The Nicor
Dec 17, 2013 2:52:21 GMT -4
Post by Empress Aymelek on Dec 17, 2013 2:52:21 GMT -4
AYMELEK: The chill in the air was more profound the further north they progressed. Aymelek adapted by adding more layers as Mika suggested so she could remove them as the day warmed, then put them back on as it waned. At night around the campfires the guards had a wave of creativity. They sang songs, told tales and kept the Emperor and Empress entertained. The Susain guards told stories of the desert, the Dimmamark guards told tales of the north. Together it was a fine example of the union of lands, and when the guards sang, it made Aymelek laugh. She clapped her hands together at one point, very excited at the spontaneous entertainment of their entourage. She smiled and eagerly watched each one of them until it was time to bed down again. It was a welcome relief from the tense meetings of late. The fire provided a focal point and when the howls of the animals came, the Empress was grateful for how high and hot the blazes were kept by the guards. Today they were moving along the trail again, she was unsure how much farther they had but she was trying not to make any more waves and just get through this journey and be a presence for Mika, but she was growing extremely tired. The cold made her moreso. "Will it be soon, Mika?" she asked finally, holding to her saddle with all she had. The large fur lined hood was raised framing her face, and while she was truly warm, she was tired.
MIKA: They headed north, then west to the land of the Nicor people. Mika grew more quiet, if that was at all possible. He'd started wearing a heavy wool cloak, lined with fur. He listened to the stories at night, glad that they delighted his wife. His smiles - rare as they were - came even more infrequently now. "It will be soon," he assured her as they traveled on a grey day. Snow flurries began to fall and Ghost trotted by them, then beyond, disappearing off the road and into the grey-green woods. They were coming across trees barren of leaves, unless they were evergreens. They stood like skeletons in groves. Mika took a deep breath and let it go, steaming the air. "I do not know what kind of welcome to expect," he admitted to her. "Though now that I am emperor, I suppose some things have changed." Especially since the Nicor must have been part of the decision to make him emperor. And if they weren't - if they had been overruled by the others.... well. He didn't know. He shook his head and looked ahead again. "There," he pointed at a mountain nearby. There seemed to be a castle growing out of one of the slopes. "That is where we will be tonight." He shook his head; their path turned more north after that, almost due north.
AYMELEK: The snow brought sounds from Aymelek and the Susain guards. She lifted her hand and looked upward as the few flakes fell, then she looked to the guards who were doing the same. Snow! She finally saw snow. She stuck out her tongue and one landed there, cold and shocking but it made her smile. When Mika answered her, she heard in his voice the change that he was feeling inside. She swallowed and tightened her hands on the reins. She noted everything about him now. His lessening smiles, his quiet that was not just quiet but an oppression that seemed to plague him. She worried over him, but she knew he would only grow sharp and mean if she said anything so she held her tongue but made sure she rode close to him. It would not serve any purpose other than physical proximity and hopefully letting him know...that she knew he was tense. They were not a small party, there were many guards, so whatever reception they received they were ready. "I understand..." she said quietly. "We will deal with whatever comes, Mika." Her eyes lifted to the castle beyond. It was not too much farther. Seeing an end in sight, she bolstered her strength and nodded. Watching him shake his head, she felt her brows draw together. The dark mahogany eyes drifted to the guards, a silent message sent. She was worried for her husband, she wanted the guards to be diligent.
MIKA: While they rode close, at some point he reached across and gently gripped Aymelek's hand. He squeezed, then let go again and focused on the road ahead. "We will," he agreed. They reached the castle before it got dark, and they were greeted by their host's guards int he stone courtyard. Thankfully it was protected by a high wall from the wind howling beyond. "The leaders here are Ilia and his wife Asya." He dismounted and offered his arm to his wife, wanting to keep her close as they were brought inside. They were led through stone corridors - windows had views of the land beyond as the sun set and the snow began to accumulate. Mika kept his head high, his expression a mask. They ended up in a room that seemed to be a throne room - members of this particular group had gathered, most of them well dressed. At the far end were Ilia and Asya. Both rose as the emperor and empress approached, stepping down to be on the same level. Mika greeted them formally; both responded apporpriately.
ILIA: "Welcome, both of you," Ilia said with a heavy accent. "I hope you will be comfortable here... It is good to see you again, Mika. Emperor." He bowed again, slightly.
ASYA: Asya gently took Aymelek's hand and bowed gracefully. "Empress, welcome. Will you dine with us before you retire?" She wasn't sure if they would be hungry or if they simply wanted to rest.
