The Royal Guard 1x1

When the Prince comes into a town on business to discuss treaty's with the resident lord, only trouble awaits him as beggars, thieves, and women swarm around him in what could only be described as a disaster. However, there is one woman, a daughter of the renowned blacksmith of the region and aspiring Knight. Seeing thieves in the guise of unwanted suitors, she leaps to action, a flourish of her sword all that was required to send them scurrying. With a huff of mild annoyance, she crosses her arms and watches until they are gone, despite being unaware of the coach's sole occupants status and renown. Could something terrible happen, or something good?

NAME: Cielia Whitewall
Age:19
Personality: Reserved and quiet
Bio: To Be established later
Appearance :

Name: Zacharie Octavius Katrin IV
Age: 22
Personality: outgoing and energetic
Bio: The Prince of Katrin, though that title does nothing more than inform others that he is the son of the King of Katrin, ruler of Katrin, which even then is one of many kingdoms, which means someone needs to make sure treaties and alliances are managed by someone trustworthy, which points to the prince being in charge of such.
Appearance:

(I'm assuming you want me to start haha)

With another sigh before dusting off the dust from her clothing and running a hand through her hair to make herself more presentable, she turned to the carriage, and spoke loudly enough for the occupant to hear but not call attention to the area either. "It's safe now, I seem to have driven them off." She finished, and paused for a moment to admire the handiwork of the carriage, nodding appreciatively. "Fine make. Compliments to whomever designed and built this for you..."

(Ahhh sorry, I'm working, so I forget things and can't pick up on it until my breaks, especially since management is doubling down DX )
Some murmuring exchange was heard between the carriage driver and it's occupant, before he propped open the carriage window and leaned out to get a better look at who had leapt in to save the day, before stepping out out of out of the carriage, adjusting his coat and sword belt. "What on earth was that about? I come to speak with a single lord and am greeted by the ambassadors of hell, otherwise known as 'townsfolk' who have no business with me!?" He said in mild annoyance. "However, I suppose I owe my thanks to you, as a drastic end was avoided and whoever is in charge of those... masses will no longer be faced with war with Katrin and her allies."

As she stood up straighter, she sighed "I'm sorry sir, the town guards haven't been the most... Adept at removing the thieves and vagabonds from the hills surrounding these parts... They can be rather determined..." She took notice of his state of dress, and the emblem embroidered on his clothing before bowing her head in respect. "Forgive me, for my improper manners..." I said, before bowing more formally. "...but if I may ask, where is your guard detail?" She asked, looking around curiously, straightening her stance to one more proper. "If needed, I could escort you to the area you are looking for?"

"Well, my coming to this area was to discuss minor concerns between the borders of this land and an ally of Katrin, and as they were lacking influence, I was sent here. However, I was not informed of the... liveliness of the populace, hence, one guard," he said, motioning to the coach driver. "Considering the ease of which you manage to dispell the mob, I will gladly accept your offer of escorting me to the Manor of Lord Edward Stone, once, of course, I learn of your name."

"Cielia Whitewall. As for dispelling the... Less desirable company, it seems they are rather terrified at the sight of a woman wielding a sword. Especially after beating the town guards in a duel over their rather... Rambunctious behavior with the women here." She responded dryly, ending with a sigh.

With an experienced, fluid motion of sheathing her sword, she indicated the path with her finger." It is a small ways away, it's hidden behind my families forge. Our forge is the highest up, and as such, hides his estate from the prying eyes of many coming into town. We can leave whenever you feel is necessary."

"Lady Whitewall, an honor it is that you've graced me with your exceptional presence," he said with a bow. "As you seem to be aware of already, I am Prince Zacharie Octavius Katrin IV, feel free to pick one to yell to get my attention," he said with a smile. He turned his attention to the coach driver, "Sir Smith, do give space for Lady Whitewall, as she will serve alongside you for the time being," he looked back at Ceilia. "He should be more mannered than the guards of this town, as it would be difficult to manage anyone who act on whim at the slightest provocation, regardless of the reason." With that, he returned to the carriage.

A slight red completion graced her features at his words, holding a hand up to her chest in a light fist with a nervous smile. She quickly scaled the front of the carriage and sat down next to the man driving, and exhaled.

"I knew he was of high status, but... Prince Zachariah himself?" She whispered, her hand staying on her sword. She sighed and began playing nervously with her hair with her free hand, a low feeling of slight terror settling in her stomach.

