Lionheart

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

Alvin stood silently, thankful he was blessed with companions as faithful as these. "Thank you, my friends." He listened carefully to Marwood's and Aldo's input. "Sion, if he is even aware of our mission, would expect to find us in Renais. I've no doubt that if he doesn't know now he very soon will." It was very difficult to argue when not one, but two of his companions argued for one course. Though one was arguing in, perhaps naive faith while the other was a callous, calculated insight that was tactically sound. Be that as it may it was a mortifying thought. If Sion attacked, use Renais as a distraction to slip away. Would they do that with Frelia also?

"The only Jehannen who knows what I look like is their princess, and perhaps the king, though I was a young boy. And I find it very unlikely that Refeala would lead the manhunt for me herself, now if it were Marwood....." He shot his fellow prince a sideways smirk, he needed a bit of humour after how down his friend sounded at the thought of the Jehannen Princess.

By that point, the bandits that had helped them escape still hadn't dispersed. Alvin didn't notice that fact until their leader spoke to him.

"You may know these woods like the back of your finely manicured hand, but you don't know these roads like a bandit's. The forests you hunt in are now crawling with Jehannen mercenaries, specifically the Dagger Guild, the Broken Blades and the Jagged Teeth, you wouldn't make it halfway to Renais before you were run down like dogs."

The man drew closer to him with each step, the one side of his face obscured by his hair. His one visible eye was trained on ALvin so intensely it made him want to run and hide, still the prince was trained to maintain his posture no matter the situation. So he stood, stock straight staring the bandit dead in the eye. As the bandit leader drew closer though, Medea stirred behind the prince, a deep snarl rising in her throat as she raised her head to look at the the perceived threat. A swift word and gesture from Alvin was all it took for Medea to back down. Though she was still eying Archibald apprehensively. The bandit stopped in front of him, finishing with a single demand.

"Show me the stone."

Alvin wasn't sure what to do. As far as he could tell these bandits didn't have them outnumbered, but maybe they had reinforcements. Maybe he wanted Alvin to show the stone so he could steal it, now or later. A tough call, and Alvin's mind went back and forth over and over again like a waterwheel until he finally reached into his pocket and seized the stone. Wordlessly showing it to the bandit in front of him.

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

Dammit Aldo! Such a betrayal! I thought you were loyal to me! But I see that dashing bastard has bought you! What did he promise you? Money? Power? Women? .........Men?

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

Alvin stepped in front of his little band as the bandits and their leader made to leave. "You're right, you owe me nothing. It is I who owe all of you. I am in your debt for your assistance thus far, and I will ask no more of you." The young prince got very concerned when the leader started talking about handing them over, but he seemed to talk himself down. "I am grateful, we shall trouble you no further." And then his healer, Alvin couldn't quite remember her name she was such a shy girl, spoke out offering her services to the bandits.

"I don't think that'll be necessary my lady," He addressed Arathyra with his signature diplomat voice, only Marwood would catch that though. In any case if they lost their only healer the group would be in a very bad position and Alvin couldn't let that happen, too much was riding on their success. "I've been traipsing these woods my whole life, hunting, playing games, I know my way out. We need not impose on these people any longer."

Marwood then chimed in, directly looking to Alvin with his ideas on what they should do. "Passing through Renais and into Frelia is likely the smarter move, whether or not your family will disown you they won't leave you to the wolves. And I'm certain Natalia could talk her father into granting us asylum. Still, I don't want to risk the very real possibility that Sion will invade whatever country he find us in, the last thing I want is to put your family and Natalia at risk." If Sion tore apart Renais and Frelia chasing him, if his friends died for him, Alvin wasn't sure his conscious could bear it, could even bear the thought of it.

Alvin took a pause to think. Unfortunately they didn't really have any money so Carcino wasn't really an option. Besides, if Alvin remembered correctly Carcino and Jehanna were close in trade and politics. In fact they bore a very symbiotic relationship, there was no guarantee the council wouldn't hand him over to Sion as soon as he got there. No, that wouldn't work. Rausten was a possibility, in fact he doubted Sion would search so close to home. However, everything he's heard of Edan describes a rather weak willed young man who bows to everything his adviser tells him, not innately bad but potentially fatal for Alvin and his group. Especially if the one really in charge is allied with Sion.

