ATTENTION!!!!!
Warden Aravos inspected each and everyone after shouting, with dozens of his royal guard adorned in pure white and sky blue armor standing shoulder to shoulder before him in a single loud snap to perfection. All clutching sword staffs, and wing's folded accordingly as is custom southern tradition for both men and women when facing royalty.
He and his soldiers stood in place side by side and remained utterly silent as if cold unflinching statues tethered to the ground. All positioned at one side of the long carpet path leading to the massive southern portal gate. Already prepared for her arrival.
Positioned and lying in wait at the opposite side of the carpet were every single servant, maid, and even the faciality cook, standing in an equally impressive quiet form against one another. But no matter where each of them stood at attention. No matter what province they came from or if they were old or young citizens of the Empire. They were all illuminated by the glowing pathway leading to the edge of the world. And all waiting eagerly for her arrival.
The doors behind the crowd began to open loudly with it's sudden massive noise resonating throughout the empty room for quite some time. No one noticed or moved out of their place, knowing full well that a guard's and servant's role was to been seen and not heard. Only Aravos was allowed to turn his head and smile briefly at seeing his niece being guided by Nea held by the hand through the massive doorway. The two quietly approached the old warden but only Nea bowed before her lord.
"Thank you for fetching her." Aravos said politely as he turned downward to face the young handmaiden. Nea smiled graciously and bowed once more before before quickly and quietly running into place at the end of the line alongside all the other servants. But not without glancing a quick nod and smile of assurance back to the princess. Signaling to her that she knew all will be well. Ryana hoped so. God's she hoped so.
Aravos sensing her unease, turned back to face his niece standing in a nervous silence beside him and removed his open faced winged helmet decked out with a large collection of dark blue plumage feathers atop his forehead to signify his superior rank over his men. The old warden was still wearing his white sparkling armor which she had never seen him take off, neither did any of his well trained guards who surveyed these halls night and day. Ryana secretly thought their commitment to her absolute safety was overkill and unnecessary. Nothing exciting ever happened around here thanks to their watchful eye after all. He smiled calmly and relaxed his shoulder's to make himself less imposing. Sensing her tension and unease.
"Don't worry my dear. I'm sure it will be this time." He said in a somewhat more relaxed manner, or as much as a warden could afford. Ryana kept quiet still. Only able to manage and unearth a faint weak smile, wanting to show gratitude to her wise uncle and instill confidence in herself and the situation.
Not that It was real though.
She was nervous and scarred beyond imagination. She had learned to be warry of getting her foolish hopes up again yet again when the possibility of them being dashed in an instant grew stronger and stronger by the second. The princess replied quickly and clumsily in return for her uncle's kind words as the portal began to brighten in its soft glow, with faint specks of northern snow beginning to seep through from the other war torn side.
"I hope so uncle." Ryana said softly, her breath and demeanor growing ever more nervous. "I really do."
Aravos smiled warmly before standing at attention with his helmet and staff held in each hand. "For you my dear, I wouldn't be surprised by any act of kindness your mother shows to you. For she has done so time and time again more than any I've ever seen before. So much so that it's hard for me to keep track of all the gift's she sends you in our cramped facility storage." He chuckled for a brief second before growing more melancholy leaning in closer to whisper so no one else would hear.
"I would be utterly baffled if she refused to do so again. Especially today of all days. And despite this...rather unpleasant situation we are all in. Trust me, she is the kind of woman to do whatever it takes to make sure you are safe and happy.
"As would I."
Aravos then crossed his long taloned fingers in luck for her and winked before quickly returning to attention. Ryana smiled faintly at the gesture before becoming silent as well.
"We'll see." She muttered with a sad hope. She then Straightened her posture and put her hands to rest aside her thin waist timidly.
The princess and her warden stood closer together and waited eagerly beside one another at the end of the long blue carpet leading to the large portal. Both facing longingly in the direction of the blank cold light that shimmered and glowed like the white of a full moon. Although Ryana couldn't see the wonderful sight like everyone else. She knew it must be astounding to behold.
Aravos and everyone else in the room suddenly knelt down all the way to the floor to be silent as a tall white figure blurred and distorted began to appear behind the other side of the passage which seeped cold fog to enter and spread across the room.
Everyone but Ryana.
