"I hope you like it rough," Flint began, throwing a haymaker her way, she took a dashing step back, her back straight and stiff. She grinned. "Obviously." She said.

He was good, she had to admit, as she landed on her back. He really didn't fear anything, in fact, he seemed to enjoy it. They were too much alike. A fight was the one place, she lost all her fear and enjoyed the rush of blood, the cracking of bone, the pleasure of seeing a downed opponent.

He had a place on her ship alright, now she just wanted to play.

She flipped up, as he stood, removing his shirt. If she removed her top, this fight would be over, or turn into a different one all together. She did however, pull of her coat, tying the sleeves around her waist.
"First points to me... Captain. He sneered and she chuckled.

"That was only round one," She said as she slid into a grappling stance, but closed her fists

She then moved in, he was bigger, but she was faster, she kept her distance, but danced into his guard, only to slip out again. Her fists, passing his head, but leaving him on the defensive, they circled each other, until Robyn , ducked down, scooping up dirt and blowing it in his face as if she were blowing him a kiss, she used this to send a hard kick to his bladder. She knew it hurt, and she grinned.

Dorian hugged him, a great bear hug, truly the similarity between him and Robb was uncanny. He set Jon down with a laugh as he seemed to radiate excitment. He bombarded Jon with questions and stories of how the war reached Khalidors borders which suprised him. Though it wasn't long before Dorians words turned to talk of his family, of Robb and Sansa and the rest. Jon couldn't hide his grief, he couldn't if he wanted to. He was miserable all the time, it was only brief instances of levity that broke up the sorrow. The reunion with Dorian proved a more brief respite than he could have hoped. The memories his words brought back were too painful to ignore.

The morning was cold the day of the funeral. Winterfell was in mourning. The war was over and Mance Rayder had been captured, due to be executed on the morrow. There was one thing left to do before he was dealt with and this horrible time was put behind the people of The North, the burial for the royal family. The North had no kings before House Stark, should they had lost them the land would forever be without a pivitol piece of their history. Due to Mance Rayder and his wildlings The North had lost it's King, it's queen, three princes and two princesses. To Jon they were mother and father, brothers and sisters. Each harder than the last.

Jon walked the length of each tomb in the crypts of Winterfell, a tomb had been carved for all of them with a statue to match. Jon looked on the granite visage of his father, stern and kingly Eddard Stark held the families ancestral sword ice in his hand as he looked out onto a world in which he no longer drew breath. Next was his mother Catelyn Tully-Stark, for her the trout of House Tully had been carved into the stone along side the dire wolfof House Stark. Sansa's had taken the longest to carve, the stone worker had told Jon it was difficult to capture such beauty. The boys Bran and Rickon had been buried together, inseperable in life it seemed wrong to break them apart in death. The last two proved the hardest to bear. Robb and Clara, he and sisters bodies were never recovered. He knew they had been drowned, somewhere off the coast of White Harbor but no sign of them had ever washed ashore. It pained Jon to bury two empty caskets. Jon placed his hand on the stone hand of his half sister, and for the first time he wept, allowing himself to feel all of it.

"Jon...Where are the others?"

Dorians voice snapped him out of the painful memory. Jon blinked and took a labored grunting breath to clear the emotion from his throat.

"They're gone..."

Dorian seemed shocked by the news.

"Only me and Arya are left."

Jon added mercifully before he ran his hand through his coal black hair.

"Mance knew he'd never hold The North while a Stark yet lived. His plan was simple and brutal. Kill every Stark he could find. He almost succeeded too. If it wasn't for you and the men you sent his forces would have got Arya. They helped turn the tide, I had your people by my side when I finally broke Mances final assualt and captured him. I took his head less than a week ago, just before I left to come here."

Arkaelus listened to Tenanye talk about Anansai, realizing just how different their two countries were. Although he knew that fae and men weren't very similar, he figured that they would still eat the same things. Most of food that was produced in Khalidor was meat and the only thing besides that was whatever came from the North and Cinnabar.

As they strolled through the crowd he came across a merry band of musicians. After their last song Arkaelus asked to play one of their violins. "I learned how to play when I was a boy because my father was consistent with the idea that all his sons had to have a connection to the arts in someway. Although I've never quite cared for the traditional use, my countrymen love the fiddle."

He began to fiddle and started to bring in the crowd. When he was an apprentice for the South Jade, he was often sent across the seas with nothing to do, and the crews would get dreadfully bored. His only options were to either get good at fiddling or to wrestle with the crew. Arkaelus thought himself to be good, but there were others who embedded magic into their strings to give it a more enchanted sound.

"What? I'm not a whore, I don't have a price, and I'm not going to fuck you, so what do you want?"

Tytos raised a small hand, as if to grasp his heart. He grinned at her in mock hurt, "You wound me, madame, to think so lowly of me. I merely noticed an altercation you had with a soon-to-be member of my captain's crew. That is, if he passes her interview. Luckily, she seems to like strong, fierce men such as he if I am any judge of her behavior."

He took a swig of his drink, watching her reaction to his words. Any reaction to suggested romantic or lust-filled interest could give him some idea about her relationship with the man and, truthfully, he was bored. He did not feel like paying whores to be interested in him tonight so he had nothing but his mind and cheap liquor to pass the time.

