new queen (OPEN)

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{nayeli richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Long lost words whisper to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow inside
I know you're still there...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

The breeze floated through the window of the high tower overlooking the city of Carvala. The scent of many things came in with it, but luckily, it was a nice morning. My ice blue eyes surveyed the city below and I cracked my knuckles ever so carefully. I was the queen, a young queen, but I was the Queen! I would not allow my uncle’s kingdom to go into ruins like he was doing. Already, I had sent soldiers to each city in the kingdom to begin enforce my law and in one month, a new tax would get placed. I already knew the people would not like it, but in order to get this kingdom into a new order, things would be changing. I did not care what the governors wanted, they would listen to me or be replaced.

Looking behind me, I noticed the lady-maid standing there in order to help get me prepared for my day. ”Is my breakfast ready, Madeline?”

[/color] The woman nodded, but never made eye contact with me and I smiled. I was feared, which was good thing. After she walked over towards me, she began helping me undress and I washed off the nightly feeling from me with a warm rag before we began to powder my body and place a beautiful, maroon dress that hung to my body perfectly. On my hip, both sides, were two daggers with black hilts that I used to hold on to. My dress was not bulky, but slim and I could easily move within it.

Turning from the woman and allowing her to tie my dress, I felt the tighten feeling and then walked towards the door. ”I want warm water in my bathing chambers tonight before I come up so I may relax and bathe. I also wish you to leave and do not return after that until tomorrow afternoon. I will not need your assistance.”[/color] With a curtsy, she scampered past me and I moved through the tower and down to the lower level and into the court yard. I hoped that my new governess was doing well as I could see the people at my gates looking towards me as I stood at the grave or alter of my uncle, sister, and brother; though only one was truly there.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Hunting you, I can smell you - Alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Saving me; Raping me;
Watching me...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

’word count three. eight. five.
’tagged none has come
’song Haunted--! Evanescence
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[Emma]

It was only midmorning, but I had been at work for several hours now.

I had risen with the dawn as usual and set about my duties, shooing slaves and servants out of beds and setting them to their appropriate tasks. Breakfast had to be ready before the Queen woke up, and a lunch large enough to feed a contingent of nobles and their companions had been cooking since last evening. It was linen day, so I had mostly been occupied with overseeing the washing, and all of the silver had to be polished and pristinely placed in the Great Hall. There couldn’t be one little fold in the fabric, or a spot on a fork, or a painting that was even slightly crooked. The ruler of Broddring might have changed, but business was the same as usual in the castle. Nayeli demanded as tight a ship as her uncle had run, and I was determined to make sure this royal household was the best-maintained in Alagaësia. I had been walking back and forth throughout the building all day, but now my stomach was grumbling irritably and I decided I had enough time for breakfast. Besides, I had to check on the kitchen.

I pushed open the kitchen doors and almost tripped over a slave-girl who was violently scrubbing at a stain on the floor, face red with the effort. The cook, Hausa, was shouting at her.
“… never in fifteen years have I seen one child spill so much stew! RENN!” He pointed his spoon at the girl. “This idiot wasted half the rabbit stew! It was supposed to be-”
“Serve the remaining stew as a side dish and leave the reprimanding for tonight, after the guests have gone to bed,” I said immediately, having dealt with this situation hundreds of times before. “Get some beef and one more chicken to compensate. Peel some potatoes while you’re at it.”
“And where am I supposed to find those?” demanded Hausa hotly as I took the scrub from the sweating slave.
“Send a runner to the market. The wares should still be fresh.” I seated myself at one end of the table. “May I have some cheese and bread?”

The girl- who was newly purchased, and wouldn’t tell me her name- brought me sliced cheese and yesterday’s bread from somewhere in the kitchen. She gave me a cup of well-water, which I glanced into before sipping. I was going to have to clean myself up before the guests came, I thought with some annoyance. I had tied my dark hair back and washed my face and arms when I’d woken up, but now many strands were out of place and I was sweating as a result of hard work and summer heat. The fires of the kitchen were not much help, either, and I drank the water gratefully. I ate my bread and cheese quickly while watching Hausa order the slaves about and bake today’s loaves of bread. Once I was fairly certain he could handle things on his own from here, I stood up and left. The Queen would be up by now, and I had to pay a call to the new Count very soon. I gathered my skirts and ascended the steps to the main level of the castle, passing rows of servants dusting the paintings.

At once, I came to a halt, and abruptly curtsied, dropping my head as I did so. The other servants were quick to copy me. The Queen herself had appeared around the corner, and we bowed just as we had done for her uncle before her. I kept my eyes down as she strode past, noting the deep maroon of her dress. As was custom, I had to dress according to what colours she was wearing. It was, however, impossible to miss the twin daggers hanging from her hips. I watched them out of the corner of my eye as she moved down the hall. I stood straight again once the Queen had disappeared, staring after her. Then I turned and left the castle through a small side door, heading away from the courtyard and towards the castle gates. I was nervous, and suddenly very glad that I had been called on by the Count. I would be earlier than was expected, but I was eager to get into the fresh air.

I had never loved Azuan or his father before him, so I supposed it shouldn’t have been all that surprising that I was wary of Nayeli as well. I had been very young when Palancar was king, but I remembered insane rants that had given me chills. I had worked in Castle Broddring directly underneath Azuan, who was perhaps not as insane as his father but certainly as cruel. I was one of many servants who had sported bruises on a regular basis whenever his temper flared. I was certainly not sad to see him go- but at the same time, I was suspicious. The Angrenost clan was notoriously long-lived. Palancar had lived to be ninety and some of his ancestors had even survived an entire century. Azuan had died at the age of forty-five, unmarried and childless. And at the same time, Turin and Leilani Richards had died tragically in a fire, both of them far too young. A tragedy- and yet, curiously, left Nayeli the throne with no other heirs to threaten her claim. I knew the young Queen had a violent history, as well- few nobles travelled with weapons as often as she did, and I had heard whispers of assassin training in the halls.

I was unsure of her new tenure as Queen, but I knew better than to question anything. Nayeli was not averse to tossing people into torture chambers. But I worried all the while. I wasn’t sure what Broddring was destined for with Nayeli at its helm, and I was afraid- for myself, for the servants and slaves, and for my parents. No matter what happened, I had to stay in the new Queen’s good favours- which I did by maintaining an excellent household and avoiding crossing her path whenever possible. Now was an opportune time, as Kieran Kolbjorn had asked to see one of Nayeli’s representatives this morning. I had volunteered, partly for some time to relax and partly out of curiosity. Nayeli had been the previous governor of Carvala, and I was surprised that a completely unknown man had taken her place, as opposed to one of the famous nobles of the city. I would certainly cross his path many times over the following years, so I might as well have a proper meeting as soon as possible.

I walked to the Governor’s Estate- it was, naturally, in the very best neighbourhood of Hightower, which meant that it was close to the castle. The walkway leading up to it was paved with red brick and lined with trees that provided comforting shade. I glanced up at the estate as I approached it. Large and built of brick polished with white limestone, it managed to be one of the most beautiful and yet one of the most foreboding buildings in the city. I raised my fist and knocked and the heavy oak doors. There was no response. I noticed that they were unlocked, so I carefully pushed one inwards. A lavishly furnished, well-lit reception room greeted me, and I could hear male voices coming from within. I stepped inside and looked down at myself. I wore a simple white blouse that was already dusty from the day’s work over a long, ruffled skirt that was dark brown in colour, and simple leather brown boots with brass buttons. I was hardly dressed to meet a Count, but I needed to save my clean clothing for the lunch. Setting my shoulders back and holding my head up, I headed towards the voices.

They were coming from some kind of communal dining room, which was occupied with five or six brutish-looking men. I was startled- they looked more like bandits than a Count’s entourage- but a maid was just finishing serving them mead and legs of lamb before scurrying off. The men ate and drank heavily while seemingly lost in a game of cards. They were completely ill-matched with the fine furniture and beautiful silverware surrounding them.
“Goddammit, Romel, are you in or not?” snapped one man.
“I’m in. Khaz?”
“You’re bluffing, Romel. You can’t fool me!”
“The last three hands beg to differ,” growled a third one. “If you’re calling, call. Don’t just make eyes at him.”
“Can you blame him? I’m soooo pretty.”
I had heard that the Count had come from a criminal background, but had assumed it to be a mere rumour. Putting the thought aside for the moment, I approached the men without hesitation. I was used to being the only woman in the room since my days in the Blue Divide.
“I’m looking for Count Kolbjorn.”
“He’s not home,” all six men chimed in unison. None of them even looked up at my approach.
I frowned. “He asked to see a representative of the Queen.”
The one who had been called Romel, a young man with long reddish-brown hair, turned and looked me up and down. “Renn Kuran? That’s you?”
I kept my hands folded on my thighs and gazed at him patiently. Eventually, he gave an annoyed sigh.
“BOSS!” he screamed, almost making me jump. “That skinny chick with the funny name is here to see you!”
Another one of the men winced. “Didn’t Kieran say he wants to rip our guts out when we yell stuff upstairs?”
“Yeah, but he only acts on that threat when we bust in on his office.”
I heard something muffled from above. The young man nodded. “He’ll see you now. Just head upstairs, first door on the left. You can walk right in.”

