The War Council

[Paendragon]

William IV, King of Ilia, groaned on his throne, eyeing the female head bobbing on his lap.

The day had been taxing to him, and he needed the release. His hand tangled in her hair slightly, but other than that, he didn't move, allowing her talented lips and tongue to bring him to his end.

His cock swelled larger, the closer he came, and his grunts grew louder . . .

 

[MrWolf]

Khael

Riding towards the Capital of Ilia on his warhorse, Fury, a fierce black stallion, Khael slumped in his saddle lazily. Normally, he would have rode a simple riding stallion, but this close to the Capital, appearances had to be maintained.

Most of the nobles came in carriages, but Khael hated the confining effect of the contrapations and prefered to ride. A small retinue of men rode at his back, four of his trusted guards and an aide. This close to the capital, he refused to show fear by riding with more men. Only a fool would show weakness before the entire realm with a show of uncertainty.

Not that there were not plenty of fools amongst the rest of the border nobles who were flocking in towards the capital for the Council. Most rode with no fewer than ten swords at their back, or rode in carriages or even wagons, like wheat for the market.

Khael snorted contemptously. The border nobles flocked to the capital for the kings protection in wagons coated with dust from hard flight and armed escorts surrounding them. The interior nobles were even worse. Riding in gilded carriages, their trains were servants and poets and dancing girls. Likely, more than a few hoped to take this opportunity to advance their houses with an arranged marriage to the Prince, or entering younger daughter with few marriage prospects into a rival's harem.

Looking over, Khael noted one wagon bore the crest of House Verriuel. He had dealings with the Lord Verriuel before, as the Verriuel's estates numbered a large town on a major trade route and outlying farms. His own House Keiros sold iron to Verriuel for crops and had deals with the merchants to ship ore throughout the realm. Still, Verriuel was a fool.. A knight who's tastes were more for martial glory than the practice of rulership and one who doted over his daughter and pined for his lost wife at that.

Still, Verriuel could be useful, Khael thought to himself. Akron's armies will need to march through Verriuel's lands before they reach mine and that means I should cultivate an alliance with the old warhound... for now.

Smiling coldly to himself, Khael spurred his stallion to a faster pace as he rode towards the capital. The other border nobles might be fleeing war... But he was riding towards opportunity.

 

[caela]

Ysandra sighed softly as the carriage rolled down the road on its way to the Capitol. What she wouldn't give to be out on her stallion! The day was beautiful and Ysandra longed to feel the wind on her cheeks but her father and put his foot down. This close to the Capitol she would have to remain in the carriage until they reached the palace; once there she would be allowed the freedom of riding once more on the palace grounds. She couldn't think of a time when she had ever been more bored and so she stared blankly out the carriage window without even noticing that more then one head turned to watch her pass.

She only perked a bit when she saw someone she thought she knew. In the distance she thought she saw Khael Keiros, a man she knew had dealings with her father and whom she had seen once or twice. He was handsome in his way but Ysandra had always found him to be cold. At least to her, but then again many men were cold to her...especially when they found out she could beat them in a fight.

That thought made her smile a knowing smile and she reached over to stroke the sword that lie on the carriage seat at her side. She'd absolutly refused to leave the estate without her swords, both her weighted practice sword and her fighting sword. She and her father had argued bitterly over it but she'd finally won by threatening to burn every dress he'd bought for this trip. Since he had no intention of leaving her he'd raised his hands in exasperation and aquiesced to her wants.

As the carriage finally pulled up in front of the palace she nearly cried out in relief and pulled her wandering thoughts together. Allowing the footman to help her out of the carriage she waited until he handed her her sword and quickly buckled it around her waist. She might have to dress like a woman here but this she would not give up. Looking around for her father she smiled softly when she saw him talking to a woman about his age; if she wasn't mistaken the woman was flirting! Well it would be good for her father if he flirted back a bit. Ysandra hoped this trip wouldn't be all bad, if his father could find someone to love she would call it well worth all the blasted skirts she had to wear until they went home once more.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Lana

She sat in the luxurious suite of rooms, her place here as ‘long as she wished to stay’ and felt nothing ‘grand’ would come of this whole visit.

“The gown is pressed for supper, M'lady.” Ani busied herself with readying Lana for the first banquet dinner of the season. “Will you attend the meetings as well as functions M’lady?”

“Lana, please Ani. What choice do I have?” The men had stayed for awhile, until the call of their King took precedence over the needs of a widow and infant. With their Lord and commander dead, their service reverted back to that of the King. So now she was here to plead her case, without degrading herself as much as possible, to return arms to her holdings. “I could defy the King and end up unprotected, which is far worse than marriage to any man.”

“Even one who is a wee bit ‘off’?” Ani teased softly.

“Oh yes, even worse than one of .. “ She flushed a little and dismissed the topic from her mind completely. “The men who remain and train need a man’s guide, not that of a lady. What do I know of war horses and smithing?”

“You could find a man to govern and control your warriors?” Ani always was sensible but not in everything.

“Only a man with a vested interest would put forth that much effort. It is not likely that I will find a man worth commanding an army, who does not own his own lands. The men would not respect anyone they could best, Ani. But that is my purpose here, a lord or a commander.”

“But will you sell yourself into another marriage to gain these things?” Ani’s flippant remark stung quite deeply, but she did not dignify the question with a response. Only she knew what she stood to gain or lose in all of this mess.

“The nobles are arriving, it is best I go down to the foyer and play hostess while the King is busy.” Lana stood, adjusting her skirts and checking her appearance once more in the full-length mirror. With her face and shape, lands and wits she just might pull this off… and if not, she’d have entertainment for awhile.

Descending the stairs she barely moved out of the way of a rumpled mop of skirts and bright red hair who was dashing up the stairs in quite a bit of a hurry.
“Pardon, M’lady.” She kept going as if hellhounds were fresh on her heels. Looking about to discover what it was that had the maid scrambling, she could see nothing in the main hall out of sorts and so continued down.

 

[CollegeCutie]

Annora Ruairc

She had been down in the kitchens dressed in a simple work dress of deep green when another servant had burst in announcing that the guests were arriving, and complaining about all the extra work this was going to cause for them. A wide smile on her face and a look of excitement in her eyes Annora dashed from the room like there was fire at her heels, and made her to the stairway of the main hall, almost running into the recently widowed Lady Corvain in the process. "Pardon, M'Lady." she said apologetically while continuing to run up the steps. She wanted to be able to watch all of the excitement and she knew exactly what room would provide her with the best view. She did not stop until she had reached the royal library with its large and richly draped windows. From here she would be able to peer down at the courtyard and much of the castle's surrounding area.

 

[Evil Attorney]

Isador looked back on his train of men and sighed.

He usually rode in the middle of the column so that he could command and deal with problems that inevitably rose up in the rear, ambushes to the middle or inevitably, the pointman getting an arrow in the chest, but here he was, in view of the castle. It was safe, an open field in the summer sun.

How odd.

Beautiful, but odd...

It was quiet at his front, at least for the moment. The enemy had withdrawn forces from the border with Ilia to investigate their far border with Spain were the caravan had disappeared from. Quashing an upstart kingdom must have been less important that the caravan, or the content of the pouch he captured. 75 of his men could be spared from the front. All were wounded to some degree, all experienced and he could depend on them to buy, beg, borrow or steal anything he would need for the army.

Now, as to them borrowing a noble's daughter like last time...Lets not have that happen again...lucky her father bought the story that ruffians had kidnapped the girl and his men returned her ... but that was close and his men were under strict orders to NOT let that happen again...

He had last been here 3 years ago for the last war counsel and was looking forward to getting business done.
He looked forward to seeing the general again. Isador had his chess move all worked out and was looking forward to the barrel of whiskey the General had set aside for the wager.

Something foreign, called "scotch"???

The king would be pleased. It wasn't every day when someone brought 3 tons of spices, silks and 500 pounds of Gold and 1000 lb. of silver, and a small sack of diamonds to present to the treasury as plunder.
His usually war booty wasn't nearly this large, usually about 100 lb. of silver, gold that varied in amount, some precious stones, furs and horses captured from the enemy. All very respectable, but this amount of wealth was going to raise eyebrows...and 1/8 was his...

The law established the split, established through the years and blood of the wars of independence: 1/2 to the king, 1/4 to the army, 1/8 to the commander of the force which brought the plunder, 1/16 to the force which captured it and 1/16 to the men who captured it.

This was going to get him a whore of the first quality for as long as he stayed in the capitol. One who knew what he wanted before he did, with a mouth and hands that would tempt the devil himself...

Something dark haired, curvy and with wit. He didn't like dull women. Odd, he knew, but he liked to talk to them after fucking them...

