Serpentine Chapter 2
Note: remember Karal = King of Viperian
Tawala = King of Avias
Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed
Serpentine Chapter 2
The coronation was a small, solemn affair, the people still mourning the loss of their princess despite the mourning period ending over a week ago. Vieri wore royal purple to the ceremony, listening with half an ear as the priests blessed his reign and his father ceremoniously placed the crown on his head.
He went in the temple as a simple prince and walked out an emperor but Vieri’s face remained impassive throughout.
-
Thankfully for the new Karal, his father still helped in ruling the country despite his new found retirement. Vieri’s day consisted of meetings, discussions with advisors, viziers, and his father and paperwork. As word reached the Avias of Vieri’s coronation, the skirmishes diminished considerably; for the first time in years, the people lived in “peace”.
And everyone in Viperia feared of a secret plot by the Avias that would devastate the country.
-
Four months of being Karal and Vieri was no closer to lasting peace than his father had been; the standstill was more frightening to the citizens than constant battle had been and he didn’t know how to calm down the people.
The prince was in his office, idly staring out the window, contemplating thoughts of peace when the door was knocked frantically. He snapped his attention back on the paper as the door slammed open, ignoring the other person.
“I told you, I will not be taking lunch today,” Vieri stated calmly, though his face was dusted with pink with embarrassment of being caught daydreaming. “I have too much to catch up on.”
“This is far more important than paperwork,” the servant replied urgently. “Much more important.”
The prince eased out of his seat, smoothing out the navy blue robe. “What do you mean?” he stated, his face calm.
“It’s… it’s,” the servant stammered. “Claudia Auditore! She is here, demanding an audience with you!”
Vieri didn’t run the main hall, per say, but his walk speed was unmatched by even the fastest of servers.
-
“Oh, finally!” Vieri heard a sharp female voice snap as he strolled into the hall.
He first bowed to his father before seating himself on the throne, staring at the Avias princess. She was surrounded by Viperian guards, each pointing his weapon towards her, yet her face was that of utmost confidence despite the lack of weaponry.
“Could you call off your guards please?” she asked with a smile, her bunned brown hair bobbing. “I came here defenseless so I could have a word with you, Karal Vieri, and I hardly think this is any way to treat a guest.”
“You’re hardly a guest,” Cesare growled from behind him, garnering a hum of approval from the other members of court.
Vieri, however, frowned at the Borgia’s sharp remark. “No, she’s right,” he said, waving the guards away to the shock of the nobles. “We cannot achieve peace if we don’t take the first step to trust the Avias. Besides,” he added, crossing his ankles. “Even the Auditore would not be foolish enough to attempt an assassination here. What brings you so far from your kingdom, princess?”
Claudia Auditore curtsied lowly, her red dress fanning out in front of her. “Karal Vieri,” she stated confidently. “I come as the voice of Tawala Federico with a proposition.”
She took Vieri’s silence as approval to continue. “I presume you’ve heard of Lord Malik of the Antelos.”
“The Antelope king is renowned for his knowledge and cunning,” Vieri nodded, his raven hair tickling his neck at the motion.
“His country also happens to be neutral in this war,” Claudia added. “The Tawala propositioned that our two nations meet in the neutral lands and seek advice from Lord Malik. He has asked that we come in 4 weeks time.”
“Despite its neutrality,” Cesare cut in viciously, prompting Claudia to glare back harshly. “Antelos have historically been closer to the Avias. Its location is also closer to your Empire.”
“The general has a point princess,” Francesco answered, silver eyes narrowing. “Do you have a solution to this?”
Claudia turned to Vieri, smiling pleasantly. “The Karal has not added anything to this conversation,” she said lightly. “Perhaps he has an idea?”
A wave of disapproval rang in the air.
“The insolence!” one noble hissed. “We should pluck her feathers and send her away!”
“That girl grew up with no mannerism! Typical of that barbaric nation!”
The voices rose until the court was screaming at the princess. Claudia stood firm, her lips drawn tight; her focus was only on Vieri.
A meaty fist slammed against the stone wall, the sound echoing loudly; the court snapped in attention as Francesco de Pazzi drew his hand back. “Disappointing, the lot of you,” he growled. “You disgrace our nation by acting like pompous children.”
