Love is not Required 18+ (Wolfenone and Dusutii)

[Wolfenone]

The council room had nothing but grim faces as he closed the door behind him. It wasn’t often that he was called into the council chamber, and at once his eyes went to his older brother, who couldn’t fold the straight face anymore and broke out into an annoying grin. The tension was thick in the air as the King, his father, and the elders all watched him walk to the center on the table and sit down in the stone chair. Their expressions mirrored each other’s.

 

“Jyden,” his father started. “You are being summoned to assist the kingdom as is the duty of the royal family. You are required to marry into a neighboring kingdom, the terms are as followed. You will each spend two months in each other’s kingdom before the marriage, the marriage is non- negotiable you will marry, you will remain honorable.“

 

“After the marriage you will both travel back and forth between the kingdoms to retain peace. This is also non-negotiable, we have talked with the King of the neighboring kingdom, and you leave in the morning. You are also granted to take your personal guards. You may go.”

 

Jyden stood up and walked outside the council hall and was several paces down the hall when he felt the heavy arm of his brother over his shoulder. The man was grinning like a mad man. He whispered into Jyden’s ear, the two men stopped, Jyden glared at his older brother.

 

“Are we not currently at war with them?” his voice calm despite his anger at this news. The older shrugged and left him in the hallway.

 

“By the way Jy,” the older brother turned. “Don’t get killed.”

 

Jyden scoffed and headed out to the field where he was before he was summoned. He calmed himself as he looked at the soldiers in the yard. He walked through as he tightened his leather arm guards on his wrists, the sound of ringing steal, the smell of sweat, man, and stale dirt was more his taste than the inside of the castle. He took a sword from one of the barrack hands and turned to his closest opponent.

The practice did his emotions good. He was able to calm down and actually think about what had happened as he packed his bags. His personal guard of five were already set to leave and the servants had did a fine job at packing for him.

 

His sleep was uneven at best and not at all at worst. By morning he tossed his bags into the carriage and took the reins of his mount and mounted up on the chestnut mare. His older brother and his younger brother saw him off. Jagen’s face didn’t actually have a grin on it anymore, Jyden was heading towards their enemy of many many years, and it was doubtful that Jyden was actually taking this all in stride. Jyden was smart in combat as proven in the actual battle field, and in tactics. Jyden was just into twenty, and had spent two years in the front lines, now he was riding into that territory.

 

“Don’t get killed,” Jagen said again, his youngest brother looked up at him and then to Jyden’s back.

[Lady.Taser]

There was a solid thud as the arrow landed dead center on the target, Daeniz didn't pause and prepared another arrow in his bow releasing it and watching it's path through the air. It landed next to the last arrow and so the cycle of shooting continued, the occasional pause as a servant gathered up the arrows and brought them back. This allowed Daeniz to think. While he shot his mind wandered back to earlier that day. His father's opulent throne room, courtiers lounging along the sides with their personal servants, it was a place he hated. The bright colours, excessive jewelery and the air so saturated with different perfumes mixing that he felt as though he would choke.

 

When he had reached the bottom of his fathers dais he fell to one knee and bowed his head, pausing before rising and looking directly at his father, something only the princes could do. "Daeniz, my youngest son." The kings voice filled the throne room, a clever little design feature with the acoustics that meant the peasants that he saw in here thought him all powerful, not the weak old man he was becoming. "This very day a prince from the neighbouring kingdom, our life enemies is setting out for our lands. You are to marry him, first he will be spending 2 months here with you, then you shall return with him to their kingdom for another 2 months. After you are married you will spend half a year in each kingdom. There will be no more my son, no more pointless deaths between our countries."

 

Daeniz scowled, why him? why was it he had been chosen, ah but then it was obvious. He had three older brothers all of which he could see in their own smaller thrones near the king's. They enjoyed the court room, one was the crown prince and he was required to provide an heir, another was an adviser for the king. The third, well he was a ladies man, marry him to anyone and their family would be howling for blood in a matter of days. Daeniz though? He was a warrior and with peace being made with their biggest enemy a single warrior was unimportant in comparison. With out saying another word he had left the room and gone straight to the archery grounds.

 

He shot until the light faded and he could no longer see his target, only the pleas of his personal servant finally clearing the fog in his head. As he headed to sleep for the night he listened to the servant's ramblings. There was still about two weeks until the prince arrived, plenty of time for things to happen. He might just need to go and see who he was being forced to marry.

 

The next morning he announced this to his servants and suddenly they were in a rush, packing things, dragging him to the baths and trying to dress him up in a courtly fashion. By the end of it he had failed to avoid the perfumes while they had failed to get him out of his normal dark blue tunic which laced up at the front. His dirty blonde hair was braided down his back and his green eyes stung from the perfume when he finally made his way down to the stables.

 

Mounting his stallion he grabbed only his bow, arrows and saddlebags full of supplies before charging out of the gates and towards the border town that lay closest to both lands.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden talked little to the guards as they traveled across the lands, he allowed himself to relax as much as he could. But sleep came little to him in the nights. It got better the closer to the border they got. Old habits however died very hard and the closer they got to the border the more he made sure his leather was on tightly, his horse was taken care of and his sword ready, his bow and arrows in easy reach and his attention was on everything. However the border was quiet, there wasn’t the sound of steel against armor or flesh, no dying bloody screams, though the smell still lingered with only a month or so of stand still. They passed the standing army just a few hours off the combat zone. Many still injured, many watched him and his guards pass by. Word had gotten to them. The carriage followed along.

 

He looked like a soldier, a guard rather than a prince when they went through the first town in the ‘enemy’ territory. He and the other’s dismounted and walked their horses through as was demanded in his own kingdom. The border towns always had it hard in war time. It wasn’t a surprise when sneers and look away were given, even when a couple of brave souls threw mud and more like cattle shit at the carriage. Jyden and his men took it all in stride. It wasn’t like the carriage was being used for anything other than luggage. Not that the others knew that.

 

They paused as a group of children ran past and when it was clear kept walking. They had agreed that they weren’t going to actually stay in any of the towns or villages in this territory. It would upset the simple folk, and they had it rough already. They paused just long enough to ask for the road to the capital of the territory. Jyden held onto the reins of his horse as he looked around at the town. It didn’t look to badly hit by the war.

The guard came back with a map and Jyden took it as the men gathered around him. Jyden turned it around and traced a couple of lines with his finger. “If we take this road, it should avoid most of the towns, it would take an extra day or two travel though.” He ran a hand though his shorter cut brown hair as he looked over the map with his men.

 

“If we push the beasts a little harder we can get there on time,” said a guard. Jyden looked at the carriage.

