Not very Slave-like (closed)

[Ohia_Lehua]

Closed for thepoeticmaster2121​

"Morvyn!" The King's voice rang out in the empty chamber as he kicked at the knotted bedding that lead out of the window.

"Philip." Queen Helena touched her husband's arm. This wasn't the first or even second time that their daughter Morvyn had escaped the castle grounds and it was growing old and wearing on the King's last nerve.

"I shall have that child shackled in the dungeons till the end of her life!" He raged pushing the guards out of the way. "Move you useless sacks of shit!" The King snarled storming out of the room.

"Oh Morvyn..." Her mother sighed with a shake of her head as she followed her husband. She was slightly worried that this time was the last time and that Morvyn would truly get it this time.

There was a rumor that the King had sent his best hunters out to find and capture a rouge band of run away slaves. Morvyn knew her father and his ways and what he would do with those runaways and she was hell bent on stopping those hunters and helping the slaves make it over the Sands to freedom.

"My Lady." A shadow stepped out of the darkness and and bowed at the waist with a flourish.

"Felix, what are you doing here?" He was the last slave she had been given and her most recent freed man. "Get up, get up. There's no need for that."

"I heard that you were seeking a guide to take you through the canals. I would be honored."

"I couldn't risk your life."

"I owe my life to you so the way I see it, its your free or not. Now come we must hurry."

Morvyn couldn't disagree that they had to worry and nodded. "Thank you Felix." Worried that she would be recognized she pulled the hooded cloak closer to her body to hide what she hoped the male clothing hid already.

The mines were a labyrinth that laid under the capital city of Runelore. What it used to be was so masked in legends and myths that no one really knew and for the most part had been abandoned. Now it seemed that the runaways were using them to get out of the city. Morvyn knew that this was the easy part but it was the stretch from the mines through the Sands. That was the part she wanted to help with, even if all she could do was provide warm clothes, money and a vanguard of freemen. But first she had to make sure that her father's men weren't part of the group traveling through the mines. The last thing they needed was for the hunters to know the way the runaways traveled.

"The smell will be-"

"I know. I'll be fine."

Felix lead Morvyn to the meeting spot and she looked over the group satisfied that none held recognizable faces. Then it was time for the long trek through the mines. Felix was right the smell was thick and ripe with a pungent under smell of rot and death. The constant sound of dripping was warped by the pitch dark that lead the mind to create monsters in every nook and cranny. For the first quarter mile the small group of eight went without light for fear of drawing attention in the middle of the night. When at last they felt save the first torch was lit and it cast a flickering glow in the narrow tunnel.

"I could have just lead you to the opening of the canals." Felix frowned passing a lit torch to the last person.

"And what if you had a Hunter among you?" Morvyn countered waving off his worry and continuing down the tunnel.

The rest of the two hours was spent in silence. No one said a thing and the mood was both dreary and static with excitement. Morvyn didn't know what she felt other then anger at her father and shame that she was part of the family that made this necessary.

"We've made it." Felix smiled as the torches were put out with a hiss that plunged the eight back into darkness.

It was still night but the true black lightened to a dusky black that let Morvyn knew they had reached the exit. Wind howled around and through the opening and it reminded her of the sickly old wolf that howled before her father had killed it. The hunting memory for her wasn't a good one and she pushed it from her mind as she stepped out of the mines and stood under the bright starlit sky. The night was silent, more silent then the tunnels. Morvyn didn't know if it was because the constant dripping had drowned and echoed in her ears to make the night so still and quite.

"Something, somethings not right." Morvyn whispered her voice sounding loud to her own ears.

"Wha-" The scream of a let loose arrow pierced the silence and struck Felix in the chest.

"FELIX!" Morvyn's scream was lost in the battle cry of hunters, guards and fleeing slaves. "No!" The ring of swords being drawn and swung into fleshy bodies filled the air and mingled with the sound of flying arrows.

"Make sure no harm comes to the Princess."

"Mihai?!" He was the Duke's eldest son and her personal bodyguard. "Stop this. Stop this NOW!"

"I'm sorry Princess." The look on his face was something that looked like sorrow but she knew his blood hungry nature and knew this was a thrill for him and that he loved it.

She didn't hear the man step up behind her and it was too late to stop him from knocking her out with the pummel of his sword. The last thing she saw was the death of the people she was trying to save. This was her fault and when she woke up she would do what she could to fix it.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

Luck

It was some thing that runs hand in hand with fate, it ties all together and decided things for us that we could have never thought before. It can be a cruel mistress as much as it can be a kind one and you can almost never figure out where it is taking you.

Alex “Angel” Tiberius was experiencing some thing like that

“Get your lazy assess back to those canons!” Angel snapped kicking open the doors and grabbing the people out of the burning cabin. He finished just in time and seconds later the last of the burning wood splintered and crashed down onto the room preventing any one from accessing it.

“Captain!”

The voice was Mr. Clean (named because of his excellent hygiene) his first mate and the person currently helping him fight off the two pirate hunters attacking his ship the ghost. Angel was one of the most wanted pirates to ever sail on these seas and his bounty was always climbing with each ship he plundered. He enjoyed the fame and eagerly accepted any one’s attempt to capture him, he was a big brute of a man with tan skin that one could only get form being on a ship all their life, his muscles were large and defined, years of line handling giving him a hulking physique and muscular torso. Said torso was hidden under a pair or loose fitting brown leggings and a long red over coat that was stacked with pistols and other weaponry, he had a large feathered hat on that hid his long chin length black hair from view.

“Get on the canons now!” Angel hollered going back up to Mr. Clean and grabbing the wheel form his first mate, he nodded and ran down grabbing what was left of the crew in an attempt to hold off the combined assault.


The end came quickly after that

The ghost put up a good fight but with a already destroyed crew and two ships on her tail the odds were against her. The fight lasted another hour in which Angel was able to destroy one of the other ships before the others broadside crippled the last of his sails. They had come on board in force and even though his crew fought bravely they were simply outmatched. Angel fought with them taking out as many as he could before a sword sliced across his knee and sent him down to the ground.

The last thing he saw was a boot coming at his face

A loud scream woke him up, jolting him form his nightmares and bringing him back to the world of the living. He found himself in a stone cell with heavy iron shackles keeping him close to the wall. Most of his clothes were gone except for the brown leggings he had on earlier, his knee was bandaged and his leg was still whole which was a blessing in and of itself. He looked around trying to find a door or any thing that would tell him where he was but there were none and the walls were smooth as stone.

Which could only mean one thing

He looked up and swore confirming his dreaded suspicions, he was in a well of sorts with a heavy iron frame built over the top to prevent him from escaping (even if he could climb the smooth walls) he knew this kind of prison could only mean one thing. He had been taken back to Runelore and the pirate hunters had collected their bounty and also sold him as a slave. Runelore was well known for it’s slaves and the business was so good their that Angel knew people who would come all over the world to gain some of their “wares”.

Which meant he could go anywhere become any ones slave, the thought didn’t comfort him but it did drive his hope. If he could become some captain’s slave he could get himself a ship and leave. He was a pirate; a trained killer and no one would expect their slave to be able to do that. If he bided his team he could escape and then make his way back to sea and avenge his fellow crewmans death.

All he needed to do was wait for his new “master”

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

It didn't seem to matter that Morvyn was the only child of the King of Runelore, that she would one day be their Queen and that she wasn't likely to forget this.

"And we're home." Snickered Mihai as he unceremoniously dumped the bound and gagged princess off the ass end of this horse. "Oh I'm sorry little Morvyn, here let me help you up."

Morvyn glared daggers at her soon to be former personal guard as he grabbed her under the arm and hauled her to her feet.

"I believe your father is looking for you. Mustn't keep him waiting." Mihai was enjoying this too much and it sickened Morvyn that once upon a time she used to harbor feelings for this man. It was a long time ago but it sill turned her stomach to see what this man turned into. "Your Majesty." Morvyn was nudged into the large throne room and stumbled from the force.

"You, madam, are restricted to the grounds. All freedoms shall be stripped and you will be watch every moment of the day!"

Morvyn wanted to argue but the twisted length of cloth tied around her head through her mouth kept her silent, mostly. "Mump luphp muf nargh hra!"

Her father seemed not to notice the state his child was in but her mother noticed and hide her gasp behind her hand. A slight tilt of her head and her slave maiden floated from her side, sticking to the shadows cast by the few lit torches to Morvyn's side. Gently she untied the gag and pulled it away, bowing as she retreated back to her mistress' side. Morvyn didn't even get a chance to say thank you but knew even if she had said the words they would have fallen on deaf ears.

"Philip look at your daughter, don't you think this is a bit much?" Her mother softly interrupted.

"I-" The King finally looked down at Morvyn and frowned. "I wouldn't have to resort to such measures if she acted like the princess she was born as and not so common tavern girl."

"Hardly!" Snorted Morvyn. "Just because I object to slavery and the treatment of other human beings!" Her hands were still bound but it didn't look like she was going to get any help from anyone on this front. "What I saw tonight was cold blooded murder. Those people were innocent!"

"They were slaves! Property and runaways to which the punishment is death!"

"So because you are a slave do you stop being human?" Morvyn hissed feeling the anger boil her blood. "They harmed no one and wanted nothing but their freedom and a life of their own choosing!"

Her father's face was filling with blood and getting splotchy with the anger her was feeling. Philip was a great King but hard with a known anger problem that his daughter seemed to get from him. "I will here none of this! This is the way it is and the way it shall always be. If you can not see that I have no problems locking you in a tower where you can do no harm! And if still you refuse to see reason I will strike at you in any way I can." He threatened the vein in his forehead pulsing.

"Philip!" Queen Helena shouted standing. "The both of you will stop this caterwauling now." She demanded, her chin raising to show she meant what she said and that there would be no arguments from either of them. "No one will be locking anyone in towers and if I hear of one or the other threatening harm upon each other I shall bring the Grand Mother into this and she can sort the both of you out."

Unlike her father's threat she knew her mother meant what she said and obediently calmed down and snapped her jaw shut. "Forgive me Mother."

King Philip took a great deep breath and leaned back in the thrown he was sitting in and covered his eyes. "I am left with little choice Morvyn."

"Meaning?"

"Duke Rendon has asked for your hand in marriage. I see-"

"Mihai's FATHER? He's older then you!"

"I SEE," Her father spoke over her drowning out her outburst. "No reason to deny him. He is powerful and wealthy and will make a strong King."

"I refuse." She turned to her mother with pleading eyes. "He will surly lock me in a tower and beat me."

