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Chapter Text

The lid was on far more difficult to remove than she thought. "Come now you stupid thing!" Elizabeth groaned through clenched teeth as the top of the crate creaked in disapproval. But only a second later it finally gave in and popped open. "Yes!" With a grin and her fists up in the air the small woman was finally triumphant in her mission to obtain one of her most precious of treasures.

Leaning over to peer inside the crate she couldn't help but to beam in excitement, because no other victory was as sweet as the prize she just gained from her struggle with the evil wooden crate of doom.

"Chocolate?" A deep voice asked from the open door.

Elizabeth nearly fell over onto her rear as she spun around.

"Kurt!? Has no one ever taught you to knock!?" Her voice was nearly a yelp, her face crimson with embarrassment. "Especially on the door of a lady's room?" She pushed herself up to her feet from where she was kneeling to place her hands on her hips and shoot him a look."

"Ah. My mistake." Kurt had his had in his hands, squinting as his fingers found what must have been a dust speck. "From the way you dress I nearly mistook you for your brother." His brow was arched and the corner of his mouth upturned in a teasing manner.

"Oh hush." She sighed and shook her head. "Just because I don't like skipping around in dresses all day doesn't turn me into my brother." Her arms slowly crossed over her chest. "But to tell you the truth, If I had worn a dress I may have resembled him more so with how upstanding and political my poor sibling is. Always so clean and proper, I don't know how he does it." She was almost jealous of her sibling.

The guard slowly placed his hat back onto his head where it belonged before giving the small woman a pleased look. "Don't look so glum." He gave a shrug. "At least you don't neglect your training, you nobles need to know how to take care of yourselves, especially being this far away from home." Kurt's face nearly fell with worry. "There are lots of unsavoury types here, both people and animals alike. Best know how to defend yourselves. Where your brother doesn't take his training as seriously as his politics I am happy to know I can always rely on you to pick up your sword and train." With that he had a smug twinkle in his eye. "So lets go. I need a sparring partner!"

"Now?" Elizabeth's voice was but a squeak. After struggling nearly all morning to open that bloody crate to quench her craving for chocolate was she really being stolen away for more training?

"Yes now." The guard's voice turned serious.

"Come little bird, you're a long, long way from home and need to know how to fight back when push comes to shove, grab your sword, I will meet you out back in five minutes and I expect to see you down there!" It was as if he was giving an order.

"Yes, sir." With a pout she strolled over to her bed and picked up her sword from where she abandoned it. "Even hundreds of miles away from home I still can't escape the endless sparring lessons."

Her footsteps echoed off the walls as she quickly made her way down the stairs to the main floor. Practically jumping over crates where they laid littered about. Where she was grateful for the living space, Elizabeth found herself not looking forward to the unpacking that was bound to take place soon.

She and her brother had been gifted living arrangements upon their arrival to the New World. Where the sailors had been generous in delivering all their crates to their new home, it unfortunately fell upon Elizabeth and Abraham's responsibilities to unpack their own things. Or more accurately Elizabeth's. Abraham was far too busy in dealing with political manners to burden himself with something as tedious as unpacking at the moment. Abraham had been tasked with attempting to bridge alliances with all of their lovely neighbors in this new world.

Where Elizabeth had her own responsibilities she needed to tend to they didn't seem as important when compared to her brother's job.

She was an artist of sorts. She was to catalogue and take note of surroundings, plants, animals, and hopefully all the information that would go along with them. In a way she studied medicines. Her hope was to attempt to find a cure to the plague that was slowly eating away their home.

Her hand froze on the doorknob leading out into the courtyard of their home. There was no doubt about it. Her shoulder's fell as her thoughts went to her mother. Princess De Sardet. There was no doubt in her mind that her mother drew her last breath at some point after their departure. She had tried to speak to her sibling about it a few times only to be shrugged off.

Despite having her brother with her, Elizabeth had never felt so alone in the world. Abraham had spent the entire trip by their cousin's side. Those two were inseparable.

Constantin, the Governor of the Congregation. Quite the title for a man who doesn't look like he knows what he is doing very well. Elizabeth found herself simply hoping they could all fall into their roles comfortably now that they were... Home?

Giving her head a shake Elizabeth stepped outside and drew her training sword and proceeded to grace their guard with her presence and her mediocre sword fighting skills.

"You're still distracted!" Kurt's voice boomed. His training sword nearly whacking her on the side of the head.

Luckily she ducked in time with a yelp of surprise.

"Your training far exceeds mine!" She felt ungraceful on her feet as she made attempts at dodging his swings. Her legs were probably peppered with forming bruises from how many times she already had been whacked.

"The sea has made you clumsy!" Kurt lifted his sword again. "But do not fret, little bird I shall make a sword fighter out of you yet!" He gave his sword a swing and Elizabeth lifted her own, finally successfully blocking his attack.

Her heart leapt into her throat with excitement and without missing a beat she shoved forward and somehow, against all odds managed to push the guard back and onto his read end.

"Ha!" She declared. "I have bested you!" She cried, training sword pointed towards him in mock victory. "Now, declare your defeat so we can call an end to this!" She nearly whined. "I have a crate full of chocolate with my name on it!"

"Ah." Kurt laughed, holding his hand out. "Help this one up, I fear I may be getting too old for this."

Elizabeth, with a kind, yet tired looking smile outstretched her own hand only to have the guard suddenly grip her wrist and yank her onto the ground beside him, before rolling on top of the poor thing and pinning the smaller woman to the earth.

"And that is why you should NEVER put your guard down." He declared firmly as he pretended to stab her in the gut with an imaginary blade. "And stab, you are now dead." And with that said he stood and patted himself off. "I only allowed you to knock me down to show you that even when it looks as though you may have the upper hand in battle, things are not always what they seem to be." Picking up his sword and sheathing it he turned towards Elizabeth, his hands now resting on his hips.

The smaller woman laid there on the ground, catching her breath. How in the name of all that is holy did she fall for that one? "Lies." She pointed at the man from where she lay. "You just don't want to admit that I, Elizabeth, De Sardet, defeated you in combat!"

"Are you two just about done." A deep voice called out from the house.

That alone made Elizabeth suddenly scramble to her feet and begin to pat the dirt off of her trousers. "Brother." She breathed. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon." Her words were quick as if she was a child caught red handed doing something they shouldn't have.

"We are to go see Constantin." Abraham announced. His chin held high as if he was in fact scolding his sister. "You should go make yourself look more... Presentable for the occasion. First impressions are everything, especially in this new world."

"There you go again Abraham." Kurt sighed, shaking his head. "Putting your image above more practical matters." The guard shook his head at the sibling.

"Yes well, if I was paid to roll around in dirt I would be doing so, however I get paid solidifying peace and uniting our neighbors and attempting to keep the apparent Savages at bay." He gestured around him as if making a good point.

"Savages?" Elizabeth, arms now crossed over her chest, glaring at her brother. "You know for a fact that is not what they are."

She watched as Abraham slowly pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know, I know." He sighed. "They are making a mess of things. Yes they were here first however..."

"Yeah, I don't want to hear it." The smaller sibling threw her hands up and turned on her heel to make her way back into the house. One too many times had she heard her brother chatting with guards about the natives that reside on the island. Everyone has their own opinions, however Elizabeth's was set in stone, She wasn't going to stand there and allow a person to belittle someone who is having their way of life not just altered but absolutely decimated by people who are not even from this place.

"Liz." Abraham's voice was low and annoyed, and yet pleading.

"I will go get cleaned up and then go to this stupid meeting." She grumbled before all but slamming the door closed behind her.

It wasn't too long before she was cleaned up, newspaper boy hat on her head, clean trousers and shirt. Not a speck of dirt in sight.

Her brother gave a quick nod in approvingly before motioning for her to follow him into the palace where their dearest Cousin now resided.

"Now, it's not only going to be Constantin present." Abraham instructed. "There are going to be other nobles present, they know who we are and we have a very important job to do. You need not worry about your attire here dearest sister." He looked over his shoulder at her for a second before continuing his way between two guards who stood watch in front of the palace. Abraham began to make his way up the stairs. She heard him mention something about the other Nobles knowing that she was a very renown artist of sorts and were all quite excited to meet her. To be a noble of such talents and who's work isn't just going to be displayed for the world to see but cataloged in textbooks for history is an amazing honor.

