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Araliwin Clarak

"I may not be the strongest, but that won't stop me from protecting what's most important."

0 · 268 views · located in Wednessilia

a character in “The Lost Record of Halcya”, as played by Diarmuid O'Dyna

Description

Full Name: Araliwin Clarak

Race: Human

Age: 19

Gender: Male

Likes: Combat, training, comedies, honest people

Dislikes: Tragedies, war, death

Appearance: Image

Araliwin is a tall man with long hair that is tied into a ponytail, reaching past his shoulders. He is lightly armored as to make his movements quicker for battle. The only armor he really wears are shoulder guards, a left forearm guard, shin guards and boots. The warrior's clothing sports the colors of Wednessilia, being blue and gold, while his clothing still contains originality from the other knights of the kingdom.

Personality: Araliwin is a rather fun loving guy who knows to be serious around his superiors. He is a knight through-and-through; being unable to address Asteriviel Uthros less formally, even when she asks him to. Araliwin even addresses his friend, Melaushav, by "my lord" often, to Melaushav's discontent. For the most part, Araliwin will try to avoid acting too seriously around his friends, Melaushav and Cilalith. But around other knights and also Naramonde, he generally takes on his serious disposition once again.

Equipment: Aigthaas. A spear made of, what is rumored to be, the bone of a sea monster. It is also rumored that the spear never misses its mark, the heart.

History: Araliwin was born on the east coast of Halcya, farther north east than Wednessilia. The boy was born in the tundra. The boy's parents were gone, his mother died of illness and his father left him in the care of an orphanage while he left to pursue, "glory on the battlefield", or something ridiculous like that. Growing up in an orphanage wasn't exactly an easy life, but it definitely could have been worse for Araliwin; his father could have just left him back at their home in the freezing cold, never to be seen again. But Araliwin was schooled by the women of the church, as they stopped by often to visit the children. They preached to the children about the God of Light, which Araliwin had thought was an indecisive god, but kept his mouth shut around the nice ladies.

Araliwin would go see the priestesses often, asking the questions that his parents would normally be the ones to answer. They also taught the boy arithmetic along with the history of Halcya, and of course, all about the gods. After the priestesses had taught him all they could, he began to explore the kingdom more often, soon meeting a cute (but quick tempered) blonde girl along with her older brother. The three children spent many days playing with each other, growing closer and learning more about one another. It was around the time that he and Melaushav were twelve (three years after they had first met) that he learned the two children were royalty.

That was when Araliwin figured out what he wanted to do with his life. He was going to become a soldier and protect his friends. However, Araliwin was never a large fan of the sword, and wasn't very accurate when it came to firing a bow. He soon learned of a woman who specialized in fighting with a spear. After a large amount of begging, she allowed the boy to become her apprentice. Araliwin worked diligently everyday to become a strong warrior, and with striking results. By the time he was fifteen, he could best most adult warriors, aside from his teacher, that is. And so, the boy enlisted into the military. Not many took the boy seriously, until he wiped the floor with them with only a broom. The boy was made into an infantryman, and flashed his devastating skills on the battlefield.

When he was seventeen, Araliwin, along with many other soldiers from Wednessilia were posted to the east, on the edge of the water. They were preparing from an invasion, not from foreigners, but from a kingdom to the West of Wednessilia. The kingdom had thought it wise to send their navy around the continent and send forces on land to attack Wednessilia from the back. However, for some reason or another, Prince Naramonde had known of this plan and staged warriors to intervene, along with Wednessilia's own navy waiting for the enemy. Once the enemy arrived, Wednessilia's navy went out to see to stop the incoming enemy ships. After a few hours of fighting, an unknown enemy entered the battlefield. At this time, Araliwin was on a ship, trying to force back the enemy boats to retreat. Once the few ships left of the Wednessilia navy followed the enemy out to sea, a greater threat arrived. The Wednessilia ships were held in place by large tentacles coming from the dark waters below. Araliwin used his deadly spear techniques to try and force the monster back, cutting off one of the tentacles that held his ship in place. As a result, the monster retreated back into the depths.

