The Young King of Renala (open)

[Knight.EXE]

Inwardly sighing for what felt like the hundredth time, Varin looked at the two people in front of him with blank blue eyes, It was some random lord trying to convince him to take his daughter's hand in marriage. Most likely hoping to raise in status, as do they all. Ever since his father and mother died he was stuck to rule the throne at 16, yay...honestly the young king didn't even want this position, but seeing as he was an only child, well let's just say the now 18 year old ruler had little say in the matter.

"-o what say you your majesty? Isn't my daughter a fine fit for queen?" the hopeful voice of the lord brought Varin back into reality, the nearby staff stationed in the throne room all noticed him refocus and mentally sighed, he didn't hear a thing the lord said, "....Possibly....Possibly not...." the king's voice held a uninterested tone has he looked at the daughter. She had long brown hair, 'Boring.' pale skin, 'So does everyone else who's father tries to wed them to me.' and had on a expensive gown on, 'When you've seen one, you've seen them all.' all in all she was the average when it came to situations like this.

After a few suspenseful moments Varin leaned forward on his throne, "No." with that one word both father and daughter took a step back as if they were just smacked, "Your majesty, perhaps-No" the blond king interrupted the lord, "Leave." the duo looked ready to argue, before they saw their ruler stand, "We're done here." with that the young man walked away, his two personal guards followed while sharing a look, 'They never learn.'

Their young master never did like the norm, he found it boring to be repetitive. Hence why when he was put on the throne his first declaration was to allow women into the guard. When questioned as to why he responded with his, soon to be infamous, reason of, "I'm board." most of the servants just accepted it on the spot, knowing how Varin acted when his parents where sill alive, everyone else was baffled beyond belief on how childish it sounded. He didn't care, it was amusing to see the expressions on people's faces when he gave that answer. Now, what was for lunch to day?

[Draruto]

Elchandra Masters, known death blade and newly recognized princess, finally emerges from the shadows as the king moved away from the throne. 'Might get lucky and actually find a heart-mate.' she thought with a mental shrug. Moving silently, despite her heavy armor, towards the crowded buffet hall she felt her adoptive father's power emerge miles away. "Must be on a mission for the Triumvirate. Because he wouldn't usually range this far north." Elchandra mumbles softly. Closing her glowing sapphire eyes for a moment, she allowed the familiar warmth of his love and caring sink into her heart. 'I love you papa.'

Once she knew that he got her message, Elchandra enters the hall and heard gasps ripple through. 'Honor, admiration, fear, or shock. 'The usual response to a death blades' presence, don't show any visible reactions and just do your duty.' she heard from her memories. Snorting inwardly she grabbed a wine filled goblet and takes a whiff. 'Smells decent, probably from a good year.' she mused. Posting up near the grand pillar she saw a guard approach with a look of professional blankness. "How may I help you guardsman?" Elchandra inquired in an equally professional tone as she matched the man's gaze.

"Thought death blades never went anywhere without their blades?" Shrugging at that question, which was true usually if royalty wasn't involved. "True, but unlike other death blades, I was recently told that I have royal blood. So my adoptive father thought it was best that I come here and see if court life suits me. Plus I can summon my blade should anything magical and divine decide to appear." she replied. "Oh, well enjoy the festivities Lady Death Blade." Elchandra heard the say as he bowed and returned to his post. 'What was that for, I wonder?' she mused tilting her head.
*

[Knight.EXE]

If their was anything that the king could never resist, it was entertainment. Sadly most things rarely ever filled this need, paperwork, 'A right bore that.' meetings, 'Stodgy old men trying to make grabs for power.' court intrigue, 'Second verse same as the first.' and especially routine. To do the same old things, day in and day out was maddening to young Varin. So Imagine his delight when he was actually interrupted eating his lunch to be told that a Death Blade was in his court!

