Zxander's Story

What a fine day it was this morning, which was something the Cammoran's were no doubt glad to take advantage of. They would wish to make a perfect welcome for their son's bride to be, they had a reputation as a perfectly run kingdom and generous hosts to uphold. This bride, the too young for all of this Queen, rode in her carriage with two of her other ladies in waiting, meanwhile Masha rode on horseback, trailing after it. Masha always managed to weasel her way out of rules that applied to the other ladies in waiting, while it was a duty that the late King, may he rest in peace, forced on her in penance for the abandonment of her father the late Duke, may he rest in peace; (Or perhaps it wasn't penance but an honor, Masha could never tell which the King had intended, though it was safe to assume he had intended both as the man was a shrewd politician even in old age.) Masha had always felt constrained by it. As a lady in waiting she could not carry out the duties of a Duke, she could not fight away Vecar's enemies, which was a waste and tactical mitake on the late King's, may he rest in peace, part. Masha was a well seasoned fighter of over ten years, she knew how to make due with a smaller number than your enemy had and she had the Iron Bastards sworn to her command. Had she been made use of in that respect perhaps the King would still be alive, resting in peace be damned it was really his fault he was dead anyway. What was that foolish old man thinking riding off into battle anyway?

Masha's train of thought was interrupted by the ever so busy Zxander, the lovely silence of the morning was broken by his commands. Bogden do this or that, Dalibor over here do this thing, Masha didnt pay too much attention, she just knew they must be close if Zxander was fussing. He very much reminded her of a rooster clucking at his brood, he clucked away so diligently, it was no wonder he was so young and yet so highly ranked. Masha kept to her position, back straight and eyes ahead, watching him from her peripheral vision as he leaned in to the carriage's window and asked the Queen if she would like to stop and rest. Knowing the Queen she would say yes, and a moment later that prophecy rang true, they stopped for a break. Masha wondered, not for the first time, if either Zxander or Gwen knew how one admired the other. In a cruel twist of fate and comedy, probably not.

Dismounting Rollo, her riding stallion, Masha pulled a sugar cube from her pockets and fed him, "You should like Commora Rollo, their stables probably put ours to shame." Masha rubbed his nose, back to the rest of the party, unsure how long they were to stop for and wanting to make sure Rollo was well rewarded. As pretty and fast as he was, he was also a brat, and would act up if not properly tended to. Although Masha could hear the pleasant sounds of young people speaking they were cut rather short before Vecar's own rooster howled. "That was hardly any time at all." Masha commented more to herself than anyone. The ladies were ushered back into their carriage and they were off once more. Did Zxander really think Cammoran land would be attacked by raiders? They had their land under control, it was Vecar that was in disarray. They rushed to the gates at a pace quicker than before.

A low whistle escaped Masha's lips as they entered, did this place become more beautiful than last time she was here? Or was it just that a rank of Duchess offered a different point of view than one of a common mercenary. It was probably both. Masha dismounted, releasing the reigns to the stablehands and taking her place behind Ellyn and Julia, who stood behind the Queen. Really Masha should have been in line beside them, but she had her reasons, chief most being that she didn't feel like being noticed. Gwen was the important party here, it would be easy to kick back in the shadow of her spotlight.

It did not escape her notice that the Queen Katarina was not there to greet her grace Gwen, but Gwen was gracious about it, just as the Prince to greet her was charming. The King was masterfull in his welcome and respectful, the sort of respectful that made you feel as though it were your duty to bow to him. He assured Gwen that she would be well protected, no doubt taking note of how tense Zxander was. He was also no doubt sympathetic to their situation, having only recently suffered the loss of their King. Truthfully they has every reason to be on edge, the situation was desperate, and Masha was being too flippant about it. She silently reprimanded herself for that and made an empty promise to be more aware. As the made their way into the castle Masha stole a glance down at Ellyn, whose downcast eyes told her that she was feeling particularly humble and shy at the moment, Masha almost smiled at that, almost. She instead softly brushed a knuckle on the back of Ellyn's neck to startle her out of her intense study of the polished floor before returning her hand behind her back where it belonged.

The other Prince, as he would forever be known so long as his brother succeeded the throne, decided to tease his brother and make himself known to Queen Gwen. He was speaking loudly enough that Masha could just about hear him, and her height provided her with the perfect view of the trio.

Honestly, was it Zxander's intention to botch this whole thing? If that were the case then coming all the way to Commora was a huge waste of time, at the very least he could have bothered informing everyone 'oh no everyone it's alright I'm going to show the Commoran royal family disrespect and suspicion so you needn't bother packing for more than a day or so.' That would have been the polite thing to mention. If she were someone who gave a damn she'd be annoyed right about now, near ready to throw Zxander on the sparring ground and give him a what-for. But that was beneath her.

Masha looked to the left, peering down the hallway they were to take in order to be made comfortable, the King was busy and the two potential newly weds were to be left alone, something Zxander did not seem keen on. For that matter the young Prince didn't seem too keen on the idea either, more content to lay his entire life philosophy on the Queen's lap. For one so young he was highly opinionated, and more or less they were at least half logical and not entirely blind, even if they were naive. He seemed to think it was due to his attentions that he was afforded smiles and generosity in the public eye, when really it had more to do with the prospect of a commoner losing those eyes if they dared looked at him the wrong way. It was nice, she supposed, that he kept his people in mind, but did not seem to know of any importance nobles held and how much any royal's power relied on their cooperation or what part formalities played in keeping those nobles respected and in line. Young was the word that came to mind when considering his words, young, loud, and idealistic. Hopefully he grew to both keep and tame those traits to better serve his station in life.

Now how to get Zxander away from the lovebirds before he made things so awkward everyone died of embarrassment? God's knew Queen Gwen couldn't keep diffusing the situation and making excuses for him the entire day, that would benefit no one. That was when Ellyn gave her an idea. Ah beautiful Ellyn, always shedding light wherever she went bless her.

"We shall take our leave of you then your Graces." Masha approached between Zxander and Wymond and gave a bow, skillfully looping her arms around theirs when she came up, "As we have important business to discuss and the lady Ellyn and we have great need of your expertise do we not lady Ellyn?" Masha firmly brought them with her towards the left, pointedly giving a look at Ellyn, telling her to play along, "And we mustn't disappoint her after all for she is a lady, and keeping a lady delayed and unattended is of the most heinous of crimes wouldn't you say Zxander?" She would take care of the guards, and trusted that Prince Klaus would know how to handle his own brother, or Queen Gwen would take those reigns.