Stories.... Stories And Chats!

Where the story is... Well a story! Let's talk about it! English only please otherwise I will plug you into google translate and it might not turn out good. Haha. But I will try.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times Part 8

Kaiser squinted at her when he spotted the glowing light off the fur of the white fox that strutted along the wall. "What is a fox like that doing here?" he said to himself watching it as it took note of his gaze as he was captured by the striking green that where there eyes. Most foxes’ eyes were black, and around here they were orange and red in fur color not this brilliant white. Looking at this creature he could tell it was not a normal fox. He heard a gentle whisper of what sounded like his name then it jumped down off the wall and virtually vanished into the shade on this side of the wall. “Fox?” he whispered having heard that tone of voice before from the Fox guard waiting here. He would run into her from time to time while keeping his distance just to see what she would do, mostly just sleep in an oak tree, an she would mutter softly to herself or sigh, so he knew her silence was a choice. But it would be ridiculous to say that the fox guard was an actual fox, that would make them not even human… or perhaps a human with powers and that was her manifestation of them. If that was the case then the Fox guard here was the real deal because being able to change into other animals would make half of the rumors about that fighter much more plausible. “Another trip over the wall?” he asked despite knowing he wouldn’t get a response as well as knowing that she would return to her quarters without incident so he didn't react to much more to her presence this time.

Cardinal took a breath as she stretched out along her assigned cot looking up at the ceiling above her. Once she slipped away, she took back her normal form and returned to her bed in the chambers of visiting staff from the guests upstairs. The numbers were beginning to dwindle down as many were beginning to return home. But not yet for her and her lord they had a few more weeks to go before discussion of departure would begin. Summits really dragged for those in the lower court like where her lord was. He was basically the bottom on the list of importance. Come morning with a deep dread she returned to her lord. Able to fallow him for the day for just a casual day of talk.

She stuck near him on a wall keeping as low as a profile as possible.

After being with him the full day she was chased off in the evening hours. Extremely thankful to not have to suffer yet another night at his hands she always felt so off after each request for her to stay. An wished more that the lady and young son of the house was able to attend events like this. With them around he never called for personal punishments and her immediate order became to stick to the young son like glue an keep him safe an out of trouble. She liked him, he was well behaved and he liked her as well even if she couldn’t play with him like he wanted some days.

With a bit of mindless wandering in the twilight she ended holding up in a small space along the south wall’s greenery. She pulled her legs up into her chest wrapping around them with her arms seeming to become even smaller an going off into one of the darker corners of her mind. "Perhaps I should put an end it all here...".

The evening moved with little to no pace this time, as it seemed round by round the path he walked seemed to be wore down into the gravel more and more, but of course as of late it didn’t last long, Kaiser sighed and turned his attention towards the southern wall. He had heard talking. No response was given, so it was one person. Talking to themselves at a time like this. This person must be contemplating some rash decision.

Kaiser walked towards the area where he heard the voice originate from with a torch in hand. It took a few minutes of light searching where he Eventually came up to the hiding spot, he stood in front of her a slightly agitated look on his face. "Care to explain why you are in the madam's flower bushes, trying to steal a bushel for yourself?" He didn't reach for his sword as others might have. Though he should've, he doesn't want to turn a simple situation into a fight or hunt for this particular one.

Her gaze lifted at the voice seeing him before her again then looked back down at her pathetic stance all wrapped up around itself. 'Really? Steal some flowers? Does it look like I care about stupid flowers right now? There aren’t even any blooms.' She grumbled mentally but shook her head no to his question. Looking up she gave a soft smile to herself and spoke softly. "I was hiding an I was thinking of ways I could die..." she looked to the bush on her left side. "If I was trying to take some of the flowers would that get me killed?" She asked in response to him asking if she was stealing then returning her gaze to him again. Talking aloud. Let others hear her voice, let them spread rumors. That's a good start to her decline. She mused softly waiting looking at him but not moving from her balled up placement in the greenery of the shrubbery.

"No. It would make the madam upset. She would've rather you asked if you wanted a flower." Takin in Her posture at the moment while they spoke and her lack of reaction. She felt and looked rather vulnerable it seemed. Kaiser crouched down to be on her level. "I'm on the only guard on patrol duty at the moment... why would you come to the conclusion you would be killed over some flowers? My lord is fair. He would have you plant another." A subject’s reaction to the possibility of breaking a law or a rule of the castle tells a lot of the one that governs them. "Why don't you come with me to the guard quarters? We'll get you some food and drink and let you return to your quarters for the evening."

She took a moment before answering his first question. "Because even if its fixable by planting another bush at the lord’s instance. My lord would be terribly embarrassed and that is never a good thing if it comes to my punishments." She let out a deep sigh. So much for others over hearing her. The guard quarters would definitely get the job done but she has a sneaking suspicion that they would be incredibly tight lipped about her visit. She hadn't even heard rumors about her visit to Kaiser in the quarters last time. So, she gave an answer to his offer.

"Im not allowed to interact with others without my lord telling me too." She explained shifting just slightly. "Food and drink are a big no as well if I haven't been given the okay. I can't take anyone else’s portions... they will need it more then I. You have seen all I do.... I wander, I sleep, and I fallow my lord. I don't burn much energy." She gave a soft pathetic laugh with a sigh. Still looking at him from that spot. Things were okay till another appeared knelling next to Kaiser.

"So that's the way it is for you... then is it safe to assume that on random nights you’re the voice many hear calling out in pain from the guest quarters?" The man seemed to be a General or a lead guard. His attire similar yet different from Kaisers. She shrugged.

"I don’t know. That is for you to solve, this isn’t my home, and it doesn’t bother my lord." She said bluntly and with no hesitation either not making it any easier to guess if it was her or not.

The other guard gave an exasperated sigh. "I should have expected you to say something like that... you are a difficult one to fallow on these grounds when you’re not glued to your lords’ side. Basically, a ghost, you do live up to your name for sure, and that makes my job no easier." He seemed to ramble a bit and patted Kaisers shoulder as she gave a small shrug with a sigh. Tightening up in a ball more an putting her head down into her knees and with her hood up effectively hiding her head. The other guard looked to Kaiser.

"Maybe you can get them to open up to you... our Lord is rather tense due to their presence here and of the reputation that precedes them... he asked me to keep eyes on them, but with them slipping away from me easily, and the strange noises stirring up the house staff our lord is not very comfortable. Im glad I can tell him something to ease his mind now." He explained looking up to the sky as the evening truly set in. "I’ll let you decide if they are trust worthy, you appear able to find them much easier than I can keep up with them. Best of luck Kaiser, but don't forget your own duty and patrolling tonight." He said as he got up and walked off, he wouldn't actually inform anyone of what happened having decided to keep it to himself due to the state they were in at the moment with how they acted and spoke before he made himself known to both parties. With the fox contemplating how to die, telling his lord any of this would cause his lord to confront their lord about it, and in turn possibly set them off after the fox, and with no fighting spirit they would give in and just perish if their lord just didn’t out right kill them.

Once far enough away she picked up her head, though hidden from view she had a sickening smile on her lips, but just for a moment. "If he will tell your lord... your lord will confront mine... if he does, my death ticket has been sealed." She let out a pitiful laugh and looked up to the sky. "Perhaps by the full moon in one day." She didn't know why she couldn't get out of this dark mind set. Why she couldn't get out of her head right now, she normally could but for now something was just sticking it to the forefront of her mind. And it was driving darker emotions, but she knew one thing, she was strongly craving the freedom of a run with no limits... the regular calling she felt, that got stronger the fuller the moon was. And with evening falling on the eve of a full moon she could truly feel that calling and sighed thankful for something to pull her out of the dark side of her mind.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times Part 7

Kaiser squinted at her when he spotted the glowing light off the fur of the white fox that strutted along the wall. "What is a fox like that doing here?" he said to himself watching it as it took note of his gaze as he was captured by the striking green that where her eyes. Most foxes’ eyes were black, and around here they were orange and red in fur color not this brilliant white. Looking at this creature he could tell it was not a normal fox. He heard a gentle whisper of what sounded like his name then it jumped down off the wall and virtually vanished into the shade on this side of the wall. “Fox?” he whispered having heard that tone of voice before from the Fox guard waiting here. He would run into her from time to time while keeping his distance just to see what she would do, mostly just sleep in an oak tree, an she would mutter softly to herself or sigh, so he knew her silence was a choice. But it would be ridiculous to say that the fox guard was an actual fox, that would make them not even human… or perhaps a human with powers an that was her manifestation of them. If that was the case then the Fox guard here was the real deal because being able to change into other animals would make half of the rumors about that fighter much more plausible. “Another trip over the wall?” he asked despite knowing he wouldn’t get a response as well as knowing that she would return to her quarters without incident so he didn't react to much more to her presence this time. He finished the rest of the night uneventful.

Cardinal took a breath as she stretched out along her assigned cot looking up at the ceiling above her. Once she slipped away, she took back her normal form and returned to her bed in the chambers of visiting staff from the guests upstairs. The numbers were beginning to dwindle down as many were beginning to return home. But not yet for her and her lord they had a few more weeks to go before discussion of departure would begin. Summits really dragged for those in the lower court like where her lord was. He was basically the bottom on the list of importance. Come morning with a deep dread she returned to her lord. Able to fallow him for the day for just a casual day of talk.

She stuck near him on a wall keeping as low as a profile as possible.

After being with him the full day she was chased off in the evening hours. Extremely thankful to not have to suffer yet another night at his hands she always felt so gross after each request for her to stay. An wished more that the lady and young son of the house was able to attend events like this. With them around he never called for personal punishments and her immediate order became to stick to the young son like glue an keep him safe an out of trouble. She liked him, he was well behaved and he liked her as well even if she couldn’t play with him like he wanted some days.

With a bit of mindless wandering in the twilight she ended holding up in a small space along the south wall’s greenery. She pulled her legs up into her chest wrapping around them with her arms seeming to become even smaller an going off into the dark corners of her mind. "Perhaps I should end it all here for me...." she muttered aloud by mistake. As her eyes gazed into the ground.

Kaiser sighed and turned his attention towards the southern wall. He heard talking. No response so it was one person. Talking to themselves at a time like this. This person must be contemplating some rash action. Kaiser walked towards the area where he heard it with a torch in hand. Eventually coming up to her hiding spot he stood in front of her a slightly agitated look on his face. "Care to explain why you are in the madam's flower bushes. Trying to steal a bushel for yourself?" He didn't reach for his sword as others might have. Though he should've he doesn't want to turn a simple situation into a fight or hunt for this one.

Her gaze lifted at the voice seeing him again then looked back down at her pathetic stance all wrapped up around itself. 'Really. Steal some flowers does it look like I care about stupid flowers right now? There aren’t even any blooms.' She grumbled mentally but shook her head no to his question. Reaching up she gave a soft smile to herself and spoke softly. "I was hiding an I was thinking of ways I could die..." she looked to the bush on her left side. "If I was trying to take some of the flowers would that get me killed?" She asked in response to him asking if she was stealing then returning her gaze to him again. Talking aloud. Yep let others hear her voice spread rumors. That's a good start to her decline. She mused softly waiting looking at him but not moving from her balled up placement in the greenery.

"No. It would make the madam upset. She would've rather you asked if you wanted a flower." Takin in Her posture at the moment while they spoke and her lack of reaction. She felt and looked rather vulnerable it seemed. Kaiser crouched down to be on her level. "I'm on the only guard on patrol duty at the moment... why would you come to the conclusion you would be killed over some flowers. My lord is fair. He would have you plant another." A subject’s reaction to the possibility of breaking a law or a rule of the castle tells a lot of the one that governs them. "Why don't you come with me to the guard quarters? We'll get you some food and drink and let you return to your quarters for the evening."

She took a moment before answering his first question. "Because even if its fixable by planting another bush at the lords instance my lord would be terribly embarrassed and that is never a good thing if it comes to my punishments." She let out a deep sigh. So much for others over hearing her. The guard quarters would definitely get the job done but she has a sneaking suspicion that they would be incredibly tight lipped about her visit. She hadn't even heard rumors about her visit to Kaiser in the quarters last time. So, she gave an answer to his offer.

"Im not allowed to interact with others without my lord telling me too." She explained shifting just slightly. "Food and drink are a big no as well if I haven't been given the okay. I can't take anyone else’s portions... they will need it more then I. You have seen all I do.... I wander, I sleep, and I fallow my lord. I don't burn much energy." She gave a soft pathetic laugh with a sigh. Still looking at him from that spot. Things were okay till another appeared knelling next to Kaiser.

