Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 17:07:24 GMT -5
While she lived in Summer Land, she hadn't spent much time in the market place, mingling with her own people. She had no reason to buy anything, and why would she rather go to a dirty, dusty market when she could explore the meadows and forests that surrounded the castle? Here, she had little choice in where she could spend her time; since her final escape attempt had ended with her nearly freezing to death in the frozen wastes, she wasn't about to venture outside the castle again. And while she could be alone in her own chambers, high up in the tower, she found she actually liked coming down to the lower levels of the castle, where the people had set up their own kind of marketplace.
She didn't quite blend in, but no one really paid attention to her. Gone were her bright colored dresses, replaced by a heavy woolen dress and a thick woven shawl wrapped around her shoulders, she looked much the same as anyone else. It was a kind of invisibility that she wasn't quite used to, that required her not to sneak around and hide behind corners, but to walk like everyone else, to find invisibility in the inconspicuous. She liked it.
After she'd walked the market for a little while, she found a place along one of the walls where she could lean back and watch the going on's of the people there. A few feet away from her, some children played while their parents worked, and she found herself watching them fondly. She was still astonished at the community that existed in this castle; in this frozen land, that was supposed to be home to criminals and convicts and only the most dangerous men. She would never have imagined this place could exist, and yet, here it was. Thriving.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 19:00:37 GMT -5
'It don't try to burn her; or bite her. Viktor walked the market a dozen feet behind her; while trying to sort out what he'd learned a few days before. It just plays with her. He had even followed her himself the next day; just to see if it was true. She had made friends with the beast. Granted; he had not wished to lock it away; but it was the safest place for an uncontrollable ball of fire.
A hunting trip had lead him and some men to hear the dragons fighting; and wait to see what meat could be claimed from the looser. While there; a nest was found and in it the dead young of the mother. All but one. The survivor. It had been too young to fly; too young hunt; and at the time he had assume he could make a pet out of it. It had bit every single person who tried to touch it. Training. He had planed to train it; yet just a few hours late it blew fire.
Unable to bring himself to kill it; he had locked the creature in the cells until he could learn to fly and then it was on it's own.
Yet she had made friends with it. Viktor's face remained serious; as he planned to enjoy the next half hour; by giving her a scare. Advancing forward; he waited until she noticed him; and then lifted his hand and gestured with his fingers for her to come. "Come;" It was not a request.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 19:27:15 GMT -5
Maybe she wasn't so good at sneaking around in plain sight as she thought, she realized when she noticed Viktor moving towards her. She didn't move for a moment, even when he beckoned her forward with his fingers and ordered her to come, entertaining the idea of being defiant and refusing to budge, but after weighing the options for a few moments, she decided that was likely more trouble than it was worth. Besides, she didn't even know what he wanted. Maybe he was here to tell her he was taking her back to the South!
She stepped away from the wall but stopped in front of him. "Where?" She asked curiously, not considering that he probably wouldn't give her an answer when she asked. She was in a good mood, and her tone reflected that, as did the slight bounce in her step. She had been much more cheerful since she'd started spending time with the baby dragon in the dungeons, but she wouldn't tell him that. The dragon was another prisoner of his, and she didn't know if he'd let her continue going to see it if he knew. But she wasn't so lonely anymore.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 19:40:15 GMT -5
Always defying him! He thought with an amused mental tone; but kept his face in a stern manner. He wanted to enjoy the gifting; and as long as her defiance was amusing and not irritating he would allow it. Amusing was her making friends with the creature that tried to turn everyone else into a meal; irritating was finding her in the bloody snow at the base of a damn tree. Where she demanded.
