[IC] A Journey for Peace

[Alfbie]

Lamont remained quiet throughout their entire walk back, but as soon as he opened those doors, he broke into a smooth chuckle, gazing down at Kiara with a smile that would warm his eyes and brighten his expression if it was sincere, but it was close enough to be a startling contrast to his previous demeanor. "Well, I'm glad you made it here safely, Princess. Welcome to Berinike." He pulled out Kiara's chair, waited for her to sit, then side-stepped to greet his mother, who watched the whole exchange carefully, expectantly.

As cold as the woman seemed to be, Queen Alexis seemed to truly relax and smile warmly when her son embraced her in a light hug. "Took you long enough," she said, though there was affection in the comment. "Though, I must say, I expected you and Kiara would take longer in returning." The queen glanced at Kiara, releasing just the faintest of smiles. Lamont didn't know why, but he felt relieved to know that somehow Kiara had impressed the queen. He yearned to tell Kiara so, even though he couldn't, and wondered why.

Queen Alexis squeezed her son's arm as he stepped away, walking around the table to his own seat. He said not a word to his father, did not even glance in the king's direction. King Hugo, likewise, seemed to pretend that his son wasn't even there, much like he had with Ostus earlier in the day. The tension between the two men was palpable.

Once seated, Lamont removed his gloves. Like his father, he seemed to be a hearty eater as he forked chicken and vegetables onto his plate.

"So," Queen Alexis said brightly, "how are you liking Berinike so far, Princess? I believe none of us had the chance to show you around. Is everything to your... tastes thus far?"

[Arrayah]

Kiara only stared at the food that was once again in front of her. It was strange to watch the queen with her son. There was only word she could be described with and that was bitchy. Though with her son... she seemed almost caring and warm. It was another contradiction in a world of them and Kiara's head was starting to throb. She was also trying to ignore the looks that Alexis was giving her, but it was getting hard. It was as if this woman was all knowing and it was giving her the creeps.

And then, of course, there was the tension between Lamont and his father. It wasn't hard to see why they would not get along. The prince spent all day in a library when his father probably wanted nothing more than for him to spend it with a sword. It was strange even to Kiara that he had never fought. She was sheltered beyond belief, but still she had learned to use her bow and dagger. Hadn't someone ever threatened Lamont's life? Or had he never known the fear that followed forever after that?

While all these thoughts went through her head, Kiara put on a smile and tried to answer the question that was asked of her in an acceptable way. "It is ... different. Not as green, and yet it is still beautiful." Her eyes became distant as she accidentally let out her current thought: "I wonder if I could spar with the soldiers. Surely they must know some fighting techniques that mine do not. I would be eager to learn." In her head she continued, though they would probably rather see me dead than teach me a damn thing.

[Alfbie]

All three of them looked up from their meals in surprise.

"I didn't think Astora royalty knew how to fight or desired to," Alexis stated. "Is all royalty over there trained in combat as they are here? Are all the citizens?"

"If the Princess is telling the truth, perhaps she could teach Lamont how to properly defend himself in battle. Gods know he has cycled through I don't know how many trainers already." He gave Alexis a meaningful look. "There will be no need for the elf; you could urge the Princess to release him."

"Nonsense," Queen Alexis muttered. "We don't know how well the Princess can fight."

"The said could be the same for the elf."

"He'll prove his merit shortly."

Lamont sighed, picking at his food now. Of course he knew how to fight...there wasn't a person alive in this kingdom that had never picked up a sword. He was just atrocious at it. Now that he was the last living heir to the throne, he'd probably make an easy target to any would-be assassins. It surprised him that Kiara not only knew how to fight but had a desire to practice; she seemed more Berinike than he was. Yet another thing they did not have in common. This saddened him somehow, and he had to remind himself that it shouldn't matter because he didn't want to get to know her anyway.

[Arrayah]

For a few seconds, Kiara just stared at the three wide eyed. She had let her fighting skills slip, but had not expected such a reaction from any of them except maybe Lamont. After all, his parents were obviously disappointed that he did know how to defend himself. She knew the feeling, though her mother had a different view on the matter. Kiara was disappointing because she did. Her mother wanted her to be the pretty little princess who hid away in her tower. She sighed as well.

