The Warrior and The Rose » Places

         

S tyrkar was relieved that the Princess was not too upset about his outburst. He was starting to worry that the marriage wouldn't happen because he couldn't control his emotions. But he was happy that wasn't the case as she began to open up about herself. Though he was surprised by her wanting to remain by his side. In fact it made him slightly blush. He hadn't really considered that she may want to serve with him. In fact he was now only considering the fact that this marriage would mean he could very well be the next possible king of Dalla.

He hadn't quite put that in consideration when he agreed to marry Isabella. He was so focused on the betterment of his own country, that he had not thought about the effects it would have on other nations. Was he truly ready for such a responsibility? And what would be the result if failed? What would happen to Balderia, and Dalla? What would happen to her? He was snapped out of his thoughts as the Princess finished talking. "Um.....as.....as I said before. You may live any life you want....and.....worry not about my reading and.....and writing ability.....I don't want to trouble you any further." He stated, with him actually looking rather flustered, with slightly red cheeks. Though he kept his face turned away from her, not daring to look her in the eyes as he put on a rather stern face, somehow hoping that would make up for his embarrassment.

Styrkar followed along silently as Isabella led him around. He observed their surroundings with almost child-like amazement. Everything seemed so new to him. His eyes were wide with wonder as he tried taking it all. He was so focused on their surroundings he failed to really notice that she was holding his hand through all of this. He listened as Isabella explained the sights, and nodded along. Though he was listening, most of his attention was captivated by the buildings, and houses that they saw.

As they approached the town center their presence quickly gained the attention of the villagers. With all eyes on them Styrkar was slightly nervous, being snapped out of the wonders that Dalla had, becoming much more self-conscious about himself. Attention has never been something that Styrkar has been too comfortable with. When he completed his Warrior's Rite, and was hailed for his strength, bravery, and cunning for defeating a mighty bear he never saw it as that big of a deal. He didn't really care about the praising he got, or the stories told of his valor. To him he went out and did what he was supposed to do, that simple. Even after winning the tournament to be king he didn't bask in the glory of his victory, because glory wasn't why he did it.

As they continued through the town, he could hear the whispers, and murmurs from the townsfolk about them. "My, my who is that with the Princess?" A middle-aged housewife cooed to a trio of similar aged women. "Oh, I heard he is a Prince of some sort, from a far and distant land." "No, no! He's a nobleman from Nalga." "You're both wrong! Look at his clothes, and bearing, he's a Balderian. I saw them ride in, I believe he was leading them to the Castle." "HE'S a Balderian?! But he's so handsome!" Styrkar tuned out the rest of the gossip when it turned into them talking about his looks. While he's sure that there'd be a great many men who'd kill to look like him, but honestly he'd rather look more like his brothers, or the rest of his people. Large, and intimidating.

Upon being approached by the children Styrkar immediately brightened up, actually having a kind, and warm smile on his face as he looked at the children. The children looked at him with awe, the boys being amazed by his height, and size, while the girls were far more timid, and skidish around him, all of them blushing, and giggling when he looked at them. When they were chased away by their parents, and chastised for bothering them he looked slightly disappointed, and sad. His brothers found it quite hilarious for such a fierce, and usually serious warrior to turn into mush when around children. Noticing the way the children acted around her he could tell that Isabella was popular among her people.

Isabella led him further on to a grassy area where their wedding was to be held apparently. Benches were already being set for the villagers to watch. "Your country is very beautiful your highness. There's nothing like this in Balderia. Most of my homeland is rough, mountainous terrain. There are not very many sights to be seen. Though I suppose I could have become accustomed to it." He stated as he looked around. When he turned to face Isabella he paused for a moment, staring into her eyes. He looked down, still seeing his hand in hers, and abruptly jerked it away.

"Um....so is it customary for your people to hold wedding ceremonies in front of large crowds of people?" He asked, looking slightly flustered. "In Balderia the wedding is typically held to a small number, usually just the parents and siblings of the couple are to bare witness. Then the couple would perform the Bonding Ritual." He explained. He then realized that she most likely didn't know what that ritual was. "Oh! The Bonding Ritual....um how can I explain this...instead of exchanging....um....jewelry, they cut themselves, and exchange blood. And the man gives the woman his Warrior's Proof for her to keep.....it sounds worse than it actually is."

And then he realized that she probably didn't know what a Warrior's Proof was as well. "Oh, the Warrior's Proof is something we earn upon reaching adulthood, along with our warrior name. Here, it'd be better if I showed you." Styrkar then reached behind him, and pulled out his bone dagger that was tucked away in his belt. "This is my proof, proof that I am a warrior. Before we reach adulthood we undergo the Warrior's Rite to be judged by the spirits, and upon being judged favorably we earn our proof, these daggers, along with our Warrior Names. For me I earned the name Stormbreaker." He explained.

Styrkar stepped forward, and took Isabella's right hand in his own. For the Bonding Ritual the man would take the woman's hand, and he would say..." Styrkar then moved closer to the princess, and stared deeply into her eyes. "Spirits that surround us, Spirits that guide us bare witness to this union, for it is through you that our paths have crossed, and by your wisdom I solemnly pledge my life to this woman, for as long as you deem it so. May our blood serve as our bond, forever entwining our lives as one." Once he was finished he gently and slowly ran the bone blade across her hand, making sure not to actually cut her.

