dens_tf_den | more writing prompt

The mists were particularly thick around the region this particular night. Isende knew that despite their deceptive brightness, enough to light the surrounding mountains and foothills, it was very much night. The mists had always been a part of her world, as pale and as deceptive as any DenYa with a vindictive streak and no qualms about using people until they were no longer worth acknowledging. Isende shook her head. Such thoughts would not do for the Warlady and Lord Regent of the Harou-weh Clan. After all, she was trying to forge better relations with the Yasu Clan of Sakicha City, and it wouldn't do to earn the ire of that particular clan's Matriarch.

It wasn't as though Isende feared Kae Yau Yasu, it was just that she was wary of the Fire-Origin DenYa, as anyone with any common sense would be. The Yasu Clan Matriarch hadn't made it to the well-respected age of 7,000 without having to prove that she could fight back when necessary, and amongst the remaining five of the Seven DenYa Lords, their numbers reduced by one the previous spring, it was well known that one did not underestimate the Yasu Clan. Not if you wanted your clan to survive to see another year.

Isende was startled from her musings as she gazed out over the mountains and foothills that surrounded her home by a knock on the door that lead to her balcony. Turning, her gaze fell upon one of her personal messengers, newly returned from Sakicha City. "Ah, good evening, Yeseth. Is there any news from the Matriarch of the Yasu Clan?"

Yeseth, a young Water-Origin DenYa from one of the quieter regions of Isende-Keh, nodded, a small smile brightening her heart-shaped face. "Yes, milady. Matriarch Yasu wishes to meet with you when it's convenient for you to travel, and looks forward to building an alliance and hopefully a friendship as well."

Isende smiled, nodding as she moved to rise from the ledge she had chosen to sit upon as she thought and pondered possibilities. "Then we should begin making arrangements for me to travel to Sakicha City. The sooner, the better. I do hope the Yasu Clan and the Harou-weh Clan can come to a peaceful agreement. I am so very tired of pointless and fruitless battles."

---

The next morning saw several carriages, packed with both luggage and people, moving down the road toward Sakicha City. It would likely be several days' journey to reach the densely populated capital of the DenYa society, but hopefully, it would be worth the trip.