"No, no I am quite unique in Astoran royalty. A constant disappointment to my mo-" She cut herself off abruptly, knowing that it was not something they would be interested in. "I only learned after an unfortunate incident." It took everything she had to contain the anger she felt just sitting at the table with the man who had caused that so called "incident."

Taking a deep breath, she continued. "I have trained with my guards as well as many soldiers who visited the castle and defended myself on the trip here. So I would say I am sufficient."

Here, she felt a bit embarrassed. "I do suggest you keep my guard if you are looking for a weapons master. I am only skilled with a bow and dagger. I do know how to fight hand to hand, but as I am smaller than most soldiers I prefer not to."

And then she internally cringed because Kiara knew what she was about to say would most likely cause a scene. "May I ask why it is necessary that Prince Lamont learn? Of course it was important when the war was going on, but now that we can focus on Callum perhaps he will have no need."

[Alfbie]

Upon Kiara's mention of her "incident," King Hugo was the only one that looked away. If he knew what Kiara was truly referring to and felt guilt over it, he did not show it, looking nonchalant as he cut at his meat.

Queen Alexis, on the other hand, seemed to not react at all to the reference, at least not in a way out of the ordinary from any other person. "I used to be quite an efficient dual-wielder," she said conversationally. It seemed odd coming from her; she looked too frail and thin to be able to lift one sword, let alone two. "I do believe it was my abilities with twin blades that first attracted Hugo to me." She cast him a smirk. "Though, I had an unfortunate incident myself. Now I can only look at my blades..."

Lamont couldn't help but stare at Kiara as he idly chewed his food. She had started to say something that sounded to him like she and her mother were not on common ground. Did her situation both opposed and mirrored his own? He prepared to ask her to elaborate on that statement, but Kiara spoke first.

Lamont dropped his fork. It clattered noisily against his plate, but he hardly noticed, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Princess, I would prefer you not speak of such--"

"It is Berinike tradition," King Hugo cut in, shooting his son a glare before turning his attention to Kiara. "It is part of our custom, it is ingrained in our history. Long ago, before this region was a kingdom, we were a series of warring tribes. When not at war, the people were at a loss of how to occupy their time, so they took up weapon crafting, sparring, jousting... and, surely enough, war would start again. Combat defines this country. It built this country and it sustains it. The finest armor and weapons are from Berinike, the best fighters. To be skillful in combat is to claim yourself a true Berinikan. Picture life on Astora without a single one of your trees. If you cannot, then you understand Berinike's relationship to the sword." He glared at Lamont, though his words were still addressed to Kiara. "It is disgraceful for a member of the royal family, a person who represents the whole of this nation, to not participate in the most widely and firmly held of our customs."

"There is more to life than fighting, Father," Lamont shot back. "What of economics, infrastructure, agriculture, and community? A country cannot run without any of those things."

"Have you learned nothing, boy? Combat fuels the economy through the sale of battle goods. Every house is built as sturdily as our garrisons. Our soldiers rely on efficient agriculture to be fed. War is community, or have you forgotten?"

"And as Princess Kiara states, what good are extra weapons, soldiers on the sidelines, and empty garrisons once there is peace between Berinike and Astora? Father, this country has so many internal problems. All of our money is being funneled to the war and not to the people within our walls. The farmers--"

"Do you think I don't know that?" King Hugo snapped. "Do you think I don't know how to run my own damn country? We do not have the resources or the manpower to handle every problem at once--"

"Perhaps we will after the union with Astora--"

"There is still Callum to deal with! The war still rages, just with a different focus. If you bothered to pay attention to your studies and if you'd bother to read our scouts' daily reports, you'd know that Callum spies have been infiltrating our borders. There have been assassination attempts on some of our nobles by Callum men dressed as scouts from Astora. I will not always be around to protect you. You need to learn to protect yourself! You're all I've got; I will not lose you to utter foolishness."

Both men, flustered and angry, glared down at their plates, both shoveling food into their mouths.

[Arrayah]

There was an awkward silence in the room broken only by the deep breath Kiara took before she spoke. "It's strange to me that you compare weapons to trees. They are not even close to the same thing. If you were to actually compare fighting in Berinike to something in Astora, I would suppose that would be dressing up in pretty clothes or possibly the arts. Do you not see how this limits the people? You call your son a disgrace because he will not learn to fight, and my family calls me one because I preferred it. Have you never once thought that maybe the reason our countries are warring in the first place is because we cannot accept anyone who's different?

