Question

No matter how powerful or strong one is; one is only as strong as its mind. The mind holds such great power and mysteries that it would take many lifetimes to unravel.

It was strange to witness, the silent one unleash herself on the king. At all times composed, her temper rarely slipped. It was a sight to behold. And so he did. Leaning back in his chair, he watched the calvary encircle her with their swords drawn, pointed at her while the king furiously glared at her, trembling. Not out of fear. He was fuming. Dakaran wouldn't have dared to question him for his decisions. Somebody had to. She wasn't wrong. He'd sealed the gates of the city letting everyone else in his lands to fend for themselves. It was a vile act on his part. And if Akema was telling the truth then he was seeking to take the lands that Dakran ruled over. His own uncle, no less. Waiting for his death. If he was in Ironstone, it wasn't without reason. He'd brought the calvary. The entire garrison with him.

"Arrest her," Karrise declared tipping his chin at Iris.

" For what crimes?" It was his turn to step in.

" Corvin," Dakran warned as he pushed himself up to stand.

" No," Corvin flatly said," What crimes has she committed?" Corvin asked as he slipped out of his chair and felt the tip of a blade poke him in the back.

" Denigrating the king is punishable by death in the city of Dava," Karrise answered in a clipped tone, gesturing with his hand left and tight. He was losing it.

" We are not in the city of Dava. Are we," Corvin countered, shoving his hands in his pockets, " This is Whitsun and here everyone has a right to speak their own mind," He turned to the guard behind him and gently pushed the blade down.

" There is no need to get violent," Corvin smirked, " Why can't we all enjoy a nice family dinner together, " He sighed, amused," After all we weathered monsters and bad weather for so long, just so we can rip each other throats out. Poetic, but not nice at all," He smirked, mockery danced in his eyes. There it was the cynical bastard.

" I will not stand to be disrespected by a bratty little girl in my lands, in my kingdom, in my home," Karrisse raged, slamming his fist against the table.

Iris smirked for some strange reason. Surely because everywhere she had appeared, she seemed to cause quite a storm. Regardless, of how hard she tried to be peaceful, there was something in her that drew trouble to her like nothing else he'd ever seen.

" I do not bow to you, old man," Certainly that was in response to the bratty girl's remark.

" Never have. Never will," She unequivocally said, hands on the Sai daggers he'd gifted her to defend herself, if worse comes to worse.

" Then you shall rot in a cell along with thieves, murderers, and other criminals like you," If only Karrise would know that she could cremate him just for being so stupid.

Dakran cleared his throat, " Your Majesty, " He began in a calm tone, " You cannot imprison the Queen," He was a little short of breath when he said her name.

" What Queen?" Karrise barked, having a little trouble keeping up.

" The bratty girl is the reigning monarch of the southland and what remains of Mythria after the monsters have taken control of it," Dakran replied in a very casual tone. That man could steady his temper in a way that not many could.

The shock etched on Karrise's face was priceless and he wished he would have a painter around just so he could capture that for posterity. Something to look at when the days were glum and boring.

Karrise waved his hand and the blades were lowered, and an apologetic look replaced the one of shock.

" You will have to forgive me," He began with a rather polite but feigned smile as he waved to her seat.

" I don't have to and I won't, " Iris hissed through gritted teeth, as she turned around on her heels, pushed passed the guards flanking the long table, and stormed out of the room.

So much for a peaceful family dinner.

" You should have informed me that we will be entertaining guests from our neighboring kingdom," Karrise snapped at Dakran who sighed, exasperated.

" She didn't come here on a formal visit, Your Majesty. She is here as a friend and part of my family, " Dakran replied as he leaned back in the chair and reached for his glass of wine.

" Nonetheless, you should have revealed to me her identity. This whole ordeal could have been avoided had I known who she was," Karrise tried to shift the blame onto Dakran. How very brave of him.

He wasn't the right person to pass judgment on the matter since he was partial to Iris. And hated Karrise with every cell of his being. For having abandoned them in their time of need. He was not fit to be king. He was fit to be buried along with all those who have died shredded by the claws of Shikari.

Finishing his meal, he picked up a bottle of wine off the table and took his leave. The conversation went on about the plans Dakran had to rebuild the North, while Karrise nodded in agreement. His head bobbed constantly, irritably so. He wasn't listening but did very well at pretending that he was.

Dakran had a weakness for his blood kin, sadly. Haren, Karrise, his father, the mad uncle. All insane, all heartless, none of the worthy to be related to Dakran. Often, he'd wondered who was Dakran's father. Hard to tell since they both inherited their mother's looks rather than Ellis's.

Pausing before the door to listen for her as she paced back and forth in front of the bed, like a caged animal, Corvin sighed. Somewhat relieved, somewhat amused, and somewhat worried about what to expect once the door opened.

A beast waiting to be unleashed. Soon, my little feral creature. Soon