"You are Max, are you not? I've seen you with our lovely Queen of Thieves. I hope she treats you well."

A few tears shed from Dorian's eyes when Jon revealed that there were only two Starks left. The fact that his forces couldn't do more to save them made him angry. Were they only good for protecting Arya in a castle? He took a deep breath and cleared his eyes. He should say something at least, something that he would have said when he was bishop of the college.

"They were good people Jon. Their death is tragic, but don't fret about it. Death is not an end. You will see them again, that I assure you. Now come! I'm sure your parents don't want their son to sulk, especially if he's king." He said, trying to cheer Jon up. He indeed knew the pain of loss. His father had died when he was a babe and was raised by his uncle. When he died Dorian looked up to Hakvus for advise, as the man was everything he was not. Yet he taken from the world too soon, before he could truly make a difference.

"How about we go down and enjoy the festivities? I think I saw a bear wrestling contest on my way here." He suggested, downing his mug of mead. He looked over the railing and yelled out to a girl underneath them. "Hey you! Yes you, with the wings! Where's the bear!"

"You wound me, madame, to think so lowly of me. I merely noticed an altercation you had with a soon-to-be member of my captain's crew. That is, if he passes her interview. Luckily, she seems to like strong, fierce men such as he if I am any judge of her behavior." He said and Clara frowned. She knew what the Captain was known for doing with men, most of the time, it ended with them dead in the bed she took them in, the halfman didn't nothing but remind her of that.

She didn't respond, she just rolled her eyes.

"You are Max, are you not? I've seen you with our lovely Queen of Thieves. I hope she treats you well." He said and she looked at him. Eleanor never shown her any affection in public, but clearly there were rumors. She wouldn't give him the indication one way or another. "You've not seen me with anyone," She said. It's not like the two took long romantic walks, no, they're relationship was strictly behind closed doors.

She rolled her eyes again, looking away from the halfman.

"Clearly there is something you want to know, so ask, so I can get back to work, Halfman..." She said, with a deep impatient sigh.

"Hey you! Yes you, with the wings! Where's the bear!" Dorian Urusal looked down at her, breaking her thoughts from the man he'd been standing with. She frowned behind her mask, shrugging before she looked around, listening for the growl of a bear, it was loud enough over the music. She found the sound to her left and pointed. "That way." She said, her accent giving her away as foreign, she was again, grateful for the mask.

It was then that Eva rushed up to her, grabbing her arm. " There you are, Come on, They are waiting for you." She said, tugging her toward where the other dancers were. "Alright, alright." She said but not before looking up at the dark haired man once more.

. "I learned how to play when I was a boy because my father was consistent with the idea that all his sons had to have a connection to the arts in someway. Although I've never quite cared for the traditional use, my countrymen love the fiddle." Arkaelus said and picked up the instrument. Tenanye smiled behind her wooden mask as he began to play. She clapped along with the music. Being Fae, she couldn't help the sound of music, nor the talent behind it. Sure, they could make music themselves but when humans did it, and did it well, it was a magic foreign to them.

When he finished, Tenanye laughed and clapped. "Well Done, Your Grace." She said, smiling. "You have quite the talent." She said. "You should be proud." She said, genuinely pleased with this.

"Mei mei!" Tenanye turned to see her sister, in a lovely butterfly mask rushing up to her. "Oh, There you are." She said, hugging her little sister. "There's a bear here, it's going to fight, I want to see it, can we see it?" She asked, excitedly. " Sure, If that's alright with you all." She asked, it was then she noticed Severyn's holding on to the hand of what seemed to be Queen Amelia. She was glad for it. Severyn looked to Amelia. "I don't mind, What of you, Your Grace, we can do something else if you like?" He asked her, placing a hand atop of hers.

The blow hit him in the gut forcing him to back peddle, he winced in pain as he skid backwards. Flint rubbed the dirt from his eyes and smiled the wolf grin he wore since he was a prince. Yet one look from Robyn told him something was wrong. He looked down and sighed with a laugh. His right foot was behind the white line.



"I suppose that's enough foreplay."

Flint moved in, hands ready to pull her close. She danced away coyly only enticing him more. Flint cornered her again and this time instead of shooting for a grapple he squared up and started trading blows. A few jabs to keep her at range and use his reach to his advantage. The exchanged strikes for a few seconds before he got what he had been waiting for. An overhand hook from Sheva allowed him to snatch her wrist and hip toss her to the dirt. She was still in the ring but it was the second time he'd tossed her to the dirt. Heached down to grab her but her legs lashed out and tripped him up, he fell on top of her in a tangled heap of sweaty bodies.

A frown, a look, those were enough to put a few pieces into place within Tytos' mind. She had some concern about his soon-to-be crewmate. Whether it was out of jealousy or concern for his well-being, he could not tell, though he did get a reaction from her when he spoke of Eleanor. Perhaps the rumors were true? He filed those suspicions away for future use. It was not a confirmation, but it did indicate a bond of some sort, professional or personal. Slowly, he raised his drink to his lips.

"What do I want? There is a lot that I want, but there is only one thing you could provide me: information on the man that has caught Captain Robyn's attention at the moment. Who is he? Should I be concerned about him? If things take a turn for the worse, do I have a reason to risk my neck for his? Should I be afraid he will stab me in my sleep over an apple?"

