Chapter 37: Honesty's Victory
Without waking his father, at the first peek of the sun over the furthest and lowest mountain, the Prince Fenn of the Tawny Clan set out to pour himself a glass of water from a pitcher that Layla had replaced the night before.
While taking the first few gulps, he opened one of the large curtains, and he realised rather quickly that the fog that had crept in the night before had completely cleared. He could now see one of the other mountains of the city from here. Ringed from top to bottom, or bottom to top in the social class ordering system that the Raven's used.
It was then that Prince Fenn had decided...
He sought out the throne room, hoping to find the Raven Queen early that morning. He was in luck, finding her not only in her court, already awake with a bright sharpness to her gaze today, but in an unsettling, and rather uncharacteristic positive mood.
As the light finally welcomed daybreak, it trickled in from a huge triple-domed stained-glass window. The effect was unexpectedly beautiful and not entirely out of place in the Raven castle, but its uniqueness caused the sky to tinkle morning light onto the grey floor with an unusually expected colour.
"Morning light has the best quality for clarity of colours, Prince Fenn. Don't you agree?" The light and friendly tone of the Raven Queen was more terrifying than if she had threatened him. At least she was known for the latter.
Dazzled by the display of colour on the grey floor for a mere moment longer, he finally composed, "Indeed, it is. The craftsmanship of that window is extraordinary, and the quality of colour."
At this, the Raven Queen returned with, "It is hundreds of years old, and rather drafty... but Prince Fenn. It is not the quality or clarity in colour of the stained glass window you've sought me out to discuss... is it?"
For a brief moment, Fenn considered that Queen Nox already knew about Prince Chaitav's actions just the previous night. Hesitantly with less conviction, he bowed his head, admitting, "It is not." Humbly.
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A few hours earlier, after getting lost a few times and then, with the scent of hot steam leading the way, finally locating the baths. It had been greatly refreshing to wash up after the prior night's heroic and exhausting events. Sweat from the altercation still beaded on the hair at the nape of his neck, clumping it together. It felt both itchy and gunky and in desperate need of a good soap scrub.
Prince Fenn remained still partly sour for not being able to enjoy the leisure of the Raven Kingdom's amazing royal baths. Just as he had originally intended last night. Unfortunately, that had taken a sideline while assuring the safety of lower-status female harpies... after witnessing that peacock's horrifying and distasteful behaviour. To think that a Prince of any Harpy Clan believed that this was the correct way of conduct? Fenn just couldn't understand it.
With his ever-watchful black beady eyes of impressive perception, he had noticed that someone had been up even earlier than he had, and he had risen with the sun to head towards those gloriously warm baths that shimmered before him.
The Royal Raven Baths were huge, supposedly from a natural spring heated within the mountain, which bubbled up to the top. Ready to be used at perfect temperatures. This was the only room that had white and icy marble on the walls with a creamy wave here and there. The pools themselves were dark stone slabs, with black marble surrounding them. There were two pools, which were six meters long but 3 meters wide. They run parallel to each other with a marble walkway dividing them.
Wet footprints leading out of the baths had given the individual away. By the side, a noble-looking dark green dress, with bronzed stitching and breastplate, lay crumpled near the edge of the steps, leading down into the opposite pool
It was clear to Prince Fenn, without any need for a closer inspection, that it was a woman's breastplate. Male harpy didn't have chests that curved quite so much, at least not like that. The young Prince couldn't help wondering who had been here just before him.
From his perceptive glance, he was sure by the colour and fabric that it was not of royal quality... perhaps a servant who was from a lower noble household? At that, he dismissed the thought quickly since it was no one of his interest; nothing of relevance or concern for him.
Likely, it had been one of the pleasant servant girls washing up before or after their work. Although it was not the grey checkered uniform Layla had worn, or the other servant girl from the incident.
Soaking into the water, the young prince steeled his nerves in the soothing development of warmth.
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From what the young Tawny Harpy had gathered already, the Peacock Harpy Royals were the odd ones out at the dinner invitation last night.