"At least it will only be for a small time... I just hope I don't cause him anger while he is here..." She sighed mentally, looking up and giving indications with her hands on the quickest way to get to the location.

"Ease up, tis just the Prince. Unless you plan on finishing what the townsfolk started, then he'll likely run his sword right through you; otherwise, he's real nice. He's so formal now because of the nature of his visit, and well, he isn't in a real good mood for obvious reasons," Sir Smith explained, noticing her sudden unease.

"I-its not that... It's just... He is the Prince! The stories of him out here may not be truthful and can paint him as a rather dashing individual, but... Our lord can be rather cruel here, especially towards women... It doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture of nobility... One girl was put in the dungeon for three weeks for resisting an advance he put forth towards her..." She stammered before looking at the ground. "Besides that... I'm hardly presentable for any form of meeting the Nobility..." She sighed, indicating her rough clothing.

"I'm just... Worried I'll screw something up... This treaty could really help us..." She said, trying to keep her fidgeting down. "Give me a sword and point out an opponent, he will be struck down quickly... But I am not the best at dealing with people despite appearances..." She finished

"Nah, don't worry about any of that!" He said, gleefully waiving off the concern. "He isn't gonna let a mob, much less a helpful lady, ruin negotiations, this stuff is bigger than us. Plus, we here to keep trouble off his back, but he can hold his own if he has to. But he can't really go picking fights with everyone, like I said, this is business, not something disguised as an attempt to depose of anyone. So don't worry about it. You make sure no one out here causes trouble, and everything will be good!"

"Very well..." She responded, her fears somewhat abated with his words. "I just hope that... Abhorrent, lecherous excuse of a man doesn't try anything again." She sighed, closing her eyes in thought. One hand idly playing with her hair, she spoke up again after a few moments. "I doubt there will be any trouble for you, he has guards patrolling his estate almost constantly. Which adds to the reason we cant get rid of our pests..." She said, clenching her fist irritably as they drew up to the gate. "That being said, I'm just hopeful that Prince Zacharie's pressence will stay his hand and keep it from going to places it's not welcome." She said with apprehension.

Climbing down from her perch, her eyes scanned the landscape in a practiced, casual manner. "The thieves must be busy over at the tavern today, surely celebrating some heist. It's clear to come out for the moment, Prince Zacharie." I spoke loudly, remaining vigilant. "I would be quick however. Lord knows what they are planning." She said, a casual stance as she held the pommel of her blade in what could only be described as comfortable.

Zacharie exited the carriage with a sigh. "I have a sneaking suspicion that this may not be as simple as I had originally anticipated; nonetheless, I will settle what I came here for, see if I can work out a way to restructure the law system in way that borders are kept safe and the streets in order, whether or not that'll be successful is a whole new set of concerns that I really shouldn't have allowed to slip my mind. Well, lessons are learned everyday," he said, before approaching the main building, his brow furrowed in annoyance. Once those in power grossly abused it enough, people tended to want to shift the power away. He hoped he could appeal to the usual desire of nobility to stay in power, and generally, alive.

"This way..." She said simply, passing him and walking quickly through the grounds, the journey from the gates to the manor doors only taking a few scant moments. Once arriving at the gates, she quickly conversed with one of the guards, who nodded and opened the door, ushering them inside. Once there, she indicated a certain servant come to her, and spoke up "Our... Lord, has a very important Visitor from Katrin, the Prince himself, who has come to discuss a treaty." She said with a small few drips of disdain in her tone, and the man paled, recognizing her, scurrying off to find the man in question.

Turning around to look back at Zacharie, she took a moment to take in his features. He certainly seemed fit enough, and his regal stance bespoke of many years of fine learning. He also seemed to hold up to the rumors the other women would whisper about him, at least up to first appearances. "I can see where they are coming from. He could be seen as attractive in a sense." She thought, tilting her head slightly in thought.

Well, she's certainly famous enough to be taken seriously, he thought to himself, as he glanced at the interior of the place. He caught Ceilia staring in his direction, to which he responded with a smile, before turning to the sound of someone who wanted to make their presence and identity known before they were seen. And that must be the Lord, how grand.

"My my, it really is you. How are you doing my friend?" the boisterous man asked, the stairs creaking under his weight. He smiled crookedly and gestured for them to follow him down a side passage, which led to a large room, presumably an area to feast. He began speaking as the servants hurriedly rushed around him, opening the doors and pulling out the needlessly extravagant chair for him to sit.