 

“Agreed but the carriage cannot be pushed as hard as single riders, even with the extra weight, no. Let’s get out of the town before they decide that they want to throw more things at us,” Jyden replied as he rolled the map up and turned to keep walking.

 

He gripped the hilt of his sword as he walked the movement subconscious on his end; this set the other guards into alert.

‘Don’t get killed,’ his brother’s words echoed in his mind was he watched the road, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

[Lady.Taser]

His journey had been swift, making good time to the border town and arriving there a mere 3 days after setting out from the castle. Most of the townsfolk knew who he was, the warrior prince who would ride through with his men, off to the front lines to defend them from the enemy. He hadn't let the army stay in the town, in fact the camp had been almost half a mile out towards the border, there were usually enough whores following an army of that size following the army that his men didn't need to go into town even when he allowed them a night off for female companionship.

 

He was welcomed and given a room in the mayors house and they even refused payment despite his offering. He knew it would be a few days until his.... marriage partner arrived and the thought still made him scowl he passed the time by playing with the children, teaching archery to the young men of the village who wished to learn and talking with the mayor in regards to the peace. It was likely to be an unsteady peace as he doubted the enemy... well he should probably call them allies now, though the thought was souring. Either way he doubted they would send a weak willed prince for this.

 

The day that they arrived in the town Daeniz had been tending to his horse in one of the fields just out side the village and one of the children ran up to tell him they were there. It wasn't long before he was following their path not far behind them, a dusty brown cloak over his shoulders and head to hide who he was. The townsfolk were not being kind but then that was to be expected. In fact it made him laugh that his people knew there was going to be a peace but still had the courage to throw things at the carriage. The carriage however confused him, would a strong willed prince hide himself away in a carriage or was it just a decoy? Daeniz was at the wrong angle to study the guards and see which faces ne knew. Also despite having been on the same battlefield as at least one of the enemy princes he was always at a distance and had never had a chance to study the man's face, so it was unlikely he would recognise that prince even if he were there.

 

When the guards stopped for a discussion he continued walking, takings a side road and back tracking to the mayors house where he proceeded to pick up his bag and weapon's, Thank the mayor and his wife for the hospitable stay and explain that he was now going to accompany the prince back to the capital. On his way out of the town he stopped by a merchant or two buying supplies and keeping the hood of his cloak up.

 

He didn't plan on the prince or the man's guards seeing him and so waited outside the town the other side of some trees for the convoy to emerge from the town and head towards the city, keeping pace with them through the trees and keeping his horse as quiet as he could. Even if he lost them it would be fine, there were only a few route they knew off to get the city and there would be tell tale signs at the cross roads as to which direction they had taken.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden had spent two years on the border, he looked towards the trees and to the road and around them. The guards waited as he studied the area, a few of the towns folk watching them leave. He mounted the horse and circled around the small group of men once as they mounted. He paused his mare to look out in the forest. The woods unsettled him.

 

“Egan and Ian take the rear, Greg and Hail will take the sides, Morgen your front with me,” he commanded. “Ear and eyes sharp,” he finished as they started on. Jyden took the map back out and studied it as they traveled. They camped at night with shift watches. The carriage remained close, but never once bothered. They took care of their horses, each man tended his own beast and they rotated on the carriage horse. They kept their fires small and they stayed off the road. They respected the traveling merchants giving them head way of the road. Even asking directions from one of them to make sure they were on the right road. This far in the territory worried Jyden as he still couldn’t shake the feeling that there was danger nearby.

 

A messenger arrived to them when they were just a few hours away from the city. The small band of people stopped as he took the message from the man and read it over. “An escort will meet us here,” he said to the others as they moved off the road to wait for the men. They didn’t have to wait long. Jyden and his men frowned at the sheer number of men. His hand went to his hilt at once, his training and his time in war telling him to draw and be ready for an attack. They moved around them, Jyden watched them as he and his men turned with their backs facing each other. The soldiers didn’t move to draw weapons though.

 

Moving first he mounted, his men followed suit and they marched off.

 

“I don’t like this many men around us,” Egan whispered to Jyden, he was a bit larger than Jyden and one of his oldest guards.

 

“I don’t believe they would risk killing a prince so close and in the open like this,” Jyden whispered back. “Though an assassination attempt I wouldn’t be surprised at.”

 

Egan nodded and dropped back a pace. The city came into view not long after, Jyden looked at it. It wasn’t all that different but yet so very much so, his own city was circular in design with the place, academy, and over temple in the center, winding roads around the city so there wasn’t a single straight path to the palace outer walls. This though, this was going to be his home for the next two months and then for longer after that.

[Lady.Taser]

After the first night Daeniz knew there was no one traveling in the carriage, even a prince needs to eat and not a single person entered or left the carriage with food. He also knew which one the prince was and while he was attractive Daeniz couldn't imagine being married to the man, though he wouldn't have to imagine it soon with there being no choice in the matter.

 

He kept pace with the occasionally falling behind during the day but always finding their camp in the evening. With all of his supplies being fruit or dried meats he didn't need to build a fire and give away that he was there. Luckily it was summer at this point and the nights were warm, he was also close enough to the others fire that beasts did not venture close to him. Those that did and were a threat met the pointed end of an arrow.

 

On the final day of the journey the men and carriage were met by first a messenger and then an escort. Daeniz struggled to stifle a laugh. Who had decided that was an appropriate number of men for an escort, that was more of a patrol guard. Must have been his oldest brother Taerurn, despite being crown prince the man was useless when it came to organising the soldiers. Also the palace was probably in an uproar at him not being there after all, he had left without telling most of them.

 

With a grin he urged his horse on quickly moving past the large escort and then after a while back onto the road, just until he made it to the outer wall of the city, at which point he stopped and dismounted letting the stallion graze on the grass that abundantly filled both sides of the road. Daeniz himself leaned up against the entrance or the gate and waved the guards off when they tried to move him along. Once the guards knew who he was and left him alone he pulled the hood old his cloak up again and watched the road waiting for them to arrive.

 

He watched the foreigners look at the city and let them have a good long look before speaking. "So which Prince is it they have sent?" Daeniz grinned as the head of the escort marched up to him completely outraged that such a peasant was talking in that manner. After a few moments of loud lecturing he couldn't help but laugh loudly as he pulled back the hood of the cloak. The smaller man in front of him stammered and the shouting fizzled out into apologies. "It's alright Reynold, you'll be fine, but i'm sure I can handle the escort from here." Patting the man on the back he walked past standing just in front of the men. "Right I want all bar you ten to head back to barracks, we do not need an army making its way through the city." The rest of the men saluted and made a quick exit and Reynold ran off, presumably to inform the royals waiting at the palace that the warrior prince had returned and taken over the escort.

