❂ Naevius

[Nilah44]

The Path Was Always Clear
Class Affinity Solo
1,136 Words

Some of Naevius’ favorite memories were of when she was a youngling. She would recall the countless evenings she would climb to the top of the, from her perspective at the time, tall fence and sit upon the top to watch her father in the beast pens. His business was still relatively new and therefore, he hadn’t found many beast tamers to train in his way of taming that he trusted yet. So he did a lot of the taming and training himself. He didn’t mind it, of course, and neither did his wife despite the whispers in the dark corners of parties about the high noble who does manual labor. The man himself was very respectable and even more so towards the lower class who respected the noble who would do manual labor.

All of Naevius’ memories of beast taming weren’t good, though, one memory in particular taught her that even though animals can tamed, before, during and after taming they were still dangerous. It was a hot day in Oba when Naevius followed the cracking sounds of a whip to one of the more distant beast pens where the feral animals were kept as to not influence the ones that were in the process of taming. While she expected to see her father inside, or at least one of the beast tamers who had been around helping, she instead saw her noble mother inside with a whip in hand. Young Naevius didn’t know enough of her mother’s past to know that her mother was no beast tamer. She watched in amazement at the woman who was always so calm and gentle wield a whip. What the youngling know that her mother had been getting lessons from other beast tamers in an effort to impress and surprise her husband. However proud and ready her mother thought she was, she might have been fine working with an animal who was almost trained, but not one that was feral. The young janarim was obviously aggressive, it was not happy that it had been separated from its pack. The woman was still determined, and cracked the whip and tried to issue commands. It was then that even as a youngling, Naevius saw what her mother failed to see, the aggressive stance of the janarim before it attacked. ”Momma watch out!” The woman gasped as she heard her chid and her head whipped around. ”Naevius, what are you doing here? Get off that fe-“ The woman screamed out in pain as she was mauled in her distraction. ”Momma!!”
”Don’t come in here! Go get” Gasp of pain. ”Go get your father!”
Naevius scrambled down and ran towards the house where her father had been previously. But she had not run fast enough. Her father made stay at the house and he seemed to be gone for an awful long time when he finally came in the house. His hands were covered in red and he went directly towards the water basin. ”You were good to come and get me, Naevius. You were good to follow your instincts out to the outer pen. I believe On’os let you hear that far off whip for a reason.” He dried his hands on a bit of cloth before sitting down in one of the many chairs before he pat his knee and Naevius went over and climbed up on her father’s lap. ”Where’s Mommy?” She asked naively. With a sigh from her father, Naevius’ brow creased. ”I did not make it in time, sweetie. Your mother has gone with Essd, but never forget that she loved you very much.”

Naevius hadn’t really understood until a few days later when her mother never returned. Nae, being the woman of the house, had to take on a lot more responsibilities that caused her to grow up a little quicker. But her dream never diminished. Her hand always ached for a whip and she yearned to join the other prentices that her father had taken on mentoring. Nobles were even less accepting of a noble female prentice wishing to follow in her father’s footsteps. It was when the king asked his cousin to travel with the army that she finally got a chance. Her father was far too busy to go himself, so it had been decided that they would send Naevius. Naevius had a stipulation for her father though, and the conversation that ensued would make Naevius and her father proud of her diplomacy skills. ”Father, I know that our position causes us to have to uphold a certain appearance and I will do what I can to maintain that. However, you are such an inspiration to me, and not only that, but as I’m the only child I will someday take over the family business. I would hate for that day to come along and I lacked the proper knowledge to run it as you are currently. So, I propose that when I go to Tendaji with the army, you send me with a whip and find some trustful soldiers so that I may practice away from the prying eyes of most nobles. And when I come back, I can show you what I’ve learned and you can determine if I have the skills to carry on or not.” Her father thought for a moment before putting a finger in the air telling her to wait. He was gone a few moments, but came back with a whip in hand. It was unornamented, heavy and thick. ”I agree on one condition, you never travel far from the army, and keep a retinue of guards with you at all times.” And with a nod from Naevius, it was settled.

