Hallways

Valundar wandered the halls and passages after finishing his 'Bath' with Heres as she prepared for bed. The Scardian Noble wandered the halls of the immense palace and keep alone, his mind mapping out the paths and rooms unconsciously as his mind kept going back to the wonderful time he just shared with Heres, and he couldn't help but smile in contentment. But that happiness was overshadowed by the tasks ahead of him. He knew he had to get the project off the ground before Abdel and his cohorts struck out.

Fae's pulled her body into the open window. It was simple really, getting past the guards in the thick of night, her sleek armor aided her in this effort. She had done some research on the kingdom's layout, and the floor plans from three centuries ago all pointed that the Treasure Vault was in the basement level of the palace. However, she was on the upper floors in an effort to avoid the guards patrolling the grounds below. It wouldn't matter to her though, it only meant extra footwork and ground to cover. This is for them after all... I must do this. She thought, creeping her way into the dark hallways. Her eyes adjusted well to the darkness, looking left and right before she crept further into the hall, keeping to the shadows. There was a particular treasure of noted value that resided in these vaults. A pre-Scardia blade that would be worth quite a lot to the right dealer. Then again, she wouldn't mind picking a few things here and there if need be. It was a treasure vault after all.

What was that? Her senses kicked into high wire, sensing movement further ahead. She took to a corner, her thin body squishing against the wall, her body cloaked by shadows, blue eyes illuminated by the two moons in the night's blueberry sky. She waited, her hand upon the hilt of the rapier on her hip...

Valundar was about to round the next corner, when he stopped dead, and his sight orb flared to wakefulness.

The Lord of the Blade-Breaker clan's senses went on edge, and the smile that graced his face earlier disappeared. "Hmm, I had not expected to have to deal with thieves so soon. Especially one that smells of the mainland. Or that it was the blood and gravedust smell of a vampire scented with the faint smell of children." Slowly the glow of his sight orb illuminated the direction Fae was hiding. Flicking back and forth as the sight orb took in scanning data.

Fae turned to the glowing red eye, and raised a brow. It was clear the man could see her, even through this darkness. Unlike her supernatural gifts, however, was via technology. "And I didn't expect I'd have to reveal myself so soon..." her cool, dark voice whispered from the shadows. She stepped out from the shadows, her blade rattling in her scabbard, hand still upon her blade's grip. Her eyes were closed, the rouge eye makeup accentuated her eyes, which slowly opened. The deep blue orbs quickly transformed to that of ruby red, her lips peeling back into a charming grin, one of her fangs poking over her lower lip. "So... you go around sniffing vampires and children often then, I presume?" she asked, her tone suddenly sarcastic and bemused sounding. "So, what are you going to do? How about a suggestion: you let me do my thing, and then you don't have to throw out your back, old man." she smirked playfully, her full lips as garnet as her eyes.

Fae Rose wrote:Fae turned to the glowing red eye, and raised a brow. It was clear the man could see her, even through this darkness. Unlike her supernatural gifts, however, was via technology. "And I didn't expect I'd have to reveal myself so soon..." her cool, dark voice whispered from the shadows. She stepped out from the shadows, her blade rattling in her scabbard, hand still upon her blade's grip. Her eyes were closed, the rouge eye makeup accentuated her eyes, which slowly opened. The deep blue orbs quickly transformed to that of ruby red, her lips peeling back into a charming grin, one of her fangs poking over her lower lip. "So... you go around sniffing vampires and children often then, I presume?" she asked, her tone suddenly sarcastic and bemused sounding. "So, what are you going to do? How about a suggestion: you let me do my thing, and then you don't have to throw out your back, old man." she smirked playfully, her full lips as garnet as her eyes.

Valundar's eye twitched slightly at the biting sarcasm, and he was not amused. "To know a place, is not just to know it by sight. When you live the life of a warrior, you learn to make use of all your senses, not just the ones most convenient. You should know the truth of that, for a being who hunts." he retorted regarding scent.

When she suggested he allow her to ransack the palace, Valundar shook his head sadly. "You know that is not how this works, thief. A being who steals when you have no real need to is just looking to enrich themselves. If you had a genuine cause, you would have come before us and asked for aid. Instead you are here like a rogue in the night. Looking for treasures, and perhaps to slake your thirst on the blood of our people." Val's shirt was cast aside, revealing his slick black fighting top underneath.



"Perhaps I should extend you the same courtesy you were going to show me, and give you the chance to depart unharmed on your own. Or should I extend you the other courtesy and rob you of something you value instead?"

