The Dragon and the Knight (closed for silvertongue217)

[Undercoverseeke]

Just another day in the court of King Julius, ruler of the Realm. And just another opportunity for Synistra to look for some sucker of a lordling to target on her next raid.

The dragon who had terrorized the Realm adjusted her flowing cloak, admiring how the blue velvet was subtly embroidered to resemble her ribbed wings. Here in the court, in human form, she was indistinguishable from the many courtiers and minor nobles who came to pay homage to the King, but one could never be too careful. She had spent too long on her disguise to have her cover blown now.

Synistra's amber eyes moved along the ranks of the knights, and she couldn't help but chuckle. Such a massive bounty on her head, and none of them had ever so much as come back to court with a shed scale. They would never find her, nor uncover the hoard she had so painstakingly gathered. This kingdom was hers far more than it was Julius'...

 

[silvertongue217]

"Dante get your head out of your arse!"

"Aye commander" Dante said rolling his eyes as he winked at the courtiers moving through the grand hall. They blushed and giggled peeking at him with curiosity. Dante was some thing of an odity in the kingdom given that he wasn't a native (though he considered himself one through and through). He was large with tan skin dark black hair and a large hulking frame. He was part of the kingsgaurd and so his golden armor finishing showed off his skin and gave him a regal appearance. Dante was not a vain man (at least HE didnt think he was) but he made sure to make a show of securing his helmet back on before turning to his captain.

"Yes sir" He said his voice causing the commandants eyes to narrow. Dante wasn't one for authority (except the kings of course) and if it wasnt for the favor of the king, and his own significant prowess he would have been flogged and or imprisoned a long time ago.

"stop gawking at the woman and get on with your duties" The commandant said eyes narrowing at him "your to patrol the eastern wing the one thats mostly abandoned ther have been complains about seeing a strange figure going in and given the recent dragon attacks the king is worried osme ones trying to take advantage of a blind spot in his defenses"

"But sir" Dante said glancing at the audience chamber the king spent his day in "usually the king wants me to stand by his side" Dante reminded the man.

"And today he wants you to do this" The commandant said his mouth going tight "he said if any one can handle it its the man who saved his life all those years ago"

"Of course" Dante said his back straightening as he rose with pride "tell him i am on it" Dante said turning and moving towards the eastern wing in question.

 

[Undercoverseeke]

One of the beauties of impersonating a noble in the King's court was that if you happened to go wandering in his castle, no one questioned you. They assumed you were simply supposed to be there. Doubly so if you were female and attractive -- the king had a particular lust for young women, and they would simply assume you were currying his favor with your... attributes. The better to poke around, she supposed.

King Julius was as decent a king as most could be, Synistra supposed... but by no means the best she had ever seen in her long lifetime. He might rule somewhat fairly, but he did like to tax his subjects until they screamed. He had to be amassing all that wealth somewhere... the question was where.

The east wing was mostly abandoned, which meant that perhaps he was hiding something there. If not his treasury itself, at least some clue as to where it might be...

She slipped through the shadows of a dimly lit corridor, eyes peeled for any sign of a guard...

 

[silvertongue217]

What was that?

Dante paused half way through looking at the upstairs window. He paused inclining his head listening out for the noise he thought he heard.

Sure enough

There it was

“who could that be” he said softly to himself stokring his chin. He walked over gently opening the door and looking down the hallway. Once he was sure that there was no one around he walked over going slow and steady. He finally reached the staircase leading down and gently bounded down pausing at the shadow and watching as he finally saw a woman.

He narrowed his eyes watching her trying to figure out what she could possibly be doing. He vaguely rembered her from court which only made him all the more interested.