Merthyr nodded at Simon's words more than happy to use the offered get out card.
"Oh you are such a grand inspiration and good advisor, father. I shall certainly take heed of your words and retire on grounds of ill health" nodded Merthyr sighing relieved, pausing to talk to the assembly at large in a louder voice before his father changed mind and made him choose a lady from among those present.
"My ladies, most farest damsels, I thank you for your attendance but we must all retire for the night. At present I feel somewhat indisposed and must discontinue from your company. We shall resume this lavish feast and celebratory occasion in a few days or so when I feel more recovered. By then I will have had the opportunity to get more acquainted with you all at a closer personal level, hopefully. In the mean time you will be given rooms here at the royal palace and servants to tend to your needs during your stay here." explained Merthyr turning to face his father
"Your grace... with your consent... I hereby bring closure to this lavish feast earlier than that intended due to unforseen circumstances so that we may all get proper rest" announced Merthyr holding off the announcement for now.
"Voletta, if you can please accompany the young lady Elesa and ensure she is given suitable chambers. Lady Lilim we shall meet at a later occasion... I trust Voletta will see to your rooms and needs" excused Merthyr
"I shall retire with my father, nothing like family when one is unwell..." trailed off Merthyr willing, keen and eager to immediately follow Simon to wherever it was he wanted to go to and talk about whatever he was referring to earlier in the conversation.
He had feared his father would force his hand on the matter of choosing a bride immediately, so he very much appreciated the opportunity to use the get out card the king had quietly extended to him, buying him more time to make up his mind and not mess up in such important decision.
Morgana frowned narrow eyed if displeased but not about to object to the abrupt end.
"Oh you are such a grand inspiration and good advisor, father. I shall certainly take heed of your words and retire on grounds of ill health" nodded Merthyr sighing relieved, pausing to talk to the assembly at large in a louder voice before his father changed mind and made him choose a lady from among those present.
"My ladies, most farest damsels, I thank you for your attendance but we must all retire for the night. At present I feel somewhat indisposed and must discontinue from your company. We shall resume this lavish feast and celebratory occasion in a few days or so when I feel more recovered. By then I will have had the opportunity to get more acquainted with you all at a closer personal level, hopefully. In the mean time you will be given rooms here at the royal palace and servants to tend to your needs during your stay here." explained Merthyr turning to face his father
"Your grace... with your consent... I hereby bring closure to this lavish feast earlier than that intended due to unforseen circumstances so that we may all get proper rest" announced Merthyr holding off the announcement for now.
"Voletta, if you can please accompany the young lady Elesa and ensure she is given suitable chambers. Lady Lilim we shall meet at a later occasion... I trust Voletta will see to your rooms and needs" excused Merthyr
"I shall retire with my father, nothing like family when one is unwell..." trailed off Merthyr willing, keen and eager to immediately follow Simon to wherever it was he wanted to go to and talk about whatever he was referring to earlier in the conversation.
He had feared his father would force his hand on the matter of choosing a bride immediately, so he very much appreciated the opportunity to use the get out card the king had quietly extended to him, buying him more time to make up his mind and not mess up in such important decision.
Morgana frowned narrow eyed if displeased but not about to object to the abrupt end.
Lilim wrote:
((Going to wait for Melina to get caught up and post if she's gonna.))
((She messaged me saying she might not be able to continue...))
((I should at least wait for The Hanged Man. He deserves a chance to reply to the offer of meat and fruit. ))
(( OOC I wait for king Simon atm))
The Hanged Man glanced down upon hearing Elesa's offer of food, but he shook his head. "Nay, duchess, I-I am on duty." His jaw clenched as she again hinted at her grand scheme. The offer to sit was ignored--and impractical, given his towering shield. Though Voletta was obliged to obey Lilim, Crow was not.
