heavy lies the crown
05-30-2013, 10:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-30-2013, 10:52 AM by Epiphron.)
Epiphron's heart strummed loudly in her chest as she made her way from the borders of Valhalla. She was headed east, towards the lands of Seracia, hoping that the King of Seracia would be content with the change in arrangements. Why he would deny, she was not sure, but with each step she began to expect the worst -- a habit formed as of late, since things did not ever seem to go as planned.
But truth be told, she was equally terrified about the prospect of being denied as she was about her offer being accepted. She knew that she had gotten Chrysanthe's hopes up, as well as her own -- she would feel terrible to have to return with such news, to tell Chrysanthe she would have to be the one to go to Seracia to secure the alliance, to wed a male she didn't love, and might never. But, the more that Epiphron reflected on it, it was also nerve-wracking considering that Gerhardt might accept her offer. Since the moment she had spoken up at the pack meeting, unable to continue watching Chrysanthe grow physically ill at the future that lay before her, she had hardly thought of Maverick.
But as the woman drew closer to the borders of Seracia, she remembered how poorly their last meeting had gone. Would he be impressed by her show of courage? Were here actions courageous at all? After all, she would still be a Queen here, someday -- but here, she would get what she wanted. Maverick. She wondered vaguely, as paws carried the slender girl closer by the minute, if she'd done this for the right reasons. Chrysanthe had earned the position; but what if she was the kind of woman Seracia needed? Her actions had not exactly been selfish, but had thoroughly been driven by self-interest, coupled with concern for her sister's well-being.
Despite the doubt that had begun to sprout inside her head, Epiphron held herself with all the confidence of a Queen. She was young, both mentally and physically, and yet the sureness with which she approached the borders of Seracia was startling. Strong shoulders held her cranium, which tipped delicately to the sky, letting loose a loud call from her throat. She could only hope Gerhardt would be the one to answer to it.
05-30-2013, 11:38 AM
The wait was not particularly long, but it felt like hours passed before her call was answered. Epiphron was typically adept at maintaining a sense of calmness in the worst of situations, but she found it difficult as she stood there, waiting, to feel anything but nervous. A bit of nausea even overcame her as she stood on all fours, her stance wavering only slightly as the King of Seracia came into view.
At least, she assumed it was Gerhardt, by the way the male held himself as he approached from the distance. Confidence oozed from his stance, despite the blood that stained his muzzle. She held herself with a fair amount of regality; as much as she could muster, when facing the brute who could very well decide her future for her. As he drew close, Epiphron bowed her head in respect, a single red-furred ear flicking as he began to speak. He immediately recognized she was from Valhalla, and asked what she had come for.
"I should be the one apologizing. Hopefully I didn't interrupt your dinner," Epiphron stated softly, hoping he was not terribly annoyed -- but he didn't look irritated whatsoever. So she smiled softly, eyes briefly scanning the lands behind him. Would this be her home soon? All it would take was a single sound of disapproval, and Epiphron would turn and head back home.
"My name is Epiphron Adravendi. I am Cairo's daughter," she explained, assuming he would know her father, and know that it was one of his other daughters that had been offered in exchange for an alliance. "And it is a pleasure to meet you, Gerhardt -- I've heard much about you." Both by her father, and Maverick... but she would ignore the latter for now. "I've come with a proposition for you, Gerhardt. My sister, Chrysanthe, is set to marry your son soon. I would like to take her place, if you could be willing, so that she can remain in Valhalla as Alpha." Did he want a reasoning? She hoped not; it would sound terrible to say that her sister would make a better Alpha than herself, considering she might very well come to rule Seracia someday.