I blinked, a little baffled at everything I had just heard. I nodded and thanked them politely, then turned and left the dining room. An elegant staircase wound up towards the second floor, and I took it. The first door on the left was a simple wooden construction, and, as instructed, I turned the handle and opened it slowly. Compared to the rest of the house, the interior here was sparsely furnished. There was a varnished wooden floor, three chairs, a desk crammed with parchments, and a chamber pot set in the corner. One of the chairs was occupied. I looked with some curiosity at the man seated in it. He was younger than I’d expected, in perhaps his late thirties, clean-shaven with cream-coloured skin and short black hair. Unlike the men downstairs, he looked more high-class. He’d obviously bathed recently and he was dressed in an emerald green tunic lined with gold. However, his midnight blue eyes seemed very old. I frowned. Kolbjorn was also the name of the elven military general, but the man at the desk was clearly a human. It might have just been a coincidence, but I still suspected something.

He nodded in acknowledgement and gestured at the seat in front of him. “Come on in.”
I closed the door behind me and took the seat, rearranging my skirts.
“En-do-so Renata? Seneschal of Castle Broddring? Did I say that right?” I nodded. “Goddamned hot in here. You want I should crack a window? No? Good. ‘Cause these fff… windows don’t even open.” He leaned backwards in his chair, clearing his throat. “How are you today, Miss Renata?”
He spoke common tongue exceptionally well, with a perfect Broddring accent. “Well, Your Grace. And yourself?”
“I’m pretty pissed off, Miss Renata.”
“Renn, please. Renn Kuran.” I sighed. “Why are you pretty pissed off, Your Grace?”
In answer, Kolbjorn took out a poster and slammed it on the table. I looked at him carefully, wondering if there would be another violent outburst, and then leaned forward to look at it. I immediately recognized the poster- Nayeli had ordered them printed the day after her coronation. Most of them had been ripped off the walls and flung into the streets, as they stated that new taxes were being posed.
“In case you weren’t aware, sunshine, our new Queen’s already nice and comfy in the throne that still has her uncle’s ass print on it. Some people, Nyx save their souls, actually liked the king. I can only assume those poor bastards never had the misfortune to meet him in person.”
“You’re upset about the tax increase.”
“Oh no, no. Not at all. Only thing that’s certain in life besides death is taxes. Might as well get used to it. But other people, well… let’s just say there’s been a certain level of agitation in the population, especially in Lowtower. People get edgy when the ruler dies. Regardless of how much of a cocksucker Azuan was, he was a presence people took faith in- and now that presence is gone. Now there are taxes. And more soldiers. And Nyx knows what else Her Majesty’s plotting.”
I waited a moment before speaking. “I’m a steward, Your Grace. I have control over the domestic staff, not the Queen herself.”
“No, that’s not what I’m asking.” He straightened. “No, I plan to bring these matters to Her Majesty in person. What I want to know is her.”
I tilted my head. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve only met Her Majesty once, when she made me Count. Didn’t get much of a feel for her. Cold eyes. Likes to toss people in prison. My question is how far I can push her before she decides to send me to see the ticklers.”
Once again, I was startled. It was very rare that I was asked for an opinion, let alone brought to see the governor of a city just to say what I felt. I closed myself off immediately. “I can’t answer that.”
“Ah. You misunderstand me. I- fuck. Rude-ass host, I am.” He reached under the desk and brought out a bottle of aged whiskey. “Thirsty?”
I shook my head firmly. I was a lightweight when it came to alcohol, and I wasn’t going to let myself say anything that could potentially get me killed.
“Hmm. I’m offended and satisfied at the same time. Do you mind if I drink? Thanks.” He took a swig straight from the bottle. “Listen, I’m not asking you to spill her dirty secrets, or say what you really think of her. I just need to know what she wants to hear. How… apt is her Majesty, when it comes to listening to her subjects?”
I hesitated. “The Queen is very strong-willed.”
“And has a temper as vile as her dearly departed uncle, I understand. Quit avoiding the question.”
“She… called you all today to announce her intentions. She’s certainly going to be expecting rebellion against her new orders. But… she won’t take the rebellion well, I should think.” I paused.
“Girl, you are speaking in complete confidence. Continue.”
“Many nobles don’t take her seriously, either because she’s female or because she’s so young. She would be… eager to prove that she is the sovereign. Her Majesty is very demanding of respect.”
“Mmhmm. I thought I’d hear this.”
“But she’s more intelligent than Azuan,” I continued, “and far more willing to make alliances. If I can be so bold…” I hesitated, and Kolbjorn raised an eyebrow. “Is that why she made a commoner the Count?”
I expected a reprimanding, but instead Kieran grinned. “I can see why you’d think that. But no, Miss Renn, I don’t have a drop of common blood in me. You’re right, though. I have certain connections, if you will, and friends that other high-born could only dream of having. Friends you can only find riding on the vermin of this country. That’s why I’m the Count. Understand?”
Insects rode on vermin. Insects lived in hives. I nodded. This didn’t improve my optimism in the slightest, but at least I knew what I was dealing with now.
“Good. Now, I’ve gotta get ready, and I’ve kept you from your duties long enough.” He stood with some effort, and walked towards the door. I noticed a limp in his left leg, but said nothing and purposely didn’t stare. He opened the door for me and nodded. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Renn. I look forward to seeing you at the luncheon.”

I curtsied and left. I hurried down the stairs and out of the estate, walking quickly back towards the castle. My skin was crawling. I felt the Count had been analyzing me as thoroughly as I had analyzed him. And if the Queen was electing crime lords into the nobility, then I had all the more to worry about. But for now, I tried to push it out of my mind. The luncheon was set for early afternoon, and I had to get myself cleaned up and dressed properly. I walked along the side of the courtyard, and saw the Queen herself standing by the mausoleum that now marked her uncle, sister, and brother’s graves. I tried not to let my fear show in my face and took the shortest route possible up the stairs and into the private chambers, where I had my bedroom. I was relieved once I found my door, and unlocked it with a small key I kept in the loop of my belt. As soon as I opened the door, however, I went still.

There was a body in the middle of my room. The window was wide open, the breeze blowing the white curtains over the figure. It was a woman, and I thought she was dead until she stirred slightly. I looked around the room, but saw no signs of anyone else. Still, I reached under my skirt and took hold of the large kitchen knife I had strapped to my leg. Stepping carefully, I approached the body lying on my carpet. I thought she was some kind of foreign prostitute- her skin was several shades darker than the people of Broddring, and her features were very high and sharp-boned. Her hair was ash-brown and hung to her mid-back, and appeared to be in need of a wash. I thought she was a prostitute because of how she was dressed. A black skirt with an indecently high slit adorned her legs, leaving both of them completely bare. She had brown ankle boots, the bottoms of which were caked with mud, and her violet blouse was very low-cut, baring stomach and cleavage. But at closer inspection, she was too muscular to just have come off the street. How else would she have gotten in through the window?

“Are you hurt?” I asked, kneeling down. I still kept my hand on the knife.
She stirred again, and then lifted her head. She had enormous cyan eyes and a toothy grin. “Your face is so cute I could eat it for breakfast.” Then she put her head back down again.
I frowned, seeing a mark on the back of her neck. I reached down and moved her hair out of the way to get a better look at it. At once, my heart started thundering, and I put the knife to her neck. The woman stiffened and tried to look up, but I held her still.
“That crescent moon tattoo on the back of your neck. Where did you get it?” I asked quietly.
“Umm… funny story, actually…” She had a notable Iberian accent.
“You’re a Paladin of the Hand of Leona, aren’t you?”
“Well, aren’t you Miss Formality! If you have to know, I’m-”
“Get up. Come with me.”

I kept my voice steady and cold, trying to hide how fast my heart was racing. A Paladin had climbed into the private chambers. I didn’t know how she’d managed it, but I could only guess that she was here as some kind of act of revenge. Nayeli had publicly denounced Malandra and the Cathedral of Nyx after the experiments had been found. They had every motivation to send one of their Paladins to kill her. By some miracle, this one had come into my room instead of Nayeli’s. The Queen had been asleep until very recently. If she had died… I shivered. What kind of civil war would have started with no heirs to take the throne? However, that didn’t explain why this Paladin had decided to lie down in the middle of my room. Perhaps as some sort of bait? I held the knife to the woman’s throat as she steadily got up, then took her arm and led her in front of me, knife constantly positioned. She was tall and muscular, and would absolutely be able to kill me in a fight. But while I had a small knife, I could at least put up some resistance.