Elizabeth did try to pay attention, she really did, however as they were making their way up the steps towards the palace her ears perked up. An accent, a language she didn't quite recognize.

As her brother continued forward, still thinking he was speaking to his sister, Elizabeth turned still near the bottom of the stairs, eyes now locked on a woman who was looking up at her in a desperate manner.

The woman continued on, gesturing to the guard in front of her in a language she couldn't understand. She was speaking to her.

With a furrowed brow Elizabeth slowly tilted her head. "I'm sorry, is something the matter?"

The smaller woman looked back and forth between the guard and this other woman. She was so different. From the way she dressed, to her hair... And horns? Perhaps some kind of jewelry? And the mark on her face. Elizabeth couldn't help but to reach up and allow her own fingertips to find the mark that stained her own skin as well.

This woman was stained as well.

The deep, gruff voice of the one of the guards snapped Elizabeth out of her trance. Her ears perked up at the word 'savage.'

With narrowed eyes practically burning a hole into the back of the guard's head. "Attention soldier." She growled. "Or do you need to be placed elsewhere more suitable to your skill level since you seem to lack the self control needed for your job."

This made the guard's face erupt into a crimson mess of embarrassment. To be practically insulted by a noble in the presence of one of the Island natives was almost something he couldn't quite handle.

"Let me pass." The woman now looked at the embarrassed man. "Let me pass." She demanded. "I must see the Chief of your village." Her words were fast and desperate.

The guard to the other side of her only laughed, still not budging.

This caused the woman's eyes to narrow and look towards him now. "Whatever could be so funny?" Her accent thick but her words were determined.

Elizabeth's eyes were back on the woman, blinking in confusion. The words slipped out of her lips before she could stop herself, but curiosity overwhelmed her. "Now who would you be seeking an audience with the governor?" Her eyes searched this woman from head to toe, she had never seen someone as interesting before.

"I am Siora." The woman gestured it herself. "Daughter of Bladnid." She continued on, her accent drawing Elizabeth in even more in fascination. "My mother is the Mal." Siora paused for only a second, realizing this woman might not understand her native tongue. "The chief of our clan." She explained. "I am here as an emissary of my people and I must see your chief." With a quick shake of her head she corrected herself. "Governor" Trying to use words these people used.

Elizabeth's brows raised as the woman glared once again at the guards who were holding back another laugh. "So... That makes you a princess then." She announced clearly to be sure the guards could hear her choice of words loud and clear. This made the men go dead silent.

"A what?" The woman blinked a couple of times, eyes now snapping back to Elizabeth who still stood on the steps above her.

Elizabeth allowed her once to carry on. "Let her pass." She ordered the guards. "Your Majesty, I shall present you to the Governor myself." The smaller woman gestured for her to follow.

There was a small voice in the back of her mind yelling at her, telling her that perhaps this was in fact not a good idea, allowing something like this, presenting someone to the governor without her brother's knowledge before the meeting was perhaps not the smartest choice.

However, as Elizabeth looked at this woman she could see just how desperate she was.

Besides, her brother wasn't the only noble in her family. Her family name must give her some kind of power over decisions as well... Right?

"Come." Was the last thing the artist said before turning on her heel and began to make her way up the stairs.

Behind her she could hear the woman's accent once more. "Princess, majesty, you are most confusing but I thank you for your help."

Upon entering the palace, Elizabeth could already tell that her brother must have either been fed up with waiting for his sister or simply didn't realize that she wasn't following him due to the fact that he wasn't in the foyer of the palace.

The small woman briskly made her way deeper into the building, climbing more stairs until finally being met by two massive double doors.

And it is here where her life would truly begin. She couldn't help but to think to herself and she place her hands on the wooden surfaces and push.

The doors opened with surprising ease.

Inside, Elizabeth nearly froze.

Abraham wasn't lying when he said that other Nobles would be here, what she wasn't expecting was it to look as though a ball, or a party was taking place. Men and woman dressed in ball gowns and suits and fancy masks.

"Oh my." She breathed, looking around. She could hear Siora's low voice from beside her, she couldn't quite understand her words but her reaction seemed to be about the same as her own.

"You Renaigse have interesting choice in clothes." The islander's voice was once again low, but loud enough for only Elizabeth to hear it.

"You can say that again." The smaller woman grumbled as she made her way across the room over to her cousin and her brother.

"Ah! Fashionably late! It's always a honor to see you, dearest cousin!" Constantin was the first to speak upon her arrival.

She didn't need to even look directly at her brother to know that he was staring at the islander that now stood beside her.

"And what's this?" Constantin all but beamed, arms stretched out to his sides, eyes traveling up and down the woman who stood beside his cousin. "You..." He began with a laugh. "You two could be related!" His hand moved so he was pointing at Elizabeth's face and then to Siora's.

Elizabeth had a strained look on her face as her cousin rambled on and on about the similarities. Her whole life she was told that she must have been born deformed due to the mark that stained her face.

People would ask her mother if she was somehow sick? Tainted? cursed even. Even to the point that they had sent priests and Inquisitors to her doorstep in an attempt of 'cleansing' the evil from her body, even as a small child.

What snapped her out of her thoughts was her cousins blatant disregard for common curtesy. The newly appointed general jumped straight into flirting with the woman beside her. Elizabeth could only hope that the language barrier saved this poor soul from the embarrassment.

It seemed that Constantin may need some time to adjust into his leadership position.

With a desperate wave of her hand towards her cousin she gave a nervous laugh. "Dearest cousin." She began. "This is, Siora, her mother is the chief of one of our neighboring villages."

"Ah." Constantin raised his chin high. "A princess, than?" He turned his head towards the not so happy looking sibling. "Your sister hasn't even set foot outside of the town and yet she's already making connections." He gave a little laugh before gifting Abraham a firm pat on the back. "Better start improving your political game or else your sister is going to leave you in the dust when it comes to valuable connections."

Abrahams deep voice grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I wouldn't call this a valuable connection yet, we don't even know the reasoning behind her being here." His eyes narrowed towards his sister who could only swallow nervously. "I don't recall being informed of a political meeting with a princess of the natives."

Siora shifted slightly where she stood. Perhaps this woman could understand more than what she gave her credit for.

"But on the contrary!" Constantin's upbeat voice contrasted with her brother's. "This, this right here is how things get done. You have your way of doing things and your sister has her own. A more forward approach can be something to be praised for in this political climate."

Elizabeth could almost swear that she could hear Abraham's teeth grinding in frustration. He despised it when his sister interfered with things such as this. But why she had allowed this woman into the palace in the first place was something even Elizabeth herself couldn't answer.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a gut feeling. There was something about this woman. Maybe it was how desperate she appeared, or even simply how unique her outwardly appearance was.

"If I might be so bold." The woman's accent rang out like a bell. Siora looked stressed.

Many sets of eyes turned towards the islander as she spoke. "My mother, the Chief has sent me in search of allies. My people are at war with the lions." She gave a shake of her head, correcting herself. "The bridge alliance." She clasped her hands in front of herself and bowed her head in a humble manner. "I fear that without your help our clan may suffer greatly. We are at war and already have suffered so much. My clan is already suffering such horrors and have lost so many souls to this violence. I must beg of you for your help." The Islander's chest rose and fell in anticipation.

"Well... This is quite the turn of events." Shocked by the woman's forwardness, Constantin blinked as he was handed a glass of wine from a passing server, eyes never even once leaving Siora. "And here I was thinking we could discuss matters at leisure in.. Private but... This is... This is quite something." His eyes slowly made their way over to Elizabeth who looked equally as surprised as he was. "You see... We already have so many matters at hand at the moment even now I was waiting for Liz here to arrive because I was about to send the De Sardet siblings on a mission. And to add, you do know I cannot go to war against our allied neighbors." He scratched the back of his head before raising the glass of wine to his lips.

Pinching the bridge of his nose and twisting his eyes shut in frustration. "And causing ANY kind of conflict at all could jeopardize any chance at any kind of alliances that we need to form or any that we already have." His hand dropped down to his side to give his sister a sharp glare that almost made her shrink. "Interfering in other allies matters is conflict, Elizabeth."

Even Siora looked defeated. That was more than just a no, that was a blatant slap to the face.