Not nearly as impressive as the gold and spices was the small pouch with the seal of 3 of the enemy kingdoms on it. A diplomatic pouch, captured intact. He hoped the king's scribes could scrape the seals off intact, as they could be placed upon other documents as forgeries to sew confusion within the enemy's hall of power. That would be for talking to the general about.

He looked upon the other nobles arriving. He could see the crest of some he knew, and some like Khael, he did not know but knew of.

"Good to see this one" he spoke outloud. "Smart, pragmatic. A warrior"

He dispatched 10 of his men, the 10 cleanest with the flag of the Kingdom and the Army's flag (a green dragon fighting 3 scarlet lions on a field of white) ahead of him to the city to announce his arrival.

Although not a noble, he knew how the game was played.

 

[Tanuki]

Lady Miria Summer

Miria pushed aside the curtain in the carriage, peering out at the dusk-lit city streets. She was still not used to the trappings of nobles, she thought, as she rubbed her hand over the soft cushions of the carriage. Usually it carried her mother, or her sisters around, for Miria preferred to ride a horse, preferably bareback, so she could feel the animal's muscles working as it moved. She leaned over to see ahead, looking for Tain Longwinter, but he must have ridden ahead to scout. If the young swordsman was nervous about being in the capital city of his enemy, he didn't show it.

One of the four guards who rode with her sidled up to the carriage and motioned for her to get down. He looked alarmed, as if he'd spotted some danger. Excited, Miria opened the curtain wider, glancing around. The streets seemed deserted in this section, which seemed odd.

She heard a whistling of the air, and then the guard grunted in surprise as an arrow thudded into his chest. The man raised his arm as another arrow whistled in, striking his forearm and pinning it to his chest. With a sigh, the guard slid out of his saddle onto the street, and Miria screamed. She heard shouting, and the clanging of swords. Something struck the side of the carriage, and she saw the dull tip of an arrow poking through the wood. Another guard appeared at the window.

"Stay inside, milady!" he shouted, "we'll protect you!" Then he rode off, his sword raised over his head.

These men were going to die to protect her, and Miria couldn't sit idly by and let them. She reached under her seat and pulled out a slender dagger, the only weapon she'd been able to hide from the diplomatic aides, who had insisted she be unarmed. Taking a deep breath, she threw open the door and jumped out.

Her guards were gone. Then she realized they were not gone, but slain - she counted three bodies in Arkon uniform, while the fourth was on foot, desperately fending off two soldiers with swords. It was a mistake to jump out, she realized, for the carriage continued without her, and she was suddenly standing in the street with no cover, and only a dagger. The carriage moved down the street, and then she watched in horror as a big soldier--wearing the colors of Ilia-- swung a huge axe at the wheel of the passing carriage. It splintered, sending her carriage crashing into the ground to roll onto its side. A soldier on the other side threw a container of something into the open window of the carriage, followed by the torch in his other arm, and Miria gasped as her carriage caught flame with a loud whump.

She'd thought they meant to kidnap her, but she'd been wrong. Panicking, the girl turned to run for a sidestreet, only to be backhanded across the face by a man she hadn't seen. Miria would have fallen, but she was caught by two strong arms of a second man behind her. Her arms were pulled behind her back, and she struggled as the dagger was twisted painfully from her grip.

"Seems a shame to kill such a fine looking female," said the man who held her arms. He was speaking to the man in front of her, a tall, cruel looking soldier. Miria cursed the diplomatic aides for the second time that night, for insisting she wear a long tight-fitting dress that showed off her curves, but restricted her movements.

"We have our orders, Mortimus," said the man who faced her. Without another word, he advanced quickly toward her, a dagger in hand, aiming for her midsection. Miria jumped with both feet and twisted her body, slamming both feet into the man's chest, causing him to lose his balance and drop the dagger. Miria landed hard on the ground, her arms filled with pain from being twisted before being let go. Through a cloud of dust, she spied the dagger lying close to her face. Scrambling, she grabbed it, and on her knees, flung it with all her strength toward the man who'd tried to stab her. Perhaps the dagger wasn't balanced for throwing, for it spun awkwardly in the air and struck the soldier handle-first in the head. She felt some satisfaction when he howled in pain.

The second man was reaching for her, and she spun around his outstretched arm, to pull the short sword from his scabbard. Spinning again, she plunged it into his side at an upward angle. Blood spurted from the mortal wound, and Miria recoiled in horror, letting go of the sword. The man clutched weakly at the sword buried in his side, looking at her in disbelief, before falling over into the dust. Miria started to shake, staring at her own hands, and then at the man lying at her feet. She fell to her knees, only vaguely aware of being surrounded by three soldiers. She looked up at them as they raised their swords over their heads. She thought of Tain, hoping he had survived.

 

[thegibe]

(Pretend this isn't here...)

 

[caela]

Ysandra sighed softly, she was easily made restless by nothing to do and so she left her father to talk and wandered off down their small train looking for her horse. Finding him she stroked the velvety softness of his nose and smiled up at the big roan stallion. Looking about she quickly spotted his saddle and bridle and got one of the men to get them down for her. Finding his blanket as well she quickly had him saddled herself and swung up astride his back.

A small chuckle dropped past her lips as she wheeled her mount and let him walk down the line. The seamstress had been scandalized when Ysandra had insisted that her daywear skirts be designed so she could ride astride and not sidesaddle. The woman had insisted that no "Lady" rode astride and Ysandra had just smirked and asked when she'd called herself a lady. Knowing there would be no winning with the stubborn girl before her the woman had done as asked and Ysandra was delighted to note that she could still easily feel the movements of her stallion as easily as if she wore her breeches. When she got home she was going to have to commision that seamstress more often, the woman was a genius.

Pushing those thoughts away the grin on Ysandra's face widened when she saw the flag of the realm and the army's flag approaching. She hoped they wouldn't mind a woman showing up to their morning practices but she wasn't going to get soft while she was here. She supposed they'd try to humiliate her but she'd yet to come across a man who could do so. Some could beat her but none of her father's men could ever beat her so badly as to cause her shame, she always held her own with a sword. She hoped she'd be able to convince one of the archers to teach her the basics of a bow as well. She'd heard it was becoming fashionable in town for a woman to know how to use one and so she didn't think it would be hard. She had a good eye, and good aim so she didn't think it would be difficult to learn but she didn't underestimate the skill involved just because it looked easy.

She hoped that Captain Isadore would be with the army dispatch. She'd heard stories of him over the years and was curious to see if the reality lived up to the legend. Watching the people pour in she saw Khael again and nodded slightly before wheeling her mount once more. She didn't know if he'd seen her own not but at least he could have no complaint of her manners if he had. She hoped he'd stay far enough away that she could admire his good looks without being chilled by the coldness he always seemed to show her.

Deciding she no longer wanted to just sit around watching everyone she simply waved to her father and took off across the grounds at a hard gallop to savor the beautiful day around her.

 

[TheScarletBlade]

It had been a long day in the captial city of Ilia.Having ridden ahead through the night when the diplomats had to stop he arrived way before any diplomat from Arkon showed up,making sure that there connections in the city had there things in order,so that Miria would be well taken care of when she arrived.Miria...Tain thought she was beautiful and about every young noble in Arkon agreed with him,she was the most sought after thing in all of Arkon.

Yet with beauty comes danger and Tain would not have it any other way.He had spent the last two hours in a vegatative state,resting up at the inn of the Green Horn: The finest inn in Ilia,where the entire second floor rooms were booked for the diplomats and other personages from Arkon supplied graciously by the king.

When the sun rose,Tain moved into the streets,walking through the crowds and meeting the Arkon spies that were members of Ilia's army to learn the latest movements.As a fan of intrigue and as a raising warrior in the Arkon's most presitigous ranks,he would like to know if the army was planning to attack Arkon in retalition to the Arkon attacks: The ones Tain himself had commanded.

He found it odd that he was here in Ilia,talking about peace for Arkon when he had lead the army under order of the King of King's command to try and unbalance Ilia's economy by destroying their farms and stealing all of there cattle and then finally when they are finally starved,they would come under the banner of Arkon once again and from Ilia use it as a platform to attack Arkon's ancient enemies.

As he was speaking he saw a bunch of people clearing off the street across the alley and finally the sound of battle ensuing.That didn't seem really appealing yet when he heard the blast of an Arkonian warhorn,he bowed out of the converstation and dissappeared at the end of the alley way.

The three soldiers dressed in Ilia liverly advanced of Miria,weapons unsheathed and held in readiness.They had seen what she did to the other few soldiers and would not become victims of her wrath.Soldiers appearing in windows overhead,bows notched and held up,the string pulled back to their ears,the arrows trained on the poor girl.

