Demonizing An Angel [SileceneAlethea]

[Areawin]

An adopted princess. The rumors spread worse than wildfire amongst the commoners when it happened nineteen years ago. It was blasphemous, and the kingdom nearly fell in the outrage. The land's beautiful Queen Isadora bore a single child years ago, but it was stillborn, and it ultimately destroyed the woman's insides. Doctors had no idea how she lived. She kept saying that her long-dead sister was there, helping her, healing her throughout the birth. The queen said that her sister was the only thing keeping her alive. It was also said that this very sister told the queen of a child that was to be born within the year - a child with brilliant blue eyes and stunning black hair; a girl that would need a home.

The queen was not healing properly, and so her husband, King Elvinell, sent out troops. A child within his wife's arms would be the only thing that would heal her, he realized. The only thing that would bring the kingdom peace. For exactly nine months soldiers searched, but across the lands there wasn't a single black haired, blue eyed young girl. The soldiers simply thought the queen mad, and attempted telling her that they had found the child... saying the child had died. The queen knew better. After all, her sister was still there, guiding her, whispering soft nothings in her ear.

A month after the kingdom had given up its search, one of the stable boys was taming a colt near a pond. The water was notorious for its swans - beautiful yet so dangerous. The stable boy said he heard the beating wings of a swan, then a baby's gentle cooing. Curiously, he ventured toward the water, where a swan was gently nuzzling against a toddler... with eyes bluer than anything he'd seen before, and hair a marvelous black. He said the swan looked at him and shed a single human tear before going back to the water and watching as the young man picked up the infant and carried her off.

The queen knew her child was coming. She sat by the window, muttering things about swans and "wish-maidens" making her dreams come true. The gods really had heard her prayers. When the stable boy arrived at the castle, the little girl was instantly rushed to the queen's waiting arms. She was perfect.

The kingdom wasn't happy about this bastard child, but everyone grew to love her. Not even the most heartless man could look at her with a scowl. She carried beauty and grace as if she was the very meaning of the words. Her voice was always soft, eyes bright, and skin fair. She was named Silennia.

Silennia was the kind of princess that every village wanted. She was kind, snuck money and food to the poor, and stood up for what she believed in when someone wasn't being treated fairly. At the age six she was told that she was adopted. It wasn't a heartbreaking matter in the least - she was greatful that such wonderful people accepted her into their lives. Upon her thirteenth birthday, Queen Isadora died peacefully in her sleep after announcing Silennia's coronation to be princess, and one day, queen of the lands.

It was now the princess's nineteenth birthday.

-- [ + ] --*-- : --*-- [ + ] -- [ + ] --*-- : --*--[ + ] -- [ + ] --*--- : ---*-- [ + ] -- [ + ] --*-- : --*-- [ + ] --

Silennia became weaker and weaker every year since her mother died. In the week previous to her birthday, she could hardly get out of bed. Today, however, she was feeling glorious. Every year on the same day, this happened. It was like all of the strength in the world lifted her spirits and could carry her across mountains. Not that she had ever even seen a mountain.

The young woman stretched until she felt refreshed, opening her curtains with a smile. It wasn't quite time for her father to rise out of bed yet, with the sun so low on the horizing; cautiously rising up as if it were taunting the plants with its rays. The maids were just beginning to stir as well, and it was the perfect time for her to sneak out and grab some fresh air.

Since she'd been sick, the princess was completely bedridden. It had gotten so bad in these past few weeks that there was a doctor almost always on her side. However, last night he had to leave for an emergency case a little farther out into the country, so she was free of his grasp for now. The maids were no different in their doting. At first it had been nice, because she was too sick to move, eat, or drink. They all took turns mashing herbs and vegetables into a thin broth that she could drink. At first, she couldn't even do that. This was a huge improvement. But she knew that on the day of her birthday, everything would get better. She just had to wait.

Careful to not be seen, the woman simply put a robe over her night dress. She ruffled her hair a bit in a mirror, not caring enough to dress up. No, those games of dress up and primping were later, when her two suitors arrived. Kaleb had been a suitor for years to come, but quite recently, there was actually a new man; a noble from a far off country. Kieran, was it?

Kaleb and Kieran. She already knew Kaleb; he was the older brother of one of her friend Korina. So many K names. Kaleb had arrived just two years ago, and Korina's parents said that his appearances hadn't changed much from when they adopted him nearly four years ago. A year after he had been adopted, he was old enough to venture out and explore, so he did. A year later he was back, and even had little trinkets from several of the countries he had visited.

But today was a fun day. She didn't want to think about any of those things. She wanted to go outside and drink in the crisp air. Her robe kept her warm, as did her shoes, even with the chilly temperature. Gingerly, the princess snuck out of the castle and headed toward the woods. Her friend Korina usually came with her on such occasions, and they never went too far in. It was absolutely forbidden to go past a stream that was roughly a mile in, but they never strayed too close to it; staying in a nearby field to pick berries and laugh in the grass.

