Vienn
Justice. Honour. Vengeance. The words rattled around in Vienn’s head as she tried to find a release for her rage.
Justice. Her father was Keeper of Justice and accused of a crime on one man’s word. He should stand trial, a fair trial, not the court of dainty talkers who think themselves so well informed. If her father faced a fair trial he would be found innocent, Vienn knew it.
Honour. Vienn, like her father, was an Astarre. An old, noble house that has stood for centuries and will stand for centuries more. The Crown Prince has dishonoured her entire family with his false accusations and it would take more than a trial to cleanse that stain. Reparations would be needed. An apology. Mayhaps more.
Vengeance. Named after Vienna Astarre herself, Vienn had the blue blood of the unfrozen. The nevermelting ice of the Astarres. She considered it her shield in the summer. Her sword in the winter. But now her blood boiled red. Red with anger. She wanted the old justice. Vengeance for baseless slander. Vienn’s mother and brother may have shared her Astarre name but they lacked that conviction. She had to be vigilant for their sakes as well as her own.
The transformation undergone by Briarhill in response to the Crown Prince’s allegation had been tough for them both. But not for Vienn. She had always viewed the place as hostile. With their pretty towers and endless compliments. The people in Aevum Palace were as false as could be. She despised it and them. She despised it since she first arrived as a girl of twelve. And she despised it now a decade later.
In a way the rumours had been helpful for her. She passed freely down the halls and courtyards of the Palace without some maid or squire hoping to win the ear of the Seeker’s daughter. She would glare at them if she spotted them. Pretty and fair maidens who consider themselves decent. They would turn at her sight and whisper or giggle. Might have well licked each others’ tits the pleasure they got from it.
On the odd occasion Vienn would confront them. Storm into them like an unprepared bay and tear them asunder. They wouldn’t have much to say then. Green girls. Spineless girls. The sooner she and her family saw the back of Briarhill and their whispering the better.
But they couldn’t. Lord Keeper Bogger had come to tell them personally. He spoke with too many words to tell them to stay put. They would be allowed to keep their quarters for the time being. And that guards would be placed at their door.
“It was a courtesy by the Queen for him to tell us.” Her mother had told them.
“I’d rather be thrown in a cell and be done with it.” Vienn replied.
Fortunately, Vienn was still seen as a young lady and was free to move through the Palace without an escort. Her mother had not been so lucky. She wasn’t even allowed to attend court without some pompous smooth-shaven knight watching over her. That only made Vienn angier. But it was her brother’s treatment that crossed the line.
Antham had returned to their quarters one day with a purple eye. Despite their insistence, he wouldn’t tell them who did it. Only after pushing more did he reveal the myriad of brushes of unspeakable intensity that coloured his torso. Vienn’s mother would have burst into tears had she not nearly collapsed.
Vienn couldn’t get Antham to tell her who did but it didn’t matter, she had her suspicions. So now she crossed the private training yard of the Palace.
The training yard was as long as it was wide, with sixteen individual pits for training, half of which almost always in use. But Vienn had not come here to play fight with wooden swords.
She marched across the yard and approached the stocky bald man that yelled instructions at two squires. He was Sir Roger Delph, a tall man with a visage of an old spinster and was tasked with the tutelage of the younger boys.
“Sir Delph!” Vienn shouted before she was even respectfully close. He turned and tensed himself at her sight. “Have you gone craven?”
“Odd one to attack a man’s mind.” Sir Delph returned.
“I have seen my brother's wounds. He bears the scars of an old war vet.”
“We train our boys well here. Some may get a scar or two. Saves them lethal ones when they’re older.” Sir Delph replied, trying to be reasoned.
Vienn had not come to be reasonable. “You tell me to my face that my brother has not been mistreated.”
“Not in my courtyard.” Sir Delph said. Others were watching now. Idle knights who spend their free time here, maidens who watch from the balconies above. Even the swordplay in the pit nearby had stopped. Sir Delph moved closer to Vienn and hushed his voice. “Vienn, this is not the place.”
