Warlord Krayt's Story

Lord Krayt had just entered the city, he had been traveling for many days with a group of hand selected bodyguards. Every 3 years he was required to come to the kingdom and meet with the King to discuss details about the army. He set upon his mighty war horse, it was bred from the toughest of war horses. His mount had carried him into the thickest of battle without fear hundreds of times, for a warrior, a horse was your greatest friend. Its name was Nightmare, for the fear its trample put in enemies, it was covered in thick iron armor that was made with iron spikes. He headed to the stables where other lords kept there horses, as he came near he commanded loudly, "Stable boy, take my horse and make sure his armor removed and that he is fed and watered. Cause him any discomfort and I can promise your body will be on a stake outside the city!"

Krayt, pulled 2 gold pieces from his coin purse, and tossed them to the stable boy, "Take good care of my horse and I can promise you 2 more when I return. I reward those greatly who follow orders." He turned to leave, marching away with this guards who had taken there horses to the guards barracks. They marched towards the castle, peasants in front of them fled from the streets to escape the cold gaze of the Warlord. His eyes took in the spirits of the dead that still wandered, unseen by everyone except him. He was used to seeing the dead, only it was usually the souls of warriors he saw wandering. Glancing behind him in the sky he saw the same dark skeletal figures that were robed in cloaks of haunting darkness. Ever since he had sworn servitude to the God of Death, these dark beings of death had followed him for countless years. Sometimes whispering advice or commenting on his actions, it was under the dark gaze of these beings that over time his heart hardened more and more. As he approached the castle the guards stood forward and bowed frightfully, "I'm sorry my lord, but the King has retired to take a nap. He will not be having any visitors for now." Krayt looked on the man for a while then closed his eyes and nodded, at first he had felt rage then he decided not to direct it towards this young man who was only following orders. He ordered his guards to wait there so that they could send for him when the time was ready, they were used to leaving him alone. They knew they were only around him for appearances, Krayt was a warrior who did not need guards to protect him. Krayt turned to wandering aimlessly, he became lost in his thoughts and before he knew it was walking upon two figures talking, a girl and a man. Both obviously had some sense of nobility to them.

Rosalinda smiled up in his general direction and replied "Do you typically hide in trees Marques?" she asked playfully with an air of seriousness. She was just assuming he was the Marques, since she wasn't actually able to see him. He didn't sound like a warlord nor did she think he sounded like the Earl, but again she was assuming. He was pretty well hidden in the trees and the only reason she knew he was there was because of his scent and his sound. Since she was blind all of her senses were heightened. "Typically suitors go to the castle first to meet my father, yet here you are in a tree. What brings you here Marques of Markarf?" she asked softly, hoping her assumption was right.

When the wind blew she caught another scent, then she heard heavy footsteps. 'I've never heard those footsteps before. Another suitor hiding from my father?' she thought with a smirk. 'Still intimidating even on his deathbed' she thought with a chuckle. By the sound of the heavy footsteps she knew the person approaching was male. "Introduce yourself at once" her voice was soft but commanding.

((Sorry about the short post mates, i was on my phone at school and i cant use my wifi there. Going to edit and make longer))

Krayt grinned, he had respect for a women with strength, "Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army." The girl commanded more authority then a noble, she was most certainly the Kings daughter. The unholy shades that surrounded him confirmed his theory in dark whispers, speaking more reassuringly he said, "Every 3 years I come to speak with your father of details about the military, it seems though that when I arrived he was sleeping and I was told to come back later."

(Sorry if it isn't that good, I'm rather upset after get death treats from my sis's boyfriend, but apparently I was in the wrong.)

Marlow was too absorbed in her reading to notice the people walking by or in and out of the castle. It was how it usually was for her, so deeply fixated on reading that the world around her always seemed to disappear. Her eyes went over line after line in the book, flipping to the next page only minutes after the last sentence was read. Soon, though, he attention was on the tall man that had walked up to the castle. He was likely to had been there for her father. Something about him caused a chill to go down her back, she needed a better place to sit.

There was no better place to do so than the stable, besides, perhaps she could chat with Henry while he worked. If he didn’t very well mind. With that thought in mind she stood up from her place against the castle, taking her book with her as she walked down to the stable. When she had got there, Henry was hard at work with the horses, treating them with care as he always did. She smiled softly and set her books down on a stool close by before wondering over to the other side of the horse he was caring for. “Good morning,” she said to him, trying to look over the other side of the horse.

Amilia was getting J Marie ready to ride when the man entered. He had an air of someone who could battle, and her power told her that he virturally no physical weakness and he was mentally strong, insane, but strong. Both qualities she enjoyed in people.

