We the Unwanted We the Unwanted

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Donovan Blackmoore (Somewhere Over The Rainbow)

Morning dew had frozen to the ground. The tuft of Donovan's hair that stuck out from under his blanket sparkled in the light with the little bits of crusted ice in it. Pushing the blanket back he stretched his arms and groaned, "Aaaagh!" Donovan put a hand on top his head and ruffled his hair. Some of the ice fell out from his hair and the rest stubbornly gripped at its resting place. Peering about the camp he noticed that no one else was up except the second watch. The group needed to start moving. One day of rest had been good but, it was time to leave and Donovan was anxious to be done with the task. "Alright lets get up and moving." Shaking the shoulders of the Gregor's brothers Donovan grumbled and moved to the next bundle of blankets. No one seemed to feel inspired to get up.

Rather than spend his time waiting Donovan threw a few more pieces of wood on the smoldering embers of last night's fire. He gazed over the group of travelers and shook his head. Donovan would have to start breakfast as well if they were going to get a decent start on the day.

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By mid afternoon the occasional passing of a farm had turned into a smattering of houses. They were getting near a city. Donovan pulled one layer of clothing off. It was too hot here. Rolling the extra robe up he shoved it into the roll behind the saddle.

People had begun to gather near the entrances of shops, and homes. Roadways cleared ahead of them and the peasants watched from the edge of the road. The warrior shifted in the saddle to look back at Illya and Adran. From appearances they were comfortable enough. Naturally the forked tongue doctor more so than the others. Donovan turned to face forward again and their eventual destination.

A little girl pointed to them with wide eyes and her mother grabbed the offending hand. Quickly the two of them disappeared inside a house. The little man clenched his jaw and did his best to ignore the stares. Looming ahead of them were huge city walls. He'd never seen so many people packed into a space like this.

Leaning over in the saddle Donovan hissed to one of the others. "Is this the capital?" He had no idea where they were at this point. For now he was just following his orders. Taking a deep breath he nodded. It wasn't the capital but, he wished it was. Donovan wanted for this to be over and quickly.
 
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[Horus Flicke] Richard Kingsman (Andaris, Helies)

Commander at Arms, Horus Flicke
Commander Horus, we have detected an unidentified group of travelers crossing the borders of Geraldis. We have reason to believe that they are Guardians, from their equipment and aged transport. We await for further instruction, but they are clearly heading towards the capitol. As of now, they have stopped for rest at The Dyad.
For the Crown,
Lieutenant Henry Morris

Horus quickly walked down the castle to the Dining Hall. The king was in his seat, currently feasting and exchanging words with his guests. Quietly he walked approach the King and whispered, "can I borrow you for a moment?"

Rufus nodded and got up, walking out of the hall. There, Horus presented him the parchment. Rufus scanned over it quickly.

"Oh?" He said, "this is a surprise."

Horus was taken aback by the king's reaction. Perhaps this was the leader he was looking for, one who was prepared for anything, unlike his forefathers. However, this encounter could affect the decision of the king's plan to attack the fortress.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

The king smiled. "Dear Horus, we are not to be fazed by a miniscule thing like this. Get some of your men now to find out their motives, and keep assembling our army, in secret. We will receive them here; I have a feeling I know what they come for."

Horus acknowledged the king's words before departing for the King's Guard chambers. The first man he happened upon was Richard Kingsman. Perfect. He slapped him on his shoulder.

"Richard follow me. You, you, and you come along."

He walked around for a bit, wary of who to select. He didn't want to risk too much of his experienced men, in case they had to fight, but he gathered a good fifty soldiers for the encounter. He gestured them to all sit around the table.

"Richard, you are to lead this group of men to The Dyad. It's an inn located along the borders of Geraldis. We believe we have spotted some Guardians taking shelter there, and we need to figure out why they are here. Don't attack, king's orders, unless you are threatened. Richard, you are leading this mission. I trust that you will make the right calls. The king said he will be happy to listen to their request, so bear it in mind. Questions?"
 