“The bruises he bears. He couldn’t have gotten them if he was properly armoured. Properly overseen.” Vienn said.
“I have a job to do. But I do not facilitate cruelty. If the boy is wounded, it didn’t happen on my watch.” Sir Delph said.
Vienn felt powerless to counter his denial. But that’s just how Briarhill is. Everyone avoids confrontation and loud voices. The next day you awake with a dagger thrust through your heart.
Vienn went to turn away. She knew it was best to withdraw for now. Mayhaps Sir Delph knew nothing but those here would tell others. Would that make it worse or better for Antham she knew nought.
But Sir Delph caught her arm, not strongly but she did not care for it. “Vienn, if we could speak alone. I’ve heard rumblings about you.”
Vienn pulled her arm free. Vienn knew she had been too hard on Sir Delph. He was a good man, within Briarhill’s standards. He had even trained her privately on occasion when her father had asked. But like all the rest he had turned his back on their family. “Rumblings aren’t enough. If I am to be its prisoner I want this Palace to shake with my name.”
Vienn stomped away back down the long path of watching eyes. But she did not shy from their attention. She would use it. She would kick and scream for her father’s honour until her last breath.
She had no choice as far as she was concerned. She bore his name, his blood. Even his face. Since her first day in the Capital people have remarked on their similarities. That was a badge of honour for her. She cared for her mother but she truly loved her father. She would defend him, alone if she must.
She hoped it wouldn’t be alone.
There were others who knew her father, he had earnt his loyalty. Vienn thought her mother clever enough but too delicate, too tempered. When you are under attack you need swords not words. Vienn had been in touch with those she hoped would still be loyal to her father. Who would honour his name. They were to meet today in the cover of the night. Vienn had to admit a part of her was nervous for who would show. She had even reached out to her uncle on her mother’s side. She knew him to be a smart man and hoped he would make the journey from Vorluft. She was only a woman after all, she could only command so much respect.
To calm herself she visited the Sister’s statue that occupied some quiet courtyard over a dry, old fountain. Her father often took her here, preferring it to the hustle and grandeur of the Father’s Ordained Chapel on Sanctuary Island, with more priests than Briarhill has destitutes, or the Brother’s Royal Cathedral, the only place you’ll see commoner and noble interact. Only if they couldn’t help it. Alas though the Sister had no dedicated temple in Briarhill but Vienn cared not. She wasn’t especially faithful. She simply saw this place as somewhere peaceful to collect her thoughts.
But that was not what the Gods had intended for her toda. When she arrived she wasn’t the first. Four others were waiting in the solemn yard, for her she would later decide. The one that caught her eye first was Prince Alden. No, not the Crown Prince, his son Alden the second, because of course he named his son after himself. His royal highness wore a fine red velvet outfit embroidered with little gold finishes, frilled sleeves and a midriff that revealed his skin. A young Prince has no need for armour. Vienn looked at him with a new scorn every time.
Luckily for him though he looked more like his mother with her blonde hair and soft face, he hadn’t even managed a shadow of facial hair at sixteen. He’d make a lovely maiden, Vienn sniped as the Prince’s water blue eyes found hers.
“Lady Vienn, what brings you here?” He spoke with a sickly grin that spread like an infection to his accomplices.
Bastard. Vienn thought. What does he want? Does he know of my meeting?
“Pardon, Prince Alden. I meant no intrusion.” With that Vienn turned in hope of leaving.
No such luck. “No, my lady. No intrusion at all. Do stay.”
If he doesn’t know then her retreat would be suspicious. If he does, Vienn could stomach some idle remarks from some spoiled offspring. They couldn’t stop her meeting with who she liked, she told herself.
Vienn turned around to face them. She looked at the other three gleefully standing behind their precious prince. Lady Halle Estaur was a career maiden-in-waiting who attended every court session and knew all the gossip. She was attached to the Prince’s hip as if she had some chance of wedding him. Daft girl.
