Icicene grunts as she works herself back through the hole in the palace walls, moving fast not to be seen by any guards that might still be chasing her, Naomi and Alonsa following close behind. As soon as she pushes the stone back into place, which turns and slides down to sit against the bolder, panting.
"Hey...are you alright?" Naomi asks.
Icicene looks up at her, a tear forming in her eye.
"Not really. In fact, I feel quite horid." Icicene answers, "I can not believe I left Tharin out there in the orchards."
"It's not your fault, Icicene." Alonsa says.
"In truth, it is, I do not need you to cheer me with those simple lies." Icicene says.
"Icicene.." Naomi says.
Icicene responds by standing and wiping her eyes, removing any trace of crying. Within moments, they find themselves in one of the white marble hallways, her footsteps silent as she rushes by each othe rooms. At last, they reach the door to Icicene's bedroom, shutting the door quietly, but quickly, turning to the wardrobe as soon as they're sure it's sealed. She quickly takes off her stain subdued skirts, replacing them with a orange tinted dress, simple, yet elegant. She brushes the shrub from her hair and puts gold assesories into her hair to dress it up, matching it with earrings, cuffs, and bands, replacing her spartian sandals with more elegant ones, a little heel on the back. Finally, after putting on some eyeshadow, she turns towards them.
"How do I look?" Icicene asks as she ties a gold cord around her waist.
"Depressed."Naomi answers.
Icicene sighs.
"Thank you so very much. I feel a thousand times better." Icicene commets sarcastically.
A sudden knock at the door makes them all jump in their skin.
"Your Higness? I have something for you." Asia's voice says from the other side of the door.
"Something for me?" Icicene asks as she opens the door, "What is it?"
"I do not know, but I found it outside with a arrow attached to it and a I, so I guessed it is for you." Asia answers as she hands a box to Icicene, an arrow attached to the top, an I marked on the arrow head, "I shall leave you to it."
Asia grins as she closes the door behind her, leaving Icicene once again alone in the room. She turns and looks over the box, noting the nice carvings along the sides of the box.
"What do you think it could be?" Naomi asks as she floats down to Icicene's side.
"I truly do not know." Icicene answers as she walks over to her bed, sitting down on the crisp clean sheets.
She sits the box down in front of her and quickly works at the rope holding the lid on to the bottom. When it finally comes loose, she lifts the lid to see what's inside.
Naomi and Alonsa float oer to see, and their eyes widen when they see what's inside.
Inside, beside a beautifully carved key, is the necklace Heru had given Calankaiana years ago, and the same Naomi wears around her neck, under her shirt.
"How beautiful." Icicene says as she looks over the necklace, a smile rising to her cheeks.
"Who..gave that to her..?" Naomi asks.
Icicene looks up at her.
"What is wrong?" Icicene asks.
Naomi becomes quiet as she takes the back of the chain holding the pendant and pulls it, revealing the same pendant that Icicene holds in her hands. The sight of it causes Icicene to gasp, putting her pendant back in the box before staring at Naomi's.
"How did you get your's?" Icicene asks.
"I got it from Alonsa." Naomi answers as she looks oer at Alonsa.
Icicene turns towards Alonsa.
"Were you the one that gave this to me?" Icicene asks.
Alonsa shakes her head.
"I did not." Alonsa answers, "And to tell the truth, that necklace had actually been given to Heru, and he later gave it to Neema's daughter, and so on and so forth. So the only person who could of had it must of been a descendent of Neema's daughter."
Icicene's eyes widen.
"You said Tharin was a descendent of this Neema, did you not?" Icicene asks.
Naomi's eyes now widen as well.
"That's right. Do you think he gave it to you?" Naomi asks.
Icicene shakes her head.
"I don't believe so. Remember that he didn't even know who I was when I met him in the orchards." Icicene answers.
"That is true." Alonsa agrees.
Icicene sighs as she lifts it over her head, placing the pendant nicely around her neck. Her thoughts then turn towards the key.
"What is this for?" Icicene asks as she picks it up, looking it over.
Naomi and Alonsa look over it too.
"Who knows, hae you lost any keys lately?" Naomi asks.