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Shade Briggs (Andaris, Helies)

The celebrations for the king were a lively event. Shade had never been a part of so many feasts and festivities in a row in her life. The amount of wine, ale and mead being poured into their glasses on a consistent basis had put many a man and woman around her under the table. She, however, would drink slowly and infrequently, keeping as sober as possible so as to engage in lively conversation with her fellow officers. Currently, however, they were simply exchanging war stories with exaggerated realities inspired by ale-laden minds. Shade had heard many of these stories in the course of her interactions with them and despite her best attempts to remain engaged, her mind wandered.

A new King potentially promised new chances for her to prove herself and rise up in the ranks. Especially when it came to ending the Guardian rebellion.
"And Shade! You should've seen him! Grab the boy by the collar and tossed him right into the pig pen with nary a facial twitch." Shade looked up as one of the officers mentioned her in his story. "He steps right up to the kid with that stoic face, looks down at him and says, 'Insult a member of the King's Guard again and you'll lose your ability to reproduce more imbeciles.'"

The table roared with laughter. One of the men gave her a hearty pat on the back. "That's Shade alright. His tongue is as sharp as his sword." They laughed again.
Shade smiled lightly. "I have never seen a kid run so fast in my life."
"Aye! That'll teach those street rats to badmouth our honor." One of the drunken officers laughed.
"To the honor of the King's Guard!" Another roared, raising his mug.
"To the honor of the King's Guard!" They all replied, smashing their mugs together over then table and drinking till there was nothing left to drink.

~~~~~~~~

By 8pm most of the officers were too drunk to make decent conversation anymore. While they laughed and roared and spewed crude humor she excused herself for an early night. She heads to the bunks, passing by numerous laughing soldiers and celebrating recruits. For most people, there would have been too much noise for anyone to sleep, but she'd learned to sleep almost anywhere. She was just about to sit on her bunk when Horus came by and tapped her shoulder. "You too, come along."
"Come along where, Sir?" She questioned, standing regardless and following him with a number of other soldiers he'd picked out.

A few minutes later she found herself sitting around a table with 50 other soldiers and Horus at the head. "Richard, you are to lead this group of men to The Dyad. It's an inn located along the borders of Geraldis. We believe we have spotted some Guardians taking get shelter there, and we need to figure out why they are here. Don't attack, king's orders, unless you are threatened. Richard you are leading this mission. I trust that you will make the right calls. The king said he will be happy to listen to their request, so bear it in mind. Questions?"

The smallest of smiles made it to Shade's lips. She almost hoped they'd cause trouble. It would be privilege and honor to take out the greatest enemy of this Kingdom. And yet, she knew she'd been chosen because of her ability to be diplomatic in all scenarios, and obeying the King's orders on this quest was as much an honor as killing for him.
 
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Richard Kingsman (Dyad Inn, Helies)


Richard watched from his place in the great hall. The room was filled with the aroma of roasted meat. Breathing in deeply he took his seat and waited for the platter to be pushed down his way. A servant sliced the meat and served a giant slab onto his platter. He peered into the mug sitting in front of himself. It was half full. As badly as he wanted to have more he knew better. This was not a night for the Kings Guard to glory and glut themselves. A new king had just been crowned and it was his duty to see that the king was safe.

Eyes wandering about the room he almost had to growl. The majority of the Kings Guard in the room had fallen prey to the elaborate meal set before them. It was all about comfort and drunkenness. That was the rule of such gatherings and he found it deplorable. How the guard could so readily revert only proved that they had become lazy and soft.

A beckon from Horus was all he needed. Following the man to a room off to the side he listened to the orders. “It will be done.” He paused for a moment to look around. Not all of the men here were his best, but they were still among the cream of the crop. Giving a sharp beckon he nodded to the others and started out for the barracks. Men that would not be bloated from the over indulgence of food or drunk.

*********************************************************************

Before the sun rose Richard Kingsman had his horse saddled. He and the troops quietly waited at the port culls. As it lowered he could see the tip of the sun peeking over the hills. “Ride with me now.” With a dramatic gesture using his whole arm he waved it toward the road ahead.