He grinned at her.

"I take a keen interest in those I travel with."

Dorian was a good man, a good friend. Jon knew he only meant well, hoping to busy Jon with drink and food and women and in so doing take his mind of his hurt. Yet in this way Jon and Dorian were quite different. Jon wasn't the man to drink his sorrows away, or lose himself in women. Jon had never been that man. When trouble found Jon Stark he sought solitude and the quite of a forest clearing. He enjoyed a good hunt, the company of Ghost and not many other people. Clara sometimes could reach him, when he pulled away, Sansa could as well, but no one was as skilled at reaching Jon Stark when he turned inward like his father. Most likely because in this way Eddard Stark was like none of his children more. Eddard was called the Quiet Wolf in his youth, some even thought him a mute. Not until his older brother Brandons death did he start speaking up for himself and become the king every grew to know.

Dorian called out to one of the party goes, asking about a bear. Jon turned and lost himself for a moment. A woman off in the distance with a purple mask that looked as if it were made of butterfly wings. Her dress was the deepest blue, reminding Jon of mountain ice. Yet her skin was warm and brown, off setting the frigid color of her clothes. Past her mask Jon could see a head of curls the color of chestnuts. She spoked and Jon wondered where her accent was from, he'd never heard an accent quite like it. He wasn't sure why but he found himself unable to break his gaze. It wasn't until another woman rushed over and pulled her away did he finally lose sight of her. As she left she turned back once, their eyes meeting, hers behind a mask and his unobscured.

Dorian led Jon back inside where the festivities were in full swing, his mind drifting back to the woman in the mask. As Dorian led him through the corwd he figured he would at least attempt to have a good time, even if it was just for Dorians sake.

"So, you're really going to fight a bear? Wonder who I should put money on, you or the bear?"

"What do I want? There is a lot that I want, but there is only one thing you could provide me: information on the man that has caught Captain Robyn's attention at the moment. Who is he? Should I be concerned about him? If things take a turn for the worse, do I have a reason to risk my neck for his? Should I be afraid he will stab me in my sleep over an apple?"

Max smirked.

"I take a keen interest in those I travel with."

She looked down at the halfman, remembering when she told a boy that had attempted to accost her back in Winterfell, how her brother turned into a wolf at night and would tear out his throat if he touched her. It scared him off good. Robb hadn't gotten a good laugh out of that.

"He is Flint, the man without fear, yes, you should be concerned, a reason, you won't need one, and yes, yes you should....I've heard, he liked tear men throats out....with his teeth, that's why his beard is red, they say, it was yellow once, but now it's stained with blood." She said, proudly. The more men that feared him the least they'd try to hurt him or get to know him. "I've also heard, that at night, he turns into a direwolf.....large and grey." She said, with a smirk, " But only on a full moon." She said , and then thought ."There should be one coming soon....I'd be careful if I were you......You're bite size." She said and then sauntered off.

She worried about this halfman, he was much more clever than she would have liked to admit, so he probably wouldn't believe her stories, but there were other men around and they most certainly would.

"Is it true, Max." called a man, after taking her arm. "About that Flint? They call him the Man without Fear...."

"Very true....He's working the Crimson Lady....the vampire and the wolf....I feel sorry for whoever angers them....I don't know which is worse, being drained all blood, or choking on it. "She said, and he pulled away. "Who do you know."

Max grinned cheekily, implying much more than she honestly would have felt comfortable with. No one knew she was his sister, and that had to stay that way. They way they were arguing, it could have been a lover's dispute. The men of Nassau were superstitious men, having seen the world for the terrible beauty that it really was. Mermaids, and Sirens, Kraken and Giant Man eating Squids, the believed it all. She knew the Crimson Lady wasn't a vampire, or at least, she didn't need to consume blood, just wanted to....which was worse.

Her brother, having already made a name for himself, she was just adding to it. By the time he'd return, she was sure the whole island would learn of it. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face.

"I suppose that's enough foreplay."

Robyn laughed, as she spun out of his way. "Foreplay...This is just a kiss." She said before he cornered her, she expected him to grab at her, but instead, he jabbed. She put her arms, blocking with her elbows up. he put her on the defense once again, so she swung, one arm up, the other aiming at his nose, but he snatched her wrist, tossing her to the ground. She looked left for a moment, relieved she was still in the ring but it came too late as he grabbed down at her, thinking quick, she scissored her legs, tripping him, his large frame, toppled on top of her.

She grunted, and trying to get on top of him, only for him to roll her underneath, she shifted again, and he did in turn, when she finally got back on top, she sighed. They were both out of the ring.

She looked down at him, grabbing his wrists, and holding his hands above his head, sweaty, breathing hard, she could feel his own heavy breathing between her thighs.

"That's two for the both of us." She said, through her breaths. She was enjoying herself a bit too much, she knew she wasn't strong enough to keep him there, but she liked the view, and by the looks he was giving her, so he did.

Dorian and Jon walked the way to the bear that the stranger had pointed out. It did sound loud, must have been big, also probably dangerous. Perhaps it wasn't such a great idea to wrestle a bear, but then again, when had he ever listened to reason? No, he was far to mesmerized by the crowd and everyone who knew him knew that he loved to please the crowds.

