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 Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:37 pm
[ SER STALWART ]
Stalwart grimaced at the response he got from her majesty, one that was far too smooth to be anything but practiced, and nearly ducked when her attention was so quickly taken by the Dragon. Suspiciously glaring up into the skies, the Knight tried but could not recall the Saayi sending word of any visit. When he saw the color of the dragon, the deep red, his brows furrowed even deeper. Saayi dragons were not red, and the only dragons he had ever heard of being red were from legends of a barbaric, isolated people known more for their lowbrow habits than social calls.
"If I might respectfully make a suggestion, your Majesty, perhaps we should return to the palace?" After having seen the size of the dragon, Wart felt suddenly very inadequate.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:49 pm
[ PRINCE ÆRIK ]
Ærik couldn't help a self-contented smirk at the guard that approached and, in a very authoritative voice, addressed them. Draping the doe skin over his arm, he listened closely to the words though none of them save 'Valhiri' made sense. When the armored man bowed Ærik straightened, ready to move, and nodded when Elsina confirmed his thoughts.
"This Queen.." He struggled to keep his tone even while he walked, remembering what the Princess had said of the Talquisian ruler, "If she is as young as you say, does she have others to handle diplomatic relations between lands?" Aboard Shiva, the Prince did not want his feelings to jeopardize their flights. Now that he was alone, however, he could not stave off the sinking feeling that their blessings in this quest had just run short. If the Queen was that young, then what hope did his people have?
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:02 pm
[ ELSINA ]
"The Lord Regent handles day to day business, and diplomacy with most of Terrini. Queen Madeira will have full rule when she's fifteen, but for now the only thing she has absolute command over is the ice bridge - it's the queens that seal their alliance, so no matter how young it's the queens that rule in that respect, " Elsina explained as the captain of the South Gate guard led them through the streets of Merryweather. They were emptier than Elsina remembered, though she had been but twelve on her last visit.
"We're approaching the market," the captain said suddenly, and Elsina realized why there were so few people in the streets. "Try not to lose yourself, princess. Tell the foreign prince to stay close as well."
"We are coming up to the market, now," Elsina passed the message along. "I gather it's busy - the captain request we stay closer to him, and take care not to lose ourselves."
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:10 pm
[ QUEEN MADEIRA ]
"Why?" Madi asked stubbornly, lower lip jutting out in a pout. "It's just a dragon, Ser Wart, and it's back in the skies again. You don't have to be scared." The eleven-year-old queen was Not Pleased at the idea of returning to the palace so soon after her grand escape.
She knew only stern words from her father and an increase in her daily guard would be there for her, and she wanted to savor her time in the market, dragon or no dragon. Madi let Ser Wart catch up with her, but she was determined to lose him very soon, or order him to stop suggesting they return to the palace if he kept it up.
Still leading her Quinton by the reins, Madi moved deeper into the market without another word, knowing her leal Ser would follow her. She hadn't moved more than a few steps when she saw one of the captains (she knew him by his uniform, the markings of which she'd been required to memorize).
"ELSI!" Madi shrieked, throwing Quinton's reins at Ser Wart and running towards Elsina. The last time she'd seen Kerth's princess she'd been eight, but she remembered the Princess Elsina being very kind. Even at twelve, everyone had said Elsina was perfectly courteous, and Madi's father had agreed with Everyone.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:33 pm
[ PRINCE ÆRIK ]
Nodding at the Princess' words, Ærik made a mental note of them. It was the ice bridge that he was interested in, the alliance with with the Winder Kingdom more specifically, and he would do what he had to in order to ensure it. He opened his mouth to ask more, given that the more information he could get the better for his options, but did not get to ask it as the streets did begin to crowd.
With a degree of aggravation at the people, most of whom were shorter than he, he found himself surprisingly grateful for the presence of the guard who seemed to thin the crowds where they walked.
