Shifting Tides:

The northern plains stood isolated from the rest of the world by the Gin belt of mountains since years unknown. They separated the plains from the rich Cimmerian mountains. Spread throughout the north-western land; they provided a natural barrier against the icy, algid winds blowing from the north and protected the ecosystem of the southern forests and the lands beyond.

It was in this frigid plains, where life may seem impossible, and where no man had ever dared to explore, a quiet city slept covered by the snow and the sleet. It slept there for decades, maybe even centuries. Time eroded it to some extent, but the magnificence and the grandiose of the past can never be erased completely.

Surrounded by a frozen river, and two mountains on three sides, it was a naturally protected city with well-established trade routes seen from the wide roads and large gates leading into it. Deep within the vestiges of these ruins, a soul reignited to life.

Like the dying embers kindled with arcane, it burned with the might of an undying will and re-emerged from the grips of the netherworld. The arcane in the air swirled around a coffin sealed inside a temple. Slowly it moved, bit by bit, inch by inch and a voice echoed in those hollow depths, “Sexta venit ad te dominum meum huc ” - The sixth has come to you, my lord.

With the wind carrying his words, they floated and traveled to places beyond the physical world. The coffin slid open after a moment of silence, and a dried up hand of a living corpse emerged from within.

****

The Kingdom of Alamor situated away from the war trodden lands of Neptune enjoyed peace for a long time. They shared their border with the Kandahar, the Sikh, and the Moguls. The Vedan Empire had little to do with them, may it be in the trade or the foreign policy. Their lands were simply too far apart with multiple nations watching their movements and obstructing any fair trade.

When the news of the assassination of the second prince of Moguls arrived, the king nervously passed over the decision to his queen. King Elijah Alamor was infamous for his fickle attitude; he was a coward and a fool. If not for the law which prohibited the Queen from assuming the control of the throne directly, he would have been long dead, or that is how people thought of him.

Staring at the contents of the letter sent over by the Alamor spy stationed in the Imperial Mogul capital, Queen Leticia frowned a little. It made no sense to her, the entire events of the night were too haphazard and downright stupid. The Vedan prince who ordered an assassination, an emperor who didn’t question the reason, an assassin who appeared out of nowhere and finally the crown prince successfully escaping from the empire despite his rash decisions.

No matter how she thought about it, there was something amiss in the whole situation. It wasn’t that hard to grasp that piece of fact, but what was amiss?

It all makes sense if they were in cahoots, thought the Queen. But, that’s impossible said her reason. The second prince is dead. And there is no reason to ignite a conflict intentionally, or is there?

“Your Majesty, please order a military statistics report, and ask for an intelligence report on the activities of all the nations,” Leticia requested in a calm voice. Elijah nodded his head, and the prime minister bowed in answer before the king could speak a word. Leticia’s words were impromptu commands. And the unspoken rule in the Alamor court was that they meant business. Never entice the wrath of the Queen, was the other ironclad rule these men followed with all their might including the king.

Finished with her business, Leticia walked out of the courtroom with a gloomy expression. Her pearl white hair and black eyes contrasted with each other like her mood and her appearance. She was strikingly beautiful, her bountiful body extruding the charms of a woman but the depths of her heart held the secrets and the burden of a ruler. I hope I’m reading too much into it; she thought as she sighed in her heart.

*****

Vaani sighed as she stood in the corner of the royal hall. Beautiful women, dressed in silk from north and jewelry from East adored the hall like red roses which stand out amidst any number of flowers. Wine and exquisite cuisine were served on plates of gold and men, skilled in warfare and courtship indulged these women with smooth talk and charming smiles.

She was a little jealous like any other girl; they were born with a silver spoon and would never know or understand the difficulties of someone like her. But, her jealously ended at mere thoughts. She never dreamed of having those jewels for herself or dressing in those silk garments. Live in reality, she repeatedly told herself but still, she'd always daydream because why not? I can't live like them but I can still dream, she thought.

“You sigh too often,” a whisper hushed itself into Vaani’s ears. Taking her eyes off the hall, she met a pair of blue eyes which stared back at her with incredulous curiosity and studied her with an unexplainable fervor. Vaani staggered back in surprise and almost lost her feet, but latching herself to a nearby pillar; she held on.

“Who’re you?” She asked confused and a little startled, and shocked. Those blue eyes didn’t hide the smile which lit his face. Watching the incredibly handsome teen, she was momentarily stumped with a loss for words. The teen winked and replied, “Just a co-worker. You can call me Neji.”

Vaani opened her mouth but couldn't speak a word. A wink, the boy who shouldn’t be any older than sixteen, winked at her and was apparently flirting with her with the whisper and now his knowing smile. This kid, she thought. Damn it; I want to teach him a lesson but…...Arrgh! That face, why is he so cute? I can’t punch him; It’s impossible.

Neji studied Vaani for a moment and laughed. “What? In your dream world again. I’ve been watching you all evening. You look like you live in there more than the reality. Do you have some kind of disease?”

Mercilessly dragged out of her dreams, Vaani scowled. “What a rude brat? Where is your mother? Didn’t she teach you any manners? Is that how you talk to your elders? And what is with that weird hat? This is a dinner hosted by His Majesty; even if we are out of the guest's view, if someone notices that you’re dressed improperly, you wouldn’t away with just a salary cut you know.”

Surprised at her sudden change of behavior, Neji smiled and completely ignored her question. “I don’t think you’re older than me, and when were you going to introduce yourself?”

