1900 HOURS.
MONDAY, 15 AUTUMNSUS 1411.
GLACIES, YONDEL.
“That is a grand Man-O-War,” the captain of this ship was speaking to Captain Maximus Orwell of the Yondel Royal Army, “Little failures with this vessel. It has served its purpose as a warship for his majesty, and her dues have long been paid with a fair bit of coin.”
“I remember the war against the Principality. So many died, and for what?”
“I cannot say. A whole lot of people got caught up, and even now we can still see the repercussions of the war.” The ship captain observed as he looked around at the port.
Cutting through the scattered clouds, the last rays of sunlight descended from the heavens to touch this kingdom, Captain Orwell crossed his arms as the temperature of the air around him slowly began to descend by several degrees. Though winter wouldn’t arrive for some time, the changing of the seasons had cut him off guard when he prepared himself each morning.
His mission here was long complete, the rest of his men had returned to the barracks within the palace nearby. He had confirmed the identity of his target; the mission was to locate an individual that had been conducting hits on supply lines, and he had enlisted the help of the local guild and nearby sailors to provide evidence towards his primary target.
“Well, I will not keep you, sir.” The old sailor said as he stepped away quietly.
All Orwell could do was nod as he forced himself to return to his post back at the castle. He wasn’t far, but it would still be a fair amount of walking through the crowded streets of Glacies. Slowly maneuvering through the crowds at the port, the Knight Captain soon found his way weaving through the market square on a detoured path to his post. He found warmth of the large fires, and the heavenly smells that came from the many vendors cooking hundreds if not thousands of pounds of pure food made his stomach rumble as he had not eaten his rations for the day instead opting to give them to a knight recruit that had come from the far lands of the Frontier. The young boy, Marco, had reminded the captain of his younger years in the officer training corps.
Prideful nobles. Aspiring officers. Devilish serpents. All made up the corps that would train commissioned knights for the kingdom’s military. Each knight operated under the direct command of the king himself, and all would expect to see a luxurious career no matter if they remained within the armed forces or decided to formally exit into another profession.
Orwell was a serpent himself. To many years spent as a grunt until the battle of Holland where he proved himself in a daring calvary charge. His current detail was protection of the royal family alongside those from the RG, Royal Guard. He was directly in contact with one of the members of the family, the only daughter, and he had found himself mulling over his entire career due to this sudden new job that was thrown at him by one of his superiors.
It was only a hop and skip away before he entered palace guards. It took several minutes to get past the RG personnel at the gate, they purposefully gave him hell for being out during evening hours. He had delt with them and returned to his post within the castle; the grand gardens just posted below the princess’s room. Occasionally, he would look to the balcony above him. He didn’t often interact with the princess, but he had known the girl since she was just a lass. Now she was a fully grown woman, and due to her new responsibilities, it was clear that the previous days of Orwell’s time flirting with the maids and playing with the young girl were long over. His wife would at least vouch that much since they were expecting their third child.
He could only imagine what the princess was doing at this very moment.
1915 HOURS.
First-born Princess, Leccamaradel Emma Araish. Daughter of the king and second in line for the throne.
Those words held little meaning in today’s world. At times the princess was no more than an “honorary guest” at the royal palace, and it went so far to be even considered within her kingdom’s borders. Her former military rank of Chieftain had been reduced as her post was moved away from any military instillation and instead, she was nothing more than a “diplomatic tool” used for negotiations with other countries.
Her entire life had been dedicated to the Kingdom of Yondel.
It was what she was trained to do.
Even if she was still pampered by everyone, and humiliated in the name of “negotiations”, she will still fulfil her obligations as the first-born princess. It was her duty to help oversee the Royal Court and to help establish treaties with other nations. Even without an official title, and being stripped of power, it was her mission to protect her people.
Under the fading sunlight, the princess silently walked down a narrow hallway. Stopping at a small window, the young woman gently placed her palm upon the glass as she stared t her reflection. Her silver hair shined in the orange hue that was painted upon the castle and her pale skin contrasted to her brown eyes and lips that was concealed in a small amount of red makeup.
She adjusted the strap of her evening, black dress that comfortably hugged her body. Her heels gently made noise against the marble floor, and soon Leccamaradel found herself slowly walking to her next destination. Along the way she was joined by an old butler that trailed from behind. He was the one that held the keys to the Royal Vault and its accompanying financial offices that were under the control of Vice Count Porordale Morocos. Arriving at the guarded doorways at the west wing of the castle, she was just a few halls away from reaching the ‘home’ of the economic elite in Yondel. Confirming her identity with a simple spell, the guards let the princess and her butler past. Leccamaradel swiftly navigated the maze-like halls and approached a wooden door at the end of a long hallway.
