#pencari verit

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 19

August 29th, 196

Bellva

She remembered that night as clearly as if she had relived it everyday since. The stars reflecting in the river, the brush of twigs in her hair, the welcome weight of a bow in her hand. Then movement. An arrow in the dark and blood. Too much blood. Lissa, screaming… What had she done? No, she couldn’t possibly have done all that… Could she?

But she already knew the answer.

Bellva couldn’t sleep. She was plagued by nightmares. I need to get up and do something, she resolved. I need to find Pen.

She looked at the clock. It was five in the morning. It wasn’t unlike Pen to be up that early, and he was often found in the library.

She found the library easily in the dark. She didn’t particularly enjoy books for their own sake, but everyone else seemed to. The library was Pen’s favorite room on the entire island. The room was bordered on three sides by massive shelves full of books. It wasn’t a large library, but every inch was filled nonetheless. Elaborate granite pillars steadied two lofts, one on either side of the room. A bridge arched overhead, connecting them. Bellva had long fallen in love with the whimsical architecture.

She ascended one set of stairs and searched the loft. Pen wasn’t there. She crossed the bridge, admiring the elegant floral railings. Sunlight peeked over the horizon, setting the whole room quietly ablaze.

She found Pen sitting in a plush chair in a corner with his nose in a pamphlet. She found a stray pillow and sat down at his side.

“What are you reading?” she asked.

He started, just now noticing her presence. Bella smiled affectionately. “A History of Culture in Northern Septena. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” she lied easily.

“I just thought I’d check. I still dream about it, and you had it worse than I did.”

She leaned her head against the side of the chair. “Mm-hmm.”

She fell asleep there, not daring to move until the afternoon.

At noon, she decided that she should do something productive. What that might be, she didn’t know.

She was on her way back to her room when Arel came up beside her. “Hey,” he said. “Are you doing okay?”

“Yes, Arel. I don’t know why you worry so much,” she said playfully. She was lying though, and she doubted that he had missed it.

“No, what’s wrong?”

She looked to make sure that no one else was lingering in the hall. “I don’t want to go, Arel.”

“You don’t have-”

“I don’t want them to go either. I want to stay here and figure out whatever’s going on here. I don’t care about some potentially unhelpful maritime myth.”

“I understand. It is our best bet for answers, though.”

“I know. But I don’t want to leave.”

He took her hand gently. “Belle, you don’t have to. We can stay here and sort all this out. We’ll find out what happened to Elliana, we’ll reform the government at home, we’ll fix it all. Together. Okay?”

“Okay.”

And for that second, she believed him. At the very least, she desperately wanted to. She would get over it all eventually. No one quite knew when ‘eventually’ was, but no one else seemed to care. Perhaps she should follow their example. They could figure it out. Everything would be okay.

[rockrzone]

Glosarium Hukum

1. Onrechtmatige daad = perbuatan melawan hukum.

2. Onvoldoende gemotiveerd = putusan kurang cukup pertimbangan.

3. Innerlijke samenhang = terdapat hubungan erat.

4. Inkracht van gewijsde = berkekuatan hukum tetap.

5. Niet ontvankelijke verklaard = tidak dapat diterima.

6. Actori in cumbit probatio = siapa yang menggugat, dia yang membuktikan.

7. Negativa non sunt probanda = sesuatu yang negatif tidak untuk dibuktikan.

8. Nemo judex/testis idoneus in propria causa = tak seorangpun yang dapat menjadi hakim/saksi dalam perkara sendiri.

9. Nullum delictum, nulla poena sine praevia lege poenali = tiada delik, tiada pidana, tanpa didahului oleh ketentuan pidana dalam perundang-undangan (asas legalitas) --> Paul Johann Anselm von Feuerbach, Jerman, 1813 .

10. Lex non cogit ad impossibilia = hukum tidak memaksa untuk melakukan hal yang mustahil.

11. Salus populi suprema lex esto = keselamatan rakyat merupakan hukum tertinggi.

12. Volledig en bindende = sempurna dan mengikat.

13. Summum ius summa iniuria = kepastian hukum yang tertinggi, adalah ketidakadilan yang tertinggi.

14. Het recht hink achter de feiten aan = hukum berjalan tertinggal di belakang peristiwa.

15. Lex posterior derogat legi priori = hukum yang terbaru mengesampingkan hukum yang lama.

16. Letterlijk = secara harfiah.

17. Actori in cumbit onus probandi = siapa yang menuntut, dia yang membuktikan.

18. Probatio plena = kekuatan pembuktian penuh.

19. A quo = tersebut.

20. In casu = dalam hal ini.

21. Reversal burden of proof = pembalikan beban pembuktian.

22. Affidavit = kesaksian tertulis.

23. Amicus curiae = sahabat keadilan.

24. Ratio decidendi = alasan putusan.

25. Ratio legis = alasan filosofis.

26. Advocatus diaboli = pengacara iblis.

27. Quid pro quo = sesuatu untuk sesuatu.

28. Eigenrichting = main hakim sendiri.

29. Justitia belen = pencari keadilan.

30. Fiat justitia ruat caelum = hendaklah keadilan tegak walau langit runtuh.

31. In criminalibus, probationes bedent esse luce clariores = dalam perkara-perkara pidana, bukti-bukti harus lebih terang daripada cahaya.

32. Litis finiri oportet = setiap perkara harus ada akhirnya.

33. C.s. (cum suis) = dengan kawan-kawan.

34. Vrij bewijskracht = kekuatan pembuktian bebas.

35. Res judicata pro veritate habetur = putusan hakim harus dianggap benar.

36. Strafmaat = masa pemidanaan.

37. Gekwalificeerde diefstal = pencurian dengan pemberatan.

38. Referte = tidak membantah maupun mengakui, menyerahkan sepenuhnya kepada hakim.

39. Overbodig = berlebihan.

40. Vexatoir = sia-sia.

41. Point d'interet point d'action = siapa yang memiliki kepentingan, maka dialah yang menggugat.

42. Judex ne procedat ex officio = tanpa gugatan, maka tidak ada hakim.

43. Saisie sur saisie ne vaut = penyitaan pada penyitaan adalah tidak sah.

44. Acta publica probant sese ipsa = akta yang secara lahiriah tampak otentik maka harus dianggap otentik.

45. Exploit = surat panggilan/relaas.

46. Presumptio iures de iure = semua orang dianggap tahu tahu aturan hukum.

47. Tegenbewijs = bukti lawan.

48. Bekentenis = pengakuan.

49. Inter partes = putusan yang akibat-akibatnya hanya berlaku pada perkara yang diputus.

50. Nemo plus juris = seseorang tidak dapat mengalihkan hak di luar batas kewenangannya.

51. Matigingsrecht = hak moderasi agar sesuai batas kewajaran.

52. Begin van berwijs = bukti permulaan.

53. Kontradiktur delimitasi = pemasangan tanda batas dan penetapan tanda batas pada titik sudut bidang tanah disetujui oleh pihak yang berbatasan langsung.