One of the soldiers advanced and pushed Miria to her back and smirked a almost toothless grin,some black substance comming out the side of his lips.The man was disgusting and the scum of the earth yet people like he had no problem with killing so it didn't matter.His shabby blade held over head for one final slice that would take the poor girl's head off,he said one final word and brought the sword down,leveled to take her head clean off yet it only met other steel.

The sword crashed right next to another blade,the blade polished and of better make than the other.The sword held the soldiers suspended over the young woman's neck.The sword blade connected to a golden hilt,large enough for two hands with adorned with beautiful shappires,diamonds and rubies that made the blade sparkle.Holding onto the blade,Tain looked to the three men with a pure animalistic hatred,his anger reflected through his eyes almost like a raging inferno,They could attack him all they wanted but when they attacked "his woman" they had no chance at all.

Roaring defiantly,the pushed the blade away with superior strength and bound in,head first.Slamming hard into the already disoriented soldier,he spun around quickly,weilding the fine bastard sword with both hand,his blade intercepting another soldier's sword.Pushing foreward,he battered the other man's blade aside and went in with his sword.Planting his legs wide,he smoothly brought the sword in a clean sweep up from stem to sturnum.The blade cut the cleanly across the chest.Redirecting the blade,he brought it back down in a reverse chop and cleanly took the man's leg off with his backswing.

Jumping infront of Miria as the archers loosed their arrows,his blade worked quickly as he moved it to block the arrows.His blade moving intricately to knock the arrows to each side,he brought the blade down to intercept his third oppenants blade.Side stepping and tipping his enemies sword down,leaving the soldier's entire upper gaurd open,he slammed his head fiercly against the man's,breaking the man's nose and splattering blood across Tain's handsome face with blood.It ment nothing to the enraged warrior.

Without stopping,as his opponet staggered backwards,he delievered a feirce kick to the chest,knocking the right into a wall.Spinning the blade in his hands to hold it reverse style the point down,he plunged the blade right into the man's chest,the point going cleaning through the man's ribs and into his heart,comming out the man's back and sticking right into the side of the wall.Yanking the blade free,the frenzied noble knocked the only soldier left alive to his back as he tried to stand,setting the point of the sword against his throat."Speak if you wish to live,tell me everything"

As the man babbled on about a mission and all other things,Tain looked back to Miria,seeing if she was alright.Adrenaline leaving his body,he finally realized that it wasn't sweat that was dripping down his face and quickly wipped from from his eyes and off his forehead,only half listening to the frightened man babbling beneath him.

 

[Evil Attorney]

Isador finally settled his men into the army barracks.

The men were thrilled. Beds, hot food once a day, bread 1 day old with no mold on it, mutton and beer.

Lots of beer.

Beer is healthy for you, none of the fish shit that is in water, he knew. Fish shit makes you sick, so its better to drink beer.

All that said, Isador had beer all the time and was looking forward to wine, something he rarely got in the field. Wine...hot wine...served with a seaming wench with bouncy breasts. And meat...mmm...wine, sex and roast beef, not exactly in that order, but as a pragmatic man, he didn't particularly care which was served first.

Hell, he could go for all at once.

Hummm....

Oh well. Not right now.

The men were full, fucked out, drunker than sots and dreaming of more days like this.

Poor fuckers.

Well, they had their 4 hours sleep, the lay abouts...the sun was up and it was time to get to work.

He grabbed a copper pot and threw it down the isle of the barracks and shouted "DROP YOUR SHAFTS AND GRAB YOUR SPEARS. FALL OUT!!!"

He turned his back on them. He knew they would be on the practice field in moments.

Hung over, hating him, wishing he could just let them have a nights rest...which he would...eventually...but not that night...

As they came out of the barracks they were handed a piece of bread, cheese and a tankard of ale which they all wolfed down as they made their way to the practice yard.

The day's drills all started out the same. A run into the forest, chopping down a tree and then onto one of the various skills all soldiers needed. Weapons, riding, medicine.

After 2 sweaty hours the men were back and practicing 3 on 1 attacks. Not 1 defending from 3, 3 coordinating to attack 1 properly so as not to get in each other's way.

Isador watched and approved. "The men fight well after so much beer. Beer rations need to increase..."

He noticed an attractive lady approaching wearing a sword.

Probably thinks she can fight. The boys probably let her win to get her to spread for them.

He ordered Kirk the bull to stop her before she came onto the grounds and to escort her to him.

Kirk, 5'4" 300 lb of shaggy haired muscle in a loincloth carrying a War Hammer with a quick wit and a soft spoken demeanor that defied his appearance, went off to do so.

 

[MrWolf]

Khael, House Keiros

Khael rode through the streets of the city with not a glance to either side. His mind was focused on the task at had and he permitted no distractions from his goal, not even when he heard a woman cry out from an alley nearby.

The city was full of doxies of all sort. Doxies aside, with the sheer number of refugees flooding the city, no woman was safe out of doors when night fell and perhaps not even during daylight. The alleys were filled with cries of feigned pleasure and genuine fear. But such things were immaterial, clutter on the playing board that must be swept aside.

Riding to the Palace, Khael left his stallion Fury with the groom and strode through the marble halls of the Palace. The guards told him the King was not yet receiving any nobles, nor was Council in session.

Khael fixed a cold, stern glare at one of the men on the door. In general, men loved sound and when confronted with a silent stare would speak to fill the void. This time was no exception. The guard quickly, shamefacedly admitted that the King was with a favourite harem girl and would likely not accept visitors for the rest of the day.

Without bothering to nod or bid farewell, Khael turned and stalked away, dark eyes cold with fury. The King was a warrior of note, skilled with lance, sword, shield and axe. But the placement of armies was not like the slash and parry of a duel or joust. This could go badly.

Khael halted near the door, seizing a page by the cuff of his coat. "I am Khael Keiros, Lord of Vanton and Stalotz Bridge. I wish you to convey my compliments to the General and his Captains and express my desire to meet with them regarding any intelligence that has come into the city lately." With that, the young nobleman sent the page off at a trot. The army relied heavily on the iron of Vanton's mines and the steel forged in Stalotz Bridge and would not be slow in answering a parley with Keiros.

Thus is my business concluded, Khael thought to himself. Now it is time to engage in the Game.

The Game of Houses, the subtle war that raged in every nation as the nobles fought for position. It was a game Khael excelled at, nicknamed the Wolf for his ruthlessness in those discrete battles that preceded a war between nations.

Striding to the front steps of the Palace, Khael looked over the Castle grounds. His eyes feel briefly on a young woman riding astride a horse. Astride, not side saddle. The girl nodded to him briefly.

Verriuel's daughter, he recalled vaguely. He had seen the girl before, but seldom had opportunity to meet her. Still, court provided many opportunities. A tall girl. She has long legs.

The girl seemed content at a nod and rode off towards the training grounds.

Khael looked around, picking Lord Verriuel out of the throng of nobles awaiting audience. Strolling over to the older man, he forced a pleasant smile. His lessons in acting in an Akron university had given him a good ability to simulate a smile or feign a laugh, though those who knew him well knew he had scarce humour and a smile rarely touched his near black eyes.

"Lord Verriuel," Khael hailed the older man in a tone of joviality. "It is good to see you as always..."

First, to lay the bait. Khael thought to himself. The old man loved flattery.

"The times have caused the King to call on all his Champions, it seems. I remember when I was a mere boy, the Tournament you rode in to celebrate your wedding with your wife. You were a champion that day, were you not?"

There.. Recall him to his knightly days of glory, when he was second only to the King with a lance.

"A pity with all the chivalry and lordship of the realm gathered here in the capital that none has stepped forward to offer to host a tournament.. it might season some of the greener knights for the troubles to come."

And now, the trap.

"I'd offer to host one myself, but as I have never claimed the Champion's laurels, I lack the standing. Perhaps I might find a champion and arrange to sponsor a tourney with a loan of prize coin though. It might bring some much needed honor to Keiros."

And done.

Khael strode away from the Lord Verrieul. The man's holdings, like most of the older nobility, depended on farming and the peasantry. Yet, in the time of strife, raiders from Akron had been burning farms and hoarding had laid markets bare. Yet, Keiros sold swords and helms and shields. Other nobles might frown on his taste for economics and politics and strategy, but Khael similarly frowned on their belief that the ability to knock a man from a horse with a stick was an adequate judge of his ability to lead.

Strife was good for Keiros. The old man might take a loan from Keiros, but Khael doubted Verrieul could repay it. And placing the old warhound in my debt might give me useful leverage should I desire something of Verrieul later.

I have set affairs in motion... Now, I wait to see what comes of it.

