Kingdom of Lancaster

The sight of the sun coming up into the sky was one she had grown used to looking at; unlike most, she found it to be nothing too special, simply because with all the sneaking out she tended to do, it has become nothing more than part of her day. Though, viewing it now was far different than when she used to, seeing as it happened now from the windows ledge of her bed chambers. She hadn't felt the urge to leave that night, though her body still had forced her to awaken in the middle of the night, not allowing her to drift back into sleep. Her bright green orbs watched the sun for some time, probably much longer than she actually thought she had been watching. Though, as the natural light became brighter outside, her mind finally struck the idea to leave for at least a few solid hours.

She turned from her window and moved to the door of her chambers, opening it the slightest bit, her eyes looking about slowly for a few moments, checking for any other persons standing around her room. She became relieved as she saw no others around n her general area, though she was sure there soon would be; her moves would have to fast and silent if she wished to make it out without any trouble from another.

She slipped through her door, closing it behind her, making sure to not allow the skirting of her dress to get caught in the act of doing so. Being the clumsy girl that she was, she had grown to hate when she would ruin a dress, and she did not wish to do so in that moment. She quickly made her way down the curved stairwell, her eyes looking about every once in a while to check for clearing. The last thing she wanted at the moment was a guard to notice her leaving, or worse, her brother or Cassandra. She figured it wouldn't end too well if any of those were the case at hand.

Alexander awoke with a hard pounding to his door, it was one of his generals coming to talk to him about the increasing number of bandit raids no doubt. Alexander threw on some pants and opened the door. It was his father's good friend and the most feared general in the kingdom, Kylar. The man had more wins under his belt than most people have ever taken breathes. Kylar rushed passed and laid a map down on the nearest table, then he explained the situation, "Bandits of all types have been ravaging our towns for over a week now my prince. We must send men to guard the town or at the very least train some militia." Alexander asked, "What towns are the worst Kylar?" The general looked at him with a glare that said all of them. "Well then start sending men to train and protect the towns nearest to the castle, then when the bandits fear us again we will move out and protect the towns on the out skirts." Alexander said, the general probably had a much better way of doing it, but Kylar was grooming Alexander for the crown and wanted him to make decisions that could have bad out comes so he would learn to appreciate the people. Kylar said, "Not a great plan, but it will have to do for now, go eat your breakfast. Elska should be down there by now"

Alexander went down the flight of stairs into the dinning room which could probably fit over a hundred people. he sat down at the head of the table and began to eat and remember when his father had been the one at the head of the table and his mother was right next to him. It felt like such a long time ago, but it wasn't the servants still brought out to many plates at times forgetting that only Alexander and Elska were ever there. Now days it was just Alexander for she had started to come around less and less. Alexander decided to go up stairs and see what she was up to in her room.

Alexander knocked on the door and when he heard nothing he decided to slowly open the door while saying, "Elska I'm coming in." when he saw no one there he panicked a little like he always does, he knew that she probably just left without telling anyone, but there is always a chance she was taken by someone. Alexander ran to the nearest stationed guard and asked him if he saw anything. He of course said, "No sir, I haven't seen Miss. Lancaster." Alexander went and found Kylar and had him put out a silent alarm with the elite soldiers to look for her. Alexander started to look for Cassandra, that damn women was always there when he didn't need her, but when she was actually needed she was nowhere to be found.

Connor jumped off the caravan that had offered him a lift as the got to the outskirt of Lancaster. He bowed as did his bird crop. He continued into the city and saw that everyone was waking up. " Hm probably not the best time to talk to royalty but I have to get their before the foreign prince." he said to his crow who squawked in agreement. He found a group of doves and commanded one to come close to him. The white peace symbol hopped to Connor's feet, he pulled a scroll out and handed it to the small bird. " Take this to the prince or princess " he threw the bird with the scroll in it's feet as it headed towards the castle.

It explained that he the infamous blackbird would be coming in as extra protection for the prince and princess at this difficult time. It was signed by the king of Dresmark a richer country renowned for it's military. They had been at peace for most countries except for the advanced country. It had strange things but Dresmark stood their ground as it almost always did but if it got it's hand on Lancaster it would be over and Dresmark would be captured. Connor was informed to keep their prince away from Lancaster's Princess at all cost. He only hoped they weren't spoiled to the core so he wouldn't have to wait on them hand and foot , if they did well he always had a way with birds big and small.

