Miryanna opened the door to see Nynesi standing there.

"Hey, Miry, I was wondering if we could just, hang out?" She asked.

"Sure thing," Miryanna smiled, "come on in," she held the door open wider and Nynesi stepped in.

:)

The two young women seated themselves on the soft bed and Miryanna continued with her hair.

"May I? It's been so long since I could play with your hair," Nynesi asked.

Why oh why didn't I develop this relationship more?

Miryana handed her the comb and towel and Nynesi stated in. The hair was almost done already, but Nynesi enjoyed it anyway. When she was done, Nynesi took her over to the vanity and closet and started seeing which outfit and what makeup Miryanna could use.

Miryanna was rather amused at this, as it had been a long long time since she'd last had the opportunity to wear makeup and rich clothing.

As I commentate on this part, I'm watching a show and it's one of those super dramatique chinese historical fantasy ones, and lemme tell you. Everyone needs obscene amounts of chiffon and silk. Everyone. Everywhere. Drape your house with it. Have all your clothing made from it. Wander through a fabric dyers shop all aflame with colorful hangings as the camera angles dodge away. 

"Oh, Miry, you used to have beautiful ivory skin, and now it's all freckles," Nynesi said with dismay.

freckles are cute tho

okay, so it's generally accepted that in cultures like these, freckled and darker skin are considered unattractive because they indicate that you have to work outside blah blah blah. But this is yet another instance where I allowed myself to fall into the Classic Fantasy World where I feel like everything just... the same... like.... ugh..    it feels like the authors don't stop to think about why the society is like this, it's just "it was like this in medieval europe so that's the way it's going to be here" and to me (and I know i'm not the only one), that's just getting reaaallllly stale. There's nothing wrong with having rules and stuff like that, it's always good to have some inspiration, but I like it when there's some explanation to it. Maybe people would be bored by world building exposition, but if you can work in skillfully, it might add a depth to your world. Or at the very least, get your own idea of why things are this way and it'll influence  the story.

this also personal as i'll be talking with a friend (T) about a fantasy and to her fantasy=medieval europe with dragons and fae. Once a friend (E) was dressed up as a servant for a fantasy party, she was wearing a lovely and simple blue and brown dress and T was saying that she couldn't actually have had a blue gown because In Medieval Times... and i said IT'S A FANSTASY WORLD MAYBE INDIGO PLANTS ARE AS COMMON AS DANDELIONS THERE THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS and another time T was telling me about the line of monarchs in the fantasy world she's developing and i commented that it sounded like some inbreeding going on there and she says yeah it's uncomfortable but that's just how it was back then and i was like IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY IT'S YOUR WORLD I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE AN AESTHETIC BUT DON'T FORCE YOURSELF TO GO WITH THE UNCOMFORTABLE OPTION SIMPLE BECAUSE THAT'S HOW IT WAS IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE DON'T DO IT so that is my personal story on this matter and now back to my also grossly medieval europe inspired fantasy story. :>

Mirynanna laughed, "Well, I had been spending long hours in the sun and rain and other weather," She said.

"What were you doing?" Nynesi asked.

Miryanna shrugged, "Well, I learned how to handle a sword and a bow pretty well; one of my friends taught me,"

you did a lot of other things too but because your author is an idiot she only wrote about the "cool" stuff.

Nynesi looked shocked, "You learned swordfighting and archery?"

Miryanna nodded, "I did indeed," She said with a note of pride.

"But aren't those sports for men?"

another thing I should establish. Nothing wrong with this, per se. maybe martial arts are just a guy thing here. Maybe it's only sword fighting and archery. and i never nailed down why it's a guy thing. sloppy.

Miryana shrugged again, "Well, if a woman wants to learn something, what's to stop her? She has as much right. And besides, where I was, there was danger of being attacked by bandits. I wouldn't want to be some posh lady who didn't know which end of the sword to hold, now, would I?" She grinned, remembering the words that Roric had used to describe her all that time ago.

Nynesi huffed, "No, I guess not, but did you have to also destroy your complexion?" She asked, holding up a dress near her face so she could see how the colors went.

you guys have determined that pale skin is the way to go and yet you haven't invented sunscreen? ridiculous

"My complexion wasn't important where I was," Miryanna explained.

"Complexion is always important to a lady, Miry, you should always remember that," Nynesi chided.

it kinda is actually

"I had to forgo my role as a lady for a while, Nynesi,"

Nynesi sighed, "Well, I guess you did," he grabbed another dress and a pair of earrings. "Put these on," she handed the earrings to Miryanna.