She tried to talk to me the entire time I led her downstairs. People stared as we went past.
“Are you Itasan? Your common tongue is amazing.”
“I was born in Carvala.”
“Awh, that’s not exotic. Where are you taking me?”
“To see the Queen.”
“No kidding? It’s not every day I get to meet royalty.” She had alcohol on her breath, which just confused me all the more. But it was important that I had her under watch now. We left the castle interior and went out into the courtyard, where the Queen was still standing by her family’s graves.
“Your Majesty!” I called across the yard. I expected the woman to struggle and try to escape, but she just kept walking calmly in front of me. I came up alongside the Queen, curtsying as much as I could while still gripping the Paladin tightly. “I’m sorry to bother you here of all places, but this woman is a Paladin from the Cathedral. She got into the private chambers through the window.”

Words;; 3656... wow
Characters Used;; Renn Kuran with Kieran Kolbjorn and Cyprus D'Ellsadro
Muse;; Started out strong, fizzled out at the end DX
Thoughts;; I promise my next posts won't be this long. Really. XD

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{nayeli richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Long lost words whisper to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow inside
I know you're still there...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

The castle was in a roar of activity and that was a very good thing in my opinion. This meant things were getting done. Unlike the new governor, I had not lived in my own estate outside of the castle. No, my uncle had given me my own large portion of the castle, as well as my late-sister and my late-brother. My brother had not stayed in the castle, he liked being away from the castle at night, to have his own life. It showed independence. I just wanted the privacy of thicken walls and away from the city. It was nice having the silence of the castle to sleep to at night. I had been in my brothers home before their death and the city was loud and I didn’t care for it much late at night when I wanted to rest. Such a shame too… It had been a beautiful house and then, the fire. As my thoughts were upon the deaths of my siblings that I even held a saddened look on my face.

Pulling myself from the thoughts of my dead siblings, I looked ahead at the castle halls as I moved gracefully through the hall. As I passed, the help stopped and bowed deeply, even one that I knew was a highly important worker in this castle. Renn Kuran was the name of that woman and she was quick to bow out as soon as I sent by. I knew she would be joining us on this lovely day at my luncheon and that was a good thing. I wanted the opinion of all of my subjects and that included the hire and bought help. How else was I to keep this kingdom running? This land was mine now and I had to take care of it better than my uncle. It was why I sent soldiers to the cities to help bring a constant law, to make sure the cities laws were trained correctly… And make sure the taxes came… My uncle had used our money for many parties and it was time to get this land into better shape and to make out cities thrive greatly. Some of the cities needed to be remodeled, needed the streets done nicely. If this country was going to be thriving better, the cities needed to look like it.

Knowing most in this castle had not loved my uncle, it was only natural that they would possible resent me. I had to prove that they didn’t have to hate me. I would be better, it was time to get a new blood in the throne and one with a stronger mind. Azuran was a man who was just like my grandfather, but I was nothing like that. I had plans, plans greater than their own. Though the many rumors of her training were more than rumors, she would not say much of anything. Why would she? Many did not like the idea of an assassin being the ruler of a kingdom, but I was much better at the job. I held a tight grip on the country, I wanted everything run smoothly and I wanted to have goals. My uncle had not… It was pathetic… Oh well, I was the queen, why did I think about the pathetic things my uncle had done, at least it was not my father… or my mother.

As I moved from the castle into my court yard, I looked at the mausoleums of my family and I took in a deep breathe, wanting to look as saddened as possible. That was easy, it was called acting and it was something I had been trained to do. Watching a few others around me at the same time, I saw the woman moved into the castle I had seen earlier and I smiled. Yes, she was a hard worker and as I looked at the sky, I knew she much of recently gone to see the new governor. The luncheon would soon begin and I would be able to speak to everyone. This new tax was sure to get some people very upset, but I held my reasons…

”Your Majesty!” The sound of a voice came to my ears and I turned to see Renn coming towards me. ”Yes, Renn… What is it?”

[/color] My face was hard to read, I did not smile, I looked at her like any other royal would when they were busy. I had been visiting the graves of my family, being bothered was not something I wanted. ”I’m sorry to bother you here of all places, but this woman is a Paladin from the Cathedral. She got into the private chambers through the window.” My eyes shot to look at the woman and I narrowed my own eyes. ”Guards, escort this wretch to the hall…”[/color] My eyes then turned to the woman who had brought her to my presence. ”You shall come too… I want to know the whole story, Kuran.”[/color] My voice was as cold as ice and sharp as ever. The guards were quick to grab the woman by the arms and thrust her forward with little to no worry of what damage they might do to her. I proceeded forwards, my thoughts running around quickly. I had gotten rid of the cathedral, not wanting any of the magic that Malandra had brought to my Kingdom. With her whereabouts unknown, I was worried she was still running her religion in a land unknown.

As we moved into the hall, I was quick to move up the stairs and pull my dress around and sit within’ the throne of my uncle. I needed a new throne to better fit me… My hall was also being re-designed to be a bit less dark and more beautiful. ”Now, the whole story Renn.”[/color] I wanted the details of everthing. After she spoke, I look to the other woman, the paladin from the cathedral. ”Now, you… Speak… What do you want here. Did that wretch of a woman, Malandra, send you?”[/color]
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Hunting you, I can smell you - Alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Saving me; Raping me;
Watching me...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

’word count one. zero. zero. nine.
’tagged Renn Kuran with Kieran Kolbjorn and Cyprus D'Ellsadro
’song Haunted--! Evanescence
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[Emma]

“Guards, escort this wretch to the hall. You shall come too. I want to know the whole story, Kuran.”
I stiffened, and hesitated momentarily- there was a whole range of excuses I could use. I had to get ready, the luncheon was still cooking, illness- but I knew better than to disobey any direct order. On top of which, I felt responsible for the Paladin that had crawled into my room. Still, no logic could override the anxiety creeping into my mind. I released the strange woman and stepped away as two guards accosted her from either side, patting her down for weapons- not that she could hide anything in that skin-tight outfit. The Paladin complained noisily all the while.
“Ooh, not there, I’m sensitive there- ow! OW! When was the last time you clipped your fingernails?” Her protests were ignored, and once she was cleared, the guards roughly grabbed her by each arm and half-pulled, half-dragged her after the Queen. The woman continued to protest out loud, but oddly enough seemed happy to follow along. I shook my head. If this was still some sort of wounded gazelle gambit, I wouldn’t fall for it.

I kept to the rear of the small procession as we left the courtyard and entered the castle, keeping my eyes straight ahead. Though I didn’t like being in Nayeli’s presence, this situation wasn’t necessarily as bad as it could have been- bizarre gambits or not, this Paladin had utterly failed in taking the Queen by surprise. She had crept into the wrong room, and as far as I could tell, no one had been hurt. Those thoughts relaxed me a little as I came upon the throne room. I looked up at the tapestries and beautiful furnishings that various slaves were preparing, remembering how they had once inspired me to make art myself. But that had been a long time ago, and now they were only a painful reminder. I looked back at the Queen as she stepped up onto the raised dais supporting her throne and seated herself, gathering her skirts and holding her back straight and head high.

“Now, the whole story, Renn.”
I came up to stand beside the guards and cleared my throat before beginning. “Your Majesty, I was headed into my chambers to wash and dress for the luncheon today. The door was locked, but I found this woman lying in the middle of the floor. The window was open, so I can only assume that’s how she got in. When I approached her, I saw the mark of the Paladin on the back of her neck.” I gestured towards it. “She was unarmed and she… smells of alcohol, but she bears the mark of Nyx.”
Nayeli’s eyes locked on the woman. “Now, you… Speak… What do you want here? Did that wretch of a woman, Malandra, send you?”
I looked at the woman. For a moment, she was actually silent, blinking her large turquoise eyes in confusion. Then, realization dawned, and she snorted. I gawked in surprise as the Paladin burst out laughing, bending over double with the sheer force of it.
I tried to alleviate the situation. “She’s clearly drunk, Your Highness… maybe we should interrogate her after the alcohol wears off?”
“Oh, sweet thing,” gasped the Paladin, “I’m always drunk. No. No no no. Just…” she smothered another laugh. “Malandra, send me here? No! I don’t work for that bitch anymore.”
I looked at her. “Paladins swear themselves into life service.”
“And that sure worked out great for the hundreds of Paladins that got slaughtered by Broddring troops. Which is embarrassing, really. Most human soldiers hit like elven dandies… oh, sorry, boys.” She patted the two guards reassuringly. “So, no. Much as I can understand Malandra running away and leaving us all to die- hell, I’d do the same thing in her position- I’d really rather not go crawling back to her, begging to take me back. Besides, she’s in Du Weldenvarden now! What in the hell would I want to go there for?”
“Why are you here?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“That depends. Where is ‘here’?”
“Castle Broddring,” I said tightly, embarrassed.
“Not again! At least I didn’t end up in prison like the last time. Look, Your Majesty, I assure you it’s all a huge mistake. Whatever you arrested me for, I didn’t do it! Could you let me go?”