"Well, Henry. I do enjoy talking with you, but I must be off, far too many men trying to take my hand." She said jokingly, keeping up her appearance as a tough-as-nails woman who didn't have any patience for people not working. "See you when I come back, and oh yea, Maslow hasn't picked out a suitor either, just letting you know." She said as she mounted her horse and took off.

She enjoyed the lands around the castle, they were freeing and refreshing to her, far from the musty old books or walls, a place to get wild. She went past the training grounds and saw some were training, some recruits she helped train for that matter. They were getting good, and she was proud. She did, however, pick up 'her' swor dand shield that one of the captains let her use, and straped it to her side.

She then began back to her ride and noticed her sister, Rosalinda. She was a sweet girl, although she couldn't train with ehr due to her blindness, and Amilia had always felt a certain resposability over her, more so then her other sisters. She saw beside her the man from the stable, and some other man. Neither looked like they would hurt her, but she still needed to check on her.

"Come on J Marie." She said to her horse, who then ran over to her sister. When they reached them, she stopped and didn't get off when she talked to the man. "Good day, what brings you to my sister, if you are a suitor, you go to my father, don't go to my baby sisters, got it." She said with all her ability to sound imposing.

Rosalinda heard Krayt's voice and suddenly wondered what he looked like. 'Probably the 'tall dark and handsome' type Marlow is always telling me about' she thought. His voice was deep and commanding even though he wasn't giving a command. "And your voice is suitable for the job Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army" she said saying his entire title back to him. 'Sleeping?' she thought 'That definitely doesn't sound like father. Mother is probably just making him rest...' she chuckled at the idea 'and he probably hates it.' but she was not about to tell the suitors that.

She then turned back to the Marques. 'AH so he IS the marques. I was right.' she thought with a sly smirk on her face. "and you Hamnet Romano, Marques of Markarth...your voice fits you as well." she smiled politely but her demeanor was otherwise serious. Most saw her as sweet, and she was, but everything she said always had a mischievous or serious undertone. She is the type of girl that will not tolerate being messed with.

Seconds later she turned sharply to the VERY faint noise of hoofs in the distance. Normal ears wouldn't hear it, but Rosalinda could and she knew the sound of that particular horse. Amilia' she thought with a grimace. Amilia was always over-protective and Rosalinda was sure it had to do with her blindness. When her sister finally arrived and spoke, Rosalinda approached he horse slowly, placing one hand on the long snout. "Baby meaning I cannot take care of myself? Watch your words sister. You are older and I do respect you but I am not a child, so do not treat me as such. These fine gentlemen were just introducing themselves to me. Father is not feeling well so they were told to leave and come back later." she said softly but sharply at the same time. It was a tone that was blooming with maturity and independence.

Hemnet thought for a moment, this man seemed so fimiler yet he couldn't place his face. He said he was the generel of The King's Army, which for all he knew could have been it. Like many noblemen of his day Hamnet did fight for the King in severel conflicts that crossed his path, but nothing in the past five years, not since Sybbyl's death.
"Pardon sir but how long have you been in your current posistion?" he asked trying to puzzle it all togather.

Henry turned around feeling a tug on his shirt, "I just thought" he started but shook his head. "Sorry I'm glade for the company." he smiled and started to head back to the mare he had been working on when a man came in.

"I am from Markarf. I come seeking my lord Hamnet Romano, the Marques." the man said. Henry thought for a momant not sure which of the men who came in today if any were the Marques. "THe only men who came in here today went to the courtyard." he said directing him to the rigth place.

Maximilian made his way outside, and looked out as he sow his daughters with two men. He knew them both of course one was Krayt of course and the other the Marques.

Krios turned his head to eye the direction the stable boy pointed at before turning back to him.

"My thanks."

He said as he reached into his coin purse and fished out two gold coins.

"My horse has had a long journey. She could use some tending to."

He said as he handed the smaller, blonde man the coins. Markus reached into his pouch and pulled out a third coin and handed it to the stable boy as well.

"For your trouble."

With that he turned to the princess and gave her a respectful nod.

"Milady."