She remains still, lowering her head and narrowed her predatory gaze upon him. "As a warrior and noble, you should be able to sense what reasons bring a vampire, a being who needs nothing, to see the riches of the kingdoms vault; and as a human, realize why one such as I cannot simply ask." She drew her rapier, the silvery blade glinting in the moonlight, but did not point it at him yet.

Upon him removing his shirt, the Vampire smirked, seeming to coo. "Oooo, well now, I wasn't going to mix business with pleasure, but admittedly I wouldn't mind taking a bite out of you... Scardian blood is a very potent aphrodisiac~" she teased, half jokingly. "But alas, I did not come here for bloodshed. If I did, well, I would've used the front door..." she says while making a slow stepping advance towards him. Her blade glinted, her hips swayed and her slender body came into view. "So... do you trust my case? Or must our blades do the talking for us?" she asked, her glowing red eyes piercing his.

Valundar's face showed a little bit of remorse. "I am not like most men, for I have seen the truth many do not... I do not judge you because you are a Vampire, a condition you cannot change. I only can judge you for the decision you made to be a thief. Thus far that is the only thing I can see, though I know there is more to it. There usually is. Being Scardian, I know what it is to steal bread for a hungry family desperate to survive." Valundar explained.

When the woman asked him wether or not they were to cross swords, Valundar simply lifted his arm, his hand ablaze with ruby flame, before he made a flicking motion with is index and ring fingers, and a chilling crack sound was heard along the floor and roof of stone and steel. If Fae looked, she would see a perfectly alind cut in both the floor and roof not more than three inches from where her arm would have been, and about eight from where her foot now stood. Valundar's cutting energy had struck not at her, but beside her, and bisected a part of the hallway. "I am Valundar, Head of clan Blade-Breaker. My clan does not fight with the use of weapons. Though I desire no battle, I will defend my new home from any and all intruders if needs be. If you wish to be an intruder, I will stop you."

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:Valundar's face showed a little bit of remorse. "I am not like most men, for I have seen the truth many do not... I do not judge you because you are a Vampire, a condition you cannot change. I only can judge you for the decision you made to be a thief. Thus far that is the only thing I can see, though I know there is more to it. There usually is. Being Scardian, I know what it is to steal bread for a hungry family desperate to survive." Valundar explained.

The woman didn't pause in her step as he spoke with less fire on his tongue. "What I do, is for them..." she says, harshly, pausing momentarily. She closed her eyes, her face looking heated, cringing with anger before it softened again and she smiled almost humorously. "Heh, I almost revealed too much. Simply not professional~" she says tapping the side of her head with her free hand as if punishing herself.

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:When the woman asked him whether or not they were to cross swords, Valundar simply lifted his arm, his hand ablaze with ruby flame, before he made a flicking motion with is index and ring fingers, and a chilling crack sound was heard along the floor and roof of stone and steel. If Fae looked, she would see a perfectly aligned cut in both the floor and roof not more than three inches from where her arm would have been, and about eight from where her foot now stood. Valundar's cutting energy had struck not at her, but beside her, and bisected a part of the hallway. "I am Valundar, Head of clan Blade-Breaker. My clan does not fight with the use of weapons. Though I desire no battle, I will defend my new home from any and all intruders if needs be. If you wish to be an intruder, I will stop you."

The vampire's eyes flashed open when she sensed the energy flow radiating from his body. The result was something peculiar and amusing to the undead creature. She glanced up at the ceiling and down at the floors. "Hmmm... interesting. Humans can be very amusing." she pauses, before looking at him with sharp eyes, her fringe falling over her left eye, the crimson streaks somewhat visible in the moonlight shining through the corridors windows.



"Tell me, Lord Blade-Breaker, are you willing to destroy an entire hallway, nay, the very palace itself for the sake of one or two treasures from the Queen's Vault?" she playfully angled her face towards him, a charming smile upon her face, her large blood red eyes glowing a light pink as her single right eye glared tauntingly at him. "I rather not fight either, my Lord. Would any of you even had noticed if I plucked what I needed from your vaults? I must wonder why humans must defend everything from land to coin as if their life depended on it. Take it from an immortal," she paused, swishing her long rapier's blade in the air, the silvery blade slicing the tension with strokes and wishing sounds before the vampire got into a fencing stance, weapon pointed at him, her left hand behind her back. She continued: "...in the end the only thing that matters... is the memories you make and the lives you raise." She narrowed her eyes at him, he body unflinching.

