Ardaik 18th - Tulot, Serellia

With every passing second Folian became even further convinced that he'd greatly miscalculated just how nervous he would be. It wasn't overly warm in the great hall, but he was sweating as if he'd just jogged around the courtyard in full armor. Eron's presence only made things worse. He just knew it was only a matter of time before his smart-mouthed subordinate would comment on his fraying composure.

Folian needed to make his move now, if he was going to at all, but he needed to be tactical about it. He still needed to sound like himself. Clearing his throat, the captain took an extra step forward towards the princess and Norah. "Excuse me, Yar Highness, I don't mean ta interrupt the riveting conversation, but there's a family matter I need ta speak to Lady Norah about. We'll only be a moment."

Norah's expression immediately turned to one of slight alarm. It wasn't like Folian to put family matters ahead of anything, so her first assumption was that something was wrong. Despite her worry she managed an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Princess, would you mind excusing me?" she asked.

"Not a'tall, I have plenty to satisfy my entertainment for the evening," replied the princess with a playful tone as she hooked her arm around her guardsmen's offered elbow. Her and Eron split off from them and slipped into the crowd of people filling the great hall. Once they had enveloped into the sea of festivities Norah turned to Folian.

"Wull, what tis it? What's wrong?"

"Calm down, nothin's wrong, just-" Folian took a deep breath, giving their surroundings a quick glance before lowering his voice further. "If Flannie doesn't have the good sense ta make ya his queen by the end'a all this, I'd appreciate you considering givin' me the honor of eh...calling me yer husband," he finished quickly, following his words with a brief huff of relief despite his face feeling hot enough to burn off any number of the freckles or small scars splattered across it. There. That was simple. No worse than staring down a dire elk. "That's eh... that's it. That's all I been meaning ta tell ya."

Norah's large green eyes stared wordlessly at Folian for a long moment, her expression was hard to read. Shock was definitely present, but whether or not that was good, Folian still couldn't tell.

"Wut about Da? And Nan? Won't they disapprove?" Norah asked before some realization hit her "Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that!" She let out a flustered huff and smiled softly at him. "What I meant ta say was... yes."

Folian had the wind clean knocked out of him a couple times before. This felt similar. "Aye?" he rasped, as her response actually sank in. Smirking, he took one of her delicate hands into his own, hoping to the highest branch that she didn't notice it trembling. He crowned her knuckles with a swift kiss, his eyes never leaving Norah's. "I wun speak a word of this to the royal family. I'd never wanna deny you the life they could give ya, but..." He selfishly hoped Norah would choose to be his regardless? ...He couldn't say that. It was too much pressure on her. Even though it was the truth. "Thank you, My Lady."

***

"You seem distracted," Eron all but shouted to be heard over the crowd in the hall, despite the fact that he and the princess were side by side.

"I'm bored. Lets go some place quieter," replied Alorta, and the coy smile that followed made Eron's pulse pick up as he followed her out of the main hall into the emptier halls of the castle. His anticipation grew as they found a small corner closet near the servants quarters and Alorta pushed him inside, before following after him.

His excitement was quickly dashed, however, when instead of a passionate embrace, he had a lantern thrust at him.

"Hold that," Alorta instructed, as though she were speaking to any normal servant, while she rolled back a rug and then pulled open a hatch that was hidden beneath.

It wasn't too surprising for the guard. After all, this castle was full of secret passages for escape, should it ever become compromised, and Alorta had probably played in them as a child. Though it did explain how she got around the large building rather quickly and unnoticed most days.

Eron folded his tall frame into the cramped stairwell closing the door behind them before following after the princess.

"Eh, are ya sure ya wouldn't prefer the party?" Eron suggested, as his attention darted behind them where he was sure he'd heard something scamper by.

"Shh!" Alorta scolded harshly.

They came to the end of the passage, where it connected to another more amply lit corridor. A guard walked by without noticing them, and once he'd passed, Alorta scooted out of the passage, toting Eron along behind her. Down more stone stairs and deeper into the depths below the castle they went, until the passage really opened up into much larger tunnels—dragon sized tunnels.

Just as they were nearing where Auganull was being held, a melodic voice caught Alorta off her guard and caused both her and Eron to turn.

"Your Highness, what are you doing down here?" the high cleric wondered.

"Oh, uh... You startled me!" Alorta replied, feigning a look of relief. "I was just going to check on the condition of our... guest." The princess tried to force an innocent smile, but Eron knew better than to trust that sort of expression from Alorta.