The staff in the room mentally groaned at the glint in their young master's eyes, "My lord?" the guardsmen's voice carried an apprehensive tone to it. When a glint appears then things will change, for better or worse only time could tell, but one thing was certain, the last time their lord gained the glint was the time he decided to sneak out of the castle and ride his horse around. Harmless to some, but considering that it took four hours, fifteen cavalry, twenty hay bales, and the promise of sweets for the rest of the month just to get him to return. He was never allowed to ride his horse without an escort since.

"Bring them to me. I wish to meet this Death Blade." the guard simply bowed his head before leaving, while inside the boy king's head a mini version of him was partying hard and the new change with a banner that read, 'Distraction!' while he was burning paperwork and drinking wine. Oh how he was going to milk this for all it's worth, he was NOT going to fallow what ever schedule that was set for to day, 'I should go riding to celebrate.' a mass chill went down the backs of many people at the thought.

[Draruto]

After being told that the king wanted to see her, which she figured might happen, Elchandra polished off her wine and decided to make a bigger splash. 'Show off.' she thought going and fading into the shadows. Tuning out the familiar blue tinted scenery of the Death Blade traveling realm, she recalls that her birthday was last week and she hadn't spent time with her father. 'Later Masters.' she chastised herself in her mind. Reaching the end of the shadows reign, Elchandra materialized. "That's Lady Death Blade Elchandra Masters to you young king." she states, as the others gasps in shock and stepped back.

While not being disrespectful, her tone made it clear that she wasn't impressed with their rank. Letting her glowing gaze slowly sweep over the onlookers Elchandra saw how her pale skinned, armored and hooded form affected them. Some looked a bit cowed, while others seemed to want test themselves against her rune encrusted blade at some unknown date. 'Yay, more practice in the near future.' she sarcastically thought., settling her gaze on the king. 'Not even in his twenties yet. Which makes him my junior by at least eight years.' Elchandra added, noting his vaguely boyish features.

[Knight.EXE]

Varin gave no sign of being startled at the sudden appearance, in fact the corner of his mouth gave a small twitch upwards before returning to it's apathetic state. Staring at the woman he could see the obvious, she had raven black hair, 'Not too common around here...but nothing special' sapphire blue eyes, 'A rare color....Interesting.' her features where hardened similar to some of the female guards, 'Better than some of the daughters these lords send, from those I remember....Did one of them offer me twins?' she was obviously older than him, and finally she didn't seem to care for his status as king, 'Should I feel insulted? Most likely. Do I care? Nope. Means things may not be so boring.'

The thoughts of the young king where broken as he refocused back to the present, "Very well," he started, his voice carried a hint of barely contained excitement, "Then I asked to not be called by my title, never wanted the damned thing to begin with." the boy whispered the last part under his breath, last time he said that aloud he was forced to listen to a lecture from his adviser about the importance of the role he was given and blah blah blah. He tuned it out after the first two minutes.

A minority of the staff couldn't help but palm their face at their lord, men would kill for the position the adolescent was in, yet he would rather give it up easily, many where shocked to see how good he was doing though. Low chance for an uprising, all because he found the reactions amusing to watch. Varin Liked only a handful of things and doing random acts just for the hell of it, then watching the out come just so happened to be on top of his list. So it came to the ire of many when he asked if the woman like to ride horses, the staff honestly felt that the late king and queen where just laughing at their misery.

[Draruto]

"Last time I was near a horse, my mere presence scared it so much that it nearly ran itself to death to get away from me. So unless your stable has Death mounts, I will have to decline. Plus I can travel through any available shadowed corner through out the known realms."Elchandra states lowering her hood. Finding an empty seat close to the king, she pulled it back and sat down. "Plus I was told recently that I had royal blood, which makes me a newly recognized princess sir. My adoptive father asked me to come here and see if court life and I can mesh."

'Not to mention that I don't have any pertinent tasks that needs my immediate attention right now. So I have some free time to burn till something rears up.' she mused, passing the serving girl two silver coins. "Sweeten black tea, if you please mistress." Elchandra asked respectfully. Watching the girl bow deeply before rushing to get what she was bidden, she couldn't help but remember her time as serving girl. "Some of the most humble and overlooked people in this world." she says softly, noticing how some of those currently present wore rather pensive expressions.