"Besides, does Prince Lamont not have a point? Just because you have done things for years on end does not mean you should continue to do so. Callum is a threat now, that's true, but soon it will not be and then what will be of your people, your country? Will you leave them to rot? They won't be able to make money through weaponsmithing or soldiering any longer. What then? How is a lifetime soldier supposed to return to a normal life? You've set them up for failure."

Kiara was crazy. She must be to be getting in the middle of Berinike politics and the drama between father and son, but she could not stand to see someone being treated that way. It wasn't right, to call Lamont a disgrace just because he preferred a book to a sword. Both had their merits.

"I completely understand why you would want him to learn to defend himself. It was this war that forced me to pick up a weapon, but that does not mean you also have to stifle who he is! Learning to defend himself and choosing a life of war are completely different things! You tell him to put away his passions to do something that you want. How can you possibly ask that of your son? You should be grateful that he is different because it means that this truce might actually have a chance!"

By now her voice was raised. It was not something that could help. For years, she had held these feelings inside as her mother and father expressed the same concerns towards her. All that time, she had just wanted to tell them who she was and what she wanted. It was the case, though, that when Kiara could not do something for herself she could always do it for someone else.

"It is wrong, the way you treat him as if his feelings and thoughts don't matter. If you want him to be safe then tell him so. If that's really want you want, and it should be, ask him to learn a few defense moves and be done with it. Do not tell him that he is a disappointment just because he will not bow to your will!" Her fist slammed on the table as she stood up, unable to stay any longer.

"I am very sorry, but I think I must excuse myself," was the last thing she said before she turned and walked out those large wooden doors.

[Alfbie]

The entire hall was speechless for a very long moment.

King Hugo was the first to find his voice. "Does she mean to walk in here and undermine thousand of years of tradition?!" he snarled. "Just as expected from someone from Astora -- she thinks she can simply walk in here and change things to fit her personal beliefs alone! Who said anything about Lamont being a disgrace?" He turned his attention to his surviving son. "You've been telling her things, haven't you."

Lamont gaped in shock before he recovered, glaring back at his father with anger. "I've told her nothing!" he barked. "We barely met! She came barging into the library thinking she could command me; she came to her own conclusions! Why would I admit to my future wife of my follies!"

It scared Lamont to realize how intuitive Kiara was. It was true -- he had a falling out with his father for several years over disagreements with lifestyle. To Lamont, Hugo truly did think him a disgrace. Was their animosity towards each other so transparent?

"I think this is good," Queen Alexis stated, looking bemused. "If the princess is this passionate about someone she barely knows, imagine how fit she would be by Lamont's side once she gets to know our country."

"Get to know?" King Hugo said in furious disbelief. "She'll use Lamont to destroy Berinike as we know it! Give her a decade and she'll have this place covered in trees and frills and shiny things. The arts don't protect people from dying. There'll be no stopping Callum from preying on us."

"Astora hasn't fallen to Callum thus far, has it?"

"No, but..."

Lamont ignored his parents as they launched into argument. Instead, he rose to his feet and moved briskly towards the door. It was true, Kiara had so far demonstrated herself to be rude and commanding, qualities he didn't care for. However, no one else had ever stood up for him the way she had, not even his mother. He couldn't understand why. He was the enemy, the weakling, and they had just met. There was absolutely no reason for Kiara to get so upset. He had to find out what was going on.

Furthermore, something his father had said earlier had struck a chord. Was king Hugo truly worried about his safety? All this time, Lamont had assumed the king's love was all for his brothers. Perhaps he had been wrong. In that case, maybe it wouldn't hurt to make the attempt to see things a little more his way. Perhaps Kiara would be the best one to talk to regarding such matters.

So he burst through the doors, hoping to catch up to the princess. "Kiara, wait!"

[Arrayah]

Meanwhile, in the middle of the hallway, a woman was hyperventilating. Badly. Reasonably she knew that speaking like that wasn't likely to do anything but cause Lamont's parents to dislike her, but Kiara could not think rationally. Two countries rested on her shoulders, well hers and the prince's, and she could have just blown it. Because she had decided to talk back to the king and queen, everything could have been ruined.