"And it seems you brought one of the townsfolk. How... Quaint..." he said, turning his gaze to her, causing Cielia to hide partially behind the chair that had been pulled for Prince Zacharie, so she would be standing at one shoulder. She shivered, not saying anything about the uncomfortable nature of his stare raking its way over her body, instead deciding to look out the window and anywhere else but him.

"Life has treated me quite fairly, though I'm afraid I have nothing noteworthy worth commenting on aside from deals," he said, as he followed the pompous barge to a dining hall, noting they pulled a tacky chair for him to sit on. That hardly looked comfortable, but whatever opinions he had on the situation were hidden away by a calm expression.

It seemed that most of what was on the Manor seemed to cause discomfort, as Ceilia seemed to attempt to take refuge behind his chair from lecherous eyes. "It's a shame that there seems to be a lack of adequate furniture to accommodate all guests present, or it could simply be I find unevenness quite annoying, and I'm afraid for everyone to receive a fair treaty I will have to not become annoyed. I'm quite certain You are aware of what happened to Lord Jensen," I said, recalling my most recent failure to establish a fair treaty between an established merchant interfering with the business of several coastal towns Katrin had ties to. Power had been forcefully stripped from him afterwards, though the upper class rumor mill claimed it was passed off as such due to Zacharie losing his temper after many months of trying to work out a solution until he'd finally had enough.

The man paled, nodding with a quick simple gesture to have chairs brought out for Cielia and Smith. Once placed, she sighed, hesitantly taking her seat, posing herself as elegantly as she could while hiding her body from the man. He nodded hesitantly, having noted the error.

He spoke up "N-now, no need to be hasty my lord. You will find I will be nothing but accommodating for you. I am sorry, W-we weren't expecting for another few days or so. W-what is it that you need from us in this treaty?" He asked, unable to keep his gaze from drifting towards Cielia, much to her irritation. Now, slightly angry, she resolutely stared him down with a withering glare until he averted his gaze back to Zacharie.

Zacharie and Smith each took a seat on either side of Ceilia; even if she could protect herself, he wasn't planning on letting this barge think he could get away with his indiscretions. "We were able to travel much more quickly with what I had considered sufficient knights, in spite of certain events proving the contrary. Now," he slightly leaned back, pushing his right leg forward, and crossing his arms, "The largest stretch of land this place shares in common with a single fiefdom is that of the Della estate and it's properties; however, I have received several accounts that security between the two places, trouble with keeping thieves and brigands from interfering with usual travel and trade between places. As I see that there is currently no shortage of guards here, it is quite puzzling that Della does not receive any assistance from petty invaders." He slightly tilted his head, waiting for an explanation.

The face of the man grew still, his eyes tightening in accusation as he looked at Cielia, making her stare small in comparison. "The Della estate has not sent any word or request of aid from us, as such, we have had no need to send out the men who protect this area. If anything, you can place the blame on her family for improperly made blades and armor. We simply can't send men out to fight when they are so inhibited on proper armaments!" He said, waving a finger in Cielia's direction.

She leaned forward, emboldened by the actions of the Prince and Smith sitting beside her, and spoke clearly, an underlying tone of anger there. "If I may step in... That is a lie and we both know it. I have the correspondence we sent you requesting aid for the miners to have protection so we may gain the ore required to better outfit the men in your service. The correspondence that if I may remind you, you had nailed to our door after killing our family pet." She said simply, uncrossing and crossing her legs.

"The reason your men even have what they have is because of my training in the sword. Where you failed stepped forward and protected the shipments with underage and misfit volunteers that I have formed a small militia with. We protected the shipments when you wouldn't. If my ragtag army of miss fit men can hold off the big bad vagabonds you claim are too strong, with only a sword, do tell, why can't your men, whom are better fed, supplied, and more physically fit, do the same?," She asked, placing him immediately under the spotlight again.

"Learn your place, Commoner!" the larger man yelled, standing to lean forward, one meaty palm slapping flat against the table to hold him up in his fit of anger. The only response he earned was a mild sigh of annoyance. "I have. I EARNED my place, where as you were born to yours. I fought tooth and nail for what I have, where you use power and influence to bully the townsfolk and women with sheer terror to get them to do your bidding as nothing more than slaves. You keep us so poor we can't leave here and start a new elsewhere. Take your own advice. Calm yourself. Else I challenge you to a duel. We are not here to point fingers. We are here to get results. We wouldn't want out Resident Prince, Sir Zacharie, to get uncomfortable now would we?" She asked sweetly, her hand tightening against the pommel of her blade till he sat back down.

