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!
It was a few days after the wedding, and Imani was back to Parabolti business, for now. The day prior, Aldrich Abbott had approached her with an idea to help the Parabolti. She had been pleasantly surprised to hear his idea for a crèche. The Parabolti would be able to leave their children with caretakers, for the day or a few days, so they could train and sleep, and focus on their combat techniques. He had gotten approval for it from Magda Ivanova, who had suggested Nevermerean witches would also be able to help to teach the children Nevermere's ways. Imani wasn't against Nevermere, and she was just glad that there would be a way for the women to train uninterrupted.
Aldrich had asked her to speak about the idea with some women she thought would be interested in helping out. Imani had immediately thought of one woman in particular: Yrsa. From the conversation they had on the river banks, she had learned that Yrsa was interested in the Parabolti, but wasn't allowed to train. Her father valued old traditions. Perhaps this would be a nice way for Yrsa to help out, while still obeying her father. There was nothing more traditional than taking care of children, after all.
The woman walked through the village and eventually found Yrsa. "Yrsa!" she said, smiling and waving at the girl as she approached. "How are you?"
Yrsa was walking about the village in no particular direction. Earlier, she’d been foraging, finding whatever was still growing in that time of year to bring home. Normally, she would have gone straight home, but she was in no hurry. The air was growing chillier by the day, and she wanted to enjoy walking around in relative comfort while she could.
It was during this aimless wondering that she heard someone calling her name. She turned toward the source and grinned when she saw who it was, “Imani!” She quickly changed the direction she was walking in favor of walking toward Imani, “I’m doing alright,” she shrugged, “Enjoying the warmth in the air before winter chases it away. How do you like your new husband?”
Her own smile became more wide when she noticed Yrsa grinning when she located the source of the voice that had called her name. The blonde was doing alright, and seemed to be enjoying the last warmth as much as Imani did. She blushed a bit when Yrsa asked about Kaalim. "I like him very much. So do my children, and that's even more important to me." She smiled and looked around. "Do you want to sit and chat for a bit? I wanted to ask you something."
Yrsa smiled knowingly at Imani’s blush, “It must be wonderful to like one’s husband so much,” she thought of her ill-fated almost-husbands. She hadn’t liked any of them…although she’d not known any of them long enough to know if she’d grow to like them either. At the other woman’s invitation to sit and talk, Yrsa nodded, “Of course,” she said and would follow Imani wherever she wanted to talk, “What do you wish of me?"
She hadn't asked Yrsa about it, and wasn't planning on doing it, but she could sense that Yrsa didn't really see marriage the same way as Imani did. She was supportive and kind about her marriage to Kaalim, but Imani had a feeling that Yrsa herself really didn't want to get married. "It truly is", she said with a smile.
They headed over to a place where they could both sit. "One of the Nevermere soldiers talked to me, a Lieutenant Abbott. He and Lady Ivanova talked about a crèche for the children of Parabolti, so someone can watch over the little ones while the women train. The last time we talked, you seemed interested in the Parabolti, but I got the feeling that your environment doesn't allow you to join us. That's totally fine, of course, but I was wondering how you, and your family, would feel about helping us out with said crèche?"
Yrsa’s mood lifted in response to Imani’s happiness. Maybe she’d be that happy one day…but she didn’t have high hopes, given the sorts of men that her father wanted to choose for her. She’d long ago resigned herself to the knowledge that she’d be chained to an old man simply because she’d not be a first wife. Although…Imani was not a first wife, and her husband was still young and strong. Maybe there was hope for her yet.
Yrsa sat down and listened to Imani speak, and brightened even more at her question, “A creche?” It was a good idea, one that Yrsa grabbed onto with all the enthusiasm in her body. Surely her father would not object if she were watching children? It was the sort of work that he would approve of, she thought, “Yes!” she blurted out, “I want to,” she was nearly bouncing where she sat, “I will ask my father, and also some of my sisters. I know one of them was interested in the Parabolti, but is like me and hasn’t been able to watch you train.”
It was exciting that Yrsa was as thrilled about the idea of a crèche as she was herself. Imani smiled brightly at her new friend when she enthusiastically agreed to the idea. She also thought that there was no way her father could disapprove of her taking care of children. If he was a traditional man, then he'd see it as a useful learning school. She would know how to take of children when she had ones herself. She excitedly clapped her hands. "Yay!" She laughed. "Magda will ask some witches to help as well. She wants them to be taught about Nevermere in the meantime as well. A great way to get the next generation ready for being part of Nevermere." She took Yrsa's hand in hers. "I'm so glad you like the idea."
“I love the idea!” Yrsa was more than excited, “I’m so curious about the Nevermerans. They seem so different…especially the men,” she didn’t have to be quite as guarded around them, “Have you met many of the witches? I’ve only spoken to two of them and one of them was found chores fun. She was very strange,” Yrsa still could not fathom finding a daily task that must be done fun. It was work. And work was rarely fun.
Imani nodded. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "They are different indeed." She glanced around, to make sure nobody was listening in. "They seem more understanding of female warriors. I like that." She leaned back and thought to herself that she had gotten lucky with Kaalim. He let her train and didn't mind the fact that she was a Parabolti.
When Yrsa asked about the witches, she shook her head. "Not really, but I'm looking forward to meeting more of them. I met a very young witch once, she was kind." Little did she know Kaalim and Zarha had slept together as well. "I think Nevermere's influence on Coheed will do us women well." She smiled, hopeful about the future.