Miryanna complied, and Nynesi squealed with delight, "They match, they match!"

Miryanna guessed that they maybe matched her skin tone, and she was right.

Nynesi held up a dress to her, "Now try this on,"

Miryanna took the dress and disappeared behind the screen to change. The dress was too small for her broader shoulders and longer legs. She did her best to fit it on and stepped back out, feeling rather sheepish.

"Oh," Nynesi said in dismay, "Your shoulders and waist," She went over and started checking over the dress to see what needed fixing.

And so they spent the rest of the evening with Nynesi fixing up Miryanna.

that sounds like so much fun honestly. dangit i want wardrobes full of pretty clothes and jewelry. lots of jewelry

Miryanna finally to to bed and found that the mattress felt too soft after sleeping on thin mats on the ground for so long. Miryanna shrugged it off, thinking that if she got used the mats, she could get used to the mattress.

In the morning, she found that an outfit had been laid out for her while she was still asleep. It was one of the dresses from last night and Miryanna thought it must have been altered. Along with the dress were some earrings, a necklace, and three bangles.

Miryanna slipped them all on and headed out. It was too early for breakfast to begin just yet, so she went up to the battlements to see the city and the sunrise.

She couldn't get the full panoramic view she once had of the sunrise, but she could still see it, and she also got a good view of the city and its early morning happenings.

Finally her stomach told her it was time for food and she went down the the dining hall.

This time, Nynesi seated her between herself and Karayan. Miryanna would have asked to be seated somewhere else, but Nynesi was so happy with the current that Miryanna just put up with it. Nynesi chatted all through the meal, talking about this, that, and the other thing, barely seeming to touch her food.

Karayan, or Naksul, seemed to enjoy having one of his enemies so close at hand and her not being able to do anything.

Miryanna almost lost her appetite, but she forced it down. Never in all her life had she ever thought she'd have to sit by her nemesis during breakfast in her own home, and not be able to do anything.

i like how she says her nemesis. like it's personal. (it is very personal)

Breakfast was finally over and Miryanna excused herself. The dress was starting to get uncomfortable, and the bangles were getting in her way. The earrings were also starting to pinch her ears abominably. She wondered what had happened to her clothes that she had been wearing when she first arrived. The leather jacket and scarf and boots had lasted her all through her time in the mountains and she'd grown attached to them. They'd seen her through so much.

the terrinians think they're super advanced, but they haven't reached the level of comfy formal wear which means they still have a long way to go.

They must be in the laundry, she thought. Goodness knows they needed a good cleaning. She adjusted some things to make her outfit more comfortable, then went to the library for a book. It'd been a long time since she'd read a good book.

She entered the library and was greeted by the sight and smell of books. She didn't really consider herself a reader, but every now and again, it was nice to lost in the pages of an epic, or a poem, or just a novel.

"How's the book?" A deep voice woke her from her reverie.

She looked up to see Karayan standing there.

She glanced around and saw that they were the only two people in the library. She frowned at him, them went right back to reading, intent on ignoring him.

But, he wouldn't be ignored. He snatched the book out of her hands and read the title out loud, "Tales of mystery and adventure. Volume three, of Gnomes,"

"Give it back," She grabbed for it, but he whisked it out of reach and started reading the first page.

"You bully, I said give it back," She grabbed his wrist and twisted in a way that Roric had shown her, causing him to gasp with pain and drop the book.

Miryanna managed to grab it out of the air before it hit the ground, making her feel even more cool. She sat back down in the overstuffed chair and found the place where she'd been before Karayan had interrupted her.

"Feisty one, aren't you," He asked rhetorically.

ugh i apologize for any of the stereotypical dumb villain tropes he falls into. it wasn't supposed to be this way

She ignored him. Maybe if she just ignored him he'd go away. But he didn't. He just stood there. Miryanna tried to position the book so she couldn't see him, but he was too close and the book not big enough.

"Are you quite finished ignoring me?" He asked, sounding miffed.

never

She didn't answer.

see

He grabbed a stool and slid it over so he could sit across from her.

She kept on ignoring him, but she found she could no longer concentrate when the most cruel and wicked man she'd ever known was sitting right across from her.

He grabbed the top of the book and pushed it down so he could see her and she him.