'Probably wondering if they can rope me into a marriage contract.' she mused dismissively. While not particularly inclined to marry anyone, she had seen enough to know that with the right person and temperament it could be the best thing to happen. 'Store it Masters.' Elchandra chastised herself silently. "Lady." Turning to see the same serving girl with her tea, she took it and gave the girl a small grin. ”Thank you mistress.” she said appreciatively. "Y.. you're welcome my lady.” Once the girl went about her duties Elchandra sipped her tea.
*

[Knight.EXE]

The young king looked on as the two interacted, while he was disappointed he couldn't use her as an excuse to go riding, he found the way the girl reacted after handing the tea amusing. An idea suddenly popped into his head, causing an amused glint found it's home in his eyes, and a sense of dread filled the staff who could see it. Their young master was planing something, what it was they didn't know but last time they saw that look, he ended up hang upside down off what ever chair he sat in. Those meetings where very interesting, especially when one of the daughters thought it was his way of saying he was interested in her.

"So," Varin's apathetic voice carried a hint mischievousness in it that put all the staff on edge, "Lady Elchandra you said you came here to see if court life is for you, correct?" he gained a small smile at getting an affirmative response, "Tell me, how does this sound? Lords approaching you, trying to get you to marry their son, almost everyday and no matter how many times you deny they still keep coming?" his grin widened as he got to what gave him the smile, "I can tell you with the utmost certainty that is the court life you'll have once you are announced as a princess, because people want power, and marriage is a good way to gain it. So, I propose to play them, call me selfish but I tire of rejecting proposal after proposal, we should capitalize on their power grabs, by removing it entirely."

Using a napkin the young king wrote the plan out, 'Pretend to be engaged a week after announcement, see faces of anger, disappointment, and sadness, drink some wine while silently enjoying dashing away any hope for higher standings, get some lunch, free day up to finally relax, maybe have some sweets.' really having a week was just so that if she did go with it but changed her mind later she could back out, "Accept or don't, it is your choice. I'm just glad to have someone new around, it gets very boring around here."

[Draruto]

"Annoying, but I was raised to hold judgement till I had all the facts for myself. Which is what I plan to do. And anything else that comes from that is just low hanging fruit." she states with a small shrug. 'Plus I have ways to dissuade any marriage seekers from sinking their hooks in my hide.' Elchandra thought taking notes of those Lords eyeing her to closely. Allowing her battle self to absorb every minute facial cue of those present, she drifts her sapphire gaze towards the kitchen entrance. 'Will I see if I can buy that girl from here?' she wondered briefly.

Once that thought evaporated, another took it's place. Curious to see how long it will take to bash her disinterest of getting a husband into their heads, Elchandra began to conjure a list of things she needed to get during her stay. Given how infrequently she stopped in cities and towns in the course of her duties. Luxuries like hard peppermint candies and sweeten tea ran extremely low after a few weeks. 'Lucky that I never picked up any hard vices.' she silently mused. Glaring at middle aged lord that tried to slide closer, she watched him notice how her eyes instantly hardened and stopped reflecting light.

"Reconsider your next action my lord, because unlike other nobles or royals I don't answer to your rank or god. I'm only accountable to the death god of justice Charoan." Elchandra said in a low growling tone. As the man left as swiftly as his scared pride would allow, she glanced the king, wondering if he would ever mature into somebody useful. "Death Blade and commoner always, royal only as needed. It's not my nature to think myself above anyone since we all meet the same end eventually." she said shrugging again.

[Knight.EXE]

The boy nodded thoughtfully, everyone dies at some point, to him all that matters is seeing how far he can get before death pays a visit, "Understandable and admirable, it is rare to see someone so humble, even more so in this court." his eyes turned to the lords around him, blank eyes meet back to hardened ones, "If you need anything just ask one of the staff, you're a guest after all. Mother and father did so love to entertain guests, heh..." Varin's eyes became clouded as he remembered his parents and a small smile made it's way onto his face. It was one of the only times he displayed physical emotion outside of his eyes.