The dark skinned Sheik was next to him, that wasn’t his name but rather his title as he had one of those long and old Sol'ra names that embarrassed proper lords and ladies to fail to say. Vienn had met many a Sol'ra in Briarhill but those that rose in court tended to have easier aliases. Lady Cath Guillard from the Deuynoux region up north was the last one left. Vienn didn’t know her well but to Vienn she seemed to smile the least.
Either way Vienn wasn’t shy. They were Lords and Ladies but sprigs, still children.
“My Prince.” Vienn greeted politely without courtesy.
“Vienn, how have you been? I haven’t seen much of you since all this terrible business with our fathers.” Alden asked.
To the uninitiated one might see a hint of earnesty in his question. But Vienn knew better. Every conversation was a fencing duel played by shadows while their counterparts laughed and smiled. You couldn’t trust anybody here, Vienn knew. She was alone, and that isolation would be her vice and salvation.
“These have been trying times, your grace. I hope for a swift solution.” Vienn said.
“Indeed, a quick resolution.” Alden mirrored. “My mother worries for yours. Says she shouldn’t pay for her husband’s crimes.”
“Your mother is always welcome to visit.” Vienn replied. Of all the sudden disappearance acts Vienn knew Princess Vichera’s had stung her mother the worst. She made the mistake of genuinely considering her a friend. She was foolish.
“Your little brother’s been absent from our training.” The Sheik spoke up. “Hope we haven’t been too hard on him?” He smirked.
“Unburden yourself, Sheik. You will strain yourself trying to break an Astarre.” Vienn said.
“Unless they do it themselves.” Lady Halle muttered like a breeze.
Vienn caught her with her eyes. Halle returned the sharp look. She was brave enough while standing behind the Prince. But the Prince was known to cycle through maiden’s in his inner circle. He’s a young lad and likely tires of them fast enough.
“Give us a moment.” Alden spat over his shoulder.
The trio looked at one another shrinking. They gave a bow as they crossed the courtyard. It was just Vienn and Prince Alden then. She wondered what he would hope to achieve by them being alone. As if she would be frightened.
“My father’s preparing his case against yours. He will win.” Alden said matter-of-factly. Vienn stared him down but his eyes were on the ground. Vienn’s fist clenched that he couldn’t even look her in the eye as he threatened her. “They’ve tried to asway his wrath. Mother. Grandmother. But he is resolute.” Alden's eyes turn to Vienn’s. Vienn for the life of her couldn’t figure out the look he gave her. “His mind? Has he lost it truly?”
“You want me to implicate my own father. Is that what you want from me?” Vienn stomped a foot forward in defiance. She cared not whose son he was.
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“No, that’s not…”
“Then what?”
The Prince took a breath, “There was another person. In the courtroom that day. A witness.”
“A lie.” Vienn said.
“I overheard my father say it. He didn’t know I was in earshot.” The Prince said. “If it’s true, your father’s fate is decided. To testify on his side would be folly. But to testify against him? If the outcome is known.”
Vienn thought it impossible but the Prince had shocked her. To so boldly conspire against her father. To try and lure her to the dark. “You think me some green girl? Like all the rest!?”
“I don’t know you at all Vienn.” Alden admitted.
“You Thorns, you’re all the same. Pretty to look at but lethal to touch.”
“That’s enough.” The Prince retorted, putting a firm grip on Vienn’s arm.
“Oh? Have you grown weary of me, your grace? Will you slander me and have me shackled?” Vienn grew fiercer. The Prince was in her sights. And with every word the Prince’s grip grew tighter.
“Why do you have to be so wild? Do you think it helps your father? Your family?” The Prince’s jaw clenched, squeezing harder on her arm, his free hand twitching at his side.
Vienn grinned when she saw it. He wasn’t as civil as he pretended to be.
“Well then, your grace. Are you going to tame me?” Vienn probed. “You are your father’s son, after all.”
The Prince glared at her. He paused thinking it over as much as you can in the moment. Then he raised his hand. But he was slow. Uncertain. The boy had likely never struck someone outside of a pit before. And that lag was enough for Vienn to have drawn the Prince’s jeweled blade and raised it to meet his palm.