AYMELEK: The small acknowledgement went a long way. The simple squeeze was enough. When they arrived, she was looking up and around at the vast holding, memorizing the names her gave her with a nod. The castle was impressive, but as cold and stark as the weather itself. Or so it seemed to Aymelek. The Empress put her hand to hold at Mika's arm and entered the fortress with the same ease she did anywhere else. The hood was drawn back to reveal the length of dark hair, large kohl lined eyes direct but warm as they landed on the pair that Mika greeted. Aymelek inclined her head to Ilia and then to Asya in turn, her face held a faint smile, "It would be a reprieve to sit and dine before we retire. The journey has been long, food and warmth would be most welcomed." She did not let go of Mika's arm, however, not until he pulled away would she.
ASYA: Asya smiled, kind, but the expression did not go as deep as it had when Aisling or Eydis smiled at her.
MIKA: Mika just nodded and shrugged out of his cloak. He took Aymelek's as well and passed them off to a Susian guard.
ILIA: "Come, we will dine privately." Ilia gestured to a door off to the side of the great room. He led his guests through it, into a more intimate dining room with views over the mountains. The glass was etched with frost and snowflakes. Ilia sat at one end of the small table; his wife at the other. Mika sat to his right; Aymelek across from her husband. The meal was more refined than the one they'd eaten with Eydis and her husband - well, the one Mika had eaten - but still hearty and warm. "So how has your travel been, Empress?" Ilia asked after they were all served their meal and drinks.
AYMELEK: Aymelek allowed Mika to assist her in removing her cloak, the long layers beneath beaded in intricate designs as were most of her garments. The sleeves were tight to her arms and came to a point just above her middle finger. A simple, subtle toss of her head and her hair fell into place, the gold circlet feeling cold against her scalp as the rest of her warmed. She walked at Mika's pace, then settled to the indicated chair, another cultural difference, the head of the table should have been given to Mika, but it was the north and nothing was familiar to Aymelek. Her eyes lingered on the view for a few moments before she focused on her hosts as was proper. She smiled at Ilia. "It has been long, but interesting. I saw snow today for the first time in my life. It was quite exciting. Seeing one's breath on the air, watching the sun streak across a sky that is filled with snow covered mountains has been awe inspiring. Fatigue aside, it has been a worthwhile journey." She took a small sip from her goblet, "As for the people, they've all been very welcoming. You have a beautiful home." She looked to Asya to include her in the words as well. "Most inviting." She was quite aware of Mika, and though she was speaking and conversing with their hosts, she was acutely attuned to her husbands demeanor and quiet.
ILIA: "Hopefully it does not slow your journey back south," Ilia said with a grin. "Though, I do not think we are expecting a blizzard." He looked at Mika. "Good to see you where you belong again. Kolya declined to be here tonight."
MIKA: Mika gave Ilia a sharp look. "Perhaps it is for the better that he could not make it," he said in a tone that was far more placid. "And if you are intent on bringing up the past, then I will find somewhere else to dine."
ASYA: Asya clicked her tongue at her husband, then looked between their imperial guests. "He means nothing by it," she said, her own tone a bit sharp as she gave a hard look to Ilia. "I am glad you have enjoyed your trip," she said to Aymelek. "We hope you will find our hospitality as comfortable as the others.
AYMELEK: Aymelek had just brought a bite of her meal to her mouth when Mika spoke. The bite never made it to her mouth. She lowered it and looked from Ilia to her husband, then calmly to Asya. "Let us hope I do, Lady Asya." She was unsure what to do at this point. The north was Mika's area of expertise and so far she had been conducting herself as she would anywhere, but if her husband was insulted, she would need to forego eating and remove herself with him. "Ilia, I think we await your verdict. Is the Emperor to eat with us?" It sounded very innocent and inquiring, but the meaning was clear. Was there to be more?
ILIA: Ilia held up his hands in supplication. "Eat, eat. I will not have it said that Illia Volkov does not feed his guests."
MIKA: Mika gave the man another look. "Then perhaps you should adjust the conversation," he said simply before he began eating again. His foot rested against Aymelek's under the table - he hoped she ate, too. Asya spoke to them for the remainder of the meal, updating their new rulers on the condition of the Nicor people - mostly the people they ruled, known as Volkovowich.
ASYA: "We did not know if we are expected to pay tribute, as we have in Dimmamark," she said once everyone had more or less finished their meals.
MIKA: Mika shook his head. "No, I do not expect that unless we are in dire need. You are expected to abide by laws of our realm. But for the most part, little in Dimmamark will change. I will not cause a rebellion by trying to change everything."
ILIA: Ilia nodded. "This is good to know."
ASYA: Asya cleared her throat and put on a smile. "Should I show you to your apartments? I am sure you are tired and in want fo a hot bath." She rose and smoothed her deep red gown. The cuffs and collars were lined with white fur.