However, Silennia was feeling different today. She felt curious and sneaky. Going past the stream couldn't have been that bad. It completely went against the entire village's beliefs, but at the same time, nobody had explored in the past twenty or so years for anything bad to happen. It was mysterious, and practically taunting her to come in, across the stream, and deep into the woods. A chill went up her spine as she stepped past the first trees. It caused her to pause and look around. Perhaps she should wake Kaleb and ask her to come with her? No, that would make her seem like a child. Besides, everyone was working on the annual Kasume parade - the day in which they celebrated her birth and arrival; Kasume being her middle name.

She crept into the forest, not noticing how the trees became thicker. As soon as she heard the gentle sound of the stream's flowing water, she finally noticed that the birds had stopped singing. It was utterly quiet, other than that sound. Still, she moved forwards, toward it; into it, until she was standing next to the five foot wide span of gently rushing water pushing past rocks and small limbs in its way.

Silennia reached down, scooping the water up and into her mouth. It was colder than the air, and caused another chill to go through her. With much hesitation, she stepped forward and carefully places her foot on a rock. A cold shock went up her leg. She took another step, and the same result happened, causing the hair along the back of her neck to stand on end. By the third step, she was trying to keep her teeth from chattering. The princess was directly in the middle of the stream; her feet on two separate rocks, slippery with a slimy mold. The water wasn't too deep, but it would still take her up to her thighs.

Just as she began to take another step across, she heard what she thought was a low chuckle... then the smell of a certain cologne. The water suddenly flew upwards toward her, causing her eyes to go wide. She slipped and fell into the water, hitting her head in the process. Her feet moved rapidly, trying to touch the bottom, but there was no bottom in reach. The water just kept crashing on top of her, shoving her further downstream, hitting rocks and what seemed to the side walls of the inner stream randomly. Silennia was slowly choking and drowning, gasping for air as her head bobbed ever so slightly above the surface. She couldn't even get enough in to scream for help. There was suddenly something warm around her, picking her up, and she could breathe again, clutching at whatever was near her. Black spots clouded her vision from lack of oxygen, but she was coheirant enough to realize that someone was holding her. The princess coughed up water, still gasping for air, but finally able to see and think properly. A man was holding her up, for the most part. She was dripping wet, and her night dress was clinging to her in a most revealing way, so she frantically pulled her robe tightly around her slender form.

She looked up to see flowing white hair, and an olive-toned face with beautiful yellow eyes. A handsome face indeed, but not one she had ever seen before. "Th-" she choked up a bit more water, coughing until it was out of her lungs. "Th-th-th-thank yo-y-y-you," she stuttered. It... was suddenly snowing. Delicate crystal flakes falling from the sky. Her skin was wrinkled and moist, looking as though she'd been soaking in water for hours, shivering against the form of this unknown man. "W-w-hat-t-t ha-hap-en-d-d-d?" She looked around to see what may have caused such a thing to happen... but there was nothing. The water was utterly calm and back to its normal level. The ground wasn't even wet, other than where she was standing.

[SileceneAlethea]

It had been a long journey for him... though, it seemed that finally he had arrived. Yellowed hues taking in the sight of the castle. A faint smirk tugging at the edges of his lips as he brushed back several strands of his long hair, a shocking hue of white against his olive skin. The only word that one could possibly find to describe him would have been exotic. Most definitely a foreigner in these parts. Already he had caught the occasional stare from those few who spotted him, early morning villagers out and about already, the male pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head to avoid any further unneeded stares. He was dressed in all black, his clothing rich looking, but not extravagantly so. Heading towards his destination, he never quite reached it...

No, something else caught his attention.

He spied her out of the corner of his eye, almost missing her, but something had drawn his focus to her.. and he was compelled to follow. That girl creeping off into the woods alone.

Was it her? Surely it was.

"Sneaking out, are we?" He mused faintly under his breath, "Don't you know that's dangerous?" He let her get ahead. Slipping between the trees as he traced her path. Keeping his distance. Just watching for now out of curiosity of the girl. Though, as they ventured in deeper and deeper... a familiarity began to tug at him that he knew well, taking notice of the absence of animal life in general.

Was she truly foolish enough to try and cross that stream?

-----

What a foolish creature. From the other side of that stream, storm grey hues would watch that girl as she tried to carefully cross the stream, a cruel smirk curving at the edges of his lips. He had been here for a long time. Rare was it when one dared to try and venture across that stream. There was good reason for the fear that kept people away. After all, many had met their ends here in this seemingly harmless stream. Deikona waited. Watched as she got further and further across.... and when she was almost halfway there, that's when he acted, chuckling softly as he took command of those waters.

