Eri drew his sword, malevolent steel gleaming in the moonlight. "Well, well. What a brave knight we have here." A ghostly smile hid under his hood. "I make you the same offer."
A few of the thieves raised crossbows and two burly thugs pushed their way to the front, but another hooded man shoved them aside. He looked unarmed, but there was something about him that menaced its way into your very soul.
"Leave him to me."
With an effortless flick of his wrist, the man flung both Isaiah's swords into the air and into the moat. One could hear a subtle cackle as a malevolent ball of fire appeared in his hands.
"Say hello to Galehn for me."

The sweetness of the queen was gone and replaced with anger and frustration, she saw a theif and immediately took out her daggers in defense but a soldier came around the corner with a great-sword they battled it out and she tiptoe quietly and quickly into the drawing room and collapsed in exhalation. She noticed the princess and smiled "My sweet lori, i have missed y you" her eyes fluttered and then she fell faint

"I believe the proper way to greet someone is to their face, sir... Eri, was it? Or should I call you Mr. Blackhilt? What an irony that both you and your father would cross paths with me... One helping, and one leading an assault on me and my allies..."

While he spoke, he amplified his lifeleeching spell on the men around Eri, causing them to become lightheaded, start breathing harder, or just becoming more tired.

Isaiah scoffed even as he stood unarmed and outnumbered, even with the mage about to hurl the fireball at him, he couldn't stop the bloodlust that was slowly overtaking him, and a low voice kept repeating something in his head something he couldn't understand. Whatever it was it was telling him to kill every one of the men in front of him and made him oblivious to the wizard now next to him. He reached behind his back and slowly removed a single hidden dagger.

"I will kill you all!" He threw the knife right at the man next to mage before they could even see him draw the weapon and barreled over to the moat, his signature blade mysteriously floating above the water for some reason. He didn't care how, he simply took hold of it and charged at the weakened men. Normally he would notice this but the bloodlust was too strong. He slashed other large man down the middle and the blood from the wound sprayed down on him before the body had even hit the ground he was onto the next one and the one after that cutting down all the men around eri with ease. Isaiah was a knight and he took no joy in killing but he had always prepared to do it quick and efficiently, what he was doing now was messy and bloody like he wanted every man he cut down to feel themselves dying. Next he tore through the dazed the crossbowmen lion a wolf among sheep, the last one had managed to raise his weapon and fire but thanks to Galem's spell the shot was off, and landed straight through Isaiah's shoulder yet he didn't even seem to feel it. He shoved the blade right into the mans chest and shoved him onto the ground.and stabbed the man repeatedly, a wild look on his face. Long after the man was dead he kept on eventually remembering that Eri still stood. He got back to his feet slowly and aimed his blade at the man, covered in blood and the same wild look on his face.

"Now, now... That's quite enough, Isaiah." he said, as if scolding a child who didn't know any better. Shows of bloodlust no longer fazed him as they used to.
With a wave of his hand, he sent a soothing spell towards the enraged knight while simultaneously removing the bolt from his shoulder.

"Now... if you would lower your weapons, Sir Blackhilt. It seems to me you are outclassed, outnumbered, and surrounded."

A third pulse echoed through the kingdom. Windows rattled in their frames and several objects fell over.
"I take no joy in doing this, but I must be off..."
He sent a small wave of magic to manipulate the earth around Eri's right foot, as well as the lesser mage's, trapping them in a layer of stone.
"... and I need you to stay put. We have much to discuss, young sir Blackhilt."
Turning to the hooded man wielding the ball of wizard's fire, he thrust out a hand and sent a strong bolt of raw magical energy towards the heart of the flame. He killed the mage's fire from the inside. "And you, sir. My name is Galen. Not Gahlen or Ghalen or whatever preposterous name you called me. Learn to respect your superiors properly... or you will learn to fear them instead."
With the threat, he sent out an aura of fear, which would send even an adept with years of training into a hysterical state of terror.
With that, he turned and swiftly made his way towards the epicenter of the pulses.

Slowly the bloodlust left Isaiah's body before he went to attack Eri or the mage and he slumped down to his knees. His eyes fell to the princess' ribbon still tied around his arm before his eyes wandered to the corpses he had just left in his wake.The soothing spell worked its magic and he could now feel the pain of the bolt that was once in his shoulder.

"You have pleased me. I await our next banquet!"

He shuddered as the voice from earlier spoke to him again saying something he could actually understand. "what was that/' He wondered as he watched Galehn walk off. Leaving the mage trapped yet breathing. The voice would have to go go ignored for now, these men had attacked the castle and as such he would not let them escape with their lives. He got back on his feet and walked to the mage. He could kill him and the remaining thief then he would follow Galehn.

