Coastal

The first thing Cathlinn did upon reaching the beach utterly confused the others. She had 'mutilated' one of the shirts, in Simon's words, and then proceeded to 'reveal too much' when she cut a pair of trousers short. It was a bit funny to her when she put it on and raced for the waters, diving under and all three panicking. The ocean was always a happy place for Cathlinn and it seemed like it'd be a happy place for her again in this world. She dove under a wave and came back up, grinning like a fool.

"Your highness," Carmichael grabbed her from behind, dragging her back, "You're going to drown!"

Cathlinn laughed and pried his arms away, "I can swim, Carmichael. It was mandatory in my military and my father taught me when I was little."

"Swimming is for," he stopped his words and frowned a bit before snickering at himself, making Cathlinn raise an eyebrow. "You are a witch."

"Oh boy," Cathlinn giggled. "Swimming isn't for witches. I could swim before I became a witch." Carmichael looked out to the ocean as he let go and rubbed his head.

"Can you teach me," he asked. Cathlinn stared and smiled widely, bouncing a bit in excitement.

"Maybe I'm calmer water. The current feels like it'd drag you out and pull you under," she hummed.

"Cutting up your clothing makes sense now," he turned and started for the shore. "Don't stay in too long."

"When do we have to reach their capital," Cathlinn called.

"Midday," Simon called back. There was a sudden yell and Cathlinn turned to see Mei dunking the man into the water. "You barbarian of a woman!"

Mei laughed, squealing when the water hit her from behind, "So boring! Cathlinn's the only one enjoying it!"

"I'm not-" Cathlinn was pulled under, quickly holding her breath as she grabbed at the hands on her waist. The water stung as she forced her eyes open, shoving at the figure in the black suit the held her under. She pulled herself closer, grabbing their collar and struggling to move behind them as they kept their grip on her. She managed to hook her arm over their head, squeezing it around their neck as they struggled to get their head free from her. She stood, gasping and pulling them with her as she stepped back to the shore.

The person began to yell angrily at her, gagging coming from where their mouth was as Cathlinn tightened her grip. "Is everything trying to fucking kill me? Who the hell sent you? Huh?"

"Cathlinn," Carmichael grabbed their arms and Cathlinn let go as he pulled them backwards so she could see. She pulled the misshapen mask off and stared at a teenage boy.

"Who sent you," she snapped again. The boy stared, bright green eyes staring in confusion before familiarity reached them.

"Monique," his accent was thick and choppy as the name left his lips. Cathlinn looked to Carmichael and he let go of the boy. "Is it really you? The oracle said you reached enlightenment already." There was silence as Mei moved closer, a fan out and ready. Carmichael held the hilt of his blade as Simon slowly approached.

"No, you can't be her. She rose above violence at an early age," the boy muttered and began pulling at his hair a bit. "Such a nice woman. You're not her, you knew where to grab."

Simon spoke in a fluent tongue, the boy looking to him and replying twice as fast as Cathlinn took him in. Where had she seen that face before? She grabbed his cheeks and the boy stiffened, glancing at her with widened eyes.

"What's your name," she asked.

He blinked and slowly nodded, "You're not her. What a surprise it must have been. Poor King Gary who lost his heir."

"Name," Cathlinn repeated.

"Keith of Volstigar," he replied.

"Keith," she muttered. She had dreamed about him before and he was so much like in those dreams. Soft features with wild green eyes and blonde hair that curled just right. It brought her back to her childhood, when she'd play with him on beaches like this and feel almost complete amongst all the turmoil from divorced parents.

"Is there any reason you'd try to drown her," Mei growled.

"A game," Keith looked to her and held his hands up. "Just a game. She normally just holds her breath." The small group of people stayed quiet as Keith was let go and Cathlinn sighed.

"We might as well keep going. It's not so much fun anymore," she muttered. Mei poured and walked to the mounts, pulling out dry clothes.

"I don't understand how it could be fun," Simon sniffed. "It was a dangerous venture to begin with."

"Swimming is actually therapeutic," Cathlinn countered. "And it's good exercise. Makes a toned figure."

"You're wearing so little," Keith suddenly got close to Cathlinn and started looking her over, "Would you like to shave? I know how you were uncomfortable before."

Cathlinn turned a bit red and rubbed her head as Carmichael turned full to Keith, "I'm sorry, what? What sort of-"

"They don't have my razors and I'm not food with singles," Cathlinn hopes that confused the boy but he suddenly grinned.

"I'll show you then," he chimed. "Are you headed to the city? I can walk you in with no trouble."

Cathlinn pulled away, taking the clothes from Mei who wiggles her eyebrows, "I'm sure I can figure it out."

Cathlinn stood before a council instead of a king and she took a deep breath. People like this drove her mad, they hadn't even stopped their argument to wave. "They haven't come to us in years and they think they're just welcome," one of the older men stood up, fury on his face.

"They aren't our enemy right now! Maybe they're here to help! They've sent their princess! Their princess," a younger one snapped.

"And you think some ditzy woman is going to help any of this? How could they know something is wrong to begin with? We haven't kept contact," another interrupted.

"Princess Monique is not ditzy. You've seen her judge men in court in her father's stead," the young one spat.

"I wasn't sent," Cathlinn startled nearly the whole room, waving her hand. "Good day to you all, gentlemen." She lifted the skirts a bit and bowed. This was one of the heavier dresses that were packed and it was driving her a bit mad. Why did something that crushed we chest also have to be heavy like this?

"When did you get here," their demeanor changed to all smiles, even with the venom in their words.

"A while ago. What's the situation," she tilted her head a bit and Simon quickly waved his hands at his side in warning. She glanced at him before forcing the smile wider and giving another curtsey, "I'm sorry, forgive my rudeness. I am just appalled that you think we wouldn't help with whatever this problem is. I wouldn't allow my father to turn a blind eye to friends in need."

A few looked to one another as the younger man spoke up, "The situation is vital to our borders. The tribes from the north have amassed under one flag and they directly connect with our coastal line."

"Istvan the conqueror," Carmichael frowned a bit and looked to Cathlinn as she pulled at the dress.

"That devil of a man," the first old man snarled.

"He wasn't a devil when I met him," Cathlinn informed them. "And before you begin these discussions, I asked if he'd consider an alliance as we traveled together for a moment."

"You what," one of them stood up and his chair fell back.

"Ditzy and naive," Cathlinn narrowed her eyes as her smile fell and Simon began to fidget in his spot.

"Charismatic," she stated. "Kind and patient, has a tendency to glare but have any of you tried to make contact with him?"

"A fool," one of them waved their hand at her and she clenched her jaw.

"What our princess is trying to say is that the man was not hostile. He may just be gathering his people into unity. The last time something like that was seen was a few centuries ago," Simon interjected. "Someone with such ambition and purity in thought is a useful ally."

"We need assistance, not dreams," one sighed.

"Dreams are the beginnings of networks, of actions, and of successful endeavors," Cathlinn snapped. "A king prepares for war but never wishes for one. So before you begin, I am willing to help in this 'dream' you don't think is possible."

"Your highness," Simon hissed under his breath. The council looked to each other as they all sat back.