54. Die normative kraft des faktischen = kekuatan normatif dari fakta.

55. Bewijstheorie = teori pemidanaan.

56. Bewijsmiddelen = jenis alat bukti.

57. Bewijstvoering = perolehan alat bukti.

58. Bewijslast = beban pembuktian.

59. Bewijskracht = kekuatan pembuktian alat bukti.

60. Bewijst minimmum = bukti minimum.

61. Res judicata in criminalibus = perkara pidana harus ada putusan akhirnya.

62. Lex imperfecta = aturan yang tidak memuat sanksi.

63. In dubio pro reo lege fori = jika ragu, maka jatuhkan hukuman pada terdakwa.

64. Ignorantia juris non excusat = ketidaktahuan akan hukum bukanlah alasan pemaaf.

65. Poverty screams and wealth whispers

66. Primus inter pares =  first among equals, yang pertama di antara yang sederajat.

67. Normale recht voor normale tijd, en abnormale recht voor abnormale tijd =  hukum yang normal untuk keadaan norma, dan hukum yang tidak normal untuk keadaan tidak normal.

68. Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat = ketidaktahuan fakta adalah alasan pemaaf, ketidaktahuan hukum adalah bukan.

69. Dolus directus = sengaja dengan kepastian.

70. Dolus inderectus = sengaja yang menimbulkan akibat berbeda dari tujuan.

71. Dolus determinatus = sengaja kepada subjek tertentu.

72. Dolus indeterminatus = sengaja kepada subjek acak.

73. Dolus premeditatus = sengaja yang direncanakan.

74. Dolus repentinus/dolus impetus = sengaja yang timbul secara insidental.

75. Abundans cautela non nocet = kehati-hatian yang berlebihan tidak berbahaya.

76. Delicta communia = delik yang dapat dilakukan siapa pun.

77. Delicta propria = delik jabatan/kualifikasi tertentu.

78. Eenvoudige delict = delik pokok/sederhana.

79. Gequalificeerde delict = delik pemberatan.

80. Aflopend delict = delik langsung selesai.

81. Voortdurende delict/delicta continua = delik terus menerus.

82. Zelfstandige delict = delik berdiri sendiri (perbarengan perbuatan).

83. Voortgezette delict = perbuatan perlanjut.

84. Exceptio format regulam =  jika penyimpangan terhadap aturan umum dilakukan, maka penyimpangan tersebut harus diartikan secara sempit.

85. Titulus est lex =  judul perundang-undangan yang menentukan.

86. Rubrica est lex = bagian perundang-undanganlah yang menentukan.

87. Mala in se = kejahatan itu sendiri.

88. Mala in prohibitia = kejahatan karena dilarang.

89. Acta exteriora indicant interiora secreta = tindakan lahiriah menunjukkan rahasia di dalam batin.

90. Zugzwang = kewajiban untuk bergerak yang membuat posisi semakin buruk.

91. Nulla poena sine lege = tiada pidana tanpa peraturan (terlebih dahulu).

92. Nullum crimen sine poena = tiada kejahatan yang tidak dipidana.

93. Proparte dolus proparte culpa = secara sekaligus memuat kesengajaan dan kealpaan.

94. Deelneming = penyertaan.

95. Plegen = pelaku.

96. Doenplegen = menyuruhlakukan.

97. Medeplegen = turut serta melakukan.

98. Uitlokker = penggerak/penganjur.

99. Medeplichtige = pembantuan.

100. Onverplichte procureurstelling = tidak wajib menunjuk pengacara.

101.  Onvolkomen delictsvorm = delik tidak sempurna.

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 7 (1/2)

June 16th, 196

Tiesa

Luna found a place to stay for the next several days while they waited for transportation out of the province. “I know someone,” she reassured them. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Pen whispered. Tiesa glared at him.

Luna led them up a stone path to a small brick cottage. “Don’t worry, Pen. They aren’t even home.”

He stopped in his tracks. “What?”

“They’re in Septena, on vacation.” She turned in his direction. “Will you calm down? I practically grew up with them, I plant sit for them when I’m not working. They trust me, I trust them. Okay?”

“But you trust us?” Tiesa inquired.

“Why not. You trust me, don’t you?”

“We shouldn’t,” Pen muttered.

Tiesa snapped to attention. “What was that?” she said as sweetly as she could.

“Nothing…”

“That’s what I thought.”

Luna unlocked the heavy oak door, revealing a dusty parlor. There was a staircase at one end of the room. At the other, there was a chair, sofa, and a small coffee table. There were indeed several house plants scattered about. There was a colorful rug placed haphazardly in the corner. A large archway opened into a small kitchen. Morning sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire space.

“Welcome,” Luna said with faux grandiose. She showed them to the guest rooms, and she made arrangements to sleep on the couch. After a while, Pen went out to collect pamphlets.

“It’s his way of figuring out how the rest of the world functions,” Tiesa explained. “He likes to know what’s going on when he can’t be there to see it happen firsthand.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

Tiesa was examining the framed drawings and mementos on the shelves. As she went, Luna identified the people in them.

“That’s Vienu and Reki,” she said when Tiesa pointed to a small portrait of two young men. “The house is theirs.”

“Married?” she asked.

Luna nodded and Tiesa smiled, turning back to the shelf. “And that’s Kita, Vienu’s brother, and his cousin, Cantella. I think she’s a famous performer in Septena or something. And those are Reki’s parents.” She went silent for a moment, the said, “Ok. So I have a serious question. It isn’t about your mission thing.”

“Alright,” Tiesa replied. “Shoot.”

“What’s the deal with you and Pencari?”

“If you’re asking if we’re dating-”

“Sort of.”

Tiesa took that as an answer. “We’re not,” she said slowly, “but we have known each other for a very long time.”

“Why the hesitation?”

“Because… I don’t know.” She was lying. The last thing she felt like doing was spilling her deepest secrets to an almost-stranger.

“Okay.” Thank goodness. “Another question: Why are you helping the rebels?”

Tiesa considered for a moment. “I know what the Directorate is doing is wrong. They're pushing taxes to help themselves, persecuting the impoverished, supporting common criminals, even, when it serves them. I need to stop them, but they won’t listen to me on my own. I need backup. Even better, if I can get the rebels to help me overthrow myself, I don’t have to deal with all the political issues of stepping down.”

“Selfish reasoning. I can respect that.”

Tiesa smiled wryly. “If there’s one thing I learned from listing to them argue all these years, it’s that there isn’t a selfless option. Everything is done for one’s own gain.”

“And what about Pencari?”

“I think he just wants to be able to stop worrying about things, you know? He wants it to be over already.” Luna nodded. “I have a question for you,” Tiesa said. “What did you mean when you said that you didn’t have much to leave?”