After the battle, Araliwin had been seen carrying around a new spear of a strange material, assumed to be the bone of the monster he had driven back. Due to this great feat, Prince Naramonde had enlisted the soldier as his very own knight.

Themesong: Nemesis

So begins...

Araliwin Clarak's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Melaushav Uthros Character Portrait: Ashe Kokkino Hoo Character Portrait: Naramonde Uthros Character Portrait: Seirahn Garamond Character Portrait: Araliwin Clarak
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"I doubt she is that type of woman," Seirahn had said in response to Naramonde's crude remark. The king would have to take his word on that; Naramonde could trust the niethe's opinions on women after all the time he had spent gathering them for his employer. "The boy prince is too gentle to know how to deal with the sort anyway," Naramonde could only enjoy the image of his innocent little brother reacting to such a thing. Ah, but then Seirahn had cut to the more pressing matter at hand, well for him and everyone else besides the new king and the exiled prince. "...But that is rather besides the point. You still have yet to answer the larger question at hand, how did you come to reside on the throne?"

Oh Seirahn, you've always been so impatient~. Naramonde thought merrily. You're still so much like a child. You've never liked me dragging things out, have you? But it's only after you slowly get used to an idea can you finally understand the bigger picture behind it. Maybe that's too much of a concept for you... Well, you and my foolish brother.

"Also, it may do to inform you. The boy prince has taken the armor you had previously passed on to him through a process of rejection as well as the... weapon with its less-than-impressive history." Seirahn added. Less-than-impressive, that was a nice way of putting it. Naramonde gave the sword to his younger brother to somewhat commemorate all the duels Melaushav had lost to his older brother. However, Melaushav didn't seem to take it that way, and more of thought of the sword as a... Beginning? A "starting point", I think he said. A starting point for what, though?

"He mentioned something of leaving the kingdom with the young woman for a period of time, though where is there for you to go, boy prince?" Now the question was directed at the king's brother. Finally, something more interesting. Naramonde had always found certain people to just bore him, for example, himself. So he always liked to hear the opinions, ideas or stories of other people. As long as they weren't nobles, they were somewhat interesting. But Melaushav was an exception to that; Naramonde had never really considered his younger brother as a noble, mostly because he never acted like he was. "I have never seen you leave the castle without at least one or two guards, so perhaps it's not only Naramonde I should be asking after."

"Hmmm," Naramonde hummed after hearing Seirahn's words. Maybe his younger brother was finally planning on leaving to become a man. No, that idea probably wasn't innocent enough to cross the prince's mind. Which seemed strange to Naramonde, because it was the very first thing that popped into his head.

"I-" Melaushav had begun much faster than Naramonde had predicted he would. The young prince usually spent much time planning on what to say, rather than saying what came straight to his mind. But the new king of Wednessilia didn't let his brother continue further than the one word he spoke.

"That's to be expected, isn't it?" Naramonde stated quite casually. "Of course he planned on leaving the kingdom; he was exiled, after all." He decided to end all the tricks and the avoiding of questions for the moment. Melaushav had turned to look at his older brother in shock. "What? Are you still not understanding that assassination is a good enough warrant for exile?" The king then turned toward the door to the assembly hall, speaking nonchalantly. "What are you three doing? You might as well attend this gathering, seeing as all three of you have the right. Sir Araliwin, dear Mother, and my sweet sister."

The door to the assembly hall opened once more as a tall man clad in blue and gold led two women with light blond hair into the hall. The knight looked at the king with what seemed like contempt as he made his way toward the exiled prince, the two women following behind him. It seemed rude to look at the king with such a face. He seemed rather ungrateful for being let into meeting between family. But the king let the look slide as he didn't like to enforce people to think in a certain way; that would only make the person less interesting.

