Thread: Spoils of War (DareToDream and Nightingale)

His steps were swift and sure, carrying him through the crowd of nobility like a hot knife slicing a slab of butter. People parted for him without thought, some giving him a glance and others just moving out of instinct. Marcus noted this with a little smile, taking advantage of it to speed his steps. Twice, someone tried to talk to him, to stop him for a moment, but he ignored them, making it clear that he had a purpose and they were not part of it. The urge to look over his shoulder, to see if she was following, was strong and he felt that familiar itch, the one that told him danger was afoot. His mind knew this was crazy, this desire to see Illayna one more time it would do nothing but get them both in trouble if they were caught. He ignored it though and kept walking, his mind made up, and soon he stepped through the alcove doors onto the quiet balcony. The dark of the night closed in around him, smothering him in its shadow as he moved to the railing and leaned up against it. He kept his back to the ballroom, listening to the sounds that filtered through the doors, hoping that she would show. When he heard the footsteps, so light and soft, his body tensed automatically, screaming at him to turn around just in case this was a threat. He held fast though, fingers wrapped around the railing tight, and when his name came from her lips, his breath caught in his throat. Spoken so softly yet they carried on the breeze, causing his blood to flow fast and hot almost instantly. His mind called him traitor but his heart sung true, winning the battle for his soul in that moment. As her fingers grazed his arm, sending tingles sliding along his nerves, he slowly turned. The light from the ballroom cast a glow over her face and he used it to study her, his gaze slowly tracing the curves of her cheekbones and the edge of her full lips. When she started talking again, he met her eyes, losing himself in their brilliance for a moment as a smile bloomed on his face. As her words finally trailed off, he gave a tiny nod of his head then glanced to the alcove doors, checking to see that they had not been discovered. She seemed to sense his concern because she chose that moment to step deep into the darkness, away from the light, and simply stood watching him. He had been told to avoid her, as well as her countrymen, given those instructions by his High Lord himself. Yet Marcus felt no desire to follow those orders at all, not now at least, not with Lady Illayna standing in front of him in all her beauty and grace. She was the Princess of Greymere but she was also a woman, one who had captured his attention earlier in the field and who commanded it now by her very presence. Inclining his head to her, he gave a brief smile and then spoke. Not a Lord, milady he said. Simply a Knight, one that accepts your apology though it is not necessary. His eyes tracked her hand as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then he drew his focus back to her face. My men have known only war and bloodshed between our two countries so I dont fault their attitude but the step you took today spoke to me. That two enemies can stand and talk at the edge of a field he glanced to his left then, out into the night, then back to her and the darkness of a quiet balconywell, it gives me hope. He studied her for a moment longer, his eyes falling to the pendant that lay between her breasts. It was the Goddesss emblem and it drew his brows into a frown, for it meant that the Lady Illayna was untouchable. That very thought seemed to dampen his spirits and cool his blood though he couldnt say why he had known in his heart that his fancy for her would not be fulfilled given their allegiances yet to have hope smashed so obviously still hurt. Without thinking about it, he reached out and lifted the pendant in his fingers, running his thumb lightly over it. The emblem was sacred and right and with a sigh he let it fall back against her skin, his fingers lightly brushing her bosom as a result. It would have been a terrible offense to any woman, to be touched just so without their permission, but Marcus wasnt even thinking about that. His mind was in utter turmoil, thoughts racing through it. Attraction for the Lady welled inside him, for her beauty and her courage, and he itched to pull her into his arms and show her that. Yet, the emblem called to his honor, to his spirit, entreating him to withdraw, back away, distance himself. Looking at her though, drowning in her smile, he saw hope. She held no fear of him, of who he fought for and what he did she simply saw him as a man of honor, who was worth conversing with and knowing. It was a powerful message to send, one that rocked his soul, and for the first time in forever, he considered the role of traitor. He could tell her about the planned alliance with Merivale, could tell her all that she needed to know for her country to triumph in the war, but in the end he didnt. All that would achieve was more bloodshed and death when what he hoped for was peace. No, his goal was clear to him then, to work towards ending the war and he knew that it started here. Pushing aside his personal feelings, Marcus looked at Illayna anew, rewarding her with a smile. The night is young, milady he murmured. Perhaps a walk in the castle gardens would do us some good? It was a risky maneuver but if they left separately and met in the gardens, they might pull it off. To have a chance to talk more and possibly strike a spark for the future, well, it was worth whatever risk Marcus took.