"He will do what it must to make you a perfect wife and future Queen. Where I have failed maybe he will succeed." Philip cut off his wife before she could say anything.

"No, please." There were rumors about the Duke's dark pleasures. How his hobbies involved torture chambers for young slaves and whores. His nickname was The Gelding not because of his cut status, not he was still fully functional, but because those that failed to bend at the knee and submit he broke in the cruelest ways. "There- there must be some other way." She had seen the way the Duke had looked upon her these last years and it chilled her to her core.

"If I can not make you the Queen that you need to be then my only option is to marry you off to someone who can."

"What must I do?" Morvyn's head dropped and it felt like the wind in her sails were yanked from under her. Which in a ways it was.

"Submit to the ways of Runelore. You will be her Queen one day and I can not have you running around at night helping escaped slaves. Nor can I have you freeing the slaves that I, or any other member of nobility, has given you. I need you to appoint yourself a companion and protector. As well as a housing staff for the Capital Manor." King Philip sighed and straightened in his seat. "And lastly I need you to be a supporting member of council meetings or at least attend them."

"So it boils down to slaves."

"It's not just that and you know it."

Morvyn did know it but she didn't want to admit it to her father. "And if I agree to do all that you have listed?"

"Then I will reconsider your marriage to the Duke."

"Will you free me?" Morvyn asked taking the steps up the dais to kneel before her father.

"Free you?"

Morvyn raised her head and her bound arms. "So that I may do all that you wish."

~~~

The city was barely awake when Morvyn called for her horse to be saddled. There was a crisp wind from the sea that cut through the city and up the hill to where the walled castle stood. This early in the morning when the dew covered everything and sparkled like diamonds it almost made the harsh white walls of the castle look enchanting. This was Morvyn's favorite part of the day because when everything looked this pure, this magical she could almost convince herself that this place was as beautiful as it looked at first glance.

"You horse your Highness."

"Thank you Porter."

"Shall I call the guard as they seem to be behind this morning."

"No, no. That's not needed."

"Of course your Highness." Porter bowed low and waited until Morvyn was gone before returning to this morning chores.

Morvyn had spent the last few hours stewing about the hard place she was stuck in and how to get out of it. She didn't like what Runelore had turned into, preferring instead the romanticized history that it used to be. That had been ages ago but when she thought about becoming Queen it was so that she could return the kingdom to what it used to be and not continuing what it was. It was harder said then done and with her father being the way that he was... There was no use in thinking about it now. If she hadn't thought of something by now it was more then likely because there was no way out of this. This was what it was and she would just have to reform to the standards of her father.

The stallion under her pranced and chomped at the bit waiting for the go ahead to run. He was a wild thing and was half as likely to let you pet him as he was to bite or kick you. That is to everyone but her. She knew the moment he was born, stood up and bit Lemmins the slave master that he was the horse for her. She could see a lot of herself in the coppery thick necked horse and the bond between them was one of a kind.

"Heya!" And like a shooting star Woden took off. He knew the streets as well as Morvyn and responded to the light touches on his side to direct him. None of the other shops or markets were open yet but she knew that the slave market never closed. She was going to do as her father wished but not in the way he wanted. If she waited too long, an hour more then she had already waited, then he would send the slave masters to the market themselves to bring back choices for her to pick from. They would all be dead eyed broken slaves willing to serve because they had nothing else to their life and that was the last thing she wanted.

Faster then she would have thought it possible, maybe because she was so lost in her own mind, she arrived at the slave market. The smell down her was a fainter version of the canals and it only reminded her of the friends she had lost and the innocents that had been killed just hours ago.

"Your Royal Highness!" She had caught one of the slave masters off guard as she passed off Woden to a stable hand. "I-I-I- didn't know to e-e-expect you."

"As I wished it to be." She was biting her tongue and trying to be civil but everything in her wanted to tear the whip at the man's side and beat him with it. "I've come to see your wares."

"Truly?" It was widely known how the princess felt about keeping slaves and the man was worried that she would try to free all of his with no payment.

Morvyn's answer was to raise her brows and pull a velvet pouched that sagged with the metallic clinking that it held. "Truly."

~~~

"Is there nothing else that you have that you can show me?" Morvyn asked her tone of voice tight with the annoyance that she felt. The man had refused to show her anything but well breed trained slaved with lifeless eyes. "What about over there?" She pointed to where the stench of this place was the rankest.

"They are not worthy to be looked upon." The man mumbled as his friends nodded. When she had refused everything that he had showed her the first time he panicked and awoke all this other business partners and had them show her what they had as well.

"I shall see for myself."

"They are only flesh slaves bound for the fighting pits or if they are lucky the reefs."

"Yes will I may require a fighter." As Morvyn approached the first of what looked to be wells the smell grew until it stung her eyes. "Hand me that." She ordered one of the slavers pointing at a near by torch. The sky was lightening but it was still the early morning dark of a slowly rising sun. When she had the torch in had she peered over the edge and quickly staggered back. Bile rose in the back of her throat and her stomach clenched trying to empty what little she had in her belly.

"Come your royal highness, why not step away from this vileness and go home with one of the sweet goods upstairs."

"No." Morvyn shook her head rejecting the man's offer as she steeled her stomach and approached the well again this time prepared for what would greet her. "You." She called down to the elderly man dressed in rags and covered in his own filth. "Why are you here?"

The man slowly looked up confused. "I stole from my former master."

"How so?"

The man squinted up as if trying to see who was talking to him but the torch and the light it case blinded the man to Morvyn's face. "I was a house slave that managed my master's day and coin." Broken the man covered his face and started to cry. "My former master claimed that I stole from him but I tried to tell him it was his son. Framed I was. Fine leather was found in my wife's chest and for what was told I did he her and sold me. I am bound for the pit the day after next."

The gray haired man was mostly skin and bones but Morvyn could see that once, not so long ago, he had a fit and wiry body. "If I bought your debt could I employ your skills?"

The man choked back a sob and looked up again. "But I am a thief and a slave, not one to be employed." The word fell awkwardly from his cracked lips.

"You maybe named a thief but what I see is injustice and bravery to survive against the odds that were given to him."

"Who are you?"

"Your savior if you would allow it."

"They call me Nero and I pledge my life to the service of the one that would save me."

