Kingdom of Dafarzi

Julia gestured for Ramas to open the door, and he shrugged and obliged, it was not as if it wasnt the proper thing to do, for as much as he was effectively her prisoner, she was also a royal, and that would still hold sway. His large meaty fist knocked firmly but calmly on the wood of the door, "Lady Scarlet, Isabella, it is I, Lieutenant Ramas, I am accompanied by Lady Julia who seeks audience with you."
There was the sound of Rustling fabric and the door was opened by the robed Isabella, who nodded, completely dwarfed by Ramas' huge frame, and stepped aside allowing the pair to enter the room. The bedsheets were well slept in, and wood shavings were scattered across the carpeted floor, the work of Da'Karro no doubt. By the bed stood a slightly timid looking Scarlet, her attire vastly different from that which she had worn the night before. He suspected no doubt she had been stripped before being put to bed, but The clothes she wore now were not what he had expected to find her in.
"Lady Scarlet," Ramas said, bowing to the girl who was so massively dwarfed by him that even when bowing he stood taller than her, He stood up and looked at Isabella, "The king requests you remain inside the room while these two converse. I will be right outside the door should anything happen."
Isabella merely nodded at her friend and then took her place by the chair in which she had found Da'Karro, legs apart, hands clasped behind her back, her silent gaze ever watchful of the two woman. Ramas nodded back before turning and speaking to the two Starks, "Should you require anything, just call, Lady Scarlet, Lady Julia." He nodded his head at both women in succession before turning and ducking out the door again, closing it behind him with a soft click, and leaving the three women to the silence of the room.

Julia walked in her sister's chambers ignoring everything else, after noticing the way Scarlet looked. As much as Julia appeared heartless, she wasn't, just calculated, despite that, she did love her sister and the look of her, the horribly dark burn across her throat, her heart disheveled, her clothes, wrinkled and unkempt, it drew out something of a maternal side of Julia that neither of them knew she had.

She approached her sister. "Scarlet, by the gods...."She said, taking her sister's face into her hands. "Are you alright?"

"Yes...I’m fine?” Scarlet said, questioningly.
“They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Julia asked, concern in her eyes. Scarlet frowned. “No...not really.” She said, “Are you alright?” she asked and Julia nodded, then took a breath. “I have something to talk to you about.” She said and her eyes darted over to Isabella once.
“But first you need to dress.” She said and let her go and headed to her wardrobe. “The King would like us to address the people, we have to let them know we yet live and what is to come.”
“Are you honestly submitting to him?” Scarlet spat and Julia smiled. “Yes, we must, if we don’t all of our people will die, they will not follow unless we do, We will be saving them.”
Scarlet paused. There was something in that sentence that gave her pause. “We must submit, Scarlet.” Her sister said as she shuffled through her clothing.

“What do you mean ‘submit’ you’ve never submit to anything in your life, why now?” Scarlet asked and Julia turned to her with a simple green gown, not unlike her own.
“I know it seems strange now, sister, but understand, we are playing a game here, a very dangerous game, where we are merely pawns....” She said and Scarlet frowned. “Story of my life...”Scarlet spat. Julia approached her, pressing a hand her cheek. “It is an advantage, dear sister, you don’t know it yet, but trust, this is the right thing to do.” She said and Scarlet saw it then, the spark of rebellion in Julia’s eyes. Julia had a plan, she would submit, but she would soon be the dominating party.
“I don’t like this.” She said, playing along now. “I know, I know, I don’t like it either but it’s for the best, and atleast we get to live, but we must make sure that the people understand this as well, understand that they must do as they are told, they’ll listen to you, Scarlet, they trust you.” She said and Scarlet swallowed, her throat sore all over again. “ Do you really believe they’ll follow me,”
“yes, I do, just follow my lead, and the people will as well.” She said and Scarlet sighed. “Fine....”
Julia smiled. This was truly a remarkable day, it was the first time the Stark Sister’s every worked together on anything. If only their parents could see them now.
“Now, quickly, get dressed.” Julia said and handed Scarlet her gown. Scarlet sighed. “This is Isabella...” She said, not forgetting her mute teacher. Julia gave her a passing glance but was otherwise uninterested. “Is she why you’re dressed this way.”
“More or less, what does it matter?” Scarlet said, something told her, not to tell her sister of her lessons in strength and deceit she got moments ago. “It doesn’t, You need to make sure you are presentable at all times, you are a Princess Scarlet, act like it.” She said and Scarlet sighed.

Isabella watched the interaction between the two sisters with mute interest, watching the obvious secret conversation that the pair were sharing. It wasn't unexpected, it had been assumed from the start that the pair would plan insurrection and revolt against King Decimus' rule, but even still he had insisted upon their continued existence.
"I would rather have a barbed arrow in my quiver, that will bite me as it flies, than be left without." The King had said when Da'Karro had pressed the issue, it was of no real consequence, and any rebellion the pair incited would be swiftly crushed. But having them as figureheads, even double agent figureheads, was more useful than their corpses.
The elder one, Julia, appeared to be under the impression Julia could not speak, and for the most part she was correct. With the exception of Scarlet the previous night, the only two people (living) that she had spoken to in years were Ramas and Da'Karro.
She would keep silent, keep watch, and should any major plot be unveiled, she would relay the information to Da'Karro, who would know what best to do.

Da'Karro gently drifted up form the depths of his dreamless sleep, the murky grey of his unconscious mind giving way to the sensation of cloth and warmth, the smell of fresh linen mingling with the residual odour of blood and sweat. His mouth was dry, and he sluggishly moved his head up from where it lay buried in pillows in search of a pitcher. A small silver jug sat on his bedside, and he dragged himself, still half asleep, over to it. He seized the pitcher and greedily chugged down the cool water within, draining it with half a dozen large gulps. His thirst satisfied and feeling marginally more alive, he lazily looked around the room in which he had collapsed. It was lavish enough, a guest room for some minor noble or lord, and while ostentatious, was not nearly as grand as the Princess' own chambers. His thoughts wandering back to exactly where he was and the task at hand. H glanced at the window and judged by the low sun that it must be sometime in the afternoon, not a bad nap but not nearly the rest he needed. He rose form the bed, groaning as he stretched and popped his back in various places, rolling his shoulders to loosen up their stiffened joints.
Food.
The simple thought wafted into his brain and he grunted in agreement, pulling on his underclothes and armour, ansuring everything was where it should be. Finally, happy with his equipment and appearance, he exited the room, wandering off in search of the kitchen.
He could foresee himself not getting much sleep over the next few months.