“My father left, and my mother died when I was very young. I don’t really remember her. I’ve spent half my life at sea, but I’ve never left Meridonia. My friends all come and go; I try not to get too attached. And now you’re offering me a ticket out of here?” She looked up, as is she were trying to figure out how much to tell her. “I want to see the Empirica.”

The Empirica was the ‘escape of legend’ for so many. It was a cargo ship that landed in Aluntura every two years. No one knew where it was for the rest of that time, but it definitely went somewhere. Every time it came back, wild tales circulated of vast plains completely devoid of water, creatures so large that one of their feet could crush five men, and buildings in shapes so abstract they bent and curved like trees themselves. The goods the ship brought back were just as magnificent. There were dyes as vibrant and variant as rainbows, fruits so sweet they they made your teeth hurt, and machines that could play hours of music without being controlled. Perdita knew more about the Empirica than anyone else at the palace. Her daughter was part of the crew, after all. There wasn’t much that she could confirm as fact, but surely some of the stories had to be true.

“I want to see whatever’s out there,” Luna continued. “I want adventure and excitement and something. I don’t want to live in a merry-go-round my entire life. And I know that you can get me there.”

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 1

June 5th, 196

Tiesa

 Tiesa Reale was about to embark on the most important journey of her life. And all she could think about was when the ferry was coming. “Pencari?” she called. No answer. “Pencari!” She opened the door of her room and stepped into the hall. “Where are you?” She heard a muffled noise from behind her and saw a slight figure in an oversized brown jacket. “Pen! There you are. Are you ready?”

He nodded. “We have half an hour to get out. Then the ferry leaves. Are we all clear?” He spoke softly and deliberately.

Tiesa ran back to her room to grab the bag with her clothes and some of her belongings; only a sketchbook, pencils, and a small golden locket. She grabbed a hold of Pencari’s hand and bustled down the hallway. Her messy black curls trailed behind her as Pencari whispered questions.

“Does Bellva know?”

She shook her head. “I didn't tell her, but I don’t know for sure.” Bellva Viren was their best friend. She was frivolous and optimistic, and had almost nothing in common with either of them.

“And what about Perdita?”

“Yes, but only so that someone knows in case something happens to us.” The children’s tutor had made it very clear that she was on their side. She wouldn’t rat them out. “And you know they’ll panic as soon as they see I’m gone.” Pen winced. “I didn’t mean it like that, you know that. It’s just-”

“You’re the princess. They have every right to panic. Me, not so much,” he said gently.

“I wish it wasn’t like this,” she said with a sigh.

“You wish what wasn’t like this?”

She gestured vaguely, swinging her bag about. “Everything. The whole ‘royalty must do whatever is in their best interests and ignore everyone else’ thing,” she said in her best impression of an entitled politician.

Pen nodded as he pushed open a large wooden door. It creaked. Tiesa swore under her breath.

“Relax.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious. You need to relax. Get some sleep on the way, ok?”

She was tired. She hated that he was right all the time. “Alright.”

“Good. You’ll have plenty of time to stress later.” He led her through a long corridor with an unreasonably high ceiling. Their footsteps echoed, and it made her anxious. She nearly tripped on her skirt more than once. When they reached the servant’s quarters, he let go of her hand; the hallway wasn’t wide enough for both of them. He lost his way several times, but Tiesa suspected that he simply wasn’t paying attention. She went back for him every time. When they finally made it out the back door, they ran for the harbor. They barely made it to the ferry in time.

They were the only two people on the ferry that night. They hadn’t suspected differently. Tiesa curled up on a bench, using her bag as a pillow. Pen sat down a couple of rows behind her. She saw him there, and knew that he wouldn’t sleep. Not tonight. He had too much on his mind. But Tiesa slept soundly, knowing that one day, everything would be alright. Probably.

[tiesa-reale]

Q: what would you die for?

Luna: ... nothing?

Pen: what a sad existence you lead

Luna: a sad existence is better than no existence

Tiesa: she does make a good point

Pen: why are you agreeing with her?

Tiesa: because I don't want to die unless I have a good reason.

Pen: and that reason is...

Tiesa: my cause. Rebellion and reform.

Luna: edgy to the end I see

Tiesa: quite so.

Luna: STOP AGREEING WITH ME YOU'RE SUCKING ALL THE FUN OUT OF IT

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 12

June 24th, 196

Tiesa

The whole day was a complete shipwreck.

One could take that quite literally. They wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

The rain had stopped the day before, then started up again in the morning. It was getting more and more persistent, it seemed. By evening, Tiesa decided that she needed some fresh air, however wet it may have been. Luna and Pen followed. Tiesa, as it happened, loved the rain. She didn’t propose to retreat back to the stuffy depths until the winds grew violent.

The whole crew was running around at that point, trying to take control of the ship. The storm was bad. Very bad. A boy yelled over his shoulder that she should get below deck if she wanted to save her pretty face. She badly wanted to scrunch up her nose and stick out her tongue, but knew that it would be petty and childish. Besides, he did sort of have a point.

She ran to the hatch, nearly slipping and falling on her way. She yanked at it. It didn’t come open. She knew that it sometimes got stuck, but not like this. It wouldn’t budge. Then she realized that there was a rope tied through one of the slats in the wood.

Luna had reached her side, Pen right behind her. “It’s tied shut, we can’t get through,” she yelled over all the noise. Luna swore. Pen ran to Allya’s cabin, but it was locked as well. Everything was locked.

Tiesa forced herself to remain calm. Allya couldn’t have done this, she reasoned. She’s too busy ordering the crew around. Then: Elliana.

Luna seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Their auburn-haired ally had disappeared.

Tiesa thought she caught a glimpse of the palace in the distance, and ran to get a better look. Luna yelled after her. Pen drew his pocket knife and was trying to cut through the rope.

The ship rocked violently, knocking Tiesa off her feet. Her back slammed against the side. Luna screamed, but Tiesa couldn’t hear her.

Thunder cracked in the distance, accompanied by several bright flashes of lightning. Pen was nearly finished with the rope, but Tiesa couldn’t focus on anything but her own balance.

Another wave rocked the ship, and Tiesa was slung overboard. A scream ripped through the air, but she didn’t know where the sound came from.

She saw Luna leaning over the rail just before she hit the water.

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 9

June 20th, 196

Tiesa

As she studied the ripples made by raindrops in the sea, Tiesa realized just how far-fetched her whole plan was. Everything she did, in fact, was at least very improbable. She was actually expecting to find a rebel leader on this bizarre excapade; she had dragged Luna (a complete stranger) along on a basis of sudden intuition; she was falling for Pen even though she knew that the likelihood of him ever returning her feeling was very slim.

She was startled when the ship suddenly came to a halt on the shores of Lukarya, the eastern province. The bustle began again. It was routine now, and she was used to it. She joined the parade of pedestrians making their way to land, and found Pen and Luna in the crowd.

The steady rain was soaking through the jacket she had borrowed from Luna. Her own clothes apparently stood out too much. When they were all together, Pen whispered, “I see one.”