"Then my may call me Morvyn." And with that she moved the torch away and allowed her face to be seen.

~~~

Not all the wells held souls worth saving but the one's that were Morvyn bought.

"And you." Morvyn asked the man in the last well. "What might your story be?"

"He is the worst of the bunch and will be made sport of at the reef. A devil with no soul and a wicked need to kill, steal, lie and wrench." Filled in one of the slavers before the captive man could answer.

"Is that so?" Amused by the strength in the slaver's voice she turned back to the man at the bottom of the well and looked him over from head to toe. He was dressed in only brown legging that were a curiously similar color to the brown leather pants that she wore. Of course where he was topless Morvyn wore a deep green corseted quilted top with a cotton under tunic. Both their hair was down and while his was black and style in a crazy disheveled looked her copper red locks was pulled back in a twisted high ponytail. He also seemed to be barefooted and she shifted her gaze from him to her distressed dark brown knee high riding boots. The heel was fairly low and only added about an inch to her 5'6" height and were one of her favorites and in her opinion went with every outfit.

"He doesn't look as wicked as you've painted him." She returned her eyes to the man and tilted her head to the side and searched him for more then she could see. "Is what they say the truth of it?" Morvyn asked the black haired man.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

He was stuck in that cell for four days before they finally came for him.

Four long days with only the occasional buckets of ice cold water that both gave him nourishment and washed away the shit and piss he had accumulated in their respective corners. Four days since he has gone from a fearsome pirate captain to a poor broken slave. His family and fellow crewmen were dead and he was alone just like he had been all those years ago.

He wasn’t one to give up, he wasn’t one to despair but in spite of all that his will waned in the days that followed. He was angry and upset but had no one to take it out on, the people who gave him food and water didn’t even come down and just threw the things they had to throw in their while he screamed curses at them. It was maddening even more so because Angel was unaccustomed to being alone. The ghost was so packed with his fellow sailors that only when he entered his captain was he alone and even then he usually had Mr. Clean following after him with some new piece of rumored treasure.

Thinking about his crew was depressing so instead he spent time thinking about the people above, soon he would be sold given to some one and made to follow there every command. He had become a pirate just so he would not have to be a slave and he would rather die then be one. He would play along at first then the minute he was out of the damn cage he would strike and make his escape. He knew the slave pens well because they were right next to the dock and he was confident he could slip into the city and escape before he found a ship and crew.

The plan (what he had at least) was enough to sate his sanity and keep the craziness at bay. He waited it out and instead worked out every chance he could using it to build up his strength and prepare himself for the day that cage door opened.

Then it did

A women! A bloody women! Were his only thoughts as he watched the girl study him, he didn’t know whether to laugh or to scream in anger. He detested hitting or using violence on women but he would in this case even if she was pretty. Pretty was a bad way of describing her though because in truth she was the most beautiful breathtaking women Angel had ever laid eyes on, he had been with his fair share of wenches (and even some nobles to boot) but they all paled in comparison to the vision in front of him. It was like staring at the sun for to long because she excludes so much brightness and warmth. He felt drawn to her in ways he had never imagined being drawn to some woman, and the fact that he might be her slave was all but obliterated from his mind.

Until the man began talking that it

“I’m afraid it is my lady” Angel said glaring at the man and standing up “Alex Tiberius or as I am known on the sea Angel at your service” he said faking a bow and grinning at her “Scourge of the seas and all that jazz I am a highly dangerous man like your friend here said and if you buy me I’ll probably escape from my bonds and come back and beat his face in for it” He said watching as the slave trader went red with anger and grabbed his whip, ready to beat him for his insubordination.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Morvyn laughed thinking that he words were both funny and some kind of a joke. Him a dangerous 'scourge of the seas'? She highly doubted it but stopped laughing as quickly as she start. "Oh. You're not kidding. Hmm..." If what he said was true this man was here because of his own doing and was by no means innocent. "I wouldn't." Morvyn warned when the slaver reached for his whip.

"I like your honesty and if you prove to be as true to your words then'll be no need to 'escape from from bonds' as you say to beat this man. I'll simply allow you to." Morvyn shrugged when the slaver went pale white with fright. "But that is neither here or there." She waved her free hand. "As a pirate I can assume that you're decent with a pistol and sword?" The four slaves she had bought before coming to this 'Angel' were house slaves trained in keeping, lifestyle and management skill. Pivotal in building her housing staff but none of the slaves she had come across would make a worthy protector. She wasn't sure this man was the right one for the job either but something in her gut told her to at least try.

"If so I would appoint you Protector of the Gem of Runelore, future Queen and well stubborn ass of a child if I heard it right form my father this morning..." Morvyn chuckled returning the equally fake bow. "You shall be my Guardian 'Angel' as it were if you can promise to not try and kill me. It would make me very sad and dampen what I believe to be a beautiful day."

"You can't!" The fattest of the slavers shouted.

"You must not!" Hollered the gray bearded one as the same time.

"The position is one of privilege! He is a sewer rat! A river flee!"

The fact that they all disagreed so vehemently made Morvyn more confident that she was making the right choice. It didn't matter to her that the slave who would be her protector came from a noble family, that there were feast and tournaments to see which slave was the most skilled if there was more then one given slave. It was a political power play that Morvyn wanted no part of. Neither was the idea that another house's slave held her safety in their hands appealing to her. Plus her father had told her that she was to appoint one, true she knew he meant that she was to send out invites to the noble families but what he said and what he meant were two different things.

Turning around she grabbed the keys from the closest slaver and turned back to jingle the keys above the pirate. "Can I trust you not to kill me? Do we have a deal?" This was quite possibly the worst mistake she was making of her life, yet Morvyn had never felt more alive. Her smile was wide and full of the coming excitement that her new play in politics would bring. It would be chaotic at best and Morvyn was going to play the perfect princess while adding to the fire. Maybe not the best for the standing of the King but it was what was better for his people. Really she should have done this ages ago, been an active force for the people instead of helping the few with cloaks and shadows.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“You are the princess” Angel asked looking her up and down and smirking slightly, her clothing hadn’t been to outlandish so he had assumed her for just another noble lady looking for a “Pet”. Not the soon to be ruler of one of the richest and most successful realms in all of the great sea. He hadn’t ever seen the royal family before but he knew enough from gossip in the tavern to know the princesses words were true, most people said she was stubborn and bull headed with a particular taste for bad mouthing slavery whenever she could.

So what was she doing here?

According to what he knew, Princess Morvyn HATED slavery and openly opposed it. If that was true (which judging by her face he was inclined to believe) then what was she doing purchasing them? She had spoken about her father in a off hand kind of way but Angel was a good enough poker player to note the angry look she adopted when she did. Maybe he was forcing her to do this? After all the King and Queen were well known for the fact that they established the slave trade and made it successful. If their daughter openly opposed it then they might try to teach her a lesson by forcing her to buy one.

What had they threatened her with though? She was their only child and a soon to be Queen, they could not exile her or put her in the dungeons and she seemed like the kind of person who would stick to her canons so to speak. So it would have to be some thing big nay life changing to get her to agree to this. Some thing that she would have hated like an arranged marriage! That had to be it, Princess Morvyn looked like the sort who would never go for an arranged marriage particularly if it was say some one who was very prominent in the slave trade.

“I am good with a sword and pistol” Angel said folding his arms and leaning against the wall calmly ignoring the other slavers “and you need me in order to get out of your arranged marriage” he said looking at his finger nails and walking over to her. He saw the guards tensing up and ignored them walking until they were almost nose to nose and he could get a good look in her eyes.

“It’s well known around these parts you detest slave trading princess” Angel stated watching her eyes “so the fact that you are down her buying slaves means your father is forcing you but what sort of punishment is befitting a princess so driven for her cause? What sort of punishment would cause her to falter? The threat of an arranged marriage perhaps? One who is a vile kind of person who might just also happen to run the slave business down here perhaps?” He asked smiling as her eyes revealed the truth and backing up.

“You need slaves and I want my freedom” Angel said winking at the man who was about to whip him and turning to her “these men may not think me loyal but if you do free me and grant me the tittle of protector I shall not kill you and will protect you” Angel said smirking.

“Though I don’t know how long I can take being on land princess”

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

"I am." Morvyn nodded when at this statement that she was the princess. "Am I that surprising?" She smiled not bothered by the way that he looked her over from bottom to top. Her whole like people had been measuring up her worth as a princess, woman and pawn and it was something she had to learn to endure at a young age. Most people didn't realized that they were doing it but there was no hidden glances with Angel and she took that as an invite to give him another head to toe.

There was this smirking thing that he did when he smiled that reminded her of a fox in the chicken coop. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, in face Morvyn kind of like it. His skin was this lovely deep even tan from his life under the sun. That wasn't the only thing that his body told her. He was made up of large tight muscles that made his already large frame a menacing feel if his eyes didn't tell such a different story. It was funny how she hadn't seen that in the man while he was locked away and she was safe and protected behind iron bars. Not that he couldn't just twist those bars out of his way with those enormous arms of his.

"Need you?" Morvyn scoffed tilting her head to meet his eyes with her own dark hazel gray ones. "While I'm impressed that you've read so much out of so little, I won't cheapen you with lies. Last I checked there are hundred of other more qualified slave here that I could buy." She countered raising her eyebrows in a challenge. "Truthfully any slave will do to end all discussions of marriage so what makes you so important that I can't life without you?" She tested enjoying that he was a far from that he needed to be as possible.

Morvyn listened and watched him step back. "Again I'm impressed. You know that skill of yours could be put to great use in court." But that wasn't what was troubling her as she crossed her arms under her chest. "You know freedom isn't a word even the nobility use. Even a princess is denied her freedom." She added the last part under her breath surprised by how painfully true that was. She hadn't seen it before but if she was going to see it of course it would be today, that day it seemed her eyes were finally opened. "I don't know if I can promise the freedom you seek but I will not hold you to the slave title as others do." She saw the group of slavers twitch and she eyed them hardly letting them know without words that she will not have them interfering.

"At worst you will have to accompany me where I go publicly. Most if not all others would have you hold your tongue and curl that bold nature of yours but it's that spark that you have that draws me to you." She knew what he wanted would be different but surely there must have been a time in his life when even he was under the command of another. "At best you will be a member in my house and free to go where you wish. Protected by my royal seal. The only freedom I can promise you will be in the day that I become Queen." Morvyn thought it only fair to let the Angel know what she would need of him and how that would effect him because in the end it was his life and while his choices weren't the best is was still up to him how his life turned.

"You are right I detest slavery but I am offered no other options in this and will do my best to make a life comfortable to your styles with what I hope to be better benefits." Morvyn hated that she had come this low but it made it a little better knowing that she was saving the innocent from death. They would be slaves only in title but for some that was just enough to be unbearable. "Can you live with that?" It was a heavy question and Morvyn asked it in the most serious of tones.

There were other slaves that she could buy that would be happy to be owned by her but she didn't want to own anyone. Nor did she want to see this man broken or dead. The fact that she cared about this pirate should have surprised her but it didn't. He was a human just as she was and no better or worse. That had to explain the growing connection she felt towards this man.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

Angel scratched the rough stubble on his chin mulling over her words. His observations it would seem were correct, she didn’t want to do this but she had to and even though she hadn’t said an arranged marriage he had seen her eyes tighten when he said it. Then again she also correct in saying that she didn’t truly need him, the slave pens would no doubt have some one else who could fit the role (though maybe not as well as he) and if he didn’t play ball she would find some one who did.