"Wherever I say;" He was the damn king here! While others might not bow to him; she was from a world where the title meant something. She should know what was expected. "Come;" Taking her arm he used it to urge her on; and out of the market area. Once they were free of the nose he could speak easier without trying to top the voices of so many others. "I was told you have been slipping your guard of late. That you have been disappearing for hours." And now; he knew where and why. "They are there to protect you;" He reminded her; "From others and from yourself." Because she tended to run out doors and fall asleep.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:09:33 GMT -5
His expression was harsh, but Syren had a feeling he wasn't truly angry, so she didn't let her good mood suffer from his answer. She raised her eyebrows at his answer and smiled a little bit. "But where do you say?" She persisted, more interested in knowing where he wanted her to go with him than in being defiant at the moment. She didn't resist when he took her arm to lead her from the market, aware now that others were definitely noticing them. Oh well... it would be easier to speak once they were out of the hustle and bustle of the market.
He called her out on slipping away from her guard, and she smiled innocently, then shrugged. "It's not my fault they can't keep up." She said, her tone light. She wasn't going to admit what she was doing during the hours that she spent out from under his thumb. She pulled out of his grasp when he spoke of how they were there to protect her... that was exactly the same thing her parents used to tell her about the guards back home. She hadn't listened then, either. [/color]
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:19:34 GMT -5
Damned woman; she thought she was being cute; and he was trying to make her think twice about keeping things from him like this. He let her pull away; and paused at the top of the steps that lead down deeper into the fortress. Were they kept men who misbehaved and creatures that could not be trammed. "We have become aware of what you are doing in your free time." He would get his reaction; and make his point.
He had meant to do it by asking her what she did for hours; testing her words for truth. However; she was trying to play with him and while he often enjoyed her wit; today he was making a point. Letting her stand there he turned to walk down the steps; "It ends today." Her having to escape to visit the dragon; for he intended to let her take it to her rooms if she wished. As long as she kept the damn things out of trouble and from biting anyone.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:40:03 GMT -5
She recognized the stairs they'd come to, because they were the same ones she descended in order to visit the dragon daily. Her playful demeanor slipped away as he informed her that they knew what she was up to, and she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat nervously. Syren hadn't thought she'd been seen...but then, she didn't pay much attention when she was with the dragon, just when she was getting there. If one of the guards had happened upon them while she was there, she wasn't sure she would've noticed if he didn't say anything.
He started walking down the steps, and she watched him descend uncertainly. But his words made her start with fear, and she hurried down the steps after him. Even if he was angry with her, he shouldn't take it out on an innocent creature! A baby! Because that was the meaning she took from his words, that he intended to 'end' something. She caught his arm and tried to pull him to a stop, looking up at him imploringly. "Please," she begged softly, pouting her lips at him, "don't."
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:54:52 GMT -5
Finally; there it was. The reaction he wanted; so he could make his point while she was not trying to out wit him. She even tried to pull him to a stop; and because he wanted to have this conversation he allowed her to; turning to face her. "Now you ask instead of just taking?" She was rather beautiful when she was trying to soften him; and had he been angry he would have softened; however he was not angry; he was amused.
And making a point. "You humiliate my men by escaping from them daily;" Something he found damned funny and she knew that; "You break into my holding cells; and entertain a creature that bites men; or tries to burn them." That he might have been angry about but he already knew of her powers. "How do we not know you are waiting to turn it on my men?" Did she even wonder how this would look? "I am an agreeable man; Lady Summer; on most things but I do not like things being kept from me." The only reason he had rose to power was by knowing what the hell was going on.
Turning he walked down deeper into the cells; and toward her new pet. He give her a change to think; then he'd hand her the key and give her the freedom to keep it out of trouble.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 21:30:27 GMT -5
He stopped to look at her, and she took that as a good sign. Maybe he would be willing to listen? She considered his words for a moment before she answered. "I would rather ask for forgiveness than permission." She spoke softly, looking up at him from under her eyelashes innocently. She knew that wasn't what he wanted to hear; but it was the truth.
When he mentioned how she escaped from his men, her lips curved up slightly, but only because she knew that it didn't really bother him. They needed the practice trying to keep an eye on her, because if a little princess could slip past them, so could a well-trained assassin. Her games kept them in shape, and sharp, and if they didn't wish to be humiliated they would just have to keep up with their training. She didn't say any of this, and quelled her smile, because she was trying to win him over, not antagonize him further.