Julia stood overlooking her people, Scarlet at her side. The King and his people behind her as she addressed the people.
It was time.

"People of White Harbor...I know you are afraid, confused, anger, but hear me." She began, her voice strong, carrying high over the clamour of people below. "We were invaded, and we have lost so much, my sister and I....witness the death of our parents..." SHe said, and Scarlet looked up at her, Julia didn't bother with a returned glance, she knew she was lying, they hadn't seen their deaths, just their heads.

"She and I were so afraid...." She said, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder for added effect. "We thought were sure to follow but instead, we were granted mercy, The King, let us live, just as he will let you live." She said, and smiled. "I am here to tell you, that this isn't a take over, instead, this is a new beginning, all you have to do, is what you are told, an your lives will be as they were, and as your new Queen and Princess and Royal Adviser Scarlet at my side, I will make sure of it, because I am here for you, we are here, we are here, to make sure that you remain the great and fair people you've always been." She said smiling, she knew she'd get flack for naming herself Queen, but she didn't give Demicus a choice now, if he killed her now, the people would revolt, and he'd have to kill them all, which did not work in his favor, she could see the people straightening, she had to play on their pride.

"All of this, depends on you, He is a good king, strong, intelligent, and when he saw how proud we are as people, he knew, my sister and I would be vital, to keeping you all, and everything we've built intact. and he called me Queen, to ensure that we as a people stay together, that what makes White Harbor great, stays in place, because what is a King without a Kingdom? Without you, he have only land...sure he could try to fill it but, it wouldn't be as it was, it is now. Thank you, my people, thank you for being so strong, and so proud." She said and the people cheered, chanting her name. Scarlet looked at her sister, faking a smile.

"He is going to kill us." She whispered and Julia turned and kissed her baby sister on her head. "He can't now, not unless he plans to rule a land of corpses."
"What if he wants to..."
"He would have done it already." She said and turned to the King and bowed graciously.

"You're King wishes to address you now." She said to the people and smiling back at the King.

"Your move, my liege."

Julias speech was, adequate, not exactly what he had desired, but it served the purpose well. There was little he needed to do now but reinforce his rule as king. Perhaps keeping around the royal whores would not have been too much of a burden after all.
"Dear citizens of Whitecastle!" he called out to those assembled before him, their stony silent relaying their resentment better than words ever could, "I know, this must be a difficult, tumultuous time for you, but I urge you to please, go about your lives as usual. I wish for you not to see this as some sort of invasion, or destruction of your culture and customs, but a union of two great nations, bringing trade and prosperity to both in equal measure. I understnad the damage that has been done to your homes, to your families, I understand how it may seem like the rich and the lordly rule over you and control your existence, but no more. I have seen what mistreatment and abuse of the citizenry brings. When I discovered that my own father was starving the people of my country, I joined with the people! I fought against my own father and his royals, for daring to deign themselves as more important than you, the people. I assure you, I am not here to conquer you, I am not here to enslave you, I have joined our nations so that you too may be freed from royal oppression. As of tonight, I will be organising an election from amongst your ranks, the citizens, not the royal houses, to elect people who you deem are of wise and honourable counsel, who shall act as advisors to me as how best I may treat you. People of Whitecastle, I am not here to oppress you, I have come to uplift you, and allow you to take control of your own lives!"
The cheering was hardly roaring, and hardly representative of all, but as he rolled out the wealth of his nation into Whitecastle to pacify the citizenry, then even his detractors would not be able to deny the benefits he brought to their kingdom. The counsel of citizen representatives would also increase his popularity and enhance his own understanding of the populace. He turned and made his way back inside the palace.
There was much work to do, and he had no time to waste.

Julia was seated at her vanity, brushing her hair frustratedly.
She hated that man, why could she not effect him like she and so many others before him. She could charm anyone from fools to kings, yet not this one. Why not? Granted, she hadn't had long to figure him out, but he was changing so much so fast. Bringing the citizen to council? It wasn't completely a horrible idea but she didn't have a foothold in anything yet for this to work in her favor. She had Scarlet, so that would help things along, but still.

"Ramas?" Julia called. "Where is my sister? I want her with him for the council meeting." She called back, not really looking at him.

Meanwhile, Scarlet was outside, it was the first time she'd been outside, walking freely since her in engagement. Well, not entirely freely, since she was shadowed by the enigmatic Da'Karro. He was frightening in a way that made her look back at him ever so often, though, for some reason, she felt safer with him then she did with the King, though he'd been the one to kill her parents. Shaking the thoughts of them from her mind, she found herself at a rose bush, she'd been tending to it for most of her life, watching it bloom and die over the years. These were special roses, blue, and brilliant. There were stories of these roses, love stories, about a man who stolen his love away, leaving a rose in her stead. She always loved those stories, playing them in her mind that she would be one of those maidens, swept off by a handsome man. She reached for the roses, taking in their scent, imagining what her story would be, only to be cut by one of the thorns. It was almost fitting. As beautiful as they were, they were just stories, reality, cut deep, like the thorns on the rose.

She pulled back her finger, blood bubbled up into a garnet bead before dripping down her finger. She winched, only once, when it happened, but nothing else. She watched it, and remember how she tried to kill herself. Over and over and the final time, she was going to slit her own throat but she didn't. She wanted to. She tried to, but something grabbed her hand, not Isabella, not Da'Karro, and but something else. Something she couldn't see, something that was much stronger then her. It made no sense.

She didn't know how long she was standing there, staring at her bleeding finger but she hadn't noticed the drunkard stumbling out of the garden and her direction.