The young prince let out a heavy sigh, planting his face in his right hand. He felt so tired, like a waning candle after being lit for hours. It was only after he caught Marwood's remark that he seemed to flare back up. "I always count hers as mine! We're connected, two parts of the greater whole." As misplaced as it was he needed the levity, it kept him from falling to far into his thoughts. With another sigh Alvin turned to Lexa. "I need you to deliver a message to Princess Natalia. I need you to tell her what has happened here and that I desperately require her aid. Tell her I seek asylum, and give her this to serve as proof of my identity." With that he took off his silver, signet ring that served as his personal seal and gave it to her. It was a shield flanked by a pair of wyvern wings, he had it ever since he was a boy and he was sure Natalia would recognize it immediately. "Don't try and find us after you deliver the message, because you'll fail."

That done he turned to the rest of his band. "We make for Frelia along the western coast. Instead of passing through Renais, we lie low and travel safely until we reach Frelia." He looked each member of his party in the eye before continuing. "You are all free to leave at any time, this is my burden, and I am willing to carry it alone. I will force you to go no further then you're willing to go."

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

I'm waiting for the timeskip to post again. Anything I post will be a monologue of Willam's thoughts so that can just wait.

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

Present.

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

I was waiting to see if anyone else was going to track Willam to the aviary. Last I remember Alyssa was possibly going to.

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

I don't mind as long as they do posts

@Harbringer

Pretty much this

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

I know I don't talk much, but I feel I should let you know I'm not taking anything personally. I understand the underlying issues of past wrongdoings and I'd be disappointed if we glazed over them. I knew what I was signing on for when I made my character. Don't stop until it's within character to do so.

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

Willam ate little, some bread and apples, a bit of fish and that was about it. His appetite, meager as it was to begin with was pretty well tarnished as soon as he felt the tension that accompanied him into the room. For all his faults Willam was remarkably perceptive, he saw the change in the Stark boy's demeanor the moment he entered the room. Same as the Dornish prince. The Stark girl didn't even spare a glance towards him.

So Willam kept silent through the rest of the conversation, that is until a certain Dornish mercenary introduced himself.
"Ah, you're Talhor Clegane's bastard, your father speaks very highly of your skills. I'm glad Lady Tully has such a capable man protecting her." He'd spoken to Talhor Clegane on a number of occasions, still he didn't expect someone like that to show up here. It was remarkably interesting.

Willam pushed his food around a bit more, taking a bite or two before retrieving his napkin from his lap. Cleaning his mouth and hands he stood, depositing the napkin on the table. "If you all will excuse me I have....Business to attend to, I trust I'll see you all at the tournament." With that he walked out, slowly a first, a controlled stride until he was out of sight then closer to a run.

It was a lie. He didn't really have anything to do he just couldn't stand being there any longer. It felt like half the room wanted him dead and he had no inkling as to why. No matter how hard he thought about it or why he simply couldn't come up with a good explanation. He recalled everything he knew about his fellow wards and yet still, nothing.

Eventually he made his way to the aviary where his Falcon Medea was being kept. Willam tried to make it out to see her at least once a day. He needed to clear his head and calm down, Medea has always been a calming influence. So he pulled on his falconry glove sitting by the bird's cage and set her free. Immediately she flew off, circling the room until Willam let out a whistle calling her to him. She landed lightly on his gloved arm giving him that fierce stare of hers. "Yes, I know you don't like it in there. But they're not going to let you roam as you please." He started stroking her plumage as he recalled the rest of the wards. "If this is how it's going to be life here is going to be a lot harder then I thought."

