Chapter Text
The kingdom of Arkadia was large but not too large according to its inhabitants it was just the right size. Broken up into almost one hundred different different provinces the kingdom thrived off of its plentiful trade routes and strong political ties underneath the rule of King Thelonious Jaha and his heir Wells Jaha. The right hand family to the throne was that of House Griffin, Jake and Abby Griffin were the kings top advisers. Lord Griffin was one to advise in the well beings of the people and advancements to the kingdom itself while Lady Griffin helped strengthen political ties and would also help her husband with the well beings of the people.
Not many questioned the strength and power held by the Ladies of the court, to them it was nothing unusual, but when dealing with other kingdoms they were met with such looks. The sight of a woman holding such high standing and openly having a hand in certain affairs was most unusual to outsiders.
To the north of the kingdom though was the wild lands of Polis, inhabited by Barbarians or Wildlings depending on who you asked. The tales of their brute viciousness, the acts of their pillaging and wars traveled far and always changed it was hard to tell what was truth and myth after so many years. Yet one thing was for certain, never enter the wilds of Polis and never cross paths with those who thrived in the wild you might not survive it.
Every first and last week of the months the first providence which was located in the center of the kingdom where the King himself resided would hold the largest trade days and festivals. It was a way to welcome and bid farewell to the new and old months; it also allowed other provinces to bring in diplomats, representatives and traders to conduct business or try to earn a hearty profit.
It was the first month marking the fall and the main plazas were completely covered in stalls and seas of people trying to shop and look upon exotic goods. Three young woman slowly made their way from stall to stall fighting the flow of the sea of people.
These women were Lady Clarke of the House Griffin, Lady Octavia of the House Blake and Lady Raven of the house Reyes. The three were as thick as thieves growing up together around the castle while their parents attended business and into adulthood their bonds were still just as strong. “Clarke look these swords have gold and obsidian hilts, do you think your father would mind we practiced with his guards again?”
The blonde laughed while looking at the sword the ink black haired woman was admiring, “Octavia, we have enough swords. Plus my mother would be absolutely livid it was hard enough convincing her to allow me to continue swordsmanship training.”
Octavia laughed with her, “You’re right. I doubt I could stand another lecture from my mother because yours told her I was engaging in activities unbecoming of a lady once again.”
“Exactly now let’s go, Raven said she was meeting Finn near the section of traders who bring the goods from the territories.”
Octavia seemed surprised as they continued walking deeper into the plaza near the main stalls, “Wait is that so many people have been traveling here? The traders from the wilds showed?!?”
“Not exactly, the way Finn had explained was these traders are from our kingdoms and providences but they have earned respect from the brutes in the wilds and have been allowed to trade their good with us and then bring them back the gold.”
“What uses could they have with our gold? Isn’t their currency completely different?”
“I didn’t really think to ask. It's odd enough that they have decided to allow some contact with us this season. Especially after the reports of them moving further down and closer to the edges of the wilds. Maybe something is driving them to abandon their lands.”
“You are starting to sound like your father, why worry for them? They have murdered more than enough of our own people,” Octavia scoffed, “Let’s forget this topic, Raven and Finn are up ahead at the stall with the black tapestries.”
Clarke fell silent as they walked Octavia had a reasonable point, those who lived in the wilds attacked any outsiders. As she grew older she would hear more and more reports about those attacks and deaths while being in her father’s study as he worked. Her mother would also occasionally discuss how her upbringing as a healer would be helpful to those who managed to survive. When the attacks became more frequent her mother was seen less around the upper areas of the castle and more in the guards area and infirmaries.
“My Ladies! It is nice of you to finally show!” Finn bowed quickly sporting a grin that was almost ear to ear.
“Why my lord what has you in such a happy mood?” Clarke asked as the group began to walk toward the stall marked with symbols from the wilds.
“Because the word of the traders who talk with the barbarians also brought in slavers. Some of them even claim to have barbarians as well, caught running from the wilds and trying to escape into our kingdoms.”
The women seemed taken aback, “Don’t be scared, they are chained. The Men of the mountains who are led by Lord Wallace have assured the King and the people that none shall harm our people.”
“The men of the mountains, they are no better than the barbarians themselves. Even with Lord Wallace and his house giving orders. They cause just as much harm.” Clarke spoke with venom in her words, no human barbarian or otherwise should be bound in chains and sold like common cattle.
Raven and Octavia sensed the tension forming and quickly changed the subject to the odd trinkets they were passing by. Clarke had tuned them out her interest gone now that she learned the slavers had shown. As much as she wished to avoid those stalls and auctions she knew it was pointless to argue. Finn was discussing how Octavia’s older brother would be there keeping the peace as part of the Knight’s Guard. It had been quite a while since any of them had seen Bellamy, he had spent the better part of the year fighting with a rogue army with unknown bannermen trying to capture a providence on the far south edge of the kingdom
“My Lady are you listening?”
Clarke looked back to Finn who had obviously asked her something of importance, “What was that My lord?”
“I had asked if you had any intent in participating in any of the auctions? Do wild men catch your eye?”