Thread: Worlds Collide [HeavenSundered x Inwiththebooks]

The night turned out to be uneventful, affording Izumi some much needed rest, though sleeping completely naked on a thin animal skin laid out directly over the floor in a cold, damp dungeon was far from relaxing. With every passing second spent in her cell, her resentment towards her captors grew that much more. She wouldn't had been happy about being held as a prisoner of war - obviously - but at least that she could have respected. The way that she was being treated was unacceptable, however, and clearly demonstrated that these Westerners hadn't evolved enough to value civility or honor. Izumi was already awake when the estate guards returned in the morning, this time ushering her out of the cell and leading her back outside. Unable to stand being kept in the dark, dragged around and paraded in the nude out in the open, she finally snapped, barking futilely at one of the guards in her mother tongue to tell her what they planned on doing with her. Of course, she realized that he couldn't understand Naginarian any more than she could Antaran, but the man's stone-faced silence enraged her enough that she thrashed violently the rest of the way, not making it easy for them to load her into the cage on the rearmost palanquin. Another cage. Another unknown destination. This time they traveled through crowded streets in the most immense and imposing city that Izumi had ever seen. She was on display for anyone who cared to stare, like some captured wild animal. Eventually, they reached an almost impossibly gargantuan and ornate structure, which she could only imagine was Antara's capital building housing it's leader and his throne. Why was she being brought there? Did the noblewoman wish to claim some sort of reward by pretending to be the one who'd captured her? Was she being brought here to be put on some sort of trial? Izumi could only guess as the procession was lead into the palace itself, since there was no way for her to see anything of relevance from where she was. However, she did hear the voice - with the unmistakable tone of a leader - which surprisingly came from a woman rather than a man. At some point, she was also able to make out the faint but distinct sound of her katana's blade lightly scraping against wood when it was picked up from the weapon stand which she'd seen her captors load up into the second palanquin earlier. It hit a sensitive nerve for her, knowing that someone else was wielding her sword, especially one who was assuredly unworthy of such a weapon. This time when the guards came to pull her out of the cage, Izumi didn't struggle, wanting to come face to face with their leader so that she might finally discover why she was here and what this Empress wanted with her. It was difficult to mask the feeling of awe when she finally laid eyes upon the Empress. Not only was she by far taller than any other woman Izumi had witnessed, but everything else about her was striking as well, from the way that she wore her flowing bright robes to her well defined and sublime facial features. Even the backdrop of the massive, elevated throne flanked by lit braziers and massive tapestries added to the woman's intimidating aura. The fact that she was standing in front of this woman wearing nothing but her tattoos and a small, trimmed patch of dark pubic hair made Izumi feel like she was utterly powerless and vulnerable. Still, there was no shortage of scorn in Izumi's almond shaped eyes either as they narrowed slightly when she saw her dagger in the Empress' hand. What do you want from me? she demanded, careful to keep her own voice as strong and calm as she could manage. Izumi seriously doubted that the Empress knew her language, but perhaps there was some minute chance that she had a translator at her disposal. Do you approve of your servants acting in your name without any shred of honor, Antaran Empress? she added with a quick nod towards Adelia.