 

When the men had gone Daeniz hardened his face as he looked over the party he had been trailing for the past days, his eyes settling on the prince. "My name is Prince Daeniz, I will be escorting you the rest of the way to the palace." He conveniently left out that he was also the marriage partner and that he had been traveling though that should be clear from the state of his clothing, which was covered in dust. Collecting his horse he turned to stared leading them through the city which was on a hill, with the palace being at the top of the hill and only one road leading there.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden’s attention turned to one of the escort men and another man talking. He signaled for the men to dismount as he did as well.

 

“Prince Jyden of Rethallen ,” was the reply, from Jyden himself. His steel colored eyes didn’t move from Daeniz. Jyden wasn’t a fool either, his expression gave nothing away to the man, he already felt unnerved, there were tales of Daeniz from the border war on his side. Again his hand rested on the hilt of his blade as the other held the reins loosely in hand. The mare shook her head and rubbed her cheek against his leather clad shoulder.

 

They followed the prince through the city; his guard kept looking around as Jyden himself kept his eyes locked on the man before him. In a fight he would have to get to cover quickly if the bow and quiver had anything to say about the man. Remain honorable… don’t get killed….

 

He was a lone prince in the enemy kingdom… capital city, with only a hand full of guards, he was putting a hell a lot of trust in these people, though his gut was telling him he would be dead before the weeks out, and have it blamed on an assassin from outside the lands…. His grip on his mare’s reins tightened as he glared at the back of the man’s head.

 

The city was well for itself if the market was anything to go by, and the sounds of normal everyday life, animals walling, children’s calls of play, the chatter of bartering in shops and at stalls, the pounding of blacksmiths, flap of clothing, it was a city much like his own. He could relax in these sounds, even the even clatter of marching patrols. However the closer they got to the place the more the smell became noticeable.

 

Egan coughed to his side and he turned his head just enough to look at him as the man rubbed his nose. Jyden turned his attention back to the man leading them through the city. The palace itself was grand and majestic in its own right. He slowed slightly to get a better view of the structure that was his, dare he say again, home for the next couple of months.

[Lady.Taser]

The prince was nervous, it made him grin at how uncomfortable the man was here. Though even Jyden would be, even with all of the stories told about the man he was still outnumbered when in an enemy city. The funny thing was Daeniz had expected Jyden to be monstrous from the stories, not this good looking prince. At the very least he wasn't to be married to a hideous beast, which would probably greatly disappoint at least one of his brothers.

 

As the followed the main road through the city Daeniz's smile slowly diminished as the gates to the palace grew clearer. *looking over his shoulder he regarded Jyden for a few moments before the sound of the gates being opened drew his gaze back forwards and he called out the them. "Welcome to the country of Selanem's Palace, Prince Jyden." reducing his voice to a mutter which he hoped wouldn't be heard by the man approaching through the gates, "Or as I prefer to call it... hell."

 

"Prince Daeniz, You can't just go running off like that. The king is furious with you. Where did you even go for two whole weeks." With a sigh Daeniz pointed over his shoulder at the group behind and then walked past the flustered royal steward.

 

"First there will be an audience with my father, before they will let you settle down. I do not know where they have placed you quarters but I am sure we will find out when in there" Guiding them first to the stables he handed his horse back to his stable boy who quickly welcomed the horse. Calling over a few more stable boys he ordered them to take care of the visiting parties mounts.

 

"All weapons must be left outside the throne room... and if you have anything to cover your nose with I recommend you get it out now." Prince Daeniz loved his country, but he hated the court, he would much rather be out training or spending time among the peasants rather than dealing with formalities and marriages of convenience and yet he had no choice as a prince of the country. Leaving the dusty cloak with his weapons he began to lead them in to the throne room, and he prayed that the courtiers had toned their tastes down in the past two weeks...

[Wolfenone]

Egan cleared his throat, Jyden turned to look at him again he was still rubbing his nose. Jyden looked at the rest of his guards they already had their scarfs up around their faces even before the prince said anything. He could smell the perfumes as well and he imagined that it was going to be even more over powering once they were inside.

 

They walked towards the stables, Ian and Morgen handed their reins to Hail as they walked towards the stables. Jyden shook his head.

 

“It’s a stable,” he growled at them as he moved to his saddle bags. He took out two arm bracers, removing the solid leather ones for the ones with a bit of metal. “You are insane if you think I am going anywhere in this land without a weapon, I am sure you understand this as I know you would not want to go anywhere in my kingdom without a weapon.” he replied to the comment of leaving weapons outside the throne room. “Morgen, Greg you will be stationed outside the throne room, our swords will be under your watch I want them back in place when we leave that chamber.” The bracers now tied onto his wrists he took off the saddle bags and walked to the carriage, he threw the bags inside and pulled out a case that he handed to Ian when the guard came back around.

 

Walking after Daeniz they paused outside the throne room and handed their swords and traveling cloaks to Morgen and Greg. The two men stood on either side of the throne doors. Egan coughed again when they entered the room. Jyden scanned the room quickly.

 

“Seventeen,” Egan whispered.

 

“Twenty-two,” Jyden corrected in a whisper, “but I am guessing more. Ian, Hail,” he gazed towards the guards they placed hand to heart and fell behind Jyden. He walked towards the throne and the men sitting in the chairs. He stopped a few paces away. His guards dropped to a knee. He did not; he bowed at his waist before straightening. He wore dark leather armor over tan colored long sleeve leather woven shirt; his pants were dark cotton with leather armor over. Leather boots and extra leather armor around the caves and ankles. His arms were also covered in leather guards. He had steel blue eyes, and short dark hair, no facial hair to speak of. He was combat built, and the way he carried himself spoke of time in war. He wore two belts, one for his armored clothing and one that held the scabbard and sword that he left with Morgen.

 

“I am Jyden Qwen of Rethallen, second prince,” he introduced himself to the room. “In my company are My first guard Egan, Ian, Hail,” he opened his hand to each in turn, “Morgen and Greg are out standing watch outside this room.” Ian moved to stand before Jyden, formalities always took forever. “My father sends a small gift to you,” he said as Ian opened the case and several bolts of very fine silk rest in the padded case. “Silk spun from the cave silk spiders in the northern part of Rethallen.”

[Lady.Taser]

Muttering under his breath he walked ahead he knew no one would hear him. "Its not like I like leaving my weapon even in my own country, let alone yours." As he approached the throne he bent to a knee as did Jyden's guards. As he rose again he heard the whispers. Well they were more vocalised than mere whispers and as he glanced behind him they all made sense. The courtiers already buzzing about the rudeness of this foreign prince who dares to not fall to his knees as even the royal family do.