AYMELEK: Once that was settled, Aymelek finally found she could indeed eat. She listened to the conversation quietly, the concerns of their hosts, but her main interest was in the Nicor people themselves. She absorbed that information then let her eyes rest on Mika as he explained their would be little change. Her eyes cut to Ilia when he spoke. Her brows seemed to smooth, the skin around her eyes growing taut. She wasn't sure she liked him. It was the first time she felt that way about any she met. Even when she was upset and in a state over her relationship with Mika she never felt she disliked anyone. She pushed that sensation down when Asya spoke. "It is very much desired..." Aymelek replied and stood.
MIKA: Mika rose as well and gave a polite nod to Ilia before Asya led them out of the dining room. He took Aymelek's hand as they walked together. Asya brought them to a richly furnished bedroom with a bathing room attached. She informed them that there was hot water waiting for them. The stone floors were covered with fur rugs, the bed had a bear skin on it. Asya wished them good night, and it was only when the door shut that Mika exhaled, heavily. He lolled his head back and rubbed his face. "Alright. Would you like to take a bath first?" he asked as he looked over at Aymelek.
AYMELEK: Aymelek gently squeezed Mika's hand as they walked. The room held infinite interest to Aymelek. It was so...northern. So different. She gave an incline of her head to Asya as she left, "Thank you, Lady Asya." It was Mika's intense relief that made her heart want to break in compassion. Instead she drifted behind him. Her hands smoothed up his back and gripped at his shoulders, massaging them slowly as she spoke quietly in his ear. "I will bathe first, it will give you time to relax more. I won't be long." She wanted him to be able to bathe as well, he had forsaken luxuries for her all along the way and she was not blind to that fact. She kissed the back of his head, moved to retrieve her sleeping attire from their baggage, then went to the bathing room. She did not linger. The bath water was hot, so she dunked, soaped up, rinsed and exited. After drying and donning her gown, she emerged and darted to the bed, the cold already starting to lick at her skin and make her shiver. "Your turn, Mika."
MIKA: Mika had built the fire up more while Aymelek bathed. He lit a few more candles around the room as well, and when she was finished he passed her, squeezed her shoulder, and slipped into the bath room. He took his time in the hot water, feeling like it might be nice to just disappear into it. He was tired - inside and out - and he felt like he could sleep for ages after that dinner. Eventually, though, he reappeared, dried off and in comfortable clothes to sleep in. He sat in a comfortable chair near the fire and pushed his fingers through his wet hair. He'd washed it thoroughly, along with the rest of himself, since he and Aymelek would be sharing a bed again. No need to further offended his wife on this trip. He was grateful that there was peace between them now. "I apologize," he said after a moment. "I should have known Ilia would not make this a quiet trip." At least Asya had seen the sense in not making him angry.
AYMELEK: She raised up from the bed when he came, then dared to slip out when he took a seat by the fire. She always felt like she was dousing herself in ice water when she emerged from the covers of their beds on this trip. He seemed sad. Aymelek drew near, bringing with her a brush. She perched a hip on the arm of the chair and gently lowered his hand from his hair and began to brush his wet hair slowly, thoroughly. The heat from the fire was drying it quickly, her own still damp though it too was becoming dry rapidly. "Shhh, there is no apology necessary, Mika. Ilia seems the kind to enjoy poking things with a stick. Much like a child who has been let go too long. You did nothing wrong. We can leave on the morrow if you wish. You wanted to put in an appearance, we have done so." The brush smoothed through hsi hair, down to the scalp, stimulting blood flow and hopefully relaxing him. She finished and put the brush down. "Come to bed, Mika?" She stood and reached for his hand. "I want to feel you near me again." It was quite a confession, but she'd missed that feeling. They had not had it since Tam and Aisling's.
MIKA: "We need to stay at least one more day. I need good will here, and if it means enduring Ilia's prodding, then I will." Though he did hope Kolya didn't show up any time soon. He didn't seem to mind her brushing his hair - he rarely ever did it himself, beyond finger-combing it. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Yes," he said quietly after she set the brush aside. He rose with her gentle coaxing and let her pull him to the bed. "Alright." He didn't mind sharing a bed with her - he'd been disappointed not to do so in Brigir's home. He blew out all the candles, then sank into bed, beneath all the blankets and furs. Even as he lay there, he stared at the shadows playing over the ceiling, his mind preoccupied. "Kolya is the one that captured me when I was young," he said after a moment. He was sure she'd been curious what that whole exchange had been about. He felt he owed her some small explanation.
