Simple Evasion
"Simple Evasion"
or
Threats
“This is the best sniper in the world, unfortunately he belongs to the Clubs.” Alice said to Alfred, he likes to imagine Alice’s glasses falling off or one of her pigtails coming undone because even though he really doesn't like her, he isn't cruel . “His name is Tino Väinämöinen.” Tino looked to be a short guy with ashy blond hair, he was smiling happily. He was kinda cute, except for the fact that he could kill you with one squeeze of a trigger.
Alfred nodded almost absentmindedly, but for the record he wasn't actually ignoring her. “This is Matthias Køhler, he belongs to the Diamonds. He's an axe wielder and a damn good one at that.” Matthias was blue eyed and gravity defying blond hair, he was smiling in the picture and Alfred could tell that he was sad. He also was carrying a huge axe that looked to only be a distraction for his problems.
“And this is Berwald Oxenstierna, he's a great inventor. He’s a Heart. He is also in love with Tino.” Alice said, Berwald had an interesting eye color as it looked to be a mix of blue and green. He was wearing glasses, he had platinum blond hair, and had an solemn expression on his face.
Alice looked over at Alfred, he was looking at the pictures of the three she had told him about. She looked at the last two pictures, Emil Steilsson and Lukas Bondevik. The two were Spades, each with their own skill set. Alice had always admired Lukas, he was one of the few that wasn’t a Joker or an Ace that had magic. Alice was also one of the few who had magic, Peter also was.
“This is Emil Steilsson,” Alice said. “He's one of ours. He’s a master at espionage, he’s often why we win battles that seem hopeless.” He had ash blond hair similar to Tino, and indigo eyes. There was a bird on his shoulder, a puffin, Alfred thought.
“And finally, this is Lukas Bondevik.” Alice said, Lukas had purple eyes and golden hair, the rest of the picture was cut of by his hand. “He’s Emil’s brother, but the two aren’t allowed to see each other. He’s one of mother’s advisor’s, but also he is mother’s personal magical user. Matthias is in love with him.”
“Why aren’t they allowed to see each other?” Alfred asked, genuinely wanting to know.
“They are the Nordics, or they were. They were thieves, murders, and many other things. They opposed the Kingdoms and were a real threat for many years, but we, the Spades, caught them and deported the ones not belonging to our Kingdoms and we offered Emil and Lukas redemption and they accepted. They are very valuable.” Alice said, when they first began their reign of terror Alice had been jealous, they were around the same age and they were already influencing the Four Kingdoms, whether their influence was good or bad.
The Nordics must never be able to gain power again, as Morgana said.
Alice thought about Francis for the first time in years, she and the newly proclaimed King of the Diamonds had been friends, and eventually even lovers, when the the Spades and Diamonds were close allies. Francis and Alice were to married at one point, but then war broke out and the Diamonds allied with the Spades worst enemy, the Clubs, and the alliance broke. Alice had only seen Francis once since then, at the Peace Ceremony that celebrated Tempus, the goddess of Time.
Alice knew that he was now engaged to Erika Zwingli, the daughter to a well known man who would do anything for money and power, something like marrying his daughter off to the future king of Diamonds seemed like something he would do.
Alice could imagine him so clearly it was like he was there. Francis with his hair that much better than Alice’s, his blue eyes that always seemed to be amused by something, his accent that was only native to his people, and his flirtatious smile that used to make her heart go mad.
Alice had accepted the fact that for whatever reason, Francis was her first love. Soon after the alliance broke, Alice was betrothed to another. This time, not for diplomatic purposes, but buying the support of the Nobles. Her fiancee died from a hunting accident, so she accepted that love was not kind to her and closed off her heart.
Yao looked over to Matthew, the Ace of Spades looked uncomfortable in the presence of the princess, Alice. Yao and Matthew were the two people she still trusted in the Kingdom of Spades. “I need you to do something for me, Matthew.” Alice said, she had dark circles under her eyes. She had probably been up all night, scheming. “And Yao, I need you to cover it up.”
“What do you need me to do?” Matthew asked, his quiet voice trembling. Yao wasn’t fooled by Matthew, yes Matthew was an extreme introvert, but by no means was he weak. He was a goddamned assassin, there was no way Yao was going to fall for his tricks, he hadn’t survived this long to be fooled by an Ace of all things.
Alice looked over Matthew, then seem contemplative as if wondering if she really wanted him to do what she wanted, then she spoke, “I want you to kill the future King of Spades.”
The Jokers sometimes were more trouble than they were worth, but their antics didn’t distract from their incredible counsel. Ivan thought this as he looked at the single Joker before his throne, unfortunately it was the annoying one.
“What do you need, King Ivan?” the Joker said, Ivan noted the accent he was from the Kingdom of Hearts. This Joker was an unusual one, he had a grin on his face. Most people felt too frightened in Ivan’s presence to show positive emotions, but this Joker was not afraid. Interesting.
“I want you to tell how I win this war against the Spades.” Ivan said, undoubtedly the Joker would deny. Jokers couldn’t change huge things for fear of invoking the wrath of their master, the Goddess Tempus.
“You know I can’t influence the tide of war, it breaks every law in our code,” said the Joker.
Ivan smiled childishly, “What is a Joker, if not a ruler breaker then
?”