"No." Icicene answers.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Icicene calls.
"Icicene, it's me. Myla and I have come to help you get ready for tonight." Cleopatra's voice calls from the other side of the door.
Icicene grins.
"Alright, come on in." Icicene says as she puts the box aside.
Within minutes, Icicene is in the midst of her dressing, smiling brightly as she looks over the green silk. Soon, they redo her hair, pulling it back into a loose bun, strands of hair falling out, as designed, two gold headbands keeping it from becoming completely undone. In front of these two is a tiara, the gem sitting nicely in the middle of her forehead. Her earring are changed out for emerald dew-drop earrings, matching her emerald encrusted cuffs. They do her makeup next, using a plain paste to rid of any exposed blemishes. Next, they use powerful silver and gold eyeshadow to show out her eyes causing them to pop like blue flame.
After setting a light blush and faded pink lip stain, as it appeared to be, another knock at the door comes.
"Princess, Demetrius of Bactria has arrived and is waiting in the Throne Hall for you." a man says from the other side of the door.
Icicene sighs.
"Alright, I will be there soon." Icicene calls back, getting up from her chair.
"Do you want one of us to come with you?" Cleopatra asks.
Icicene grins down at her.
"Would you want to come with me?" Icicene asks.
Cleopatra smiles.
"Yes, of course!" Cleopatra answers.
"Alright, let us go then." Icicene says as she takes Cleopatra's hand and begins to walk towards the door, looking back at Asia, "You may come as well."
Asia grins.
"As you wish, Princess." Asia says as she follows close behind the sisters.
Minutes later, Icicene, Cleopatra, Asia, Naomi, and Alonsa find themseleves standing in front of the door to the Throne Hall. As she stands there, Icicene feels her heart beginning to beat faster, something that Naomi senses, floating down to her side.
"Hey, it'll be alright." Naomi says, smiling.
Icicene grins.
"Thank you." Icicene answers as the door opens.
It reveals a long hall, a larger area at the other end, drapped by many sheer curtains hung from the high ceiling, skylights letting in some of the setting sunlight.
"Alright, you go on ahead Cleopatra." Icicene says as she lets go of Cleopatra's hand, "Asia, go with her."
Asia nods.
"Yes, Princess." Asia says as she takes Cleopatra's open hand, "Come along, Young Princess."
"See you in a minute, sister." Cleopatra calls over her shoulder as she walks ahead.
"See you then." Icicene calls back as she waves, smiling.
Cleopatra smiles and turns back following Asia close.
Icicene continues to grin as she watches Cleopatra go.
"She's such a great child." Alonsa comments.
"Indeed. I am happy to call her my younger sister." Icicene agrees.
"Well, shouldn't we follow them?" Naomi asks.
"Not yet." Icicene answers.
"Why not?" Naomi asks.
"I have not been announced yet." Icicene answers, "But as soon as we hear the horn, we shall go."
"What horn?-" Naomi starts.
Suddenly, a loud horn sounds from farther down the hall.
"That one." Icicene says as she begins to walk down the the tile floor.
"Hey, wait up." Naomi calls as she catches up with Icicene, Alonsa following close behind.
"Presenting her Royal Highness, the eldest daughter of King Antiochus the Third and Queen Laodice the Third, Rulers of the Selecuid Empire, the beautiful and wise, Princess Icicene 1 Penella." An announcer calls from the end of the hall, the curtains pulled back to reveal her as she comes to be about five feet from the entrance to the bigger area. She looks ahead to see her parents sitting at their thrones, a smaller one set inbetween them for her. And, by them, is an man, maybe 16, gawking at her as she strides gracefully towards the space, probably Demetrius the first of Bactria.
He's plump, but skinny enough that it's not too irritating to look at. His hair is brown, and curly, though short and well kept. A crown sits upon his head, dignifying him as royalty. His toga is made of expensive fabric, gold assesories mixed with his attire, as well as his Spartian sandals. He bows as she finally enters the space, seeing Cleopatra and Asia standing off to the side.
"My Lady, you are more gorgeous then they say. It is a honor to be in your pressence, Princess." Demetrius says as he bows once again.
