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Faize laughs."i know very well what he wanted me to do. I ain't gonna even try it. I fight for good not evil."Faize looks at Carmen."And your right there are more ways. That's why i'm not just gonna teach you to fight. I'm gonna teach you how to use magick. Don't worry i'll be teaching you healing magick."Faize smiles.

Carmen smiled at the thought before dropping face as a guard had ran to fetch her on regards of a traveler looking for a Queen. She tilted her head slightly with a risen eyebrow at the notion, She looked to her trainer for a brief moment being she was the only woman of her household still present. She nodded to the warrior before walking down the hall escorted by at least two heavily armed large men.

"odd thing to ask, this country hasn't had a queen in ten years"

She chimed as she stepped around the corner eyeing the odd traveler stepping outside of the castle an inch before guards blocked her from wondering further out. She stood in her warm gentle colors like a sunrise peeking through the castles darkened gloom. She would offer a polite nod and smile to the stranger.

"I'm terribly sorry dear sir but there is no Queen Ashton, You seek...atleast not anymore"

Prince Calvin was sitting on a bench of sorts, with his intent gaze fixed on training guards older than he was. The prince's fingers were rather tapping impatiently against the spruce wood the made up the seat, before he could hear their voices.

"Welcome back, Johanna."

Calvin gave a short glance over to the woman guard that stood before the other.

"Greetings, Captain," came the brave voice of the defiant lady, as the prince arose from his seat.

Calvin walked calmly over to the two guards, and halted just behind the captain; a lithe, powerful man whose eyes emitted leadership and loyalty. With a quick clear of Calvin's throat, the captain turned around to see the younger prince standing before him. Calvin's eyes gave a rather smug shine at the captain.

"I believe I can take this from here, Captain," Prince Calvin commanded.

The captain gave a respectful nod at the prince, before the guard marched off. Calvin rolled his eyes, and turned over to Johanna.

"You're late, Mieadov," remarked the prince in a steely gaze. The woman only gave a nod, before saying, "Apologies, Cal. But, I-"

The prince gave a look that dared for the guard to finish her excuse, as Johanna heaved a sigh. "Forgive me, Cal.."

Calvin narrowed his eyes at Johanna, before muttering, "You should learn to refer to others by their proper title, Mieadov." Calvin rubbed his forehead, before shaking his head.

"Let's just get on with this training, before you begin your senseless blabbering."

Two Bit had grown slightly nervous at this moment, 'No king? Most likely no King either.' His accent was thick, though understandable his presence within this country was new, he stumbled over his word.

"Well then m'lady, if there be no Queen, perhaps nae a king 'ither, I wish ta' speak to someone within those powers?"

A smirk grew on Two Bit's face as he grabbed Carmen's hand, giving it a slight kiss, bowing his head respectfully, "I am called Two Bit. A wealthy trader from the desert lands. I wish to trade within your city." His jewelry and accessories jingled around his wrists and neck as he spoke. He had a weapon sash on his waist, but it seemed to only carry books and small dagger. The man seemed to be a bit of a quirk with black paint on his eyelids and gold trim underlining the bottom of his eyebrows. But a smile never seemed to leave his face even as he listened it never faded.

Faize leaves a note for Carmen to go to his quarters when she is ready to learn.

Carmen shifted her eyes for a moment at the mention of the king she smiled politely, A hand tucking a lock of her hair that had been left down that day.

"there is a king, Though you ot to brace yourself before going in, He is not a fond man of strangers"

She looked as he had leaned down to kiss on her hand a guard quickly drew a blade to him the other placing a blade between his lips and her skin. Their eyes glared down fiercely their stance grew more defensively as she separated the two.

"Know your place merchant!, Touching of the princess is forbidden of those with out the Ashdown name!"

*she dashed right by the guards and prince Calvin* ¨S***...S***¨ *she kept running until she reached home*




(Are we cool with cursing?)

Faize sits in his room sharpening his blades((i'm ok with it))

Another grin grew on Two Bit's face, as he pulled his hand and lips away from the lady. He looked to the guards, "I am merely appleading to my customs Shields, apologies for my trangression." His hands rested behind his back, grabbing his wrists allowing them to rest behind him. Two Bit's head titled to the side and nodded, he pressed his lips together as he spoke out to the lady.