He said in goodbye before taking his leave. Markus began his walk away from the stables and down the path outlined for him by the stable boy. He walked along the well paved cobblestone path, taking in the sight of the massive castle built on the edge of a waterfall. It was really quite spectacular but Markus had a specific reason for coming here this day and taking in the view wasn't it. He made his way along the path only passing a few servants and handmaidens who were careful to keep out of the warriors way as he walked. Markus, coming from a working class, always gave those of a low social standing their due respect for he knew all to well what it was like to go to bed hungry. To not be born with a silver spoon in your mouth. He nodded and greeted those briefly who he crossed as he made his way to the courtyard. Reaching the edges of the large, splendid garden that was the courtyard he was forced to stop and marvel at the sight. Meticulously tended flowers, trees and bushes called the courtyard home giving it an almost magical quality to it. Rare breeds of birds found no where else but the farthest reaches of the globe were here, making their homes in the perches of the tallest trees. Fruit, more valuable than the homes most servant folk live in hung from the some of the trees appetizingly. Through the trees and streaming rays of sunlight Markus spotted his friend across the way. He was speaking with a wicked looking man that epitomized something from a nightmare. Beside the Marques and the Death Knight stood a ravishing young woman with golden hair and eyes a peculiar yet captivating shade of greyish green. She had the air of regality to her. "Another of the Kings daughters no doubt." He thought to himself within the confines of his own mind. Turning his attention back to Hemnet and the Dark Knight, Markus' natural skepticism took hold and instantly saw the man as a threat. He slowly made his way toward the pair, careful to keep at the man's back. He approached from the rear, stopping a few paces from the two and called out to Hemnet with his hand on one of the hand axes hanging from his belt.

"Romano..."

He said with a calm smile yet his fierce gaze rested on the knight speaking to his best friend.

Amilia had got off her horse and was getting closer to her sister. The general's words were still in her head, and she knew her sister was tough, but she had always felt like a caregiver to her.

"I know, she is pretty strong," She said smilling at her sister, "But it's my job as oldest sister to worry about the younglings." She said and turned to the general who told his position.

"You are indeed a man of high ranking, maybe we should practice that sword arm of yours' sometime, don't want you too get rusty." She said playfully to him, if she was forced to marry, she wanted a person like him. That is when she noticed the man with the axes. Her feeling of him told her to aim for his right knee, so she kept that in mind incase something happened. She still stod beside the general with her arm on the hilt of her blade, ready to kill anyone who dares hurt her family.

Rosalinda Othello

Again, Rosalinda heard unfamiliar footsteps, then she heard another voice. The new man was wary of Warlord Krayt she could feel it. She couldn't see the situation at hand, but because of her empathy Rosalinda could feel the tension rising, although she was sure everyone in the circle could feel it too. The emotion in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. With a deep breath she started to emit feelings of calm. Her empathy worked both ways. She could feel emotion and emit emotion. Most of the time it worked but there were a select few cases where the tense emotions still hung in the air. She approached the new man, with his hand on the axe and guessed where his hand was. She placed her hand gently on his and said softly "No need to be hostile." an angelic smile spread onto her face and she moved his hand off the axe hilt. She continued to emit calm feelings and approached the warlord. She searched for his face, her hand starting at his chest and working its way up. It wasn't meant to be scandalous or seductive in any way, she was just trying to find his face. He was a bit taller than she thought but she finally found his face. She placed her soft pale hand on the side of his face. He was clearly uncomfortable with the action but she didn't care. "The same goes for you Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army. I will not have bloodshed here. Do you both understand?" she said firmly. She removed her hand from his face and stepped back "While you are here you will coexist peacefully or you can leave the premises." she said, speaking to everyone in the circle.

Before going to sit back under the large tree she stopped next to her sister and whispered "Worry about yourself sister."

The tension in the air was palpable, like the calm before the storm. The cold, death stare from the knight only cemented Markus' concerns about him. The next few moments hung in the balance. Should blood be shed Markus would make sure that this knight die. He would see to that. He always got some measure of satisfaction out of fighting knights, with their heavy, expensive armor. They thought themselves so superior, they thought themselves invincible. Markus had proven more than enough of them wrong. He was ready to do it again when an angel appeared before him. The princess stepped between Markus and the knight. Her golden locks seeming to enhance her beauty as if they were made of the suns very rays. Her piercing captivating eyes seemed to cut clean through his natural hesitation towards new people.

"No need to be hostile."

She said, her words like precious droplets of water to a man dying of thirst. She smiled with such serenity the warrior thought some benevolent deity had shown him favor. Her hand, small and light of touch reached out and her fingertips met his hand. Her skin, silken and pristine, so different from the rough large hands of The Huntsman. She gently pulled his hand away from his axe and he didn't resist. He allowed her to move his hand as he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. It wasn't until she turned from him to address the knight that he blinked clear the fog her radiance placed around him. He groaned ever so slightly and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and fore finger while secretly a portion of his mind yearned to feel her eyes upon him once again. He settled now with allowing her to order the knight to stand down before she spoke to her sister.