Then, bursting out from the crowds like a fireball herself, came a young girl who threw herself at the princess. Without thinking, Ærik placed himself protectively before Elsina before he realized that the small girl rushing their way was of no harm to the princess. Stepping to the side, Ærik looked sidelong to Elsina, "Friend of yours?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:42 pm
[ SER STALWART ]
Any disapproving frown he might have had was quickly concealed by the straps of leather tossed into his face. Swatting them away impatiently, he watched the disappearing trail of the Queen's billowing skirt once again bolting away from him after she cried out a slightly familiar name.
Grabbing the reins of the Queen's stallion, with a stern look at the horse warning him not to try anything similar to the Queen's behavior, he hurried to follow. Thankfully, the crowds were thinning and when he caught up to her Majesty he saw both the reason and the source of Madi's excitement.
With a clink and jangle of his armor Ser Stalwart bowed low in respect to the princess but, when he straightened, cast a weary and suspicious gaze at the young man who accompanied her.
After a gaze that was sufficiently long enough to satisfy the Knight, he turned to the captain leading the Princess and her company. "Captain?"
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:57 pm
[ ELSINA & QUEEN MADEIRA ]
Elsina was surprised (though pleasantly so) when Prince Aerik stepped before her - she recognized Queen Madeira's voice, even when it was pitched an octave higher in a screech, and the eleven-year-old threw herself into Elsi's arms.
"A dear friend," Elsina told Aerik with a delighted laugh. "Though the queen was but a princess last we saw each other."
The last time she had visited, the late queen had just taken ill so Madi had spent the entire visit clinging to Elsina's hand, and had scarcely left her side the whole while. Though it had been four years since they'd last seen each other, Madi was clearly still as fond of Elsina as before, queenship or no. "Queen Madi," Elsina smiled, returning the embrace and kissing the child-queen on the crown of her head like she'd done when she had said her farewells years before. "How good to see you again - but please don't knock me over. And I think you scared your First Knight. Ser Stalwart," Elsina greeted the knight witha smile.
Queen Madi let go of Princess Elsi and stepped back to regard Prince Aerik curiously. The princess grew more formal then, saying in a clearer voice, "May I present my companion, Prince Aerik of the Valihiri clans. He would have an audience with you, if it please your majesty."
"Valhiri?" Madi repeated, craning her neck to stare up at the tall foreigner. The silver crown on her brow slipped off her head and fell to the dirt when she did so and Madi flushed a furious red and hurried to pick it up. Instead of putting it back on, she handed it to Ser Wart - it was dusty, now, and Father would have her head for this.
"Prince Aerik does not speak Terrini," Elsina told the queen.
Queen Madi nodded, and, in fluent Ro'gan said as formally as she could (cheeks still a bright red with embarrassment), "Welcome to Talquis, Prince Aerik of the Valihir Clans."
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:03 pm
[ SER ROSFIR ]
Ser Rosfir had ridden day and night and half a day again, and hadn't stopped to rest. He'd changed mounts four times, and the fourth horse - a tan stallion - was near the end of its strength by the time he thundered through the South Gate, his shield proof enough of his noble blood and right to enter. Handing off his reins to a young, fresh-faced guard-in-training who couldn't have been more than four-and-ten, Ser Rosfir headed towards the palace on foot. It was probably the blasted market day, which meant foot would be quicker, anyway.
As an envoy from King Laerys, Ser Rosfir knew he could have an audience with Queen Madeira and the Lord Regent within the hour, and so he had a runner sent ahead to the palace to inform Lord Martyn of his arrival and the utmost urgency of his mission.
When he reached the thick of the market, he found foot traffic worse than usual - and soon saw why. A large group of commonfolk had made a circle around a smaller group, and each of them were trying to elbow their way to the center to see what was going on. Ser Rosfir had only to glare at the city dwellers and they parted way for him, and he nearly swallowed his tongue with relief when he reached the center of the commotion.
"Princess Elsina! You're safe - but how -" his hand went to the hilt of his sword and he turned a glare on the young man with her.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:34 pm
[ PRINCE ÆRIK ]
Ærik unsuccessfully masked his surprise to find out that the young fireball was the Queen, and even as the girl stepped back from Elsina and studied him he felt his guts fall even further than the first time that Elsina mentioned the Queen's age. As the two young women exchanged Terrini, Ærik cast a glare of his own at the Knight that stood, still, scrutinizing him. Then the Queen spoke in fluent Ro'gan, and with no hint of the southern accent he'd heard from Elsina.
