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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."

Carmen followed after her father standing on his right side as he sat in the throne. One of the guards that had intercepted the strangers attempt to touch on her hand stood closely to ensure no repeats of the incident. Carmen kept quiet as her father had addressed the merchant. She glanced down at her feet realizing she had forgotten to put her shoes back on after running from the trainer. Quickly shifting her eyes around fixing the skirt of her gown to cover them. Keeping perfect posture thoughts raced was an odd request for her father to have her attend with him to such matters. Normally she wasn't to be seen while visitors were present in the palace. She placed her hand on the arm rest nervously.

Faize summons fire into his room and starts making shapes out of itabstract magick is the most important to control....without this control it would control us.....constant practice keeps it trained, ready for the next battle or healing

*Jinx arrived home slamming the door and letting her ears and tail loose* ¨I don´t have the guts to kill...only to run...¨ *she slid down the door and cried*

As the door shut closed behind him, Calvin took a moment to ponder about earlier. His gaze blanked out into the ceiling, before the prince gave a shake of his head, and sat upon his comfortable bed.

Calvin lied down on the mattress, as his eyes fluttered shut, and darkness greeted the young prince.

~

The smell of fire filled the prince's nostrils, as charred grass rested underneath his feet. Calvin gave a wary look around his vicinity, before a high, unnaturally calm voice echoed into his ear.

"Hello, Prince Ashdown. Has the throne been great while I suffer?"

He could remember that voice anywhere.

"You," muttered the prince. "Where are you?"

"You'll see soon. But first. . ."

~

Calvin awoke in a scream, as he gripped his heart. The prince looked around his area. He was still in his room, sitting up on his bed.

A knock sounded from his door, before the prince rolled his eyes. "Quit it, I'll arrive shortly!" Calvin snapped, before the knock silenced, and the prince stood up.

I'll find a way to stop this from happening. Soon.

While scampering through the many majestic halls to reach the Throne room, Two Bit's eyes wandered around the scenery, looking at the architecture, though his people were capable of such great designs, these foreign structures amazed him. The Merchant grabbed a book from his side and a shard of glass, closing an eye to read the tome. The words in it of his native tongue, he put the piece of glass between the pages and closed the book, placing it back at his hip. To be frank he was excited about this meeting, being one of the first formal meeting he's had about business, usually it was deals with farmers or chieftains.

'If my plans turn faulty, then I must leave for more business..'

Just then he snickered to himself quite loudly looking to the guards and lady as they entered the throne room, another great place, he had thought. He opened his tome again and looked up to the King, noticing his stature, an angry looking man, but an agreeable man as well. "Your Majesty, I wish to strike a deal with your Highness an' country, to bring upon profits, as well as gems." He flipped the pages of his book until stopping about five pages past, he showed the two open pages to the court, "A forrest, I would like to build a trade outpost, near the border of my lands, and of yours. I can offer my services as a border patrol as well. I have a company at my disposal." Two Bit reached over to one of his rings, one that was of a normal jewel, a ruby, and he wandered towards the King, slowly kneeling before him, his palm opened towards him with the ruby ring in his palm. "Many gems like this m'lord. As well as an efficient labor force." With his face down towards the floor, he could smile like crazy, he was not excited or anxious rather feeling maniacal.

Clapping his hands together quite spontaneously, Two Bit opened his mouth only to stop and bow in front of the King. "Great King, I am a stranger from the sands, I haft come to offer business an' profit for a trade outpost. This is my proposition" It was a slightly ludacris proposition seeing as Two Bit didn't look like he had much to offer. But the merchant wasn't willing to spill the whole truth about his businesses. When you are raised in hot sands you learn to hide. Two bit smiled a wide grin, and he put his arms behind his back standing tall at attention.

It was a cool refreshing spring morning. The breeze was lightly blowing south with intervals of stillness, and the scent of blooming flowers and moist vegetation filled the air. The grass was covered in dew and white posies, with green hills and scattered alpine woodland forests of hawthorn, pistachio, yellow pine, red oak and cedar. Fresh creeks and brackish rivers provided an abundance of trout and tunafish, while maintaining a wall of protection behind snow capped mountains overlooking a partly cloudy pastel blue sky and golden yellow sun. The weather was gorgeous, and the sound of nature was buzzing and singing all around.

