Realistic or Modern A Heart For A Kingdom

[Endless Love]

"Oh, I love to go out riding." Isabella said, toying with her thin fingers. "What about you? Do you like horses?" She asked her expression eager and sea blue eyes twinkling like the moon seemed to reflect on the ocean. It happened when she was interested. She was very vivid, and easy to understand when it came to her emotions. Besides, riding was basically all she had left aside from her sisters after her parents death. It was her favorite thing to do.

Elena had gone off with the knight, and was hopefully having a splendid time. Everything seemed, surprisingly care free, despite the tears Isabella had to fight back not long ago. She almost wished it could stay that way forever, just with her parents alive and well too.​

 

[Dak]

"The honor is all mine." He said as he began to walk out of the courtyard, which was paved with stone. "I must say, you can't really hate the smell of a fresh rain." He said. "I find it to be the best thing... When I am just camping under the stars, and there is a light drizzle. My mind goes back to when I was a kid, out camping with my father. He would say that when it rains it is a way of renewal."


He cleared his throat. "Yeah, it's just me and my horse, Haywood out sleeping under the stars. Relaxing, and waiting for the next day to come. so that we can find someone else to help."


Daniel smiled. "Of course I love to ride. I am a prince, and I was trained to ride. It's one of the things I do, because I don't have to hear about how my father is angry, and all that other bull... It's just me, the horse, and the terrain... I can go where I want, when I want." He said with a little enthusiasm. "it is peaceful to ride along a trail, and visit someplace that you didn't know were there."

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Meanwhile, Thronvir stood in the treeline, watching the castle's lights in the darkness, hearing the noise of the ball, in the silence of the night. He had heard of the ball, and decided this would make an excellent opportunity for his people. Two days back, two dragonships, full of his warriors, as well as himself, set sail from the southern shores of their island, heading south for Ember. It seemed the very seas calmed before his will, as they were calm, with just enough wind to speed the longboats along, towards the distant shores. Yesterday, they had pulled up on shore, and disembarked there, beginning their trek to the castle. Today, they had arrived just outside, and had begun preparing. Thronvir had brought 160 warriors, 80 per dragonship. They were preparing now, painting their faces with war paint, and sharpening their weapons. The forest was closest to the gardens, which they would advance into, before striking the castle.


The captains of the dragonships approached him. "Our forces are ready now, High Chief. The pillaging is ready to commence on your orders." The taller one said solemnly. Thronvir merely nodded, watching the castle a bit more, thinking.

 

[Egyptiankitten2113]

"It sounds wonderful." She listened to him speak, her smile matching his as she watched the memories.practically dance across his face. She often had the same moments, thinking of her father and everything they had done together.





"I feel the same way. I would um...well..." a sheepish smile came to her face now, "If you can keep a secret sir...I would sneak out, when I was a bit younger, and I would go swimming at nights, especially nights where it was drizzling ut. Just something about the moonlight cutting through the droplets raining down..." her eyes closed and a blissful sigh escaped, "It was magical." She said at last, and even now her desire to run down and dive into the water was tugging at her. But as usual, she resisted.

 

[Dak]

"Like I said, its renewing." He was honored that she would feel alright telling one of her secrets. After a couple of minutes Gavin got a feeling in his stomach. "Hold up." He said as he grabbed his stomach, He could feel something. He didn't know what it was, or if it was good or bad, but he could feel something. It was like the day he left his parents and his brother. "I have a feeling... I can't tell if it is bad or good, but I have a feeling!" He said before letting go of his stomach. He closed his eyes and waited, and listened.

 

[Trickster Vixen]

Maria hastened her pace as she navigated through the finely cut hedges and flowerbeds of the castle gardens. The air was positively blissful against her skin and she lowered her cowl to indulge herself further. She had considered forgoing the ball all together but knew that it isn't what her father would have wanted. There had been a certain trigger that Maria had begun using ever since the death of her parents; and that was to always approach undesirable tasks with the game face her father always portrayed. It allowed Maria to believe that her father was still with her in some way. She hadn't told her sisters of this and she didn't know if she ever would, it was something sacred to her.


Reaching a small hole on the south wall, Maria pulled her entire cloak off and dropped it onto the grass. It revealed a stunning gown that was tight fitting despite not having the support from a corset. Custom made by a peasant seamstress, Maria absolutely adored the new fashion; though it didn't go down well with her sisters. Maria was naturally thin yet had all of the other assets to fill out this type of cut well.