Icicene grins.
...he doesn't seem that bad...
"Oh, forgive me for my manners. I am Demetrius the first of Bactria." Demetrius says as he walks closer to her.
"Pleased to make your aquantince, my Lord." Icicene answers as she curtsies, "And, as just spoken, I am Princess Icicene the first Penella of the Seleucid Empire."
"Humbled to make your aquantance." Demetrius says as he takes her hand, and kisses it.
"As you should be." Icicene says in the nicest way possible, getting an uneasy feeling as his lips leave her hand.
He grins as he escorts her to her throne, bowing as she sits, then stepping back.
"Now, what is it that you want with Princess Icicene?" Antiochus asks.
"Your Higness, if I might be so bold, I would like if I-" Demetrius starts.
"Your Majesty." a head guard interupts, coming from behind the throne.
"Alexios, what is the meaning of this interuption!" Antiochus yells, irritated by Alexios' actions.
"I am deeply sorry, my King, but we have caught a repeated fellin, and we wish that you pass judgement upon him." Alexios explains.
Antiochus sighs.
"Alright, bring him forth." Antiochus orders.
Alexios nods and makes some type of hand signal, triggering the men at the door to open it.
Already from inside, Icicene, Naomi, and the others can here a struggle from the other side of the wooden door, which is already half-way open.
"Let go of me, I am innocent!" a familiar young man's voice yells, causing Icicene's eyes to widen.
"Stay silent, ruffian!" another guard yells, before there's a loud crack noise, followed by an painful grunt.
Finally, the criminal is thrown into the room, beaten, and bleeding from his mouth. His clothes are torn and his bow n' arrow have vanished, probably confiscated.
"We found him in the palace orchards, we believe that their might of been another, but they got away before we could catch them, and this brute will not confess the person's idenity." one of the guards explains.
"That is because I do not know it myself. Besides, she did nothing." the man answers.
"No one told you to speak!" the same guard yells, hitting him again.
"Hey, calm down. Now boy, let's see your face." Antiochus says.
The guard takes his hair and pulls it back, revealing what Icicene was too scared to admit to herself.
Though, as he looks her dead in her eyes, it's inescapable now.
Tharin...
"Hey...are you alright?" Naomi asks.
Icicene looks up at her, a tear forming in her eye.
"Not really. In fact, I feel quite horid." Icicene answers, "I can not believe I left Tharin out there in the orchards."
"It's not your fault, Icicene." Alonsa says.
"In truth, it is, I do not need you to cheer me with those simple lies." Icicene says.
"Icicene.." Naomi says.
Icicene responds by standing and wiping her eyes, removing any trace of crying. Within moments, they find themselves in one of the white marble hallways, her footsteps silent as she rushes by each othe rooms. At last, they reach the door to Icicene's bedroom, shutting the door quietly, but quickly, turning to the wardrobe as soon as they're sure it's sealed. She quickly takes off her stain subdued skirts, replacing them with a orange tinted dress, simple, yet elegant. She brushes the shrub from her hair and puts gold assesories into her hair to dress it up, matching it with earrings, cuffs, and bands, replacing her spartian sandals with more elegant ones, a little heel on the back. Finally, after putting on some eyeshadow, she turns towards them.
"How do I look?" Icicene asks as she ties a gold cord around her waist.
"Depressed."Naomi answers.
Icicene sighs.
"Thank you so very much. I feel a thousand times better." Icicene commets sarcastically.
A sudden knock at the door makes them all jump in their skin.
"Your Higness? I have something for you." Asia's voice says from the other side of the door.
"Something for me?" Icicene asks as she opens the door, "What is it?"
"I do not know, but I found it outside with a arrow attached to it and a I, so I guessed it is for you." Asia answers as she hands a box to Icicene, an arrow attached to the top, an I marked on the arrow head, "I shall leave you to it."
Asia grins as she closes the door behind her, leaving Icicene once again alone in the room. She turns and looks over the box, noting the nice carvings along the sides of the box.
"What do you think it could be?" Naomi asks as she floats down to Icicene's side.
"I truly do not know." Icicene answers as she walks over to her bed, sitting down on the crisp clean sheets.