She gulped. Standing alone both terrified and excited at the center of the far end of the blue carpet. Facing toward the glowing passage once again. Anxious beyond words to sense her reappear and smiling warmly back at her once again on her birthday.
She began to smile eagerly as she sensed a long taloned foot slowly step first through the portal to touch and get a feel for the cold metal floor.
She clutched her own palm eagerly as she sensed an elaborate dress swayed across the frozen ground as the tall stranger glided quickly into the room faintly dusted with the fresh fallen snow of the north she was leaving in an instant behind her.
And finally Nea smiled as she sensed the stranger begin to quickly run across the long carpet, uncaring of southern formalities and looking like an utter fool as she ran right up to her, almost sweeping her off her feet. The stranger then wrapped her massive comforting wings all around her tall daughter so tightly after so long away it was as if the princess almost vanished in the feathered shroud that now concealed her. Ryana returned the favor by hugging her mother's wings far tighter.
In was in that brief moment she was allowed to no longer be Empress Vea. Queen of the south. And ruler of the vast icelands throughout the known and unknown of the world. Or even the depreciative title of Peasant queen used by her many enemies of the north.
She was only Vea.
Mother to Ryana. Her beautiful smiling daughter standing beneath her.
As the two stood happily clutching tightly to one another wrapped in each other's soft wings for what felt like hours. Utterly consumed in a tender and heartfelt hold they both wished would never end. A loud proud noise erupted throughout the empty room to remind them both it could not last.
"HAIL TO THE EMPERESS! Everyone cheered apart from Avaros. "GLORY TO THE EMPERESS QUEEN OF ICE!" The guards and servants exclaimed in excitement for her grand arrival to honor them all yet again with her royal presence.
Vea wished they would just remain quiet and not remind her off her responsibilities she would inevitably have to return to tomorrow so far away from her daughter. But instead she just remained silent herself and finished hugging tightly to the back of her child's wings which had grown so beautifully over these past few years. Thankfully the cheers of the staff eventually died down in favor of sweet and utter silence.
Emperess Vea began to sniff slightly from brief tears of happiness while holding gently to her daughter. Aravos then cleared his throat and approached the two.
"Your Eminence it's good to see you as always." He bowed before standing at attention proudly. "You're looking as radiant as ever.
Emperess Vea sighed as she reluctantly released her grasp of her daughter and wiped away her tears so neither would see. She then turned to face her brother in law who she had tasked with running the facility and keeping her daughter safe from harm all these years.
Thank you Aravos. It's wonderful to see you as well. How is the fortress? Any breaches of security or disturbances the past year?
"Not a whiff of trouble your majesty. If there was, I certainly would know of it and smother such a problem in its crib before it ever presented itself. Everything is in perfect order as always."
Thank you Aravos. As always your dedication is more than I can ever ask of you."
Aravos smiled proudly in place, squeezing tighter to his helmet like an artist proud of his hard work. "It is no trouble at all you're grace, it is simply my most esteemed privilege to be able to serve you and my wonderful nice."
"And how go her studies?" Empress Vea asked curiously. "Any trouble?" Princess Ryana gulped as she stood silent beside the two of them who towered above her. Aravos hesitated for a brief second before clearing his throat and replying.
"Ryana..has..well." He cleared his throat again while adjusting his armored collar. Looking aside slyly toward the princess, almost asking for her permission. Ryana nodded hesitantly for him to proceed and remained silent. Aravos turned his attention back to her majesty and gave her the update.
"She has excelled in history and music during our lectures as well as science and the musical arts. She is has grown quite fluent speaking oceanic and old iclandic, though her Northern dialect could use some much needed further refinement.
Ryana shrugged with a slight smirk up at her mother regarding the remark of her less than perfect performance. "Well It is a difficult language to learn." The empress said calmly. There's no need to rush he anymore than needed. She's doing so much already. Anything else troubling her by chance?
Yes. Aravos replied with a slight sigh. Despite both our best efforts I'm afraid she has fallen a bit behind in politics, ethical studies, governance and management of a nation. But I'm certain she will improve over time. She is among the craftiest and brightest I have ever apprenticed. This past month alone she has improved greatly during her studies of great leaders of old. She will learn all in due time you're excellency. I am sure of it."
