Re: The Royal Guard 1x1

[!Fox!]

"Well, guess I'll have to beat everyone in the area. That ought to cause enough of a ruckus." She smiled, leaning back. "In all honesty? I doubt conventional Training is going to work. But either way, I relish a challenge..." She grinned deviously.

(I dunno, do you have a plan for something at Della? I'm running out of questions here haha)

[Blip]

(Hahaha, sorry, yeah)

"Whoa, devious little Lady we got here!" He laughed. "To think an army of one was hidden away from Katrin all this time," he said, amused by her gumption.

After a few hours of a few more questions and little details, such as that Smith had 2 brothers also serving as knights, though she probably wouldn't be able to challenge them to duel before before they before they had before they had been assigned elsewhere, he had a young daughter who thought his job was boring, and the Prince owned several pets, mainly hounds and other types of dogs, and a single cat that also thought it was a dog, and they let it stay as an official hunting dog since it managed to take down a boar by itself somehow, a story he was in the middle of when they finally arrived to to the Della estate, guards opening the gates to allow the carriage through. "This place is quite lavishly built, but don't be mistaken, this was built in a time of wealth, a much safer time, before the problem with invasions came up," he explained.

[!Fox!]

"It certainly is pretty..." She said quietly, noting the curious expressions of the guards. "I believe I should attempt to find nicer cloths, or at least a decent set of armor so I can blend in easier with you two... A girl with clothing like this, on top of a royal carriage isn't exactly easy to hide..." She said, indicating the stares she was attracting. A few good looking men whistled in her direction, but she ignored them.

"I can fit into a male set if I have too, I would prefer the armor..." She sighed, shaking her head. "It would also help with first impressions with the nobility here, as well as the nobility in Katrin..." She stated, looking around for a shop or smithy. "If I had the time, I could make myself one like I was doing at home... Provided I could purchase the materials and ore... " She stated.

[Blip]

Prince Zacharie leaned out the window. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait for normal armor until we return to Katrin, as Della has been struggling with its defense. If Lord stone thought he was going to have his defenses thinly spread out, he clearly had not seen Dellas forces. For now, what you wear is appropriate enough for meeting with Cantell and other diplomats. If any of them have a problem with that it will have to be expressed to me." Once the carriage came to a stop, Zacharie and Smith began to head to the main building of the estate, with Zacharie motioning Ceilia to follow.

[!Fox!]

"Very well..." She nodded, hesitantly following and catching up to them smoothly. Taking her place at his left side, with Smith on his right she spoke up, "It feels weird to be escorting you and not be a knight, but right at the same time..." She sighed, resting her hand on her swords pommel and looking around with a wary eye. She resorted to glaring at the men who dared venture to close to the trio

[Blip]

"Eventually it'll just start feeling right," Zacharie told her, before directing his attention to a woman taller than Smith-the tallest of their group- with a cold stare who approached them. Her hair was a light, almost washed out brown, with lovely curls that were pinned away from her face, her eyes a lovely blue, though gazing at them too long only steeled her own. She was dressed in a flowing blue dress, with faded rose pink underskirts, Matching the sash tied at her waist. "Prince Zacharie, I am pleased you were able to return without a problem," she said as she greeted him with a curtsy. Both men greeted her with a bow. She glanced over at Ceilia, a slight puzzled expression melting through her glare. "I do not remember you arriving with the Prince in our first meeting..."

[!Fox!]

"I-I am a potential Knight he found at My town, Stelark, near Frebia Lake, the one he went to after here it would seem to garner assistance from Lord Stone. The area was rife with thieves and vagabonds, so i offered assistance. My mentor, an old retired Knight, requested that I be given the test to be allowed to become a Knight, as no Knight's in my area were willing to take a woman as a squire. I also would like to apologize for the lack of assistance from my home, though I know it doesn't mean much... Lord Stone can be rather... protective of his assets." Cielia stated after a moment, staring neutrally back at the tall woman with a fluid curtsy herself with a hesitant smile.

[Blip]

"So that cesspool can actually produce more than thieves and vagabonds. Judging by the fact that Prince Zacharie isn't admitting war was the better option probably means he was able to successfully settle a treaty that would benefit Della. I would say I'm impressed, but it would be far more impressive if you actually failed to live up to your reputation."

Zacharie sighed. "Wouldn't that be something. I believe however that introductions are due; Lady Ceilia Whitewall, Duchess Marci Cantell of Arelia, diplomatic leader of the lower eastern estates and territories."

[!Fox!]

"I am honored." Cielia smiled, bowing respectfully towards the woman. "Honestly, I still feel that lecherous pig would be better off killed and someone sent to replace him. Things may actually get done that way." Cielia muttered dryly, frowning at a pair of men who had been following them. "If I may, I would suggest we continue inside, away from prying eyes and ears." She stated, glancing at the rooftops as well when she turned around to scan the area.