Tiesa knew exactly what he meant. She scanned the crowd, eventually spotting a tall woman walking through the market. Her hair was as bright as flames, tied into a loose ponytail. It hung in wispy curls down to the middle of her back. She wore a blood red blouse, and the hem and sleeves burst with ruffles.

“Are you sure?” Tiesa asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Do we have a name?”

“Elliana Berone, I believe.”

“Perfect.”

Luna scrambled to catch up. “Does anyone care to explain?” she asked bitterly.

“We think she’s a rebel leader. She can help us,” Tiesa said.

“Like I’m helping,” Luna said. “You have terrible judgment.”

Tiesa ignored her. “What’s the plan?” she asked.

“We talk to her,” Pen answered.

“My point stands,” Luna offered in rebuttal.

Three and a half minutes later, Pen had waltzed up beside Elliana and was making polite conversation with her. Tiesa and Luna strode behind them, admiring a cart full of pale pink flowers. Pen alluded to the rebel movement as subtley as he could. Which was to say, he all but told her that he was looking to aid them. She (with more care) replied that she may know something, if they were willing to help her with something.

Tiesa couldn’t hear pieces of the conversation over the noise of the marketplace, but she knew one thing for sure. Elliana knew she was there. This is where we mess the whole thing up, she thought, then quickly shoved the thought to the back of her mind. No negativity, not when they were this close.

They followed Elliana to the edge of the town, where a small wagon awaited. She untied the horse, a beautiful brown mare, and motioned for them to come along.

Elliana drove, and the trio sat just behind her. “So,” she said in a lilting Lukaryan accent, “Who are you?”

This woman doesn’t hold back in the slightest, Tiesa thought. “You’ve met my friend, Pencari,” she said cautiously, “and this is Luna.” Just go with it, she mouthed to Luna.

“And you are?”

After a moment of consideration, she replied simply with “Tiesa.”

Elliana went stock still. Tiesa could tell she was surprised by the sudden revelation. “Your majesty,” she said eventually, though her voice carried a keen hint of bitterness.

“No need,” Tiesa said, shaking her head. “Are we not equals?”

“But of course,” Elliana said slowly, sharply. It was clear she did not consider them as such. “What an honor.” As they pulled up to a large home surrounded by rose hedges, she gestured widely, saying, “You are more than welcome to stay the night.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Luna said before anyone else could answer. “There’s an inn only a mile away.”

“But don’t you think-” Pen started.

“Yes, I do think. Do you?”

Pen glared.

Elliana was visibly disappointed. “Meet me in the garden at dawn, then.”

Tiesa and Pen nodded. Luna rolled her eyes. Elliana seemed to take this as affirmation.

“Wonderful,” she sang. “Absolutely wonderful.”

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 5 (1/2)

June 13th, 196

Tiesa

They boarded the ship in the morning. It was a cargo ship, traditionally, but the crew frequently agreed to let tourists catch a ride for a fee. Nothing royalty couldn’t pay, though.

It took Tiesa a while to adjust to the steady swaying of the ground underneath her. She was soon swept off her feet by the mass of people following them, wooden crates in hand. She surprised herself when she called out, “Is there anything I can help with?”

A small girl with brown skin and dark brown hair rolled her eyes dramatically. Tiesa thought she recognised her from somewhere, but she couldn’t remember where. She decided that it had to all be in her head.

“What? I can help,” she protested.

The girl stopped and gave her an odd look that seemed to say why on Earth are you even here? “Ok. Sure.” Her tone was sweet, but her expression ozed sarcasm. Tiesa noticed, for the first time, a thin golden chain hanging from her neck.

Tiesa walked back to the dock, picked up a large wooden crate, and carried back to the ship. She was vaguely aware of Pen’s gaze following her dubiously the entire time. The girl took the crate from her, not looking impressed in the slightest.

When the cargo was all carried in and the ship had set off, Pen dragged her to a small closet.

“What the heck was that?” he started.

Tiesa decided to play the high ground card. “I was being polite.”

“Whatever happened to keeping a low profile?”

She didn’t have a response for that. She changed the subject. “That girl, she looked familiar. You haven’t seen her before, have you?”

He looked at her as if she had declared that the sky had turned green. “No.”

“I thought maybe, from a vision or something…”

“No.” Then he actually considered it. “I don’t think so at least.”

“What do you mean, you don’t think so?”

“I mean I don’t know. Lower your voice, will you? As if the whole province doesn’t already know we’re here.”

“I will not! What do you mean you don’t know?”

He sighed, having already acknowledged a loss. “That vision could take place twenty years from now. It could-”

“What? You didn’t care to mention that before we went on this idiotic mission?”

“I did, actually, but it isn’t my fault if you don’t listen to a word I say!” he shouted.

Neither of them noticed when the door slid open.

“Lover’s quarrel, I see?” It was the same girl Tiesa had met earlier. Now she could see a small golden locket hanging from the chain. It was almost identical to Tiesa’s, but where Tiesa’s had a small sun, the girl’s held a moon.

Tiesa blushed red despite herself. Pen glared daggers into the girl’s dark eyes.

“No, I understand. Continue. I believe you were at the part where he says You don’t listen to anything I say! I hate you! I’m leaving you forever!”

Pen came back to his wits first. “That’s not… We’re not…”

“We’re not together,” Tiesa finished for him.

“Don’t worry! You’ll be back together in a few weeks,” she said with mock enthusiasm.

“We’re. Not. Together,” Pen repeated.

“Then what was that…” she trailed off mid-retort. Her eyes widened. “Oh…”

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 3

June 10th, 196

Tiesa

“How about we do?” she was saying.

“How about we don’t.”

“But how about we do?”

She was wearing him down, she could tell. They were trying to decide whether to stay in town that night. Tiesa was tired and didn’t want to walk more than she had to. Pen knew that they should avoid people as much as possible, especially with the close call in Tutium. She was starting to regret telling him about that.

“Let’s try this: How about we don’t get caught?”

She glared at him as they walked down the rough dirt road. “I hate it when you’re right. Why do you have to be right?” He just smiled and shook his head.

“So,” he said, “What do you miss about the palace?”

“We’ve only been gone for five days.”

“I know.”

“I miss Bellva,” she said eventually. “We’ve never really been this far apart. And she has to be worried sick. And I miss Perdita. And Lissa.” Lissa was Perdita’s niece who had come to live at the palace when she was very young. She was an energetic young girl, and she found great pleasure in getting on their nerves, but she could be the sweetest person on the planet if you let her. “What about you?”

“Me? I miss my parents. And Bellva, though she has a tendency to do more harm than good.” Tiesa nodded. This was true. “But I’ll tell you what I don’t miss. I don’t miss being shoved in some corner and told to shut up because we’re too young. I’d rather do something, you know? Prove them wrong.”

Tiesa agreed. They had had this conversation more than once, in fact. She remembered a time when, years ago, that hadn’t happened. She missed it sometimes. But that was why she kept going. To prove them wrong.

