Thread: A Hard Won Peace (Skeith & Neomah)

How long had the land been burning? How long had the flames of war threatened to engulf the land? Few historians could date the war's origin, and even fewer could recall what started it. Both sides spun a different story, both blaming the other. While some of the more progressive members of both societies recognized that the truth probably lay somewhere in the middle, they were so outnumbered that their voices were lost in the cries for war and vengeance. The land between the two warring societies had been reduced to ash. In the truest case of fighting fire with fire, the whole world would literally be left to burn. The war had been called to halt by a third, stronger party. A nation that revered nature and its right to grow unhindered. Fire served as their greatest threat, which made establishing peace an absolute necessity. Threatening to bring their full military might to bear against both nations, they demanded that each attend a peace summit where the two parties would be forced to come to some sort of arrangement. The ceasefire was bitter and unwanted by most, but fearing their destruction, both sides were forced to agree. Enter Ashe Alistair , warrior princess of Phoenicia. Up til this point, her military career had dominated her life. She hadn't given herself any time for meeting potential suitors, much less marriage. The idea of being seated on her parents throne almost disgusted her. She wasn't a bureaucrat. In fact, she hardly even saw herself as a woman. She was a soldier first and foremost. Her parents had intended for her to be a soldier from birth, her validity as a potential queen only recently having been decided. She had recently come to change her tune, her hatred and rage being replaced by sorrow and grief. Losing her elder brother in the war, and seeing her entire battalion destroyed, she felt no need for vengeance, only peace. Which made the trip to the summit an awkward one. Her parents both were defiant of the peace summit, neither approving of the meeting. This bode ill for the potential for peace. She could only hope that her desires would be given voice and that at least someone from the other side would agree. The forest was a bizarre sight for the young princess, having come from a mountain nation, barren of living trees. Her golden eyes stared out the carriage window at the massive trees. Lights emerged from cracks in the bark, doors seated at their base, making it clear that these people truly lived in and around nature. The air was fresher here, which was strange. The sights, sounds, and smells bizarre and alien. When the carriage came to a halt, so to did her parents ceaseless wining about the summit. As she exited the carriage she stretched her wings out wide. She would have preferred to simply fly here. The carriage was so cramped. They were greeted by officials and disarmed of their weapons before being led to the gathering hall where the meeting was to occur. She caught a brief glimpse of what she had thought to be the royal family from her recent enemy, but cast her eyes to the ground just as quickly. The great hall, resting within the trunk of the largest tree was truly an astounding sight, stealing the breath away from the young Ashe. Her eyes fell the neutral party that had demanded their attendance. They stood armed and prepared to strike down both parties if an agreement could not be reached. She took her seat on one end of the room, content for the moment to let her parents attempt tor each peace, despite having no desire for it. The leader of the third party rose from his seat, his elegant robe dragging behind him as he stepped forward. We have assembled this gathering in the interest of peace. History has shown that it is impossible for your two nations to exist separately as independent entities. She we present to you both a singular option. A union between your two societies. A bond of marriage between the youngest of both of your offspring. Bitter and spiteful you may have been apart, but together, you might reclaim some semblance of your former glory. Enraged, Ashe's father rose from his seat, his voice echoing throughout the hall. We would never agree to such terms! To wed our child in so despicable a union is out of the question! Her mother nodded in agreement. Amid the chaos and shouting, Ashe quieted her mind breathing out uneasily. She was unsure how she felt about the concept of marriage. It was sudden, and nerve wracking, but in the interest of peace she could hardly refuse. She rose from her seat, stepping towards the center of the room, she balled her hands into light fists as she prepared to speak, breathing out an uneasy sigh. I've lost many to the flames of war, and have on far to many an occasion, found myself slave to my rage. Desiring only violence and vengeance. Such desires are petty and selfish, and reflect poorly on myself and my name. I, Ashe Alistair, princess of Phoenicia and heir to the Phoenician Throne, hereby accept the terms of peace. A treaty forged through wedlock is the shortest and stablest route to peace. Her parents stared slack jawed, certainly viewing her as guilty of treason. Despite knowing that daggers were being stared into the core of her soul for her words from all around the room, she stood bold, concealing her fear behind the face of a seasoned warrior.