Algora

It had been done, this was the last straw. King Carlyle had broken an age old truce between the wolves and the humans and now the time had come to pay. To much land had already been lost from their borders through expansions of the kingdom, FernCrosse could not afford to lose anymore of the precious woodland surrounding their home.

The DeGari family had all arrived in the kingdom dressed in normal attire but had royal clothes underneath. The family was known to many kingdoms but we're never a threat..until now.

The guards surrounding the castle barely reacted as the family disrobed revealing there regal clothing emblazoned with the DeGari crest, a crescent moon and a gold tree. A silent stab in the neck was all they needed to entered. He barely felt his life slipping away still standing to attention only a far away gaze in his eyes.

King Tristan stepped forward family behind him as they advanced to the throne room. Guards fell left right and centre muffled cries leaving them.

Kicking open the door the family burst in swords and knives drawn, a large snarl left his lips. As the family surrounded them eyes glowing a misty yellow.

" you have broken a truce your majesty" he pulled out a large price of paper handing it over " a debt must be paid, you have moved in on our land much too frequently I was prepared to allow a small settlement but you have placed two mills and a field of crops. You know what I have come for" he unsheathed his sword and raised it to the Kings neck. " you know what must be done, summon her"

Arturo had known this day would come eventually, he was actually hoping to be married already but the moon had another idea not pairing him with a mate just yet.

He watched as his father read off the list off offences from the Carlyle family, his siblings spread themselves around his three younger brothers and his two younger sisters.

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“Come on, you can hit me harder then that!” Nyla laughed, as she swung her wooden sword at her foe.

The young boy in front of her deflected it with his own wooden sword, with more strength and speed then last time. He even managed to make Nyla rock back the tiniest bit from the force she absorbed from his deflection, and a happy grin broke out on her face. “Much better, little bird! But here, let me adjust your grip, you’ll find it easier to swing in different directions,” she commented, dropping the dummy sword in her hand and stepping towards her nephew, Acyn. The boy was her elder brothers first son. She knew one day he would become the crown prince after her brother was enthroned, and possibly even the king one day, so she spent a lot of time with him trying to give him at least a little bit of a normal childhood. The eight-year-old let her readjust his hands on the hilt of the makeshift blade. “Aunt Nyla,” he spoke, as she looked up to catch his eyes. “When will I be able to use a real sword?” He questioned with a serious look. Nyla got up and ruffled his hair, before moving away to pick up her own wooden sword again. “Soon enough, little bird. You need to build up your strength, so remember to work hard. Now, let’s go again, this time try and be quicker. If you hit me I’ll take you into town for food,” she smiled, bracing herself to defend against his upcoming swing. What she didn’t brace for was the sudden sounds of yelling and screaming coming from inside the castle. She didn’t know how loud it had to have been for her to hear it in the training space outside in the courtyard.

Dropping the wooden sword, she acted fast. Picking up Acyn, she handed him one of her personal guards who was looking equally as shocked and angered. “Take him from here, there’s a passage that leads right into town behind the target dummies. Bring him to a civilian’s house and keep him safe, tell the family they’ll be well-compensated if they keep their mouths shut,” she spoke the orders sternly. She knew he couldn’t disobey her, but he was itching to go inside and see the ruckus himself. He nodded however, and left without anymore hesitation. The three other guards who were assigned to protect Acyn followed them as well.

A hand grabbed her forearm, and Nyla turned around to look at who it was. “Princess, we need to get you out of here until we can see what’s going on. Follow the young boy,” spoke the head of her body guard detail, Cenli. She gave him a tough look, and said “you know very well I am going to do no such thing. Get me my sword, we will advance from the ba-“ a sudden voice cut her off.

“Princess Nyla!” Hollered a young man who ran into the courtyard, looking rather panic stricken. “Please, follow me to the throne room, you are being called.” Nyla advanced towards him, trying to figure out through his expression what could possibly be happening. “What is going on,” she demanded, as she followed him into the castle in a rush, her guards trailing behind her. The man filled her in on the situation, and with each step Nyla got even more aggravated. She had warned her father the King that he was over stepping his boundaries, but he hadn’t listened to her. She was unsure why she was needed and being called specifically, however.

