Aleksandra stood as straight as she could before the king.  Haxla was at her side, but the older woman did not comment as they were brought before this man.  It had Haxla’s idea to come here, to appeal to her neighbors to the South for help fighting a war they had no reason to fight.  The decor was rather lavish than her father’s throne room had been, though the lands outside were somewhat familiar, not so different from her own home.  King Dracos also adorned himself in gold and rich fabrics.  Haxla had told her to watch men.  To see what they valued, what they coveted and to use it to gain their loyalty.<br/><br/>That was not going to work with Dracos.  He valued money and she had none.<br/><br/>As if Haxla heard her thoughts, the old woman nudged her forward, and Aleksandra took a few stumbling steps toward the throne, bowing her head.  Her long, blonde hair was done up in a careful braid, which swung over one shoulder.<br/><br/>“I know that our countries have not be allies, but I would still seek your aide in a time of dire need.  A nobleman of my country, Lord LeVane, has taken my father’s castle…”  Again she felt the older woman poke at her back.  “<i><b>My</b></i>castle.  My family is dead and LeVane wants my submission.  I will not surrender, but I am left without resources or allies, I cannot return to my home without fear of execution or slavery.  I would ask for your help and in return, when I regain my lands and my crown as the rightful ruler of Hammarfell, you would have my loyalty and an ally to the North.”<br/><br/>Dracos sat upon his throne, his elbows on the armrests and his hands held before him, finger steepled, as she considered the woman before him.  His eyes wandered over her form, and for a moment, Aleksandra thought she knew what the cost of his help would be.  She knew the rumors about him, that he was apt to bed any fair maiden, but rarely did it move beyond a single night of pleasure.  He had a distinct distrust of women.<br/><br/>“You make an alluring price, Princess.  And I make note of your companion, who confirms many of the rumors about your family.”  He looked at Haxla and his golden eyes glittered, his smile stretched just too tight across his face.  Aleksandra had to look away, her attention drawn to the colorful and vibrant tapestries that hung around the throne room.  It was not difficult to discern what she meant.  Haxla had served in the Hammarfell castle when Aleksandra was young, and was the only person her mother seemed to trust with her children.  There had always been rumors that Linnea had some kind of gift as a healer, but few spoke the word “witch” in her presence.<br/><br/>Aleksandra now knew that all of those rumors were true.  She did not have the abilities her mother or Haxla had, but it was because she lacked their training.  There was some raw talent she was able to harness, but it did not make up for a decade of learning and practicing.<br/><br/>“Do you have the gifts your mother possessed?”  Dracos asked, point blank.<br/><br/>“I fear I do not have the full spectrum of her abilities, but I am learning to cultivate what abilities I do have.”<br/><br/>His smile twisted into something cunning.<br/><br/>“Magic has all but left my lands.  We used to be a strong people both in army and in magic.  If you want my help, then you must help us regain that strength.  Ours is a country of two kings.  One of man and one of magic.  You will wed my cousin, the one who presides over magic and perhaps, given your own magical ability, give him heirs to continue his line…”<br/><br/>Aleksandra’s expression was the near-opposite of his.  One of concern and a slight bit of fear.  Again, Haxla poked at her ribs.<br/><br/>“Then...Then I would like to meet this cousin.  Magic is feared in my country and clearly revered in yours.  Perhaps he can teach me why that is so.”<br/><br/>It was not an agreement to his offer, but it might as well have been.  Dracos nodded and motioned for his guards.  They led her and Haxla out of the castle and into a carriage, where the footman told her was not too long of a journey to the other castle this kingdom possessed.  That was not fully true, it was a few hours, and by the time they approached the great mountain it was nestled in, feelings of apprehension had all but consumed Aleksandra.<br/><br/>The guards who had traveled with them led her within, and one man who wore a slightly different colored tunic, seemed to lead the rest. He entered and spoke with the only servant she saw in the great, dark halls of this castle.<br/><br/>“King Dracos has found his cousin a wife, it seems.”  The Captain explained to the servant, who let them through empty corridors, to a throne room that looked nothing like Dracos’.  It was lit by flickering blue flames, that hovered above torches on either side of the room.<br/><br/>“King Dracos has sent me on official business.  He does not wish the magic of your realm to die out, so he presents you with a most precious gift.  A woman with abilities like your own.”<br/><br/>Aleksandra stepped forward, this time she did not need the urging of her mentor to do so.  She had undone her braid on the ride to this castle and her hair fell across both of her shoulders in soft waves.  She bowed.<br/><br/>“I am not simply a woman.  I am the rightful heir to the crown of Hammarfell.”  She said, irritation clear in her tone as she looked at the captain.  Aleksandra knew that in other countries, women were simply a means to an end.  Bear children and your needs would be seen to.  That was not her destiny and she refused to accept it as her only role.  Her father would have had her taken his place.  That was the role she intended to someday fulfill.<br/><br/>“I have been displaced and my family has been murdered.  Your cousin said if I offered you a chance at continuing a line filled with magic, he would aide me in bringing the murderer to justice.”<br/><br/><a class="username" data-user-id="1781" data-username="@Dark_Rez" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/1781/">@Dark_Rez</a>