It was terrible, but Eirian couldn't help but grin as the swarm of sparrows sent the Court of the Camelia into a tizzy. A few stayed seated, able to ignore the annoyance, but most leapt to their feet, trying to shoo away the confused birds. It was a simple room with nothing but the long table and chairs and the torches lining the walls.
Not a lot of places for the little birds to perch, hence the panic dives towards the people occupying the room.
Someone shrieked a demand to open all the windows, and someone else grabbed a torch and started swinging.
Chenzhou stared at the scene in disbelief.
And Eirian…
Eirian started laughing.
Yuze came in behind them, so sleep-deprived and surprised that he walked into Chenzhou's back. "What the hell? Where are they coming from?"
"They're Eric's," Eirian wheezed, doubled over.
"Prince Eric?" Yuze hissed as Chenzhou paled.
"He found out about the wedding." Eirian straightened.
"Wait, he didn't know?" Yuze turned to Chenzhou.
"Her father said the capital supported it!" Chenzhou groaned.
"Well, he clearly lied," Yuze returned.
"How the hell do we destroy them?" A short, round man demanded, his face red from exertion.
"They're birds, Lord Yin." Chenzhou sounded like he was already done with today.
As amusing as Eirian found the scene, she liked Eric's birds, and some of the generals looked like they were about to start drawing weapons.
Her magic was still just under the surface, swirling and roiling and pushing to get out, so she let it.
Just a little bit. A small swell that twisted around her arm until it reached her hand and grew out into a branch, shimmering as it stretched out and became visible to everyone. Smaller branches grew, leaves sprouted, and the sparrows took notice.
Almost as one they turned towards the branch and Eirian let her magic grow until there was room for all of them.
Once the last sparrow had found a place to perch, Eirian turned to Chenzhou only to find him and everyone else in the room staring at her.
And Chenzhou…Chenzhou actually looks like he's suddenly got some color. His eyes wide and a flush to cheeks that's never been there before.
At least, not that she's seen.
He's not the only one staring, either. Yuze's eyes are wide, his hand on his sword. The members of the court that are closest have backed away, a few of them tripping in their haste.
Should the leaders of an army be a bit braver than that?
Eirian's magic isn't even a threat now; it's singing like a songbird. The leaves were bright green and fluttering in an invisible wind. It's probably the only thing that's grown in the Camelia in years.
Chenzhou moved like he was going to speak, but he didn't. The flush on his cheeks grew deeper.
Eirian only has so much patience, though. "What?"
"Eir-" Chenzhou stopped abruptly, then started again once he seemed to figure out what he wanted to say. "Lady Ye," because that's what she was now, and he seemed determined to remind everyone of that fact. "What…?"
"It's magic."
Chenzhou sighed, suddenly tired again. "Yes, I realize that."
"Then I'm confused about why all of you are confused." Eirian turned back to her branch. The sparrows, relaxed now, were starting to chirp and preen at one another. They all had their messages around their necks. The downside of such a small messenger bird was the severe limitation to what they could carry.
On the upside, they were very hard to spot unless they were bringing you a message, and they were surprisingly fast and vicious in a flock.
One of the lords, younger, probably a few years older than Eirian, approached the branch. Eirian waited for him to speak, ask permission, or ask a question, but he simply moved towards the magic like he was mesmerized.
Most people were too afraid or too inexperienced to try and interact with someone else's magic. Eirian was strong enough to make her's solid enough for someone else to touch, but no one had ever wanted to take her up on it.
This man, a handsome one at that she noticed, didn't seem afraid at all. He even reached out once he was close enough, hesitating a couple of times before brushing a fingertip gently over a leaf.
When nothing happened, it seemed like the room let out a collective breath of relief. People started moving and remembering why they were here to begin with.
"Who the hell sent all these birds?" The short, round lord demanded.
"Who uses sparrows as messengers?" Someone else muttered.
Eirian took pleasure in telling him, "These messengers belong to my cousin, Prince Eric."
It didn't have the impact she'd expected.
The Lord snorted, and she caught a few eyes rolling as Chenzhou went still beside her.
"What business does he have out here?" A tall, thin lady who swept back to her seat.
"He's your prince," Eirian stated, voice hard, because she wasn't about to let anyone insult the only family member she really liked. "In case you've forgotten."
A young lord, younger than Eirian she'd bet, scoffed. "Those in the capital have no interest in us, and we have no interest in them. They don't belong here."
"I do," Eirian said. "In case you've suddenly forgotten. I am your princess. The Camelia serves the throne, or have you forgotten your oaths already?"
There was a moment when Eirian thought he was going to be smart and back down. He clearly wavered for a moment, but then his lips twisted in a sneer, and he decided to dig the hole deeper. "You've been here two days. You won't last any longer than the last interloper did."
"Lord Chang!" Chenzhou, furious. "Remember your place." But the young lord just turned his scowl on Chenzhou, unafraid.
Clearly, Chenzhou's illness had left this court scenting blood like circling sharks.
Well, Chenzhou might not have the strength to fight them off, but Eirian certainly did.
~ tbc