A Bird on the Wing

The village of Hoshigakure lay in the shadows of early dawn. The sky, a light blue hue, showed signs of the coming sun, but the fiery orb had yet to peak its head over the distant horizon. Citizens remained in their beds hoping to eek out the last bit of sleep before the siren call of daily life summoned them forth. And, for once, the village seemed to stand still as the people who walked the streets did so in relative silence. The chasm between day and night is special like this when time feels to extend forever yet, in reality, lasts only a moment or two.

If you blink then you might miss it, so don't blink.

Alas, Lucian Nazar did not have the time to savor such serenity. He had awoken just as the last stars in the sky found themselves swallowed up by the coming dawn and had not rested since. Indeed, he only dared to take his first breather when all his work had been done.

Standing outside the grand palace of Hoshigakure he waited with eyes on the main door. Behind him stood the result of his morning's work, three fully packed carriages. Each carriage had a team of well-rested horses at their head. The first and last carriages looked to be your run of the mill vehicles with the only real defining features being the seal of Hoshigakure's royalty emblazoned on the sides. The center carriage, however, was a sight to behold with ornate decoration and an almost unreasonable amount of gold and silver accents. This center carriage, dear reader, is the royal carriage meant for one woman and one woman alone, Princess Tehniyat Bukhari Starr.

Now, it was this woman in particular who Lucian waited for. Shrouded in dull orange robes that made him look more like a monk than anything else one would be hard pressed to identify him as one of the newest Queensguard. Today would be an important day for all involved for the royal caravan was bound for the Bird Country where Tehniyat would live out her life wed to some prince whose name escaped Lucian.

Hmm, I should probably look into that whole name business...

Would Aunt Shiera have approved?

There were no more stars in the sky, nowhere to take solace from as Princess Tehniyat made her way to the palace gates, accompanied by her compliment of guards, Princess Kanzaki and Regent Akihana. If times were different, the royal princess leaving would have been an event of itself, the whole city doused in colors and shouts of well wishers, children running to attacc beads, jewels and prayers to the departing carriages, priests anointing the bride to be with special oils and dawning blessings upon her ensuring wedded bliss and fertility.

As it was, Princess Tehniyat was leaving to a sleepy town. Only the most devout worshiper or loyal subject of the crown would be up at this hour to see the carriages go. Hoshi couldn't afford a whole day of celebration to bid its princess farewell and the princess accepted that.

A Queen is for her People, Aunt Shiera had always said. Tehniyat was no queen but she understood. Reaching down to hug Kanzaki one final time, the green eyed heiress hoped her late Aunt would approve. She had done the best she could for her people and now it was Tehniyat's turn. Or rather, Akihana's.

"I wish you wouldn't have to leave," the golden eyes kunoichi spoke softly, the sorrow genuine in her eyes

"I know," the princess replied, releasing Kanzaki and reaching to embrace Akihana next. "Look after Kanzaki, she is our only hope." Akihana nodded before the trio of blondes continued on their way to meet the carriages waiting outside. Ser Lucian stood with the cargo, no hint of a uniform about his person. Perhaps it was for the best.

"Are we ready to leave?" she asked, her tone emotionless and regal now that they were out in the open. "Do we require more horsemen?"

"We are ready to depart at your leisure," Lucian replied, offering a shallow bow. "We'll be met by a detachment of the royal hussars at the main gates. They've gone ahead to clear the way."

He rather disliked the imposed formalities of court. Since his induction into the Queensguard he'd found himself buried in protocol and customs. And while tradition was important, the Nazar found it irksome to be so bound to it; it felt more like a ball and chain than anything else. He quietly hoped that life on the road would be different, more free.

Turning soundlessly to the side he pulled open the carriage door for the princess. A step sat on the ground to assist the woman to the vehicle that would bear her to her husband. Strange how things worked, never in a thousand years would Lucian have thought he'd be standing where he was that day. Yet there he was.

Next stop?

Bird Country.

With the confirmation from Ser Lucian, the princess turned towards her most loyal guard to bid him farewell. Walking towards Atem, for the first time it was the princess who lowered herself in front of the chunin, bestowing a kiss on each of the young man's cheekbones. A last gesture of gratitude for having seen her through what would undoubtedly be remembered as the most difficult time of her young life.

Or so she imagined.

"Thank you for your Service, Ser. A princess could never want for a better sworn shield."

With that, the blonde stepped up into the carriage and took her place where she belonged, in a vehicle heading away from Hoshigakure forever. As the horses began their slow gallop, Tehniyat watched all people and things she knew turn to ghosts in the early dawn. Despite the hour, a few stragglers had indeed come out of their beds to bid the princess farewell. And as she stared out a their faces through the clear glass, she refused to let them see her cry. She would project the image of strength this country was in desperate need of til the very end.

It was only as they had cleared the gates by a number of miles that she let the first droplet slide down her face, falling into her thin, trembling hands.

(Exit Tehniyat - retiring NPC)

Closing the door Lucian took a breath. Bird country was not really all that far away, yet it felt a world away. He'd gone over the maps and it didn't seem to be all that difficult. Alas, he could not shake the feeling of walking on pins and needles. Of course, it was probably just in his head.

Making his way to the front carriage, Lucian slipped up next to the driver. Nodding once the man snapped the reins and the carriages went off. A few people here and there waved the princess off. Lucian had become just another faceless guard. Funny how what worked.

Oh, well.

[Exit.]

Approved alla round