"I didn't break in," she said quickly when he brought up the dragon, trying to get his mind off the creature, "the door was open." When he suggested that she might be planning to turn it against his men, she blinked, her surprise evident. That hadn't even occurred to her, although now she realized it should have. Using animals as a weapon simply wasn't in her nature, nor was she so militarily minded. She just wanted to care for the dragon, keep it happy, and it made her happy and less lonely to be with it. When he finished and stalked off down the hall once again, she followed him, wondering what more she could say.
She knew what she could say, but she didn't want to say it. But if she didn't, the dragon would die! Syren might not like it, but she couldn't let her own stubbornness cost an innocent baby it's life. As he drew nearer to the cell where the dragon was kept, she ran forward to put herself between the man and the dragon, pressing her back up against the door to keep him from entering. "Viktor," she said his name softly, tears in her eyes as she looked up at him. "I'm sorry." She apologized pleadingly, hoping that it would be enough.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 21:57:09 GMT -5
She rather ask for his forgiveness then his permission; but she wasn't asking for either. Not until she pushed before him and blocked his path. Then she asked for his forgiveness. "Syren; I am not asking in this moment; but telling you. If you feel the need to test my men; I don't care. However; in order to assure your safety; my men's safety;" and his own crown; "I need to know what you are doing." So he was not taken by surprise. "Not everything; I don't care if you go to the market; or if you take four bathes a day." Though his eyes fell over her skin; suggesting he might care but for other reasons.
"However; when my men come to me; knowing of your magic; and are on edge because of your new found weapon; I am left with a decision to be made." Kill the creature; let it risk trying to make it alone; or this. "Do not give me; or my men a reason to regret this decision." Reaching up he touched her cheek; before unlocking the door and moving to stand beside it. He could hear the dragon moving around; but risked not looking at it. He wanted to see her face. "It's yours now. Keep it out of trouble."
When she might have moved forward; he reached to block her path and make one last point. "If it harms anything not replaceable; including yourself; I will have it killed and not even your tears will sway me." The threat being said; he stepped back; "Now take it outside; I am sure it could use the air."
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 22:25:51 GMT -5
Syren stared up at him while he spoke of how he needed to know what she was doing. So to teach her a lesson he was going to kill a little baby? That hardly seemed fair. She wasn't used to anyone keeping such a close eye on her; and she certainly wasn't used to being considered a threat. She saw the way his eyes lingered on her skin, even with so little of it exposed, and it sent a raw shiver of something she wasn't familiar with up her spine.
When he spoke of a decision to be made, she squeezed her eyes shut, as she felt sure she knew what that decision was, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She would fight him if she had to, do whatever she could to protect the dragon...maybe it could escape while she distracted him! He unlocked the door and she opened her eyes, only to have them widen with shock when he announced that it was hers. Her eyelashes fluttered with disbelief as she looked up at him, frozen while the words sunk in.
When they did, her ecstasy overcame her, and ignoring his threat, Syren jumped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him gratefully. "He won't hurt anyone," she insisted as she released him, pushing open the door, she smiled as the little dragon crooned at her affectionately. "He's not a weapon, he's a baby." She told him, bending down to pick up the little thing, and as soon as she did, it climbed up her arm and onto her shoulder, perching there as she straightened up.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 22:40:18 GMT -5
He did not particularly like seeing her cry; but he did want her to think back to think moment the next time she did something stupid. The look on her face was worth the trouble that creature would bring with the people; and when she jumped into his arms; he didn't even care what they'd say. She was getting under his skin; and if he had any since he would stop letting her foolish mother kill her army while trying to make it to his castle and just send her home.
And yet; he was not willing to let her go. "Do you know how many men I loose to these creature's a year?" He didn't sound amused; but nor was there heat to the tone. "The best year I lost ten. The number can be around twenty before people start thinking there are too many happening. That creature is going to get bigger; and you need to be ready for when that happens." To either find it enough food; or train it to seek food away from the men.
