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Carmen finished her paperwork turning in her seat to face him, a slight smile on her face. Propping her elbow on the desk resting her chin on the open palm of her hand. For a moment her features of beauty shined with her smile her name meaning of garden and symbol of a rose almost made sense. Between her gentle apperance and heart that concerned it’s self for others. Her smile broke with a slight sigh dropping from her face, how could she be happy knowing the people of their country had to starve and watch their friends family and neighbors suffer. Now even more threatened them with this merchant lurking about like a fox loose in a hen house.

“Don’t suppose you have anything I could use to sneak out of here”

Faize nods."Princess, I'll be coming with. Believe me i'll be useful if I'm with you. And here"Faize hands her an orb of fire.*Fire mirage...it basically turns you invisible. A trick i learned long ago"Faize puts a similar orb in his arm and fades from view."I'll be able to sense you no matter where you go. when its time to end th magick i'll teach you how to do so.

Carmen nodded placing the orb back in his hand scattering to get a few things in the room. Rushing over to her wardrobe a divider keeping her covered as she changed in to one of her more simpler gowns of deep red. Pulling on over it a dark cloak which she pulled the hood over her head. Once dressed she rushed to her desk penning a letter. In her perfect hand writing followed by her rose stamp. Should she not be back by dawn this would keep her father from beheading anyone for disappearance.

Dearest Father.
I cannot rest knowing the people that look to our family for leadership are suffering.
If you refuse to show hear me, and my pleas to at least protect them from those who will harm them.
Then I shall myself, investigate the matter and stand on the forefront. War and battles are not a woman’s game, but I shall play to do what is right. Should I suffer the same fate as Celia I ask that you pray at least once for our countries soul if only for my absence.

Sincerely
Little Rose

She stared at the paper having signed it “little rose” having been a pet name of sorts one the king had used frequently. Back when Queen Cecilia beside his throne, before the kingdom grew its clouds, before his cares were filled of money and power. She rolled the scroll seeling it again with her wax symbol placing it neatly on the bed in her place. She grabbed one last item being the sword that had been forged for her the day she was to start combat practice. It was light weight shining steel the handle red leather, steel between the handle and blade forged to the shame of leaves. It’s end a steel rose. She looked at the blade carefully was perhaps the one thing that assured her the old man had not completely forgot himself, or the happiness of the past. She stepped over taking the orb in hand her eyes set on Faize.

“This will not be a safe trip, the merchants were already tipped off of my suspicion, if they are aware no one knows I have left the palace they will use it as opportunity to assasinate me before I can pose them threat.

She looked down gripping on her sword tightly her body couldn’t help but shiver, she was terrfied of it all but what choice was she left with. This had to be done the people were suffering, everyone was busy fighting for power and wealth but who fights for them. She took a deep breath holding the orb closely bringing herself to her wall trailing her fingers along the bricks pushing in on one opening the secret door.

“This will take us outside”

"Alrigh remember you may not see me but i can see you."Faize touches Carmen's shoulder."Believe me that won't have a chance to attack you."

Carmen looked over her shoulder offering a polite smile grabbing a torch from the wall to light their way. She peered out seeing no guards stationed outside her tower. She breathed with relief thankful they had chosen this particular night to slack off. She lead they way towards the old garden passing through its long withered flower beds. Though scared she continued to mark with her head and shoulders high.

“I know you mean well, but I can’t spend my life hiding in my keep doing nothing, letting the strength and suffering of others protect me”

Extending her arm touching a single old flower watching it fall to the grown at her graze continueing forward toward the back of the castle gates. She sighed softly keeping her eyes on the skyline the clouds once again blocked out the moon and the stars.

“A garden doesn’t thrive if you refuse to tend to it, a country dies if it’s leaders don’t step up and look after its people. My mother use to say....though my father and brothers seem to long forgotten her life and wisdom, but”

She looked over her shoulder offering a smile almost genuine, a smile the royal family had once been proud of. Her eyes radiating with the glow of an ocean at sunrise reflecting the fire of the torch in its blue.

“The rose remembers the heavens”

Faize walks to the flowers and waves a small golden flame over them and watches as the flowers renew themselves."But with the right care they can flourish once more, becoming more beautiful than ever."Faize sighs."I barely remember my own mother you know....she died when i was young."Faize douses the flame on his hand.

Carmen looked at the gate wall reaching to clear some of the vines ignoreing the feeling of thorns puncturing her skin. What could be made out as a door buried behind it all. She handed him the torch and placed the orb on her person keeping her hands busy ripping at the vines.