She was only fourteen at the time, and her parents were both dead. The was no monarch to rule, so the Directorate had taken over. The Directorate was made up of the former advisors to the crown. The issue with this was that half of the people there had personal agendas. And so did most of the local officials. No one could get anything done. In Tiesa’s mind, it was nightmare.

She had been invited to every Directorate meeting since she was ten - at her own request. She knew they wouldn’t invite her unless she asked. This meeting was held with the governor of Septena, the northernmost province-island. Perdita started the meeting off cordially, introducing the governor to everyone on the Directorate; Arlan Arcana, a plump, half-bald man who had been friends with Tiesa’s father; Teva Viren, a tall, demanding woman with blonde hair, who also happened to be Bellva’s mother; Cetti Verit, Pen’s father, a man with light brown skin and a perpetual smile; Vidia Verit, Cetti’s wife, a distracted woman with black hair and startling blue eyes; and Tiesa, of course.

Governor Enair wanted to raise taxes. It seemed that everyone did nowadays. He had majority approval from officials in Septena, and he only needed two of the Directorate’s votes to continue. The meeting ended quickly; Arlan and Teva voted in his favor, and that was the end of it. The interesting part was what happened after Enair left.

The moment the door closed, Cetti started shouting about how they needed to start caring about the people they were sworn to protect. Perdita joined him. Vidia tried to calm them both down, but to no avail. They were right and she knew it. After a few minutes, Arlan started screaming nonsense right back.

Tiesa stood up, joined Cetti and Perdita, and began pointing out the fact that nothing Arlan said made any sense.

“Get away, Tiesa,” Teva said. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re only a child.” Tiesa glared and stood her ground. “You heard me. Off you go.” Tiesa looked to Perdita, who nodded sadly, a look that said I’ll sort this out, don’t worry. And Tiesa had left, in tears.

“We’re here,” Pen said, waking her from her reverie. He had stopped outside a large stone house with a sign declaring that it was a bed and breakfast. The inside was furnished generously, and there was a young couple sitting by the fireplace.

Tiesa waited as Pen asked if there were rooms for both of them. When the innkeeper led them away, Tiesa watched the couple stand and stop Tiesa. They were both young women; one had long brown hair and luminous green eyes. The other’s hair was white blonde and cut very short.

“We know it’s not your fault,” the first girl whispered.

“I don’t know why you’re here, but we know who you are. We don’t blame you for anything,” her partner added.

“Tiesa!” Pen called. “Come on!”

The second girl nodded, smiling. Tiesa was dumbfounded. They had recognised her, but they weren’t going to turn her in. In fact, they supported the cause.

“Tiesa?” he called again.

“Yes, I’m coming,” she replied, and followed him through the house, leaving the couple behind.

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 2

June 7th, 196

Tiesa

“Hey. Ti, wake up.” She was vaguely aware of Pen kneeling next to her bed. She groaned. “I know, it’s early. But we have to get going soon if we want to make it out of the city by nightfall.” Tiesa groaned again and guestured limply in the general direction of the door. He nodded and left, closing it behind him.

Tutium, she thought. The gem of Meridonia. And yet this was the best hotel we could find. She got dressed in a light blue dress that fell off one shoulder. She quickly ran a comb through her hair and tied it up with a ribbon. She made an effort to avoid the mirror; she knew she looked like she hadn’t slept the night before, she didn’t need an evil glass square to tell her.

Pen was waiting patiently outside her door. His brown hair messier than usual and his nose was in a pamphlet. "The Dangers of Oracles," the title read.

“Don’t read that crap, Pen. I don’t know why you do this to yourself.”

“I like to know what the rest of the country thinks of me,” he said, adjusting his glasses.

Pencari Verit was one of seven oracles in their home country of Aluntura. His mother was an oracle, too; it ran in the family. They didn’t know where the other five were, but there were always seven in total according to legend. When one died, another got the gift. And, despite popular belief, they didn’t know everything. They only got a handful of visions in their lifetime, and every vision was of something that they would eventually see anyway. Pen had explained this to Tiesa years ago, but she still didn’t really understand it all.

She rolled her eyes. “Did you get anything for me?” He handed her a lemon pastry and a pamphlet full of illustrations of the city. She grinned. “You know me too well.”

She followed Pen to check out. Tiesa felt the curious eyes of the woman running the inn. Tiesa knew that she looked familiar. Everyone had seen her face; she was the princess after all. Except that princesses didn’t usually stay in dingy inns accompanied only by handsome young men. She knew how it must look, regardless of whether or not the innkeeper recognised her. Besides, this wasn’t the same woman who had checked them in, when they had requested separate rooms. “You two have fun now,” the lady said with a wink as they left. Tiesa rolled her eyes once again. She was pretty sure Pen didn’t even notice.

It was still early, but the streets were bustling with people. Carriages escorted couples and families through the city. Horses trotted calmly around the crowds. She was going to get a headache from all this noise, she just knew it.

“So, Pen, are we looking for anything today?” Her eyes kept scanning the chaos around her.

“Well, in the vision, there was a woman with bright red hair, and another one with dark skin and color-streaked hair. And a boy with brown skin and blue eyes, and a girl who looks just like him. And… Well, we’ve been over this before, though, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, I was just checking.”

“I��d be surprised if we saw anything today,” Pen said, walking toward the main road.

Pen had had a vision, and that was the start of all this. He had seen several people arguing about the future of the rebel movement, including Tiesa, Bellva, and himself. Tiesa wanted to end the monarchy more than anyone, and chasing prophetic visions seemed as good a place to start as any.

Tiesa ran after him, throwing her long hair over her shoulder. “Where are you going?” she yelled over all the people.

“Out of the city. Come on.”

It wasn’t as if Tiesa wasn’t used to odd looks, but this wasn’t a great time for everyone to recognise her. It would be too easy to take her back to the palace and claim a reward.

Then she lost him. She tried to find his jacket in the growing plethora of people with places to be, but he was too good at blending in. Darn it, Pen, she thought. Why must you be so good at everything?

A soft voice startled her out of her thoughts. “Excuse me, ma’am,” it said. A child. A little girl with dark pigtails and big green eyes. “Are you a princess?” Her voice was almost hypnotic, dancing back and forth in a lulling cadence.

“I’m so sorry,” a woman said, dragging the child away. “Don’t mind her, she doesn’t know what she’s saying…” Then her eyes met Tiesa’s. She knew. “I’m so sorry,” she said again, walking away slowly.

Tiesa was speechless, but her mind was whirling. Shit, she thought. Head down, find Pen, get out, that’s all you’ve got to do. Then a hand grasped her shoulder.

She spun, knocking the hand away. Without looking, she stepped on the stranger’s foot.

“Ow! What was that for?” It was Pen.

“I’m sorry,” she said, rubbing at her temples. “I didn’t know it was you.”

“It’s alright.”