"So, you're really going to fight a bear? Wonder who I should put money on, you or the bear?" Dorian smirked at his friend's comment. "You dare underestimate my prowess! I bet you a hundred ducats that I can beat it without magic. Besides, how big can it be?" Once the got to the ring, he saw that he would have to eat his own words. What he thought would be a normal brown turned out to be a kodiak. It stood two heads higher then Dorian and looked like it weighed more than a carriage. Yet he stepped into the ring all the same. "I'll take on the bear, no weapons." He told the tamer.He took off his ragged shirt so as to not get blood on it and stretched. The fight was going to be brutal.

When the bear was released it rushed straight toward him. He parried to the left, trying to grab it by its side. The bears arm swung and knocked him on his ass a pace back. It was strong like expected. As the bear came closer the prince swung a heavy roundhouse at the bears head. A sharp crackle emitted upon impact. Dorian had fought countless battles with his fists and they were hard as stone, but he was pretty sure that it was his bones that made the cracking. Still while the bear was stunned he kicked it hard in the neck. The bear wasn't done yet. It stood up, towering above him, and swung at him while he was trying to duck behind it. The claws shredded his back, making several deep cuts. Dorian jumped up on the bear, legs hugging its sides, and put it in a stranglehold. It thrashed and bucked, but he still held on. After a minute of thrashing it stumbled and fell on it's back, on top of Dorian. He felt like his ribs were falling apart

There was an applaud after words and the tamer gave him a chest of coin in amazement. Dorian felt awful. The wound on his back was searing with pain and the blood leaking out was making him woozy. He should have thought it through or at least used magic. Sitting on the chest of coin he looked up at Jon with a triumphant grin. "See Jon, I told you I could do it." Dorian said before he started coughing blood. "Could you find me a meister?"

Dae made her way with Eva toward with they would be setting up. "There you are, Miss Missan, We feared you weren't coming there year?" said , a large man, with a long white beard, named Grey. He wore a mask of Bear. Dae smile wearily. "How is your father?"

"Well enough," She said and that was all she was going to say on the subject. "I'd like to play first, " She said and Grey nodded, handing her a violin as Eva set out the bowls for the coins to be dropped into. She then went over and picked up a flute, while Grey manned the drums. They had originally started doing Khalidorian style music, but when Dae arrived, and she played for Eva, she fell in love with Dae's Naathi music and believed that the rest of Khalidor would and they had. Now with the foreign dignitaries here, they had a better change of making more coin, those the Faerie's bothered her. They had a happen of taking musicians and dancers....she would know.

She rose the vioin to her chin, resting the bow on the strings as Eva and Grey began. She took a deep breath, and began to play, leading them in a haunting song that rose up and over the voices. She closed her eyes, and let the music take her home.

Dorian boasted about his skill as they reached the ring, that housed the fighting bear. A large circle of thick oaken logs served as a pen and arena where men could sit in the stands and watch from above the contest between man and beast. At floor level was a single iron gate where the participant could enter guarded by two Khalidorian soldiers. As they reached the gate Jon and Dorian got their first look at the bear. A massive creature of thick muscle and wild fury, the bear would easily tower over Dorian. Jon stared in shock at the size of the creature and the absurdity that the beast master who owned the creature actually expected someone to fight the thing.

"That is the biggest bear I've ever seen."

Jon said as he marveled at the creature. He almost didn't notice his friend enter the ring. He blinked in shock that Dorian would actually consider fighting it for fun.

"I'll take on the bear, no weapons."

Dorian said as he walked through the gate. Jon was dumbfounded.

"Dorian! Dorian are you mad?"

It was too late, the fight was on. No sooner did Dorian Ursuul enter the ring did the beast charge with a savage roar. Dorian used the beasts momentum and leverage to his advantage to allow him to counter act its titanic strength. He tried to grapple its flank only to be hurled across the ring with a single swing of its massive paw. Jon cursed under his breath as he watched anxiously. The bear rushed Dorian again only to get a square punch in the nose.The blow disoriented the beast, its nose shown to be rather sensitive. Jon heard of using the tactic to fend of a dog attack, apparently it worked on bears as well. Dorian tried to press the advantage by kicking the beast in the neck, unfortunately the big kodiaks neck was thick with fur and muscle and no doubt hardly felt the blow. It punished him for the attempt with a brutal slash from its claws, tearing his back to ribbons.

"Dorian!"

Jon shouted as he ripped Long Claw from its sheath. Jon wasn't about to watch his friend torn to pieces by a bear for a jest. The bear may have been strong but stood no chance against valyrian steel. Yet the naked blade caught the attention of the guards who stepped between Jon and the gate.

"Move! Its going to kill him!"

Jon barked at the men as he tried to push past them. In the cofusion they didn't know who he was, just that a man wielding a blade was trying to rush through a festival crowd. Jon could only watch as Dorian fought his way onto the beasts back and wrap his legs around its mid section so he could strangle the beasts neck with his arms. It took a few tense moments but the bear fell unconcious and Dorian tumbled to the dirt. In frustration Jon sheathed his blade and shoved the guards aside before rushing to his friends side. As he reached him Dorian looked up at him with a bloody smile.

"See Jon, told you I could do it."