The weeks had dwindled by inconceivably slowly to Ramas, who had felt every painful second of guarding the irksome, vain lady Julia, and he knew he wasnt the only one. All of the Harrowers were on edge, such a lengthy period of inaction, even paid inaction, was starting to fray the little control possessed of the murderous band of sociopaths. Da'Karro had his hands full with the protection of Lady Scarlet, and Isabella, all but mute as she was, was little able to control the increasingly disgruntled warriors. Ramas vowed to speak with Da'Karro next chance he got, and ask him to implore the king to give the Harrowers something more violent to do than simple guard duty.
"Ramas?" Julia called. "Where is my sister? I want her with him for the council meeting."
Ramas' eye twitched, they were not the only one whose nerves were fraying.
"I know not, Lady Stark. She is Da'Karros charge, and he shares with me not her movements."
It was not a lie, he had no idea where the young princess was, or his enigmatic commander, the castle was large, and in recent weeks, the princess had taken to roaming its grounds, ever shadowed by her guardian.
Guardian, the term was almost laughable when attached to the violent, often unpredictable man. The idea of tying him to the princess as a bodyguard was as ridiculous to Ramas as chaining a wolf to a lamb and expected the pair to be fine. Lord have mercy when the hungry wolf lost his temper.

Da'Karro watched the Princess form a slight distance, his body melding into the shadow of a large tree. He did not hide from her, she knew he was there and frequently glanced back at him, every time meeting his cold grey eyes above his warmask. He stood in full battle regalia, both for functional and appearance reasons. His current role as bodyguard meant he had to be on guard at all times, and be both an intimidating and impressive presence for those around the Princess. She was so young, so fragile, Da'Karro was not unused to royal women, having served many and encountered more, both as a slave and a sellsword, but Scarlet was different to those he had encountered before. She was kind and gentle in a way that he had never encountered in royalty, especially not royal women, whom he had found to be the more volatile of the breed, lords and kings at least respected him for his reputation and skill, if not for his line of work. Royal ladies only ever viewed him as an untrustworthy savage who had nothing to offer that royal knights could not accomplish.
Royal knights that Da'Karro and effortlessly slaughtered in battle and out.
Scarlet however, displayed a different kind of reaction to him. She feared him, that much was certain, as any young woman would a mysterious, violent man from a far off land. However she also seemed to hold him with a strange awe, he was an alien being whose power both in body and position far outstripped her own, he was in control of her very life, and whether she liked it or not, it was by his actions that her fate was decided.
Da'Karro watched on silently as she examined her strange blue roses. Da'Karro had seen many flowers, both in his country of birth and in his travels but had never seen such a curiosity. Perhaps he would take some and plant them along his travels, such a beautiful plant should not be confined to the walled garden of the castle.
A noise disturbed Da'Karros musings and he glanced around the tree to see a drunk man, probably a guard or soldier, native to whitecastle by the looks of his skin and armour, leading a small group of similarly dressed drunkards towards the princess. He sank into the shadow of the tree, watching of as to how this situation played out.

Grabbed suddenly, Scarlet gasped, unsure of what was happening to her, a hand covered her mouth.

"This isn't personal, Small Lady, but we have to do this, it's for your own good." Said that man, as he held her against his chest, while the other men rounded her, preparing to attack Da'Karro. Scarlet's eyes went wide as she thrashed against the guard. She didn't know him, but he called her Small Lady, that was a name that many folk had called her as a child, she was small, she'd always been small, and different from the others in her family. Even now, she was small. The people didn't want to call her Lady Stark because, she was different from them, so instead they called her Small Lady, lovingly.

THis man did, even as he pulled a dagger and held it to her throat. "Just come along, I'll give you milk of the poppy and let you sleep, you won't feel a thing." He said, and though he reeked of alcohol, he seemed lucid, as if he really didn't want to do this. She fought anyway, realizing, she didn't want to die. Not anymore. She wanted to be strong. Like Isabella.

That thought caused Scarlet to stop thrashing and really fight. She slammed her elbow into the man stomach, he hadn't expected it and it gave him pause enough for her to dash out of the way, and behind Da'Karro.

Scarlet scurried behind Da'Karro as the men encircled them, their intent clear despite their inebriated state.
"In the name of King Decimus, lay down your arms," Da'Karro said, his sword still in its sheath, though his hand lay firmly on his hilt, "Do this, as well as give up the names of any fellow conspirators, and your lives will be spared," He looked coldly around at the arranged circle of assailants, "Failure to comply will result in your summary execution."
"We're not scared of you, Harrower." One of them said, not the one that had grabbed Scarlet, this seemed to prompt the others courage, "Yeah, your not a warrior, your nothing better than a some backstreet cut-throat. Killing people in their sleep and unawares." The others cried affirmations of this, but none made an advance on the encircled princess or her guardian.
"How about you hand over the princess," The head degenerate sneered, "And maybe well let you run off with your tail between your legs to your mongrel king!"
His compatriots grew bolder and spat curses and jeers with more surety, Da'Karros grip on his sword tightened, his voice dropped so that only Scarlet could hear him over the jeering group, "When I say, run to the castle. Do not look back. Do not stop. Run till you find Isabella or Ramas or the king. Trust no one else."
His grip tightened on his sword, "RUN!" With a single fluid movement his sword flung free of its scabbard. He spun towards the startled assailant who stood closest to the castle proper. Kukri passing effortlessly through the mans throat, blood spraying the area. "RUN SCARLET!" He cried again, launching into combat with the armed assailants as he covered the Princesses escape.

Scarlet stood behind Da'Karro as he and her attackers....assassins went back and forth. Scarlet swallowed as Da'Karro gripped the hilt of his blade even harder.

When I say, run to the castle. Do not look back. Do not stop. Run till you find Isabella or Ramas or the king. Trust no one else." He said and Scarlet looked up at him wide eyed. "You want me to trust the King?" She peeped, only for him to screamed. "RUN!" He cried, startling her, She knew she should move, but she couldn't for all the blood that had shed in an instant. "RUN SCARLET!" He cried one more, and this time, Scarlet did as she was told.

Scarlet ran, as hard and as fast as she could until she was in the castle and even then she ran. Her first thought was Isabella, she trusted her, she didn't know Ramas, nor did she dare think to trust the king but she could trust her. She even sort of liked her.

Running, through the halls, she thought of Da'Karro and to her surprise, she worried. She worried for him and hoped he was alright, he wasn't so bad....he could have just had her killed then and there, his job would be over, unless he was in it for the gold, in which case wouldn't be so good but still, he told her to run. He was protecting her.