"So that's the way it is for you... then is it safe to assume that on random nights you’re the voice many hear calling out in pain from the guest quarters?" The man seemed to be a General or a lead guard. His attire similar yet different from Kaisers. She shrugged.

"I don’t know. That is for you to solve, this isn’t my home, and it doesn’t bother my lord." She said bluntly and with no hesitation either not making it any easier to guess if it was her or not.

The other guard gave an exasperated sigh. "I should have expected you to say something like that... you are a difficult one to fallow on these grounds when you’re not glued to your lords’ side. Basically, a ghost, you do live up to your name for sure, and that makes my job no easier." He seemed to ramble a bit and patted Kaisers shoulder as she gave a small shrug with a sigh. Tightening up in a ball more an putting her head down into her knees and with her hood up effectively hiding her head. The other guard looked to Kaiser.

"Maybe you can get them to open up to you... our Lord is rather tense due to their presence here and of the reputation that precedes them... he asked me to keep eyes on them, but with them slipping away from me easily, and the strange noises stirring up the house staff our lord is not very comfortable. Im glad I can tell him something to ease his mind now." He explained looking up to the sky as evening set in. "I’ll let you decide if they are trust worthy, you appear able to find them much easier than I can keep up with them. Best of luck Kaiser, but don't forget your own duty and patrolling tonight." He said as he got up and walked off, he wouldn't actually inform anyone of what happened having decided to keep it to himself due to their state they were in at the moment with how they acted and spoke before he made himself known to both parties. With the fox contemplating how to die, telling his lord any of this would cause his lord to confront their lord about it, an in turn possibly set them off after the fox, and with no fighting spirit they would give in and just perish if their lord just didn’t out right kill them.

Once far enough away she picked up her head, though hidden from view she had a sickening smile on her lips, but just for a moment. "If He will tell your lord... your lord will confront mine... if he does, my death ticket has been sealed." She let out a pitiful laugh and looked up to the sky. "Perhaps by the full moon in one day." She didn't know why she couldn't get out of this dark mind set. Why she couldn't get out of her head right now, she normally could but for now something was just sticking it to the forefront of her mind. And it was driving darker emotions, but she knew one thing, she was strongly craving the freedom of a run with no limits... the regular calling she felt, that got stronger the fuller the moon was. And with evening falling on the eve of a full moon she could truly feel that calling and sighed thankful for something to pull her out of the dark side of her mind.

Looking back to Kaiser finally she shifted moving to look like she would crawl forward. "If you will move back... I'll get out of the bushes." She said gesturing that if she wanted to truly get out of the bushes at this moment, she would have to practically crawl over him with how close he was to her hiding spot so they could talk. "I'll try not to be a nuisance for you anymore.... I'm sure you are getting sick of seeing me out an telling me to return to my room." She commented looking off to the left for a moment rubbing some dirt off of her gloved palm then something struck with her curiosity.

"You keep offering me food. Why?" She asked looking towards him.

"And I wear a mask... what made you think that inviting me to the guard quarters, where a lot of people are to eat and drink, what made you think that I would take you up on that offer?" She asked as well as that would practically offer full exposure... even she didn't have the guts for that, an again she would feel like she was taking someone’s rations for dinner and that guilt would eat at her.

She was to emotional right now to have that settle properly. She was backed too far into a figurative corner an she was stuck there. Pinned by shat she was raised on an what her lord has done more regularly since they got here little over a couple weeks ago. It was too heavy for the moment and feeling no break coming soon she lapsed into such a mindset. For now, she would wait. It’s what she was good at, a break will be soon an she will breath easier, after all, the full moon was close. After a full moon for just a little while she always felt refreshed, freed from that corner. She just had to wait a little longer an everything would be fine. She knew so. She could feel it coming, it let her relax a bit, tension melting off her shoulders.

"I offer you food because I understand how it feels to be that hungry." Kaiser watched his fellow guard leave and answered her other question.

"I felt as if this place is safe enough for people like us. Though you're considered a legend here you are still a person like us." He was unsure how to talk to this person.  Her Lord kept her secluded, hidden from everyone to even their appearance behind the mask.

"From what I've seen your understanding of magic goes beyond or equal to that of the captain. I would like some insight into my ability if you would be so generous." Her answer would confirm what he suspected with that appearance of the strange fox a few nights ago.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times Part 6

He smiled to himself at the look in her body language after he had left. "The reaction tells it all." he mused Quietly. The same look and feeling he had as a child when the captain found him. It made him nearly tear up as he realized how much the captain actually rescued him from what could have been. Should he have lived he had no doubts that he might have turned out just like the Fox or perhaps even a bandit leader or camp member.

The typical morning for her lord fallowed the dawns arrival. Hearing she would be needed for another call that evening before she was dismissed of the afternoon, she went to find him. With a call for this evening there was something she had to return beforehand. She stood there at a door knowing he was on the other side with some others, taking a breath she moved opening the door looking at those from the evening shift settling in for bed, relaxing and just otherwise hanging out. She scanned them all quickly spotting him among the crowd as slowly she stepped forward soft murmurs about her presences was about the room but most didn't care of her being there. Once she got to him, she lightly tapped his shoulder for his attention.

Kaiser, having had his mind elsewhere, jumped at the sudden tap and he reacted by standing at attention until he saw who it was letting out a deep breath of relief. "By the gods you scared me. Do you need assistance?"

She shook her head no then moved pulling a cloth out to hand it back to him it fell away to show the food he had given her several hours prior. Moving she put it in his hands not allowing him to reject her action and then put her other hand on his shoulder. 'I can't take your food. Thank you however.' She hoped she was able to communicate that with her gentle touch an head nod, then let her palms drop from him back to her sides and moved to turn around and leave the room. She would find a place to rest alone perhaps before tonight. She had come to the decision that no matter how hungry she was she couldn't take food from another. Even if it was given or offered to be shared. She would get her own, earn it, hunt it if she must. She just couldn't make herself to take someone else’s. He would need it more then she anyway. That much she knew; here she couldn't fight or do anything. He however was burning way more energy in a night then she was in the 5 days she had been there for already.

He looked down at the food he had given to her being returned to him. He took it back but He was confused to say the least. ‘Clearly she doesn't eat enough. Yet she refuses food.’ He thought to himself. He figured he couldn't change her mind and he couldn't leave here to go find her until his shift was up to start. Though he made a mental note which direction she went, figuring her would find her during the changeover. “Pride can be your undoing.” He whispered towards her though she was long gone by now’

It was her own feelings of feeling like she was taking what wasn't hers to have. An unyielding compassion she had for others having been born from her past. She couldn't let him go hungry because he felt bad for her. She could shoulder it just fine, just as she has for a while now she couldn't bare someone else attempting such a thing either.

She wandered aimlessly for a while she did however find herself something to eat. It wasn't special a cinnamon mini loaf that was being sold to staff and guests. She slipped in the crowd bought a part for herself and slipped away again. Finding her way back to that large oak tree, this tree easily becoming her chosen staple of a time to just get away even with in her confines an area of peace. She climbed its branches ate quickly her bread and soon found herself comfortable enough to doze off the sun warming the air around her in the shade. Letting one of her legs dangles as she slept peacefully this time. She didn't have too long before she would have to be up again but for now it mattered not.

The evening came to quick for her liking an she awoke as the sun began to fall. She escorted her lord back to his chambers after supper was hosted. Staying at his request. Biting her lip in silence as her night began miserably. Then left once he was done with her. She couldn’t post out in his room like normal she needed to step away this time.

She wandered seemingly in a daze as she swayed just slightly as she walked her head swimming round and round with her thoughts till she was stopped by a pail blue light appearing in her path before her face. Its calming light clearing her mind an her daze for this moment.

Holding her hand up the will of the wisp landed and absorbed into her palm. Delivering its message too her from the master Fay of the forest. He granted her request and will meet the sprite at the forest edge to return her home. On the condition that she too appears before him to receive judgment on her request. It was an easy enough of a request she just had to make sure she couldn't be spotted as she got over the walls this time. An she knew exactly how to accomplish this.

She had a small window of time till the meeting. She got her head somewhat together and hurried off to the young sprite. Getting too her, she relayed the good news as the sprite jumped for joy running to cardinal and nuzzling into her chest for a moment looking up too her.

Cardinal spoke softly to the sprite and wrapped her in her cloak as they melted away into the shadows as the bright nearly full moon was blocked by cloud's an when the light returned both cardinal and the sprite were gone having vanished all together.

Over the wall facing the forest to the east cardinal’s form slinked in quickly to the tree line no more than a soft white glowing streak across the gap into the tree line vanishing again from eye sight in the seconds it took to blink once.

There under the safety of the tree’s cardinal set the young sprite down who now had taken the form of a Kit so cardinal could carry it safely. Once the sprite was down on the ground another figure appeared from the greenery the thick wall seeming to part from him as he glided along. She remained bowed as the sprite returned to its normal form and rushed over to the master fay at his beckoning seeming to vanish into his glow.

"Ah.... The stolen child. Retuned safe without so much as a scratch and a new shifting form taught to them for a low profile. I heard many tales about you. You do well to live up to your name in the forests. I have also heard an see What those nasty humans do to you as well. And lastly what you do to protect those from forests much like this." he spoke as she kept low to the ground with her head bowed.

"You have strange gifts... some taught from those you helped, most natural from your birth… But you are chained by humans. Your light suffocated. Your true goal of messenger to Inari Lost at your accidental abandonment... so your full power is muffled and lost to your ability of use… You suffer so much at the hands of another, so sickening, tainted by those un worthy of your light. Humans grasp, claw, starve, beat and use your body for their own greed. They don't deserve you.... You belong to the forest. I know you know but your chains hold you in place. Makes judgment sad on you... Because even in your home you know you’re not worthy to gaze at me when it should be I." he rambled on she could feel his presence circling her round and around.

"You’re a disgusting creature right now... But gain your freedom an I know you will glow beautiful. As many like you do every full moon at your calling." he moved kneeling before her small form as his hand lightly ran over her head brushing her ears and fur back with his movement.

"Dearest silver fox. Your heart is pure, I’ll see the sprite home myself. Kill your chains when you’re ready then come home child, the forest is your home." then the master fay vanished all together his warmth from his hand lingering on her for a good while.

She held her spot for a few minutes longer then finally looked up and started a small trot back to the walls of the castle. She has heard the judgment many times, some days they asked her to forgo her chains and leave with them at that moment, then there are others that tell her to come back when they are dead and gone. Both are always so tempting but she wouldn't right now she wasn't strong enough. Jumping onto the wall with ease once she was close to it once again, it’s grand size much larger now. In this form she was so light so free and agile a jump like this was nothing, like she was flying as she soared up to land gently with no noise. But she was so small too but she felt so incredibly powerful like this. She walked along the wall for a moment absorbing the glow of the moon. As her silver fur gave off an almost incandescent and Translucent glow. Looking along the wall she spotted that familiar face. 'Kaiser' she thought with a head tilt as her bright green eyes locked with his as she jumped down from the wall vanishing into the shadows. Gone just like an illusion of the light.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times Part 5

It didn't take her long to understand that it was just pointless castle gossip. Going to drown it out when a soft plea met with her ears. It reminded her of someone she knew a long time ago. Shifting from her spot she got up slowly. Rustling the branch, she was on and spooking those below her but she didn't care. She had a goal in mind, Find that voice. She dropped and with a graceful tumble she was out of the tree an back on her feet fallowing the area’s path where she was hold up. She fallowed along for a while hearing the calls and correcting her course with every call. Eventually finding herself at the horse stables. She shifted a little bit uncomfortable, her and horses never mixed well, And for good reason's too. She couldn't tell you how many times she got thrown from one and how many tried to stomp her into the ground. She shook her head and slowly pushed the door open. Most of the horses were asleep so they didn't respond to the noise or rather didn't care. Stepping into the pitch-black stables she took some cautious steps forward. Looking around for what gave a call for help. Hearing it again from a pen in the far back she walked over quickly to it and looked in seeing what looked to be a young sprite balled up. Moving slowly, she opened the gate and stepped in the stall causing the sprite to look up at her.

 "Y-you.... Can hear me?"

 Cardinal gave a nod and moved knelling down sitting cross-legged on the ground before the girl an moving slowly pulling her hood back to reveal Her brilliant red hair to which the girl giggled with a bright smile.

