[Tiki Time]

The Trial

Amalia stepped out of the Amruthar Palace and glanced up towards the moon. Mm, a lovely evening.

She’d barely taken a step before she heard a raven cawing. She raised a brow and reached out her arm for the raven to land. Untying the letter from its leg, she shook her arm to shoo the raven away. Letters are never good news. If it was good news, it could wait…people only send ravens for bad news. She wrinkled up her nose, took a deep breath, and opened the letter and read it silently to herself.

“Amalia, I will tell you what occurred in the judgement between me and Max.” Oh damn it all, I missed the trial …

“During the trial, Max and Alyisse brought up that I was trying to turn his allies against him, such as you. I apologize for this, but it came out from me that you and I had a home in Eltabbar” She sighed softly, pursing her lips as she continued to read “Mistress Jutta ordered Max to put Alyisse up for auction, I apologize for disobeying your trust, I know you told me that he shouldn’t know.”

I knew this would happen. Didn’t I tell him? Now I’ll lose Alyisse. What happened to the damn deal he agreed to offer Max? Why did our house even come up? “I was punished by being forced to give up the key to your home, I can only live with the other knights or with my master.”

Are you kidding me? I only moved to Eltabbar for YOU… “I realize that with this you may never with to speak to me again, but Amalia, I love you.”

Love. Love, he says… “I hope you can find it somehow, someway, to forgive me for what I have wronged you for. If not, I cherish and will cherish every moment we spent together. I love you…” She didn’t even read the signature, knowing exactly who this had come from.

What a mess, what a gods damned mess. I’ll lose Alyisse, Max is probably furious with me, and Tyrael can no longer live with me. Alaric is…well, busy being Alaric. Now what? She crumpled up the paper and glanced up to find Alyisse standing there. She blinked, sighed, and motioned the elf over. She scooped the elf into her arms to comfort her and prepare her with the knowledge that her fate is unknown, that she could not purchase her.

“Come, Alyisse. I need to respond to Tyrael and I want you with me.” Amalia released the girl and began to head towards the Palace to retrieve more paper. The elf followed along obediently and waited as Amalia scribbled a letter in response, “How dare you inform me in a letter. If you truly love me you will give me the respect I deserve by telling me to my face. I will wait in my room in Amruthar. Come speak with me, now.” She folded up the letter and with a small huff began to head to the caravan.

“Deliver this to Tyrael Black,please.” She spoke as she handed over the letter and a few gold before heading into the inn.

“Uhm, Mistress Amalia…I do not believe I should be alone with Tyrael after what happened.” The elf spoke meekly. At that, Amalia stopped and turned, giving her a soft smile, “Don’t worry, dear. You won’t be. Now come quickly before he arrives, I have a job for you.” I need to know if he'll lie to me...

As they arrived, Amalia shut the door and informed Alyisse that she wanted her to hide behind the couches and listen to the conversation. She wanted Alyisse to verify that Tyrael spoke truth. I don’t know who to believe right now…She’d thought with a frown.

Before they knew it, there was a knock at the door, Tyrael had arrived. Amalia motioned the elf to the couches and only went for the door when Alyisse was properly hidden.

As Tyrael entered the room, Amalia pointed him to the other set of couches, ensuring that Alyisse could remain hidden from his view. As he sat down, she angrily barraged him with questions, “Did you not offer Max the deal? How was our home even relevant to the trial? Do you realize what you’ve done? Do you realize I will lose Alyisse now, because of you? If you loved me, why did you betray my trust? Now we cannot live together, because of you. Is that what you wanted?” She was furious but rather calm considering the situation.

With each question, Tyrael provided a suitable answer…at least, suitable enough. She was still upset, but not as upset as she’d previously been. Not until he told her that Alyisse had blatantly lied and it was that lie which caused Tyrael’s punishment.
Furious once more, Amalia’s voice rang out, “ALYISSE! Get your damned white-haired arse over here this instant.” Alyisse quickly popped out from behind the couches and meekly came to face Amalia.

It was obvious that she expected to be smacked, just as Amalia had smacked her before. Instead, Amalia simply interrogated her next, “Is it true? Did you lie in the trial?” The elf, to her credit, admitted to what she’d said and confirmed that Tyrael’s words were true.

