The Beginnings of War

Ziarre still could not believe what had happened yesterday morning. Not only was her life threatened again, but also Ash had relinquished his fealty to King Lazaro and instead swore it to her. She could not deny him this after he made himself an outcast from the floating isles just to protect her, and thus took his sword in acceptance, as was custom. Now she sat alone in the room she was given, wondering what the future would hold for her.

Not wanting to be alone any longer, she left the room to search for Ash. He left the palace shortly after the lord of Terra assented to her pleas of granting him his freedom. He had told her he was leaving to make sure the men who assaulted the palace were actually gone, but Ziarre knew better. She knew he had left to reflect upon what had happened yesterday and his decision to break all ties between him and the floating isles once and for all.

It saddened her, knowing that she was the cause for all of his misery. If she hadn’t been born, than he could have been the successor to Lord Cassian. But no, she was born and he had to suffer for it. And now even if he wanted to he couldn’t go back to the floating isles, not since he switched fealties. This entire outcome was something she did not want to happen. She shook her head as she walked outside, hoping she would be able to find him and talk with him before morning and the war counsel was summoned.

Ash stood on the cliff overlooking the valley the palace was in. His thoughts kept roaming back to the family he was forced to give up. He wondered if, when this war was done and over with, he could tell them the truth or if he had to take it to his grave. He also wondered what they were told when he was cast out. But mostly how they would react to the truth should he be able to tell them. Would they be proud of him for taking on such a dangerous task or would they shun him for doing thusly?

His hand instinctively rose to the hilt of his sword as he heard someone walking up behind him. Unsheathing it, he quickly turned to face the intruder. Ash immediately felt guilty as he re-sheathed his sword. It was Ziarre. “ I’m sorry, Ziarre.” He said as he bowed slightly to her. She shook her head. “ Don’t be, Ash. You have the right to be on edge.” She walked past him and stared across the valley.

Without commenting on that, Ash sighed deeply. “ A war is coming, Ziarre. Are you ready for it?” “ No.” She shivered slightly as she turned back to him. “ I’m no warrior, Ash.” Smiling softly, he placed his hand on her shoulder. “ Then my friend, I guess we’ll have to make you into one.” She turned away from him and stared out at the rising sun. This too was something she did not want to happen. But there was no way to stop it. The key players and sides were set and the war was already in motion.