Lorelai jumped a bit as Irena practically fell into the room. "Irena?!" She gasped, running over to her and helping her into a chair. "What's happened? Are you alright' She asked, fanning the Queen.

Irena smiled at lori and heaved a long sigh and yaawn "im fine where is Isiah? I must find him"she said out of breath her eyes didn't open but a smile played on her face "i think.. I'm in love with him.." She said softly Irena wiped away a tear from her cheek

Isaiah stepped over to the trapped mage without a second thought plunged his blade through his chest. He withdrew the blade and looked at Eri and realized he recognized him. "You're that man from the night with the queen, the one who gave her the cloak." He lowered the blade even though he still wanted to see the man dead. "You have aided me once in the past my honor dictates that I owe you one in kind." He sheathed his sword and walked away. "Be gone from this place and never return. My debt is paid and if I see you again I will kill you worse than i did the rest." The guards had succeeded in putting out the fire and many were trying to celebrate their pushing back the attack but he was numb to all of it too focused on making sure if the Queen and Princess were safe. Inside the castle he was led to the drawing room by a guard with a greatsword, where he stood before Irenia and Lorelei. He couldn't explain the feeling he had at the moment, a mix of embaressment and shame at them seeing wounded and covered in blood, most of which wasn't his own. He looked at Irenia and did the only thing that came naturally, he went to his knees and bowed to her. "On the oath I swore to my kings, and to you my Queen. Your enemies lie dead."

Lorelai's brow furrowed. "Irena, to decide something so out of the blue I..." She was cut off when the man in question entered the drawing room. Lorelai looked between them and felt an ache in her chest. She would later ponder why she felt that way with seeing Isiah and knowing the Queen's feelings but currently she was focused on Isiah's health. "Oh God. Isiah, are you alright?"

Irena was just about dumb-founded as she looked at Isiah her cheeks blushed her heart fluttered at the sight of him, but what was Lori going to say to her? well that could wait for now she had to tell Isiah something "Oh sir Isiah please dont be so formal, are you alright?" she asked standing on wobbly legs taking his hand in hers "If you wouldn't mind, can you teach me how to fight? Maybe i can be as skilled as you and not the damsel in distress"

Eri looked around at the dead bodies of his men. The Guildmaster had ran somewhere, no aid was at hand, and he was outnumbered. He hadn't been the one who had given the cloak, but well - go along with it. "I humbly accept your terms for surrender. On one condition - please tell your queen that her subjects wish to have the poll tax raised." With that, he disappeared into the darkness. He watched as the body of the 'dead' mage dissipated into thin air.

"Hello, Galen. Excellent decoy I made, I assume."
The real black mage had reappeared behind Galen, very much alive. "Don't you remember Zalem Duhr, your old friend from the Academy?" He looked at the graveyard. "And yes. What a fine piece of... necromancy. Never thought you would even dare to dabble in the art."

Isaiah took the Queens hand and rose. "Forgive me milady and thank you both but I am fine, Most of this... isn't mine. the wound in my shoulder will have to been sewn shut but it is a minor price to pay to see you both safe." He wwas truly relieved to see the two of them were untouched during the battle and he would reward the men responsible handsomely. Seeing them almost quieted his fears about the voice he had been hearing but they came rushing back when Irenia asked him to teach her to fight. He couldn't say no but he was afraid the voice might turn him on her. "I-I'm not exactly the teaching sort,my Queen but if you command me to i shall try my best." he said trying to hide the slight tremble in his voice.

She smiled when he said he was fine she sighed deeply in relief and gave him a quick hug and a soft kiss to his cheek "I am so glad your Alright, I shall sew that shoulder up and see to it that you are healthy again" She said in an almost Too Sweet voice her heart fluttered and nearly skipped a beat "if you could give me some pointers that would be greatly appreciated"

Lorelai smiled a slightly tight lipped smile. "Speaking of which, I am long over due for my fencing lessons." She stood and straightened her skirts. "Be well Irena. Get well Champion." Lorelai smiled a bit more, suppressing a giggle and trying not to look at the ribbon tied around his wrist. She walked down the hall and too her bedroom where her maids nearly fainted at the sight of her. After a while of vicious scrubbing and brushing the princess was in princess was once again in pristine condition. Her Hair was in a tight bun and she was giving her slacks, blouse and corset to change into. After tugging her boots on she made her way down to the secondary ball room. It was really a practice room for dancing lessons but she sometimes used it for fencing. Though she could be clumsy when it came to dancing she was never more graceful than when she had a foil in her hand.