As they arrived in the throne room, Nyla took in the sight. She was only glad her little brother and sister must have been somewhere else. Keeping her head up, she walked over to her brother who stood a few feet away from her father who had a sword to his troat. She took a moment to whisper in her older brother’s ear that his son was safe, and she could see relief in his face. “What is the meaning of this?” She questioned her father. Cenli took a step forward from behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder, almost in warning of her temper. Her father just gave her a pathetic look, too proud of himself to talk.

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Nyla's eyes merely shifted towards the man who lowered his sword from her father's neck. She didn't move from where she stood as the rest of them bowed. It made her uncomfortable, but the smile King Tristen bore was worse as it sent an awful feeling throughout her whole body. She knew this was a bad situation, and she had to show some form of respect towards the King, but she would not cower and become submissive. "You don't not need to flatter the girl who's father you just had your sword pointed towards," she commented, taking a few steps forward so Cenli's hand would drop back down to his side. "I don't remember meeting you before, I apologise. But you need not introduce yourself; I know exactly who you are, your Majesty," she commented, bowing her head to show some form of respect for his title. She could recognize many kingdoms crest, and made a point to know their royal’s names like any person should.

Listening to the man's explanation with little interest, she took only a short glance down at the map he showed her. She knew exactly what her father had done and where he had built. She had been one of the people who tried talking him out of it, or at least, one of the people trying to get him to offer a piece of the income the buildings had brought in to King Tristen in some sort of appeasement. Of course, the stubborn man would not heed her advice.

Handing the map back to him curtly, she met his eyes. "I apologize for my father's wrong doing in his place. If it's any appeasement, many of use were strongly opposed to what he was doing, the Crown Prince and myself included, " she spoke, now with a softer tone then before. She began to hear her father stir like he was going to oppose her comment, but she shot him a look and he quickly settled down.

Listening to him carry on his spiel, the mention of marriage made her go rigid. She was not expecting this news, but now she finally understood why she was called. Taking the truce contract from him tentatively, she only glanced at the young man who bowed, her soon-to-be husband, before turning her attention back to the papers in her hand. Without saying anything, Nyla read over the contract, to see if there would be any loop holes or a way to get out of it. There was none she could see with the quick read through, but she would be sure to check more thoroughly later. "I had no knowledge of this agreement, so excuse me if I'm a little stunned," she spoke, trying to cover a bit of the hoarse tone in her voice. Recovering some of her composure, she moved her gaze from King Tristen to her Father, though her words where still directed towards the man who'd just stormed her kingdom. "I do not wish to be united,” she stated clearly, gaining a look of anger from her father. Continuing, she added, "but I do not believe you are offering me a choice. I will marry your son if It will protect the Kingdom. However, I would like to have a private word with my father. While I take this time, it would be a fine idea to ask your son if he would like to be united as well. As someone who was just used as an object in her cowardly father's game, you might need to make sure he does not feel the same." Her father stepped forward at that point, and raised his voice saying, "Nyla, watch your tone when you speak about me that way. You were not a pawn, you we-" Nyla raised her hand as if to cut him off, saying, "we will discuss this is private, father."

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Nyla bowed in gratefulness to King Tristen, murmuring a small "thank you," as well.

Turning back to her father, she stalked towards him. Her brother, Hayes, trailed behind her, but Nyla turned quickly around, instructing him to stay in place. She knew he was probably unhappy about this. Whether he knew about the agreement or not was beyond her, she was sure he did, but either way, she figured he didn't think this was the right way to deal with things. The two always seemed to be on the same page, which was odd considering who their father was, who usually thought the opposite. However, at the moment, she didn't need him to fight her battles. She wanted to speak to her father alone.

