The Princess's Hidden Power

OOT: no objections here.

 

"Hmph, noisy, noisy - some peace for once, ayee!"
With his free paw he absent-mindedly twirled a strange symbol in the air with some sticky mutterings under his breath.

Suddenly, no matter how hard anyone tried, their voices could never reach above a whisper. They could try to scream and shout, but were only barely audible. Even stomping their feet would only result in light taps as opposed to the hard stamps that should naturally have resulted. Even Xia was incapable of managing above a slight mew.

The loudest sound in the room inevitably became Yhir eating honey again, and once he'd licked the last smackerels off his claws, he turned back to the group.
"Noisy - not good, ayee. Wake people up, eh? Not nice, peoplees need sleepies," he chastised, as though it was anyone's fault but his own that he'd invaded their food supplies. But, evenly enough, he waggled his paw again and suddenly, slowly, as though turning a crank, volume returned to the room.
He looked over them, his eyes alighting on Xia first. "Kitty but not kitty, hmm?" he tittered. "Paws to feet, feet to paws, ears stay the same, ayee." He winked conspiratorially and clicked his claws. Then he became aware that he had a sword pointed at him for the first time in the conversation, and in his typical fashion completely ignored it. "Pointy steel not good for anyone's health," he advised sagely. "Even sparky steel - even worse, maybe. Ayee... sparky steel quite mean." He gestured for Asami to return the blade to its sheath. "No hurting peoples, here," he said innocently. "Just a rumbly in Yhir's tummy, hmm!"

 

OOT: Sorry for the wait. Time to assimilate some characters!

Zyxll had a worried look on his face; he knew that Asami wouldn't react well to Yhir's admittedly rather odd behavior. He could see the situation spiraling out of control quickly so he moved put a stop to it before it escalated. Stepping between the two, he put his hand on Asami's shoulder and spoke in a calm tone, motioning with his other hand for Asami to lower his sword.
"There is no need for that, Asami. While his behavior may seem strange, you should know that he has very kindly volunteered to tutor me in the ways of magic. Because of this, he will be our guest for some time here at the castle."
He looked to Yhir, a gentle if somewhat forced smile on his face.
"I hope that you will treat him as such and give him a proper welcome to our home."


Man...seeing that sad look on her face, I feel kinda bad about leaving now. I've always been surrounded by family and close friends so I can't really imagine what it's like to be all alone. I mean, sure, it can be a little much sometimes when I want to get some peace and quiet but it's gotta be better than waking up and knowing there's nobody around. Ah well...it's not like I can stay here for the rest of the night. I get up and give Celest a smile and a firm nod.
"Alright, sounds like a plan. Just make sure you're ready to give it everything you've got 'cause now that I know what you can do, I'll be going all-out right from the start."
I might be keeping a cool head right now, but I'm actually pretty excited about this. The thought of having another duel like tonight...nah, even better than tonight, is probably gonna make it kinda hard to sleep once I get back home. But I'll manage it somehow. I've got to be rested up if I want to be at my best!
"I'm gonna head back home and rest up for the big party; feel free to stay in the room for a while if you'd like or you could just head back home. I don't know about you but I have a hard time sleeping on anything that's not my own bed. And I can't fight at my best if I don't get my beauty sleep."
I open the door and take a step out, but turn around at the last second.
"Any last questions before we call it a night?"

 

OOT: sorry for the silence. I'm still at Anti's place until early January.

Xia tilted her feline head slightly, as Yhir spoke...then hissed angrily when he spoke about her and her human-like form.

Cereza smiled gently to Yhir and bowed her head slightly...though she was still wearing a night gwon.
"Welcome." Cereza spoke warmly. "I'll see that everyone knows we have a guest in the castle." Cereza looked at the honey Yhir was eating. "And I'll see if we have any more honey." She looked from her brother, then to Asami. "Asami," she spoke in the same warm tone; "I'll be going back to my room to dress, would you mind stopping by the captain's chambers and letting him know about our guest, please."

 

OOT: Don't mind me, just setting up a little something here.

Name: Halvdan Fendleor
Gender: Male
Occupation: Nobleman's Son
Age: 18
Ability/Power: Draconic Ancestry -- Gifted with the power of a dragon which can manifest in many ways such as controlling fire, sprouting wings and turning his flesh into dragon scales. Also very gifted in the ways of magic and naturally resistant (though not immune) to its effects.
Skills: Highly proficient in the use of both swords and bows.

