Vexana

Vexana was the majestic ruler of Necrokeep, the gentle mother of the undead, but also the only glimmer of light that penetrated the Mist, bringing hope to this cursed land shunned by both life and death. Princess Vexana Gaius had never set foot out of Lumina City, nor did she have any desire to do so. The Moniyan capital was warm, opulent, and bursting with life. A ghastly fortress in the southern hinterlands was the last place she intended to spend the rest of her life in. On the other hand, she knew she was bound to her father's will. Duke Atticus of Ridgeburg had offered the House of Gaius a union through marriage, and Lord Gaius deemed Vexana the most suitable match. And now, she had found herself alone in her carriage on a long ride south. She glanced over the letter the Duke sent to introduce her to her future home: These are the southern lands blessed by the old gods, where rainstorms come and go, and silvery grass bathes in the moonlight's glow. Vexana admired the Duke's thoughtfulness, but those poetic words did little to soothe her unease. 512px|center To make matters worse, Vexana didn't even meet her host upon her arrival at Ridgeburg. She was told that Duke Atticus had left the castle the day before, on an urgent quest to cleanse a demonic infestation along the border. DEMONS? Vexana's queasiness turned into slow, creeping dread. She could hardly make sense of her misfortune. Looking around at the damp, dingy walls of the castle, she thought of her pastel, sunlit room in Lumina City. She had warm baths, lavish banquets, and maidens attending to her every need. Now, all she had was a grim-looking knight named Leomord, who she thought was better suited patrolling the brigs than her hallway. Still, she held on to hope. Perhaps, if she wrote to her father about the conditions of her new home, he might change his mind. Indeed, it would be ill-advised to have a poor girl like her take charge of such a dreadfully staggering fortress. As she was drafting her letter, her peace was disrupted by a commotion outside. Apparently, a pile of thorns had been laid at the castle gate. The residents must be trying to intimidate me! Vexana shivered at the thought. She immediately demanded for Ser Leomord to find the culprits. But to their surprise, the miscreants were just... a group of barefooted kids. According to the Kids, those thorns were called Moonlight Grass. Despite their horrendous appearance, the herbs could help calm one's mind when properly brewed. The folks of Ridgeburg sympathized with Vexana's plight and simply intended to offer her comfort, though it evidently didn't go as well as they planned. Perhaps I judged these people too harshly. Vexana let out a sigh of relief, and her lips cracked ever so slightly to reveal a shy smile. She patted the kids' heads and thanked them for their kindness. One more week, she thought. Maybe I could last one more week in this soggy pile of rocks. So one week passed, two weeks, and then three... Atticus'