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Post by Kai on Mar 1, 2008 18:22:55 GMT -5
As Kai stood in the courtyard with the 20 or so men of his bodyguard he waited for Vanora to turn up. She was always 'fashionably late' and he never got annoyed by it he was waiting for her to arrive and they would heard north to a couple of towns and villages and just do the visiting royalty stuff. It was just another business trip, but this time Kai's daughtee was coming and she always cheered him up no end.
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Post by Vanora on Mar 1, 2008 18:35:08 GMT -5
Vanora descended the stairs with her chambermaid once again not far behind. She felt bad sometimes for not doing anything and occasionally pushed her out of the way to give her a break when she was worked too hard, but that's what her maid was for. The soft lavender of her dress felt better and was less constricting than her previous one, she tied her hair partially up to keep out of her face, but let the rest of her long dark tresses fall down her back like a river of rich brown chocolate. "I'm ready," she said strolling over to him. Excited for a new adventure, but attempting to be graceful as always. "Why do you have to take so long, daddy?" she teased flashing him her ever present smile," you would think that since your only daughter got here before you, you could hurry along and not make a lady wait."
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Post by Kai on Mar 2, 2008 4:12:56 GMT -5
He looked over as Vanora approached and as usual she was looking beautiful. Helistened to her and he gave a little chuckle " Ah this must be my old age making me slow, But I never make a lady wait, she just has to stand around for a bit. Come now my speedy young daughter we shall go for a ride. I want to reach the first town before nightfall.He turned to look around the courtyard. His men were starting mount up, they were armed with swords and bows and heavy chain mail. They also had shields attached to their horses flanks. They were the best troops in the Kingdom, the champions of their war-bands. Kai looked on to his horse, a gray mare called Frost, she was a calm beast but very fast and well trained. She was a mix between the horses of the arabs and the common greek horse, in technicality one of the first ever thoroughbreds. He jumped up in the saddle as he was just tall enough he then pointed at one of the servants and said " You, yes you. Stop standing there like a limp fish and go and give my daughter a leg up, MOVE MOVE!" He suddnley shouted at the end due to the slowness of the servant. He looked at Vanora and said " Come on lets get going!"
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Post by Vanora on Mar 2, 2008 11:30:15 GMT -5
Vanora bowed her head to the troops and never made eye contact as she made her way over to her horse. She made note of her father's urgency and seeming impatience to get going and tried to hurry along. A scrawny male servant snapped up into activity as Kai barked an order at him, his dirt smudged figure hurried over to Vanora's horse. The glorious cream coated horse, Morning, snorted and huffed as approached by the small servant. Vanora stroked her jaw and pecked it quickly. With a woosh of her lavender skirts she was on Morning's back with out any help. She nodded to the servant to dismiss him. "Okay. Let's go." She tapped her heel into her horses' side and Morning began to gallop in front of the group.
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Post by Kai on Mar 2, 2008 17:33:40 GMT -5
As his daughter rode away from the leaving the single gobsmacked servant behind he waved his men on. They galloped after her catching up quickly and they formed a protective shield around the two Royals. As Kai quietly looked over his country he couldn't help but noticed as the miles grew between them and the palace the villages became smaller the peasants skinnier and with a look of desperation in their eyes. He then remembered this was were the last pockets of rebels lurked. Preying of the peasants they destroyed the locals. Kai thought that he should have brought more men but he was fairly certain they could out run anythhing that attacked. Soon he saw the heavily fortified town which was the provincial capital they soon arrived and galloped in, Kai looked over to Vanora and said " I will talk to the governor and then we will have a rest."
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Post by Vanora on Mar 2, 2008 21:41:10 GMT -5
Vanora didn't pay much attention to her father on the ride but instead became observant of the countryside. It felt so odd to be outside the protective barriers of the palace and on top of that faced with the poverty of her country so abruptly. Why had she never noticed this before? The hollow, gaunt eyes of peasants gazed up in harsh scrutiny as she passed. All of a sudden she felt horrible for living like she did when these people were living in such squaller. Even though there was a protective line of men between Vanora and the peasants she never before felt more exposed. Part of her begged to cover herself and to shield her eyes as if she were in the presence of a naked man, but she couldn't tear her eyes away. The ghostly forms of willowy people glided about here and there, some toiling over torturous work for their household and others blankly staring at the troops and the royals in the middle. She barely noticed when her father spoke to her, and didn't immediately comprehend his words, "Hm?" then she corrected herself, finally freeing her gaze from the peasant's capture, "Oh. Yes." Vanora nodded and focused her eyes to the horizon. However the sting of sympathy never left her, no matter how hard she tried to shake it.