His face was placid, but his mind raced. Lilim planned on kidnapping Voletta, to keep her away from Simon. It was not likely to work, and all four of their lives would be forfeit if they were caught, even little Elesa. Then there was the other matter, the true reason Voletta was kept in that dungeon ... the danger if she was left to her own devices ...
That's what they said about the augurs, commander, came a small voice in his ear. Crow blinked. It had been a long time since he had heard it. That's what they said about your sister.
Aye they did, Ayma, and they were ... right, in some ways. Remember Helbisa's Cauldron.
Voletta is no Helbisa. She--
Nay, he thought, silencing the other voice, though it made his stomach churn with guilt. He could not trust Lilim. Not yet. It was possible her heart was in the right place--he sensed genuine compassion from her--but he needed to know more about this plan of hers. And surely Max hadn't left the table for a mere privy break ... it was possible that Simon already had his suspicions.
Merthyr unwittingly solved Crow's dilemma by announcing an end to the feast early and giving his orders to Voletta. Crow looked first to Simon to see if the king would deny the request, but if he said nothing, he would help Voletta to her feet. Once they were alone, Lilim could reveal her plan.
Meanwhile, there were plenty of ugly whispers around the table, as the prince seemed to highly favor the Biblians. The ladies and their chaperones rose and began to drift away to the chambers they were being housed in. As they did, the two guards from the dungeon shuffled into the room, tracking down Sariel. Both saluted. "Sir. Beg pardon, sir." The pair of them reeked of booze and looked woozy. "Someone assaulted us in the dungeon ..."
((This post is all over the place lol sorry Like i said earlier my post time is very limited this weekend. Probably don't expect a post from me until tomorrow night, EST. Sorry!))
His face was placid, but his mind raced. Lilim planned on kidnapping Voletta, to keep her away from Simon. It was not likely to work, and all four of their lives would be forfeit if they were caught, even little Elesa. Then there was the other matter, the true reason Voletta was kept in that dungeon ... the danger if she was left to her own devices ...
That's what they said about the augurs, commander, came a small voice in his ear. Crow blinked. It had been a long time since he had heard it. That's what they said about your sister.
Aye they did, Ayma, and they were ... right, in some ways. Remember Helbisa's Cauldron.
Voletta is no Helbisa. She--
Nay, he thought, silencing the other voice, though it made his stomach churn with guilt. He could not trust Lilim. Not yet. It was possible her heart was in the right place--he sensed genuine compassion from her--but he needed to know more about this plan of hers. And surely Max hadn't left the table for a mere privy break ... it was possible that Simon already had his suspicions.
Merthyr unwittingly solved Crow's dilemma by announcing an end to the feast early and giving his orders to Voletta. Crow looked first to Simon to see if the king would deny the request, but if he said nothing, he would help Voletta to her feet. Once they were alone, Lilim could reveal her plan.
Meanwhile, there were plenty of ugly whispers around the table, as the prince seemed to highly favor the Biblians. The ladies and their chaperones rose and began to drift away to the chambers they were being housed in. As they did, the two guards from the dungeon shuffled into the room, tracking down Sariel. Both saluted. "Sir. Beg pardon, sir." The pair of them reeked of booze and looked woozy. "Someone assaulted us in the dungeon ..."
((This post is all over the place lol sorry Like i said earlier my post time is very limited this weekend. Probably don't expect a post from me until tomorrow night, EST. Sorry!))
What a stroke of pure luck. The prince had opted to take his excuse for an out this night and brought the festivities to a close. This worked very well for Lilim, whom opted to aid Voletta in standing while Elesa opted to cling to her and wrapped her arms and legs around Voletta to keep from being stood on the floor just yet. Lilim giggled softly at Elesa's obvious connection to Voletta and not just in the way of the two embracing so passionately.
