The Burden of a Guardian; Shani x Storm

[Mysteria]

A Roleplay By StormWolf:

In the earliest morning can be without still being night, a dark shadow moved across the Great Plain of Kislev, heading towards the capitol, Kislev City. The full moon played off of the armor of the figure as it moved swiftly on a horse as black as hell.

The Dark Rider approached the mighty city of Kislev, stopping before the gate guard when the man commanded him to.

"You are in quite a hurry lad, are the Hounds of Hell on your heels or...." The guard walked up to the rider, armored in a dull gray metal with a cloak of black draped over him, hood concealing most of his face. The guard's words failed him as he made eye contact with the man, eyes of molten gold glowed in the darkness of the hood. The guard sucked in a near-strangled breath as he saw the ring upon the black leather gloves of the rider.

"A... a.... BloodGuard... Forgive me.... please, sir! Pass, forgive me." The Rider said not a word, but passed in cold silence, making way to the castle at the center of the massive stone city. It was no secret that the Royal Family of Kislev was.... special. They seemed to have the same king for the past several mortal generations.

Reaching to courtyard of the Royal Palace, the Rider dismounted, showed his ring to the guards, and got easy entry, along with muttered apologies for keeping him. The Rider in black entered the Throne Room, a massive hall of polished marble and burnished metals. Tapestries and wall scrolls. Trophies from centuries of conquest. The Rider pulled back his hood and bowed to the serene King and Queen before him, going to a knee and humbling himself.

"Qui mortem invitavis, mihi veniet" The Rider swore his Oath in the First Tongue. You who invite death, I come again.
The king arose and clapped, "Welcome, loyal BloodGuard. We have been looking forward to your arrival for quite some time." The BloodGuard remained kneeling, his wulven eyes cast to the ground,

"I live to serve, my lord." The king smiled and patted the loyal warrior on the head. "Rise." The King said. With that single word, the BloodGuard rose, standing tall, very tall. The king looked the man up and down, inspecting him with those crimson eyes of his.

"What is your name?" The King more demanded than asked. The BloodGuard answered.

"Kaenan Al'Andhun, sire; BloodGuard Maester de Mortem." The King nodded with a smile of approval. "A Master of Death, impressive. Only a handful known in myth and legend," The King snapped his fingers, and two guards brought forth a beautiful young woman with her travel bags, "Do you know your mission, Kaenan Al'Andhun?"

"Yes sire. To escort M'Lady Azkadellia to the city of Al Habok, in the Nation of Araby. I am to prevent all injury and discomfort to her even to the point of giving my life." The King nodded, pleased.

"You know why she is to go to Al Habok?" The king inquired, arching an eyebrow. Keanan hesitated for but a moment,

"Y-Yes, sire. She is to be wed to the Car'a Carn." ((Car'a Carn = King of Kings.)) The King smiled, his fingers knitted together beneath his chin.

"Very good, Keanan Al'Andhun. Now, begone. And daughter; do not disappoint me."

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In the Royal Stables, Kaenan stood close by the Princess as servants prepared her horse with her travel pack and saddlebags. The BloodGuard was silent, ever watchful with those fiery eyes.

"I need you to stay close to me at all times. I need you to stay within earshot, at the least, no matter what. You are more important than a legion of soldiers like myself, and I must keep you safe. Do you understand?"

[Mysteria]

Shani:

It was early in the morning when a chambermaid came and awoke her. "Miss...Miss its time to awake," she said sweetly. Azkadellia got up and the maid had left. She sighed, she didn't want to take this long journy, to marry some prince, that she never meet.

Alsa it was for the good of the country. She began to pack her things. She had picked out dresses that were indeed elegant. Azkadellia also grabbed a few pairs of tights and gloves, her night gowns, shoes, jewllery, and make up products. She looked over her room for she wasn't sure that she would see it again.
Then she made her way to her bed and sat down. She her head tilt down torward her lap, while she awaited for someone to come and get her.
There was a knock upon her bedroom door. "Come in," she called. Two of the guards walked in.
One told her,"M'lady, it is time to go now."

Azkadellia looked at them and got up. She walked over to the guards and went out the door. One of them went to get her bags, and the other one escorted her out. She walked in between the two of them looking about her home that she was leaving. She heared her father talking to someone. As she entered the room she put her head down.

"Yes sire. To escort M'Lady Azkadellia to the city of Al Habok, in the Nation of Araby. I am to prevent all injury and discomfort to her even to the point of giving my life." She looked up at the mention of her name. As the man explained what his mission was she looked at her mother then back down to her feet.

"Very good, Keanan Al'Andhun. Now, begone. And daughter; do not disappoint me." Azkadellia looked at ther father and said, " Of coarse not dear father, It's for the good of the kingdom." Her vocie had a hint of sorrow upon her voice.