But did Angel want to play ball? He wouldn’t be a slave but he would be stuck on land with the princess for the rest of his life (or whenever she found some one else). Angel was a pirate at heart he loved the life, loved the romance and adventure that came with it. If he chose this option then that life would be over for him and he would be free but bound to land.

Angel starred at her, she was beautiful the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Maybe he would be stuck on land for the rest of his life but he would also be stuck on land with HER. He was a slave and she was a soon to be Queen but Angel wasn’t like most other slaves he had no problem pursuing her and gaining her affection. He was sure nothing to special would come out of it but maybe some thing would.

“I doubt you’ll find any one more qualified than me” Angel said still scratching his stubble as he regarded her “I’m the best sword on the sea, I know dirty tricks that mercenaries and assassins could employ to get to you and I have a network that would catch wind if some thing was in the works against you I also have those skills that you mentioned which of course would be a valuable asset to your deals in the court”

“In short I’d like to think we both need each other” Angel said smirking at her “I need to be free and you need some one who will be loyal and save your life these people” Alex said pointing at the slave traders “will tell you that I am not indeed loyal but they are wrong we pirates our loyal to our crews and I will take the same oath I did with my crew with you”

He didn’t know if she knew how important that was; a pirate oath’s to his crew was one of the few things a pirate took seriously. Some may call it cheesy but a pirate lived and died with his crew (For the most part) being out at sea with a set amount of people could be maddening and it only really worked if every one understood how important the other was. If she agreed and he took the oath with her he wouldn’t be able to leave nor not protect her until his service with her was ended, he didn’t know why he had agreed to such a thing but he just couldn’t stop starring into those eyes.

The most beautiful eyes he had ever seen

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Time seemed to slow for Morvyn as she waited for her Pirate's answer. It was a double edged sword for the time gave her clarity as well as nerves that threatened to show themselves. Not that she was foolish to think that she could so easily hide them with this man who saw too much as it were. But that wasn't the problem, the nerves, it was what she saw what she looked at him and what she was sure was his side of things. Her best and worse weighed little against what he had and she knew that.

Suddenly she heart clenched in on itself and she looked away from Angel. She was clipping his wings just as surely as her father was clipping hers. Morvyn shifted her weight, putting a hair's breath more space between them but enough that she could swear she felt the difference. The last thing she would have thought was the amount of emotions that would have come with this venture. Anger, hate and sorrow she expected but it was so much more then that and some of the feelings were so unknown to her that they held no name by which to call them.

Angel finally spoke and it was like the first leaf after the long years of winter. Waited on but a sign that things were on the move to change and that there was nothing a person could do to stop it. Morvyn smiled at herself and her thoughts about Angel. It amused her that she felt so threatened b this man that she would compare him to the changing of the seasons yet... She couldn't help but look over him again as she tried to listen to all that he said. She oddly enough trusted him, felt something akin to safety with him. It was a dangerous mix of beliefs and feelings that all but screamed at her to run but she didn't.

"You may be right." Morvyn nodded at his claim that there was no one more qualified them him. "But used against me and that makes you just as good of ally as it does a weapon." She paused as if having to think on it, as if she hadn't already made up her mind the moment she laid eyes on him. "Call it fate of faith or whatever name you wish but I trust you." Maybe Morvyn should have lied but she was never any good at lying, unless of course it was to her parents then there was no problem at all. "And have no reason to test your loyalty unless provoked." She shrugged as if discussing the shapes found in drifting clouds.

But like all women Morvyn was as fickle as the wind and she stood proud before Angel looking him in the eyes. "I have been given things my entire life, all but a handful that I've earned." She stepped close to him, which caused her to tilted her head back to keep their eyes locked but it made no matter to Morvyn as she carried on. "If what little I know about a pirate's life to be true I understand the gravity of what you offer and the severity of that broken oath. Because of that and who I like to think that I am I would have you save that oath for another time if it were ever to come. A time when I can honestly say that I've earned the right of those words spoken to me." She had reached out sometime during her speech and laid her hand upon Angel's chest right above his heart and as gracefully as possible with the speed at which she withdrew her hand she relaxed it at her side once more.

She could hear how hard her tone was, how serious and heavy they had carried and smiled turning the course of the atmosphere once again. "Plus wouldn't that oath include all that I hold safe and care for? As the future Queen that would encompass all in this Kingdom and any in which I have an alliance with." Morvyn was teasing him again and she took a step back and turned to leave. "And I wouldn't want to leave you jobless with no one to pirate upon when you are free once more." She winked over her shoulder.

The matter of arguing over the price of flesh was obliterated the moment her slaver 'friend' opened his mouth. Morvyn wasn't going to haggle for the lowest price as if there was a monetary value for a human life, nor was she just going to line the men's pockets so they could purchase more slaves. If Morvyn had to judge something to price it would be the person's skill and knowledge, as sick as that made her feel and she paid what she thought was fair and was only slightly surprised when they tried to drive up the price for Angel.

"Would you like them inspected, cleaned and delivered to the castle?" One of the slavers asked wringing his hands with greed. They would no undoubtedly charge her for this service and there was no doubt in her mind that her newly acquired soon to be (hopefully) friends would be mistreated and arrive with fresh wounds and bruises.

"No I will see to their well fair myself." There was no good day, good bye or anything of the sort but their dismissal was clear to them all and they shuffled away throwing an array of looks over their shoulders until they were out of her sight.

Four lives stood before her saved and they all looked at the ground with obedience. "Nero..."

The elderly man didn't look up but executed a perfect bow. "Princess."

"Morvyn, please." That got his attention and he looked up. "Do you know our capital well?" She asked gently.

"Nearly every road Princess." There was another bow. "I can't promise I'm as sharp with their ways as I used to be but I would count myself well educated in that matter,Your Highness."

Morvyn sighed when he ignored her request. She wanted to press the matter but now wasn't the time for it. "So you know where the Royal Manor is within the capital's center?"

"Yes your-"

"Morvyn, just Morvyn, please." She cut him off not wanting him to address her so formally. "Can I entrust you to see this letter," Morvyn took a piece of folded paper out of her pocket pressed with her royal seal and held it out to Nero. "And these fine people to the Manor?"

"And what if we don't want to go?" This from the thickly accented cook with intricate tattoos covering both his arms and scattered over his chest and back.

"Then I'll pay you one year's of wages and you can do as you wish with it and are free to go with my blessings. Is that what you would prefer Ludovic?"

He seemed to chew on this for a moment before tipping his chin up. "Then we're not slaves? Cuz slaves don't get wages."

Morvyn ran her hand through her hair and took a deep breath. "My father wishes me to have slaves so in name you will be-" Ludovic opened his mouth to say something but Morvyn raised her hand and cut him off before he could start. "But I would like to think if it as more of a contracted live-in worker free to leave at their choosing and with freedoms to do as they wish with in the bounds of their jobs."

"Clarify them noble royal words to something more cut lace and understandable."

Ludovic wasn't this dull and she knew it but he was testing her and she wasn't going to disappoint him. "Day to day for you would include running a kitchen and all that entails in that. If you need help, hire it. I'll cover all cost of the kitchen and work hands as well as 'reward' you daily or weekly for a job well done. When you don't have kitchen duties to handle that time is yours to do with as you please. The only catch is that you'll have to live on property."

"Where on property?" The question was almost lost in his accent but Morvyn grasped what he was asking without a tell able delay.

"Anywhere but the top two floors." They top most floor was the master suite and the one below that guest suites for visiting royals or other nobles.

"And these 'rewards'?" His eyes narrowed as if he were sniffing out something rotting.

"Equal to your job and responsibilities." When his gaze didn't relax Morvyn smiled and continued. "What the palace chef makes only slightly less as I'm just a Princess and not my parents."

"So you'll just be some royal boss lady while keeping to your parents like the low scum that we are."

Morvyn laughed and nodded her head. "As they see it, yes but I would like to think that in time we could all be friends and maybe even a family of sorts."

At that Ludovic burst out laughing. "Always wanted me a little sister. I'll play along, it sounds like fun. And if you're as sound as you, well sound I'll keep you well fed to boot."

"I'm glad to hear it. Is everyone else okay with the arrangement?" Morvyn looked to the other three people standing there. "Okay." The smile on Morvyn's face was bright and cheerful as she turned to Nero again. "If you would please Mr Nero. Once at the Manor please help yourself to the hot water, food and whatever clothing you find. I'll be along later today to help you settle."

"And I, Princess. What will my role in this be?" Nero asked shyly staring at his bare feet.

"My Castellan of sorts. Seneschal, Butler, Valet or even Manservant if you prefer. The duties are more or less the same, the point is Mr Nero is I'm charging you with the government of my household and the day to days of me when I need help. Yes I know it's a lot to ask but I have faith in you." Morvyn patted him on the should when he visibly paled. "It also might help to know that I'm not nearly as high maintenance as my titles tells you I am." She laughed.

"You on the other hand." Morvyn turned to Angel, hands on her hips and a smile on her lips. "I have other plans." The wind kicked up and that moment and being down wind from Angel wrinkled her noise. "Okay not as different as I would have liked. First a shower, let me feed you dress you, then a play date."

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

Angel watched not really saying any thing as she went about her duties, his life had changed dramatically in the last couple of hours and he was still trying to figure out what it meant. Angel was a pirate, his entire life was about freedom and the open sea but now he was going to be a “protector” and one on land for that matter! He didn’t know whether to be happy about his situation or be upset about it, of course his new “owner” didn’t help her beauty kept disarming him throwing him off like no one had ever done before. He wasn’t one to fall for a pretty face (usually he was the pretty face) but there was some thing……. Different about the girl some thing that told him she was some thing special.

She spoke and he snorted stepping away and nodding at her “Okay” he said simply before studying her “I guess I’ll save that oath then” he said snorting slightly. Angel should have been happy about it, should have known that he could use this to run away but some thing told him he wouldn’t even if he had the chance, there was some thing tying her to him some thing he would have to see through if he wanted to gain some peace.

“There will always be some one to pirate Morvyn” Angel said watching the slavers wince at his casual use of her name.

The slavers began to haggle and Angel watched more than a little impressed with the way she handled herself, she was brash and not afraid to say her mind, which were both qualities, he found impressive (and sexy). He noticed her easily circumventing the slavers attempt to get more money out of her and he smiled, the girl had street smarts as well as regular smarts it would seem which he hadn’t expected in a princess.

“Thanks for the commodities” Angel said going over to them and smiling, he flicked one of their noses and turned walking with her out and to the rest of the slaves she had managed to recover. They were a small lot but they seemed like good folk, well the man named Ludovic seemed like a capable sort, Nero might be able to be a decent Crewman……..

Angel snorted realizing he was already thinking about raising another crew, it would seem his new change of position would be much more difficult for him to get used to than he thought especially if he was going to continue to try and make crewman out of his fellow “workers”. Of course maybe dreaming about the high seas would get him through his ordeals.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he gave a soft jump when he realized she was speaking to him, he turned and looked around realizing the other slaves had went back to her house and left the two alone. She was talking about a shower and his smile grew bigger as he realized that her nose was wrinkling. He had been in a cell filled with his own feces for a couple of days now and even though he had stayed far away from it he shouldn’t be surprised that he smelled so bad. A shower and some new clothes sounded great but he wondered what she would be doing while he was doing those things…….

“A bath is probably needed” Angel said smiling at her and looking down at his rags “as well as a change of clothes befitting my new status and job but I wonder what you will be doing princess while I bathe and change” he said “you are more than welcome to join me in the bath I could use a watchful eye to make sure I get all the stink off of me” He said winking and leaning against the wall.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Morvyn chuckled and nodded. "True but good booty is so hard to find these days." She sighed before laughing, loving the way he took so easily to calling her by her name and not her title. She figured he would be the first and that even is she had asked him to call her by her birthright he would do the opposite just because he could. Then again that could be just her way of seeing him. For him to become captain he had to have more then just his good looks, strength and charming personality. He had to at some point worked for it. You can't just become captain just by stealing a ship, could you? It was a question Morvyn was going to have to ask him later along with a few hundred more.