Raising the back of her hand to the wooden door, the butler disappeared behind her as she knocked on the door making a sharp noise emerge. Within seconds shuffling came from within as someone raced from what sounded like the other side of the office. In a short moment the latch mechanism on the door was shifted and the door was opened by a chubby man. Her eyes arched at the man before her, Vise Count Mororcos. She had remembered the many times she had to work alongside him under the king’s orders.
Noticing that the older man was shaken and surprised by her sudden appearance, Lecca, as she was called by those closer to her, curtsied and spoke in a professional manner, her bell like voice filled the room, “Vise Count, pardon me for the sudden intrusion.” The vice count looked visibly shaken. He made no move to step aside and allow her in, but he relented as an exasperated sigh heaved its way from his chest.
“Princess, what might you be visiting me for?” He questioned moving to the side and allowing Lecca inside the half-messy office room that he conducted his work in.
Raising her left hand, Lecca presented the small scroll declaring her intentions without a single word. She handed it to the vice count and walked further into the room as she studied everything that was to be seen. “I am here in place of the king to speak of how the funds acquired from the Ronian Campaign will be allocated back to the military.” She spoke cool and collected, not giving a single second for the man to respond.
Shutting the door behind him, Mororcos glared at the princess as he remained in place. It seemed her words had struck an out of tune chord within. “Fine!” He barked, “Be it as it may!”
Taking her seat at the only crowded table within the room, the princess took her time gathering her bearing. To the left of her she spotted a large wooden fixture held by several shelves of neatly and properly aligned books. On the right, a collection of chests contained different manuscripts, orders, and other accountant-based documents. Most of these papers were scattered around the first part of the office. The second half was hidden by a wooden door, and she was curious to what laid within. Perhaps it was the Vice Count’s private residence?
She was joined by Mororcos after he had gathered his notepad and a quill laced with gemstone ink. He sat across from her as he made enough room to write down what was about to be discussed, and he prayed to God that this meeting would be shorter than anticipated. The man noticed that the princess had grown impatient with him, and he took a gentle breath as he feared for what was to come.
“Your highness, the reports I gave to the king and the Grand Harbinger have allocated more than enough coin to fund the military for the year. Tell me, how much more does Shaldrecht want to be diverted to his armed forces?” Vice Count Mororcos questioned trying to put the princess to provide a direct answer.
Not yielding, not appeasing the vise count, Lecca answered firmly and without pause, “The king and Grand Harbinger best believe that the funds from the frontier development project should be reallocated to the rearmament of the 3rd and 4th Legions. The king believes that further arming our troops will prepare us for a possible conflict at our northern border, and that any research and development of flint technologies should be put on hold or outright canceled due to the lack of mages we have in our reserve corps. In addition, he mentioned that further use of the Guild and Mercenary Association is to be considered and that a portion of the funds should be directed to improving such groups.”
“That man is a fool.”
Disregarding that the vice count had just blatantly insulted the king, Lecca watched as the old man pinched the bridge of his nose and shuffle in his chair.
“He is a fool for believing that we will survive the next war without the proper tools necessary. Our enemies and adversaries have already employed advance technologies, yet our king won’t even build a blasted bridge for the very same people he hopes to conscript into several divisions. Those people will leave this kingdom once their time has arrived, and we can’t survive another mass exodus. The economy won’t allow that.”
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Rising from his seat the vice count stormed around his room. His breaths were heavy as he paced around trying to find an answer to why the king would make such a bold and drastic decision. “He believes that this kingdom will survive?” He snapped, “With all his stupid decisions, it is no wonder that the military has fallen into shambles, our Heroes have left us, and our allies are slowly distancing themselves!”
Grasping his wooden chair firmly, the old man looked the princess directly in her brown eyes, “If he wants to destroy what the former king built, then I shall allow him! Just don’t be surprised when our age-old enemy comes knocking on our walls and we aren’t prepared for the consequences of our actions!”
Shifting her foot, princess Leccamaradel concealed her feelings of frustration and annoyance; her face betrayed no emotion to the thoughts that tore through her mind. “Although I find your opinion to be highly valuable, Vice Count., I’m afraid what I’ve said is nothing more than direct orders from the king himself. It would be in your best interest to follow them to the letter.”
She bit her cheek trying to not show the discomfort in her words.
“What blasphemy had the king taught you dear Lecca.” The vice count whispered as he sat back down in his seat with a cold bead of sweat running down the side of his face, “Fine, Julius, please come here!”
Answering to the call of the vice count, a sudden, muffled voice emerged from the shut door and within seconds a young man with golden hair entered the room with a stack of papers in his hands. He sorted himself as he placed the items in his hand on a nearby table, and upon looking at the table, it only took but a moment for the boy named Julius to recognize who was present.
Adjusting himself nervously, the young man bent his back and bowed to the princess who had stood up and walked over to him, “Ah! Princess Araish! I did not expect you to be here!”
