Lore

The oprichniki roughly shoved me forward. The king's eyes seared holes into my skull but I could only think how his butt-cheeks must be steel from sitting upon the iron throne all day. 'sobachka' they called him on the streets, 'puppy'. Yeah, the king sure looked like one when he was towering over you. I met his oh too gorgeous eyes in challenge. Sometimes actions were more powerful than words.
"I guess you only look like a mouse," the king chuckled. I growled. "Little mouse, what is your name?" he asked, his handsome smile teasing at the corners of his mouth..
"Why would I ever tell you?" I snapped. Names were powerful things, best to keep them to yourself.
The king sniffed the air, "I guess it doesn't matter, you're just a scrawny barrel rat anyways"

I could bear many names but a 'scrawny barrel rat'? I pounced at him, well, tried to. The oprichniki's arms were metal bars, pulling me back in place in seconds. With all their training, the king's guards were impossible to get past. However, in many cases, when people say impossible, they usually mean improbable, but in this case, pretty impossible. The king looked slightly annoyed, like I was a fly that had just landed on his speckless black shirt.

"Now tell me, where can I find this weapon," it wasn't a question. I lifted my chin, "There is something more powerful than any army, any weapon. Something strong enough to topple cities, kingdoms even. Do you know what that thing is?" His eyes searched me questioningly, hungry for power, "Faith," I said, barely more than a whisper. He exhaled, his black eyes wild. "Faith? Do you think I use faith when I rule a kingdom? Do you think the kingdom follows me because they have faith in me? No, It is because they fear me, however, you seem not to. You best not forget that I am your king." This was the truth behind the handsome face and wild anger, the truth that was the dead and empty space between the stars, a wasteland populated by frightened monsters.

"Little mouse I hope you don't expect fairness from me, you must know by now that It isn't one of my specialties. I will repeat myself once more, tell me where I can find this weapon." His voice had returned to that silky, neutral tone. "What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men." He shook his head, "must you always speak in riddles?" the king asked, stood and began to exit the vast room. He paused at me, speaking at a level only I could hear, "I've spent my life searching for a way to make things right. Alina, you're the first glimmer of hope I've had in a long time," how did he know my name? His voice returned to the dominating tone of the kings. "I hope you will seek me out when you are prepared to give answers." The king gestured to the oprichniki to take me away, back to the dank cell with stone hard bread and watery gruel but somehow, I was hopeful, hope was tricky like water. Somehow it always found a way in.