And yet, she could not find it in herself to apologize because everything she had said had been the truth. Kiara was tired of anyone who was different being told to change. How on earth were their two countries to ever live in peace if they could not accept their differences, their uniqueness? She had chosen to do that long ago when she'd picked up her bow, and Lamont had chosen the same when he'd chosen to read. But two people did not make a country, regardless of how powerful they happened to be.

Even so, Kiara did understand the king's worries for his son. She supposed he knew better than anyone the dangers of being a royal during the war. Not only because of who he'd sent for her, but also because of the sons who had died to assassins that Callum had sent. It was true that Lamont needed to at least know how to defend himself. The basics would be better than nothing. Mostly, she thought he needed to learn how to think under pressure. As a prince, he probably already knew that and so half of his training was done.

Thinking about this had caused her breathing to slow slightly, but she was still leaning against a wall to steady herself. Ah, what would her mother say if she found out how she was treating the people here.

You must always be respectful, Kiara. To everyone. And be quiet. If you have nothing of value to say, and you know exactly what I mean by that, do not say anything at all. No one wants to hear the vulgarity that comes out of your mouth.

Yes, her mother would have had a heart attack if she'd been in that room. Kiara smiled sadly realizing for the first time that despite their differences, she missed the woman. She knew that even though she had wanted different things, her mother had loved her more than anyone in the world. And Kiara too felt the same way about her mother, which was why it hit her so hard that she was always disappointing her.

Kiara slid down the wall and placed in her head in her hands. What on earth was she doing in this place that she did not belong? Where no one wanted her?

She was just thinking how embarrassing it was that she could not even handle one day when the one person she wanted to see the least called her name.

[Alfbie]

Lamont sighed when he spotted Princess Kiara slumped on the floor with her head in her hands. Dread slowed down his trot to a slow walk; he didn't know the first thing about handling women.

Politics was one thing. He was born into it and seemed to have a better affinity towards negotiations and discussions than any of his brothers had. This, however, was quite another because women always had a way of making any conversation personal.

He sat on the floor beside her, forearms propped on his knees, and eyed Kiara apprehensively. Should he... rub her back and tell her everything would be okay? Or was a shoulder pat more appropriate? Gods, he didn't want to hug her -- he barely knew her, after all. Should he offer her his handkerchief, or would Kiara be insulted to be handed something he had used in the past? Should he get her some water?

If he thought about this too long, he would get a headache, so instead he sighed and softly exclaimed, "You didn't have to do that." It was certainly not a comforting statement, but it was on his mind. "You're the least likely person to defend me like you did, so it surprises me. Father isn't too pleased with you right now, but he's never pleased with anyone but himself. Mother thinks this is all a game. I've gotten rather used to it, so... you don't need to waste your breath on the likes of me."

Lamont sighed. That was probably the worst reassuring speech he had ever made. Somehow he had made it about him. He scowled to himself. "Well, what I meant to say is, ah... well... don't worry, I suppose..."

[Arrayah]

At his terrible attempt to make her feel better, Kiara found herself laughing. It wasn't necessarily because she was happy, but it was better than the guilt she had been feeling for not even thinking of anyone but herself.

"The last thing I want is for them to hate me and send me away.." She said quietly, voicing her worries, "But I couldn't just sit there and not say anything. How will we end the war if no one can accept anyone else for who they are? My people and yours.. they're different. If your parents can't accept mine the way I am willing to accept the Berinike then the war will start again. The first step would be to stop treating you the way they do." She sighed, turning her head so she was facing him. "I know you don't like me or want to get to know me. I understand that, and I'm sorry. I know you think I'm loud and rude and you'd be right. But just... know that I really do... better than anyone I can understand how you feel right now. So maybe it's not a terrible idea for us to talk."

It was stupid to think that his opinion of her would change, and it was pointless to want it to, but she did. It was not a good feeling to know that the one you'd be marrying wanted nothing to do with you. Kiara truly did understand what he felt, but it was not him that she thought of as an enemy especially now that she knew he was more like her than he probably cared to admit.

For her, it was his father, his mother that were her enemies. Being around them put her on edge more than anything else and was part of the reason she had left the lunch. So at least, unlike Lamont, she was not marrying someone she felt that way towards. Kiara wanted to ease his worries, but it wouldn't sound right coming from her.

So instead she said the one thing that had been weighing on her mind for weeks, "I can't fight anymore. We were attacked in the mountains, and I was injured. I can't use my bow. I can barely use my blade. What am I going to do now that Ostus is gone, and I can't defend myself?"