Bridging off of a moat connected to one of the rivers atop of the largest of these hills was a small fortified palace with stairs leading up the side of a mountain to a huge stone watchtower that stood out like a beacon in the distance. This was Relbregh's Palace, better known to most of the kingdom as Relbregh's Tower due to its strategic location and large watchtower at the entrance to the Mareshoe Mountains, where a busy road known as the King's Pass was used by many travelers and merchants as an entrance or exitway from Ashdown Kingdom.

Relbregh's Palace was heavily guarded, with bastions fitted with medieval cannons and catapults for defense. Below the tower was a horse stable and soldier barracks. The palace also consisted of a granary, a kitchen, an outhouse and a dungeon where prisoners could be kept. Within the large tower itself were store houses, wine rooms, bed chambers and Prince Relbregh's personal chamber. Weapon racks and armored guards decorated the halls and doorways around the entire fortress, and just inside the gate was the palace or main hall where Prince Relbregh conducted all of his business.

Some time had passed since Bregh had sent a herald to deliver his letter to Lord Calygarn and wondered if the duke had recieved it yet. He was also wondering if the royal courtier had delivered the duke's letter to his father. As he sat on his palace throne, Relbregh listened half-intently to the daily news echoed by his chancellors and heard all the complaints of the tax payers and farmers living in and around the area. An elderly woman fell down at the young prince's feet with tears in her eyes and tried to kiss his boots, but Relbregh kicked her away.

"Incompetent guards! Do your duty and seize this miserable wretch!" Two guards quickly grabbed the old lady by her hair and dragged her backwards, seizing both of her arms. "It is forbidden to touch a member of the royal family. Take her away. Have her hanged at sunset." The young blonde prince's words were followed by fearful apologies and a crying plea for mercy which fell upon deaf ears. Prince Relbregh simply adjusted his collar and sat back down, while the guards escorted the screaming woman to the stockades.

Just then, a messenger arrived and announced the arrival of a band of horsemen approaching slowly from the horizon. It was Lord Calygarn and his army of savage knights. They had finally returned home from their campaign, and had arrived earlier than expected. Prince Relbregh was all too ready to recieve them, as Lord Thraen and Lord Calygarn entered the palace and knelt before the throne. "Your Excellence, these are-" The herald was suddenly interrupted. "I know who they are you fool. Thraen Valour and Vygoren Calygarn, welcome to my palace. I've been expecting you."

Meanwhile...

A black horse-drawn carraige strolls up the dirt road to Ashdown Castle, where it is stopped by the castle guards. An older fellow holds out a letter bearing the royal stamp of Prince Relbregh, and soon the guards make way for the carraige to get through. More guards on horses would stride up and escort the carraige to the courtyard, where the old courtier hopped out and tilted his fedora in greetings to the guards who had ensured his safe passage. The guards were unmoved by his respectful gesture and simply strode away without saying anything. The courtier approached the King's Hall, removing his hat before entering the castle. Once in the main hall, he would have to wait to be announced and hope that King Magnus wasn't too busy and in a good mood for visitors. The old man fumbled quietly with the letter in his possession, his hands shaking with nervousness as the guards watched him closely for any signs of trechery.

Carmen stood calmly listening to the traders proposition carefully her face remained its gentle neutral but her blue eyes could pierce through the mans heart. Without so much as a flinch of her brow her eyes could send chills down the spines of most it was perhaps the one trait she got from her father. She turned her head close to her father speaking in a hush whisper to not be herd by the others.

“I don’t feel right about this, it would destroy what little natural resources this country has, and our countries men are already starving to fun your wars of conquer, they wouldn’t be fit for this labour”

She shifted her eyes carefully, the girl was always shut in and kept inside the castle but she paid close attention to reports of what went on beyond the doors that confined her. She clasped her hands behind her back with a soft sigh. Staying leaned in close to whisper.

“Besides it still seems fishy he had asked for mother first, seemed a little to eager about an audience after being informed the queen was no longer with us”

Faize lays on his bed and waits for when his existance is required.

The King remained quiet for a time, absently staring at dusty nothings in his eyeline. He had made his decision quite quickly, having laid each of their words out in his mind and set them upon 'scales'. The heavy draw of gold had inevitably caused the merchant's proposal to hold the greater weight and so the imagined scales had sagged in his favour. Still, Carmen had not been entirely without insight...

"I am impressed, daughter," he said, to the room as much as anyone. "For once, your naivete does not shame us both."

Given that Carmen had kept her counsel a secret from the merchant, Magnus decided to clarify things for his new 'friend'.

"Ah, she does not trust you, traveler," he said. "She would deny you your request. But fortunately for you, she is a child and sees things through a child's eyes. Build your outpost, you have my blessing - but know that if this proves anything but profitable for me, then I will have no issue in mounting your head on my walls. Do you understand?"