Melaushav seemed to turn away from the three, looking toward the ground. Was it guilt? Or was he just too sad to look at their familiar faces? Naramonde found the action to be charming in its own way. It was the look of a child that was trying not to face his parents after doing something bad.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Melaushav Uthros Character Portrait: Ashe Kokkino Hoo Character Portrait: Naramonde Uthros Character Portrait: Seirahn Garamond Character Portrait: Araliwin Clarak
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"I doubt she is that type of woman," Ashe turned a bewildered face to the straight-faced child. Did he even KNOW what they were talking about? "The boy prince is too gentle to know how to deal with the sort anyway--but that is rather besides the point. You still have yet to answer the larger question at hand, how did you come to reside on the throne?"

After what seemed to be a long pause, the boy focused his plum orbs focused on Naramonde as he spoke again in a quiet voice. "Also, it may do to inform you. The boy prince has taken the armor you had previously passed on to him through a process of rejection as well as the... weapon with its less-than-impressive history." Ashe perked up a little at that, the memory of that sword. How she longed to wield it, even just once...though... what did Seirahn mean by 'less-than-impressive history'?

"He mentioned something of leaving the kingdom with the young woman for a period of time, though where is there for you to go, boy prince?" Seirahn was talking to Melaushav now... but BOY PRINCE? She looked at Seirahn with a weird glance. "I have never seen you leave the castle without at least one or two guards, so perhaps it's not only Naramonde I should be asking after."

Eh...so Melaushav was the the wimpy type of guy. He needed one or two guards? Even when he possessed a sword? Ashe was wondering if he even used the weapon before. Finally, after somewhat processing the possibly interesting subject at hand... the golden king broke the silence.

"Hmmm," Naramonde hummed.

"I-" Melaushav had began to speak, but was quickly cut off by Naramonde.

"That's to be expected, isn't it?" Naramonde stated rather casually. "Of course he planned on leaving the kingdom; he was exiled, after all." Just like how Melaushav had turned to look at his older brother in shock, Ashe did the exact same thing to Melaushav. EXILED? "What? Are you still not understanding that assassination is a good enough warrant for exile?" The king then turned toward the door to the assembly hall, speaking nonchalantly. "What are you three doing? You might as well attend this gathering, seeing as all three of you have the right. Sir Araliwin, dear Mother, and my sweet sister."

The door to the assembly hall opened once more as a tall man clad in blue and gold led two women with light blond hair into the hall. The knight looked at the king with what seemed like contempt as he made his way toward the exiled prince, the two women following behind him. It seemed rude to look at the king with such a face. But honestly, Ashe didn't care less, since that kind of look was born to be used on someone like the king.

Melaushav seemed to turn away from the three, looking toward the ground. Was it guilt? Or was he just too sad to look at their familiar faces?

Ashe took her time to look at the knight, Melaushav's mother and sister. The knight seemed to possess the aura of a warrior, which Ashe actually found interesting. The fingers on her left hand trailed the handle of her katana. Totally different from the warriors she clashed against during the ambush, this one seemed as if he could put up a very good fight. Hmm...

As for Melaushav's mother and sister, they shared the same golden hair with the two brothers, and Ashe had to admit that the Queen was beautiful, and seemed to be rather serene, like she was filled with knowledge that normal people would never attain. Heck, Ashe could feel it even, the energy that seemed to be drawn to this lady. The sister... Ashe liked the sister. Ashe could tell that although his sister seemed ladylike... she knew how to wield a sword, and Ashe respected that. If anything, Ashe felt a little twinge of jealousy at how all three of them looked alike. Ashe and her brother resembled each other sure, but not as much as these three did.

"...What's this assassination that you're talking about?" Ashe pulled out her manly voice to speak with the king...then she realized. "Wait...you don't mean..."

She glanced at Melaushav, then rewound back the moments where he seemed to be in pain, shocked and guilty... HIM? BUT... NO WAY!

