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!
Leaving the witch in Revna’s capable hands, Isolde and Wren rode out to meet the Chieftain and his brother. It had been a long time since Isolde had seen Kaalim, even longer since she’d seen his brother, but she felt no anticipation ahead of their meeting. Everything was as the All-Mother willed it, she simply had to follow the path that had been set. All would proceed as had been foreseen…so long as Isolde did not lead her daughters astray.
Riding alongside her, Isolde looked over at Wren. They’d hardly spoken since Wren had returned from Coheed—not for any reason in particular, both had been very busy, but the disconnect had not gone unnoticed. Isolde hadn’t asked whether Wren had bedded a Coheesman as she had requested—nor would she. She was not Wren’s keeper or disciplinarian. She was a careful guardian, one that could feel her daughter that normally stuck so close pulling ever so slightly away.
Perhaps she was to blame. Perhaps they both were.
“I've missed you, my child," Isolde said with a smile, looking at her daughter with adoring, inquisitive eyes.
Post by Willa Wren on Sept 28, 2022 12:57:19 GMT -5
Wren kept her eyes ahead. She had much on her mind, more on her heart, and didn't know what would come from her lips if she dared to speak. She had left a quiet Cambria and returned to a noisy one, one filled with suffering and confusion. She had done something she should not have and learned something that she needed to know. Here she was now with the weight of the revelation on her mind, but she dared not speak it to anyone. Not now. Not yet.
The soldier had been going through the motions. She did as she was told, showed up on time, continued training, and was now accompanying the Priestess to meet with Coheed. To be sure, there was distance between her and Isolde, but the Priestess would have no complaints as far as Wren's performance of late.
Her words broke the silence and Wren's green gaze moved to the corners of her eyes to barely look over at the woman at her side. There was something hesitant in her gaze, something vulnerable, and a smile was far from her lips.
"Thank you, mother." Wren returned softly. She only held Isolde's gaze a moment longer before she looked back towards where they were headed. Wren was not the type who could hide her emotions.
Isolde smiled, tilting her head as she regarded Wren pensively. She had no suspicions as to what it was that could be troubling Wren. All she had was the feeling--the sixth sense acquired from years of encouraging her growth.
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:08:23 GMT -5
Of course Isolde would ask that. It was so direct, so intentional. Usually Wren melted underneath that attentive gaze. Today, however, she was bristling. She didn't want to be scrutinized. She didn't want to have to delve into her mind and try to put to words all that had transpired. What she thought. How she felt. Who she trusted. So instead,
"A great many things, mother. But I do wonder," a frown claimed her face, "what it is Kaalim and Rian want with us." her expression turned expectant. Did Isolde know more than she?
Isolde thought to press. She waited for a long moment before deciding to let it go—for now at least.
“Nevermere’s whole purpose in Coheed was to protect against the Eldouirs. Hopefully, his son’s death as brought Kaalim to his senses, though I’m no longer sure that's possible.” Isolde made a face, thinking, “And what of this Rian? I haven’t much experience with him.”
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:16:45 GMT -5
Wren listened. She had thought as much herself, but it was too simple. It didn't solve any problems for Kaalim to be in agreement with Cambria. They needed more than agreement.
"Rian is Kaalim's brother, though he does not appear to be. Not in the slightest." Skin color wasn't much of a thing in Terra Nova but Cyril had been a dark man and Rian was as pasty as they came. There was no denying something odd had happened there, even if no one was willing to talk about it.
"He was enslaved by the Eldouir in Lorendale for a time. Nevermere saved him." She remembered being present, breaking his chains. She had saved him, but she had done it at Nevermere's behest. "He has married a Nevermerean woman." She frowned. "He does not love the kingdom, but his intention is to walk and talk like them to attempt to defeat them." The disgust for the course was clear in her demeanor. It was everything the truly faithful of Cambria stood against.
Isolde raised an eyebrow. Enslaved by the Eldouir. It likely followed that he was deeply troubled by their recent appearance—more than most. But it was the second part that caught Isolde’s attention.