[Alfbie]

Princess Kiara made a lot of good points. As outspoken as she could be, Lamont also found her to be quite level-headed. It almost made him envious, in a way, that he couldn't be more outspoken and intuitive like her.

"I'm sorry that I initially didn't want to get to know you," he admitted quietly, at once feeling awful. "I felt as though if I accepted you, I would be giving in to another one of my parents' schemes. But your reasoning is sound. We will someday rule the two nations together, so we set an example for everyone else. If Astora and Berinike are to get along, it must start with us. It's just... still surreal that you don't find me less of a man because I'm not covered in muscles and scars."

This lead up to his next question, one he felt nervous about asking. He wasn't sure why, it wasn't as though he was going to ask something personal. Still, he had never talked to anyone so directly about his capabilities and interests before. For the first time in his life, he had the desire to take combat more seriously, but he needed someone he could trust to teach him. Someone that wouldn't put him down. He just hoped Kiara wouldn't say no if he asked her to train him.

But before Lamont could say the words, Kiara confessed the very thing that shattered what little confidence in the matter he had. She couldn't fight.

"Wait, what did you say?" he nearly whispered, hardly believing the timing of this confession. He studied her carefully; she looked fine. Was this a joke? "I don't understand... you move normally. You don't look injured. Who is Ostus?" His throat tightened a little. She was worried about not being able to protect herself, which meant she needed someone strong and courageous to protect her. Already he felt like a failure of a husband. How was he going to protect his wife when he couldn't even protect himself?

[Arrayah]

At his questions, Kiara too felt like a failure. It was obvious that he had wanted her to be able to fight, though she could did not know his reasons. Admitting her weakness to him made her feel small and fragile. "Ostus was my guard on the trip here. He was supposed to go back home, but your mother wants him to stay and train you. If... that's what you want he would be good for it. He's more skilled than I and he can actually fight still. As for the way I move... we were ambushed and one of Callum's assassins did something to my shoulder. I couldn't move my arm for a week, and even now I can not lift high enough to be skilled in any version of combat. I'm sorry. I know... that no one was expecting me to be able to fight, but I feel like I've failed somehow. People are after me and I can't even fight them off..."

She shook her head, thinking for a moment about his earlier statement: how people thought he was less of a man.

"As for you, if you do not find me less of a woman because I do have scars and muscles and know how to fight, how could I find you less of a man because you don't. But I agree with your father... More than anyone else, he and I know the danger you are in. People will try to kill you, and trust me they will be able to get to you wherever you are. You need to at least know how to get away from an assassin."

Kiara was quiet for a bit as she tried to think of how to phrase her next statement.

"I don't know if you've ever had someone try to take your life but it is terrifying. Not knowing how to fight back only makes it more so. In the days to come... Callum will be desperately trying to get to us both, so it's important. Aren't you afraid for your safety?" Her voice was barely a whisper as she added, "I am."

[Alfbie]

Lamont could do nothing but stare as Kiara talked. Where did this compassion come from? He understood now -- they both needed to stay alive and get along to break this hard war with peace -- but still. If she was like this after barely knowing him, what would she be like later? Would she grow annoyed by him, resent him, hate him? Or would she...

Lamont shifted his gaze to the floor. "In the past, my brothers have always protected me. I never got along with any of them, but we were never closer than during the face of danger. I know nothing about your guard Ostus. Mother has not told me about him yet. I don't know if I am willing to train with him because I don't know him." He lifted his eyes, his gaze searching Kiara's face. "But I'm willing to give it a try."

He smiled then, a flicker of a genuine smile, and threw back his shoulders. "I expect to not be laughed at, scoffed, poked fun at, or in any way disrespected," he commented, a little of his mother's haughty tone glimmering through. "And just because I'm not a skilled fighter does not mean I don't know how to fight at all, nor that I've never been trained. It so happens I am very good at avoiding direct attacks at least."

He began to feel a little better talking with Kiara and hoped that she was feeling the same way.

[Arrayah]

Kiara smiled a bit as she looked off and thought about her guard. "You won't like him. He's harsh and rude and he will almost certainly make fun of you, but I think it would do you well. I could teach you, but I'm a lot less capable right now than him. Besides, he has much more hands on experience than I. Besides, you're a prince. It might be a favor if he treated you as if you were not. It's not often that we get put in our places is it?"