"...You?" her voice fell into a whisper as she looked at him with shocked eyes.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Melaushav Uthros Character Portrait: Ashe Kokkino Hoo Character Portrait: Naramonde Uthros Character Portrait: Seirahn Garamond Character Portrait: Araliwin Clarak
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Araliwin led the two blonde women behind him into the assembly hall. He tried to walk with as much confidence as he could, as he didn't want to look weak in front of the Uthros family, especially not in front of Naramonde Uthros. It was difficult to do so however, as the knight didn't have much of an idea as to what was going on. Araliwin's red eyes laid upon his lord, Naramonde, who seemed to be doing the same in return. He looked happier than he should have as he sat upon his deceased father's throne. No, it wasn't even his father's throne. The seat he sat upon was some gaudy golden throne, something fitting for Naramonde. Talk about adjusting quickly...

The knight turned his attention to Melaushav and the slave he had bought earlier in the day. "I always thought he kept secrets better than this." Araliwin had thought. "Actually, her presence here may have something to do with Garamond," The knight hypothesized, but he was almost sure of it. His attention was focused on Melaushav as the boy looked toward the ground, shamefully. The sight made Araliwin want to pound some knowledge into his friend's head with his fist, but he had to control himself. Besides the fact that the act of doing so would be outrageous, it would be completely out of character.

"Melaushav." Araliwin stated; a more rational approach to the situation. Melaushav in turn, picked his head up, looking toward Araliwin, his eyes mournful and as childish as ever. That wasn't the face of a killer, it was the face of a little boy Araliwin had met years ago. "Wipe that look off your face. It's starting to depress me."

"Huh?" Melaushav asked, sounding shocked. "You're-"

"You aren't guilty, are you?" Araliwin asked, cutting off the prince's speech. "Then why are you acting like you're in penitence?"

"Not guilty?" King Naramonde asked after hearing Araliwin's words. "You don't believe Melaushav to be the assassin? I found him standing next to father's body. Who else do you believe to have killed the man?"

Araliwin felt that Naramonde was the number one suspect, but it would be troublesome to accuse the new king of Wednessilia of murder. The knight's instincts told him that would be a mistake. But even if the knight's instincts told him that, someone else seemed bold enough to bring up the topic.

"What about you, brother?" Princess Cilalith Uthros stepped forward. "You were the one who "discovered" Melaushav with... father. Does that not make you suspect to suspicion?"

"Oh dear sister, I had nearly forgotten you were here with the little presence of your voice. Are you suspecting I murdered father from his backside in order to usurp the throne from him, waited for brother to arrive at the assembly hall, and blamed the act on him to remove attention from myself? That is quite the accusation. But do you not think it dangerous to say such slanderous things against the king?" Naramonde responded.

The king dangerously stated the plan of an assassination as if he no longer cared if anyone believed he was guilty. The act of doing so was almost a confession to the crime, but who had the authority to punish a king? Naramonde was now at the greatest seat of power within Wednessilia. No one could punish the king, as the king is absolute.

"It is not slander if the statement is true." Cilalith said fearlessly, not backing down from her older brother. But if Naramonde really had killed his father, would he have no qualms about killing his younger sister? Even with that in mind, she continued to openly speak out against the king. Melaushav seemed to consider this as he looked after his sister with worry.

"If this continues, Naramonde may really consider killing his sister. I have to do something before she takes things even further." Araliwin had thought, looking after Cilalith with similar worry on his face to Melaushav. And soon after, the prince spoke, but the words he spoke weren't exactly the ones Araliwin had expected.

"Then it is slander for that very reason, Cilalith." Melaushav spoke, more boldly than before. It seemed as though the prince had stopped his self pitying, to Araliwin's approval. However, the words the prince soon said were ones Araliwin wasn't so happy to hear. "As brother had said, I am the assassin of King Dageamonde Uthros. I murdered him in this very room from the back, as I don't have the skill to face such an opponent. It was my intention to kill him and put brother on the throne. I apologize for doing something so impetuous, brother." Melaushav had spoken resolutely, and the fact that he had done so made Araliwin want to hit him even more. Even if he was lying for his sister's sake, or possibly, Wednessilia's, the knight still wanted to beat his friend for doing such a thing.