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Post by Nathanos on Mar 2, 2008 21:43:53 GMT -5
Nathanos often wondered how he was always the one chosen for such demeaning tasks... he would have given his left arm to be on the front lines, that is of course, if the enemy could cleave it from his body. But instead of the glory of war, the knight leaned against the great white wall of the Illyrian capital, awaiting His Majesty the King and his lovely daughter to arrive. Apparently there was to be a meeting between the King and the Governor, and Nathanos himself was to ensure the Princess' safety as the men talked. Wonderful... I'm a glorified babysitter... He supposed it could be worse... after all, she wasn't what one would call homely. Of course a lowly Knight such as himself would most likely never find his way into the good graces of such royalty, but one could always dream. He saluted the local guards as he left the gate to greet the travelers, kneeling and removing his helm.
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Post by Kai on Mar 3, 2008 8:52:16 GMT -5
Kai noticed that Vanora seemed more worried about things than usual, perhaps she had seen something disturbing while they were traveling. They did ride through a particularly rough bit of countryside. But that was no reason to be this distracted perhaps he should talk to her later. As started to walk off towards the governor's house a young warrior knelt before him. He looked like a fighter, and Kai loved fighters, after fighting a civil war Kai hated cowards nearly as much as he hated the barbarians in the trees around here. He saluted the warrior and said "Rise, what have you got to tell me or are you just wasting my time." Kai looked him over again hoping he would not disappoint him.
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Post by Nathanos on Mar 3, 2008 17:03:14 GMT -5
He rose from the ground with a quick nod of his head. Nathanos had almost gotten used to moving in the heavy plate mail his occupation required. Of course he could have opted for lighter mail or leather armor, but there was something about sharp objects piercing his body that just wasn't as appealing as one would think. In fact, apart from the small coin purse he kept on his belt at all times, his armor and sword were his most valuable possessions. In fact, they were his only possessions... he lived in the troop barracks and ate whatever he could afford on his meager pay. He could hardly imagine the life of luxury these two lived... the horses they rode told much. Magnificent beasts, bred for beauty and obedience, these were indeed the best money could buy. He then realized that he had indeed been wasting the King's time with his daydreaming. "I'm here to escort His Royal Majesty the King and Her highness the Princess to the keep. These are dangerous times, and there are many who would see The Royal Family killed... But not on my watch Sir." He removed his gauntlet and stroked the white horse's nose gently. "Shall I stable your horses my Liege?"
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Post by Kai on Mar 3, 2008 17:35:41 GMT -5
Kai looked at the soldier and said " Yes hold onto my horse until I come back, give her some water. I am going to see the governor. Then go and check on my daughter, look after her soldier. Your job is to look after her, I need to go out to the badlands to get a prisoner to talk to you shall come along with her. I shall be back soon" He saluted the soldier and walked off hoping the soldier could the simple task.
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Post by Vanora on Mar 3, 2008 17:58:31 GMT -5
Vanora dismounted her horse as once as they were safely in the gates. She pecked Morning on the cheek and lead her over to the warrior that took Kai's horse. As her father sauntered off in the opposite direction she slowed her walk to try to see where he was going. Being nosey was always a weakness of hers. She lead Morning over to the knight and for the first time, really saw him. It was like the sunlight struck at a perfect angle on his strong face as he moved about the stables. "Are you to take our horses?" she asked the man, trying to ignore the blush that was spreading to her face as she met his eyes.
