Of Shadows and Swords (Chiarra)

Archer shifted on his feet, trying to decide what he should or should not do, in his character. Finally, he moved his bag around in front of him and dug out the necklace, holding it up a bit but still close to him, as if afraid it would be snatched away. "Th-The Princess gave me this, S-Sire. . ." It probably was going to be taken from him, which was a shame, but perhaps he'd still be paid for his trouble. That would help them along once they were out of here.
 
When Archer held out the necklace her mother's eyes widened. "Where did you get that from Melody?" she asked. "I was wearing it," she said. "When I was taken."


"My necklace?" she asked and she nodded.


She shook her head and looked at one of the guards. "Take that from him, that is mine. But he shall be rewarded anyways for bringing my daughter back."


The guards took the necklace from him and returned it back to her highness.


"Now," she said. "What happened to your hair?"


"I woke up and it was like that," she shrugged. "I don't know what happened to it. I do like it though," she added and her mother just gave her a look. "Well," she said. "You are probably hungry. Dinner is just getting ready to be served." She looked at Archer. "You can join us," she said, getting a look from her husband that she ignored. "Give him something more...decent...to wear," she said.
 
Archer made a point of making a disappointed face when the necklace was taken from him, reaching for it a bit but not actually trying to get it as it was carried away. He stood up straighter when his clothes were commented on, and looked questioningly at the guard that caught his arm, as if surprised.


"This way, sir." The man said, pulling on him enough to lead him in a different direction as the Princess - to be given clothes, he presumed.


"O-Of course," He got out as he was pulled away, looking back at the King, Queen and Melody. "Thank y-you, your highness."
 
He was indeed led to a room that had several different outfits for him to choose from, all from nobility. In fact, they were clothes of princes from the past, some would be too big, others a bit too small, but there were a few that were exactly his size.


Melody herself was taken to her own rooms to bathe and change and when she was finished, she was ushered into the dining hall and froze when she saw who else was there. Her fiance. No, she thought. Why was he here?


Archer should be in here too, as it would have taken Melody a lot longer to get dressed properly. On the table were all kinds of food that Archer may or may not have ever eaten, but if he did, they wouldn't have been of this quality. Royalty was reserved the best after all. Her place, was of course next to Domnall's, her fiance's side. She grudgingly sat next to him and glanced over at Archer to see how he was doing.


"I am so glad to see you safe my dear," Domnall said and she just looked at him. She could tell he was lying through his teeth. He probably didn't really care as long as he got the throne. "Our wedding won't be long now. I have arranged it for the next day you were brought back."


Tomorrow...her wedding was tomorrow. Oh they had better bring Lucius quick and then find a way out of here before tomorrow. She clutched onto her silverware, not looking good at all, but Domnall just smirked at her briefly.
 
Archer was taken away to a room with clothes in it, forced into bathing so as not to ruin the clothes with his 'filth' and assisted in doing so. It was undesirable, but something he'd endured before, and he made it into the dining room long before Melody. He played the uncomfortable commoner and let his eyes wander around the room, anywhere but at any actually people, even as he studied everything around him. He was always looking for weapons, tools, and ways out. The cutlery was fine enough to do in a pinch, and he almost considered slipping a knife into his sleeve before stopping himself and focusing.


When Melody came in, he watched her and her husband, looking quickly away when her fiancé glanced at him, as if shy. He wrung his hands together since his hat had been taken, and spoke up timidly in an attempt to change the subject. "Thank you for having me, sir. . ." He said, quiet enough it almost couldn't be heard, and with a faint tremor in his voice. "W-With the reward, it - it wasn't necessary, I . . . Thank you for your kindness. . ." He had indeed been told of his reward already, and even if he had, at one point, had more than its worth in jewels in his hands at one time, it was a mouth-watering sum for a common citizen. One tiny, far off part of him was almost tempted to take it and run.
 
((Goodnight))


"Nonsense," said the Queen. "You brought us our daughter back so it's the least we can do." His reward, was his weight in gold.


Melody fidgeted in her seat and timidly looked up at her soon to be husband and picked at her food. She was worried about Lucius.


The Queen smiled once more, looking at Archer. "What is your name?" she asked him. When he answered, she nodded. "And how would you like to attend the wedding tomorrow?"


"Does the wedding have to be tomorrow?" Melody complained.


"Why not," her mother asked.