When she turned her thoughts back to Lamont, she tilted her head a bit curiously. "If my arm ever returns to normal, I would love to spar with you. If you are truly skilled at avoiding attacks, I would like to see it."

She stared at him for awhile and realized that surprisingly, Lamont actually reminded her of home. All this time, she'd thought that being in Berinike and meeting her husband would be a terrible thing because of what he would be like, act like, but honestly, the prince did not belong here. It was true that she was not yet used to his dark features, but his structure, body type, and speech were very familiar. It was almost... comforting.

When she began to speak again, a light blush colored Kiara's cheeks. Her words were a bit embarrassing, but she felt that she should say them anyways. "I would like to be friends with you. I don't know if we can ever be the way a husband and wife should, but at the very least I would like to get along with you. I do not want to live my life miserable. I will, for my people, but I would much prefer to be happy. Wouldn't you?"

[Alfbie]

Lamont wasn't used to seeing such fierce blushing from someone with such light skin. He found it endearing, fascinating in a way, and he found his gaze on Kiara lingering longer than needed to be. "I would like that," he agreed, "to be friends. There is no law saying we need to be in love with each other in order to be married, right?" He managed his best encouraging smile, though it sounded odd talking about something as long-lasting and life-changing as his marriage to her in such a platonic way. "Frankly, I don't want to worry about that right now anyway. As long as we can get through each day."

He rose to his feet, gently dusting off his jacket, then offered a hand to Kiara to help her on her feet. "Do you need to see a healer about your arm? We can do that, if you wish, then show you around your new home. Perhaps we may run across your bodyguard on the way." Though he had no interest in actually meeting Ostus, especially after Kiara's description of him, he hoped suggesting it would at least make Kiara feel better.

[Arrayah]

Kiara reached for Lamont with her good arm and wondered if he would notice that she never used her left the more time he spent with her. She only hoped that his parents would not. When she was finally on her feet, she was shaking her head and spoke quietly. "I don't think its possible that a healer could help me. It's been weeks. The wound is healed it just... there is a large scar and what I suspect is permanant damage. I'm only hoping that one day it will recover, though it probably will not."

And then she was thinking of Ostus and the way he had looked at her back in the throne room. She'd hurt him. Hurt him more than she had ever imagined she could. In all likelihood he didn't want to see her now or ever again. Honestly, Kiara wasn't sure she could face him. He had seen her, the real her, and now she was being forced to hide behind that fake smile again. Would he be disappointed in her? Not only that, but if he in fact had felt what she had, there was no way that Ostus would want to see her with her betrothed.

"I... would like to see him, but I don't think he feels the same. It's a long story. I would, however, appreciate some help. I have no idea where I am or where I should be going."

[Alfbie]

Lamont didn't push further on the subject of her bodyguard, knowing it would be poison to his mind. Already he wondered in what circumstance she would like to see him and why he wouldn't feel the same -- like two characters in a soap opera -- and had to remind himself that perhaps she just wanted to make sure he was safe. He wasn't close to any of his guards, but his brothers had been.

Instead, he showed her around the castle. It was massive -- half of it was buried in the mountain while the exposed wings sported windows everywhere. Though the entire structure was made of stone, the tapestries, rugs, pictures, furniture, and well-placed lighting made the castle feel more like a home. Lamont spoke briefly about many of the rooms, revealing their official history as well as some of his own personal history. It was evident from the softness in his eyes that he was quite fond of where he lived, even if he didn't like who he lived with.

The servants would try to sneer at Kiara at first, until the noticed the prince with her. Those sneers would turn into polite smiles, obligatory bows, or appropriate nods. Lamont noticed the shift in reaction to Kiara and how isolated it felt, even when they pretended to be nice to her. As the tour progressed, he found himself standing closer to her, gently touching her elbow, or offering her his arm whenever someone drew near, and he would pin these servants with an expectant stare. It was his passive-aggressive way to let these servants know that Kiara was welcome here, that this was her home, and that she should be treated with respect.

At one point, he had bashfully shown her the location to his living quarters but did not offer to let her inside. Already, his cleaning servants had been gossiping on how they would rearrange his space for the wedding night and it was something he'd rather not think about while in the company of others.