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Post by Nathanos on Mar 3, 2008 19:43:33 GMT -5
"Unless you have any objections, yes." He said, his voice seemingly kind, but with a subtle touch of sarcasm. Yes Princess Points-out-the-obvious-alot, I'm here for the sole purpose of tying up your horse... But of course one could never, and would never, say such things in the presence of said nobility. To ruffled his blond hair and took the reigns from the girl, smiling and trying all to hard to show the Princess the respect a future monarch ought to be shown. Well, that and it was the royal seal that enclosed the few gold coins he was to be payed each week. It was one of those 'Don't bite the hand that feeds you' kind of things. Once the steeds were safely secured in the stables he turned and walked towards the girl. "So where to your Highness?" Nathanos inquired with a quick bow. "My job is just to make sure you don't get into too much trouble. I won't be too much of a bother I hope."
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Post by Vanora on Mar 4, 2008 22:12:02 GMT -5
Vanora felt somewhat reluctant to hand over the weather roughened reigns of her mare. However there stood Frost in his majesty, her father's horse, and he had just walked off unthreatened so it must be fine, she hoped. The princess passed the reigns over to the man. However just as his bright blue eyes held her for a second and the knight shook out his hair she couldn't think of much else, except to stand there like a deaf mute. 'Come on! Say something. Vanora. Say something!', her mind screeched. Why was she even looking at him? He was below her, and besides he was on the court, that had to be wrong in some fashion. She put her fine fingers to her forehead in attempt to clear her thoughts and answered the knight, "No. Not a bother at all." She was afraid she'd answered too quickly on that one, she answered more calmly the second time. "To the garden?" Over to their left lay massive gardens that stretched out into orchards, well endowed with glorious blooms of flowers and fruits that looked juxtaposed in the contrast to the dark and looming castle that lay in front of them. What feelings the spring brought upon one.
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Post by Nathanos on Mar 5, 2008 16:22:39 GMT -5
((lol I think Nathanos has a bad case of Passive Aggressive Disorder XD ))
Garden. Well that sounded... safe? Perhaps a little boring, but hey, he wasn't in charge. When he was promoted, then he'd be in charge. But for now, Nathanos obeyed like a good little soldier and accompanied the Princess, Vanora, to the gardens. He really had nothing against flowers, it wasn't anything personal, he just had mild allergies. Whilst the Princess literally frolicked around, his eyes were tearing up and his face turning a magnificent shade of rosy red. He would have given anything to wipe his eyes, but steel gauntlets weren't exactly the tool of choice to do so. What was it with royals and their gardens anyway? Had they nothing better to do? Like... ruling the kingdom perhaps? Well, on the bright side, at least she was polite. Of course there was always the 'you're not worthy' look, but that was to be expected. This Vanora was likable he supposed, not too annoying and not too obnoxiously arrogant. Which, all things considered, was great. The Kingdom could be run by much worse. It wasn't that he hated all royalty, but it made him sick that the poor peasants had to pay out of their noses, taking away from the money they needed to feed their families, so that the King and other chosen few could live the life of pampered luxury. Chatty one isn't she? "So, how was your journey to the capital your Highness? All went well I hope."
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Post by Vanora on Mar 5, 2008 21:41:19 GMT -5
(i think nathanos is just a sarcastic not a very nice person. but whatever. ) Vanora slipped off her shoes when she came into the garden and hid them under a nearby rose bush. She reveled in the garden's beauty, all of the brilliant, vivacious colors reflected off her soul and made her somehow feel happy even being amongst them. As delicately as she could, she cupped a calilily in her hands and smelled the sweet blossom like it was the most beautiful thing that one could imagine. Her face glowed with childlike joy as she pulled back, her green eyes sparkled and twinkled in the soft sunlight that set the garden in a vibrant light. Then she noticed Nathanos' eyes. They were puffy and watery, his poor, handsome face looked miserable, even surrounded by all this beauty. "Oh... Are you okay?" she said coming up to him. She pulled out her handkerchief to wipe at his eyes, the gauntlets on his fingers would surely be painful if they scratched him. "It was.. enlightening," she replied, not wanting him to know the full details unless he asked. "I learned things through the countryside that often go unmentioned when I talk with my father." She cut off asking innocently, yet concerned, "Do we need to go somewhere else? These flowers look to be doing you an injustice."
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