•The•Two•Kingdoms

[BlaqueCatt]

Daniel stood and held out his hand for Strauss to shake. His blue eyes were much gentler than those of his youngest brother, and much warmer. "I look forward to working with you, Prince Crodequile. I hope that this plan of ours goes well." Raven avoided making eye contact with anyone and slid out of his chair, making his way over to the exit of the tent with silent footsteps.

 

"Is my horse still here?" he asked softly, looking out at the distant battlefield. Edmund came up behind him and nodded in confirmation.

 

"She is, it would have taken too much time to bring her back, so we kept her to help transport supplies." He flinched when the black-haired prince turned on him with a harsh glare.

 

"I hope she has not had to carry anything too heavy," he snapped before walking out of the tent. Behind him, Daniel let out a small, exasperated sigh.

[Teesie]

Strauss smiled and reached to shake the other's hand. The terrible thing was that he didn't know the other's name. "My pleasure to help you as much as I can." Well, that was one thumbs up for him. At least one of the dark haired teen's brothers liked him.

 

The red head glanced around for Raven to notice the teen had already left. Quickly dismissing himself with a nod to Daniel the Zelphia sire walked to exit the tent and was relieved to see the other standing at the entrance. Emerald orbs followed after the small, petit body as he stormed away.

 

"Raven!" Strauss called after the young prince, speeding to quickly catch up to the other. "Wait...are you ok?" Steadily jogging to catch up to the other before slowing to a walk.

[BlaqueCatt]

Why do you care? was Raven's initial thought, before he realized how childish it sounded and quickly dismissed it. "I am fine, thank you," he said quietly, still not meeting the others gaze. He was not sure why the older man wanted to speak to him after what had happened, unless it was to ridicule him for his previous idea. I wish they would leave me alone, he thought miserably, taking a turn around a wagon. He stopped when he saw the black-and-white mare tethered to another cart. "There you are," he whispered, all of the bitterness leaving his voice, replaced with affection. He quickly made his way over to the horse and untied her from the wood, removing the saddle, bit, and reins. "They did not hurt you, did they?" he asked softly, running his thin fingers through her mane.

 

The horse shook her head and stomped her hoof on the ground, butting her head against his chest. His smile widened, but he held back a laugh, not wanting anyone else to hear it. "I am sorry that I left you," he whispered, briefly closing his eyes while he pressed his cheek to her neck; even though she was only a mare, she was taller than the young prince. When the mare whinnied, he was reminded of his deceased horse and who had killed her.

[Teesie]

The red head sighed as he stopped walking beside the other. Raven said he was fine but it sure in hell didn't seem like it. The other was clearly pissed because he had to change the plan, which wasn't that big of a deal; although maybe it was a blow to the smaller's intelligence. That was not the Zelphia heir's intentions in the least. The naturally red head prince only wanted to protect as many men as be could. From his kingdom and also from the Verrandes kingdom. It was all just a plan to not have soldiers die because of a traitor.

 

Taking the necessary steps to once again catch up to the other, watching intently as the smaller male was having private time with a horse. One that seemed like the one that his men had shot at the river bank, but knew this one was different. Strauss wondered did Raven even held a grudge to him about that. "I'm sorry ok? I did not mean to offend or hurt you in any way." Biting into the flesh of his lip.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven narrowed his eyes and focused the blue orbs on his horse's neck as he fiddled with her hair, not turning to face Strauss. "Sorry for what, may I ask?" He kept his tone neutral even though he wanted very much to start an argument with the other; however he knew that would solve nothing. "If it is about the plan, do not worry; the change was minor, and if it does not work, I will be put in charge, which makes up for it." His bangs partially shielded his eyes from the red-head's view, and he held onto the horse a bit tighter, for some reason very uncomfortable under the older man's green gaze. He wished that one of his brothers would come and end the awkward conversation. Hurt me? You kidnapped me and killed my best friend. Of course you hurt me. he would never admit to that, though.

[Teesie]

Strauss was rendered speechless as he stared to the dark haired teen. There was an aura about the other to make the smaller seem yet so hurt and another that stated he wasn't confortable around him. That, and the red head could see the tightening grip the other has placed around the Mare. One's body language was also a sign of communication and the elder prince knew that, hence why he knew Raven was not comfortable.

 

"I can tell that you don't want me around and I'll respect that.. I just hope we can work together in the future to get through this problem at hand." He stated, releasing a sigh before stepping away from the other to give the emo-like boy enough space.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven huffed quietly and pulled his cowl over his head, wrapping his arm around the horse's neck and jumping up onto her back. So you want to play the peacemaker, huh? Using gentle tugs on the mare's mane and a light nudge with his foot, the black-haired prince turned the horse around and looked down at Strauss. "I hope so as well," he said with an icy smile, one that would seem genuine if the darkness in his eyes was overlooked. "Edmund will be accompanying you back to your kingdom. Meet him here in ten minutes." Without another word he and the horse made their way back to the central tent. Daniel and Stephen were getting their horses ready while Edmund was waiting patiently on his own horse for them to be finished.