"I shall promise not to kill you, but I cannot promise it will not hurt." she explained. "It be a waste to kill an interesting human such as yourself. Well, it is your house my Lord. Make your move." she says in a low, cold tone, eyes glowing and her body seemingly rigid; blade tip pointed at his chest, from about twelve feet away.

Fae Rose wrote:The woman didn't pause in her step as he spoke with less fire on his tongue. "What I do, is for them..." she says, harshly, pausing momentarily. She closed her eyes, her face looking heated, cringing with anger before it softened again and she smiled almost humorously. "Heh, I almost revealed too much. Simply not professional~" she says tapping the side of her head with her free hand as if punishing herself.

Valundar's face became grim at the thought of this thief making a dry joke at the thought. "You arn't a professional thief. Not of you are doing it for the reasons I suspect." Valundar's honor demanded two things of him, one he ascertain true guilt or innocence of a person he is forced to judge, and two, he would carry out the sentence himself if needs be. Wether that be killing the thief, or helping her real cause.

Fae Rose wrote:The vampire's eyes flashed open when she sensed the energy flow radiating from his body. The result was something peculiar and amusing to the undead creature. She glanced up at the ceiling and down at the floors. "Hmmm... interesting. Humans can be very amusing." she pauses, before looking at him with sharp eyes, her fringe falling over her left eye, the crimson streaks somewhat visible in the moonlight shining through the corridors windows.



"Tell me, Lord Blade-Breaker, are you willing to destroy an entire hallway, nay, the very palace itself for the sake of one or two treasures from the Queen's Vault?" she playfully angled her face towards him, a charming smile upon her face, her large blood red eyes glowing a light pink as her single right eye glared tauntingly at him. "I rather not fight either, my Lord. Would any of you even had noticed if I plucked what I needed from your vaults? I must wonder why humans must defend everything from land to coin as if their life depended on it. Take it from an immortal," she paused, swishing her long rapier's blade in the air, the silvery blade slicing the tension with strokes and wishing sounds before the vampire got into a fencing stance, weapon pointed at him, her left hand behind her back. She continued: "...in the end the only thing that matters... is the memories you make and the lives you raise." She narrowed her eyes at him, he body unflinching.

"I shall promise not to kill you, but I cannot promise it will not hurt." she explained. "It be a waste to kill an interesting human such as yourself. Well, it is your house my Lord. Make your move." she says in a low, cold tone, eyes glowing and her body seemingly rigid; blade tip pointed at his chest, from about twelve feet away.

"You are missing the point..." Valundar deadpanned slightly. "It's not about valuables, or treasures, it's not about holding on to things. The point, is the actions being allowed to happen or not. If I let one thief in to steal one coin or one item, why not another, and then another, and then more. And soon there will be nothing left to take. And who wins in that situation? You? The other thieves? Me? Heres? Don't be so cut and dry, it's not  sustainable method of governance., or business management. That is not to say I am unsympathetic to a genuine plight. If you were to explain your plight to me, then perhaps I can help you, and we can avoid unnecessary conflict. After all, I just made a deal with a powerful and terrifying creature to guard the vaults today, and he likes the shiny things he gets to guard. But, if you be honest with me, I can get you what you need... depending on what it is." Val explained. Then he reached into his pants pocket, and withdrew... an object that glowed a bright, pure blue light in the darkened hallway. "After all, with what we've found, we may be able to help the entire world..." he said, more to himself than to Fae.



When he opened his hand, he showed her a bright blue crystal sitting in his palm, as large as her fist. "Do you know what this is?" asked Val as he looked into the Vampire's eyes.

She lowered her blade somewhat, her perfect stance now lax and her serious expression slacked as well into one of boredom, her lidded eyes upon him. "Now I feel like you are jesting me. Look... I'm busy, I have a boat to catch. Are you going to attack me or not?" she sighs, frowning by the odd charade.

As he explained, she blinked her long dark lashes, patiently hearing him out. "I'm not missing the point, I'm just confused why you have not called the guard or attacked me yet. You're already not making this job any easier. This was supposed to be a kingdom locked in the time of the Scardia's rule, when the God King reigned..." she explained, before listening further. "So... without jesting, you are serious to know the cause of my thievery? Speaking truthfully as one Noble to another, I think it be unwise to tell you the reasons. Granted, you are odd, and mean well... I cannot trust that the walls do not have ears or the possibility you are feigning this kindness with charm." she smirked. "That would require for me to feel your pulse." she giggled, before her face became serious again. "If the truth is exposed, I won't be able to protect myself, nor my cause." she says in a grave tone.