Most of the time he could kill his targets. He like to get to know them first then kill them so it looks like they were doing something the always did but it would look like an accident. After he killed someone he always disappeared but made sure to leave a large black feather in their right hand. He made sure to always have one on hand and if he didn't he had Crop his crow to find one for him.

Connor continued walking towards the castle and saw some guards heading out towards the outskirts. He ignored them and went to the gates and snuck inside undetected as the gates closed. He saw the dove fly through the window. It flew around and saw the prince and tried to land on his shoulder only flying after him until after he got done talking to the guard he pecked him on the head and dropped the scroll then flew away out the window to rejoin his fellow doves.

Kylar stared at the note in his hands, if it was a ransom note he was going to kill somebody maybe several people. Alexander opened the note and it read like this Dear The prince and princess of Lancaster, I am blackbird... at that point Alexander threw the paper on the ground and ran to the nearest guard, he yelled, "Get me the counter assassins now!" They came within five minutes, he gave them drawings that generally matched blackbirds description and he sent them off to find the bird and to bring him back in chains or not to come back at all. Alexander also explained how important it was that they bring him back alive for he may have the princess.

He had some servants bring him his armor and sword, then he sent out all of his Lancaster Guardians to hunt the man down. With all his men looking the black bird only had a few ways out and there was no way he could get Elska to come quietly, so the man was either going to have to kill her, send her back, or just flat out leave without her. Alexander ran to the stables, grabbed a horse than galloped off to help the search.

Connor watched as the guards and counter assasins went out of the castle the prince following in suit. Connor rolled his eyes " idiots " he said to himself watching as most of the guards had left. Connor lept into the castle as the doors swung shut. He dashed into the shadows and went in search of the princess. " Where are you he kept repeating in his head. He search trying to make sure none of the servants saw him. He kept searching but with no results.

" Hm maybe I should wait for Princey to return " he went up and found the Prince's chambers. He lied down on the bed and let out a small whistle and three mocking birds came to the window. " Okay you three find the Prince and tell him I'll be waiting in his room now repeat it back to me. " They repeated his words and Connor nodded and they took flight once more then landed on the back of the horse. " I'll be waiting in your room " they said in unison in Connor's voice then stopped then flew away turning back into mindless birds .

Alexander gave a yell of anger flipped his knife out a threw it straight into the bird. A shower of crimson rained down, but before the first drop hit the ground Alexander was already off back towards the palace. Alexander was back at the palace in record time. He jumped of his horse and sprinted towards his bedroom. Before he entered he whipped out his sword then opened the door. Alexander looked at the bed and saw the cocky bastard just laying there. Before the other man could move Alexander was across the room with his hand around the others neck ready to plunge his blade straight into the other mans liver. Alexander picked the man up by the neck and slammed him against the wall still ready to plunge his blade into the mans liver he yelled, "Where is my sister!"

Cassandra L. Crosshaert
Courtyard

Connor gagged as Crop flew off and pulunged himself into the prince's arm thus having his arm release his grip on Connor's neck. "Dear god boy can't an assassin break into a room and set himself down without someone threatening the kill him. " he smirked the delivered a swift kick to the prInce's chest thus sending him flying into the wall. He pulled out his scimitar and bowed " I can here for a peaceful talk of our kingdoms. Didn't you read my letter you dolt. " he snapped his fingers and Crop hopped back on his shoulder. " I do not know where the princess is that is why I am here now do you wish to fight or talk. " he held his hand out for the prince to grab.

Elska figured that by the time she had gotten a fair distance away from home, that they would have noticed she was gone and would have most everyone her brother could muster up looking for her. Though she knew this would cause her a large amount of trouble once she did happen to arrive back, she figured the time by herself would be worth it in the end. She did hope that her brother was not going too overboard with searching for her.

As she moved out into the nearest cluster of homes, she made sure to stay out of sight of too many of the people around, seeing as most of them would recognize her almost automatically. That fact alone could end her little adventure in several different ways, most of them not truly ending well for her. A smile crept onto her face as she began to relax some, her mind relaxing just as much as her body. She had always love being out on her own, which was one of the main reasons she had always liked sneaking out. It made her feel free, which didn't never truly felt when she was at home, or being followed around for her safety.