It let her enter; and touch it. Shaking he head slowly Viktor knew this battle was already lost. "Use the battlements to give it some air; then met me in the dinning hall. We normally toss food through the bars; but if you keep it in check it can dine up there. We can discuss the rules and future of it's life here there."
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 23:08:52 GMT -5
Ten men a year, at best, died as meat for the dragons? But not this little dragon. He was still just a baby, she was reminded when he nuzzled her cheek affectionately, fluttering his little, ineffectual wings with excitement. "He's smart; I can teach him not to hunt men for food." She assured him idly, distracting by the dragon that was now curling around her shoulder. While he was still too young for her to have a proper conversation with him, she'd figured out that he was learning from their contact, and quickly. He was smarter than a dog or a horse, or any other animal she'd been in contact with.
"I don't have a cloak for going outside," she pointed out, he'd only given her things that were warm enough for the castle, probably because he figured if he did, she'd make a break for it. Which was a valid point. But since she had been outside the castle, she realized that even with a cloak and boots, she still wouldn't be able to make it to the border. She wouldn't even know how to find the border, and besides, now she had to stay to look after the little dragon. No one else would.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 23:19:46 GMT -5
The man killer was curling up like a cat would around her; but she claimed it was smarter. He held doubt about that but he also held his tongue on the manner. He could think of better things to do with her; then fight about the intelligence of a animal. She said she did not have anything to keep her warm with and he felt the corner of his lips rise. "You have a tendency to disappear when you own more then a dress. You are lucky I do not keep you naked in bed."
The thought cause his words to pause for a moment; and enjoy the imagines that danced in his head. Reaching for the buttons of the outer layer he was wearing; he removed it and held it up to her. It was thick and heavy. Cloaks might keep women warm; but men needed to move. Be able to fight while on a hunt. This was meant to allow him to do so. It came to his waist; but would go lower on her to help keep her warmer. "Do this return this with anything buy your own scent on this." No burned marks; or the smell of something that he once burned.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 0:13:55 GMT -5
She looked up from the baby dragon sharply when he spoke of her tendency to disappear, raising her eyebrows at him with surprise, she put her hand over the tiny creature's head. "Don't be lewd in front of the baby," she chided with mock offense, rubbing the dragon's head with one finger. She turned her head back down to smile at the little dragon as it mewled happily, and she added, "besides, you wouldn't dare." She looked up at him coyly, her words coming out as a statement, but she wasn't sure she didn't mean it as a challenge.
She reached out to take the heavy outer garment when he offered it to her, wrapping it around her shoulders. "Thank you," she said with a slight smile after he warned her not to get anything on it. The dragon seemed intrigued by the new layer, and pawed at the fabric on her shoulder curiously, until Syren gave him a stern mental warning. He made a slightly sheepish sound in response, and settled down again. With the creature calm enough for her to walk around the corridors without alarming anyone, she nodded gratefully at Viktor and walked past him to get to the battlements. It had been a long time since her dragon had seen sunlight.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 18:16:58 GMT -5
She thought she was the damn thing's mother? Viktor watched her walk past time; after calling it the baby and demanding he watch his mouth around it. Animals didn't understand words! "If you wanted a child so badly; you did not have to adopt the man eater." He called after her as she walked out; "There are many orphans here; and I'd had gladly assisted in the effort if you wanted your own."
Once she was out of sight; Viktor took the steps to the dinning room they used; near their rooms on the upper floors. It was warmer there but he still went by his room for a new coat to wear. He ordered one of the kitchen staff to bring him a meal; and to have one brought for her with some uncooked meat for the man eater.
Sitting at the head of the table; with his back to the fireplace; Viktor picked up an apple and used the knife in his boot to peal it while waiting for the liquor to be brought with his meal.