There was a brief tranquility. A moment of victory as the Prince turned his palm over to see the gushing blood. The slice across his palm disappearing beneath a wave of red. Then came his wailing.
Vienn thought the entire Palace would hear it. But only the three attendants waiting for their precious Prince came running. As the Prince’s steps became weak and unsteady Sheik rushed to his side and guided his descent. He hadn’t lost nearly that much blood, but Vienn’s father would say shock kills as much as a sword.
It didn’t help that Halle started to panic when she saw the blood. It was only Lady Guillard who saw Vienn standing there dagger still in hand.
“Feral fledging, best take flight.” She said with distaste oozing off her thick fluid accent.
Vienn had no reason to stay now. She left feeling almost immortal. She had struck a Prince. She did not stress herself with the possibility of consequence. Instead she reiterated the importance of the night’s gathering. It had to be today.
She was anxious for it now more than ever. Thanks the gods she would not have to wait long. The sun was already setting as she returned to her family’s chambers. She knew her mother was home by the rage-inducing sight of two Crusader’s at their door. For a moment she thought they might pull her aside, as word of the Prince’ wound spread but they did not even glance her way.
She stepped inside and was met by shadows. The drapes were pulled, only a handful of half-melted candles were lit. The fresh bowl of fruit that greeted her at the door had just two bruised apples. No servants took care of their quarters anymore and it had taken its toll.
As she made her way to the dining room a thin collection of food littered the table. Some bread, ill-prepared cow meat, and just one flagon of wine. Gallae stepped into the room at Vienn’s presence.
“Oh, my dear. I thought I heard something.” Vienn’s mother came to her daughter’s side. “You shouldn’t dally when you’re out. I had no idea where you were.”
“I was just meeting with friends.” Vienn lied. Her mother was weaker than her, she didn’t need to burden her.
“Yes, friends. Very good. So important to have friends right now.” Gallae muttered, her thoughts scattering as she spoke. Then they returned. “Come, let us eat.”
Gallae guided Vienn to the table. Vienn did not resist. She looked around. “Where’s Antham?”
“Your brother’s sleeping. He’s been very tired lately. Tiring times for us all.” Gallae said as she spread the meager display to look as rich as possible. Vienn noted Gallae’s nails were worn away to nubbins. Either from mistreatment or malnourishment Vienn didn’t attempt to decide.
“He’s been sleeping a lot. Should we fetch a healer?” Vienn asked.
“No! No need for that. A growing boy needs sleep.” Gallae said.
“And food. And fresh air. He needs that too.”
Gallae took her seat. “Would you have me do? You’ve seen his wounds.”
“He needs to learn to fight. Return back twice as hard as they hit him.”
Gallae stiffened. “No. We can’t fight back. We can’t struggle. We must wait. Your father will come back for us. He won’t forget us.”
“Mother, last we heard he arrived in the Forelands. That’s a months ride from here alone. Two months with a caravan. And that’s if they even mine to ride north.”
“He will!” Gallae shouted. “Your father will return to us.” Gallae was unmoving like a statue. Not from strength but a lack of it. She appeared to Vienn like the Crystallium Spire, tall but fragile like glass. She would not be convinced otherwise. She could not. She is powerless. And in that powerlessness has turned to faith. Faith in Leondre.
Vienn loved her father. Believed in her father. But she was no fool. She was raised to do the smart thing. And that was not waiting for someone else to rescue them.
Vienn stood with righteous strength. “Young lady, it is mealtime.” Gallae said but Vienn could not be swayed now.
“I will protect you mother. You and Antham both.” Vienn turned and marched away.
“My girl, please don’t go out there. It’s dark. There are strangers about. Please, sit down.”
Vienn did not sit. She was not being callous but she could not be soft. She opened the door to her chambers. The Crusaders turned only to make sure she wasn’t her mother, then looked away.
Fools. Vienn noted. They think me a girl. A child. I will use that misjudgement to slit their throats for treating us like prisoners.