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

He saw her go down when those waters rose up, cursing under his breath as he ran forwards, his cloak flaring out behind him with the sudden movement, that hood falling back as white strands spilled free, rushing after her as she was washed down stream by the sudden unnatural current, knowing full well the cause behind it.

Damn it all, of course there would be other demons lurking in this area.

Reaching her, he made his move, grabbing her free of that water which seemed to suddenly disperse in response, falling back to the gentle stream that it had been. Who ever had been controlling them seeming to back off at the interference. Holding her, that girl seemed to clutch to him like some half-drowned rat, carrying her away from the area around the stream, and when that distance had been gained, only then did he sit her on her own two feet, still supporting her as she coughed and sputtered.

Wrapping his cloak partially around her in a attempt to stop her shivering, he smiled a bit, "Don't you know better than to go out alone?" He questioned in response to her own question, glancing off towards the trees on the other side of that stream. Feeling eyes on him though he couldn't see anyone there, "Let's get you back, shall we?" He questioned, turning his attention back to her. Being so close to her, it gave him a chance to take her in much more properly. From those lovely eyes to that raven hued hair... She was beautiful... and there was absolutely no mistaking who she was...

But that wasn't all.

No... there was no mistaking WHAT she was either.

"Yes... let's get you back before you freeze." He commented, steering her along as he still supported her shivering form, leading her further away from that stream and back the way that she had first crept through the woods.

[Areawin]

Silennia clutched his cloak around her, staring back toward the stream with terrified blue hues. Just as she was turning back towards the direction they were walking, a glimpse of silver caught her eye. Kaleb? No, he wouldn't be out this early; especially not in the woods. He was known to be more of a night-owl; falling asleep just as the sun began to rise. Silennia wasn't sure how much she would be able to handle that, if her father chose him as her suitor. As queen, she would most certainly have to fix him of that nasty habit. Daytime celebrations were something that the kingdom regularly celebrated... she couldn't have him messing things up, could she?

She didn't answer the man's questions. Her mind was both blank and swirling, still wondering just what had happened. Was that why the stream was forbidden to cross? Demons, vampires, werewolves, and dark elves were all things within storybooks to her. She had never been taught to look out for such horrible things.. just terrible people with black hearts.

With his cloak over her shoulders, she wasn't shivering as hard, and eventually began to warm up. The walk was fairly slow back to the castle... and she dreaded every moment of it. She just knew that her father would be livid; possibly tearing the castle apart by now. Really, it wasn't a huge place; more of a manor or great mansion than anything. The walls were tall and brick, with guard towers, but it was the smallest castle to have ever been built; only twenty actual bedrooms. The rest were dining halls, ballrooms, a music and art area... a total of thirty rooms altogether.

As they kept walking, a young woman was wringing her hands at the very outer edge of the forest, leaning up against the tree. "Silennia!" she gasped. Silennia waved weakly to her, attempting at a smile. "Hello, Korina."

"Oh, Silennia, your father is horribly worried! You were just so sick yesterday, and now you're missing. One of the maids was found dead this morning. She was poisoned." She was wringing her hands hard, making them read and sweaty. It was then she realized that her princess was soaking wet and clinging to a stranger. "Silennia... Who is this man?" She eyed him warily, wanting to protect her friend, but also unsure of who this man was. He was devilishly handsome, and exotic in a way that made her admire him to a point of confusion. Could such a beautiful creature be dangerous? Surely, not. But...

The princess stopped and leaned against a tree, catching her breath. She was truly exhausted. Immediately, Korina took off her own thick fur robe and wrapped it around Silennia, who's lips were blue and eyes shut for the time being. She was so weak... and Korina knew how Silennia felt about showing weakness to others. Especially a man. Her father would be so upset with her.

Silennia wasn't worried about her father, anymore. "Someone... died?" Never before had there been a death in the castle. There had only been three since she could remember in the village that was connected to the wonderous estate, but they were all natural, and all within the last two years. Korina sighed and nodded, practically glaring at the man that was helping her beloved friend as she made Silennia put her weight onto herself, helping to lead her back toward the castle. Silennia looked back at the stranger. "You may come inside if you'd like," she murmured. "I'm sure my father will have a reward for you for helping me. Thank you... very much." She smiled tiredly and turned back to where they were going; not bothering to persist in him coming with them or not. At the moment, she didn't care.

"Which maid?"

"Clarissa."

Silennia shook her head. "She's our newest one. Just got here four months ago. She didn't do the best job, but the poor girl didn't deserve to die. Do they know how she came into contact with the poison?"

"I'll explain it later, Your Highness," Korina said softly. "For now, we need to get you warmed up and out of this weather." She wasn't about to tell Silennia that the maid was suspected of being purposefully poisoned by a completely unknown source. The princess didn't need to worry about any of that for a while.