The way Angel let the slavers had Morvyn hiding her smile, he was taunting them she was sure of it but as much as they may have wanted to and she was sure that they did, there was nothing that they could do to him. He was her's now. And instead of making her stomach turn with disgust there was some kind of fluttering that heated her cheeks in the most silly of ways.

"You know." Morvyn leaned over when she heard Angel snort. "Nero reads, writes and can do math. Qualities I think befitting a first mate." She whispered. It wasn't that she was reading his mind it was just what was going trough her own, that if if you were to trade in the ship for a royal manor. "Ludo was once the Center's best cook until he supposedly poisoned a noble. Or was it a noble's son in a knife fight?" Morvyn shrugged at the charges placed on the poor by the jealous rich. "Giles the lanky boy near to our age is the son of the apothecary who did indeed poison a knight for look twice at his wife. Who happens to be our witch of the wilds with a rumored primal power granted to her by the Gods of old. He landed here because he killed the favorite rosebush of Count Aron's wife. The way the story goes he threatened her with the shears." There was a false story with all that she had saved here and with what she knew and heard on the streets as well as at court she had a pretty good account of what was what. "The older black woman is Elizabeth. A famous seamstress with a wicked eye for tricks and no better a hand at darts. She used to dress only the richest of the rich until she told a certain someone no one too many times. If you would believe the story she killed the Lady's hand dog with her needles and while I'm half way to believing the story I also know that she wouldn't have done something like that without reason. Add that to the fact that it might have had something to do with her only son being killed the night before and who can truly blame her. I would have gone after the person not the dog." Morvyn shrugged on shoulder and tipped her head to the side not at all embarrassed for what she had said.

She had seen the way he had jumped and while she could have guessed the reason she was talking to give him time to recover. Which he did a great deal faster then she would have expected. "Probably?" Morvyn lifted an eyebrow as if they both didn't know the bath was a must. "And clothes befitting your new status?" She was in a teasing mood and frowned in play. "Does that mean I won't be having you at court in nothing but a breechcloth? I must say I'm sorely disappointed." It had been a joke but the longer she looked at Angel the more she saw and the more serious her thoughts on uniforming him in said outfit became.

"Seriously though..." Morvyn sobered up and trained her thoughts away from naughty little bits like that. "If you require assistance I have no problem assisting. I've helped at poor homes before taking care of the old, sick and dying. Then there was that week where I dressed as a man and helped out foot soldiers before getting caught." It was odd how thinking of him naked was okay because it was helping him but how dressing him up just to look at him was awkward and made her feel faint. "Or I could call for one of those bath boys to help if you would rather." It all sounded so logical and normal discussing his bath needs that it took a bit before Morvyn realized that maybe he was teasing her just as much as she had been teasing him. The wink might have been the first clue but all she had heard is that he needed her help. "Or I can leave this matter totally up to you while I send a runner to the stable master and find you a horse." And with that mental image of helping Angel flooded her mind she blushed and called out, in a embarrassingly shaky voice, for her horse.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“You nobles and your gossip” Angel said dryly watching the people moving around in the streets and turning to her “you lot our always chatting about each other while pretending like you don’t I’ve never understood the appeal good intelligence about the enemy is one thing but we pirates prefer more direct dealings if we don’t like some one we make it known and we don’t kiss any one’s ass unless its of the female persuasion” He said chuckling at the fond memories “politics on land our a far cry from politics at sea but I suppose when your on a ship with no where else to go you have to work well with your fellow man and sailors” he remarked scratching behind his ears and grinning at her.

“In any case now that I am your protector I guess I must accustom my self to land politics” Angel said looking over at her and raising an eye brow “of course I am protecting the princess of the land now and I wouldn’t be a very good protector if I didn’t have my ear to the ground in case any nasty rumors about assassinations came up or some thing that might require me to protect you from” he said looking up at the castle.

She made a comment about him and his lack of clothing and he smiled, so the attraction was mutual it would seem. If he played his cards right maybe he could get it to become more than just an attraction, she was a noble and a princess but a woman was a woman and he knew them well enough to know when they liked what they saw. Even though he smelled bad and was dirty she couldn’t hide the attraction in her cheeks which meant if Angel cleaned up nicely he was sure that attraction might become more than just attraction.

He watched her calling for a pair of horses for her and he stepped up behind her leaning in to her ear “I wasn’t talking about assistance per say lass” he said his voice low and slightly hypnotic as he put one hand on her side “I was thinking some thing more like company in the tub with me” he said before surprising her by lifting her up, he helped her onto her horse before stepping back turning and hiding the sly smile on his face as he climbed up on his own horse.

‘Lead the way Morvyn” Angel said turning his head back to her and smiling

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

"Not all of it is gossip and it takes talent to be able to sort through all that so come to the truth of the matter. I may seem like a petty thing to do with your free time, which it is but it's also important in it's own way." Morvyn defended. "People feel safe behind the walls they make and it leads them to believe that they can say anything without consequences." Morvyn shrugged again, a thing she did when she didn't always agree with something and was still mentally trying to figure it out. "I would prefer the world to be more blunt and honest, to be more like pirates in some respects but that would take the challenge out of all things and where is the reward in that?"

As far as the ass kissing went Morvyn couldn't imagine that being a the type of female persuasion that would be enjoyable. Her life had been too filled with it for her to have a liking for it in any manor. "Ass kissing is just another for of lying. If you feel you have to sugar coat your words for them to be heard then you're not only being dishonest to the person you are speaking to but also to yourself." Being 'fluffed' just to be used, she hated it and contributed her instant attraction to Angel to the fact that he didn't seem to ass kiss in any form.

Angel stepped in close and while the stench of his imprisonment grew stronger as did the fluttering in her stomach. As a maiden she merely had an inkling as to what this feeling was but as a princess she had to dissect the emotion to find it's root. She chalked it up to a few many things. One, he was attractive. Two, there was a danger to him that lured her in like a moth to a flame. Three, he was against all the rules but was on words what her father had asked for and that was a pleasure in itself. Four, he was clear, honest. A lot to hold a man up to in such a short time but she believed all that she thought to be true.

Lass. Had he just called her lass? Morvyn had never been spoken to in such a casual manor or given a slang name before and she touched her. Why it meant so much to her she cold never had said but it did make her feel good. It didn't help that his voice pulled her in. "Company in the tub?" The blush returned to her cheeks. "I should be shocked and outraged by the offer." He lifted her up into her saddle and she settled and picked up the reins. "But you know I like that about you. You're surprising." It was refreshing not to know someone's move before it happened.

There were nicer more exclusive bath houses towards the Center or even in Hightown but the one in Olden was her favorite. There was a steam bath and an outdoor courtyard that had shallow pools and fountains. This used to be the rich part of town before the Manor was built and the rich had flocked to the royal city house to mix with the best of 'their' kind.

"As much as I'm sure as lovely as your company is naked together in a tub is I'm going to have to rain check. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me." Morvyn swung down from her saddle and handed her horse off to the horse boy. "Can you please send for Mr Cotts?" She kindly asked the boy who took Woden.

"Mr-Mr- Cotts?" The boy stammered. "The tailor?"

"Yes please and thank you." She pressed a gold coin into his palm and smiled before walking away.

"Can I trust that you'll find your way in there?" Morvyn had no intention on walking into that bathhouse with Angel. She felt like, no, knew that it would be a bad idea. This wouldn't be like the times she had seen a naked body in the name of helping and with his charming ways who knew what trouble he would lead her into. She continued as if he had already answered. "Mr Cotts will be in to take your measurements and you can tell him what you want made and when you come out we can find you a horse." The one that he had rode in on was one that the slaver's stable had provided. "And if you need assistance I'm sure one of the bath attendants will help you." She winked.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“While I’m sure the bath attendants will be kind” Angel said rolling his eyes and grinning at her “I doubt they would be willing to help me in the ways I was thinking of Morvyn” he said winking and turning towards the bathhouse. He had never been in a bathhouse before as he much preferred buying a whore to join him in the tub then soaking with other men but he guessed every one had to try some thing once. At least he would be given time to think and plan some thing to get him out of his new position or at least come to terms with it (and the way it was going he would have to choose the latter).

“I will meet you outside the bath house” Alex said giving her a mock bow before turning on his heel, he walked towards the door and slipped in. The steam and damp air rose to greet him and he smiled picturing himself back out at sea. He wasn’t though so after entertaining the though for a few seconds he reopened his eyes and ignored the naked men dotted around the room as he went to go take a bath.

After searching for a few minutes he found a private-ish room and sunk into the hot water, he began scrubbing himself off as best he could dunking his hair into the water to clean the grime and muck away as he cast his thoughts towards his new predicament. He was a slave but only technically, it was a minor technicality that didn’t provide him with much comfort. He was a pirate! And one of the whole points of being a pirate was that you didn’t have to bow down to no man or woman even if he was a slave in only a name he was still a slave and he would still have to live with that.

What choice did he have? If he didn’t play along Morvyn would be in trouble and he would be branded a escaped slave and would never be able to return to these waters again. He could travel to the other nations but a heavy amount of profit from pirating came from this nation.

Then there was Morvyn, who had captivated him already in such a short time; he didn’t know what it was about that girl that captivated him in such a way but he had never experienced any thing like it. He would have left the minute he was alone with any one else but every time he thought about leaving he saw her getting punished for it. Angel scowled and splashed the water watching the ripples cascading out and mumbling to him self as he rose out of the water. He grabbed his towel and dried off as quickly as he could pulling on his dirty old slaving outfit and walking out of the room and the bathhouse. He opened the door and walked outside waiting for Morvyn to meet him and leaning against the door.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

"Nor I fear will I." And while what Angel said was untrue, for the coin many who worked at the bath houses would bend to any wish or desire, Morvyn didn't correct him. The thought alone was enough to make Morvyn uncomfortably agitated. She knew what it was that he wanted, he was a man after all, but the thing that got to Morvyn the most was how she felt. She had been courted by many and never had she considered there to be anything more between the person and her but forced politics. No matter how handsome, charming or rich they were all she could bee what their shallow wants and deeper seeded greed. Angel... her mind wondered off to how lovely he might look coming out of the hot water pool, the glistening beads of water running down his body...

Morvyn blushed and fought desperately with her mind to let the live action fantasy go. When at last it did she merely nodded and swallowed a few time to wet her dry throat. "I will be here waiting." Her voice sounded winded as if she had just ran the length of the castle and the high pitched tone was dreadfully girlish. Morvyn cleared her throat a few times before adding. "In the courtyard." He bowed to her and while it was one made in jest it cut her as if he had struck her. She watched as he entered the bath house before she turned and wondered through the gardens taking the scenic route to the courtyard and fountains.

On the way there Morvyn ran into a group of young girls giggling and running around collecting flowers from the surrounding garden.

"Princess!" The first girl who noticed Morvyn was a girl that she was fairly familiar.

"Jade."

"See I told you we knew each other!" The nine year old stuck out her tounge at her friends and ran over to grab Morvyn's hand. "Come play with us."

Jade didn't Morvyn much of a choice as she was tugged along. It wasn't as if her choice would have been different had she a choice. "What are we playing?"

"Princesses." Jade giggled twirling around. It was when Morvyn noticed the crown of flowers in her hair.

"You look lovely."

"Here you can be next."

