|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 16:44:58 GMT -5
Viktor visited the kitchens; to gather the liquor and bread before mounting the steps to take him toward the towers. Nowhere else in this frozen land was livable; so everyone lived in the stronghold. Everyone. The lower levels where what served as the town; market; tavern; a world within the walls of the vast castle. As you climbed higher; there were homes. And higher; the court that was recently formed. The higher floor where the ones of the warriors; or knights if they wished to be called. His included; and the one his guest was using. They were the warmest since heat rose.
Pushing the door opened he looked around; noticing she was still sleeping under the layers and layers of furs that they had over her to keep her warm. Walking to the bedside; he looked at her face for the first time; rather then just the bundle of woman. "Tempting."
Viktor had limited time; and wanted this confrontation over with and done while his mood was in high spirits. Turning he walked to the desk and set the ray down loudly; knocked the cup sideways; and picked it up to bring it down firmly. The noise had better rouse her.
|
|
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 17:30:19 GMT -5
Her head felt heavy, thoughts fighting against the thickness that clouded her mind, keeping her senses fuzzy and dull to what was going on around her. She wanted to wake, but her muscles felt weighted and her eyes refused to open, as though something were holding her there, keeping her unconscious against her will. When she finally managed to push through the fog that had taken hold in her mind, it took a jarring noise from the outside to finally cause her eyes to flutter open.
It was wrong. That was what occurred to her first. This wasn't where she was supposed to be; this wasn't where she had fallen asleep. Where had she fallen asleep...? She couldn't remember, her memories were a blur, but she knew that she wasn't home. Pushing back the stifling layers of heavy blankets and...furs? She gasped as the cold air touched her bare shoulders, confusion written on her face. She had never been so cold! Looking down, she saw that she was wearing her ball gown, although it was not nearly as pristine as the last time she'd laid eyes on it.
Nothing made sense. Blinking softly, she moved her legs off the bed, searching for the floor, she winced as her bare foot touched the icy stone and lifted them up again. Finally, she looked around the room, still confused and cold and feeling dreadfully out of place, and her eyes landed on a man. "Wh-" she started to speak, but her throat was painfully dry, and her voice came out as a croak. She swallowed, trying to clear her throat before she tried again. "Where am I? Who are you?" Her voice was raspy and obviously distressed as her mind continue to fumble numbly for answers.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 18:45:56 GMT -5
At the sound of her gasp Viktor looked back to the bed. She was returned tot he world of living. She tried to get up; but then pulled her toes back to the bed. "There is a dress and boots on the chest att he foot of the bed; you might find them warmer to wear." Then her current state of clothing. Lifting the liquor he took it toward her and held it out. "This will warm you."
He sat it beside the bed; and went back to the bread. He would slice it for her; but leave with the weapon. As he did so; he went on to explain. "Your father will be here with in fortnight; to collect you." The plan was already working; news had been sent to tell them of the army that the king prepared; an action the king had begun that very night. "Until then you are my guest." He could play nice; be the gentlemen. His plan was to ignore her while preparing for the seage.
Listing his foot; he tucked the knife there; and turned to watch her. Summer Land women always looked too fragile; too clean. As appealing as it was; he had other things to deal with in the upcoming weeks.
|
|
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 19:07:40 GMT -5
She glanced towards the clothing he indicated, but made no move toward them. Not until she had some answers. She was sure she'd never seen him before, but she was starting to remember what had happened to her. She was on her way to the ball, when she'd heard an animal in pain. She'd gone to help, and then... she looked down at her arm, where someone had grabbed her, but her screams had been stifled by a rough cloth over her mouth, and then...darkness. She was here.
She eyed the man suspiciously as he approached, but she was too thirsty to turn down the drink. As he moved away, she reached for the cup, still watching him as she took a sip. The liquid felt good in her mouth, soothing, but as she swallowed she choked on the liquor; the princess of Summer Land was hardly used to something so strong. She managed to swallow the mouthful, and despite her thirst, set the rest aside.
He spoke but his words didn't make any sense. Her father knew this man? That couldn't be right; he wouldn't send her...where ever here was. Not without a word. Not by ambushing her like that. She was his guest? "And who are you?" She insisted, he still hadn't answered the questions she'd asked, and she was only slowly recovering her wits. "Where am I?" She didn't like repeating herself for the answers to these very simple questions. He didn't look like a noble; he looked like a thug. She immediately didn't trust him. [/color]
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 19:16:18 GMT -5
He watched her try to drink something; and fail to do so with grace. Still; it would help warm her belly from the cold. In small amounts the drink was find; but when men indulged too much too often; the drink was blamed. Viktor disagreed; the drink didn't make men drink it. He chuckled at her words of demanding to know who you was; as if just way she said it was insult enough. "I am Viktor de Winter'" He told her; giving her the name he was born with and made himself.