 

[caela]

Lord Verrieul smiles slied to himself and Khael turned and walked off. The young pup swaggered in a way that annoyed the older man as had his words. Indeed he had flattered the Lord but he'd also brought to mind a day that Jonathon Verrieul would sooner forget, the day he'd wed his much loved, and now deceased, Phedre. Instead of thinking on hosting a tournament with Khael's backing the older man's thoughts turned to his beloved bride and how she had chastised him in private later that very night for daring to enter a tournament on their wedding day...

"You fool," Phedre had railed at him. "What if you had been hurt?? What good is a wedding night if you're unconcious or worse wounded? My father managed to make us wait this long and now you nearly make us wait even longer!"

Jonathon had merely smiled as he watched her pace their rooms. She was magnificent in her fury and when she had paused for a breath he'd grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. The next three days they'd not appeared from their rooms and when they finally did Jonathon had promised her he'd never fight in a tournament again. Only his little Ysandra knew that though...

Thoughts of his daughter pulled Jonathon from his thoughts and he began looking about for her just in time to see her disappear heading toward the amry's training grounds. Knowing his daughter well he knew she would be getting the lay of the land before the men arrived so that she'd have just that small advantage over them when she first sparred with them. He knew he should stop it but he was too proud of his daughter's skill with a sword to stifle it.

Knowing a servant would show Ysandra to her rooms when she returned the old man gathered his own servants and made their way to the palace to settle his people. The idea of a tournament still buzzed in the back of his head and he'd thank Khael for it later though perhaps not in the way the young wolf expected. For all his jovility and seeming simpleness, Jonathon Verrieul was not a stupid or hasty man which was why his lands were one of the few near the Arkon boarder that still prospered and why Jonathon had sources of income known only to himself and Ysandra. If Khael wanted Jonathon in his debt it would take more then this to get him there.

 

[MrWolf]

Khael, House Keiros

Strolling back to the small inn he is staying at, The Green Dragon, Khael looked for his aide, Tiber.

Finding the slender, quick footed man at a table in the corner, Khael motioned sharply, stalking up the stairs to his private apartment.

Taking a seat at the study inside, Khael looked over the dispatches on his desk, then looked up at Tiber.

"Battles are often decided by information. I'll need to know more to fight these battles in the capital."

Tiber nodding quietly. The man knew full well why he had been selected as Khael's aide rather then a more apt warrior. Tiber was quick and intelligent, but most of all he was discrete. A rogue, but useful.

"Who do you need to know about, my lord?" Tiber asked.

Khael looked over his notes, then grimaced. "Verrieul is the most significant noble from the border lands. He has the largest holdings and the most swords. I need to know his mind. How does he fill his coffers without emptying his granaries? Does he have habits? Does he drink? Does he have mistresses to replace his wife?"

Tiber nodded thoughtfully. That sort of information would be relatively easy to come across, mostly rumour and gossip amongst the servants.

"Oh, and find out about his daughter. She's his heir after all." Khael flipped over a page in the notes, then put the Verrieul's out of his mind.

"More important is the King's nephew, Ilian. Rumour amongst the noblity calls him a man of ambition. He also is a fine field commander, not the sort of man who minds a bit of blood on his hands. That makes him dangerous, but powerful. Find out anything about him that you can."

"What about the Prince?" Tiber asked, interrupting his lord.

Khael frowned. "The Prince? I think I have his measure. For now, let us focus on the war we both know is coming. The prince, I will turn my thoughts to in due time."

Tiber nodded agreeably.

Khael flipped over to the last page of his notes.

"Oh.. And extend an invitation to one Captain Isador. I'd like to have a word with him."

Tiber cocked his head to the side curiously.

Khael continued coolly. "I see the Akronian's hand in these raids along the borders. Isador is fresh from the front. Word paints him as an intelligent man, cunning on the field. He's like to have information of value. I would know what he knows. I suspect he'll prove an important ally in the days to come."

Tiber nodded and turned to leave.

"Oh, and take Charon and Yohan with you. The streets are dangerous and you'll do me no good with a knife in your ribs."

Khael smiled mirthlessly, then turned his full attention to his notes, writing instructions for his people back at Stalotz Bridge and Vanton.

The game is afoot.

 

[Drinking Cap]

General Ilian Cainvale

General Ilian Cainvale sat in his military office, sipping a glass of a very expensive brandy and half-listening as one of his most trusted lieutennants gave him an updated report from their spies in the field.

"Further reports, sir, indicate the Arkonians are sending at least two nobles to the council" the Lieutennant read. He was a small thin man whose face immediately brought to mind a member of the rodent species.

"Anyone we know?" asked the General. His voice curt and business like

"No, sir. The Arkonians seem to be trusting this assignment to the junior gentry. One is a Tain Longwinter, a field general in their armies. We've got a couple men in his legions. He's been responsible for a lot of the border raids, burning farms and the like. Good with a sword from what I'm told."

The general nodded. He'd been good with a sword in his early days but know he was limited to fencing practice as he almost never found himself on the actual field of battle. The King still enojyed leading the men and that suited Ilian perfectly. It kept him out of harms way and it raised the intriguing possibility that the King might die in war.

"The other is a Miria Summer. Her father is a somebody. Not much about her other than she's young and pretty. Maybe he's a gift from the Arkonians to your uncles Harem" The Lieutennant said with a creepy, high pitched laugh. The general shot a look at his lieutennant conveying that he was not in the mood for dirty jokes.

"I think my Uncle has enough whores to last him a few lifetimes. " Ilian enjoyed a dalliance with a beautiful maiden of questionable virtue as much as anyone but the number and ostentatiousness of the King's harem seemed boastful and below a king.

"So that's it Lieutennant? The Arkonians are simply sending a fighting boy and a pretty young maiden to the war council?" Ilian chuckled. The Arkonians must not have a great deal of hope that peace could be had.

"As far as we know."

"And you've made arrangements for the Arkonians to be attacked by our men on their way here?"

"Yes sir, although I must confess I didn't completely understand your orders."

Well that's to be expected Lieutennant, thought the general, You're an uneducated peasant from a backwater province. You've proven yourself able at some of the dirtier aspects of my work but you're still a simpleton.

"What was confusing about them?"

"Well, I understand why you wanted the diplomats killed and I understand why it was important to tell the men that there were direct orders from the King to attack any Arkonian caravans but I'm afraid I'm not sure why you wanted our worst soldiers to carry out the attack" The General rolled his eyes.

"Because the attacks need to fail. We told the men the orders came from the King not to divert suspicion but to enrage the Arkonians. If the attacks succeeded the King would no doubt investigate and find out I ordered the attacks. Since these soldiers are among our worst, I assume they'll fail. This will most likely anger these child-diplomats and they will arrive in no mood for peace resolutions."

"Ahh, well, I fear then you may have overlooked one detail" The smirking lieutennant remarked.

"And that is?"

"Our worst Soldiers against even the best of the Arkonians? Sounds like an even money fight to me!" Another laugh although this one brought a smile to the General's mouth as well.

"Well, let's just cross our fingers then. Any interesting arrivals from our own contingent of Nobles?"

"A few. There's Keiros..."

"Who is loyal to the King?" The general asked, already knowing the answer

"Very."

The General motioned for the report to continue.

"There's Verriuel..."

"The old man?"

"And his Daughter"

The general rolled his eyes.

"And finally there is Lady Corvain who remains at the palace"

Ilian groaned. He had hoped Lady Corvain would have returned to her lands and accepted an arranged marriage. The Lady had valuable lands and Ilian had been talking to the King about choosing his Nephew for the Lady.

"Well, if that's the case then I should make my way to the Palace, I suppose. I'd hoped to do this the easy way but I suppose I'll have to win the Lady herself over. Time to go be charming." He said and stood up. He was dressed in a black, luxurious tunic that was emblazoned with the symbol of the army and the markings of his rank.

Soon the General found himself in his carriage, on the short trail to the palace. There was lots to be done at the council and it could work out many ways that could be very profitable to the General.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Lana Corvain

"What do you mean the invitations were not extended? Do you have any idea how unhappy William will be?" She stood glaring at one of the King's advisors, a tall rail-thin man who had a stick stuffed some where she didn't want to think about, too uncomfortable.

"He is busy and can not be disturbed, he gave no instruction where to place the arriving counsel, I am to see to the gentry and that is all, M'lady." His rigid stance did not intimidate her, nor did giving the man orders. If she was to play hostess, she was taking the entire role and not just bits and pieces.
She missed her own home and lands, missed the quiet country side.. and knew without a doubt she did not want to run anything to do with this castle or those in it another moment longer than she had to.

"You will personally go and deliver the invitations to all His Majesty's guests and you will do it before the hour closes Sir." She did not raise her voice but she was close to that point.