Though, it seemed that her relaxation wouldn't last long as she felt the hand of someone place itself onto her shoulder from behind. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she quickly turned, only to see that it was one of the soldiers she figured her brother had sent out for her. "Princess, do you realize what sort of trouble you've caused in the short time you've been gone," he asked her in a rather serious tone, "you need to come with me now."

Elska scoffed and folded her arms over her chest tightly, very unladylike to say the least. The trip back home was an awkward one, the male who had found her repeatedly telling her about how her brother had been worried. She already knew this, she didn't need to hear it from others as well. Though, as they actually stepped inside and he scurried off to inform Alexander of her arrival home, she practically marched up the stairwell, her hands barely holding up the skirting of her dress so she did not trip on the stairs. Unfortunately for her, her clumsy wouldn't allow her to slip back into her room without being completely noticed; seeing that as soon as she proceeded to take the last step, she fell right onto her face, a loud thud ringing throughout the hallway.

Alex took the hand and said, "You kick like a little girl." Alex was still in a kneeling position when he drove the sword down into the other mans foot it made a satisfying crunch. Alexander then flipped out his spare knife and made a move to slash across the other mans stomach...

Connor grunted as the sword sliced his foot. " Why you little asshole " he said as he barley dogged the knife attack and he pulled it from the prince's hand. He hurled it out the window as it hit the path with a metallic clang. He pulled the sword from his shoe as it let loose a small puddle of blood. He grabbed the prince's head and slammed it to the ground then jumped back and readied his scimitar for attack once more. " Now I was ordered not to kill unless nesasary so can we settle this like adults or shall your sister rule alone you incompetent welp. " he said gritting his teeth

Alexander was about to make a retort when he heard a loud thud he looked over and saw Elska sitting with her eyes wide and her nose bloodied. shit how much did she see he thought. He rushed over and picked her up then he carried her over to the bed and sat down beside her. It was just like when they were little kids she was such a clumsy girl. Alexander looked up at the man and said, "I'll listen to what you have to say, but if I don't like it I will kill you." Alexander took out a stripe of cloth and started to clean up her face. In a soothing voice Alexander said to Elska, "Breath through your mouth, I'm going to pinch your nose to stop the bleeding okay." Alexander began rubbing her back in light circles while he listened to the mysterious mans plan. Rubbing her back also got him closer to the knife he slept with. "Well i'm waiting bird boy."

" Hm bird it haven't heard that one before " he watched Alex tend to his sister. " Aw looks like big bad arrogant prince has a soft spot for sissy. " he laughed and Crop squawked along. " But I am here to protect you two. I mean it's not my usual style but I am supposed to protect you but mainly you princess. " he put his sword back into its sleeve which laid snugly on Connors back. " And I think you need all the help you can get , hell even the floor wants you dead." he laughed as Crop squawked along happily.

Alexander snarled, "I have much worse names for the likes of you. I am in no need of protecting so it's up to the princess if she wants you around." Alexander slyly picked the knife up into his hand without skipping a beat with the circles going around her back. Depending on what the princess said he would either kill the man or put the knife back into place, he really hopped for the first one. "So what'll it be sis?"

Elska didn't move as her brother carried her to the bed and tended to her nose, automatically beginning to breath from her mouth. though, she could already taste the blood in the back of her throat as he did so. Though she figured she would be in a bit of trouble for sneaking out, she felt a bit more relaxed as her brother sat there with her. Her bright green orbs looked over to Connor as he spoke of Alexander having a soft spot for her, her eyes narrowing some, though she said nothing. His next words though caused her to speak. "The floor id not wan meh dead," she said, her speech sounding rather odd, seeing as her nose was being held by her brother, "wha are yo protecking meh froom anyway?" She attempted to make her speech sound as normal as possible, but it didn't seem to be happening. She was a bit unsure on if she wanted someone else around to protect her, it was already hard enough for her to sneak out as is.

"Well Ill be protecting you from , well I can't quite tell you what the threat is. But I can tell you this if it gets here and does it's job right both of our kingdoms will be under someone else's rule and , Princey you and me will most likely be killed and Princess you will be well , from the rumors I've heard you will as well meet an unfortunate fate yourself. " he felt the awkward glow of being in Elska's line of sight and moved to the left a bit Crop squawked angrily and flapped his wings at her. " Easy bud she's not going to hurt you " he ran his fingers through his feathers as he soothed his bird. "So princess what is your answer?"