~~~

Near to twenty minutes later the group had moved to the fountains and Morvyn's hair was a updo of twisted flowers, ribbons and braids. The other girls sported hairdos weighted down with flowers, beads and ribbons as well and at the moment Morvyn was teaching then how to present yourself as a princess.

"And remember you always have to smile."

"Even if you don't like the person or what they are saying?" Asked the shy Gemma.

"Most importantly when you don't like the person or what they are saying. If people know how you feel they can use it against you. Or even worse you might hurt their feelings."

Heather, the curly headed girl with freckles leaned in and whispered into Morvyn's ear pointing to the front of the bathhouse.

"Hmm?" Morvyn turned and looked to where Heather had pointed and leaning against the doors was Angel.

"Is that him?" Heather continued to whisper.

Morvyn nodded and stood up.

"He's cute."

"You think so?" Morvyn laughed as the girl blushed and nodded yes. "I think you might be right." She smiled walking away from her new group of friends to her 'Protector'. As she apporched him it wasn't hard to see that he was wearing the same outfit and Morvyn frowned. Was there a problem between him and Mr Cotts?

"That was fast. Did you like the garments that Mr Cotts brought?" Ten minutes ago the nervous gray haired man had arrived unsure of the precise reason he was at the bathhouse. There was a logical reason for the man's nerves. The last time she had called on him to meet her here she had commissioned him to make her the male leather clothing that she wore to escape the castle during the night. It was the reason he had brought both female and male cut clothing with him.

Morvyn hadn't taken into account that this was Angel's first time at a bathhouse and that he would have just gotten into the waters at the first opportunity that he could. The layout of the bathhouse was deceivingly huge and the front half of the building was used for the public with a large hallway separating the male side from the female side. It was then again divided by another lobby like area where the personal riads began. The riads were large crossed shaped rooms of different sizes.

Back in the day this was Morvyn's Grandmother's personal favorite bathhouse and as a gift one of the larger but comfortably cozy rooms and thought the only person to visit the bathhouse since her Grandmother was herself, they kept the riad in the royal's name and allowed no one but them to use it. Like all the other riads the room was a cross shape with the waist deep heat pool to directly opposite of the double doors with a low seated push table. To the right was a chest high partition wall made of cloudy colored glass where you would wash and scrub. To the left was the large rounded stone steam bed large enough to fit four people snugly.

"I could call for someone else if you would rather..." Morvyn offered chewing on her lip. She didn't know anyone who worked with leather and rich fabrics as well as Mr Cotts did but he wanted something more cotton and silks she couldn't see why her new seamstress couldn't provide him with that.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“Ah” angel said turning to the man and smiling at him kindly “ I did not see you there my man nor did I realize you were here for my services I am sorry to have kept you waiting and while I am sure you can work wonders and your wares our good I am afraid I sent for my own personal outfit to be fetched from the slavers as well as me personal effects I could still use a few simple clothing’s and I am sure my new owner here would be happy to pay you for them” He said winking at her before turning back and looking down the street.

Seconds later a small boy appeared scampering through the streets and around people with a practice ease, he was dirty and his clothes were patched more times than he could count but he had a shiny knife on his belt that looked like it could have been made form the finest smith in the city. The child looked like it could have been a boy or a girl and his messy blonde hair was tied back into a simple pony tail, he was carrying a large bundle in his hands and he didn’t even acknowledge the princess as he walked up to Angel and dumped the parcel at his feet.

“Easy job my arse” The boy growled folding his arms “You failed to mention that the warehouse had about a dozen guards watching the locker as if it was the queen of whores itself!”

“Shush Rat” Angel said grabbing the bundle and smiling at the dirty child “were among royalty”

“Royalty can piss off!” Rat said rolling his eyes and glaring “You owe me more coin for that job not that piss poor coin you flashed before hand”

“Which is why the Queen is here” Angel said looking over at Morvyn and winking at her once again “to pay you for you decent work while I go change” he said before turning and disappearing back into the pool house.

“Bloody git” Rat murmured before turning to Morvyn “well” Rat asked raising one eye brow “I don’t care if your the Queen of the entire world! Where is my money?”

……………….

Ten minutes later

Angel stepped out of the bathhouse closing the door behind him; the slavers had been kind enough to keep his personal effects and had yet to sell them to whoever would take him. He had on his usual pair of long black leggings as well as his simple brown boots and white under shirt, instead of his red coat he had decided on his black one it flowed down and flared at his waist and featured the skull and crossbones painted on the back, it also featured a simple black beaked hood which always hid half his face and left only his ghostly smile and rough stubble in view. They had also been king enough to keep his two swords (Evangeline and wrath) as well as his set of simple pistols. He was probably armed a bit to much for simple body guard work but he refused to leave his old life behind in favor of this new one. He was still a pirate and he still had a reputation he needed to keep.

“I see you paid the lad” Angel said nodding at Rat scurrying away in glee “well I’m good to go so where to mi lady?” He asked pulling his hood on and gesturing for her to show him the way.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Morvyn's brows raised as Angel addressed Mr Cotts as he exited the bathhouse with a deep frown on his face. She could tell by the vein ticking on his neck that his nerves had turned to anger at having to wait on Angel then being forgotten about. Yet Angel seemed to ignore all that as he turned the man's services away. Didn't he know that he would need more clothing then he had? Surely it wasn't possible for him to have enough clothes to last even one season at court, much less the whole year.

"Thank you Mr Cotts for your time." The man as angry as he may have been was decent enough to grumble under his breath as he walked away after she paid him for the trouble of coming out.

The next scene that unfolded in front of Morvyn was much more amusing. The street child was much like any other child surviving by their own means in this harsh world. It was dirty, skinny with shifting eyes that took in every detail and a knife that looked as sharp as any of hers. His flair and art for words had Morvyn giggling under her breath. This is what she loved about the lower streets, it didn't matter who you were just what good or bad you did. And even then it really boiled down to how it would effect that person. Being royal didn't grant you any boons here and it was a lesson she learned quickly and didn't have to repeat.

The Queen? True in time it would be a truth but for now it was a lie and she frowned at Angel for having deceived the boy but she said nothing. If he felt that was something he need to tell the boy there had to be a reason for it. And like that Angel turned and left to change into whatever it was that the boy had brought him.

"Well?" Rat questioned drawing Morvyn's attention back to him.

"And what did Angel promise to pay you?"

The boy was quick and honest with his answer and for it Morvyn gave him four times as much then promised. Had he tired to lie and take advantage of her she would have just paid a silver over the promised price and been done with it. "Thank you Rat." Morvyn smiled watching as he gave a double look at the coin she had given him before shrugging and running off.

"I did indeed." Morvyn turned towards Angel's voice and raised her brows. Every inch of him looked the part of a pirate and it added to the intimidation she should have felt looking upon him. Instead all she felt was worry. Maybe this hadn't been as good of an idea as she had thought earlier. It wasn't the swords strapped to him or even the pistols, as a personal guard it would be inappropriate for him not to be armed but more with what he was wearing.

His clothing now matter how well maintained held hints of their life at sea, the way the salty air had affected the dyes in the black leggings. Crusted the stitching with that ever telling phantom white dust and the worn look to his boots. Which was the best feature of his outfit, the worst being the pirate brand painted on his back.

"Back into the bathhouse to the riad and I'm calling Mr Cotts back." She frowned circling Angel. "You can't wear this." Morvyn stopped in front of him after her slow circle and sighed. "You have the pirate crest on your back." And as much of a pirate as he was, temporarily that was overruled by this status as property of Morvyn's. "If anything it would be most proper for you to have my personal crest embroidered on your coat." Reaching out she picked at the coat he was wearing. "We can make you clothing of the same style, same cuts just perhaps finer and richer fabrics."

Morvyn didn't want Angel to feel like she was changing him but there had to be a compromise. Really the styling and cut of his fashion was wrong for the settings that he would be placed in but she feared that he would balk at what was appropriate. So she was just making him new things copied off his old things just made of higher classed material. Morvyn was still unsure of how she would take her reaction to seeing him dressed.

"And a quick lesson in the royal personal crests." The family crest was known by everyone and the simpler likeness was stamped on every coin so it would have been something Angel was familiar with. But nobles and welthy families had a habit of using their crests as a brand and it would have to be something that Angel learned. "Maybe even another bath to get the tangles out of your hair and the dirt out from under those nails."

Without waiting for an response from Angel, Morvyn turned back to the bathhouse and walked inside going straight for the back to where the riad was. "Then after that we still have to get you a horse, see to the manor, log your measurements for Eliza and then the fun part. Introducing you to the court and my parents at this night's ball." Morvyn looked over her shoulder to make sure Angel was following and smiled at him. "Welcome to the life of a royal." She smiled with a half curled smile. "If it makes it any better I'll be in the riad with you should you need my assistance in appropriate matters." She winked hoping that would help smooth any qualms he would have about her list of events.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

She wanted to get rid of his clothes

It was a simple thing, some thing she probably didn’t even think he would find important but his blood still boiled when he heard her words. He wore the crest of a pirate proudly on his back for a reason one that showed he had no allegiances except himself and the crew he slaved with. It showed that Angel was a man who did what he wanted and owed no government or royal family his allegiance.

And now he would have to take it off

He should have known….. Should have realized this was going to happen. Angel wasn’t a pirate any more after all and even though they would both pretend otherwise in the end he wasn’t a free man any more. He would be forced into this whether he liked it or not so he took a deep breath before following her into the raid. It was a rich opulent place one befitting the royalty he had suddenly found himself around.

“Just get the coat made with your damn crest on it” Angel murmured pulling it off and standing in his simple shirt and pants, of course those would have to come off to he reasoned so he pulled his shirt off and pants not even caring that she was in the raid with him as he kicked them to the floor. He turned mumbling to himself naked as a jaybird as he waited for his new clothes, his tan muscular back and his thick legs tan legs moving as he went behind the curtain.

“I’m keeping my weapons!” He hollered folding his arms and trying to resist the nagging voice who was telling him he was sulking like a child “I worked hard for them and me guns and I won’t take any sort of fancy equipment there all flash and if I’m meaning to protect you I need good weapons as well as my eyes” He said stepping out with a simple white towel covering his manhood.

“What is this your first time being around a man naked” He asked remembering she was here and smirking “get a gander at any thing you might like?” he asked trying to tone down his attitude, she was trying to help him fit in he knew that but he was still a little pissed about losing he clothes.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Morvyn heard the emotion in Angel's voice and turned and watched him with a frown. Had she done something wrong? Was this about his coat? She could understand him being angry with her if she was making him throw it away but she wasn't. He could keep it for later, when he was once again free. "You don't have to wear my crest." She snapped reacting to his anger with her own. "In fact if this is that way you are going to act to my offer to bare my crest I don't want you to have it!" She tossed at him crossing her arms under her chest as he undressed.

It wasn't until her started to undo his pants that she realized that he had no intention of stopping or wait on a chaperone just because she was there. "I didn't mean for you to take it as a branding of ownership. It was offered to you much in the same way that you offered up that oath." She tried to explain as she turned away and calmed down. "And you can keep whatever weapons that you please." Morvyn hadn't meant to react the way that she had to him being upset at her and was trying to make amends with he level tone and polite words. "I want you armed in the way you feel is best." She nodded her arms easing to her side. Morvyn wasn't doubting that his weapons weren't the best but that they were what he and his hands were used to and changing them would only hamper his ability to aid her if the need should arise.