A trail of dust followed after the horses. The wind would blow it away in curtains and coat the fields. Richard slowed the pace as they came to the outskirts of the city. All the town stared though he knew their reason. Dismounting just outside the Dyad Inn he took a deep breath. Richard stepped through the door and immediately stared about the room. There were many seated about the main room eating their fill and he could see among those citizens there were outsiders.

It would not take but, a few minutes for him to find out if they were Guardians. Often there was a distinct reactions. Sure enough a short dark haired man rose with the fight in his eyes.

Donovan glowered at the man that had just stepped inside. His hair rose on the back of his neck and he clenched his fists. Taking a step forward he was about to address the man when he felt a hand catch his arm.
 
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Adran Triveron (Dyad Inn, Helies)

As Donovan stepped towards the King's guard member who had just entered the inn, Adran clamped his hand down on the man's arm. "If you wish to keep your head, let me handle this." He whispered in his ear as he stepped forward non aggressively towards the man. "Illustrious members of the King's Guard," he addressed all of the soldiers who were now filing in behind the man he assumed to be their commanding officer. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, my name is Adran Triveron, once the heir to house Triveron of Luina, I stand before you as a humble representative of the Guardians."

He could hear the murmurs throughout the inn at his statement, the citizens worst fears having apparently been realized. "But fear not, myself and my entourage come not as messengers of war, but as envoys of peace. We the Guardians know what you thinks of us, we're brutes, savages, barbarians who know nothing but war, I wish to show our new King Andelorn that the Guardians have reformed in their 600 plus years of exile, and that both Luina and the Guardians can work together in peace."

"I'm also assuming that if said King wanted us dead, you would've attacked by now, so I ask you to relay this message to your illustrious ruler, 'Should negotiations go poorly the king has our word as Guardians that we will return to the impregnable fortress, never to bother his realm again, we just wish for him to listen to our plea.'"

The promise of retreat was a lie of course, if these negotiations failed there would be war and he would accept it. He just needed to make the King and his guard feel as secure as possible in this moment so negotiations could start smoothly. As he finished his speech, he waited for the officers response.
 
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Andrin Deterius (Dyad Inn, Helies)

During the king's celebration, Andrin refused to partake in the drinking. He watched with disgust as many of the members of the King's Guard became nothing more than confused pigs slobbering useless words on each other. He finally couldn't take it anymore and went outside to the small training yard. There he practiced swordplay for awhile, relentlessly striking the target with a wooden training sword. He worked on his ability to make precise strikes, slashing forwards with his eyes closed to see if he could hit the target. He then went to exercising, performing pushups and situps, among others. Then he went back to practicing with the target, careful to not stress his bandaged hand. The local doctor had applied some sort of herbal medication he didn't understand, and the wound seemed to be healing quite well.

He was mid-swing when someone cleared their throat behind him. Andrin turned to see Richard Kingsman standing behind him. "Sir!" Andrin called, dropping the practice blade as he saluted. Richard waved the salute away.

"You're new here, correct?" Richard asked Andrin, tapping his foot.

"Yes sir." Andrin replied, dropping the salute but still standing at attention.

"I need someone like you. Follow me." Richard ordered, and Andrin obediently followed. Next thing Andrin knew, he was riding with roughly fifty other King's Guard, stopping at an inn with a battered sign above it reading "Dyadd Inn."

Andrin followed his commander into the Inn, noticing the ragged group inhabiting the common room. He watched patiently as the leader of the disgruntled band approached Richard and they began their talk. Andrin rested his hand carefully on his sword, unsure what was to happen. He hoped there wouldn't be bloodshed spilt in the inn, but he was ready to defend his commander should something arise.
 
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Captain Shade Bigge- (Dyad Inn, Helies)

Shade glanced to her left as Andrin Deterius took his place to the right and slightly behind Richard. She knew most of these men in name and reputation, having trained with them for a number of years. But several, like Andrin and Richard, she did not know personally. A story here and there had crossed her ear of course, rumors of things that were more likely whispering of disgruntled recruits than actual fact, but have never bothered to become involved in their personal lives. Perhaps, if she hoped to climb the ranks any further she would have to begin.