She sits the box down in front of her and quickly works at the rope holding the lid on to the bottom. When it finally comes loose, she lifts the lid to see what's inside.
Naomi and Alonsa float oer to see, and their eyes widen when they see what's inside.
Inside, beside a beautifully carved key, is the necklace Heru had given Calankaiana years ago, and the same Naomi wears around her neck, under her shirt.
"How beautiful." Icicene says as she looks over the necklace, a smile rising to her cheeks.
"Who..gave that to her..?" Naomi asks.
Icicene looks up at her.
"What is wrong?" Icicene asks.
Naomi becomes quiet as she takes the back of the chain holding the pendant and pulls it, revealing the same pendant that Icicene holds in her hands. The sight of it causes Icicene to gasp, putting her pendant back in the box before staring at Naomi's.
"How did you get your's?" Icicene asks.
"I got it from Alonsa." Naomi answers as she looks oer at Alonsa.
Icicene turns towards Alonsa.
"Were you the one that gave this to me?" Icicene asks.
Alonsa shakes her head.
"I did not." Alonsa answers, "And to tell the truth, that necklace had actually been given to Heru, and he later gave it to Neema's daughter, and so on and so forth. So the only person who could of had it must of been a descendent of Neema's daughter."
Icicene's eyes widen.
"You said Tharin was a descendent of this Neema, did you not?" Icicene asks.
Naomi's eyes now widen as well.
"That's right. Do you think he gave it to you?" Naomi asks.
Icicene shakes her head.
"I don't believe so. Remember that he didn't even know who I was when I met him in the orchards." Icicene answers.
"That is true." Alonsa agrees.
Icicene sighs as she lifts it over her head, placing the pendant nicely around her neck. Her thoughts then turn towards the key.
"What is this for?" Icicene asks as she picks it up, looking it over.
Naomi and Alonsa look over it too.
"Who knows, hae you lost any keys lately?" Naomi asks.
"No." Icicene answers.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Icicene calls.
"Icicene, it's me. Myla and I have come to help you get ready for tonight." Cleopatra's voice calls from the other side of the door.
Icicene grins.
"Alright, come on in." Icicene says as she puts the box aside.
Within minutes, Icicene is in the midst of her dressing, smiling brightly as she looks over the green silk. Soon, they redo her hair, pulling it back into a loose bun, strands of hair falling out, as designed, two gold headbands keeping it from becoming completely undone. In front of these two is a tiara, the gem sitting nicely in the middle of her forehead. Her earring are changed out for emerald dew-drop earrings, matching her emerald encrusted cuffs. They do her makeup next, using a plain paste to rid of any exposed blemishes. Next, they use powerful silver and gold eyeshadow to show out her eyes causing them to pop like blue flame.
After setting a light blush and faded pink lip stain, as it appeared to be, another knock at the door comes.
"Princess, Demetrius of Bactria has arrived and is waiting in the Throne Hall for you." a man says from the other side of the door.
Icicene sighs.
"Alright, I will be there soon." Icicene calls back, getting up from her chair.
"Do you want one of us to come with you?" Cleopatra asks.
Icicene grins down at her.
"Would you want to come with me?" Icicene asks.
Cleopatra smiles.
"Yes, of course!" Cleopatra answers.
"Alright, let us go then." Icicene says as she takes Cleopatra's hand and begins to walk towards the door, looking back at Asia, "You may come as well."
Asia grins.
"As you wish, Princess." Asia says as she follows close behind the sisters.
Minutes later, Icicene, Cleopatra, Asia, Naomi, and Alonsa find themseleves standing in front of the door to the Throne Hall. As she stands there, Icicene feels her heart beginning to beat faster, something that Naomi senses, floating down to her side.
"Hey, it'll be alright." Naomi says, smiling.
Icicene grins.
"Thank you." Icicene answers as the door opens.
It reveals a long hall, a larger area at the other end, drapped by many sheer curtains hung from the high ceiling, skylights letting in some of the setting sunlight.
"Alright, you go on ahead Cleopatra." Icicene says as she lets go of Cleopatra's hand, "Asia, go with her."
