smiled to her words. ’We almost made it a sport to avoid them for as long as possible.’ Back then the things weren’t as unraveled bad, those were the only happy thoughts she had of her childhood, and made sure they kept in her mind and heart for as long as she lived. Looking down at the stew she focused herself on eating at least something. Slowly she let her tongue take in all of the flavors. It had been a long time since she had a decent meal. ’This is delicious.’ Fay spoke after, smiling with the warmth it gave her.

As the conversation went on and got back at why exactly she was there the smile on her lips faded. She tried to be as clear as she could, but her fogged mind didn’t help for that much. It almost felt uncomfortable to be with someone she trusted, and yet it was a relief. Of course Fay knew that Aeron was going after Rha as well, and of course he would use the bond the two had. But she didn’t know more than the rest, so that made her stand with nothing to lose. The question made the dark haired lady bite her lip, thinking back to the painful memory. ’Of course you may ask that.’ Her voice got softer, taking another bite at the stew first. Her icy blue eyes looking back up to the red ones of Rha. ’I’ve made a terrible mistake with a man, and he found out.’ Softly she changed her seat a little, hearing the next question. ’And that’s my other terrible mistake I’ve made,’ Looking down for a second to gather her courage before looking up and saying the painful words. ’I believe Ves,’ She swallowed, trying to keep a volume to her voice. ’wants me rather dead.’ Seeing the watery smile appear on the lips of the red haired lady made the pain fade a little. Maybe she did have someone that cared for Rha, which did her good.

She conquered her demons

Maybe the lady in front of Faylice was the only one who could understand the pressure she was in. The mere weight that sat on her shoulder with every step the lady had taken so far. Knowing that every step on, it would be there, just lingering until she would give in. There were so many that wanted her to give up, give up her birthright, give up on running away, chasing the things she wanted. More so, give up on trying to be as good as she was. It was a goal Fay had set for her whole life, to do good, no matter what anyone told her. Somehow she could turn in into a fitting rule, she would get the people on her side, maybe even other nations. But for now she had nothing but her own disappearing. That fact only made her father so much stronger as he did not left his rule for one moment. Even now, when she was away from  that dreaded castle, she flung back and forth to running further away and getting herself ready to return. Now, Fay was close by, but as safe as she could be, trusting her niece all the way. Maybe because of the fact that Rhaella also knew what pressure laid down, how it felt to have such a wicked father. It brought a little smile to her face, relaxing her shoulders as Fay enjoyed the stew.

Their time back at court may have been the calm before the storm, it had been happy times. Them being just children in a way too big castle, being set loose for a little too much. Dreaming the ice blue eyes stared at the stew, the soft smile engraved on her face. ’We did, they shielded parts of the woods off and still we managed to “escape”.’ The smile on her pale face widened itself, maybe it was that time she learned how to slip in between the cracks of the wall. For a moment her smile faded, thinking about how many times she had used the skill to save herself from any situation. The words of Rha made her look up, into the red pits as Fay noticed the little smile. ’I hereby promise you, that if I manage to get the throne, I’ll made a squirrel chasing thing in D’auvignon.’ Fay started her words calculated and serious, but couldn’t help to smile broader and broader as the sentence continued. Finishing the sentence in a chuckle, while she shook her head in the little fun they made of it. She sipped from her stew softly again, enjoying all the lush flavours it had. Taking a moment to close her eyes, to guide the taste even more. ’It has been a long time since I’ve had food this good.’ Grateful she told, her ice blue eyes telling the same tale along. Those few minutes the dark haired lady just enjoyed the stew she would’ve given everything to just stay in the moment. A little time given without much of worry or anything else, just her enjoying the food with her sweet niece. Letting her eyes trail over the small cabin, filled with all sorts of animals. ’I’m so happy you at least have your little peace here, with your animals.’ She told Rhaella, as her gaze shifted back to her.

But as much as Fay would’ve liked to keep it away from the subjects she didn’t want to talk about, it happened anyways. The smile vanished around her lips, knowing it needed to be done. The question made the lady scour her lower lip with her teeth for a moment. The ice blue eyes flashing down before they looked up again. ’It was one night, when I found out it was already too late.’ Cryptically she went on, her voice getting clearer as she pushed away the tears. ’I was pregnant Rha.’ She told, gritting her jaws together afterwards. For a moment Fay just stared, waiting for any reaction she could discover with Rhaella. She trusted her niece fully, knowing she was good at heart too. ’He said it to me, with a sword to my troth. I saw the hatred in his eyes.’ Slowly she spoke, clearing up any question that could probably be asked. ’I understand, after what I’ve done to him.’ Pausing for a moment she swallowed, her eyes glued to the red ones of the red haired lady next to her. ’I’ve been set up, blackmailed into killing his mother.’ Her voice moved as more than one emotion came to the surface. ’Don’t, ever trust the Tenebrae’s, please.’ Fay ended, taking a deep breath of relief to finally tell anyone she trusted, feeling some of the pressure fall of her shoulders before her gaze refocused itself.