Sir Lawrence was there waiting for her. "You're late, however due to current events I'll let it pass." He held a good natured smile and tossed her a foil.

"Why thank you, my lord, for your good grace." Lorelai gave a bow before walking to the other side of the room to put on her fencing helmet. She straightened into her starting position, left hand in a fist at the small of her back and right hand holding her foil.

"Begin!" Said Sir Lawrence, rushing towards her.

There was the sharp sound of metal hitting metal as the two collided in a wonderful dance. He'd lunge and she'd parry before landing a touch onto his knee. Lorelai would go on the offensive and Lawrence would expertly spin out of the way and land a touch on her shoulder. They both moved like professionals. It was no secret that Lorelai took classes at least once or twice a week but no one knew that she would call Lawrence in the dead of night for extra lessons for almost two years. No one knew just how dedicated she was to the art. It wasn't as though she planned to actually fight someone but she was just completely entranced by fencing and had become less of a student and more of an equal.

"I've learned a great many things, Zalem... Some of them not learned willingly. Necromancy is but one of them. There are many things in motion and I'm here to stop the one about to destroy everything within two day's journey."
He continued to walk, angling his path so he would pass around Zalem.
"I also remember you as one of my students, although 'old friend' wasn't altogether inaccurate. I may have been fond of you back then but if you continue to get in my way I will have no choice but to treat you as one of the prophesied minions of the dark. You know well what I do to my enemies in capacity of wizard of the first order."

Isaiah tried to hide the blush he felt the queens lips on his cheek and accepted the hug. "Milady you needn't worry about my wound. It would be improper for me to ask that of you." He said looking down at the ribbon, he gave a small chuckle when Lorelei called him champion. While he didn't much feel like one it felt good to hear it.

The queen looked away a bit embaressed "If you insist, i'll have the castle healer look at it" she said a bit disapointed feeling it was only right for her to help him but he turned her down. she sighed and placed a hand on his not-so hurt shoulder and said "Dear isiah, you've been so kind to the royal family let me make you breakfast tomarrow mornig in thanks for all your hard work i might even raise the knights payment" she let out a small giggle and began to walk to her remodeled room, sience she destroyed it

The match between Lorelai and Lawrence ended with the teacher being the winner. Both were drenched in sweat as the pulled off their helmets and sat down to drink water.

"You've been holding back." Lawrence said between breaths.

"I was doing no such thing!" Lorelai said, incredulous.

"Then you were distracted. What has the princesses mind this evening?" He said, taking a drink of water. "A man perhaps?" Lawrence chuckled.

"Of course not! There have been other things that have been distracting me you know." She said, crossing her arms.

"The lady doth protest too much, me thinks." Lawrence said with a laugh.

"Oh shuttup. I have no feelings for anyone and no one has them for me. " Lorelai stood and picked up her foil and parrying.

"Now how can you be so sure? Do you around and ask lads if their pantaloons get tight at the sight of you?" He was red in face with laughter.

"Sir Lawrence! Control yourself!" Lorelai gasped, wheeling to face him.

"I jest my love, no need to skewer me." He chuckled, standing and patting her on the shoulder before walking to the weapon's closet. His demeanor seemed to have changed as he opened the closet and pulled out a long box. "You know, they say that when a women finds a man to love, she finds complete protection. But what does a woman do til then?" Lorelai didn't speak. Lawrence walked over to her, holding out the box. "A lady must know to protect herself til then. Happy Birthday."

Lorelai took the box and opened it to reveal a long silver sabre with an ornate hilt. "Lawrence, it's not even my birthday. Not for another week." Despite her words she marveled at the beauty of the weapon, running her fingers over the ivy styled handle before holding it. It was weighted perfectly "Thank you." She whispered as she swung the sword.

"You were only a mite big when I first started teachin' ya. Now look, a beautiful woman, almost eighteen. I wanted to wait to give this to you, but with everything happening, I wanted you be protected. Can't always have a knight to carry you around now can you? I only wish your brother was here to see you now." He said, shaking his head.

"He's alive. I know he is. He went to explore the badlands. He'll be back. I know it." Loose strands of hair fell in the princesses now dour expression. "He'll come back." Lorelai knew that no one had heard word from the king in weeks, if not months. No one knew what had happened to him. Lorelai shook off the melancholy face and smiled at Lawrence. "Again, thank you." Her teacher nodded and Lorelai walked down the hall, holding her sabre, not much in a hurry to return to her room.

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