The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
There was nothing more Isolde wished to learn about Nevermere. She’d seen all she needed to see; they were colonizers, and no amount of learning about their culture would make them any less their oppressors. This line of inquiry with Norah was tiresome. She wouldn’t defend her culture to the little witch and wasn’t interested in comparing notes on equity. So instead, Isolde smiled a maternal smile, inclining her head with a ‘hmmm’ as if Norah had given her something to think about.
“You have an interesting perspective, Lady Norah,” Isolde said with what might be mistaken as kindness, “I did not realize Nevermerean men had been so dismissive of their women. I’m sure it is a relief now that you can now dine at their table.” Isolde offered nothing more. She continued to eat, passing it to Norah to continue the conversation.
Norah was not new to this. She grew up in faux pleasantries and passive aggressive tones. She could have exchanged more with her, could've pushed further into the conversation of trying to find an angle to get the Governess off of whatever high horse she thought she sat on. Norah was not intimidated by the warriors at her side, she was not impressed by the fact that she felt so keen to fighting her on this. She wanted to figure out what was going on, she wanted to report back, and she wanted to be home with Ravin.
A fact that no one at the table knew about. But it was for him, that she'd have to endure this. She could've pointed out that it was more than dining. In fact, she was sure that Isolde was waiting for Norah to take that bait like a starving fish. Yet she didn't. Because if women did not gain more rights, then another man would be sitting at her table now talking to her. Not Norah herself.
"I've heard some Cambrian's have chosen to have Nevermeran men sire their children." If slight insults were going to be dished around, Norah was ready to cut to the chase then. "Instead of Coheedsman. Expanding bloodlines... have any of the daughters shown signs of our kind of magic?"
Kelder hadn't touched her food, she avoided any eye contact nor did she chance a glance at @faylin instead her eyes bounced between Isolde and the one named Norah. Most of this hadn't set her on edge until the mention of procreation between Cambria and Nevermere, she tensed not noticing how tight she clutched the unused eating utensil in her hand bending it with her strength but her eyes settled on Faylin finally. They tested for a second before darting back to Norah where they remained.
Faylin had been sitting quietly, perched lightly on her knees, her hands resting on her thighs. She had dutifully played her part, drinking the tea when required and slowly picking at the food that had been made available for them. It had not been until Kasper was purposefully ignored and then spoken down upon that her chin lifted and her back straightened more, but even still she kept her focus on her food.
Norah's brazen question on the topic of Cambrians and Nevermerans mingling did not surprise her. After all, that was the real reason they were there and she had expected it to come up at some point. She did not allow her gaze to move to Kelder or to anyone else at the table for that matter. She only waited for the Governess's response.
“You’ve heard correctly.” Isolde answered neutrally—for that was all it was. A neutral confirmation of fact. How she felt about it was a different matter entirely. But Isolde had been playing this game for longer than Norah had been alive. She’d learned better than to tip her hand so early.
“It is my understanding witch magic is something possessed, but witchcraft is something taught. Or at least, that is what I have learned of your kind.” Isolde put the slightest emphasis on the word ‘learned,’ harkening back to their earlier exchange. “These girls are yet young. But I suppose if the Nevermere-born ones could be identified, their progress could be more closely monitored.”
Isolde’s eyes met Norah’s, a soft, unassuming smile on her features.
"That is correct," she could almost be mistaken as impressed that Isolde even bothered to know that much about the born children of Nevermere. Purposefully, she didn't point out that the son's of these Cambrian women would be cursed. She had seen a few young boys running around, probably left to be raised by the Nevermeran father, but it was still something surprising. She assumed most have probably been sent back to Nevermere.
"I'd like to see some of them, if possible. Perhaps I can help them," because the children of Nevermere would link to the mother's who had children. Which then got Norah one step closer to what her actual purpose there was. "We have seen where sometimes, even if they are not trained, they can have things happen. We find it best that the children get the training so they know how to control their magic." She speared a fresh looking vegetable and popped it into her mouth. Chewing with all the grace that a Prowze could have.
Daughters of Cambrians, witches they may be, were still children of the All-Mother. Isolde would not willingly relinquish them to be made witches before warriors. That was what made the difference between children sired by Coheedsman and those born in union with a Nevermerean. Coheedsman understood that their daughters belonged to Cambria alone. Neveremere, like everything else, wanted to take what wasn’t theirs.
“Of course, Lady Norah,” Isolde answered with a smile, “As a witch you are, perhaps, best suited to spotting members of your own kind, but I offer you my full support. @revna will accompany you and provide whatever assistance you need.”
Isolde glanced in Revna’s direction to indicate who she was to Norah. To Norah, perhaps she was just another Cambrian warrior. But to Isolde, a faithful servant. A trusted disciple. The perfect spy.
Revna had been following the conversation, in awe of how poised the priestess was with all of the witches questions. She was an inquisitive one, probably the type to have made a good warrior had she been born in Cambria. Instead she had been brought up with awful traditions that were now trying to be forced onto their freedoms. Marriage, what an awful thought.
But her eyes snapped to attention on Isolde when she gave her the task, nodding her head in respect to her priestess before looking at Norah, an smile on her face that did not quite match the annoyance that swam in her eyes. If the All-mother willed it she would show the Nevermere woman around, giving thanks it wasn't the one man at the table.
"It will be my pleasure to show you Lady Norah." At least a chance to prove her use again to her priestess, something she always enjoyed.
There wasn’t a moment missed by Norah then. Her eyes moving from Isolde, then to @revna as she spoke up to indicate who she was. A small, yet poised smile was given as she dipped her head in acceptance. A very leader or noble thing to do. “I look forward to our time together Revna.” She held the woman’s gaze for a moment longer before she went back to her dinner.
While the conversation seemed to die down a lot, the tension remained thick in the air. Norah seemed at peace with the few bites she took here and there before the group would retire for the night. Back to their temporary resting home that had already been warded with potions upon their arrival.
Kelder didn't finish her meal, she sat in seething silence playing with the bent spoon. She had nothing to add but she knew tonight after all of this bullshit she was going to get pure drunk, perhaps a warm body to share in bed and just forget about everything happening in Cambria. So until she was dismissed she would sit silently.
The rest of the dinner was filled with the usual expected pleasantries. After the food was finished, the Nevermereans did not linger, nor did Isolde attempt to get them to stay. She was glad to see their backs as they descended from her hut to the village below. Her eyes narrowed on Norah, the little witch, the one who was turning out ot be quite the thorn in her side.
But, Isolde thought, perhaps the All-Mother had something in mind for the little witch yet. For the priestess certainly had ideas of her own…