He said, wincing in pain. Jon could only chuckle at his friends recklessness.

"Gods... You're a mad man, you know that right?"

Dorian replied with a cough, rich with blood.

"Could you find me a meister?"

His friend asked weakly. Jon put a hand reasuringly on his shoulder as he shouted at the guards who were so keen on stopping him moments ago.

"He needs a meister, now! Hurry!"

The old meister arrived quickly, shadowed by a pari of attendants. Jon heard him before he saw him, evident by the clinking of his meisters chain forged of different metals he wore around his neck. The old man set to work quickly, treating Dorian there on the scene afraid to move him until he'd stopped bleeding in his back. Jon ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh.

"Hope that was worth it. Why in seven hells did you want to fight that thing without weapons? It could have taken your head off. It'ls not like you need this."

He said kicking the chest of gold he'd won for his victory against the bear.

Flint looked up at the ebony haired beauty as she stared down at him, both breathing heavy from the exertion of their bout. She pinned him beneath her thighs, her hair brushing his face. He really didn't want to get up but their fight wasn't finished. The score was even between the two of them, yet in truth Flint was hardly keeping track. They got to their feet and returned to the center of the ring, each with a mischevious look about them. He kept a wrestling stance wile she stayed light, ready to lash out with knees and elbows. They charged each other, both attacking, neither backing down. Her speed against his strength. She danced to stay out of his grasp, despite whether she wanted to him to get a hold of her or not. He worked to avoid her strikes despite whether or not he wanted to be spared her touch.

She spun around, leveling a kick for the side of his head. He ducked only to recieve a follow up kickthe chest that sent him back. She pressed her assualt with a flying elbow, meant for his jaw. He caught the blow on the chin and took another step back. A punch to the ribs, a knee to the gut followed by a punch to the cheek. She was pushing him back and he was absoribing the punishment until they reached the line. She lashed out with a kick meant for his solar plexus but he caught her calf, running his hand up her thigh before pivtoing and flipping her onto her back. Once again they found themselves in the dirt together, this tim with him on top and her leg wrapped around his waist.

She was panting, looking up at him with a hungry grin as he stared down at her in he same way. He had a mind to take her there.

"I win."

The feeling of meisters healing one's wounds was never pleasant. It felt like a painful growth spurt. The flesh burned and the bones felt soft, flimsy. Still, Dorian thought it was worth it. Sure he'd still have some scars and bruises after the meister was done, but there would still be talk of him through the town for his match.

"Hope that was worth it. Why in seven hells did you want to fight that thing without weapons? It could have taken your head off. It'ls not like you need this."

"Simple. The bear was unarmed. How do you expect me to duel something that's unarmed if I'm not unarmed myself? Just can't. Also there was glory in that match. People will talking about how I took on this bear alone for a year now. Then it'll get stretched. Pretty soon they might even say that I took it out with one blow." Dorian smiled with the thought. "For a general without a title, the power behind my name is really all I have. I can't have my men thinking that I'm taking it easy, even during a festival. This keeps them in line too."

After a few moments the meister finished, telling Dorian that he needed to take it easy and avoid physical exertion. The old man offered milk of the poppy, but he passed. He made the mistake of letting the bear hit him so he would deal with the pain. He sighed as he looked over the gold that he won.

"Well Jon, there's a lot of people who don't have the cash to enjoy themselves at these events. A lot of them only have a silver to their names. I think that we should give them the gold so they can have at least one nice night." He said as he stood up, being careful about his back. Then he heard a song play. It wasn't an old Khalidoran song, it was foreign. Must have been from some immigrants.

"Let's go towards that music. Just toss some gold at those that don't look like aristocrats. Cheap masks and cheap dyes." Dorian told him. His night wasn't over yet.

Tytos couldn't help but smile. Now, this evening was becoming more and more entertaining. Direwolves huh? He hadn't seen any of those beasts in the tiny islands that made up Nassau. In fact, the only countries he knew of that were home to creatures such as those outside of a traveling circus were Khalidor and the North, though only Northmen tended to have that strange fascination with them, culminating in the Starks taking a direwolf as their sigil. He wondered...

"Well, Flint. What would you do if we crossed swords with men from the North."

He finished his drink before swaddling off. He felt up to a visit to a whorehouse after all.

"I win."

She stared up at him, her eyes wide, her chest rising and falling , her legs wrapped around him. She didn't even bother to check, because honestly, she didn't care anymore. She then shot up like a viper, her teeth catching his lip, she didn't bite hard enough to draw blood but it was enough to excite, not that he needed much help.

"Fine." She said, releasing him and shoving him off her before standing up. "You win." She said, dusting herself off, before looking at him once again, her hands up in a mock surrender. She looked around, the alley was still empty, but she rarely have enough shame to care where she did with and with whom.

"What's your prize?" She asked, already knowing the answer, as she tossed off the coat that was wrapped around her waist. Her shirt was already torn slightly, patches of dark skin peeking out from the cotton. She almost wished she's taken to wearing a dress, that would have made things go much more quickly.