Once the door to the small room was closed, Nyla crossed her arms and looked to her father, clearly wanting to hear his side of the story before she made any judgments. He took the cue. "Nyla, I am sorry I never told you about the agreement. I believed it would never come to it being enacted, I wanted to take them over before they could even mention it. But maybe this is for the best, if you were not to marry this person so we could become allies of sorts, it would have been another Kingdoms son. If reprimands can be made through a single marriage, that is more than fair." Nyla sighed. Everything he said was true, but it still wasn't completely forgivable. "I accept your apology," she started off, "however, I don't believe you were careful enough in what you were doing if you were trying to prevent this. If you hadn't had built on his land in the first place or stopped at an acceptable moment, we wouldn't have been raided like this. It was pointless. You knew this simple solution was in the truce, and you didn't care enough, so you were reckless at my own expense. You do not lose much if I am married off, you only gain. Maybe that was your plan all along. Now, you will go out there and apologize yourself, without me having to do it for you. You are in no position to be as bitter as you are." She saw rage fill up his eyes, but he knew she was right. He wasn't going to argue anymore.

Stepping outside the room, her Father in his gruff tone, said, "all has been worked out. I would like to apologize for the trouble I have caused you. Nyla indeed did not know of the marriage, but will accept it." Nyla stepped forward a bit more, questioning King Tristen, "When do we leave? I would like to say goodbye to my siblings and Nephew. I'm sure if you would like to rest a few nights, we have rooms we can offer you and your men." She could see the guards, as well as the other officials of her Kingdom around her, stiffen at the offer but none made any objections.

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Nyla nodded, but her Father was the one who spoke, saying, “that will be fine. Everything should be in order for her to leave at noon,” answering the statement for her.

As the DeGari family, minus one son, all left, she gave polite goodbyes with curt bows. She felt a bit of relief knowing that not all of them would be staying there. They had stormed their castle, literally and figuratively, so Nyla wasn’t feeling the most generous and hospitable herself all around. She understood why Artuto had been left behind, and while she was both speculative and hesitant towards the idea of him staying so they could get acquainted, she was also sort of glad as well. It would be in her own space, where she felt most comfortable. She felt half-felt bad for him in that situation, knowing very well he wouldn’t have the comfort of his own people around him. She was curious to know what he thought of the whole marriage deal as well, praying that in the least they could be civil towards one another.

Turning towards her head guard, she asked him, “can you find where they placed Acyn and bring him back here? Also, make sure you give the family some sort of repayment.” Her brother stepped up behind her, speaking for the first time. “I’ll go and give them my gratitude in person,” he said a little frantically. He must have been very concerned with his son, and Nyla couldn’t help but give a little smile at the fact.

Hearing a voice behind her ask “would you like me to wait as you say goodbye... Or would you like me to accompany you?”, Nyla turned around to face her groom-to-be, who tilted his head in a manner that could only remind her of a curious pup. It was admittedly a little cute, and it relaxed Nyla oddly enough to see such an innocent gesture. As he continued to speak, Nyla thought to herself that he didn’t seem all too bad. A small feeling of guilt knotted in her stomach as she realized when he had greeted himself early, she essentially just brushed him off. She took note to apologize for that later and properly introduce herself as well.

“I wouldn’t mind if you came, but if you prefer to wait I do not want to force you. My younger siblings might like to meet you anyways when I explain the situation,” she spoke softly, her guard lowering just a smidge. He didn’t seem to want to overstep boundaries, and she was grateful for it. “The twin’s rooms are at the end of the west wing, so it will be a little bit of a walk there,” Nyla explained before quickly adding in, “and don’t worry too much about me, it is a shock but one that I will learn to live with in due time. In the general scheme of things, it’s not a terrible thing.” Her words were kind as she was trying to make a little better of an impression. She knew at time’s she sounded like a stubborn hard-ass.

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Nyla nodded as he spoke, walking side by side with him. He really didn't seem all bad from the looks of it and was being very kind in the general scheme of things. In all honesty, he could have simply acted as if he owned Nyla, which, she might have just beat him on the spot for it, not giving a single damn about what the consequences might be. It was the one thing she refused to be, someone property or accessory. She needed to be involved, she couldn't just sit around, letting herself become naïve as she was showered with gifts and attention, or at times ignored and talked bad about simply because of her gender and rank. She liked getting her hands dirty.