[Blip]

Marci turned her glare towards Zacharie, to which he responded, "Lady Whitewall is a promising squire, with a sharp intuition. Her suggestion is an appropriate one, though one must keep in mind that she is new to knightly protocol."

"Then I suggest you teach her to not order those of superior rank as if she were queen." And with that, she proceeded to lead them into the building.

"Don't mind her, she'll talk down to anyone, even Zack here, and he's a Prince. Don't let her get to you," Smith quickly whispered to her, though Zacharie eyed him, as if indicating now wasn't a good time for that, but he pressed on a bit more. "Though for the sake of her not throwing a fit, try speaking through him, as even she knows that there's only so much she can say before it starts to cost her."

[!Fox!]

"I was only trying to help. I apologize for any oversight I made there my lady." She said apologetically, before indicating the two men with a gentle flick of her eyes to Smith. "They have followed us from the moment we set foot in the town." She whispered quietly back to him before resolving to be quiet unless needed. "Sorry, Just trying to make sure no one here gets hurt... It is partially what im expected to do here..." Cielia said quietly to Zacharie, bowing respectfully to him as well.

[Blip]

"If anything comes up, we're here for that, remember? Besides, it's beyond suicidal to attempt anything, there are guards and such stationed here, if we don't get them, they will. Just keep in mind that there are those you can be more open with about your concerns, and it's better to wait for your chance to see with whom you don't have to worry about speaking your mind," Smith continued to explain, until they finally made it to a small conference room with several gentlemen, as well as their knights, we're present in this room.

[!Fox!]

"Thank you... You really are a big help to me... I'm going to just follow your lead from here..." Cielia smiled, patting his shoulder in a friendly manner before following, letting Smith take the lead, with the intention of mirroring his actions unless indicated not too. Running her hand through her hair before entering the room, she held herself in a confident stride slightly behind them. She sighed mentally to herself, noting the disapproving looks coupled with incredulous stares in her direction, maintaining her best straight face with a fair amount of effort. "~And now, let the games begin...~" She sighed to herself, meeting each gaze unflinchingly in return with quick glances at each offender before turning her attention back to where it belonged, Zacharie.

[Blip]

"Gentlemen, ladies, a treaty has been settled between Katrin and Stelark, meaning that the town should not be the root of the disruption of trade between other towns, as well as less problematic use of port ruse and the ability to ferry people across frebia lake, with no interference from Lord Stone and his forces," Zacharie explained.

"And this is a better course of action because...?" One of the men asked.

"Lord Vol, you know just as well as I do that spending resources to forcefully split power among the lower eastern estates would eventually null the value of whatever could be earned. In spite of Stone being Stone, he does possess allies in case of a declaration of war, and Katrin is not willing to engage or assist in pointless war."

[!Fox!]

Having seen Smith take a position by the wall, closest as he could to Zacharie, Cielia followed and rested against the wall in a standing position, between him and the now closed door. She listened to the proceedings curiously, interested in the politics as no news of these events ever reached Stelark as far as she knew. -Seems that Stone made an even bigger problem than even we knew... I am glad that they didn't resort to force... Many people would have been hurt...- she thought to herself. She also took in the appearances of the Nobles in the room, and saw how every now and then they would glance in her direction curiously. She noticed once again her garb was different to the rest of the room with a mental sigh of annoyance.

[Blip]

"-we split them this way now, it will be more profitable for the time being?" The discussions over how they were going to use their shared assets had taken over 2 hours of suggestion and discussion, mainly due to having to reiterate several times that it was better to work with what they could instead of needlessly escalating the issue, and yes, the squire was from Stelark, stop making faces like small uneducated boys and pay attention to the matter at hand.

Soon, Zacharie's small entourage were riding once again in the carriage, heading toward a camp with katrins forces, one of the last groups to finally return from its defense effort for della. It was late, so they wouldn't leave until the next morning for katrin. The relief was palpable, especially for Zacharie, who entered a fairly large tent, surrounded by knights of a similar ranking to smith, asking servants and other staff to stand outside while he spoke to Ceilia and made some final arrangements to her new status as a squire for katrin. The space was set up like a small office, with a desk in the center, a shelf filled with books, documents, stationary, a vase with a sad blue flower pressed in the center of one of the shelves, placed to the right of the desk, with two lounge couches placed in the back left corner, with the flag of Katrin placed neatly in the back wall of the tent, all with the expected finery of Katrin. "Believe it or not, this was the least I was set to travel with, because apparently using the carriage to carry what I need is incredibly tacky," he sighed. "Royalty is very attached to its finery, don't you agree?"

[!Fox!]

Cielia paused, having drifted to the flower to inspect it, as she had felt it best to leave him to his own devices for the time being. Turning around to face him she tilted her head in thought. "Yes and no. There are some whom take it for granted and indulge to much in its pleasures, such as Lord Stone. He is a case in negative light." She sighed quietly.