“Really?” She didn’t believe him.

He sighed. “Really. Now let’s get out of here, Ti.” He limped away, Tiesa at his side.

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Difficulty to End All

Ch 20

June 29th, 196

Tiesa

“Luna. Come on!” She pounded on the door once more, and Luna gave a loud groan. “I know it’s early, but we really have to go.” Tiesa heard a worrisome thudd. “Perdita made pie.”

Silence. Then: “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Eight minutes later, Luna emerged wearing a red hoodie. Her hair was a bit of a mess, but at least it was pulled back. “Where’s the food?”

“Celata, in the cabin.”

Luna narrowed her eyes. “Let’s go then.”

They rowed across the small stretch of water between Citale and Celata. Tiesa had never understood why Bellva wore heels everywhere; her bare feet got stuck in the mud far too much on their own.

Tiesa led Luna through the house, up one flight of stairs and down another, until they reached the meeting room. There were no thrones to be seen here, only wooden benches and bouquets of pink lisianthus. Bellva was in one corner, making more flower arrangements. She smiled widely when when she saw Tiesa.

“Ti!” she shouted. She ran up to Tiesa, embracing her suddenly. “You’ve changed so much, and you weren’t even gone a month! Why didn’t you bring me?” she pouted, holding Tiesa at arm’s length.

“Bellva, you know we needed someone here to keep the Directorate from imploding.”

Bellva seemed satisfied by this answer. “Where did you go this time?”

“Meridonia and Southern Lukarya-”

“Who is this?” she asked suddenly, staring pointedly at Luna.

“Bellva, meet Luna Nellara. She saved our lives more than once.”

“Well, then, I don’t know how to thank you enough, Luna Nellara, really.” Her big blue-green eyes flashed with blind admiration. Luna crossed her arms, reluctant to start a conversation that early in the morning.

Bellva and Tiesa fell back into a familiar rhythm of chatter. The room around them echoed with the sound of soft voices reverberating off the walls and high rafters. Perdita was saying something to Cetti, and he was nodding along. Vidia sat next to her husband, but she was off in another world. She was waving a delicate hand through the air, drawing pictures no one else could see. Pen had once told Tiesa that his mother was trying to make sense of the world, putting all the puzzle pieces together. Tiesa never quite understood.

Then the door creaked, hardly opening a foot. Pen must have assumed that he was being inconspicuous, but failed miserably. As soon as he realized this, he ran to Tiesa and Bellva. He embraced them both, telling them how much he missed them and tried to get to them earlier. He apologised to Bellva for leaving her behind far too many times. She kept telling him that she understood, but he didn’t care.

“I hate to break this up, children, but now that we’re all here…” Perdita said calmly.

“No, of course!” they said in near perfect unison.

“Then let us begin with a review of our victories.”

Luna huffed.

Perdita turned on her. “Do you refute the fact that having Pencari back is a victory?”

“No, it’s just that it seems rather small in compare to our losses.”

“Luna, I believe that, despite everything, having Elliana on our side could be an enormous asset. Besides, bringing back one of our own is an incomparable victory. We all would have sustained nearly any loss for it. Let us revel in the joy of being together again.” Luna leaned back against the wall. Everyone else clapped politely. “Now I’ll turn this over to Cetti for ideas on how to make the best of our losses. Actually, hold that thought while I get the pie,” Perdita added, dashing off. She came back minutes later with a platter of mouth-watering cherry pie. Slices were cut, china passed around, and the platter set on a table in the corner for anyone who wanted more. Luna more or less stuffed her portion in her face, and Bellva gave her a disapproving glare. No one else seemed to pay her any mind, though.

“Now that Elliana Berone has influence within the Directorate,” Cetti began, “we need to figure out how to counteract it with our own agenda, keep her from going rouge.”

“We could force Allya out,” Luna mumbled.

“The only problem with that is the fact that we already granted her permission to stay.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because we needed Pen back and Elliana on our side.” Cetti countered sharply.

“We could tour,” Vidia said. Touring was something the Directorate did often. They would choose an area of the country and spend a month or more seeing everything there was to see. Though there was not much that could be accomplished from any political agenda during that time, it may play to their advantage this time around.

Perdita smiled. “That might work… If no one can get anything done, we’ll have a chance to interfere, plant our own agenda… You’re on to something, Vidia.” Vidia smiled lightly, forever appearing to be somewhere else. “But where to?”

“What about Septena?” Bellva asked. “We haven’t been there in ages. Besides, Tiesa and Pen haven’t looked there yet. Maybe the other rebel leaders that Tiesa and Pen were looking for are in Septena.”

“Does anyone object?” No one did. “Perfect. We’ll tell Arlan and Teva, and of course they’ll agree. We’ll leave in a week’s time.”

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 17

August 28th, 196

Bellva

Luna took a seat facing the window. She adjourned the meeting simply with a “So here’s the deal.” The circle of Directorate members collectively inched forwards. This wasn’t likely to be good news. “Lissa, come out.”

Lissa Merra, Perdita’s granddaughter, stepped out from the shadows. The usually bubbly little girl was quiet today; no flounce in her step shook her floral dress. A crown of half-wilted purple Asters was woven through her brown hair. She took a seat in the chair on Luna’s right.

“Would you like to tell them, or should I?” Luna asked her gently.

“We must welcome the Empire’s isles.”

Cantella was the first to speak. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lissa, however, was in Lissaland. Lissaland was the imaginary place where the future became the past, and reality was muddied. In other words, Lissaland was the depths of her thoughts. Luna answered for her. “We don’t know. That’s why we’re here.”

“Where is this coming from?” Arel asked.

Luna closed her eyes and dropped her voice. “They were Allya Ratava’s last words.”

Bellva’s mind reeled, the memories coursing through her veins. Suddenly the room was dark, lit only by starlight. She was poised above the bay once again, back at her position at the top of the hill. The water glittered below her as it hit the shore and brushed the marble statues that populated the riverbank. She notched an arrow and pulled the string tight. Shaking, she let it fly, hitting her target. And there was blood. Far too much of it. How could so much come from one wound? And there was Lissa. She was running, screaming, Bellva hurrying after… Then the flashback was gone, like mist.

Pen reached out to steady her. “Are you alright?” he asked, just loud enough for her to hear. His all-knowing gray eyes bore into hers, seeking out the truth of her confliction.

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m alright. Everything’s alright.” He smiled, grasping her hand firmly. He really was beautiful when he smiled.

“Well,” Ara was saying, “We know that Allya was an advocate for the marginalized at our country’s rim.”

“Yeah, but aren’t they already welcome?” her brother asked. “They need serious government reform, sure, but so does everyone else.”

Cetti spoke up next. “What else do we know about Allya Ratava?”

“Well,” Pen replied, “she was a sailor. She ran the Naia fleet. We don’t much of her past, though.”