"How generous of you," Yuli replied, folding her hands in front of herself. "Vaklo just expressed feeling hungry a moment ago, and I should eat as well." Turning, she glanced back into the cavern behind her, noting that their conversation had, indeed, caught her comerade's attention and he was heading toward them. "Though I'd advise you to send someone else to check on us in the future," she added, motioning for the princess and her guard to lead the way back out of the caverns and into the living portion of the castle. "It's dangerous for you to be here in person, I'm afraid."

"I have my guard," Alorta assured as she pushed past Yuli and continued on. "Is Auganull awake?" she wondered aloud, although the question didn't seem to be directed at anyone in particular. The next thing she knew, Vaklo had stepped directly in front of her, blocking her path.

"I'm afraid this area is off limits, Your Highness." His tone spoke little of any shame for his actions, and Eron advanced to meet the Drau face to face.

"I believe you overstep. This is my home!" Alorta scoffed, "I'll go where I wish."

Yuli tilted her head; inquisitive gaze passing from Vaklo, to Eron, then to Alorta. "For what purpose do you wish to see Auganull?"

"It doesn't matter," Vaklo answered quickly, as he looked past Eron at the princess, but didn't seem the slightest bit intimidated by how close Eron had come to him. "The King granted us due authority on the matter. If you have a problem, then I suggest you throw your tantrum at him."

"Well, I suppose this is the thanks we get for our generous hospitality!" Alorta snapped as she turned. "Come, Eron, I think we will go speak to my father."

Resting a delicate hand atop Vaklo's forearm, Yuli watched their retreat in silence, until the glow from the guard's lantern faded from sight. "The ignorance of even the highest-ranking Serellians is astounding... It may be wise for us to take only a short time away to eat and see to any other needs."

Within moments of the mages' exit, however, the ambient sounds of the caverns were once again disturbed.

By what, at first, the black dragon couldn't gather... In his drug-induced haze, it sounded like a faint flutter that grew in volume until something, albeit something very light, landed on one of Auganull's horns.

A few hops and flaps landed the inky black crow on the rocky floor of the cavern, near his face, which dwarfed the bird's sleek, black form.

The dragon inhaled deeply, a stark contrast to the shallow rhythmic breaths that he'd taken while actually dozing, and one eye cracked open to survey the area.

In a sudden burst of sooty smoke, as if it'd been crushed into dust, the crow traded its shape for that of a man; a tall, but hunched at the shoulders, slender, and sickly pale human.

"M-my, my..." the man tsked, shaking his head, though the moment looked stiff and awkwardly timed. "My, my, my, my, my..." He'd worked himself up into a wheezing cackle. The sound of it echoed slightly within the confines of the cavern, grating, but apparently not loud enough to alert the useless guards posted at the mouth of his prison. "The fierce Ah-Auganull the Black...Hav-v-ving yourself a little nap, hmm?"

Auganull recognized this man. He was a sailor from La'Trest. The one that the necromancer had not let him crunch, though something seemed different about him.

"Biding my time..." the dragon's bassy voice grumbled. "When will the mage get here?"

Elijah chuffed. "Oh, h-he was quite dis-p-pleased to hear of your f-fine...predicament. However, he'll be here...in due time. Yes, in due time...in due time," he trailed off, rubbing his bony hands together. "...and he's nearly ready."

***

Unaddressed Letter

Artus,

I hope that the casual nature of my writing finds no offense, but it took me several hours to settle on what manner I should address you. In the end, I failed to come to any conclusion on the matter other than that the mind and heart cannot hold counsel in the same letter. Therefore, I've elected to write from the heart, and should my sentiments be misplaced or unwelcome, that I bid you burn this letter and never speak of it again, and I shall do the same.

I wish that I could write to you of my swift return, and of how I am on my way even as you read these words, but alas, I remain in Tulot. Auganull has been subdued and taken prisoner, under the watch of the High Cleric, but for what purpose, I cannot say. Flann has asked that I aid them by joining the Dragon Guard, and I have resolved that it would be the best course of action, as long as you are intent on remaining in this country.

I know not what holds you to these foreign lands. I can only trust that, in time, you will see fit to share them with me. In the meantime, I shall remain in Tulot, to aid the Serellians against our mutual foe. But though I remain here, know that my heart is forever with you. Until we meet again.

Yours Everlasting,
Rowan