Silver & Blood: A Kingdom's Currency (Rynn01 x Kami GearX)

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Tamara didn't understand. How as she here and not from here at the same time, "Banditry? She must be a very violent and dangerous person." she was now getting fearful. But he was speaking as if she were a friend, "I shall do my best to compose myself sir."

She let him lead her into the gardens. It was spectacular that was for sure. It brought such joy to her heart that she left his side to look at all the flowers

What if she failed? What if he would rather be with her? Could she take that? Its not like she wanted any of this to start with. BUt she would fight for him, for the good of the kingdom  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

Prince Tousa of Darinest

"She's not that bad once you get to know her, though she may be a bit... Immature at first. I think you'll come to appreciate her on the journey to return her back to her home." Tousa stated as he followed Tamara into the garden to help pick her a spot in the garden for her art.

Down in the dungeons however, an entirely different plan was happening. There was a small shout from the guards before a few rapid thumps of bodies hitting the stone floor could be heard, an elongated breath and the shifting of clothing. A man, elegant and poised stood over now sleeping guards, a hand moving over each of their faces as a black mist flowed from his hands. "Like none of this ever happened." He hissed out as his jaw formed to the new face he was taking on.

He then hooked a finger on a key ring and he began to walk down the line of heavy doors. The voice that whispered out now speaking the ancient druidic dialect. "Anja, keeper of many secrets... I have come to find you. A great many plans rely on you and I have come to ensure your safety. Please tell me where you are in these cells. I'd like to have a little talk with you." There was a deep breath, as if he was taking in the fragrance of the air. He was a much different person than the old man she might have remembered, but the dialect and sharp emphasis of the words were the same.  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja's head lifted up as soon as she heard guards armor clink. She rose herself from a seated position and went to the door. She spoke in the dialect, "I am here. Third door on the left. I do not understand, why are you here?" she stepped back away from the door, not knowing how he was going to open it. How did he get here so fast? All of her answers will be answered very shortly  

[Kami GearX]

There was a click in the door and then a creak of its hinges and the man stepped in, quickly shutting it closed. He looked around and then at Anja. "How they have trapped the she wolf in a cage of stone, wood, and iron. Artificial are your bindings. Such a degraded state." It took a step toward her and reached for her cuffs, a key appearing in hand.

"I spoke of why I am here. To ensure your safety and well being. I am not going to free you, simply change out your chains for the sake of your health. A great many plans rely on you Miss Anja. Plans that are beyond the scope of mere mortal creatures such as ourselves. I am here to ensure those plans are carried out. A mere agent if you will. I am sure you have several questions, and if I know the answer, I shall share, as I have been commanded to do so." He was no crotchety old man that took care of birds anymore. He was tall, thin, and lithe, like a cat. Coiled to strike at any moment at whatever foe he might have to be set upon.  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja felt relief after those silver shackles had been removed. She rubbed her wrists,"Thank you for that. I do not understand why I am so important." she gave a show of respect, "What kind of plans? Who is behind all of this? How did you get here so fast? And you look different." she was talking too much but it couldn't be helped. So many things reeled in her mind right now

"On the way here, I actually spoke to a living Ent!" she tried to keep her voice quiet but it was hard, "He said he just woke up, after a very long sleep." she went into more detail about it with him, telling him all the things he showed her.  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

The man listened, giving a small nod of his head as she spoke. "Well, I have answers for some, and none for others. I do not have a lot of time to speak so I shall cover what I can." His gaze shifted to the door and he quickly stepped over to it, like a cat in the night hunting for a mouse. The door was opened slightly and he looked to the hallway and gave a nod before returning to look at Anja.

"The plans I speak of are one's of century long plots... It is difficult to understand. Strings are being pulled not just in this kingdom but in others. However, it is to prepare for the return of something glorious, the time of when this Yggdrasil tree was still alive. I am not privy to all plans, I simply act on my orders." The creature stated, moving to place new shackles on Anja's wrists, one's that did not have the silver lining in them. "My kind can change their shape and we do not need to rest, but eating and drinking still come naturally to us... And as for this Ent, it is good you share this knowledge, I will have to seek it out and make contact with what it needs to do and where it needs to go."