"Then after making a cut on the woman's hand the man would give her the blade, and she would say:
'Spirits that watch over us, Spirits that protect us, by the blood that pumps in my veins, by the breath that gives me life I solemnly pledge my life to this man. Let our blood be proof of our unity, and this dagger be the reminder of our bond.' And then the woman would cut the man's hand, and they'd put their hand together, exchanging blood." He explained. "And....uh.....that's it." Once he was finished he looked down, and realized that he was still holding her hand, and saw what little distance there was between. He took a nervous gulp as he stared into her eyes.

"My Lord!" They were soon interrupted by the arrival of Balford. "Um....I'm not interrupting am I?" He asked as he approached them. Styrkar stepped away from Isabella, regaining his composure as he released her hand. "Uh....n-no....Uh this is one of my brothers, Balford Fogcloak, your highness." Styrkar said, introducing Balford. "It is an honor your majesty." He said as he deeply bowed towards her. "I....would hate to impose...but I need but a moment to speak to my brother....but it's nothing that requires his immediate attention." He stated. Styrkar gave him a nod, knowing exactly what he was wanting to talk about. "Oh....and one more thing.....I came to warn you that-"

"THERE'S MY FAVORITE RUNT!" The unmistakable bellow of Ivar called out. Styrkar, and Balford looked at each for a moment, both sharing the same look of dread. Him I take it?" Balford replied with a nod. Once the lumbering giant made it to them, with Jespul trailing closely behind over, he bent over with heavy panting. "Sorry....sorry....just a bit winded." He stated. He eyes set upon Isabella, studying her up and down with his one blue eye, and his blind, milky white one. "Ah! You must be the Princess! Ivar Silverbane, at your service! I'm these three runts older brother." He said as he slapped Balford on his back, nearly knocking him over, and letting out a hearty laugh. "And I'm Jespul Redfist, a pleasure your highness." Jespul greeted as he calmly strolled over to them.

Ivar stepped over towards Isabella, towering over her and Styrkar as well. He leaned down, and slowly stroked his long, and thick beard as he studied her face intensely. He then took his large hands, and placed them on her shoulders. "Ah come here! We're practically family already!" He then proceed to pull her in tight for a big hug, actually lifting her up off the ground. This caused a loud snort to come from Jespul as he tried to stop himself from laughing. Strykar and Balford on the other hand were not amused. "Put her down now!" Strykar growled as he gave a swift punch to Ivar's side. Ivar placed Isabella back on the ground, and then met with another punch to his side by Strykar. "Ouch! Sorry, sorry! I got a bit carried away." He apologized with as he rubbed his side. Balford face palmed, meanwhile Jespul was doing his best not to laugh. "But you are a tiny one aren't ya? Perfect for you Runt! Finally someone to make you look tall!" Ivar smirked. Styrkar glared at him, and then delivered a powerful punch to Ivar's stomach, knocking the wind right out of him, and nearly knocking him to the ground. "Ow! I'll stop! I'll stop! You need to learn to take a joke runt!"

"Let me be the first to formally apologize on behalf of my brothers. They're rough around the edges." Jespul said as he pushed his way through. Ivar merely scoffed and rolled his eye. "And don't be too intimidated by my elder brother here, Ivar got that scar on his eye from a crow that stole some food from his hand. It was the damnedest thing I've ever saw!" He explained as he placed his hand on Ivar's shoulder. "That's not how it happened! It was a raven not a crow! And it was the biggest bird I've ever seen! It could fly off with a baby if it wanted to! Why I'm not sure it was even a bird, I'm certain I saw teeth!" Ivar quickly corrected him. "No, I was there, it was a little crow that snatched the bread out of your hand, and then clawed at you when you tried to take it back." Jespul replied. "Well she doesn't know that you runt! Besides, it was much more fearsome than the wee little kitten that did that to your face!" Ivar argued. "How many times do I have to tell you that was a bobcat!?" "Apparently as many times I have to tell you it was a huge raven!"

As the two loudly argued over the size of the animals that gave them both their facial scars Balford stood beside Styrkar watching on. "It is done, the rumors that you are to wed the princess has been spread around the castle, as you wished. And the men are in place to watch all the comings and goings of the castle. If there is a spy within the court we will soon find them." "Good. Hander isn't above using spies, and this alliance will spell destruction for them. We will rut out the spy, and deal with them accordingly." "And are we still to keep the king in the dark?" "Yes. For now we keep our investigation from his majesty until we can say for certain that there is a spy as I suspect there to be." "And the princess? Is everything working out as planned?" "Not exactly, but I doubt there will be any problems. She seems to be agreeable, and sympathetic towards our goals."

Once the two were finished with their hushed discussion they rejoined the others, if only to stop Ivar and Jespul's arguing. "Apologizes milady. My brothers can be.....um.....spirited." Styrkar apologized, looking rather embarrassed. "That's one word for it." Balford added, earning him a scowl from Jespul. "Sorry that we can't be as boring as you dear brothers." He smirked. "Aye, don't mind those two Princess, they've always been the sticks in the mud of the family. Our other brothers Skap, and Erlknir weren't able to join us. Skap's wife, Vera, is expecting their first child anytime now. And Erlknir is helping our mother settle in at Hauger. Though he's expected to arrive here as soon as he gets done with that. I doubt Skap will come down here, he's......sort of the black sheep of the family." Ivar explained.

"But that's a story for another time. We must be off, wouldn't want to further interrupt your date." Jespul interrupted, and gave a wink towards Styrkar. "Uh....right. Sorry to intrude. Just wanted to meet my future sister in law. We'll talk later." Ivar added. Balford gave her a respectful bow, and then they were on there way. Alone once more Styrkar rubbed the back of his head, looking rather embarrassed. "I'm...uh.....sorry for my brothers." He apologized.