The former Karal turned to Vieri. “What do you have to say Karal? I saw your lips move but the annoying buzzing prevented me from hearing it.”
Vieri bowed his head in thanks before turning to the princess. “We’ll go,” he stated calmly. “However, you’ll stay here as our guest until then and will accompany us to Antelos.”
Claudia Auditore eyes blinked rapidly. “Well…I’m not really prepared for an extended visit,” she answered, scratching her head.
“You’ll stay,” Vieri replied firmly. “I’m well aware that you have guards waiting for you outside; they can deliver the message to the Tawala. During your stay you will teach me about your culture and learn about mine. If our countries are to achieve peace, we will need to first learn about each other’s nations.”
-
Claudia Auditore was truly unlike anything Vieri had expected; perhaps it was because he kept comparing her to Viola. When she got over her initial inhabitations, the Avias princess let her true colours show. Claudia was loud, confident, and full of emotion, always letting everyone know how she felt at any time.
“It’s just how my culture is,” she snapped when Vieri had asked. “We let our emotions free because…… How else is someone supposed to know how you feel?! If anything, it’s your culture that’s weird, bottling it up and all that!”
Vieri nodded emotionlessly. “I can see your point.”
“See! There! How am I supposed to know how you feel?!?!” she snapped again. Once she got comfortable around the king, she treated Vieri like an old friend, which both flattered and bothered him; it only bothered the rest of the court.
It was a hellish 3 weeks, trying to adapt to the Avias princess; Vieri hoped once the treaty was signed, he’d never see these people again.
-
It was a week journey to Antelos by horse, and Claudia ruffled her feathers in displeasure when she wasn’t allowed to fly on ahead in her bird form.
“What am I going to do? I’ve lived with you for 3 weeks with no problem!” she complained loudly.
“Well, you could fly ahead, tell your brother, set a trap and kill all of us,” Cesare replied darkly. “Don’t think for a second that you’ve earned our trust. Your blatant disrespect to the Karal is more than enough to hate you.”
“What?! We’re both royalty, aren’t we?!” she snapped. “He’s only 5 years older!”
Vieri stopped them with a glare. “Stop fighting,” he hissed before narrowing his eyes at Cesare. “General Cesare, despite your beliefs, Claudia is a princess and demands your respect as much as any other visiting royalty.”
“Ha,” Claudia grinned triumphantly.
He snapped his head towards the princess. “Claudia, just because you’re a princess doesn’t give you the right to insult anyone. General Cesare is of pure and noble blood. Also, I’m a king and you’re a princess; please remember to act in a timely manner.”
“Not my fault, I speak my mind,” she stated with a laugh. “What’s with you snakes? Are the only emotions you’re capable of showing apathy and anger?”
Vieri rolled his eyes and led his horse into a canter. “I’m going on ahead,” he said. “Please refrain from trying to kill each other for the rest of the trip.”
-
The Antelos castle was drastically different from both Viperian and Avias castles; the antelope palace did not reach high towards the heavens like the Auditore palace nor did it have the winding protective passages of the Viperian castle. It was simple in design with only a simple stone wall for protection; it was obvious that the Antelos did not suffer from generations of war.
“There,” Claudia growled, her hair in a messy bun and her dress dusty from the desert sands. “I’ve rode with you all week, no one’s died; I’m going to find my brother now and dress properly to a treaty meeting.”
“This way, Karal Vieri,” a servant bowed low. “I shall accompany you to your chambers.”
-
It took Vieri 40 minutes to wash the week-old grime off his face and another 20 to figure out what he should wear. He decided on a navy blue tunic with black leggings, ornamented only by his crown and a simple, studded belt; he didn’t want to make it seem as though he was wasting his country’s money.
“You look lovely, Karal but,” Cesare said with a small frown, dressed lightly in a beige shirt and chaps. “Not nearly decorated enough; you should go back and change.”
“I don’t want to be flaunting my wealth,” Vieri replied stiffly.
Cesare dragged his charge back into his chambers. “That’s what you should do,” the general stated. “You need to flaunt the power of the Viperian kingdom; I assure you that what those feathered brutes will do.”