In hearing his reasoning for protecting her, she hardly had to think. She had made up her mind as soon as the male had stated that, whomever the threat was, would end up most likely killing her brother. She couldn't let that happen; though, she wouldn't let that happen was more the correct wording for her thoughts on the subject. "Alright," she said to him as she gave a small nod. "If you have to protect us, then do it," she said, attempting her best to speak normally before she pulled her face away from her brother's pinch. She touched her nose some before she noticed the male had moved a bit. "Does your bird not like me," she said with almost a pout on her face, as if she were actually saddened by the idea that it didn't like her.

"Very good and no he doesn't like most people he's just a bit angry from bubby over there trying to kill me you should really teach him how to read so incidents like this don't happen anymore." he whistled and a small dove dropped an apple on the Elska's lap. "Now where is your right hand man Princey I care to know all I can about this place so I can get around."

He smirked as the bird cooed to him in a low slow manner. Connor growled as the bird flew away but regained his calmness when he began talking. " Oh Princey, Princey, Princey haven't you heard don't shoot the damn messager. The two mocking birds flew back in carrying their fallen brethren the knife still in his abdomen. " He was a good bird ,oh well" he pulled the knife out and whistled to the other mocking birds then they took away it's body as Connor took the knife out and handed it back to the Prince.

"Now if you excuse me I must find a bandage for me foot so goodbye royals" he said as he walked out passing Cassandra he kissed her hand. " M'lady" he said as he continued down the hall a bloodtrail following him as he left the castle grounds.

Cassandra L. Crosshaert
Prince's quarter

Alexander stopped rubbing Elska back and flipped the knife out of his hands back into it's hiding place. "It was the princess who made the decision and she decided that one more set of eyes on us couldn't hurt, especially with the way you guardians guard her I may as well throw her to the enemy now." When the intruder had slammed his head against the ground Alexander's head had been cut open and it was starting to run into his eyes. Alexander said, "Sis your noes is a little out of place... do you want me to put it back right or would you like Cassandra to do it?"

Cassandra L. Crosshaert
Prince's room



Training Grounds

Connor made his way to the pond he saw on the edge of town he walked to the pond and saw the it was clear and blue. "Amazing " Connor said to himself The pond was secluded and looked untouched. He took his boot off to reveal the large wound Alex had caused with his sword. " I had better be getting some kind of condolence when dealing with these brats. " he said as he scooped up some water and poured it on the wound. He honked at some passing geese and asked if they could bring him a bandage. The geese took flight in search of one. Connor watched as the mocking birds landed the bloody corpse being carried. Connor sighed and looked at the small bird it had flied happy and free being his messenger for many years.

He dug a small hole in the soft ground and layed the small bird inside and closed it's eyes then shifted the dirt back over and patted the dirt down. He grabbed two sticks and tied them together making a cross and stuck it at the head on the grave. The birds flew away and the geese returned with a long white bandage. He nodded and they flew away. He wrapped it around his wound and slipped his shoe back on. " That should hold it for now until I can get it properly healed."

Connor stood up and started walking back. He saw a pear tree nearby and grabbed a few and started to eat one putting the others in his small supply pouch. He continued eating ,he heard mumblings of people about the guards being spread out. He knew they were all back. He decided to mess with the peasants he heard one say " What do you think they're after" Connor smirked then hid it as he said " They're looking for a mass murderer " He just walked by them their mouths gaping open scared out of their wits.

He walked up the the castle gate which were shut and guarded heavily. "This is just to easy " he said as he eyes a small tree. He finished his pear and threw the core into the high grass as he started to climb. He got to the top then leaped to the wall and grabbed on. He jumped ontop of it and sat down as he took the pears out and started to eat one letting the other sit down beside him and Crop jumped off and started to eat as well. He watched the guards armed with broad swords. They were powerful and big much bigger than his scimitar. Connor finished his pear and pulled his scimitar out. He run his finger across the thin curved blade. He preferred this sword to any sword a knight would wield. He watched as Cassandra and the other guard bowed and Connor watched hoping the fight would be somewhat entertaining since his objective hadn't arrived yet he was getting bored.