junegloom
youβve got me by the skin and bones
scroll
abandoned royal
Callum.
outfit
Araes Royal Guard Uniform
location
Nireath
interactions
Malaenys, Vysenya, and Thalia
Callum did not expect to be brought into the sisters' spat. He shuffled a bit, an awkward smile in place as Vysenya scolded her sister for what he assumed was just a simple oversight.
"There is no need for an apology, for no offense is taken. I need no thanks for simply doing my duty."
Callum wasn't being kind or humble, he was simply speaking what he believed to be true. He was not particularly diplomatic or careful with his words, so he was not trying to make the younger princess feel better. It was just part of his job. He was not a civilian taking action in a time of need, he was a guard doing exactly what he was meant to do. He did not expect thanks when dealing with royals. Many were too self-important and viewed themselves above anyone else who was not blessed with a notable bloodline. Though, for his own vanity, he did enjoy compliments and thanks when he did receive them.
Thankfully, things seemed to simmer down from there as each princess turned from each other to converse elsewhere and Vysenya turned to focus on himself. He laughed
"Well, I can confirm Mal is a sight to behold on the battlefield. He may have been raised a royal, but I can confirm he is a true warrior. I'm lucky to have not been on a side that opposed him. However, because of our friendship, we have made a plan in the event that ever happens."
Leaning back against the wall, Cal grinned at the princess as he thought of which story he could tell her of their times in battle. One that possibly made him look a little more impressive than Mal.
"I've got a good one. One timeβ"
Before he could even begin his (likely greatly embellished) recounting, he was interrupted by a cry. It immediately set off alarm bells in his head, causing him to straighten up and place his hand on the hilt of his sword. The banging on the doors was even more concerning. When they burst open, letting in flames and burning bodies, Callum did not panic. Instead, a sense of cool calmness washed over him, quickly forcing him to shift into focus. Thank the gods he only had one sip of the ale Vysenya offered.
Time slowed down as he surveyed the situation. He grabbed Vysenya and switched their places so that he was a barrier between her and any potential danger. Quickly he began removing his armor. It was a bold move considering the very present dangers around them, but he'd rather take his chances with being wounded over being boiled inside the armor or sinking if they needed to swim. In his quick assessment, swimming seemed to be the least deadly option considering the other escapes seemed to be blocked by flame.
Further assessment was interrupted by some stranger wandering over trying to give directions, however, Callum wasn't interested in listening to someone he did not know and therefore did not trust. Not even processing what the stranger said, he looked to Malβ one of the few people in the room that he trusted implicitly.
It felt like minutes had passed since the fire broke out but it was merely seconds. He turned back towards Vysenya, placing the hand that was not on the hilt of his sword on her shoulder.
"Vysenya, keep close to me no matter what," Callum stated firmly. It was not up for discussion. With a firm grip on her upper arm, he guided her through the masses that were scrambling about the room. In his eyes, there was only one way to leave this ballroom and that was to jump into the ocean and swim to shore. He did not ask Vysenya if she could swim as he assumed that the heir of Nireath would certainly be able to. A crowd was pushing out onto the balcony in a panic to escape, so instead he guided the princess to a window that he proceeded to break open.
"You are going to jump out and swim to shore." It was not a suggestion, but a command.
With Vysenya having a relatively safe route of escape, he looked back to see if any royals from Araes, the ones he had taken an oath to protect, were in need of assistance. With all the commotion and thick black smoke, it was difficult to tell.
"There is no need for an apology, for no offense is taken. I need no thanks for simply doing my duty."
Callum wasn't being kind or humble, he was simply speaking what he believed to be true. He was not particularly diplomatic or careful with his words, so he was not trying to make the younger princess feel better. It was just part of his job. He was not a civilian taking action in a time of need, he was a guard doing exactly what he was meant to do. He did not expect thanks when dealing with royals. Many were too self-important and viewed themselves above anyone else who was not blessed with a notable bloodline. Though, for his own vanity, he did enjoy compliments and thanks when he did receive them.
Thankfully, things seemed to simmer down from there as each princess turned from each other to converse elsewhere and Vysenya turned to focus on himself. He laughed
"Well, I can confirm Mal is a sight to behold on the battlefield. He may have been raised a royal, but I can confirm he is a true warrior. I'm lucky to have not been on a side that opposed him. However, because of our friendship, we have made a plan in the event that ever happens."
Leaning back against the wall, Cal grinned at the princess as he thought of which story he could tell her of their times in battle. One that possibly made him look a little more impressive than Mal.
"I've got a good one. One timeβ"
Before he could even begin his (likely greatly embellished) recounting, he was interrupted by a cry. It immediately set off alarm bells in his head, causing him to straighten up and place his hand on the hilt of his sword. The banging on the doors was even more concerning. When they burst open, letting in flames and burning bodies, Callum did not panic. Instead, a sense of cool calmness washed over him, quickly forcing him to shift into focus. Thank the gods he only had one sip of the ale Vysenya offered.
Time slowed down as he surveyed the situation. He grabbed Vysenya and switched their places so that he was a barrier between her and any potential danger. Quickly he began removing his armor. It was a bold move considering the very present dangers around them, but he'd rather take his chances with being wounded over being boiled inside the armor or sinking if they needed to swim. In his quick assessment, swimming seemed to be the least deadly option considering the other escapes seemed to be blocked by flame.
Further assessment was interrupted by some stranger wandering over trying to give directions, however, Callum wasn't interested in listening to someone he did not know and therefore did not trust. Not even processing what the stranger said, he looked to Malβ one of the few people in the room that he trusted implicitly.
It felt like minutes had passed since the fire broke out but it was merely seconds. He turned back towards Vysenya, placing the hand that was not on the hilt of his sword on her shoulder.
"Vysenya, keep close to me no matter what," Callum stated firmly. It was not up for discussion. With a firm grip on her upper arm, he guided her through the masses that were scrambling about the room. In his eyes, there was only one way to leave this ballroom and that was to jump into the ocean and swim to shore. He did not ask Vysenya if she could swim as he assumed that the heir of Nireath would certainly be able to. A crowd was pushing out onto the balcony in a panic to escape, so instead he guided the princess to a window that he proceeded to break open.
"You are going to jump out and swim to shore." It was not a suggestion, but a command.
With Vysenya having a relatively safe route of escape, he looked back to see if any royals from Araes, the ones he had taken an oath to protect, were in need of assistance. With all the commotion and thick black smoke, it was difficult to tell.
β‘coded by uxieβ‘