Maria looked down and was thankful that her short adventure in the woods had left no evidence on the material. Despite not wanting to go, Maria knew that tonight she would have to find a suitor; even if that meant conversing with somebody she ultimately despised. All of this was for the kingdom and Maria knew that, and she had promised to try her absolute best; her sisters probably felt the same way, but Maria wholeheartedly believed that she could govern the kingdom in a way that would honour their parents.


Hurrying through the secret tunnels beneath the castle, Maria eventually reached the opening that led to the corridor opposite the ballroom. She crept out from behind a suit of armour and once she'd seen that she was alone, she cleared her throat. Running her slender palms down the front of her gown, Maria sighed and walked into the ballroom.

 

[Egyptiankitten2113]

Elena was taken aback by Gavin's sudden cry of warning. She watched with worry as he held onto his stomach, and he looked so serious now, it was quite a different take than his previous demeanor. Howevrer so, she too turned serious and was ruahing to aid him, "Are you feeling ill?" She asked first off, with the way he was grabbing his stomach it was the first thing that came to her mind. Though with the way he looked now, she did not believe it to be an illness of his..but something much more severe. She ony hoped now that whatever feeling he had...was a good feeling. Her kingdom did not need anymore tragedy.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

The raiders had slowly advanced in the grasses, approaching the gardens. The stood still now, crouching in the grass. The rain had stopped, but it didn't mean much for Thronvir, rain didn't hinder his killing abilities. He checked and double checked his strategy in his head. He didn't know how many of his shield brothers would die, or how much loot they would bring back, but the risk was apart of the raid, and everyone one of his people lived with that fact.


He stood up now, visible to his warriors. He raised his right hand in the air, holding his large axe, pointing it straight above him, it's blade facing the castle. He had fully thought it all through now. He was ready, and he knew his warriors were ready. The gods above were ready as well, ready to accept his fallen brothers into their golden halls. The only ones who weren't ready, were the people in the castle, and that was what Thronvir hoped for.

 

[Dak]

(sorry, one last post then I am out.)


Gavin got back from his knelt down position. "Go... get out, run as fast as you can. Get your sisters, and get the hell out of here!" He was trying not to scare her, but he needed for her to get out of here. "If you stay they will get you." He pointed to a few vikings with his sword.


They rushed him. First came a shield bash to knock the first one down. Then a slash from his sword, killing the first guy. He took his sword and stabbed the other guy, who was laying on the ground. "If you stay here then these guys will kill you." Another one rushed him. Gavin ducked down at the last second fliping him over his back, and stabbed him. He took the blade from his boot, the one he showed her and handed it to her. " I will get this back from you.. Listen and listen good. A good two days ride to the north you will find another kingdom. GO to the king and queen and show them that blade. They will know what it means, I need you to hand them this." He takes out a scroll. "And tell them What I did, I protected you... GO take my horse, and Get as far away as possible." A couple more came after him. He would protect them, and everyone else, even if it came to losing his own life.


After ten gavin was starting to get tired.

 

[Ney]

"Princess!"


Vanny jolted awake from where she slept, under the big oak tree on the courtyard. She'd been walking with her friend, Nico, when they'd decided to take a break at around noon. Judging by the way he was currently panicking and shaking her shoulder, they'd fallen asleep. She rubbed her eyes, squinting up at the dark sky. "What, what is it?"


He grabbed her hands and helped her up, that slightly crazed look on his face. "You're late for the ball!"


The drowsiness fell away from Vanny's eyes almost immediately, and she gasped in horror. "Holy church bells, I forgot! Elena's going to kill me!"


She began to run towards the castle into the back entrance, not even paying attention to the mud that was sloshing on to her dress. Nico was right at her heels.


She didn't stop running until she reached the servants' stairwell, hurriedly bidding Nico a goodbye.


"I'll meet you there," he said, grinning.


Vanny flushed slightly and nodded, practically flying up the stairs. To be honest, the last thing she wanted was to be courted by one of the high-class goons that waited at the party. No, she was afraid her heart had already been stolen.


She burst into her room and began preparing, hastily cleansing herself and donning the dress one of her maids had put out. Because of her ruckus, one of the maidservants came into the room to inspect all of the noise, only to find a distressed princess trying to reach the back of her corset.


Vanny glanced up, then smiled sheepishly. "Hello, it seems that I'm in a bit of a predicament. Could you help me?"


Shaking her head, the older woman helped Vanny into her dress, which was a stunning lavender color with a lace trim. The maid also had the kindness of her heart to quickly fix up Vanny's hair into a decent looking French knot.