AYMELEK: When he rose to come to bed, she waited for him to blow out the candles. She watched his face, the emotions, while not plain, were there for her to see. He was trying to do the right thing. She was seeing another reason her father chose him on the advice of Dimmamark. Mika would always try to do the right thing. Once in bed, she scooted close, the feel of him strong and firm beneath her hand that moved over his abdomen. She felt a strange thrill in touching a man in such a way. She'd never before and while it was new and strange, it was also familiar because it was Mika. The only man she'd ever been this close to in her life. She scooted even closer until her head could rest on the front of his shoulder and her arm across his waist. She listened to his voice, her eyes raising to watch the fire dance as he spoke. She hugged him gently. "Whatever happens, we will see it through. I am here and will stand by you, I promise Mika."
MIKA: Mika moved so that he could wrap his arm around her, welcoming her close to him. She was warm, and soft, and she smelled good. And he was so very tired. "Thank you," he murmured. "I have noticed you're attentiveness." The way she moved closer to him, the way she seemed to watch out for him along the way. He knew. He appreciated it. He gave her hair a light kiss. "If we do have to socialize with Kolya, I'll likely want to leave as soon as we can after. He is... unpleasant," he said, making a slight face. He kissed her forehead - chaste, tender. "He came across me traveling with a small group, none of us really warriors. We had no chance against a Nicor band. Some died, others, like me, were beaten and tied up, and taken deeper into the mountains. I knew so little, I would have died if they left me anywhere."
AYMELEK: The tiredness was evident in his voice. His thanks was met with another soft squeezing hug. She nodded silently when he said he would want to leave as soon as possible if Kolya was around. "We will do whatever it is you need, Mika." her voice so soft it was just above a whisper. She closed her eyes when he kissed her forehead, noting that her heart was aching for him. She wanted to fix it, to take away the extra burden this particular leg of their journey caused him. Then...he began to tell the story. She swallowed, trying to imagine a young Mika being beaten, tied and taken. The only other option to die from exposure. She wanted to tense but she willed herself to remain relaxed against him. "How frightening that must have been. I am so sorry." Not that it was her fault, but she was sorry he had to endure such a thing.
MIKA: He shook his head. "It was long ago, but difficult to leave behind. I do not like to revisit it." He pulled the blankets up higher and twisted toward Aymelek. He ended up wrapped around her, cradling her close - protective, and also seeking her comfort. "In the morning we'll be served breakfast here. It's always a quiet affair for those in power. We can take our time getting ready for the day and be social at our leisure." Thank the gods for that, at least. "Tomorrow night we'll likely have dinner with a larger gathering of guests, then in the morning we can be on our way south again." It would take them a while to get back to Susa, but at least they would be on the road and Aymelek could look forward to getting back to a world that she knew and felt comfortable in.
AYMELEK: She knew she was going to cry for Mika, though she would not do it here and now. She didn't want him to think it pity. It was merely grief for the hurt of someone she was growing to care for deeply. For now, she held it in and tucked herself down and close to him. Molded against him she snuggled her arms around him and held him. When he gave her a run down of their next day, she took in a breath. "I will look to you for my lead." Meaning she would take her cues from Mika. "Otherwise, I will conduct myself as normal, engaging in conversation, learning of the culture." She found a spot with her cheek to his chest and the angle of her head and body exactly perfect against his. "You handle yourself extremely well. It makes me feel very honored." She knew he was tired. "Mika? When we return to Susa, will you share my bed? In every way?" She hoped he knew what she meant, and if he didn't, she would spell it out in painful, explicit, detail!
MIKA: Mika lifted his head a bit so he could look at Aymelek after she asked that question. He studied her face, and eventually he nodded. "If you'd like," he said quietly. Yes, he caught her meaning this time. He was startled - he hadn't thought she'd want to be that intimate, but. If it was what she wanted - if she felt strongly enough to ask him for it - then... well. He saw no reason to deny her. He only hoped it wouldn't be awkward between them... He hadn't exactly been with a virgin in years. Maybe he would keep that to himself. She didn't need to be jealous of long-ago lovers. "When we return," he echoed. It was a complication they didn't need on the road. Besides, getting to know each other so intimately on the road seemed... inappropriate, given the extreme lack of privacy.
AYMELEK: When he looked at her, the big dark eyes returned his look. She was extremely relieved he got her meaning this time. She did not really want to go into explicit detail especially since the details were sketchy in her mind. "I'd like. yes." she confirmed. "When we return." She exhaled in relief. There. That was handled. It didn't have to happen right away but at least he knew now. Now the rest of this trip she could focus on Mika and what he needed to get through this, and having at least this small comfort. Arms to hold him, someone to speak to without fear. Her hands rubbed against him tenderly, "I hope you can rest tonight. A deep, soundless sleep."
☾ ☆
TAHYA SUSA!
TAHYA SUSA!