Shade can't help but smirk slightly as the head Guardsman spoke of simply wanting to negotiate peace. Barbarians? Negotiating for peace? A dog would have better luck asking to become human. Still, that was what they had come here for. The King seemed interested in at least hearing them out and had strongly encouraged them to keep the peace until this could be done. Her hand rests on the shaft of her spear, watching the rest of the Guardians carefully lest they attempt something. Though, with 50 men at their backs, they would be foolish to attempt it.
 
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Donovan Blackmoore (Dyad Inn, Helies)

Donovan's head whipped around as the doctor grabbed his arm. Catching a glance from Illya he knew it was the time to sit down. Begrudgingly he took a seat and let Adran take the forefront. His eyes almost bugged out of his head when he heard the first half of the greeting. Adran was cowering in front of the Kings Guard. How were they supposed to show themselves as men to be reckoned with? Guardians were men that had plenty of bargaining to be done. They could lay waste to the kingdom if the king didn’t choose to cooperate with them. Extending peace was a generous offer.

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Richard Kingsman (Dyad Inn, Helies)

The words were eloquent. Richard frowned. It was the last that he had expected to come from a guardian. “Well said.” Gazing at the man and then back to the companions behind him the guard smiled. It would be dangerous to play games with these men. However, he had a chance to see the threat reduced and maybe eliminated. If the guardians were indeed here for peace it was better to see them into the capital. Gain an audience with the king.

He would rather the king decided what to do with them. Having over 50 men with him gave Richard some confidence. “If its peace then I’ll have you come with us. We will provide an escort to the capital.” Should the guardians choose to revolt he was sure that 50 Kings Guard could easily eliminate the eight Guardians. “The escort will be awaiting you.”

Richard stepped out of the inn and he mounted his horse again. Peering at his officers he nodded. “We’ll be making an escort. Be sure to watch the guardians closely.”

As the Guardians had begun to file out the soldiers surrounded them. Richard watched the group carefully. No matter that there were only eight Guardians. The man knew from stories past that one Guardian could easily dispatch 3 Kings Guard. There wasn’t room for failure.
 
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Adran Triveron (Dyad Inn, Helies)

As the officer departed Adran began to beckon his companions to come along but noticed that Donovan's face was beet red and he was staring daggers. It was clear that Donovan didn't appreciate Adran's methods, and if Adran didn't say something to either calm him down or put him in his place, Donovan was going to ruin any chance the group may have had.

He got close to Donovan and kept his voice as quiet but authoritative as possible so as not to alert the King's Guard "Donovan, I don't care whether you agree with my methods or not, this is what the nobles of Luina want to hear. I dont like it, but it's all they respond too and if we want any chance of peace, any chance of changing their ways from within, we need to play their game. So get over your pride, stop giving me that dirty look, and let me do my job."

With that he motioned to the others. "Come on, the longer we keep them waiting, the more suspicious we'll look." With that he left the inn and proceeded to get the wagon ready for departure, all the while keeping a convincing smile on his face for the King's Guard.
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Dyad Inn, Helios)

Peering back at the man Donovan sneered and then let the expression fall away. Before they stepped out to meet the Kings Guard he would have to clear up his expression. He waited till the officer stepped out and then he shook his head. "You're not showing them a man." This kind of presentation was not one that would lend itself to negotiations. One saw negotiation as a greater need if the enemy imposed a threat. The way Adran addressed them made it sound as though the Guardians were not any kind of threat at all. "You've made it sound like we have no teeth!" Hissing quietly as he could he tightened his belt and shoved a dagger in the sheath. Irritably he started for the door with the rest of the Guardians. Once he stepped outside he couldn't help feeling uneasy. They were surrounded by enough Kings Guard that he nor any of the others could show any resistance. Keeping a clear expression he silently followed Adran out. It didn't stop the burning in his stomach. No matter what the doctor said he had lost any credibility he had gained up to this point. Adran would not make a soldier. He was a man of two minds and one that could not be trusted. Donovan was here to see a job done and protect the others where he must so he did as he was told for now. It would be Adran's game in the city. Once they were out he wouldn't give the doctor such prestige.
 
Esra T. Montaque
(Helios (left the Dyad Inn))