When Vanny was satisfied, she graciously thanked the maid and quickly made her way to the ballroom, doing her best not to ruin her appearance as she did. Once she saw the bright lights and heard the flow of conversation, she stopped to catch her breath. Placing a hand on her stomach, she leaned back against a wall. "Forgive me, mother and father."


Sucking in a gulp of fresh air, she straightened her posture and walked into the ballroom, descending the staircase and eyes searching for one of her sisters. However, peace and tranquility were not what she found. The opposite end of the ballroom had erupted into chaos, and the guests were now screaming and running towards her. Her eyes widened and she picked up her skirts, weaving through the panicked mobs, hoping to find a familiar face.


"Elena! Maria! Isabella!" She spun around, still looking.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Thronvir lowered his axe. All forty of the archers brought along with him marched out 5 meters infront of the rest of the vikings, before pulling an arrow out of their quivers, knocking it, drawing back their bows, and releasing the volley into the gardens, killing several nobles and guards. Once the first volley was fired, the raiders charged, giving fierce warcries as they charged into the gardens, attacking the surprised guards and nobles. Most of them fell with ease, but one particular knight, (Gavin), seemed to be taking down several of the raiders. Thronvir charged forward, ordering the others to fall back and choose different foes. Thronvir himself charged at Gavin, swinging his axe down towards him.

 

[Egyptiankitten2113]

'Non..no not now....'





Thise were the only thoughts rushing through the usual levelheaded Elena's thoughts as Gavin handed her the scroll and his blade. She had been turning, about to rush inside and grab her sister, when the High Chief himself appeared and attacked Gavin. "No!"





This time her scream was outloud, and she rushed back. Something compulsed her, and while she knew she must get to her sister's, she also knew that this man was the one responsible.


Her mother had always taught her in secret, be beautiful, and deadly. You would never know when you would need to defend yourself. So, in amoment of bravery, she pulled anither dagger, this one smaller than Gavin's blade, and rushed at the Chief, slashing at him, "You barbarian! You dare come to my kingdom, and threaten my guests!" She snapped, her cool facade falling in an instant, and the pure fury of an angered Princess was revealed.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

As he swung the axe down, he saw Elena charge at him, and he stopped the axe, turning it instead, positioning it so that the dagger would hit the axe's long metal handle and glance off, instead of slashing him. He stepped back, pulling the axe back, "I don't think ye even know what tha word means!" he swung it from the right side, towards her waist. Although she was an angry princess, he was the High Chief of his people, a veteran of countless conflicts. He wouldn't let some spoiled brat get the best of him. He realized she was a princess, and that capturing her for ransom would be worth it, but he decided that he didn't car,e there were three other princesses to ransom.

 

[Egyptiankitten2113]

Elena glared at him, and yanked the dagger out of the hilt of his axe, barely dodging his slash at her waist and slashed at him again, even though the height difference and strength different were against her, she would still fight. "I am well aware you beast." She snapped again, blue eyes narrowing in strict anger, nothing more or less. "I am the eldest daughter of the King and Queen of Ember, and I have the power and the will to keep you locked away, beaten and executed for treason against my kingdom." Her voice had taken on a threatening tone, a tone she had never used, but had heard her parents use on one occasion. She would make this ruffian pay for attacking her people when they had already suffered enough and would make sure, even if she was injured beyond repair, that he would never lay a hand on her sisters.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

"Treason against your pathetic land?!" He shouted, engraged. "I am the High Chieftain of my people! This is no treason! This is war!" He roared, swinging his war axe down towards her. Meanwhile, his raiders had charged into the ball room, and had begun their slaughter. The nobles who had gotten in their way lie dead. Men who had once bragged about their "Legendary battle skills" to their friends and the princesses, were struck down as they pulled out their swords to fight back. By this time, the castle guards had assembled, and charged back at the barbarians, meeting them head on.

 

[Trickster Vixen]

It had all happened so fast. One moment Maria had been inspecting the male real estate within the ball room, and the next, blood. There was blood everywhere and a rapidly increasing number of bodies. There were shouts echoing throughout the enormous room, bouncing off the walls and merging with the new cries of the invaders.


Maria's arm instinctively raised, reaching over her shoulder. "No bow." She thought, equally effected by recollections of hunting lessons with her father and the scene unfolding before her eyes. She had no weapons, no sort of defence if one of these brutal killers decided to turn their axe on her. "My trunk." It hadn't provided any emotions or feelings of safety but it was all Maria had; gathering dust at the end of her bed was a trunk, gifted by her mother and locked recently by her own hand. Inside was nothing more than a finely carved bow and a quiver of arrows, all made by a craftsman of expert skill.