Lilim would smile victoriously as everything seemed to play out in her favor. Voletta asked by the prince himself to remain in Elesa's company and the partygoers allowed to retire to their chambers, though this presented a new obstacle. The king and his generals could now position themselves anywhere in the castle they so desired... Lilim would have to tread on even more fragile eggshells, but this seemed not to phase her, as her mind wrapped around this new situation and made things even easier thanks to the prince himself giving Lilim a far better place to see to her plans, which of course she'd have to tell to The Hanged Man in due time.
Everything was almost set to play out, the only thing that could possibly put Lilim's plans on pause was the presence of the morning sun. And Lilim had no idea how much time was left in the night, so she'd prepare a back-up plan for just in case the morning was set to interrupt them.
Lilim would hold onto Voletta to keep her from falling as they walked, but would lead Voletta back to where she had woke up, the princes private guest room, "Voletta, you shall rest with us tonight, Hun. I believe the king will understand you being away from your own chambers if it is to see to your duties." Lilim says calmly, glancing to The Hanged Man to see if he could contest Lilim's justification. She'd trust him to follow them back to the room and they'd certainly talk more once they were alone, but as they made their way back to their room, Lilim would only say as much as was needed and nothing more.
Lilim would smile victoriously as everything seemed to play out in her favor. Voletta asked by the prince himself to remain in Elesa's company and the partygoers allowed to retire to their chambers, though this presented a new obstacle. The king and his generals could now position themselves anywhere in the castle they so desired... Lilim would have to tread on even more fragile eggshells, but this seemed not to phase her, as her mind wrapped around this new situation and made things even easier thanks to the prince himself giving Lilim a far better place to see to her plans, which of course she'd have to tell to The Hanged Man in due time.
Everything was almost set to play out, the only thing that could possibly put Lilim's plans on pause was the presence of the morning sun. And Lilim had no idea how much time was left in the night, so she'd prepare a back-up plan for just in case the morning was set to interrupt them.
Lilim would hold onto Voletta to keep her from falling as they walked, but would lead Voletta back to where she had woke up, the princes private guest room, "Voletta, you shall rest with us tonight, Hun. I believe the king will understand you being away from your own chambers if it is to see to your duties." Lilim says calmly, glancing to The Hanged Man to see if he could contest Lilim's justification. She'd trust him to follow them back to the room and they'd certainly talk more once they were alone, but as they made their way back to their room, Lilim would only say as much as was needed and nothing more.
Voletta would listen to Merthyr's announcement of closing the party early, and she would practically sigh in relief, just to jolt up again as he looked up at Merthyr, receiving his orders to show Lilim and Elesa to their rooms. She would nod and bow to them, only to feel The Hanged Man and Lilim both helped her to her feet. She was never up this late, so she was desperately longing for the bed. Despite the fact that the prince had ordered her to escort them to their rooms, she found herself being held up by Lilim as they walked to their room.
She would do her best to guide them to the room, and after several minutes they would arrive. She walked inside and escorted them both in, before taking a seat on the bed and lying down, grabbing one of the pillows and placing it over her head as she lets out a long sigh, turning on her side and hugging the pillow close to her chest.
"What a long day...."
She says, though it would be muffled since her face was partially buried underneath the pillow. She looks at Lilim, who had insisted that she spend the night in their room, and nodded. It was another order, and she would be forced to comply. Though she couldn't help but wonder how she would explain that to the guards that would inevitably come searching for her. The fact that the two guards who had been attacked were up and on the scene wouldn't help. They would surely blame The Hanged Man and Voletta, since they were known to be the only two people who resided down there, and if they didn't get out before the king found out, there would surely be hell to pay.
She would do her best to guide them to the room, and after several minutes they would arrive. She walked inside and escorted them both in, before taking a seat on the bed and lying down, grabbing one of the pillows and placing it over her head as she lets out a long sigh, turning on her side and hugging the pillow close to her chest.
"What a long day...."