It's gaze focused on Anja. "You are important because the time of man is receding, and you are keeping a half-breed prince safe from dangers that lurk in the shadows, for they do not approach one such as yourself without risk of being ended... As for who is behind making sure the two of you remain safe, it is the half-breed prince's mother. Thought of as a commoner, who enticed the king to her chambers." There was sounds coming from the guards as they began to stir. "The manlings are waking soon. Know this, the Prince is not entirely a manling. His strong sense of duty and loyalty is your hint as to what he is. Now, I must go before I am seen. Act naturally."  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja heard him but instead of getting answers, all she got were more questions., "Wait, don't go. I have more questions!" she looked around frantically, "What do you mean half breed? What else is he?" she pulled on her new chains as he left.

"Thank you for telling me this. I will keep it a secret, I swear to you." she bowed to him again, then returned to her spot on the floor. Her mind was reeling with all this new information  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

The creature was quickly shutting the door and paused, looking to Anja with one eye. "If I told you, you would not act naturally around him. That is what we need you to do." He gave a small nod back and then shut and locked the door. His footsteps receded and the jingling of various items could be heard, more than likely putting things back into their proper place.

Then, everything was like normal, as if he had never shown himself. It would take a few more minutes before the stomping of boots would be heard coming to the door again and their was a harsh unlocking, guards coming in with spears as the jailer looked to her. "You're a lucky creature to have the Prince willing to risk so much for you... It's time for you to go see him."

With that the jailer stepped forward as cautiously as possible, unsure of her abilities even without her being able to transform. The shackle around her neck was unlocked and she was prompted to go towards the spears. "They will be escorting you."  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja nodded once more to the doppleganger before he left.

Guards showed up, with spears too. Great. She went without a fight, thankful the chains were removed. She tried to make small talk, "So. Where are we going? Hows it going with you guys? You have mates? Children? I bet they look like your wives!" she laughed and lazily walked around the castle.

"Come on, you don't have to point those things at me. Its not like I kill anything that I don't like."  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Only one guard really spoke up as they began to march around the castle. "We're going to deliver you to Prince Tousa, and our day has gotten a lot more tiring due to his antics. I personally have a wife and three kids, only one of them looks like my wife, only daughter really." After that the guard was given an elbow. "Don't talk to her, she's a monster!"

"She's just asking questions. There's no harm in that. Besides, Prince Tousa trusts her enough to stick his neck out this far for her so she can't be that bad right?" The other guard argued back. This carried on for a few more minutes, settling down with huffs from both guards

Tousa was sitting in the garden with Tamara, unless she wanted to talk he didn't say much and just let her work on her painting. His gaze wandered back from the painting to what was actually there and then back again, trying to follow a thought process of an artist he had met only a few minutes ago. The sound of boots on the ground made him perk up and he turned, looking to see a group of soldiers surrounding Anja as they approached the place where they were.

Tousa reached and gently tapped at the arm holding the painting board for he paints and made a small gesture over to Anja. "This is Anja, the one I was telling you about." The guards had halted with Anja, spears still pointed at her and waiting to either be dismissed or do something with the prisoner.  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja commented here and there while arguing, pointing out that she was being really civil, and that she wasn't a monster. Sure she threatened the king but it was personal. She enjoyed the bickering quite a lot. made this whole walk less awkward.

She reached the gardens and smiled and waved at Tousa. She was about to say something when another female appeared from behind another canvas. She was elegant, and pretty and smelled amazing. Anja was instantly curious. She looked at the guards, "I'm not going to harm anyone, so put those away before someone gets hurt." she walked past them, ignored their reactions and reached out to take Tamara's hand, "Hi there. I'm Anja." she felt the skin then let it go and looked directly at her, maybe getting too up in her face, "You are very pretty my girl." she glanced to Tousa, then back at her and smiled

Tamara hesitantly got up and looked towards the female known as Anja. Wait, was that all she wore? Had they taken her clothing? She took a step back when she approached. She jumped when her hand was taken. Her mouth was opened as she was stunned. How was she supposed to speak to this creature? When her hand was given back she went and hid behind Tousa.