Elizabeth's own eyes narrowed and she stepped forward towards her sibling. They were almost nose to nose despite the height difference. "Who said anything about conflict. We are not going to war." She turned her head towards her cousin knowing full and well that he would agree with almost anything she had to say. He always did. "Siora didn't speak anything of leading us into battle." Glancing back towards the other woman who stared at her with her brows raised. "Perhaps, negotiating a cease fire is the best plan of action. Time to think and cool down?" She looked back towards Constantin with what almost could be described as sad puppy eyes.

The governors lips upturned. "That is a splendid idea!" He announced.

"Except for the fact that again, we have our own matters at hand." Once again Abraham cut in. "We have somewhere we need to be, Liz." His voice sounded annoyed. "We need to meet our Neighboring allies and see if they made any advancements towards the cure for the malichor, and on top of that simply introducing ourselves."

Her face turned back towards him. She almost wanted to growl at her sibling. Someone literally came to them for help, peoples lives were at stake and he still was only focused on his political stance.

"Very well." She began. "You go do your missions." Eyes narrowing. "And I will deal with this situation here." She gestured towards Siora.

"You have no experience in dealing with political manners." Abraham stepped forward in a challenge towards his sister. "Especially one that is balancing on a very thin line. One side being peace and the other side being war."

Elizabeth stood her ground. "On the contrary Dear brother I am still apart of this family. I am still a noble and I still have just as much authority as you. I am still a De Sardet."

Constantin's eyes darted back and forth between the siblings. And Siora stood back now looking hopeful that maybe perhaps there finally was going to be a change in tide.

"Very well." Abraham finally spoke. "If you want to go deal with a fight between the bridge alliance and the savages" He waved a hand in a dismissive manner towards the Islander, who's brow almost instantly furrowed, mouth falling open slightly in offense. "Be my guest." He shrugged as he continued.

Picking up his hat that he must have left on a table close by before placing it on his head. "But you have been warned dearest sister." He turned his head towards his sibling. "You don't know what things are really like out there. Not everything is black and white as you seem to believe." He suddenly leaned in close to Elizabeth once more. "Not everyone gets a happy ending. This is not a fairy tale, not a perfect world like those paintings you make. This is real life and I think this situation might just be exactly what you need to pull your head out of the clouds." He stood up straight, adjusting the front of his coat. "I leave it in your hands. But again I stress. You are not a politician, you're an artist. It takes talent to negotiate with people who have high political standing. You have no idea what you are doing."

With that said he gave his cousin a quick nod of his head before briskly marching towards the door.

"Nothing like a sibling rivalry to make things more interesting...?" Constantin's voice was quiet as he stared at the open doors.

"This I understand more that you know." Siora's voice cut in. Even she sounded surprised, her own eyes blinking at the doors.

It was only Elizabeth who realized that every single noble in that room had witnessed that entire display, and at that moment there was nothing she desired more than to get out of that room.

"We depart, now." Her voice was almost a squeak as she spoke. "Let's go save your village."

Chapter Text

Hours.

It took hours of traveling for the small group to reach the outskirts of Siora's village.

Before a grumpy looking Elizabeth could leave the town Kurt managed to convince the small woman to allow him to accompany her on her little quest. At first Elizabeth was reluctant, explaining that her bother may have better use of his skills. However upon Kurt explaining that her brother was taking a whole band of guards with him they both came to the conclusion that his skills would in fact be of more use with her. In other words, she needed his protection.

Kurt had also brought it to her attention that Abraham had full confidence that Elizabeth would have backed down. He truly thought that she would have ‘come to her senses’ as he put it and leave the Native where she found her and instead do what she was ‘supposed’ to do, and that was to accompany time, keeping logs of things here and there.

In a way she did partially understand his side of this argument. Despite their much different view they were in fact still siblings, and this hopefully his way of trying to protect what little family he had left. In all honestly she thought he would have somehow forbid her from doing this. But at the same time his hands were also tied, he couldn’t shoot down his sibling, by doing so he would have discredited a De Sardet, thus in a very unfortune way discrediting the whole family name. And anything that jeopardised their mission could prove detrimental in the future.

Elizabeth didn’t waste time. Due to the tiny chance that Abraham may turn around and collect her and take her with him due to his love for his sibling, or his pride she ran around that small building, gathering everything they would need for their journey and was out the door in record time.

Siora was even surprised when she saw a very diplomatic looking Elizabeth briskly marching out the door, the feather on her hat gently swaying in the wind. She threw her bags into the back of a cart and glanced for only a second at the two animals and then the carriage driver, she knew that the horses may not be able to take them the entire distance, but at the very least it would put some road between them and her sibling.

She was a grown woman now, she needed to take control of her own life and prove once and for all she did in fact know what she was doing. Or at the very least looked the part, that way no one was the wiser.

She hopped up and into the cart, followed by Kurt and then a hesitant looking Islander, who seemed highly uncertain about the method of travel.

Elizabeth arched a brow at the woman. “It’s much faster this way, at the very least it may give us a good start towards your village.” She pointed out softly. If the situation was as dire as Siora had explained than hopefully the Native would be okay with traveling this way.

She received a reluctant nod before the other woman sat down, eyes locked onto the outside world outside the window.

It wasn’t hard to see that the Islander woman wasn’t comfortable with anything to do with the ‘renaigse’ peoples. Elizabeth honestly couldn’t blame her. If her people were treated even half as bad as Siora had said than there was definitely a reason to be on her guard.

Even now, sitting in the back of a cart with the person who was going to try and help her with her situation the Native woman looked as though she was completely out of her comfort zone. Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to somehow sooth those worries, she really did want to help, but being that they had literally just met that day the smaller woman couldn’t blame her at all for the distrust.

Trust was something that had to be earned.

Siora’s hand flew to her side, flattening against the surface of the bench she sat on the moment the cart lurched into motion. Surely this woman had been in the back of any kind of carriage before, right?

Elizabeth watched her with what could only be described as an apologetic look, however the other woman’s eyes remained locked on the outside. Chest slowly rising and falling.

The De Sardet glanced at the guard who remained seated, unphased beside her, his greatsword resting against his leg and chest, arms around it, and fingers interlocked casually. He only offered a knowing shrug. No words were needed for this exchange, they both knew just how out of place the woman was. Technically it was a massive risk that Siora was taking.

Many others would have turned her away, in fact that was what almost happened. If not for Elizabeth intervening with the guards who only teased the woman, instead of trying to assist her than this poor creature may still be in the town center, attempting to meet with her cousin, who if by the small chance did somehow gain an audience with the woman, may have only relentlessly flirted with in hopes of perhaps leading her to his private chambers for the night.

Elizabeth’s nose scrunched up at that disgusting thought. She heard how men spoke from where she originated, especially about how they spoke about Native women, they were thought of as very beautiful, thus many peoples minds would travel to more distasteful ideas.

Islanders were not thought of as people more than half the time. Her own brother spoke of them as if they were vermin in the way of advancements. It was all down on record that he studied day and night before and during the trip over to New Serene. Their people were trying to take over Teer Fradee and bring it forward with their technology and scientific advancements. Trying to find cures for plagues, lumber for building, ore for weapons, and much more, leaving the world bare and empty in their paths. However the Natives of the island acted like it’s protectors. Guarding the forests with their lives. Very much willing to die to protect it. Unfortunately for all who were involved with the government that meant pressure was needed. Soldiers, guards, people willing to also put their lives at risk to attempt to push the Natives out.

Especially like people from the Inquisition. It seemed as though that group in particular wanted nothing more than to either convert the natives to their beliefs, and their way of life. And if they refused… Well there was copious amounts of rumors that went along with the Inquisition and their beliefs.

With that thought Elizabeth’s hand slowly raised from her lap to her side, pressing gently at a faint tingling, burning sensation originating from an old scar, one long healed.

It was a few hours later when the carriage came to a complete stop.

Elizabeth almost immediately jumped out the door before looking up at the driver.

“Unfortunately.” He began before bringing a pipe to his lips and puffing a few puffs of smoke.

Elizabeth’s arms were crossed over her chest by the time the man began to speak once more. “This is as far as I go.” His voice was a low grumble, it gave the smaller woman the mental image of a bear. A big, furry, fluffy bear. The man certainly had the beard for it. “The forest is much too thick and the wild animals that reside in those trees wouldn’t hesitate to rip my animals apart and chew them down to the bone, and possibly me along with them.” His eyes narrowed as they scanned the treeline. “Animals and Natives both.” The last part was almost a growl.