At this point, Tyrael got himself up from the couches, chuckling…but not a happy chuckle. To Amalia it seemed as if it was a crazed chuckle of disbelief. She watched him as she wandered to the bedroom door, picked up a flower pot, and threw it at the wall. I hope he’s going to pay for that… She wrinkled up her nose and frowned, watching him storm off into the room, “Tyrael…”

“Perhaps you should see to him…” the elf spoke meekly once more. Amalia nodded and dismissed her. And now the argument begins…now that we’re alone, I can express how I truly feel. As Alyisse left, Amalia followed Tyrael into the room.

---

The Fight

Amalia's anger made her crazy. Usually calm and rational, her emotions were running hot. So hot that she could not even quiet her mind. She was not used to this level of emotion running through her. I moved to the city I hate for him, and he got himself kicked out of my house. How could he do that to me? ...Why am I so angry about this? He's just a target, just a mark. Why do I care? Stay calm, Amalia, you shouldn't be angry.

She approached Tyrael and took a deep breath. "I would not have moved to Eltabbar if I knew we couldn't be together. What are we supposed to do now?" Her mind was still raging, she was screaming from the inside...but she wasn't sure who she was more mad at, him...or herself. Don't ruin this, Amalia. He's still the most powerful man who cares for you. Yes, your plans were thrown off kilter, but you can still use him. ...Use him, why am I using him anyway? Right, power. She took another deep breath.

"We don't need to live together, we can make this work. I know I upset you, but Amalia...we just need to persevere," His words were calm, he seemed much calmer than she was. Is he even upset about this at all? Wait, yes, of course he's upset. He claims to love me...this has to be upsetting for him.

"How could you let this happen? How was our home at all relevant to the trial?! If you'd have just kept your word and kept your mouth shut, this wouldn't have happened!!" She burst out in a rage. Stop it, Amalia. Calm down, it'll be fine. Persevere he says, yes...you can do that. He seemed far too calm for her liking. She was raging on the inside and he seemed fine...apologetic, but fine. So positive, so sure that they could still be together. It wasn't about being together, that wasn't the point of all this. Of course we could "be together" without living together...but that's not what I wanted. I need to keep an eye on you, make sure you don't lose interest...my plans for you are long term. Yes...long term. She found herself daydreaming for a moment, thinking of the future...this "long term" she'd referred to. Try as she might, she could not get the thoughts of Tyrael out of her mind, he was standing there, in that "long term". No, no Amalia. Stop it.

She snapped herself out of the daydream and began feeling furious all over again. But "long term" was all she could think about, before she knew it she was screaming once more. "This isn't what I wanted! I DIDNT WANT THIS! I wanted more for us!" More for me. "I wanted us, together! Our own home, our own family someday!" ...What?Why did I say that? Lying isn't what we do, Amalia. Twist words, imply, but never lie. Lying isn't... But it wasn't a lie, as much as she tried to deny it to herself, she knew it was true.

"I know, I want a future too. We can still have that, we can persevere," Will he stop saying PERSEVERE?! I don't want to persevere!! Despite her thoughts, he continued, "I am a Thayan Knight. Thayan Knights are supposed to live with their masters or their fellow knights."

Thayan Knight. Right, that's right. That's why you're here Amalia. He's a Thayan Knight. That's the best you can do unless Alaric becomes a Red Wizard. THAT is why you picked him and not Max. Don't forget it. She struggled with her thoughts, trying to stop them, trying to think about something else, trying to focus on the argument. "And their women are just supposed to...what? Sleep alone?"

"Most Thayan Knights swear away from women, actually", he'd replied simply. That made her furious all over again, she was losing it, losing herself. This stung her, stung her so hard she lost all control over her rational side.

"WELL FINE!" She huffed. Fine, if he wants to swear away women, fine! But he was still talking... "And those who do not...yes. But we will not always sleep alone, I will be able to visit your home and stay for a day or two but not stay there." Her words finally sunk in, "...What?"

"You heard me! Swear away women, then! If that's what Knights do!" She tossed her hands into the air, she was irate and emotional, she wasn't making any sense...not even to herself.

"...I said most Knight. It's not forbidden to have a woman." He seemed dumbfounded.

"But it's forbidden to BE with one!" Her words were sharp, harsh, and uncontrolled.

