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((OOC: For those of you who would like to join, the link is in my signiture.))

Traitor! Traitor to the throne! Bastard son!

Words rang through out his troubled mind. Kei stormed out of his families estate and wandered aimlessly on the grounds. The afternoon was lovely. The sun was shinning bright over the lush green lands. The sky was calm and welcoming with birds singing. Even with all the positive, Kei only saw negative. He silver blazon shone brightly on his chest like a beackon. His clean and elegant clothing was picture perfect, but he hated it.. Oh how he wished he could tear the bird off his chest and run.

He stayed his hand and clentched it into fists instead. He looked out across the training ield and saw naught the glorious army training, he saw them lying dead with wide white eyes starring up towards the now dark sky. He tore his gaze to the grass and saw blood and kisnmen dead all around him. Each blade of grass seemed to drip with the crimoson liquid as if dipped in it. The birds were now vultures waiting in the wings for the their feast. he started pacing with his uneasy mind. His imagination was running wild again.

He shook his head to clear it and forced himself to come to a stop. He didn't want to be a king! He didn't want war! Why couldn't they understand that? He was just fine being Kei Serof Lakai! No one listened to him nor bothered. What he wanted didn't matter. All his parents saw was power. Sudeenly weary, Kei sat down on a bench, lost in though and felt isolated. He fingured the crest absent mindedly.

Traitor! Outcast! Usuper! Long live the King! Death to the usuper! Snake! Theif! Murderer! Kei's hands flew up and he clutched his head and shut his eyes, willing the words away.

"Stop it!" he growled without intention.

Keniko followed a ways behind Kei. When he sat down on a bench she stood beside the bench, her arms crossed and she looked around, watching everything with extreme caution. She was assign to watch Kei not really talk or bond with him but during times when he was depress, she always talked to him, trying to help him feel better.

She looked up at the sky,watching the birds flap their wings gracefully, then she turned her head the opposite way from Kei, watching the guards in the distance. When she spoke her voice was soft and gentle,like the voice of a noble. "Don't let it get to you. Indeed you are in line for the throne but shouldn't it be your choice if you wish to take the throne or not." She didn't know much about the families and how important the throne was. No one had taught her anything about that, she was only a personal guard that carry three katanas and has the nickname,Demon Girl.

Surprised as always when his guards or any servent talked to him, Kei looked up at her wide eyed. He had forgotten he had a guard stationed nearby. He looked away from her and sighed. "What I want in the matter does not change a thing. My parents are the lords of this land and as of yet, I have no power over it. The army is lead by my father, not me." He continued to stare out into the open. If only things were as simple as Keniko had put it.

"I thank you for your words however. I understand you try to help but this conversation will only lead to trouble if my father hears you 'talking me out' of the deal. You would be punished severely and I do not wish that for you." He bit his lip and sighed bitterly. No. Things were not simple at all. He had no real power. Not yet. His father's fist was still the ruler and the decision maker. His fate was already planned. Who was he to deny it?

Keniko inhaled deeply and let out a loud sigh. "I see...you have no power until you take the throne." She turned her head slightly,looking at Kei out the corner of her eyes. "Don't worry about me, i can take care of myself. I'm not called the Demon Girl for nothing." she smirked then she turned her back to him and watched a couple of guards that was standing guard at the gates then she looked up and saw one of the housemaids watering some of the plants on the balcony.

"Everyone thirst for power, its just a trait that humans carry but i know you are different. You don't care for money, power,fortune or fame. You want adventure. I can see it in your eyes, you wish to know more about the world that you live in. You want to explore, am i not right?"

Kei's eyes widened at her comment. How had she known what he wanted? Was he obvious? If his parents found out, he would have to face punishment again! "Y-yes. But I don't mind being lord of this land. I do bot shy away from responsibility, I just... I just want to know the things that are beyond me. I have never been into the villages where the lesser born are. Eitherway, how did you know? If I am obvious, I wont be able to have those dreams anymore."

Ignoring how proper his attire was, he knelt onto the wet grass and let his hand run through it. The dew sparkled in the air. A small smile spread across his face as he watched the natural beauty. why was he so fascinated with nature? Those who were less privleged then himself? All he had known his whole life was luxury and comfort. What would it be like without it?

Knight sat in a tavern enjoying the festivities of the main land as he yawned tiredly, His swords in their scabbards at his side his right arm was gauntleted to look like he had claws or fingers and his left hand was just gloved the fingers of the glove cut out. His armor was in the small place he was staying he wore lose fitting leather jerkins along with a heavy hard leather Tunic and under that a small suit of Chain-mail. "Always...a war for me to fight always.." he said outloud, he stood up yawning tiredly paying for his meal and drink as he walked out beginning to wander the streets.