Because she didn't want to. "I just got back," she said. "I want some time to myself before I marry." She hoped that was reasonable enough and everyone just looked at her.
 
When the Queen asked, Archer gave her the name Archibald, because it was close enough and because 'Archer' was not a suitable name for a respectable citizen and he didn't want the name he had always used get to royal ears. He shifted uncomfortably when Melody tried to argue, and just gave a faint, hesitant smile when the Queen denied her. "You must be tired after such an ordeal. . ." He said quietly, not arguing or denying either side because to do so was idiocy when in the royals' house. Surely they could allow their daughter at least a day of rest.
 
After thinking about it, she said, "Fine, one day, and then you are getting married." Melody sighed a bit, at least she was giving Lucius more time to get here, and hopefully they would be able to immediately leave.
 
Archer gave Melody a little smile, a shy one and a short one because he still had to be in character, and did his 'best' to keep up conversation while dinner went on. Hopefully, Lucius would be released by the time it was over, and they could get out of here the next night.
 
Soon, dinner was almost over and Melody yawned. "I think," she said. "I shall retire for the evening." Her parents and fiance excused her and she nodded, getting up and heading to her room, sending a quick look over at Archer.


"So, I assume you would like to spend the night in the palace?" The Queen asked him. "We have plenty of rooms available should you like one for the night."
 
Archer paused, as if surprised, but did his best to look gracious. "Oh - Oh, yes, if - if I could, that would be lovely. I would rather like to rest Papa's mare before going home so . . . if a night is not too much, I would be grateful." But then, he wondered if he would be staying two nights, if they were trying to invite him to the wedding.
 
((I believe I am going to start replying twice a day))


"Two nights will be no trouble at all," she said.


Melody wondered if Lucius was in the dungeons yet, and she went to go look. Though the guards gave her looks when she came down. She looked for Lucius.
 
((As a limit or as a max?))


Lucius sat in a corner, shrouded in darkness - but it was how his people thrived and he wasn't quiet uncomfortable there. The only uncomfortable thing was the sizable lump on the side of his head. When someone came to his cell, he looked up, did a double-take, and his eyes widened. "Me -" He stopped himself, shook his head. "Princess. What are you doing down here?"
 
((As a limit. I may get on more than that, but...not today considering it's the 4rth))


"I just came to tell you that my parents now believe you are not the kidnapper. I told them, that when you heard me calling out to you, you came and saw me surrounded by this aura and you grabbed on, trying to pull me out, and that's when we were both taken. I told them how you saved me from the mage that kidnapped us. And I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I brought you some food." She pulled out a bit of food that she had managed to take from the feast and handed it out to him. Then she finished telling him everything she had told her parents, about them "returning to the palace". She thought if he knew and their stories lined up, then this would work out.


She sighed as she sat down next to the bars, looking down at the floor. "I'm getting married the day after tomorrow," she said in a soft, scared voice. "And Archibald," she put emphasis on the Arch part so he would know who she was talking about. "Has been invited too." She was trying to tell him, without saying, they needed to get out quick. But she didn't want guards, who she knew were listening in, to know what she was saying.
 
Lucius took the food when she gave it to him, listening carefully to her story as she went on. When she got to the last part, he gave a faint huff of laughter and shook his head. "He's using that old alias again?" Sighing, he rested his arms around his knees and just nodded. "So we have a day to work with. . . I suppose I'll be released, at some point. Until then, just do what Archibald tells you, yes? He'll have a plan." Archer always had a plan, no matter what. Even if that plan involved Lucius doing things he hadn't been told to in advance. He would just listen to Archer once he'd gotten out and do whatever the thief told him to. It would work out.
 
"You should be released soon," she told him. "After you explain everything to my father. Though...I am not sure if he will give you your position back. If he truly believes us though, he should since you have done your job admirably." She sighed softly, and then her voice got really low. "If...if you don't get your position back as my protector, you don't have to come with me. You can have your life back. Since we didn't kill the mage, it's very possible he may kidnap me again." Though, she just realized then that her father would just send him after her, since he would know where the mage lived. It was his choice though. "And I will listen to Archibald," she said, that name weird on her tongue.
 
Lucius just nodded slowly. "I'm not quite sure if he'll want me as far away from you as possible, or closer so as to keep an eye on you." Her story made it sound as if he'd heroically risked his life for her, after all. Surprisingly, not every knight did that. He was almost surprised Archer was playing along, but then Archer did thrive off his acting and his games, and he did want to see Lucius go free.
 
