Naveen

I waved a hand to try and still her anger as I worked on getting the laughter to stop. When I found my voice for something other than laughter I looked up to her, "No, no. You misunderstand. Haha. Your words...they reminded me of something I used to say to my brother...I used to tell him that one day I'd be with a princess. He made fun of me for it."

Rina:

My mouth turned down in distaste. “I am in blood alone. I don't see that as an accomplishment to be proud of.” I continued to frown at him.

"Your blood is who you are, but it is your deeds that make you Rina." I couldn't keep my mirth from showing, and a soft chuckle still left my lips.

Rina:

I dropped my arms and turned to continue down the road. He could catch up if he wished. I thought about his words, they were true, and they had been what I had been struggling with.

I shook my head and let her get a few steps while I calmed down. Long strides had me catch up to her, and though I wanted to ask questions I wisely held my tongue and made no more remarks, though a smile still lived on my lips.

Rina:

“This knowledge is out there. The vampires thought I was Renee before they confirmed it. Somehow they figured it out… And now that it is confirmed… I can't imagine they will keep it a secret.” I gave a heavy sigh. “The information will be sold to the highest bidder. And with the prince's marriage and coronation this spring, I can only imagine who would benefit from knowing I'm still alive.” I was more thinking out loud than speaking to him.

I let her speak, holding off on my comments until a question formed in my brain. I glanced at her for a long moment before asking carefully, "Why haven't you come forward already? To claim your birthright?"

Rina:

“I was four when my feather took me away. I've never been in that world, I don't have allies. But I'm the only blood heir to the throne. My mother wasn't royalty, and her husband was prince of Lavic. Her son isn't truly the heir to the throne. If I tried to return, I would surly be killed so I wouldn't take it from him.” I answered.

"Ah." I stated flatly. It made sense her reasoning, she would need plenty of allies just to survive in the court of nobles. I frowned thoughtfully as I pondered it and her position.

Rina:

“Though, as it stands now, I have very little choices. I'm sure word will get out that Renee is alive. Prince Carcen will want me killed. When Brian finds out, he'll be worried I'm a threat. The rebels will feel betrayed that I am born from their enemy, even if they once fought for my father, the crown is against them now.” I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What I did from here needed to be decided quickly or it would be chosen for me. I was ill equipped to handle the situation.

"Then you need to make the first step Rina. Find where you want to go, and plan accordingly. You are now the strongest piece on the board, and your moves dictate how the war goes. This isn't something I can help you with until you ask with a goal in mind." I cautioned her, loath to let her free like this. It was the right thing to do as a friend, but for my people's sake I knew I should try to direct her.

Rina:

I didn't respond for a few minutes. “How did you do it? How did you decide to become Talon?” I asked softly, uncertainty in my eyes. I remember thinking how similar our places seemed.

"I didn't decide it for me...I decided it for my people. They didn't need Savien...they needed a leader like Talon. If anyone should have died on the mountaintop it should have been me. But that isn't how life goes. So for my people I will be who I am not, I will live my brothers legacy in the hopes of one day I can go back to just being the real me. I build for the future, and I bide my time for such things." I said slowly with a note of sadness coloring my tone.

Rina:

I sighed and watched the road as I walked. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, I wanted a solution that wouldn't require me to become someone I wasn't. “For your people.” I repeated.

"It's different though, what you face. My people are dying Rina. Our birthrate is low, and even lower if we try to mix races. Not many infants survive to term, fewer still last to become adults. And then we slaughter ourselves to gain the power to survive atop the mountain. My people needed me to be what I am not. Your choice is different. You walk a different path, and coming out to what you are or not is another matter entirely." I continued after she repeated the phrase.

Rina:

“Is it really that different? More than one race hinges on the future of this country. Imagine, if I somehow was able to survive to take the throne. Things could change for your people and those like you...” My brow furrowed deeply. There was so much more at stake than my own future.

"No one comes to our mountain. Even if things go badly in your lands, we will endure. You've traveled the mists. Do you think the armies of the kingdom could survive it? Bigger groups attract more beasts. Nothing would change beyond my desire to send my people elsewhere. We can not abandon what we have, but I'd prefer protecting the innocent." I shrugged and looked to her. "We will endure until time erases us from existence."

Rina:


“I'm not talking about an army coming to get you. I 'm thinking more along the lines of you moving down from the mountain. Other Elvin communities fair better don't they? You wouldn't have to live there anymore.” I said.

"Our roots, our culture, our place of worship are on the mountain. We can spread, but we can never leave it entirely. We wait for the one who granted us the power of the moon as was our agreement in the past." I spoke softly.

Rina:

I let it go, there was no way he would agree to what I said then, and if he did it wouldn't matter because it was just an idea. But if I ever did get the power, I would bring it up again. “Well regardless.” I said without following up. I walked in silence a little longer. “I think I need to speak with Brian. He should know who I am.” I pursed my lips. There was a possibility that he would back me if I chose to make a power play.

"You have my support, let me know what I can do when you make your move." I reached over after a moment to take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Rina:

I squeezed his hand back. "Thank you for that, and for everything else you have done for me and my people." I said softly.

"It is a pleasure. Truly." I replied back. "No matter what comes I have your back Rina."

Rina:

“I don't want to stay at the Moroe's tonight. I think we can make more progress if continue on and camp.” I said. If I was going to have any chance of having the upper hand on my situation I needed to reach Brian as soon as possible. And somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking that we would the opportunity of another enjoyable night if we camped.

"We'll have to drop by the grab our gear as well as stop in town for some supplies. I don't fancy hunting today, though might not be a bad idea in the following days...depending on where you want to go." I watched her from the corner of my eye, curious as to her intended destination.