Vieri turned back to his pile of clothes with a sigh. Why did how he dress matter that much?
-
“So, what’s it like, sister?” Federico Auditore asked with a smile as Claudia stomped inside the room; his whole family sat around the chamber anxious to hear her news. “What is the Viperian kingdom like?”
“Just like I thought it’d be,” she grunted, throwing herself on to the bed, where all his other siblings lounged about. “There is no love lost between us; No noble in that court seems to want to make peace. Everyone is way too uptight and there’s nothing fun in that place. The food tastes nasty, I don’t like their weather. I can go on and on.”
Federico raised his brow. “You weren’t there on vacation,” he answered with a chuckle. “Did you expect a warm welcome?”
“Yea,” his younger brother Ezio added, flipping his long hair out of his face. “I’m shocked you actually came back to us alive!”
“And, what of Vieri de Pazzi?” his mother asked stiffly, still wary of her lifelong enemies.
Claudia turned to her mother. “He’s as Petruccio said, mama,” she said with a wide smile. “Kinder than any other Viperian…though he has trouble showing his emotions.”
The third lump in the bed jumped up. “I told you mama, I told you!” Petruccio Auditore shouted, struggling out of his blanket cocoon. “I told you he was kind!”
“Petruccio, be mindful of your wounds!” Maria Auditore snapped at her youngest son, tucking him back in the bed.
“So, we actually have a chance,” Federico stated with a nod.
“If it were only up to Vieri,” Claudia replied darkly. “General Borgia seems to hate us more than the king does; he’ll try to stop any chances of a treaty.”
Ezio snorted. “A treaty won’t be enough to convince the people anyways!” he growled. “We’ll need to do something drastic to get the attention of the citizens.”
“I’m sure Malik will think of something,” Federico replied. “He’s may be cranky but he gives good advice.”
“Well I’m going to go,” Claudia said, stretching her arms. “I feel disgusting.”
“And you smell disgusting,” Ezio added with a laugh, prompting the princess to hit him on the head.
“We should all go,” Maria Auditore said with a sigh. “Petruccio needs his rest and you three need to get ready.”
Tawala = King of Avias
Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed
Serpentine Chapter 2
The coronation was a small, solemn affair, the people still mourning the loss of their princess despite the mourning period ending over a week ago. Vieri wore royal purple to the ceremony, listening with half an ear as the priests blessed his reign and his father ceremoniously placed the crown on his head.
He went in the temple as a simple prince and walked out an emperor but Vieri’s face remained impassive throughout.
-
Thankfully for the new Karal, his father still helped in ruling the country despite his new found retirement. Vieri’s day consisted of meetings, discussions with advisors, viziers, and his father and paperwork. As word reached the Avias of Vieri’s coronation, the skirmishes diminished considerably; for the first time in years, the people lived in “peace”.
And everyone in Viperia feared of a secret plot by the Avias that would devastate the country.
-
Four months of being Karal and Vieri was no closer to lasting peace than his father had been; the standstill was more frightening to the citizens than constant battle had been and he didn’t know how to calm down the people.
The prince was in his office, idly staring out the window, contemplating thoughts of peace when the door was knocked frantically. He snapped his attention back on the paper as the door slammed open, ignoring the other person.
“I told you, I will not be taking lunch today,” Vieri stated calmly, though his face was dusted with pink with embarrassment of being caught daydreaming. “I have too much to catch up on.”
“This is far more important than paperwork,” the servant replied urgently. “Much more important.”
The prince eased out of his seat, smoothing out the navy blue robe. “What do you mean?” he stated, his face calm.
“It’s… it’s,” the servant stammered. “Claudia Auditore! She is here, demanding an audience with you!”
Vieri didn’t run the main hall, per say, but his walk speed was unmatched by even the fastest of servers.
-
“Oh, finally!” Vieri heard a sharp female voice snap as he strolled into the hall.
He first bowed to his father before seating himself on the throne, staring at the Avias princess. She was surrounded by Viperian guards, each pointing his weapon towards her, yet her face was that of utmost confidence despite the lack of weaponry.
