we'll walk this city

Aidon was greatly amused with Sefoni's changes to the slave collars; though he was uncertain if the bunch they'd snatched up would be able to find a way out of them. How quaint, to think that not a single one of them would understand how to undo the collars...

Well, he wasn't sure what he expected when he'd asked his wife to create something new. She'd delivered, even if the captured guests could not. He'd keep an ear out for reports later.

He had wandered into Antiva City behind of his Liege, a shadow witnessing the death of a lie and a soul, intertwined as they were. The Crow had been stupid to lie, and he appreciated watching the after-effect as it blossomed.

People were in the streets crying, others ran through the streets screaming the news. The disgraced queen was only falling deeper into the hole that she's dug with her lies; and Aidon couldn't wait to watch more of her tumble.

But today, his focus was on Ambriel, as he pulled her closer to him. The streets were rife with peasants, nobles, truly the news of the man's death had brought the streets to life. Do you see how they run, like little ants in response to the loss of a ruler? This city will be ours, yet.

Ambriel was faithful to Elgar’nan because Aidon was, and as long as Aidon remained loyal to Elgar’nan, Ambriel saw that Elgar’nan could really do no wrong, just like Aidon could do no wrong. Anyone punished by Aidon or Elgar’nan clearly had done something to warrant it. Lessons could be painful, it wasn’t something Ambriel was totally blind to, but she was obedient and infatuated with Aidon, so she never desired to do anything but what he wanted.

She grinned as people ran to and fro, their fates sinking in. It was a delight to watch. What made Aidon happy, made Ambriel happy too. They hadn’t been awake terribly wrong, but had accomplished much, and Ambriel couldn’t wait to see them fully victorious.

What of the, what did they call themselves again, sparrows? hawks? Oh, no that’s right, Crows. What of the Crows? She asked curiously, still trying to make sense of the world they had woken up in, only really caring about one thing, when would Elgar’nan rule over all.

Aidon snorted. Birds are just that, dear. Birds. He patted the soft pink hair, as they walked. Crows are scavengers, and that doesn't bode well for them. For eventually, there is nothing to scavenge. He stated, firmly.

Almost like teaching a child a lesson it really needed to know.

Ambriel nodded, a solemn look on her face. It was strange being up, the world had certainly changed quite a lot since they’d last walked the world. The world didn’t matter very much to Ambriel though, not like Aidon mattered. Maybe she wasn’t his one and only, and maybe some day that would catch up to her and really bite her in the arse, but for now she continued along, happily in service to Aidon, as she always had since the day she offered herself to him.

They seem so fractured, lost really. United under Elgar’nan will be a calming relief to this world, once they see reason. She knew that Elgar’nan could occasionally be cruel, but she always saw it as a necessary evil. Sometimes to make an omelet one has to crack some eggs, and such was life. Things didn’t always go as smoothly as one would like, and people didn’t always understand what was best for them.

Aidon chuckled softly, as his favored pet announced what was more than obvious. Ah, are you too young to remember when the kingdoms united against a cause under the Evanuris? He knew the answer, but he had a strange way of phrasing things sometimes.

United, they might stand a chance... but they will not unite for each nation hates the other, and cannot see past their distrust and hatred to fight a common enemy. It's strange, as if they have no self-preservation.

Perhaps her obsession with Aidon blinded her to certain truths about Elgar’nan, maybe truths she would one day see and realise. Today wasn’t that day however, and she simply looked up at Aidon. Basking in the glow that was the fact she was out with him wandering about, and Sefoni wasn’t there. She clung to every moment she got to spend with Aidon alone. He could have been spouting off about the proper methods in skinning and cooking a nug, and she’d still be looking at him eyes brimming with the fullness of her adoration for the man.

I almost feel sorry for them. Maybe she really did, she wasn’t entirely sure. On one hand things felt different this time around, but on the other hand there was still her obsession with Aidon to take into account. To say she was torn, would be the understatement of the century.

Never feel sorry for that which is beneath you, Aidon mused, reaching to stroke the girls' hair. Pink, not the right shade to mimic his wife exactly, but then, he liked Ambriel slightly different.

Remember, though you are a slave by technicality, your life is very different. She was not treated as a slave; she was treated as near royalty, albeit his wife would always knock her down a peg or five. She was a good companion, and he asked nothing more of her than that.

Sefoni smiled up at Adion, nodding her head obediently, she thought she would do anything for that man, even if he was married to Sefoni. Perhaps she shouldn’t pity them, she wasn’t really even sure why she’d said that. Her life might be different, but she loved her life, didn’t she? Her parents were definitely the wrong ones. Besides, wasn’t everyone slaves to something or someone.

Yes, that is true. I suppose I simply meant that, I pity them like I would a rabbit being hunted by a wolf. I may feel bad for the rabbit, but it’s just how life is. The wolf must eat just as much as the rabbit. The strong rule the weak, and Elgar’nan is the strong. Was it what she truly believed, she had to believe it was, cling to it, because if not, what else was there.

Aidon eyed the girl thoughtfully. You have more pity than I, sweet. He reached to tousle her hair, with a slight smile. Though he was not terribly pleased that she pitied anything at all; he must not have trained her correctly.

Elgar'nan is strong, and though I am your master, he is mine. His word came after Elgar'nan's orders. And he accepted his place in the hiearchy just as his pet accepted hers.

Perhaps she felt more for people than she realised, perhaps playing second fiddle to Sefoni had taken its toll, perhaps Ambriel should have listened to her parents all those years ago. Whatever was happening, whatever Ambriel was struggling with, she tossed the thoughts aside when she was with Aidon, because of how badly she desired him.

She thought about saying that Aidon was the only master she needed, but then she didn’t want to speak ill of Elgar’nan, because Aidon did serve the man and she didn’t want a reason to possibly be punished for speaking down to the man that Aidon served, even if sometimes Elgar’nan gave her the heebie jeebies. She smiled and placed a hand on Aidon’s arm.

You serve him well, I hope I serve you even half as well. She wanted more, she’d always want more, but what else was she to do.