She says, though it would be muffled since her face was partially buried underneath the pillow. She looks at Lilim, who had insisted that she spend the night in their room, and nodded. It was another order, and she would be forced to comply. Though she couldn't help but wonder how she would explain that to the guards that would inevitably come searching for her. The fact that the two guards who had been attacked were up and on the scene wouldn't help. They would surely blame The Hanged Man and Voletta, since they were known to be the only two people who resided down there, and if they didn't get out before the king found out, there would surely be hell to pay.
Simon listened to the announcement and had to mentally hold back from holding his head in his hands with the naivety of it. He had postponed the feast and actual choice while at the same time showing a favorite. While he hoped and indeed believed that this move wasn't intentional he had to make sure, "Son, I'm going to ask you to quickly retract that as soon as possible. While postponing is fine, showing a favorite while doing so is really quite bad. It will make the other ladies and as a result, their parents who control the other kingdoms far worse disposed to us."
He thought for a few seconds, before giving his son an out. "If you quickly do personal announcements for each of the main kingdoms that would sort it out."
Having given this solution he would wait to see if Merthyr would take it or not, which in turn would reveal if this person was really his favorite or not. Any further reaction he had would be based on that knowledge, for if she was then he would have to bring her for a personal chat to see for himself if she would do.
While this was going on two other things were happening: Firstly Max in the outside corridors was positioning royal guards outside of every room in which the guests were to be staying. Their full armor only changing from regular sets y an easily exposed face place, which if needed could be removed within seconds to reveal the identity of the person within.
The heightened security was not unexpected for so many high ranking guests being crowded into the palace at once. Yet it would make moving about the place almost impossible to do without being immediately spotted by a guard.
Sariel, on the other hand, turned to face the guards before signaling them to leave the room and follow him into an outside corridor, where accompanied by Ellesa he would demand an explanation.
He thought for a few seconds, before giving his son an out. "If you quickly do personal announcements for each of the main kingdoms that would sort it out."
Having given this solution he would wait to see if Merthyr would take it or not, which in turn would reveal if this person was really his favorite or not. Any further reaction he had would be based on that knowledge, for if she was then he would have to bring her for a personal chat to see for himself if she would do.
While this was going on two other things were happening: Firstly Max in the outside corridors was positioning royal guards outside of every room in which the guests were to be staying. Their full armor only changing from regular sets y an easily exposed face place, which if needed could be removed within seconds to reveal the identity of the person within.
The heightened security was not unexpected for so many high ranking guests being crowded into the palace at once. Yet it would make moving about the place almost impossible to do without being immediately spotted by a guard.
Sariel, on the other hand, turned to face the guards before signaling them to leave the room and follow him into an outside corridor, where accompanied by Ellesa he would demand an explanation.
"Your grace I was merely concerned for young lady Elesa, whilst she is clearly too young for marriage, children often get tired sooner, get scared in the dark and tend to wander away into trouble when bored. Now, I was aware the young noble damsel and her elder sister Lilim wished to talk but alas I rather not delay their sleep and rest. There were no personal feelings attached to the comment.
"Still... I shall do as you suggest and personally approach each kingdom's fair damsels to bid them good night properly and equally so as to appease them but I must confess to you I have every intention to marry and declare my love for your slave Voletta.
Voletta and I have encountered each other quite a few times, I have been observing her for longer and she is everything I could ever want in a woman, a mother, a wife and a queen. She reminds me so much of my own mother, almost a spitting image too. But, let us not trouble ourselves with this, you and I can discuss this further in greater detail whilst we spend more time relaxing together as per your invitation to join you. First we must speak of that which you referred to earlier... marriage talks can wait to later" smiled Merthyr leaning close to Simon to let him know of his honest feelings and intentions, standing up and bowing before the king as he came to the main doors to bid each damsel and their chaperones good night and best wishes whilst his father brewed on Merthyr's already made decision on the marriage aspect.
"Still... I shall do as you suggest and personally approach each kingdom's fair damsels to bid them good night properly and equally so as to appease them but I must confess to you I have every intention to marry and declare my love for your slave Voletta.