"There are a couple of things off the top of my head I would like to ask, but I'm sure they'll be more as we go along. Feel free to ask me any questions as well," she commented, turning her head to look at him and flash him a tiny smile meaning that it wasn't going to be some sort of interrogation or attack of the words. He was being civil, so she would as well.

Glancing down at her sword sheathed on her side as he asked her about it, she instinctively touched the hilt and ran a finger over one of the jeweled adornments over it. It was amethyst, a special request she had given to be added. It had always been her favourite stone as well as her late mothers. Any jewelry Nyla had also always seemed to be encrusted with amethyst as well. If she were ever to be known by some sort of signature, it would be through that very stone.

Looking back up, she dropped her hand back to her side and looked up to ceiling, trying to think of exactly how long she had been sword fighting. "My brother taught me some defensive moves when I was younger as I requested it. I wanted to be able to protect myself," she started, looking back over at him. "But then I began combat fighting in my teenage years because I wanted to be able to do more. This sword was made a few years back by our royal blacksmith. He's extremely talented, a good man too," she smiled, as she turned a corner into a new wing of the caslte. "[color=#613175]I give his son sword lessons from time to time, as I do for some of the other younger children," she commented, not exactly wanting to add that she had been giving her Nephew lessons right before they stormed on in.

"So," she started to question, giving a curt nod and smile to one of the maids who scurried on by, "what's your opinion on this whole marriage thing? It seems to me you haven't been kept in the dark about it, how long exactly has this clause been in the truce anyways?"

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Arturo listened intently as Nyla explained her reasoning for taking up combat training, she wanted to protect herself. She had every reason too, danger lurked around everywhere, you had to learn how to defend oneself no matter who the enemy is. Family or enemy. Her sword was decorated quite fitting for her, beautiful and deadly. Arturo's own hilt was thick oak woods, burned with an ingrained designed of roots, a band of steel wrapped around and crested was a bears head with amber eyes. Arturo's name roughly translated was 'Bear' which did really represent who he was, strong and loyal to those around him. Soon he would be bound to protect Nyla even though she could take care of herself by the sounds of it.

" Perhaps we could train together? I'm sure I could show you some moves that you may not know and I'm sure you could show me some things too" he suggested turning as she did so.

It didn't take long before she asked about his opinion of the truce and in fact how long it had been set. He thought back to when he was first told about his planned marriage. " Well recently, I'm talking the past five years I have wanted to find my own bride. This was before the building on our land started, I wished to find someone who I can love and protect.

Per our own customs the matching of wives to husbands is put down to the fates. It's a pull you see, a burning attraction from the moment you see the person. Sometimes it takes years for it to click, even people who hated each other were drawn to each other. Sometimes it doesn't happen, then other times it's so painful to be apart from that person it feels like dying so I'm told.

I've known about our impending marriage since I was very small, small enough to understand the truce. It's been written for years. I'm not sure of the details and how it started. I think I was put down because I am the first born and more than likely to rule after my father passes over. With your kingdom being the closest and more likely as not liable to attack or start a fued between us it was planned to marry the first daughter." Arturo spoke trying to remember as best he could.

"It's very complicated, you are free to read over it in full if you wish when we are there. It is a bit boring to be honest, so many clauses and actions. I would much rather read something else, take myself away a little. That's why I excersise it gets me out, as well as painting is always good to, you can create something that's just for your eyes" he explained as the pair slowed down to a door.








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Nyla thought about his proposition for a moment, before replying, "It'd be interesting to train with someone who's from a different Kingdom than mine," she smiled at him as they rounded the corner, saying half-teasingly, "I'll forewarn you however, I'm known to be a very competitive person even if it's simple training." It was true, anyone in the castle could tell him that. It was a flaw she didn't particularly like about herself, but hey, what can you do about it. At least she wasn't a sore loser and could except a skillful person beating her. It just made her work and push herself harder.

