The dream shifted again to Princess Rivaria with her golden locks hanging loose and wearing a plain white dress. She seemed slightly older than last time. Her had become taller, gained more muscle, and her chest had filled out. The only person who stood with her in front of the stone doors deep in the castle was a boy who looked closer to adulthood. He was taller with short brown hair, a decorated sword, and... a maid's outfit?
The boy shifted his sword. The belt seemed custom made to go with the apron but the apron didn't quite fit right with the sword. "Why do they have to do this so late at night?"
Princess Rivaria signed, "because this was when I was born."
"That hardly matters. Most people just wait for the next new year festival. Even among the nobles who can afford their own ceremony they tend to wait a few days. It is better to be late than early."
"I agree. This could have waited until morning and we could still have had a few hours before the ceremony. But my father wants it done now so he can prepare if something goes wrong... my mother..."
Dong! A loud chime rang out. Dong. It was simular to a clock bell, but it seemed both far away and close at the same time. Dong. Like the bell was far away but the sound traveled deep underground clearly to this spot. Dong. Traveling to this plain, previously quiet, antichamber before the entrance door. Dong. At least, I felt it was an entrance. Dong. It was far larger than a normal door and decorated with gold and glass colored to create a scene. Dong. It had an odd holy feeling. Dong. People and animals happily went about their lives near the bottom (like might be depicted in some of the stained glass church windows from my world), but then the air was filled with flying eyes. Dong. Granted, they too looked happy with whispy wings flitting about their business. Dong. But high in the center, like a giant sun, they all came together in a large multi eyed mass. Dong. Swirling rays of light came off of the giant mass of eyes like the ultimate holy being seeing all that was before it. Dong. Kind of like the soul void, but one that looked back.
Dong!
Thirteen dongs in all. The doors opened and the princess and her escort walked into the darkness beyond.
I tried to follow, but the door slammed shut before me. I puffed up in annoyance. This was my dream, so I should be able to go anywhere, right?
All the eyes turned to me. Their stare wasn't menacing... yet.
Shit. Nightmare mode. Okey, bye bye, no nightmares for me tonight.
***
I felt like I could wake up soon, but I didn't want to...
Going to go back to that other night. The night Mirium was helping Rivaria get ready for dinner seemed safe enough. Mirium had helped Rivaria into a fresh dress fit for dinner with royalty with more difficulty than it normally would be. Even though Rivaria had chosen a simpler dress and only really needed to change the outer layer, this wasn't Mirium's normal duty. This time it took longer with a few more jerks and jabs than she was used to. Mirium was a court gardener more than a court lady and that was probably better for her in the long run anyways. No reason to poison a gardener.
It was a few minutes past the hour when Rivaria was finally ready to enter the dining hall. The private hall was not as big or grand as the great hall in which they would have feasts, but it was still big enough for a small group of people to hold a meal with royal comforts. Though, it was a bit comic for just two at the long table. Her father sat at the head of the table in his high backed chair and Rivaria's chair was placed at the other end. Both places were already set with a full course meal in front of it... so they wouldn't be disturbed too often.
The princess sat down for dinner without waiting for any formalities. The atmosphere was a bit quiet and strained. It wasn't that she and her father were on bad terms with each other, normally this was a time to look forward to, but they were currently at odds on a few subjects. A meal in silence would be best, but too much to ask for.
Emperor Mathis looked nothing like his daughter. His dark red hair was cut short and frosted with white. Each pale strand represented a battle he had either won or lost. He form was tall and thick with muscle from constant training and experience, while hers was still slight and undeveloped. Only an air of stubbornness tied them together as family.
After the first plates were removed, Mathis handed an envelope to a servant who then placed it next to Rivaria. "The Head Stewart compiled a list of suitable replacements. Included is information about their skills, interests, and family. Choose one to become your new Lady-in-waiting."
"Why?" Rivaria stabbed a piece of red root and swirled it in the gravy on her plate. "So they can die the next time the guard fails their job?"
"The poison guard has been reprimanded and the caster responsible replaced," her father replied.
"Poison guard? How was the poison guard even at fault? Mirium identified the symptoms as the larva of a flesh eating insect found in the Northwest mountains. A poison detection spell would not detect a living organism such as that because it is only designed to detect alchemical compounds that are hazardous to humans," Rivaria retorted. She at least was armed with knowledge and magic, but that wasn't the same as actual training for combat. "Now there is another person unnecessarily brought into the castle. I don't need more people standing around just waiting to die for me."