"See to it that she learn well Aravos. I need her prepared for when it is time for her to rule in my stead. The Empress said directly and with an almost coldly manner to him. Ryana was a bit unnerved by her mother's change in tone toward her own brother in law.
"Yes..your majesty." Aravos replied quietly and in almost uneasy tone of voice. The imposing warden than bowed his wing gracefully and rejoined among his guards until he was called on again for wisdom or council.
The Empress then gave her attention back to her daughter still standing submissively on the sidelines. Wanting to return to giving her the full attention she was long overdue. Empress Vea approached and stared at her daughter saddened who stood in silence not making eye contact up at her. Not because of rudeness or spite. But because she was unable to.
A large glowing blue visor placed in between a carefully crafted silver tiara with a small Dimond at it's center wrapped around her head, covering her once radiant sapphire eyes and resting atop her small pink beak which had not yet darkened with age. Almost resembling a normal nose which held the elaborate trinket in place in order to cover her numerous scars across her eyes.
"How is the visor? Vea asked caringly while caressing the back of her daughter's feathered white hair. Still working properly?"
"Yes mother. She replied dejectedly. "I can sense you. But I can't see you."
Princess Ryana tilted her beautiful crown slowly upward which was covered with electro receptive sensors in order to face her mother and ease her worry even if she couldn't remember what either of them looked like. Only seeing her mother's faint blue electrical outlines amongst a blizzard of pitch darkness that filled the nearby surrounding area. The complex device had allowed for her to walk and function throughout the safety of the fortress on her own mostly independent for almost seventeen years.
Mostly.
"It's difficult." But I manage fine." Ryana muttered quietly before releasing a faint chuckle and shrug of her shoulders. "Honestly I can't remember I time when I didn't see the world this way."
Vea breathed a deeply sorrowful sigh, stopping herself from crying right then and there. Wishing her daughter were able to see the beautiful world and its vibrant colors once more as she had so briefly done as an infant held in her arms all those years ago. But this was the best after years of research and reverse engineering of scavenged monarchy technology could hope to accomplish. All in order to sooth her daughter's pain and help her live her life as best she could and recover from their enemies vicious attack.
The Empress felt utterly ashamed that she had never been able to find a cure and heal Ryana's eyes after all this time. Reduced to Leaving her lost and alone in the darkness for already so much of her life. It pained Vea to even think of how much her now fully grown daughter had missed out on. Never experienced. Never found joy from seeing the best the world had to offer as she herself had done when she was her own age. It wasn't fair. It wasn't nearly enough.
She deserved far better than this.
The Empress then leaned in and held tightly around her daughter once again in an intense silent grief and utterly remorseful of her daughter's affliction beyond words. Wanting to end this curse however she could.
But she felt far more enraged by just thinking of the dishonorable people who had done this to her. But also a slight sense of joy at the pleasant thought of how she would make them all suffer soon.
The Empress then quickly put aside such thoughts. No politics today she had sworn to herself. Just Ryana. All in due time. All in due time. The Empress instead managed to create a faint smiled as she looked down at her daughter and held her hand gently.
"Well you are still as beautiful and wise as ever dear. Don't let anyone ever tell you any different. And If any should dare to give you trouble. They will answer to me."
Princess Ryana smiled and chuckled slightly at her mother's seriousness. "Oh mother.." she scoffed amused before turning her head away slightly at such nonsense.
"I'm serious." The Empress replied coldly.
Ryana remained silent and confused. Not knowing if she should feel thankful for such a promise that she knew her mother was certainly capable of fulfilling. Or scarred. Perhaps a bit of both. But before she could reply. Ryana felt another presence coming quickly through the gate behind. Someone massive.
She began to grin wildly.
The giant polar bear began to walk through the glowing gateway covered in snow and barely able to fit. Hitting his large head atop the beam with a loud thud. Causing Nea the servant girl to giggle slightly. As well as Ryana.
"Owww!" Garotan muttered while wiping the top of his head with his enormous paw. "Keep forgetting that blasted beam!" He turned his head downward to search across the room and saw the Empress standing beside her daughter.
He grinned a most vicious and happy smile. Causing everyone in the room to become a little frightened instantly from seeing his pure white fangs and deadly teeth unveiled to all. Apart from the empress and princess.