 

No one interrupted the foreign prince as only the King had the power to do so in the throne room and the King seemed to not be bothered about the lack in the man's manners. Or more precisely as one of the main supporters of the alliance he was more open to the different culture of their long standing enemies. A culture Daeniz would soon have to adjust to. Summoning a servant to accept the silk the King stood from his throne and spread his arms wide as he addressed the court. "I Welcome you Prince Jyden Qwen of Rethallen to the Palace of Selanem. Please learn to treat this as your home and be assured that no harm whilst you reside within these walls. I also thank your father for this valuable gift." Lowering his arms and resuming sitting he continued talking more pointedly at the two princes.

 

"You shall spend two months here with us as I am sure you have heard from your father. Then my own son Daeniz will accompany you back to your own kingdom for a two month stay before the wedding between the two of you. I regretfully say his grooming is not up to the standard we expect from royalty...." The King stopped in his speech as Daeniz scoffed at the words. He had moved to one side leaning against one of the pillars lining the throne room and crossed his arms.

 

Now he took a single step forward before a sarcastic bow. "Well father you will have to excuse me, but it seems my presence here is not required nor wanted. I shall be going now and you never know, on my way i may magically learn to present myself in a way you deem appropriate!" With a sharp turn Daeniz marches out of the throne room.

 

With a slight pause the king goes to continue as though nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. "Along with his grooming he is also rather headstrong and the least likely to die. Now there will be a ceremony and banquet tomorrow where we shall present you both to the nobles of the land and the peasantry gathered in the city. There will be servants waiting for you outside the throne room, they will escort you and your guards to your chambers and you may ask them for anything you need. I shall say this now though, your chambers are attached to Daeniz's chambers and you will make use of them, your guards will be required to stay in the barracks during the nights."

 

Once exiting the throne room Daeniz picked up his bow, however left the traveling cloak for one of the servants to sort out and headed straight back to his chambers, pulling at the tie in his hair that kept it braided and letting the hair fall down loose across his shoulders. When he arrived he ordered the water to be heated for a bath as he cared for his bow before storing it on a weapon rack by the door.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden remained silent as the King made a gesture to a servant, Jyden watched as Ian closed the case and nodded to the servant as he moved back behind Jyden and knelt once more. Jyden turned his attention then to the King as he started to talk. He nodded his head down once in reply to the King about treating this place as home. Which was as far away from his home as he ever wanted to be and so deep in enemy territory as he was he doubt very much that he would treat this as home. He kept his face neutral as the man went on, yes he knew about the two months stay, and he would secretly be counting those days down. Sixty-one days.

 

When Daeniz scoffed at the statement of being groomed he turned his head to look at his future… partner. He was excusing himself from the court, Egan watched him as well the guards jaw tightening as he looked back to the floor. Jyden turned his head just enough to watch him leave, he turned back to the King when the man started talking again. His brow lifted slightly at him, Egan’s shoulders moved just slightly. Least likely to die, did people of this land see him as a man eating monster? Then he was completely taken by shock when the king suggested, no, told him that he was to make use of their connected rooms.

 

When the man stopped talking for a length Jyden regained his thoughts quickly and bowed at the waist once more. “Thank you for your hospitality your majesty, I shall include your thanks in my message to my father of my safe arrival.” He responded as he stood there for a length.

 

After a long pause and whispers again Egan stood up, “I think we’re dismissed sire,” he said softly, Jyden nodded his head and bowed again to the King, before he took four steps backwards before turning to leave.

 

Once outside in the hall he took his sword from Greg. He looked at the servants. “First things first,” he started. “If one of you would please retrieve books on laws, territories, maps, the noble court and customs, also something on holidays and celebrations I will want to review them. I would also like a list of all noble families’ names how long they have been in court, crests and colors, please take them to my chambers. Secondly I want to see these barracks and meet the armsmaster and captain of the guard before anything else is done, Ian and Greg will take the luggage to my chambers. Egan you will come with me to speak with the captain of the palace guard, I want to know why there won’t be guards on my door,” he said as he started to walk down the hallway, “Egan can you confirm what …” he paused and looked at his first guard. “I didn’t get their names…”

 

“You didn’t,” Egan replied to him. “But yes, it sounded like he wanted you to bed his son…”

 

Jyden shook his head, “Egan,” he gazed at the guard over his shoulder.

 

“Apologizes,” Jyden waved off the apology. “You mean about his son dying,” Jyden nodded his head as he turned down a hallway. His guards and the servants following him, he stopped and turned to look around.

 

“For the love of the Goddess’s tits where am I?” Jyden asked as his guards laughed at him. Jyden turned to them and started to chuckle himself. After a moment he turned to the servants. One ran off to more than likely do the first request.

 

"Jyden," Egan started, "I believe its best to wait on the barracks and the captain of the guard until tomorrow. We will be fine. Worse come to worse we'll get rooms at an inn, we have coin enough."

 

"It's not-" Jyden looked at Egan. The guard shook his head.

 

"You spent two years on the boarder in war Jyden, you can survive two months in a palace without guards breathing down your neck. Besides the king desires you and his son to bed it wouldn't do very well if we stood outside the door to listen to him squeal."

 

"You assume I am going to bed him," Jyden looked at him.

 

"Well think of it this way, if you dont here you will be required to provide proof of your deeds the night of your wedding, so either way. I would suggest you get use to trying to get aroused in his company."

 

He turned to the servant who had turned bright red. "Please take me to my chambers."

 

They followed the blushing servant as he walked into the room, he went through and opened the doors in the room. He found the one that connected to Daeniz's chambers and closed it. Then the one to the shared bathing chambers. "Thank you you may leave."

 

Once they were out of his room he removed the sword and placed it on a table, he looked at the blade. How many of these peoples lives did he take with this blade.

[Lady.Taser]

Once he had put his bow down Daeniz sat on one of the plush, cushioned seats in the room and massaged his forehead. "Stupid family, thinking they can say what they like. I give it a day before my brothers start ribbing me about having to marry a man." With a large sigh he rested his head back and stared at the ceiling for a few moments, wondering what was actually going to happen now. There was no way out of this marriage that he could see, not that allowed him to stay in his country anyway. A light knock disturbed he thoughts as a young servant informed him that the water was ready.

 

He grimaced as he stood up, were things so bad in places that children had to become servants? Either way it left a bad taste in his mouth and he was going to have to make sure the children were not sent to serve him in future. "Thank you, you may leave now." The child bowed gracefully and left as Daeniz began to strip. Unlacing the front of his tunic just enough so he could pull the material over his head before discarding it and then looking at the mirror which had been placed inside the room. He had numerous scars across his body and he was only 22. Some of the scars were almost ten years old, remnants of training bouts messed up, even one assassination attempt. The newest scar was merely months old from the most recent skirmish on the border with the army of the man who he was to marry.