An unexpected guest on the part of the Raven Queen. True to Harpy and more so, old Raven Harpy custom, you could not turn away a guest. Especially at a time of such open and welcome hospitality to other foreign visitors and eligible bachelors.
He found her early in the morning near her throne room, "Lady Nox," he greeted and bowed to show her the revered respect she deserved as the Raven Queen… and even more legendary and well-known Raven Grand General.
It was clear that she had not expected the little Tawny Lord to approach her at this time of the morning, usually reserved for time to herself and her own peace of mind. Never mind, make an appearance here.
If she had expected anyone, it was that she had expected the Tawny's father and King - Lord Fielder. On that, the Tawny King was still soundly asleep. King Fielder would normally have been the one to approach her to discuss further, to barter for her daughter's hand.
In a way, she found this slightly more amusing.
The faintest bemused smirk tugged at her lips, so faint that if one, such as Master Fenn, was unfamiliar with her expressions, at least not intimately, then they would very much miss it. Thanks to the Raven Queen's porcelain poker face. She bowed slightly, but only slightly, "Young Master Fenn, let me begin again. Good morning, what can I do for you at this early hour?" It was clear he had sought her out; why else would the young Tawny be near the throne room, but only to declare his devotion and suitability for a political betrothal to one of her daughters.
"Lady Nox, I bring you news of an incident in the castle that I witnessed with my own eyes last night." The Queen visibly tensed. All humour and smiles now wiped away. Returning to her usual cold and assessing demeanour.
Fenn continued, "One that both deeply disturbed and repulsed me. It occurred last night in the music room. The incident is one of which I am not the only witness. Two of the servant girls witnes- well, one experienced... this, and Lord Easton was present… you're lovely servant Layla was guiding me to the baths to wash up when…"
"Oh, spit it out." The Raven Queen flashed, pointedly at him. Grabbing his chin and extending the talons on each finger quickly, she was too far away sitting on her thrown for this to be a real threat. Not so much as not to pierce the skin but appear threatening and a regular gesture to show irritation, "I have a Kingdom to run, and daughters to deal with… so if you please? If you are going to inform me of any guests misbehaving by one of those trivial technicalities in that Owl Code of Conduct that you owls seem to cling to, then do so promptly or leave!"
The young Tawny Harpy Lord nodded nervously. Nervously enough, the words seemed to clumsily tumble out from his lips, recounting last night's events: The peacock prince, Master Chaitav. The blue-hued servant girl shuddering, curled into a foetal position after the peacock cornered her and pinned her. Completely exposing himself and demanding… "urges"… be tended to.
Initially, the Raven Queen couldn't quite believe what she was being told about her guests.
On this rare occasion, her face betrayed her thoughts and the reaction to what she was being told of a prince, staying under her roof as a rather unwelcome and odd guest, but a guest nonetheless.
A prince who was attempting to court one of her daughters.
Despite the incident happening to a servant girl. An adviser next to the queen leaned in to whisper something.
That particular servant girl with a blue hue? She was not exactly a low-born commoner; she was Aurora Greytalon. One of the daughters of the Greytalon's, a lesser noble house but still not a commoner either. A headache for her, all because a peacock couldn't keep it in his pants.
If this peacock harpy would do this to one of them, he may well try to corrupt her daughters before they are mated to force a match...
While Lady Nox, initially had thought it was slight laughter and entertainment, having Peacock harpy attend an event or party to try to win one of her daughters' hands… she now realized how grave such an amusing mistake could be.
"Thank you, Master Fenn." This time, she looked at the young Tawny prince, really looked at him as though looking at another younger King or Queen of the Harpies. She accepted he wasn't bad-looking. Broad-shouldered, with ruddy, earthy coloured hair... with completely pitch black eyes. The colour of a clouded night sky. No whites in them.
Mentally, Lady Nox accepted that this may be a match appropriate for one of her daughters... Sephora... Yes, Sephora.
This Owl Harpy had come to her with a crime of the most heinous nature and reported it in honesty, one that he assured the servants could and would verify. It showed a test of his character and how he might treat one of her daughters… if one were matched to him. "You have done very, very well in informing me of this. I will see to it at once that these Peacock Harpy are detained in their room, while I can verify what you say from the servant girls. If it is indeed true, I will have the Peacock's removed from my premises and Kingdom at once."