Naramonde's smile seemed to widen more so than usual, as he must have found his brother's actions interesting. "So you admit to it then? I'm glad you have so much more tact than I had originally thought." The king seemed to lose the hostility in his voice, so Melaushav must have distracted his murderous intent. "Although, there still is the problem about your punishment. You were exiled. I told you, if you ever returned, I'd see to your death myself." At that moment, Naramonde drew the sword out of a sheath from a knight standing beside him. "Now I believe it is time for your execution."

"What?!" Araliwin exclaimed, taking a step toward Melaushav, however, a knight placed his hand on the man's shoulder, stopping him. "This is ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous? I sentenced the boy to exile. I believe that was letting him off well for the assassination of a king." Naramonde said carelessly, walking toward his younger brother. "However, he returned for the girl and his equipment. That wasn't exactly part of the arrangement."

"But-" Araliwin gritted his teeth, trying to shake off the guard who held onto him.

"He's right, Araliwin." Melaushav said, not turning to look at his childhood friend. "I have to be punished for what I've done. But you're the one who was talking about tact earlier, why don't you show that in a less crude public execution."

"Brother, what are you saying?!" Cilalith exclaimed, but Asteriviel stopped her, speaking no words.

"A public execution? Why should I let those mongrels see the death of my younger brother?" Naramonde stopped a few feet before Melaushav. "I doubt they care much about the death of their king; even with a different king, not much should change. So I'm sure they'll be fine with this makeshift execution."

"I understand." Melaushav nodded, ignoring his brother's comment. "Then, before I die, may I have a final request?"

"A final request?" Naramonde confirmed. "I'll allow it."

"Please do not allow any form of harm to fall on to Ashe nor Cil." Melaushav requested, bowing his head to Naramonde, who dismissed the action with displeasure.

"Of course. I assume this Ashe person is the slave woman. Do not have any fear, she will stray far from my bedside, as well." Naramonde said with a smile. "Now raise your head. You are still a member of the Uthros family, so act like it until your death, and even after your death."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Melaushav Uthros Character Portrait: Ashe Kokkino Hoo Character Portrait: Naramonde Uthros Character Portrait: Seirahn Garamond Character Portrait: Araliwin Clarak
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#, as written by Igari
Seirahn had kept quiet carefully throughout the statements Naramonde was making towards his younger brother. The Niethe boy was not so willing to pitch in his judgement call on the situation, for he needed sufficient time to analyze. And he certainly was going to take all the time he needed before saying anything whatsoever. The way the now-king was radiated volatile and even the boy knew, there was no point in rationalizing with someone when they were in that state of mind. The conversation that passed between Naramonde and Melaushav was hazy for him, at best, for he was keeping most of his attentions focused on their body language. The golden-king moved in a self-assumed way, taking control easily, too smoothly for someone who had just lost their father. The boy-prince, on the other hand, was looking downwards, as if feeling remorseful or guilty for some past deed. Sort of reminded him of a beat puppy, in a way.

He was brought out of his observations with a wide gesture by Naramonde, the doors to the large hall opening to reveal the widowed queen, the young princess, and the personal knight to Melaushav, Araliwin. The knight in shining armor appearing to save his ward, apparently. The knight walked a bit closer to the prince, saying something reassuring to him no doubt, for the boy-prince looked up with a more hopeful expression on his face. This was cut off by Naramonde, who spoke in an exceedingly casual voice, addressing something Araliwin must've said.

"Not guilty? You don't believe Melaushav to be the assassin? I found him standing next to father's body. Who else do you believe to have killed the man?" Silence fell over the standings, yet it was the princess that spoke up. Today was just full of surprises.

"What about you, brother? You were the one who "discovered" Melaushav with... father. Does that not make you suspect to suspicion?" Her voice was shaky with a shaky type of firmness. Seirahn was not surprised--the man obsessed with gold was not exactly the easiest to approach, let alone reprimand. Naramonde's smile did not leave his face, disturbingly sweet and casual.