 "I know you! Momma told me about the beautiful fox who hides in with the nasty humans." she called relaxing and crawling over to cardinal and into her lap curling up close to her.

 "I need help... I was playing as a horse, because it’s all I can change into currently, and I got too far from momma an was caught by some nasty men many suns ago.... Can you get me out? I want to see my mom.... I've been calling for help ever since then... You’re the only one to respond.... Please you have to help me!" The girl begged looking up at her. To which cardinal gave a soft sigh putting a comforting gloved hand around the young girl. If she was caught as a horse that means she was sold to the castle as a horse.... To get her out of here would be like stealing from the castle. Which is a huge issue if people figure out it was her. She grimmest an to help a sprite means to deliver them to their location they desire to be, in a child’s case means back to their mother's arms. It would quite the headache an not too easy to track down where a sprite is from.

 "Ill... See... Do you have your way of... Calling your mother yet little one?" she asked soft and low of the sprite in her lap. They shifted with a grimace.

 "Yes... But it’s not very strong... I don't have a power to put it out." they grumbled softly. And cardinal cussed mentally then remembered the fay forest the castle stood in front of, the master fay could get to the sprites mother easy... She just had to appeal to the fay. Not too hard.

 "Little one.... May I know what to call your mother?"

 "Call her Capsasion."

"Thank you... I will see if I can get you back to your mother... You will just have to wait for a little while longer... Can you be strong for a little bit longer?"

 The sprite looked up at her with sparkling eyes then nodded. "Yes!" to which cardinal nodded.

 "Good... Rest for tonight little one I will come see You again with news when the sun has set twice." Cardinal then encouraged the sprite to take their form back of a horse to rest taking one of the blankets handing nearby assuming that the sprite was way to testy of the stables staff to be covered with the blanket. Once the sprite dozed off cardinal slowly left the stall closing the pen as it latched shut again and she left the stables as quietly as she came.

 She moved, closed the stables doors behind her and with a sigh began walking to find the right wall facing the right forest. Scaling the wall with no effort as she sat on the outer edge and softly focused for a moment to call out to the Forest that too called to her. Seeing a soft white light appear before her. It would carry the message for her to whoever in the forest she dictated it.

 "I humbly request the help of the master fay of the forest in order to return a sprite home to her mother by the call name of Capsasion. In the conclusion on 2 sun passes. Please hear my request master fay, I’m at your mercy." cardinal spoke soft smooth and then reached out giving the soft light a touch as it took on a deep blue color and the wisp drifted with the breeze taking her message with it to the master fay of the forest. She gave a deep sigh and leaned forward slouching over Looking to the woods. Typically, they look dark and foreboding... Scary even... But to those the forest calls too it looks enchanting, alive, beautiful, inviting, with a powerful glow. After a moment more she turned from the forest and dropped back within the walls of the castle.

 Kaiser couldn't help but be in the right place and the right time to catch a certain someone dropping down over the walls. He internally groaned as he would have to investigate the area now in case, they were here to cause trouble. He calmly walked towards them.

 "I'll have to ask why you climbed back and forth over the walls. Such actions are liable to land you in a cell for questioning." He glanced up at the edge of the wall in case anyone or anything followed her over.

 She looked towards them and shook her head of course they were here now. She was starting to not really like this confined space of the castle. But she supposed it made sense a wyvern did attack this side just a few days prior so guard would be up in this location. And they were smart to do so... Fays were incredibly testy towards neighbors. She angled her head down for a moment then walked towards him slowly keeping her hands at her side. With a threat she wouldn't hold them up to say she wouldn't do harm. She would stay relaxed but on guard. So, at her side her hands hung as she stocked closer to him. Stopping when their shoulder met. It was close enough for her soft whisper to meet his ears yet no one else no matter how close they were. If it wasn't him, they wouldn't hear. One of her few skills let her latch onto magic other possessed like this. It is often shocking at first when a voice rings in your head but something easily to become accustom too. She angled her head to look at him as she "spoke".

"I know you see the fay forest glow though you don't hear its call. I had to connect with the forest to help a Sprite.... I needed to be on the wall to do so." she answered. Honest no deceit needed at this moment. She knew that he would know this much.

 "Aye I do see. But it's not my station to help them. As long as they stay on the other side of that wall it's not my job. As for you I ask you return to your quarters for the night. You are lucky I was the one on duty in this moment. Who knows how the other guards would've reacted to seeing you drop down.” He turned towards her and stepped back away from her. "I of course will have to escort you back to your quarters."

 She gave a head tilt then let of a soft low chuckle. Walking forward past him brushing shoulders once again continuing on. "Then you should know a child sprite is held captive in your walls if your so determined to keep them out...." she let up another soft laugh and kept right on going. Moving about without so much as a sound. Confinement, such a luxury they indulge in. When she wants nothing more than to run free. She knew her way back to the "room" an knew she had nothing else she can do for tonight anyway so best to return for now.

 "If I don't see them. It's not my job to worry about that. Its late and I'd like to finish my shift in a general area." He fallowed after her as they walked thinking quietly to himself about all he has seen of this particular one. From the evening of the party, to finding them in a state of undress in the healer’s room cleaning scars and fresh wounds that didn’t look like they came from combat. Even how thin an small they were. Almost like they rarely ate. He understood that some females are kept smaller or thinner due to activity or work but this was beyond a healthy thin more of a starved look. Made him also curious as to how long this had been going on if she can walk around normal like she was as heathy as can be, untouched even despite the wounds and body type he knew they sported, their clothing and armor did an amazing job at hiding everything that he had seen, pare that with the mask to make their features unreadable one would never know the truth, but he supposed that would make since given who they were supposed to be. As they neared the guest guard rooms Kaiser moved an pulled a knapsack off his side it had a bit of food he had saved for a snack during his rounds. Having made up his mind he moved holding it out to them when they turned back to them once they reached, he assumed the door where their given bed lied beyond.   "Here. You look like skin and bones. Can't have a guest dying in our walls either." Kaiser pushed the sack into her hands an turned on his heels and went on to finish the night.

 She looked at the food given to her in a mixture of confusion and shock. 'Skin and bones?'

 It didn’t make any since at first then it clicked, he had seen her without her armor and tunic. So, this was her own fault... Now someone else was attempting to take pity on that. She wouldn't allow it, Or rather she couldn't. With a sigh she headed into the room an sat down on the cot given to her for her short stay. It was much nicer than the one she had back home. The room she actually with others here but the air was calm and soothing not so stagnant like home. She didn't dare touch the food given to her. But rather laid back across the cot.

 'Can't have me die within the walls huh? You don't seem to realize you are the walking cause of my death within these walls should word begin to travel about your pity and actions towards me. Hunger would be the last thing to claim me. It wouldn't be the first or only time I collapsed from it either. But I do need some food soon.' she gave another sigh and looked again at what was given to her. She couldn't eat till she was alone anyway. Closing her eyes, she gave into rest. It was always harder to sleep at night rather than the day. But some rest is better than none she found.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times Part 4

She rolled her eyes. And moved reaching into her armor for a book, it was the only way she could speak. well she had the normal way to speak, she just didn't know this castle guard all that well to trust him yet, so with a small writing utensil in hand She then wrote down what needed to be said. 'They are from my punishments. I have very specific rules i must fallow, so i couldn't ask the healers for help.' she then showed the book to him.  After a moment watching him study the book she moved making him hold the book so she could finish getting dressed, fixing her tunic better And dressing with her armor again. Making sure all was still in prober place re adjusting her weapons she left attached to her armor to lay right and grabbing her cloak tying it back into place before pulling her hood back up. Back to looking like she did before, and most importantly not like she was sporting many scars and a few open wound's under it all. Of course having an expressionless mask cover her face helped for the most part with it all anyway. Her main concern at the moment was getting him to agree to keep his mouth shut about her. otherwise she would be looking at some serious trouble.  Kaiser, still reading the book, or at least staring at the page until he understood it enough. Eventually gave up Looking back up at her coming to the recognition of the armor the Woman before him wore. The Silver fox or Cardinal as the name was floating around now. Perhaps this was the real deal after all, females of such an intense reputation were not heard of an those that did have those kind of recognitions were quickly made examples of or even passed off to maintain peace as well as for glory of money on their titles. Regardless females just didn't last long in the world of war. An this one in particular had been around for a long time if the scaring was anything to go by, but that raised another question if this was a punishment for her just what had she done wrong?  "Broke your lords rules huh? Can't say I agree with this punishment. What did you even do to deserve this?"  She looked off for a moment not wanting to admit that this was normal. Her lord did this when his wife and child were not around and she was. So she shrugged taking the book back. Writing again seeing his confusion an how long his study of the words hoping he could still understand enough to get what she was saying, knowing that most couldn't understand the written word.  'I haven't been made aware of the cause yet.... My lord will tell me later.' she shifted for a moment thinking before adding more.  'I request that you tell no one of this.... It will become bad for me if word gets around.' She slowly passed the book back to him praying he understood as much, but he was a castle guard he must understand some of it, however just to be safe she tried to keep it to simple words.  Once again he stared hard at the page. He understood bits of it. And figured out the rest for himself. 'So this can't be known huh, I guess the only way to help for now is to remain silent.'  "I suppose to do my job I must be silent. Though I can't speak for any other guard you may encounter."  She put her hand to her mask and gave a silent sigh. Taking the book back and flipping back a few pages for bolded words on a page an turned it for him to see. She didn't have time to dance around with the subject. 'Non Will Know.' 

"I'm off duty at this time. So as far as I'm concerned I'm just going to bed.  But… if things get out of hand. Seek me out and we can work with the captain to put this to an end. So am I free to go now? I am very tired. And hungry." He said yawning not bothering with the book this one was persistent on showing him, studying the written word after his shift was giving him a headache. He wasn't even to sure of why he offered out help, if this was who they claim to be they could handle it easy, perhaps it was because he was tired or now knew that this one was a female bellow the mask.  She gave another sigh and moved out of the way tucking the book away into her armor once again supposing that things will just work themselves out, if he told others or not she would know soon enough.  "Yes." She gave him in a soft breathy whisper going to clean up what she used. Putting away the screen, getting rid of the bloody cloth an cotton from cleaning, and taking the bowl with her as she left the room. Going to find a spot outside to rest for a little bit, having tossed the murky water an returning the bowl to the healers room, an for the moment having nothing else to do but wait. Discussions would lead into supper but at the conclusion she fallowed her lord to his room where he sent her off for the night for once. And she breathed out once she was in the hallway outside his room the door securely closed behind her. With a deep breath she sunk to her knees in relief, he had the opportunity to change his mind so to find that he didn't was a huge relief to her.  Getting up after just a moment making sure none had seen her moment of weakness, she left heading outside once again relaxed and happy to be free to night. Just walking an walking till she found that oak tree from the first night and slowly climbed back into its branches letting her legs dangle again as she relaxed in the moonlight and cool air. Swaying slightly till she heard a couple of people approaching towards the tree. She got quiet and listened. She didn't know to do anything else, she wasn't breaking any rules to her knowledge so she just stayed put till she would be told other wise.

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times. Part 3

She shifted a bit rocking from foot to foot, As the evening drug on. Eventually she spotted another opportunity as her lord moved about the room. She tracked along the wall to a balcony Near by. As her lord engaged in yet another pointless conversation she moved walking out the open door to the mostly empty balcony. A few party guests were lingering about themselves, Taking in a deep breath of the night. Looking up to the dark sky again. She missed the moon it was dear to her... But only 15 days was till then before she could truly enjoy its incandescent glow. 

Tonight would be concluding within the hour then... To his room would she have to go. She could feel a disgusting shudder race up her back at the thought of the rest of the evening to come. But she held fast before directing her gaze back at the door leading in and turned leaning on the railing once again looking up. Just to take these few minutes of peace. To steady her own mind. Looking down to the ground she looked up again standing straight. 

'Well to a miserable night.' she gave a tip of the head and went back in as the group that provided the music gave instructions about the ball coming to a close, an those staying have the evening staff to guide them to the rooms otherwise all coaches and carriages we awaiting them out the grand doors to the entrance. 

There her lord chose to return to his room an as asked she fallowed him up to his room. From the moment the door closed till it opened the next morning with a maid coming to place out his clothes of the day she took on the evening as quiet as possible from her lords hands. She was always glad to wear a mask for that reason alone. And when it was over she just sat in a corner of his room, as he wouldn't let her go far though she herself was provided with a place to rest more comfortably, but he was to possessive to let her ever go to far for a long time.