Why though, why were they trying to kill her? What had she done? They said it would be easy, she would go peacefully, but why? Did they think like she had, that things would be better for her if she died, or did they think--

"Opmf!" Scarlet ran squared into large man, who caught her before she fell. After regaining her breath, she looked up to find the last person she wanted to see at the moment.

"My...My Liege....." She stammered, staring at him wide eyed. He was here, and Da'Karro could be hurt, even if he didn't care about her, he at least cared enough about his employee that he wouldn't want to see him dead. "Da'Karro....Attackers...They...>He...They were going to kill me....but Da'Karro....he is fighting them...right now..." She managed through shallow breathes. She felt dizzy, and faint but she refused she didn't want to faint she wanted to be strong. "You have to do something, help him, there's so many." She cried, not really knowing the extent of Da'Karro's skill, even if she did, she'd still worry.

Scarlet bolted for the Castle as her assailants descended upon Da'Karro, blades hacking and slashing as he duck and wove amongst them, parrying those he could not dodge, forced eternally onto the defensive as he fought back against his multiple attackers, blocking their pursuit of the Princess. As good as Da'Karro was, he was not superhuman, and he was slowly, inexorably forced onto the retreat, doing everything possible to stay alive against his horde of attackers. In desperation he tried to distract them and stall with words, hoping they would be too stupid, confident and drunk to see through the obvious ruse.
"Why do you attack your princess! She is the Daughter of your former king! You are men of Whitecastle! I would understand a attempt on the kings life but why her?!"
"Because she is blameless!" Their leader cried, striking again for Da'Karro, forcing the warrior further back as the battle continued. "Killing the king would do nothing, just subject us to another tyrant, Princess Julia is but a figurehead of his rule. But if we kill the pure Princess Scarlet, AND BLAME IT ON YOU AND THE KING, THE PEOPLE WILL RISE UP AGAINST YOU!"
The soldiers attacks grew frantic and furious as the hopelessness of their plight began to dawn in their minds. The princess had already gotten away, their mission had already failed. This realisation brought anger, and this frustration was directed at Da'Karro. Their attack feuled by a new found fury, they attacked with renewed strength, if less precision. Da'Karro knew he was fighting a losing battle, and could only stall until reinforcements arrive. He hoped he would last that long.

A running, crying princess had been the last thing Decimus had expected to see as he made his way towards the council chambers to prepare for that days discussions and decisions. She barrelled into him as he rounded a corner, causing his bodyguards to react to the sudden appearance of the girl as an attack, but stopped themselves when they realised who it was.
"My...My Liege....." Scarlet stammered as she realised exactly whom she had ran into, she swiftly recovered and hurriedly blurted out the meaning of her frantic flight, "Da'Karro....Attackers...They...He...They were going to kill me....but Da'Karro....he is fighting them...right now..." She managed to get out in a shallow, breathless voice, "You have to do something, help him, there's so many."
Da'Karro was right now fighting for his life. Decimus was loath to lose such a skilled ally. Once he had ascertained from the girl the location of the skirmish he turned to his men, "Go," he said to his bodyguards, "I will go raise the alarm and call more soldiers to the fight."
"My liege-" one of them began but was cut off by the sure minded king.
"That is an order, go." The two did not argue further and set off apace towards the gardens.
"This way my child." Decimus said, taking Scarlet by the arm and leading her into the castle further, already shouting for guards and soldiers to attend to him, so he may direct them to the fight. He continued this pattern until they returned to the Princesses own Quarters, where he hurried the girl inside.
"Stay here lady Scarlet. Bar the door and open it for none but myself or your protectors. Not even your sister, we know not who orchestrated this attack but know that you are more useful to me alive."
He swiftly shut the door and continued onwards back towards the gardens.

Scarlet could barely breath, she kept looking back toward the garden where Da'Karro had been, hoping he'll come through. It was odd. She was terrified of the man, but he was fighting for her, they weren't after him, they were after her, and he could have easily let them take her, or fight with her there since he was being paid to protect her, but no, he told her to run. It was the way he said it. The urgency in his voice, not for the fight but for her...or perhaps she only imagined it.

"This way my child."
The King then grabbed her arm, gently, and lead her into the castle. She kept looking back as he gave his orders. "Stay here lady Scarlet. Bar the door and open it for none but myself or your protectors. Not even your sister, we know not who orchestrated this attack but know that you are more useful to me alive." He said once he take her to her room. Scarlet was shaking but she nodded and did as he instructed.

It was only afterward, when she was pacing did something he said register. Julia? He thinks, that this could be Julia's doing? But She wouldn't have her killed? Right? They were sisters, and she had told her, in a way, that she needed her by her side.

But that could have been a trick, things were tricky now, she didn't know who to trust...except...Da'Karro, she didn't know why she did, nor could she explain how she was sure, but he wouldn't hurt her, she knew it. He hardly spoke, but there was something in those cool grey eyes that told her she was safe in his care and he all but proved that today.

She moved the window, which he'd barred before, and peeked out. She could see the garden, but not very clearly, it was mostly color, for the distance, lots of green and dots of blue from the roses. She couldn't see Da'Karro, nor her attackers, so she closed her eyes, and prayed to the old gods and new that he would be alright.

Da'Karros faltering defence was saved from cracking under the rain of blows by a pair of Modran Royal guards, and not a moment too soon. The pair drove into the rebels giving Da'Karro some much needed space to catch his breath. Good, now hopefully they could turn the tide in their favour. Mere moments after the knightly duo descended upon Da'Karros assailants, bells began ringing in alarm, spreading across the castle in an echoing wave of sound.
In its presence the would be assassins seemed to lose heart, their attempt thwarted. Some began retreating back the way they had come, their fellows cursing their cowardice, but the turncoats soon found their exit blocked by more castle guards, and the looming form of Ramas Kharbo.
Their desperation made their attacks more frantic and vicious, one of Da'Karros saviours falling to a slashed throat, and the other man forced onto the defensive as Da'Karro had been. Leaping back into the fight, his Kukri flashed as his weary muscled forced every last drop of ferocity he had left in him into repelling the assassins assault. One fell, two, then the Guard brought another low as the tide began to turn in the loyalists favour. Their exit blocked by the advancing Ramas and his own accompaniment of palace guards, some began to lay down their arms and surrender, their arrest delaying the arrival of Ramas' reinforcements. Ramas however, stopped for no one and bodily tossed a surrendering soldier out of his way as he made his way to where Da'Karro and the palace guard fight the final three assailants. So focussed were they on the pair that they failed to notice Ramas cleaving axe until one of them was removed of his skull. The resulting splatter of blood stunned the surviving pair to such a degree that they were easily overpowered and killed by the Guard and Da'Karro, Ramas' single, heavy blow having doomed the three more than any other that fight.
"For shame commander," Ramas said as Da'Karro and the winded guard regained their breath, "You let such pathetic prey overpower you?" His voice was deep and his face stern, until an exasperated look from Da'Karro caused the mans face to split into a wide grin.
"Come on Commander, I am sure you would like first shot at this lots interrogation."
Oh yes, that Da'Karro would like very, very much.

