Arlaman's Royal City

[Xaetorase]

________________________ Arlaman's Royal City



The Arlaman kingdom is filled with men and women of all shapes and sizes. Since the tyrant's removal, creatures from all over have returned in hopes of a new beginning. And, a new beginning they have found. There are homes, hundreds of useful shops, and many places for food and drink.

__________

Tseia's Bar & Inn: Tseia is an elderly widow known around the kingdom as the owner of one of the most thriving rest stops in the entire city. She is open to new visitors, will tell tales of old, and often houses knights during their times of rest. Breakfast and dinner are a wonderful time to emplore her services as she slides tables together and has everyone eat as one. It is a great place to pick up on previously unknown information.

__________

The streets are home to all manner of shopping. Whether you are a warrior or a mage, you can surely find something to suit your fancy.

In the surrounding areas are many lands where farmers work. Due to this, there is always a bountiful crop pertaining to the seasons. The market, aside from the bordering shops, is probably the most popular aspect of the city.  

[Your Missing Period]

The Holy Knight | Rzhavard Nalenyr

He was so tired, a metal clad arm carrying a bag over his shoulder. The bag was worn and looked to be nearly as old as him, scratched, scuffed, loose threads, but it was doing its job, and if one looked closely they could see it had been patched on more then one occasion. The day had started not to long ago, the air still cool as the sun slowly moved across the sky in hopes of warming the city up. The knight had been walking nearly all night, stopping only when he reached the familiar one story house in the farming lands, sleeping the rest of his night away in there. But now that the sun was up, he'd eaten, thanked the wonderful elderly couple that lived there and helped them out a bit before donning his armor and exiting. How he loved the city of Arlaman. The streets were busy, loud, children running two and fro, giggling and carrying toys or food, sometimes a dog in tow behind them. Men and women were standing off to the side, some talking about business, others about gossip and the rest merely greeting and giving niceties. He could smell food from the nearby farmer's market, silver eye catching the image of baked goods. He'd have to stop by afterwards to buy some. Other smells included the blacksmiths, the pure heat having a scent all its own as metal clanged against meta, forging weapons, the smell of sawdust as woodworkers built furniture or pieces of tools. Blacksmiths and woodworkers seemed to work hand in hand. Oh how Rzhavard loved the ever alive Arlaman, not to mention the weather was nice despite a few clouds hanging overhead, dotting the blue sky. He prayed there wouldn't be rain, traveling in the rain was indeed the worst way to travel, but he was too stubborn to stay a night when he knew he had somewhere to go.

And speaking of places to go he had reached his, a simple white building, hardly noticeable as the outside was hardly decorated. The knight opened the door, holding it open as a red sashed knight exited before entering himself. The inside was quiet for the most part, some men whispering towards the walls amongst themselves. Metal boots walked across the ceramic tile before he reached the desk holding a frail man with squinted eyes. The bag was placed onto the polished desk and opened, envelope being held out. It never ceased to amaze Rzhavard how this old man hadn't quite died yet, frail old fingers grabbing the envelope and reading the front. A noise of acknowledgement before handing the knight a key and motioning toward the left side door. The knight thanked him, placing his bag over his shoulder and going through the door. It was a hallway filled with doors, and Rzhavards was thankfully close to the front, quickly unlocking it and opening the small storage room. Hardly cluttered, he never really bought many things as souvenirs, never found anything interesting.

The bag was emptied, items being places where they needed to be before he switched out his swords, longswords for a simple rapier, and exited. Next stop, Tseia's for a drink. He'd abandoned his swords but not his armor, leaving the building and mingling with the crowd. Salesmen, children offering things, but he did stop buy fr those cookies, carrying the small pouch in his hand as he munched, looking around. as much as he hated it, as a knight he had to keep an eye on the town, stop any scuffles, simple things. But today was a good day, the knight making it through the streets without spotting a single scuffle and opened the door to the Inn, already relaxing as the warm air urged him inside. Placing a final cookie in his mouth he closed the bag, keeping in what was left before finding a table and sitting in the chair, taking a breath and exhaling. He was home.