Without waiting for so much as a nod, the King would lift his hand and gesture towards the exit.

"Now leave us - and speak to my Steward, before you depart. We will be watching your venture with interest, peddler."

Having dismissed their guest, Magnus then tilted his head in the direction of his daughter. His voice was not soft, but it was the closest thing to it that he was capable of.

"I am pleased to hear you considering the strategy in these matters, but your assessment has... weakness. We do not need to limit ourselves like beggars, rationing bread. If our forests dwindle, then we will take more forests; it is our right as the strong."

Carmen looked to her father once the stranger had been gone her gentle calm gaze melted to that of a glare as cold asc his own. She retreated her hand from his side, her piercing ocean blue eyes popping in contrast of her ivory skin. Her brow furrowed on the thought of it all. She was young but didn’t waste her brain thinking only of money and battle. She may not wave a weapon like the men but the pen is often thought to be as mighty as their swords. In which she took heavily weighing their pros and cons.

“That’s your answer for everything, kill more and take more, what kingdom do you have if all your people perish just to suit your pride”

She clenched her hands into fist looking toward the doors she knew in her stomach something about him had not been right. She always thought more with reason, an concern for the well being of the country. She sighed softly locking her eyes on his.

“I don’t remember much from when mother was still here, but you weren’t so eager to behave like the monster they make you out to be”

With that she simply offered her saddened eyes stepping down from the platform of the throne. Standing in the open floor turning her head back over her shoulder. She offered a simple smile it’s ability to make her real emotions slowly cracking with it.

“If you have need I shall be in the Cept, you’ll need someone to pray for you”

Her words rung through the hall as she moved exiting the room with out a sound, her hand trailing the wall. She would follow the halls through the palace. Soon finding herself in the alter lined with pews dust covered the area, the room had once been the brightest of the palace the queen having been a religious woman. Like everything else it only grim over time with out its light. Carmen took a torch from the wall stepping to the podium lighting incense of sage, resting the torch properly in the frame alongside it. She kneeled down clasping her hands in her lap eyes lowered to the floor.

Faize jumps up and begins training his magick.

Two Bit's grin grew and his eyes grew somewhat wild. He gave a respectful nod to the King, clasping his hands together after putting the ruby ring back onto his finger. "Yes m'lord." Now business can get started, though in this deal Two Bit would be losing some profit, his hopes were to make it all back within the next few weeks or so, but it brings tax to the Ashdown name. They don't fully know of his business, so perhaps it was right if the Princess had made the decisions. None the less, Two Bit would only see a beneficial relationship developing between him and the King.

"As you can say m'lord, you are not first one to state for my head to be mounted." He offered it as a joke, but with the statement he turned on a heel and walked out of the throne room, he came to the King's steward. Or so he thought it was the Steward, grabbing a pile of parchment from the same tome. "Steward, these are my business plans, including lands, routes, an' merchandise." The papers would explain the master plan to build an outpost within the forested area, but it seemed to have more schematics for a fortress. Along with that there looked to be drawings for a quarry a few miles from the fort as well, which was not explained in the meeting, however Two Bit had a plan for that as well. "Also from this post, where is the nearest Village, I may half to employ some of your peasants." The Steward looked at the Foreigner before placing the parchments under his armpit and opening the Foreigners tome to the Map, pointing to a small village from the planned base of operations. Two Bit nodded humbly and nodded graciously to the Steward before heading to leave the city.

When he had reached a safe distance from the castle, the city even, he came to a camp just outside of the city's borders. At this camp occupied by several men, dressed in long red robes, with the same eye paint as Two Bit, but the rest of their faces painted in a crimson red. Long sabers hanging at their sides, as well as a grappling rope and hook hanging from the sides of their robes. "Luciel, you haft returned, what news do you bare. Is our operation...? The robed man was cut off by a raised finger raised to Two Bit's lips. He placed his hands behind his back, "We must build fast. I believe if the Princess of these lands catch wind of operations we could be killed. Ha." He scoffed to himself, perhaps it was true that without swift action they would be killed, Two Bit was an excellent foreman so he believed that the Outpost would be finished by the fourth sun, and the fifth moon. Waving his hand in the air, the several other men began packing everything up, efficiently and effectively. With the pass of twenty minutes or so, the troop was on the roads towards the forest, another forgotten fact to mention was that Two Bit had already begun operations for building this Outpost, it was near complete in fact, but The King didn't need to know that, merely he needed to know that money would be put in his purse.