When he pulled out the fist sized glittering rock she raised a brow. "Of course, "The heart of Scar'd", a powerful gem that was found in Scardia centuries ago. It was shaved from a monolithic crystal in the Scardia Highlands that was unfortunately destroyed because of the Merchant Classes. Only a few hundred or so crystals exist in modern times, but they are noted for their rarity in some of my species dealings." She then glanced up at him. "If I were you, I wouldn't put that stone in direct light..." she explained, lowering her blade so the blade's light would not reflect off the stone. "I've seen it only once, but when direct light is focused into the Heart of Scar'd, it emits a brighter light than the sun. Pureblood or not, this light burns all Vampires asunder..." she warned him, feeling a little more uncomfortable now.

Valundar's grim face became a small smile, as the light in his optic dimmed. "Then allow me to alleviate your fear by sharing a secret with you few can ever know. What you are looking at in my hand, is refined Bavarium. A crystalline ore that only exists beneath this island. It is related to the Worldstone of Scardia you reference, and may in fact be connected to it deep below the surface of the planet, far beyond anyones reach. But this..." he said as he closed his fingers back over the stone. "is many things, the condensed collection of a vast amount of resources that can be extracted with a refinement proccess that I discovered a few years ago, but more than that, it is also an energy source, a memory storehouse, and the key... to the future of this world. For this crystal is the one thing that can allow ordinary beings to achieve apothesis, and ascend to a plane even beyond that of War Gods."

He looked at the crystal, his face grim once more, before his eyes glanced back at Fae. "It is no coincidence that only now is the process discovered. Because within a few centuries... We well need that power. A new and terrible foe comes for us, thanks to Abdel's cavorting with forces he cannot possibly control... Thanks to that maniac, we have no choice but to make the attempt, or we will be crushed by the incoming Dark Storm."

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:Valundar's grim face became a small smile, as the light in his optic dimmed. "Then allow me to alleviate your fear by sharing a secret with you few can ever know. What you are looking at in my hand, is refined Bavarium. A crystalline ore that only exists beneath this island. It is related to the Worldstone of Scardia you reference, and may in fact be connected to it deep below the surface of the planet, far beyond anyones reach. But this..." he said as he closed his fingers back over the stone. "is many things, the condensed collection of a vast amount of resources that can be extracted with a refinement proccess that I discovered a few years ago, but more than that, it is also an energy source, a memory storehouse, and the key... to the future of this world. For this crystal is the one thing that can allow ordinary beings to achieve apothesis, and ascend to a plane even beyond that of War Gods."

He looked at the crystal, his face grim once more, before his eyes glanced back at Fae. "It is no coincidence that only now is the process discovered. Because within a few centuries... We well need that power. A new and terrible foe comes for us, thanks to Abdel's cavorting with forces he cannot possibly control... Thanks to that maniac, we have no choice but to make the attempt, or we will be crushed by the incoming Dark Storm."

She blinked at his response. She stood up a little from her stance which now lost all its grace and proper form. "So... are you going to let me pass or not?" she bites back with semi-bored and blinking lidded eyes. "What you offer has frankly, nothing to do with me nor does it make me any money. More so, it doesn't make me feel inclined to share my secrets. Any man can hold a rock and say it contains the raw power of the world, but in the end...." she sighs realistically. "Its just not the point, now is it?" she asked, her eyes glaring into his.

After a pause she closed her eyes and shrugged. "How about I tell you this..." she began, after sighing impatiently once more, her long lashes fluttering open. "I'm not the only one at stake here. In fact, my presence is moot compared to the ones I'm silently representing. I have already sank my house's coffers for them, and for their livelihood, I'm willing to sacrifice my immortal soul to see to it they can continue their placid existences. For children are the foundation for the future!" she exclaimed, pointing her rapier at him more threateningly this time! But after a moment, her determined, sharp features softened, and her eyes widened a little. Crap... I revealed too much again. She groaned, and if she could blush, she would have from this embarrassment.

Fae Rose wrote:She blinked at his response. She stood up a little from her stance which now lost all its grace and proper form. "So... are you going to let me pass or not?" she bites back with semi-bored and blinking lidded eyes. "What you offer has frankly, nothing to do with me nor does it make me any money. More so, it doesn't make me feel inclined to share my secrets. Any man can hold a rock and say it contains the raw power of the world, but in the end...." she sighs realistically. "Its just not the point, now is it?" she asked, her eyes glaring into his.