She smiled softly at him. "Well, either way, you won't be in any major trouble. So, hopefully, I will see you tomorrow," she smiled at him. "I should go, before they start to wonder if I had really gone to bed."


She stood up to leave then and walked out of the dungeon, giving Lucius another glance before heading out. When she got up the stairs, she inquired about where Archibald was staying. They led her to his room and she entered, shutting the door behind her. Thankfully, she heard whoever brought her here, leave. "Archer," she said in a really soft voice, thankfully no one would be able to hear them through the door if they talked low enough and it was late at night. "Lucius is fine, I brought him some food and told him what I told my parents so he would be in on it when they go to ask him questions about what happened." She sighed softly and sat on the bed gingerly. "Archer? Is there a way to magically change one's looks? So when we are on the go again, it wouldn't be so easy to catch us?"
 
Archer scooted over when Melody came in, making room for her on the edge of the bed even though she probably shouldn't be seen coming into his room. "I cant' really say I know." He said, shrugging. "Magic is almost as horrid as Ravens in most areas, though many just see them as dark magic users and shun them for that reason. I've never had any talent in magic, so I can't really tell you. We'd have to find an expert somehow."
 
She sighed softly. "Well, that would be something to look into." She sighed again and decided to change the topic. "How do you like your room?" she asked. "And the clothes they made you wear?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


John, the king, went down to where Lucius was. "So," he said. "My daughter told me what happened, but I want to hear what you say happened." This will tell him if she was telling the truth or not.
 
Archer grinned at that, holding his arms up a bit to indicate the silk he had been allowed to wear. "Much finer than anything I would indulge in actually buying, but so nice to wear. If nothing else, I'll have that experience to take away from this."


---------


Lucius got quickly to his feet when he saw that it was the King himself visiting, snapping briefly to attention and giving a precise nod and "Your Highness," in greeting. "It . . . It is not something I fully understand, My Lord, but I will try my best. I had just entered the Princess' bedroom to do the final check of the night when I saw some sort of . . . some thing pulling at her, and I rushed to her aid. But I must give my sincerest apologies, as I failed in that attempt." If the story was supposedly true, his pride as a knight should have been hurt, and he could do that much at least.


"We ended up somewhere dark," He continued, "And I couldn't make head nor tail of it, for days it seems. It didn't appear that long at the time, but time passes differently when one can't see the sun." He shook his head, dismissing the excuse. "In any case, I was able to find a door in the black, and solid enough object with which to break the lock over time. I took the Princess to an inn to keep her safe, and to let her recover for the ordeal, and when I was trying to procure a way home for us, I was accosted by the guards that brought me here. . . I can't say that I blame them, My Lord. From an outside perspective, it does all seem very suspicious."


((I probably won't be on for much of tomorrow. Just a warning))
 
Melody smiled at Archer softly and said, "It looks nice on you." Then when she realized what she had said, she blushed a bit. "I should go, before they start to suspect something. Goodnight Archer," she smiled again at him, still blushing softly before she got up to head to her room.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The King paid extreme attention to his tail, listening to every detail. It seemed to match up with his daughters story. "And what do you think tried to kidnap my daughter?" he asked him. After he answered, the king tapped his foot for a moment thinking.


"While, I am upset that my daughter was taken and still slightly upset at the thought it could've been you that took her, I am willing to pardon you and you are free to go from this jail. And I am going to give your position back as my daughters guard. However," he said, pausing a bit and looking sternly at Lucius. "You will not do this alone. I will post two other guards along with you to protect her." With that, he took out the keys and unlocked his cell. "To your post Lucius and thank you." With that, he left and went to go to his room for the night before turning around to face him. "Don't make me regret this," he stated. Then he left.
 
Archer beamed, inwardly, at the praise, though he didn't often truly care for others' comments on his appearance. He did preen at times, as Lucius liked to say, but not often. "Goodnight, Melody." He said as she left, and just settled in bed to think after that.


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


Lucius nodded quickly and gave a short bow as the king left, but couldn't say anything else. He left, on his own, after that, and got himself cleaned up and straightened out, then back into his old uniform, or one that was his size anyway. He was able to take up a post outside the princess's room, but as the king had said, there was already another guard present, and one leaving her bedroom after the final check as well. This . . . This was going to be difficult.
 
