Ice - Part 1

"Hviskra Murthre," the mage identified, fingering the poison tipped arrow in his pale hands, "in the ancient tongue. The name translates to mean Whispering Death. It's a very potent toxin, there is only one cure, and it is exceedingly hard to come by." He placed the arrow on the table before those that had gathered in the meeting room. "The poison itself is rare, the plant that produces it is found only on the northern islets of Crimea."

As he had been speaking, the emerald haired woman's face drained of all color. His best friend, standing nearby, took her trembling hand into his and stroked the back with his calloused fingers. She looked to him. "Oh, Ike…" Her voice was soft, wavering, "If it hadn't been for you… I would've…"
"I'm glad I came, Elincia."

The man pulled the woman into his arms, while the other in the room occupied himself with the sight beyond the window. It was a sunny day, and most would've taken it as a good omen for the coming year that would start on the morrow. But here, in the palace…

The silence was broken by the appearance of another in the doorway.

"I apologize for being late, your Majesty," came the light voice. The mage ducked his head a little closer to his chest, saying nothing as the other tactician entered. She spread her maps of the castle town over his of the whole country, but he said nothing. The Queen smiled at her.

"It's all right, Lucia," she said. She then regarded both tacticians. "Do you have a plan?" she asked.

"Well, our immediate course of action should be to find the attacker," the Queen's sister spoke up at once. The mage looked slightly annoyed; his mouth had also been open, and he had been about to say the words that she had just spoken. Lucia continued. "I have a network of informants in the city. If I set them in motion, we should be able to determine the identity of the culprit within…"

The mage interrupted. "I suggest that we set about collecting information on—" The woman broke in.

"Excuse me. We should be able to figure out who did this within the week."

"A wonderful plan."

Soren's face blanched. The words had not come from the Queen, but his own best friend…

"Excuse me," the mage started again before more praise could be extolled on the woman whom he was currently angry with. "I suggest we set about finding information on the correct way to extract a cure to…"

"If we capture the assailant, we won't have any need for the cure," the woman insisted. "My plan is the most direct course of action."

The mage appealed to the Queen. "If another attack comes, we will have no safety net. Is that really what you want?"

"If she stays hidden, it will be nearly impossible for her to be harmed. And," the swordswoman argued, "she is under my guard. Do you really think that I am so incompetent?"

"Your decision, Your Highness?" the mage continued to ignore the other woman.

The queen looked to the man at her side. The Commander was smiling at the swordswoman. "The sooner we can find this guy, the sooner we can deal with him. And once he's gone, everything else will take care of itself. Wonderful plan, Lucia. Thank you so much for your help."

The look of triumph in Lucia's eyes, and approval in the traitor's, killed him a little within. He pursed his lips and looked down, giving no other outward indication that he was upset. He did not have to tolerate them much longer. With the plan decided on and its leader in place, the meeting was adjourned.

He gathered up his maps and headed for his quarters. Once his things were stowed away, he headed down to the library. Having been shown clearly that his services weren't needed in the current plan of action, he could devote himself to what he thought was best. He could not believe the others, how foolish they were, to not even prepare…

"Soren, there you are!"

He halted when his name was called, but he could not help bristling slightly. "Do you need me, Ike?" he turned to face the Commander.

"I've never seen you so quiet at a strategy meeting. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing to concern yourself over, Commander."

"Is it Lucia?"

The mage was quiet for a moment. Apparently, that sufficed for an answer.

"I thought so. Listen," he reached out and placed a hand on the mage's small shoulder. "I don't doubt your skills when it comes to strategy. It's just… Lucia is more familiar with this sort of thing, she knows how to find things out, and I just thought she'd be more suited when it came to this. But I… agree."

"On what point?"

"I'd feel a lot better if you looked into that cure."

The mage gave a small smile. "You're not as dense as you seem, I see."

The Commander blinked. "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing to be concerned over. I'll look into it, Commander. You should go back to Elincia."

He moved off down the hallway, but his friend's voice called to him once more. "Soren? About Lucia… I don't think… I mean… Elincia told me to say this," his cheeks reddened slightly. "She said that Lucia, erm… still 'fancies you', and that 'she'll warm back up to you, don't worry,' and she thinks it'll help if you're… 'courteous'."

The mage turned. He paused a moment to gather his thoughts and form them into words. "Thank… thank you for the information, Ike. I'll take it to heart."

His friend laughed. "I don't believe you've ever said anything like that before."

The mage gave another slight smile. "By your leave, Ike. I have work to do."

"Go on, then. And don't forget to come to dinner tonight, we're still having the New Year's celebration."

"As you wish, Ike."

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The swordswoman headed out to the stables, looking for her brother. She would need to inform him that she was going on an errand, and someone needed to watch the Queen in her stead… not that the Mercenary leader would leave her alone at any point, but precautions had to be put into place.

She didn't find her brother, but the stable was not deserted. The red haired knight smiled and moved into a sweeping bow before her.

"Lady Lucia! Dear sister of my Commander! What brings you down to this lowly place? Were you perhaps," a playful light entered his eyes, "seeking company?"

Her forced smile wavered at his loquacious manner. "No, Kieran, I was actually looking for…" He had come over to her and taken her hands. "My brother."

"The Commander? You have just missed him. He and I just finished up our training. But I have nothing important to do. You feeling sharp today? Want to spar me?" he asked, his eyes wide and hopeful. A defeated look entered his eyes as she shook her head.

"No, that's all right, I really must find Geoffrey, and then I have important matters to attend to. I need to go into town…"

"Do you need a horse?"

"Pardon?"

"You may borrow mine. He won't give you any trouble, and he's fast, too. I'll get him ready for you; I'll be waiting for you down here after you speak to the Commander."

He turned and lifted his saddle onto his stallion without waiting for her reply. She exited quickly. This was wrong, to use him like this, and she knew it, but everything was working so well. Just a while longer and certainly she'd get her apology from the tactician, and then… Kieran was adaptive, he wouldn't take it hard. He would bounce back; it probably wouldn't affect him at all.

She found her brother with relative ease. If he wasn't in the stables, he had to be in his room, and so he was. She informed him of her mission and when she should return and that Kieran was accompanying her. He took in the last bit with a smirk and a shake of the head. "Very well, Lucia. I'll watch the Queen for you."

She passed him on her way back to the stables.

"You are going to set the plan in motion?"

"Whether you like it or not."

"My thoughts do not matter. Ike made his decision, and from here on, my opinion is null. I will devote all of my ability to ensure success of your plan."

Her glare wavered. She had not expected his support. And yet…

"Do you need my help? Is there any request you have of me, Lady Lucia?"

"Kieran and I are going into town. Tell Elincia and Ike that we'll be back for the celebration tonight."

He looked at his feet. "I will, of course, as you wish," she heard him murmur. Smiling at another small victory, she headed out to the stables and her awaiting suitor.