Location: Tseia's Bar and Inn
Company: None
Feeling: Relaxed

 

[Xaetorase]

█ █ █ █ █ █ William Edinton

“Ah-Ha!” When sword met with lance the ringing of clashing steel filled the room. And then there was the crowd, cheering and screaming obscenities to either party. They were not just any crowd of course, but fellow knights, enjoying a friendly battle among each other. William, one of the few lance users in the squad, was a natural favorite as his weapon of choice was mostly unused. Being rather high in rank also boosted his fame.

With a swift upright movement with his lance, William defeated his fellow knight, the armor-clad man falling to the sands below. “Ten-to-three, my friend!” called William, sticking his weapon into the sands and bending over with an arm extended to the other knight. With a sheepish grin the other knight gladly accepted his help and rose to his feet, delivering a swift slap to the victor's back.

“I'll kick your arse one of these days, Will. Be cryin' to your momma, you will.” Said the knight in a playful, brotherly manner as he gathered his equipment and walked out of the training grounds.

It wasn't unnatural for William to partake in daily spars. He liked to fight, no doubt, the adrenaline addictive. But, he also enjoyed his downtime. The knight had stored his lance, removed his armors, and taken to the streets in a tan tunic with black leggings and brown boots, his ranked belt still wrapped about his waist. This was protocol, to wear the belt. If a citizen was in need whether you were on duty or not, it was a knight's honor to aid them in any way you could.

The streets were filled with happiness and laughter, no matter where he looked trouble was not to be found, so he quietly sifted through the crowds and headed toward his usual spot of rest, Tseia's bar and inn. The widow's cooking was to die for, and her bar maidens all drop-dead gorgeous. How could he not indulge?

With a limp, the residue of a disease he'd contracted when young, he entered Tseia's and began searching for a seat. That was when he noticed a lower-ranking officer he rather liked.

“Rzhavard, my friend! How goes it?” Greeted William, taking a seat at his fellow knight's table.  

[Your Missing Period]

The Holy Knight | Rzhavard Nalenyr

The knight had ordered a drink and some food, bag of cookies on the side of the table, but well within arm's reach. Part of him wanted to go to sleep, but very few ships left during the night, and there were rumors of trouble brewing overseas. "Nothing ever seems to go right." He murmured to his drink before taking a healthy gulp. Rzhavard never considered himself an alcoholic anymore than the blacksmith was in the back. If anything he was less of one, but his meal came and Rzhavard happily ate a potato, munching away silently in thought, hearing the door open. It was only morning, but a small rest couldn't hurt, and he could finally take off his armor.

Rzhavard took another bite until a familiar voice and person sat down beside him, making him choke and cough, taking a quick drink before smiling weakly. "William, it goes well, early, but well. And yourself? Looks like you were in a friendly fight again. Another win?" and chuckled, taking a much smaller bite.

Location: Tseia's Bar and Inn
Company: William
Feeling: Relaxed

 

[Xaetorase]

█ █ █ █ █ █ William Edinton

This fellow was rather perceptive. It was something about the boy that he really liked. The Arlaman knights could use more of that. William, chuckling at Rzhavard's question, gestured one of the bar maidens to the table. “Ha, you know me well enough, Rzhavard, any battle is a good battle.” The woman approached with an absolutely gleeful smile brightening her face and a loud greeting for the knight. As with many of the higher ranks, he was well known. Eventually, he thought as he glanced at his white-haired friend, you will be too.

William ordered a simple meal of bread and porridge. It was early enough and spoiling his appetite before he could enjoy the rest of his day would be silly. Secretly, he also didn't want to seem like a pig in front of his company. “A lower-ranking officer this time. We've had an ongoing string of duels based on a deal we had when we originally joined the guard together.” The knight smiled, leaning back in his seat with an arm slung over the backside. “As you know I've had this kink in my leg ever since I was young. It makes me genuinely weaker, but I've never let it get the best of me, you know?” Ah, reminiscing. He liked to do this. He could only hope that Rzhavard liked stories as much as he liked telling them.