Today was the luncheon with her two suitors, and it would be in just a few hours, so she knew that they needed to hurry back. After coming back inside and getting scolded by her father for a few minutes, he ushered her into a steaming hot bath with Korina to tend to her, so that Silennia could tell her what happened. Once the entire story was told - the dramatic rescue included - Korina left a maid to watch the princess as she went and explained everything to the king. From two floors up, Silennia could hear him shouting in anger. She hated how he shouted. Ever since mother died, it's either been shouting or a gentle touch. There was never anything in between.

The princess rested for the remaining hours, bundled beneath blankets with Korina laying in bed with her, telling her soothing stories to try and get her to sleep. She refused to fall asleep, however. Every time she began to slip into a slumber, the feeling of drowning came over her, and she flew out of bed every time. Eventually, a maid came in to tell her that lunch was served and that her guests were here. She dressed quietly in a beautiful blue silk dress. It flowed ever so slightly onto the floor as she walked, and a small tiara in the shape of flying swans, with small diamonds as their eyes, adorned her head. Her jet black hair was combed to flow just as beautifully as the dress.

She took her seat at the second head of the table, with her father facing on the opposite side. It wasn't an overly large table, but this one had enough room to fit about ten people. Two chairs on the sides of the table faced opposite each other, also: where the guests would sit. Silennia pushed her spoon into a bowl of hot onion soup, playing with the broth, when the two came in. She wasn't even paying attention until Kaleb came over and coughed lightly beneath his breath. The princess looked up at him, smiled, and offered her hand, which he gently took to kiss. Afterwards, he stood behind his chair, waiting for the second guest to do the same, as it was customary, but Silennia noticed that there was a hard look to his eyes.

It was then she noticed white, flowing hair, with an olive-brown hue and brilliant yellow eyes. She gasped, and that alarmed her father, who then stood up. Silennia's right hand moved over her chest, glancing at her father and then at the man. Korina was in the corner of the room, waiting silently, and she rushed over to the king's side, whispering something into his ear before backing away silently.

The king wasn't sure whether or not to be absolutely infuriated, or overjoyful.

"Keiran, is it?" he said stiffly. His brown hues moved toward his daughter, who was still staring at the man with slightly flushed cheeks. She hesitantly offered her hand to him as well, like she was taught to do so many times, but refused to look him in the eye. The king motioned to a man to bring another chair in, and Korina was sat down to the right of Silennia, as well as given the proper utensils to join them for lunch. Silennia noticed that there was color in her friend's cheeks, as well, and she was wearing some of Silennia's dress clothes for the occasion. It made her smile. "You look beautiful, Korina," she whispered, and her friend whispered it back.

The king grumbled and sat down, ordering for lunch to be served: a soup, a salad, and then smoked beef wrapped up inside cheesy-bread rolls. Silennia didn't have much of an appetite.

The king cleared his throat. "So, Keiran, what brings you to our land, seeking my daughter's hand? Do you propose an alliance? How were your travels?" Those kinds of questions continued on, not really giving Keiran a chance to answer them one by one. After about thirty seconds of this, Silennia cleared her throat loudly and interrupted, "Father," which quieted him. Instead of talking, he attempted at chewing his food as he waited for an answer. Kaleb had always been his favorite. This man had better win him over with everything he's got to win this round of the king's little game.

[SileceneAlethea]

An outsider? A foreigner? Deikona smirked darkly. This made things so much more interesting... Competition was something the demon favored. It created a thrilling game with pawns to toss aside and kings to slay. This white haired man who seemingly came out of no where to save the 'distressed' princess was hardly that at all. No, Deikona knew what darkness lied beneath that flawless face because it was a darkness to match him own.

The pieces had shifted. For years he had waited. Lurking here in these woods... killing any who dwelled near. Creating fear... all for the sake of lingering near to the prize he sought... that girl who he had been waiting for to grow into the girl she now was. Silennia.

Oh, he would let them go for now. Shifting out of view when yellowed hues looked back to seek him. Melting into the darkness cast by the thick twisting trees that lined the edge of the stream. Now was not the time for confrontation... no, it was not yet time to make his move...



Gone. The white haired male frowned a little, turning his gaze back to the shivering girl that he was now leading through the trees, back towards the castle. Not much to his surprise, there was someone waiting. A woman who seemed to eye him almost coldly. Almost bringing a smirk to his lips, but he suppressed it. She was a smart woman to not trust him. Korina, was it?

He took his leave without word. Leaving not even a name to be identified by. There was no need, after all.

He would be seeing Silennia again soon.



When that moment came, finally, and Kieran entered the room, he offered a faint smile at the princess' gasp as she came to realize who he was. Feeling all eyes turn onto him. He had changed since she had seen him last, having settled into where he would be residing during his time here. The things he had brought along mostly unpacked.