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 19:07:08 GMT -5
Syren didn't respond when he told her she didn't have to adopt the 'man eater' if she wanted a child; it wasn't that she wanted something to take care of. It had needed her, and called out to her. She'd merely answered. She didn't think he would understand, and for the moment, that was all right. Whatever the reason, he had chosen to let her keep the dragon, and she wasn't going to ruin it. But when he suggested that he was willing to assist her, she looked back over her shoulder at him and regarded him for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind."
She didn't wait to hear what he had to say to that, blushing slightly at her own actions, she took the stairs upstairs and, for once, did as she was told and went to the battlements. She knew her way around the castle fairly well by now, from her time spent exploring the castle by herself, although she hadn't actually gone out onto the battlements before. It was an exciting prospect.
The wind was sharp outside, but she was getting used to the cold in this kingdom, and at least the sun made everything bright, if not warm. Once they were outside, the dragon made a noise of excitement and jumped onto the wall, digging on the snow piled on the battlements excitedly. Syren laughed, the wind whipping her hair around, and chased after the dragon as it jumped from battlement to battlement, using its little wings to jump further, but not able to actually take flight. They startled a few of the men guarding the wall, but when it was obvious the dragon wasn't going to hurt anyone, they left them alone... although they kept a wide berth.
When Syren was too cold to stay outside any longer, she called the dragon back to her shoulder and went inside, snowflakes tangled in her hair. The baby seemed exhausted by his playtime in the snow, and he curled up in her arms happily. She thought about ignoring his orders and going back to her own room, but she was hungry, and she was grateful that he'd let the dragon out, so she went to the dining room obediently, cradling the dragon carefully with one arm and pushing the door open with the other.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 19:21:21 GMT -5
She had stayed out longer then he thought she might; and by the time she entered he was still in his chair but had moved on to nursing a drink to help warm his bones while discussing the most recent attempt of the summer queen to regain her daughter; and the failure that accompanied it. When the door opened the conversation stopped; and Viktor pulled his feet from the table to stand. "We can finish this in two hours; get the full report from the patrol and meet me in the throne room."
After dismissing the man and being left alone with her and the creature; Viktor gestured toward her plate near him and then the creature's meal before the fire but on the floor and a good many feet away from him. "Come; warm yourself by the fire. Eat." The comment she had made as she had left him below had not been far from his mind. While children wasn't something he thought about; getting her in bed was. There were ways to make sure no child came. "Enjoy the exercise?"
|
|
Syren de Winter
Member
Queen Of Winter Land Former Princess of Summer Land [/color]
Posts: 156
|
Post by Syren de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 19:46:26 GMT -5
She followed his gesture towards her food on the table...and the dragon's food by the fire. The dragon had fallen asleep on the walk over, and while she was sure that he would be hungry when he woke, for now, she was going to let him sleep. She took the seat near Viktor and settled the sleeping dragon in her lap. "Thank you," she said gratefully, picking up her utensils, she did as he ordered and started eating.
She nodded with a smile when he asked if she had enjoyed the exercise. "He liked getting outside...it's been a while since he got to play in the snow." Dragons liked the snow, it cooled the heat inside them, she had learned from her little baby charge. That was why they only lived so far north, she figured, and why they didn't venture out of these lands.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 20:08:11 GMT -5
He remained standing when she sat--with the creature. Giving her a dark; and mocking look when she reprimanded him for not letting the man eater out for walks. He took his seat; and left his boots on the floor this time. "Had the little beast not tried to bit and burn every sole that came near it; it could have had all the freedom it wanted." It had however; been a bitch to live with.
Deciding to explain it's presence; Viktor continued. "We were hunting toward the north; some bigger game can be found up there and the risk will feed more people. We happened to hear two dragons fighting; and waited to steal the meat of the loser. When we explored more to find it's cave we noticed the other dragon must have killed the young." What else could have happened? "That one was alive; we sought to help it but it became violent and we locked it away until it could fly out of here and be on it's own."
|
|