“My mother died when I was little, she was fathers council he wouldn’t make a move with out her opinion, but after I was born her health took a hit, she got weaker with each passing year. Eventually there was nothing left”

Carmen whipped her brow after the door was clear reaching into a pocket of her cloak pulling out a small key. She stood turning a few of the locks that had been sitting on the door near rusting. With each click one falling to the ground bringing chains with it.

“I look more like her then my brothers, so a lot of my fathers council simply refer to me as a ghost, and he” she gazed back toward the kings keep almost saddened “he hasn’t wanted much to do with me since, looks at me like a curse haunting him, though he still brings me the occasional rose...so part of the good man he once was is still there under all his demons”

Swinging the old door open she retook the torch leading way through the gate carefully not to alert anyone with sounds of her chatter. Once outside she looked over the paths.

“I still go to the cathedral and pray that he is able to break out of his darkness”

Faize sighs."i'm sorry...."Faize holds silence for a few moments"Lets go ok?"

"You may be dismissed, captain. And the rookie."

As the sobbing filled his ears, the captain and rookie politely exited the room, with a glimmer of fear in their eyes.

"Please, sir, have mercy on us!"

Prince Calvin turned around in the dimly lit room that was his chambers, as he proceeded toward the one who spoke: a thin, tan man with gray-ish hair and dulled green eyes. A quiet sigh slipped through the prince's lips, as he spoke toward the begging man.

"I will have mercy on you," Prince Calvin informed. "All of you, in fact." The prince gave a chuckle at their relieved faces, before Calvin walked over to where his sword rested. He'd yank it out of its hold, before walking back to the fearful villagers, and pressed the blade against the man who begged for mercy.

"That is, if you all cooperate."

The man, and the three others around him, nodded quickly, as the prince moved the sword away. "Y-Yes, sir!" piped a young woman, with auburn hair, dark brown eyes, and pale skin. "We'll c-cooperate! W-We promise!"

Calvin gave a big grin at the four, kneeling villagers before him. "Excellent," the prince purred. "So, speak!"

Carmen nodded her head following the path through the mountain forests leading down toward the base of the mountain. She held her torch high to try and see through the dark thicket of trees. It was to be a few hours before they would even reach the villagers. The trip was a long one specially on foot, she moved as fast as her feet could travel, keeping her hair and face under the hood, the villagers wouldn’t know her face but last thing she would need is an off duty guard to spot her. She very well couldn’t get far with her investigation being invisible the entire time. She half wondered if the king would respect her decision or go ballistic. Certainly there would be no concern he was far to ashamed of her to consider her that valuable of a loss. He had two ruthless sons that would carry on his legacy. The king fought for wealth and land, her brothers for power. Gripping a free hand on the rose of her blade to calm her nerves and thoughts.

Releasing her grip a hand touching on the ruby earrings and few jewels she was still adorned in underneath the cloak. She turned her head slightly face still beneath the dark cloth of her cloak. Perhaps she would stop at the house of children left behind by their fallen shoulders surely in hard times food was scarce for them. It being one of her budgets that had been cut by her oldest brother. Her jewlary would buy them plenty of supplies should she find one of the supplied taverns. They usually found them selves well stocked in tax season, a single golden brown lock slipping out from her cloak.

“Faize I have a few stops to make once we are in the village”

Faize only replies softly"I'm with you all the way"

*matt awakens on his bed in his room inside the inn* whew what a night *he walks to his door to find a note stabbed to it with a dagger* hmm interesting so i need to kill a prince in this kingdom then i get... 10,000 gold pieces! *he quickly grabs his gear and runs to a tree near the castle* what a run now i got to climb up this tree to get a vantage point *he climbs the tree and ready's his bow*

Magnus smirked at Lucifer's mention of the chopping block.

"You are a wise man, to fear such a fate. But you need not worry; I am in a benevolent mood, today."

This 'benevolence' clearly did not extend to the captured officer, shackle near the throne.

"Provided that you are who you say you are-" continued Magnus.

At this Caspar, the King's Steward strode over and began carefully pruning over the words on Lucifer's scroll.

"-And you perform your duties adequately, then all shall be fine."

He paused momentarily, awaiting Caspar's verdict. The sharp-nosed Steward tipped the frame on his spectacles, straightened his back and gave a nod of the head.

"It appears in order, my King."

Magnus gave a satisfied grunt.

"As my daughter's instructor, I would like for you to equip her with the necessary skills of court life. She is not without intelligence but she is... afflicted by a naivety that will not serve her in this hard world. My greatest wish is simply that she comes to understand that there will always be those in 'our' position, as there will be those in 'his' position."

Magnus gave a grim nod towards the wounded slave, not a short distance away.

"I do not want her to succumb to such a fate; she must learn to be wise, for sure - but it is strength, above all, that will ensure her survival. Teach her this."

