Inktober #2: Peace Chapter One: Part One

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DISCLAIMER: Legit just check the prologue's three disclaimers. Also read the prologue for Calamity before this. Just do it. Peace Chapter One: Part One “Hey, Shio? You ready?” Nihima asked Shio. Nihima was Shio’s younger sister, having just turned twelve. She had her hair pulled back into two different tails behind her head. “As I can be.” Shio responded. Shio was a tall girl, only fifteen. She always wore a silver scarf to cover her mouth. She had long brown hair, as most Icarians did. They were standing outside their manor, at the back of the Icarian Territory. There was a carriage waiting for them, with two giant salamanders ready to pull it. Kidini, her brother, was already inside the large carriage, waiting to leave. Their two cousins, Kamen and Asa, were waiting in it too. The Raven, Kidini’s guard, had gone ahead to the bridge. It had been five years since their father had died in what was assumed to be an assasionation by the Relians. Incredibly, neither side declared war or compensation for their lost royalty, the just left, neither side saying a word. It was time to go back to the bridge once again, this time their guards were permitted to be close to them, instead of standing at the perimeter to the bridge. Shio helped her sister get in, then got in herself. Nihima was completely blind, but usually had help when she needed it. The cart started to go forward, and they were off on their way. The people of Icari lined the main road which they left on, cheering for their royalty. Once they had got out of the main town, and on the road, it was eerily quiet. That was expected, since that day had become a somber occasion for all of them. The only thing to see for miles was the barren land of the east side of the river. In a few hours, the bridge was in sight. The Seer was on it, waiting for them. They stepped out of the carriage, and onto the bridge. The Realians had also just arrived. The seer nodded, then went into his usual tale of the legacy of Realia and Icari, or as her brother cynically called it, “The Reallian’s Thirst for War.” The Seer finished his story. “And now, for the sacrifice.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a letter. He opened it, then read, “Each side must choose one child from the opposite side that isn’t the direct inheritor of the throne. THey then must trade them for each other. This is to last indefinitely, or until another Seer says otherwise. For the good of this land, this was written. Shio’s eyes widened, and felt as if she had been punched. “N-no way,” She took a step back. “This can’t be happening.” She looked at her brother. HE seemed to be furiously calculating something in his head. “Kidini!” She yelled at him. “What are we gonna do?” Kidini looked up suddenly. “They’re gonna take Nihima.” Shio’s eyes widened once more. “It’s their best strategic move. They can’t take me, and they wouldn’t take Kamen or Asa. I doubt they would take you, you’re too old, and Nihima’s…” His voice trailed off. Kidini knelt by his sister. “Nihima, I need you to listen to me. They’re most likely going to choose you. You have to learn everything you can, until we meet back here in five years.” Nihima tried her best to look calm. “That’s fine. I can wait.” She said shortly. Kidini looked over at the Relians. “I… Think we should take the youngest boy.” Shio looked at him. “Why not one of the Twins, whichever isn’t the next in line for the throne?” He shook his head. “He’s too old. He’s likely going to try to take revenge for his mother. And the one in the wheelchair wouldn’t be strategically smart, either. He likely also feels resentment for us, if he thinks that we planned the attack five years ago. The young girl might work, but the way she holds herself tells me otherwise, she always has her swords on her, and by the way she seems to be talking to her siblings, she might have a temper. So that leaves…” Shio shook her head. “If you say so.” She turned to her little sister. “Oh, Nihima. I’m so sorry. We’ll see each other again.” She gave her sister a hug. Kidini briefly walked by Shio, and dropped a piece of paper next to her. She picked it up, and read it. “Everything I just said about them choosing Nihima is wrong. They’re going to choose you. But by saying out loud that they’ll choose Nihima provoked a reaction from both of you that no acting could fake, by doing that, they’ll think we’ve already assumed that Nihima is the one they’ll take, and in their minds, I’ve already planted a idea that goes against their mindset, that we, the filthy Icarians, could have predicted what they’re going to do. Learn everything about them you can.” Once she finished reading, she stood up from her crouched position. They looked at The Seer, and he seemed to get the message. “Well,” He said somberly, “It seems both sides have made their decisions. Would the respective next-in-lines walk forward and say your decision?”