Morvyn heard Angel moved about the room but kept her back to him to not only give him privacy but her dignity. "This is not my first time being around a naked man." She confessed. "I ran away once to help heal the foot soldier's on the field before one of then recognized me and told their superiors and called for the royal guard to take me home. I've also helped at the sick houses on the lower east side." It was there more so then on the field that she had see the worst of it. The soldiers had medics, nurses and volunteers to help them as well as the back of the royal coffers to ease their pains and hurry their healing. With the poor all they had was what was at hand or what they could gather in the woods. There was no comfort in their healing and if it was ruled that you were beyond help you were simply ignored until you died or if blessed by a miracle healed on your own and then you were rushed off the cot you were occupying for another in need of it.

"As far as 'getting a gander at anything that I might like' I haven't seen much past the time what you started to undo your pants and even before that I hadn't been paying attention to much else but your coat on the floor." His tone had changed and Morvyn noted that he was trying to ease things between them as well. "Though had you been a proper gentleman you would have waited until Mr Cotts returned before disrobing." Had she even sent for him to return? Morvyn couldn't remember her mind being uncooperative too busy trying to convince her to turn around and gander as Angel had suggested.

"I-I believe I shall fetch a boy to return Mr Cotts to us. Excuse me." Morvyn moved towards the doors, her eyes squeezed shut as she picked up on how awfully hot the room had become.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

He said nothing instead turning and pulling back on his simple under clothes. He felt a little bad about the flirting thing as well as his behavior but he was sure she didn’t bode no ill will to him. Their relationship was still…….new to either one of them and it was bound to have some rocky bumps before it smoothed out. She was certainly an interesting person and beauty was beyond……..

Angel shook him self out of THAT particular thought and turning seeing the person she sent to dress him come in. Such naughty thoughts would have to wait until later so he quickly put on his best smile and pulled back on his white linen shirt.

“I am sorry Mr. Cotts” Angel said clapping his back and pulling his coat up “I did not realize how much I would need aid of you talents I have a challenge for you that only the best man could ever hope to finish”

“Oh sir you flatter me” Mr. Cotts said beaming proudly “what can I help you with?” he asked curiously.

“I have a dire need for this coat to be without its brand” he said showing him the black flag on the back, he could see the man’s eyes widen a little at the realization that Angel was a pirate and he smiled a little proudly. A man’s reputation was all he had and that meant even more when you were a pirate, the man probably had never heard of him but it was still nice to know his past profession struck fear into the hearts of common people.

“I think I can do this sir” Mr. Cotts said looking at it curiously “What would you like instead? A coat of arms perhaps? Or just a blank canvas”

“I actually had an idea”

A few minutes later Angel stepped out of the bathhouse dusting his coat off and thanking the man, his coat was altered to fit him better (he was secretly pleased it made him look so ripped) and he had his new clothes to match. He pulled the simple rucksack carrying his clothes and turned seeing Morvyn waiting for him. He flipped the hood of his jacket up and walked over his bottom coat flaring out a little as he walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder.

“Is this better lass?” He asked stepping in front of her and turning giving her ample room to gaze upon his body before pointing at the chest on his back “I thought you might find it to your liking” he said turning to her and smiling under his hood “like it or not you’re my captain now and any crewmate would be happy to fly your flag” he said winking at her before looking at the castle in the distant.

“So are we ready to go?” he asked looking up at the castle “I would like to see my new living quarters”

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Morvyn found someone to catch Mr Cotts on his way back to his shop and waited in the hallway for him to arrive. It wasn't that she was avoiding Angel, no of course not. Knowing that he was naked on the other side of that door didn't piqued her interest, no not at all... Yet it did and no matter how much she told herself that it didn't she couldn't deny that even filthy as he was when she first found him he was attractive and the way he carried himself as well as his personality was intriguing to her. His manors were a bit lacking but what could you expect from a pirate.

When Mr Cotts arrived he looked even more upset then he had the first time she saw him. "He's inside. Do what you can. Please." He sighed, his shoulder slumped and nodded before heading inside. At first she had half a mind to be there to make sure what he picked was appropriate for this new station in life but rethought of that when she realized it would require he being there as he dressed and undressed himself time and time again. "I will be outside." And quick like a bunny Morvyn hurried outside and away from the annoying naked man by whom people called 'Angel'. "Angel my behind." Morvyn hissed exiting the bathhouse.

It didn't take Angel long to finish. Just hours with the man and Morvyn already knew the sound of his footsteps. The flap of broken in leather caught in the kick up of wind, solid soled boots and the crunch of pebbles. In her past, Morvyn and learned that it was important to learn these little things about people and she logged it in her mind to keep. Even knowing that Angel was behind her and walking towards her his touch on her shoulder startled her.

The coat looked the same and Morvyn was about to saw something but he turned for her letting her see the changes. Mr Cotts had taken the coat in and fitted it closer to Angel's body. It was distracting but she couldn't argue the fit, as much as she wanted to. "I had the distinct impression that you weren't going to wear my crest." Morvyn smiled because this was better and seeing him bare her person crest in the field of the ermine and velvet drapes of her family's crest pleased her. In Morvyn's mind it wasn't about branding but sharing something with him that she had never given anyone else. "I like how Mr Cotts used the family's crest backdrop to field my own person crest." And then there was the pleasure at knowing that as much as Angel was sure to hate this new life that in his own way he was adapting to it. It made Morvyn feel less like she was slowly killing the man.

"We are." Morvyn turned and walked towards the stables where a boy held her horse and the one borrowed from the slavers. "I thought maybe we could ride through the market and pick up something to snack on. And then head over to get you your own horse." She looked up to where Angel was looking and shook her head. "I've been exiled to the Capital Manor to rule over my own house, in ways of proving to my father that I'm suitable for the role I was born into." Morvyn sighed swinging up into the saddle before Angel could get near. "So the place of your new living quarters will be there. But don't worry." Morvyn snickered wanting to know how Angel will take the news. "There will be a Masque at the castle tonight in celebration of the opening of the Capital Manor. So you'll get to meet the Royalies then."

The ride through the market was pleasant and like always took longer then it should have. Morvyn gave everyone who approached her time and a warm smile. These were the people who made her Kingdom and without them it would be nothing. These were the people who defined her country and it was a position of respect, even if her parents didn't share her same views. Seeing them in need or in pain weighed on Morvyn's heart and mind and when she had the time to spend with them she took it. How better to know and judge the health of your Kingdom then by it's lowest ranks.

With bellies full and her purses empty, save the coin it would take to buy a horse, Morvyn navigated the two of them to a horse master. "Angel." Morvyn prompted touching her horse's side to it pulled up next to his horse. "Is learning to sail difficult? Not the mastering of it but the basics." She asked. The seas were his life and she didn't want to take it away from him. If she had a reason to be at sea for any given amount of time, hours mostly, then would it not make his life easier. "And if I were to purchase a ship or boat, whatever the name, would that be something you could do?" Her father had a strong navy but she didn't want to be on one of his boats with his rules, she wanted something that would be hers and in turn, Angel's. "Something small that wouldn't need but a few people to man." They turned on the cobbled street that lead to the breeder's and she could see the sandy tiles of the stables from where she was. They would be there in a few moments time, not the best timing for such questions but Morvyn felt that they were important and so asked them.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

This was a date

No it wasn’t

But she-

No

Angel silenced the voice in his head and focused on her words ignoring the nervousness in his belly. They went to the market after his…. Wardrobe change eating and chatting with each other happily. The princess was a true woman of her people and every time the crossed some one’s path she took the time to speak with them warmly and happily. It was very much like Angel did with his crew always taking the time to know them and attend to them, on the high seas you either lived or you died and some times it could be decided just by how loyal your crew was.

Running a ship was very much like running a country in a way, you had to feed and cloth your crew, had to make sure they were paid well, and more importantly when the country was attacked every one banded together to keep her afloat. So in a way that made him…..

A king

“Big headed are we” Angel murmured to himself before realizing the princess was talking to him and he had almost missed the question. His eyes widened as she realized what she was talking about what she was offering him. It wasn’t piracy but he would have a boat again! The chance to attend to his one great love……

Sailing

“If you were to purchase a boat then we would both be in trouble” Angel said favoring her with one of his rare genuine smiles “the difference between a boat and a ship is that a ship can carry a boat but a boat can’t carry a ship keep that in mind and you will always be able to make the distinction” he told her reaching over to a rose bush and carefully plucking one for her.

“As for you purchasing a ship” Angel said handing her the rose and leaning in so he could see the honesty in my eyes “it would be wonderful to get a boat and I would enjoy teaching you your sea legs and teaching you how to sail” he said winking. He turned and went inside the stable leaving her on the street with her rose.

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

Why would getting a boat land them both in trouble. Morvyn wanted to ask but she felt the question was silly and ignored her want to know why. It was a growing feeling that was becoming harder and harder to ignore. The more time she spent with Angel the more questions she had. A never ending circle of whys and wants. Yet as the majority of her mind processed what were valid questions and what weren't that other, more pesky part of her mind started to drift towards scenarios where the two of them in a boat would be trouble. Nothing that Morvyn came up with was near to appropriate and was the reason for the slight color in her cheeks.

What is he doing?!?! After what was running through her mind having Angel reach over, rather close to her towards a rose bush was a little much and she tapped Woden over a few steps. Which didn't help at all because once he plucked the rose from it's bush he leaned in and covered what space she had given herself with his body and presented her the rose.

Morvyn never did get the reasoning behind picking a girl a flower. A flower did nothing but die once you picked it but nevertheless she felt a fluttering in her stomach as she took the rose stem. "Well... then, hum, that might be something we do." That little winking thing that he did was disarming and made everything he said before the wink somehow naughty. Which was silly as there was nothing is what he had said to make her feel this way.

"Pssh." Morvyn hissed twirling the rose between her fingers. "A rose..." Why had she never noticed before hand how many damned rosebushes there was in the area. "Do I look like the type of girl who likes flowers?" There was no one around her to answer so she turned to her horse as she swung down. "Do I?" Woden's response was to try and eat the rose and surprising Morvyn moved the flower away to save it. "Guess I am..." She sighed tucking the rose into her hair.

Morvyn took both horses around the side and handed them off before joining Angel inside the stable. She didn't know what his knowledge was with horses but she was there if he needed her and kept to the back wall. There she could watch, out of the way but within sight should he look for her. This was the same horse master that had breed Woden and his sire, making him the finest horse master in her opinion.

After this they would have to head to the Manor. She had to check on it's process and make sure her new staff was settled. Morvyn didn't know the Manor staff all that well and didn't know how they would take to the new staffing changes and because of that she was kind of worried about them. It would only be worse when she returned the current members of the staff back to the castle. It wasn't that she didn't trust them but she didn't want eyes and ears for her parents within her house. A difficult thing to manage but well worth it if she could find someway to keep it that way.

