Of Shadows and Swords (Chiarra)

[EdithSpeaks]

A century ago, my people were the protectors of Earthrite. They kingdom is surrounded by a deep ring of water connected to nothing but its source: the mountains. The kingdom was all but impenetrable with the added protection from my ancestors. They were important to and loved by all. But as soon as the kingdom was declared safe and self-sufficient . . . they were done away with. They were framed as thieves, betrayers and monsters by the frightened, greedy rulers of the kingdom. They were executed and hunted down. Our race nearly died out.


I’m one of the last left, I think. I haven’t sensed any of my own kind since my parents died, and perhaps they've simply scattered to the wind. A kind man named Aaric took me in when they were gone and has done his best to take care of me since I was a small child. He is one of the only two people that knows what I am. No one else can be trusted.


Aaric is a guard at the castle, and he's helped me to learn and to train to do the same. I enjoy it, really, having that sense of purpose and honor, being able to make him proud. It’s a struggle sometimes to keep hidden in this kingdom when officials are so cautious and suspicious of every shadow. For my sake and for Aaric’s, I have to keep my true self hidden, always, even when it pains me. It is most important in leu of my only somewhat recent promotion, the duty of being the princess' personal guard, a task I have carried out for almost a year now. Sometimes, I wish that it were different and that I could do as I wish without treading so lightly, do something to assist my own people - but I have been trained well, and I will not disappoint the only family I have left, in the form of a great and honorable man not of my own race.


My people are the clan of the Black Ravens. And we are in danger of extinction.


Name:


Age:


Gender:


Personality:


History:


Other:


 
Name: Lucius 'Luca' Farbridge


Age: 19


Gender: Male


Personality: Luciano is very serious about his duties and can be fierce, but is kind when he needs to be. He does very well with small children, knowing how hard it is to be ignored at young ages, and caters to those who need help when his time permits him. He is loyal to a fault and always follows orders, just as he's been taught.


History: His mother was killed for being a Raven when he was 3 and his father two years later. He was taken in by a dear friend of his parents’ named Enik who did his best to show Kline how to use and hide his abilities. Kline has done well enough that he is in complete control of them, but sometimes he still goes to an isolated stretch of forest to practice when he has breaks from his duties protecting the princess.


Other: He has a friend named Archer that visits him every once in a while, and who is a thief.

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Name: Archer


Age: 20


Gender: Male


Personality: Outwardly, he’s always pretty cheery and optimistic, but he has a darker side he keeps hidden, a side that’s devious, calculating and manipulating.


History: His parents were always poor and were killed because they owed too much debt when he was ten. He was allowed to live, but only after suffering a blow from a sword that gave him a long scar that runs from his left hip to his right shoulder. On a short trip outside the kingdom, Enik found him and brought him back to nurse him to health. Still bitter after what had happened, Archer left the kingdom, refusing to be taken care of. On his own, he resorted to stealing and has since become an accomplished, virtually unstoppable thief. He still comes back to Earthrite when he needs somewhere to hide or just feels like visiting.


Other: He sometimes brings Lucius stolen trinkets when he comes to visit. Even though he knows Archer is a thief, Lucius is his friend and doesn't turn him in. He knows Archer only steals from those that are rich and can afford it or that deserve it.


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I figured Archer might be a good side character to have later

 

[EdithSpeaks]

((Ha ha! Like the way you worked an arranged marriage into it lol any pic, or you just want to start?))

 

[Chiarra]

((Yes, lol and I'm actually fixing mine because I did it and saw yours and was like okay, I am adding more lol, so just give me a sec and then after I post it we can start )) 
Name: Melody Chambers


Age: 18


Gender: Female


Personality: Melody is sweet and kind, though can be a bit of a pushover because of it, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings.


History: Born and raised in the castle, she knows quite a bit on how to be proper. Her life is also boring, so boring it's tedious and she just get's tired of it. She had been wishing for something new in her life, but what she got was what she didn't want. An arranged marriage to a man who had a reputation of being cruel to those who angered him and was easy to anger. It was necessary, to end a war and make a much needed alliance. She craves for an escape out of the castle, to not marry that brute.