 

It was still tender to the touch and red at the edges, one of the enemy archers had been lucky and a stray arrow had caught Daeniz in the left side of his stomach. Turning away from the mirror he headed towards the bathing chamber, throwing his boots into a corner and pausing once more at the entrance to the room to pull of the remainder of his clothes.

 

Luckily it was warm and there was no chill in the air as he stood naked going into the room, looking around he admired his bathing room. Even among the extravagance here it was a one of a kind for the city. Most simply dealt with large tubs in the center of a room as they had no natural hot springs or anything to draw water from. Daeniz though, had order the bath to be sunk into the floor and to take up a good portion of the floor space. Then he had artisans lay mosaics over the floor, walls and ceiling of the whole room, ordering them to make sure it was waterproof. It had taken time but it gave Daeniz somewhere he could relax well after training or fighting, and if he had a particularly bad wound he was able to walk into the water as opposed to having to climb into it.

 

Steam rose in the room from the water and it made Daeniz smile as he walked over to the center of the room, he loved the heat but but always had both doors to the room wide open when he bathed to keep some of the steam away, increasing visibility. Also he quite simple like the chill of the air when he got out of the water. He wandered over to the bath slowly stepping in and hearing the water move, watching the ripples caused by his foot. It wasn't long before he walked fully into the lowered tub, the water swirling at his chest. Moving over to a built in seat he sat on it , resting his head on the cool mosaic of the wall and closed his eyes. Quietly at first and then growing in volume he began to hum, a simple tune that had been taught to him many years before.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden watched his sword, his arms spread to either side of it as the one servant walked in with the requested books. He nodded to the male as he left. Ian was then shortly after the servant with his saddle packs and his luggage pack. Ian tossed both items on the trunk at the end of the bed as Greg stood by the door. Jyden turned to them nodded his head once. They placed hand to heart and left him; closing the door behind them Jyden walked over to the door and closed the bolt home. He then unlaced the metal and leather bracers and tossed them with his packs. Then off came the thick leather boots and leg armor that too was tossed with his packs. He walked to the doors leading outside as he made sure they were also locked and closed the heavy drapes before tugging his leather armor and shirt off his body. Like the rest of his armor and clothing he tossed it to the growing pile of items on the chest. He walked over to the packs finally and dug around them for a moment. On his pants there was a thin belt with four long pieces of metal, one end blunt, the other end trapped in small leather like sheaths, they held the sharp end.

 

He stood there a moment before he paused and listened. He turned quickly and ducked low his hands pulling out one of the metal dagger darts. His eyes scanned around as he crept towards the open door keeping his body as low to the floor as possible. The bathing chamber had someone inside it. Daeniz. He had forgotten for a moment that their chambers shared he guessed not only a door but the bathing room as well. He watched silently, standing up and leaning against the door frame. He had to admit, the other had a good body, and like him Daeniz had scars.

 

Jyden didn’t have any on his back however, he had never turned his back on a living enemy, and he didn’t plan on starting. He placed the dagger dart back into its holder as he watched the other sink into the water. Then start to hum. Jyden listened to it resonate off the masonic walls. He was silent for a while, however the steam was making the road dust and grim on him more pronounced.

 

“Can’t say that I have heard that tune before,” he finally said. His eyes watching the archer, his fingers danced lightly over his dagger darts and his lips turned up into a smirk. “You’re father said something along the lines of, ‘I shall say this now though, your chambers are attached to Daeniz’s chambers and you will make use of them,’” he paused to judge Daeniz reactions. “I have no intentions of bedding you anytime soon, or ever if it can be avoided. That shouldn’t be a problem for you, is it?” his expression was harden, but not hostile. “Know and understand this Daeniz, we are to marry, that is unavoidable. If I catch anyone in your bed or you in anyone else’s I will kill them, my kingdom or not. This is non-negotiable.”

[Lady.Taser]

The voice echoed off the walls and jolted Daeniz out of his reverie. Standing straight up the water now reached to just below his waist and the splashes from his sudden movement were for a moment the only sound between them. His eyes which had been wide from surprise now narrowed and he swung a first out, the side colliding with the wall. "I bet that was all my brothers Idea as well!" Taking steps towards Jyden he scowled at the man.

 

"For a start if you had heard that tune before I would worry that you were not truly who you claim to be seeing as it is known only by a small handful of this countries royalty." Pausing his eyes scanned the man who was wearing considerably less than when he had last seen the man. He also looked like he was in need of a wash. Daeniz walked behind Jyden and pushed him towards the bath, muttering at the man to get in while walking past and back into the waters.

 

"Second." Looking pointedly at Jyden from the water Daeniz continued his voice steely and slightly angry. "You expect me to be celibate? I am not allowed to sleep with anyone and you refuse to? What do you think I am a damned monk or something." meeting Jyden's eyes he began to smirk. "You realise that if you impose those rules on me I shall do the same to you correct? Well not that anyone but your own guards may be willing to sleep with you here. My Father may want peace but there is still lot of hatred towards your country." He laughed and ducked his head under water quickly, feeling the weight of his hair as he resurfaced, the strands sticking to his back.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden watched him and as he approached his fingers twitched towards his dagger darts however seeing as Daeniz was truly naked his hand relaxed, even when the other walked behind him and shoved his back. There were no scars on his back, however many on his chest stomach and arms. He was pushed forward a step and watched as the other went back into the water. He finally stripped of his pants; however he placed the dagger darts close to the edge of the tub. His hips and legs were also scared.

 

He walked into the water his eyes remaining on Daeniz as he moved his back against the edge of the tub, easily in reaching distance of his dagger darts. “I am sure you have plenty of music I have never heard,” he replied.

 

He started to chuckle at Daeniz words. “It’s not like I slept with anyone so I don’t see how it’s any different than now…” he paused for a moment, “I shouldn’t have said that.” His eyes met the other man for a moment. “You act as if I want to sleep with anyone,” again he paused. “However there is a problem to my little plan, it is a requirement that we show proof of our… bonding after we are wedded the next day to the court… my brother’s wife was so embarrassed over it when they showed the court… besides Egan already wants to hear you squeal.” He laughed at Daeniz as he said this.

 

“Besides it’s not like there is a line of courtiers for you Archer, would you rather I not care who or what you sleep with? Wouldn’t that look bad not only in my court, but yours as well?” he lifted a brow at him. His eyes however didn’t stop traveling over where the water dripped from his hair. He shifted slightly and moved closer to him. “Or are you more into having Egan listen to you squeal?” he questioned the other his body getting rather close to the other, his fingertips lightly brushed against the wound he had saw on the other.