"Rave Queen, I understand that you want to double-check my word with that of your staff first. I'm happy to be of any further assistance," Lady Nox's instant reaction to what he had told her both reassured him of her morals, but worried him about her standard of justice. She was largely taking his word in investigating this; had he been dishonest, it would soon be found out, but not before significant lengths to verify such claims… he dismissed that thought from his head at once.
Ravens were not Owls.
"You have come to me with a heinous crime. More so because none of my servant girls, other than Maven (the older Lady, who is a company I do quite enjoy), are largely all not mated. Many come to the castle to work, in the hope that they will meet a guard or knight that their family would approve of a union with. I would need but to glance at this servant girl, right now, to assess if such a crime had been committed. It is… unheard of and unspeakable, here, for such a thing to happen to such a young Harpy. Again I thank you, Prince Fenn, I will see to this at once. Please see the chef for breakfast; he is quite remarkable. One of the best in our Kingdom"
However, the Tawny didn't seem to have the meddling aura that the Eurasian Harpy had, thought the Raven Queen.
For Tawny's their territory wasn't as vast, but their military capabilities were more known in alpine, forested areas. More closely related and similar to the Raven Kingdom's ancient forest. In her head, she was already weighing up her match options with the young tawny owl. It was clear that she would have to decide between the two owl harpy clans present, for Harpy Clan relations. At least to retain owl alliances onside.
That was when she realised who else the young Tawny had said was also present, for this crime unfolding last night, "Master Fenn…?"
He paused at the door, as he had begun to take his leave, looking up at her with dark querying eyes, "Yes?"
"You said that Lord Easton of the Eurasian Owls was there last night; I presume that he, too, witnessed this also?"
The young Tawny harpy only nodded. Unsure as to where the Raven Queen was going with this, so he blurted out in true owl-harpy honesty, "He advised me against going to the Parliament of Owls with a report on the Peacock's conduct. I'm not sure why, as peacock custom may be a danger to owls as well if any matches are made before this is known... if this is how they act."
The Raven Queen's perfect porcelain poker face was back. Her dark midnight hair was worn in an elegant up style, and her black iris' were unyielding and unreadable against the whites of her eyes. They did not betray her. She had far too many years of practice.
"Hmm… is that so?" That was all she said.
If only Master Fenn knew that at that very moment had already decided that one of her daughters would be mated to Master Fenn. She needed to ensure the Raven's had political allies with clans they could count on, and any in they could get with the owls would reduce tensions.
Where Lord Easton was already keeping secrets from her, about such despicable and illegal conduct in her palace… from suiters who sought to win the political victory of her daughter's hand.
"Thank you for bringing all of this to me Master Fenn. Would you please accept an offer to Call on my daughter, Seraphina and Sephora separately and tell me what you think of them tomorrow morning? I don't believe you have met my youngest yet. She was… indisposed last night."
The owl cocked his head slightly at her choice words, "Indisposed? Her absence was planned for?"
"Yes! Yes!" The Raven Queen took this option to try to save Sephora's image in the mind of this attractive and potential Owl suitor. After all, she would rather Sephora get mated to this Harpy than her sister, Seraphina, who was a true night raven in beauty like herself, must be married to one of the nobles.
'The owls may find Sephora's all-ice-white eyes par her pupil attractive...' She hoped that the owl would get on with her youngest somewhat.
"Of course, I would love to finally meet your youngest daughter. I'm sure the rumours of both of their beauty are true, having met Seraphina yesterday. I will head down to breakfast, though, as after the events of last night, I find myself quite famished, Raven Queen." At this, Master Fenn's stomach rumbled loudly.
The Raven Queen laughed now quite falsely compared to her earlier mood, then again moved her hand to dismiss the Tawny owl for the final time from her court.
He took his prompt and left. A smile grew and stretched across his face. Not only had he felt like he had made a difference to get such a harpy, as that disgusting peacock, out of the picture.