Listening to Arturo's side of the story as they approached her twin siblings rooms, she nodded her head along at various points so he knew she was listening. The tale made her a little sad and guilty. Like her, he had hoped to marry someone for love, but unfortunately, could not. If it had not been for her father, all these disheartening situations would not have led up to today.

Stopping in front her little brothers door, she turned and looked at Arturo before knocking and stepping inside. "I'm sorry my father had caused both you and your Kingdom distress. If I knew about the situation earlier I may have fought harder for him to stop, more so then I already had. Though, I think part of the reason he kept me in the dark was to keep me from making a big fuss of it." Turning to knock on the first door, she quickly said, "I'll read over the contract as you said, but I'm sure it's pretty basic. Nothing much to see anyways."

A soft voice sounded behind the heavily wooded door, asking "who is it?" and the guard who stood slightly off to the side hollered back to the overly-protected child, "Princess Nyla and a guest." She quickly heard the pitter patter of footsteps, and quick enough, her eleven-year-old brother, named Rhys, swung the door open with impressive force. He looked a lot like her, more so then her elder brother surprisingly. He still had a bit of a baby face. Smiling down at the curly headed brunette boy, he only stared at her with a stern look and a looming curiosity in his brown eyes. "What was going on? The guards came rushing in telling me I had to stay put. Who's the man behind you? Is it all good to come out now?" Rhys seemed to have picked up Nyla's curious and need-to-know trait as well. Bending down to eye level, she smirked at the boy, saying, "You're too blatant, Rhys. If you don't watch out you'll turn into a cynical old man like Father." Standing back up, she put a hand on his back, carrying on, "I'll introduce you along with your sister, let's go" Nodding to the bodyguard at the door, he moved over to the room directly beside Rhys's and knocked on it, informing her sister, Kilyn, that guests had arrived. Nyla opened the door instead and moved Rhys along side her. "Kilyn," Nyla spoke, looking around the heavily decorated and frilly room. Her sister really seemed like a pure blooded princess. A little girl who looked almost the exact same as Nyla had in her younger years came rushing up to her side, wrapping her arms around her sister. Even though she was eleven, she was quite short for her stature and didn't look to be a day over seven. Picking her up, Nyla twirled her around with a broad smile on her face, asking, "How are you doing today little one?" Her sister beamed up at her with bright eyes. "I'm doing really well! What was all the commotion and all?" her sister questioned back innocently, Putting her down, she motioned for both her siblings to go sit in the two chairs by the bay window adorned with the dolls her sister collected.

Moving over to stand beside Arturo, she glanced at him briefly before saying, "another kingdom paid Father a visit. You know how Father was building on some land, right?" She asked. The twins nodded; Rhys apprehensively and Kilyn attentively. "Well, it actually wasn't our land to build on at all. Older brother and I tried to stop him, but you know how Father is. Now, due to a contract, I have to marry the first son of that Kingdoms land. This means I must leave the Castle, and I wanted to say goodbye and Introduce you to Arturo here," she said, gesturing towards him. "He's the one I am bound to marry. He seems very kind, so why don't you two introduce yourselves? I'm sure he can answer any questions you have better than I." Rhys just stared at Nyla, almost looking confused, but It was Kilyn who took Nyla's concern. Kilyn looked like she was about to burst into tears, and she gave an accusatory look at Arturo, saying "You're taking our sister away! I don't get it!" Rhys, through him dumbfounded look, nodded vigorously along with Kilyn, seeming to be in the same state of accusativeness as his twin sister. Nyla bent down and took one of their hands in each of hers. Frowning, she said softly, "Now, now. I love you both so much, you know that. This is not Arturo's fault. I will be in contact with you all the time, you won't even miss me."

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A small smile rose from Arturo lips as Nyla agreed to having training sessions with him, he would definetly teach her new things, she would have to learn how to defend herself against him. Only in case he turned as went to attack her or even during the build up to the moon when tensions were high and tense. Fights did tend to break out but they were short but fierce.