The war had passed sooner than she thought, and Naevius had been successful in keeping people from knowing what she did when she snuck away from the army with a small number of guards. As they were on their way back to Oba, Naevius couldn’t wait to show her father the number of skills she had acquired. She had gotten used to the weight of the whip, and didn’t drop it whenever she used it anymore. She could make it crack whenever she wanted to, and could also direct the whip and control it efficiently. Despite the way the guards were acting weird, she wouldn’t realize the change in her station until she got back home. No matter what title they gave her, she would fight for the right to pursue her dreams. Perhaps with pretty words to some and actions to others, but she would never give up. Naevius had known what she wanted to do with her life when she was young. Despite the heartbreak it had brought her, with her new skills, she was convinced that it was the path for her.

 

[Nilah44]

The Royal Engagement: Aka Naevius' Inprisonment
Stage 2 Growth Quest
1,580 Words

Naevius scooped up the small bag of things that Varinia had prepared for her. When the princess had first gotten the message from her father, she was a little confused. She wasn’t due back to the capital until the week after next so needless to say she had to scramble to get things settled for her departure. There were meetings to reschedule, clients to send messages to and of course she had to ensure all her employees were capable of managing things while she was gone. Nae had little doubt that anything would go wrong but one never knew. With a sigh, the young woman climbed into the cart that had been sent for her, denoting that it was a pretty important occasion which got her mind to thinking. There had been no notices of any parties or deaths or anything political. There were no issues in the family business, so why call her back to the capital early when she had things she needed to take care of. Perhaps it had to do with all the disappearances that were occurring, she’d seen one right in front of her very eyes. Mash’al had seen to getting her to ‘safety’ when her guards for the day jumped to protect the people which she really couldn’t blame them for. Maybe there was some kind of development in it, though why her father would call her back for that was beyond her comprehension. There wouldn’t be any reason why he couldn’t just tell her when she visited next, there was nothing she could actually do in it.

In any case, when she arrived in the capital, Naevius took her small bag of things up to her room and bathed. Surely there would be time enough for her to do that. Of course, there was, and once she was presentable in ‘appropriate’ court clothing, she gathered up a small stack of papers before making her way through the palace to where her father was undoubtedly working in his office.

“It’s been quiet but we’re sure of it.” Naevius heard one of his advisors say.

“They haven’t been...content...in a while.” Another said.

“This arrangement will please them, the Lady Naevius is of course the princess and Heir to the throne.”

“We need to assure the bloodline continues in case there is a coup.”

That comment caused her brow to furrow. What could they be talking about? Obviously she had some part in it though this was the first she’d heard about it. Naevius contemplated staying outside and listening but this hall was much frequented and her chances of getting caught were high. Instead, she stood up tall and walked in as if she hadn’t heard a single thing. With a smile, she approached her father, gave him a kiss on the cheek and turned around to the advisors with a nod of her head. “That will be all, gentleman.” The king said, releasing the advisors from Nae’s questionable gaze.

Once they were alone, Naevius set her stack of papers down on his desk before throwing her arms around him in a big hug. No matter why she was at the capitol, she was always glad to see her father. ”I brought all the reports since the last time I was here. There’s not a lot but business has been good.” At her father’s motion to sit down, she chose the oversized plush seat that was her favorite. Upon further inspection, there seemed to be a deeply troubled look in her father’s eyes which made the smile drop from her face. ”What is it Dad? Does it have to do with the disappearances?” The king shook his head but still remained quiet. The silence was deafening, maddening, and truly, truly confusing.

Her father interlocked his fingers and propped his chin upon them. He thought for a moment before turning his gaze back to his worried daughter. “There has been some unrest in the old blood, the old nobles who followed my cousin. Whether it is the disappearances that have stirred this pot or if it’s been brewing for some time we don’t know yet, though one of my advisors who has ties says it's been brewing and kept quiet. They’ve urged me to take action before a coup can be arranged.”

