Thread: A Pillar of Serpents [ft. xanaphia & november]

Persia was not a religious woman, despite the image she cultivated for herself. It was useful for people to think her nothing but a pious and obedient wife and mother, so that was the persona she wore as Queen. Yet, there was truth in her voice as the word miracle dripped from her lips. It wasnt a performance, wasnt merely a performance, as she gazed upon a dead man. And while she didnt attribute this act to God, it was nothing less than a marvel. I prayed that God might return you to us, She announced to the court, stepping form the dais. And here you are now, before us all. Here you stand, proof that God favors us, all of us, over Dahnae. Expansion is Gods will, and cowardice in the face of this miracle is to spit upon Gods grace. She stood before Darius now, the difference in their stature astonishing. He was a temple of masculinity, a marble statue come to life, with all the strength and skill of the hero he was crafted for. She was a woman, weakness encased in mortal flesh, so it was perfectly permissible for her to cry over his death. Permissible for her to wail and tear at her hair and skin. She was allowed the mourning her husband was not, and her performance was catharsis for the entire court. Darius hadnt been much to her, as far as anyone was concerned. Just gazes that passed in hallways, held until it was no longer possible or decent. Just the fantasy that got her through her passionless duty to her husband. Just a regret, a pain she would carry in her heart until her twilight days. But there he was, right before her. In the flesh. That glorious, firm flesh that consumed a thousand lonely nights. She would not carry that regret for much longer. Words waste time, waste the momentum that Darius offensive has bought us, Lord Kalel Jhaveri proclaimed. Her father, and the leader of the charge to take the fight to Dahnae. Fight them in their land, so we do not fight in ours. Never again. Words did not see our country grow, did not feed our people or warm our bones. He turned toward the king now taking a few steps toward him, Your Majesty! You sit upon the hallowed throne, because we have faith in your ability to lead, not merely your ability to speak. Will you set upon the path that God has set before us, carved by Darius very hand? It was a reminder, she knew, that it was House Jhaveri who threw their weight behind House Rahal to claim the throne of Niderna, after Draen Toulali brought shame upon their country and their name. It was a reminder that his loyalty came at a price, and he had come to collect. Clearly her husband was rattled, wearing the face of a man trying to listen to two disparate conversations at once. A man who had walked a balancing act as well as anyone could be expected to, but it would never be enough. His caution, his reticence, his contemplation may have been admirable traits for a leader to possess, were he not currently being overshadowed by a man whose temerity had won the day. Cirren was hardly a man when Darius was present, an unforgiving specimen of excellence. We He started, gazing out among the court before clearing his throat, We must not let this opportunity go to waste. We must meet aggression with aggression, and strength with strength.