Scarlet had been sleeping, her worry turning into exhaustion, so much so that she'd fallen asleep atop her bedding, her day clothes still on.

"Scarlet!" There was a bang at her door. "Scarlet open the door." Scarlet opened her eyes, to find that Julia was on the other side of the door. She started for it, only to remember the last second that the King said not to, for they didn't know who was responisble for this.

"I can't....I'm not allowed." Scarlet said and she could hear Julia's impatient huff through the door. "Says who?"
The King?"
"And since when do you listen to him, Open this door." SHe ordered and Scarlet shook her head. "I won't , Julia, Someone tried to kill me today," She said and Julia hit the door. "You think it was me, Please, Scarlet if I wanted you dead, I would pushed you off the dias, before, I'm your sister, open the door."

"No."

"So you trust the king that, killed our parents over me."

"You have more to gain with me dead, then he does."

Julia was quiet. Scarlet was almost afraid, she'd gone so quiet.

"Is that what you think of me?" Julia's voice was soft. She'd heard the voice a million times before when she was trying to get her way.

"I don't know what to think, anymore, Julia, they were our bannerman, who tried to kill me."

"How do you know this?"

"I saw their garbs."

Julia was quiet again.

"Fine, don't trust me then, I only came to see if you were alright..."

"Where is your guard, Julia?"

"With yours, the mute one is with me now." Scarlet opened the door then, to see Julia who looked undeniably angry, with the ever quiet Isabella.
"Where is Ramas?"
"With your other guard, Misantri..."
"Da'Karro" Scarlet corrected only for Julia to huff. Scarlet looked to Isabella. "Is he alright? Can I see him?"
"Why would you want to?"
"He saved my life, today, Julia, now be quiet." Scarlet snapped giving her sister pause. Scarlet rarely raised her voice, least of all to her.

"I want to see him."

The Interrogation had yielded nothing of use, their plot was as simple as the ringleader had described, but of any further rebellious elements, the conspirators were oblivious. That information, if there was any, died with the troupes ringleader.
"Dont take it to heart my friend," Ramas said, placing a meaty hand on his commanders shoulder as Da'Karra fumed silently over the futility of the investigation, "The pawns rarely know the strategy of the king."
Nothing, the useless whelps had offered up nothing as to who orchestrated this attack. Scarlets life was in danger and they did not even have the slightest lead. Da'Karro shook his head and shrugged off his friends hand.
"We will see if the kings guard can uncover any more, but I wont hold my breath." He said, walking over to the door of the dungeon ante-chamber, pulling open the heavy wood and iron bulwark and heading up the stairs that lay beyond. "Ramas, mobilise the Harrowers, I want them out in the city incognito, ears open and eyes sharp. Bring me anything about a plot against the Lady Stark. They will pay for targeting my Scarlet Princess."
"Your Princess?" Ramas said quizzically, when Da'Karro remained stoicly silent he continued on, "You are growing attached to her my friend. This is most unlike you."
"I gave you an order Ramas." Da'Karro said dismissively, but Ramas continued unabated.
"Yes you did, as my Commander, but as your friend, I am ignoring it."
Da'Karros Dark gaze rounded on Ramas.
"... Temporarily." Ramas tacked on, and the pair continued walking.
"And as my friend what advice do you bear me Ramas?" Da'Karro said, not looking at his all too observant companion.
"That you tread a thin line. We are warriors and mercenaries, not lords, she is above your reach my friend, and-"
"And what?!" Da'Karro said, rounding on the much larger man, Ramas' gaze impassive, "You think I do not know my place? I am well aware of her status but she is as much a prisoner and slave as I was!"
Ramas said nothing, letting the silence itself speak for Da'Karros uncharacteristic outburst.
"You ask me what it is I feel and I do not even know." Da'Karro said quietly, turning to continue walking, Ramas starting to catch up.
"Then it is a good thing I do know," Ramas said, "Grasping the smaller mans shoulder and pulling him around, "You care for the girl beyond your duty or position. This is a dangerous path my friend, whatever fate and the king holds for that girl, it will not be you."
"I know that!" Da'Karro said shrugging off the meaty hand.
Once again, Ramas silence said more than words.
"Just go get me a lead Ramas," Da'Karro said softly, "I must go be alone with my thoughts."

Despite what he had told Ramas, it was not to his own chambers that Da'Karro walked, but to the Lady Scarlets. He had been told by the guard who reinforced him in the garden that the king had taken the princess for protection. further questioning of other palace staff revealed her seclusion within her quarters.
Da'Karro approached the door hesitantly, what was this feeling, this trepidation? He crushed it even as it elluded his mental grasp and he knocked on the door.
"Lady Scarlet, may I enter?"

Scarlet sat at her vanity, trying to keep herself busy. Julia and Isabella had gone, leaving Scarlet to her thoughts. The fighting was over, yet she hadn't seen Da'Karro yet, and honestly she worried. Was he injured and being tended to? Was he resting? When could she see him?

It was then a knock came to her door. "Lady Scarlet, may I enter?" Scarlet's heart skipped.

"Da'Karro." She gasped, running to the door, unbarring it, and before she even knew what she was doing, she opened the door, and the moment the door closed behind him, she wrapped herself around him. "Thank the gods!" She breathed, hugging him as if he might disappear. She pulled away some but as she gave him a once over. "You weren't hurt, were you? I worried when I didn't see you after the fighting was over." She said, tears glossing her eyes.She was so glad he was okay, but apart of her, a small part remembered he did kill her parents. This caused her to to let him go, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that." She said, turning away, feeling a bit ashamed. She shouldn't worry herself about a man, who was her slaver...yet every time she looked at him she couldn't help but feel differently. He wasn't like the King to whom she truly cared little about and to whom she feared more then anything. He kept her alive because he needed her, he made that clear even today, when she was terrified and near panic he may a point to let her know that. It was anything but comforting.

