The World of Rhune

Hannah leaned against the rail with Will beside her. They had already tied the ship down and Hannah was just waiting for her envoy of guards to make sure everything was set. She was in a strapless, pale blue dress that hung down to her knees. It was delicately embroidered in gold thread, but still looked causal. Hannah didn’t really mind though, she didn’t like the long dresses, besides it was summer, which was her reasoning at least. She had left her hair down so that it hung stark straight down to hips. Her tiara rested perfectly on her head. It wasn’t her usual tiara, that having been left at home. This one was designed with twisted gold with emeralds placed into it perfectly. The only jewelry she wore was a gold chain necklace with another round emerald set into it. Hannah rarely wore bracelets or anklets as they looked weird with her tattoos.

She turned to look at Will, her amber eyes searching his face, “What are you thinking?” Will turned towards her, not answering right away, and then a slight smile pulled at the edges of his mouth, “Thoughts.” Hannah rolled her eyes at him, “No one likes a smartass.” His grin broke through his façade, “Especially another smartass.” Hannah grinned back at him, “Alright, I’ll take that, it was a good one.” Will laughed at her, “Thank you, but I think it’s time for you to go.” Hannah let out a sigh and muttered, “Time to become distant and fake. Don’t you hate royalty?” “Whatever you say, Princess,” Will said, giving a mock bow, before straightening. Hannah stood up on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the lips, “See you around.” She strode away, the guards falling in beside her. Standing at the end of the ramp was Amir with his own envoy of four guards, smaller than usual for any other country, but Andato was a good and trustworthy ally of Cancri.

Amir looked at her with his eyebrows raised in question, “Couldn’t you at least act like a Princess?” “I can like whoever I want, noble or not, that’s never been a problem with us,” Hannah bit back. Amir sighed and said, “I didn’t mean that, you’re right it never has been a problem. But seriously, you couldn’t have known him for more than four days and you’re already kissing him. Please, even girls who aren’t Princesses don’t do that.” Hannah was suddenly overwhelmed with relief that Amir wasn’t on the same boat as her, she countered, “Pardon me, but you're obviously mistaking me for someone who gives a damn.” Amir made his own retort, “I'm glad to see you're not letting your education get in the way of your ignorance.” “Aw, someone’s getting a little defensive. Did I step on you poor itty bitty ego?” Hannah cut back. “Oh good one, thanks,” Amir said with dripping sarcasm. “Don’t thank me for insulting you, it was a pleasure. You would never be able to live down to your reputation, but I can see you're doing your best.” Hannah said a triumphant look on her face.

Though they usually started for actual reasons most of Amir and Hannah’s arguments turned into battles of who has the best sarcasm or wit. They both were tough competition and they had yet to find someone who could beat either of them besides each other. “Alright, you win this one,” Amir conceded. A smug grin spread across her face and her amber eyes glinted with satisfaction. “I still don’t think you should be kissing a guy after a few days,” Amir grumbled. “Amir,” Hannah looked straight at her brother, and she said the next part slowly, ‘I. Don’t. Give. A. Damn.” The animosity wasn’t actually there she was just saying how she felt. “I never said you have to. Either way it is my job to take care of you,” Amir responded and looked away from her towards the seated monarchs of Andato. He started off in the direction but Hannah stopped him, “Amir, don’t get involved, okay?” Amir shrugged and continued towards the thrones. Hannah groaned but followed quick enough, the guards trailing behind her.

Hannah caught up quickly enough to Amir, and their guards formed boxes around the pair. Through the sets of armored guard’s shoulders she could make out Andato’s royal family. The first thing she noticed was that they were all tall. Well actually they could have been all average height but compared to Cancri standards Amir was as tall as someone got, and the Andato Prince still had a good two inches on him.

The second thing Hannah noticed was the obvious family resemblance. The Prince and older of the two Princesses both looked very much like their mother. Not quite the striking resemblance Hannah and her own mother shared, but they still had very similar traits. The three all had brown hair of several shades, light as caramel and dark as the rich soil of Cancri. That wasn’t even the most prominent resemblance of the three though. The eyes stood out in each of them. They were a bright emerald green, though the Princess’ had a little hazel to them, like her mother, whereas the Prince had golden flecks to them.

The two other members of the royal family bared their own resemblance to each other. King Anthony and his youngest daughter, if Hannah remembered correctly, Princess Grace, had their own resemblance. The two both had red-tinted blonde hair and extremely dark green eyes, those seemed to run in the family. Hannah’s eyes flickered back to the Prince, the real reason they were here. He was attractive, that wasn’t really a question, Hannah thought quietly to herself. He had a strong jaw and was sun-tanned, evidence that he led an active life. He was well built, but not overly muscled.

They reached the group who now all stood before the temporary thrones. Hannah and Amir’s front guards stepped to the side so that the groups could converse easily. However, the guards did not bow but saluted in the traditional Cancrian three-fingered way. It was protocol, bowing could leave the Prince and Princess exposed. One of the Cancri guards stepped forward and said in a clear voice, “Presenting Princess Hannah Acidalia Sungai, Crown Princess of Cancri, and Prince Amir Xanthus Sungai of Cancri.” Amir bowed and Hannah in turn curtsied, not getting to their knees as the ranks were the same between the two groups. The Andato family replied in turn, though Hannah couldn’t quite keep the grin off her face when the youngest Princess danced a little during her own curtsy.

The King stepped forward and boomed in a resonating voice, “Welcome to Andato, Princess Hannah and Prince Amir of Cancri. We are proud to host you here.” A cheer went up from the crowd on the docks. A small smile pulled at Hannah’s mouth. Sometimes she didn’t get the attention royalty received, she imagined if she was a common civilian she would be getting something done besides watching two people, but still, the gesture was flattering.

With a lower voice now, not directed towards the whole dock, the King said, “We will be able to converse openly back at the castle for lunch, if that seems alright. We hope that you would allow Prince Trei, here, to take you on a tour of the city.” “We graciously accept the offer,” Amir said, eyes on the King, though Hannah’s flickered to the Prince.

“Good,” The King clapped his hand in approval, “Then we will see you soon.” The whole royal family, besides the Prince, gave a formal bow. The queen gave one last smile and the four filed into a carriage pulled by Andato’s imperial horses. The escort of guards for them mounted up on their own imperial horses and trailed the carriage. 

As soon as the carriage was off the Prince turned towards the two and their guards. “Well, we may as well start off. There is no reason to stay here with the crowd. We can mount up if that is okay with you, you can use any of the imperial horses, as well as your guards.” The Prince said, turning to tighten Krenari’s girths slightly and swinging up into the saddle with ease.

Amir made a move towards one of the imperial horses. They weren’t his favorite mount but he didn’t mind them but he grinned gaily at his sister, knowing what was coming. Hannah didn’t move at all, standing awkwardly there, losing all her air of confidence now. She bit her lip debating what to do, an old habit of hers.

The Prince had been by that time settled in his saddle and turned to check on them. He looked at Hannah in confusion, “Do need help mounting?” “Uh, yeah, well you see,” Hannah started, “I don’t really, you know, ride horses.” Hannah tried to sound off hand about it but her cheeks colored a little with embarrassment.