The Wards of The King- A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplay

Willam was always a morning person, rising with the sun felt almost naturally. He was a late sleeper at one point in time, but a certain 6-year-old broke that out of him. He felt his eyes water as he thought about Rose, they haven't really been apart for any length of time since she was born. And now who knew when he'd actually get to see her? Willam had half a mind to send Tywin back with the express purpose of watching over his little Rosy. But he knew that his friend would be better served here, with him. A place where allies were scarce and enemies lurking around every corner.

In that respect he didn't want his sister here, no matter how much he missed her she could not live here. The sound of a knock on his door broke him from his thoughts. "My lord, it's me, Tywin." Willam quickly tried to wipe away the tears coming down his face, "Yeah, come on in." His voice sounded thick, a clear indicator to his friend that his lord was in a sorry state. "Forgive me, my friend. You've caught me thinking of Rose." Willam cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. He didn't really mind that Tywin caught him like this, they've been friends for better then a decade at this point. And when your life isn't even two decades long, one is a very long time.

"My lord, will you be competing in the tournament this afternoon? Should I prepare your lance, sword, horse?...." He trailed off. "If I may, I could arrange for letters to be sent back to Casterly Rock, to Rose. Though I imagine your mother will want letters too once she finds out." Tywin's stance was firm, yet relaxed. Unlike Willam he was built a lot more like Garric Lannister. Stout, strong as a bull with the propensity to be a great knight. His blue eyes shone with intellect and his dark hair was very well kept.

"Do you miss your family Tywin? Are you going to send letters to them? I know we've only been gone a short time compared to the years we are to spend here. I want you to know you are under no obligation to stay, you can go home any time. You're my friend, not my servant." Willam turned away, looking out the window as he contemplated his own answer to that.

"Sure, I miss them, Byrn's only a few years older then Rose after all. Still, eventually I'll have to handle the fact that I won't be able to watch over him forever, it'll be worse for Rose. She'll be married off to a noble and wind up Stranger knows where. I intend to write, so I can send my letters with yours." He took a pause, considering the last bit, Tywin's angular jaw moving as he seemed to physically chew on his words. "Your friend, yes. Then you know that's why I won't leave you here alone."

Willam was relieved, turning to face Tywin once again. "Aye, face the world and it's problems together eh? Prepare my horse, unfortunately I'm not as suited to the melee as you are. I'd love to show off my spear-work but it's ill-suited for that kind of fight. Better you bigger, stronger men play that one." With that Tywin left to see to his horse as well as his other duties. Willam dressed rather plainly. A simple gold and red tunic with leather trousers, his belt cinched with the Lannister Lion. Good, solid, hard leather boots and finally his rapier at his side.

Finally he descended into what was to be the dining hall where he found quite a few of his fellow wards taking breakfast. He was a little disgusted with the grandiose amount of food that contributed to the meal, to him it seemed like a gross misuse of wealth. Still he'd eat what he wanted and see if he could arrange for the leftovers to be handled frugally.

"So will ether of you boys be joining the tournament today?"

"I intend to join the joust, the melee is a bit, well it's not quite my thing. Better the men who enjoy it partake then have me clutter the list." With that he seated himself at the table, examining his company. Morgan Stark, he got the feeling the Stark boy didn't like him. No idea why, as far as he could think of he didn't think he did anything to draw Stark's ire. Still, it wouldn't deter him, peace and friendship take time after all.

Alerie Tyrell, she was quite the sight but Willam didn't know much about her. He'd seen her around the past few days but they'd yet to have any kind of conversation, he'd have to change that. Robyn Greyjoy, tough as the islands she calls home, at least that's what it seemed. Willam respected her sure, respected her action orientated nature, but yet another mystery. Again, something to change.

Toran Sand, well the Dornishman had a sense of humor, and his general, friendly disposition was enough to for Willam to want to get to know him a bit. Though the snake was a bit odd, Willam found it in his boot one morning. And Finally Alianne Tully, another enchanting sight to behold yet a mystery. She seemed nice, perhaps even kind. For whatever reason he couldn't associate her with the machinations of King's Landing. Still, he'd certainly try to get to know her too.