"SNOWFLOWER!" He roared aloud enthusiastically. Beginning a swift and powerful sprint across the room that shook the floor with each mighty step he took, trailing large clumps of fresh snow to sprinkle and fall behind. As the hairy giant approached to tower over the princess. Empress Vea halted him with just a quick gesture of her hand.
"Not so strong this time." She said calmly. I Don't want you to almost crush her with another hug like last time.
Ryana scoffed and turned to her mother annoyed. "Mother! I'll be fine! Stop worrying! She rolled her white eyes hidden under her blue visor slightly amused. "You're just exaggerating. He could never hurt me."
Empress Vea raised her brow amused. "Well I've known him far longer than any of you, and if you'd seen what he can do with his bare hands to any who stand in his way. You may not be so keen to disagree with me. She smirked.
"Of course! You're grace! Garotan roared aloud proudly. "I can rip a man apart with my bare hands if it's just what I wanted!" The polar bear then pounded his immense fist and axe to collide against his armored chest full of pride with a loud noisy clank. "It's just sometimes I can't control my own strength, I just get so eager. I'm sorry about last time little Snow flower. I didn't mean to squeeze so hard. It won't happen again. I swear. He muttered ashamed before mightily kneeling to the cold floor atop his heavy old knees.
Ryana smirked. "It's ok Garotan. My back was feeling a little tense that day from studying anyway. I think you did me a favor."
The Empress rolled her blue eyes.
Garotan laughed wildly like a madman with his booming powerful voice felt throughout the silent room before quickly bringing himself back to controlled focus befitting his status as an anointed knight. He cleared his large throat.
"Ahem!! Sorry about that..."
The Empress then let out a reluctant sigh in acceptance and smiled up to her long time friend and guardian. "Very well. Proceed Garotan." She waved her hand with a faint energy. Allowing him to approach.
"Thank you your majesty. He spoke in a newly controlled soft and gentle voice."
The princess smiled then stepped forward as well. Opening her arms and wings wide apart to allow the gentle giant to give her the great big hug he did every year he came with mother. Never leaving the Empress side.
Garotan knelt down and picked her up gently by her arms easily as if she weighed nothing and brought her close to rest against his cold armored breast plate.
Ryana didn't much like feeling the dented metal against her skin but she loved pressing her face against his massive neck instead whose rustled white fur felt like a soft warm blanket far better than all the ornate fabrics in her room imported from throughout the world combined. Almost tempted to just fall asleep right there in his gentle cozy arms.
Unbeknownst the princess. Garotan's arms were anything but gentle. He was having to nervously refrain from using all of his seemingly boundless strength and power so as not to harm the little princes held tightly in his deadly grip which had cracked the skulls of hundreds of northern rebels as easily as breaking an egg.
He did control his strength this time without any problem of course. Because for Vea and snow flower, he could and would accomplish anything for the two of them no matter what. Nothing was impossible when it came to the two of them.
The white haired giant then set the little princess gently back down to the ground before bowing to her and her mother respectfully like some semblance of a gentleman. His heavy armor plate's shifted and clanked against one another, making a frightening noise as he then leaned over to pick up his enormous dented axe which had crushed any resistance that challenged the Empresses rule. Before finally grinning and walking away with heavy steps to stand far aside and await their next command whenever he was needed.
"So?!" The Empress said happily as she looked toward her young daughter excited. "I think I'm ready to hear that song you've been working so hard on! I don't think I can wait another moment!"
"Neither can I!" Garotan muttered uncontrollably, raising his paw slightly.
Aravos glanced at the eager giant a cold stern look telling him to be silent immediately. The polar bear's ears lowered in stubborn compliance as he turned his massive head away a bit saddened. Although he had always gotten along with the Empress and snow flower. Aravos was a bit too serious for the two of them to ever become friends. But still Garotan respected his dedication and commitment to keeping the facility safe while he himself was fighting far away in the war on the front lines and on secret missions.
"You're majesty. Aravos spoke respectfully as he approached closer. "Perhaps after dinner If I may be so bold to suggest? You have both traveled such a long way in such a short amount of time. Surely it can wait. After all my servants have toiled all day to prepare for your arrival. And besides, the longer the anticipation the sweeter the payoff. Isn't that the saying? He turned to Ryana and winked slyly at her.
The princess nodded merrily to her uncle. This gave her extra time to practice.
