Thread: Sand's of Time

Landan was amazed at how much of a child Alyna truly was. She even knew how to act like an adult, but simply chose not to. He wondered what her age was in the back of his mind as he explained himself to her and answered her question patiently. Just like a father speaking to his daughter, something he realized in the midst of the conversation, that she was very used to. I am from Bornio, and my family line is long and sure. I can trace it far further then the dragons, the ages of ice and fire, and even the demi-gods. Though, not the god's themselves of course. He paused to study Alyna's pretty face, already she was enraptured just like a child. Her imagination flying off those thousands and thousands of years ago, years he did not truly remember, but that he could simply trace his families ancestry through and back again. Frowning a bit, he continued answering. I am nobody of importance, that I know of, but that Wizard friend of your fathers seems to think I am. LeArius, I wish I knew of his other names... Hmm, but it is of no use, the more I think, the less I shall know. One thing I am sure of is that it was LeArius that had me brought her, and not the Duke as your father may think. With a small smirk, That shall be our little secret. With that little comment, Landan was pretty sure that those exact words would be repeated to Sir Richard before the night was out, as he hoped, Alyna was not one to hide secrets from her father. As for my magic... Well... I study the magic of fire. Suddenly, his eyes burst aflame and then moments later they winked out. He was laughing, for Alyna had of course screamed, My apologies, m'lady. I guessed you would want a demonstration. I am not the typical Red Mage though, as you can see, for my hair is not red nor my eyes. Thus, I do not have their temperamental rages nor persuasion for rash acts, my last little trick excluded of course. Would you like to see another trick? - The guards smiled, and directed the footman to the kitchen. As he approached the back door, Sir Richard appeared and spoke to him, You may tell the Queen Criseyda that her husband has already been informed of the situation. There is no need for you to risk life and limb, to deliver the message he has already heard. Tell her also... That I do have some answers, but they will have to wait until after the Dukes arrival now. - Sir Bryan Marshall, the Duke of Ossarriia, glanced through the beautiful dancing girl in front of him from where he lay on his satin bed. All of his plans, were coming together, he'd finally managed to captain his cousins wife. The key to breaking up his cousins empire, well, The Empire, but in order to build his own he would need to not destroy, but destabilize the kingdom that his cousin had formed through many a long war. Bryan had already mapped what his Kingdom would encompass, the forest of the Void, and the mines at Gunthole, and either the farmlands of the South, or the pastures of the Roan. Either, or the other, he thought with a happy smirk that the girl took as a sign to come closer. Fookin go, wench. He commanded surrily, he was not in the mood tonight. Not for a wench, or anyone willing. He grunted out a laugh, and rolled in his sleep. Tomorrow he would meet the queen and see if he could persuade her to switch her allegiance. He knew there was no love lost between the queen and the king, his cousin. They had little, if any reason to stay together, and without their child... Even less, but the damned brat had a nose for danger, and had already escaped two of the Duke's most skilled assassins. Though obviously they were not the best, they were simply skilled enough to not allow his name to escape from their lips before they died. Something he was quite glad of, because he could not outfight the other members of the Marshall family, he would need to outthink them. All of them. The next morning he dressed in expensive clothing that stretched well over his fine build. He was not an ugly man, nor was he quite as good looking as other members of court, such as his newly appointed Sheriff. What was his name again? Ah right, Sir Richard. I trust there was no trouble with Queen Criseyda or the Wizard? No, none at all Sir Bryan. Good, see that you keep it that way! I shall, but the lady Criseyda did make it known that she wishes to see you the moment you arrive. Then I shall not keep the queen awaiting, shall I? I may as well sign the death of my cock if I do not report to her straight away. - Perhaps... Richard said, with a grin as he followed the Duke up the stairs and to the Queens room. Richard opened the door for the Duke, and closed it behind both of them. It felt awkward to enter the room with two such powerful persons, but it was his new duty, and he would do his best. Right now he simply needed to observe without being noticed, especially at this all important showdown, unfortunately almost immediately after the pleasantries the Duke took the Queen into an inner room of the bedroom and motioned for him to remain outside. Apparently, this was above even the Sheriff's position. - Bryan closed the door softly behind him. He is an eager young pup, ain't he? You like'im, dontcha Criseyda? The Duke walked to the nearest chair, and slumped in it. Placing his soft felt hat on his knee and bouncing it rapidly. His clever, shining eyes danced around the room before settling upon the Queen. You understand why I've brought you'ere, of all places, yes? Obviously the blood between myself an yer husband ain't the sweetest... But this is larger, more important than simple blood. You know it better'n I do. The Empire is crumbling from within. Your husband, is not a good King, he is a great general, but a poor ruler. You know this, I know this, but very few others know it. He maintains face and popularity with games, trinkets, and wars. Not with good sound judgement. Yet, he can do this... Because of you. The Duke paused, and studied the queen. She was like ice, impossible to read, and she never melted. Your family is rich beyond imagining, this I know, but how many thousands of pounds of gold has your father and brothers sunk into The Empire that they, quite frankly, could be doing much better without? These are the sort of questions I ask myself, a lot, and these are the questions I'm giving you as the answers that you so kindly wished for the Sheriff to give you last night. In order to answer your question so bluntly as I may, I want you to break up The Empire. Or more specifically, help me, to break The Empire. There was a reason that Bryan was being so bold. Refusal of his offer was a foregone conclusion, but all he needed to do was plant the seed. From there it would water, fester, or whatever seeds did over time, and grow into a reality. He wondered if the queen would laugh at him, but then he realized she knew he was deadly serious. She might even guess his deeper design, but that would only serve to propel his plan more quickly. So, he waited patiently for her response. Confident. About the only thing would surprise him would be instant agreement, and that would only occur if the Queen Criseyda had plans of her own. - Landan yawned, and woke quickly. He went immediately out to the balcony, and basked in the powerful sunlight. The most powerful fire in the universe, it gave him his power, and with a laugh her snapped his fingers lighting them on fire. He was out of practice after the long trip to Ossarriia, so he decided to go practice. The guards didn't stop him, but LeArius and Sir Richard would know they didn't need to his own curiosity would keep him here, for at least a month, he told himself.