albany

Markis was excessively charming. It was almost too much for Albany, but she handled it with grace and poise.

...

Her CHEEKs burned FROM sMILING

As they moved through the crowded halls of the Palacio, it seemed less overwhelming with Markis by her side. Unlike the procession earlier where she felt like a forgotten piece, Markis was attentive, chatting amicably the entire way.

“You said you’re from the Jezoin temple, yes? Where exactly is... Jezoin?” Markis asked they turned a corner into a narrower hallway.

Albany chuckled, mostly to herself, “Jezoa is what the local town and mountain we live near. It’s not a large temple, but someone from Sol Victus may recognize the name. It’s in the east, about two weeks travel.”

“Two weeks? That’s quite a trek,” Markis replied, slowing to walk next to Albany. “It only took us four days to get here from Terran Imperia, but our ships are nearly as fast as the Mar’s at this point.”

“I imagine boats are a lot faster than a solixen caravan, but going through the mountains to the sea would take a month at the very least,” Albany sighed. The idea to go to the eastern coast and take the sea to Diamus had been broached, but going through the mountains with a large group was unheard of. The paths were winding and wild; Albany had avoided exploring them for fear of never returning.

They were also as hard to navigate as the Palacio, it seemed. They rounded a corner, the hallway’s krystallin lining beginning to glow a greenish yellow. It opened into a dome with several different doorways, covered in clothes.

“Is this where the diplomats from Terran are staying?” Albany asked as they continued to a particular door.

Markis shook his head, “Just the royals. There’s three of the heirs here, two from the Idakaj line and one from the Ylasirek line.”

Wait.

It dawned on Albany.

Did this total stranger just take me to randomly meet the heirs to the Imperian throne?

ObiVIOUSLY!!!

She swallowed, “Wait, Markis, are you sure this is alright?”

“Of course! Fariare is quite fond of making new friends. I’m not even sure if he’s back from his luncheon yet,” Markis replied easily, holding open the door covering for Albany to duck under.

The room was empty sans the two of them. It was a massive, high-ceilinged room with the largest bed she had ever seen. A bubbling pool of water gurgled in the corner, reflecting the like of the krystallin around the room. Skylights partially covered with vines allowed sunlight to slant through. Silks and soft looking fabrics covered the room. There were glasses half full of wine scattered in an almost tasteful way.

The size overwhelmed her. The Imperian patterns and colors were new to her, but intriguing.

Markis kindly interrupted her anxious thoughts, “Make yourself comfortable, Albany, honestly. These are my rooms as well and you’re completely welcome here.”

Albany took a deep breath, shaking her head, taking a seat on a cushioned ottoman, “Of course, thank you. I’m just not used to so much new... stuff. At once.”

Markis laughed, going to a elegant-looking wooden chest across the room, rummaging through it, “I imagine not much changes at the Jezoin temple?”

Albany’s brow creased for a moment and she opened her mouth to say something OBIVOUSly DEFENSive, but shut it a moment later.

“Not at all. We get a few new apprentices a year from the neighboring villages and a few leave to other temples,” Albany sighed, resting her chin in her hands.

Markis hummed, turning, carrying a smaller wooden in his arms, “Have you thought of leaving? Seeing more of the world?”

“I- uh,” Albany stuttered.

Well, of course I have. I’d like to see my mom and dad again. It’s been years.

I’ve heard Kix is amazing, and the remote jungles of Terran Vana-

Viaris.

“I can’t leave,” Albany shook her head. “Viaris needs help around the temple, and she’s helped me so much-”

This feels very vulnerable.

Why am I telling him this?

“Albany,” Markis sat on the floor next to her, rummaging through the box, picking a specific metal tin from it. “I asked if you’ve thought about it. Not about Viaris.”

Albany slid her palms into the sockets of her eyes, groaning, “Of course I have. But, I am content at the temple. It’s just become jarring to leave.”

“That’s completely fair,” Markis laughed, opening the tin to reveal a mix of tried herbs. “Stability is a lot less scary than change. You know what’s coming when things stay the same for long amounts of time, but that only makes inevitable change harder.”

Markis pinched the herbs into a small glass-blown pipe, extending it out to her, “Here. It’s catmint. It helps with anxiety.”

Albany took it from Markis’s hand as he grabbed a small rod of agna krystallin. She brought it to her lips as Markis snapped the rod, it not breaking but beginning to make small crackling sounds. Markis lit the bowl as Albany inhaled, earthy smoke filling her lungs.

She exhaled, a cloud pluming from her mouth. She narrowed her eyes, placing the bowl on her leg, “Markis, did you just ikan me.”

Markis winked, taking the bowl and taking his own hit, exhaling, “Would you believe me if I told you it was unintentional?”

“Mostly, but I have my doubts,” Albany replied, taking another hit.

The conversation of the good ol’ ikan profession was cut off my laughter coming closer to the door of the room. Albany turned towards it as it did Markis.

“Seems he’s back with friends,” Markis sighed, eyes softening.

What-

The heir came through the door, commanding a presence Albany was almost shocked by.

First of all, he was so fucking tall. He had to be nearly seven feet. His skin was dark, but not nearly that of his hair which fell around his shoulders in a few soft waves. He wore stunning emerald greens, laden in crystals. His knuckles were adorned with thick-banded gold rings. A gold necklace, carved of ornate gold lay against his collarbones.

He walked with two others, Victusian looking. They paused as they entered the room, Fariare noticing Albany after a few moments.

That has to be the heir, gods.

His presence radiated this grandeur. He hadn’t even said anything.

Markis rose, walking over to Fariare, gesturing back to Albany, “Fariare, this is Albany. She’s a priestess from the eastern mountain who’s visiting Diamus.”

Fariare looked down at the (significantly) shorter Markis, laughing, and ruffling his hair, “You’ve had a busy day, haven’t you?”

Markis laughed, beaming up at Fariare with a charming, soft smile.

Something in Albany’s head clicked.

Oh?

Fariare didn’t look down to his ikan, but rather averted his gaze distinctly away at the other two he brought with him.

Oh.

It all made sense for her in that moment.

It weighed on her heart, a small sadness, empathetic and low began to grow in her chest.