Words;; 736
Characters Used;; Renn Kuran with Cyprus D'Ellsadro
Muse;; Nyehhhhhhhh
Thoughts;; Decent size, poopy post DX

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{nayeli richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Long lost words whisper to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow inside
I know you're still there...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

The words I spoke were not meant to be kind, nor were they meant to be gentle. I wanted my subject to respect me and not only respect me, but have a form of fear until I gained the respect of all of them. I knew this might take a while, but until I got it, fear would be my main tool. As we moved finally into the throne room, I felt the eyes of the slave upon us and I quickly shooed them from the room for me to finish what I had to finish. I wanted to know why this worthless woman was here. I already knew this was going to be a long morning and it had only recently started. As my cold ice blue eyes landed upon the two women before me and my guards back up ever so slightly. I didn’t care about how uncomfortable the woman who had come here was… I honestly didn’t care how uncomfortable Renn was, but that wasn’t because I wanted her uncomfortable. I was concerned. Why was someone from the Cathedral here?

As I asked for the whole story, my eyes focused on the woman who worked in my castle, on Renn. ”Your Majesty, I was headed into my chambers to wash and dress for the luncheon today. The door was locked, but I found this woman lying in the middle of the floor. The window was open, so I can only assume that’s how she got in. When I approached her, I saw the mark of the Paladin on the back of her neck.” Glancing over at the woman for a moment, I nodded. ”She was unarmed and she… smells of alcohol, but she bears the mark of Nyx.” This much was true, as I could smell the foul scent upon her as well from when she had been brought to me.

It was now time for the second to speak and I wanted to hear what she had to say this time. It was silent for a moment, but then the sound of her snorting and then her laughing echoed through the throne room. My eyes narrowed and I clenched my fist ever so slightly. I was not in a gaming mood. ”She’s clearly drunk, Your Highness… maybe we should interrogate her after the alcohol wears off?” I lifted my hand to silence her. ”I can see and smell it, Renn.”

[/color] My ice blue eyes landed on her, but not in a manner of anger, more like a understanding manner.

”Oh, sweet thing, I’m always drunk. No. No no no. Just…” Waiting for the bitch to stop laughing was like waiting for the wind to stop blowing. ”Malandra, send me here? No! I don’t work for that bitch anymore.” I looked at her for a moment, not believing her for a moment. ”Paladins swear themselves into life service.” I agreed with Renn, it was a proven fact from what we had seen. ”And that sure worked out great for the hundreds of Paladins that got slaughtered by Broddring troops. Which is embarrassing, really. Most human soldiers hit like elven dandies… oh, sorry, boys.” My guards glared at the woman. ”So, no. Much as I can understand Malandra running away and leaving us all to die- hell, I’d do the same thing in her position- I’d really rather not go crawling back to her, begging to take me back. Besides, she’s in Du Weldenvarden now! What in the hell would I want to go there for?” This was surprising information and I lifted my eyes in a curious gaze.

”Why are you here?” I wanted to know the same, but I allowed the answer to come her before I spoke again. ”That depends. Where is ‘here’?” Was she really that stupid or drunk to not know where the hell she was? I sat silently, wondering quietly what she was doing here. ”Castle Broddring,”

”Not again! At least I didn’t end up in prison like the last time. Look, Your Majesty, I assure you it’s all a huge mistake. Whatever you arrested me for, I didn’t do it! Could you let me go?” I held my hand up again and this time stood. ”Even though your act seems very well played, I am afraid the ties to Malandra are still strong… Guards… Renn… leave here now, I want to speak to this Paladin alone.”[/color] The guards bowed and turned, leaving the room and I allowed my eyes to fall on the woman who had brought this being to me. ”I expect my servers to be well dress, Renn… See to it.”[/color] I said before looking back at the woman. As soon as Renn was gone, my eyes landed on the woman before me. ”Give me a good reason why I could not pull my guards back in here and have them place you in my dungeon for life?”[/color] I asked, standing and looked down at her from the steps of my platform. [/blockquote][/blockquote]

Hunting you, I can smell you - Alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Saving me; Raping me;
Watching me...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

’word count 0.831
’tagged Renn Kuran with Kieran Kolbjorn and Cyprus D'Ellsadro
’song Haunted--! Evanescence
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[Emma]

“Even though your act seems very well played, I am afraid the ties to Malandra are still strong… Guards… Renn… leave here now, I want to speak to this Paladin alone.”
It now occurred to me that maybe I was in a little more trouble than I’d originally thought.
“I expect my servers to be well dressed, Renn. See to it.”
The soldiers released me and walked away. The slight, quiet woman next to me lingered for a moment longer. I locked eyes with her, and tried to communicate some sort of ‘help me!’ message. But she just stepped away, curtsied to Nayeli, and walked off. I let out my breath in a long splutter. Well, that was just... rude.
“Give me a good reason why I could not pull my guards back in here and have them place you in my dungeon for life.”
This was my first time ever meeting a queen. I looked up at Nayeli as she stood there, eyes narrowed and mouth set in a firm, thin line. She was a lot younger than I’d imagined her, maybe prettier, too, if she didn’t look like she had smelled something bad. Maybe it was me, I realized a little self-consciously. Did I need a bath?
“Erm... well, there’s this fantastic thing called ‘moving on’! The past’s past, and...” I trailed off awkwardly. “You know, you have very pretty eyes. What a lovely colour.”

Perhaps not my subtlest attempt at flattery, but it gave me an extra minute to think about what I could possibly say. Now, I had escaped from dungeons before- cheap ones, however, guarded by bored and underpaid soldiers. I’d never been incarcerated in a palace dungeon and really didn’t want to experience it. Now, Her Ladyship thought that I was still in cahoots with Malandra. Teehee. ‘Cahoots’. I loved that word. No. Focus. I couldn’t really explain that I didn’t need Malandra anymore now that I managed to steal the serum she’d been paying me with. I had no money to offer the Queen- only a couple of pennies that someone had thrown at me while I’d been napping in the gutter. Well, maybe I could do her a favour. What was I good at besides drinking and sex? I scratched my head and tugged at some of my hair, noticing how greasy it was. I really did need a bath, and I wouldn’t get one in prison.

“Your Majesty. If I really wanted to kill you, would I show up as wasted as I am now? I take a certain pride in my work, and besides...” I patted myself down, and frowned. Then my eyes went wide. “My knives! I must have left them- oh, shit. Sorry. But, shit.” I clapped my hand over my face. “I’m not usually this disorganized, I swear! But, Your Highness, look at me. I am unarmed, disoriented, falling out of my shirt... Exactly how much more would it take to convince you that I’m not a threat?”

Words;; 501
Characters Used;; Cyprus D'Ellsadro with Renn Kuran
Muse;; Slow at first, better by the end
Thoughts;; I can manage short dialogue posts, at least!

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{nayeli richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Long lost words whisper to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow inside
I know you're still there...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

As this woman stood quietly before me, I watched her carefully and thought long and hard about everything. How had she gotten past my guards and into the palace in her state of condition? My guards would be briefed tonight about the lack of security. Had they been so lazy that they allowed a paladin to get into my home? It made me more mad now. Oh sure, I had been mad before, but now, I was pissed and not even at the woman before me. As my mind wondering over everything, I took in a deep breath as I stood looking at the woman. As Renn left, I noted the look that came from the woman as she seemed to plead in hopes to get away. Nope, that was not going to happen. I had full control over those in my castle and though I wished for their respect, I demanded their obedience.

“Erm... well, there’s this fantastic thing called ‘moving on’! The past’s past, and...” I gave her a look that showed my complete annoyance. ”You know, you have very pretty eyes. What a lovely colour.” I laughed slightly, tilting my head back and looking at her. ”Enough with your change of subject woman.”

[/color] I was tired of games and my morning had only just started. Crossing my arms over my chest, my slim figure curved as I positioned my weight on one side of my body and rested my other. It was a habit that had formed over many years ago… When I got bored, my feet got sore… But if I was moving and had something occupying my mind, it was a different story. As I watched her scratch her head, the scent of her body odor moved towards me and I couldn’t help but wrinkle my nose at her stench.

“Your Majesty. If I really wanted to kill you, would I show up as wasted as I am now? I take a certain pride in my work, and besides...” Watching as her facial changed to what seemed to be a form of horror, I found myself smiling in amusement. ”My knives! I must have left them- oh, shit. Sorry. But, shit.” Well, this was entertainment. As my eyes glanced down at my own set of daggers that were positioned on both hips and the unknown blades hidden in other places. ”I’m not usually this disorganized, I swear! But, Your Highness, look at me. I am unarmed, disoriented, falling out of my shirt... Exactly how much more would it take to convince you that I’m not a threat?” Leaning back, I thought about it.