Did the twit actually think the King would want these 'guests' roaming around unwatched? But then again, why would he invite them into his home? Orders were orders and..

"His commanders are to be extended the invitation as well. He has never been one to ignore the warriors and their loyalties serving at his side, and would be greatly upset if it was so now. If you would but look at this list, written by the King..." She glanced from his stolid face to the paper and back again, he wasn't, of course, looking. Could he even read?

"I will deal with William myself if something should arise from this, but I assure you I am doing only as instructed. Now go, send messengers, which ever is needed.. If they refuse the suites offered, then so be it."

He hesitated a moment, seemed to be thinking it over when she slapped the written instructions against his chest, tossed him a glare and stormed from the room without a backward glance. She did not understand that the King's men would most likely rather be at the ale house, whoring and drinking themselves silly while time permitted than trapped in the palace.

Her head was pounding already and it had yet to reach the mid-day meal. If she was to keep her wits about her, she best retire to the lady's parlor and see to things herself.

"Ani, please go to the head-of-house. I have need of something to relieve the throbbing in my head." She sat down on the nearest settee and sank back gratefully. Ani left silently, and her only thought was "Finally!"

She had to admit her nerves were a mess, a war monger with the audacity to invite two nobles with the pretenses of discussing peace. Was it a mere ploy and would they be brave enough to enter the lion's den? Was the King sincere in his requests and inquiries? Or would these two advocates for Akron be used to wage war? Her thoughts were boardering on disloyalty, but only because she found William's campaign for peace unlike him.

"They need no excuse to war! It has been so for years now.. is William finally satisfied?" Her thoughts were intrupted by a light tapping at the double doors. Stepping inside was many of the faceless servants, stiff and uptight as always, "You have a guest here to see you Lady Corvain, General Cainvale."

Sitting straighter, the confusion showing only a moment on her face, "Well do show him in." What did the King's nephew wish to see her about? Curious, very curious indeed. A slight shiver of awareness went through her body, starting at her neck and working down to her toes. A cunning leader of one of William's infamous armies, she had heard stories of his battles.. and the man himself. Had she ever met him? With all the comings and goings in this castle, it was possible, but she could not bring a face into mind to match the name... only the reputation. Twenty-two years on this earth, she had met many men, from thief up to the king himself, but this one made her more nervous than anyone else...

She'd figure out why later.

 

[Drinking Cap]

It had been a short trip to the palace. The signs of preparation for war dotted the countryside and the towns. General Cainvale knew that war with the Arkonians was a profitable venture for all involved and he was delighted at the way the city bustled with commerce. If everything was to go according to plan, much of that coin would end up in his own pockets.

The carriage pulled up to the Palace suddenly. Ilian often forgot how close it was to the actual town.

How my uncle stands living so close to the rabble, I'll never understand he thought as he stepped out and admired the Palace in all it's ornate glory.

He himself had a small estate in the southern lands but controlled very little land. His puny house could probably fit inside one of the King's numerous ballrooms. The thought that the order of his birth denied him his brother's fantastic wealth made the anger boil in the pit of his stomach. He watched as servants attended to his carriage and carried his belongings out. He'd travelled lightly. Mainly clothes but also a small ornate dagger and rapier in the very unlikely event he would need to sully his hands. He entered the grand hallway and made his way to the throne room. Courtesy demanded he introduce himself to his Uncle first. He motioned to one of the guards positioned at the heavy doors.

"You, announce me to the King." He barked

"Beggin' your pardon, General sire, but the King can not be receiving visitors at this moment" The tall, heavily armed guard replied. Ilian rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"He isn't receiving me or he isn't receiving any visitors at the moment?" He asked with a shake of his head. There would be no reason not to receive visitors on the day of the council unless his Majesty was seeing one of his women.

"He isn't receiving any visitors sire, He is otherwise entangled." The guard said with a knowing smile. Ilian walked away in disgust. His Uncle enjoyed seeing one of his courtesans while actually sitting on the throne. He turned and walked away, beating a path through the hall while looking up at the portraits of the Kings of the ages.

"How about it lads, any of you fuck whores while sitting on the throne?" He cursed to no one in particular. He'd see his own portrait up there if it was the death of him. He passed one of the many servants who dotted the vast palace.

"You there, where is the Lady Corvain?" The servant, an older man and impeccably dressed was obviously one of the butlers.

"She is staying in the Noble Visitors wing, m'lord"

"Very well. Take me to her room and announce me"

"Of course, sire."

As they traversed the great hallway, Ilian took note of every display of oestentatious wealth, every sign of luxury. The floors were fine marble, gold adorned every fixture. Each step seemed to make his jealousy burn greater.

As they exited the great hall and entered the living quarters Ilian began to compose himself. He'd have to put on a bit of an act for the Lady Corvain, sell her a few untruths and, most importantly, not reveal his actions that resulted in the death of her late husband.

Almost two years ago, Ilian had learned that General Corvain's lands contained some previously undiscovered deposits of steel and gold. While Corvain's lands were already wealthy, this discovery could make Corvain as wealthy as any noble save the King. He had plotted for the right way to dispose of Corvain and seize the lands. It wasn't until General Corvain had mentioned to Ilian that he was taking a trip into the region that contained the unearthed deposits that he made his move. He hadn't killed him, or had his spies kill him, but rather had his spies tip off local bandits that the wealthy General Corvain was travelling through the region with a load of personal jewels that could set them up for life. They had ambushed his carriage and killed the old man. Ilian then rode with a company of his own soldiers and killed the bandits. The old man's money went to his soldiers and Ilian had removed another rival for the king's ear in military matters.

It wasn't until this sordid affair had passed, however, that Ilian had learned that the old fool had only recently married. Corvain had taken a bride, a young beautiful one at that, and she was pregnant with his heir. He would not be able to seize the lands he so desired without dealing with the Lady Corvain.

As such he had his men investigate her past. She was a peasant girl before some minor Baron had married her. This Baron had quickly died and then the Lady Lana Loughery had somehow ensnared the General, moving up the nobility considerably.

Still, thought Ilian, once a peasant girl, always a peasant girl. He could almost certainly convince her to marry him, take her lands and have access to the vast fortune. A fortune that could help him raise a significant personal army. Once that had been accomplished he could lock her and her half-breed son away and find a true noblewoman to bear him an heir. All he would need to do is turn on the charm, woo her with words and make up some sort of nonsense. To a blatant social climber, as the Lady Corvain appeared to be, a young and handsome military commander who was not merely nobility but also royalty should be the precisely what she was looking for.

I'll probably have her hand before nightfall, he smirked. The servant he was following stopped abruptly at a pair of ornately carved wooden doors.

"The Lady's chambers, sire. I'll announce you"

"Good." Ilian decided to affect a more refined, distinguished tone. Usually he was speaking to underlings or fellow military men and he tended towards the direct. For this courtship he'd speak more like the rest of the nobility.

"She'll receive you, M'lord." Ilian followed the servant into the quarters. The room was lavishly decorated and in the middle stood the beautiful Lady Corvain.

Upon looking at her, the General immediately began reconsidering his thoughts about her. She was young and beautiful as he'd been told , with flowing blonde hair a few shades lighter than his own. Her eyes were, Green? Brown? It seemed to differ and the General was momentarily lost in them. The sound of the servant closing the door brought him back to his senses.

"M'lady Corvain," he bowed to her and gently kissed her hand "allow me to introduce myself. I'm General Ilian Cainvale, son of the Duke of Cainvale and nephew to our dear departed queen." On his way back up from the greeting he had the pleasure of briefly noting the rest of her stunning features. She was significantly shorter than he was but well built, with that delicious curavture that only peasant girls seemed to have. Ilian could see what made those two noblemen forget her place.

"I am most pleased to meet you, sire" She replied. Her voice had a soft, pleasant tone.

"I of course apologize that we meet only now, and under such unfortunate circumstances." He replied. He remembered his days at school and the more posh accent of his mother and aunt and mimicked it flawlessly

"Oh?"

"You see, I was unable to to attend your wedding to Lord Corvain, due to my duties in the field and I confess I wasn't at his funeral either. My deepest condolences on his passing. He was one of our Kingdom's finest heroes and a personal mentor of mine" This was mainly true. Ilian hadn't attended the wedding because he wasn't invited and Corvain had been something of a mentor in his earlier years.

"Thank you kindly m'lord." She replied, the thought of her husband clearly bringing an emotional response. "May I ask to what I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

He motioned to the couch

"Of course, may we sit?" He took her by the hand and guided her to the couch, sitting her down before taking his own seat opposite hers.

