<div class="floatright">(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ed4r9DWP1qk0v9so1_500.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Kaniene Maxisus<br/><strong>Role:</strong>Princess of Aserit<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Traveling through the slum area<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Essaline, open<hr/><br/>Anyone with common sense could see the hot tendrils of anger lurking behind Kaniene’s hazel eyes. Despite protest and near begging to her father a few nights prior, they were now within the enemy’s territory for a peace conference. Peace. The word sent nothing but despair through her young mind. Throughout the journey, her gaze frequently went over to her mother since often they shared the same thoughts and opinions on various matters. Did her mother readily agree to this plan? It was a question dying to be spoken to gain some clarity on her father’s decision. But in the constant haste to reach the enemy capitol within a timely matter, she was unable to have private word to ease her temper.<br/><br/>One might confused Kaniene’s reluctance to show quarter to the Theiri as a sign of blood thirst. In truth, the woman was born during a time of war and simply knew no other way than to hate the people so close to her father’s kingdom. There was no other world but war. Plus, the Theiri were the reason for children being without fathers and even mothers within the household. The reason why the Aserit were not able to expand into a greater kingdom. If there was ever an issue, the Theiri were to blame. On the streets, commoners and nobles alike cursed them as dancing fiends.<br/><br/>Besides thoughts of the enemy on her mind, there were unspoken issues within the royal family to ponder over. She had been raised within a house of four vastly different children, who all strove to make their place within the kingdom. As youngest and female, she always felt the need to prove her worth and usefulness to those around her. It was common knowledge and everyone’s expectation for the youngest to be a runt and dead weight to the family. For that child to be a drunkard and embarrassment. On the battlefield, she found the ability to carve out destiny. There was the ability to control her fate. Yet,constantly, the thought of being undeserving of her position plagued her during childhood and now womanhood. At times, it felt like there was no accomplishment not already done by a sibling. Win a battle with limited resources. Auron already did it. Create a master strategy to destroy the Theiri dogs. Reynard  made one better. She did not dare even attempt to step foot into Orianthi’s territory of finery, jewels, and laughter.<br/><br/>But what was she to do now? What would be her purpose if all went well within the peace talks when all she knew was how to kill?<br/><br/>Kaniene only hoped her father would force the Theiri to yield without giving anything in return, and then turn his eyes to another kingdom to capture after placing a heavy tax on the people. Nothing would please her more than to help her father turn a great kingdom into a mighty empire. Only then, would she feel as though she was a child to be proud of. Creating an empire though was a dream that was not likely to happen. Her father was not a supporter of war. More than likely, he would attempt to make the people of Theiri forgive him for past “crimes” formerly seen as glory. The fear of one of her siblings being given in holy union to unite two nations nearly made her physically ill. Even if they were all at odds from time to time, they deserved so much better than to be forced to lay with the enemy for the rest for their lives. And if they did unite kingdoms, that would make all her previous efforts completely meaningless, wouldn’t it?<br/><br/>During the course of the journey, her eyes barely closed to rest due to anxiety about the future. Like usual, her sleep was uneasy. No one knew of the issue with sleep due to her not making a whimper during the dreams, but it had always happened after nearly each battle. Kaniene viewed the nightmares as another sign of weakness. Her mother probably did not have such issues. There were times when she considered asking her brother, Auron, if he suffered the same, but she did not wish to appear pathetic or incapable to do her sworn duty.<br/><br/>When they arrived within the Theiri borders, she witnessed firsthand just how much the war affected those without means to protect themselves and survive during apparent hard times. The people were nearly in a state of starvation while the stench of poverty lingered in the air. The view of actual people, without the war clouding her judgment, forced her to see them as humans. It did not help that they did not lift a hand at them.<br/><br/>The morning, in which they were to arrive in the city, she double checked her weapons to ensure they were all within their proper place. Even for this huge event, no dress ever adorned her body since she detested them.  She wore battle armor (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8cwzg5PRl1r7wrq1o1_400.jpg) created specifically for her and a simple black cloak with the family insignia in the corner. The only sign of her obedience to her father’s decree for no violence was her hair. Typically in battle, it was pulled back into some type of band to avoid it blocking precious vision during a fight, but now, it hung in natural curls around her face. The style was a rare sight. Rare enough to cause her hand to rub at her neck when the soft strands caressed her neck. The action though made her feel like a muzzled and leashed dog. Nothing in her appearance displayed her rank as princess other than the occasional appearance of her weapons' hilt (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3hi8qDw701rrjmgoo2_250.jpg) when it nudged into sight. At her side rested her favorite dagger. With trembling hands, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her hair then returned to her noble steed. Like her, the black horse nicknamed Hopper (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m83bh8MGrm1rac3imo1_500.jpg) appeared antsy about being so close to the enemy without intention to do as normal. Reaching out her hand, she touched Hopper's head to reassure it and herself with familiarity. There was not much time for anything else since they were back on the move.<br/><br/>Upon their arrival to the Theiri’s capital, she pushed back personal feelings to be on her guard for any hint of aggressive behavior among the people. Her hand remained at the hilt of her weapon to defend if necessary. Yet, there did not appear to be any found. Sure, there were evil glances thrown their way, but again no one attempted to attack them. For some reason, she expected more of the capitol city. The people she fought in battle proclaimed nothing but pride for their home city before taking their last dying breath. To her, it looked a little on the shabby side. With a gentle nudge, Kainene signaled for Hopper to trot up next to her mother.<strong>“Not what I expected,”</strong>she spoke softly then looked out the corner of her eye to watch a child cleverly take a coin purse out of a passerby’s pocket. In the far distance, the great castle stood with a majestic air even though its surrounding city looked a little worse for wear. It only made her think less of its ruler. He should have surrendered a long time ago rather than make his people endure a war they could not afford or possibly win. A small voice at the back of her mind argued that they would not be able to afford hefty taxes either, but she ignored it. They would far better underneath her father than their own king.<strong>"How long do you think it will take before we need to unsheathe our weapons?"</strong>