“Renaigse.” Siora’s low voice rose up. “My people are not savages you believe we are.” Her own eyes were narrowed, sharp as the sword that hung at her side. “Nor would we degrade ourselves to chewing on the bones of something so…” She looked at the man up and down, who seemed to be surprised that there had been a Native in his carriage to begin with. “Filthy.” The last word was like venom, causing the man’s face to erupt into crimson.

The islander didn’t wait around for a response, she was already marching straight into the treelines.

“She has a point.” Kurt’s voice was a chuckle as he too stepped into the trees, followed by Elizabeth, who shot the carriage driver a very dirty look.

As Elizabeth turned and followed her companions she could swear she could hear the man practically choking on his pipe.

“It shouldn’t be too long from here.” Siora’s voice called out from the front, glancing back to be certain the other two people she had with her were following close behind. “A few more hours and we should arrive before the night claims the land.” Her eyes locked on to Elizabeth who nearly stumbled over a root that had been sticking up through the earth. “Stay close.” Her gaze was almost worried.

It wasn’t hard to see that Elizabeth was very much out of her element.

“The forests are a very dangerous place. The fat man wasn’t lying when he said that the forest is full of dangerous animals.” She explained, referring to the carriage driver. “The creatures here will pounce like predators because that is what they are.” Her voice was deep and full of confidence as she turned and continued deeper into the forests. “They will drag you off into the deep of the forest and yes, eat you alive. Everything within these trees is a competition for survival. From the biggest predator to the smallest of insects. Everything needs to eat to live.” She paused for only a second to shoot Elizabeth what could almost be a teasing look. “So be careful not to become a meal, renaigse. Many creatures in my home would look at you and think you look like a very inviting meal.” The corner of the Native’s lip twitched upward for only a second before she was marching forward once more.

Elizabeth had stopped dead in her tracks for only a moment, taking in what the Islander just said. She swallowed nervously and followed close behind Kurt.

The guard took notice and reached back, coiling a hand into the top of her backpack and nearly lifting the smaller woman off the ground, pulling her forward so that she was talking in front of him. “Let’s just put you here.” His voice was a laugh. “The princess and I will keep you safe, I don’t think you will last long if something did in fact jump on you, you are barely a mouth full.” He let her go, trying not to laugh more.

“Ass.” Elizabeth grumbled, not daring to stop walking anymore. She chose to take the warning very seriously. Yes, she was out of her comfort zone, in fact in a way you could say she was being led deeper and deeper into the belly of the beast.

Along the paths, Siora every now and then would point at a herb or a plant and explain which ones were poisonous and which could be of some use if anyone ever found themselves lost in the deep woods. She however also explained that it might be within their best interest if they stayed together in their group, especially this far away from civilization.

Between bandits and wildlife and of course poisonous plants, there seemed to be danger around every corner and Elizabeth would be lying to herself if she said that she wasn't at the very least a little bit nervous about being away from home. Not that she even considered that town her home yet. They had barely even been on this island for a few days and she already somehow found herself in a position to negotiate a cease fire between two rivaling sides of a war.

"You know, I don't think I have seen your dearest brother that angry before." Kurt had leaned close to her ear from behind her, trying to speak to the smaller woman in such a way where the Native couldn't hear them.

"He doesn't have any right to be angry." Was Elizabeth's response, her voice was almost a growl.

"You did sort of step on his toes in a way. Do negotiations not fall under his job description?" Kurt gave a small shrug as they continued forward. They could see smoke from camp fires rising in the distance. They must be growing closer to their destination.

"I did not step on anyone's toes." Elizabeth's head snapped to the side, attempting to shoot him a dirty look. "Him and I both share that birthright. The only difference is that he simply has more experience. I still am in very high standing with our Governor, I have just as much right to represent as he does."

Kurt shook his head. "I don't think you understand what kind of position you just put not only yourself but..." He pointed ahead with his thumb towards the Islander who lead the way through the forest. "Them as well... If you make a mistake or say the wrong thing it will be living, breathing people who are affected in the end. This is no game, as Constantin likes to call it."

That was exactly why Elizabeth was doing this. Siora, and the other Natives, They were people too. If there was anyone who had their toes stepped on it would be them. Their way of life was being torn apart from people who didn't truly belong to this place. They all deserved a fighting chance and if Elizabeth could give them that chance then she had to try.

"We near my home." Siora looked over her shoulder towards the smaller woman with a small smile. "Stay close to me, my brothers don't trust renaigse. And for good reason." She gestured for Elizabeth to step closer to her side.

The words were already tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop them. "Did you really think that I was a Native?" Elizabeth asked.

Siora came to a stop as she looked at the other woman. Her head tilted to the side and she placed a hand on the other's shoulder to gently bring Elizabeth to a stop. "Aside from the way you dress you resemble a native." She answered honestly. “Especially this.” Her hand raised from her shoulder to the side of her cheek. Elizabeth froze, the other’s warm hand very softly cupping the mark that stained her face. It was almost second nature to pull out of her touch but something instead wanted her to lean deeper into it.

Her entire life, anyone else who so much as simply glanced at that mark would shook the smaller woman dirty looks, even as a small child. It was one of the sources of torment that she had suffered growing up, especially from Priests. They called it a mark of taint, a stain, a sign of the impure.

It was almost as if the islander could read the other’s face. A brow furrowed ever so slightly and she pulled her hand away, perhaps thinking that the other woman didn’t like to be touched.

“You have the stain too.” The words tumbled out of Elizabeth’s mouth. “What does it mean.” She stepped forward to follow the other woman, thirsty for answers.

Siora all but whipped around. “Stain?” She blinked a few times, staring at the other woman.

“Yes.” She pointed at her own face and then to Siora’s.

“It is NOT a stain.” The islander leaned forward so she was closer to Elizabeth as she spoke. “It’s the mark that is given to those bound to the island.” Her face was unreadable as she spoke. “I’ve never seen a renaigse with one though. It didn’t know that it was possible for one not from the island to hand it.”

Elizabeth’s mouth opened, a question lay on the tip of her tongue, however there was a whistle and then a soft thud of something hitting Elizabeth’s hat clean off her head and to the forest floor.

With her head ducked and eyes wide in alarm she could make out the shape of an arrow. Directly through her hat, pinning it to the ground.

“Get down.” Siora’s voice was loud and her hand found the back of Elizabeth’s neck practically pushing the poor woman lower to the forest floor.

Kurt’s sword was drawn and he crouched low as well, ready to fight to protect the Noble who was with him. “Come out and fight!” His voice snarled.

Siora yelled something in a tongue that Elizabeth couldn’t understand, pushing Elizabeth back more, the smaller woman still crouched low to the ground. It was only when Elizabeth’s face was met with a very sharp looking blade did she stand up straight, hands raised to show she was unarmed.

Her eyes followed the length of the blade to an arm, all the way up to the painted face of an Islander. This one belonging to a man. He shouted at her but all Elizabeth could offer him as a response was an apologetic shake of her head.

His mouth opened to yell once more but instead of words her hears were greeted with a grunt.

Siora had rushed forward and with her own arm, slammed his downward.

The two islanders spoke so quickly that Elizabeth had no hope of keeping up. From what she could tell by how Siora was gesturing desperately towards Elizabeth that she must have been trying to bring him up to speed with the days events.

After a few moments of the two speaking back and forth, and Elizabeth slowly glancing back towards Kurt, who still had his sworn drawn. “Put it away!” Elizabeth’s voice was low as she practically snarled at him. “We are coming here in peace, not to fight.”

“Yes well… Doesn’t look that way from my perspective.” Kurt grumbled before slowly and very reluctantly sheathing his blade.

That was actually a good point.

Her brow furrowed and she cleared her throat, turning back towards Siora, who still looked as if she was chewing out the other. “Um, Siora.” Elizabeth slowly bent down and gathered up possibly her most expensive hat from the forest floor.

Scowling at the arrow that murdered it, she slowly pulled the arrow out and stepped forward a bit, handing the arrow back to the man who looked as if he wanted to jump away from her, like she was a three headed monster or something. “Did your village know that we were coming?” Her voice was soft and very slow as the man very hesitantly took back the item that nearly killed her.

The man eyed Elizabeth up and down, not sure of what to make of her. Once again more words in a language that Elizabeth couldn’t quite understand.