"Oh dear sister, I had nearly forgotten you were here with the little presence of your voice. Are you suspecting I murdered father from his backside in order to usurp the throne from him, waited for brother to arrive at the assembly hall, and blamed the act on him to remove attention from myself? That is quite the accusation. But do you not think it dangerous to say such slanderous things against the king?" The Niethe and the king shared a look at this very moment, one that made the former tighten his small hand into a fist. Seirahn had always been loyal to the king, for the most part, when he had been a prince. He had never questioned Naramonde's actions and had followed them perfectly down to the letter. Yet now he had to pause, for even he was hesitant. He, the one that had killed many a time all for the sake of the royal family. For it would seem the one whom he was under the employ of was turning a mite more malicious than even Seirahn had anticipated. The princess had said something while he had been mulling things over, Melaushav cutting in with a bold voice.

"Then it is slander for that very reason, Cilalith. As brother had said, I am the assassin of King Dageamonde Uthros. I murdered him in this very room from the back, as I don't have the skill to face such an opponent. It was my intention to kill him and put brother on the throne. I apologize for doing something so impetuous, brother." The instant the words left Melaushave's mouth, Seirahn knew that the prince had made a mistake. Naramonde had a... quirk about being shown to be in the right. While it did nullify him, even placate the man to an extent, that only made the next actions all the more to be wary of. Naramonde had never seen a reason to hold back, after all, when he was sure there would be no concern of repercussions. (And, for the most part, there never were)

The mussy, white hair fell over his plum eyes as Seirahn shifted his head, tilting his chin upwards. He had most certainly heard enough. The needless antics of this game had gone on long enough and the Niethe did not enjoy such displays. Indeed, he was greatly displeased with the way the events were proceeding. With Melaushav's "confession" erupted a burst of heated conversation, mostly protests from Araliwin's line. But Seirahn knew better. Naramonde was beyond pleas, beyond reasoning--he had turned to vicious, malignant intent. The only reason the king had agreed to the boy-prince's terms of protecting the woman--Ashe--was to only relish the betrayal later. Naramonde had never been good at keeping promises that did not benefit him. Seirahn heard the silver-tongued lie in the king's words.

"Of course. I assume this Ashe person is the slave woman. Do not have any fear, she will stray far from my bedside, as well. Now raise your head. You are still a member of the Uthros family, so act like it until your death, and even after your death." This was it for Seirahn and he spoke in his soft, lilting voice, pitching it loud enough before the sword descended.

"I do not think that a wise action," He said slowly, his objection enough to have Naramonde pause. "Do you not think it is more than the welpling deserves to die with his honor, his princely title still in tact? No, I think you are much too soft, golden-king." Seirahn was choosing all of his words carefully, the only language that would appeal to the elder at a time like this. "To let him die in front of his family would cause them grief, for sure, but would only end Melaushav's pain. And you would lose the alliance of the royal line, which would not look good in the eyes of the kingdom."

He hoped the boy-prince knew exactly what he was doing for him. "I think, perhaps, in light of the situation, it would only be fitting to reduce him to the status of that woman, Ashe. To strip him of everything and give him to the cruel treatments of slavery. Then, when he is on his last whims, you can have Araliwin bring him back to the palace--just to glance once more at those that he loves, to the woman you "promised" not to bed, and only then should he be allowed to die." The words were harsh ones but the Niethe had seen much in his years as an assassin. And he knew very well that the newfound power had gone to Naramonde's head. It would be best to get Melaushav out of the picture to calm the king down, to a degree, and talk some logic into his mind.

"In fact," He continued. "I think it should be Araliwin that carries him in chains to the trade city. It should be fitting, for the one that was once the servant to be the master." He kept the coldness in his eyes as he observed the king, not bothering to look at Ashe. She would not understand his intentions and he did not expect her to.

'You better be smart enough to survive this at least, boy prince.' He thought faintly, keeping his composure. The tentative plan he had set in to motion hung in the air as he waited for Naramonde to consider his words.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Melaushav Uthros Character Portrait: Ashe Kokkino Hoo Character Portrait: Naramonde Uthros Character Portrait: Seirahn Garamond Character Portrait: Araliwin Clarak
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The knight spoke to Melaushav, with the intent of snapping Melaushav out from his stupid self-pity. Ashe did not believe that Melaushav was the culprit, despite the accusations and his guilty look...Now that she thought of it...he didn't look guilty because of the murder...was he guilty for not standing up to Naramonde instead? Ashe approved when the knight told him to wipe the depressed expression from his face.

