[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GioCx6y.png[/img][/center][hr][indent][b]//Athroyeaux Castle[/b]
[sub][@Estylwen][/sub][/indent]
It was a city of ghosts, but before then, it was simply a [i]city[/i].

Certainly spoke of the ruler’s tastes then, to have such dark and dreary décor from the very walls of the city up to the castle’s own throne room. The Capital City of Arthroyeaux proved to be a joyless place, more of an elaborate crypt rather than a city, but it matched too the dreariness that fell upon Ravenfell as a whole. One could charitably claim that it lived up to its name…and one could say too, that Ravenfell had once simply been a kingdom light any other. A regular place, with regular people. People he had known, once.

His shoes clicked against the cold stone floor of the throne room, the dark light of the surrounding torches casting deep shadows upon his face. The Duke of Rhinecliff stood before the throne, unaccompanied by any except for two armed escorts from his territories. He bowed to the seated King, paying respect to royalty he had not sworn fealty to, then raised his head once more.

[b]“King Lamont DuFairre, I have come to answer your summons, and have brought gifts too.”[/b] One of his knights stepped forth, presenting a beautifully illustrated tome of philosophy, penned by a scholar of Odonfield origin. [b]“Though you and yours may have lost the cravings of the body, knowledge is a spring from which one can never draw enough.”[/b]

A sliver of a smile slipped into his features.

[b]“Unfortunately, my changeling companion’s time is far more precious than my own, and as such, I ask for your forgiveness in her absence. As I’m certain you’ll have heard, the province of Arrowfell will soon be missing two of its Dukes, at the hands of one familiar to you. Though I would delight in extended conversation with you, please allow me to dispense with pleasantries temporarily.”[/b]

The smile remained, but his gaze was hard. Ageless and undying as the King of Ravenfell was, it had cost his nation its future, consigning them to stagnation and rot.

[b]“What do you require in exchange for your assistance?”[/b]