“They knew.” Siora’s voice was still a little raised, chests rising and falling from the rush of adrenaline. “Not they didn’t believe that I would be successful in my mission.” She glared at her fellow Native.

“Well…” Elizabeth’s voice was still slow as she stood in front of the man. “She was, and we are here. I am not here to hurt you, and neither is he.” She gestured towards Kurt, who still very much looked as if he was ready to attack.

The man eyed Elizabeth up and down once more before turning back to Siora and speaking with her once more.

What ever the man said must have been something that Siora didn’t want to hear. She grabbed the man’s shoulders desperately and spoke very quickly, voice raising as if she was panicking.

The man’s eyes widened in alarm as he responded to her.

“Siora?” Elizabeth reached forward and gently placed a hand on the other woman’s back. “Explain please, If we are here to help I need to be able to understand what is going on as well.” Her brows were furrowed with worry.

Siora’s hands left the man’s shoulders and she turned to Elizabeth. “We are too late.” Her voice almost sounded anguished. “My mother.” She began, hands now on either side of her head, fingers almost coiling around her horns. “She’s leading an attack against the lions!”

“That’s not good.” Kurt’s own brows raised.

“How long ago did they leave?” Elizabeth looked at the man now.

“About an hour ago.” The man’s voice spoke up, he had a very similar accent to Siora’s.

“Siora.” Elizabeth turned back to her. “If we leave now do you think we might be able to catch up with them?” She asked hopeful.

Siora’s hands slowly fell from her head to her sides. “It’s… Possible. Yes. I believe so, but we must be quick.” The woman sounded so desperate, her hand clenching over and over again.

“Alright, lead the way.” Elizabeth gestured for her to keep moving. “And… Please.” She looked at the man with what almost could be a glare. “No more arrows, I don’t think my hat can survive another blow.” She said as she slowly put her hat back on her head.

Siora stared at the smaller woman in shock, disbelief that she was going to go even further still to try and help her and her people.

With a shake of her head the Islander turned and began forward running even deeper into the belly of the beast.

Chapter Text

They moved with much haste. Even Siora’s request that they take a short cut through the forest, despite the dangers that may have lurked within was taken advantage of. There were creatures indeed but they somehow were able to sneak by them without alerting them, all this put together saved them a lot of time and gave them a chance to catch up with the group of warriors.

However, despite the short cuts and their fast pace they didn’t arrive soon enough.

Elizabeth’s ears perked up at the sound of battle in the distance.

“Siora.” She glanced at her Islander companion who quickened her pace to a sprint, jumping over logs and rounding a ruined building. Elizabeth tried to keep up with the other, however the Native’s trained body proved much more agile than her own. It also may have had something to do with the difference in height. But all that aside she did reach their destination in time to see a battlefield, one of which was completely littered with countless bodies, and stained crimson.

The smell was the first thing to hit her, Elizabeth’s reaction to the stench of burning bodies was to lift her hand and cover her mouth and nose, but her hand never reached it’s mark.

The smaller woman’s eyes widened in time to see a man rushing towards her with a sword raised high in the air, the last thing she saw before a sword lobbed his head clean off was the symbol of a lion on the chest of his armour.

Elizabeth stumbled back, drawing her own blade from it’s sheath. “The lions?” She blinked.

“The Alliance solders.” Kurt corrected her with a loud voice. “I hope you’re ready.” He called to her. “Fight now, little bird! Fight or flight, but make your choice now!” With that said Kurt charged forward, taking on yet another soldier.

Elizabeth swallowed once before rushing forward in time to meet the blade of another. A man, not too much older than herself. His teeth were bared beneath his helmet. She didn’t give him another chance to draw his blade back again, next time she might not be as lucky to catch it with her own blade once more.

She ran him through, and then swung her blade at the next man.

There were bodies all around her, blood was everywhere. With each and every solder she took down her own body wore the blood of her enemies, her face, her light coloured hair was all crimson now.

Elizabeth grunted as she felt a sharp sting to her cheek. She jumped backwards in time to narrowly avoid the blade that was to come next. She had taken the back of a metal gauntlet to the face. Stars flooded her vision and she shook her head in an attempt to clear it.

Her mind screamed at her to remember her training. Sword up! Stance wide! Swing! Do not give the enemy an opening. Her ears were ringing and she swung her blade. The sound of metal hitting metal rang through the air and she pushed forward. She couldn’t let this man get the upper hand. If he did it all would be over!
Elizabeth released a furious scream and pushed forward and the man in front of her grunted and yelled out in pain, recoiling away from her a step. She managed to slice through one of his gauntlets, severing a few fingers.

The bodies all around her, at least the majority of them were Natives. These soldiers marched on them and were far more armed and ready for battle. It looked as if it had been a very unfair battle. Despite that it looked as though the Islanders held their own the best that they could, but it was to no avail. This was a lost battle, and these men looked to be simple stragglers, desecrating bodies.

She couldn’t quite rationalize the passion she felt at that moment for the actions she was committing against that man, but she swung her blade and she swung it hard. The blade pushed through the chest plate of his armour, tearing straight though that lion on his chest and directly into his heart.

The next moment he was on the ground lifeless.

Elizabeth took a moment to catch her breath before glancing down at the blood stained sword in her hands.

An agonized scream caught Elizabeth’s attention and she spun around on her heel in time to see Siora rushing forward with a blade of her own towards another lingering solder, he had his sword high in the air, ready to attack the woman charging towards him, however before anyone could even blink he was stabbed once, twice, three, four times before being tossed to the side. Siora’s charge was not finished yet, she called out again, and this time Elizabeth made out the word.

“Eseld!” Siora’s voice was desperate as she fought her way to another Native across the battlefield.

There was another woman, off in the distance, face painted with war paint. She was deep in the heat of battle with a group of solders that she was making very quick work of. Between disarming them, shooting them with their own rifles. And down right taking the battle into her own hands she had the upper hand. Or at least she would have if it hadn’t been for the man sneaking up behind her.

Even Elizabeth, once she realized what was about to happen, began to rush forward.

But then the ground began to shake.

Siora suddenly crouched down, fingers digging deep into the earth, a split second later roots violently shot out of the ground, wrapping the man up in a violent tether, swinging him around like a rag doll, smashing his body against the ground before handing it upside down. The other woman spun on her heel in time to see the feeble man attempting to free himself from the roots that bound him.
With a sharp grunt and threw a very well aimed dagger directly into his eye, leaving him hanging there lifeless.

Elizabeth skidded to a halt, falling onto her rear, eyes wide and mouth open. She couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed. The other woman somehow controlled the earth!

She remembered hearing rumours about the Natives of the island possessing some kinds of magics, those rumours themselves drove the inquisition absolutely mad.

She watched as Siora rushed forward, calling for the other woman. She looked as though she was about to embrace the warrior but the warrior remained still as board, eyes hollow with dread. “Siora.” She greeted, in an almost scolding manner. “The battle is lost. Where were you?” She demanded. Still remaining completely still, face hard as stone.

“Sister.” Siora all but shrunk at the other’s gaze. “Mother sent me to collect allies.” She gestured towards Elizabeth who slowly stood, patting herself off, not looking like much of a warrior at all, and Kurt, who simply ran a once white now crimson cloth over his blade over and over, cleaning it, barely paying any attention to the women at all.

“You’re too late.” Eseld’s voice was cold and emotionless. “Mother fell during battle. A battle you only just arrived at the end of.” Now the other woman began to move, finger pointing directly at Siora’s chest, poking her. “We needed you here!”

Siora only shrunk more, her voice so quiet that Elizabeth could no longer hear the words that she was speaking.

“We came as fast as we could.” Elizabeth’s own eyes narrowed.

Esled’s eyes snapped towards Elizabeth. “And who is this!?” Her voice was venom and all fight that had been in those eyes for the enemy solders instantly returned, the heat hotter than ever. She gripped her blade and marched towards Elizabeth. “More Renaigse here to try and take our land? Steal our people? To torture us and erase our vary existence from these lands!?” Her voice boomed as she swung her blade.

Elizabeth could hear Siora screech in protest of her Sister’s advance.

Somehow despite all odds Elizabeth managed to catch each blow. The Islander sung her blade over and over and over. Each time Elizabeth held her own sword like a guard, catching each attack, her wrists and arms felt the pain of each impacted radiating up her arms.