After a pause she closed her eyes and shrugged. "How about I tell you this..." she began, after sighing impatiently once more, her long lashes fluttering open. "I'm not the only one at stake here. In fact, my presence is moot compared to the ones I'm silently representing. I have already sank my house's coffers for them, and for their livelihood, I'm willing to sacrifice my immortal soul to see to it they can continue their placid existences. For children are the foundation for the future!" she exclaimed, pointing her rapier at him more threateningly this time! But after a moment, her determined, sharp features softened, and her eyes widened a little. Crap... I revealed too much again. She groaned, and if she could blush, she would have from this embarrassment.

Valundar looked at Fae for a long time, in silence after her outburst, for several seconds, before placing the stone back into his pocket, and putting his dress shirt back on. "Walk with me?" Val asked. He turned away from her and began walking towards the central keeps spiral staircase.

'I knew I recognized her face. The De Vore Clan's Elvira, masquerading as Fae Rose, Part time thief and smuggler who runs Jemal's orphinage and boarding school' he thought. 'Being a Scardian Noble has it's advantages, when you can access intel records.'

"Do not worry. I know now where your heart lies..." Val simply stated cryptically, with a strange smile on his lips.

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:
Valundar looked at Fae for a long time, in silence after her outburst, for several seconds, before placing the stone back into his pocket, and putting his dress shirt back on. "Walk with me?" Val asked. He turned away from her and began walking towards the central keeps spiral staircase.

She blinked, confused by the entire fiasco with this mortal being! "Wha...?" she blurts, blinking her long lashes again, unsure as to what just happened. Upon her words she was certain there was going to be some sort of conflict or perhaps a rebuke of sorts. But he just turned away and glanced over at her from his shoulder like he had been the victor of the nonsensical debate. For Elvira 'Fae' De Voure, and her immortal mind's logic it did not make any sense.

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:
"Do not worry. I know now where your heart lies..." Val simply stated cryptically, with a strange smile on his lips.

Upon hearing and, and watching him smile she frowned. Then suddenly smiled. Her fangs expose like gleaming ivory as she choked, and then chuckled, before outright laughing hysterically. "Humans... can be so very amusing. This heuristic dance of words was almost as invigorating as the clashing and blows with weapons upon a bloody battlefield! Oh, I can't remember the last time I had a good laugh!" She exclaimed, her arms crossing her chest, eyes closed tightly while continuing to laugh. "Amusing, simply amusing~" she giggled, wiping tears from her eyes, swiping out her blade before sheathing it. She reopened her eyes, which returned to blue and smiled, appearing a little more human:



"Lead the way then, love." She replied at last, smiling as she followed him closely.

After wandering the halls and stairs for a little while, Valundar asked a question as they walked, seemingly casually. "So, Headmaster Fae, has the situation at your school deteriorated so badly that you have to resort to banditry and thievery? I'm actually a little surprised that you had no financial backing or government grants to help keep one of the very few institutions that keeps children off the streets. Then again... I imagine the Jemial officials probably didn't care ll that much for your situation. I would have intervened myself, if not for certain distractions and.... international restrictions preventing me from doing anything until now." Val offered his condolences, even as he name dropped that he knew exactly who she was.

Valudar Blade-Breaker wrote:After wandering the halls and stairs for a little while, Valundar asked a question as they walked, seemingly casually. "So, Headmaster Fae, has the situation at your school deteriorated so badly that you have to resort to banditry and thievery? I'm actually a little surprised that you had no financial backing or government grants to help keep one of the very few institutions that keeps children off the streets. Then again... I imagine the Jemial officials probably didn't care ll that much for your situation. I would have intervened myself, if not for certain distractions and.... international restrictions preventing me from doing anything until now." Val offered his condolences, even as he name dropped that he knew exactly who she was.

She was somewhat unnerved by his question, and to hear her name among them as if they were old friends was somewhat unnerving, but at the same time it continued to amuse her. "I wasn't aware how famous 'Fae' was. You continue to amuse me. Tell me, while I answer you, is it that odd eye of yours that helped you? In either case...." she paused, before continuing her response: "In the beginning there was no issue. It was only when I was told two other cities were going to be sending children to my school did I begin to worry. I had to make additions, and hire more staff, but I couldn't simply refuse them." She frowned.