“Wasn’t she on the Empirica for a while?” It was Perdita. This was news to Bellva. It seemed as if the same was true for the rest of the Directorate. Perdita seemed to absorb the collective surprize. “My daughter Kimora is part of the crew, remember? I recall seeing Allya a couple of times when I went to see them when they landed.” She paused. “Also, I overheard Allya and Elliana talking about it.”

“How long ago? You should have said something,” Luna outburst.

“I am now, aren’t I?”

“You should have said something sooner,” Luna corrected herself.

“In any case,” Perdita continued, “the Empire could be in reference to the Empirica. Maybe the Empire is wherever it is that they go.”

“You make a very good point,” Arel said. “Regardless, the Empirica could prove very valuable indeed.”

“What are you saying, Arel?” Cetti asked.

“I’m saying that someone needs to go and find out what’s there. Any information is as good as gold at this point.”

“Here’s a proposition,” Luna said. “What if we split. Half of us deal with internal relations here, with Elliana and rebuilding. The other half goes on the Empirica to welcome whatever there is to welcome. That way, everything is covered. Theoretically.”

Arel clapped his hands together, exclaiming, “That’s brilliant!”

“Calm down,” Cetti said. Maybe it’s best if we don’t all leave for some new land. Maybe we should all stay and work this out first.”

“But the Empirica only comes around every two years,” Ara said. “It might be too late by then.”

“You do make a good point.”

“Now the question is who goes and who stays?” Ara said.

“A debate for another day. Meeting adjourned.” Luna stood, helping Lissa from her seat. They spoke in hushed tone for a few minutes, coming to a resolution no one else could accknowledge.

Bellva didn’t want to go. She didn’t want anyone to go. It was too much, after everything… Tiesa... Allya… And they still had Elliana to deal with…

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 15

August 25th, 196

Bellva

Bellva Viren knew that she probably shouldn’t be hiding in a corner. Luna was expecting her at a meeting in five minutes.

But did that stop her from hiding in a corner? No.

“Bellva, child, what are you doing there?” Bellva turned. It was Perdita Merra, her tutor. She was headed to the same meeting.

“Nothing, ma’am,” she said as convincingly as she could.

Perdita sighed. She was often exasperated by Bellva. “Come along then. We’ll be late.”

They reached the throne room just in time. It was no longer decorated by pink and blue hydrangeas as it had been just three days earlier, but the blue drapes remained.

Then she saw Arel.

He was seated nearest to the edge of the room, next to his sister, Ara. His dark eyes scanned the room, eventually meeting hers. He smiled. She smiled back. She tried no to, but it wasn’t like she could help it. She took a seat at the other end of the room, next to Pencari. “Hey,” she said.

“Hi.”

“Does anyone know what they’re doing here?” She gestured to her mother, Teva, and Arlan Arcana.

“Nope. Luna didn’t invite them, but they showed up and Luna doesn’t feel like arguing today.” Teva saw her daughter and threw her a weak smile. Bellva didn’t return it. Arlan turned towards her and scowled. His bald head glinted in the morning sunlight. She wanted to scowl back, but doubted that it would fix anything.

“Good morning,” Luna said. She was exhausted, Bellva could tell. “You already know that I invited you - well, most of you - to discuss the formation of a new Directorate. Though I think I speak for all of us when I ask what you’re doing here.” The question was aimed at Arlan.

“I’ve been on this Directorate for thirty-eight years,” he began with the air of someone about to start a ‘Back In My Day’ story. “I see no reason why I shouldn’t continue.”

Luna sighed heavily. “I do. You’re much of the reason I need a new Directorate in the first place.”

“It didn’t used to be like this,” he grumbled. “People used to choose advisors they disagreed with.”

“Like you were chosen. How was that again? That’s right! Your family was rich and you were friends with the royals.” Perdita smiled sweetly. She must have told Luna the story; she’d been at the palace even longer than Arlan. “And second of all, I do choose a diverse council. I often disagree with Perdita and Bellva, and quite frankly, I don’t like Arel very much.” Arel looked mildly offended. The rest of them were all used to it by now; Luna could be brutally honest sometimes. “However, I know that they’re more experienced than I am and probably know what’s best. Do you have anything else to say, or could you please leave?”

He grumbled once again at seeing his last vain endeavour come to a screeching halt. He stood and left.

“Teva, I assume you came to present similar grievances?”

“Not at all, my queen.” Her voice was bittersweet, and Luna winced. “I came only to say that I wish to have no further sway in the government of Aluntura.”

Bellva held back a gasp. Vidia Verit, her mother’s lifelong friend, said, “Surely you don’t intend on leaving us?”

“Of course not,” Teva replied, more to Luna than Vidia. “I intend to stay in Citale with my daughter, but I refuse any position on the Directorate.”

“Thank you, Teva. Your decision is noted. If that is all, you are dismissed,” Luna said, a little perplexed. Was she under the impression that she was going to get a position? Bellva thought. If she did, she was dead wrong.

“My queen,” she said again bowing. Luna’s gaze hardened into something nearly murderous. Bellva made a mental note to never call Luna ‘My Queen.’ Teva left peacefully, her pale gown brushing the floor.

“Well then,” Luna said, readjusting the black jacket at her shoulders. “Anyone else? Great. You’re all here because I want you on my new Directorate.”

“Luna,” Pen interrupted, “Bellva and I aren’t yet eighteen. We can’t.”

“I know, not officially, anyway. Would you accept an unofficial position until then?” They both nodded and let her continue. “What about the rest of you?”

“I accept,” Vidia said.

“As do I,” chimed her husband, Cetti.

“Of course, darling,” Perdita added.

Ara looked to her wife, Cantella, taking her hand. “We’re in.”

“As if I have a choice, then,” Arel said.

After the meeting, Bellva went back to her corner. Not the same corner, exactly. This time she favored one closer to her room. She needed to get away from everything and everyone else. She needed to deal with what she had done.

She heard footsteps. She willed herself to disappear into the pillar. She wasn’t an idiot; she knew that it wouldn’t work. That couldn’t stop her from trying.

It was Arel. Oh no.

“Hey,” he said. It was as if he didn’t think anything of it, of her sitting in a corner, all on her own. He helped her to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

“Just… thinking.” She wasn’t lying. She had been thinking.

“I see. What about?”

“Everything that’s happened since Tiesa got back. It seems like only yesterday… It’s all happened so fast…”

“Are you alright?” he asked gently.

“Of course I am,” she snapped back. She didn’t mean to snap, really.

“You don’t look it.” He took one of her gloved hands. “I’ll get you a glass of water and some biscuits.”

“Really, Arel. I’m fine.”

“After everything you’ve been through, I don’t know how anyone could be.”

[tiesa-reale]

My friends who don't have tumblr want to participate in the character ask thing! Here's one:

Q: What are the meanings behind your names?

Tiesa: true

Pen: seeker of truth

Luna: hmm... interesting...

Tiesa *glares viciously at Luna*:

Luna: what?

