Siandra
Private Quarters, Marlight
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/876104022833127448/1094185549989945374/DoL_No_Name.png]
Dusk of Life logo made by Mark Evegaars, writer of this story
Humming a quiet song in front of a gleaming silver mirror, Siandra combed her lovely hair until it shone. Things were looking up for her and her cause. In a stroke of luck, the Tyheart family had proven to be rather cooperative. The intel she got from her agents had been very valuable. She only had to mention the name ‘Navene’ when they met in person. The matriarch of the family had been instantly interested in some mutually beneficial cooperation.
Since then, she’d been in regular contact with the Derinian-born family. And she had to admit that she respected their ethics, even if they were lacking when compared to hers. Their ambition, style, and grace were becoming of them, as was their efficiency in dealing with matters quickly and ruthlessly. A far cry from the endless discussions and paperwork that were commonplace in Marlight. The council just held things back. But that would change soon.
She chuckled when she thought back to her short meeting with the matriarch of the Tyheart family, Kyra Tyheart, the day prior. The fire that was still burning in the older woman’s eyes had been delightfully intense. So much indignation, so much anger. A couple of months back, it hadn’t taken a lot of convincing words to get the human woman to assist in Ayuen’s capture. As long as they got to take Rove captive, they would lend her their might. Plus, Siandra didn’t mind Ayuen getting roughed up a bit. If anything, she would rather have the opposite, let the woman learn her place. Let the young flappy bat feel what her people had done to her when she was young. And if she died... well, it was no skin off her back.
Chuckling, she put down the brush and snapped her fingers with practised ease. An Yrus servant hurriedly approached her, sinking into a respectful bow. Siandra just raised her arms with a whistful sigh, gracefully and generously allowing the servant to fasten her corset. As the servant got to work, she smiled towards her gorgeous reflection.
Things were going decently well. The last thing she’d heard of the Tyhearts was that the eldest son had been dispatched to capture the renegade duo on the Grasping Isle itself. Kyra had assured her that her son would be more than enough to complete this task, especially with the company of a good dozen or so guards. She had agreed gingerly with the old woman's plans for a quick and ruthless capture.
Not that she hadn’t chipped in with plans of her own. The Tyhearts were skilled, sure, but far too obvious. It was clear a more gentle and subtle hand was needed in this endeavour. And she happened to have access to the perfect agent. The Trïeste girl had barely needed any encouragement before her defiance evaporated. Just a couple of cries and sobs from her mother broke her.
It was still a shame she had to slay the girl’s father. He had been a valuable pawn, but his family would have to suffice for now. The perfect sleeper agent. In her generosity, she had even provided the girl with a Wayline Orb, which she admittedly put to good use. The last she heard was that they were travelling south after doing their thing in Tinkersong. The girl had had some decent plans, luring them south towards Handport again. The more time she could buy, the better. More chances to spread Ayuen’s guts over the forest floor. She even managed to pick up a madman to pin the blame on. Clever, for a half-blood.
At any rate, she and the Tyheart family had been in a mutually beneficial relationship for a good while now. In exchange for capturing the stain on their family’s pride, plus some choice exotic goods from the Dusk of Life, the Derinian family had agreed to provide some much-needed military support for the later stages of her plan. They’d arrived yesterday and by the Arals, they didn’t disappoint. The paperwork had been painful, but the stirrings inside the city had made it easier. Unrest was rather easy to exploit, after all. Under the guise of city watch reinforcements, eight hundred armed soldiers had been stationed inside of the city. A flood waiting for the turning of the tide. Fully under her command, answering her beck and call. Some of the other council members did see what she was doing, but at this point, they were powerless to stop it. Unless they wanted to escalate this into full-on armed conflict. Which was what she was eagerly hoping for. A conflict would give her forces all the reason and cover to slaughter and imprison every rebel council member they could get their hands on. And with the opposition gone, she would swoop in at the last moment, diplomatically ending the conflict and exiling every single filthy traitor from the Dusk. And after that, peace would warmly reign over the city. Every single inhabitant living beside the next, with no dark thoughts about backstabbing shadows rearing their ugly heads lingering in their peaceful minds.
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A few minutes of joyous anticipation later, Siandra was fully dressed in a delightful blue dress. The shawls that indicated her station as a council member were draped carefully around her shoulders, accentuating her divine features. After she dismissed her servant, she looked herself over gleefully, noting how she’d changed for the better in the last couple of days. People did become more beautiful when life was looking up for them. She giggled when she played with her hair a bit, twirling around in front of the mirror. The hem of the dress swirled around her ankles with a soft rushing sound, her wings flexing and making her look like a being of legend.
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But then a knock disturbed her playful pondering. Siandra frowned as she glared at the door.
“Yes, who is it?” Her dismayed tone made sure that the person on the other side knew she wasn’t amused.
“C-Captain Yarran, Siandra. Here to bring you the daily report on our efforts.”