The Empress stared coldly toward the warden as he turned back to face her. Vea sighed in acceptance. She could wait a little longer.
"Alright then. After dinner then I suppose." The empress said calmly. Tilting her head away a bit dismayed and feeling defeated.
"Marvelous!" Aravos said heartily aloud. Clapping his hands together and bowing before her majesty in thanks for her gracious permission. Aravos then turned and spoke quickly to all the staff and guards. He could not delay any longer. He so hated disorder and idle hands.
"Alright everyone! You've had your fun! All soldiers and automatons return to your patrols and assigned posts at once! If even a shadow move's strangely throughout these halls I wish to be the first to hear of it!" He then turned his head swiftly to the right.
"Servants! see to the Empresses and her companions belongings and carry them immediately to the two guest rooms! They must be in perfect order for when they retire for the night. Aravos then turned one last time, only it was toward one person in particular.
"And master chef!" The imposing warden then pointed his long sharp talon proudly toward one little man in particular. Everyone stepped aside as the tall Albatross swiftly approached to confront the small man.
Yes? The timid old penguin waddled awkwardly forward out of the formation of people. "What is you require of me my lord?
"See to it that dinner is prepared immediately if you please. Portal travel always leaves her majesty and her guard a bit tired and hungry."
Garotan began to lick his lips hungrily. Causing his stomach to suddenly growl and create a loud echo to fill across the vast empty room. Every single person looked in his direction in an instant.
Ryana smiled. Trying not to giggle by clutching her mouth tightly with both her hands.
"Sorry!" He mumbled apologetically. Patting his large belly trying to keep it silent to avoid further embarrassment. Aravos rolled his eyes annoyed at the bear's interruption before returning to face the chef.
"And see to it that the princesses cake is well maintained and without a single flaw. She is deserving of nothing but perfection. When it is done, bring it to me for inspection and my final approval.
"At once my lord! The little penguin bowed in nervous respect before quickly waddling away to the kitchen to prepare the birthday feast. Being followed by dozens of servants and guards hastily trying to leave the chamber as well. In less than a minute it was now just the four of them standing in the cold empty room.
Aravos turned happily to the group and clapped his hands at another fine use of his leadership and efficiency.
"Now then!" He grinned. "Dinner?"
"Don't mind if I do!" Garotan roared aloud cheerily. As the stern Albatross warden and polar bear guardian quickly left the room seeing who could reach the dining room first in a civilized manner. Princess Ryana and the Empress walked slowly close behind in an awkward silence.
"Mother?" Ryana asked hesitantly.
The Empress tried not to look down and kept walking alongside her daughter. Yes dear? She said uncomfortably. "What is?"
"I was wondering. Ryana sighed. Trying to build up confidence. "I was wondering if we could talk about..."
The Empress suddenly interrupted, trying not to be rude. "I think it best if we attend to dinner first wouldn't you say? Don't want the cook's fine food to grow cold before we arrive now would we? She chuckled awkwardly. Fiddling with her soft hands.
"No...."Ryana sighed disheartened. "I suppose not."
The two walked along the cold hallways in silence. Sensing her daughter was becoming quickly uneasy The empress then suggested something that she knew would lift her spirits.
"Why don't you go on ahead and catch up with Garotan. He has quite a few new stories he's been dying to tell you from his travels Did you know he met a pirate while scouting along the Northern seas?"
Ryana smiled excitedly and began to walk quickly ahead, having to hold her dress off the ground so as not to trip. Although she was eager to catch up to the others. The princess looked behind one final time to face the Empress. Not for sight. But for sheer loving gratitude.
"Alright after dinner then! See you there mother! Love you and thank you! She said cheerily like the little girl she had once been as she rushed through the hallway swiftly. She always knew her way to the kitchen.
The Empress smiled weakly. "Very well. You run along with the others. I'll be there in but a moment!" She called out quickly just as her now fully grown daughter turned the corner out of her caring view completely.
The Empress then stopped in place.
Standing silent and alone. Growing anxious with her head lowering in increasing sorrow about the subject she so begged she didn't have to discuss with her today of all days.
She sighed heavily. Bundling herself in desperate comfort with her long soft wings. Trying not to break down right then and there.
The Empress just kept walking in silence. After all, she had a schedule to keep as always.
No matter how much it hurt to fulfill.