"I'm trying to carry on a friendly conversation, here," He said, an eyebrow quirked.

buddy there is nothing friendly about you buddy

"Sorry, oh wait, I'm not sorry. I don't befriend murderers." She brought the book back up.

"If that's the case, why are you friends with Roric?"

BOOM BETCHA WEREN'T PREPARED FOR THAT

His words froze her. Roric had told her once that he used to be a part of a band of scallywags before he was an Ergli, but he never said anything about killing anyone.

"Roric is not a murderer. How dare you!" She glared at him.

how do you know so much?

Karayan smirked and leaned back, crossing his arms. "Why don't you ask him one day. Have him tell you about that family he helped murder to get some supplies for his little band..." He was cut off by Miryanna slapping his face as hard as she could.

Heck yeah he deserved that

He recoiled, a hand over his cheek where she'd hit, "What was that for?" He asked with indignation, a fire lighting in his eyes.

*rolls eyes*

She stood up, "You're lucky I have the common sense not to knock you out or strangle you right now," She growled. Her reading was done, so she placed a marker in the spot where she'd left off and went to replace it on it's shelf. That accomplished, she turned back to where he was now standing, his hand on his face.

"One day, the Erglis will defeat you, and you will be conquered," She stated firmly and started to walk away.

"It's not only me you have to conquer," His words hit her like a brick.

it is at this point I realize that this is one of the crazy days. two days left in the month, 50,000 words, and just now do I decide to introduce the main villain. ._. in case you didn't know that i was flying blind for a whole month

She shook her head. "You taunt me, scoundrel,"

^this is what you can say to your siblings next time they get on your nerves

"Oh, but I don't," He walked over to where he was right beside her and a little in front of her. "You will never defeat the one whom I serve,"

Miryanna peered up at him, "You serve only yourself," She said. But did he serve only himself? Was there truth to his words?

unfortunately, yeah

He smiled wickedly, "But I don't,"

Now she was sure he was taunting her. But she wanted to know, so against her better judgment, she asked, "Who, then?"

He laughed, "Wouldn't you like to know," He then started walking away.

:|

Miryanna was enraged. She dashed after him. As soon as she found that she'd be living in the same building as Karayan, she'd hid a dagger in her dress. She drew that dagger now and grabbed him from behind and put it to his throat. "Tell me who you serve," She hissed in his ear.

it was at this moment when some personage decided to enter the library. they took one look at the proceedings, and then slowly backed right out.

"You wouldn't kill me," He replied.

She pressed the knife harder, "Wouldn't I? I can kill you here and make it look like someone else did. Now tell me who you serve,"

can she though? Can she?? I don't think they ever discussed assassin tactics (thank goodness)

"Miryanna," A voice that reminded one of a laughing stream came from behind her.

OH MY GOSH IPHNIS YOU DON'T EVEN GO HERE

She froze. It couldn't be, Iphnis? She didn't let go of her hold, or turn around, thinking it might be a trick.

"You won't kill him because that means you're just like him." The owner of the voice came up beside her, and put his slender hand over her own that held the knife. "Let him go," Iphnis said to her.

Again with the philosophy. nothing wrong with it, but it's so basic at this point. i could have made things a little more interesting, and a little more applicable to every day life that doesn't involve killing people. For a while now, I've wanted to include clear and strong messages in my stories. And not only simple ones like be kind, don't kill people, and you can do it. something that actually hits people in a unique way. something that will only hit with certain people. something that you have to think a bit about before you understand how it can apply to a certain character, and then yourself.

Miryanna was so surprised she couldn't speak. She let go of the dagger and Iphnis took it away from Karayan's throat.

Karayan whirled around with another knife in his hand. He must have slipped it out while Miryanna was distracted. He swung it around, aiming at Iphnis, and just missed. Iphnis dodged, but Karayan swung again, and the knife embedded in Iphnis' arm. It went all the way through and the tip could be seen on the other end.

ouch

Miryanna covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Iphnis winced, but didn't cry out, surprisingly. He grabbed Karayan's hand that was still on the knife and wrenched it away, twisting his arm. Karayan swung at Iphnis with his other hand formed into a fist, but Iphnis dodged, and drew his thin sword, swinging it to point right at Karayan's throat.

Karayan froze, feeling the sharp tip at his neck.

"My friend asked you a question," Iphnis said.

Karayan just stood there, mouth agape. "Who do you think you are?"