Remembering the princess' advice, Ærik knelt down with the warmest smile he could manage (which wasn't difficult with how the enthusiastic young monarch was charming him already) and dipped his head in a deep bow.
"Gratitude, Queen Madeira." Looking up to her, he tipped his head to the side, "Your command of my people's tongue is impressive, even in comparison to the Princess Elsina." And it would make negotiations and, possibly, pleas an easier task.. hopefully.
When he was interrupted by the sudden shouting of a man in southern tongue, Ærik frowned and looked up to see a man in the same colors he'd seen in the forest with the bandits. He didn't understand what was said, but he did understand the venom in his eyes and he was standing with his hand on his own hilt even as the older Knight reached for his.
Betraying his attempt at formal and courtly behavior, Ærik elicited a small growl as his eyes narrowed at the Knight and darkened to orange-red. Emotionally drained, physically tired, and caught between a rock and a hard place with negotiations in a foreign land, he was quickly losing his patience.
"What is he saying?" He asked to whoever of the two Southern women would answer him.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:48 pm
[ SER STALWART ]
Though he managed to return the smile to the Princess, Ser Stalwart still did not take his attention from the foreigner. Even when she introduced him formally of supposed royalty, from a house he'd never heard of, he kept his eye on him. Under regular circumstances he might have even cringed at touching the royal circlet as the Queen handed it to him, but as it was he took it without a word and without taking his eyes from the dark-haired stranger.
When Elsina explained that the young man did not speak Terrini he found himself oddly surprised, but it would make sense if he was from far off lands. How the Princess managed to get caught up with him, and without a royal entourage of her own, was beyond him...
Then, from the surrounding crowd, came the princess' name from an authoritative voice. People parted as they sensed the hostile emotion behind the glare leveled between the Knight, Elsina's entourage, assuredly, and the 'Prince's reaction.
"Stand down." He said, finally, raising his voice in an commanding rumble. His hand twitched, ready for his hilt if necessary, but if he could prevent these two from drawing steel in the presence of the Queen then he would. "Ser Knight," He addressed the newcomer, "what is your grievance?" Though he himself did not like the familiarity that had taken place between the Queen and the Prince, more so because he could not understand what was said, he did not imagine the Queen would be happy to see a 'companion' of Princess Elsina threatened.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:59 pm
[ ELSINA & QUEEN MADEIRA ]
"Elsi learnt Old Ro'gan, but the Saayi natural tongue is High," Madi informed the prince proudly. "I am a Saayi princess - this tongue is mine own as much as Terrini is."
Madi looked up sharply in surprise when a knight a few years older than Ser Wart appeared from the crowd, looking tired and hostile all at once. Ser Wart ordered the man to stand down while Elsina cried out, "Ser Rosfir?" in surprise. When Ser Rosfir glared at Prince Aerik, Elsi hastily stepped forward to explain. "Ser Rosfir, may I present Prince Aerik of the Valihiri clans," she said for what felt like the umpteenth time that day. "He means no harm - is my father worried?"
"He's a sworn shield of Elsi's, I think," Madi did her best to relay the situation to Prince Aeirk. In Terrini, she said, "Captain, find my horse and have him returned to the royal stables."
With all the authority and regality learnt from her tutors and her lord father, the queen suggested first in Terrini and then in Ro'gan, "Elsina, my lord prince, good Sers - why don't we return to the palace and settle things there?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:04 am
[ SER ROSFIR ]
Only when Ser Rosfir heard from the princess's own lips that she was unharmed and this "Prince Aerik" had not hurt her did he stand down, regardless of what Ser Stalwart commanded. Ser Rosfir recognized the knight a few years his junior as the First of the Queensguard, but it was Princess Elsina whom Ser Rosfir served, not the queen nor her guard.
He was raised to be courteous in his lord uncle's hall, however. "Forgive me, Ser Stalwart," he apologized. "I feared for Princess Elsina - she is missing, and her father greatly worried. Though now that I have found you, ease your heart your highness. I shall have a message sent at once."