Eventually, he led Kiara outside to the stables and the private gardens -- a delicate mixture of hearty mountain foliage and delicate tropical plants. Lamont's gaze, however, kept turning to the gates that would guide them out to the public streets. He longed to show Kiara the markets, the houses, and the common citizenry immediately surrounding the castle, to allow Kiara a small glimpse of what Berinike was really like, but was not sure if it would be safe. If the servants -- those vowed to serve and protect the princess -- treated her with such disdain, how would the people react to seeing her?

"I had hoped to show you the city streets," he murmured softly, "but I don't think we're quite prepared for such a venture."

[Arrayah]

Kiara barely noticed the glares and the looks the servants were giving her. It was nothing compared to what they did to her when she was alone. What she did notice was that Lamont gradually came closer to her as the tour continued. Little touches here and there, something most people wouldn't even pay attention to, but this was someone who had not even wanted to eat with her just hours before.

All this was forgotten, though, as they reached the gardens. In a place that was literally made of stone, Kiara had not felt more away from home. She appreciated that Lamont had grown up in the castle and he obviously loved it, but she doubted it would ever feel like home to her. This garden, however, this place that was full of green... this comforted her. Immediately, she found herself walking to each and every plant, touching them softly - as if they were delicate things- even bending down to smell a few of them. Many she did not recognize, but there were some that they had in their own gardens.

When he spoke to her, Kiara turned a sad smile on her lips. "What you mean to say is that they are likely to start a mob in which I will be killed. It's alright. If you would like to go tomorrow, I am actually very skilled in the art of disguise." She gave him a grin before turning back to the plants. "Now that we are talking, I have a favor to ask you. I suppose you could think of it as a wedding gift."

She was quiet, a bit embarrassed again. With each thing she asked for she was sharing a little more of herself and that was hard for Kiara. After years of hiding it from everyone around her, it was if she was sharing some sort of secret. "My horse. I would really like my horse. We left her in a town just past the mountains in Astora. I... miss her." She took a deep breath before offering something to him as well. "If you can do this for me I will teach you what I can of combat. It will be harder for me than for you, but I'll try."

[Alfbie]

Lamont hadn't expected Kiara to react so fondly to the garden; it was merely the next place on his "tour." Seeing her so at home out here reminded him that she was from Astora and probably grew up surrounded by nature. What would it be like to not have the mountains as protection?

One thing he knew for sure -- he would be bringing Kiara back to the gardens when she needed a place to relax.

He inwardly cringed when Kiara commented about the mob. He was such an idiot; That wasn't what he meant! But her disguise idea intrigued him. He had never once considered disguising himself to go out. If he wished to leave the castle, he simply left, and he never went far on his -- he had no reason to. Kiara, however, made the ordeal sound exciting, daring, like a mystery novel.

Lamont regarded her with a half-smile and a certain excitement in his gaze that was never present before. "I don't know what you can show me in combat with your arm as it is," Lamont said, "but if you allow me to accompany you to the city tomorrow also in disguise, I'll be more than happy to send someone for your horse." It sounded like an easy request.

[Arrayah]

Kiara was slightly surprised when she an actual smile on his face. She had noticed that the few he'd given her had not reached his eyes, but this one had lit them up in a way that she had not seen before. So he liked the idea of dressing up and pretending to be someone else did he? She was surprised that he had never done it before, though he did have many older brothers.

In Astora, Kiara was the only child of the king and queen and so she was very well known. It also meant she was very well protected. Leaving the castle was not allowed for her except on special occasions. She wore a disguise to hide herself from both her people and her guards. If her mother had ever found out she'd left the castle, well, her guards would have a good tongue lashing just to start.

"Yes. Yes that sounds like a deal," she smiled at him and started to laugh. "Wait until you see the difference. The way people treat you when they think that you are one of them.. it's amazing. It will be harder for me here. My skin is tanner than most Astorans, but I will need to hide my hair and possibly my eyes. You'll have an easier time, especially if they don't know exactly what you look like.

"So what is it you'd like to do on your day as a commoner? Bars are fun when no one is bowing to you and treating you as if you might break. I also find that talking to people about the problems they have with the country is much easier when they don't realize they are talking to their leaders. They most likely find it intimidating to tell you what it is they think you are doing wrong. To me, it's important to listen to them and try to fix the issues as best I can. That's how I was taught anyways."