Thread: In a Kingdom of Unrest [Seraphina X Just Another King]

Kaden once again returned to the rooftops, following Clara from his vantage point, feet almost silent as he stalked through the night. He paused as she approached the river, refusing to believe that she was seriously sneaking out just to sit by the water and have some alone time. He repressed a smile of self satisfaction and continued to follow her, leaping from building to building until she started to approach the old, out of the way stables. Kaden didnt like it, he felt uneasy. Yet he was hesitant to follow her. The two of them had a tenuous relationship as it was and, while it pained him to admit it, Kadens job would be much easier if they got on better. If he were to follow the princess and she discovered that he had deceived her then no doubt she would be furious and ever more rebellious. Yet if she were attacked and seriously hurt due to his inaction, his job and perhaps more would be on the line. Kaden grumbled before perching on the edge of a roof and muttering his magical spells. Suddenly he found his eyesight and hearing vastly improved. He focused on the princess while tuning out the sounds of the city merchants haggling, drunkards fighting and whores plying their trade. What is she doing? Kaden muttered, eyes fixed as the princess dragged the sacks out of the stables, carrying them around to the back of the stables. It certainly wasnt what he had expected. The bodyguard had anticipatedwell anything from meeting up with a lover, to sword fighting or all manner of activities that could see the princess hurt or put in unfortunate situations. Kaden gripped the hilt of his sword as the roof collapsed in. He was ready to jump down and run over, but luckily the princess had managed to dive out of the way. He sat back with a sigh. He hated the nagging, screaming, worrying sensation. Most bodyguard jobs hed taken on were never this difficult. Usually his charge was more willing to accept his services. The dread worry he felt was exactly why he had vowed never to have children, or get to close to a lover or partner. In his line of work, those kind of sentiments could be lethal hed made his fair share of enemies and the last thing he needed was to worry about them hurting someone close to him. Shrugging such thoughts off, he watched as Clara made her way along the river to the homeless camp. Even with his enhanced hearing he struggled to hear all of the conversation, but he got the gist of it. The sacks contained food for the homeless. Whats she going from this? Kaden thought, no princess is this kind or caring. But despite his cynical attitude he watched as the explained to the homeless family, before approaching the edge of the river, examining the cut on her knee. Watching for a few moments, Kaden realised she wasnt going anywhere anytime soon and soon took this opportunity to relax. He leaned against a chimney stack, letting it warm him as he gazed up at the stars, his mind wandering. Just a quick minute, he told himself. All this worrying was tiring him out. Well, dont you know its a dangerous night to be alone, said a weasel faced, scrawny man as he approached and sat next to Clara at the edge of the river, especially for a pretty thing like you. He finished with a smile that was probably meant to be friends or charming. Behind him were four other men. All of them were large, muscular and clearly bandits of some kind judging by the crude wooden clubs they held and their mismatched armour, They stood in a semi circle around Clara and the weasel faced man, arms crossed, wearing menacing scowls. You wouldnt need to worry about that, oh no! The weasel faced man continued, youve got me and my friends to keep you safe, so dont you worry about a thing. Again he smiled, his breath foul. He wore what was clearly once fine clothing, befitting of a lesser noble fine black shoes, a velvet doublet and smart trousers. However they had been dirtied, sleeves ragged and torn. In his hands he held a simple steel dagger, twirling it around with slender, dextrous fingers. Although I am hoping you can help me with a predicament Ive found myself in. You see, I had some food. A lot of it, six large sacks full to be precise. Plenty to feed me and my men. But some scoundrel has taken them from me and given them away, which I cant stand for! There was a vicious snarl to his voice. But Im not unreasonable, but nor am I overly wealthy. But Im hoping that this scoundrel would be willing to compensate me for my loss so that I might be able to feed myself and my friends. What say you? Do you think this scoundrel would find it in her heart to help lowly, honest men such as myself? The weasel faced wore a lecherous on his face as he reached out to caress Claras newly acquired moonstone necklace.