Winter Land. Naming his kingdom such was meant to annoy and anger Summer Land; for exiling him here. While he had come to enjoy his home; he did not plan to stay here. Summer Land was the prize; and it he could take it then there would be no more of his exile. He could come and go as he pleased. He could spent the winters in Summer Land; and the come north for the sport in hunting. "And you are in my home."
|
|
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 19:58:53 GMT -5
Viktor de Winter, he said, and her eyes widened a little, her mouth dropping into a little 'o'. She knew the name, of course, he was the man who had built a kingdom out of the frozen country, a nation of criminals. They didn't give them much thought, aside from being grateful for the furs and gems that they could purchase from the north now that there was an economy there. They were not allies of Summer Land, however, and she had no reason to be waking up in his presence.
He added that she was in his home, and she looked around somewhat skeptically, drawing in a deep, nervous breath. His home? As in, Winter Land? It was spoken of as a place where no one would wish to live; even those exiled tried to escape to the No Man's Lands that bordered the kingdoms, to escape the frigid chill and vicious beasts that lived here. Dragons, she thought to herself, but not with the terror that might be expected. She'd always wanted to see a dragon.
"Why am I here?" She added, aware that it could be no simple vacation she was on. She had been kidnapped and dragged here against her will, and she had trouble believing that her father had planned this. The thought made dread trickle down her spine. But he had said her father would be here soon...was he holding her for ransom? He may call himself king, but it seemed he remained the common thug, stealing for coin.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:07:50 GMT -5
He could avoid telling her the truth; lie to her and claim they had found her with some men on their boarder; took her own and then learned of her kidnapping. He had worked on the lie for a while; but then honestly decided he didn't care if she knew what he'd done or not. Let her know that he had taken her; from her own castle filled with her own men; and let her know what he planned to do with her. Less trouble later then she learned of the truth.
"Again; you need not fear. Your father will come to collect you." Just a reminder before she started panicing in the manner he could only brace himself for. How did the pampered and rich have fits? "You are here because you father will come for you. And we will be waiting." Let the man used to summer; try to war with the ice. The few who made it here would be too weak to bring down the castle. Summer Land had a larger army; ten to one at the very best; but this was the north and his men were used to fighting things larger then them in weather where their sweat froze on their skin.
Summer Land was only used to cool breezes.
|
|
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 20:26:20 GMT -5
He repeated himself and she glared at him, her brow furrowed in anger as she got tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. She wanted answers, not his vague assurances that she had nothing to fear! She had been kidnapped and he wanted her to not fear?! Maybe he should not have kidnapped her, then! When he finally answered, her anger fell into fear, as he spoke of his plan. Not a ransom, but a trap. And she was the bait. He wished to kill her father?
"You'll start a war." She said softly, her brow furrowed as she pieced it together, her mind quickening from her forced slumber. Why go to the trouble of kidnapping her just to provoke a war? He could have just attacked them while their defenses were low, while they weren't expecting it. But his words rang in her mind, 'your father will come for you.' She was already shivering in the cold of the room, and she could hear the wind howling through the mountains angrily. He wanted their army to attack him here, where they would have to find the land itself in addition to his men. Her glare returned, and she pursed her lips. "You're a coward." She told him loathsomely, her disregard for his plan evident. [/color]
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 20:38:53 GMT -5
Her first words amused him; telling him that his actions to be the spark that started a war. "One could hope." And if the news they had received was true; then it was happening already. He watched her as she seemed to be trying to take everything; and not scream the castle down. He should be grateful for that; it could cause the snow to fall from the mountains if she could get loud enough. It would be hindrance to their hunting.
It was her later words that caused him to change his mind. He rather she had screamed. Forcing a smile to his lips; he kept his voice calm but amused. "Yes; it takes cowardice to take a waste land of cast away and turn then into an army." She was lucky he didn't kill women; if a man had called him what she had he would have killed him. "Now; mind your tongue; and see about putting some clothing on before you freeze to death and ruin my plans."