”Fine… But, you still broke into my home… So, you are going to have to pay me back for your trespassing… Madeline!”[/color] As my last word echoed around the room, I walked down the set of steps from my throne. ”I never did get your name… Cyprus D'Ellsadro? Hmm, Well, Ms. D’Ellsadro… You now work for me… Until I say otherwise, until I feel you have paid back your crimes.”[/color] I said, glancing to the servant who came out. She wore a white, long sleeve shirt that buttoned up and a maroon skirt and brown leather boots. ”Madeline… Take this woman to the quarter not far from my own… Do you know which one I am referring to.”[/color] After a moment of thinking, the young servant looked back up at me with a confused look. ”The quarters once belonging to Princess Leilani?” With a quick nod to the child, she nodded back. ”Get this woman cleaned and dressed for the luncheon… Now, Ms. D’Ellsadro, you will accompany me to the lunch and be on your best behavior… One toe, out of line, and you will be sent to my dungeons in a nothing more than a wool bag.”[/color]

Motioning for the servant to leave, who quickly turned to Cyprus and ushered her along to a side door that lead to a smaller hallway and up to my sister’s room, I returned to my throne and smiled. This woman would come in handy, I was very sure of it. Standing once again, I made my way towards the great hall where the lunch would soon begin. [/blockquote][/blockquote]

Hunting you, I can smell you - Alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Saving me; Raping me;
Watching me...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

’word count 0.701
’tagged Renn Kuran with Cyprus D'Ellsadro
’song Haunted--! Evanescence
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[Emma]

The Queen eyed me for several moments. I was still nervous, but her eyes no longer had quite as much of a murderous glare in them. That was something, at least.
”Fine… But, you still broke into my home… So, you are going to have to pay me back for your trespassing… Madeline!” She barked. Then she turned to me. “I never did get your name.”
“Cyprus,” I announced proudly. “D’Ellsadro. Formerly, Duchess of-”
“Cyprus D'Ellsadro?” She interrupted. My head sagged a little. “Hmm, Well, Ms. D’Ellsadro… You now work for me. Until I say otherwise, until I feel you have paid back your crimes.”
“Sure. Wait, what?”
“Madeline, take this woman to the quarter not far from my own.”
I just gawked at the girl who entered, and lost track of their conversation entirely. Hold on. I had finally escaped from Malandra only to end up in the service of yet another megalomaniacal woman? What kind of freedom was that? What did Nayeli even want me to do? I grabbed my head, and cursed my alcoholism for the first time in my life. Okay, calm down. There was one advantage to this. Nayeli had no idea what I really was, nor did she have control over my transformations like Malandra had. As long as I kept that secret, I still had a little bit of freedom.
“Now, Ms. D’Ellsadro, you will accompany me to the lunch and be on your best behaviour. One toe out of line and you will be sent to my dungeons in a nothing more than a wool bag.”

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something that I would probably deeply regret later on, but the girl next to me- Madeline, she was called- grabbed my arm and pulled me away, shaking her head desperately. I let her tug me along, staring at Nayeli as she stood there, smiling in front of her throne. What had I gotten myself into this time? At least Malandra was the devil I knew. Nayeli was a genuinely scary lady. Madeline turned me to face the door and pulled me along. I looked down at her as she shuffled along beside me. Unlike Renn, there was no confident grace to her walk. She just looked desperate to get away from Nayeli. Was she a slave? Was I a slave? Such questions whirled through my head as I was led down hallways and up an infinite amount of stairs, and then to some very nice doors that Madeline needed several keys to unlock. We walked some more, and I was dimly aware that this part of the castle seemed familiar. Eventually, we stopped outside a door that I recognized, and Madeline knocked. I heard very soft footsteps approaching, and then the door was opened. Renn appeared on the threshold, hair wet and wrapped in a towel. She stared at me.

“Madeline? What is she-”
“Sorry to bother you, ma’am, but Her Majesty has ordered Ms D’Ellsadro to be dressed presentably for the luncheon.”
Renn just stared for a moment. Then she gently laid her head against the door. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
“The guests will be arriving soon, ma’am,” Madeline insisted.
Renn raised her head and looked directly at me. “Prepare some hot water for her, then. Where will Ms D’Ellsadro be staying?”
“The late princess’s room.”
Renn sighed softly. “Very well. See to it, Madeline.”

Madeline nodded and pushed me with a great deal of force down the hallway. I looked down at her. She had to be almost half my age and I could probably toss her into a wall, but I could tell by the look on her face that she was only doing this out of fear of Nayeli. It reminded me quite a bit of what Malandra’s inner Cathedral had been like. I was shoved into another room that I paused to gawk at. It was much nicer than any room I’d ever lived in. But I barely had time to look around before Madeline grabbed my clothes and pulled them off with surprising speed. I looked down at myself and felt my skin, which was sticky to the touch. Ew. Madeline disappeared, leaving me standing there awkwardly with nothing to do. A few minutes later, she reappeared with Renn and one other female slave in tow. All three carried buckets of steaming water, which they poured into the stone tub at the end of the room. Madeline and the other slave skittered off, leaving me alone with the Itasan woman. She gestured at the tub.

I approached and put one toe in. “It’s too hot,” I complained.
Renn looked tired. She was barely dressed, only in a corset, slip and stockings. “It won’t be so bad once you get in.”
I carefully placed one leg in, then the other. Slowly crouching down, I yelped and immediately tore out of the water. “Not so bad? I burned my goddamn snatch! Ow!”
Renn rubbed her forehead. “Alright, then. Wait a while until it cools.”
I looked at her. “Nayeli’s a real hellcat, isn’t she?”
“Please, Ms D’Ellsadro. I’d rather not see you get executed on your first day.”
“My point exactly,” I sighed, poking the water with my toe again. “Real hellcat.”

Words;; 884
Characters Used;; Cyprus D'Ellsadro with Renn Kuran
Muse;; Better!
Thoughts;; Okay, everybody, BRING YOUR CHARACTERS IN! The luncheon is starting!

[Elloria]

(OOC: All italics are Itasan.)

Genji felt a gentle tapping on his knee, causing his eyes to flare open. He had dozed off at some point during the last leg of their journey to Carvala, slipping in and out of an uneasy sleep. His mind had been greatly troubled for the past few months – ever since the death of his ‘betrothed’ Leilani and her brother Turin. And before that, the King had also passed away. The deaths had come too closely together for the count’s comfort and Nayeli’s rapid ascension to the throne was just as troubling. He knew she was bad news from the moment he’d met her and he’d known she would let nothing stand between her and her ambitions. But if she was behind the deaths of her family – and he wouldn’t put it past her, considering her training – not even Genji’s questionable moral code could consider her actions tolerable. And he’d ordered his own father’s death! Yet now his thoughts were plagued with what he might have done to get Leilani out of that situation. He had warned her about her sister’s capabilities, yet the girl had refused to take heed. Perhaps he ought to have whisked her away – gone through with the marriage after all to force Leilani’s hand. Then she might be somewhere safe and comfortable, be it here in Teirm or possibly wherever that Darek was currently at.

“Kazan-sama. We have arrived at the castle.”

Genji shook his head slightly and looked first at Raiden before glancing over his other three guards. That was yet another problem that had arisen since Leilani’s death – he slipped too easily into his dark thoughts. He smiled slightly to show his guards that he was fully in the present. After a moment, Raiden nodded and opened the door to the carriage. He slipped out quickly and took up position beside the door. Mami, Hiroshi and Rikuto soon followed and placed themselves in a box formation around the carriage door. After a thorough scan of the area – during which Genji took the time to straighten his mussed hair and slightly wrinkled kimono – Raiden motioned for the count to step out. The count gracefully slipped out of the carriage, his wooden zori making a gentle tapping sound as he stepped onto the cobblestone courtyard. His own gaze flitted over the courtyard and castle, taking in the surroundings as a gentle breeze caused the hem of his kimono to sway. As usual, he had chosen to wear something a little more formal and outlandish for today’s luncheon with the new queen. It was royal blue silk with sprouting bamboo and blooming pink and red flowers stitched into the fabric. The sleeves were shorter, reaching only to his elbows, and there was no elaborate obi to tie this time. It was just a simple kimono for what he hoped would be a simple luncheon. Of course, he didn’t really believe it would be simple. He was not as fortunate as that.

All seemed quiet, so he moved towards the entrance to the castle with his guards still in formation around him. His movements were fluid and graceful, despite the fact he had spent the past several hours hunched up in a carriage, and he gave off an air of exoticism and pure confidence as he walked. He ascended the stairs and, after Raiden and Hiroshi had scoped out the interior, he was soon led to the main dining hall. He entered the hall behind his two guards, as unimpressed as always by the décor and furnishings. It seemed Nayeli had yet to decorate the place according to her own fashion – not that Genji particularly cared. He had yet to meet an Alagaesian whose aesthetic desires made any kind of sense. Though speaking of Nayeli, it seemed she was already in the hall awaiting her guests. That, at least, was proper for a noble or monarch. He moved away from the door, allowing Mami and Rikuto to enter as he moved further into the hall. He inclined his head slightly to Nayeli. “Good afternoon…Your Majesty.” His voice was soft and, despite the brief hesitation, very polite. “I hope I have not kept you waiting. Where would you like me to sit for this delightful luncheon you have prepared?”