Lucifer glanced down at the slave, thought that the king were into some kinky shit, then saw that he were a prisoner. "I shall do my best, I have traveled all over the world, so I might learn her a thing or two." Said Lucifer and bowed. He glanced at the captured officer. "May I ask who the shackled person at the bottom of your throne is?" He asked, hoping to avoid the same fate. "Also where shall I stay while I teach her, and where shall I sleep?" He asked curious.

Time would pass through the night a maid walking in to check the princesse’s chambers and tend to the flowers to ensure they were bloomed on her rising. The sound of a water pitcher shattering against the stone floor echoed through the great halls. The maids eyes laid upon the empty tower the girl no where to be seen, her sword taken off of the wall. A simple scrool with the wax rose holding it shut lay upon the bed. The maid frantic ran the sound of her feet pounding upon the Coblestond. Screaming as she tried to pass through the guards attempting to hold her back.

“She’s gone your majesty!,”

The frantic old maid pushing into the throne room her apperance worn and wear as she had attempted to search the tower upon the discovery. She rapidly approached despite not being permitted holding out the sealed scroll. It’s vibrant red rose printed stamp shining bright in the dusk. The old woman huffed as she kept her arm extended to pass him the paper.

“Her blade, and one of the trainers entrusted with her are also missing”.




Else where Carmen’s feet had reached the capital villagd her eyes gazed at its condition took all of her to hold in the heartbreak of it all. The torch long gone, and the orb effects were off her cloak hiding her features well. Reaching up she pulled off the heavy set of gold and rubies that had adorned her. First heading into the tavern, placing the jewlary on the counter the only thing to be seen from her was the paleness of her skin and rose coloured lips.

“Sir I take it your establishment is a well stocked business”

Though her apperance was well hidden her posture, speech and mannerisms still could be pegged for a highborn. The tavern keeper eyes the jewels in almost splender his jaw dropping onto the counter.

yes in fact the most in town, you looking for room and wine perhaps.

Carmen smiled with a shake of her head at the offer.

“Afraid I am not staying long, but I would assume that is a fair payment to have meals done up and brought to Celia’s children”

The orphanage was once her mother’s estate before marriage as a lady in waiting before marrying into the palace, it was turned into the home for many of the lone children to have a safe place to reside. It’s upkeep hadn’t been sought to since the queens passing. Carmen had tried many times to persuade her father and brother other wise, this was the most she could do for them right now. The tavern keep looked at her with wide eyes but nodded his head to her request before charging into the back kitchen yelling for the workers to prepare food and delivery carts. A soft sympathetic smile on her face as she mumbled to herself

“Shame this is the only thing I can do under the circumstances”

"May I ask who the shackled person at the bottom of your throne is?"

Magnus seemed almost pleased to reply to such a question. All the more opportunity to revel in the downfall of his enemies.

"Certainly. It might be hard to believe it, given his current state, but this 'man' was once a Captain, waging war against me."

Magnus shook his head, tapping his tongue against his teeth.

"Not a healthy career. Anyway, he was actually sent here as a gift and I'll confess that he's proved entertaining."

He paused.

"But maybe you are right..."

It was becoming unclear who the old King was talking to, as his eyes passed up and over Lucifer's shoulder, boring into the empty shadows on the walls. A strange smile grew on his grey lips.

Yet as quickly as the bizarre episode had taken him, it apparently vanished and his focus was once more clear. He exhaled slowly, palming a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"Sorry. The day has been long. You were asking about lodgings? It will not be uncomfortable: we have an abundance of guest rooms and my staff shall ensure that you have everything you need. I promise that I am not as poor of a host, as the rumours would tell you."

He smiled, though there was a wrongness there, crooked and cruel.

"Move! You need to hurry faster peasants!" Then a loud crack of a whip against the weak flesh already ripped from hours of beatings due to insolence. The slave unable to listen to direct commands, Two Bit was at the forefront of the caravan, a long whip at his hip. It was a long nights ride until the early afternoon, but he was making sure his company was busy, going further east towards enemy country. This gave him a good resource to pick from with almost hundreds of refugees fleeing from war within their old countries. However it seemed that their capacity was becoming overfilled, but Two Bit hadn't cared, he would fill the forests with corpses if he absolutely had to.

There was an arrow shot through his leg, a painful grin came to Two Bit's face, then his guard began to spring into action. His people willing to kill and murder for the protection of their profits, but they cared not for Two Bit, as did Two Bit. Money talks, it's words carried more influence than that of an adviser.