He knew that the servant girl Aurora would be very thankful. He'd later found out, from Layla last night, that the girl he had saved was named after the Raven's Princess Aurora – the Raven Queen's sister-in-law and the young raven twin's aunt. He wondered what this Raven Princess, the Queen's sister Princess Aurora, must be incredible if she is so fondly looked on by her people. He would perhaps ask one of the twin princesses about it today if he got a chance, and it seemed that he would be getting a chance to win one of them. With an individual opportunity to be chaperoned to call on both of them at separate times, approved by the Raven Queen.
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Meanwhile, the Raven Queen marched up to the quarters put aside for the dreary beige-looking CCharula. The Peacock Queen, and her gaudy, garish son. That son, who was a danger to all young lady Raven Harpy in her Kingdom.
She had two of her royal guards, dressed in their black, silver, and grey suits beside her. Both with a hand on the hilt of their sword if need be.
Her knock came hard and loud against the old dark wood, "Lady Charula Rajdevan, Peacock Queen."
In a dishevelled and unsightly state for a Queen, Lady Charula opened the door, "What?" As the raven queen extended her talons dangerously, as she snatched the door handle and threw it open to the room. Allowing no opportunity for anyone to run or hide from her.
"You're foul son has attempted to commit one of the most heinous crimes in this Kingdom, under my roof... to my staff." The Raven Queens rage was glacial. An avalanche in a blizzard, you knew you could not escape. Her wings folded, but a ridged arch to their fold showed the tension as she kept her fury under control.
"He is a danger to ALL young female harpy who dwell here. You are to leave immediately with 4 hours' notice or be forced from the Kingdom, for that poor raven female that he defiled, your kingdom will pay a debt of 1 million in gold, half is for me to replace my staff, and the other half is for that female in compensation for his actions." The raven queen circled the peacock queen. If looks could kill, then blood would be long up the wall. "This is getting off lightly. The alternative is your son's head. In our law, the perpetrator of such crimes? Is executed by the victim, who at this point would rather never see him again if she does not need to."
The beige feathers of Queen Charula ruffled and opened swiftly as her countenance completely changed, "You will not have my son's head," her eyes beaming with the rage of a mother's instinct. Her blue-green dress contrasts with the lack of colour in her wings.
"No." Lady Nox smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. "We will have one million of your finest, abundant gold. A measly price, for your precious son to keep his head... Don't you agree?" The intimidation attempt at throwing wings at her would never work...
The Peacock's queen remained calm, but her worry and concern grew internally. "Yes. One million for the victim... If there are..." Lady Charula struggled to get the next words out, as though they fought against her tongue to get out of her mouth, "If there are... hatchlings, as a result of my son's acts. They, too, will receive funds. They will never be poor but are...illegitimate. No mating ceremony or betrothal was agreed"
Considering Charula's words and the weight to them, Lady Nox nodded to her, "Agreed, on all of these points. While you, yourself, are welcome here, Lady Charula. You're son, Prince Chaitav is not, and while I live and reign over the Raven Kingdom, he is banished from ever setting foot here again." The Raven Queen looked as elegant as she delivered these words. "If he ever does set foot here again, his head will come off his body as a heinous wanted criminal."
Realisation dawned on the Peacock Queen's face rather quickly, and that was all Lady Nox needed to read from her expression… that instant and instinctive knowing, mother to mother… Lady Charula knew what Nox meant without further questioning.
Lady Charula was aware of her son's nature and character.
"I intend for you to leave before lunch if not sooner." The Raven Queen left it at that and turned to leave, but two of the royal raven guards remained to ensure they began packing. They were handsome soldiers, some of the best in the Raven Harpy's army. Dawning that black steel and their eyes were as cold and dark as the metal of their armour and swords.
Lady Charula closed the door and turned to her son. To say something… anything but the words didn't come out, she was that furious with him. He had wanted to come here. Not her. She would never have her son marry a Raven.
"We are to leave." Instead, she threw his suitcase on top of him in his chambers. His turquoise and blue suits tumbled out and woke him up. "Hurry up and pack your things. I'll see to it we are ready to leave before lunch... I know what you must have done for this to be Queen Nox's response. You are lucky to be banished and not ordered for public execution."