After all... while he had followed Silennia into the woods alone, he had not traveled alone. He was a foreigner here. A foreigner of somewhat importance. Entering just behind him, flanking him on either side in a protective manner, were two figures, somewhat shorter than Deikona, indicating they were in fact quite young.

Just boys, perhaps around 14 or 15 years of age.

The pair dressed in similar fashion, their shirts simple, silver colored thread embroidered around their cuffs. Their clothing black in color. The boy on the left had dark hair that was nearly black, chopped off just halfway up his neck. His ears shaped much like Deikona's, pointed just at the tips. His eyes a dark hue, their color hard to distinguish unless up close.

The boy opposite of him, on the right, held similar features, but where the other had sported dark hair and tanned skin, this one was pale as snow, his skin colorless and his eyes a shocking hue of reddish-pink. A albino.

Kerosha and Aeirulos.

Keiran's supposed 'guard'. It was true that they were quite well trained in the ways of killing, but that wasn't the only advantage. They were obedient. To a point where they would gladly die if it meant fulfilling their master's wishes. Motioning for them to wait near the doors as he walked towards Silennia. Meeting her gaze for a moment before she turned hers away. Taking her hand into his own and pressing a kiss against that soft skin. Letting go as he moved to the chair he would be seated in.

He could almost sense the tension in the room radiating from the other males. Giving Keiran the impression that it was not often that they had visitors like himself, hearing the king's questions begin. He was the new one at the table, after all, his fingers hovering absently just over his fork, tracing the silver surface with his finger tip as he was invaded with question after question, answering only when he had been allowed to speak, "Does my presence disturb you?" He questioned in return, "I can assure you my intentions are only good. As you know from the letter that was sent before my arrival," He paused a second just to allow the other to acknowledge such, "I am the only son of your neighboring ruler, and I have yet to take a bride. My father grows tired of bickering with you and your people, and doesn't wish to see further unnecessary bloodshed. He, and myself, believe a that union between our families would be in the good interest of both our people."

He smiled, taking a bite of his food, chewing and swallowing as he added, "As for my travels, they went quite well. There were few delays along the way and we were fortunate with the weather." He stated.

[Areawin]

Sillenia ate slowly, still a bit chilled from the previous hours. She lifted her hand and a man appeared out of the shadows, leaning next to her as she whispered something into his ear. He nodded and left the room, coming back within seconds with a crimson red shawl to wrap around her shoulders; big enough for it to fit over most of her body. It wasn't the prettiest thing to look at, and her father momentarily glared at her for it. She was here to be pretty and desireable, to see which man wanted her hand more.

Her father didn't think this way before her mother died. Every year, the more calloused he became, the sicker Sillenia got. It were as if his neglect was the sole purpose for her decline in health. Nobody would ever really know. Conversation was mostly quiet throughout the lunch, which lasted about an hour. Each suitor was to have a supervised picnic later on in the evening, at separate times, with Sillennia to try and get to know her better. She didn't think it was necessary, but it was what her father wanted -- and father always got what he wanted.

Kaleb asked for a bit of wine from the same man who had assisted Sillenia with the shawl. The king thought this to be a marvelous idea, and joined him; even the foreign stranger was poured a glass. Soon the king and Kaleb both were tipsy, laughing and joking with each other. The stranger man was seated closer to Sillenia, and she was glad for it -- her head was hurting from the stress of the day, and her father forbid her to drink until she married.

Korina knew that her friend was in no mood for jokes and laughter, so the two women quietly talked, about nothing too important. Then Korina suddenly stopped and looked at Kaleb, her eyes narrowing. She was forbidden to tell anyone of Kaleb's secret power to talk into their minds. Kaleb said that it was a spell that forbid her from doing so, as was the reason he could talk within ones' own thoughts. He was smirking at his sister, and it made her face twist in disgust, standing and throwing her napkin on the table. "Pig," she snapped. It took the king by surprise, and Kaleb only chuckled darkly and sipped more wine.

"Come, princess," Korina growled. "Let's step outside for a bit of air before dessert." Her eyes wandered to the interesting stranger. "You're welcome to join us, sir." She didn't sound too happy about it.

Sillennia smiled, thinking that her friend was just upset due to the fact that the king and Kaleb were becoming drunk at such an early time of day. "Some fresh air sounds wonderful," she sighed, and nodded her head in approval to what Korina offered the stranger out of politeness. They exited the dining hall and maneuvered knowingly through a few more rooms, finally exiting to the back door of the kitchen, and stepping out onto cobbles. It took them a minute more or so of walking before they reached the top of a low grassy hill, where Korina lay out a large blanket for the both of them to sit on, not even glancing back to see if the stranger had followed. There were guards positioned all around, however, so neither of them had much to worry about -- to their knowledge, at least.