Maria was about to turn and brave the halls that led to her bedroom, but something stopped her. Within the room she caught sight of Elena. Maria almost couldn't believe the sight as Elena repeatedly lunged with a small dagger. It was surreal but oddly encouraging that her oldest sister moved with the ferocity of their father but with the elegance of their mother.


She wanted to help, to attack the man who dared sought to harm her sister. But just as Maria closed the distance between herself and a wooden chair, a hand wrapped itself around her wrist. Maria turned, fully intent on delivering a slap to her assailant but abruptly stopped. "Leo." She said breathlessly, suddenly taken aback at the sight of the muscular prince.


"Hello, Maria." He said sharply, not loosening his grip for a second. "I meant to find you earlier but my men caught sight of the Vikings only moments ago. I headed directly for your chambers--" Leo paused and unbelievably, Maria began to blush. "And I retrieved this for you." As if having read her mind, Leo pulled a bow off of his shoulder and handed it to her. Watching humbling as she turned it over in her palms repeatedly, he smiled and began strapping her quiver to her back. "Stay behind me and fire from afar. There's no doubt that you can handle yourself, but let's not take any unnecessary risks, agreed?" Leo reached for the sword that was sheathed at his waist and held it high.


"Agreed." Maria said appreciatively, loading an arrow into her bow. It was the first time that she'd used it since the death of her parents. Though despite the horrible memories that clawed at the insides of her mind, Maria couldn't help but feel right. "After you."

 

[Dak]

Gavin rushed over and grabbed Elena. He picked her up by the waist and brought he back about 10 feet. He then rushed in front of her. He turned his head just slightly, so she could hear him. "Stay behind Me.... I will deal with him." He said as he raised his shield to right in front of his body. The sword in his hand was a special one. One side was cerated, the other was not. "High chief." He smirked. He looked at him for a minute. "I remember you.... I was one of the people who helped rebuild that town, after it was raided. I must say, your better then any two bit raider in the woods... This is going to be fun." He lifted his sword in a defensive manner. "Shall we begin?"

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

"You seem to be the only actual swordsman in this castle. Capable of taking down quite a few of my men," he continued, "This will be interesting. And if you remember me and my people for that raid, I pity you. For my people and I have done much more to the other nations around you, than simply burn a coastal town or two." He said, smirking.


He heard Gavin's statement, and his challenge, and nodded, "With pleasure," The High Chief growled, a murderous grin on his face. He held his axe defensively, waiting for Gavin to make the first move.

 

[Endless Love]

Everything seemed quite blurry to Isabella. She was so young, so clueless. She was not prepared to see the bloodshed of her people. Invaders. She thought. Her eyes seemed to gain an unnatural brightness of pure horror. And then she shrieked. Shouted for her sisters by name. Elena, Maria, and Vanessa. She just couldn't lose the only things she had left. Two guards covered her mouth with gloved hands so as not to attract her to vikings, and guided her away, though it proved to be a not so easy task. Isabella was squirming and screaming into their hands. Unhand me at once! She would have screamed at them. But she couldn't. She was muffled by gloves.

They guided her out to the back, where a carriage with black horses was waiting. Probably the black was for better hiding. Ember usually used white horses in any other case. The guards finally removed their hands from her lips, but warned her not to speak loudly. "Where are my sisters?" Isabella whisper shouted, backing away from the guards. "You must leave without them." One of them spoke up. "They will be taken care of, your majesty." Isabella pursed her lips, remaining stubbornly persistent. "I am not leaving without them." The guards shook their heads, and muttered an apology before snatching her and forcing her into the carriage. Isabella knew better than to scream. "King's orders." The other guard said, removing his helmet as they stepped into the carriage and sat beside her. The driver gave the horses a small shout, and they were off downhill towards the village at the bottom of the mountain. Where were her sisters? What was going on? What about prince Daniel? Isabella felt the same felling of silver tears rolling down her cheeks, which usually were flushed, but were now a pale white.​

 

[Dak]

"My friend... You haven't heard. You may be a chief, but am a knight...." "As a knight we are trained to make everything a weapon." He pulled out another blade form his boot and held it in the hand that had a shield hand this one was a bit bigger then the dagger that he gave to Elena. He couldn't help but smile. "You look at a dagger and think what, a smaller blade. I look at and see potential." He threw his shield at the viking. It was a heavy shield, and a very big one. After he rushed him, Swinging for his arm to knock that axe out of his hand.


