Queen Lana sat quietly in her bed chambers, it had been storming heavily for days now, and it didn't seem to be letting up soon.
The castle had come to a standstill since everyone had finished everything they needed to get done.
Her quite reading was suddenly interrupted by her sister, slamming the door open.
"Why did you shut down the castle?!"
Queen Lana closed her book, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to finish it.
"The storm is too dangerous for anyone to be out in."
"Not for me, I had an entire training session planned."
"I'm sorry, Iren, but the castle stays locked down until the rain stops."
"What am I suppose to do until then?"
"Read a book, clean your room, I'm sure Wand can give you something."
Her sister's face fell at the mention of Wand.
"She's not that bad."
Iren rolled her eyes and crossed her eyes.
"Whatever."
Lana waited for her sister to do something, but she didn't move.
"Is there anything else?"
Iren paused to think for a moment before walking over to Lana's bed.
"If I have to stay inside, then maybe I'll just stay here."
Iren collapsed onto her sister's bed, Lana pondered for a moment before shrugging.
"I don't mind your presence."
Lana started to read her book again. Her sister stared at her waiting for a different reaction.
"I'm bored."
Iren stated only a few minutes later.
"So do something."
"Like?"
"I'm sure we can find something."
Lana put down her books again.
"What about cards?"
"No."
"Why not? you play cards with the guards all the time."
Iren's face shown in surprise.
"It's my castle. I know everything that happens in it."
"That's scary."
"Maybe, but I have to make sure the next attack doesn't come from the inside again."
Iren's face fell, Lana knew her sister was remembering less than pleasant memories.
"But we're not here to talk about politics. We're here to play poker."
Lana started to shuffle the card deck before dealing out two hands for her and Iren.
"Since when does Queen Lana play poker?"
"Since you stopped playing with dad."
Lana wanted to hit herself. She didn't mean to keep bringing up bad memories; it just happened.
"Did he also teach you how to bet?"
Lana looked up in surprise to see Iren holding a bag of coins, and a happy look on her face, not the sad one Lana had expected.
"Yes, and I should warn you I won my own little fortune from him."
"Yeah, sure."
Iren dealt out the coins, and they started the poker game.
The time flew by as the girls slowly started to relax and genuinely enjoy each other's company.
The sun was starting to touch the hills, and painting the sky in colors most people couldn't describe. The storm clouds added richness to the sky instead of blocking the beauty.
"We should stop after this hand, dinner will be ready soon, and Wand will come looking for us."
"For you."
"She would come and get you."
"Only after you tell her to."
Lana sighed as she showed her last hand.
It was a royal flush, Iren had a full house.
"And, you win again."
"I warned you before we started."
Iren started to gathering the cards unhappily.
Lana started to stuff the coins into Iren's pouch.
"Hey! why are you putting my gold with yours, are you trying to steal more from me!?"
"Iren, I am the queen of Makhaki, why would I steal your soldier salary."
"You won that money fair and square."
"Pay day is tomorrow anyways."
Lana gave Iren the gold, before getting up and leaving the room, so her sister couldn't force her to take it back.
On her way back to the dining room, Lana stopped to watch the storm cover her land in it's dark hand, but she had learned a long time ago with her sister that even the dark had it's beauty.