“Could you call off your guards please?” she asked with a smile, her bunned brown hair bobbing. “I came here defenseless so I could have a word with you, Karal Vieri, and I hardly think this is any way to treat a guest.”
“You’re hardly a guest,” Cesare growled from behind him, garnering a hum of approval from the other members of court.
Vieri, however, frowned at the Borgia’s sharp remark. “No, she’s right,” he said, waving the guards away to the shock of the nobles. “We cannot achieve peace if we don’t take the first step to trust the Avias. Besides,” he added, crossing his ankles. “Even the Auditore would not be foolish enough to attempt an assassination here. What brings you so far from your kingdom, princess?”
Claudia Auditore curtsied lowly, her red dress fanning out in front of her. “Karal Vieri,” she stated confidently. “I come as the voice of Tawala Federico with a proposition.”
She took Vieri’s silence as approval to continue. “I presume you’ve heard of Lord Malik of the Antelos.”
“The Antelope king is renowned for his knowledge and cunning,” Vieri nodded, his raven hair tickling his neck at the motion.
“His country also happens to be neutral in this war,” Claudia added. “The Tawala propositioned that our two nations meet in the neutral lands and seek advice from Lord Malik. He has asked that we come in 4 weeks time.”
“Despite its neutrality,” Cesare cut in viciously, prompting Claudia to glare back harshly. “Antelos have historically been closer to the Avias. Its location is also closer to your Empire.”
“The general has a point princess,” Francesco answered, silver eyes narrowing. “Do you have a solution to this?”
Claudia turned to Vieri, smiling pleasantly. “The Karal has not added anything to this conversation,” she said lightly. “Perhaps he has an idea?”
A wave of disapproval rang in the air.
“The insolence!” one noble hissed. “We should pluck her feathers and send her away!”
“That girl grew up with no mannerism! Typical of that barbaric nation!”
The voices rose until the court was screaming at the princess. Claudia stood firm, her lips drawn tight; her focus was only on Vieri.
A meaty fist slammed against the stone wall, the sound echoing loudly; the court snapped in attention as Francesco de Pazzi drew his hand back. “Disappointing, the lot of you,” he growled. “You disgrace our nation by acting like pompous children.”
The former Karal turned to Vieri. “What do you have to say Karal? I saw your lips move but the annoying buzzing prevented me from hearing it.”
Vieri bowed his head in thanks before turning to the princess. “We’ll go,” he stated calmly. “However, you’ll stay here as our guest until then and will accompany us to Antelos.”
Claudia Auditore eyes blinked rapidly. “Well…I’m not really prepared for an extended visit,” she answered, scratching her head.
“You’ll stay,” Vieri replied firmly. “I’m well aware that you have guards waiting for you outside; they can deliver the message to the Tawala. During your stay you will teach me about your culture and learn about mine. If our countries are to achieve peace, we will need to first learn about each other’s nations.”
-
Claudia Auditore was truly unlike anything Vieri had expected; perhaps it was because he kept comparing her to Viola. When she got over her initial inhabitations, the Avias princess let her true colours show. Claudia was loud, confident, and full of emotion, always letting everyone know how she felt at any time.
“It’s just how my culture is,” she snapped when Vieri had asked. “We let our emotions free because…… How else is someone supposed to know how you feel?! If anything, it’s your culture that’s weird, bottling it up and all that!”
Vieri nodded emotionlessly. “I can see your point.”
“See! There! How am I supposed to know how you feel?!?!” she snapped again. Once she got comfortable around the king, she treated Vieri like an old friend, which both flattered and bothered him; it only bothered the rest of the court.
It was a hellish 3 weeks, trying to adapt to the Avias princess; Vieri hoped once the treaty was signed, he’d never see these people again.
-
It was a week journey to Antelos by horse, and Claudia ruffled her feathers in displeasure when she wasn’t allowed to fly on ahead in her bird form.
“What am I going to do? I’ve lived with you for 3 weeks with no problem!” she complained loudly.
“Well, you could fly ahead, tell your brother, set a trap and kill all of us,” Cesare replied darkly. “Don’t think for a second that you’ve earned our trust. Your blatant disrespect to the Karal is more than enough to hate you.”
“What?! We’re both royalty, aren’t we?!” she snapped. “He’s only 5 years older!”