"I would wish for the plessure for an audiences with your King. It has been long zince I haft come to these lands." His eyes began to squint, as if the sun had begun to pierce his eyes as he inspected Carmen, she was a woman of beauty the Foreigner would have her have that. But these people's customs were odd to him, none the less, Two Bit stood tall to show his solitude towards those whom were present. He was not to show that his people were idly threatened, though some fear ran through his heart, he had done some things that would strike fear in other's hearts...

( Sorry about the accent I am gunna have to do some work to it, is there an OOC forum for this RP by any chance? )

Prince Relbregh was one of the Ashdown Kingdom's cruelest tyrants, and a favorite of his father, though despised by his mother. Some nobles wondered if she was even his mother at all. Relbregh certainly didn't look like his siblings, and although he loved his father dearly, he despised his brothers and sisters. Relbregh was a selfish and jealous prince who grew up in his brother's shadows. But all of that would soon change.

There was a quiet knock on the iron-worked oakwood chamber door. It was the royal courtier, delivering a folded parchment bearing the stamp of a serpentine winged lion holding a banner. Relbregh immediately recognised the parchment and dismissed the courtier at once. It was a letter from the well reputed Lord Vygoren Calygarn, a local duke who often paid large sums of money for both Prince Relbregh's favour and support from the King's Army.

The thinly built, short young blonde prince would pick up his letter opener and carefully remove the stamp before admiring the sharpness of its pointed tip. He imagined for a moment stabbing the royal courtier in the eye with it. His twisted thoughts amused only him, and for a moment Relbregh managed to perk his lips in what may have been a slight smirk. He then read the letter:

"Your Eminence,

After campaigning ten months into the Eastern Mountains, flying the Banner of His Majesty King Ashdown and fighting to expand your country to the east, I, Lord Vygoren Calygarn, report great news. The nearby Castle of Estvikt has surrendered to your forces. We left no survivors. King Estvikt fell on his own sword and was beheaded. We burned the bodies and I had planned to show you his head, but the dogs ate his face before I could. We should be arriving within one month's time, first to Prince Relbregh's Tower and then to the King's Gates."

Relbregh smirked again. The news of Vygoren's victory at the Seige of Estvikt would surely make the King happy, thus increasing Relbregh's favour and chances of being heir to his father's kingdom. Relbregh threw on his robes and tucked the parchment into his sleeve, opening the chamber door again. He passed the guard at the door and kept walking down the tower's spiral stone stairwell to the gravel road below.

The royal courtier had hopped into a horse drawn carriage and was just about to leave when Relbregh commanded him to halt. He then slipped the letter back to the courtier and told him to deliver the message directly to the king. There was some hesitation with the excuse of having been on the road for several months and wanting to get back to feed his family, but Prince Relbregh just laughed at the courtier's misfortune and threatened to kill his family personally if his commands were not met. There was no reluctance after that. Relbregh then returned to his chamber, commanding the guard at the door to stand straighter while issuing a quick insult about his image. He locked his bedroom door and went straight to his writing desk.

Meanwhile...

"Victory is ours! Gather our troops and count the treasure, I want to know how much silver is in those boxes!" Lord Calygarn was issuing orders to his generals. Before them was a farming village that they had recently burned to the ground. The villagers were once vassals of King Estvikt, but now they were slaves of King Ashdown, and would be forced to pay heavy taxes.

Lord Calygarn was a roughcut looking fellow in black leather, wearing battle attire. He had long wavey red hair and green eyes with a five o'clock shadow on his chin and bright yellow teeth, some of which had been intentionally dyed blue and sharpened to make him look more fierce in battle. Half of his face was tatted with the tribal design of a horned serpent, and his mud stained chainmail tunic made him look even more brutal as he trudged through the blood soaked dirt wearing leather boots.

"My Lord, may I have a word with you?" Vygoren stopped to look around, only to see his good friend Thraen walking up beside him. "Lord Thraen Valour, my friend. Come, speak to me." Thraen Valour had served alongside Lord Vygoren Calygarn on many of King Ashdown's military campaigns, and he too had the look of a warrior who had seen many things. "My Lord, it's about today's battle." Vygoren chuckled and patted Thraen on the back. "You fought well today Lord Thraen, you should be proud." Thraen lowered his gaze towards the ground. "There is no pride to be had in killing innocent women and children. It's too excessive. We shall have to join a monastery after this war is over." They both laughed for a moment, but then Thraen's expression turned deathly serious.