Vienn hurried from their sight, might they grow some wits and think it odd a Lady was scurrying through the Palace at night. Even if they tried Vienn knew these halls well. She was raised here. It was truly the only way to ever properly learn your way about. You cannot adopt the labyrinth of never-ending corridors, courtyards, and privies.
By sundown the Palace quickly emptied. The odd maiden scampered by to fetch a flagon of wine for their noble ladies who must drink themselves asleep. A page no older than ten struggled with a longsword that wasn’t in need of sharpening but would get one anyway. A tubby cat who the gentle ladies did so love to feed idly chased its own shadow.
Vienn ignored them all and kept on her way. They either wouldn’t recognise her or if they did would think better than to say anything. That was until Vienn was about to cross one of the Palace’s sky corridors that connected the third floor of the Pearl Quarters with the fourth of the old library.
There was a stomp. That distinctive clink of metal armour. A knight. A real Sir, not those Crusader pretenders. A knight would recognise her. A knight could return her to her chambers. Vienn moved quickly to the open window. She knew from passing below that there was a ledge on the outside. That ledge, she thought, would give her enough footing.
She raised herself up on the stone window. The drop below was mighty. The ledge was not as sure as she hoped, but enough. She climbed her way out clinging to the walls. Luckily for her Briarhill was a dry place with little rain. Her feet balanced on the outside ledge. She shimmied across beyond sight of the corridor.
As the unseen boots approached the sky corridor felt rather flimsy now. As if the wind would just blow it to bits. It was made of well-crafted stone and yet it seemed to sway. Or was that Vienn? She clenched herself tighter against the wall. She held her breath. In her head she imagined the knight as a silhouette lurking through the dark corridors. A distorted shadow of what a knight should be. This image only evoked fear and anger. It represented everything in her way of her desires. She would not let it catch her.
It seemed as if she was right. The footsteps dissipated and the Palace grew silent once more. Vienn recollected her courage and slid her way back to the window.
As she raised a leg to reenter a spectre took shape in front of her. Vienn gasped and instinctively steadied a fist. But her footing was unsure and threw her weight off balance. The corridor seemed to sway a lot more now.
Until it went completely still. The spectre’s hand had a hold on Vienn’s wrist. She thought better than fighting herself loose.
“By the gods, Vienn. Have you no sense?” The spectre cursed. That’s when Vienn realised the man holding her bore no armour and was not her shadow knight. Instead he blotched scarred skin, thinning hair, and a hint of a lisp.
“Uncle!” Vienn declared leaping inside. She threw her arms around him. “I am beholden for your arrival.” This was the first good thing to happen to Vienn in she knew not how long.
So much pain and uncertainty.
But now her Uncle was here.
And he wasn’t hugging her back.
“Vienn, I haven’t long.” Her uncle untangled himself from her. He looked glumly at her. We’re the same height now, Vienn thought.
“Too right. Follow me.” Vienn moved down the corridor but she was not followed.
“Does your mother know you’re doing this?” He asked her.
“She… no. You should see what they’ve done to her. She’s in a state.” Vienn replied impatiently.
“Then you should go to her. Care for her.” He said.
Vienn paused for a moment. Then she returned to her uncle’s side. “I am no carer.”
Her uncle sighed. He couldn’t even look at her. “You seek war but will only find butchery. What we need now is patience.”
“Patience? After what they’ve done my father. To our family. Patience was not burning this place to ash.” Vienn spoke louder than her uncle was comfortable with. “A hawk does not belong in a cage.”
“I know, I know. But you must wait this out. I know you’re angry. For all that’s happened. For your father leaving you behind.”
“He did not leave us behind.” Vienn corrected.
“Then where is he?” Her uncle asked finding her eyes.
Vienn had no answer. She did not know. She didn’t know why he left. But she knew why he asked. “You believe their lies.”
“I don’t know what I don’t know. What I do know is your father wouldn’t have just left if he was innocent. Neither would he be returning with an army.”
“An army?” Vienn echoed. Was her father starting his own war?