Letting her lips form into a small line, the princess stood in silence before speaking in a soft, bell voice, “Please, raise your head.”
Following her words to the letter, the boy stood tall with an anxious expression masked by a gentle, light, red hue marking his pale cheeks. “What brings you here, princess?” He asked in a kind manner as he tilted his head attempting to understand why the silver-haired maiden had suddenly visited this often-forgotten part of the castle.
Cutting off the vice count before he could even open his mouth, Lecca spoke cynically as a gently, yet terrifying smile crossed her lips, “I’m here to simply assist you both in deciding the new budget for the military.”
The young boy shook in his boots as he uncertain how he should proceed with this conversation.
“I see… Then I would be glad to provide my services.” Julius said as he pulled up a spare chair and brought himself to sit next to the vice count. He kept his gaze away from the princess, though attractive in every way, he new that she was way out of his element and that anything he could’ve possibly done to help his current situation could be met with heavy judicial punishment. Each word she spoke was enchanting; thus, her existence as the First-Born Princess was tied to impressions and persuasion, he would need to remain cautious.
“Tell me Julius, how much of yourself do you devote to the throne and all members of the Royal Family?” Lecca cryptically asked as a frown slowly wiped across her mouth.
Felling that an opportunity was arising, Julius stood tall and answered proudly, “I not only devote myself to the honor of the throne, but if any member of the Royal Family were to request something of me, I would gladly give my all for the cause!”
“Even in death?”
“Even in death!”
Lecca provided a satisfactory nod to Julius which made the boy beam in excitement. Turning away from the boy, the princess looked towards the scattered documents on the table she previously sat at with a keen eye, then she began to walk quickly to the exit as a surge of energy began to rise in her chest.
Springing from his chair, Vice Count Morocros called out to the princess as he trailed behind her demanding to know whys he was suddenly departing. Sharply turning on her heel and raising a flat palm, Lecca silenced the vice count, “Please keep to yourself Morocros, it has kept you alive for this long, so why bother stopping.” She barked in a strained voice as her eyes narrowed on the silent boy behind the vice count.”
“What!?” Morocros said alarmed as a chocking noise emerged from behind him. The old, chubby man froze in fear as the princess walked out and slammed the door shut.
Managing to find enough strength to turn around, the vice count witnessed something that would be ingrained into his mind as he watched Julius’s face morph into something completely unrecognizable.
Cutting through the halls and reuniting with her butler, Lecca continued to walk away at a fast pace. She wasn’t new to the concept of death, nor assassination, but taking a life by the way she just did was something that haunted her dreams. This was her twelfth kill, and the means of completely turning his soul against him was heart wrenching.
But a message had to be sent.
“Apprehend the witch!”
That is why she was drawn to the chorus of voices that bellowed from the courtyard below. She had made it halfway back to her room on the northern wing when she spotted a large group of Army Knights and Royal Guardsmen chasing a hooded, female intruder through the lush, Jacob environment.
“Princess Araish?”
“I know.” She said taking off her heels and bolting down the hallway. Her butler just had barely enough time to react as he picked up her heels and chased after her. He was taken back by her sudden movement, but it made sense considering her position as both assassin and protector to the throne.
Cutting ahead of the current pursuit, Lecca ran just behind the large group as they flanked the current path of the witch. One of the guardsmen sprinted ahead and cut off the witch as he slammed his entire body into hers sending to the ground. The rest of the knights and guards gathered in an instant and scuffled with the weakened girl for ten seconds until they were able to restrain her getting several punches in to subdue any resistance.
“You damned witch!” Captain Orwell boomed as he took his leg and slammed it into the girl’s chest making her heave as she fell to the ground gasping for air. “Think you can cast your spells on royal grounds, huh!?”
Lecca stood on a nearby staircase as she caught her breath. Any rays of sunlight had long passed, and she stood in the gentle blow of the autumn wind. Taking her first step down the staircase, the silver-haired princess was halted as she heard someone behind her. Turning sharply, her black dress was swept to the side in the growing moonlight wind, and her eyes fell back upon her butler.
“Your highness? If I may, you know what the sudden appearance of a witch means.” His soft-spoken voice was mired with great concern as he looked at the girl still resting on the stone slabs.
Lecca provided a genuine smile to the frail old man as she took his warning with great stride, “This is something that interferes with my matters. Security is paramount, and someone has just gotten past the shield.”
Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Lecca stepped onto the stone slabs amongst the garden as she ran her hands over the bright purple and white flowers that were planted. The guards around parted a pathway for the princess, and all eventually fell behind the silver-haired maiden as she approached the witch. There, surrounding the intruder, five men each had their short swords drawn and pointed at the target, each waiting for the weakened woman to make a move so that they may plunge their blades into her flesh.