"No more killing, Ren, let's go home." Lord Calygarn stopped and turned to look at Lord Thraen directly. "Are you turning soft My Lord?" Vygoren chuckled jokingly, but Thraen remained serious. "We've been fighting for ten months Ren, don't you think it's time we get paid?" Vygoren quickly looked to make sure none of their personal guards were listening, then whispered quietly. "Rae you know that statement could get us both killed right now. It's ludacris to question the king's commands. Are you trying to lose your head?" Thraen bit his tongue and looked over at Vygoren with a slight smirk. "And look like King Estvikt over there? No my friend, I think I'd rather keep my head on my shoulders today. I may need it tomorrow."

Vygoren smiled and after a brief moment of silence, both Lords chuckled light heartedly at one another. Lord Thraen patted Lord Calygarn on the back, then returned in the other direction. Lord Calygarn then proceeded to count the number of wagons they had managed to seize that day.

Carmen sighed softly and kept her mask of a smile on her face a shake of her head. She motioned her hand for him to follow leading into the palace the two armed guards keeping a good distance between the two.

“Not a weird custom when your a promised payment”

She mumbled softly keeping her head turned away from the stranger as she walked him into the throne room. She waved her and gently for him to wait there. She brushed her dress off and fixed her hair behind her shoulders making sure she looked neatly as possible before she dared enter the council room. She stepped quietly and knocked softly on the council door. A rhythm that only she and her late mother were known for. Following the knock she allowed herself into the room eyeing the old king she approached placing a light hand to his shoulder. The man was fearsome but was still her father and she could recall times when he would behave as one though the memory had grown cloudy over the years.

“Father there is a traveler waiting in the throne room, I believe it’s another merchant looking to be approved for business”

(Cursing is fine)

Faize smiles as he finishes sharpening his blade"Perfect"

((Click here to see it.))

Johanna kept a firm grip on a wooden sword that was fit for battle practice. Tossing over another toward Prince Calvin, the guard would proceed to her usual battle stance.

"Alright, so-"

The guard was cut off over the movement of Calvin pouncing towards her, wooden sword in hand. Johanna only cleared her throat, as she swiftly moved away from the blow. The guard heard the awkward plummet of Calvin on the ground, who gave a low growl toward her.

"As I was saying..."

The prince stood up and clashed his sword with Johanna's, who had carefully blocked the strike. "Patience, Cal," the woman murmured. The guard raised an eyebrow, as the two began to clash their practice swords at each other.

"As I was saying," Johanna repeated. "Attention..." The woman continued to defend the prince's mindless attacks, before giving a firm kick toward Calvin's leg. The prince gave a few winces as he reached for his leg, before Johanna gave a nimble kick to his stomach. The prince sprawled onto the ground, as Johanna pointed the wooden sword close to his torso.

"...and balance," the guard finished, as Calvin only stared at Johanna in annoyance.

Within the Council chambers, the King and his advisors were engaged in a vigorous debate. For the purpose of their strategizing, they were seated around a large wooden table, upon which stood a masterfully crafted model of the surrounding lands, replete with salt-glazed mountains and painted lakes. General Vendrick was presently gesturing towards a little clay tower, encouraging the destruction of its real-world variant - when they would all hear a knock at the door.

As Carmen stepped inside, silence fell and every man in the room would obediently rise to his feet. All except for the aging Magnus, who sat terse in his seat, warily appraising his daughter's approach.

Despite the softness of her action, Carmen's touch caused the King to flinch.

“Father there is a traveler waiting in the throne room, I believe it’s another merchant looking to be approved for business.”

He inhaled slowly and turned his head. His milk-spotted eyes curiously examining the hand that lay against his shoulder; it was strange to see skin so pure. Had he ever looked like that? Had he ever been 'young'? It seemed impossible to believe, now.

"A merchant? Is this not a task that my Steward could have dealt with? Caspar? Caspar-?"

He glared around the room, but his Steward was nowhere to be seen. Magnus growled in frustration and gave a resigned nod.