Other: Loves music and even knows how to play a small harp

 

[EdithSpeaks]

((Darn Can't see pic)) 
Lucius was patrolling the halls, alone, on his final rounds before he could return to his own quarters, when he was attacked. Seemingly from a window nearby, someone leaped and landed on his back. He reacted quickly, reaching back to grab the offender and throwing the other person forward, intending to toss them to the floor. The person - a young, lithe man - twisted instead, though, and landed in a crouch in front of Lucius. Grinning at him.


"Hey there, Lu-Lu!" Archer said cheerily, popping up to his feet and still grinning at the stunned boy in front of him. "Aaric said you were working so I thought I'd stop by and spice up your night! How's it going?"


Lucius seethed at first, taken off guard, then realized the position he was in and shoved Archer into the library, which happened to be the nearest room. It was dark inside, but Archer was used to moving around in the dark, and Lucius could see clearly in practically no light at all, something they both knew. "What are you doing here!?" He demanded, voice a hushed whisper but still bordering on angry. "You can't do that to me while I'm working!" Archer was going to get them both in trouble if they were caught. How was he supposed to explain the thief's presence in the castle!? Maybe he could pass him off as a new manservant.


((Just because Archer's kinda fun, and I feel like if I don't introduce him now I'll never use him lol))

 

[Chiarra]

((http://media.animegalleries.net/albums/userpics/66883/princess.jpeg?=123 There's the link ))


Melody tossed and turned in her bed, she was unable to sleep, worried about her wedding day. She sat up, deciding to head over to the library. She really wasn't supposed to go anywhere without Lucius, considering how dangerous it could be for her to go without a guard. She saw no danger however, especially going to the library, but...she needed something to distract her mind with. Getting up, she grabbed a lamp and lit it, thinking that she was just in her nightgown and it was long and thick enough to not need to be changed for just a small trip to the library. She put on a robe like dress anyways, just in case anyone saw her.


Grabbing the lamp once more, she set off in the direction of the library. It was ominous in the palace hallways at night, with it all dark. She finally made it to the library and opened the door, light casting on Lucius and..."Who's this?" she asked. "And what are you doing in the library? Shouldn't you be on your rounds?" She didn't sound angry, because she wasn't. She was just curious. She didn't think he was anyone dangerous, considering he was her guard, but...she did find it a bit strange.

 

[EdithSpeaks]

Lucius froze when he heard footsteps and spent the few seconds between that moment and the door opening to control his own instinct to simply disappear into the shadows. Quite literally. There was one time, when he was younger, that he had slipped into a shadow and emerged from another shadow at home just a few seconds later, having been frightened and wanting Aaric at the time. He couldn't do that here and now, leaving Archer alone and everyone else suspicious. What if he popped up where someone could see?


Archer, thank the heavens, saved him like always. The thief stepped forward and gave an appropriate bow, smiling disarmingly at the princess. "Ah, my apologies, Princess. I'm only a messenger, stopped in for the night as it's too late to continue back where I've come. I think I gave your poor knight quite the scare when he found me lost here." He laughed, softly, and glanced at Lucius. "He thought me an intruder, I imagine." He returned his attention to the princess again. "If you'd allow me a moment of his time, I would appreciate a little help back to the temporary quarters I've been so graciously allowed."


Lucius looked at the princess and gave a slight bow, one hand to his chest and the other arm tucked behind his back in proper form. "By your leave, Princess."

 

[Chiarra]

The other man stepped forward and bowed to her. She listened as he explained the situation. A messenger? Who was the message for? None of her business, Lucius would take him to whom he needed to speak to, probably her father or his adviser. She simply smiled and nodded, "Of course. You may escort him to his room Lucius." She then moved to the books, finding one almost immediately off the shelf that looked interesting and would follow them out of the room if they hadn't already left.


((How are we going to initiate them leaving the castle. Will she ask him on a whim or what?))

 

[EdithSpeaks]

((I think that, maybe the next night, she should have a bag or even a carriage prepared in secret or something and just ask him to take her, since she's already tired of life there))


Archer gave her a little smile as she passed, waved, and let Lucius 'guide' him out. The second they were away from the hall containing the library's door, Lucius walked him as quickly as was proper to the nearest window and promptly told him to 'get out.' Archer just grinned and did as told, promising to be at the small housing quarters Lucius and Aaric shared when Lucius came home. Sighing, Lucius closed the window and walked back towards the library to escort the princess back to her room and then finish his rounds so he could leave. She should've been in bed already. Now he would have to check her room again.

