THREE DARK QUEENS
are born in a glen
SWEET LITTLE TRIPLETS
will never be friends
THREE DARK WITCHES
all fair to be seen
TWO TO DEVOUR
one to be queen
On the island of Fennbirn every generation three triplets are born, all equal heirs to the throne...
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Both Klaude and Carina stay silent until they are properly in the gardens, out of earshot of any noisy poisoners, spies or busybodies.
Klaude's whole nervous demeanour changes as he smiles brightly and offers her his hand and she warily sticks hers out. He clasps her hand and begins shaking it and Carina mirrors the movement hesitantly.
"I thought I should introduce myself properly now we're alone, I'm Klaude and this is how we greet each other in Valostra, it is my home on what you know as the mainland," he says, introducing himself officially.
Ah yes, Carina thinks, she remembers learning about the old countries and their strange habits. Though naturalists still have some of those strange habits and greetings. But then, the naturalists of wolf Spring are all animals and savages, like their animal familiars that become their companions, or that's what both Andrea and Octavia say anyway. But there's something strangely beautiful about their bonds with both animals and nature that Carina cannot shake.
Fennbirn used to be part of the world and the ports used to be crowded with people from countries like noble Centra, warlike Salkades and rich Valostra. As Valostra had and still has plenty of money, it's natural both the poisoners and the shadows will both try allying with them for power. But now islanders call everything beyond the island the mainland, because now Fennbirn is in a different world entirely. Although communications and trade between the island and the mainland have become better since the mist disappeared in the Queens War.
"Tell me more about Valostra," Carina says after a while, deciding to be her most charming self.
He smiles at her as they walk past the oleander flowers. They are beautiful with striking pink petals but they are deadly, like most things in her home. So naturally, they are the Arrons favourite flowers and she knows Octavia favours them. She likes anything that reminds people of the strength of her gift. For it is her only benefitting attribute. Her gift isn't as strong as Andrea's but it is still prevalent, for she is both a woman and an Arron, power is to be expected.
Klaude looks out the flowers and then at the rosary peas growing. They are a relatively new addition as Andrea had requested more be grown, as last autumn she had developed a taste for rosary pea soup. The soup is so toxic and even Carina does not like to consume it but Carina thinks that Andrea likes it because it shows just how powerful she is. She's one of the only ones that can eat it constantly without fail.
"At my home we have infrastructure just like yours," Klaude says, chuckling, "but unlike the island, we shake hands as a greeting, brides wear all white at weddings and we wear black at funerals, I've learned that Fennbirn does things quite differently in those respects."
Carina nods, the whole mainland is strange but who is she to question their customs, after all the island is hardly saintly. But queens blacks worn by all at a funeral? Preposterous. Crimson is the only colour appropriate for such an occasion.