The female looked between the two men ( Donovan and Adran ) with skepticallity. Definitely very different from one another. Part of me does agree, though, that Adran should have been more... What's the word... Assertive possibly? Yeah, they probably is it. But I do trust that Adran knows what is best. Her evergreen colored gaze flicks to the guards leading them. She did not trust them one bit. All she ever learned from her father involving the people here told her that they are traitors to the guardians, that they turned their backs on their saviors! She silently clenches her fists and fumes, brows creased together in obvious distrust and uncertainty as she walked.
 
[Rufus Andelorn] Adran Triveron (Andaris, Helies)
Rufus could hear the distinct clacking of the King's Guard party returning, most likely with the Guardians, from his study. He folded the messages he was reading up and set them on his table before walking down to greet the arriving group. Horus was standing next to him.

"Your Majesty, wait. These--" Rufus raised his hand for silence.

"No worries," he said, cutting him off, "I am fine on my own." Horus looked skeptical, but nodded obediently.

Rufus made his way to the escort, and thanked each of the King's Guard members as he passed them. Finally he approached the Guardian group; a small force of eight, lead by a man with glasses and long hair. The way he was sitting, his posture, he was obviously different from the others. Almost like a nobleman.

"Welcome to Andaris," Rufus said, looking at each of the Guardians very carefully.

An elegant man with a rapier, a short but rather burly brute, and some younger male teenagers. Two females, but both looked more vulnerable than he had imagined. The stories his father and grandfather told him portrayed them as savages; the men were giants and the women equal in size. Now, since he had the opportunity to see for himself, he realized that they were little different from him. Underestimated. He flashed a charming grin.

"I'm Rufus Andelorn, Crowned King of Luina. May I ask what brings you here?"

The last question was specifically directed to the man with glasses. The obvious diplomat in the group.
 
Adran Triveron (Andaris, Helies)


As Adran observed the king, he made note of his lack of elegance in fashion choices, seems this king would be quite a different opponent from his predecessor. As the king addressed them Adran dismounts his horse and bows "Your majesty it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I imagine this is quite unexpected."

“Perhaps. Please, do come in. I was planning on having my evening meal soon. Have you lot eaten?” The monarch's cordial grin and hospitality had surprised Adran, for such a group as the Guardians to return unannounced after over 600 years, the man was taking things in stride.

The doctor quickly recovered “I appreciate the offer your majesty, but we don’t wish to impose. We’ve actually come to discuss a bit of business. Oh but where are my manners? My name is Adran Triveron, political representative of the Guardians.”

King Andelorn continued to smile "No matter, Adran Triveron. I believe you are acquainted with Alexius Triveron?” Adran held back a wince at the mention of his father. “Actually yes, Alexius is my father.” It’s clear the man is well aware of the members of his court, Adran couldn’t quite tell but he believed he saw the King’s eyebrow raise slightly at his admission.

“Charming. Well, anyways, I will have something prepared for your party. You all look famished, to say the least.” Andelorn let out a chuckle at that, the first overt display of emotion Adran had observed. “You don’t mind, do you?” This man is good. Adran thought to himself. He plays the game in the same manner as I do, which makes him a dangerous opponent.

Adran smiled in response to the king’s invitation. “I certainly don’t, Illya?” He looked over to his commanding officer, strongly indicating with his gaze that she should accept.

 
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Rajiana Pendragon (Andaris, Helies)

Rajiana walks along the street with various other guards. The day was fairly warm, and he wanted to strip his heavy armor off. He looked back at Richard Kingsman briefly, who he thought looked like a thatcher in pricey clothes. He wouldn't speak a word though, he liked his pay and his neck. The kings guardsmen were exhausted as they continued to the armory after the escort. Shifting his gaze to the leader of the guardians, the man with the glasses it seemed, he let out a humorless chuckle. At least his placid face was a perfect mask for his treasonable arrogance, he never had a kind opinion for anyone. Especially royalty.

He looks around for Andrin, and decides it doesn't really matter where he went. He continues to the dorms of the kings guard, and looks forward to getting rest. Hopefully this confrontation would delay the rebel skirmish, he thought to himself. The herd of guards is heard a mile away as their armor clanks excessively, they remain solemn as they return to their chambers.
 
[Illya Lott] Adran Triveron (Andaris, Helies)
Illya was surprised at the king. This was drastically different than she had pictured, the meeting. The king seemed to be much kinder than she had hoped, to her delight.

"Of course," she said.

With this, the entire group began filing into the luxurious castle. They made their way to the seats around the long table in the Dining Hall.

"Take a seat. The food will arrive shortly." The king paused. "We have air cured ham, some fresh cheese and butter, bread-- I take it you aren't quite used to all of this. We can talk while we wait."