 

Huh. That's a good question, actually. I take a minute to think about her question, wracking my brain to see what tomorrow's gonna look like. Oh yeah, I think someone's coming to the castle from one of the nearby clans; some prince looking to...come to think of it, I can't remember why he's coming. Ah well, it's probably not that important. The point is, it shouldn't take too long so I should be able to make it back by...
"...How about sundown tomorrow?"

OOT: I know, that was kinda short and I still haven't intro'd the new character yet...but I'm out of brain power tonight. And I probably should've been asleep a few hours ago. Next post, for sure!

 

OOT: Now that I'm doing a proper character intro, I finally got around to digging up a good pic for Halvdan.

Spoiler: Character Image

I don't even try to hide how much I'm looking forward to tomorrow. With a wide smile, I stroke my chin and turn towards Celest.
"Dinner and a duel, huh? I couldn't come up with a better evening if I tried."
I wave back to her as she waves goodbye and heads for the door.
"You too. And make sure you get a good night's sleep for the big day tomorrow. I'll be able to tell right away if you're not at your best, you know."
We part ways and I start my long, quiet journey back to the castle. Very quiet, in fact. Seeing as how I absolutely cannot let anyone notice me on the way back in, not with how late its gotten now...

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The next morning, I find myself sitting across a small table from Lucius. Not a whole lot happened since last night. I managed to sneak back into my room like nothing happened and after such an eventful night, I slept like a log. That's not to say everything went perfectly, though. Lucius definitely knows something's up and he's been giving me suspicious looks all morning. Fortunately, he hasn't asked about it yet. Probably because we both have something else occupying every last bit of our mental prowess right now.

You see, while it might look like we're just sitting around a table to the casual observer, we're actually having a duel of epic proportions. Not nearly as epic as last night, obviously, but still pretty epic nonetheless. I stare at him intensely, trying to read his next move, seeing if just maybe I can figure out what's going on in his head. He matches my gaze and a tense silence fills the air. Then...the unthinkable happens.

He lays down a Hero card in his ranged combat zone. Another 10 points of attack power for him, just like that!

He gives me a confident look that's telling me "try to beat that" as his turn ends. I take a good look at the field then look back up at him.
"So, you think you've pretty much got this in the bag, huh?"
I pull a card from my hand...
"I'm not that rusty, Lucius."
...And turn it around so he can see it. It's a Commander's Horn, and just like that I can already see his confidence melting away as I place it on my side of the field. Thanks to this card, my front line gets a massive boost that puts me in the lead, even with his Hero card on the field. I smile back at him and ask a simple and innocent but oh-so-very smug question.
"Your turn. What's your next move gonna be?"
Lucius lets out a heavy sigh and puts his cards down on the table.
"...I give up. You win."

I start picking up my cards, looking content while trying not to be too pleased with myself.
"Just like old times, wouldn't you say?"
Well...I did say "trying," didn't I? Once we clean up all of our cards, I offer him a friendly handshake.
"But really, thanks for that. Ever since you became captain, we haven't really done stuff like this and honestly, I was really starting to miss it."
"We did play this game a lot, didn't we? It's just that...after I became captain--"
"You started getting obsessed with rules and acting properly, so you thought that playing cards with your old friend who happens to be a prince wasn't "behavior befitting the captain of the guard" or something like that. Sound about right?"
It looks like I really caught him off-guard with that one. It...might've come out a little more bluntly than I intended. His head drops ever so slightly and he just kinda sits there in shocked silence for a little while. Wow. Looks like I hit the nail on the head. This is no good...I chuckle and try my best to lighten the mood.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're just way too easy to mess with! How many times do I gotta tell you to lighten up before it sinks in?"
He smiles weakly, giving a slight chuckle of his own.
"I'll, uh...I'll work on it."
"Yeah, you will. I'm gonna make sure of it."
I clear my throat and speak in the most grandiose, royal-sounding voice I can muster!
"Heed the words of your prince, for I command thee to relax thyself! Would thou dare refuse an order from thy prince?"
I've gotta hand it to him, he doesn't start laughing immediately. It's pretty clear that he's holding it back and his attempts at keeping a straight face are pretty funny on their own, but the most I can get out of him are a few snickers that managed to sneak out under his breath. After a while, he takes a deep breath and finally manages to regain his composure.
"You tell me to relax, but I really wish you would take things seriously more often. For example..."