“So, he tells me that if I ever earned my current belt and he was lower than me, that I'd have to personally ask the king to reconsider his position if he ever defeated me twenty times in a duel.” He chuckled. “Well, he goes and gets the idea that this won't happen seeing as I'm handicapped. I rub it in his face every day and he always responds with something about me cryin' to my mum. Good friend, him. Really good friend.” Not often catching Rzhavard with others, he quietly wondered if the boy was an individualist or simply hard of socializing. It could be either, but he enjoyed the guy's company. Maybe they could hit something off? “And, what about you? We both know you deserve more than that belt describes.”  

[Xeo27]

Ash & Xanxanos
Currently~ Ash -> Xanxanos
Feeling~ Tired, Cranky ->Tired, Hungry

Ash walked down hunched against the light. People steered clear of her as soon as they saw her face and for a good reason. When Ash was cranky she looked like she could tear someone's head off without a even blinking. This was what happened when you had an annoying demon yammering on about how hungry, tired, and or bored they are. "Walk faster, fool! I want to eat something," Xanxanos said wishing Ash had a speed up button. "Whatever," Ash grumbled wishing Xanxanos had an off button. "To the tavern!" Xanxanos shouted as if Ash didn't know exactly where she was going already.
Walking into the tavern, Ash sat as far away from any guards as possible. Xanxanos could get out of hand when guards were involved and Ash didn't want any trouble. "Is that...? Oh my, I think it is!" Xanxanos said. "What?" Ash asked. "I see cookies! Get them for me," Xanxanos commanded. "What? No! I'm not going to steal cookies!" Ash exlained. "Why not?" Xanxanos asked. "They're not mine to steal." Ash said honestly. "Oh really? Then why do you steal all of those jewels and artifacts." Xanxanos muttered. "You know why." Ash said. "Never mind I'll just steal them myself." Xanxanos said. "What?" Ash asked as Xanxanos took over.
Locking in the location of her target, Xanxanos reached her hand into the shadows under the table. As her hand went into the shadows another smaller hand made of shadows appeared near the bag of cookies. Snatching them quickly, the hand disappeared quickly back into the shadows as a bag of cookies appeared from the shadows and landed in Xanxanos's hand. "That was a piece of cake Ash, I don't see why you didn't do it yourself," Xanxanos gloated. Ash stayed quiet and nervously wondered if they would get caught while Xanxanos began to eat the cookies.  

[Your Missing Period]

The Holy Knight | Rzhavard Nalenyr

Rzhavard continued to politely eat, making sure not to put too much in his mouth to hinder his speech, but Rzhavard knew. William did enjoy his sparring matches. He took on anyone who offered, the bold, the meek, the albino knight was never so foolish to ask for one. William was a long distance fighter with his lance while Rzhavard needed a closer distance considering he used rapiers. The barmaid greeted William happily like he was an old friend or a brother. Rzhavard came here every chance he got too, but instead he chuckled. As well known as always. How do you manage?" And continued his chuckles, taking a drink from his own mug.

And William began his tale. "When you originally joined? So an old friend then." All of Rzhavard's friends owned farms and had families. He hadn't been aware William had an old friend in the service with him, William was friends with everyone it would never cross your mind. When the other pointed out his lame leg the knight gave a laugh. "The way you fight, no one would know you had a kink in it. Never seen you hit the ground and the sky will fall when you do." He took another bite, glancing toward the door as a girl walked in. She seemed irritable, it was only morning how was one irritable?