He did feel bad about leaving Moloch and his lovely lady friend, but it wasn't completely his fault. His brother and Princess Aada were slow to join the festivities and Kallias had been looking forward to them for months and they did not disappoint. The masks were a wonderful idea. There was no way of judging someone before you talked to them. No one knew who he was. No one called him "milord" or "my prince" or anything amounting to a royal formality. He didn't know if it was because no one could tell he was nobility or if it was because of the philosophy behind the festival, but it was liberating all the same. It was unfortunate that his good mood had to come crashing down.

"Someone's fighting the bear!" someone cried, tugging on a friend's arm, "We have to see this."

"Oh, that poor bastard's going to be torn to pieces. Gods, I love this time of year."

Curious, Kallias followed the crowd to a sight that made him sick. He had never liked people fighting wild animals in Drake. The poor things were often half-starved and never had a choice in the matter. Twice, he had petitioned his brother to ban such matches and twice his brother had been sidetracked by "more important matters." He turned away in disgust.

"Oh, Lady Lila, how can men find beauty in this?"

In the distance, he could hear music and he closed his eyes, focusing on the soothing rhythm lest he do something he regretted.

Xiao Jingshen had ran ahead of her sister and Severyn. She knew she was being impatient but she wanted to see the ber. They didn't have bears in Anansai, not like these ones anyway. Xiao Jingshen couldn't wait to see them fighting.

She made her way to the ring only to find the bear wasn't fighting another bear, that would have been find, but it was fighitng a much more intelligent....but only slightly in Xiao Jingshen's eyes, human.

In fact, it was Dorian, King Arkaelus' brother.

Xiao Jingshen watched in horror, tears dotting her eyes, as man fought beast. She saw a handsome man, unmasked free a blade that made even her dizzy. Once he sheathed it though, she was fine, she did noticed something odd about the man, he seemed cold, too cold, even from here, she could sense it. Much like the girl with the pretty butterfly mask, she was different too, touched somehow. She watched the man for a moment until finally, the King's brother eventually won. She shook her head.

"Why?" She asked, no one, turning away, beautiful music rose up, but even that didn't calm her. She turned sharply away, blinking back her tears.

The Markus brothers are currently two oceans from their kingdom at Khalidor's summit. My spies had caught word of intentions to invade my country as a means to make up for our defaulted debt. So I've amassed the largest army Volanti had ever seen with the means of taking Drake City."

Caemryn frowned. He has defaulted debt from another country, and some how he actually had the hubris to ask for a loan? She looked at him with amusement in her eyes as he pulled out a map and unfurled it on her table.

"The money is meant to pay for the intial front of the invasion. My armies will march from the west to take Ithaca and siege Drake city, all the while my navy blockades their ports. I can muster fifteen legions to send in the first wave of the invasion, then another five for reinforcements. I request that you send your forces to put pressure on Drake's eastern borders. I'll send you a Janissary corp to assist your forces in taking Bellona's Spear." He drew a stark line down the middle of Drake and she rose a brow.
"The new border will be split. Drake City and everything to its west goes to Volanti. In exchange for future financial backings and assistance in the war, the rest goes to Valyria. I predict that with our combined strength and their lack of leadership, the war should be over by the time Moloch comes back."

Caemyrn cocked her head. "So what you want, it not only money, but an army equipped with Valyrian steel?" She asked. "I imagine with those numbers an invasion would do fine....it's not the men on the ground, it's the steel in their hands." She said. Valyrian steel, able to cut through other weapons like butter.

"How about adding to that, Anansai silk." came a woman voice from behind her. Caemryn shot from her chair and turned, a woman with long white hair, pink eyes, and a dangerous smile, shrouded in white cloth stood before her now. "What sorcery is this? Who are you and how did you get in here?" Caemyrn said, there were no doors in this room besides the one she'd entered in with, with Haviir. "Did you bring her?" She asked him with a hiss.

"No, He didn't bring me, in fact, I'm sure I gave him just as much as a start as you," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. She moved around to Caemryn and took a seat at her right.

"Who are you?" Caemryn hissed. "What are you?"

"Sophinia." She said. "Queen of the UnSeelie Fae, and let us just say, I have an interest in the welfare of your country." She said, and with a wave of her hand, Caemyrn's seat, slid out. "Sit, let us all speak." She said, and Caemyrn took a breath but sat.

"What do you want."

"Many things, but the ones that concern you, and him are simple." She said and Caemyrn swallowed. "And they are?"

"I want you, to kill Tenanye Ananse." She said, and then looked to Haviir, "and you can have your invasion of the Drake." She said.

"Kill...How....She is Queen of he---

"No!" Sophinia lost all of her charm, as she shouted, her voice echoing not only in the room, but in their heads as well, enough to make them dizzy.

She cleared her throat and smiled. " No, I am Queen, she is a whelp,who does not have the right to be called Empress...." She said. "An Insect, that can be crushed beneath my foot." She said, and sat down. "I will provide you with all you need to kill her and once that is finished, you will have all the distraction you need to mount your invasion." She said, with eyes toward Haviir.

"I never said, I would help."

"No, not with words..."

"What do I get in return?" Caemyrn asked.

"You...You're heart's desire, I'll heal your husbands broken mind...."

Caemyrn looked at her in shock. "You can do that?"

"I am Fae, I can do many things." She said and Caemryn looked away. It was the one thing she wanted taht she with all of her magic and charm could not achieve. She would know what it was like to have a sane husband, she wouldn't have to do all of this herself. She could feel the love she knew he had for her.