“Seems a gamble,” Isolde said, almost dismissive in her tone. “If one walks and talks like the enemy for too long, they may forget who they truly are.”
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:17:04 GMT -5
Wren nodded her head in total agreement. She had said as much to him, but he didn't care to listen to her. He'd probably been to starry eyed over marrying that woman. Idiot.
"I do not know what they want with us," she said, lowering her voice, as if their enhanced ears might hear them though they were yet a ways off, "but I do not know that either of those men are true friends of Cambria. The wife Rian took is rumored to have a hand of control over Kaalim." Wren had not met her, but she wished she had. She would never bend to her womanly appeal as the weak men had.
Isolde’s eyes narrowed. She knew of Magda. When her daughter, Halfrida, was stationed in Coheed Isolde had been made aware of her closeness with the chieftain. Isolde didn’t know until now that this was the woman Rian had married.
“Then we should be careful with our words,” Isolde stated, perhaps the obvious but stated nonetheless, “Men think first with their baser instincts, and if this woman is what she’s rumored to be…” Isolde wrinkled her nose in disgust, “Then baser instincts are the beast that she feeds.”
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:17:27 GMT -5
Wren nodded, again in agreement but also understanding. She was already careful with her words around men, as they liked to try to twist them for their sick pursuits. Allowing the conversation to reach its natural lull, Wren said nothing more.
Isolde too would let the conversation taper off. They rode in silence for a long while, Isolde’s eyes tracking over the horizon. She felt at peace, more so than she had felt in some time. Perhaps it was that the stifling presence of a Nevermere was behind them for a momentary reprieve. A welcome palate cleanser after the dinner with the little witch.
“There’s something else I wish to discuss with you,” Isolde started, a rare note of hesitancy in her voice.
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:17:57 GMT -5
Wren embraced the silence. If they weren't talking then she didn't have to think, and if she didn't have to think then she didn't have to remember what she saw at that fire. She didn't have to face the truth that the All Mother revealed to her: that Isolde was a traitor among them. Wren had wept to discover it. A small part of her still desperately hoped that it was not true. That...that there had been a mistake.
The silence was broken and a tension returned to her shoulders.
"Yes, mother?" Wren asked, keeping her eyes ahead.
Isolde had nothing to fear. In her mind, fear was a product of trying to anticipate the unknown with human imperfection. Isolde had no reason to speculate, to stew in her uncertainty. All she had to do was walk the path that was being set for her. Yes, perhaps this brief rough patch would create awkwardness between them, but that was all part of the holy chaos restoring order. The universe righting itself in times of turmoil. Isolde and Wren’s relationship would be stronger than ever before. There was simply some readjustment that needed to happen.
“I fear I have asked too much of you,” Isolde said, eyes still facing the horizon, “You will lead us through the battle to victory, but that does not mean you must ride alone. There are others in Cambria that can help lighten the load as you prepare us for war.” She glanced over at Wren before saying, “I have decided to make Revna my second. She will assist me in managing the Nevermereans while you strengthen our warriors for battle.”
Post by Willa Wren on Oct 11, 2022 13:18:21 GMT -5
Wren only glanced towards Isolde as she started, but otherwise kept her attention ahead. It was easier to not look into the eyes of the woman who was a traitor to Cambria. She still wasn't sure what she believed, but if she was to be a woman of faith then she had to trust in the words of the All Mother.
The warrior's jaw tightened. She had been using her position as the Second to justify why no action had been taken against Isolde. She was close to the Priestess and could keep and eye on all that was done. Now, however, Isolde was pushing her away. Getting her away, more like, so that she would have privacy to do what she wanted. To hurt the women of Cambria.
Anger burned in Wren's eyes. She parted her lips to speak, but bit back her words in favor of,
The tension in Wren’s voice did nothing to crack Isolde’s resolve. All things were as they should be; perhaps Wren didn’t see it now, but she would given time. Until then, Isolde would continue to love her, doing what was best for her daughter—not what was easy.
“Come,” Isolde said, digging her heel in her steed’s side, “We have a long way to go.”