 She just kept in a ball trying to ignore the dull throb of pain in her sides and back. If anything of this night was a take away moment, she knew that she was in for more thanks to what he said an did prior to him starting. She closed her eyes to rest until dawn peeked it's way into the room a few hours later, where she stood from her resting spot but stayed in the corner. 

As previously said, a maid would be down soon to awake him for cleaning then breakfast before the meeting. Then she would have a few hours to herself to go an disappear their were to many people around and she felt anxious. Perhaps a walk in the gardens or out to the stables would work best to ease her a bit more.

 As she moved about fallowing her lord the dull throb turned into a severe ache. But by then was the meeting of the court and by rules of the castle, personal guards are not allowed by anyone but the king. When she got dismissed she was gone almost instantly. To many murmurs were going about the staff of strange noises from the end of the night. Cardin knew exactly what they were... But she wouldn't speak a word. Not allowed for one and to awkward to admit to as well. She walked the gardens a bit. Took a well needed nap. And was back by the time the meeting concluded at supper time. And that night was the exact same as the one prior. The day fallowed the same routine over an over for the next couple of days. 

However their was just a little excitement the 3rd day. A leviathan, Had attacked the eastern walls facing the fay forest killing some live stock and injuring a few men from what she heard. Before they drove it back off to where it came from. She missed the excitement because she had been asleep burrowed in the single blanket she had been given in the room guest guards were offered. 

By day 5 the serious throb as at near screaming levels now. 

A maid who was bring back some of her lords clothes an brushed along her side. It sent such a waive of pain it took every thing not to double over in pain. She would have to look at the damage done today... She wasn't looking forward to seeing it however the thought alone made her feel sick at her stomach. 

Once she was dismissed she was off again. This time she made her way down to a room she heard was for the healers. Figuring she could get some bandages there to help out some. With a soft knock at the appropriate door. It slid open slightly. Looking in she saw no one around. Just an up curtain. 

She guessed everyone from 2 days ago was good now. The healers must be amazing in that regard almost made her want to wait an have them help but that was a thought she couldn't entertain longer then that split moment. 

She stepped into the room an walked to a few shelf's in the back looking at ointment creams healing salve. Some bottles of a ugly colored liquid and eventually some cotton pads and bandage roles. Taking one of the roles and a few cotton pads, with a bowl of water she saw nearby, she moved to a empty cot kinda off to itself. 

Looking around an finding another screen folded against the wall she moved stretching it out to block her from everything else mostly the doors view. It was then that she un did her cloak, leaving her mask secured in place, armor then her tunic top laying all down before slowly undoing the wrap under it all leaving her upper body exposed as she looked at either of her hips using a small fabric piece she had to make sure the many tiny crescent moons, both fresh and old, decorating her sides are still clean. Clear of dirt an anything else that could cause her problems for the time being. 

Then using two small mirror's, she had put away in her armor, its a trick she learned from a vendor back home. She began inspecting her back. Finding the typical scars from lashes or knifes he would use for her punishments but looking and seeing many, many new cuts some from dragging nails others are small lacerations from her armor being shifted or forced into her skin to roughly when her clothing was up out of the way and one just on the back side of her left shoulder are teeth imprints.

She actually let out a deep sigh seeing all the damage an swallowing back the bile building up in the back of her throat, she was alone figuring it was okay to sigh aloud this time. She took a cotton pad dabbed it in water and began cleaning all she could reach. Sighing the one point when she rubbed over some parts that caused the most pain and slightly messaged the pain away as she dressed it as best she could. She wouldn't be able to get any good care done on them for a little while till she got back home. She was just happy he hadn't called on her for tonight. It seemed he had his fill of her for the moment. 

She stood their for a moment seeming to stare off into no where. Just going off wondering how it would feel the return all the pain he ever brought down on her. See him writhing on the floor broken bloodied gasping for breath an just barley holding on to life. She could feel a grin spread along her face. Indulging in her bloodlust for a moment she let it relax away taken some of her tension with it. She needed to do something or she would sink so low one day. She banished those thought's and focused back on cleaning up doing a few more passes with the cold water to clean up she put down the dirty cotton pad and took the wrap. Wrapping her hips and dressing the bite. 

Leaving the rest as is for the time being, looking down to her gear before the sound of shuffling feet and a gasp filled her ears. She whipped around quickly to see just a palace guard in his casual clothes looking at her with wide eyes. She panicked moving and pulling him over closer to the cot behind the screen, keeping and hand clamped down over his mouth and jaw then checking around the screen for any others. It was still empty in the room apart from the two of them now. 

She pulled the screen around the cot better looking back at him holding a figure up as to say 'Shh' and slowly let go of her grip around his mouth and jaw. Holding both hands up in a 'calm down' motion. Hoping to keep his voice low. She could deal with one person easy. She just had to work something out.... And probably get dressed as well. She moved around him fixing her wrap and pulling on her tunic as she waited for it to process an him to speak up. 

'I just can't get a break these days can I?' Was Kaiser's bitter thought to himself as he was suddenly pulled in and as far as he could tell was being held hostage, not very well but still held. He just wanted to exude a burst of his magical energy to do two things. One was to send a signal to others that he was grabbed. And secondly to knock himself unconscious to not put up with this. But with a single look to the old an fresh lashes on her body that wasn't already covered and the equipment she had with her let him know she was just here to fix herself. 

"Could've asked our healers they would've done it for you." He said in a hushed tone. 

"As a member of the castle guard I will have to ask you some questions about your injuries."

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times part 2

After a handful of minutes, Getting up figuring she had spent plenty of time away an needed to go back into the party before she got busted by either a patrolling guard or her lord took notice of her leaving. She really doubted the either option but it was a possibility. Regardless she was gonna head back inside. She got up stretched one last time an dropped down from the tree making her way back inside the door. 

She slipped threw both doors again with next to no sound. Finding her lord easily among the crowd still doing the same as before. She moved finding her previous spot on the wall an once again becoming a decoration. It went on for a little bit before she took notice of her lords silent gesture for her to come to him. 

So she did, moving threw the crowds she got to his side to see why he called, nodding to the other nobility as he spoke about his guard. He sung high praise of her to others but she knew it was nothing more then a facet... A fake, a lie, A mask. Just so others knew of her presence... As according to other nobility close to her lords rank and many, many staff members here, she over heard that she was a popular figure. One that was feared immensely but highly respected as well. 

She didn't see why as what she dealt with wasn't the circles they dealt with on the daily. She didn't do assassinations, as they were the strongest points of rumor she found. She just cleaned up bandit functions every one in a rare blood moon. she mostly dealt with any magical creature causing issues for the small land her lord watched for the king. 

She guessed that others from that pocket of land they call home, wrote out about her to their family's and such otherwise it was pretty much over her head that apparently she was this well known this far from home. 

After a few more moments her lord made his request for her company after the party to discuss travel plans after the court meetings. That too was a lie. She knew exactly what he wanted. She could tell by his eyes. She just nodded and returned to A wall to just watch an wait. Finding someone standing in the spot she chose she spared him a glance before looking to find another vacant spot to stand. 

He was dressed in the finer guard attire for the party to give a air of formality yet power. A Kings typical display with his guard. She gave a nod as they locked eyes for just that split second and moved to another spot near by an returned her focus back to watching her lord move about.

Kaiser watched as they made a spectacle of its presence. Though he's heard the stories he doesn't understand the excitement about seeing them in person. It wasn't like it would speak, they wore a mask, true identity obscuring as it masked their entire face. Couldn't even see eyeholes in it, so far fitting of the stories saying that who this was, were, perhaps, the real deal an not a lie but he wouldn't be so fooled just because they mildly fit a description of when they are seen. 

They'd just been standing there doing nothing, so no way to gage their power or anything else for that matter. There for could still be a lie as a lord could fairly easily obtain the means to make a realistic replica in order to boost their own status among a room of equal status. The politics of such a meeting was annoying to try an fallow otherwise an quite boring. Kaiser just yawned and shuffled in place. Another hour or so to go before his shift was up and he'd leave to get his meal and rest before patrolling the grounds. 

Time could pass by in a blur it seemed as guests went about their business, an his mind trailed off to the masked warrior who wasn't to far away, letting his gaze find them an linger as they too shifted from foot to foot from time to time, then he saw them spare a glance to an open balcony door. shifting more. Figuring they might be planning to step out for fresh air or close the doors he waited to see how they would proceed

[shadowedtalks]

Medieval Times part 1

Hello! I am back with a new story. this one is a special one! this is actually one of my active Stories I have with a co author. we are on a small hiatus so I am taking the time to edit clean up line up details an make it look pretty basically an they have so lovingly given me permission to post their parts of it without having to change out their character. thank gosh! much love to my co author for your help in writing this wonderful story an I truly hope my edits do it justice.))

Cardinal gave a deep breath as finally. Finally they made it to the capital city. Within the hour they would be at the castle. It was nice to know that after such a long trip, 10 long days, It was finally gonna be over soon. But from there on ward was a whole new story, that if she was honest, She was not looking forward to. 

Cardinal gave another silent sigh from her perch on the back of the carriage. Her lord had made it bluntly obvious that he was... flustered. So she had a rather clear idea of what tonight would entail if it did not involve her directly. It was a blur, almost, arriving at the place.

Her lord was whisked away by staff to turn in documents and prep for tonight's party after just a bit of rest. Cardin however, like she was supposed to, kept as a shadow to him. She was brought as a personal guard because of such a lengthy journey to attend this summit of lords, an that is what she would be, no matter how pointless it was at arriving at the outer walls of the castle. 

Regardless people were stirred up at the appearance of a masked warrior. Even more so when word got around that 'The Fox Warrior' was here. She had never seen people spare so many glances her way, both with fright and some kind of admiration... Some even desire which was rather uncomfortable to see but externally non knew of her discomfort. She would keep it that way. As the Perfect statute. Body language was a thing she learned to manipulate early on as it got her into a lot of trouble originally when she was young. her attire helped with this as well. 

Time continued to blur together as preparations were made her lord got dressed and eventually left to the party in the main ball room. He was announced and off to mingle he went. She however practically became a wall decoration. Just watching and watching and watching. It was so mind numbing an boring! 

He would greet an old friend, see an introduction of a new person. Then it was Talk about lands, brag about prospects, share a laugh, a drink and on to the next old friend. Wash rinse and repeat till the evenings end. It was not something she had a desire to watch all night but she would, till she took notice of an opening that normally she would over look and forget about, but she saw it and being incredibly bored of the environment an not needed if the other guards playing wall decoration was something to take note off, she took the opportunity she saw. If she was caught she would never hear the end of it from her lord but right now it was worth the risk. 

Moving from her spot on the wall, she moved to a empty door way. No guard, an not many party goers. Walking normal, like she was sent off to do something, she slipped out the door without so much as the Click of the door that closed behind her letting others know she had left. 

Looking along the dark hallway on the other side of the door she let out a deep breath again. Letting a little tension melt away somewhat. As she took a left seeing a window. And further down what looked to be a door leading outside. An sure enough it lead to a garden area. 

She took in a deep breath an looked up to see a moonless night. The new moon. She wandered just a little bit before spotting a large oak tree and moving taking a seat at its base between two large roots. Relaxing back she closed her eyes for a moment reaching up to adjust the mask that sat on her face a little bit better and then looked off. Listening to everything. the breeze, the steps of walking men along the walls and the grounds, the soft sounds of the party in the far distance. She just listened, taking in all she could of this small stolen break. It was nice to rest just some. She looked up at the sky waiting till a time where she felt she had to return. Which would prove to be sooner rather then later in her feeling of having to get back without being noticed. 

Across the palace grounds Kaiser took a moment an held his chainmail in front of him looking at it as he dressed. A cloth was stitched in with the weaves of the metal showing off his newly obtained rank as a castle guard. He had just barely passed the training of the magical arts. His affinity to magic was reveled to be force. Granting him the ability to quickly and suddenly increase his strength for brief instances. Of course with it still being under developed, it severely depleted his stamina leaving it a mostly one off skill that took a lot of back building to do any major damage to a large area or several people. 

Continuing to dress, He strapped on the metal plates for his arms and legs. Placed his sword in its scabbard and fastened to his left hip. As he finished the guard he was due to relieve, so he can start his shift, arrived. He left out of the barracks an the captain of the guard stopped him to explain of a upcoming party that evening that the guard will be required to watch over. It was mostly To keep special guests safe in celebration of the start of a summit as well as to explain that their would be special guards accompanying various guests as personal protection for the event from having to travel far distances in order to attend the summit. listing the few already in attendance as guests had been arriving in a slow steady stream since that early morning. This explanation would take a while as the Captain an Kaiser traversed the grounds. 