"All you have to do is say yes" Sophinia said and Caemryn looked at Haviir. "You'll have your coin, and the soliders, all armed with Valryian Steel" She said and Sophinia smiled.

"And Tenanye Ananse will die." She said and she knew just the person to send.

Haviir pursed his lips as Caemryn made a demeaning expression. Surely she knew that after Volanti was conquered, Drake would be powerful enough to expand into her kingdom? Then that woman entered the room, with a voice as sweet as the dew around an oasis. He watched as she explained herself. He had only really heard of fae in story tales, but she had kind of spell in her voice, perhaps a enchantment, that was convincing the queen to join him. Just to assassinate a woman?

"You'll have your coin, and the soliders, all armed with Valryian Steel"

Haviir smiled in approval to her answer. "Good. I will send my riders to notify my forces. I'm glad that you have agreed. The steel can wait until we take Ithica, my Janissary corps have enough dragon armor to defend itself. The'll prepare for the blockade and the invasion immediately. I'd say that a week after the message arrives they'll be able to get to Ithica. After Drake has mobilized the west, sent some ships with the steel to my western flank, to the blockade. I'm positive that we can play cat and mouse with them once they come out of their little den." He told her confidently. He couldn't wait for the time to equip each one of his conscripts with silk and steel. Those could be for the Janissaries.

"Why?"

A gentle voice echoed his thoughts and he turned to see a beautiful young woman all in white wearing a butterfly mask inlaid with jewels. His own swan-masked face turned to face her. Even with her face cloaked by the night and her mask, he could tell she was trying not to cry. He tried to sound gentle and strong like his brother did when they had been younger and hadn't been so concerned about Kallias "growing up".

"Humans are often cruel. The crowd hasn't given any thought about how an animal might feel, alone in a strange place, forced to fight... They might not care if told. Even in my home country, people enjoy violence without a second thought."

His thoughts drifted to the Arena. It was one thing for men to face each other in battle of their own free will or even to hunt a beast threatening livestock and humans alike in the wild. It was another thing to cage a beast and fight it for sport. He tried to think of more that he could say, but he couldn't. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I am sorry."

Francis’ attempt at allowing the young man to die a quick death failed with the sounding of Caemryn’s response.

"No." Caemryn said. "I am my husbands, he dishonored not only me, but trespassed against him as well, My husband will do it as is his right." She said.

Francis bowed politely to his sister in law and replied, “I understand your Grace.”

Vanessa continued to eye the young man as she listened. ”Hmph, still such a pity and a waste of a young man.” She said casually.Then another herald made an appearance.

"What is it now?" Caemryn asked with clear annoyance. "Forgive me your grace, but there is a man here to see you. He addressed you by name." The herald looked afraid. He knew what was happening here and didn't want to be a part of it.

Peregrine couldn’t help but notice the herald’s fear and he didn’t blame the man. He himself could honestly admit that he felt frightened at the thought of having his life ended by the likes of Theomus. He wasn’t really worried about dying so much as by who’s hand, the dishonor left on his name. That’s what plagued him more.

"Well, who is it?" Caemryn fussed in reply to the herald. Vanessa chuckled a bit. To Vanessa, her sister’s impatience was oftentimes amusing when not being directed at her.

"Haviier Kabuk." the herald replied. Francis and Peregrine both looked to each other in serious intrigue at the announcement of this guest. They had both heard of this leader. They locked eyes both wondering what would bring him here of all places, and at such a time.

Caemryn took a breath. "Send him. Let him see Valryian Justice." She said before allowing her husband to let the boy burn. Francis closed his eyes as the young man’s body was ignited. Vanessa always loved the sight of flames dancing. She gazed on with a smug and satisfied smile. Vanessa didn’t seem to care much about the announced visitor, where he was from or what he wanted. She and Theomus, for once, seemed to be enjoying the same activity, watching flames destroy.

At Caemryn’s decision the Volanti were received in the Hall of the small council. All the while Theomus did his worst. Vanessa became quickly disenchanted by the execution as the room began smell of burning flesh and the scene grew less appealing to her. Vanessa had seen enough and followed Francis and Peregrine as they followed the Queen. Caemryn was seated at the head of the long table as Haviier entered. Vanessa, Francis sat down on either side of Caemeryn, while Peregrine stood keeping close watch of the situation. He didn’t trust their new guest, not that the man was untrustworthy but Peregrine needed to protect the Queen.

“Ah Queen Caemryn, it's good to see you again and in such good health too. I haven't seen you since your father's funeral, bless his soul. Alas I have not come here to indulge in past memories, but to speak on behalf of business." He said as he took a seat, and Caemryn gave him an impatient sideways glance. "Yes, yes, blessed, get on with it..."


Vanessa joked, “Oh and please tell me we are charging interest for every moment he’s bored us with this nonsense.”

Haviir skipped straight to the point. ”The Markus brothers are currently two oceans from their kingdom at Khalidor's summit. My spies had caught word of intentions to invade my country as a means to make up for our defaulted debt. So I've amassed the largest army Volanti had ever seen with the means of taking Drake City.”