To Queen Madeira's suggestion (which was more of a command, though Ser Rosfir was surprised by her diplomacy - pampered children of eleven were seldom so delicate) Ser Rosfir merely bowed his head. And plant himself at Princess Elsina's side, between her and Prince Aerik.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:03 pm
[ PRINCE ÆRIK ]
Reigning in his short temper, the Prince release his hilt when the Princess stepped forward and tipped his head in acknowledgement of the Queen as she communicated the situation to him. Orange fled his irises as his aggression retreated and he felt the weariness return, stronger now that the hostilities in the air burned at the remnant of energy he had. A shadow passed above and he looked up to see Shiva on high, no doubt drawn by the Vhenan. She merely circled, however, and though he longed to be up there with her the Prince nodded again at the Queen's words.
"Gratitude once again, Your Majesty. " It was so difficult not to press the child, but the urgency of his matter could not be delayed much longer. He could only imagine what was happening as they stood here in the market square, maintaining diplomacy and niceties, back in his homeland.
As Ser Rosfir took stride between the Prince and himself, Ærik only rubbed his eyes wearily and dismissed the man. Though it irritated him, he had more important manners to attend to before wounded pride.
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:14 pm
[ SER STALWART ]
"Right, then." Ser Stalwart said, clearing his throat and handing the reins of the Queen's horse, Quinton, to the guard Captain. "If you would, Captain." He said, and added: "My own mount is not far from here." If the Queen travelled on foot then so would Stalwart.
Taking his own place one stride to the side and one back from the Queen, glanced once sourly in the direction of Ser Rosfir. Though the young Knight understood fully the duty behind the man's actions, Stalwart still made note of a small measure of disapproval -- the Princess Elsina would not come to harm in the capitol of Talquis, least of all in the presence of the Queen and her First Knight. Resisting a sigh and slump of his shoulders in preference to the square, proud posture of his station, Stalwart resumed his vigil of the Queen's person and surroundings.
This day just kept getting better and better.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:33 am
[ QUEEN MADEIRA ]
The queen walked with the exuberance and energy of youth, babbling on about all the things she'd done in the past years of Elsina's absence, her tutors, her horse, falcon - everything, essentially. She slipped between Terrini and Ro'gan seamlessly, knowing Elsina understood both; pausing in one language, she would fumble for a word until she found it in the next and would continue speaking the other until she searched for a more precise word again.
The crossed the Southern Bridge in little time, and none of the guards batted an eye at the complete lack of retinue surrounding the queen - all of them had witnessed her escape that morning and were only relieved she was returning before Lord Martyn stalked across the bridge in pursuit himself.
The palace was built of a greyish stone, and spiraling towers rose from the royal seat of the il Ventryx queens. There was no wall surrounding it, unlike most castles and palaces for the queens were not warlike and Talquis was known for its peaceful and hospitable people. The palace itself was composed of five parts, each connected by hallways and formed courtyards, some of which served as gardens and others as practice yards for pages, squires and knights. The main keep, called the Queen's Keep was the cross-like building that had entrances at all four of the bridges
At the entrance to the south doors stood Lord Martyn, looking displeased.
Lord Martyn was man in his early forties, with sandy brown hair, a strong nose and the green eyes Madeira had inherited. He was tall and muscular, having been a knight in his younger days. He wore a black doublet worked with silver over a fine white shirt, and black breeches. No crown adorned his head - he was Lord Regent, but no king.
"Princess Elsina," Lord Martyn greeted in a deep voice. "Word has been sent to your father; you are, of course, most welcome here. Your Majesty, please inform your guest that you will meet with him in the Grand Hall in a half-hour's time."
Before her royal guests, Lord Martyn was nothing but courteous and respectful, but Madi knew he would have some strict words for her about her escape and her conduct, and he would probably manage to fit them in before she met formally with Prince Aerik. Relaying his message in Ro'gan, Madi asked of Elsina, "Please be my representative, and show Prince Aerik to the Grand Hall for me."
That said, the young queen left the group to approach her father, Ser Wart in tow as usual.
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