Daniel was with the others in the hall when the others attacked. Everything was hectic, the vikings had launched an attack, he lost Isabella in the crowd. One of the vikings charged him. Daniel knew how to fight and was using that skill. He slide back enough to dodge the giant axe that just missed his head. He cloths lined the viking, putting him on his back.


After he took the axe he joined the guards and a few of the other nobles that had taken out the vikings. They numbered so many, but that didn't matter. The nobles and the guards funneled them into a trap, where the numbers didn't count for much. The guard who was rude to Daniel earlier was saved by Daniel. A swift axe to the head of the viking who was about to kill him. "Your welcome." Daniel mouthed. He then slide a shield over to him. "Join the charge." He said as the guards and the nobles pushed them back.


There were less vikings then when they came it, but there were also less guards and nobles, and yet still more guards and nobles then the vikings.

 

[The Suspicious Eye]

It all happened so quickly. One moment Feliz was entertaining a group of guest with her juggling trick, the one where at the end she makes all the balls disappear into her sleeves. The next moment there screams rebounded from all over the room. The horrible part of his massacre was not that it happened so suddenly or the amount of people who died, but that it was so soon after the death of the King and Queen. Feliz helped usher the crowd of people fleeing for their lives out of the ballroom and further into the castle. Hopefully they will be safe thought Feliz. Feliz entered hall back the ball room to look for the princesses. Although she had gained many weapons skills from her mother, Feliz had only ever used them to entertain, but at least she could help them get away.


As she gests closer to the ballroom she stumbles and falls to the ground looking back at her feet there she sees one of the guest that had earlier been watching her juggle. Where the smile that was on his face earlier was the misshapen expression of horror and pain. She closed her eyes as the fear and anguish that was felt earlier dissipated and anger grew she took that anger and harnessed it into determination she will protect the princesses, because she can.


She got up, her sudden movement caught the attention of one of the vikings and he barreled over sword in hand. Feliz pulled out a dagger and a small smoke pellet. The viking raised his sword running toward her and with a fast throw the knife hit his fingers, the sword and a few fingers fell onto the floor. Then while the viking was distracted she broke the smoke pellet and purple mist emitted enveloping them. Feliz moves behind the Viking and kicks him into the wall, the viking falls to the floor, unconscious. She takes some ribbon a binds him in one of her father's mystery knots.


I must be more careful she thinks as she looks around and then enters the ballroom.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Although the Vikings were outnumbered, they could outfight practically all of the nobles, and some of the guard. Although Thronvir did not expect the move, it was like a shield bash of sorts, so, he ducked under the shield as it flew over him, an slashed at his opponent's legs with his axe. The blade too whisked over him, as Gavin had been aiming for where his arm was.

 

[Egyptiankitten2113]

"You are a fool." Elena hissed, though not at Gavin, but she did not listen to him yet again and too faced off with the Viking Chieftain, believing that while he was strong facing one opponent, perhaps they could face him down and win together.


The moment he ducked Gavin's blow to him, she took her chance and slung her arms out, striking at his face with her own blade, aiming for his cheek and pushng the blade as far towards his skin as she could.





"Only a fool would think as you do. You heathens are nothing but trash, scrounging around and taking whatever you please when it suits you. And you have nade a mistake coming into my kingdom. We have suffered, but we are still strong enough to destroy any barbarians who dare to threaten us." She snapped and despite Gavin fighting him, she lunged at the vikin yet again, this time aiming her blade lower, near his chest.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

He stepped back from the sudden fury of attacks, feeling a bit of blood on his cheek, and growled at the princess, holding his axe. "And you fat lobs hiding away in your castles, hogging everything!" He hefted his axe, "What do you know of suffering?!? Have you ever felt the waves of hunger, gnawing out your insides like some animal?!?" He was prepared for the next attack, and raises his axe vertically, and moved it quickly left, swatting her hand aside, causing her blade to not even reach him. He swung his axe at her, intending to finish both her and Gavin, then call the retreat, this battle had become a stalemate.

 

[Dak]

When the Viking lifted being axe, Gavin knew what he was planning. He rushed to push Elena out if the way. He got there in time to take the blow from the axe. It only stung for a couple of second. The axe did make it through his chain mail. He fell to the ground, grabbing his arm, it was a cut, but it still hurt.


After a couple of seconds, Gavin got up and held his sword up. "I have been in the same place you have been. Starving, crazed to help your people… when I was a younger adventurer, I would do work for the poor, and accepted no payment. No food, no money. I was close to death when I was given food by the king of this land... You are not alone, brother." He said still holding his bloody arm.


Tag me if I have to see it