At the mention of taking over Drake City Francis grew very concerned. Actually he was concerned at the mention of Moloch Markus, his close friend and former king. Vanessa looked over to Francis as discreetly as she could knowing that Francis would want to protect Moloch. Francis began to pick a few grapes from the platter sitting on the table as he listened.

Haviir contined, "The money is meant to pay for the initial front of the invasion. My armies will march from the west to take Ithaca and siege Drake city, all the while my navy blockades their ports. I can muster fifteen legions to send in the first wave of the invasion, then another five for reinforcements. I request that you send your forces to put pressure on Drake's eastern borders. I'll send you a Janissary corp to assist your forces in taking Bellona's Spear." He drew a stark line down the middle of Drake and she rose a brow.

"The new border will be split. Drake City and everything to its west goes to Volanti. In exchange for future financial backings and assistance in the war, the rest goes to Valyria. I predict that with our combined strength and their lack of leadership, the war should be over by the time Moloch comes back."

Peregrine gave a tired expression after hearing the plan. He commented, ”Pardon my intrusion. However, what glory or honor do you gain by taking Drake while it’s king is gone? It’s a cowards victory. You’ll gain no respect from the remnants of Drake’s people or from other nations should you conquer in a coward’s manner.”

Caemyrn cocked her head. "So what you want, it not only money, but an army equipped with Valyrian steel?" She asked. "I imagine with those numbers an invasion would do fine....it's not the men on the ground, it's the steel in their hands." She said. Valyrian steel, able to cut through other weapons like butter.

"How about adding to that, Anansai silk." came a woman’s voice from behind. Caemryn shot from her chair and turned, a woman with long white hair, pink eyes, and a dangerous smile, shrouded in white cloth stood before her now. Peregrine immediately unsheathe his sword. Something was familiar about this woman. Not that Peregrine had met her before, but that she was not human, she was unearthly like someone else he’d met before. She mentioned Anansai, Peregrine remembered the Blue Faery. This woman was a Faery like the Blue Faery he’d met the night his son died. His eyes narrowed angrily on the woman.

"What sorcery is this? Who are you and how did you get in here?" Caemyrn said, there were no doors in this room besides the one they'd entered in with, with Haviir. "Did you bring her?" She asked him with a hiss. Vanessa raised a hand and ignited a fireball. She stood waiting for an excuse to hurl it.

"No, He didn't bring me, in fact, I'm sure I gave him just as much as a start as you said, her voice smooth as silk. She moved around to Caemryn and took a seat at her right, moving Francis aside. He assisted her in pushing in her chair. Francis was always the gentleman.

"Who are you?" Caemryn hissed. "What are you?"

"Sophinia." She said. "Queen of the UnSeelie Fae, and let us just say, I have an interest in the welfare of your country." She said, and with a wave of her hand, Caemyrn's seat, slid out. "Sit, let us all speak." She said, and Caemyrn took a breath but sat.

Vanessa grew a little nervous seeing Caemryn a bit uneasy. Caemryn usually kept her composure but it was minimally shaken this time. Vanessa and Francis sat down as well. Peregrine still stood on guard.

"What do you want."

"Many things, but the ones that concern you, and him are simple." She said and Caemyrn swallowed. "And they are?"

"I want you, to kill Tenanye Ananse." She said, and then looked to Haviir, "and you can have your invasion of the Drake." She said.

"Kill...How....She is Queen of he--- Caemryn began to reply.

"No!" Sophinia lost all of her charm, as she shouted, her voice echoing not only in the room, but in their heads as well, enough to make them dizzy. She cleared her throat and smiled. "No, I am Queen, she is a whelp, who does not have the right to be called Empress...." She said. ]b]"An Insect, that can be crushed beneath my foot[/b] sat down. "I will provide you with all you need to kill her and once that is finished, you will have all the distraction you need to mount your invasion." She said, with eyes toward Haviir.

"I never said, I would help."

"No, not with words..."

"What do I get in return?" Caemyrn asked.

"You...You're heart's desire, I'll heal your husbands broken mind...."

Vanessa huffed in amusement. ”So this Tenanye woman dies so that Theomus can be sane? Golly does she really get the short end of the stick here.”

Caemyrn looked at Sophinia in shock. "You can do that?"

Francis was grateful that this would serve as a distraction to invading Drake. It gave him a tiny bit of time to warn Moloch somehow.

"I am Fae, I can do many things." She said and Caemryn looked away.

"All you have to do is say yes" Sophinia said and Caemryn looked at Haviir. "You'll have your coin, and the soliders, all armed with Valryian Steel" She said and Sophinia smiled. Francis cringed. He was hoping that Caemryn would send the man away as it seemed she was disinterested in making a deal with him. But that was not to be the case.

"And Tenanye Ananse will die." She said.

”Well this will be fascinating.” Vanessa comented.

Francis knew he needed to send warning to Moloch as soon as possible. However the Drake king was far too distant to reach swiftly by any known conventional means. He pondered for a moment. He had an idea finally, one he was not proud of but it was his only hope, The Blue Faery. Francis knew a bit about Wishing Star Faery lore. He was always fascinated with stories of the faeries as a child. He knew enough to know that the Blue Faery was capable of appearing anywhere when summoned. Francis needed to use the Blue Faery as his messenger. Now all he needed was a way to call upon him.