"I hate it when Kaleb's drunk," complained the friend, taking her shoes off and rubbing her feet. "I do love my brother, but I do not wish you to be with him. You're too pure and wonderful, and he's nothing more than a common rat." The words were practically spat. Then her voice lowered some. "But we don't know this stranger, however handsome he is. He certainly seems kind, saving you and all..."

"I don't know," Sillennia politely interrupted, cutting up a few apples into cubes with a slightly dull knife. "I suppose we'll just have to talk with him and get to know him, won't we?"

[SileceneAlethea]

Drink so early in the day? Oh, the notion caused a faint smirk to tug at the edge of his lips. Alcohol had funny ways of affecting the mind of a individual if too much was consumed. Casually though, he sipped a bit of the wine, watching the other two as they more loudly jested and laughed. Though, in short time, his gaze averted itself, turning instead towards the princess who sat quietly chit chatting with her friend. After all... it was the princess that he was interested in, not the other two males. The king was simply a object in his way, as was the other suitor. The one who held the king's favor. Only a fool would be blind enough to see such.

The Princess, though... Rumor of her beauty had been spoken before, but beauty was hardly the reason he had come here. Yet... it was relieving to see that for once, rumors proved to be true. Perhaps this would be far more entertaining than he had first anticipated.

Though, his thoughts were broken when Korina suddenly had her small outburst and promptly suggested that the princess get some fresh air. Only offering out of politeness the permission to join them if he so wished. A tempting offer, really. A chance to be alone with the two ladies... but...

He took a large swallow of his drink, turning his gaze back to the king.

It was always wise to get to know one's obstacle first before deciding to make a move. First, he had to get his pieces into place. Speaking of which... by now, Kerosha and Aeirulos would have already slipped in a fourth, unknown, pawn. A Piece to act as his eyes and ears when he was not present.

As the women left the room, Keiran took another swallow to hide his smirk.

Kerosha and Aeirulos had always been known for their quick work, and besides, who would miss one simple maid?

"So, I hear that a maid was found poisoned just recently." He commented, smirking a bit, flashing his teeth, "Seems like you have rather shitty guards. If the servants are dying, what of the King?" He commented, taking another swallow of his drink. A bold move on his behalf, but he needed the king's attention to make a impression... and what better way than to insult the King's guard? Anger always carved a lasting impression, and with alcohol running through the man's system... Surely it was bound to stir SOMETHING in such a prideful gut that was visibly poking out over that man's belt.

[Areawin]

A maid brought out cubes of cheese and crackers for the girls to snack on, as well as some juice. In the sun, the temperature was warm enough so that Sillennia didn't have to wear the shawl. Instead, she wrapped it up and lay down, putting it beneath her head as she shared the bits of food with her friend.

Korina looked around to make sure nobody was near except the guards, and lay down next to Sillennia, giggling softly. "I can't believe that your second suitor is the man that saved you. I wonder how he came across you in the woods?" She waved at one of the guards, Raoul, that smiled at her with the smallest of blushes, tipping his head a bit. She had always been fond of the guard.

Sillennia noticed why her friend was giggling, and she couldn't help but smile and gently smack her on the arm. "Now is no time for flirting," she laughed. Korina huffed playfully and lay down again, stretching her arms toward the sky as if it would allow her skin to soak up more sun. "I'm very surprised as well that he was the suitor. I don't think I've ever felt so embarassed in my life. The man saves me, I didn't properly thank him as custom, I go into the dining hall and he's there. God, I was mortified."

"What happened, anyway?"

Sillennia frowned, staring up at a a group of clouds that resembled a horse. They were a light grey -- it may snow later -- with blotches of darker grey and white. She thought it looked strange; she'd never seen a few clouds with such different colors. "I honestly don't know what happened," the princess finally murmured. "I wanted to cross the stream--"

Korina gasped and sat up. "Sillennia! You know that's forbidden!"

The princess rolled her eyes. "Hush, Korina. Let me finish. I wanted to cross the stream." She paused, making sure that her friend wouldn't interrupt. Instead, Korina fidgeted with a strange upset expression on her face. "It was so calm and peaceful. So I stepped on the first rock and it wasn't too slippery -- they were under the water -- and I crossed a few more. I was in the water up to my thighs, and I smelled a strange cologne. It was earthy and sweet, and... seductive, almost. Hypnotic. Then... this sounds crazy, nevermind," she murmured finally, shaking her head.

"No, tell me. There are demons in that forest, Princess. One could have been after you. If they were to catch you, you have no idea what they would do! You must be more careful than that. Please tell me what you saw. Or at least, what you think you saw."

Sillennia had nearly forgotten how superstitious Korina was. Supposedly they had rescued Kaleb from demons from within the forest, but the friend wouldn't talk about it very much. She made it clear to Sillennia how she felt about demons and evil creatures, however.