Sitting there for what felt like a while she heard a lull begin in the patrolling foot steps. Shift change. She slowly got up from her spot dusting off a bit of grass and dirt from her clothing before she began wandering again looking at flowers, bushes, an few young trees growing. Some she recognized others not so much. 

She still didn't go to far from her original spot before turning to wander back the way she came. Making the same passes a few times before she found herself back at the oak tree. She brushed a gloved hand along the bark of the tree. She could almost feel its hum of energy below her hand. she took just a moment more Before stepping up on a root and jumping slightly to grab a branch higher up and pull herself up into the foliage. She could feel a soft desire to go for a run. Yet she knew she couldn't not here, nor at this time, so as a result she did feel a bit restless. 

Giving another soft sigh she leaned back into the tree from the branch she sat on letting one of her legs dangle back and forth. As she went back to listening to all around her. The pick up of slight chatter an increased foot steps once again as shift came into activity again and the wind moving threw the tree feeling its presence and smell wrap around her as she sat their looking off and up into the tree. 

As the two headed for the door across the grass to reach a section in the back of a the event hall the captain's eyes looked upward lingering on a lone oak tree for a moment. Kaiser took notice of his momentary pause and turned to look where he was. Only to see the garden swaying peacefully with the wind. 

"See something captain?" Kaiser shifted around trying to see what he noticed. 

"Nothing ya moppet just the wind I suppose. Now let's hurry only a short time now before the shift change ends  And we mustn't be late, can't have an area without at least one posted guard." 

They went through the door she had come from. Kaiser took position in a large room in a corner off to the side. 'Large groups of people. Weird clothes and all of the sorted food an decorations so uncomfortable an fake.' he thought. One of the wandering guards that looped the hall during the event walked up to him. 

He was A veteran of 3 years for the royal guard, making space the man moved standing beside him . Kaiser looked straight ahead seeming to pay no mind to his appearance. 

"Hey. I grabbed ya bit of the good food while I passed by. Don't let em catch ya eating." 

Kaiser took the chance to eat the nicer bits of bread and a slice of cheese made of higher quality than they'd ever see when he passed it to him. As Kaiser ate the guard pointed out on of the guests. 

"That one there. The Lord of the hour. The Lord of....I don't remember but that's not important right? Right." giving Kaiser no time to respond he continued speaking keeping a low tone. 

"That one, if I heard right, is protected by THE silver fox warrior. Heard many a fine story of that one. I must say though, I don't feel quite right knowing we let something like that inside. Amazing tales of grandeur an strength but at the same time I am not so naïve as to think those are not horror tales either. Rumored is that they are quite the monster to those that appose em. Haven't seen em since they arrived however. I'd at least like to see what could kill me right? Guess they live up to their rumored skill of being practically a ghost." He then walked off towards another section of the castle with a soft hearty chuckle. Kaiser pondered what he said. 

"I guess everyone needs some time off eventually..." was all he could think to reply as to why the rumored fox warrior wasn't present at the party despite being clamed to be present at the castle. Kaiser had seen many intimidators of said warrior an wasn't all too convinced that this one was the real one, he would have to wait an see, he supposed, if the opportunity arises to see this particular warrior taking the role of the rumor was to be the true narrative or a false record.

[shadowedtalks]

The Swap

okay so this is an idea I've had hovering around in my head for a few days an I had to put it down some where. probably wont continue but I am rather satisfied with it as an idea. enjoy!))

In more recent years Secret didn't spend much of his time outdoors during storms anymore, for various reasons. But for whatever reason this time when there was talk of a large storm moving in for the evening time he just had to step outside when the down pour started. Storms, electricity, an weather was some of his first skills. Letting him get used to prediction, an the world as it felt around him just as he really came into his power. It was nice to just feel the crazy the world felt move around him wrap him up in its energy as well as actively avoid him till he called it forward. He could very vividly recall that feeling as to how much it responded or came to him especially when he got emotional.

He could laugh at such fond memories. He was so young, so wild at times yet acting like he had control of himself. It was such a farce things just were fine on the surface but the turbulent sea's below the surface held the true story. His now mate knew that just as well as he does now.

He only had a few split seconds to look around as the world suddenly sprung up with crazy charged energy, lightning rumbling loud, then it exploded all around in a crazy storm of branches an one hit dead on giving him even less time to react.

It had been years since he called forth lighting to charge his power. so the feeling was jumbled an crawling an so uncontrolled seeing as he hadn't called it forward. So with the sudden shock he could only seize up an collapse with the pressure it unleased on his body leaving him a bundle of ruffled feathers an seized up limbs on the ground of their back yard. The storm continuing to surge around him.

Come morning he could breath finally as the energy finally let go an his body, it relaxed. He could relax an de ruffle. With a heavy groan he uncurled an rolled to his back keeping his eyes closed from the sunlight as he breathed out.

"Note to self... she will still strike you if you are not paying attention." he was content to just lay there where he had fallen for a while an just breath. Till a voice broke the quite, calling for his attention calling his name from afar. It was a familiar voice... yet not quite familiar, smoother, more mature, calm. Not like the wild energy that he first thought of when he heard that voice. an she wouldn't call to him with such a loving voice anyway. It was to warm for their relationship.

"Secret! You were out here all of last night are you seriously just gonna lay here this morning an ignore me?" 

He head from right above him. slowly opening his eyes he looked up to the voice addressing him some questions in mind to what was said as his eyes adjusted to the extra light an he could see just who was leaning over him. 

He panicked tensing up. How could he let HER of all people get this close to him without realizing it?! With slow movements at first then a sudden jump he moved planting his feet to her chest an pushing her away from him as he got to his feet crouched down letting out a violent growl as he glared her down trying to figure out just how she got so close to him. For now he had to keep on guard so she couldn't get the best of him.

"Okay.. WHAT THE FUCK SECRET! WHY DID YOU KICK ME?" was her reply as she got her baring about herself from such an action coming from her mate an husband. He hadn't gotten physical with her like that in YEARS not without it being a mutual sparing round, but to just hall off an kick her as he moved to put distance between them, then to let out such a hateful growl afterwards was completely out of character for him. He didn't answer her question however an that only served to upset her more as she looked at him crouched down like he was being defensive in a sudden attack.

"God was last night that rough on you? It was one little storm, you are seriously loosing your edge if that is the case, that kick didn't even hurt that much." That was a lie she could feel how much power he put into that kick as it hit square on, it really hurt, could probably bruise, but it was at like a forth of his normal power.

She had tried to reach out with her mating mark last night an early this morning but she didn't feel the soft return he would often give her, even if he wanted to be left alone. It was like he was just straight up ignoring the marks existence. 

So at seeing him spread out on the ground she called to him then headed out for him just to get this as a return greeting was seriously an issue. He will so be in the dog house for this, she didn't care at all for whatever reason he had to explain it away.

However minutes passed between the two as he stared her down an nothing changed in his tensed state. He just kept a low growl directed towards her. When she started to notice other issues or problems. Secret looked much younger then normal. Smaller almost, thinner not as well sculpted as she knew him to be. He was coiled down in on himself. He hasn't fought like that in years, it was always open confident an tall in his stances. His feathers of his wings were more black then the more navy blue they were typically in the recent past, an he has such harden eyes seething with hate, darker an more cast over then the sky blue storm she loved. An the last thing she feared reaching out once again as her eyes traveled down his neck. Her mating mark went out to him but there was no response from it, like this secret didn't have one but it was still secret. An she took note of one last thing, at the junction of his exposed neck wasn't her scar from her teeth from every time they would mate.

His mating mark was not visible normally unless he was naked from the waist up, she wanted something visible on him that showed others he was clamed. So she stopped healing her teeth marks just closing off the blood flow so they could heal an scar over on him. An he payed no mind to it, actually he seemed to like it. she noticed when he was stressed he would rub it an the stress would slowly melt away. 

With all of these factors she spoke softly an that slowly relaxed him as she released her small glamor to press down her energy moving the collar of her shirt to slightly expose her mark to him.

"You are not my secret are you?"

He was quite, feeling her energy reach out an gently rub along his skin setting his nerves on fire, she was so much stronger, an has a few things unsettling about her in her energy now... as he looked at her as she moved exposing her throat just slightly to him as across his face he could feel emotions of shock, concern, questions, then to have it settled on disgust as he truly took in the mark now visible on her neck. HIS mark on her skin. It made him sick to see that.

"No... there is no way I would mate with someone like you... Krono." he spit out towards her as he finally stood up from his defensive stance.

[shadowedtalks]

Wizardess heart will have 105 routes. Let me explain.

It will be lenghty so i apologize in advance...

To make since of my ramblings you will have to understand a few things. 1 is i call all mystery series between the tower of sorrow and the sol maiden book 1. An all things fallowing thus far book 2 dealing with the night class introduction to the phantom thief story currently active in updating.

Also i didn't count sequels.

An lastly i refer to the mystery series as chapters.

Now why i say it will have 105 routes is very heavy speculation an baced around previous knollage in how book 1 went an has since concluded. As well as knollage given to us in game.

The royal academy has jumped between the option of being a 4 year, as lightly touched on in book 1, to a 7 year school. Much more heavily implied or explained in book 2.

So baceing my info on the more current information that the school is a 7 year academy. We can begin with this.

So as long as things go well, we can assume that their will be at least 7 books. One book to cover every year that this mc will be at the academy.

As shown in the progress of book 2 some events from book 1 are cannon to of occured in her first year of school. An we all know book 2 is the start of her second year.

So with this info we look back to book one to see their are 5 chapters with 3 options each.

Book 2 is also fallowing this progress as we are currently in chapter 4 meaning chapter 5 will conclude her second year.

If we fallow these numbers that is 15 options per book. An baced around the guess that their will be 1 book per year for 7 years, an from there it is simple math.

15×7

For the grand total of 105 options or routes.

Till i say that they will call the game complete or introduce a new mc. That of course is under the implication that the game stays popular or they just don't abandon it/conclude it a diffrent way.

Thats it for my ramblings an small head cannon i got to thinking about randomly today.

[shadowedtalks]

Demons keep what they are given. part 10

HI! I hope you have enjoyed thus far but sadly this is where this one ends for now but don't worry to much! ill update when I have more just be warned it may not be as much as the parts normally are! enjoy 10! oh! its a little more out their but I promise its nothing to risky raunchy. so sorry in advance but it is necessary for future advancements an... lets say occurrences? Problems? but that's all so enjoy!)))

Lord Oakwood re sheathed his sword once he was certain that Cardinals presence was no longer felt near by an the guards had cleared the room, looking at her an it made since now. 

The princess was affectionately starved because she was giving it to her guard that seemed very much like a bird in a cage. it seemed she tired to give her freedom at the expense of her own. it made him all the more curious about her and her guard, namely because Cardinal was a female, that reeked like a male an was easily on par with him, in this undesirable location of a fight, yet despite her looks smelled human as well. 

he was curious to the story of that guard an just how the princess came into contact with such a person. For now he would focus on confirming a few things with the princess starting by getting her alone so she would speak freely, that itself would be difficult but he had an idea, yet again not the best idea but an idea none the less. 

"It makes since now the way you act and seeing your guard." he said stepping forward placing a hand on her shoulder looking down at her. 

"I know. Cardinal is absolutely wonderful and such a sad story before she came to work under me. I do all i can to make things better. And cardinal knows this, loves me for it. Its why she is my personal guard yet why i will protect her." 

Marcona gave a soft giggle her words flowing honest before she could think of the proper story she is supposed to tell when it comes to questions about her guard. silence fallowed for a few minuets then he spoke again deciding to start with his idea, curiosity eating at him now. 

"Fallow me princess." he said softly and lead the way out of the room without looking to see if she would fallow an sure enough and she fallowed. Down corridors, around corners, down a set of stairs, and down one last hallway, he finally came to a stop. before them a set of doors rested. Things had to go just right or this idea would be for not. he pushed them open revealing a fairly humid room. 

"This is my private spring. Its a good place to clean up as well as relax." he said letting her walk into the room before fallowing himself an closing the doors. 