[Kite]

Edan strode through the halls of the castle of Broddring’s capital with the ease and certainty of one who has strode it for many years, which he has. His dress uniform on display, medals and the sword he carried on his hip the only opulence covering it, but still made for the desired effect. He was a soldier and that was why he was here. Without the military and his role within it he would just be another minor noble, so why would he dress in any other way? However, that said, it was also the only reason he was invited to this function. A small luncheon with the now queen was not known for its massive amounts of invites, hence the small part of the equation, but even more so in this case. Key people were brought to this luncheon, mostly people directly in contact with Nayeli in some way, as well as powerful men and women from the country, prominent counts and such. However, if Edan even considered that he might not fit in that group normally, and the argument for Edan could be made both ways normally, the man he was going to meet prior to the luncheon fit the scene even less than him.

The man was in one of the guest quarters of the castle, although it was one of the more guardable and observable quarters it was guest quarters nonetheless. Edan’s opinion on the man was that he was a danger to everyone in the room, and the country on a whole. He probably wasn’t far from the mark either, but he was helping the country in the goals set by the new regime, the military ramp up and the discovery, manufacturing, and training in new technologies all made possible in part by this man and his resources. Therefore, he got a by in this instance, just like the Riders gave him a by as long as he existed. He wasn’t a threat now, and was very accommodating.

Edan was sure that wouldn’t last forever, but that wasn’t the point. It wasn’t his decision.

As he approaches the quarters, he pulls himself a bit more into line, straightening his uniform and collecting his thoughts once more before knocking on the door to the man’s quarters. He hears footsteps approaching the door, and then sees the door swing open to reveal a man in long, perhaps slightly casual, pants and jacket. The jacket hung open to reveal a nice long sleeved shirt that was unbuttoned somewhat at the top and had a beautiful necklace of silver and gemstones lying in plain sight against his incredibly pale skin. His shock of red hair hung long and somewhat disheveled, likely by choice Edan noted, and was even more noticeable because of the paleness of his skin. He stood taller than Edan by close enough to a foot that it didn’t matter at that point, and had a jovial expression on his face as he clapped Edan on his shoulder.

“Welcome, my good man! Is it time to meet the she-wolf for our midday morsel?”

Several guards and servants were less than inconspicuous about turning to look at Clarus for his she-wolf remark, but Clarus waved them off lazily and Edan just sweeps passed it, not even acknowledging the slight.

“Quite. Are you ready?”

Clarus laughs and nods.

”Yes yes, let us be off.”

Edan turns and starts to head his way towards the main dining hall, Clarus diplomatically following him the whole way as he could easily out pace Edan with his long stride, but spared him the slight he had not spared the Queen. They made their way there quickly, Edan knowing the routes fairly well after the aforementioned years navigating it, although most assuredly slower than a servant would have with their more secretive paths, and the door opens before them, revealing the scene in front of them, less grandeur than the spectacles that usually took place in this area but definitely more striking as the Queen herself was waiting to greet those who had arrived before Edan and Clarus, who seemed to be just starting their interaction. They made their way into the hall, and waiting for the small group ahead of them to finish their pleasantries with Nayeli, despite the fact that they had only just started. Edan looked over them, in their obviously foreign and exotic clothing, and decided that they were probably the entourage of the Count of Teirm and the Count himself, often the talk of the gossip mongers among the nobles of the city for both his elevation to a position of power among the country, as well as his betrothal to the now deceased sister of the Queen. However, it seemed that they had been the first of the guests to enter the ballroom, followed by Edan and Clarus themselves, so at least they were not late. Fashionably early one might say, although Edan made a point to avoid such things, and refocused on the conversation in front of him, waiting for his turn as well while Clarus stood quietly beside him, looking around and likely sizing up those in the room.

[phrostphyre]

The thing about riding four days to make a meeting with the new monarch of a nation is that really, one can’t gallop all four days on the same horse. The horse would be dead. So when Ascbert Gaudulf received a messenger wing informing him he needed to have himself or a trusted representative at Carvala for a meeting with the new Queen, Nayeli of the House Richards, well, there was only one man my father trusted enough to handle it: Me.

Problem with that is I happen to quite dislike the man, despite the fact he’s my father. So taking two outriders myself, and mounting up, we repeated the wing’s ride; four hundred miles in four days. Not as good as the professional wings, to be true, but I was certainly happy with an average of one hundred miles a day. Switching horses simply consisted of stepping out of the stirrups of one, and then shifting weight to the horse next to the current one. A risky, but time-saving, business, and it paid off. We made it to Carvala, true, but really, we were practically dead on our arses, saddlesore beyond belief, and stank to high heaven. My first order of business was a bath; easier said than done.

Stalking through the halls of Hightower, lugging a saddlebag with fancy clothing, wasn’t my idea of fun. Fun was tilting lances with some of Father’s housetroops. Fun was practicing swords or spears with Father’s housetroops, and trying my best to bash their heads in, and vice versa. Not looking for a bath in a place I was unfamiliar with, stinking like a dead horse, before a lunch with the effing Queen of the Kingdom. But the bath. I needed the bloody bath, and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. So I found a servant. They were singularly unhelpful.

After a futile search for some sort of washing facility, I finally settled on taking a dive into a stream going through one of the gardens. Thankfully hidden, my frantic scrubbing was soon over as I toweled off, using a cloak I had shoved in my other saddlebag. Dressing in the finery I was loathe to wear, I shifted uncomfortably, once fully dressed. The two outriders that had come with me shifted nervously nearby, as well.

"Agibert," one, the blond, Olaf, coughed. "Agibert, sir, you've got reeds in your hair." Oh damnation and the freezing lakes of Niflheim. Sighing, I ran both hands through my hair, removing the reeds and one wiggling fish, tossing it back into the pond with a shake of my head. "Well done, sir," Olaf nodded his approval.

"Yes, Olaf, it was, thank you. Now. We've a Queen to meet, I suppose. I still don't understand why she insisted on my evil-minded old mumper of a father for Duke of the Plains, though."

"Well, considering he DID prove his worth through some secret mission or some sort during the Blue Divide, it's no large wonder, sir."

"Nah, Olaf, I think it is. What has he done for the Kingdom recently, eh? Fought some Urgals? Chased a few nutty elves off? He hasn't won any huge battles or anything."

Our conversation carried us from the garden to the hall where Nayeli was having her lunch-thing with the other leading personalites of the Kingdom. Olaf and I finally reached an agreement before we arrived, though. Whatever Ascbert had done, apparently the Queen appreciated it. Checking to make sure I didn't look too hideous, I nodded to Olaf and Harold, and entered the hall alone.

Only to almost run into Edan Valaician, General of the Armies for the Kingdom. I almost snapped him a salute and a bow, only to remember that we were roughly the same in rank now, just in time. I didn't know the name of his companion, but he probably had something to do with the military as well. The man in front of them was dressed in some sort of skirt-thing that definitely appeared feminine, compared to our tunics, breeches, and boots, but I figured he was either an ambassador of some sort or the one Count that was a damned foreigner.

Beyond the odd man stood the lady of the hour herself, the Queen. Rumor, and from a source I trusted, (namely my drinking companions and shield-brothers,) had it that she had murdered her brother and sister to take the throne, after offing her uncle to make sure there was throne to take.

At least, I thought, if it came down to it, she was ruthless enough to win. With a small shake of my head, I cleared my thoughts and tapped on General Valaician's shoulder, before offering him a salute, right fist snapped to my chest, and inclining my head. "It's an honor to meet you, General," I offer, smiling. "I'm not sure what purpose Her Majesty intends with this, but if I get to meet you, I'm genuinely glad for having my time killed like this. My name is Agibert Gaudulf, sir. I used to be a sergeant, in the army." I really am pleased to meet him, and it's quite simple: it's that of a young soldier looking up to the older generation, and wanting to learn how they survived what they did. I suppose, though, that I won't have the opportunity to ask him about the Blue Divide, but I only allow the faintest tinge of regret at that thought to color the next one; at least I'll be able to go back to the Plains tomorrow, where I'm needed.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{nayeli richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Long lost words whisper to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow inside
I know you're still there...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

Already, I felt everything coming into place. With my uncle out of the picture, as well as my siblings, wherever they were, I had everything I wanted. Standing over the table, my ice blue eyes held a glow to them now. Inside, I knew that I could do this. Oh sure, one day I wanted to kill those worthless elves, but for now… War was not something we needed. Already, we were on the edge, but I was only hoping I could fix that. It would take time, but I didn’t need a nation against me right now, especially one as strong as the elves.