Da'Karro, however, when he told her to run, it sparked something in her, something that told her, there was more to this man, and that he, maybe, just maybe, he wasn't such a bad guy.

Scarlet held herself wrapped up in her arms, clearly embarrassed by her outward display of affection. Da'Karro was still in slight shock, unused to such open affection and physical contact, he was unsure how to react.
"It's... It's fine, Princess Scarlet, I don't mind." He said, awkwardly trying to patch over the rift left in the wake of her embrace.
"I... I just came to check, that you were unhurt." He said, internally scolding himself for how flustered he was. He was a feared mercenary, Priest of Ishka and ex-slave, he had done darker things with women than the little princess could even contemplate, and yet her touch sent his mind reeling. He steeled his nerves and clamped down on the irrational feelings.
"Since you are fine I will return to my duties." He said, turning to leave.

Isabella followed the flustered Lady Julia, enduring the vile womans vitriol, thanking Ishka that she was usually Ramas' ward, not her own. She followed the stalking lady as she made her way belatedly to the council chambers, after having checked in on her sister, the pair had made for the now incredibly late council meeting, Isabella not looking forward to standing around for hours listening to the delegation debate various courses of action. She was mildly curious how they would react to the attempt on Scarlets life, undoubtedly some of them were implicated, but that was Ramas' job. The burly man was currently scouring the city with the rest of the Harrowers searching for information. Da'Karro was not behaving normally, he was becoming more and more attached to Princess Scarlet by the day. Da'Karro was one of the few people she spoke to and voluntarily showed her face to, and it was to him that she went when she craved human contact, lately he had become more remissive in their encounters, and she worried for him. There was nothing between them really, physical contact was something Isabella could not stand with anyone she did not trust intimately, and Da'Karro fulfilled that role of contact when she desired it. She held no especial claim over him, he was her friend, as much as the two emotionally crippled warriors could claim, and she cared for his wellbeing. She would not let him destroy himself.

"It's... It's fine, Princess Scarlet, I don't mind." Da'Karro said and Scarlet turned to him, a small frown touching her brow. His entire sentence was confusing. She was a princess no longer, he knew that, he made it a point to call her Lady, not Princess, if that wasn't confusing enough, he stammered over his words and then, to top it all off, he said he didn't mind. As she was still processing his statement, he spoke again.
"I... I just came to check, that you were unhurt." He said, stammering again, and then she felt ashamed for pulling away from him. He really did want to know if she were okay, just as she wanted the same from him. Her expression softened as she gazed at him, and it was at that moment, that she wanted to wrap her arms around him again, and she wondered would he return the favor?
"Since you are fine I will return to my duties." He said turning, Scarlet's heart raced and without thinking, she reached out, capturing his arm with both hands. "Don't leave." She said, and while she couldn't hold his gaze, she didn't let go of his arm.

"I'm afraid..." She said. "I feel...." She paused and swallowed. What was she saying? She looked down at her feet, loosening her grip causing her hands slid down his arm. "I don't trust anyone else....I know I'm safe with you and...."She looked up again. "I just don't want you to leave...."

Furious was probably the best term to describe Julia Stark at the moment. As she stormed down the hall to the small council meeting, she was did not have the general patience for at the moment. She ingored the mute behind her, who seemed lost in thought, as she made her way inside, Decimus was already there waiting. She wanted so very much to slap the smug look off of his face.

Ignoring the others around, she walked up to the table, the King at the head of it, she slammed her hand down, not taking a seat. "You told my sister, not to trust me? You think I would kill her? Honestly?" She said, her amber eyes narrowed.

"I do not care, who you are, I do not even care, that you killed my parents, and I told you, I can be very useful to you, but understand this, My liege my sister... she is off limits to you," She hissed, and cared little about what he would or could do to her. Scarlet's infatuation with Misantri was unnerving but now could be very useful. She had to nurture this, some how, She was sure the King would grow tired of herself, but if the mercenary were to fall in love with Scarlet....She was certain the King would have no choice but to marry her, truly make her Queen then she could attain her rebellion. She highly doubted that the King would want to face his mercenary not for the love of a woman, and love was a powerful motivator.

"Who were these people that attacked my sister and they better be already dead?"

"I just don't want you to leave...." Scarlet said, and Da'Karro felt something within him wrench, what were these emotions, why were they happening?
Da'Karro clamped down hard on his emotions, a warrior could not be so susceptible to his own feelings, "I do not exist to serve you!" Da'Karro snapped, his frustration manifesting in anger, "I am not your friend I am your keeper. I will do my duty but nothing more." He said, and quickly exited the door slamming it behind him. He was struck with the overpowering urge to stop, reopen the door and apologise, but shoved the thoughts to the back of hius mind where they could be analysed later. This was not who he was, this was not his path, his future.
He forced his feet to turn and walk away, back towards where the war council sat, once there he would relieve Isabella of her duty and instruct her to watch Scarlet, Da'Karro suddenly hesitant to enter the girls presence again. The effect she had on him would get him killed, as it almost had today.

Decimus endured the Lady Julias rant, weathering the storm as a mountain weathers a passing breeze.
"I instructed Scarlet with the information I had at my disposal, Lady Julia. I knew I had nothing to do with the attack, and assumed that her protectors, as their reputation stands, would betray their employer, especially not the ones guarding your sister. Outside of this knowledge, I knew not whom could have organised such an attack."
He cold eyes bored into her own.
"I was therefore forced to instruct your sister to trust no one, not even you, just to be sure her safety was ensured. I assure you Lady Julia, you and your sisters health remain one of my primary concerns."
He turned to the assembled nobles and citizen council members, all hint of his cold calculation gone, returned was the charismatic man who could sway nigh on any with words alone.
"Apologies friends and honoured guests, the mornings frantic assassination attempt have made everyone a bit tense, I pray you excuse myself and the Lady Julia."
There was a chorus of muffled assurances and condolences, but Decimus had already returned his gaze to Julia, the cold calculation returned to his eyes.
"The men who were apprehended have been questioned and interrogated, any information they have not revealed will be extracted form them over the course of the next few months, although your protector Ramas assures me they will give in long before that. He is currently scouring the city for any who possess information about the attack. I assure you lady Julia, every effort is being made to apprehend the culprits behind this attack."