He would have spoke making a comment about her fighting style but the door swung open and one of Nyla's siblings rushed over to her, he smiled gently as the boy spoke his heart racing but calming as Nyla spoke. He was very nervous for a boy Nyla's younger sister was very similar to her. Confident and strong.

He stepped forward a little as he was introduced to the pair, his expression softened a little as the young boy ask why he was taking his older sister away, he didn't understand. He looked around slowly trying to find something to explain things better for a younger child.

He took a piece of paper and a pencil, he looked briefly at Nyla and sat down crossing his legs underneath him. "I know it seems scary..not having your sister her with you all the time. But like Nyla said we will visit as often as we can, I bet we can become friends." he smiled widely picking up the paper and folding the middle of it like a fan leaving two equal sides at the end. He drew a rough sketch of his own kingdom's castle and a picture of himself above it, then did the same with the other side but drawing Nyla's kingdom and a small portrait of her above it. He held up the picture and show the groves of the fan. "now...at the moment the two kingdoms are not very happy so there is a tear in agreements" as he said this he ripped the paper in half. " But because of the marriage between Nyla and myself the two kingdom will be much stronger. Like this ." He reached over and got a candle dripping the melted wax on the paper sealing the broken lines so the paper was mended.

" you see? It's not a bad things it's a good thing...okay? Everyone is going to be very happy, I promise. Now do you understand ?" He crossed his heart slowly, giving a comforting smile to the pair and them looking over to Nyla to gauge her reaction.





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Nyla Carlisle

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Nyla was slightly taken aback as Arturo sat down in front of her kid siblings. She was unsure what he was planning on doing, and her uncertainty only grew more as he started folding and drawing on the piece of paper he grabbed. Slightly showing the same fascination as her siblings, after a few moments she sat down on the floor as well beside him and watched whatever it was he was doing.

Nyla couldn't help but slightly blink at his explanation. She herself didn't say anything, unsure what to do in that situation. He explained it extremely well, and it seems her siblings thought so too because in a single moment their eyebrows unfurrowed and a 'eureka!' moment splayed across their similar faces. "Oh, I see, I get it!" gushed Kilyn, a bright smile flashing across her face as she grabbed Rhy's arm and shook it, her way of asking him if he understood as well as she had. Although his face did flash momentary understanding, he caught himself noticeable and returned to his stern look, crossing his arms over his chest. "I guess it makes sense," Rhys muttered half under his breath, partly sounding like he was mad he didn't fully understand before and partially because he still wasn't fond of the circumstances still. Nyla held her arms out to her two siblings in front of her as she still sat on the floor. She gave them a knowing look and they both intertwined her in a tight hug. She was surprised at how strong their grips where.

Smoothing down their hair, she moved her hands back down to wrap them in a hug. Even with her petite frame she could easily wrap her arms around the two effortlessly. Closing her eyes, she bent her forehead down so it rested on their shoulders, murmuring, "I will do my best to contact you and visit as much as I can. Don't worry too much, big brother is still here, he will take care of you." Giving a sad smile, she lifted her head back up to look at the two of them. It would be hard without her there. She was more then just a sister figure, she knew that. Ever since her mother past not long after having them, she was all they had in a maternal sense. Her brother was busy, so it wouldn't be the same. Feeling a small tear escape her eyes, she let out a breathless laugh before wiping it away, trying to make her face appear more cheery. ""Besides,” she continued, clearing her throat, “"you both are already turning into a fine young man and lady; as long as you have one another, you can survive without me there." Pressing a small kiss to both their foreheads, she stood up from her position on the ground. Gently resting a hand on Arturo's shoulder, Nyla turned to him with a soft smile. "I think our work is done, we should probably see if they have found my nephew yet. If you want also, I'd be glad to take you on a better tour of our grounds here. There's not much to see inside, but the courtyard and gardens are beautiful."

Nodding to the guard who stood at the door, he quietly opened the door of the room so that led to the hall once more.