With her teeth clenched she just kept taking the blows. Her hat was knocked clean off her head from one of the blows that nearly sent the smaller woman to the ground into a pool of blood that possibly belonged to more than one person.

“I….” Elizabeth strained hard. “I wont fight you!” She snapped pushing forward at just the right second, catching the Native’s blade with her own, pushing her back a few steps. “I wont.” She breathed before tossing her own weapon to the side, disarming herself. “I came here because of your sister’s request for help.” She began, standing as tall as she could.

The other woman, during the stumble back nearly fell, herself. She slowly raised back up and it was only at that moment did Elizabeth realize that the woman was not only exhausted but wounded as well. Blood pooled out from the side of her abdomen. Stab wound? Perhaps a bullet? Either way the woman was not at full strength. Had she been however, Elizabeth doubted she herself, would still be alive.

“I am sorry we didn’t come sooner.” Elizabeth continued, arms slightly out to her sides, showing that she was unarmed. Other Natives began to gather around, eyes wide from the display before them, and perhaps the shock of battle as well. “We came as fast as we could.” She repeated. “And we are here now, if you kill me now than I will be of very little use for you. With me here we can help the wounded, and help you to recover. I know it is a lot of ask of you, to trust me. But please, just give me a chance and I will do my best.”

Esled glared at the smaller woman. “Fine.” She practically spat. “I… I am in need of a healer and there is very little more I can do now.” She turned to Siora who’s face was stained with tears, hands clasped in front of her chest, desperately wanting to embrace her sister.

“Siora.” Esled began. “Please, help the wounded. I need to… Go back to the village. And please… Find Matir’s body.” Siora nodded furiously at the request.

“I will, sister” Siora stepped backwards away from her sibling as the other natives gathered around what looked to be their leader at that moment. One took one side of her another her other side, each helped to carry her.

What little strength Esled had left in her body must have been spent on her struggle with Elizabeth. Had the smaller woman actually fought back perhaps the smaller would have won.

“Siora.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft as she slowly approached the other woman.

“I… I tried.” Siora’s hands than through her hair as she shook her head. “I ran for help as fast as
I could. I thought… I thought Matir would wait for me.” The islander pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes and sunk to the ground and crouched, rocking back and forth ever so slightly.

Elizabeth took one look around and then slowly rested her hand on the middle of the other woman’s back. “Siora.” She called again. This time much quieter where only the other woman could hear. “You did your best, we are here now.” The woman lifted her face only slightly, eyes bloodshot with tears. “There are still people here, on this battlefield that need us. There’s wounded, we can still help them.” She gave the other woman a very gentle, yet encouraging nudge.

Siora sniffed. “You’re right.” She slowly raised back to her feet. “I’m sorry.” She shook her head, before gently grasping the hand that had been against her back and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, Carrants.” She gave her a sad look. “We must help the others.”

“If you wish, you can go with your sister.” Elizabeth offered softly. “Kurt and I can help with the wounded.” She glanced over her shoulder to see Kurt had stabbed his sword into the ground and was leaning against it, looking like he was almost bored, waiting for his companions.

“No.” Siora instantly shook her head. “I am going to help, I need to help. I also need to…” She trailed off for a second, clearing her throat. “I need to find my mother’s body.”

Elizabeth’s head swayed from one direction to the other, scanning the piles of bodies, littering almost every single inch of battle field. “Siora… How??” The smaller woman asked desperately. There were so many bodies she didn’t even know where to begin.

“Look for my clan’s banner.” Siora began to walk forward, scanning each body for life as she went. “When a mal falls in battle, the site is where the banner will be placed.” With that Elizabeth nodded and began to follow Siora’s example, Kurt not too long after.

It was hours later and they managed to find a handful of survivors who they managed to either patch up or flag down other Islanders to help get them home.

Elizabeth slowly groaned as she stood, stretching her back. Sore, bloody, bruised. She had never been in one of these kind of environments before… She had never been in a real battle, only trained every single day with Kurt. She made a mental note to thank him later, had it not been for his training it was very likely that the first solder who had charged at her would have claimed her life.

Her eyes opened, greeted by the seemingly endless field of bodies. But then she froze. Off in the distance she could see the silhouette of a woman. She squinted and slowly made steps towards her.

Slowly and carefully making her way over bodies.

She could see that the woman was very heavily wounded, causing Elizabeth to quicken her pace. Perhaps this woman was disorientated from battle. Hopping over bodies, she made her way up a hillside and once she reached the top she saw the woman, standing at the base of what looked like a big red flag.

The woman was a Native, and she stared at Elizabeth with a knowing look. Elizabeth stood there frozen, her blood going cold. She knew what this was, this hadn’t happened to her since she was a child.

With a blink the woman was gone, as if the wind had whiskered her away, as if she had never been there to begin with.

Elizabeth inhaled deeply and pressed her hand flat against her side, the burning sensation that she thought of was long forgotten slowly resurfacing. Her curse, was coming back. The ability to see the dead. She slowly glanced over her shoulder in time to see Siora and Kurt making their way up the hill as well, the faces alarmed by Elizabeth’s sudden disappearance.

“Carrants.” Siora called, her face worried. “Are you alright.”

Elizabeth wanted to answer her. In fact her mouth opened to do so. But behind her companions, the entire battlefield she could see them. The countless spirits of the dead, all facing her and staring. Hundreds. Her face was white, her side burned like fire and she felt dizzy. “I…” She cleared her throat and shook her head. “Think I….”

Siora was now in front of her, face full of question. Her eyes darted down to where Elizabeth’s hand was firmly pressed into her side. “Are you wounded?” She asked, her own hand reaching forward about to pull the other’s hand away to check.

“No!” Elizabeth’s eyes went wide and she turned away, face looking towards the banner. “I think I found it.” She pointed with her other hand, hoping she was correct. Not only to bring the other woman the closure she deserved, but for the distraction.
Siora’s brows were furrowed with worry, but it was soon replaced with widened, fear filled eyes. “Matir..?” She breathed.

Elizabeth all but forgotten, Siora began to slowly make her way over to her clan’s banner. The site of which her mother was slain.

She dropped to her knees once she was in front of it and slammed her hands to the earth. Crying out in anguish.

Elizabeth followed close behind and her heart broke for the poor woman in front of her. She couldn’t understand most of what Siora was saying being as though it was in her Native tongue. But then. “She’s gone.” Siora’s voice was low.

“I’m so sorry.” The smaller woman whispered to her.

“No.” Siora sniffed and rubbed her eyes after a moment. “She’s not here, her body! It’s not here!”

The sound of a cough made both of their faces snap forward and Kurt suddenly draw his sword once more.

An enemy soldier slowly raised his hand, crimson spilling out between his lips. “Please.” He breathed. “Help me…” His voice was rasped and ragged. This man was surely to die.

“You…” Siora’s eyes narrowed sharply towards the man. “You…” She crawled forward towards him, her hands slowly wrapping around his throat, vines once again slowly rising up from the earth that they stood upon. “You dare to beg me for help!” She snarled. The man struggled, the vines slowly squeezing away what little life he had left in his veins. “Where is my mother!?” She wailed. “Answer me!” She only received struggled breathing and gagging sounds from the man as the vines tightened their hold even more.

“Siora!” Elizabeth grabbed the woman’s shoulder and shook her. “Stop!”

“Why!?” Siora’s eyes snapped to the smaller woman.

“Because, this isn’t you.” Elizabeth responded with a sad look in her eyes. “Please, trust me?” She spoke softly and gently nudged her own face towards the man. “Let me try, please?”

Siora searched the other woman’s eyes for answers before she finally pulled away from the man, releasing him. She sat on the heels of her feet and grumbled something in her own language that once again Elizabeth couldn’t understand.

While Siora was looking away, not looking pleased at all, perhaps reluctant to allow the smaller woman to help. Elizabeth took this as her chance to step in front of the now gasping man. He looked up at Elizabeth hopeful, but suddenly that hope was changed to terror.

Elizabeth’s hands were suddenly in his collar, basically lifting him, half dragging him across the earth. “Answers now.” She simply stated bluntly.

Upon seeing this Kurt’s lips upturned into a smirk. “That’s our little bird.” He chuckled, once again leaning against his sword, chin resting on his hands.

Siora turned and her eye suddenly went wide as Elizabeth practically tossed the man down a flight of ruined stairs.