With that they made it to the work site, there seventy people in chains and shackles were quickly rushed to pull logs and plant them into the ground, the Trade office being a brick building about two stories high, the roof unfinished. There was also three watch towers, which at this point seemed pointless, but Two Bit's financial adviser suggested it heavily. "There is money to be made brothers." He let out a loud snicker before entering the trade office, to begin more scheming for his business ventures.

"Have you found them yet, Captain?"

Those were the first words that arrived to his disposal, as soon as the heavily armored guard had arrived into one of the libraries. With his arms folded behind him, Prince Calvin gave a mere turn to the older captain, with an impatient look that sparked in his eyes.

"Er, no, Prince Calvin," came the disappointing response from the confident captain.

Calvin gave a sarcastic laugh at the captain, as his boots trudged him toward the armored man. The captain only stood in his position, as the prince had halted in front of him.

"No, Captain?" he questioned toward him. "You must be fooling with me, Captain," Calvin continued through a chuckle. "So, tell me... Have you found them yet?"

The captain shook his head. "Negative, Prince Calvin," he told him.

Prince Calvin narrowed his eyes toward the guard. "No?" Calvin questioned. "A no, you say?" His eyes lit with fury, as the prince merely yanked the now surprised guard toward him. "If that's a no, Captain," the prince began, "then, you have no worth. YOU'RE-"

"Prince Calvin!"

Both of their heads turned to a short, thin guard with a spear resting in their right hand, and was standing obediently. The prince jerked the captain away, as he walked toward the guard. His footsteps eventually halted just in front of them, as Calvin spoke.

"What do you want, rookie?"

The guard stared bravely at the prince, before they answered.

"Our patrol has found a few villagers who seem to know who you're looking for!"

Calvin gave a shocked expression for a moment, before his lips turned into a sly smile. The prince turned toward the captain, who was merely standing away from him.

"Well, isn't this your lucky day?" the prince questioned. "Looks like you aren't losing your role, after all." He'd point toward the rookie guard, and gestured the captain to come closer. Reluctantly, the captain obeyed, and went beside Prince Calvin.

"I want you to follow the rookie to these villagers," he said. "Understand?"

"Yes, Prince Calvin," the captain said.

"Excellent. Now go!" Prince Calvin barked. "Before I change my decision!"

The two armored guards immediately rushed off, as the prince chuckled. I'll get to them soon, Calvin thought. And I will make him vanquish what he placed on me.

A giant raven flew over the mountain borders in the distant, it carried a satchel in it's beak. It sored through the sky and clouds, penetrating both, while casting it's intimidating shadow on the gray ground below. It's massive wings made the clouds surrounding it furl as its massive wings flapped in the air. The satchel it carried in it's beak, were wide as a fullgrown mans shoulders. It's sides were decorated with floral patterns and runes of an old world. The raven flew closer to the ground, so dust began swirling under it's great wings. It's course were to the castle of Ash. The bird looked around, wondering what his carriage would have to do this dead and bleak of a place. The raven flew over the top tower of the castle, only gracing it's spire with it's underbelly. It flew down to the gate and landed. Dust whurled around it as its wings flapped. The raven placed the satchel on the ground and it opened by itself. A man with long hair crawled out, in his hand he carried a tangerine. "Thank you Faran, you are a great friend" He spoke and threw the raven the tangerine. The raven gulped the fruit in one bite, then nodded. The man waved to the bird, then picked up the satchel. He walked over to the gate and said "I'm Lucifer Errat, Carmen Ashdowns new tutor".

Faize walks around his room."Where is Carmen? I thought she would've stopped by for some sort of lesson by now. She seemed to perk up when i mentioned healers magick..."

Carmen sat quietly in the middle of the alter now watching the sage burning its scented cloud would trail through the halls. She sighed looking at the stained windows. Each bared a symbol of the royal children, rising to her feet she walked over placing a hand to her own window of roses. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts smiling softly at the red stained glass.

"A garden thrives with life"

She mumbled to herself stepping away to tidy up the Cept, seeing as she was the only one that still visited the place it often got ignored on the servants cleaning lists. She hadnt the heart to see one of the last places her mother had cherished fall to ash like the rest of the world. Straightening a few knocked over statues an ornaments, clearing some of the dust out of the room. She hummed to herself her voice echoing through marble walls.

May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

The melody of words strung together filled the near by halls.