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She was standing close to the BloodGuard. Her head was still downward, until he started to speak. She stood there and listened. "Yes, Sir I understand," was all she could manage to say.

[Mysteria]

StormWolf:

Kaenan looked down at the princess with a tinge of sadness in his fiery yellow eyes. He had protected the girl without her knowing he ever existed. Watched her grow. It pained him to see her so sad, but his duty came before everything, or so his teachings stated.

"Come, M'Lady." Kaenan said in a more soothing tone as he helped her into her saddle before mounting his own black warhorse. They rode off in silence until they reached the river that separated the nation of Kislev from the Empire. The sun was at the proper height to be around seven in the morning.

"M'Lady, you must not trust anyone about these lands. They are greedy and crooked. Rotten to the very core. Stay close to me. As long as you are within my reach, no one will harm you." Kaenan finished and dismounted, taking the reins of both horsed and walked them across the bridge that separated the two nations.

Halfway across the bridge was a wooden fort-like structure manned by several soldiers. Likely a tollbooth. One of the guards, dressed in chainmail with a red tabard and a bell helmet, approached Kaenan and the Princess. The man looked like the gutter his mind was in as he stared up and down the Princess' form with a crooked, grimy smile.

"What can I do ya fer?" The guard asked, still staring at Azkadellia like she was some horse for sale.

"We wish to pass, good sir." Kaenan said in a non-threatening tone, though his body was ready to pounce and rip the man in two at any moment.

"What are you and a girl like her doin' together. You look a little too shady to be with her." The soldier picked his teeth as he spoke. Kaenan went with the act.

"Sir! You offend me! This woman is my beloved! We are on our way to the nearest priory to be wed this very day." Kaenan exclaimed, telling the first lie that came out of his reserve of thousands. Why he chose that one, he had no idea.

"Uh-huh. I dunno if I can let you do that. Y'see, I think you kidnapped the poor girl. Look at her, she is obviously distraught. Why don't you giver her to me and we can ask her what is really going on." The man's smile twisted even further and his dark eyes seemed to be filled with a lecherous evil.

"I am sorry sir, but I cannot allow you to do that." Kaenan said, his voice holding a little anger and a little threat. He pulled a small leather bag from his belt and tossed it at the man. "Here. That is enough to let twice as many people pass. Use it to buy yourself a woman at the brother rather than lust after my wife!" The guard counted the coins and scratched his chin, finally letting them pass. Kaenan remained poised to fight off the entire sentry if he had to. All of these Imperial Soldiers were the same. Kaenan performed splendidly in his role as caring husband-to-be while they were under the gaze of the guards. Holding the Princess' hand like a spouse would, his rough thumb brushing over her soft hand was but one example. (leaving others for you to decide Shani. lol)

Once they left earshot and view of the guards, Kaenan immediately bowed and apologized,

"I am sorry for acting as such, M'Lady. That was inappropriate of me to act as such without your consent...." Kaenan was somewhat confused. He knew he had put on a facade, an act to fool the simpleton guards into thinking that the two of them were something they were not. But for some reason, it didn't feel like some kind of act. If it did, he didn't want it to end. What plagues my mind to have me think these thoughts? It is forbidden. I cannot bring that upon her... she is too precious.... Why did I use that word?

[Mysteria]

Shani:

She looked up at him when he spoke. Then he helped her apon her horse. She normally like to take a nice stroll on her horse but this time was different. As they rode in silence, all she could do was think how her new life was to be. Spending a life time with someone she has never met.

"Not until we arrive, I will trust no one except you since you are my escourt, was her reply. She came down from the horse and walk next to Kaenan. When she first saaw the man she put her head down. When the man spoke she looked at Kaenan, then at the man.

Thats just unsanitary, she thought as he picked at his teeth.

"Sir! You offend me! This woman is my beloved! We are on our way to the nearest priory to be wed this very day." She looked to him, Beloved? We are to be wed? She thought while he was saying such, he is partly telling the truth I am to be wed, just not to him.

She looked back at the man when he was saying that. His twisted face started to frighten her. Her eyes went wide then she looked to Kaenan with fear.
Azkadellia became less scared when he through the sac of coins at the horrid man. Once he grabed her hand she imediantly looked at it, then looked back up to him. His hand was so warm compared to hers. She thought it was clever that he also brushed her hand with his thumb. One of the many signs of affection between a couple. Another would be a small peck on the hand or cheak. She smiled then stared at the man.

When they were far away from them he broke out into an apology. "Good sir, don't fret you did it for my protection. I thank you." They were still holding hands. Azkadellia didn't mind it though, it felt nice to hold hands with someone who is warm. Her father's vocie echoed though her thoughts, daughter do not disappoint me!!