Although muffled by the door, she heard that the captain’s voice sounded skittish and tired. At least he held himself appropriately. He had been chosen by her to bring her plans to fruition in the field. Losing a couple of nights of sleep was a small price to pay for the honour. She had made sure he saw that too.
“Ah, yes. Come in about a minute, Yarran. The door is open.”
Humming resolutely, she sent the servant away, walking to the side of the room as soon as they were gone. One flick later, she closed the doors and let her mages know to soundproof the room. Leaking her plans at this stage would cause some headaches for sure. So she had arranged this in the previous week or so. Rather handy.
With barely a creak, the captain walked in after the time had elapsed. The stress of obeying her commands was visible on the man’s face. His beard was unkempt and dirty, and large bags were casting shadows under his eyes. Siandra wrinkled up her nose when she saw the state the man was in but swiftly conjured a smile onto her face.
“You ought to take better care of yourself, Yarran. Being presentable is equally important to skill, after all.”
Taking a small brush, she took some of her makeup and approached the captain. Ignoring the doubt in the man’s gaze, she put her free hand on his cheek, turning his head toward her as she covered the bags under his eyes.
“I will thrive to do better.” The captain said, his eyes looking everywhere and clearly trying to avoid looking down into her dress. Taking notice, her lips began to curl up, puffing up her chest a bit as her wings swayed hypnotically. She basked in his uneasiness, savouring the reddening of his cheeks and seeing the want in his eyes. A want that he knew would never be sated. A thrilling thought. But who knows, maybe if he proved even more useful, she would provide him with a single fun night. Just to see how much that would fan his flames.
“So, what’s the news, captain?” She purred, taking a comb from her dresser and combing the man’s hair. Yarran gulped and cleared his throat before talking, tensing up as she brushed his hair into a presentable state.
“We’ve got news from the half-Yrus girl. They’ve reached the southern part of the Isle. No word of the Tyheart noble in pursuit though. He’s gone quiet for a rather long time. She thinks the Tyheart bastard managed to lure him into a trap.”
He shrugged, smiling at his mistress.
“You were right, Siandra. The Tyheart’s out-in-the-open approach didn’t do them any favours. Your subtle approach seems to work out much better.”
Ah, compliments. How sweet. And he brought good news too. Siandra reached her arms over his shoulders, embracing him as she combed the hair on the back of his head. His lips moved to her ears, flicking seductively against his skin.
“That’s great news indeed. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. How are my forces inside the city doing?”
The man shivered, sucking in a breath as she felt his arms tense as he balled his fists.
“The soldiers are in place, just like you ordered. 200 in the barracks, 600 in the streets. Enough to raise havoc and hold. If we can stop the Dusk’s army from getting involved.”
“The army will have its hands full with all the conflicting orders it’ll be given.” Siandra chuckled. “The council won’t know what to do with itself. And even when they get their heads out of their behinds, it’ll be over. Don’t you worry about that, dear Yarran. Just... do your job and leave the thinking to me.”
The captain nodded and Siandra retreated, gazing him up and down. Nodding contently, he put the brush away. It wasn’t perfect, but he looked decently pretty now.
“Now that’s better. Doesn’t this feel better too?”
“Feels great indeed.”
She could still see the tiredness in his eyes, but the man forced out a smile regardless. A commendable effect hailing from commendable loyalty. With maybe a smidge of infatuation. The same infatuation that she was sure that the whole of Marlight would bestow upon her when they were done.
At any rate, they were done here. She flicked the switch again, letting her people know their services weren’t needed anymore for now.
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Clapping her hands excitedly, Siandra walked towards the door. Yarran has a role to fulfil, but so had she. She couldn’t rest on her laurels. The city needed her guidance, even if they didn’t know it yet.
“Well then, off you go. I’ve got my tasks to see to. Those council members are not going to argue themselves.”
She laughed merrily. “Oh, who am I kidding? They probably will. But a little encouragement wouldn’t hurt.”
“It won’t.” Yarran readily agreed. The man excited her room with her, the two walking next to each other. Her pair of elegant shoes made a soft noise next to the thuds of the guard captain’s heavy boots, both echoing through the long hallway. Beams of sunlight were shining in through the windows, accentuating her splendour. Even Lugon itself wanted her to succeed.
She dreamily smiled as hers and the captain’s paths split. This day couldn’t get any better.
Soon, Siandra was greeted by the large ornate council chamber’s doors. Taking a deep breath, she forced her expression to be less joyous. Today’s meeting was addressing the unrest in the city. And having been in charge of providing the security to quell that unrest, she had to seem collected, lest people would get suspicious.
Stretching her arm, she pushed open the doors, confidently walking inside with the gravity expected from her position.
Inside, she would be smiling every step of the way.
The map of the Dusk of Life, where the story starts [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/554030201789743105/997597408001273968/Dusk_of_Life_Final.png]
Map made by Mark Evegaars, writer of this story