When the Dust Settles [OPEN TO ALL]

Atlas stood in the court, somewhere. The war, at least in his mind, had not ended. The physical altercations were not entirely what a war was composed of, and in the end, there were more factions, more complexities, and not a single dominating being in the kingdoms to hold things together. The dragons were quarreling amongst themselves on the right course of action moving ahead. All in all, Atlas would have liked to have bargained for a vacation - he sorely needed one. He did love his clansmen and his kin, but it was completely unnecessary to be here at this point in time. This, and he did imagine his vacation would still be productive, from a political standpoint. He was still deadly enough as an archer and a good enough negotiator to make things happen. 

Atlas, however, did respect his Empress enough to see her before retreating to his little getaway. Where this getaway would be to, he still did not know. 

"I would like an audience with the Empress." said Atlas, standing in front of the door. 

Rune opened the door that lead to where Cascadia was currently residing, as they closed the door behind them they spotted Atlas and offered up a smile to the man who was supposed to have helped aid the Empress and offer advice to her as the dragon kin had their own agenda it seemed, though the Spire name once held great persuasion and weight with them it seemed less and less the world thought this to be the case.

"You must be mother's advisor. As such I am certain you have no doubt heard of her ailing health it would seem inadvisable at this time to allow the stress such visits might induce. After all I am certain we both agree that the Empress's health is our top concern." The greasy smile played sway over Rune's lips. They honored their mother and thought highly of her, but it was no secret, though Rune had many, that they were not at all upset to be the last ruling Spire. Though he needed to secure his line.
"Now then do you mind walking with me for a bit? I am sure your advise is worth its weight in gold my fine gentleman."

Rune tried to lead Atlas away from the room that currently concealed Empress Cascadia.

Cas did not blame some who whispered the rumors of her health. Sure, calling her crazy was a bit dramatic. The real reason she faded from the public was because she was scared for her son's life. Khaalida was a cruel goddess who placed her once dead son... the REAL Rune, back into her arms. Although. she couldn't exactly call her "grand child" Rune... So she named him Lazarus and made it like the babe was Rune's.

Call it instinct, but the ex empress felt Atlas close by. Voice mumbled outside her door, while the small child rested in his cradle. Atlas was someone she feared trusting in, but did it anyways because he was her husbands best friend. It was the only reason why she opened the door to catch her son trying to lure the adviser away.

"Thank you, Rune..." She knew he meant well. "I think I can handle visitors." The Graced humans pushed the entire Spire monarchy into one kingdom. It was the other kings and queens way of saying 'sure, we'll let you have peace so we can have ours'.

It wasn't before long that Atlas found himself face to face with Rune. Lazarus, he was certain, would have Rune severely punished by now. Yet, here he was, standing in front of Atlas, without any sign of remorse. Rune Spire had grown into a repulsive young being. The legacy that Lazarus worked to establish would turn into dust. For what it was worth, this Rune standing in front of him really wasn't the true heir to Lazarus. The real successor rested in Cascadia's room, far too young to understand the embarrassing politics and never ending chaos of the Spires. 

Before Atlas could respond, Cascadia emerged. She didn't look quite as bad as the rumors suggested, but her demeanor remained worrisome. 

"I promised Lazarus that I would take care of the Empress first and foremost, and then the children. I will be with you once my business with the Empress is done, your highness." said Atlas, with a bow. 

That would solve matters for the time being. Atlas was eager to be alone with the Empress, for once. 

Rune turned to see the Empress open the door. His eyes darted about but Atlas was the only other one around.
"Mother. You are rested well then?" Rune asked. His persona changed within an instant. They had always had a deep respect for the High Empress even now. It was why Rune kept her on as an advisor. She might have gone away from the public scene but she would always have a deep hand in the Spire Monarchy.

Rune gave a nod and watched as Atlas went to speak with Cascadia.
"I shall expect you shortly then."
Rune's eyes narrowed as they turned back into the room and away from his presence. Only no secrets would be held in these walls, not from Rune.

That smile reserved for her children shone through. It was obvious how much Cascadia loved Rhys, Rune, and Luo. Only now she worried that two of her sons were dead, leaving Rune as sole heir to the throne. Or was he? For now Cascadia couldn't concern herself with that. Rune was her child, even if it wasn't the Rune she gave birth to.