Shaking his head slowly the smile vanished, "Sire, someone has requested an audience with you." well, time to get moving, "I will be there shortly." rising out of his seat, the young king moved to his throne, "Twenty gold on it being either another marriage proposal, or an ambassador from a neighboring kingdom." it was hard to tell if he was joking or serious due to his monotone voice.

[Draruto]

"Sure thing your majesty." she said as he left. Figuring that she had enough of the party for one night, plus she had long shopping day in store the next morning, Elchandra left as she came.Rematerializing in her rented room on the outskirts, she dismissed her armor and erects protective barriers. Mostly for her nightmares than anything else since most Death Blades tend to come into Charoan's service with a bit of emotional baggage that never left. And hers, given what she remembered from the ceremonial scrying bowl, was stronger than most since it happened when she was younger. 'Don't go down rabbit hole.'

After giving it three months she was about ready to bolt back to the Dark Frontier. The king's warning on the marriage proposals was annoyingly accurate as the number was huge and unending. Through she had halted most of them when she made crystal clear that anyone who tried would have to prove their sword arm's worth. The out cry of that rung all the way back to court, where the lords laid curses against her name. Not to mention that Charoan also had her reap some lords that had been especially naughty and needed to be punished

Some of which had been executed in front of the king. Elchandra never looked at him as she went about her duty, not wanting to see his reaction. 'Duty first.' she reminded herself while donning her armor. Grasping the rune encrusted great blade Elchandra watched it begin to emit magical smoke. 'Yeah about time to visit the alter again.' she thought catching her reflection in her blade. Seeing the familiar unnatural hardness in her figures she settles the blade across her back and pulls her hood up. Fading into the shadows Elchandra raced towards the castle. "Let's see if the king wants to accompany me."

Material in near the kitchen she happen to have to service girl from the party bump into her. "Lady?!" Knowing that the hood hide her face, excluding her glowing sapphire eyes, Elchandra nods and removes a coin purse from belt. "Will this be enough to buy your services?" she inquired. Seeing the girl nod she hands over the purse and moves aside. "Get what you can pack inside a ruck and meet me at the throne room." she states. Stepping forward Elchandra heard the girl run to gather her things. 'That's one, now comes to two.' she thought.
*

[Knight.EXE]

After leaving his new guest, the king wasn't surprised to see another lord with his daughter he dismissed them as quickly as he could. That was months ago, and since then things have gotten very interesting, it was amusing to see Elchandra contently refuse lords, even going so far as to declare a challenge so difficult that it was nigh impossible to over come. Then there were to occasional times where she would kill one of his court members, Varin just stared on with blank eyes.

He didn't really care as to why she did it, honestly it had become a game to him. Keeping an eye on everyone to see who would be the next to fall, did it worry his staff? Yes, but only a bit. Was there outrage from the other lords and ladies? Very much so, gave him more than one small headache. Varin was right to believe change was coming, but on to current matters, "-he needs to be locked away! Please your lordship I beg you, that murderer has killed to many to be allowed freedom." ah, this.

Ever since his guest's first murder this plea was becoming as frequent as marriage proposals, and just as annoying, "Let us say for a moment I agree, how would you propose to capture her? She is a Death Blade, not some two bit thug. Secondly, what would stop Lady Elchandra from escaping? Nothing, your request is denied. Leave." the boy wasn't foolish enough to believe his guards could take on a Death Blade, plus she made things entertaining. Her bluntness was a breath of fresh air among the innuendo of court life, speaking of which, "Lady Elchandra, to what do I owe the pleasure of this well needed distraction?" if there was something he learned over the past three months, it was when she entered a room. Honestly the Death blade had been the best company he's had, so of course Varin would blow off his entire schedule just to chat with her.