It was a rather quiet evening as the sun fell into the tress, Arturo and Nyla talked for a long while about anything they could. Arturo enjoyed the walk around the ground since he was more of an outdoorsy person that some of his other family members. They retired to there separate rooms soon after and slept as soon as it overtook then although Arturo's sleep was hampered by thoughts of his upcoming marriage as well as eventually revealing the truth to Nyla, rolling onto his side he watched the cooling Ray's of the moon until he drifted off to sleep.

---

The leaving wasn't really a grand affair, perhaps because the King didn't want a fuss caused but how the air felt the whole goodbye was tense. Arturo checked the carriage making sure Nyla's things were in order and secured. He opened the door motioning for Nyla to step inside once she was said goodbye. Stepping up to the King he bowed low and shook his hand. " Man the moon and Sun shine on you and your kingdom your majesty, I will keep your daughter safe and I have a feeling she will keep me safe too. We will visit within the next month or two" he said giving a smile.

Stepping to the carriage he got in, adjusting his sword so he could assess it if needed, he opened up a secret compartment in one of the chairs opposite him, it contained a short dagger and a bow and arrow. It was always good to be prepared.

-----

( we will get there eventually )

Arturo watched the scenery go by as the carriage trundled along " I'm not used to riding in carriages, we usually take the horses. I believe it's only because of your luggage, if we han horses it would take us longer to get home, this way we will be there about.." He paused to look at the shadows on the floor, pulling his head back in " about 3 o clock, in time for some light dinner" he replied with a smile.

He sniffed deeply passing it off as taking in the air, the carriage began to slow eventually halting to a stop. " a fallen tree your highness.." The driver informed. Sighing Arturo looked out of the window and saw a fallen tree, small by comparison of the large trees by the road. Something wasn't right. There was a food cart turned on it side, with no damage it seemed to the sides and wheels, a few pesants were standing around trying to move the tree.

" Something isn't right here. I'm going to check it out, that tree isn't from this forest. You can come if you like. " he checked his sword and the two daggers that he kept strapped to his boots. Opening the door he steeped out walking up to the fallen tree. " everything allright gentleman?, I hope your cart isn't damaged. I wonder what brought this tree down.." He trailed off looking at the tree. Clean cut at the bottom, but he pretended he didn't see that.

" It's the winds sir, the winds blow something terrible up here it's always bringing trees down, luckily no one was hurt" Arturo nodded compliantly with the peasant who was lying through his teeth. " The winds? My goodness they must be very strong to pull down a tree. " he beat down and touched the tree. " Although...I myself am from this area. This tree is not from this forest, the way the tree had been cut is irregular at best and with no other damage to tress as it fell, is even more strange. " the sheathing of metal made him smile standing up he raised his hands a little " Now we don't have to have a fight over this do we? I'm simply pointing out the obvious flaws in your plan. You can either choose to leave and I won't have to kill you all or fight and I still with kill you"

The peasant looked at each other and moved to Attack Arturo drew his sword and got to work disposing of a assasin quickly, he moved quickly until he was stabbed in the side by an unseen force, turning to look it was a archer he drew another arrow and released it Arturo snatching it from the air. Arrows did hurt, pulling back his arm he threw the arrow back at the archer which hispt him square in the chest brining him down. Grunting he tried to pull out the arrow but it was wedged tight inside him.

E He kicked back on of the assasins and plunged his sword deep into his heart, the last man was large with a thick club. Arturo stabbed his sword into the man's foot anchoring him. He swung his club hitting Arturo in the side forcing the arrow deeper " You have a good swing but you swing to early...anticipate then attack. " the assasin swung again but missed " you didn't anticipate look where my feet are going and make a decision" again another swing but missed Arturo knocked him out with a punch.

He turned to the tree pushing it out of the way so the carriage could pass, he pulled out the arrow and groaned softly holding his side as he got back inside " double time please" he muttered to the driver. Sitting back in the chair he sighed " well I was expecting more but small groups ain't uncommon I wish they were smarter though"