As I looked down at the table before me, I checked a few last moment things. Very few things were off and when I mean few… a mere ripple in part of the fabric that was easily fixed with a mere pull of my finger. The sound of the door being opened brought my attention back to where I was. At first, I thought it was Renn or that lovely new lady whom had come into my home and was now working for me, but it was not. I was sure Renn was taking care of making sure the woman was well bathed for today’s luncheon. Instead, it was Count Genji Lantieri and his guards, the ones who constantly followed him. Well, it was good that they could make it and his strange foreign wardrobe once again made a few of my servers stare before I waved them alone to do their chorses. ”Good afternoon…Your Majesty. I hope I have not kept you waiting. Where would you like me to sit for this delightful luncheon you have prepared?” A smile played at my lips as I shook my head. ”Of course not, Count Lantieri, you are early. I merely came early to check on a few last things.”

[/color]

Grabbing a bottle of wine, I poured a small amount in a beautiful crafted glass. ”Would you care for some, count? One of our recent allies, a great nation over the ocean, imported this lovely wine… Apparently, their country has been making this wine for thousands of thousands of years.”[/color] As I sat the bottle down, I took a sip of the red wine, a lovely sweet taste taking over my mouth before I sat it back down. What was wrong with a bit of wine before the luncheon began, hmm? This was nothing too fancy, I merely wanted to speak with those of high class in my nation and these people were very important. So many others would arrive as well, as I had many cities to speak to. A few ambassadors of the new allies we had made would also be here, including one of a nation who had recently come to our shores near Teirm that stayed on the shores not far from there and had a strange tradition and culture. ”I heard of a new nation coming to our shores near Teirm. I managed to get in touch with them, one of their high ranking subjects will be joining us today. Isn’t that lovely?”[/color] For myself, it was. The new nation presented a great thing, a newer fighting style and they held their own special power from what I had heard. During a meeting with one of my high ranking officials in Teirm, the greeting was very war like, but afterwards, it was very welcoming. I had already been briefed about how to greet this new nation as they were quick to offend as well. As well, as they wanted to do some greeting ceremony to greet myself and my nation. I was fine with that… I had already worked everything out with my servants…

At the sound of another entering the hall, I turned my head from the Count and looked to see the Shade, Clarus Maleficarum and Edan Valaician, my general appear in the hall and I smiled at this as I sat my glass down. ”Ah, General Valaician and Clarus… Please, come into my hall so that I do not shout so loud.”[/color] I said as I watched as another came in behind him. I quickly realized that it was the son of the Duke of the plains, Agibert Gaudulf. This was refreshing to at least see someone who was in contact with the man and not some brain dead servant. As I waved him in… ”Come in, Agibert Gaudulf.”[/color] As I glanced over my shoulder, I wondered where Renn and that other woman was. It was unlike her to be late… Trouble must have been brewing or problems arising. Catching something out of the corner of my eye I turned to see a servant hurrying through the shadows to do a chore. ”Abigail…”[/color] I knew her name with ease. I knew all the names of my servants, though the slaves were not so well known. ”Please go and find Renn Kuran… I understand she is busy, but our guest are arriving and I wish the woman to get here as quickly as possible.”[/color] The woman was quick to bow and move out a back door, leaving me with those around me.

”So, my friends… Please, come and drink… You are all early, some of the ambassadors will not be here for another fifteen minutes and I do not wish you to be stiff the whole time we wait.”[/color] I said as I drank more of the delectable wine.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Hunting you, I can smell you - Alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Saving me; Raping me;
Watching me...
Watching me; Wanting me;
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you; Loving you;
I won't let you pull me down

’word count 0.908
’tagged Cyprus D'Ellsadro with Renn Kuran, Genji Lantieri with Guards, Edan Valaician with Clarus Maleficarum, and Agibert Gaudult with Others. (NPC CHARACTERS TO COME INCLUDING COUNTS OF OTHER CITIES, AMBASSADORS OF TWO NATIONS UNKNOWN, & AMBASSADOR OF AOTEAROS)
’song Haunted--! Evanescence
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[Emma]

When it came to meeting royalty, there was absolutely nothing to get excited about.

Judging by the height of the sun and the growling of my stomach, it was time to go and meet Her Majesty. The very Majesty that I owed my life to and relied on for my pay check. If there was one thing female rulers were good at, it was castrating their subjects. Not that I had anything against Nayeli personally- not yet, at least. I was curious to see what she was like, but also felt a little nauseous at the thought of the meeting. That cute Itasan girl was obviously scared to death of her, after all. I really was grateful that she’d been kind enough to give a humble Hive Lieutenant the throne of Carvala. Whether she had murdered to get to where she was or not was none of my concern. She couldn’t have done anything worse than I had. Of course, I wouldn’t know what to think of her until after the luncheon. At any rate, there was no way she would be as psycho as Ramakrishna.

I had migrated from my office to my bedchamber after the seneschal had left. The room was about the size of my last house, and the bed could probably fit an entire family. I stood there for another moment, looking around it quietly. No expense was spared for the ruling seat of Carvala. I had liquor cabinets on the left, and weapons displays on the right. When I approached the window and peered out it, I saw a cobblestone street with carriages trundling along it, and a woman holding her daughter’s hand. In Teirm, I usually saw a murdered elf lying in a narrow alleyway every time I tried to get some fresh air. All in all, it wasn’t a bad setup, and I did like that the boys didn’t have to worry about cutthroats every night. Still, something about this palatial suite rubbed me the wrong way, and I hadn’t quite figured out what it was just yet. I wandered over to my closet and opened it, peering into the bottom. I was cleaned and dressed for the luncheon, but I was lacking a pair of shoes. Much to my chagrin, every pair of boots I owned was missing from the closet. I gave a heavy sigh and raised my head.

“KHAZ!”
There was a slam from far below, and I heard the heavy boots pounding up the stairs. Then I heard cursing and the sounds of doors slamming as Khaz tried to remember which room was mine. Eventually, he came skittering into my room, panting.
“Yes, boss?”
“Why has Esmeralda pilfered my shoes?”
“Uh… I think she wanted to polish them.”
“And she chose the day of the fucking luncheon to do this?”
“Yes. Well.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll be right back.”
Then again, maybe living in such opulence was going to turn everyone soft and mushy. I leaned up against the liquor cabinet and drummed my fingers on the wall for a moment, thinking. Then I opened up the cabinet and started rooting around inside it. As I peered at the different ages and origins of the whiskey, Khaz burst back into the room, proudly holding a glossy black pair of boots.
“As requested, Kieran!” He tossed them on the floor.
I reached down and started pulling them on absentmindedly. “Romel still here?”
“Yep.”
“Good. You and he will be accompanying me to the luncheon.”
“Two? That’s it?”
“It’s a family dinner, Khaz. I don’t think we have to worry about fucking assassins or the like.”
He still looked uncomfortable. “But that Queen, Kieran. She scares the piss out of me. What if she starts prodding and poking at me and Romel to… elicit our intentions?”
“I wouldn’t trust her if she didn’t, Khaz. Go get dressed and maybe wash yourself up a little. You look like your mother fucked a monkey.”
Khaz sighed. “Yes, sir. Fine, thank you.”

He finally turned and left, leaving me along again. I finally settled on Wisteria, a rosé bottled on the Ivorian coast. Exotic, but not unheard of, uncommon, but not rare, and yet still expensive. Best of all, we only served this kind of thing to the Shrikes. I gripped the bottle by the neck and stopped to give a half-hearted glance in the mirror again, just in case. Amazingly, I hadn’t sweated through my emerald silk doublet. I opened the drawer to the vanity and reached inside, pulling out a hunting knife. I lifted up one leg of my black trousers and slipped it into my boot. I wasn’t expecting anything to happen, but then, I hadn’t expected anything to happen at the Gala either- and everyone knew how that had ended. I slipped out of the bedroom and headed down the winding stairs. Romel and Khaz were waiting by the front door. I could hear the rest of the boys cackling from the dining room. I appraised the two Drones carefully. Romel had always been girly about his looks and had brushed his hair and put on a jade jacket over dark brown breeches. Khaz had made some effort to wash himself and was wearing forest-green. I had no idea where this idea that nobles and servants were all supposed to dress in the same colour had come from. We looked like a bunch of queers. I rolled my eyes and gestured for them to lead the way.

Being next-door-neighbours with Castle Broddring, we only had to walk down one road and take a left before we were in the courtyard. It was lunchtime, so few people were outside. I did take a moment to look at the monument to the three deceased members of royalty. Turin and Leilani’s graves were both covered in wreaths and flowers. Azuan’s, not so much. Maybe I’d come back here and piss on his after the meal. We left the courtyard and entered the long hallway that led to the Great Hall. I shoved the rosé into Romel’s hands and took the lead. I had no interest in the tapestries or statues, but Romel and Khaz were both peering and staring and touching them like they’d never seen such things before. I heard Romel sneer something into Khaz’s ear about the bourgeoisie. I reached around and slapped him on the back of his head. Normally I didn’t condemn bad-talking the nobility, but not when the Queen was in the other room. As we stopped at the oaken doors of the Great Hall, Khaz leaned in and whispered to one of the guards standing outside of it. The guard held up his pike and pushed upon the doors, striding forwards with a purpose. He bowed once inside and raised his voice.