Standing there Morvyn's mind raced with all that still needed to be finished for the day before the night's festivities. There was a costume to pick, then she had to either pick something out from what she had or fashion something in what little time there was. Then there would be dressing Angel to match... Morvyn's gaze followed Angel's steps and she couldn't help but once again notice how handsome he was.

"Now if my matches were only so nice to look at..." She muttered under her breath with a shake of her head. She had seen so much of him already yet what she didn't see made her wonder. She didn't think it was normal to think about someone this much when you first meet them but there was something between them, or at least what she felt towards him that made it okay. As if in some other world they had known each other.

In her mind she saw herself as a pirate... "That's it!" Morvyn kicked off from the stable wall with a huge smile on her lips, startling the dozing horses in their stalls. "And I think you might even have fun with it Angel." She called out to him.

The theme of their Masque costumes would be pirates and who better to dress them then a pirate.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

He walked over to the simple stable leaving the princess to her thoughts. She had seemed…. Off when he gave her the flower and he thought maybe he had misinterpreted their attraction to each other. He knew she would never be able to act on it nor would he, they were both in separate classes and in reality he was nothing but a peasant towards her. He knew she would never be like that towards him but it didn’t make it any less true. He had rubbed shoulders with nobles a couple of times (when trying to find information or seducing noble woman) so he knew enough about the society to realize that some of her matches would be there trying to gain some favor with her.

Wait until they met him

It was his job after all, or at least he thought it was his job. He wasn’t sure what a bodyguard was supposed to do or not do especially when it involved her. She seemed more than capable of defending herself and even figuring out if any one had it out to get her (which knowing her reputation it wasp probably a lot) so he had a feeling his duties would be light at best. Angel would still take it seriously though partly because it was his job to and partly because he didn’t want any thing to happen to her.

Even if he could never have her

“Hello” A man said petting a nice golden brown horse and reaching out with his hand “I am Erik Stram the horse master”

“It is good to meet you” Angel said shaking his hand and noticing Morvyn on the back wall “It seems I am the new royal protector but please call me Angel”

“Well then you need a horse” Erik said turning and gesturing at his stable “have you had much experience riding”

“None at all” Angel replied chuckling “I was a pirate before I entered her services so I know little to nothing about riding a horse”

“Well I am sure our princess can teach you” Erik said glancing at her and smiling softly “she is one of the best riders I have ever met so for now let’s find you a horse to call your own and get you all set up with a saddle and the other things you need”

Angel nodded and followed Erik into the stables the horses all rose and Angel took a step back. The beasts were huge! He had seen them before but never been this close to them. They all looked powerful and a little frightening yet he found some thing in their eyes that mirrored his. They all looked wild yet their eyes showed sadness at being in captivity. It was not unlike Angel’s own feelings and he gave them all a small sad smile as he inspected them.

Then he saw her

She was at the far ending making a ruckus while two men tried to keep her calm to tie up. She was sleek with hair as black as night and powerful legs that kicked and bucked. She had green eyes almost like his and there was a fire in them that Angel could feel in the pit of his belly.

“What about her?” Angel asked turning to Erik

“She is a wild horse” Erik said worriedly “she hasn’t been trained yet and she is a very stubborn one”

“Good” Angel said walking over to her

“I want her”

A few minutes later Angel was given his saddle and taught some basic instructions on how to ride a horse. Of course first he had to get the saddle on the horse and Erik kept insisting it would never happen.

But Angel was a positive person

“Here it goes” Angel murmured moving over the stable door and keeping the saddle steady, the minute he stepped in the others backed away smirking as they watched him fearfully step towards her. She narrowed her eyes and dipped her head down starring him down with a intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. He had faced fleets less scary then her!

“Okay girl” Angel said trying to sound as nice as possible “I’m not here to hurt you I just want you to come with me you and me are the same were both wild and untamed I understand you”

The horse looked at him for such a long time that Angel thought he was going insane. Finally she relaxed and snorted at him before nodding her head as if to come over. Angel slowly walked up and stretched his hand out touching her nostril. She gave a soft snort of pleasure and he smiled content to stroke her nose slightly.

He had found his horse

“Her name is shadow” Angel said coming out and looking over at the princess “and I believe I have found my horse” he said patting her neck and looking at her.

“Shall we go see our new home?”

 

[Ohia_Lehua]

When Morvyn sat Angel next he was striding out of the horse stables with a sleek black mare. She looked wild as the night and she couldn't help but smile at the pair. They were a perfect match. Rebels with a fire about life and that look that said they weren't anyone's to own. How it was that Angel planned to ride this horse Morvyn didn't know but she trusted that he knew what he was doing.

"She's beautiful." Morvyn complemented when Angel got close enough to hear. Behind her she could hear Woden snort and paw at the ground. She wasn't sure if it was approval or not but Morvyn had a feeling that should the two horses ever be pastured together that little mare would give Woden a run for his money.

Morvyn had been thinking about tonight while she was alone and planned to take the dock roads home. It was a bit out of the way but she wanted to do some ride by research. She couldn't ever remember hearing about a female pirate, tavern girls there were plenty of but Morvyn wanted to be a pirate to match Angel. He didn't know it but for the night at least she would be following his lead and she would watch him for body cues to better play the part.

"I think we shall." Morvyn smiled excited with her plan as she swung up into her saddle.

The dock roads were busy as always with people, carts, horses and carriages. The air was thick was the smell of the day's catch and salt but that wasn't what had Morvyn's nose crinkling. Stale urine, blood and puke held strong notes in every breath. It had been some time since Morvyn had last rode this way, years in fact and she hadn't expected it to have changed so much. Little else in the Kingdom did.

But the evidence of the struggle of Kingdoms and the outer lands of her own home were throw about here like leaves in the wind. Children ran around bare foot dirty with little meat to them. The old sat in alleys flooded with the night's wastes, many of then showing signs of being slaves too old to care for and thrown out. In cases like that they had nothing, no one and often died in the night cold and hungry.

What had started as a expedition of wonder and knowledge had turned into an exposure of ugly and hidden truths. "I will do something about this..." Morvyn whispered under her voice in promise to all those who couldn't hear her. This wasn't okay, the King told everyone that things were better in the out lands and while she hadn't believed him she hadn't thought it was this bad.

The very next street Morvyn took it and headed straight home, kicking Woden into a gallop the moment the lane was clear. Her head was zooming with ways to fix this, people to get angry at and people that'll help. And because she was the Princess she felt that it was her fault things were this bad. Plans started to form in her mind and by the time they made it to the Manor Morvyn had calmed herself with her future plans.

The stable yard was empty when Morvyn rode into it. Knowing that the Manor had a live in staff every day of the year it struck Morvyn odd that there was no one here to take their horses. It wasn't a problem because she knew where they went, how to do and what needed to be done but it raised the first of many alarms to come.

"You think Shadow would feel comfortable on an end stall?" Morvyn asked just to hear the sound of her voice. It was also too quite and her voice echoed in the stillness. "The end stalls have windows on three sides..." She was going to add that Woden likes the end stall when there was a crash from inside the Manor. Knowing that Woden was trained to stay Morvyn jumped from her saddle and ran towards the sound.

Expecting the large wooden double doors to be open Morvyn went slammed into the smooth sanded doors and knocked the breath out of her lungs. "Why are these doors locked? These door aren't supposed to be locked." Another loud thud could be heard from the other side of the doors as well as voices. "Whats going on!" Morvyn screamed at the doors. At the same time that Morvyn was shouting glass breaking could be heard from the back of the Manor, the servants entrance where the kitchens were. "Damn it!" Morvyn didn't know what was going but she took off running towards the sound with a dagger drawn.

So used to being alone and not having anyone to take care of her she didn't even think to wait for Angel. All she was worried about at the moment was the people that were inside and the importantly the new group she had sent to the Manor.

Luckily the servant doors were both open and there was a knocked out guard in the middle of the doorway. It looked like he was knocked on the head with something heavy. There was blood but he was breathing and still held a healthy color and temperature to his skin when Morvyn bent down to check on him. She didn't know who this man was but knowing that he was alive was what mattered to her.

"Get the HELL OFF OF ME YOU BLOOD-" The womanly voiced curse was cut short and had Morvyn sprinting into the kitchens.

Ludo was bound, gagged and knocked in the middle of the floor near the great fireplace. She could see that he was breathing as well and took off past him in search of the curses that she knew belonged to Elizabeth.

The glass topped doors from the servants area to the Manor's household area were shattered and broken, shards littered the floor and created a work of art when paired with the droplets of blood.

"UNHAND HER!" Morvyn's voice wasn't loud as much as it was powerful in it's emotion. A group of guards were fighting to keep the old Elizabeth down and quite as another group monitored a bound and gagged Nero and Giles.

"Your Majesty!" A nameless guard sprung forward to wheel her out of the room but she easily sidestepped the man.

"Will you make me repeat myself?" The growl was worthy of a rabid bear but was quite with an deadly iciness that had the men leaping and scrambling to right whatever it was they thought was going on.

"We caught these run-"

"If you finish that with runaway slaves I promise you great pains."

The man clamped his mouth shut and visible paled. "What a great first impression we're all making today." Morvyn sighed waving a man silent when he opened his mouth. "Who's in charge here?"

A man with a bloody eyebrow stepped forward from the group that watched Nero and Giles.

"What's going on here. And I warn you be careful with your wording Sir."

"These intruders were-"

"Why do you think they're intruders?"

"Because I don't know them."

"Did you ask them why they were here?"

"They said you sent them and then the loud one started milling about the kitchen picking up things. Like a knife. Obviously they were a threat and we treated them as so."

"Why would I send you dangerous people?"

"There wasn't a one who offered proof that there words were true."

"Did you give them a chance?" Morvyn asked placing her hands on her hips.

The man was quite but lifted his chin in a way that just ruffed Morvyn's feathers the wrong way.

"Release them all and that man there, Nero, will provide you with all the proof that you need. And someone see to the bound man in the kitchen." All the men rushed about like scared little ants untying and releasing their 'prisoners'. "And where are the others? Cooks, maids and so forth?"

"Hiding or ran home ye Princess ma'am." A young guardsman answered.

When Nero was unbound he reached into his pocket and held Morvyn's letter out sealed with her crest out to the man in charge.

"Welcome home." Morvyn smiled, her voice tired as she turned to Angel to roll her eyes.