Anja tilted her head, "Did I say something wrong?" she followed Tamara where she hid, "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

It was clear that Tamara was overwhelmed and scared, and Anja was only trying to be friendly  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa watched their interaction with a small amount of amusement in his eye as the woman known as Tamara was overwhelmed by Anja. The guards were certainly less enthusiastic of Anja's blatant disregard for them and were moving to come closer to Anja. Tousa just waved them off. "Men you're all dismissed, please leave us to our own devices." The please was more of a formality than a request, and begrudgingly they stepped back and towards the entrance they had come from though they didn't leave the garden entirely. Tousa just let out a small sigh, probably his father's orders.

Then came Tamara who hid behind him and Anja following her about. Tousa let out a small chuckle. "Anja, slow down, let me introduce the both of you first formally before you get close. You didn't do anything wrong." He did his best to step between the two even though he was already somewhat in that position to begin with and after a moment of failing to body block he let out another small sigh. "Anja, if you don't knock it off I'm going to whistle and then make you roll over... Then possibly give you pets on the head." He stated bluntly, trying to draw her ire towards him to distract Anja for a bit so he could get the spacing that Tamara needed.  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Anja stepped back and crossed her arms, "I'm not a pet. I will not roll over. And don't you think about petting me." she looked to Tamara. She could see now the worry and fear, "I'm sorry Tamara. I'm just trying to be friendly. I'll back off. The first time we met he held me real close and groped me."

Tamara was grateful to have space again. She looked at the two bickering and it made her nervous. They seemed to really like each other. But as soon as she got comfortable, Anja said something disturbing. She gasped and covered her mouth and looked at Tousa.

"Yeah he chained me up and took me to his chambers." Anja said with nothing special in her voice, "Oh he did save me from drowning."

Tamara was going pale as she talked, "O-Oh really?? Uh, how valiant."

"He was, and he totally ignored the fact that we were both nude."

Tamara felt like she was going to pass out  

[Kami GearX]

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Rynn01

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa let out an elongated sigh as he covered his face with a hand. "Anja... There is so much context for all of that, that you are currently missing." He looked over at Tamara with a nervous smile. "Forgive her, like I told you she's a bit... Crass." He moved over to get the stool that was positioned in front of the easel. "Before you faint Princess Tamara." He stated, motioning to the chair.

"And let me try to explain everything she just said. First, the whole grope thing and real close was because she ambushed my caravan I was leading and decided that rather than surrendering she would fight. So we wrestled each other until she finally submitted and gave up." Tousa was very calm about explaining it, though his gaze was giving Anja a very pointed stare.

"Next... The whole chained her up part and took to my chambers, while true, needs to be explained. The men of the fort certainly weren't going to treat you with any dignity or respect for who you were. She was a prisoner so I couldn't just let you walk around freely, thus she was given manacles. Nothing beyond that happen..." Not the best argument but the only one he could muster as his defense.

"Yes, I saved her from drowning. Yes, we were both naked. However she is the one that decided to approach my bathing spot when I told her we should bathe in separate locations. I was getting ready to leave when she began to drown. What was I supposed to do?" Tousa huffed at Anja, now folding his arms across his chest. "Besides, once you were conscious, we both got dressed shortly after. Don't make me out for some villain when I haven't done anything wrong..."  

[Rynn01]

Kami GearX

Tamara sat down quickly, trying to keep her composure, "Th-Thank you." she only nodded at his other statement. Yes that girl was very open, and too honest. She calmed when he explained things. ?Those things weren't all that bad. She looked at Anja, who had a bored expression

"When you say it like that its not fun." she walked over to the princess but didn't touch her, "If it would make you feel better, you can look at him while he is bathing. Makes it fair. Want to see me nude? I don't really mind."

Tamara blushed bright red as she got embarrassed, "Wh-wh-whaaaaatttt!?!?" she yelled as she put her hands on her flushed cheeks

"Oh don't worry, you don't have to show your body. This is a way for us to be on equal terms. Its only fair right?" she walked over to Tousa and grabbed his shirt, "Take it off."