Elizabeth hissed, hand pressing to her burning side once more. “Ah.. I need to train more, Kurt.” She rasped before she slowly followed the man down the steps.

The man was now trying to crawl away from her in terror once his weak and broken body reached the bottom of the stairs. He groaned in agony and was still begging for help as he dragged himself through the crimson ground, trying to twist his hands into the shift of one of the fallen, as if they would give him leverage for his escape. “Again.” Elizabeth was already on him however.

Her hand no longer pressed to her side, instead flipping him over, her knuckles meeting his cheek over and over. “Where is the chief.” She asked once she thought she roughed him up enough.

“Why do you want to help these Savages!?” He wailed, his fingernails digging and clawing into her forearms. Elizabeth hissed at the sting. But the adrenaline was coursing through her veins from the pain in her side, and the shock of realizing she can still see dead people.

She was not happy and this horrible man was who she was going to take it out on, and hopefully make some progress towards finding Siora’s family as well.

“Wrong answer.” She sighed, hand now back on her side, looking around for something, anything she could use.

“Best give her answers.” Kurt called in what almost could be described as a taunting voice. “I trained that little bird myself.”

Elizabeth could hear the islander calling to her, asking her what she was doing. But before Elizabeth could answer her, she smiled. “Ah” She leaned down and grabbed the man’s collar once again, half dragging him across the field. “Perfect.” She smiled down at the man. “They look hungry.”

Off in the distance she could see some wildlife. Similar to the ones that they snuck by to get to the battlefield. Siora had described them as blood thirsty creatures, always hungry. And yes, they would eat a person. They probably could smell the blood of the fallen and were slowly making their way to the dead, thinking they were going to get a free meal.

The man looked over to where Elizabeth was dragging him off to and began to struggle harder. With his bigger body weight, and now the struggling the job of dragging him closer was growing more and more challenging. “Okay!” He wailed. “I’ll talk!” He desperately clawed at Elizabeth’s arms.

She gripped his collar hard and yanked him up and onto his feet, holding him upright with what little strength she had left in her own body. She kept her gaze sharp as she practically growled at him. Eyes locked with his. “Talk, now.” Was all she spat.

“She was taken back to our camp.” He practically blubbered. “She’s alive. Wounded, but alive.” He shook with weakness and terror, his lips were blue from blood loss. Elizabeth knew if he, himself didn’t get help soon he would most likely bleed to death.
Reaching back into her bag she pulled out a paper. “This is a map, point to your camp, now.” She snapped.

With a shaking hand the man pressed a bloody fingerprint directly where the camp should be. “T-There!” He sputtered.

She released his collar, allowing his feeble body to crumble to the ground at her feet. “Thank you for your help.” She studied the map for a few moments before turning on her heel, nearly running directly face first into Siora who of which looked very alarmed.

“Carrats.” She began, shocked by the display she had witnessed.

Elizabeth’s eyes glanced off to the side, the apparition of the woman had returned, and it was only then did she realize the resemblance. Her heart sunk.

Before the other woman had a chance to once again ask her what was going on or if something was wrong or if she was wounded once again. “She’s alive.” the man’s voice was strained. “When they took her, your mother, she’s alive.” He pointed at the map Elizabeth was holding.

Siora’s expression changed. “Alive?” She blinked. “W-We have to go save her!” She practically snatched the map away from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and slowly inhaled. When she opened them the woman was staring at Siora with a very sad look in her eyes before once again vanishing with the wind. She knew what the man said wasn’t true, but how could she tell Siora that she KNEW he was wrong.

The man behind her all but forgotten, left to bleed to death.

“I know where this is!” Siora suddenly chirped, turning to Elizabeth, face full of hope. “Carrats, we must go!”

“Lead the way.” Elizabeth gestured for her to lead, keeping her eyes locked on the woman, rather than focus on the mass group of deceased standing around her with hollowed eyes, just staring.

Just as she was as a child she is cursed, cursed with the dead.

Chapter Text

The path through the forest was even thicker as they left the battlefield. Elizabeth followed Siora close behind. The Native’s legs were much more agile than her own, and much longer. Years of living within the trees had done the Islander wonders when it came to surviving in such a wild atmosphere. Also simply moving through the trees, knowing exactly where to step without much thought and not finding every rock, root and thorn with her feet amazed the smaller woman.

Elizabeth continually caught her foot on roots, rocks and fallen branches. She always was able to recover and catch herself before tumbling to the forest floor in a heap of embarrassment. Despite her lucky recoveries her face always was crimson with embarrassment, especially whenever the Islander would look over her shoulder, face plastered with worry, asking if the other woman was alright. It was plain to see that Elizabeth was so very much out of her element.

Out of her element was one way to put it. The forest was definitely not a court room, or a ball room, or even a classroom. Elizabeth was someone who would definitely be classified as simply a nerd. Between her studies and her hobbies, she really didn’t see much of the outdoors. Other than her sneaking out to certain areas around Serene to sit in a secluded location and sketch and paint everything from plants and animals, to the people around her, even the ships and boats out in the distance.

Alas, those times were always cut short when her very strict man of a brother would hunt her down, worried about her safety and what people would think of his ‘dearest’ sister sitting around in the dirt, getting her new dresses dirty with mud and grime and paint or charcoal.

In many ways Abraham’s worries for her safety were not too out of place. There were many horrible things people would do to such a small woman if she was found alone by the wrong person.

Thankfully whenever Abraham was lecturing her endlessly about the dangers of wandering around alone, especially for someone of Noble standing as herself, his arguments were almost always cut short by their loyal guard, Kurt.

“Greenblood!” He would snap before pulling her bother away for another sparing session, to show him what it was like to square up against someone of his own size. Of course when he was done with her brother there was no escape for her either, Kurt still agreed with her brother about how dangerous the world was and so he began to relentlessly train her as well, despite her clumsy nature.

It was plain to see that was wasn’t as talented as her sibling when it came to combat, however she learned enough to be able to hold her own.

Elizabeth was all but forced out of her thoughts when her foot once again was caught by a root that ever so slightly puckered out from the surface of the earth. With a tiny yelp she nearly fell face first into the dirt at her feet, however the woman in front of her seemed to almost expect something like this to happen at that moment, or perhaps she had eyes on the back of her head Either way the taller woman whipped around and caught the smaller woman’s arm with a strong, yet ever so gentle grip, carefully pulling a very red Elizabeth back to her feet.

“Are you alright, Carants?” Her voice was soft but it was easy to see she was in fact masking a few chuckles just by the look on the islander’s face.

Elizabeth’s eyes were locked on Siora’s for only a few seconds before she realized that she could hear low chuckling from behind them.

Kurt.

“Well.” She heard his deep voice begin. “Might need to work on your foot work the next time we train, little Bird.” He shook his head, still chuckling as he waited for the smaller woman to stand up straighter.

Siora only released the smaller woman’s arm once she was certain she wasn’t going to somehow eat the dirt.

“I’m alright.” Elizabeth’s voice was low but soft as she straightened her outfit out. Her hands subconsciously went up to fix the position of her hat on her head, but she was reminded that it no longer was where it should be. She had left her hat abandoned on that battlefield, after it had been shot off her head, and then stampeded all over in pools of blood, Elizabeth decided to just leave it where it laid. It probably wasn’t the smartest decision to pick it up and place it back on her head.

Siora sized the other woman up and down for a moment. “You are a mess.” The native reached forward and gently took a strand of hair between two of her fingers to hold it up in front of the other woman’s face with a slightly worried look of her own.

Elizabeth’s light coloured hair was stained red, or more accurately pink from most likely blood that she couldn’t tell belonged to her or perhaps some other poor soul.

After releasing her hair Siora also reached forward and with tender fingers ever so softly began to poke and prod, examining the discolouration in her cheek, causing the smaller woman to wince ever so slightly. The sharp poke of pain reminded Elizabeth about the back of the metal glove she had taken to the face by one of the soldiers she had manage to defeat on the battlefield.

The Islander’s accent rang in her ear as Siora murmured something softly in her own tongue with a brow furrowed. She looked around with her bottom lip between her teeth before speaking up once more. “We should rest for a while.” The taller woman spoke up. “Regroup before continuing forward. It we are to rescue my Matir we need all of our strength.” She spoke with confidence, her hand still on the side of the smaller woman’s cheek.

