A Malguin drabble
Jan. 22nd, 2003 08:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hildy89Not content to simply write odd drabbles (~615 words) about fanfic characters, I have to also write ones about my original universes as well. While this one was written as a challenge response, I admit to being curious about this period in Malguin history, since I show Elisena after the Division has theoretically ended.
For cicirossi's winter challenge
Those Who Remain
Light snow continued to fall, not yet sticking to the grass surrounding the castle. Cold winds whipped through the grounds, the flags permanently at half-mast struggling to maintain their feeble hold. Helping the men prepare the horses, Elisena shivered in the bitterly cold stable. Winter had come into the region with all the fierceness of the Malguin lion with little hint of the spring to come.
"Maybe you should go inside," her father remarked, noticing her discomfort. "We can load up the rest of the horses without you."
"Nonsense, I have managed under worse conditions." Elisena said, ignoring the chill seeping into her fingers through her gloves, "I wanted to see you off before you left."
The old duke of Malguin said, "Unlike a certain brother of yours?" He did not spare a glance back towards the castle tower where his heir had his quarters, disgusted by the argument between father and son.
"He thinks you risk too much in this endeavor," Elisena said.
"And you?" Her father asked. "What has your Malguin sight seen?"
"Nothing," Elisena admitted. "All the images are murky and blurred." She handed him a rolled-up blanket to add to his travel pack. "Kinkail will be expecting this."
The old duke sighed, turning after stowing his gear. "Of course he will. His oldest son is already living safely in a foreign court. One of my sons must also be sent to a safer haven, even if I must leave the castle unprotected for a short time. If Kinkail strikes now, all is lost." He ran a hand over his grey beard. "He was my dearest friend, but I sometimes curse old Aevard for not having a male heir and causing this Division in the first place. And I curse his ancestor for begetting so many sons that makes the inheritance such a difficult question to answer. "
"The Houses have always been at odds, Father," Elisena said, "even when the old Prince was alive." Her expression had not changed, hearing the wind howl almost as loud as the shouts down the stairs. Division ran even among families, but she had not admitted that. "The Division has already taken so many fine families. The smaller Houses cannot hold against the more bloodthirsty ones. How can we hope to succeed where they have failed?"
"Because we are Malguin," the old duke said, "remember our motto?"
"Only the strong remain," Elisena said.
"Take courage," her father smiled. "Our will is stronger than that of Kinkail and his kin. As long as one of our House can draw a sword, then Malguins will remain." He returned to adjusting his tack, then added as an afterthought. "Look to the house of Gracen when your courage fails you."
Finally her father gave the call to mount up. The snow fell more rapidly now signaling the end of the storm, but the wind still blew hard against the stable doors. Elisena hugged her father and younger brother one last time, watching them going to their steeds.
Pulling her heavy cloak closer, Elisena stepped out into the storm. She felt momentarily blinded by the falling snow, her vision blurring into whiteness, the onset of her "storm sight". Watching the riders disappearing from view, Elisena frowned when her vision returned to normal. She saw nothing out of place.
But then, glancing up at the tower, where her elder brother should have been watching, Elisena drew back startled, seeing herself instead, face barely visible behind a black shroud. Her gown befitted royalty, but the black suggested only mourning. The air felt chillier around her. Malguin would triumph during this bloody Division of houses, but not without taking a terrible price on those who remained behind.
For cicirossi's winter challenge
Those Who Remain
Light snow continued to fall, not yet sticking to the grass surrounding the castle. Cold winds whipped through the grounds, the flags permanently at half-mast struggling to maintain their feeble hold. Helping the men prepare the horses, Elisena shivered in the bitterly cold stable. Winter had come into the region with all the fierceness of the Malguin lion with little hint of the spring to come.
"Maybe you should go inside," her father remarked, noticing her discomfort. "We can load up the rest of the horses without you."
"Nonsense, I have managed under worse conditions." Elisena said, ignoring the chill seeping into her fingers through her gloves, "I wanted to see you off before you left."
The old duke of Malguin said, "Unlike a certain brother of yours?" He did not spare a glance back towards the castle tower where his heir had his quarters, disgusted by the argument between father and son.
"He thinks you risk too much in this endeavor," Elisena said.
"And you?" Her father asked. "What has your Malguin sight seen?"
"Nothing," Elisena admitted. "All the images are murky and blurred." She handed him a rolled-up blanket to add to his travel pack. "Kinkail will be expecting this."
The old duke sighed, turning after stowing his gear. "Of course he will. His oldest son is already living safely in a foreign court. One of my sons must also be sent to a safer haven, even if I must leave the castle unprotected for a short time. If Kinkail strikes now, all is lost." He ran a hand over his grey beard. "He was my dearest friend, but I sometimes curse old Aevard for not having a male heir and causing this Division in the first place. And I curse his ancestor for begetting so many sons that makes the inheritance such a difficult question to answer. "
"The Houses have always been at odds, Father," Elisena said, "even when the old Prince was alive." Her expression had not changed, hearing the wind howl almost as loud as the shouts down the stairs. Division ran even among families, but she had not admitted that. "The Division has already taken so many fine families. The smaller Houses cannot hold against the more bloodthirsty ones. How can we hope to succeed where they have failed?"
"Because we are Malguin," the old duke said, "remember our motto?"
"Only the strong remain," Elisena said.
"Take courage," her father smiled. "Our will is stronger than that of Kinkail and his kin. As long as one of our House can draw a sword, then Malguins will remain." He returned to adjusting his tack, then added as an afterthought. "Look to the house of Gracen when your courage fails you."
Finally her father gave the call to mount up. The snow fell more rapidly now signaling the end of the storm, but the wind still blew hard against the stable doors. Elisena hugged her father and younger brother one last time, watching them going to their steeds.
Pulling her heavy cloak closer, Elisena stepped out into the storm. She felt momentarily blinded by the falling snow, her vision blurring into whiteness, the onset of her "storm sight". Watching the riders disappearing from view, Elisena frowned when her vision returned to normal. She saw nothing out of place.
But then, glancing up at the tower, where her elder brother should have been watching, Elisena drew back startled, seeing herself instead, face barely visible behind a black shroud. Her gown befitted royalty, but the black suggested only mourning. The air felt chillier around her. Malguin would triumph during this bloody Division of houses, but not without taking a terrible price on those who remained behind.