"As I said, Lady, Lord Corvain was a mentor and a friend. I had served in his brigade since I was 16 and I served as his attending officer briefly." Ilian smiled with this. He was pleased at how much truth was seeping into his lies. As Lord Corvains attending officer he had developed a dislike of the older man and the two argued constantly about strategy. He had been reassigned as a battlefield commander due to this. " It is difficult to describe to one who has not served in the military but the relationship between an older officer and a younger one who he's taken under his wing can be almost like that of Father-Son."

She nodded politely as he continued.

"When he announced that he was marrying you, he asked a special favour of me. He was mindful of the fact that he was older than you and asked me that should you survive him that I watch out for you and your children. Make sure your affairs are kept in order and the like. Of course, he meant after the two of you had enjoyed many years together and not before he even had the chance to see his heir born." at saying this last sentence, Ilian forced a look of pain to his face

"This is a duty I feel I am honor-bound to fulfill. I personally tracked down the murderous cowards responsible for your Husband's death, which is why I could not attend his funeral."

"As such, to fulfill my promise, I pledge to you that whatever I can do for you, I shall. I know you have no military commander and I am an able one. Obviously, I cannot train and organize troops from a land that is not my own but, perhaps...." With this Ilian paused and thought. If the girl had seemed a simpleton he might have proposed on the spot but the Lady Corvain seemed to have taken to nobility. Better to have her think of the idea, make her think this is a task I am honor bound to and then perhaps a romantic dalliance.

"But, perhaps, we can speak more of this later. At the King's Dinner this evening, if you will."

 

[Evil Attorney]

The runner reached Isador while he was observing the practice and the lady whom he sent Kirk to escort to him.

Dinner plans, eh?

He was prepared. They wanted to know about the front, and as per custom, to tell his superiors what he had brought them.

The diplomatic pouch, in particular, would make that evening very exciting. Enemy comunications were more valuable than gold.

He had to present these things correctly, however, as whenever he came to the capitol, he walked a fine line in showing his value, and showing off. Years ago he did not need to show his value...it was apparant by his work, but some of the nobles had forgotten what it was like to be on the front...

It was all in the service of his king.

He sent a message back with the runner requesting a private meeting with the general reagarding a matter of "interest" before the assembled nobles and diplomatic visitors were all in counsel.

The word, interest...the general would know what he meant by that.

He couldn't just come out and tell the runner, "I have captured diplomatic comunication of the enemy and wish to discuss it with you"

That...would not do...

Things take time to do properly in the city.

Had this been in the army, in the field, the moment the pouch came into his hands he would have been in the general's tent disturbing him from his sleep...but no.

Not here. Not now.

He would not show such informality and disrespect to the general in the capitol.

Things would be done PROPERLY. The general Would. Be. Shown. Honor.

Both profesionaly and personaly, he had earned it.

He respected the general to much to do anything else unless it was absolutely critical to the general's safety...

The pouch had only been captured just before he was recalled back to the capitol. It was expected that a commander would see to his men and their training, and only then see his superiors.

Again, the proper timetable...for the city.

Isador would need to get his clothing out of storage and washed. He informed the runner of that too and told him to see to it.

Appearing before the general in his leathers and chain mail would not offend the general, but again...Its not respectful...

But that was for the evening...and now he had to deal with a delightful distraction which Kirk was escorting to him.

He bowed low and said in Latin "Greetings, fair Lady. Thee bestow honor among us with thine graceful presence as thou observe our poor practice. What service may I grace thee with as thou come among us?"

He chose Latin to speak as it was the tounge of the educated. It would give her a little jolt to realise the sweaty man with a huge axe wearing leather spoke the tounge of the courts as well as her tutors.

All the while, in the background of this, huge men fought, swore, laughed and ocasionaly picked each other up and threw their partners through the air as they practiced.

As he spoke another runner appeared. He took the message and read it...

Humm.

Kahel. Dinner. The Green Dragon...

He sent a message back asking if he was free at 3 this afternoon, and nonwithstanding any obligations to appear before the King and his General, he would accept, and if he was unable to make it, he would see him as soon as was practical after attending to his masters, and he begs forgiveness for any inconvienience this may cause to acrue to him...

He turned and waited for the lady's reply...

 

[Tanuki]

Miria Summer

The girl watched dumb-struck as her daring rescue unfolded, as the enraged Tain Longwinter cut down the men who had been poised to execute her. The warrior was a blur of motion as he brutally impaled a soldier on his sword. Miria was both fascinated and revolted. She was still in shock at seeing a man die by her own hand, but when Tain turned to look at her, she gasped at his blood-stained face, filled with rage. In that moment, she knew the face of war, and the very reason she had to avert it, at any cost.

Miria leapt to her feet. "Tain, we must go!" she pleaded, pointing toward the archers on the rooftops. The soldier on the ground was still babbling about orders from the General, but they ignored him and dashed away from the scene. A volley of arrows whistled into the ground where they'd been standing, two of them piercing the chest of the soldier. Tain held her wrist tightly as he pulled her through a small crowd that had gathered, and down an empty sidestreet. They ran for several minutes through tight streets, as people parted before the blood-stained warrior pulling the slender girl in the colorful dress. Finally, she asked him to stop so she could catch her breath.

As she stood, panting, Miria looked down at her dress. The skirt was torn and soiled, and she had a scrape on her elbow that should probably be cleaned. Her hands were still trembling a bit, and she held them up, scowling to see that they were brown with dirt. Her shiny brown hair had fallen out of its bindings, and was splayed across the middle of her back. I look a mess -- I'm not going to impress the King looking like this! she thought. They seemed to be at the side entrance to the Palace. Tain must have memorized a map of the city, to have taken her here through the maze of narrow side streets. The palace was magnificent, she realized, looking up at the spires, where the Ilian flags and banners fluttered in the wind. Miria suddenly felt small and insignificant, before the majesty of such a place. She wondered if she was in matters over her head.

 

[landiek]

Ayleece

She was spotted by men that were scanning the area for signs of ambush, then she seemed to disappear from sight The men searched hard for the golden red haired wench to no avail. The thicket becoming her cover to wander from the battle zone to encampments. But something happened when she didn't appear one evening. The guards thought nothing of it, as they never understood the girl's role in the service of the Arkonian Army.

Ayleece wandered more and more, weaving in and out of the brair thicket. She was clutching a small piece of parchment with a scralled marking and searching for something but her mind couldn't recall what she was looking for. The sun beating down amid the morning clouds brought her into the lands of King William.

The wandering left her hungry and thristy and the berries growing wild only added to her misfortune. She dropped down several times as the heat ate away at her stamina. Finally exhausted she dropped in a grove of trees. Those finding her made report that she was covered in gashes, her clothes bloodied from her wounds and rambling about the sun was in the zenith and covered in blood.

Her sun kissed skin ached as she slept and the blisters broke from her thrashing on the bench called a bed. Her eyes finally opened and she surveyed her surroundings. She was befuddled on how she came to the strange room and as she was questioned.

"What is your name and who are your people?" The guard asked sternly.
"My people?" She looked utterly confused as she had no living family
"Who is your King?"
"My king?" She began to tremble as the dead face flooded her mind.
"Don't you know anything?" The man was getting disgusted with her.
"but where am I?" She asked softly.
"You're in the castle of King William of Ilia." replied the soldier.
"I am ayleece, Master." She dropped to her knees and held out her hands cupped. Her eyes lowered as she waited for his decision.

 

[TheScarletBlade]

His hand was seized by that of Miria and while his body was finally slowling,the adrenaline almost completely have left his body,he held his sword tightly in his other hand and was yanked into an adjoining Alley way.The young noble had no problem with being taken else where.

His head bent down as they walked slightly,he noticed that her skirt was torn in almost all the right places and he seemed to catch a glance at her shapely long legs and other things in that area.Charging on relentlessly,finally there was a tug on his arm as Miria had to stop.Stopping as she asked him to,the young noble moved to her side and looked over her,making sure she wasnt wounded.

Blood rolled down his nice dark blue armor,in between the crevice in the middle of the breast plate.The gold was dulled by the dark black looking blood as it tarnished his armor.Tain though treated the blood of the men he killed like nothing,it was like it was natural.Lifting a gloved hand,also soaked with blood,he brushed some long dark bangs out of his jadelike green eyes as they looked into Miria's.

She could tell her was worried about her as he continued to make sure she was unharmed.Tain suddenly turned his head,his jadelike green eyes narrowing dangerously as he heard the shout of angry voices comming from down the road they were stopped on.Grabbing Miria and pulling her into a dark alley,he gently pushed her against the wall and place a hand over his mouth and pressed his body right up against her,setting his chin on her shoulder and place his right hand on her right hip.Remaining completely silent,The city guard wearing the colors of Ilia moved by without notice,thinking that there was nothing but shadows in the alley.