[Lady.Taser]

Raisingn an eyebrow Daeniz lets Jyden move close until they are standing barely a breath apart. His face tensed as the wound was touched, pain showing in his eyes and a slight wince. It was quickly covered up with a grin on his face. "Never slept with anyone eh?" Moving his hands quickly he grabbed Jyden's crotch. "You mean you have never used this for it's best purpose. You are missing out, and yet you think you can tell me who I can sleep with?" Laughing he pushed away from the other and went to where the soaps were kept. Using a large amount he started to rub the soap into his hair making sure that he got all of the hair from root to tip.

 

All of the soaps he was given were unscented after an incident a couple of years ago where Daeniz had yelled at his brothers for mixing a womans perfume in with his soaps. The jokes about how he had become a woman were demeaning and a few people were almost used as target practice. "This proof they need to see what is it exactly? Also I would appreciate it if you didn't make it sound like I bed animals as I would much prefer you didn't care who I slept with, then I might actually be able to." Rinsing out his hair he tossed the soap over to Jyden so that the man could either use it or not, Daeniz didn't really care in all honesty.

 

Grabbing a lathering soap he began to wash the grime from his body, the dirt had stuck close during the week he hadn't had access to a proper bath and he was relishing in getting to wash it away. Now running his own fingers over the wound as Jyden had Daeniz looked thoughtful and went back over to the other prince, grabbing the back of his neck with one hand and pulling him close so that Daeniz was whispering in his ear. "Yes I may be into that, but you couldn't make me squeal even if you tried, Mr Virgin Prince!"

[Wolfenone]

Jyden didn’t even flinch when Daeniz’s hand went to his groin. He kept his gaze on the other male. “I am second son, and by the time I was allowed to marry I was sent to the boarder, and the boarder is the last place I would look for bed company,” he replied easily enough his lips twitching, his hand grabbed the other’s arm, “seeing as how we will be married, I can tell you to remain honorable to me as I am to you.” He let the other go when he went to move away. He moved back towards the edge of the tub and dunked under the water and came back up brushing his short dark hair back out of his eyes.

 

“With Jagen and Alliena they had to provide their bed sheets, same with my father and… the Queen,” he shrugged a shoulder at that, “I don’t know what they will do for two males,” he responded and caught the soap that was thrown at him. He used the soap in his hair and scrubbed his face, arms, shoulders and chest with the soap before he dunked under the water to rinse it all away, surfacing again he brushed his hair back with his fingers again and saw Daeniz before him.

 

With his arms still up the archer took his neck and lowered his face some. Water dripped from his eyes he had to blink a couple of times to clear them. His hands lowered slowly down and took hold of Daeniz’s hips. He locked eyes with the other male for a moment before he shoved him against the wall closest to him, not even a step away. Rough calloused hands gripped hips tighter holding him back.

 

“I will not succumb to your charms so easily Archer. What I said stands, if you tempt me with that, I will inform your father of the actions and what the consequence are. If I must,” he lowered his voice to a whisper against the other’s ear, “I will ruin you…”

 

He straightened himself from Daeniz. “Have I made myself clear?”

[Lady.Taser]

Daeniz hadn't been joking when he said he was into sleeping with other men and it had been a while since he had lain with either man or woman so when Jyden grasped his hips and pinned him against the wall Daeniz smirked. The man pushing him into the wall was strong, attractive and well to put it bluntly naked and pushing him against a wall.

 

Daeniz couldn't say he was very fond of the man, however his body was trying to have other ideas and it took a lot of control to ignore what his body said. Letting the man speak, a small, almost imperceptible shiver as the words were whispered in his ear. He almost wanted to tempt the man, make him prove the words but he held his tongue as Jyden stepped back.

 

The smirk still on his face he pushed away from the wall and ducked under the water, fully washing off the soap before ascending the steps out of the bath and then turning to face Jyden, not even bothing to hide his body's excitement. "Clear? Yes perfectly so. Though I don't believe you could ruin me." Turning he headed over to the exit for his room, leaning against the door frame quickly. "Oh my father wouldn't do anything, here it is common for royalty and nobles to have a marriage partner and mnay other bed partners besides. Luckily for you they are all far too purfumed for my tastes."

 

Leaving the door frame and slamming the door Daeniz made sure to bolt it as he left and headed over to where there were some extra towels in the room having fortgotten to pick up the towel that was in the bathing room for use. drying himself off he lay the towel over the pillows of the bed and lay down on the bed with his hair all on the towel. Mentally berating his body for being excited by that man, someone he had faced on the battle field many times and someone he was being forcibly married to.

 

Musing over the situation Daeniz wondered if he should find a lover, people here would find it weird if he didn't, even with the marriage having been arranged. He said his father would do nothing, however his father was possibly the only one who would just to make sure relations weren't soured with Jyden's family ahnd country. Maybe he should have lovers just to spite the man and his relations. A thoguht short lived as if the war were to restart the peasants would suffer and it would be all his fault. That wasn't the blood he wanted on his hands, not for something so irresponsible. Though that didn't stop him having a little fun with annoying the man.

 

He started laughing, all in all it had been an annoyingly amusing day. At least he wasn't being forced to maybe some perfumed idiot. Despite the fact his new fiance was barring him front most sexual activity he had ways to annoy the man and he had been able to have decent bath for the first time in a couple of weeks. Removing the towel from the pillows he got up and hung it over the back of a chair in the room, pulling on a pair of trousers and lacing them up before throwing back the blankets on the bed and using only the thinest one to sleep under. Before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep Daniz slid his hand under the pillow finding the sheathed dagger that hen kept there.

[Wolfenone]

Jyden watched him as he gathered soap and started to scrub his arms. He turned to Daeniz when the male started to leave his brow lifted at his arousal but he said nothing of it. He smirked when the other started talking again and about what his father would or wouldn’t allow. He knew what he was going to be doing in the morning then. After he finished washing himself he started to leave the tub. He grabbed a towel and let out a breath as he turned to Daeniz.

 

“I see,” he responded, picking up his dagger darts he heard the other slam the door and bolt it shut. He walked into his own room for the time being. Egan was leaning against a wall arms folded and he too was freshly bathed.

 

“Country full of whores,” Egan mumbled.

 

“Not whores as so much loose with morals, the barracks?”

 

“Clean, orderly, and they have agreed to house us as the King had said. There is tension, a lot of it, that’s to be expected though,” he said turning his head to the side as the laughter rang through. Egan turned to Jyden as the prince shrugged. He dried off and dressed in a pair of cotton pants and a loose shirt from his pack. Walking over he took the pitcher of watered wine, and poured himself and Egan a goblet. He took the top bound silvers of parchment and looked over it.