Vieri stopped them with a glare. “Stop fighting,” he hissed before narrowing his eyes at Cesare. “General Cesare, despite your beliefs, Claudia is a princess and demands your respect as much as any other visiting royalty.”
“Ha,” Claudia grinned triumphantly.
He snapped his head towards the princess. “Claudia, just because you’re a princess doesn’t give you the right to insult anyone. General Cesare is of pure and noble blood. Also, I’m a king and you’re a princess; please remember to act in a timely manner.”
“Not my fault, I speak my mind,” she stated with a laugh. “What’s with you snakes? Are the only emotions you’re capable of showing apathy and anger?”
Vieri rolled his eyes and led his horse into a canter. “I’m going on ahead,” he said. “Please refrain from trying to kill each other for the rest of the trip.”
-
The Antelos castle was drastically different from both Viperian and Avias castles; the antelope palace did not reach high towards the heavens like the Auditore palace nor did it have the winding protective passages of the Viperian castle. It was simple in design with only a simple stone wall for protection; it was obvious that the Antelos did not suffer from generations of war.
“There,” Claudia growled, her hair in a messy bun and her dress dusty from the desert sands. “I’ve rode with you all week, no one’s died; I’m going to find my brother now and dress properly to a treaty meeting.”
“This way, Karal Vieri,” a servant bowed low. “I shall accompany you to your chambers.”
-
It took Vieri 40 minutes to wash the week-old grime off his face and another 20 to figure out what he should wear. He decided on a navy blue tunic with black leggings, ornamented only by his crown and a simple, studded belt; he didn’t want to make it seem as though he was wasting his country’s money.
“You look lovely, Karal but,” Cesare said with a small frown, dressed lightly in a beige shirt and chaps. “Not nearly decorated enough; you should go back and change.”
“I don’t want to be flaunting my wealth,” Vieri replied stiffly.
Cesare dragged his charge back into his chambers. “That’s what you should do,” the general stated. “You need to flaunt the power of the Viperian kingdom; I assure you that what those feathered brutes will do.”
Vieri turned back to his pile of clothes with a sigh. Why did how he dress matter that much?
-
“So, what’s it like, sister?” Federico Auditore asked with a smile as Claudia stomped inside the room; his whole family sat around the chamber anxious to hear her news. “What is the Viperian kingdom like?”
“Just like I thought it’d be,” she grunted, throwing herself on to the bed, where all his other siblings lounged about. “There is no love lost between us; No noble in that court seems to want to make peace. Everyone is way too uptight and there’s nothing fun in that place. The food tastes nasty, I don’t like their weather. I can go on and on.”
Federico raised his brow. “You weren’t there on vacation,” he answered with a chuckle. “Did you expect a warm welcome?”
“Yea,” his younger brother Ezio added, flipping his long hair out of his face. “I’m shocked you actually came back to us alive!”
“And, what of Vieri de Pazzi?” his mother asked stiffly, still wary of her lifelong enemies.
Claudia turned to her mother. “He’s as Petruccio said, mama,” she said with a wide smile. “Kinder than any other Viperian…though he has trouble showing his emotions.”
The third lump in the bed jumped up. “I told you mama, I told you!” Petruccio Auditore shouted, struggling out of his blanket cocoon. “I told you he was kind!”
“Petruccio, be mindful of your wounds!” Maria Auditore snapped at her youngest son, tucking him back in the bed.
“So, we actually have a chance,” Federico stated with a nod.
“If it were only up to Vieri,” Claudia replied darkly. “General Borgia seems to hate us more than the king does; he’ll try to stop any chances of a treaty.”
Ezio snorted. “A treaty won’t be enough to convince the people anyways!” he growled. “We’ll need to do something drastic to get the attention of the citizens.”
“I’m sure Malik will think of something,” Federico replied. “He’s may be cranky but he gives good advice.”
“Well I’m going to go,” Claudia said, stretching her arms. “I feel disgusting.”
“And you smell disgusting,” Ezio added with a laugh, prompting the princess to hit him on the head.
“We should all go,” Maria Auditore said with a sigh. “Petruccio needs his rest and you three need to get ready.”