[Teesie]

The elder teen watched after the other and slightly frowned after the young, black-haired prince before giving a long sigh. Raven was difficult to handle on a regular basis and Strauss was being dragged to the edge of the cleft. The emerald eyes gazed through the tree leaves and into the sky. The sun was beaming strongly but it didn't help the red head's mood when it beamed into his eyes. Groaning the heir to the Zelphia throne hastily averted his gaze back to the ground. There was one thing that the male didn't like about the current situation. Mainly, Raven wasn't traveling with him to his kingdom, it was his brother Edmund. There was no telling what the dark-haired male might do, but the ice prince trusted him.

 

"Damned kid and his strategies." Shaking his head and walking to the horse in which he was riding on before. It was one of the mammals that he liked of all, but it was no special to him than any other. There was where the red head and Raven was different.

[BlaqueCatt]

A few moments later a tall, dark brown stallion trotted up to Strauss and his own horse at an even pace. Edmund sat on top of the red saddle on the horse's back, his rather long blonde hair pulled back into a short ponytail. He grinned down at the red-head with ocean-blue eyes. "We'll have to wait a bit for Daniel to give the order to move out, but I thought it would be nice to give you some company, yeah?" He got down off of his horse so that he was on the ground with the other prince; he was only a few inches taller than the other. He was dressed in tan trousers with dark brown boots, a gold belt with his sword and sheath attached, and a light brown tunic with red trim; brightly colored when compared to his youngest brother's clothing style.

 

"And I'm sorry about earlier, the thing with Raven. He's a bit hard to get along with. I hope he didn't give you any trouble...before." He didn't completely trust Strauss, at least not around Raven; but alone with him he was eager to become friends.

[Teesie]

The red head looked up to the other prince with a surprisement. Edmund was actually being kind toward him. The red head could hardly believe it, due to the treatment early in the day. The one he could most likely tell had a dishonest opinion about him, though here he was being as gracious as ever. Strauss released the pent up worry, a smile sliding across his face.

 

"Well, I thank you for your concern. I understand Raven more than one would think. He's adequate enough." Smile widen as the thought swirled around his head of the kiss he had given the other. Even though the dark-haired male didn't enjoy it much, the red head couldn't agree. The soft feeling was seriously felicitous to the older man. "So with that being said, there is no need for apologies."

[BlaqueCatt]

Edmund nodded, though his uneasiness returned when he noticed how wide the other prince's smile had become. I wish Raven would tell me what exactly happened while he was gone...Daniel probably noticed it too; he's more bitter than usual. The young man leaned back against the cart behind them with his arms across his chest, glancing up at the blue sky and studying the clouds. "So, I guess you don't have any siblings, right? That makes you the heir to our kingdom?" He already knew this, as he had spent time learning about the 'enemy' with Daniel and Stephen, but he wanted to make conversation. "It must be hard. I'm the next in line if anything happens to Daniel. But he's got it worse than me. Let me guess: forced marriage?"

[Teesie]

Strauss watched the other with a bit of surprise. It seemed like all of the brother were like Raven, could tell certain aspects about one's life with just a simple glance. That was unnerving that was for sure, but then again it only attracted the red head. Strauss liked intelligent people, that was one reason that the emo-like prince had captured and engrossed his attention as well as interests. The heir to the Zelphia throne gave a small nod although, with a curious exterior.

 

"Yes, unfortunately my parents do not think it would be such a good idea if I was to pick my own spouse. I'm capable of doing such actions on my own, but they do not think so. I have to marry this woman name Rosalind. It's only because my father wants to a stronger army and to have the treaty pass. Seems like our family was in dispute all these years and we will be the ones uniting them. Father is also greedy, he wants to conquer more lands, but I assure you that this war wasn't on our behalf." Staring to the other with a small frown, although it was directed toward Edmund.

[BlaqueCatt]

The blonde-haired man nodded even though he did not quite understand what the other was going through. "That must be hard," he agreed, turning his gaze away from the sky and back to Strauss. "There's no way I would marry someone I didn't love. Unless, you actually like her?" His blue eyes became apologetic, and he uncrossed his arms and pushed off of the cart so he could face the other prince directly. "I'm sorry if that was offensive. I guess people can love each other in arranged marriages, right?" Next to him his horse suddenly reared up and whinnied, alerting Edmund to his brothers' arrival. Daniel was on the back of his pure white stallion, a gift from another kingdom, that was dressed with gold and red. Behind him was Raven on his small mare and Stephen on his dark gray stallion that was not as fancy as Daniel's but still appeared regal.