[Draruto]

"Was about to head out to a shrine that other Death Blades visit while near your realm to pay homage to Charoan, thought you might want to come and experience the word from my perspective." Elchandra replied. Hearing the murmurs about her recent activities, a Cheshire grin appeared on her face that no one could see. 'Idiots.' she thought as light flashed behind her. "Lord Charoan, greetings." she said respectfully to the taller armored god. "Greetings Lady Elchandra, seems like you have been busy during your stay." She shrugs nonchalantly, "Just doing my duty, as my father would expect of me."

Watching the god chuckle Elchandra glanced around him to the girl waiting for her. 'Wonder how my father is doing.' she thought as Charoan's gaze went blank. Knowing that he checking mental lists for any new wrong doers, she could almost see the next comment before it was spoken. But that would be arrogant of her to even presume she could know the workings Charoan's mind. "An especially high number of wrongdoings in the realm." Elchandra nods in agreement. "I know my lord, that's why I was about to pay tribute today." she said. "Might send some acolytes here to investigate."

The god then vanished after that, leaving even more murmurs in his wake. 'How long before the rats run?' she wondered, facing the king again.

[Knight.EXE]

"Well, that just happened." the monotone voice of the young king broke the silence, "I think I will join you on this little adventure of yours. It has been some time since I last left the castle, it would be good to see how the general populous view my rule." standing from his throne Varin made his way to his chambers to pack, "Hm, I wonder if my old clothes still fit, it has been awhile."

His room was what would expect of a king, a plush king size bed with silky sheets and fluffy pillows, a large canopy to block light, beautifully carved dressers and nightstands, and a door to a private bath. Moving to the bed the teen pulled a old wooden box out from under, opening it up revealed old brown and tan clothing that was mostly worn by common people. He knew it would be ill-advised to dress normally so he would put on his old disguise and dirty himself up before heading out.

After dressing himself Varin made his way back down to the waiting party, "Well, shall we?" he asked as he forced a grin to appear on his face, it was no secret the king never smiled so in order to through off any possible suspicion he decided to smile. People act differently depending on who they talk to, if he wanted to know how they saw him then he could't be himself. Before leaving he looked to one of the guards, "Make sure no one leaves, as much fun as a chase would be, I don't feel like spending resources to track any of them."

[Draruto]

While king got ready, Elchandra went and summoned three Death mounts for the trip. Checking them over, while also enchanting two of them to not toss him and girl on their backs, she heard the king return. "Almost, just have to manifest saddle on these three. Might want to bring at least one guard, because despite my skills and powers I can't be everywhere if something were to happen." she told him, help her new servant into the saddle. "Lady?" Looking up at the girl, seeing nervousness in her eyes, Elchandra pats her calf. "Relax, he won't throw you off." she said gently.

"Thank you, but I was wondering if you could give me a new name." the girl states as firmly as she dared. Seeing her new mistress give her a questioning looking she took a breath before replying, "I am orphan Lady, my birth parents either gave me up or died. Been a servant in the castle I could walk. They would only call me girl if they needed something. I wish for this will lead to better things." 'Please gods, I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds with that request?' she thought. Watching Elchandra consider her words, she gripped the saddle horn.

'That's a first.' Elchandra thought. "Give me some time to think on it." she said. As the girl nod, she glances to see several acolytes trickle in. 'Fast work.' Elchandra thought with a shrug. Mounting her Death mount she draws her hood tighter over her face. "Strengthen me Amazona." she whispers to herself.

[Knight.EXE]

The king's smile widened as he saw the Death mount, 'Sturdy, meant for endurance, possibly speed. Both? Interesting...' mounting up he turned his head over to the resident Death Blade, "While bringing a guard can have merits, I've noticed small groups are rarely targeted. If it makes you feel better I have received training in disarming opponents, guards cannot be everywhere all the time you know."

Hesitating slightly at the kings answer she nodded in satisfaction seeing no deceit in his eyes. As they set off, Varin noticed several people walk towards the castle, 'Odd, but I'll leave it for later...How many audiences where forced to wait for this vacation? Oh well, best not to dwell.'