And just to make sure she would; "Unless you rather stay with bed with nothing but me to warm you?"
|
|
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 20:58:00 GMT -5
His response confirmed what she thought; she wondered if her father would piece it together, too. He was a very clever man, she knew, so he probably would. But he would still come, she also knew. He would never abandon her to the mercies of the northern men --criminals too dangerous for any other punishment. That was his army, murderers and thieves and thugs and other unsavory folk turned soldier, that was the kingdom he seemed so proud to have built.
"Brave men do not resort to kidnapping women to achieve their ends." She pointed out when he argued against her calling him a coward. It might be a clever plan, it might get him what he wanted, but as far as she was concerned, it was a lowly strategy, to turn a man's love for his family against him. He spoke again, and she straightened her back slightly, but did not move. If he thought she was going to watch her tongue to spare his ego he had another thing coming.
At his suggestion that she stay in bed with him to keep her warm, she gave him a look of disgust and made a noise that suggested the same, but otherwise said nothing. He might think himself king, even call himself that and have convinced his kingdom of criminals to do the same, but he was still just a thug. His suggestion was enough to make her lean forward to reach for the dress that lay at the foot of the bed, but she gave him a pointed look before she made any move to put it on. A look that told him to get the fuck out.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 21:09:17 GMT -5
"My dear lady; I waltzed into your ball alone and unarmed while others took you from your bedroom." He had been in a room of people who wanted him dead for years; and that was not the actions of a coward. He would assume to get this over with sooner rather then later; to spare himself her pretty little mount.
Noticing her staring at him; he straightened. "Oh yes!" He looked around and walked over to a chair behind the desk; propping his feet up on it. "There; now that I am comfortable you can continue." He wasn't leaving her alone until they discussed the rules; and what would happen if she broke them. There was a screen on the other side of the room; and she could use that if she felt shy; but he wasn't leaving her to get into trouble before he had his say.
|
|
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 21:45:50 GMT -5
Syren scoffed at his defense of his actions. "So you had others do the truly dangerous task while you attended a ball." Because even if they hated him, they would not attack him at a ball unless he did something to provoke them. He may have been acting as a distraction, but she doubted he would truly put himself in harm's way. Whereas, if his men had been caught hauling off the princess, they would have been killed on the spot. His example did little to improve his standing in Syren's eyes.
She narrowed those eyes when he sat himself down to watch her, glaring at the impudent little commoner with all the outrage she could manage. But she didn't have to put up with this. In addition to being a princess, she was also a mage. She fixed her gaze on the chair he had propped himself up on, and gave one of the legs a good sharp mental push. It might not spill him onto the floor as she had intended, but it ought to give him a good start.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 22:08:39 GMT -5
One moment he was folding his arms behind his head; waiting smugly for the pretty little princess to either bare some skin or stomp off behind the screen while he waited there. The next moment; the chair was falling backwards; and the only reason he did not come to rest on his back was the years of staying quick on his feet. As the chair landed on the ground; he rolled out and to his feet.
Her antics would have been amusing had he not been the but of her joke. "Listen here you little summer bitch; you are here as my guest at the moment; but if you give me reason I will make you here as my prisoner! Locked in the cells before the castle where no warmth can be found and only your damn dress for shelter." His voice was sharp; and angry. Viktor was a calm man; but even eh could be pushed. "Now either exchange dresses; or I when I leave I will take it with me. Either way that--" he pointed to her current dress "--is going into the fire place." She could be naked; or wear it.
|
|
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 22:55:14 GMT -5
She smirked a little when that wiped the smug look from his face, but his words made her smirk disappear. He threatened her, but she still felt watching him fall had been worth it. He might call her a guest but however he tried to dress it up, she was still a prisoner. Whether an iron cage or gilded, she was still trapped. His anger was evident, but she wasn't going to cower like one of his subjects. She narrowed her eyes when he told her that he was going to put her dress in the fire.
"You want to burn my dress?" She gave him a questioning look, wondering if this was his revenge for making him fall on his ass. "What kind of king needs to peep on women while they change?" She asked him, raising an eyebrow at him. She didn't want to change in front of him, it was bad enough she was a prisoner here, why did he want to humiliate her, too? Because he was a cretinous thug, she reminded herself, undeserving of the throne he coveted. [/color]
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 23:08:28 GMT -5
"The sort of king to who dose not trust her to not do something stupid." Like push him down in his chair! "Your not a princess here;" He bow dramatically as if to mock her; "So Lady Summer; get up and get dressed; and come back to join me while you eat your bread and I will give you the rule you will live by until your father comes to save you."