He's giving me a pretty good "serious face" right now, raised eyebrow included. Well, I guess we couldn't dance around it forever.
"Where were you last night?"
"Hanging around."
"Hanging around where?"
"Places."
"Which ones?"
"In the city. Except for the one place that wasn't."
He lets out a frustrated groan.
"Would you please just give me a straight answer?"
"Sure thing, captain. Right after you tell me why you've got a little booze breath going on this morning."
The look of sheer horror on his face is priceless. He quickly covers his mouth and speaks through his hand.
"You...you could tell that?"
"I thought I smelled it but now I know for sure. Well, then...you wanna tell me what happened last night?"
"...I would prefer not to."
"Then you don't get to hear about my night, either. Fair's fair, mon capitan."
Our little discussion is interrupted by the sound of a horn coming from the castle wall. We've been waiting for this, so we quickly turn our heads to listen in. Just then, a voice calls out in the distance.
"Lord Halvdan Fendleor and his escort have arrived! Open the gate!"
"Sounds like that's our cue. Let's go."
Lucius and I make our way to the front gate.

--------------------------------------------------------------

As he sat on the back of his horse looking to the top of the castle walls, Halvdan was surprised to feel a sense of contentment coming over him. Truth be told, he had expected to feel at least a little homesick by now but instead, he held onto the same anticipation that he felt on the way here.
"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I jumped at the chance to start a new life and here it is. This is good...I think I'm going to enjoy it here."
With a slight, hardly noticeably smile, he patiently waited for the main gate to open. When it did, a welcome fit for royalty waited for him inside. Soldiers stood on both sides of the path, perfectly still with their swords held high. From atop the castle wall, a herald announced Halvdan's arrival. As he did, Halvdan nudged his horse forward and greeted the soldiers as he went past. Soon after, he saw two men in ornate regalia coming towards him. He slowed his horse to a halt and dismounted as one of them spoke up.

"And you must be Lord Halvdan Fendleor, if I'm not mistaken."
With a wide smile, he reaches out his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Prince Turin, it's an honor to meet you. Not only that, I got to be one of the first ones here so I'd say today's been good to me."
Halvdan gives him a firm handshake and a wry smile.
"If I were to count anyone as fortunate today, it would be me. It truly is an honor to meet you, Prince Turin."
The other man bows politely and introduces himself in a very formal tone.
"Greetings, honorable son of Fendleor. If I may introduce myself, I am Lucius, captain of the royal guard. If you require anything at all, you need but call for me and I will ever be at your service, your majesty."
Turin couldn't help shaking his head.
"In case you're wondering, the answer's yes, he's always that stuck-up."
Halvdan laughed and gave Lucius a pat on the shoulder.
"Oh, come on. From what I can see, he's dedicated to his post! Personally, I feel more secure knowing that a man of his caliber is watching over the castle."
Wanting to poke fun at him more than anything, Turin also patted Lucius on the shoulder.
"Hear that, Lucius? You've already made a new friend."
Turin has a good laugh at a clearly embarrassed Lucius with Halvdan soon joining in as the three of them began to make their way to the castle's courtyard, with Halvdan's guards in tow.

Along the way, Turin whispers to Halvdan.
"So, I've got a quick question, if you don't mind."
"Of course. Ask away."
Turin pulls out one of his trading cards and shows it to Halvdan.
"Do you play?"
Halvdan replied in a hushed tone.
"My family never did go for that kind of thing. Mother and Father consider it a waste of time and my siblings always keep themselves busy with other activities. As for me, I spend a lot of my time practicing with the blade and bow."
"I spend a lot of time training, too." Turin replied with a raised brow. "But you can't spend all of your time training, right? So I'm just wondering if maybe, just maybe, you spend some of that time on a certain card game...even if your family doesn't. Just a thought."
Halvdan couldn't help but be impressed at Turin for seeing right through his evasive answer; he soon realized that Turin probably wouldn't let up until he got a real answer. Trying not to draw attention from his father's men, he subtly reached into one of his pouches and pulled out a card, briefly showing it to Turin with a grin. Turin returned the smile and gave a slight nod, while Lucius' deadpan expression gave away his thoughts on the discussion. Getting back to the matter at hand, Halvdan spoke up again.
"If I may ask, where are we going now?"
"The courtyard, where my sister is waiting for us."
"Lady Cereza? Perfect, I was just wondering when I would have a chance to meet her."

 

Cereza sat in the courtyard reading a small book. To the 'normal' passerby it appeared to be a book about the local lore. However, to anyone who knew what the Seer had said, it was a book of heeding. A book about 'demons' and other creatures in the area whom may covet her potential power.
As she read, an expression of both worry and dread formed on her face.