Zacharie listened to the exchange with a highly disinterested expression, before reaching into his coat and pulling out a folded document with a broken seal, though it was clear that it was from Della. "See, we wouldn't be here if anything you informed us of were true. For nearly a year we have maintained a small batallion stationed at the border, intent on removing them once you authorized a larger force in aiding them, as keeping our units so far from Katrin is an unnecessary expense, but necessary for trade relations. Speaking of,," he motioned to Ceilia," if her family truly did not have the means to produce adequate equipment for your men, I do not see why a man of your standing would not be able to aquire them elsewhere, as well as informing Della of your 'predicament' instead of responding with silence."

He stood up, taking a few steps in Stones direction. "I'm afraid if you and whatever knights you have employed are... distracted by trivial matters. In two days Marci Cantell will arrive with a final and formal treaty to station the necessary amount of guards to protect the border and ensure the safety of merchants and other travelers who rely on being able to conduct their business as they would, with minimal disturbance, while you sign a treaty with Katrin to guarantee you will not violate Dellas treaty unless you wish to enter conflict with Katrin. And please be certain, killing an animal will not get us to comply with whatever counter demands you wish to place."

The look of rage on Stone's face brought a pleased expression to Cielia, as though all the man's wrongdoings were finally catching up with him. The expression only got worse as he read the terms, and he stood up once again, indignant. "These terms are outrageous! It would leave my estate vunerable to attack if I were to send the amount of men you are demanding!" He said vehemently. Cielia stood up, a small smile on her face as she spoke up. "Perhaps, had you invested your money into the town as Della had, and growing the populace's capabilities as was expected of you, you would have had more than enough staffing to do what is required. You could have had more money as well, had you done that." She said simply, and watched the Prince with a newfound level of respect.

Stone took an angry step in the direction of Zacharie, and Cielia's sword was halfway out of its sheath before his foot even reached the ground again. "Think carefully, Lord Stone. I will not hesitate to harm you if you attempt anything." She said sharply. "I will not tolerate any slight. We do NOT need more conflict, especially with Katrin." She continued angrily, taking a few steps of her own. "Act like the Lord you claim to be and do your job to your people! Else the people's rage will continue to grow until even I can not stop them. They only have kept you alive to wield your influence in the hopes of protection... I would HIGHLY suggest making amends while you can, before the men who will be stationed here arrive. Because if this continues, they will make you watch as everything crumbles around you." She warned, sheathing her sword once she had gotten past Zacharie. "I would highly. HIGHLY, suggest signing it and escaping with what little dignity you have." She grimaced, her glare causing him to shrink back into his seat with defeat. Nodding his head, he growled out a angry sound of ascent, indicating he would do as suggested.

"Believe me, it's a shame it had to come to this," he said, walking back to his chair but not taking a seat. "But postponing security measures tends to yield catastrophic ends, or the need for a stronger power to interfere in the matter. I also advise you refrain from retaliation, because, as you said, your estate would become highly vulnerable to offensive strikes, and I don't think anyone will be willing to stand in your defense." He adjusted his coat. "I'm afraid that is all I have time to discuss at the moment, there are other issues I must attend to, wouldn't want to end up running a measly town to the ground instead of running a kingdom."
(He ended up becoming incredibly sassy for someone who is supposed to be energetic...)

(LOL he is your character not mine. He is very entertaining however.)

With a nod, she withdrew back to his side, and made her way out of the building next to him, a relieved expression evident on her face as soon as they had made it outside. "Well, That went... surprisingly well. I'm sure he will try something in revenge, however petty it may be. I would suggest armed guard for Marci Cantell..." She exhaled, shaking her head with a sigh. "Thank you for letting me join you. It was very pleasant to watch someone put that... pig, in his place..." She said, struggling to find the correct insult for Stone. Running a hand through her hair, she closed her eyes as they reached the carriage. "I do hope that your trip is uneventful back home." She smiled, bowing respectfully to Zacharie. "You both are pleasant to be around, a nice change of pace from the riff raff here in town. I do wish that the others would learn from your example." She exhaled stretching and popping her back.