"You aren't guilty, are you?" Ashe continued to look at Melaushav for his reaction. "Then why are you acting like you're in penitence?"

"Not guilty?" She turned her attention to the so called 'King' Naramonde. "You don't believe Melaushav to be the assassin? I found him standing next to father's body. Who else do you believe to have killed the man?"

'You...It's you, you arrogant fiend not worthy of being a warrior on the throne.' was all Ashe could think about. She was barely containing the urge to cut the fool down to size right before the eyes of everyone in the hall.

"What about you, brother?" the young princess stepped forward, much to Ashe's surprise. Now, Ashe was ADMIRING this girl. So young and so brave... "You were the one who "discovered" Melaushav with... father. Does that not make you suspect to suspicion?"

"Oh dear sister, I had nearly forgotten you were here with the little presence of your voice. Are you suspecting I murdered father from his backside in order to usurp the throne from him, waited for brother to arrive at the assembly hall, and blamed the act on him to remove attention from myself? That is quite the accusation. But do you not think it dangerous to say such slanderous things against the king?" Naramonde responded, almost smugly.

'Not if you're not the rightful king.' was what Ashe would've said, but she held her tongue.

"It is not slander if the statement is true." Cilalith said fearlessly, and Ashe sang in thrills in her heart. What would Naramonde the Fool, say now?

But...

"Then it is slander for that very reason, Cilalith." Melaushav spoke up more boldly than before. Ashe turned her grey eyes to look at him, astonished that the wimp has spoken up. "As brother had said, I am the assassin of King Dageamonde Uthros. I murdered him in this very room from the back, as I don't have the skill to face such an opponent. It was my intention to kill him and put brother on the throne. I apologize for doing something so impetuous, brother."

What...WHAT! WHAT WAS THE WIMP DOING?! FIGHT BACK DAMMIT!

To her disgust, Naramonde's smile seemed to widen. "So you admit to it then? I'm glad you have so much more tact than I had originally thought." The king no longer held the hostility in his voice, but triumph was evident in it. "Although, there still is the problem about your punishment. You were exiled. I told you, if you ever returned, I'd see to your death myself." At that moment, Naramonde drew the sword out of a sheath from a knight standing beside him. "Now I believe it is time for your execution."

"What?!" the knight with the rest of the royal family exclaimed, taking a step toward Melaushav, however, a knight placed his hand on the man's shoulder, stopping him. "This is ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous? I sentenced the boy to exile. I believe that was letting him off well for the assassination of a king." Naramonde said carelessly, walking toward his younger brother. "However, he returned for the girl and his equipment. That wasn't exactly part of the arrangement."

"But-" the knight gritted his teeth, trying to shake off the guard who held onto him.

"He's right, Araliwin." Melaushav said, much to Ashe's chagrin. "I have to be punished for what I've done. But you're the one who was talking about tact earlier, why don't you show that in a less crude public execution."

"Brother, what are you saying?!" the young princess exclaimed, only to be stopped by the silent queen.

'LISTEN TO YOU SISTER DAMMIT!'

"A public execution? Why should I let those mongrels see the death of my younger brother?" At least this fool has a small shred of decency not to make this family blood spill public. "I doubt they care much about the death of their king; even with a different king, not much should change. So I'm sure they'll be fine with this makeshift execution."

"I understand." Melaushav nodded. "Then, before I die, may I have a final request?"

"A final request?" Naramonde confirmed. "I'll allow it."

"Please do not allow any form of harm to fall on to Ashe nor Cil." Melaushav requested, bowing his head to Naramonde, who seemed dismissed the action with displeasure...and something Ashe found distasteful as well. Who was he to request THIS FOOL to make sure no harm befell her or the princess? And WHAT THE HECK was his thinking bowing down to this fiend?