"You however... You deserve it. You do everything in moderation, and are a very fair, if not straight forward individual. You understand the hard work that went into it, say that desk for example, and appreciate it." She said, clasping her hands behind her back before rocking gently back and forth. "That is why many of your peers listen to you. They may cause all sorts of issues, but at the end of the day they do respect you and your accomplishments, even if they don't show it. You understand the value of things." She said with a gentle smile.

She paused, and apologized "I'm sorry, forgive my rambling..." She said, having forgotten herself in the question.

[Blip]

He mused about what she said momentarily, before flashing a warm grin and laughing. "It's alright, it's not as if I didn't expect an answer, though I do have to admit, I wasn't expecting the praise. Coming from anyone else I would have suspected your words, but so far, you've proven to be a loyal and dedicated individual who places the interest of others before their own, and while you're still a little rough around the edges, I'm certain you'll be an equally respected knight in your own right with time, hence I can trust your words without a doubt."

After he had finished writing in a book, he closed it and set it in the shelf, before taking out a small bracelet with a tassle, with a token attached to the tassle that bore the katrin emblem, handing it to Ceilia. "Speak with the servants, feel free to request whatever you feel that you need, such as clothing, armor, food- I'm certain you're hungry- as well as settling you for the night, just be sure to show them this."

[!Fox!]

"Thank you..." She said quietly, taking the bracelet gently with a sense of reverence, before attaching it to her wrist. "I try to be... The world is already a difficult place... If I have the power to better people, I should, regardless of risk to myself... It's just how I see things is all." She said with a respectful bow.

"I give the praise as you've earned it. The people love you, and even I can see why. As for my loyalty? You've already earned that and more. If there is anything you need, anything at all, please do not hesitate to let me know." She said, bowing again before backing carefully out of the tent and making her way towards what one servant had said would be her tent, with an assured promise that the meager amount of requested items would be brought to the tent as well.

[Blip]

They woke up early the next day, packing for the 3 day trip back to Katrin. Zacharie seemed to have been working on official bureaucratic documents at least a few hours before everyone else had, carrying a handful back to his carriage while the others continued to pack away the camp.

"You are strangely alert for someone who could've spent the night sleeping instead of working," Smith said, clearly not enjoying the early birds twittering away in the background. He looked like he slept like the dead, but wasn't expected to return to the world of the living so soon.

Zacharie looked as neat and polished as the day before. "I did sleep. Some. I just wanted these out of the way, but there's a reason this stuff doesn't get done by anyone else, it's terribly boring. I had to rewrite several papers after I ended up rendering them useless due to my boredom. Anyways, where's Ceilia?"

[!Fox!]

"Sorry for being late. Had a little girl come stumbling into my tent while I was eating breakfast." Cielia smiled apologetically, looking well rested. She tightened a strap on her armor, and sighed happily. "I can't even begin to tell you how nice it feels to be able to get in armor again." She said, before turning to Zacharie. "Thank you again. They luckily had a set of plate mail in my size, but I had to go hammer out a few dents and polish it in town. The shock on the smith's face was quite hilarious to see." She said, doing a once over to make sure her armor we indeed well polished and maintained, immensely proud that appeared better than a few of the knights in the area.

She nodded to Smith, and smiled, waving gently at a small little girl who passed by with her mother. The little girl noticed the action and began pointing excitedly at Cielia while her mom picked her up and kept going, smiling apologetically in Cielia's direction

[Blip]

"Ah, I probably should've warned that sometimes people in a area decide to wander the camps at times. Apparently they aren't easy to dissuade from doing so, but as serious problems have yet to arise, I suppose we are more lax than we should be in enforcing that rule. But it is good that you were able to rest peacefully and that the rest of your needs are covered."

He looked over at the mother and her child as they left the proximity of whatever remained of the campsite, ignoring Smith, who was sort of groaning under his breath is everyone in the camp had siphoned his energy reserves to fuel their own. Zacharie continued."Fear seems to keep actual troublemakers out, that's probably why people don't feel uncomfortable going through here. But I digress, we will begin our return to Katrin. I must remind you, it may be a while- months, or even years- before you can formally return to your home, hopefully as a knight of katrin. Do you deem this a worthy sacrifice of your ties to much of what you are familiar with?"

[!Fox!]

"Zacharie, I would not be here before you if I felt it was not a worthwhile investment of my time. I have made peace with my family, friends, home, and with myself. It is a worthwhile cause that I intend to follow through with, demolishing any opponents, and challenges, that may be in my way." Cielia smiled standing at attention with her arms behind her back.

"You have given me the chance of a life time, to experience what I've always wanted. I would be a fool to pass this by." She finished, her resolve ironclad.

(We gonna time skip to like her knighting Ceremony or something?)

[Blip]

(Sure, but did you have like a time frame in mind, like months, years...?)

[!Fox!]

(Well, let's say 8 months or so, as she still had to go through the testing, and then training for escorting the Royal family. I was thinking a week or so after she finishes, when the Royals choose who they want from the newly trained. That sound good? )

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