[Mysteria]

StormWolf:

With the Princess' kind words, Kaenan bowed one last time before helping her back into her saddle before climbing back into his. They rode for a good long while, eating while they rode. Kaenan found himself stealing glances at the Princess in ways he hadn't before. Yes, he always thought she was beautiful, but now he was actually having trouble concentrating.

"M'Lady... I am sorry..." Keanan said as his large black warhorse trotted next to hers. "I wished and prayed that your father wouldn't do this to you, but I have an Oath I must keep. I swore allegiance to your mother and father.... " he sighed, his rough, scarred hands tightening around the reins,

"You deserve better. You should not be so unhappy..."

[Mysteria]

Shani:

Azkadellia rode silently along with Keanan, eating some food they had brought. "It is not your fault, its destiny, and its for the good of the kingdom." She said trying to sound happy and hopeful. "What do you mean, for we have just met?" she questioned.

She was confused she had never seen this man before in her life. But its as if he's know her forever. Probably though mother and father, she thought.

"Don't worry, I am quite content. I'm happy to be marrying the prince." Azkadellia said with a slight smile. She held on to the reins and faced forward once again. She has always thought about her wedding day, but she thought it would be with someone she loved not arranged.

[Mysteria]

StormWolf:

Kaenan looked at her with his fiery golden eyes, worry filled those pools of molten metal. It was obvious he didn't believe her, but he knew it was not his place to speak out against her.

"Telling me not to worry is like telling water not to be wet, M'Lady." Kaenan was able to muster up a small smile, doing his best to not worry the girl. Kaenan was well learned on the ways of the world. He knew that the place in which he was taking the princess was a savage place. She would never be allowed to return home. She would be stuck, tied to the prince for life while he shared himself with his fifty other wives. This wasn't fair to her. She deserved someone who would be dedicated to her, someone faithful..... Someone like me.... Kaenan thought.

The BloodGuard shook his head sharply to shake such thoughts from his head. He had no right to think in such a way. Or did he? He had done such a great job at hiding his deepest desires until now. Perhaps it was because the source of his light was so close to him, his angel, Azkadellia.

"My Lady Azkadellia, I am a man of simple needs. I need food and water, that is about it. However, I am going to ask you to be honest with me. I need you to be honest with me. Otherwise I cannot do my duty properly. Will you grant me that one request?"

[Mysteria]

Shani:

She giggled a bit " I know it is your job to worry for if something were to happen to me....It would be upon your head. I must be a great burden, I'm sorry." She stated. Why did I just say all of that, normally I would never say such. She thought. She stoped while she was ahead. It was out of her place to be speaking this way to her gaudian.

"Are you alright?" She asked when she saw his head jerk. Azkadellia stared at him waiting for a reply.


"My Lady Azkadellia, I am a man of simple needs. I need food and water, that is about it. However, I am going to ask you to be honest with me. I need you to be honest with me. Otherwise I cannot do my duty properly. Will you grant me that one request?"

"Okay, but don't all men have simple needs?" Azkadellia asked. "I'll honestly anwser you. Ask away good Sir." She smiled and stated.

[StormWolf]

Kaenan smiled lightly as she spoke, "Don't apologize, M'lady. I chose this life and I knew the stakes." He finished his meal of bread and salted meat before wiping the crumbs from his stubble and retunring his hands to the reins.

"I will, however, ask you this, and you must answer truthfully; are you so calm and content with being sent away to marry a man you never met before? You are taking it quite well. If I were in your position, I would be kicking and screaming my protests. Are you truly happy with this 'destiny'?" Kaenan put venom on that last word. He hated it. He didn't believe in it. Kaenan believed that the only destiny is the one you make with your sword in hand.

"I just don't want you to wear a facade around me. I want you to know that you can trust me, no matter what." Those words Kaenan said softly, wrapped in caring and kindness. He felt sorry for the poor girl. No one should go through what she is going through.

[Shani]

If Azkadellia had a heart beat and needed to breath both would have increased termendisly. "How can you ask me such a thing, I've already told you that I am most...most..." She tried to say that she was most content but could not. She looked into his eyes, who was she fooling, how was he able to read her so easily, not many people can. " No, I am not happy with this arrangement." A few tears escaped from her eyes. " I have kept my word," she stated softly. Wiping away her tears she began, "Once again as I have said before, it is for the good of the kingdom."

"Anyway my destiny is not for me to deside, my father has done it for me." A thought had crossed her mind. "Well I have answerd you, now I have a question." There was a moment of silence. "Why do you care so much about my situation and weather I'm happy, if I am or not I'd still have to go and you'd be my guardian." She asked, her voice was cold but she was curious.

[I]Why I'm I asking him these things he's my guardian he should have respect for me as I him. Why is he asking me this, does he really care? He propabilly trying to pass time and save his own neck.[I/] Azkadellia thought while she awaited his answer.