Thread: The Fall of An Era [ Father x Fruit ]

She studied him like an eagle eyeing a rabbit. But he was no prey, he beamed confidence even when he bent his knee. Silence filled the room for more than Catelyn would like, everyone stopped what they were doing and listened to the their guest announce his submission. Cassel sighed in relief a little too publicly for Catelyn's taste. I might have him flogged for that. The fool is giving the enemy a sign, albeit false, of our weakness . Rodrik was looking at her and rubbing his beard curiously. I don't see my hostages with you, Ser she answered her guest, her eyes still more drawn towards the gigantic map on the oak table in the middle of the tent. She had a woodworker carve the map on the table itself. It took close to a week for him to finish it with full details it had precise locations of every waterfall, mountain, river, forest, city, stronghold, port and village in all of the land. On the table she had a wooden figure representing her army in front of Valerii. If he bothered to count them, he could surmise our numbers somewhat accurately she thought, was this his plan all along? Stroll into our encampment, look at our provisions and supplies, numbers, weapons, and formation? Arvin should have known better . She never thought much of humans they had pesky cities with poor fortifications, and their bravery saves them not when they were heavily out-armed and outnumbered. Their history was rich of victories in epic battles from the days of their grand kingdoms, but now they were a shadow of the past. Tiny fragments divided by borders and different ideals, easy for other races to swallow them into submission. Some chose to submit to Dwarves, others preferred Wraiths, Orcs or Goblins. Valerii was going to be the Elven piece of the cake, her father had always thought, but Aelius looked like a man that wasn't to be underestimated. I wish I could reward your enthusiasm for leal service, Ser. Rushing to announce your service personally can only attest to that. Alas, Arvin either didn't read to you my demands, or I'm missing something here. He's no idiot. He knows killing him will turn him into a martyr, a heroic legendary figure for his people to die fighting for. I can't afford to make Valerii even more difficult by giving them a symbol to fight for. And he knows I understand that. This man is a genius. She brushed her fingers across the wooden table, her red eyes glancing at different cities to take after Valerii, and occasionally back to the man in front of her. Her bronze skin looked almost golden with the torches in the tent, they danced as the wind blew, and cast all sorts of shadows in the tent. Her hair was an organized mess, it looked lively, strong, beautiful but barely tended to. Unlike a princess. Her father always said that she had the body of a swan but the heart of a dragon. Her body was lean and feminine, curvy where it mattered and slightly muscular where it didn't. She wore more flesh than armor, but all in all it looked decent, regal, and practical. Her leather jerkin covered her shoulders but exposed her belly. She had a dagger wrapped around her waist, its silver hilt shaped like a wolf's head. It was visible above all the leather and hide she wore around her as a skirt. On her back she had a sword fastened to her with a hilt that matched the dagger.