"I do not exist to serve you!"Da'Karro snapped, and Scarlet snatched away from him, as if he burned her skin. Her eyes were wide, full of tears, hurt and fear. She didn't understand, he was so gentle a moment ago "I am not your friend I am your keeper. I will do my duty but nothing more." He barked before turning and slamming the door behind him. Anger rose up in her chest and she screamed out. "Liar!" She didn't know why she said it, it wasn't her words, but they sprang from her lips anyway.
She watched the door, her heart aching, she didn't understand why, but it hurt, it hurt for him to say that. She clutched her chest and sobbed, sobbed so hard that it made her legs weak, causing her to drop to her knee. He wasn't her friend, he was her keeper, no her jailer, yet, he didn't feel that way. He hadn't a moment ago. She glanced back at the door and sobbed even harder.
He was a liar.

"I instructed Scarlet with the information I had at my disposal, Lady Julia. I knew I had nothing to do with the attack, and assumed that her protectors, as their reputation stands, would betray their employer, especially not the ones guarding your sister. Outside of this knowledge, I knew not whom could have organised such an attack." Julia merely cocked her head impatiently.
His eyes were narrowed but so was hers.
"I was therefore forced to instruct your sister to trust no one, not even you, just to be sure her safety was ensured. I assure you Lady Julia, you and your sisters health remain one of my primary concerns." Julia set her jaw as he disregarded her. She found she was losing her patience with him, she didn't know how much she was going to be able to stomach.
"Apologies friends and honoured guests, the mornings frantic assassination attempt have made everyone a bit tense, I pray you excuse myself and the Lady Julia." He said before looking to her once more, his gaze was cold, but as was hers, her gaze unwavering.
"The men who were apprehended have been questioned and interrogated, any information they have not revealed will be extracted form them over the course of the next few months, although your protector Ramas assures me they will give in long before that. He is currently scouring the city for any who possess information about the attack. I assure you lady Julia, every effort is being made to apprehend the culprits behind this attack."

"Very well, Forgive my...temper....as he said, my sister was nearly killed today, I am not prepared to lose another member of my family so soon, nor do I appreciate any accusation that I may have any part of this." She said, and noticed how one sided the table had been set, it seemed that everyone wanted to be at his right side so they all raced to him, but didn't have the gull to rise again to change their seat. Julia, grabbed a chair, and dragged it to the left of him.

"Let us begin, shall we?"

Nothing. Ramas had found nothing, not a single whisper or peep of the attack on the princess. Much rumour, much gossip, but no actual information. Da'Karro would be in a rage.
Which was most unlike him.
The last of Harrowers made it back into the castle, grumbling and bored. Clearly they had hoped tonight's exercise would lead to some much missed bloodshed, but alas, he was not the only one returning disappointed. The King would have to find them some task to undertake, keeping such a menagerie of murderers, psychopaths and killers idle would only end badly.
Perhaps some time away from the castle would also be good for Da'Karro, he would entreat the king later. Till then, he had Da'Karros rogue fury to divert, and a whole band of sociopaths to keep in check.

Isabella was back with Scarlet, the little girl seemingly not in the mood for training, perhaps the attempt on her life had shaken her more today than she was letting on. Or maybe it was something else. The girl had retired early and Isabella was left to wander the girls chambers, marvelling at the beauty of the gowns and dresses the lady possessed. She adored beautiful clothes, since her kidnapping and subsequent mutilation, she had been unable to feel like her face was anything close to beautiful, and so had instead put her energies into ensuring that her dress was stunning in a way she knew she could not be.
Da'Karro was one of the few to understand that.
Ramas knew, and knew her reasoning, but the grinning oaf had simply brushed off her concerns, stating that women on the isles were frequently horrifically marred by the deadly wildlife, and that people were judged on their character, not appearance. She appreciated the sentiment, but still wore her beautiful dresses and hid her face beneath a veil, revelling in how desirable her body and clothes could look, even if her own features could not match it. Da'Karro was from the west, he had grown up in a culture where a womans worth was her beauty and her fathers treasury, to him, she was a breath of fresh air, capable and strong, self made and powerful despite her trauma and scars. It was what had first attracted them to one another. Neither were capable of a true relationship, they were both too damaged, too traumatised to be able to connect with anyone on a deep level, but it had been something.
Scarlet was taking that away from her.
Her grip tightened on the satin dress she had been holding, her bare teeth clenching beneath her silk veil. It hadnt been much, but it had been hers, and now she was losing it, losing him, to what he had always despised. A young rich girl with a pretty face. How could Isabella hope to match what she could give him? She was nothing, a hideous sellsword with nothing to offer but her skill at killing. She threw the dress into the closet, before slamming the door shut, her breathing heavy.
She pressed her head against the cold wood, her hands in white knuckles upon its smooth surface. She needed to calm down, despite her own feeling she had a job to do. It would do nothing to fail in her duty and lose the one thing she had.

Scarlet tossed and turned in her sleep as her breath came to her shallow and short. Her dream never felt so real before now.

His hands were soft against her skin, gentle, warm, his fingers curling around her hips from behind. His kiss was even more soft, as they traveled from her shoulder, across to soft skin that connect it to her neck, up the sensitive skin of her neck, then to her ear, where she giggled, as his hand rose, cupping her jaw, turning her to his lips. She looked up, deep grey eyes that held nothing but tenderness, and love, not the anger and resentment, and odd confusion as it had before. She turned to him, her hands moving to his shoulders, resting there, while his hands expertly tugged the strings of her dress, one by one, although while his lips were pressed gently against hers. She whimpered, only once, as he pulled her dress from her body.
Scarlet whimpered, her face flush, her skin held a soft sheen of sweat as her body grew hot and cold all at once.

They lay on the bed now, his hands moving up the soft skin of her outer thigh while his kisses traveled down her chest. A soft moan escaping her lips. His hands moved up her skin, higher and higher until finally they reached her neck. He looked down at him and she up at him. She smiled, as did he...right before his fingers curled around her neck and began to squeeze. Harder and Harder. She whimpered again, this time, however, because it was the only sound able to escape her lips.