"Very well. We shall see to this trader. You are all dismissed!"

As the assembled elders began to disperse, Magnus curled his fingers around the arm-rests and hauled himself upright. At once, the King was joined by two figures, who almost seemed to coalesce from the grey shadows themselves. Tall, imposing warriors, bearing halberds and guarded in black-iron plate that obscured every inch of the wearer; these silent guardians fell in behind the King, as he began lumbering towards the throne room.

"Not you, Carmen," he barked. "You're coming with me!"

Carmen flinched slightly at his raised voice for a moment looking up. After watching the other men leave a whisper of one referring to her as a ghost. She remained silent until all had left. It was a fair assumption she was more the spitting image of her mother compared to her brothers who mostly took after the old man. She looked up in his eyes offering her masked smile that deepened the dimples on her rosy cheeks. A mask she was grown use to wearing as acts of cruelty had piled over the years.

"Yes father"

She chimed in her voice as soft as a whisper walking to his side playing a hand on the interfold of his arm. Standing in posture accordingly to ettequite. Keeping her eyes forward following his lead.

Calvin watched as Johanna lifted the wood sword up, letting the prince sit up. He warily sat up, before the armored hand of the guard was extended towards him. Calvin narrowed his eyes toward Johanna.

"I'm not a child, Mieadov," the prince muttered, as Calvin shoved her hand away. "And you're sure as hell not my mother."

The guard only stood tall, as Calvin stood up. His hair was all ruffled once more, as the prince gripped his wood sword, and positioned himself into a battle stance. "Now, why don't we get back to your job, Mieadov?" Prince Calvin questioned toward the guard through gritted teeth.

Johanna shook her head at the question, before giving a piercing gaze toward the prince. "You are just like yourself as a child, Cal," the guard remarked toward him.

Prince Calvin gave a low growl toward her. "Stop referring to me as Cal, Mieadov," the prince ordered. "And I'm not a child anymore. I've grown."

"Into a naive, greedy prince," Johanna said aloud at Calvin.

It was as if everything froze, while the prince and guard locked eyes. It was dead silent, like a wasteland had appeared before them.

Calvin only walked forward to Johanna, and halted just closely in front of her.

"What did you call me, Mieadov?"

The royals filed through the doors, flanked by the King's grim duo.

The throne room was a cold and windy hall, but Magnus strode forward undeterred, even as the mountain gales swept in through cracks in the walls. Seemingly ignoring the presence of the foreigner, Magnus would first march over and slump into the confines of his hardened throne. He then glanced to his side, making sure that his daughter was still in tow, before he finally deigned to speak.

"So," he said, addressing the exotic stranger. "My child tells me that you're some kind of merchant; is she correct? Tell me boy, what business could a foreign peddler have in the Palace of Ash?"

Prince Calvin eyed the defiant guard before him, as Johanna spoke in confidence at the young prince.

"You've grown into a naive, greedy prince," said the woman.

Calvin folded his arms against his back, as the wind brushed harshly his raven hair. He'd give a small "Hm.." as if he were pondering. The prince then gave a sly grin, before looking back toward the guard.

"Perhaps I could get you executed, Mieadov," Calvin noted, as the prince circled the guard. Johanna only delved herself into silence, as Calvin continued on. "While you may have your words, I still wield power you may never know." He'd stop just beside the woman, as Johanna retorted, "You may have power, Prince Calvin. But you are merely a prince. You have to kneel for you to be granted the power from the one truly who holds it. A king."

The prince gritted his teeth on the truth of those words, but he persisted, despite the point. "I am a higher rank because I made to fit it, Mieadov," Calvin told her. "You aren't so great enough to reach that."

"And yet, I'm as close to it as possible. Why is that, Calvin?" questioned Johanna.

Calvin only gave in to silence, as the final words escaped the guard's lips. He could feel the awaiting gaze staring at the back of his head, before the prince heaved a quiet sigh.

"You're at another lucky one, aren'tcha Mieadov?" Calvin questioned. The prince turned over to the woman with a smirk. "You're getting another chance."

Calvin turned back, and commanded at two guards to escort him to his room. Just as the guards arrived, the prince only gave a mere whisper to Johanna.

"I wonder how long your luck will last, though."