(D if you want him on your side you can send some guards to pick him up X3 Knight's free for anyone to get but I'm not gonna have him join anyone they'll have to get him ^^)

Keniko chuckled softly. "I have been your personal bodyguard for some time, i know how you think and how you look at things for i was just like you....once." She watch him carefully as he kneel in the grass. "Your not that obvious. Normally you look like someone who just wants to live like a little prince but I watch you carefully and i know the eyes of one who seeks adventure,when i see one." She smiled softly then frown. "The lady will scold you for ruining your attire. I suggest you get up before you get in trouble."

Most of the morning had already past by the time Eavan was finally free to persue her own desires for the remainder of her day. The entire morning had been spent within the usual confines of the palace, but as the royal princess she did have obligations she was required to fulfill before she could have any time to herself. Specifically she had been once again forced to endure another long session of the usual "princess lessons" as she called them, which was nothing more then listening to a few tutors drone on and on about this and that when it came to ruling a kingdom. Every little thing she had already heard or learned one way or another, some she had even picked up on her own without any teaching. So needless to say by the time she was free from all that torture, Eavan was thoroughly convinced that if she did not get out of this palace then things were going to turn ugly. Especially since she wasn't in the best of moods right then, but of course she never was once she got out of another lesson.

"Finally, I thought it would take forever before I was free to come outside." Eavan said to herself as she looked up at the sky with a bright smile on her face. She loved coming outdoors as often as she could, even if it was within the confines of the palace courtyard. True she wouldn't deny, she did feel a little confined with how she was almost forced to remain within the vicinity of the palace. However, there was very little she could do about it, and so she had to make do the best way she knew how.
As she casually strolled along one of the pathways that led through the courtyard, she happened to noticed some of the soldiers heading out towards the town. Normally they would still be in training, but Eavan guessed they had finished early enough to give them some free time for themselves.
"Looks like Lady Mitsu must have really worn them down if they are that anxious to get to the town." She thought to herself before giving a slight shrug of her shoulders while continuing on her way. A few of the guards stationed around the various entrances and exits to the courtyard bowed when Eavan passed, and she gave each of them a friendly greeting of her own as she walked past. She may be the princess and heir, but she had enough sense to know not to alienate herself from the people within her family's military. They would be more inclined to serve a ruler they favored, and Eavan made certain to take that to heart whenever she saw the opportunity.

Kei nodded to her and stood. He brushed off any grass that was left on him and checked the sword by his side. He took a few steps towards the estate but stopped. He was in no mood for a lecture from either of his parents. Would it hurt going out and about just for a little while? His parents would hate him for it. They might take their anger on Keniko. He shook his head and continued toward the stables. "I feel like taking a ride around the our land. I am sure that is acceptable since I am not leaving our territory, don't you Keniko? You can accompany me on a horse. I won't have you trailing behind me."

Kei entered the stables and the groomer quickly prepaired Kei's beautiful golden stallion. If not else, his family coul pride itself on land and horses. He mounted the mare and began to trot around the stable and waited for Keniko to be handed one as well.

((OOC: I hope you don't mind me changing their advantage from military to land. I didn't want two families with the same advantage.))

Jaime walked through the halls of his manor briskly, ignoring the salutes his soldiers threw as he passed them. He would normally return the sign, the right fist thumped against the chest over the heart, but his mind was on other matters. Rumors of treachery and war had reached Jaime's ear. Being the Lord Feron, that meant he might soon be embroiled in war. The Feron family was always dragged into conflicts; they had a long history of being the decisive factor in battles between the other noble houses. Such was the territory that came with having a strong military bent. Traditionally, whenever two houses came to blows, whoever had the Feron family on their side was the winner. Not only were their soldiers better trained, they had more of them than anyone else.

This should be interesting, Jaime thought to himself. I am nobody's ally, I am the enemy of none. I wonder how long it will take for them to come seeking my favor. Allowing himself a small smile at the thought, Jaime finally arrived at his destination. Opening the large double doors in front of him, Jaime moved into his study like a stalking panther. The advisers sitting around the room kept admirably silent. They knew not to bother their Lord when he was preoccupied. Jaime took a seat behind his desk, a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, a work of art. It was a large mahogany piece, carved on the front and sides with scenes of victorious battles from the Feron family's bloody history. Jaime had paid a small fortune to have it made, but the price was worth it. It wouldn't do for the noble lord of Feron to be without a powerful place to rule from.