“A gross simplification, my lady.” Another spectre she had not noticed emerged behind her uncle. This hallway is full of ghosts. This one was even less intimidating. If it wasn’t for his voice Vienn wouldn’t have been certain he was even a man. He had long blond hair that rested on his delicate robe and a smile that was unnaturally white. “Your Lord Father has departed from the Vanguard with your Liege Lord Allard Astarre and some hundred men. The wise coin would be spent on him coming with good will to face his accusations.”
Her uncle interrupted. “Wiser men see violence on the horizon. Vienn, do you really think the Crown would let your meeting go ahead without knowing about it? Everyone who gathers in the room tonight will be known. Their weaknesses ascertained. Their loyalties tested. You will only be putting a target on their and your backs.”
“You don’t know that. I only told the most honourable men in my father’s service. Good men, who know my father’s innocence.” Vienn said.
“If I bet all my money on the honour of decent men I’d be a very poor man.” The delicate man said. “I’m afraid my dear, honour is in the eye of the beholder.”
Vienn glared back. “I don’t know you.”
“I am a friend of the family.” The man responded.
“Some friend. You weren’t there for us when my father disappeared. Neither of you were.”
“True. It is a dangerous time to be a friend of yours right now. No need to risk my life without merit.”
“What kind of friend does that make you?”
“A clever one, my lady. You could use one of those. The ones waiting for you are not. These walls have ears, they are always listening. There are secrets in the Aevum Palace. All are known” The man said with a smile.
It’s as if we are discussing fruit scones. They do not understand my struggle. Vienn shook her head and turned to leave the strangers behind.
“Vienn, don’t.” Her uncle ran in front of her blocking her path.
“Take us with you then. However you got into the castle, take us out that way.”
The stranger spoke before her uncle could manage a reply. “Pardons, my lord, but we mustn't loiter.”
“Wait a moment.” He said turning to Vienn. “It’s not that simple. Moving three extra people. And what your disappearance would mean.” Her uncle stuttered. “You must wait for the trial.”
“Wait for that farce? They’ve already conjured up a witness. My father will not see justice here.”
“A witness?” Her uncle repeated, turning to the stranger. He shook his head in ignorance. Clearly some secrets aren’t known. Vienn could see the indecision in her uncle. “You’ve lost your spine, uncle. Now excuse me. I am Vienn Astarre. And you are in my way.”
Vienn marched past her uncle with haste until he was far behind her. She checked over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following her. He wasn’t. A part of her wished he did.
But she ignored that. She needed to to survive. She was good at that. Good at doing what she needed to survive. So she damned her uncle and set a course without him. She was still her father’s daughter.
Vienn was stubbornly in her thoughts as she passed down the webbed halls of the old library. So at first she did not see the figure approaching. She tensed when she did but did not slow. She was far too enraged to be put off now. And it was no tall brooding knight but a short man. Armourless and weaponless, he carried only a bucket.
As he passed her he turned that bucket to face her. As if he was showing her what was inside. But too fast. Too fast. In the dark she thought it was water. A foolish page who tripped on her, she thought. What a disgrace. But with the water drenching over her she heard it hiss. It was alive. It was hungry. It was turning her clothes to water too. Undressing her. Undressing her skin.
It was like fire. She fell against the wall as the pain took over. Such unbearable pain as her skin and clothes peeled away. As her sleeves fell apart she tried to hold her dress in place. She didn’t know why. It was her first reaction. To keep herself for the shame of nudity. She didn’t want to be found more exposed than need be.
She was screaming this whole time. It was out of her control. Her body yelled. Not for help, she didn’t think she’d find any. Just for the relief of making the sound. For disrupting the still Palace.
The pain started to become exhausting. It was everywhere all at once. The man had disappeared now. Had he even been there? Or was he just another shadow that came to life? Her yowling continued. She wanted to speak. But everything that emerged was just noise.
She was too tired to stand. She wanted to lie down. Then she saw another shadow. With another bucket. No. No more. The bucket flooded her. But this time the water’s did not hiss. But she found little comfort. The agony unrelenting.
Darkness shrouded her then. Vienn knew this was it. Father. I beg come back to me. My ice. My ice is melting.