“Princess.”
Knight Captain Orwell walked over from the knight he was speaking and presented himself to Lecca.
“Captain, it is good to see that you and your men are up to par.” She complimented gaining some chuckles from the men around.
“You surely jest. But I suppose we were as this intruder was spotted before she could perform her arts within the castle.” He said heartly as he knelt and gently picked the girl up by the shoulder. The other men arched their eyebrows, but this was nothing new to anyone that new how the captain fought and worked.
Gaining a better look at the witch under the moonlight, the princess eyed the brown trousers, black tunic, and Jacob cloak she wore with an accompanying mask. She herself knelt in front of the girl staring directly into her cold, Jacob eyes. The girl turned away with force and Lecca caught a glimpse of the girl’s long brunette hair which made her fist tighten.
“I know that you will refuse to answer any questions I may have, especially anything to do with what you were attempting to accomplish here, or whom was your client.” Lecca began as her knights watched her with interest as she placed a hand on Orwell’s shoulder and used her free hand to draw his sword. “There are things I can offer you without the need for execution or an interrogation. Choose.”
“What would that be?” The masked woman asked with venom as she spit on the ground in front of the princess.
“You are a witch. You are someone that can rival and eliminate most of the kingdom’s mages. You are capable of destroying most towns alone, and yet no one said such destruction could not be applied to a more populated city or sophisticated region.” The woman froze as her faced scrunched in frustration as Lecca continued, “You perhaps had the mission of destroying a part of the government, or perhaps you are looking to draw out a member of the Royal Family and assassinate them. Tell me, what is your mission, assassination, bribery, capture of a family member such as myself?”
“You God damned royals!” The woman barked before gaining a swift strike to the back of the head sending her into a coughing fit.
“Watch your tongue, whore!” A guard said.
“It seems you are but a mere grunt.” Lecca surmised as she stood up and aligned the edge of the sword with the witch’s chest. The woman fell silent as she accepted her sudden fate, tears rolled down the side of her face as the silver-haired princess plunged the blade through her torso clearly shedding crimson blood all over the stone slabs. Kneeling and pressing her hand against the witch’s head, the princess began to cast an unknown spell.
“What!?” The witch cried.
“Like the others before you, I would prefer if you chose mercy, but there is only one way to get what I want.” Lecca said in an unsettling voice, “You must understand that there are still those that know the nullification arts, the ancient magic that was lost ages ago. I am one of them, your designated target that not even your client knew.”
The witch’s eyes grew as she spouted out isergeantherent noises. A stream of energy began to exit her head and into the palm of Leccamaradel’s hand, the guards around watched in horror as the literal life of the witch was being drained and turned into pure mana by the spell the silver-haired demon was performing.
As the woman died in Lecca’s grasp, the princess gently set the body onto the ground and stood up as she withdrew Orwell’s sword that was now covered in both red blood and an unknown black sludge. Whipping her hand, the princess expelled any excess energy she had gathered and gently used it to clean off the sword in her hands.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her reflection held within the metal weapon.
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Publicly Available Information: Profile Database 1 — Leccamaradel Emma Araish:
Leccamaradel Emma Araish is the First-Born Princess of the Kingdom of Yondel and is the primary assassin and protector of the throne. Outside of special missions personally handed down from the king himself, “Lecca” partakes her role as the only princess and acts as the primary diplomat for all neighboring countries. Her role as an army Chieftain and member of the Royal Family is limited as a ceremonial role, but during times of crisis she is granted the authority to take command of all Yondel armed forces or any Heroes and Holy Knights in the event of a dire incident.
Even being the only princess the kingdom has ever seen, Lecca’s past has been heavily classified and remains unknown except for the top three within the line of succession. Due to this isolation, Lecca has kept distant from any intimate relationship in her entire life and only reserves special relationships for those she grew up alongside. Though she chooses to separate herself from the open world, it is possible to gain her trust, and become a close confidant if persistent enough, yet this has only been limited to those who are either in a similar situation or had a similar upbringing.
At the age of ten, Lecca entered the Officers Selection Training Division (OSTD) within Glacies and excelled in small-team operations and tactical planning. She placed third in her class and went on to have a dedicated and decorated military career up until she was ranked as Chieftain where her place amongst the military was withdraw at the age of twenty-two due to the revolution that occurred within the kingdom.
As a quiet, reserved, but driven, and steadfast personality, there are little problems that the princess cannot undertake and solve within a set timeframe. She is a master of time management, and she uses her blunt and honest personality to her advantage when speaking to people she finds interesting. Her sense of humor is manageable, but her crude jokes can truly be understood by her male counterparts as she grew up surrounded by boys her entire life.
With her current role, she is forced to be self-sufficient and often undertakes solo mission behind enemy lines (that of which she truly despises with her time spent in the OSTD).