Vaani wanted to scowl, but a smile beat her thoughts. This boy knows how to talk; she thought angrily or rather that’s how she wanted to feel. “I’m older than you, and why should I introduce myself to you?”

Neji laughed. Her words certainly didn’t match the playful expression in her eyes. Leaning on the nearby pillar, he began to study her. They say you should never stare for more than three seconds unless you wish the other party to misunderstand your intentions. And, he was trying his hardest to make sure she misunderstood him.

Even though he was only sixteen, he was still a man. A handsome man who can make women suffocated with desire. Being the target of his attention, Vaani tried her hardest to look uninterested but failed at it miserably. Sneaking glances at him from time to time, she fell harder for him. Those dreamy eyes sparkled the unseen embers in the air, and finally, she sighed in her heart and resigned her resistance.

“Fine, I’m Vaani. And I’m eighteen, so I’m older than you. You better act respectfully towards me.” She said with a scowl. But, it was more like a cute pout.

Neji smiled and walked towards Vaani. “What? What do you want?” She hurriedly asked in shock. She couldn't comprehend his actions. One moment, he was before her and the next moment, he was controlling her to this extent. Neji stood beside her and silently whispered, “Go on a date with me?”

Vaani was at a loss for words. She’d just told him that she was older than him; well, there was no law prohibiting a younger male to court an older woman, but it was still uncommon. And what is up with ultra fast development? She’d met him only a few minutes ago; she certainly can’t go on a date with me, at least not yet. I have to refuse, she told herself.

“Tomorrow, five ‘o clock. I’ll pick you up,” Neji continued and started to walk away. Vaani hurriedly stopped him by grabbing his sleeve. “Wait! I didn’t agree,” She argued. Half with herself who was jumping in excitement.

Neji looked genuinely shocked as he heard her. “Why wouldn’t you agree?” he asked incredulously. Vaani stuttered as she thought about her reason and said, “I.. have some work.”

“But I’m handsome,” Niji argued.

“What does that have to do with this situation?” Vaani retorted.

“And I’m rich,” Neji said as a matter of fact.

“Like I said, what does that have to do with this situation?” Vaani asked shocked at his reasons.

“And, I’m loyal,” Neji stated proudly.

“You should be,” Vaani replied.

“Then let’s meet at five o'clock.” Niji declared and started to walk away.

“Okay. Wait! Hold on!” Vaani tried to stop him, but he acted as if he was stone deaf and soon disappeared into the crowd.

“What was that? Just what happened?” Vaani thought aloud in disbelief. Am I dreaming? No, I certainly am wide awake. Then what was that?

Vaani wasn’t particularly beautiful. She didn’t have a slender body with exaggerated curves that all noble ladies seem to possess, but she was pretty in her way and had some suitors who made advances at her, but this was too abrupt, crazy and downright unbelievable. If she told her friends that a handsome teen had asked her out on a date within minutes of their first meeting, they would never believe her. And, if they could somehow see his godly features and that smile of his, they would think she’d finally gone crazy from all her daydreaming.

And, yet it happened.

I shouldn’t go. I cannot go for sure. If I go, I’ll be seen as an easy-going woman. But...., if I don’t go, would he think that I’m acting spoiled. Would he be angry at me? Arrrrrgh! Just what should I do? Vaani was racking her brains out as Neji walked into the inner chambers of the Imperial palace with an intrigued smile on his face.

“Hoho! You appear excited boy. Can’t you share a little bit off that with this old man?” An old voice shook Niji out of his world. Before he knew it, Neji was walking alongside the owner of that cardinal voice who was staring at the young man with an amused expression.

Neji glanced at the man and smiled. “It's nothing grandfather; I just found an interesting girl.”

The old man stopped for a second. He was genuinely surprised; perhaps he forgot the fact that his little grandson was already a splendid man. His towering figure shook with laughter as he asked, “Oh! Now, whose daughter is this young lady? I can put in a good word for you.”

Neji laughed as he thought of Vaani, “No, It’s alright. She is a tough one to crack, and I'll do it myself. I’ll introduce her to you later, grandfather.”

Rubbing his gray beard, the old man smiled. He remembered his youth and the exciting times when love seemed so mysterious to him. I guess he is at that age, he thought. “Fine, I won’t force you but just know that I’ll be waiting and I’m not good at waiting.”

“I’m your grandson. You of all should be aware my capabilities.” the youngster replied playfully.

The old man laughed a little but inquired no further. He parted ways with his grandson and only then did he reveal a sharpness entirely different from his familial curiosity. "Fine her and investigate everything about her," he ordered coldly and a silent yes reverberated from the empty corridors.

He loved his grandson and respected his choice, but the world was a vastly different place. Those who give love may instead be backstabbed ruthlessly, and Neji was too young to see through human cruelty. Even if he were to be at the receiving end of his grandson's hatred, he would eliminate all who threaten his family. It was the conviction and the burden of the ruler of the Vedan Empire, Mehak Vedan.

*****

Author note: Check out my new work Mai Girl. And, please rate and review it on [url= http://royalroadl.com/fiction/8486]Royalroadl. [/url]

This work of mine is intended to be fluffy, short and sweet. It is written in first person perspective which isn’t my usual style.

But, I enjoyed it very much.

Sweet, cute and fluffy. Let's enjoy this ride with Mai and Grey.

Have a nice day bud,

Kanna.

******

Chapter 12 - The News arrives.