Illya watched Gregorson and his friends take a seat, chatting giddily. Personally, she was glad to finally eat something different, not to mention a king's meal. However, her instincts yet again kicked in.

A knife in the back. One smooth fluid motion to end the king's life.

Something she had dreamed about since she started her training, but what it would accomplish? A moment of triumph right before her death? The death of her family? The same issues caused her to refrain from her rash impulses.

The aromas of the food hit Illya like a hammer. She tensed in her seat, making sure not to show her excitement for the food. When the dinner finally arrived, the king stretched out his arm, inviting them to eat.

"Feel welcomed to take however much you need." Rufus said. He turned towards Adran. "Let us talk, shall we?"
 
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Donovan Blackmoore (Andaris, Helies)


Donovan stood by quietly. He rubbed one gloved hand under his nose. The comment from the king had drawn his attention to the size of the bellies of those nearby. As a Guardian he had grown accustomed to the flat bellies and gaunt physiognomy of those within the fortress. Eyeing the man up and down he noted the ‘softer’ looking form. They were a soft people and he couldn’t see how this king was a man to fear.

Met with such graciousness was unexpected. Donovan felt oddly out of place. Typically there were many things that he could or would have thought. Instead he meekly followed Adran. The Guardian stepped into the castle. It was elegant.

Staring at the ceiling and tapestries in wonder he nearly stumbled into Illya when they turned a corner as a group. Quickly he shifted his gaze, though his eyes were constantly drawn to the art. It was beautiful. The castle was almost seductive with all the wealth. Then the aroma began to sift through the halls. Donovan sneezed. Whatever the smell, it was giving him a headache. Though it did possess a pleasant aroma. Walking past a room he couldn’t help peering into it. There a gold incense burner sat on a table surrounded with strangely clad men.

The little man’s eyes almost bugged out of his head. Piled on a table were various cheeses and mounds of bread. Even if he wasn’t sure that they could trust the king he wouldn’t deny that he was hungry. Hunger was a feeling that he was well acquainted with.

Several servants appeared with bowls of water and a small towel draped over their arms. Donovan stared at the servant in front of himself. He didn’t know what the man wanted, but he seemed rather insistent that Donovan do something with it so the guardian took the bowl and carefully sipped some of the water. By the expression on the servant’s face it was obvious that was not the expected response. Glancing quickly to the side he noticed that Adran was washing the tips of his fingers and drying them on the towel. Donovan quickly put the bowl back in the servant’s hands and followed suit.

Still he could sense the presence of the Kings Guard. Cautiously he proceeded into the dining hall and sat at the table. Donovan chose to sit near the back. He wanted to have a way to move quickly if needed. Running one hand over the tablecloth he almost chuckled. In all his life Donovan had never seen a tablecloth. A servant came with a large basket piled with breads. Reaching into the basket with his left hand he pulled out two large slices. They were thick and soft.

Bread wasn’t anything that Donovan remembered being so malleable. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that often the bread they ate was a few days old and stale. Since he had been given permission to serve as much as he desired that was exactly what he did. Lastly, a large dipping bowl was set in front of them.

Donovan pushed a chunk of cheese into his mouth and washed it down with some mead. He hadn’t drank any mead in years. Savoring the fine taste he swished it around in his mouth a few times. Looking over at the king he noticed that the man had taken a few bites and that was good. At least the food wasn’t poisoned. Taking the bread Donovan dunked it into the bowl. The liquid went far past his second knuckle. It hardly mattered to the Guardian. After the meal he planned to lick his fingers off the same as anyone else.

Part way through the meal he dipped with his left hand while he drank from the mead cup. Ignoring the talk was the best choice for now. The less he listened to Adran play his politics the better it would be. Doing this was completely despicable in Donovan’s eyes. It must feel that way to be a courtier. To have to keep one’s mouth shut and instead satisfy yourself with food and drink.

While he ate heartily Donovan had no intention to drink and eat himself into complacency. Belching loudly he threw a bone under the table. Being unused to dogs he didn’t know that they laid behind the tables in hopes of scraps and bones. The large dogs dove under the table to fight over the bone. Donovan kicked at the animals, but they seemed to pay little attention. Finally he gave up and brought his legs under himself. Sitting on his legs he continued eating and ignored the constant fighting of the hounds. While he ate the man kept his face close to the platter and pushed bite after bite in with the occasional dipping into the bowl. A meal was never a time to discuss business or make conversation.