As the royal courtier stood in the hallway just outside the King's throne room, suddenly the doors opened and a rather angry lady walked out. She was immediately flanked by bodyguards who escorted the young woman as she stormed off, and it was obvious by her attire that she was a member of the royal family. "Stand aside peasant, make way for Her Majesty Princess Carmen." The nervous courtier stepped back and bowed respectfully as the princess walked past him. He then looked again towards the doors, catching only a glimpse of the king himself before the guards shut the door. He waited patiently for his arrival to be announced, hoping to deliver his message quickly so that he might return home without further delay. The Ashdowns were never very considerable of other's schedules, and the poor man's family had been threatened with death if he did not deliver on time.

About ten miles away from Castle Ashdown, in the Mareshoe Mountains to the east, Relbregh's Tower was quickly becoming the center of attention. The noble lords Vygoren Calygarn and Thraen Valour had just arrived with a band of knights from the countryside, and were sharing wine and bread with Prince Relbregh Ashdown while discussing business. "You say the eastern farming villages have no defenses?" Prince Relbregh asked with food in his mouth while a piece of chewed meat hang from the corner of his lips. He finished the morsel and tossed the bone to the dogs. The poor dogs were starving and immediately started fighting over the bone. Relbregh was entertained, but Thraen found it annoying and difficult to speak over.

"My- My Prince, we have been fighting your cause for ten months-" Thraen was suddenly interrupted by whining dogs and Relbregh's half-intented laughter, as the prince was barely even listening. "My Prince, the troops are hungry and tired. Many of them would like to go see their families." Prince Relbregh was still focused on the dog fight, smiling delightedly. At least he was in a good mood, thus easier to persuade, Thraen thought as he continued to speak. "They also would like the money they were promised for their victories against King Estvikt, so that they might repair their armour and feed their faces." Prince Relbregh showed little care or concern for Thraen's plea, merely tossing him a small bag of gold coin while brushing the topic aside. "Lord Thraen, so tell me, how many of the king's men did you kill?" The prince's question was unexpected, and Thraen looked over at Lord Calygarn before looking back at the prince.

"I killed 57 men, your excellence.  Lord Thraen here cut down 62 of them, personally, 15 of which I witnessed for myself." Lord Vygoren smiled and took a swig of wine from the freshly poured goblet in front of him. "Ay your excellence, we killed many men." Lord Valour  confirmed quietly. "And women, and children!" Vygoren boistered, laughing pridefully while raising his goblet in toast to their victories. Prince Relbregh laughed as well, but Lord Thraen did not. It was clear by his saddened expression that Thraen was conflicted about their behavior. Nevertheless, he said nothing, and remained fairly quiet for the rest of the day while everyone else was feasting and partying. The knights would stay at Relbregh's Tower tonight, and feasting in the morning they would travel ten miles west to Castle Ashdown itself. Lord Thraen would not be joining them. Faking an illness,  Thraen stayed in his bed chamber at Relbregh's Tower while Lord Vygoren and the other knights continued onward towards the King's castle.

The King embodied his mountainous realm in more ways than one; on the outside, his countenance remained stiff as stone, but inside, there was red-hot flame.

How dare she question us? Insolent child!

The darkness that dwelled within him had been riled up, throbbing against his skull and he glared after Carmen, as the young Princess traipsed away.

And she has the gall to mention her mother?

His fingernails scraped against the throne, tearing up the metal and causing blood to weep down his skin.

Flay her. Execute her. Destroy her.

Sensing the foulness in their master, the two guardians by the throne bristled and readied their weapons. Magnus knew that with but a word, they would chase her down and maim his only daughter - and part of him was ever so ready to give that command.

Cut out her tongue and defy her to ever question you again.

He could feel it, poised on the tip of his tongue. But the order was never given.

"Stand down," he said.

He could not do it. No matter how loudly the voices within him were baying for her blood, Magnus could not raise a hand against his daughter. For every time he looked upon Carmen, he would see something of her mother, Ceilia; in every action, every smile, there would be her echo, her ghost, looking up at him, too. And he could not kill that. He was not ready.

"Sire?"

It was only at the sound of another human being, that Magnus emerged from this pit of memory. He lifted his chin and found a diminutive man, bent at the knee, some ten feet away.

"Your Majesty, there is a messenger here. He says-"

"I am going to retire for the evening. Send him away."

Magnus waved his hand dismissively, but the young man continued.

"He bears news from your son, my Lord."

Magnus arced a brow. His interest renewed, he lowered his arm and leaned forward in his seat.

"Relbregh?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Very well. Show this messenger in."