Thread: Dark Influence (SilverScar & Belle Dujour)

The sorcerer watched silently as the princess approached him, glancing to her father and brother's with cautious eyes. He didn't need anyone trying to be a hero today. Viktor wasn't here because he desired to be, but Princess Gwendolyn was a prize too important to be left to underlings. The dark markings on his face seemed to shiver with anticipation as the princess walked towards him, his gaze turning to her as Viktor was finally allowed a chance to look upon the woman that had been promised to him. Princess Gwendolyn was indeed a beautiful woman, that he had been able to discern from his arrival, but actually being able to see her now, in all her royal splendor...a sure prize for any man lucky enough to earn her hand. A strong arm reached out and roughly took hold of the princess, pulling her close against Viktor's strong form as the circle of shadows suddenly exploded with light. Normally this would be the part in the story where the villain called out a final warning to the good king about not following him, but such dramatics were not needed here. Holding the princess's lithe form, the pair vanished from the throne room in a flash of blinding fiery light, leaving no trace of them once the light settled and the shadowy circle vanished. The throne room would remain quiet for awhile, as those in attendance struggled to come to terms with what had just transpired before their eyes... For Gwendolyn and Viktor, it would feel as though they'd been caught up within a great, icy wind as darkness clouded their senses before suddenly finding themselves far from where they had been moments before. Instead, the pair found themselves in a strange looking dome shaped room. The white marble floor had strange golden lines drawn all around it, crisscrossing in seemingly random patterns. The curved ceiling was black, dotted with eerie blue lights that twinkled above, like stars on a clear night. There was no evidence of a door until Viktor released Gwen from his grasp, turning his back to her as he made his way to the nearest edge of the door, a portion of the smooth wall opening up as he approached Come child. I assume you have many questions for me He spoke normally now, though Viktor's deep voice still maintained it's commanding tone without the added magical power. The open halls outside the strange circular room were much more inviting and familiar. Torches warmed the smooth stone, carpets of a deep crimson lining the floor. Tall glass windows hinted at a foreign landscape of tall dark trees and mountains. Viktor led Gwen through the halls at a brisk pace until they came upon a pair of large wooden doors which swung open to reveal a small balcony. A pair of very comfy looking chairs sat behind a sturdy looking stone railing overlooking the forest hinted behind the windows. As the trees stretched for miles, it looked as though Viktor's home had been built into the side of a mountain, and if Gwen were to glance down below, should would find herself looking a steep, sharp drop down to the rocky slope of the mountain itself. Castle Hartsworn Viktor explained as he took one of the seats for himself, emerald eyes watching Gwen with keen interest Built by my great grandfather, Alexander Hartsworn. An anarchist in his day, he hoped that by building his own private fortress out here that he would be free from entangling himself with the affairs of the outside world. A single road leads down the mountain to the various small towns and trading posts, though it becomes inaccessible in winter. We are in the late months of fall now, which is why I have sent the staff of the castle away until spring...and makes this the most opportune time for us to be here undisturbed The sorcerer raised a hand at that, indicating he was not yet finished talking I shall answer any and all questions you have, Princess, but I would make a few things clear first. First, I have not brought you here to be a slave of mine in any respect. Your beauty has nothing to do with why I have brought you here. With that said, I hope you realize that any attempts to escape or cause myself or this castle harm will be met with severe punishment. If this is understood, then please feel free to ask of me whatever you wish