Elizabeth didn’t know why she didn’t pull away from the other’s touch, perhaps it was how nice her cool fingers felt against her very much bruised cheek, or maybe it was the exhaustion. Her mind wasn’t keeping up with her body anymore.

The Islander was right. They needed time to rest, regroup, eat.

However she was wrong about one thing.

Deep within her chest, Elizabeth knew the bitter truth. They were not going to find her mother, not alive at least. She was certain that the woman that she kept on seeing out of the corner of her eye, almost as if she was trying to guide them in the right direction was in fact, none other than her companion’s mother. Meaning, she was no longer within her body. Her spirit was free, or at least as free as it could be without being laid to rest.

Siora’s mother was a restless spirit, and Elizabeth was willing to bet all the money she had in her coin pouch that she was attempting to guide them to her body.

As Siora pulled her hand away, leading the small group towards a small clearing, out of the way of the paths and out of eyeshot of predators, Elizabeth could only give her the saddest look. It pained Elizabeth to know that this woman was not going to react well when they did finally manage to unite her with her mother’s remains. She also had to bite her tongue, the temptation to tell her companion about her curse and her suspicions about this spirit being her mother was so painful, and yet Elizabeth resisted.

When Elizabeth was a child and innocently would mention seeing certain beings who were no longer among the living people didn’t seem to react that well. She either would be met with tears and anguish, or the complete opposite spectrum. Denial, rage, and fear. Enough fear to be sent away to the inquisition for years to cleans her of her ‘evil’ curse, because seeing the dead was something that ‘normal’ people couldn’t do and quite possibly is a symptom of her ‘stain’, her curse.

How could she know that Siora wouldn’t attack her on sight upon learning about her gift. For all she knew it was also deemed a curse amongst her people as well. Maybe they would even burn her as the Inquisition had threatened her with many times when she was younger.

It was only after they began to set up camp did they realize they had been travelling for hours. The sun was setting and unfortunately travelling during the night hours would prove to be much more dangerous than the day. Between predators out looking for a meal and Elizabeth’s clumsy nature it was an equation that would result in a serious injury, if not death.

Elizabeth subconsciously rubbed at her tingling side from where she sat in front of the fire. She really must have truly been exhausted. Making a makeshift camp had flown by. She barely remembered gathering the wood for the fire, let alone simply plopping down on the ground.

Elizabeth made herself comfortable, slowly removing the coat that she wore and placing it to the side. It was only at that moment did she realize just how sore her entire body was. She may have been used to almost daily training from her companion who was currently sitting on the other side of the fire, sharpening his sword, but that didn’t change the fact that she was out of her element. She was using, and was going to continue to use muscles that she wasn’t used to as long as she remained on this land.

She glanced off to the side just in time to see the Islander making her way back into their make shift camp.

Siora had made off with the promise of returning as soon as she could with little explanation. Once she returned she brought with her some fruits and herbs in her arms and the look up a successful hunt on her features. She also had a few fish hanging off of her belt.

The corner of Elizabeth’s mouth twitched upward slightly. So that’s what took her so long. She hadn’t wanted to say it out loud but she had found herself worried about the other woman being out in the forest by herself, so close to nightfall. Elizabeth had offered to go with her but the Native had ensured that she would be safe and that the smaller woman very much needed her rest.

In as polite of terms as the Islander could come up with she told Elizabeth that she looked horrible. Tired, beaten and bloody even.

And so Elizabeth had plopped down and with a bit of water from her canteen and a cloth she got as creative as possible. Trying her best to clean up her face of the blood that probably wasn’t just her own.

It was her goal to catch up to the people who had Siora’s mother and try to handle the situation as peaceful as possible. It might not help their mission much if she looked as though she had just been through war, covered in her enemies blood. All Elizabeth needed was word to return to her cousin or even worse… Her brother about how she interfered with the peace between the Congregation of Merchants with their alliance with the Bridge Alliance. If things did go wrong, it was a very easy way to earn lots of enemies, lots of very dangerous enemies.

Elizabeth nearly jumped out of her skin as Siora suddenly kneeled right in front of her, herbs and a pouch in one hand, the fingertips of her other cupping the very much tender cheek of the smaller woman sitting in front of her.

She couldn’t help it when her eye twitched slightly from the pain of her bruised cheek. “Um.” The smaller woman began. “What are you doing?” She asked, watching the other as her head was gently forced to turn from one side to the other.

“I am a Doneigad of my village.” Her thick accent answered softly. “Because of this I am what you would call a healer.” She spared Elizabeth’s eyes a glance before her own travelled back down to her injury. “I want to make sure you haven’t suffered anything serious. It is not too bad, just looks bad.” She nodded approvingly before completely cupping the other’s entire cheek in her hand, her other hand cupping the back of her head to hold her in place.

Elizabeth nearly yelped in surprise. “Wha-“ She blinked, a hand flying up, fingers wrapping around the Islander’s wrist in confusion. Elizabeth stopped herself from pulling Siora’s hand away when she realized the skin beneath the woman’s hand began to tingle, followed by a warm, comforting sensation. And then ever so slowly the tender, aching feeling that had been radiating in that area of her face for hours slowly dissipated.

She kept her eyes on Siora’s, her hand loosening from around her wrist as if she knew exactly what the woman was doing. There was no threat behind the islander’s gaze, only concern for the other.

It was as if she could feel the other woman’s life essence itself. It flowed through her, it was like she could smell and taste the earth, the grass, trees, herbs, spices, the many things that make up the woman who kneeled in front of her. Everything the woman was Elizabeth could feel in that moment. It was as if Siora allowed her energy to flow into the other woman, willing it to do away with her bruises and wounds. It was as if there was some kind of connection, a bond as one might call it. It was magnetizing, wanting to draw the smaller woman in with promises of safety, warmth and comfort.

And almost as soon as Elizabeth’s eyes began to droop the islander’s hand was gone, leaving Elizabeth sitting there blinking, wondering if what she just experienced had been real, or perhaps she fell asleep and it had been nothing more than just a odd dream.

She slowly raised her hand and ran her fingers along the newly healed skin of her cheek. There was no sign of swelling or any kind of breaks in her skin. And any pain that had been there before was completely gone. “You… Healed me?” She practically sputtered in surprise.

“It is like I said.” Siora’s voice was low as she dug through the pouch that was in her hand, pulling out a couple of herbs and a few berries. Elizabeth could almost swear she saw a bit of crimson on the woman’s cheeks as she leaned in closer once more. “I am a healer. It is only one of the skills I have come to learn from being a Doneigad.” She spoke softly before holding up the strange combination of items in front of her. “Eat these.” The islander finally said. “They will help you with any more pains you may have.”

Elizabeth blinked in surprise and slowly allowed for the herbs and berries to be dropped into her hands before the other woman stood up and went over to the spot on the ground by the fire she had claimed for herself. She busied herself with preparing fish to be cooked.

She spent a moment just looking at the items in her hands, wondering if she should trust the other woman, but then she gave her head a shake. The woman literally just healed her, surely she didn’t have any desire to poison her?

Without another thought she opened her mouth and poured everything into it and began to chew, sweet but at the same time bitter. Not enough to make her want to spit it out however.

She couldn’t help but to continue to glance at the other woman every now and then. But eventually her eyes grew heavy and just like Siora had promised any aches or pains that had been plaguing her were gone, leaving behind an exhausted Elizabeth.

She decided that maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to close her eyes, even if it was just for a little while. She laid down, head on top of her coat and finally allowed her eyes to slowly drift shut, falling into a dreamless slumber.

The next time she opened her eyes it was due to her being jarred awake by her companion. Kurt kicked at Elizabeth’s boot, causing her to wake with a jolt, eyes wide and full of alarm, half blinded by the morning sun.

“I didn’t know you had the ability to sleep like the dead.” He teased gently. “What happened to the early bird? Come now, get up! We still have a ways to go!” He declared, giving Elizabeth’s boot one last kick for good measure.

She looked around for a moment more, catching a glimpse of Siora glancing her way, almost looking satisfied.

Was it her goal to have knocked Elizabeth completely out? Had she drugged her with some kind of combination of herbs that put her into a deep sleep, or was she really just in need of a rest that desperately.

Either way she found herself just sitting there blinking in confusion before she finally forced herself to her feet, grabbing her things.