 

Taking a sip he started to read off the nobles of the land, who is currently Lords and Ladies, their crest and colors if any applied and their child if given. Walking back and forth as he did so, Egan sat down in the chair and cut into the bread and cheese. After a couple of times through he handed the parchment to Egan, they went over the names, crests and such while the moon started to rise. Jyden turned to Egan as the man stood up.

 

“I have to get to the barracks, see you at dawn Jy,” Egan excused himself. Jyden rubbed his face with his hands before, bolting his doors locked. He turned out most of the oil lamps and headed to the bed with the book of law. Dagger to his side and dagger darts strapped to his thigh he lay down and started to read until he couldn’t keep his eyes open.

 

The light just before true dawn showed itself, he stood, sweat running down his neck to soak the padding and leather making it stick to his body. Egan stood in front of him, he was favoring his left foot, an injury caused in early practice, like wise blood was slicking his hilt, the cut on his sword arm had started to bother him at first, but now it was just annoying. This last exchange would be their last, and they both knew it. Jyden licked his lips watching, then the man lashed out, a shallow thrust, Jyden blocked the sword but Egan’s fist connected to his side, grunting through the pain, Jyden kicked his foot out towards Egan’s injured one, knocking the man down. They waited a few breaths before Egan stood up and moaned as he put weight on his foot.

 

“Is that injury going to hinder your duty?” Jyden asked as he cleaned off his sword before sheathing it.

 

“Just need to wrap it, shouldn’t cause too much trouble,” Egan replied.

 

“Stay off it for the day, you can haul up to my chambers and rest it, Hail you will be accompanying me today,” he said.

 

“Jyden-“

 

“Egan you’re my best, you’re injured, don’t cause more grief,” he said and started to head towards the castle and the servant, he still needed help finding his away around the place.

[Lady.Taser]

Daeniz rolled over uncomfortably in his sleep, even the single sheet was too much at this point, the heat bothering him caused him to wake. Groaning he stood up and went over to the window, making sure it was fully open and standing in just the loose trousers in the breeze caused by the window. It was still early and the clash of swords in the courtyard below caught his attention. The foreign prince and his guard were training, the guard seemed to be quite injured and yet was still going. After fighting on the frontlines though he expected as much.

 

He had always had respect for the fighting ability of Rethallen fighters and watching them train for a few moment increased his respect for Jyden. Not long after he had started watching them they finished their training, the castle was mostly quiet and he could hear the conversation from his windows. As the prince headed back to the building Daeniz turned on his heel and called for a servant from the corridor. The girl bowed demurely in front of him, a pretty little thing with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail her bangs framing her face . "Go to the healer and get some bandages, healing salve and a bowl of hot water and cleaning cloth. The head of the visiting Prince's guards is injured and needs attention and I would like you to take those items to him. Just tell him the Prince sent you." Unsure if the man would accept but it seemed a shame to lose a decent guard from injury so it was best the damage was tended to now.

 

Once he had sent the girl off he went back into his room and got ready for his own training for the morning which would be from horse back. Despite the heat he pulled on a thick pair of tight leather trousers and tucked a loose white shirt into it. The Long riding boots being put on next and then he grabbed his bow and some arrows before headed down to the stables tying his hair as he went. Stopping off in the stables he ordered the stable boy to get his stallion ready for riding while he went to get one of the other servants to set up targets in the forest just outside the city. Once he had done that he waiting in the courtyard enjoying the early morning sun as he waited for the horse to be brought out to him.

[Wolfenone]

When they arrived in Jyden’s chambers, a servant was standing beside the table; she had water bandages and salve there. Hail helped Egan sit and took off his boot. Jyden watched the girl and then turned his attention to his guard, kneeling down he touched around the ankle. Egan hissed but otherwise remained silent.

 

“Swollen, twisted, but thankfully not broken,” Jyden replied, “Hail wrap it tightly, Egan keep your foot up,” he said as he tore off his own armor and bracers and tossed them to the side. He cleaned his own wound before wrapping it quickly. “Daeniz?” he questioned the servant. She nodded silently. He nodded his head. Egan sighed as he looked at Jyden he went to open his mouth. “Don’t make me make it an order and have Ian and Morgen watch you,” Jyden turned his gaze to Egan. He washed off quickly with a bit of water and a cloth. Then he started to change his clothes from the armor to actual clothing. Loose but fitting dark cotton pants, a cream colored long sleeve cotton shirt and then a sleeveless dark leather tunic over. His dagger dart belt he wore under the tunic, his belt his strapped on over the tunic. Thin socks and his leather boots were the final pieces to his outfit.

 

“You don’t look comfortable,” Egan commented.

 

“I’m not, two years of wearing armor day in and out this is just,” he flapped the loose fabric on his arms. “Well not very protective, that and my bracers would look odd on these sleeves.”

 

“At least you’re not a peacock,” Egan muttered.

 

“Egan,” Jyden warned as he stood up. “Thank you for fetching these items they were very helpful,” he sighed he would have to thank Daeniz too.

 

He and Hail exited the room leaving Egan to rest he turned to the servant that was leading them around. Following the male servant down the hallways and different corridors Jyden tried to keep his barring; hopefully he would know his way around this castle soon.

 

The throne room doors came into view, Hail handed his sword over to one of the guards stationed there. Walking inside Jyden revisited all the laws and rules and nobles and names in his head. Approaching Hail fell to a knee, Jyden also fell to a knee before the King, and after a moment he stood up and looked to the man.

 

“I must apologize about yesterday your majesty; I am unaccustomed to kneeling to royalty,” he started, “also, if I could have a few minutes of your time, privately, or as privately as possible at your convenience, I have something I wish to discuss with you,” he finished.

[Lady.Taser]

Daeniz saw the stallion being brought over to him and he closed the gap, taking the reins from the servant and jumping into the saddle with ease. Guiding the horse mainly by his knees he headed to the gate ordering the guards to open it up. One of the pluckier guards stood forwards and spoke in a scared voice. "I apologise.... but we have been ordered to find out where you are going... the king doesn't want you to run off for two weeks again...." The guard trailed off under Daeniz's stare.

 

"I am going into the forest to train. A servant has already been sent to set up targets, I will be back in a couple of hours." he replied coldly. Daeniz then had to wait for the this to be confirmed before they let him out. The moment they did he urged his horse to trot through, quickly taking it up to a canter through the city. It was still early but the common people were up and about already earning their livelihoods. A few children waved at him as he went passed and Daeniz smiled and waved back at them.