There was fury in his eyes, as he squeezed, and she clawed at him. She didn't understand.

Scarlet gasped and gagged. her hands clawing at her neck, as she kicked and fought. Her once amber eyes, going as white as a sheet, wide and full of terror.

"Da....Ka....ro.....Ple...ase....St...op." She choked out as her body was beginning to weaken.

Isabella heard murmured noises from Scarlets bed, and ignored them, too furious to save the girl from her own nightmares, let her at least suffer in her dreams. She did at least move towards the girls bed, her adventure in the wardrobe concluded. She was tired, all three of them were, they were the only ones trusted to guard the royal sisters, and as a result, they were being severely overworked. She would have to discuss with Da'Karro on finding a more permanent solution to the girls protection. They were wolves, not guard-dogs.
As she approached the bed, she realised what she had first interpreted as half spoken whispers, were much darker in origin. The girls mouth was spread wide, gasping for air she could not breath, her eyes wide but rolled back as if possessed, and around her neck were wrapped her own hands, choking her to death.
Isabella leapt to the bed, grappling with the girls vice like grip of her own throat. Her hands were stiff and stronger than any girl her size should be able to muster. Isabella struck her swiftly across the face, hoping to rouse her from her night terror, but to no avail. The girl was starting to cease struggling, her body bucking less and less as her brain was deprived of oxygen. Her hands, however, retained their death like grip. She was running out of ideas.
"Ishka guide 'ee." She begged as she vainly tried to tear away the choking hands from the dying girls neck.

Da'Karro and Ramas stood before the King within his chambers, the once opulent chamber of the previous king now a Spartan abode of a scholar. Books lined the walls alongside various scrolls and diagrams, missives and letters. It was not the realm of a king, it was the realm of a ruler. King Decimus himself sat in a simple padded wooden chair that sat by his large desk, his simple breeches and shirt loose and unkempt, much like his hair which was bereft of its usual regal shape. His eyes were dark and he looked tired, despite his public façade, the stress of ruling a conquered nation was clearly wearing on the man.
"Never become a king, gentlemen, its far too much hard work." He said wearily, looking off into the distance before snapping back to reality, "Now, you requested a audience?"
"Yes my lord," Da'Karro said stepping forward, "I believe you are not utilising the skills of the Harrowers effectively. We are an assault force King Decimus, not guards. Give us a target and set us loose, I beg of you."
"Beg, Commander Misantri? That is not a word I admit I ever thought I would hear you use." Decimus said with a smirk, "Very well, you are right of course, I simply sought to employ your exceptional skills where the exceptional was required, but you are right. There are resisters to my rule hiding in the forests to the south. They have made no moves against me yet, but they are gathering strength and support. I want you to make an example of them. I will not allow rebels within my realm."
"As you wish my liege, it will be done." Da'Karro said, bowing low, and Ramas following suit.
"And one other thing Commander Misantri," Decimus said, rising from his chair, "I have changed my mind concerning the two ladies Stark. Julia is... More hassle than she is useful. I will not have her undermining my rule. I will deal with her in my own way, but Scarlet, she is still useful. She is popular, naive and most importantly, royalty. I will wed her when she comes of a more suitable age. I will not endorse the wedding of children." His emerald eyes met with Da'Karros slate grey ones, clearly no fool to how this would affect the man, "I trust, you have no issues with this, commander?"
Da'Karro was silent for a moment, his jaw tensing but otherwise showing no reaction.
"No, my lord."

She was dying. She could feel it, her mind was slowing, her heart stopping. Her body heavy and all she could see what him. Da'Karro peering down at her....but then, something happened. His face warped, darkened, black and pitch, his features torn like parchment.

This wasn't Da'Karro at all, it was some horrible wraith. She tried to fight it but she couldn't. Then she heard something, a voice, as soft as a breath, far away, telling her to do something. Her mind's eye flashed to the real Da'Karro. She didn't know how but she knew she had to call him. Her body was too far gone to speak, but her mind, it reached, it reached out far, stretching outside of her body, she could see herself, laying there, gasping, Isabella, trying to pull her hands from her throat.

Her own hands were choking her....how?

She kept reaching, out past her chamber doors, down the endless corridors, she saw servants, soldiers, all going about their business, then she saw him, with the King and Ramas.

"help." was all she could get her mind to manage. It was hard, she was growing weaker by the moment, but that voice, it was woman's voice, still far away, muffled but she knew she had to get him. Only him. He would be the only one to save her.

Her mind reached him, touched him, before snapping back to her failing body , he was the last thing she saw before the world went dark, her body grew cold.

"Help"
The word struck Da'Karro like a tidal wave, tearing through his body with icy cold talons, causing him to stumble and take a staggered step forward to settle himself. He knew the voice, as impossible as it was, as much as Decimus and Ramas looked upon him as if her were ill, he knew who had called for him.
Scarlet.
He turned and bolted from the room, eliciting cries of surprise and confusion from Ramas and Decimus, Da'Karro didnt know how she had done it, but he knew that Scarlet had called out to him. Called for his help.
The Kings Quarters were close to the two princesses, and he was upon the young girls door in a moment. His shoulder barged through the door, and in a second he took in the contents of the room. Isabella straddled Scarlet in her bed, her hands clasped firmly around Scarlets throat. Da'Karro moved forward to strike Isabella from the princess, but realised hwhad misinterpreated what he was seeing. It was not Isabellas hands grasped around the girls neck, but Scarlets own, it was Isabellas hands that were frantically scrabbling to tear away the princess murderous hold. Da'Karro leapt to Isabellas aid and began trying alongside her to pry off Scarlets hands, but to no avail.
"Scarlet! Scarlet I'm here!" Da'Karro cried at her, trying to waken the failing girl, "I am sorry I yelled, I didnt mean it! Just please, Please come back! I am here! I promise I wont leave you again! Im here, Ill always be here."
He tried in vain to break free her arms, but was once again defeated by the otherworldly strength of his love. His love. He loved her. He never even had understood the word until now, but he could see now. Now at the end, he could see.
"Scarlet..." He whispered to the dying girl, "I love you."