"Of course. I assume this Ashe person is the slave woman. Do not have any fear, she will stray far from my bedside, as well." Naramonde said with a smile. "Now raise your head. You are still a member of the Uthros family, so act like it until your death, and even after your death."

Ashe tried to keep her calm, and almost succeeded...until Seirahn spoke as well.

"I do not think that a wise action," Ashe looked towards the white haired child. "Do you not think it is more than the welpling deserves to die with his honor, his princely title still in tact? No, I think you are much too soft, golden-king." What...WHAT?! "To let him die in front of his family would cause them grief, for sure, but would only end Melaushav's pain. And you would lose the alliance of the royal line, which would not look good in the eyes of the kingdom."

What was the child going with this?! "I think, perhaps, in light of the situation, it would only be fitting to reduce him to the status of that woman, Ashe. To strip him of everything and give him to the cruel treatments of slavery. Then, when he is on his last whims, you can have Araliwin bring him back to the palace--just to glance once more at those that he loves, to the woman you "promised" not to bed, and only then should he be allowed to die."

Ashe's anger couldn't be described. As she tried to force it down, her head for once seemed a little clearer despite her raging fury, but although she knew the plan that Seirahn had cooked up...Those words that the child had said were just too cruel for her liking.

"In fact," He continued. "I think it should be Araliwin that carries him in chains to the trade city. It should be fitting, for the one that was once the servant to be the master."

That was her breaking point. Ashe couldn't hold in her warrior's heart burning with fury any longer, especially not when a person was holding a sword in the same room as she was. She moved with speed comparable to a snake, her left hand drawing her white katana and she thrust her katana forward at Melaushav's face, slicing his cheek open on purpose, displaying her accuracy. Drawing blood, she kept her katana in that position as she stared at the prince with burning grey eyes of anger, pity and disappointment. A look that conveyed the message:

'You're a wimp Melaushav. Why can't you just fight back?'

She was so angry...angry that someone like Melaushav could only be bullied all the time by his fiend of a brother. Angry that even that little child could bully this wimp of a man standing before her. Angry that she had showed her weak side to someone weaker than she was... Perhaps she was just angry that she actually owed this wimp a favour in return.

Whatever it was, Ashe turned on her heel with grace, pointing her katana straight at Naramonde, not even bothering to look at Seirahn at all.

"I admire your courage for standing up against your older brother, princess." Ashe admitted, a small smirk seemed to appear on her lips, which turned into a frown as she stared at Naramonde with contempt.

"I'm not like your wimp of a younger brother. I'm not afraid to fight you, and I'm not afraid of the consequences either. I don't care if you're the king, or just a prince that's dreaming to be one." Ashe spoke with the tone of one that could compete against a ruler, something she had gotten used to being her brother's right-hand man, or woman. "I don't know how you settle things here, but with me, swords are the easiest. The winner is always right, and the loser is always wrong. Because a winner wins because he knows he is right and is resolute."

She flourished her katana while still pointing it at Naramonde, causing a melodic sound of metal cutting through air and vibrating.

With a more quiet tone:

"I can tell you Melaushav is not the culprit. He didn't have time to do something like this because he was busy taking care of me. And I bet my virginity that he isn't even man enough to stab his father, even through the back. That's just how wimpy he is."

With a stronger voice, "Now that that's out of the way... I challenge you, so called 'King'. Whether you wish to cross swords with me, or to send in one of your best knights, it doesn't matter. The rewards will be fair. Melaushav has been exiled, so I will not request for it to be revoked. If it is my victory, the exiled will be left unharmed and free to be on his merry way."

She dropped her hand to her side, still holding her beautiful white katana.

"State your victory conditions. But be fair... you only have ONE choice." she stressed out.

She felt hurt, angered, sympathetic, betrayed, all at the same time. She had never felt something like this, not even during the death of her brother... in fact, it was just adding to her hidden pile of pain. But this was what she needed.

She was a Dersun warrior, and she needed to fight. This was what she lived for, fighting.