Moving back,releasing a hand from her mouth he looked upon her with a slight grin and then looked to either side of the alley and saw that it was clear.Having memorized the city,he lifted one finger and pointed towards the Northwest "Keep low,moving through alleys and make your way to the tavern of the Green Dragon where we are staying,I am gonna make a little distraction" He said the latter with a slight michevous smile.Before she could say something,Tain leaned in a stole a kiss from her.He kissed her fiercly and then turned and dashed out of the alley way onto the street.

The cobble stone streets all looked the same yet he knew every route in the city already and had already doubled back where the fight took place.Running by the flaming carriage,he grabbed a torch off of it and light it.Carrying it as he ran,he slinked into the shadows of another alley and moved off towards the centeral residental district.Stepping out into the street,he looked at the soldiers as they moved around looking for him and Miria.

Holding the torch easily in one hand,he cocked his arm back and hucked the torch,it whizzing through the air propelled with a great force.The torch went burst through a window,lighting a house on fire.It was one of the houses that the low ranking soldiers lived in,one that obviously met his fate on the end of Tain's sword."Not looking to good now,now that your fighting something that can accutally fight you back,COWARDS" the angry noble roared as his hands grasped the golden hilt of his bastard sword.Drawing the weapon,the golden hued blade sparkled in the light,dripping in still fresh blood from the other men he laid low.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Lana Corvain

"This is a duty I feel I am honor-bound to fulfill. I personally tracked down the murderous cowards responsible for your Husband's death, which is why I could not attend his funeral." Ilian Cainvale spoke solemnly.

How kind of him not to mention Thetis was on his way to see one of his many concubines.. Brief memories of her very brief marriage came back to haunt her. Thetis only married her to merge Baron Loughery's lands with his own. The only lands between Corvain and the King's left and up for grabs. She still hadn't figured out what had pressed Thetis to persue his suite so diligently?

"As such, to fulfill my promise, I pledge to you that whatever I can do for you, I shall. I know you have no military commander and I am an able one. Obviously, I cannot train and organize troops from a land that is not my own but, perhaps...." His words trailed away but his eyes stayed upon her face. "But, perhaps, we can speak more of this later. At the King's Dinner this evening, if you will."

She studied him closely the entire conversation, and knowing what she did about him, she was at a loss for words. A very successful General did not just offer his assistance for no reason. Thetis was anything but kind.. A mentor? Would that mean Ilian was as cruel as Thetis had been? She fought down a little shudder of fear but kept it masked well. She was certain of one thing, Ilian did not learn his battle skills from Thetis, Thetis hadn't the wits to accomplish anything but whoring. She might have assumed Ilian wanted her, but they had never met. It was obvious this was for mere gain on both their sides.. Security. Which meant Ilian had no interest in anything but her lands.

A smile widened on her face as she sat back a little more, relaxing her poise. She was much too tired to be thinking this damned much. Who would be more perfect for the job? And it was a job, a stressful one. Running lands that were a close running for second largest estate in Ilia, would take much more than brawn. With the mining, lumber and war horses as their cash crops, not to mention all that was needed to feed the town and those living at Corvain Keep.

"You honor me by keeping your word to a man who did not deserve such loyalty." Her eyes trailed over his face, which gave nothing away and back to his eyes. She would do well to remember to keep her wits about her while in the company of this one. He was far too sharp to mislead, too dangerous to lead around as well. He was young, healthy and if tales were accurate, without mercy. He also towered over her, and did not know her. Had William passed along or implanted this idea into his head?

"I am always willing to discuss business, M'lord." Though he held no title, it was no secret that he could easily gain one. Not that this mattered to her. Ilian had no lands to watch over, there for he could easily put all his attention into Corvain. Correction, he had no lands as of today. in uncertain times, there was always mishaps. He was second in line to his brother and that estate, he was third in line if the royal family died...

He was an enigma to her, one she would have to figure out. Surely a great man such as himself wouldn't look at a peasant.. even if she was titled. She knew she was being unfair, she did not know Ilian at all. She'd give him a chance. "I am free to speak with you as nothing has been scheduled as of yet and my time is open. If you wish an appointment this evening?" Surely he hadn't meant for them to dine together, that would really start tongues wagging.

 

[Elayne]

Evelyn

Arriving in town in a small carriage, gilded around the railings but otherwise simple oak, Evelyn brushed aside the curtain and peered out at the great city ahead.

Her brother Patrick winced and shielded his eyes. "Close the curtain, will you?" he growled snappishly, likely still hung over from the night before and disliking the sharp sunlight.

Evelyn sighed as she let the curtain fall, feeling the carriage rocking underneath her as it drove into town.

After a short trip, the cramped carriage rolled to a stop. Her brother quickly opened the door and jumped out, his eagerness suggesting that he felt queasy from the carriage's swaying motion.

Patrick wasn't chivalrous to offer his hand, so Evelyn gracefully gathered her long blue skirts in her left hand, right resting on the door as she delicately stepped down into the street.

She looked up at the Inn before them, a monstrous building of rough hewn stone and thick timber roof. It's sign was equally monsters, a massive Green Dragon.

"We're staying here?" she demanded in horror of her brother.

"Yes.. It's near the palace and the Green Dragon is the sign of our king, so father will be sufficiently impressed." Patrick smirked in pleasure at his own display of wit. Or, more likely, he thought there were women of low character to be discovered inside.

Whatever the case, Evelyn had no choice but to trail along after her brother into the dark tavern, looking around warily at the patrons within.

 

[Drinking Cap]

"I am always willing to discuss business, M'lord." the lady remarked and Ilian's heart had sunk. He'd made a number of serious tactical errors in this regard and he could see them exploding in his face. He made sure not to let his disappointment show.

"I am free to speak with you as nothing has been scheduled as of yet and my time is open. If you wish an appointment this evening?" This made Ilian raise an eyebrow. There was no grand feast planned? A large gathering of Nobles and his Uncle hadn't planned on one of his standard bouts of revelry and lewdness?

No. Of course not. Some of the guests were sure to arrive in the coming days and his Uncle was too proper to hold the party before all the guests had arrived. Another miscalculation. He'd been so sure of himself, so sure the council would be a perfect event to stage all of his plans. He decided to excuse himself from the Lady's room. He had options to weigh.

"Of course. A meeting at 7 in the evening to discuss this further then." He stood, bowed "But now Lady, I must say farewell. I have matters to attend to." He turned and quickly walked from the room, cursing his arrogance and brashness and trying to catalog the mistakes he'd made.

He'd underestimated the Lady Corvain. A peasant girl she may be but she was obviously a bright one. He'd assumed their marriage was a pleasant one but Ilian knew that this was simply poor intelligence on his part. Lord Corvain had been an idiot and a mean-hearted fool. He should have assumed his wife would have seen him as one too. To walk in and proclaim the Lord Corvain was a great man and a hero, well, that had simply been unexplainable folly.

Still, he mused as he walked the hallway to his own quarters, there might be a salvageable result with the Lady. She had clearly not bought his manure concerning his duty to the Lord but she hadn't made an obvious complaint of it and, if anything, seemed to have remained intrigued by the prospects of marriage. Perhaps if at their next meeting he was honest and direct about his interests in her land.

Ilian allowed a smile to cross his face as he sat at the desk provided for him in his luxurious quarters.

Honesty and directness, he thought, I suppose I'll try anything once.

It was at this moment that there came a knock at the door.

"General Cainvale? It's Captain Arroll." The young Captain Arroll was his head operative inside the King's city and another of his most trusted associates. He ran an impressive network of spies as well as the "Manor"

The Manor had been one of Ilian's earliest ideas. King William had frowned on the use of torture to extract information from the Arkonians but to Ilian it was a simple and easy decision. He cared little for the lives of anyone, least of all his enemies on the field of battle. As such he had used some of his funds to, in secret, build a small dungeon on the furthest reaches of the King's lands. It was a torture chamber run by the most vicious sadists Ilian could find. Arroll was one of these. A small man with dark hair and beady eyes, Arroll frequently oversaw and participated in interrogations at the dungeon. Ilian cared little for torture, not the morality of it but he simply didn't enjoy the work required. Arroll, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it. Ilian was often surprised at the depths of his Captain's depravity.

"Come in, Captain." He announced loudly. The doors opened and Arroll entered. He was every bit the evil looking young man Ilian remembered.

"I trust all is well, M'lord?" He said, he was carrying a leather case, filled with various parchments. It was Ilian's imagination but he almost thought he could hear a snake's hiss whenever Arroll said the letter S.