"In this room no one else is here. Its a place to relax an be honest among others..." he spoke low an let the doors latch, then turned to her as she looked back to him. Concern very obvious in her eyes an expression, 

"So princess I want you to join me an I want the full truth of your home life, and your guard." he said continuing to block the doorway so she couldn't make a break for it. Surprisingly enough she didn't seem to fight back for this moment as he expected of her, she just gave a deep sigh. 

"Alright...." she was giving in. He nodded an moved away from the doors towards a small shelf not to far away, certain that she wouldn't run since she had given in to his request. It wasn't until he began to undress that she freaked seeming to understand what he meant fully now. From watching him move away from the door to now turning her back to him with a panicked squeak he had to let out a low chuckle. 

Humans could be rather body shy as he remembered, An sure enough she kept her gaze averted from him while he undressed an moved towards the water sinking into the spring before looking to her. This will be the annoying yet difficult part. Getting her to join the bath 

"Well come on now, I said join me not stand at the edge of the room." he had come to realize that she had been inching closer an closer to the wall farthest from the spring, annoying indeed. 

"I can't bath with you!" an appropriate response for such a lady like this, but he couldn't give her this one, for the idea to work he needed her in the water with him. 

"Princess this is how this works. You want to be called my equal then we must. I am the alpha of this land. No one will think less of you for sharing a bath with the alpha, its an honor to do so. An as I said before we are the only ones here no one else will know what happens or is spoken of in this room." he was very firm in tone. Watching her frantically shake her head no as she still refused to make eye contact with him. He was tired of trying to convince her of every little thing. he needed to be pushy in this he couldn't let her run, Before something from a previous conversation they shared stuck a cord with him an he smirked. 

"You see, I am remembering that you were very excited to learn about me an my people. This is the first step, to being able to do so. It will welcome you to the pack. I am sure you have noticed that the staff, while respectful, is distant. They don't know what to do with you. You are the princess yes, but to them that title means nothing you are a girl that is not a packmate there for they don't know how to respond to you." That seemed to have the desired effect with her an she relaxed just slightly, finally dragging her gaze back to his eyes an toward the spring. 

"Really!? Doing this will let me learn an know more?" Bingo the princess had a desire to know about them, easy to manipulate or convince her with. She shifted slightly seeming to grab ahold of herself and stop her excitement as it washed away the awkwardness she felt of having to share a bath with him. 

"Well..... if its not weird to do so, no one but me will know... an I can learn more about you an your people.... then I guess, I could join you." she muttered more to herself then him seeming to drift off into thought an shifting around in her place and beginning to disrobe. While it was true that none would know the contents of the conversation they would share, all of his people would know she had bathed with him as she will emerge from here with his light sent lingering on her skin, his staff will know she is in formally recognized as pack it will take a lot more before he even considers formally marking her as pack.

It took her a lot longer then him to do so, she seemed to be trying to keep her nerves down to a minimum, eventually she finished an walked towards the spring, still having a hard time meeting his eyes as he had no problem watching her. Her body was a lot smaller an thinner then he assumed it would be, but was blemish free and very well managed an cared for despite her being human. 

He helped her step down into the spring so she didn't slip or hurt herself by joining him in the water. The heat an smell of the water took immediate hold of her and she let out a deep breath relaxing back into the spring more as she found a place to sit. She took a moment before looking to him seeming fine now.

 "What of my home life do you want to know?" Check mate. Everything is in place now, it had its light hold on her, she brought up the topic he addressed earlier an he knew he would get the truth not whatever scripted lie they made her to tell. 

"Everything." He answered, she gave a soft nod and got situated as he took a seat next to her. 

"My home life isn't like a typical royals as I have learned later in life. I very rarely see my parents. My mother is very sick often and my father can't stand to look at me because of this fact. The educate and training I was put threw was much more harsh then it should be. My father knew I was a spirited child, And wanted that part of me broken down and eventually beaten out of existence... 

Some teachers went so far and were bent on actually beating me till it was perfect in their ideal mold for me and just as cold. Everything about me was formed crafted and rehearsed to make me seem cold cool perfect and submissive to any and all male requests. I was to be the perfect 'yes Sir' lady not a princess to eventual queen. All events I put on were to be flawless, everything was where it was supposed to be, everyone had what they wanted or needed and enjoyed, yet their was always something wrong. in basic, I was involved. A few years ago I met Cardinal. The poor girl had rules much more harsher then my own yet was held to the same standard. 

Meeting her an for the first time I just couldn't be the perfect mold of a 'yes sir' lady, I fought tooth and nail to get her away from the one she was guarding to become my personal guard. An I was successful. But that was also the first time my father took to punish me himself... The dinner I ate with him before coming here was the first dinner I ate with him since I was just a little over 11 summers. He often told staff that he would be in for dinner an to inform them to have me wait for him, but ultimately he kept me waiting in the dinning hall many long hours. 

I had been so grilled and formed to not eat till the host, very often my father, took their first bite of dinner or supper, I would sit there for hours waiting till the chef an staff either came to clean up or word would finally be passed to me that he was not coming." she explained just watching the water move. 

"I have so many standards and many rules that being here is awkward. Being told by a lord, that what I do is to much, even for a race prided on perfection an control of action an emotion is shocking. I hate being called pampered because their is no way I am pampered I have seen other princes and princess. They are pampered, im no better then some stupid puppet for everyone to toy with... But as you saw there is one who I care for deeply. 

Cardinal is them... She has helped me really keep my mind over things that have happened because they too have happened to her if not on a worse level. We have a equal relationship. We protect each other. She can do so much easer then I but I do try. I gave her a space to relax to become herself for once. To have freedom an no rules." she took a moment to breath deeply as she kept hold of her slightly shaking voice. 

"One look at cardinal an I know that I am not a waist of space. I am someone's everything, because I got protective an didn't let them smother me when that feeling gave rise in me. because of that moment I have over heard by many of the staff say, when I do become a mother that I will be great at it.... Im not so sure but I know I won't let harm come to any child of mine." she sighed. 

"Even though I keep being told I will be married off to some man for whatever reason. I hope to love them before we are tied together forever. So I won't feel disgusted with myself for having to lay with them and have a child by them." she eventually gave a shallow sigh her emotions of telling her story seeming to leave with that breath an she gave way to another leaning over on his shoulder, actually letting her body seek out affection this time rather then suppress it. 

An he could feel her desire for comfort pour off of her small frame as she began to fully lean into him. The effects of the bath completely gripping the princess now, an he knew they wouldn't have to stay much longer.

"Its such a little girls dream to get married to a man she loves and help start their family." she lifted her hand moving the water in front of her as she watched it move an ripple. 

"Its a dream I don't mind having, given everything else. even if some days I feel like a fool because of it.”

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. Part 9

"Princess?" she heard a soft voice and she turned, shocked at seeing who stood there, at the door. 

"My Fox? Is this you?" she asked standing, before rushing over with there conformation to hug them. She hadn't seen her personal guard in months. They were sent off to deal with an incredibly difficult task an when they returned they were kept in the healing ward due to extensive injury's, their for the two of them had been apart for a long time. 

"I am so glad you are okay!" Marcona called to them before gently releasing her guard an stepping back. her guard gave a gentle nod to her reaching up an brushing some hair back from her face, speaking soft an low threw their fox mask that adorned their face. 

"So am I, to see you without harm. I am sorry for leaving your side for so long. I've come to take you home. But we must hurry we don't have much time." 

"Im going home. Let me go an say goodbye before we leave." 

"Say goodbye? Princess, why would you tell your kidnappers you are leaving. Im good at fighting but not that good to fend of an estate. Much less one of demon's." 

"Kidnappers? What are you talking about? They found me a few days back outside his home, and have taken care of me while trying to contact the castle to get me home... I thought father sent you to get me." marcona spoke low with her guard to not rise concern to her room, wanting to continue to speak frank with fox for the time being an not as princess an guard should speak with each other.

 "That's incorrect. You were stolen from home and bought here to threaten the king." 

"Lord Oakwood wouldn't do that." she defended, an her guard gave a small thoughtful nod knowing how her princess could get when she has decided something about somebody. 

"If not him, then someone close to him is causing this, or someone who was nearly busted while they past threw this land an had to leave you behind to get away. regardless what ever option it may be you are still in danger here and we have to go and go now. They are most likely locking down the estate by now to try and find me." 

"You snuck in?" 

"Of course. An none would of been be the wiser if two hadn't rounded the wall last second in their finally patrol. You were taken from your home. Like I would ask nicely to have you back from the place where threatening letters are being sent from about your safety an the kings... Come on princess please we must go." her guard plead pulling her away from the door an to the open window gently looking to see the best way down quickly with them both, it was then that the door bust open and their stood Lord Oakwood and 2 guards. 

"Your not taking her infiltrator. Step away from the princess. Now." he growled out drawing his sword from his hip and pointing it towards them, his two additional guards doing much the same taking up defensive stances at the lords side. And she looked to her guard as they cussed lowly from beneath their mask.

Doing as they were to, they pushed Marcona behind them drawing out twin blades to protect an engage the threat before them answering with a growl to his demand, causing an allowing for a pause of confusion from the three at the door, before all three returned growls to them. Before Marcona could speak to defuse the situation, they engaged. 

Oakwood moved first an fox moved to put distance between them an marcona to keep her out of harms way, meeting him half way in a loud clang of metal, using one of her swords to block his an the second to slice toward his mid section to push him back so he couldn't push forward an had to pull away or risk harm. 

The other two guards stood at the ready looking for any kind of opening to join in an help their lord as the two continued to clash, push, parry, slice an repeat at incredible speeds. She had full trust in her guard but didn't want anybody harmed. an for now none were, till the guard to the left saw an opening an jumped for Fox only realizing their mistake last second as they twisted from Oakwood's powerful down clash to let their second blade slice cleanly threw a exposed portion in their armor.

The scream that came from them caused everyone in the room to move. The second guard jumped forward to help as Marcona ran forward to the two dead locked in crossed blades. 

"Stop this please! Fox is no threat Lord Oakwood!" she called out as the second guard moved to hold her back an she squirmed in the guards hold. "Let me go!" she yelled an in the next second she was released by the guard as they narrowly avoided Both of foxes blades that bared down on them, leaving Oakwood stunned momentarily in the middle of the room, an then she was pressed into the back of her guard as they stood protectively in front of her both blades poised in a low angle but taught an ready to shift at a seconds notice.

Shifting back from the two still seen as a threat. It was Lord Oakwood that had broken the silence, his growl very heavy in tone directed towards Marcona who was still somewhat hidden from view. "Speak, before I put them to death!" 

"W-wait! Fox is my personal guard from home! They have been severely injured for a while. They just came to get me! They mean no harm to you, me, or your people!" she countered quick in her panic looking over their shoulder to him. 

"By disarming my guards, jumping the wall, an cutting my guard so they can no longer fight, I don't think so!" he countered an stepped a single step forward. Her guard tensed an she spoke again in her quick panic. 

"Lord Oakwood please listen for just a moment! They said I was taken and brought here to threaten my father. I know its not true but please lower your weapon! Fox believed I was in danger, they defended themselves that's all! Please we have been separated for a long time, but I know them, I know what they would do and... They are just doing their job!" she plead defending fox moving this time, in spite of her fear, as she stood between the two her arms spread out blocking them from one another. Her guard listened to her pleas, an with a cleaning whip of the blades, both weapons were put away an hidden on wherever Fox keeps them on their body. 

Looking to Lord Oakwood expecting him to do much of the same, if he wished to keep grace with the princess. He took longer to comply but gave in, he sighed an lowed his weapon. "Fine." 

she breathed a deep sigh lowered her arms, an looked to Her guard then nodded. "Its okay I won't tell." Fox nodded and moved removing their mask. 

Behind the mask was a beyond beautiful woman, rivaling the looks of an immortal. her skin was clear and the perfect shaded color of peach porcine with no blemishes. Her eyes a vibrant Green and her hair a soft Fire Orange hidden under her hood, sure to look like real flames in the sun. An she looked dead ahead at Lord Oakwood her gaze un wavering, not afraid of him or his presence, as she stood tall. 

Marcona took that moment in introduce the two who had just been locked in a even fight. "Lord Oakwood this is Cardinal... Otherwise known as The Fox, my personal guard." she introduced them and cardinal nodded to him. 

"Pleasure," past the soft greeting cardinal began explaining what was going on. "For the past 2 weeks we have been scrambling to find the princess and for the last week we have received letters from your estate boasting about having her locked away and supposed threats to the king of the princesses safety," she took a minuet to look to her princess. 