"Well... I saw the water rise up. I don't understand it. It was so calm, barely a trickle, and suddenly it were what sailors describe out in a storm. The water just rose up and crashed down, and it pushed me down. I got slammed into some of the rocks, so I have bruises." She paused to look around and lift the bottom of her dress up, revealing purple, blue, and even greenish yellow markings all over her legs. "It's worse on my chest," she whispered. "They hurt more than anything I've ever had happen to me. I think I may have broken a rib." She sighed, putting her dress back down, getting chills from the memory of what happened.

"Anyway, the stranger..." She paused, trying to remember his name. "Keiran, was suddenly there, pulling me out. I had been drowning. I couldn't see. The water was everywhere. When he pulled me out I literally watched the water go from... demonic... to calm again. I've never clung so hard to anyone in my life, except my mother during a thunderstorm as a child. And of course I was in my night dress, so it clung to me in a horrible way. It was so cold."


The King was in the middle of taking a large bite out of a turkey leg, specially prepared just for him with his large appetite, when Keiran began speaking. His face became red with anger, and Kaleb cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat. 'He is making this way too easy,' he thought to himself, holding back a smirk. However, the thought danced vividly in his eyes as he looked to the man on the other side of the table, seated closer to where Sillennia had been.

"We don't know exactly what happened," the king snapped angrily. "You'll do best to mind your tongue, boy. This is MY kingdom, and you are a guest into it."

Kaleb stood and stretched. "My head is killing me," he said. "I'm going to lay down for a bit." After all, it was the middle of the day, and he was up all night. "Good day," he said to the king, and simply nodded toward Keiran. He would definitely go and lay down, but he would also linger near to hear what the king had to say to Keiran, as well as the other way around.

The king took a few deep breaths and calmed himself. What was Keiran planning? Why was he purposefully angering the king if he really wanted to try for his daughter's hand? Perhaps he was concerned with the well-being of the princess. If a maid had been killed, whoever did it had access to the princess as well. Suddenly it became very clear to him that, though the comments had angered him greatly, he had a good point. What of the king? And the princess?

"I'll have to up the guard on Sillennia," he growled, not hungry anymore. He was suddenly tired. "I don't care what happens to me. I just want my daughter to be happy. I love her. Since her mother died, she has been very sick. We've had doctors from all over the world come and see what's wrong with her, and they have never seen something like it.

"I want you to tell me about yourself. You're from a foreign land. I've warred with your father. What is his name? What land do you come from? If you are to marry my daughter, where would you take her? In between the lands as a truce?" He wanted information on this mysterious man.

[SileceneAlethea]

Keiran's words had their desired effect. Yellowed hues almost seeming to light up with a small hint of amusement that quickly hid itself as the King's face flushed red with sudden anger, obviously unused to someone speaking to him in such a way. The silvernette not even offering a glance towards the other suitor who announced that he would be taking his leave.

Near the door, the twins both slightly stepped aside to let the male exit, both exchanging glaces as the darker haired one wrinkled his nose slightly, as if in pure distaste or as if a foul smell had struck him, dark hues narrowing just slightly for a mere second, only to get a swift shake of the head in discouragement from the pale twin who stood just across from him. Kerosha relaxing only slightly when Kaleb had exited the room completely. Small actions that went unnoticed by Keiran who's back was turned towards them.

"Oh, I'm fully aware of my status here." He commented, shifting in his seat a little as he watched the King stumble just slightly with his composure before he managed to regain himself. Only to promptly comment that he would see about increasing the guard for the princess' sake... and then deciding the change the subject from himself and back to Keiran.

Which only tempted a faint smile, "My father is the king of the neighboring kingdom directly towards the North, Vladimir Zjavloski... and I am his eldest son." He commented, running the tip of his finger absently along the rim of his cup. A lie, really, but he knew this man wouldn't know any better. The only truth that lied in his linage rested with the Queen, in fact. A ravishing and powerful raven haired beauty who was 'adored' as much as she was feared. Everyone knew it was HER who held the true power. The king was nothing more than a doll dangling from strings that was all for show.

"As for your daughter, yes, it would be my intention to unite our kingdoms and open a new age for future generations. My father begins to grow old and eventually, as his eldest son, it will be my duty to take over in his place. When the time comes, I hope that we will be on agreeing sides..."

[Areawin]

Sillennia had stopped eating, feeling rather sick from the pain. Now that she was relaxing from the stressful ordeal, she realized just how damaged her body was. Especially her torso. It were as if her organs themselves had been shaken to the point that they had been uprooted from their appropriate places, pushing against sensitive tissue and bones.

Korina was staring at her friend. "Princess, you don't look so good. You're going pale." Not to mention, a thin, shiny layer of sweat had formed along the woman's face.

"I don't feel very well, Korina. Perhaps we should go inside." Korina nodded and waved over Raoul, the guard. He gently helped the princess up, and practically held her up as they walked the quarter mile or so back to the back door of the kitchen. Korina went ahead of them in a lady-like jog, wanting to alert the king of Sillennia's sudden frailty.