"As well as these things go, thank you for coming on such short notice"

"A pleasure my lord. AS serving as your own personal Aide-de-camp for the Council I'll be staying at the Green Dragon with many of the visiting nobles, it's a nice change of pace from the Manor." Arroll said without much conviction. Only a twisted deviant like Arroll wouldn't enjoy the luxurious inn after months in a squalid dungeon listening to the screams of prisoners. Still, that is who Arroll was and why Ilian liked him so much.

"Have youb been able to find out anything from the Arkonians we captured in last month's border raids?"

"Oh, minor details, Sire. Troop movements, some information regarding their preparations for war. Nothing especially vital."

"Do you think they might still be holding anything out?"

Captain Arroll simply gave a brief smile and that look of madness flashed on his face

"Oh no, M'lord. If they knew the meaning of life they'd have sung that song by now. At this point we're merely keeping them for fun."

Whenever Ilian's thinking went too far into the superiority of the nobility to the peasants, he liked to think of Arroll. Arroll was as vicious a man as any and yet he was from a minor land-owning family. The scum of the earth comes from all walks.

Ilian half heartedly listened to Arroll read fromm some of the various parchments. They were mere status updates, nothing of immediate concern. Soon he heard the Church bells announce that it was midday and Ilian yawned as Arroll was reading an updated report of the status of their spies in the western Arkonian regions.

"Perhaps we can go over the more mundane issues later, Arroll. Is there anything of immediate concern?"

"I'm glad you mentioned that, sire, on my way to the palace I happened to speak with a few of our operatives from town and there were some things I thought I'd mention"

"By all means."

"Well, for starters, the attack on the Arkonians went as planned. This Longwinter fellow killed the oafs we sent after them. What we hadn't expected, however was that he would pick further fights with the city guard. I'd like to say I'm surprised but you know how savage the Arkonians are."

"He's actually fighting the city guard?" This brought a broad smile to the General's face

"Oh yes. While I passed through he apparently set fire to one of the Garrison houses."

This was almost too perfect. The attack on the Arkonian diplomats had been set in place to disrupt any chance at peace. With some headstrong Arkonian shedding blood in the Town's streets, this would almost certainly force the King into heading into war.

"It would appear, Captain Arroll, that our good god rarely closes a door without opening a window." He smirked. His plans with Lady Corvain had hit an unexpected snag but the sabotage of the peace process was going even better than he hoped.

"If you say so sir. There are also two other minor matters, however, you should be made aware of."

"Oh?"

"Yes, firstly, Captain Isador of the third Cavalry wishes a reception where he'll declare that he's seized some enemy treasure."

"A substantial amount?"

"Apparently fairly substantial."

Ilian tthought on this. He had little time for declarations of treasure, yet he'd heard intriguing things about Isador. An efficient commander with the respect of his men. What's more, Isador was another peasant with ambition. A man with ambition to rise beyond his station could be of great use to Ilian.

"Very well. Send for him immediately."

"Of course sire. The other matter concerns a Lord Keiros."

"I know of him, what is it."

"Well, it isn't him, exactly sir, but a man of his. A Tiber. Apparently he's been heard asking questions about you"

"About me?" The general asked puzzled.

"I found it interesting as well sir. Still it is well known that you're fairly ambitious so it's not completely unexpected."

"What do you suppose this Tiber could find out about me?"

"The servant of a distant noble? In the King's town? Even if he lived there a year, how many people in Town know anything about you my lord? If this Tiber happens across someone who claims to know you, it could only be one of our agents. In which case Lord Keiros will learn that you are the ultimate dedicated servant of Ilia who's zeal for advancing his King's interests is often mistaken for personal ambition" This made both men laugh. Ilian wiped a tear from his eye as he contemplated a bit of rest before meeting with Isador. His thoughts briefly returned to his foul up with Lady Corvain and all the joviality left him.

"There is one other thing, Arroll, a minor matter but of importance."

"Aye, sire?"

"Who was it that was responsible for collecting intelligence on the Lady Corvain six months ago?"

"It was Beranon, sire, an agent currently in the field."

"Beranon? Very well. Recall him from the field. You'll be having a new guest in the Manor" He said in a tone that clearly indicated Beranon's stay would not be a pleasant one. The grin that spread on Arrol's lips showed the message was clearly received.

"I'll take a personal interest in it sir." Arroll said as he turned to leave the room.

"I'm sure you will. Have one of the servants wake me when this Isador arrives."

With that he relaxed on his bed, hoping to catch a few fleeting moments of sleep.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Lana Corvain

"Why do you look as if you have swallowed something distasteful?" Ani's voice broke the silence of the parlor.
"I did not hear you enter, Ani." Weary and confused, she righted herself on the couch and accepted the powedered tea. "I am afraid I did or said something wrong."
"To whom?"
"General Cainvale." The silence that followed was nerve wracking. "Well aren't you going to say something?" Lana eyed Ani skepticly, Ani always had something to say... She didn't have a long wait neither.
"You seen the General here? Alone?" When Lana nodded her head Ani only glared harder.
"Oh stop. He is not interested in my person Ani. But he did offer to aid me in keeping Corvain safe." The smile spread then, she was very happy and now able to show it. The smile faded again as she remembered how quickly he left. "Only I think I offended him some how."
"And how did you do that? Tell him he was ungentlemanly? Tell him he wasn't of high enough rank?"
"No I did no such thing! I don't know exactly what I said. The baron never spoke to me except to see to dinner. And Thetis only came to me for three nights, but never spoke. Then he was gone warring. I can converse with William, but the General is entirely different."
"Different? How?"
"He's.. well for one he isn't old." Lana laughed and then sighed. "I think he mistook everything I said.. What little I did say. I was so nervous.."
"Make amends." Ani offered.
"You, my dear Ani, are irreplaceable! Of course, I should have thought of that. Only he just left and appeared a little sour around the edges."
"Did you flirt?"
"No!" Lana gasped at that suggestion. "If I had he would've thought me.. Well, he certainly would have thought the wrong thing. I told you, he isn't interested in.. Oh never mind!" Rising, Lana began to pace the floor. "I should have been clearer in what I said."
"How do you know he was unhappy?"
"He didn't say anything really. It was the clipped tone of his voice, and that.. icy gaze." Lana shivered slightly. She was playing a dangerous game.
"Perhaps another would be more suitable?" Ani sat down, her head spinning from watching Lana pace the floor.
"I am sure one could be found that would be interested in me personally.. But would he be a warrior? A capable warrior at that? No. I think amends are the best thing to do. Maybe if I show him I can not wait until our later meeting he might at least wear a smile?"
Ani did an unlady like thing and snorted loudly in sarcasm.
"There is a maid here he might like, send her with a basket for the General's midday meal and order for his comfort, a bath and bather. I will send a note that I will see him at the banquet."
"Isn't that a little presumptuous of you?"
"Hardly. A man always likes to know that a woman... even a business arranged marriage can be comfortable."
"I will not say it too many more times Lana.."
"Then don't say it. I will deal with my own life for a change. If the General, whom is perfect need I remind you? If he wishes to wed and we can get along, why not? I have the people of Corvain to consider Ani, not just myself. Besides, at least this time around I am not marrying someone with one foot in the grave.. that is IF we enter into the arrangement at'al."

Cainvale was perfect to protect the lands surrounding Corvain. She hadn't an accurate accounting of his men under his command, but she knew it was a great many more then some regiments. A capable man... A cold one too.. Or was he just withdrawn? Duty bound?

She moved to the desk taking quil and paper in hand, quickly she wrote a note to accompany the maid.

General,

I am looking forward to our meeting tonight. After the banquet I will be waiting.

Lady Lana

She folded the paper and sealed it with her own seal then handed it to Ani. "Please see that the food and bath are sent in an hour. The steward knows where he is staying and will see to the rest."

"As you wish M'lady." Ani was doubtful that Lana knew what she was doing, but the match maker in her decided that a young and handsome general could easily sweep Lana off her feet. Lord knew Lana needed a real man around instead of some ancient pompus windbag. While Lana napped, Ani seen to her lady's gown and the arrangements were set into motion for the General.

Lana almost called Ani back, but stopped herself. Maybe she was eager, maybe it did seem a little desperate.. With a groan, she pulled off her dress and flung herself face down onto the bed. She should've left well enough alone, she knew better than to not play it calm and collected.. distant. The first impression should have been left alone. Now she set it into motion, she all but signed her name on the license without him even asking her!

"Idiot!" She cursed out loud at herself. What had Thetis said more often than not? "Never let another get the upper hand when dealing with life, love and money." Not that he knew what love was, other than love of possessions. No matter what, tonight she would find out just how serious he was. She had best start thinking about things seriously, maybe consider other options.. or at least pretend to.