"I am well, thank you." Some rumors claimed her to be weak, but she stood tall with pride. Others claimed her to be insane... those ones were more likely. After all, who locked themselves in a room with a babe while war happened? It was her fault the spire was lost, not Runes... not any of her children. "Thank you, my darling." Her hand brushed against Rune's cheek before letting them walk off.

As her son left their site, Cascadia turned back to Atlas with a harsh glare. "You should show your king more respect," she snapped. "I'm shocked to learn you're happy to keep the promise of taking care of your best friend's widow." At least they were always honest with each other.

Cas didn't hate Atlas. He reminded her of what her husband could have been had he stuck to tradition: Brave, strong, practical. She wouldn't say Atlas was loyal, but he was still remained by her side.

"I suppose I should thank you for coming to visit though. However, I also should be asking what it is you really want?"

"Of Course." said Atlas, giving his King a nod, and following Cascadia into her quarters. 

"I acknowledged him as King and showed him more respect than the common man out there. It is a blessing that the Spire Monarchy survived all of this, in case you hadn't noticed."

Atlas paused. That was perhaps a bit harsh. He was fully aware that Cascadia knew all this anyway, trapped within her room or not. She was shocked that he was happy to keep his promise? Well, he had never mentioned anything about him being happy, had he? With great difficulty, Atlas held back any further remarks on the situation. 

"If anything, I feel I should be asking you that question. What is it that you want?" asked Atlas.

"Two of your children are missing. Any thoughts on where they could be?"

"A blessing indeed." Despite the scowl that rested on her , Cascadia took his words rather well. He wasn't wrong, even if she hated the fact that he said it out loud. Truth was, Rhyrid was no longer the booming kingdom it once was. Only those loyal to the king followed them, while others were traitors who attempted to find lived in the other kingdoms.

"I've been told their bodies are no where to be found. Either they have vanished from Andeloria or they are..." So beaten that the Graced Humans didn't even leave a body to recover? She shivered at the thought. The Spire Monarchy was beaten, but the others didn't kill them for a reason.

"I don't think the usurpers did anything to them. The new rulers are smart... Give their enemies a kingdom and their risk of a retaliation is minimum... They think we should be thankful they spared our lives and can still carry a title." Arms folded across her chest, glancing back to the room to check on Lazarus.

"I don't think it's the size of the Kingdom that matters. We may be stronger now, now that we're forced to all be within the same territory. There's strength in unity. In any case...."

Atlas trailed off. He didn't know what to say. He was supposed to protect the Empress, certainly, but the children as well. Perhaps this was his failure. The Dragons, on the other hand, felt otherwise. 

"I will be taking a temporary leave away from this castle. There is something I need to do..."

What exactly, he didn't know. It was vague, but his intention to get away was clear. There were the Graced rulers, and an entirely new geography to scout. This, and he needed to meditate on the situation with the Dragon clan, and where his priorities lay. 

"I will be back soon enough. If I find any news on your children on my travels, I will let you know."

Cas pursed her lips in thought. She didn't agree with Atlas, which was not surprising at all... True, there were many still loyal to House Spire, but when you went from empress of all Andeloria to advisor of a King of a lone kingdom it was a bit of a downgrade.

"You were once my advisor, Atlas... Now you're leaving?" She was tense, questioning his loyalties. Cascadia was a Spire, true, but she was not a dragon. And Atlas knew the secret that Rune wasn't either. The child in the room? He was... The only living blood heir (should Rhys truly be dead) to the Spire Monarchy was just a baby.

"Fine," she sounded like a pouting child. "You should be careful though. They are likely watching..." The dragon houses tried to band together in the war, and continued to thrive in Rhyrid. None of them happy with Cas' family. What had she done to deserve this?

For a passing moment, strangely, Atlas felt like the Empress did not want him to go. Perhaps he had been imagining things. Or not. 

"I know. It will be a bother to be spied upon. I am not trying to pull off anything harmful towards the Graced Rulers, so I do feel things will flow... smoothly. I will be back soon enough, like I said."

Atlas paused. He felt he ought to have spoken about the Dragons, but not when Cascadia was like this. It would be a good conversation for when he was back. 

"And with that, I will take my leave." said Atlas, giving Cascadia a deep bow, and making his way to Rune's quarters. 

---

Rune, the spoiled cocksure little boy. Or well, his King. What had he done to deserve this? The next time he would make a promise, he would think things through ten times over. 

Knock, Knock.

Two good knocks on the King's quarters.