He stopped the caravan and pulled out a small soccer ball sized orb, it was made of a thin crystal with an electrical current powering through it. The Foreigner laughed at the slaves throwing it on the ground, the current was magic of sorts, but it was a trapping device. The Slaves hollered in pain being stuck in place, in to much pain to move. Two Bit pulled a blade from a fallen comrade, also pulling the arrow from his leg. Blood flowed from his leg as he limped towards a few rebels had marched their way towards Two Bit as he llimped across the dirt. One ran towards him with a short sword drawn and swinging at Two Bit's shoulder, but the rebel was surprised to have a blade run through his chest.Two Bit then grabbed the rebel's blade to have his and another. Two Bit marched into the wood, laughing a bit to himself as he did, slicing away at the rebels as he moved inwards. His people seemed to withhold themselves against the strength of the weakened rebel forces, however it seemed to be a 20 to 1 ratio between the rebels to the Two Bit Company. Suddenly he grabbed the collar of one of his men and looked to his eyes. "We will manage against this, But if more come we will perish. Get the King's men to the south, or something, we need troops." With that his man disappeared into a black mist and appeared again within a few moments.


The red cloaked man appeared to a small outpost filled with the King's guard, they all stood tall against the threat of that the armed Foreigner showed. "Two Bit's company has been attacked. Rebels sneaked past your defenses. The King will know of your mistakes if we not get your support." He then vanished from sight, returning to a caravan of slaves and dead soldiers both friend and foe. Two Bit sitting atop a carriage, and laughing to himself, a few of the caravan's men lay scattered on the ground. A problem in the source of man power, but he could convert some of the slaves to his will.

Lucifer just smiled along as the king spoke, uncomftable with the fact that not only were the shackled man a prisoner of war, but he were humiliated for entertainment, cruel. Then the king began speaking to someone who weren't there, is he going mad, or were there truly someone? "Your highness, who were you addressing when you said "But maybe you were right", who were right? Me? The shackled man? You?" He hoped that his questions wouldn't have him hanged at the gallows. "Is there anything that I can help with, or shall I say hey to my student, or just find my room?" Lucifer asked.

Down the stairs of the Inn walked a slightly drowsy Aidan, with his gear and pack, still opened. He waved to Ezekiel, who gave a quick nod and dropped a small sack on the counter for Aidan. Aidan couldn't stop and waste time during the day to cook and prepare meat for a meal, so he'd have Ezekiel prep it every morning.

"Morning." Aidan spoke before grabbing the sack and shoving it deep into his bag, "Anything else happen last night while I was out?"

"Nothing, just the beatdown." He sighed and started putting supplies in a bag for Carmen, "Be careful out there, everyone's on edge this time of the year"

"You don't need to worry, I'll be fine, I always am." Aidan rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"I know, but if you go and die on me no way am I going to find a better supplier." He threw a light playful punch on Aidan's arm.

As he opened his mouth to reply, Aidan noticed someone else waiting on Ezekiel. Not wanting to make her wait, he swung his bag over his shoulder and said, "Right, well, I think I'm going to head out now. I'll see you tonight?"

Before Aidan could walk away, Ezekiel spoke, "Wait! I need you to do me a favor if you can spare half an hour?"

He stopped and turned, "I'm sorry but I really think I shoul-"

"Please," He cuts Aidan off, "Look I just need you to wait 30 minutes, eat your breakfast here while I prepare some meals. You're passing by the orphanage anyways right?"

"Ezekiel it would set me back almost an hour and I can't sp-"

"Aidan" He starts speaking in a loud whisper, "My shift is almost done and I want to sleep, I can't stay awake much longer, just take the meals with you and drop them off on your way out of town, please?"

He looked tired, and Aidan wouldn't mind staying in and getting another 30 minutes to eat and properly wake up. He sat at the bar and sighed, "Fine, but make it quick, I don't want to be set back too long and get caught emptying traps at night." He reached over and opened his bag.

Carmen turned her head to the individual that had approached. Offering a smile and a nod reaching as she wiggled one of her many rings. Careful to keep the Rose stamped ring from being seen. She extended her hand holding the gold and sapphire ring. It's gem alone the size of a large mans knuckle. It was not odd for her to be adorned in such trinkets though most of them had little meaning to her. She shook her hand to reassure she was offering it to the gentleman.
"I apologize to send you out of your way, but the place means a lot to someone important to me. I breaks my heart to see its name tarnished, as of right now this is the most I can do for those children"

She reached out with her other hand placing the piece of jewlary into his hand and closed it. Before turning on her heel for a moment a glimps of her rose handled blade could be spotted before the black fabric fell back to cover it.

"For your lost time, thank you again for the business"

She tugged her cloak to further cover her her face. Walking out with her proper posture and a glide to her step. Setting out her next stop would be to obtain a horse. Other wise the trip would lose them time goodness knows what the fox merchant could do.