At the end he took the bread platter and started to tear it into bits to eat. Unaware of the luxuries of the rich he didn’t know that the bread was to give to the poor. Finishing the last of the platter he took another large gulp from the goblet. Donovan proceeded to wipe his mouth off with the back of his hands and then lick each finger clean before rubbing his hands on his pants to dry them.

It seemed that after all this time one of the dogs had at last gotten the upper hand, and it dodged out from under the table with such violence that the entire bench on which the guardians were seated, jolted. Donovan glowered at the animals and then took another drink from his cup. A servant promptly came to offer him a bowl of water. This time Donovan knew what he was supposed to do and he carefully dipped his fingers in the bowl.

Customs in this place were so very strange. By the end of the meal he felt a little better, though far from relaxed. He didn’t like the constant stares from the guards or the servants. To make it all worse Adran was staring at him as well. It was obvious that the man wanted to say something and he was waiting till they were in a more private area. Donovan couldn’t imagine what Adran would want to say. The Guardian had been perfectly silent during the meal and he didn’t say a word that could have been considered adverse to the cause.

 
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Esra T. Montaque
( Andaris, Helies )

Large eyes, bewildered expression, and a stomach growl that made her face change into a deep shade of red from embarrassment. "Food..."

Esra glanced away quickly when she realized how peculiar and uncivilized this group truly was: how she truly was. She could not even keep herself from drooling in front of many important people! Shameful, really.

Her hand hesitantly reached forward and she takes a piece of the bread. How long has it been since she had actual soft slices instead of something stale. "Woah..."
 
[Rufus Andelorn] Adran Triveron (Andaris, Helies)
"Let us talk, shall we?" Rufus asked.

"I would love too," Adran replied, " after 600 years I imagine there would be much to discuss."

"Quite a bit, if I'd say so myself." He added, "my father said some pretty... interesting things about your people."

Savages, ruffians, traitors. His father obviously had no idea what he was talking about. In order to fight an enemy, it is important to know them inside out. These people were smart and calculated.

"As did mine," Adran said, "but after joining I've found that those stories our fathers have told us were either just that, stories, or that the group has evolved quite far from the olden times."

This didn't come as a surprise for Rufus. He very much knew that the stories of the Guardians were mere folk lore, adapted to scare the children to behave or to spite the group for their unruly rebellions against the crown. However, Adran was an abnormal case. He was a man who was recently a Luin, but fit in easily with the Guardians-- something that even Rufus did not expect happening.

"So you have joined recently." He twirled his hand around, gesturing the Guardian group. He realized that they could hear him and Adran speak, but was engaged on Adran and Adran alone. "What do you think of them, from our point of view?"

"Yes I joined around three years ago actually. Winters tend to be harsh, and its rough to find appropriate amounts of game, but the guardians are filled with all sorts of people from various backgrounds."

"Can you elaborate on these various backgrounds?" Rufus asked. He probably knew enough about the Guardians, but he said it for the sake of the conversation.

"Well, some of our members were born in the impregnable fortress so thats all they've ever truly known, others include members of various working class families from Rollon, Geraldis, and Jensen, I'm somewhat of an oddity actually as there arent many from Helies residing there. You'd find sons of blacksmiths, bakers, farmers, the Guardians have a little bit of the entire world within our ranks."

"I was unaware that Luins joined much." Rufus said. "You see, I despised my father's political game when I was growing up."

"Really? What bothered you about his game?"

"It bored me. I like to deal with things simply." Rufus paused. His father's game. He was neglected as a child, his father always telling him to practice swordplay or read the old political letters. His father always boasted to be a good leader, but he did absolutely nothing. Rufus learned this when surveying his father's failures from the sidelines. "I want the best for my people, and you to yours. In fact, the day of my coronation, I was planning on a change between the relationships of our two groups."

"I see, though I must ask, if you prefer simplicity why would you wish to cooperate with an organization so often labelled as barbarians? Wouldn't it be simpler to leave us in exile?"

"Perhaps. My people grow wearisome of your presence. It's like a volcano waiting to erupt. I vowed to resolve their concerns."

And get rid of the threat.

"I can certainly understand the concern. The last thing the kingdom needs are some eccentric townsfolk waging a senseless war that neither side wants."