"That's none of your concern, now answer the question," He said firmly.

there is nothing firm about you, iphnis

Miryanna just stood to the side, desperately hoping that no would would choose this time to find a book. She was getting more and more anxious. Dark dark purpleish blood dripped from Iphnis' would onto the floor. The knife was still embedded in his arm.

and because we want the gnomes to be distinct from humans in a cool way, I will proceed to give them a different color blood

Karayan looked very angry at this point, but he answered. "I serve a Great Sorceress, who is all powerful and all knowing. It is she who commissioned me to cause unrest in the realms of Terinnia and Fasik so that the mighty Empire of Amani could sweep in and conquer it all. There. Are you happy?" He spat out.

so that's how he knows everything

Iphnis withdrew his sword from Karayan's throat. "Thank you," He started to walk away towards one of the windows, cradling his arm against his chest. He drew the knife out of the wound and cast it towards Karayan's feet.

"Iphnis, are you alright?" Miryanna asked the Gnome.

"I'll be fine. Just think up a story as to why there's a pool of blood on the floor." He yanked the scarf off from around his neck and tied it tightly around the wound. He made his way to one of the windows and climbed out, still surprising agile, considering he'd had a knife stuck through his arm a few seconds ago.

and because gnomes are actually elf ripoffs, they will be resistant to pain and discomfort

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Miryanna asked him worriedly.

"As I said, make up a good story why there's blood on the floor and don't mention me,"

duh

"What about Karayan?" Miryanna looked back to where he was still standing, dumbstruck.

"He has enough sense to keep quiet about seeing a Gnome," With that, he disappeared.

okay this is one of my favorite parts in this story and I'll tell you why

She turned back to Karayan. They were both silent for a few seconds.

"I won't say anything if you won't," He finally said.

Miryanna nodded, "Deal. Now how are we going to explain all this?"

He shrugged, "This marble already has a reddish tone to it. If we wiped up the blood, maybe people won't notice,"

Miryanna nodded. "I think there's a rag in the closet over there," She went over to an inconspicuous closet by one of the shelves. She opened it to find a few cleaning cloths and took a few. She mopped up the blood, and thankfully, there wasn't much. She had to be careful not to get any on her dress. Karayan went and grabbed another one to wrap the soiled ones in.

"Can you take these to the laundry room? I have to go wash my hands," Miryanna said, surveying the ground where the puddle had once been. It didn't show much, and since it was one the ground, one probably wouldn't know it was there.

Karayan took the stained bundle and left for the laundry room. Miryanna left for her room to wash her hands. Thankfully, she was able to evade anyone she came across and made it to her room with no questions asked.

I don't remember if this was on my mind at the time, but Karayan and Miryanna make a good team. I believe I've mentioned it earlier in my commentary, but let me say it again. Miryanna and Karayan are protagonist and antagonist, but they go well together. I didn't do a good job of it in this draft and I went a different direction in the second draft, but I want karayan and miryanna to have good chemistry. I want the air between them to crackle. They hate each other. I haven't really said anything from Karayan's pov, but he hates Miryanna just as much as she hates him. She isn't a leader that would seem to pose a threat, but she's she, and he's he, and they hate each other and there's nothing petty about it.

I want this to be one of those relationships where they're enemies, but if they worked together.... ya'll be careful. Another that's important to mention in this day and age, there's absolutely nothing romantic or anything like that about them. Miryanna's love interest in Andarin, and no spoilers, but Karayan does fall for Nynesi. (subject to change). But there's nothing romantic. I am so sick of everything turning into a romance when it would have been better not a romance. it's so, so hard to find a m/f relationship that doesn't end in romance, and I really think that's had a negative effect on our culture as a whole. people can't be "just friends" anymore. And it Bugs me. i digress.

Karayan and Miryanna make a good team because it's like they've known each other forever even though they haven't. They're on the same wavelength. Not necessarily in a soulmatey kind of way. The reason they hate each other is because they believe in different things. If they were on the same side, they'd be such a dynamic duo. Like with dealing with the aftermath of Sudden Iphnis TM. When they come together for a common goal, they know right what to do. They don't need to argue, they don't need to discuss, they just know what to do, and do. Another thing i would love to do, and should have if I had had half a braincell when writing this, is write a much more gradual sequence of them becoming enemies to allies. They'd never agree on core values (barring something very dramatic), but it wouldn't have to be about that. They do have stuff in common, I know it. Like it could be really fun to write a short piece on them having to collaborate on something and then finding tht they're really good at it. Something for Nynesi maybe. ugh.

So enjoy this minuscule glimpse.