Rosalinda could also feel the affect she had on the men, and she was impressed with Warlord Krayt's subtle resistance. It still worked, just not as well. It told her that he was good at his job, and that not much can sway him. The effect on Markus Krios was much different, but she was equally satisfied with the result. "Forgive me Warlord Krayt, but I don't think you heard me. The point of that little charade was to tell you that blood WILL NOT be spilled here. I understand that it is your nature to be on your guard and feel no remorse when you've decided to rid the world of someone, but here everyone will go home alive and in one piece. And to be quite honest, I do not care how it made you feel. All I care is that it worked."

Then she turned her attention away from him quickly and felt something else as well...intense love, slight anger, and companionship? The emotions were coming from Hamnet. She listened nonchalantly as he spoke to the Markus about his children and the opposing feelings he had about him being there. She took in the words, emotions, and tone of voice and smiled. The air had calmed just as she had hoped and everyone's attention seemed to be focusing on something else. Warlord Krayt was slightly harder to read. There was always a sinister air around him; that's how she knew he was uncomfortable with her touching his face.

"The next time a barbarian decides he would like to test my might."

Markus growled at the comment as his jaw tensed in anger. Images of him knocking the pale bastards teeth in flashed in his mind. He managed to restrain himself however as the Warlord left to speak with the king. Markus scoffed under his breath in disgust as he turned back to Hamet.

"It never ceases to amaze. No matter what country, what kingdom, what keep you find yourself in knights are all the same. Pompous, arrogant, and foolish."

Krios said, his words laced with distaste. He sighed trying to get the aggression out of his system before allowing his eyes to glance around the courtyard. If he was going to be here to protect Hamnet it would be prudent to get a lay of the land.

"Going to take a walk about, brother. Won't be far."

He said in a slightly hushed tone before beginning to walk off.

Rosalinda Othello

Rosalinda raised an eyebrow at Krayt's comment, and a thought occurred to her. 'How many of them know i'm blind?' she smirked. 'You'd think it would be obvious by now' she thought. "I would hope you're able to follow simple orders Warlord Krayt. I should not have to stay your blood." she said before he left. Rosalinda bowed her head slightly at the sight of her father. "Father, some suitors have already arrived, I realize that one of us is going to rule the kingdom soon, but I feel it is also critical for the suitors to view the land. Who better to show them than me?" she smirked. It was clearly ironic. "Furthermore, I am sure you will be planning trade routes, strategies, and things of the like...which require map work and...well father...i'm blind." she laughed lightly like it was a new development.

She turned in Hamnet and Markus' direction. "Gentlemen if you'd like to see the property I would be happy to show you." She heard Markus Krios walk off and walked after him, grabbing his upper arm for support and to define where exactly he was. "You will not have to deal with Warlord Krayt again. He should be leaving tomorrow if all the planning gets done today." she said quietly. "You feel such strong emotions. What attaches you to the Marques?" she asked bluntly.

Maximilian sighed lessening to the warlord, “I’ve had fears that this would happen.” He said meekly, “But I fear it is not another Kingdom, I would seem my Brother-in-law has at last found the forces he needs to take back Ivory Skies.” He shook his head and coughed once more, then asked him. “How much do you need?” he said reaching into his pockets for his change purse.

Hamnet walked to a large weeping willow that stood at the very edge of the lavish courtyard. He knelt down and pulled a small golden ring with a purple gem set in the middle. It had been his mother’s ring the last thing he had to remember her by, and when he went off to war seven years ago he had given it to his sweetheart to hold till he returned.

Rumors of his death spread to her, and she married Constance. Now Hamnet doesn’t know the exact details, but one thing he is certain of she thought he was dead.
”You could have stayed here in the first place, instead of following your King to the Holy land which you wouldn’t have if you even cared about these precious people, but you didn’t you choice war, you choice Glory.”

“and I will never make that mistake again,” he uttered trying to hold back the tears. He didn’t want to be here, truthfully but he had to The King is dying and he had to convince the man to save the people for the Cruelty of some of the nobles. Things were not as good in Ivory Skies as they seemed, as he looked over at the princesses he wondered do they know anything beyond these walls?

“I can’t keep fight this without you Sybbyl.” He remembered holding his love as she died in his arms.
”Oh I’d love to keep arguing with you but we haven’t got the time, You promise me you keep fighting.”
He kissed the ring gently, remembering her embrace. “Good bye my love” he said softly.

Henri smiled at her, “I suppose your right princess.” And burst out a small chuckle. “I really do need to finish up here though” and started heading back to the mare once more to brush her. He wanted to say so more, but it was no use anything he said would be a mistake.