They soon crossed over a small hill looking over the lake, a cool breeze made the leaves on the trees shutter and shake. Ripples formed across the top of the water, dancing in circles spiraling out from the center. Arella slowly made her way to the bottom of the hill and waved for Cassyus to join alongside her. He hunched his shoulders with a sigh and made his way down.
"I suppose you have a reason for luring me to this lake My Lady." He spoke cautiously, his words laced with concern probably due to the fact that Arella brought him to a secluded part of the city without uttering a word on the whole journey there. She turned to him, eyes locked on him as she was studying Cassyus up and down silently, her face betrayed nothing.
He shifted uncomfortably as the minutes passed by, the air around them grew still as the quietness continued. Just as Cassyus was about to open his mouth to speak Arella broke the deafening silence.
"Remove your hood." She commanded, face set like a statue. He stiffened, taken aback from her sudden demand. "I beg your pardon?" His voice rumbled. She took a step toward him and dipped her head as if she was trying to see underneath his cloak.
"Then beg." She uttered before taking another step closer. "I said remove your hood." Asserting herself firmly, Arella crossed her arms over her chest and stared coldly at Cassyus. His eyes dashed around the area in an effort to avoid her chilling gaze. The thought of running crossed his mind, it flashed across his face but he couldn't move, it's like his feet were anchored in place by her dominating presence. After realizing she wasn't going to budge, he reluctantly raised his arms, grasped the edges of his hood and lowered it behind his head.
Arella stifled a gasp as her eyes ran over his face. His skin was light honey colored with a golden undertone, dark brown hair with bronze highlights tangled chaotically. Cassyus stared down at Arella with his bright green eyes burning into hers. With a low grunt he roughly ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to organize the mess.
"Are you happy now?" He asked harshly. His husky voice cut through her thoughts, refocusing her back to the reason she had brought him out there. She cleared her throat and lowered her hands from her chest.
"Well now I know the face of the man I owe my thanks to. It isn't everyday that we get visitors or newcomers, especially ones so helpful and selfless." She explained casually, ignoring his burning glare. "So you brought me all the way to a remote part of the city to commend me for saving that girl's life?" Skepticism coated every word as he raised an eyebrow.
"I am not going to threaten you if that is what you are worried about. I truly am grateful for your assistance this morning, but I would be lying if I said that was my only intention for bring you all the way out here." She softened her voice before she continued. "As I said before, visitors are rare even more so now with the world in the state that it is. I am curious in regards to your appearance in my city as well as your intentions here." Her eyes searched his, looking for an unspoken answer before he could respond. His gaze eased up as he released the tension in his shoulders.
Cassyus took a breath before he replied. "I am a simple traveler, I have been moving around from place to place for as long as I can remember. I have been to my fair share of cities all over the continent but I have not yet been here. Before the end of Austrimm I try to find a place to settle to avoid traveling during Ystrid. Simply put I am just a wandering wayfarer looking for a place to stay temporarily." He said plainly, shrugging his shoulders casually. Arella studied his face and body language, probing to see any hint of deception but she found nothing.
"Is there no other reason you came to this city? No visions or anything of the sort?" She questioned as she attempted to keep her voice level and lighthearted. He followed her gaze with an inquisitiveness in his eyes. "Why? Have we met before?" Arella turned and saw Cassyus staring at her, unreadable and still. Her eyes widened as she felt her face burn from her cheeks to her ears. She opened her mouth and shut it, not knowing how to retort.
Shaking her head she waved her hand, leaving the question in the air, she faced Cassyus and smiled weakly. "I have taken far too much of your time I am afraid. Forgive me, I must return to make preparations and tend to our newest guests. Please enjoy your time here, if you need anything you can always reach out to any of my staff or find me here." As he went to say something she spun on her heels quickly and started making her way to the castle, heart sinking the further she moved away. She fought back the strong urge to look back at Cassyus and sighed heavily.
Sir Kaylln came into view as Arella rounded the the bottom of the hill closest to the garden. He jogged up urgently and Arella mentally prepared herself for whatever he was about to throw at her.
"My Lady, are you alright? We need you for the campaign presentation to the city for Lord Levinn." He scanned her from head to toe, checking to ensure she wasn't hurt before proceeding. "Where did you go? Who was the healer from this morning?" He pestered her with questions while they made their way up to the castle staff back entrance.
"Kaylln I do not have the energy for this right now. I will discuss this matter with you later. For now please inform Lord Levinn I will be in the foyer shortly, also please send for the citizens to gather in the courtyard for the meeting." She snapped, feeling drained from ever growing list of tasks to complete.
Sir Kaylln nodded and rushed ahead to gather all of the parties. Arella raked her hands down her face in annoyance as she hastily ran to the back doors.
Once in her room she hurriedly washed her hands and scrubbed at her face. She ran into her closet and plucked a sleeveless, blue flowy dress to wear. She grabbed silver flats to pair with her dress and started changing. Arella violently brushed her hair and pinned it up in a braided bun. She put a few drops of lavender oil on her skin, looked at herself in the mirror once more before she stormed out of her bedroom and swiftly made her way to the foyer.
At the bottom of the stairs stood Lord Levinn, his knight commander, Olenya and Sir Kaylln. Arella glided down the stairs before launching into an apology.
"Lord Levinn, please forgive my tardiness. We had an incident this morning that required my attention." She explained impassively. He nodded, accepting her explanation as he was made aware of the events that took place earlier that morning. "It was a grave matter, it only makes sense that you were there to calm the people and provide aid. I am just glad everything turned out alright." He said with an artificial relief in his voice. Arella forced a smile before addressing Sir Kaylln.
"Are the residents ready?" She asked pointedly. Sir Kaylln gave her a stiff nod and ordered the doors open. The doors creaked and groaned as the wood shifted positions. The sun shone and blinded the group for a second before settling as everyone's eyes adjusted. Arella stepped forward first with the rest of the party in tow. They made their way to the courtyard and stopped just a few feet away from the first row of people. The crowd bowed and filled the space with applause, it was only when Arella lifted her hands up that audience went silent.
"My loyal citizens of Evynne, thank you for coming on such short notice. I know everyone is busy making preparations for the upcoming harvests so I will not keep you long. We have the Lord of Western Trystalla visiting us and he has come to ask a favor of the people of Evynne. Lord Levinn has asked us to provide support to fortify the walls and defenses up north in Trystalla. As you are all aware I have remained neutral in regards to the political climate, so I could not out right promise to send support. I did, however, say that if my people wanted to volunteer for this endeavor I would grant them the opportunity. So I stand before you all and ask, is there anyone who wants to join the forces in Trystalla to protect the border?"