 

It wasn't long until he was at the edge of the city and upon the forest. When he got there he found the servant waiting for him next to his own mount. Bowing to the prince he looked over to the forest. "There are targets set up in the forest and a few people behind larger targets as well which will be moving about for you."

 

Smiling Daeniz prepared the first arrow in the bow, now guiding the horse entirely with his knees. "Brilliant, I will be back." Saying nothing else he urged the horse into a trot and started guiding him through the trees, keeping his eyes peeled for the targets which would be randomly spread around.

 

-------------------------

 

It was still early for the king, he had only been in the throne room for about half of an hour before Jyden appeared in front of him. Considerably more versed in the court manners than he had been only one day prior. "It is of no matter. Up until a month ago our countries were enemies, there is no reason for you to have known our ways. I just ask that at some point you teach Daeniz the rulings and manners of your own courts before he returns with you, after all he has a period of time and those knowledgable in the ways that you didn't not have."

 

The court itself was quiet empty at this point in the day and so there was no realy need to go to the private chamber to the back of the throne room, instead he ordered the few nobles who had arrived to leave for a while and when they had spoke again.

 

"The only of my sons to be up and moving at this point is Daeniz and you are unlikey to find him in the palace right now. Now what is it you wish to discuss?"

[Wolfenone]

Jyden nodded his head as the king spoke. “Taking you up on the offer I requested one of the servants to get books for me on your laws and court. I will inform Daeniz as to my kingdoms court ways, as you request,” he replied easily enough and gave a chuckle. “Thank you your majesty and I would guess that he is out training considering he had the consideration to have a servant get my guard bandages and he wasn’t in sight,” he paused as the nobles were ordered out of the throne room. He stood waiting for a moment until he heard the door close. The guards didn’t concern him at all.

 

“There are a couple of things majesty, and first being, I will be quite honest with you. Because of the war and being on the border it instills certain habits in a person. I am sure you are more than aware of this with archer- Daeniz,” he paused and stood for a moment seemingly to think. “I hate diplomacy,” he let out a breath and then pulled out a dagger dart; he turned it around hilt first to the king so that he may see if desired. “You needn’t worry, they are for defense only, besides it wouldn’t do to try and kill anyone in the court it would just cause bad blood between our nations and start the war again. I understand you have a no weapons policy in the throne room, and I will not openly carry a weapon here. However for my own defense, I will not go anywhere without one. Chalk it up to whatever you wish, but I know there will be some people that will hold grudges. I don’t fault them for it, but I will not endanger my guards or my life because of it.” He brushed back his hair.

 

“Secondly your majesty, arch- Daeniz stated something about having lovers while engaged, or even married. Your customs I understand are vastly different from mine. Because I am second son in my kingdom if I were to lay with a woman and she were to have a child before my older brother I could have claimed the throne, mind I never wanted the throne, but to stop any problems with it I was forbidden to lay with anyone until my brother produced an heir. Also it is shameful to go seeking another’s company while either being married or engaged to someone else. To put simply your majesty I told Daeniz that if I ever catch anyone in his bed or he in another I will kill that person, I have to bring it to your attention. I don’t want to kill anyone here, ever; I have had enough of it on the border. However at the same time, I won’t have him sleeping around. If you have another suggestion I would love to hear it.”

[Lady.Taser]

"I fully understand your desire to have weapons on you, I shall allow it for now provided they are hidden. But once a year has passed you must have stopped wearing them in the throne room even concealed. If anyone in the court is to catch you with them I will need to punish you accordingly which I am sure you now know can, for anyone of noble blood be 20 lashes and then all weaponry confiscated for a month. I will be able to give you leniency for the first two months but once you return you will not escape the punishment should someone else notice it."

 

"As to your second point. Daeniz is correct that is common practice in our kingdom, however ..." The king paused, assessing the man in front of him. "Daeniz is not as much of an idiot as he can act. When it comes to certain things he can be quite perceptive, such as your guard being injured. If he were to sleep with someone else it would cause bad feelings between the countries once again and possibly lead to war once again. He may be in the army, but that boy hates killing. No man in the army will even consider touching the women or any of the peasants in a hostile town. He would not want the war to start again, there for he will not sleep with any one else. If you treat Daeniz as stupid, you will be made out to be a fool."

[Wolfenone]

Jyden nodded his head and then bowed it. “Completely understandable,” he said sheathing the weapon as well. “Seeing as no one noticed them yesterday or the ones we wore on our wrists I don’t think it will not be a problem. Unless we are attacked. As for Daeniz I don’t know him, I don’t know the way he thinks; until I learn otherwise I thought it best to come to you. I will keep in mind with what you said about him as well. Thank you for your time and your consideration to hear me out,” he replied to the king as he bowed and stood for a moment, again taking a longer time then needed before taking four steps backwards and turning on his heels. Hail stood bowed at his waist and also took four steps back before turning to follow Jyden out of the room. Hail took his sword from the guard. Jyden stood there for a moment as he thought about what to do. He chooses to head back upstairs to his chambers and he only needed directions from the servant twice.

 

He walked in the room and Egan jerked awake, Jyden waved him off as he walked over to the door connecting his and Daeniz’s rooms, so he would know when the other was back. As he waited he and Egan started to go over the noble names again, while Hail questioned him on the laws and court dealings.

 

He paused in his pacing and let out a breath.

 

“At least I know the major ones, if they wear their coat of arms, please let them wear their coat of arms,” he breathed out and went to stand in the doorway looking into Daeniz room but not crossing the hold.

 

“It makes me wonder when he will return,” Egan said and looked towards the window. Jyden turned to look at him.

 

“I don’t even know the meal times are, or if they have a dining room,” he muttered after a while.

 

“Hopefully it’s more inviting than your dining room,” Egan said.

 

“So far this place besides the over perfumed throne room is more inviting then our kingdom’s palace, we have hot springs though,” he countered.

 

“A lot of good they do on the border,” Egan chided. Jyden crossed his arms. Hail shook his head and looked at the book of law. “So going to act a fool?”

 

“If I can help it no, though I did forget that I didn’t have to be dismissed again, thankfully no one else was there. From what I gathered there are twenty-two guards in the throne room at any one time, the twice I have been there, plus the ones standing outside it, it’s actually nicely guarded,” he said and turned his head to the side looking into Daeniz’s room, but again not crossing the hold.

 

“He’s not half bad,” Egan said.

 

“Tell that to the arrow wounds,” Jyden remarked. Egan lifted a brow at him.

 

“Impatient to see him again are we?”

 

“Hardly, but I am not sure what else to do, yes nobles and laws but I believe I can get by today’s celebration with what I know, as long as there is no dancing.”