Melody smiled at Archer one last time, having hoped for another kiss, but...she knew that that was dangerous right now. She shut his door quietly and then moved on to her room. She received a surprise to see Lucius standing guard there, just as she had just finished visiting him in the jail. Her father must have came in shortly after she left. "Sir Lucius and..." she addressed him formally, but looked at the other two guards, not knowing what their names are.


"Sir Allen, m'lady," the one on Lucius's left spoke up, bowing.


"And Sir Carter," the other one bowed.


"Well then," she smiled softly at all three, though she gave Lucius a knowing look through her smile. "I bid you three goodnight then." Just then her maid came scurrying over. She curtsied and Melody let her through the door as she entered herself. The first thing that she saw, that absolutely churned her stomach, was the wedding gown in the near center of her room, ready for her to wear.


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She made a disgusted face at it as the maid came bringing a nightdress over for her. She started to undress her and Melody asked, "Could you please just....put that in the corner or something? Or maybe the closet other than that, I do not need your services." She then finished changing as the maid did as she was told and hid the dress from view as much as she could.


When the maid was gone, Melody threw herself onto her bed and groaned. She would be married, in one day. She had one day, to get out of here with Archer and Lucius. She got up and headed over to the window and sighed looking out. She looked out over the land and envied everyone who wasn't in her situation, who could choose who they married and had simple lives. She started singing then, a soft sad song, that she pretended couldn't be heard through her door, though all three guards would be able to hear her sing.


All she wanted, was to be free. She knew that some of the people down there envied her for her wealth and her money, her royal position, but...all she was was just a pretty bird in a gilded cage. There was no freedom in this life, and even less once she married that...monster. Her song came to an end and she wandered back off to bed. She buried herself under the covers and her face in the pillows, just hoping they could pull this off tomorrow, at the very latest, tomorrow night.


Morning came swiftly...too swiftly for her, and her maids came rushing in, readying a bath for her. She sulked in the hot water, washing away the grime and dirt that was left over from yesterday and then was dressed in a dark pink gown with gold accents.


red+medieval+wedding+dresses.jpg



With that finished, her hair was brushed and fixed and she was led down to the dining hall for breakfast, her three guards flanking her. No doubt, she could expect Archer to be there as well as her mother would have insisted he be brought there, dressed in similar attire as last night. She could also expect her fiance to be there, and to have to sit directly next to him. That thought made her stomach churn.
 
((O_O Lord that was long. I feel like all my posts are going to be inferior now xD ))


Lucius had to fight not to make faces when Melody finally appeared, then disappeared again inside her room. He could only nod in way of greeting and wish her goodnight, then close the door behind her. He took a post across the hall, staring straight at the doors rather than on either sides of it, and knew that far on the other side of her room there would be other sentries posted with eyes looking towards her balcony, where she had supposedly disappeared from.


As the night went on and he stayed at his post, shifting his feet every once in a while to avoid locking his knees - he'd practiced this over years of service - he made himself think of ways out of this, if only to keep himself awake. He had a feeling he wasn't going to get out of using his shadows, if they were to get out unseen and unhindered. Archer wouldn't be happy about it, and neither would Aaric, Lucius supposed. He just hoped he could take leave long enough to go see his guardian and mentor, to apologize for everything and to explain, and even to say goodbye if that was what all of this meant. He didn't want to have to leave without saying goodbye again.


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


Archer slept for only half the night, the other half full of plans running through his head and being accepted or discarded as impossible. He would have to wander to see how far the guard had been stepped up, and he hated thinking of doing so out in the open instead of in secret, letting others see his face even though he was posing as a commoner from semi-far away. He was used to just popping in and leaving again, never seen for long or identified by any.


In the morning, he was roused by an attendant and made to bathe again, though this time alone as he had been scrubbed clean the night before. He was given fine clothes to wear again, something he thought had more to do with the Queen's lack of any desire to see peasant clothing at her table than any sense of hospitality. When he was dressed and ready he was brought to the breakfast table and sat where he was directed, giving the proper greetings to all around and smiling a bit for Melody just to let her know he was still thinking of ways to get out of this, even as he kept up his façade. He was getting good food out of this at least. He could only hope Lucius would be ready and able to leave once they got the chance.


((Just a quick reply before work. I'll be back at a little after 10))
 
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