“Your Majesty, Count Kolbjorn has arrived.”

I glanced over at Khaz and Romel and made a face at them, then headed into the room. I found myself walking on plush carpet, and saw servants all around taking down the old, worn tapestries of Azuan and replacing them with newer, brighter fabrics. I could also see that we were late to the party. Besides the Queen herself, sitting pretty at the end of the room with a glass of wine, there were several men gathered in front of her. First was Genji Lantieri, the foreign count, complete with four serious-looking guards. I’d never actually seen him in person, but I didn’t suppose he’d have much reason to come to the slums of Teirm anyway. He was dressed in some flashy robe, but other than that looked perfectly at home in the castle. Next was Edan Valaician, Broddring’s general. I hadn’t seen him in person before either, and he’d apparently spent a few years under house arrest with the Riders. I mostly knew him for all the medals on his jacket. Standing next to him was probably the weirdest person in the room. He was tall with crimson hair that stood out sharply against his deathly pale skin. I didn’t have a clue who he was, nor the blonde fellow in plain clothes standing next to the General. Even stranger, his hair was soaking wet. I didn’t doubt I’d be introduced to them all in the next little while, however. I strode up to the throne, looking Nayeli over. She was dressed in a deep red dress, and seemed oddly relaxed.

“Your Majesty,” I said calmly, bowing low. “Pardon my being late. I’d like to offer you this bottle of Wisteria.” I snapped my fingers and Khaz came up, presenting the bottle. “Rosé, from Ivoire-”

I was interrupted by a squeak from off to the side of the room- so quiet; a human’s ears couldn’t have picked it up. There was an equally quiet shushing, and then two women slipped into the room. Physically, they were total opposites. One was Renata, the tiny girl with the pretty face I’d been speaking to earlier. She had cleaned herself up, and now her black hair was held back with a decorative hairpin and she wore a full-sleeved, full skirted red velvet dress. The bosom and wrists were embroidered with leaves done in gold thread, and she wore a necklace set with jasper. The other woman, in startling comparison to the small and slender Renata, was tall and busty with copper skin and enormous turquoise eyes. She was wearing a red dress as well, but hers was so tight and made of such thin fabric that she might as well have been wearing nothing at all. Her light brown hair hung in shiny waves down her shoulders, and her muscled arms were bare. As opposed to the very stern and silent Renata, she was looking around with her mouth in a little ‘o’, obviously impressed. The smaller woman led her behind the throne, where they stood half-covered by shadow.

“… Ivoire, as I was saying.” I said warily, still watching them. A servant came up to Khaz and took the bottle from his hands. I straightened from my bow. “I’ll take whiskey, Your Highness.”

Words;; 1685
Characters Used;; Kieran Kolbjorn with Renn Kuran and Cyprus D'Ellsadro
Muse;; Sort of good.
Thoughts;; Still not used to Kieran. Hrrg.

[Kite]

Clarus noted that their wait was not terribly long when they arrived in the room, and she greeted them warmly, if shortly. The reasoning for this had to be the man entering behind Edan and himself, the one addressed as Agibert Gaudulf. Agibert was greeted by the Queen before he tapped on dear Edan’s shoulders and saluted and bowed his head slightly with his introduction. Edan turns at the tap and returns the salute. Clarus suspects that Edan did not expect such an interaction at this luncheon, as this was decidedly not Edan’s crowd from what Clarus knew, and Clarus knew the general surprisingly well for one in his position. That being said, the general smiles and replies to Agibert as Clarus makes his way over to the table the delegation from Teirm and the Queen sit at.

“It is good to meet you, Agibert Gaudulf. I’m not sure anyone knows truly what her intentions are, but knowing a little I’m honored to hear you say that. Shall we continue on to the table? Perhaps we can continue over the meal, as time and circumstance permits.”

Clarus laughs at that and surveys the table before choosing where to sit. Seeing the amount of spots that remain open, Clarus chooses to sit at one of the ends of the table that is not as occupied, hoping to draw the attention of whomever is to come, since Nayeli mentioned that there were some more parties involved in the luncheon. Who they could be was a mystery to Clarus, but frankly he didn’t care who they would turn out to be as long as they were more interesting than the present company. Don’t get him wrong, the assorted personage at the luncheon were all interesting in one way or another but, besides the Queen, they weren’t the type he was interested in fraternizing with until the true course of the meal was to be shown. Foreigners and Military personnel can only entertain him so much, especially when the foreigners already present didn’t truly count at present. True, they were foreign in culture and dress, but they were in control of Teirm, not the island nation they were said to hail from. This made them slightly less useful to Clarus, no matter what influence he could gain from speaking with them. He was hopeful however, and it seemed his hope was to pay off, even before most of the missing members of the party arrived.

The next to arrive was Count Kolbjorn, entering with two servants and a guard who announced his presence to Nayeli and her guests. Clarus knew that he had been recently promoted to the post upon Nayeli taking her throne, but that was really the least interesting thing to who he is, at least according to Clarus. He’d met another of the Kolbjorn name, and that added volumes to the recent promotion in rank. The other Kolbjorn that was known to him was, of course, General Myaja of Du Weldenvarden and the elves. Layers upon layers of planning and intrigue, and Clarus would have to watch him closely. He doubted the man was a spy, but he was obviously in his position for a reason, just as Clarus and the others were. The first thing he did was take a quick look at those already at the table, as any would when they enter this lioness’ den, before bowing to the queen and beginning to present a bottle of fairly expensive wine with his servant.

He was, however, thankfully interrupted by the entrance of two women who slipped around the throne and were standing somewhat awkwardly off to the side. They were quite the pair, one a small woman with black hair held in check with a hairpin and wearing a red velvet dress that covered most of her body, but was of exquisite taste and well contrasted to the necklace with jasper. The other was a tall beauty with copper skin and turquoise eyes that seemed larger than life. She wore a red velvet dress as well, but one that clung and moved with her skin, showing off her trim, busty body. Her hair was down and arms were bare, showing her well muscled arms, and she was showing much more interest in the proceedings than her shorter counterpart.

Exactly the kind of interesting company he was looking for.

Once they moved near the throne, Kolbjorn continues, picking up where he left off with the wine and keeps his eye on the beauties as he straightens from his bow, and then asks for a glass for a glass of Whiskey, to which Clarus laughs to himself, before standing himself and looking at the beauties, smiling and offering them the seats next to him with his hand as he speaks.

”Would you like a seat, my ladies? It seems we are still awaiting more to arrive our luncheon, and I would love to meet both of you.”

[phrostphyre]

The most striking thing about the woman with the copper skin and light brown hair and red dress were her turquoise eyes, I noted. With a small, almost imperceptible nod, I shifted my attention from my next target back to the General. The girl can wait, there’s politicking to do, and damned if I ain’t as fine a politicker as I am a cavalryman- in my own opinion, at least, and that’s the one that matters most, isn’t it? ”I do certainly hope so, sir. But if you’ll excuse me, we’ve a bit of time to circulate, and I’d like to make the rounds, do the meet –and-greet, I’m sure you know how it is?” When I get a nod and agreement from Edan, I’m off.

My first order of business, now that I’m done basking in the reflected glory that was THE GENERAL, is to try and get the Queen to release me to raid into Du Weldenvarden and hit those gods damned elves. To that end, I attempted to sidle up towards the Queen, but I’m halted by the man that had been presenting some sort of bottle to her.

Bloody Queens - nosing where they shouldn’t. I had a man that had been a gutter rat before scraping himself into my father’s, and now my, service. His name was Sharpe, and he was of the opinion all aristocrats, landed and titled nobility, and the wealthy merchant classes were bastards that needed a right proper gutting, make no mistake about it. I was of the opinion that if Ascbert happened to die and leave me Duke, then, well, hopefully I’d do a better job about it.

Dredging the man’s name from the gutters of my mind, I finally seize upon with it a flash of triumph. ”Kieran Kolbjorn! Good to meet you, man, damned good. Agibert Gaudulf, and my old mumper of an evil-minded son of a bitch father is the Duke of the Plains March. It’s a right shame the Queen won’t let us off our leashes to ride into that damned forest of the elves and torch it, but I suppose she has her reasons. Hopefully for us less informed folks, they’re good.” I offer the man my hand with a smile. Detached duty for the Crown in Teirm, and then suddenly Count of Carvala, eh? He was a man that knew his business, and undoubtedly his business was murder or mayhem or both. I noticed that he was wearing a decent silk emerald doublet, and instantly feel underdressed in nothing but shirt sleeves. Considering I had nowhere to cram clothing, other than a saddlebag, I suspected it wouldn’t much matter in the end. ”A new people, eh? I’m willing to bet five sovereigns they couldn’t stand against a charge from even light horse, let alone heavy or knights.”