Asia nods.
"Yes, Princess." Asia says as she takes Cleopatra's open hand, "Come along, Young Princess."
"See you in a minute, sister." Cleopatra calls over her shoulder as she walks ahead.
"See you then." Icicene calls back as she waves, smiling.
Cleopatra smiles and turns back following Asia close.
Icicene continues to grin as she watches Cleopatra go.
"She's such a great child." Alonsa comments.
"Indeed. I am happy to call her my younger sister." Icicene agrees.
"Well, shouldn't we follow them?" Naomi asks.
"Not yet." Icicene answers.
"Why not?" Naomi asks.
"I have not been announced yet." Icicene answers, "But as soon as we hear the horn, we shall go."
"What horn?-" Naomi starts.
Suddenly, a loud horn sounds from farther down the hall.
"That one." Icicene says as she begins to walk down the the tile floor.
"Hey, wait up." Naomi calls as she catches up with Icicene, Alonsa following close behind.
"Presenting her Royal Highness, the eldest daughter of King Antiochus the Third and Queen Laodice the Third, Rulers of the Selecuid Empire, the beautiful and wise, Princess Icicene 1 Penella." An announcer calls from the end of the hall, the curtains pulled back to reveal her as she comes to be about five feet from the entrance to the bigger area. She looks ahead to see her parents sitting at their thrones, a smaller one set inbetween them for her. And, by them, is an man, maybe 16, gawking at her as she strides gracefully towards the space, probably Demetrius the first of Bactria.
He's plump, but skinny enough that it's not too irritating to look at. His hair is brown, and curly, though short and well kept. A crown sits upon his head, dignifying him as royalty. His toga is made of expensive fabric, gold assesories mixed with his attire, as well as his Spartian sandals. He bows as she finally enters the space, seeing Cleopatra and Asia standing off to the side.
"My Lady, you are more gorgeous then they say. It is a honor to be in your pressence, Princess." Demetrius says as he bows once again.
Icicene grins.
...he doesn't seem that bad...
"Oh, forgive me for my manners. I am Demetrius the first of Bactria." Demetrius says as he walks closer to her.
"Pleased to make your aquantince, my Lord." Icicene answers as she curtsies, "And, as just spoken, I am Princess Icicene the first Penella of the Seleucid Empire."
"Humbled to make your aquantance." Demetrius says as he takes her hand, and kisses it.
"As you should be." Icicene says in the nicest way possible, getting an uneasy feeling as his lips leave her hand.
He grins as he escorts her to her throne, bowing as she sits, then stepping back.
"Now, what is it that you want with Princess Icicene?" Antiochus asks.
"Your Higness, if I might be so bold, I would like if I-" Demetrius starts.
"Your Majesty." a head guard interupts, coming from behind the throne.
"Alexios, what is the meaning of this interuption!" Antiochus yells, irritated by Alexios' actions.
"I am deeply sorry, my King, but we have caught a repeated fellin, and we wish that you pass judgement upon him." Alexios explains.
Antiochus sighs.
"Alright, bring him forth." Antiochus orders.
Alexios nods and makes some type of hand signal, triggering the men at the door to open it.
Already from inside, Icicene, Naomi, and the others can here a struggle from the other side of the wooden door, which is already half-way open.
"Let go of me, I am innocent!" a familiar young man's voice yells, causing Icicene's eyes to widen.
"Stay silent, ruffian!" another guard yells, before there's a loud crack noise, followed by an painful grunt.
Finally, the criminal is thrown into the room, beaten, and bleeding from his mouth. His clothes are torn and his bow n' arrow have vanished, probably confiscated.
"We found him in the palace orchards, we believe that their might of been another, but they got away before we could catch them, and this brute will not confess the person's idenity." one of the guards explains.
"That is because I do not know it myself. Besides, she did nothing." the man answers.
"No one told you to speak!" the same guard yells, hitting him again.
"Hey, calm down. Now boy, let's see your face." Antiochus says.
The guard takes his hair and pulls it back, revealing what Icicene was too scared to admit to herself.
Though, as he looks her dead in her eyes, it's inescapable now.
Tharin...
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