Tiesa: shut up

Luna *smiling maliciously*: But I didn't say anything

Tiesa: I don't care. Shut up

Pen:

Pen:

Pen: ok then

[tiesa-reale]

Part 1 Playlist

My friend asked me to publish the mess of a writing playlist I have going, so here's part of it. (It's way too long. I'll publish the rest later :) )

Dog Days are Over - Florence + The Machine

The way it was before Tiesa and Pen left the palace in their search for rebel leaders.

Mountain Sound - Of Monsters and Men

Tiesa and Pen's friendship, one of the songs that made it into the playlist early on.

King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men

For Tiesa and Luna; Tiesa, and her courage to step up and do what's right; Luna, and her courage to go along with it.

Unbelievers - Vampire Weekend

Luna's view of the world and skepticism of humanity.

Dirty Paws - Of Monsters and Men

Another song that shaped the tone early on. This one is for the corruption on the government and the role of Elliana Berone.

Lay It All On Me - Vance Joy

This one helped me out while I was trying to develop Pen's character.

Hold Back the River - James Bay

One of my favorite so-called 'Pensa' songs. It helped me work through the evolution of their relationship.

I of the Storm - Of Monsters and Men

I've always loved this song. It came on by accident while I was writing a scene later on, and it worked itself in.

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

The Return of the Runaway Princess

Ch 11

June 22th, 196

Tiesa

Elliana had told them to meet her at the dock the next morning. So there they were, waiting. There was a quiet chaos raging around them as the town begun work. It was pouring; their clothes were all soaked through. There was a large cargo ship that had arrived a few minutes before, and Pen seemed to be examining it intently. Tiesa had never really known why he seemed to fixate on things like that, but she figured that there was a reasoning behind everything.

Then she saw it too. Among the crew of the ship, there was a woman with dark skin, her hair braided and pulled into a tight bun. When Tiesa looked closer, she could see that her hair was streaked with shades of blue, purple, and green. Dark skin and color-streaked hair, she recalled Pen saying. Maybe this was another rebel leader?

Then Elliana showed up and, walking right past them, greeted this woman in the way of old friends. Only minutes later did she realize that they were there. She gestured them over with a wave of her hand.

“This,” she said with a slight air of authority, “is Allya Ratava. She runs the Naia Trade Fleet, and just so happens to be our ticket back to the palace. Allya; Tiesa Reale, her friend, I think, and the oracle.”

Allya raised an eyebrow at the sight of Tiesa, but otherwise appeared bored and uninterested. “Enchanted, I’m sure.”

“The same here,” Tiesa said, frowning. She had never been at ease around such formalities, but Allya unsettled her for other reasons.

“If you’re coming, come now. We’re leaving in ten minutes, with or without the likes of you.” Luna was holding Allya’s hardened gaze, breaking it only to glance at Tiesa.

“Thank you for your assurance of safe passage,” Tiesa said. It was what she was supposed to say, she knew, and no one else would have the decency to say it.

The rain was relentless, but Luna made no effort to escape it. Pen had wandered below deck with much of the crew. Tiesa found herself beside Luna, watching the shore roll by. She didn’t realize that Allya’s position at the wheel had been taken over by someone else until Luna said something. Together, they turned to see Allya and Elliana disappear into Allya’s cabin. In their wake, a soft and dissatisfying click. The door was locked.

Much to Tiesa’s horror, Luna immediately pressed her ear to the door. “Stop! What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Don’t you think it’s odd,” Luna replied without moving, “That they invite us here, then disappear to conspire without us? And quite honestly, that’s the most normal part of this scenario.”

Tiesa gave in; Luna was right, as usual. Tiesa tried the see through the keyhole. Allya was sitting at a large wooden desk, going through various papers. She figured that Elliana was standing somewhere behind her.

“... crown … better yet, a strategy … how do we … power struggles?” She could hear Elliana saying.

“Get there … figure out … confuse ... take action behind … and get what we want.”

“... to keep Lyla and Kimora out of this.”

Allya winced. “Her mother … at the palace. Kimora’s, I mean. What … when the Empirica comes back?”

Tiesa blinked. Kimora… She knew that name, but couldn’t remember where she had heard it. Luna furrowed her brow at the mention of the Emprica.

“Shh,” Elliana said clearly, coming into view. “There’s someone here.”

Luna came to her wits first, pulling Tiesa around a corner. She was breathing hard. They could hear Elliana open the door, sigh, and lock it again.

“Close,” Luna breathed.

“We have to tell Pen.”

For once, Luna seemed to agree.

They found Pen in a dark corner below deck, sitting on top of one crate and in between two others. He didn’t see them until Tiesa said in a frenzy, “We heard something. Something important.”

Pen looked around to make sure that there wasn’t anyone there without realizing that Luna had been doing the same thing not five seconds earlier. “What is it?”

“They have a plan, I think,” Luna explained. “And it might just be me, but it doesn’t sound good.” Pen frowned and nodded.

“And there’s something else. Do you recognise the names Lyla and Kimora?”

Pen took a long moment to consider. “I recognise the name Kimora, from a vision, I think.” This was new information to Tiesa. “Lyla doesn’t ring a bell, though.”

“I’m thinking that maybe Kimora’s mother may have connections with the palace and the Empirica, but I can’t think of who that would be.”

“I don’t know either, but it’s getting late and I’m tired. How about we continue this in the morning.”

Tiesa couldn’t sleep. Her mind was too busy, and the thunder outside wasn’t helping. She unclasped the locket from her neck, carefully opening it. Inside was a small picture of a young woman. She was smiling, and her rich brown eyes seemed to shine through the dull paper. It was Callia Reale, her aunt.

She looked so much like Tiesa’s mother, Queen Lila. Callia had worn her hair short then. not unlike my own, she thought to herself. Dark curls brushed her cheeks. She shone with a wildness that couldn’t be contained.

She had left eighteen years ago, before Tiesa was born. She spent two years on the Empirica before settling down in Meridonia with her young daughter. She had always craved adventure, and she more than fulfilled her dreams.

Tiesa met her aunt once, but she had been too young to remember. Callia had grown very sick and died quickly. Tiesa had been ten.

She had lost her own parents only a year before. They, too, had grown sick, only months in between their deaths. Tiesa vaguely remembered Teva, Bellva’s mother, talking about how they could have been poisoned. No one took Teva’s mutterings for anything but a grain of salt; she was paranoid, and she was the only one who didn’t know it.

Tiesa still remembered when the reality of it all caught up with her. She was sitting on the floor of the small cabin in the woods that they had all used as a play fort as children. She was clutching her mother’s locket, just as she was now. She was yelling just as loudly as she cared to; she knew no one could hear her.

Then Pen had stumbled in. He ran to her, wrapping her in a warm embrace, drying her tears. She sobbed into his shoulder.

“It’s alright,” he whispered. “It’ll all be alright. I’m here.”

Tiesa would never forget that moment. The moment she realized that everything would be fine as long as Pen was there by her side.