"Not for a long period of time! I can stay in a room and a home with you but I can't call it a home! I can't have a key!" He protested, obviously desperate to calm her down. What's the point then?! What's the point?! Not for long periods of time? So...so I'm temporary. Fine, I'm temporary, it doesn't matter. I was just using him anyway.

She burst out once more, "So what? What is this? Temporary?! Am I just temporary to you?! To be cast away when it becomes TOO LONG?!" She was crazed. She snapped completely.

"NO!" He firmly replied to her insane accusations.

"YOU just SAID no women for long periods of time!!" She was cherry-picking words, but she couldn't realize it...not with how angry she was. Stop it, stop it, stop it. You don't even care, Amalia. Why are you being like this?

"No staying in the same home with you! I can be with you! In inn rooms! I can visit your home for a few days! We can GET an inn room" he was repeating himself, desperately trying to make her see that she was overreacting, "Not no WOMEN. No LIVING with them for long periods of time." His attempts were admirable but they weren't working.

"I don't want an inn room! I want a life!" On the outside she was simply angry, on the inside she was crying.

"Then walk out! Go find another man! We have a LOVE! We LOVE each other!" He shouted back at her. Love, love...there he goes again with this word. We don't have a love, no, he loves me but I don't love him. I don't. I love Alaric.

"I don't want to be your courtesan you visit on occasion when you're feeling lonely!" She retorted, because that's what I'd be. Just a courtesan, just someone he uses and leaves. If he isn't staying, he's just having his way and going.

"I WOULDN'T BE COMING FOR YOU TO BE A COURTESAN, AMALIA!" He'd finally broken too, shouting at her now. He was obviously angry now as well. She blinked, He's yelling at me...why is he yelling at me? I'm not yelling at him, But she was, she definitely was.

"...Stop yelling at me!"

He calmed down at that, "I would be coming to spend time with you, and not when I'm feeling lonely, when I'm not doing tasks. Because I love you!" There he goes again. Love. "Well, I~" she hesitated, love you too? No. I don't. I don't. Stop it, "I AM ANGRY!" she said instead.

"Then hit me!" This threw her aback a bit, hit him, why would I hit him? "...What?"

"If you're angry, hit me. I do not mind."

"I'm not going to hit you!"

"Well then how else are you going to calm down?!" The desperation in his voice was clear again.

"I DON'T KNOW!" She replied angrily. I don't know. I don't know anything right now. I don't know...why I'm so upset. What is wrong with me?! At that, she threw herself at him, pressing her lips against his in furious passion. It wasn't long until they moved to the bed, the scene fading to black.

Afterwards, they'd dressed themselves. She was calm again, for the time being, but she was confused. Why did I just sleep with him? I don't sleep with any of them. None but Alaric. I don't sleep with targets, it's too dangerous. But, he wasn't a target anymore, was he? She continued to refuse to admit it to herself.

Once more he came to her, wrapping his arms around her and saying those four words, "I love you, Amalia", but this time he continued..."And I know you love me too." What? No I don't.

In a lapse of judgement, she spoke her thoughts, "I don't." It was his turn to be taken aback. She could feel the pain she'd just caused him, how he must have felt as if she'd stabbed him in the heart.

"Then I can't...touch you, right now."
"Tyrael...I'm sorry, I care about you. I do, I just...I can't love. The last time I loved...I...you wouldn't understand, you don't understand." But the pain was obvious on his face. Why do I care? So I hurt him, so what? But it was hurting her to see him like that.

As he began to walk away from her, he spoke "We can't do this if you can't pronounce three simple words." Her gut felt as if it had turned upside down. He was leaving, she was losing him. Stop him, stop him. Don't let him go, your target is walking away. You have to stop him. "Tyrael..."

He seemed to have calmed down though, because he turned once more towards her, "I don't know why I'm so upset. I know you love me." Her actions spoke louder than her words, of course she loved him, she'd moved to a city she hated for him. I do...don't I? She did.

"I need to go, I have business to attend to" he said as he began to walk away once more.

"I'll see you to the caravan." Good, it's done. It's all okay, it's all fixed and I didn't have to lie. I don't lie. Only twist words and imply, but never lie. She followed after him and as they got outside of the inn, she couldn't hold it back any longer. "Tyrael...I love you too". And it wasn't a lie.