Voletta and I have encountered each other quite a few times, I have been observing her for longer and she is everything I could ever want in a woman, a mother, a wife and a queen. She reminds me so much of my own mother, almost a spitting image too. But, let us not trouble ourselves with this, you and I can discuss this further in greater detail whilst we spend more time relaxing together as per your invitation to join you. First we must speak of that which you referred to earlier... marriage talks can wait to later" smiled Merthyr leaning close to Simon to let him know of his honest feelings and intentions, standing up and bowing before the king as he came to the main doors to bid each damsel and their chaperones good night and best wishes whilst his father brewed on Merthyr's already made decision on the marriage aspect.
((LOL Ok, that made my night.
Thank you, Merthyr, for giving me a good OOC laugh. I'm waiting on The Hanged Man to post and then I'll reply IC.))
Thank you, Merthyr, for giving me a good OOC laugh. I'm waiting on The Hanged Man to post and then I'll reply IC.))
((same on all levels!!! I was in the bathroom at work and broke out laughing I wonder how simon will react!! But I'm also waiting on the hanged man!))
It was good the Hanged man didn't have a drink--he would have done the spittake to end all spittakes when he overheard just one snippet from the prince. As it was, it was enough to make him falter in mid step, though he managed to keep himself from staring at Merthyr and Simon. Shaking himself, Crow hurried along. That certainly complicated things. Quite a bit.
All of the ladies filed out of the ballroom and towards the guest wing, where they had their heavily guarded accomodations. As they found Lilim's assigned chambers, Crow let the girls in first, eyeing the guardswoman posted up outside the door. He saluted her, then followed the girls in.
He wasn't sure how well the guardswoman would be able to hear them, so he didn't initiate any conversation, and moved slowly through the rooms to see if it was truly empty.
The two guards, once outside in the corridor, told their story. The generals might recognize them--the younger one was a heavyset blond by the name of Gerrald, while the elder was a beanpole of a fellow called Sweeney. Gerrald mostly listened while Sweeney explained. "We took the slave girl to her cell, as normal. We posted up, then ... I don't remember. I might have seen a girl ... next I know, Ger and I wake up in the Crow's quarters surrounded in booze." Sweeney spat on the ground, then, remembering the company he kept, quickly scuffed it out with his boot. "But we haven't had a sip of the creature, I swear!"
((This post is terrible but I'm 110% braindead sorry and literal flling asleep! Also, if Crow wouldn't ve able to overhear Merthyr, please feel free to disregard that part!))
All of the ladies filed out of the ballroom and towards the guest wing, where they had their heavily guarded accomodations. As they found Lilim's assigned chambers, Crow let the girls in first, eyeing the guardswoman posted up outside the door. He saluted her, then followed the girls in.
He wasn't sure how well the guardswoman would be able to hear them, so he didn't initiate any conversation, and moved slowly through the rooms to see if it was truly empty.
The two guards, once outside in the corridor, told their story. The generals might recognize them--the younger one was a heavyset blond by the name of Gerrald, while the elder was a beanpole of a fellow called Sweeney. Gerrald mostly listened while Sweeney explained. "We took the slave girl to her cell, as normal. We posted up, then ... I don't remember. I might have seen a girl ... next I know, Ger and I wake up in the Crow's quarters surrounded in booze." Sweeney spat on the ground, then, remembering the company he kept, quickly scuffed it out with his boot. "But we haven't had a sip of the creature, I swear!"
((This post is terrible but I'm 110% braindead sorry and literal flling asleep! Also, if Crow wouldn't ve able to overhear Merthyr, please feel free to disregard that part!))
((Idk if that post makes any sense lol i will revisit it once I've slept if need be!))
((it's okie!! I'll wait for lilim to post before I do!!))
You are on: Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Behind Stone Walls..
Moderators: Mina, Keke, Cass, Claine, Sanne, Dragonfire, Ilmarinen, Darth_Angelus