"Jemial is a trading city, they wish to keep their streets clean and their pockets full of platinum. They're excited for the Mijhen Highway to be complete for it will connect them to Beijio and that only means more money for them. When I had the school built overseeing the city, I figured it would be decently out of their metropolitan thinking..." her eyelids leveled suddenly, her lips curled in an unsavory manner. "But, due to Jemial successfully negotiating with Tenik Industrial for a Reactor to be made to power their city with unlimited energy, (given how they will be the first stop between Galideno and Beijio), they have increased the taxes to help pay for the installation. Not to mention, my school is a prospected location for the reactor's future development. If I wish to keep the school, I'll have to keep the platinum flowing till I can get an official grant. I've sent a few letters to Galideno to see if I can procure such, but... I can't wait for them to reply." She finished with a sigh.

"If I can't provide them with at least one million gilex within two weeks, they'll evict us and demolish the school anyway. If I can, the Urban Development team from Galideno will move their reactor farther up the Twin Peaks, or they better do so! I will not take kindly to them if my children get sick from the fumes." she says with irritation, before looking at him, remembering their prior conversation. "My, I realize why you looked so angry before. I must have looked like a monster who preyed upon the lives of innocent children!" she chuckled with dark humor.

Fae Rose wrote:She was somewhat unnerved by his question, and to hear her name among them as if they were old friends was somewhat unnerving, but at the same time it continued to amuse her. "I wasn't aware how famous 'Fae' was. You continue to amuse me. Tell me, while I answer you, is it that odd eye of yours that helped you? In either case...." she paused, before continuing her response: "In the beginning there was no issue. It was only when I was told two other cities were going to be sending children to my school did I begin to worry. I had to make additions, and hire more staff, but I couldn't simply refuse them." She frowned.

"Jemial is a trading city, they wish to keep their streets clean and their pockets full of platinum. They're excited for the Mijhen Highway to be complete for it will connect them to Beijio and that only means more money for them. When I had the school built overseeing the city, I figured it would be decently out of their metropolitan thinking..." her eyelids leveled suddenly, her lips curled in an unsavory manner. "But, due to Jemial successfully negotiating with Tenik Industrial for a Reactor to be made to power their city with unlimited energy, (given how they will be the first stop between Galideno and Beijio), they have increased the taxes to help pay for the installation. Not to mention, my school is a prospected location for the reactor's future development. If I wish to keep the school, I'll have to keep the platinum flowing till I can get an official grant. I've sent a few letters to Galideno to see if I can procure such, but... I can't wait for them to reply." She finished with a sigh.

"If I can't provide them with at least one million gilex within two weeks, they'll evict us and demolish the school anyway. If I can, the Urban Development team from Galideno will move their reactor farther up the Twin Peaks, or they better do so! I will not take kindly to them if my children get sick from the fumes." she says with irritation, before looking at him, remembering their prior conversation. "My, I realize why you looked so angry before. I must have looked like a monster who preyed upon the lives of innocent children!" she chuckled with dark humor.

Valundar smiled as he stopped in front of the vaults main doors. "My eye is a part of it, but being a Scardian noble active in politics, I also have access to military intel files. But as for the eye itself, it's a prosthetic bionic eye that helps me see, but in more ways than my lost eye." he replied.

When she suggested that he may have misuderstood her words, he noddeed "I am glad that you do not. Otherwise we would not be discussing anything." he said, before he unsealed the chamber...

(Continued here)

Heres stood in the hall, confused to find him there instead of her bed.



"Is there something the matter my dear?" the Queen asked, unable to hold back another yawn.

"Nothing at all my dear. Just helping an unexpected visitor find peace..." Valundar replied with a smile on his face, his mustache crinkled slightly.

Heres raised a brow at her future husband's banter. "Oh... huh? Is... that another Scardian thing?" She asked, confused. She couldn't help but smirk at his crinkled mustache though, and she shook her head. "On second thought, it may be just a you thing. As it is, you are here less than a day, and you have rescued me, aided a fox who I'd otherwise have chased out of my borders let alone allow residence within my halls, and provide my nation with the means to stand on its own in the coming months. You sir, are odd." she giggled playfully; her golden eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Val's smile changed slightly, subtlely, but it remained. "And there are many reasons for that... Reasons I shall explain to you on the morrow if you wish, or right now if you prefer." he said, but his mind sadly added 'Unfortunately, not all of it is good news at all... my dear.'