 

We make our way to the courtyard and...huh, looks like Cereza's really into that book. Whatever she's reading, it doesn't look she's all that happy about it. I call out to her as we approach.
"Cereza? What's with the book? You knew you were expecting someone today, right?"

Lucius cleared his throat and spoke up loudly and clearly.
"Lady Cereza, it is my honor to present Lord Halvdan Fendleor."
He took a formal bow and stepped aside as Turin slapped his own face with his palm.

Halvdan took a few steps forward, bowed slightly and smiled at Cereza.
"I hope you'll excuse me if I've interrupted your reading time. It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I look forward to getting to know you and everyone here at the castle."

 

Cereza looked towards her brother and Lucius, as she closed the book she was reading. "Oh, I must have lost track of the time." She spoke warmly, as she turned on the stone bench. She placed the book on her lap and smiled as the newcomer introduced himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord." Cereza bowed her head, as she spoke. "How was your journey here?"

 

Yhir was curled up in the tree above Cereza’s head – the room in the castle was too stuffy for him, so he’d snuck out effortlessly and had been reading over Cereza’s shoulder the entire time – and appraised the newcomer too.
“Interrrressssstinnng...” he purred, before leaning out of the tree upside down, holding on with his knees to a branch (and a little magic too). “Ayeee, Lord Halvdan,” he grunted by way of greeting, rubbing his eyes. “You’re unusual...” he cocked his head. “Toothy-Scales, hot hot hot! Heheheee!” he laughed, swaying back and forth. “Hello!”

 

Halvdan was about to respond to Cereza when he was interrupted by...a rather unusual figure. Before he could even question why this...person was hanging from a tree, his eyes widened in surprise when the stranger correctly discerned his draconic heritage. He laughed and nodded his head in resignation.
"Well, I wasn't planning to mention it but I have no need to hide it, either. I am indeed a descendant of the dragon's blood. Specifically, I was gifted with the blood of the black dragon, which is...unique, even among my dragonborn kin."
He felt it was better not to mention that this was actually considered an ill omen in his homeland. He turned to Cereza, an awkward smile on his face.
"This man is a friend of yours? He seems rather..."
He glanced up at the stranger, then back to Cereza, trying desperately to say just about anything.
"...Athletic. And charming, in his own way. Charmingly athletic."

I lean in towards Lucius and whisper.
"He's still here?"
"Yes...in fact, he is an honored guest of ours and Lord Zyxll's new teacher."
"Please tell me you're joking."
"If only I were."

 

Archie watched the bear from a distance for two reasons. Firstly, he'd concluded that it wasn't an immediate threat to the Princess. Secondly, he had also concluded that he hated this bear thing. It was loud and obnoxiously annoying, and just smelled wrong. He'd been unable to nap or go about his rounds in the kitchens (the staff did like his adorableness in there, as the scraps and bones they gave him would attest) because everywhere he went he smelled that damned bear, and it threw him off.
Wonder if it tastes better than it smells, the beast in the form a little dog thought.

 

Yhir found the awkwardness absolutely hilarious.
“Hee-hee-hee!” he cackled, dancing and hopping to and fro on the branch, before suddenly growing serious. “Only wish to protect from dangers ahead, ayeee. Future dark, grave, meanie coming to go smash-smash castle, eh?” He tittered mirthlessly. “Ruins and muck, dirty fingers scrabbling on scales.” That said, he gnawed on a leaf humming with contentment.

 

Cereza smiled gently. "He's my brother's instructor." She spoke warmly. She looked towards Lucius. "Are we expecting other guests?" She asked, then looked at Yhir. "What is it that you know, Yhir?"

 

"I'm kinda curious about that myself...Yhir, was it?"
I take a few steps closer to him. I'm not even trying to hide the fact that I'm pretty suspicious about him right now.
"Who's this "meanie" you're talking about and what makes you think he's got the power to break down our castle?"

Lucius had a somewhat indignant look on his face as he listened to Turin, then looked up at Yhir.
"Whoever they are, the royal guard would never allow them to bring any sort of harm to this land! We are more than capable of--"

I put a hand on Lucius' shoulder and cut him off.
"Lucius, calm down. Let's just hear what he has to say."

Halvdan spoke up as well, his expression showing a look of grave seriousness.
"I would like to know, as well. This place is to be my home and I intend to fight for it, even die for it, if it is asked of me. Who is this enemy and more importantly, how can we defeat them?"