"I acted independently, they wouldn't let me leave because of my condition, despite it being healed for many days now, to come and retrieve the princess. it had to be me simply for the reason being it was my duty that had been left unfulfilled for so long, allowed for her capture an Kidnaping in the first place. I snuck in to take her back believing her safety was in immediate danger." she explained moving and standing at Marcona's side. 

"I have sent several letters to try and get her sent back home safely not threatening anyone. I wouldn't let harm befall the princess." 

"Then there is a problem on someone's side with letter swapping... Someone brought her here. Someone aims to do her harm and to do damage to the ties of your loyalty with the castle an its current King." Cardinal stated it much like it was fact she had confirmation of rather then speculation. 

Marcona could only gave a deep sigh. "This is what I was afraid of. Someone aiming to do damage to our ties between lord Oakwood and my father. I can't let this continue to happen." marcona looked to Lord Oakwood an he shook his head slightly. Remembering his words from breakfast, she turned to cardinal. facing the female an giving full attention. 

"I have missed you dearly... But I need you to return home immediately. He will do me no harm and once he has proper word will get me home safely." she explained moving to gently cup one of cardinals cheeks as cardinal looked at her worried with what marcona was saying yet gave into the indulgence offered to her leaning into her palm giving a deep sigh as finally her eyes slipped closed letting her voice rumble out low just for Marcona's ears. 

"I am sorry, again for leaving you alone for so long." 

"Its not your fault... Father sent you alone to deal with a beast teams of men couldn't deal with." 

"Thank you for your care. I am happy to guard you." 

"I know an you will do anything for me. That's why you are going home... Find out everything you can about the story being told back home. Don't get into trouble over it an don't let others know fully why you are looking into what is being told and let us know what is going on." To that cardinal nodded as the two parted from each other. 

"As you wish. Any time limit?" 

"Of course not. I trust you and I know you will not over look anything." 

"Right away then princess." 

"Best of luck to you cardinal.... Return word as soon as you feel you can." Cardinal nodded and adorned her mask once again, before going and slipping out the window and was over the wall an gone within seconds. As the princess gave a deep sigh again the two guard accompanying lord Oakwood finally moved to get up leave probably to visit the infirmary.

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. Part 8

The evening was relatively peaceful. Work was eventually done no issues occuring as time ticked slowly, But it seemed the night had its own plans of events set to occur before anyone was able to retire for the evening. Frantic steps had reached his ears as they came charging down the corridor and who it was had thrown the study's door wide open rushing in, out of breath the guard spoke immediately. "Milord! Milord! Emergency! We have an intruder!" that caught his immediate attention an his thoughts jumped to the princess across the estate. As his eyes snapped up to the one who rushed into the room. "What!?" "2 guards didn't return from parameter check, we went to find them and they were found them unconscious by the northern walls." he reported quickly over his rushed breathing an Lord Oakwood stood up, calling apon his power to surface. feeling it was over him for the first time in many, many years, that last time being a war that took his mother from him. "Go! Lock down the estate check every one and everywhere! Send me Kal and Soren, Ill check on the princess." he growled out as an order already heading for the door. "Yes sir!" called the guard, hurrying off to enact the order given to him.

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. Part 7

From the corner of her eye she saw his hand rise, feeling her body react immediately stiffening up an she held her breath to stop from flinching away, before he just lightly touched her cheek breathing out slowly letting their eyes meet giving a small smirk resisting leaning into his hand, it was soft an warm on her skin. she gave the only answer she could think of for the moment. "You obviously don't know my father that well." she gave a small sigh. "Well, if you are done with breakfast why don't we go get to work i suppose." she said before realizing how his eyes were looking over her. she shifted back from his hand With a small chuckle, Looking away from him feeling odd. With the okay she got up from her chair as a group of workers appeared to clean up and she fallowed after him. He wanted her to help in the study so that is what she is going to do. Their she waited as he got busy. After a few minutes and him just working quietly she decided on something to do looking at his cluttered disorganized shelfs all around the study they both sat in. From books to loose papers and tossed about scrolls. So slipping off her shoes and tucking them under a chair she started organizing his books stacking them properly in order by name and volumes then organizing the papers by date as she didn't really know what was important or not. She moved around the room quietly as she worked threw the 30 something shelf's of books and papers dedicating 2 of the cleared shelfs to letters maps and documents that were dated and organized properly. It took several hours, she actually didn't take to much notice of how much time passed, till someone came to bring them lunch and they both looked up from their tasks when the maid knocked lightly on the open door then spoke in her shock, at the now organized study rather then the controlled mess it was before. "Oh wow...." to which the maid got bashful from speaking up like that, an lord Oakwood looked around looking shocked at the studies shelfs suddenly being organized. "Uh.... I have lunch here milord and my lady- Lady princess. It's something light since your both so busy." the maid stammered out as she moved to set the tray of food and drinks down on a separate table not to far away from his desk he was seated at. "Thank you very much." Marcona said offering a sweet smile as the maid bowed out quickly and the studies door closed with a soft click. And she looked to him. "I hadn't realized so long had passed since we got to work." she giggled softly. It was true as normally she often was very time conscious but this time.... Its like time fell away from her as she worked. Understanding now the words that had been spoken to her early that morning when she had been getting ready before breakfast. Keeping to herself with a little hum she retuned her focus to the books, dated documents, and various numbers in plans she was dealing with. She offered him a small smile and turned back to her task on the shelfs she was in front of. "Are you not going to eat?" she heard from behind her, as she reached up shelfing a book in the proper place. "Not at the moment. Im not very hungry as breakfast was very filing." she answered as she continued soring the books and papers on the shelf she was in front of. "Well i am going to eat." she heard after a moment. "Go right ahead milord, i got plenty to keep busy with." she replyed with seeming on auto pilot. "No.... I want to get to know you more princess." he spoke as she paused an looked at him shock seeming to dominate her face. It was strange. She was quiet but her presence alone pulled his attention from his work, having only gotten threw a handful of documents since they got started. And her simple light, yet sweet sent filled his senses as she moved about the room wanting to drag his eyes to her yet he kept focused as best he could on his work. She was a distraction.... It was strange but for now it was being chopped up to curiosity. She did a lot yet so little was know about her and so few had actually seen her. taking that into thought he assumed that was why he was hyper aware of her presence because not a lot is known, and she is royalty. Due to take the thrown at any time, But doesn't quite carry that air of regality about her... Simple things shut her down easy, and she goes so far as to okay that a Nobel lord could refer to them as equals yet her birth put her at a rank far beyond his own. In this kingdom as it was rare for lords of nobility to speak directly with the king, rather then his next of hand that took on such affairs an handled them or took them to the king. Even more so with any children the king an queen might have, And yet here he was causally fraternizing with the princess the heir of the kingdom. That must be it. His own curiosity and desire to annoy the king, as he was doing to him currently, must be what is driving his senses to be so hyper focused on her weather it be she is across the room or across the estate. He watched her shift bite her lower lip for a moment as she turned and put the books an various papers down before moving and sitting down near the tray of food then starting to pour a cup of their after noon drink before slowly passing one cup to him, as he took it he let his hand linger over hers for an extended moment then pulled the cup gently from her hands, she seemed to become flustered shifting and fixing her own and he let off just a small chuckle taking a drink slowly. Just watching her over the rim. She had resisted flinching earlier, that tells him she didn't miss speak when she said she wasn't pampered no princesses should flinch when a hand is raised to them, shows she was afraid of being hit. But when it displayed tenderness he caught her fighting reacting to it. From leaning into his hand just barely as her eyes fell hooded for just a split second before opening them normally and just now, how she let her hands linger under his, how she chose to hand it to him over slide it to him across the desk. It showed she liked gentle touch, the kind attention being given to her, almost like she craved it from someone, because she's never had it before. That makes him curious as to just what this beautiful princess went threw growing up, if she holds herself so in line with showing appreciation and cravings for soft affection. Just what an how was she taught? She was almost like a forced submissive but a lot more... Broken then normal yet she still had fire and fun in her eyes so he knew she wasn't lost yet. Perhaps knowing her can help some with that as well as calm down his senses in their focus to her alone at the moment as it could be a real hinder to further work. She just drank slowly on the sweet and slightly bitter drink as they took their break for the moment. Eventually she set her cup down and tuned looking at him. "Alright lord Oakwood, you want to know more about me.... Ask away with what you want to know." she said keeping her focus on him with a soft smile. She had nothing to hide so she didn't mind talking and answering questions. And talk they did however all her responses were all bland an incredibly dull. No significant talents. She had very basic schooling, focused more towards edict that was expected and required of her as a lady. All her events she help host was mediocre with no important details or means to help with meetings or discussions. She had no friends. Her father and mother are always very busy she had no time to be a clingy child as most royals grow up as. She shifted a bit as she just sat their during their talk. She didn't even have a favorite food or drink she ate whatever was given to her. She was so incredibly dull because of those responses. She didn't even have a hobby. And eventually he got fed up with those responses painting nothing but a dull gray photo of her. He called for her to just stop as he frustrations began to actually surface. "I don't know why you are doing this. Making yourself so incredibly dull! Your answers are obviously scripted! Do you have any personality at all!? Anything so you don't seem so flat and fake an dull beyond belief!?" he asked standing suddenly with his voice being loud and she jumped slightly with a flinch. Seeing that made him stall in his frustrations an began reeling back in his emotions quickly and he sat down. "If i want something boring to talk to ill go speak with the guild... Princess you can't be this dull. Why are you acting like you are? Their is no reason for it. its not like i will use this information to my advantage, we are under the same shield, YOUR shield of this kingdom." "It's so you don't get your hopes thinking i am some wonderful person, when i am not." he gave a deep sigh putting his face in his hands shaking his head slowly. "Alright fine. We waisted enough time talking like this, lets get back to work." she nodded, stood and moved returning to the shelf she was organizing last and silence fell around them he would occasionally grumble to himself about random things to low for her to hear really what he was saying before she eventually she turned an looked at him. "Hibiscus Tea." she said softly and he looked up. "Excuse me?" "Our drink this afternoon was Hibiscus Tea, i am rather good at picking out different tea flavors, an Hibiscus is one of my favorite kinds of tea. Sweet without sweetener and lightly bitter in the end like with green tea." she explained watching as that seemed to quell him an he smiled softly. "Is that so?" "Yes.... I also like all types of Owls and the stars." she said before looking away quickly and returning to her work in the shelf's before her. "So your not so dull after all princess." he said before he to focused back on his work, as now he could actually focus on it. Her finally telling the truth on a few things about her seems to of calmed his mind to let him focus. Before long she finished and left when a maid came back to clean up the tray from lunch. She went off to just hang out in her room for a little while just sitting and enjoying the cool breeze coming in from the open doors on the balcony actually dozing off a bit as she sat their. Awoken by the sound of the door gently closing behind her.

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. part 6

As he looks at her. He's eating what's left of their prepared breakfast watching her an hoping to think of something to make her feel better, an culture that little flame that is her spirit. Things will get better here the sooner he could make her happier. pondering what to do, an idea surfaced, not the best idea, but an idea that would perhaps spark several new opportunity's between them to interact more. so he voiced his idea however in a way made it sound like he wouldn't take any other answer but her compliance. For the moment he would use the way she was raised in order to get what he wanted, the way she seemed to bend to the will of those around her. Once he had all those pieces in place he would abolish that ridiculous notion she had to bend to anyone's will apart from her own. even if their time here together ran out, he might make a few personal visits to the capital city in order to allow for his plans to continue for what he wanted to do. he was a demon known to never abandon his ideas. 

"if you wish to be equal you will sit by me when I make it to meals" he goes on to tell her. Looking forward at nothing in particular to give off an air of temporary indifference. however after a moment he looks to her, she is a lovely girl also made him curious as to what she might look like in the royal colors as well as his own crest colors. 

"I am grateful to have gotten to meet you princess." He's almost done eating at this point getting ready to return to work before an strange feeling over come his mind. His inner beast was making request of action for the first time since he was a pup an learned to put it in its place. She was slightly taken back by his demand then his gentle spoken words after an she nods. getting a gentle an warm feeling smile spread about her face. 

"Alright then. I am honored to of met you as well. You, your land, and people have fascinated me for a long time. I was quite excited to hear you were apart of the kingdom when I learned off all the land and its neighbors... I am simply happy, I got to meet you personally before I took the throne with whom ever ends up as my husband." she didn't know why she had said that, it was of no importance but for what ever reason she had said that. With a fluster she shifted and looked down immediately to her cup taking a long sip. 