 

"Are the two of you ready to go?" the heir to the Verrandes throne asked in his calm, gentle voice.

[Teesie]

Strauss smiled lightly at the man apologizing for no apparent reason. Edmund had thought that the words that fell from his mouth was offensive, though they were not. Shaking his head to the blond haired man, the red head decided to explain. "No, no. There is no need to apologize. I wasn't offended in the least, it's perfectly fine." Strauss knew that the other didn't understand his full feelings, but at least the second oldest prince tried.

 

After another, the heir of Verrandes to be precise, prances over on the horse, the red head suddenly got a question. These two was handsome, none the less, but they were all blond. Raven had black hair, but yet shared the blue eyes the other's did. "Why is it that Raven decided to dye his hair?" The sire to Zelphia asked, watching the two for an answer. Strauss just assumed that the other had dyed his hair, as he had.

[BlaqueCatt]

As soon as the words left Strauss' lips the atmosphere changed dramatically. Edmund's smile vanished and his eyes narrowed, stopping in the middle of getting onto his horse in order to look up at Daniel with a cautious expression. Stephen lowered his head, not looking at anyone, and quietly cleared his throat, as if hoping that would change the subject. Raven, oddly enough, did not seem offended by this question and instead stayed completely silent, his blue eyes becoming distant as he went deep into his own thoughts, the red-head's words having caused some kind of chain of ideas. Daniel's eyes widened slightly and he shot his youngest brother a quick glance before turning back to the other prince and giving him a small, forced smile. "He did not dye his hair, Prince Crodequile. He was born with black hair. None of us are sure why." There were thousands of rumors spreading around the kingdom, but he would not consider them fact until his father admitted to one of them; for all he was concerned, it was just what nature had intended.

[Teesie]

The red head shivered as the atmosphere shifted in a more darker way. Seemed as if he had asked a forbidden question. Was the reason for the other dying his hair that terrible. Maybe it was a topic that Raven never thought on, one that the smaller male had forced everyone else to shut up about. Maybe it was the death of his most favorite horse, one that he was basically connected souls with. After a long silence, one of the brother's spoke up.

 

Stayed listened to Daniel and eyes widened. So this was the one that had rumors flowing around. The real 'black sheep' in the family. Now the green eyed male could tell why this family was so strange. He could also tell why the father possible didn't care if the younger prince died. At least that was what Raven had told him. Maybe, just maybe the dark haired teen wasn't the son of the king of Verrandes.

 

"My apologies. I didn't man to ask such a personal question."

[BlaqueCatt]

Daniel's forced smile became a bit more strained when he heard the apology. "It's fine, no harm done. Now, are the two of you ready?" His tone forced the mood to lighten, and Edmund gave an affirmative nod, pulling himself up and onto his horse. Stephen let out a heavy sigh of relief that Raven had not freaked out; at the moment Raven was lost in thought, not really paying attention to what was going on around him. However, what Daniel said next brought his attention back to reality. "Edmund, I've decided that Raven will go with you and Prince Crodequile. Stephen and I will be enough support for our kingdom." He did not mention that King Alistair would not listen to them if Raven was there when they explained the situation; the king always hated the youngest prince's ideas, even when they were good ones, and only agreed to most of them because he was outvoted.

[Teesie]

That brought a relief to the red head's body as well. Strauss was hoping that Raven would assist him to his kingdom, there he could have a intelligent male with him when confronting his father. Also, the Zelphia sire was surely more than willing to introduce the dark-haired teen as a friend. Emerald eyes glanced up to roam over the younger prince's face. He knew that maybe the other didn't feel the same, but not everyone's feelings were mutual.

 

Bowing slightly to the older princes demands, Strauss smiled slightly. "Thank you for listening to what Raven and I had found out. I'll be on my way then." Gesturing for the other two to follow him as the horse was guided back to his kingdom.

[BlaqueCatt]

Edmund twisted around on his saddle and gave Daniel a parting salute with the wrong hand, knowing how much it bothered his older brother. Daniel simply rolled his eyes at Edmund's childish behavior and returned the gesture with a small wave, keeping the small smile on his face. Raven narrowed his eyes, not at all happy about having to travel, but he gave no sign of protest, knowing that he would be ignored. Instead he tapped his horse's neck with his hand and urged the mare forward; soon the two Verrandes princes were trailing after Strauss. Raven was in the middle, as that was the position that provided the most protection, and Edmund brought up the rear.