The king sat back as he listened to Keiran, not really recognizing the strange name of his father. It was very possible that he had never even heard it -- it was common for kingdoms to war over particularly nothing. However, he did know that his great-grandfather had started the war with the northern kingdom, and it had been over land, jewel mines and livestock. These past years, nearly the king's entire life, the brutal war had been put on a bit of a stand still, though he was never taught why. Perhaps they were waiting for an opportunity to make a truce.

"But you still have not answered... where will you take my daughter? I suppose it won't matter in due time. Upon my death, she will inherit this kingdom and land, officially and unpolitically uniting the two lands. Then again, if Kaleb takes her hand, there will be no reason for a truce to the north, and the two of them will just take over this kingdom. Whatever happens after that will be up to her to decide. Kaleb has gotten the proper training to be a king, but I don't know much about you--"

"King Elvinell!" Korina shouted as she ran through the corridors and into the dining hall. "Something is wrong with Sillennia. She wasn't feeling well so I had a guard assist her back into the palace, but now she's not coheirant. She's mumbling fake words and she's inhumanly pale. She is battered and bruised like nothing I have ever seen before from the ordeal earlier."

The king immediately stood up. The conversation would have to wait.

"Raoul is bringing her to the princess's hospital room. I told the cook to order a doctor at once."

They rushed into the room, where Raoul was just now laying the princess onto the bed. Her breathing was labored, and she truly was pale, as if she had been carved from slick limerock. A nurse tisked the men and made a motion for them to turn away while she gently pulled the dress off of the young woman, leaving her undergarments. Korina gasped at what was there.

The skin where her lungs were within her body, her veins had turned bluish black beneath the skin, looking like horribly gruesome roots. She was coughing hard, eyes hazed over a bit. The nurse reached out and checked her pulse. "Her heart is fluttering like a hummingbird learning to fly," she said, a note of fear in her voice.

Kaleb strode confidently into the room, looking down at Sillennia on the bed.

"Sir!" cried the nurse. "You aren't supposed to see the princess in her undergarments! She isn't decent!" He completely ignored her and pulled down the front of the princess's shirt a bit, looking at the veins. He knew of the demon in the woods, however he didn't know of what had happened earlier that morning. But that demon did not produce toxins such as this. Perhaps it was purely a demonic essence within Sillennia, and she was so pure that her body was reacting to it. He had no idea what to do.

[SileceneAlethea]

Ah... what a unfortunate interruption. With the sudden news of the princess' poor health, and the king suddenly swiftly leaving, it left the three alone in the room. Silence settling for a moment before it was broken by the raising of a voice,

"Master..." Kerosha shifted a bit, only moving when Keiran rose to his feet, who took a final swallow of the drink and set the cup down against the tabletop, craning his head towards the boys, "What is it?"

"The vampire... what of him?"

"For now, we bear with his filth for a little while... One must not move too quickly when in new territory." His gaze hardened a little, his voice having grown lower and quiet, "Has the girl taken her place yet?"

"Of course."

"Excellent... You weren't seen, of course, when dealing with the maid...?"

In unison, the boys shook their heads, "Of course not, Master." They answered, Keiran nodding a little, satisfied with their answers.

Exiting out of the room finally as the two fell into step behind him. The pieces were settling into place... as for the princess...
Catching up to where everyone had rushed off to, Keiran stole a peek inside, making his own way inside, "That's a demon's taint." He commented as he crept up, getting a good look at the blackened veins, "Looks like it's having quite the negative impact on her body." He glanced towards the others, almost smirking when he noted how Kaleb seemed at a loss on what to do, and motioned for Aeirulos and Kerosha to approach, "If you will allow them, these two happen to be quite skilled in dealing with such... foul ailments. In the North there's a... unfortunately large number of such creatures who cause such lurking about." He commented, "Over time, we've learned quite a bit about them and have hung onto such knowledge."

As he spoke, the twins had begun speaking back and forth quietly, quickly, as if assessing what they were dealing with, the Albino frowning a little, "It's... not exactly a full on taint." He commented, "Not yet, at least. Still easy to deal with." Reaching towards his side, he brought forth a small vial, it's contents clear and unidentifiable, "Kerosha." He commented calmly, his gaze stern as he glanced towards the dark haired brother who was currently shooting a nasty look towards Kaleb, not liking the vampire so close to him, but, tearing his eyes away, bringing forth a similar vial that held a liquid of a slightly different hue, though still clear.

Requesting a bit of water, they emptied the contents into it, mixing it well before seeing to it that Silennia swallowed every bit of it, "Let her rest," Aeirulos spoke up, "and be sure to keep her well hydrated. What we gave her will make her sweat. A lot." He explained, "in time, expelling the taint from her body."