 

[Chiarra]

((Okay then, or she can ask tonight and then have everything prepared the next night so they can quickly leave. ))


When he would come to her room, she would be back in bed, reading since she hadn't had enough time to fall asleep yet. She looked up when he opened the door and set her book down. "Lucius," she began. "Can...can I ask you something?" she was a bit nervous, afraid of what he might say.


((Sorry that post was a bit short lol))

 

[EdithSpeaks]

Lucius paused, surprised to see her openly awake still, as she usually tried to at least pretend she was sleeping. "Of course, Princess," He said, even as he started checking nooks and crannies in the room to be sure no one hid in the shadows. "You may ask me anything." He had already told her that, many times, but she seemed to need reminding that he was here to serve her. She acted like he would be offended if she asked him to do something for her.

 

[Chiarra]

She watched as he went around the room and she bit her lip. "You're sworn to protect me," she stated. "So take me away from here please," she begged him softly. She was nervous he would say no, but...she needed to get out of here. Her life was dull and she was terrified of her betrothed. She explained as much to him, "It's....boring here and..." she bit her lip again. "I don't want to get married....I'm afraid of him." She hugged her knees to her chest.

 

[EdithSpeaks]

In the shadows, his fingers curled and uncurled at his side, out of her view. He kept calm, with only a whole lot of practiced effort. "He won't hurt you," Lucius said instead of acknowledging her plea. It was a request, and he didn't have to honor requests until they became orders. "Even after the marriage, I will still be with you." He was to keep her safe, after all. Taking her 'away' wasn't supposed to be part of that.

 

[Chiarra]

"You will still be with me, but...are you going to raise a hand against my future husband, your future King?" she asked him. "If he does hurt me and you see it, and he's King, are you going to go against him?" She knew he wouldn't, to do so would be treason. He could protect her from everything else, just not her husband. "Don't come with me if you don't want to," she said. "But I'm still going." She was going to leave tomorrow night, but...he didn't have to know that if he wasn't coming with her, since he would try to stop her. She figured that would be his answer though.

 

[EdithSpeaks]

He frowned a little, warring between outright disagreeing with her and being complacent enough to let her go. He couldn't do either, really, not without blame. ". . . You know I never let you out of my sight." He said instead, quiet and emotionless because he didn't like the situation she was trying to put him in. "The King and Queen won't stand for you running away from home." He would have to stop her.

 

[Chiarra]

"You didn't know I was out of bed when you were speaking to that messenger," she pointed out to him. Then he mentioned how her mother and father must feel about her running away. She looked down. "Lucius....I will be married by the end of this month. Then I will be Queen a week or so after that. It will be too late when that time comes." She was desperate to get away. Taking a deep breath, she looked at him with an apologetic look on her face and said in a meek voice, "I order you to take me away from here...please." She knew she was in charge of him and could literally make him do anything she wanted him to, but...she didn't feel right ordering him about. He was a person too. 
((Goodnight))

 

[EdithSpeaks]

It felt like someone had shoved a knife through him, not at his heart but into his back instead. Betrayal and anger, disbelief and hate. He had faced many a cruel taskmaster while he'd trained, and when he was younger Aaric had taught him how to empty himself for the moment, to get past it and release his frustrations later on. To fall into routine and protocol. That was what he did then.


His expression and voice went blank and void of feeling and he slipped smoothly into a kneal, one fist clapped over his heart and the other resting on the ground beside him, head ducked as he should in proper form. "As you command, Highness." He said, clear but quiet and empty. "We shall depart on your orders." He knew it already, knew he could never come back, but was still unsure if he would have the time to say goodbye to Aaric, and possibly to Archer as well. If he left this kingdom with her . . . he could never come back to his home.

 

[Chiarra]

She looked at him, heard how his voice was empty. She bit her lip, feeling bad for making him do something he didn't want to do, but...she had to avoid this marriage. She hugged her knees to her chest and wondered if this was the best thing to do and realized if she wanted to get out of that marriage, it was the only thing to do. "We don't have time to waste, we need to leave at least tomorrow night, but not later than the night after that," her voice was quiet, apologetic.