Naevius stood and strolled quickly to her father’s side. Why is it just now that he appears to have aged five years in the last five minutes. ”What do you mean? What action could you take? You haven’t sent the army have you? I don’t think that would be the right way to handle it..” The young princess’ mind whirled with possibilities. Maybe she could host some of them, throw a party...the nobles liked that sort of thing. But it seemed her father still had more to say, one of his hands reached out to take hers.

“I’ve offered your hand in marriage to one of the most prestigious old blood families, one that my advisors assure me is at the head of the others. I’ve made sure that their son is of noble birth and of proper age for you. Everything has been double and triple checked. You will marry this man and assure the bloodline and when I die, you will be queen.”

It took a moment for the bomb her father had just dropped to detonate in her mind. Her father’s hand suddenly felt cold as ice and her own felt clammy. It was withdrawn from his grasp instantly, a look of horror written clearly on her face. ”You’ve done what now? You’ve….arranged my marriage? Come on Dad, that’s so archaic. I don’t need to marry someone to quiet anybody, like that would even work anyway. Besides, you’re still young and strong and the people love you. We have nothing to worry about, least of all ‘assuring the bloodline.’” Naevius shook her head in disbelief, surely this was all some joke though her mind went back to the little bit she had overheard from the advisors and a certain dread crept into her heart.

The king once again rested his chin on his hands as he watched her, a sad look on his face. “I’m sorry Naevius, but it was the only option. Oba cannot handle a civil war right now, not with the disappearances. We’ve got to appear strong and have the strength to donate to the other nations of Tendaji. You’ll leave in the morning and travel to Jatine where you’ll meet him at the end of the week.”

Naevius took a few startled steps back. He wasn’t joking. He was actually going to do this to her. Instantly she felt rage bubble up in her stomach. ”I am not going to marry someone I don’t even know! I’m not going to be forced into a marriage just because some nobles are bored or your silly advisors say something is going to happ-”

“This is not up for discussion!” The king slammed his hand on his desk which more than got her attention before he stood, looking every inch the king. “You do not have a choice in this matter. It is not something that will be debated. I have decided that this is what is best for our people and you WILL see it done.” His eyes said there would be no change no matter what she said.

”But Dad...I…” What could she even say? She was already in love with someone and would never betray him? Could she actually admit to her father that she’d fallen in love with a commoner? Nevertheless someone her own father had basically given a new life to? No. She couldn’t. It would only put Sebastien in danger. As her father was making very clear, he was king and would do what he wished. Which meant if she said anything Sebastien would very much be in danger.

Naevius watched as her father sat down, instantly looking half the man he was a moment ago. He wouldn’t meet her gaze which troubled her more than almost anything else. “You will stay here tonight…” he started, his voice barely above a whisper. “And in the morning you will be escorted to Jatine where you will stay in the Royal vacation home. Your betrothed will arrive at the end of the week. You will host him and his family at the vacation home. After, you’ll return to the compound, one of my advisors will be there to help run the business as you will visit the capitol once a week. And if you miss a check in, there will be consequences.” He looked at her then, and something in his gaze told her that he already knew. Her mouth parted slowly and she took a few steps back. ”I’ll never forgive you.” Naevius said simply before turning around and promptly storming out of the room. It didn’t escape her attention that there were two guards who followed her back to her rooms and who she could hear settle outside her door. It was really serious. It was actually happening. Naevius walked over to her bed and laid down fully clothed. It was the middle of the day but she didn’t care. She didn’t sleep. She didn’t cry. But in the morning, Naevius made herself presentable, situated herself in the cart and rode to Jatine.



Quote:
In this quest, Naevius passes into another stage in her life, one that in the very back of her head knew that it was always a possibility but never thought about because she always thought her father was ‘different’ from the other nobles. This quest serves as a plot point and puts Naevius on a rocky internal path for her next stage, struggling with duty and what she knows in her heart.