"I avoid shedding blood myself, so I do look for ways to efficiently solve the problem. Fortunately enough, your people came to me." Rufus already was starting to plan his execution of the attack.

"We are very much alike in that aspect my liege, and many of the commanders in the fortress share that same sentiment. I've been told by older members of the order that they'd brought up the prospect of peace in their time, but it was always rejected out of the fear of your predecessors cutting them down where they stood."

"Ah, my father wouldn't have taken you in so kindly, but in many ways, my father was a fool." Perhaps that was slightly too out of character. "Don't get me wrong, he was a great man, but a terrible king. I hope I can make amends of my family's wrongdoings."

"Your willingness to allow us in your city at all is testament enough that you desire change. I look forward to working out terms on how we can make amends together." Adran replied.

"As do I." Rufus replied.

At this point, the dogs under the table, who were fighting over the remains that the short man carelessly tossed out, started causing a commotion, knocking the furniture about. He raised his eyebrows, amused.

"I apologize for their behaviors. They are acting rather strange today. Normally they are much better mannered than this." He darted a glance at the rather barbaric dwarf.

"It's no trouble at all." Adran said cautiously. "I imagine we our presence might seem very strange to the pups. As well as the rest of Helies. I must ask, I haven't been to court in about 5 years, what is the political climate currently?"

"All is well." Rufus said, slightly frowning. "I am trying to calm the mess my father had caused in the Jensen Province. Some locals have taken action against my men there."

"Indeed? Any idea what the cause might be?"

Rufus had now finished his dinner, and wiped his right hand delicately on the tablecloth. "I have to wait and see." He deliberately took a sip of his wine. "Well, I can have some servants escort you to the dorms, we can resume our conversation next morning. A pleasure talking with you, Adran Triveron."

"Likewise my liege, I'll be looking forward to it." Adran bowed, and gestured everybody to follow the servant out of the room.

Rufus watched them go, his hands cupped in front of his mouth. He could read the others easily, but Adran seemed much different, almost to his excitement. He then got up himself, and departed for his chamber.
 
Shade Bigge (Andaris, Helies)

Shade stood on guard with several other officers around the room, keeping a wary eye on the rabble that the King had so easily allowed into the Royal palace. A particularly barbaric dwarf of a man sat a mere four feet away from her post. He looked up at a servant who approached him and...DRANK FROM THE WASHING BOWL!? Her mouth opens slightly in surprise, her nose turning up in disgust. What sort of wretched life did these guardians come from? Had they no etiquette, no manners?

Her question is answered by the dwarf's next move. Sticking his left hand into the communal meal and eating with it. She nearly gags as he proceeds to lick his fingers like a dog, instead of using the tablecloth, and continue the meal with not a single care to proper etiquette. Everyone knew one's left hand was to never to be used in a meal, after the places it had been. To eat with it and lick it was akin to consuming one's own feces. These guardians were even more barbaric than she had originally realized.

He proceeded to shock her even further, which she hadn't thought possible, throwing the bones to the dogs beneath the table and not even caring if they fought beneath his legs. But it was when he began eating the bread set aside for the poor that she was truly horrified. Gluttons and savages! The lot of them! Surly they couldn't truly be as ignorant and savage as this! They had to be acting this way to spite their Holy King. Her hand grips the handle of her sword, never more tempted she was in that moment to kill a man on the spot.
 
Adran Triveron (Andaris, Helies)

Adran followed the servant to their designated sleeping quarters with an unhealthy mix of emotion, embarrassment, unease, and suspicion. Embarrassment due to Donovan's abhorrent table manners, uneasy due to being back in his former homeland for the first time in 5 years, and suspicious of the king because of his demeanor and word usage. Rufus' answer to Adran's question about simplicity didn't satisfy his curiosity and his specific word choices like Resolve the people of their concerns and Efficiently solving problems left him weary of this monarchs true motivations.

As they were lead into their room Adran thanked the servant and closed the door behind him and kept his ear to the door. Once he was sure the servant was out of earshot, he turned to his companions. "Right, first point, Donovan we're going to have to work on your table manners, I blame myself because I wasn't expecting him to treat us to dinner. Two, I understand that his hospitality may seem appealing but be on your guard. You remember your phrase of 'forked tongue politician' Donovan? Well that king strikes me as the pinnacle of those."
 
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