Turning his back; determined to show her he did not think her a threat; he walked back to the chair; lifted it and sat it down. The he again sit in it; but did not lean back. Just waited for her to join him. He did however; conveniently sit it so he was no completely facing her; giving her the change to dress without his direct gaze.
|
|
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 23:26:10 GMT -5
She raised an eyebrow at him when he said she might do something stupid; how would she manage to top his stupidity in kidnapping her in the first place? She pulled the winter dress with her as she got out of the bed, wincing as her feet touched the icy floor, she grabbed the boots and crossed the room to the flimsy divider that she supposed was his idea of privacy. He was just lucky she was hungry; she had no idea how long it had been since she had last eaten, how long she had been asleep.
She changed as quickly as she could, but her cold fingers stumbled over the ties and fastenings, and she wasn't used to doing this herself. She usually had a maid to help her, to make sure her dresses were tight and hung perfectly on her body, but right now, she would have to make do. She certainly wasn't going to ask Viktor de Winter for help. She pulled on the winter dress, and while it was warmer, it was also itchier than she was used to, and covered a lot more skin than she was accustomed too. Finally, she pulled her boots on. The clothes and boots were the right size, and she tried not to think about that too much; wondering how they had known that, and hoping it was just a guess.
When she was finished, she cast one last look at her heavy, dirty, perfect ball gown that she hadn't even gotten to wear to a ball mournfully, before she left it behind the changing screen and stepped out to join the Winter King.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 18, 2013 23:34:45 GMT -5
Finally; the woman had taken forever! Viktor looked up from where he was sitting and took notice of her clothing. How the bloody hell that had fit her so well he didn't know. The women had looked her own and said 'this dress'. "Took you long enough;" He told her coming to a stand so she could sit and eat while he talk to her.
He had waited for her to come out; and only gotten up to put more wood on the fire so that it would be warmer in the room. He was used to the cold after so many years here; but he knew she would not be. The plan wasn't to make her hate life; just bring her father to them. "Warmer?" Now that she was dressed in something more--well more.
|
|
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 0:38:07 GMT -5
Even in the thicker, warmer dress, she still felt like she was freezing. Syren had never left Summer Land before, where even the nights were warm, it didn't matter if it was raining or even storming, it was never cold. When he stood up to offer her his chair, she grudgingly took a seat. Thinking about the warmth of home just made her want to return there; she felt a pang in her heart at the thought that she might never get to return there. "Remotely." She answered when he asked if she was warmer; she wasn't sure warmth was a thing that existed here.
Not looking at him, she picked up one of the slices of the bread and tore off a corner, eating it slowly. When she had finished chewing and swallowed, she glanced up at him. "You have something to say?" She asked, he had better have a reason for staying in here besides trying to get a look at her without her clothes on. He wanted to tell her... the rules? Well, he could tell her, but she would make no promises to keep to them. She didn't follow the rules back home, she had even less incentive to follow them here.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor de Winter on Jan 19, 2013 18:35:04 GMT -5
Cheeky little brat. "I have quite a lot to say; not that I know you are not about to faint with hunger and make me repeat myself." He watched her eat the bread for a moment then begin telling her what was expected of her. "You are here for a fortnight at most; your father is even now building an army to come get you. Until then however; your safety and my good graces go hand and hand."
"No more stunts like with the chair; if you cannot be civil; then you will be kept in a cell without contact to the outside world. If you harm anyone; you will be delt with like we do any criminal here."
"I have no wish to make this particularly uncomfortable for you; so as long as you behave like a good girl; you will not find your stay so." It was rule one; behave. "Are we in agreement?"
|
|
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 19:18:13 GMT -5
Syren didn't answer, instead watching him out of the corner of her eye while she tore off another small piece of the bread, eating it slowly despite the impulse to just stuff it all in her face. His rules sounded reasonable... but that didn't mean she'd adhere to any of them. He seemed to be forgetting one thing about her good behaviour. "Why should I trust anything you have to say?"
He hadn't exactly made a stunning first impression, although that could be said for most kidnappers, she imagined. But that wasn't the only reason. "You say that once my father gets here you'll let me go...but don't you plan to kill my father if he comes here? And all our soldiers? What happens to me then?" The whole point of starting a war was to kill your enemies; and she was the princess of Summer Land. If he was starting a war with them, why would he let her live once she was no longer useful?
|
|