 

[EdithSpeaks]

"Tomorrow night, then, Princess." He stood, bowed once more, and walked out of the room, pausing in the doorway to say that everything was clear and she could sleep well, and that he was going home for the night. Someone else was posted at her door to keep an eye on everything, so Lucius left and went home. Archer and Aaric were waiting for him already, but the vibrant thief's face fell when Lucius walked in, obviously not in a good mood. He didn't tell them yet, just said his goodnights and went to his bed. He didn't sleep. Early in the morning, he made a small bag of supplies, things he didn't think the Princess would think to bring, and hid it in the stables, knowing they would need a fast horse to get free without being stopped. He hated every moment of it,

 

[Chiarra]

The princess couldn't sleep, feeling like she had just done the most horrible thing. Why did she command him like that? She could have just left on her own, but....who would protect her. Maybe she could just hire someone else to guard her but...who could she trust? She tossed and turned all night long.


((Idea. She could be feeling so bad about having actually given him an order that she feels could get him into trouble, when we know it would. Anyways, she could call it off and tell him they weren't leaving and then after she tells him and he reacts, we could time skip a bit to after the wedding a day or two and he has already hurt her over something stupid. Then she makes him sneak her out of the palace. What do you think?))

 

[EdithSpeaks]

((Hmmm. . . I'm not sure what that would do besides give him a false sense of security. Maybe make him feel guilty? So that could work, if you want))


Lucius spent the morning in his usual routine, going for a short run before coming home, washing, and getting to work all before the Princess would even wake up. He was statione outside her door before she ever left her room, and dreading every moment even though his posture remained straight and his face stoic. There was nothing he could do about it.

 

[Chiarra]

((Sorry, fell asleep, woke up a little too early lol. Okay then so never mind . ))


She woke, her maids coming in to clean her room and draw her a bath that she soaked in for a bit before they dressed her. When she was dressed, she came out of her room and saw Lucius and gave him a guilty look, biting her lip. She moved her way to the dining room, knowing he would follow her, to have breakfast with her parents. She was greeted with a hug and a kiss from her mom and a tired nod from her father. She sat and they ate, mostly in silence, though when they were halfway through with their meal, her mother spoke up, talking about the plans she had been making about the wedding.


Melody cringed, not really wanting to talk about it. It was a month away though and knew that for as long as she stayed here there would be constant reminders. She did feel bad about leaving her parents that loved her, but she would go with or without Lucius. After breakfast, she went to her own private garden which was surrounded by walls and no one but her and Lucius was allowed to enter, since she needed her guard with her. "You don't have to come with me tonight," she said speaking up. "I was being rash and I apologize, I still need protection though, so I'll find someone else, probably out there who would protect me."

 

[EdithSpeaks]

Lucius stayed silent and watchful throughout the day, as he usually did. He stood back during breakfast, keeping an eye on the whole family with the rest of the guards even if there was no visible danger just then. When they reached the private gardens, Lucius stood aside where he could see most everything, and only glanced at her when she spoke to him. "Are you rescinding your orders, Princess?" He asked, tone even and blank to her. If he didn't keep himself strictly controlled, he knew his frustration would boil up too fast and too hard. At least it was easier in the sun, where there weren't many shadows to draw him.

 

[Chiarra]

She nodded. "I don't want you getting into trouble for something I made you do," she said, not realizing that he would still get into trouble for her leaving without him. "It wouldn't be fair, so...I'm rescinding my orders." She looked at him and sighed softly. "Do you hate me?" she asked him. She knew he didn't sound like he did, but guards and even servants around the castle had to keep their emotions in check less they get in the way of serving the way they're supposed to. "It's alright if you do," she said. "I wouldn't blame you, I was taking your free will away from you after all."

 

[EdithSpeaks]

"I don't hate you." He was lying through his teeth, but he had gotten quite good at it in the years that he'd been in service here. "I live to serve, Princess." It was his duty and there was nothing to change that. Still, even if he didn't want to leave home, there was only so much he could do and accept. Everything would change, whether he left with her or not, and it was time for damage control. ". . . May I speak plainly?"

 

[Chiarra]

She was a bit relieved he didn't hate her, but she felt guilty he didn't. She felt he should hate her guts. She nodded when he asked if he could speak. "You can speak to me about anything you want whenever you want," she told him. She felt that was a moot point since she was going to be running away. "Even if we aren't alone," she added. "It gets boring not having anyone to talk with and I hope you can be honest with me at all times," she said. "Even if the truth is hurtful or not good, I'd rather that than lies." She smiled at him softly.


((Going away for a bit will be back soon))