The advisers slowly gathered in front of the desk. Jaime hadn't bothered to learn most of their names yet. He fired advisers for incompetence without warning and five of those in the room were recent replacements from such abrupt openings in positions. Only Jaime's war and money advisers were permanent fixtures. Both were present in the study. They've likely heard the rumors as well. Old Erick will tell me to be cautious in committing myself to a side, to test the waters before promising my men to battle. Jarvis will tell me to secure trade promises before doing anything else. But I wonder what the new ones will say?

Jaime sat forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the desktop. The seven advisers waited impatiently. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors of dissent and treachery afoot. I believe them to be true. Before you say anything, I have a single question. Do you have anything to add other than advising caution?" The men remained silent, fidgeting nervously. "I thought not. That is all." Erick and Jarvis stood and left immediately. The other five were slower, unused to their positions and their inner workings. They had assumed they would be advisers to a Lord, leading him toward the course best for his nobly family. They hadn't expected to be tossed away without a word about serious matters at hand. And that happened often; Jaime had no patience for repetitions of what he already knew. He watched them leave, a couple murmuring to each other under their breaths. Jaime didn't mind. He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, thinking about what he would do when trouble finally came to roost on his doorstep.

"I would be delighted to accompany you. I need to take a look at our land and see what condition it is in. I have been hearing rumors that the crime rate has gone up. " She watched the groomer prepared her black stallion and hand her the reins. She mounted the stallion and trotted out of the stables and pulled her horse next to Kei.

"If we have time maybe we could race our horse or even spare." She smiled softly. "I hope your not getting rusty with your swordsmanship."

Kei returned her smile. "I assure you I am still a quick wit with my sword. I would gladly race you and spare. Was there any particular place you had in mind to check? I am sure my father has already sent soldiers. I wouldn't mind checking up on the people myself. They need a lord's presence to ease their mind I am sure. I worry that some have fled to other lands or to the King. I know they must whisper about my house's treachery." Thinking of servents and the like, he mind drifted to his old friend who worked for the royals. Would he ever have the chance to see her again? He sighed inwardly. Now was not the time for idle wonderings.

Keniko watch Kai carefully as he spoke then she kicked her stallions side and started onward with a quick trot. "The grasslands should be plentiful with wild flowers, i'm sure we can spend our time there. As for a particular place to check, there are none. I hear the soldiers are taking care of everything quite well. " She glance back and saw that Kai was in deep thought about something. "Your going to hurt yourself if you keep thinking so hard with that young brain of yours. "She chuckled softly then looked around, relaxed as can be.

She had always enjoy her time away from the family. Being a personal bodyguard was a lot of work though it may not look like it. She was always constantly watching, constantly tense,constantly studying people for the safety of the young man that was to take the throne. She let out a relaxed sigh and rotated her shoulders, feeling the weight of responsibility lifting off her shoulders.

Soki walked on down the road farther away from the town until he noticed two people on horsebacks with a shake of his head and a disgusted groan he turned around and began to walk the other way. He really hated nobles, always so stuck up their noses so far in the air you could slit their throat before they even realize you were there. He walked on down the road trying to keep ahead of the paces of their mounts. They addressed him he didn't care what kind of nobility they were he'd tell them to take their questions else where.

Kei tensed at being caught in a daze. He looked around and spotted a swordman. He tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. He was not familiar. Was he a man from the village? He could always ask him and see if things were well. He kicked his horse towards the man and gave a smile. "Hello there. Are you a man from the village here or a traveler?" If he was a traveler, he could still glean some information off him. He slid down from his horse and walked closer. His hand rested on his sword, just in case he was hostile.

Soki's ears heard the dismount of one of the riders and cursed at himself as he turned seeing the male had a hand on his sword "Noble or not....draw that sword and it'll be your last mistake.." was all he said "If your friendly...ask your question without the hand on your sword.." he said lifting his hands to his back resting them on his shoulders incase he needed to make a quick grab for his own blades. "I'm not here to fight...not hear to kill random riders....So share your business so i can give my answers and continue my search for my wealth.. A traveler of sorts.....I guess the proper term for me...Is a mercenary.." he said cooly.

Keniko rode over to where Kei had dismounted his horse and she also dismounted. She walked over and stood between Kei and the swordsman. "There is no reason for either one of us to be tense in one another's presence. Questions can be asked freely without the fear of being attack."she said this calmly but she herself was beginning to feel tense. If this swordsman makes any hostile moves, i will have to act quickly. she thought to herself as she stood beside Kei.