The guards dragged her through the General's estate. Her legs were bare, his jacket buttoned up to cover the rest of her from prying eyes.
It was only then that she got the chance to take a look at the halls and rooms, as the night before was mostly a blur of dark candlelight and giggling.
Large paintings and busts decorated the walls, hand painting vases and large planters full of flowers and plants lined the tables and floors. The deep gold and green rugs lining the wooden floors were soft on her feet as well.
'He must be a very, very rich Lord.' She thought as her head turned every which way in wonder.
But the glitter and sparkle of Marix's estate slowly faded as she was taken outside to the far corner of his property and down into the dungeons.
The stairs were made of rough stone that absorbed the cold, dampness of the morning air.
It was illuminated by torchlight and smelled like rot and mildew. A faint, constant dripping sound echoed throughout the empty jail cells.
They dragged her deeper and deeper inside.
"Where is everyone? There....are no other prisoners?" She wondered aloud.
The guards burst out laughing as they led her to a cell in the middle.
It was just far enough that she couldn't see the light coming from the staircase, but close enough that Marix wouldn't have to walk too far.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about that. No one stays in this jail very long."
One of them said while the other opened up the metal barred door.
They shoved her in, causing her to skid on the stone floor as they burst into laughter.
The cell door shut with a loud "KA-CLUNK" before a soft "click!" sealed her in.
Eilownia hissed and grabbed at her knee, rolling onto her butt as she examined it.
The torchlight made it difficult to see but it was clear by the sticky wet feeling that was trailing down her leg, and the glittering that was catching the torchlight, that she'd scraped it terribly.
She sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest, looking at the sleeve of his jacket.
"Did...he not love me?"
Meanwhile, later that day above ground, Marix had arrived at the palace in his horse drawn carriage.
It was a large, stone castle bustling with guards and servants.
Outside hung two large, deep green and purple tapestries with golden Viraaz emblems and the royal family insignia.
Marix marched up the steep stone staircase to the entrance. Immediately upon his arrival, the servants and guards organized themselves in a line leading up to the giant doors; their heads bowed deeply.
His armor clanked and his green cape billowed behind him.
The heavy doors swung open with a loud creak and Marix continued down the hall into the throne room.
The King sat in his opulent, golden throne encrusted with emeralds and amethysts. Atop his head sat a crown with a matching jewel set.
His thick red beard hid most of his facial features, but Marix could tell he had a look of 'If you've interrupted my day for news that is anything less than shocking and amazing, so help me you'll be sorry.'
Marix approached the throne and got down on one knee as he bowed his head.
"Father." He greeted.
"Speak." The King said, rolling his eyes and his index finger.
Marix raised his head, "As you've heard, there have been rumors of a spy from Sola looking to, if not already, infiltrated our Kingdom. I am positive I have apprehended the spy and currently hold them in my private dungeon on my estate. I came to report to you of this finding."
The King's eyes sparkled with interest as he stood from his throne, "The spy? You've caught the spy? Well, what else? Stand! Stand!"
Marix followed his orders and promptly got to his feet.
"I captured them this morning. I came to report to you as soon as possible. I will begin my questioning tactics later this evening."
"Perf-" The King was interrupted when another male entered the room.
He was tall with neatly trimmed light purple hair. There was a scar on his cheek and he carried himself as if he had no scar at all.
A crown similar in design, except it had only emeralds, sat atop his head.
"Father, I have pressing matters to discuss with you."
"Ahh~ Arlon! Come, come! You must hear what your brother has done!" He ran up to Arlon with a smile so wide, even his beard couldn't hide it.
Marix turned toward Arlon and bowed, "Your highness."
"General." Arlon greeted flatly, "What has he done that has got you so excited father? Your heart is weak, you shouldn't be acting like a giddy school boy on Winter's Melt Day."
"Your brother, has captured a spy! Isn't that wonderful Arlon? Those filthy Solans!" His Viraazian accent thickened with his last exclamation.
Marix's eyebrow twitched.
"Yes, I certainly have."
Arlon narrowed his eyes, "And what do we know of this spy? General, what information do you have?"
"The spy is from Sola, scars line their back, they seemingly have no affiliates, and they approached me directly at the Flower Festival yesterday. Certainly approaching the General is no small coincidence."
"So, General, it seems you have only circumstantial evidence so far."
"Yes. I do. However, I am certain that the evidence is enough to make an accusation and have them taken into my custody. I will begin my questioning later this evening, your highness."
"Arlon, you should be more like your brother, look at how well he is doing for himself! A high ranking General who protects your future Kingdom with his life, and now, he's even captured a filthy Solan spy!"
Arlon turned to their father, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Father! How can you say such a thing! I have much more pressing matters to attend to surrounding this war. Marix is doing his job, as I do mine. Do not lump us together, otherwise there would be no need to delegate tasks. The world would be in chaos."
The King laughed and patted him on the shoulder, momentarily forcing him off balance, although he quickly recovered.
"A king should be able to do it all, my boy. How else will you know who is capable and who is not? You should be able to know every job like the back of your hand, and recognize the qualities in someone right off the bat."
Arlon crossed his arms and sucked on his cheeks, his foot tapped against the wooden floors, "I strongly disagree, Father. A true king doesn't need to be good at everything. You will know who is capable by results and results alone. What good does it do if someone has capable qualities if they do not carry them out?"
Marix smirked, "It seems that my good work and praise have struck a nerve with you, brother. There's no need to act like a petty housewife."
Arlon shot him a glare, although Marix's expression remained unwavering.
"My my. Getting bold with your future king are you?"
"You're not my king...yet. Perhaps you shouldn't be so cocky, your highness."
Marix gave him a short bow of his head.
"Is that a threat, brother? Are you threatening me? I'll have you know, I am not acting like a petty housewife, I am nearly voicing my opinion. I'm allowed to have an opinion aren't I? I'm allowed to disagree with my father, aren't I? Certainly, you don't think I would be such a coward as to withhold my thoughts from our father."
Marix furrowed an eyebrow and picked at his ear with his pinky.
"A simple, 'no' would suffice."
Arlon gasped, "I'll have you kno-!"
"ENOUGH! I will not have the princes of Viraaz arguing like a bunch of children! At your ages I shouldn't have to tell you to behave yourselves and yet here I am!"
Arlon immediately grabbed onto the King's arm and glared at Marix, "Father, I apologize, please sit down, I wouldn't want you to put stress on your heart."
Marix scoffed and crossed his arms, watching as Arlon guided their father back to his throne.
"Anyways, as I was saying. Everyone has their own tasks where they excel. So no, your praise did not strike a nerve with me. You are doing your delegated duties and I am doing mine. We should not be compared. Just as you should not be praised for coming up with relief funds for the citizens affected by the war."
Marix' eyebrow ticked upwards.
"Coming up with relief funds?"
"Why yes. That is what I've just said. Wonderful listener you are, brother."
"Shouldn't there already be enough for the relief?" Marix's eyes squinted for just a moment.
Arlon paused before letting out a laugh.
"Of course you wouldn't be a ware. It's not your duty. You keep up your work, I'll keep up mine. You're too busy catching spies and attending balls to keep an eye on our capitol, hmm?"
The King waved his hand, the vein in his forehead aggravated.
"Alright, alright. The two of you go focus on your 'duties' and leave me be. I've had enough of you two today!"