The emperor's grip on his steak knife was firmer than usual as he continued with his meal. "A Lady-in-waiting does more than taste food. There are other tasks they are needed for such as ensuring you are at dinner on time."
"What if it is not poison next time?" The red root seemed to run around the plate trying to get away from its impending doom who held the fork which controlled it. "What if the assassin comes for me directly? I need to improve my ability to protect myself. I need to learn how to fight."
The screeching sound of metal on porcelain cut through the air on the emperor's side of the table. "You need a skilled Lady-in-waiting at your side. She and your guards will protect you."
"Then let me choose one of the girls already here in the castle. They are already familiar with the castle, its people, and I am already familiar with their capabilities."
"No, they already have their tasks."
Rivaria put down the fork, setting the red root momentarily free but with no where to go. "Oh, right, you don't actually care who I choose. Not one of the women you have chosen will be from her house, nor a sibling of someone here for that matter, they will be from houses you have yet to kidnap children from with skill and capability being but a second to fulfilling your requirements."
"I do what must be done for the survival of this Empire and the wellbeing of its people." Mathis growled down at his plate.
Rivaria leaned in. "You just need their blood for your spell. Do you even need them alive for your ritual? No. You are holding her body preserved in the catacombs with the others who have died here in our service to use if needed as if it is an honor to be buried with our family and not their own. I've seen the formation and know it just needs a sizable amount of blood from a relative. The only reason to have living sacrifices is so that the provider of that blood can help fuel the spell themselves as it rips through any of their so deemed "traitorous" kin it is being released upon, as well as every other man, woman, child, and bastard of that family. I'd rather be dead if it was me."
The emperor looked down at his daughter with eyes hollow of emotion and teeth clenched behind a frown. "This union is full of treachery built off of the blood of those who instigated the attack on us in the first place, before you were born, yet it would fall into chaos without them managing the kingdoms left behind. I wanted this no more than you want to be its successor, but at least you have recognition from the gods. This is punishment for attacking us and security so that it never happens again... It is not ideal, what I do is to but hold it together until you can see your part through, become a greater leader, and bring true peace to this land."
"And how many people will have to die for me? Even the guards can only do so much if they must protect me while fighting. Dead guards cannot protect me. How can I even bring this empire peace if I cannot secure my own? I must learn how to defend myself so no more loved ones must die in my place." The words slipped out easily but struck her father hard.
The emperor slammed his fists on the table, cracking the hard wood to one side as it spread down the length until Rivaria could make out a divot under the table's cloth. He was about to reply, but the servant's door opened and a messenger came in taking a knee with head bowed. In a breath, the words on his tongue shifted. "The fouth child of the noble now ruling the Kingdom of Hornsbreath has arrived. You will take her as your Lady-in-waiting or you will stay in your room until you have chosen another."
The messenger flinched.
"Bring her in!" Emperor Mathis ordered.
The messenger stood up and rushed to the door as fast as etiquette would allow. The Emperor's eyes were fixed on Rivaria, but Rivaria did not miss the odd behavior. A figure hooded in a delicate blue cloak entered soon after the door was opened.
"Introducing Prince Bywyn." The messenger announced before leaving the room in haste, disappearing into the hall beyond.
The figure removed their hood to reveal a rather plain boy, perhaps a few years older than Rivaria, with short brown hair. "Your Highness, I come here as representation of the Jerald House of Hornsbreath. While my twin sister was the one requested, she has fallen ill once more. As her elder twin, I am the true fourth child promised. I am rarely ill and am blessed as an Arcane Spearman. I will serve you faithfully in her stead." He bowed deeply with the perfect form of a man prepared to face the executioner with honor.
The Emperor's face had turned a simular color to his hair as he took in a sharp breath. "I-"
"I accept!" Rivaria shouted out unable to hide the mirth of laughter in her voice. "If he so wishes to replace his ill sister, than so be it. He may replace her in every single manner. Be sure he is prepared and trained as soon as possible for the position. I will expect no less than perfection from one hand picked by my father."
"This is not-"
Rivaria stood. "You said I must make a choice and I have. Since his kingdom is close, it doesn't even fall into the category of 'far away,' so my chastity is certainly safe with him, else he face the wrath of the prophasy for but trying. Come Lady Bywyn."
Riviera beckoned him to follow and exited the room just as swiftly as the messenger had, leaving no time for her father to argue.