"You haven't met your future husband yet?" 

"No... I don't have a betrothed actually. Father keeps saying I do... But un known to him I looked into it numerous times... I have no betrothed recorded or planned in discussions of the past to anywhere in the recent past. Nor has my father received any requests from the neighboring kingdoms for my hand for any of the numerous princes." 

"Well aren't you a clever girl." 

"It is my life I have to worry over." 

"Well it's satisfying to know you have no soon to be husband." 

"Yes. Its rather relaxing for the moment but I know I will at some time... I've been prepared for it my whole life." She let off a small sight and takes a slow drink. 

"It's a pity... Makes me almost envious of common Folk... Married for love what a fairy tale." 

"A fairy tale?" he asked seeming baffled. 

"Yes. To me that is nothing more then some crazy dream, to marry for love." she sighed taking one last drink, then putting her cup down on the table. 

"One day I will be married off to expand lands, strengthen ties with others, Or to prevent war from braking out among two lands. I will marry a stranger when it comes time for me to be wed.... I just hope I can grow to love them and not just have to bare a child of someone I care not for." she gave another deep sigh looking at him and offering a small smile. 

"Enough about me and my pitiful fate. Tell me about you... Do you have a significant other? Someone your courting I believe is what it is called.... I heard a while ago that you did but that could of been just rumors." 

"The most recent, talk of me courting someone was a rumor. A very lovely fox had come by my estate one day not that many years ago, asking to set up an inn on the outer edge of my city. Because she was a fox most assumed I laid with her. And kept her here to claim as they are rare. But no. She got her answer and left in the evening time... I am not actively courting anyone anymore." he explained and she nodded listening to all he had to say it did fascinate her how they did things. She was totally envious of him. From his view from any room of the garden, how his people revered him, to even his choice of partner in life he had so much freedom, compared to her. All of this just fascinated her to no ends, She leaned a little bit closer to him in her shown interest her smile soft but her eyes sparkling with her eagerness to learn. 

"Anymore? That means at one point you had actively courted someone? An what does courting entails, what's needed of the pair evolved?" she asked rapid fire, this time her eagerness voiced. an he couldn't help but to chuckle at how adorable she was acting. 

"Easy princess. Yes I have courted someone before but for various reasons it hadn't worked out." he took a moment taking a sip of his drink then leaned over close to her closing even more of the distance between them, showing just how close she leaned to him across the table keeping them separated. 

"However I must say, since you are not one of my kind, knowing the details of courting or what is required of a pair is... not in your best interest." he spoke gently to her keeping his eyes locked with hers willing her to not look away. 

"Unless... you are interested in courting someone of my kind, if that is the case I will be more then glad to walk you threw the motions an steps required of the submissive half of the courting requirements, ill take on the dominate role myself." he spoke low, his tone smooth an warm. Waiting to see if what he was insinuating would go over her head or not. an to his delight it sunk in for her, her eyes widening as panic, shock, then embarrassment settled over her features an she moved back from him sitting as far back into her seat as she could get without moving it away. 

"I- um" she took a moment clearing her throat, 

"I suppose their are just some things some are not privileged to know, as I said before that's not my fate." she looked away as it was noted a small red tint seemed to of taken hold of her face. 

In a moment of impulse, He lift his hand cupping her cheek making her look at him. He let his gaze linger on her eyes then slowly let it move to her light pink lips and soft neck stopping when his eyes reached the right side junction of her throat. Speaking low as he moved his eyes back up to hers 

"You may think you know how your life will go now, but one day you will look back and laugh over how wrong you are young princess.”

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. Part 5

He sat there rather confused She was apologizing now? To him she hadn't done wrong. he gave voice to his thoughts "Im confused princess...why are you apologizing you have done no wrong." keeping her gaze fixed on the table before them she spoke. 

"I spoke out of turn on something you said that didn't need my input so i had done wrong." he could only sit there further baffled by what he heard, before he scoffed, his tone vastly different from how he had been addressing her before, finally starting to see what Marland had given voice too the evening prior, something was wrong, more then just her strange appearance here in his estate. 

"...Demons don't even have that strict of rules and we have to keep our emotions on strict control. You need to relax. The other thing that confuses me is you saying you have been nothing but an disappointment.... As far as I am aware your land has had nothing but excitement and pride for you. I've heard nothing of this disappointment." Her response was a little faster but she kept her own tone low as she still refused to look up to him. 

"Then I suppose we are getting Two different stories. Every event I've helped at or attended I've heard nothing back but how I was embarrassing or they were disappointed in what was done from me as a host..... My only assumption is in front of you none wanted to speak bad of the royal family. Where as with me it is to improve where I fail to meet expectations." 

"That would make since but my people are not cowards like such, they will speak out on poor actions not ignore them... I believe it's the one talking to you feeding you such terrible news, that I fully believe to be incorrect." she nodded slowly having decided to not argue with him on this matter, So in stead of a reply she took a small sip of the drink she had. 

He, having been expecting a fiery reply or her disputing his words, gave a sad look when he got nothing but a gentle nod of her head. he also took note of something else, she didn't look up for their conversation. That alone awakened a strange desire to do something to make her look up at him... So she didn't look so broken down. She wasn't broken, as a future queen she couldn't be broken. 

Instincts gave way to him as he watched her trying to think of something to do, deep down He could still feel the fire of her spirit, But it was incredibly small almost snuffed out... He just couldn't stand to let that fire die. Because of what he heard from what little she did yesterday she was a good person... And her patients knows no bounds. Several hours waiting to eat with the host with food right in front of you without touching it shows incredible restraints. He needed to do something so that little fire wouldn't die because if it was nurtured he was sure she would make an incredible Queen rule the land. To have at his side, As the royal family he chose to help. 

He reached across taking her hand into his own, causing her to immediately look up to him, shock dancing across her face and a question in her eyes. He was practically frozen in place as he really took in her features that gazed fully at him for that first time in their close proximity, an despite his nature let off just a small smile for a second. She was delightfully easy to read in her Persian blue eyes. 

That in an of it's self was a strange trait to have, in humans it was incredibly rare an even more so in demons, her eyes were a quite defining feature, a trait they both shared, in his humanoid form his eyes were an Icey Alice blue. An in those few seconds he made a choice he typically wouldn't. "Princess i want you to look at me.... I hate to say it but you are higher rank then I, So you have no need to make yourself so submissive to me. Ill tell you if your acting out of line so perk up no need to look so small and down. Regardless of how it happened you are a welcomed guest in my home till I can get you retuned home safely." he spoke steady and smooth to her as he kept her eyes focused on his., he would nurture this flame an build her up while she was here in his estate. 

She took a moment then stuttered out a response her gaze not leaving his. His previous tone When he spoke her title making since now, he was a powerful individual, a rank above his says he was weaker, but by affiliation an her birth she was ranked higher in power then him, even if in every other area possible he was for sure much, much, more powerful. "Oh... Um okay. You can call me an equal... Since you don't like me being higher rank...." she supplied him with, since saying she was of lower rank was sadly out of the question, even if she felt that it was true in every since of those words. Silence fallowed then he chuckled taking his other hand to cover his mouth. That was, the LAST thing he expected to come from her mouth. He took a silent pride in hearing that she wouldn't lower her title to far to be below him rather she compromised an took title equal to him over above. 

"My equal huh?" he said softly shifting and barely closing his hand tighter around hers. His fingers curling in to almost keep her palm in place as he leaned closer to her as much as this small table would allow. Suddenly finding himself wanting to be seated closer next to her rather then across. He however banished such thoughts from his mind to focus on his breakfast slowly pulling his hand back an straightening out in his seat. 

"I want you to help in my study today. ill arrange for you to help Marland tomorrow so you have something to do while we wait to hear back from your father." Regardless of what she said she was still the princess an human at that so he shouldn't entertain such thoughts even for that momentarily slip of mind. 

"Alright." she said pulling her own hand off the table, That was good this way he wasn't tempted to grab at her, rather soft yet firm hands once again.

[shadowedtalks]

Demons Keep what they are given. Part 4

The Lord gathered his kitchen staff in one of the corners of the Garden in the Twilight of the fallowing morning. Ordering a chef to prepare an outdoor breakfast, an The serving staff to set everything up. He then turns to the head of his staff Marland "Go and fetch the princess, make sure she is ready, Then bring her to the garden for breakfast." he then takes a seat pulling out the book he had brought with. He planned going an doing do some more studying while he waits, for Marland, an his chef to bring both the food an the princess to the table before him. Figuring this was the best way to make it up to said Princess, to wait on her this time, an have breakfast together in the early morning. 

Feeling a constant bother an shake to her shoulder Marcona was awoken from her sleep as someone called to her. 

"Yes?" she asked just barely opening her eyes, her tone heavy an groggy. 

"I've come to get you ready for the day and for breakfast." Marland spoke gently to her as they locked eyes, seeming to finally get her wits, an blinking rapidly several times. 

"Ah right. Let me get up then." she said getting out of the bed, with Marland’s help in choice of dress she was ready for the day. 

"The lord feels sorry for making you wait so long yesterday so he has had prepared for a breakfast for you both in the garden this morning." 

"Really?" she asked a soft hope in her voice.

"Yes time slips away from us easily, so we hope to make it better this way. But he is waiting so we must hurry." Marcona nodded with a soft smile. He was waiting on her this time so once finished, she hurried down with the other lady towards the gardens, but once they got there but her hope broke, an her smile faded from her face at seeing him waiting with a book. Of course, He didn't feel sorry. This was him taking pity on her. She couldn't blame him to much... She did appear un expectedly for everyone so of course things were strange. She fixed her smile as best she could and walked over taking a seat with a soft 'thank you' before looking at him. 

"Im sorry to keep you waiting, Im sure you are a very busy person Lord Oakwood, so thank you for having breakfast with me this morning." she said with a formal greeting and a slight head bow. Past that she otherwise sat in silence as breakfast was started letting him take first bite. Before she began to eat. He was the one to break the silence 

"I have yet to hear back from your father." 

"I see... Im sorry he isn't responding perhaps something happened." she replied keeping her eyes down on the plate of food before her. 

"Perhaps... I heard you waited several hour's for me last night. Why did you not just start eating after a handful of minuets?" he further questioned as she took a sip of the tea she had been given with her meal. 

"Because its improper and rude to eat before the host does... After such a long wait i assumed it was okay to eat as i guessed you had decided to not join me." 

"You are a strange one princess... Most only wait at best an hour." 

"Well i am happy to be strange then." silence fallowed for several minuets only the gentle clanking of silverware meeting the plates an a occasionally gentle clank of a cup being returned to the table before them filling the awkward air between the two an yet again he was the one to break it. 

"I am sorry for not joining you." 

"Its not an issue. I was a sudden, and i am sure, a rather unwelcomed guest in your estate Lord Oakwood. I however do appreciate you taking pity on me and bring me into your home having healers and others looking after me even having breakfast here with me.... Perhaps if you don't hear back from my father by this evening i should set out for home tomorrow regardless... I can make sure no harm or issues befall you or your people because of this strange event happening." she offered as a means to end this weird occurrence as well as to voice a few things she had saw an felt threw their interactions. 

"I won't allow that princess. I won't return you home till I have heard from your father and he has sent a carriage and guards to retrieve you to take you home safely. For now you are to stay here." he bit back rather quickly in tone an keeping his voice steady an not so bitter as normal. She nodded slowly. 

"I feel bad just waiting and doing nothing." 

"If your that worried ask my head of staff for something to do." She nods slowly again. just letting silence be her answer as she finished her meal before laying her fork diagonal on her plate to show she was done. he broke that silence as well. 

"Your very well tempered for a pampered princess." his voice was mocking at best, but light in terms of his normal temper. 

"Princess yes. Pampered no.... Im more of a disappointment to my land rather then a heir to the throne... My presence has caused many problems for many people and now you too by this event happening. an for that i am Truly sorry." she bit back her tone surprisingly bitter an hostile for what she was saying, She then paused for a moment, breathing out. 

"Excuse my slight of tongue I mean no disrespect to you... I often let my emotions get the best of me and speak before I think of my words. I do apologize, for my behavior." she gave a small head bow with her apology and fell quiet again continuing to drink her tea now in a silence that is Guilt heavy to her for speaking out in such a manner. Her option wasn't necessary on what he said she need not voice what she did. She let out a soundless sigh and kept her eyes focused downward to the table hoping he wouldn't become upset with her disrespect.