 

"Can't wait to see your kingdom," the blonde commented, trying to create small-talk, as he was not one who enjoyed peaceful silence like his youngest brother. "Must be nice there." Raven bit back the retort of, 'speak in full sentences, idiot'.

[Teesie]

The red head let off a small smile before slowly glancing around the area, the wind blowing around them at a rapid speed. Emerald eyes gazed to the clouds, watching as some was a darker tint than the others, but it didn't seem too bad, not like a storm would sweep through. Averting his attention back to the blond haired prince, the Zelphia sire sighed.

 

"Yeah, it's not really much to see. Unless, of course, I am just use to the area. I do have a source of pride for the approaching fields. The gardens...are highly beautiful." Mind soon fussing up a sentence saying the same about Raven. Confused as to why he would think such a thing, Strauss shook his head, tightening his fingers around the reigns of the horse.

[BlaqueCatt]

As he rode his horse, sitting up straight in the saddle with an air of grace, Raven's icy blue eyes bore into the back of Strauss' head. He was unblinking, his eyes narrowed, his normally blank expression thoughtful but also suspicious. He did not trust the red-head, not after what had happened between them, and he was watching him intently, keeping an eye out for any slip up. He wanted to find out more about Strauss, a weakness, something he could use against him. The older man had indirectly challenged him, but it was a challenge nonetheless, and he was determined to win.

 

Behind the black-haired prince, Edmund frowned when he saw his younger brother's body stiffen and the muscles in his shoulders tense. This was a sign that he was focusing on something, and Raven was very observant even when he was not trying, which meant something was going on. "I see...I'm sure we'll like them, right Raven?" As expected, he received no verbal response, only a short, irritated huff.

[Teesie]

Strauss glanced back to the smaller male and gave a raise of the brow. It seemed like Raven had something going on in that intelligent head of his. Slowly pulling back on the reigns, the horse slowed until the red head was literally beside the youngest prince. "Is there something wrong? I hope that I can help you." Staring into the mysterious, icy blue eyes of the one that he found so beautiful. The Zelphia prince was highly attracted to the prince that was now beside him.

 

Raven looked to be pissed, or betterly described, annoyed with something. The older of the two, Strauss and Raven, knew that he was surely the reason. True that he was being nice, but the green eyed male knew that the other was upset for him over some reason. Maybe it was the fact that he had asked about the hair problem. That led to the rumors that the prince had heard a while ago, albeit it never occured to him that it was Raven. "Have I offended you in some way?" He asked, voice low so that Edmund could hear him.

 

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven was normally very level-headed and not one to engage in childish behavior or arguments that had no valuable outcome. But something about Strauss and his attitude and his appearance and his very presence made the black-haired prince feel as though the older man was the cause of every single problem he had ever been faced with in his entire life. It was irrational and unreasonable, contrary to Raven's usual behavior, but at that moment he did not care at all. He threw his logic out the window and averted his eyes from the others' green ones, glaring holes into the ground beneath his stilled horse. "You have done nothing wrong," he said snappily, and for the first time since Raven was younger than ten years old a pout appeared on his pale face. "I just do not like you." It was probably the most unintelligent thing the young man had said in years, and the red-head pulled it out of him with such ease that it could have been magic. Behind them, Edmund's blue eyes widened in shock when he came close enough to hear the last part of the exchange. Whoa...this is not good... Such a drastic behavioral change made it clear that something was wrong with the youngest of the three.

[Teesie]

The red head stared to the other, green eyes showing a bit of shock to the statement that Raven had given. Strauss closed his mouth, in which he didn't know was open. Giving a noticeable frown, the Zelphia prince gave a sneer as he quickened his horse to leave the dark haired teen behind., although not before saying something himself. "Well I'm not surprised for someone as you to feel that way about someone who cares for you. Doesn't look like you had much love, maybe you pushed it all away." The elder male voiced, giving hints too the feelings he harvested for the young Prince. When did it happen? Even Strauss was unsure, but it was present.

 

[BlaqueCatt]

The black-haired prince lifted his head and once again directed the icy blue glare at the back of Strauss' head; though this time his thoughts were a bit more clear. He did not miss the hint that the older man had given in his comeback, and the idea of the red-head caring for Raven confused the youngest man. He ignored the play towards his lack of love--though it stung, because he was right; his mother was only possessive and his father hated him--and nudged his horse with his foot to get her to start moving again. He brushed the hair from his eyes with his hand, since he had no reins to hold onto, and called out with a counter retort, "I pushed it away because I do not need it," he said, the lies coming out of his mouth much more smoothly than the truth; sometimes Raven felt so alone that he wanted to sleep forever, curl up and die in his room back at the castle. And I certainly do not need yours.