[andromeda] && [antifreeze]
"I expect you to have it in my tent my dawn."
Andromeda's words were demanding, yet she spoke them with an artful twist of tone- her voice was frosty and firm, but not patronizing. At the command, her maid ducked behind the deerskin tent flap and disappeared. Antifreeze paused for a moment, almost embarrassed at the fact she was observing the queen at a moment she thought she was alone. The woman faltered, her strong demanour dissolving, and sat heavily down on one of the parlour chairs. Her guardian; a deft and scaled lizard, darted from beneath the folds of her silken clothes. The reptile peered up at his mistress, and whispered in a voice so soft it was hard for the listener to hear- "Will you go ahead with the battle?" The queen nodded inperceptibly, reaching to run a slender finger down the length of the lizard's back. Antifreeze took a step backward from the tent opening, anxiety passing in waves through her. Her mind flashed to The Plan. Gain her trust, assasinate her. She's a threat- she needs to be silenced.
Her own guardian- a velvet skinned fruit bat, clutched at her shoulder with his delicately hooked claws. Unconciously, Antifreeze stroked his head. "Let's do this, Fraceroy." She whispered to the bat. "Are you ready? This isn't going to be-" His voice was cut off by another- hers.
"There are so many things I could have you flayed for, woman. Trespassing on the Royal Batallion camp ground, eavesdropping on a confidential conversation, dishonorable conduct. Which shall it be?" The queen had whirled around, and was gazing calmly at Antifreeze with her sapphire eyes.
It was then that The Plan came into effect. Antifreeze let herself into the tent, ignoring it's grand interior- the sleek furniture that could only have been made with magic of a much specialized kind. She must have more magicians working for her than I expected.. Antifreeze thought briefly, before turning to the woman in front of her. The queen was strangely beautiful, in a way that was subtle; Antifreeze would describe her more as powerful than pleasing to the eye. There was something about her ballerina stance that counteracted the fierce strength and passion in her pale face, and those eyes were captivating. Antifreeze held her gaze. "Ma'am, I wouldn't advise doing that." As she delivered her lines, Antifreeze became painfully aware of just how vulnerable she was here. If she could not win queen Andromeda's trust in the next few minutes, she would die. At her words, Andromeda gave a snort of derision. "And why should I not? I am doing you a great courtesy allowing you to explain yourself- I have twenty armed men guarding the tent, each as capable to come and kill you easily." She snapped.
Twenty is optimistic. Antifreeze's thought wryly- You may need to hire some more now. Only five minutes ago had she disposed of each guard in turn. Feigning looking over her shoulder, Antifreeze spoke softly; "There's a plot to kill you, ma'am. I come because I support you and your army- the threat is from Calda, a city beyond here. They have heard of your actions and wish to stop you. They will be sending an assasin to mix among you, and eventually murder you before you go into battle. You may kill me, but all I want is to protect you." Antifreeze spoke her much rehearsed lie so smoothly, that instantly the queen's face alighted with confusion, fury and relief. Little did she know that there was no place named Calda, and the assasin was the woman in front of her, lying so easily and leading her to her death.
"Who are you?" Andromeda asked quietly. "I am Daquira, and my guardian is Xtla." Antifreeze pulled Fraceroy from his hiding place, as she gave their false names. "And how do you know of this?" Another question. "I overhear many things, Ma'am. I travelled here to save you and warn you."
The queen paled, and Antifreeze saw the emerald head of the lizard probe out from Andromeda's sleeve. "Then I am in your debt, Daquira and Xtla. You will accept my hospitality as a guest?"
Antifreeze nodded, a geniune smile gracing the assasin's face.
Perfect.
-Repost so I can keep track of the thread :3 Should I keep writing?