But hearing William made the other smile and shake his head. "You need to have a goal." At least William humored his friend with every battle, Rzhavard taking another bite and pausing. His cookies were missing. The knight leaned back, giving a small stretch, it seemed normal, but he was checking under the table in case he'd pushed them off accidentally. William's story was temporarily ignored as the low ranking knight thought, where had they gone? Silver eyes moved up to scan the patrons of Tseia's, finding his nibbles in the hands of the girl who walked in. Magic.

William threw Rzhavard off again at his comment on his belt. "Pardon? No, no. I merely do what I'm given." He gave a shrug. "It's just a belt, it doesn't say who I am, merely what rank I am." Humble, the knight didn't want to say that he felt he deserved a promotion, nor did he want to point out his cookies were missing. He paid good coin for those cookies, staring directly at the girl with the smallest of frowns. Magic, he nearly hated magic, or would if he wasn't using it on his armor.

Location: Tseia's Bar and Inn
Company: William
Feeling: Somewhat annoyed

 

[Xaetorase]

█ █ █ █ █ █ William Edinton

Kind words came from this knight. It was a shame the boy seemed to rather be alone. William's food arrived, and when it did, he began to quietly eat and ordered a mug of ale to go along with his meal. One could never go wrong with a bit of alcohol, really, even this early in the day. Not being on duty, he could care less if he was a bit tipsy. “It will get worse when I age.” Said William, referring to his leg. “But when it does I'll have hopefully retired and won't be a knight anymore, only left with a messed up leg, some memories, and hopefully a kind daughter or son to take care of me.” That sounded nice, at least. Getting a woman to marry him would be the hard part, though. No one wanted a knight that could never see them or lived in constant danger.

“Yeah, well, other knights can be right assholes to the lower ranks, unfortunately.” Said he, now quietly following Rzhavard's gaze to the girl now in possession of his biscuits. Well, that was unfortunate. How had she grabbed them, anyway? Thieves could be ridiculously quick in their ways, so he supposed that was an option. Or, magic, which he preferred to not think of. Magic had placed him where he was. The disease which harmed his leg had been a magic-induced plague. Then again, it was also a sorcerer who had saved his life. Perhaps he really had nothing against it. “Have you considered dueling anyone to try and get a new belt? Usually its good to duel a person who is two ranks above you.”  

[Xeo27]

Ash & Xanxanos
Currently~ Xanxanos
Feeling~ Irritated

"That was so rude, how could you do that!?" Ash yelled as Xanxanos ate one of the cookies in the bag slowly. "I mean, I know you don't have any manners, but this is a whole new level-" she continued before Xanxanos inturrupted saying,"OK, I get it! Just shut up!" "No, I will not shut up unless you give those cookies back and apologize," Ash demanded."Fine, FINE, I'll do it if only to make you shut up," Xanxanos said as she got up and dragged her feet over to the table with the guard she stole the cookies from and his friend. Xanxanos then dropped the cookies on the table and said,"I'm sorry I stole your cookies."Turning to go back to her table, she saw that someone else had already claimed it so she sat down with a huff in the nearest chair which happened to be at the same table as the cookie guard and his friend.  

[Your Missing Period]

The Holy Knight | Rzhavard Nalenyr

Rzhavard was glad William had taken a drink, he wasn't the only knight drinking so early, but it was drinking time somewhere in Raeon. But he was also going to sleep the day away after the meal, but something was telling him otherwise, in the back of his head. "It's going to get worse. You know it. You can feel it. It always does." Rzhavard wasn't going to drown the thoughts in ale, not yet, but hearing William's goals after retirement surprised the low-ranking knight. "Never took you as the family type, William." Rzhavard was never one for nicknames. "It'd be best to retire now while you're still young. Once you get grays," Rzhavard chuckled and shook his head. Finding a woman past the younger years got hard, he'd seen it himself. Many retired knights who didn't previously have families found it incredibly hard to start one let alone find someone to start with.

But Rzhavard chuckled, giving a crooked smile. "When you have a temper you can stand even on the ground with higher ranks." however before he could take a bite William mentioned he could duel to be promoted. A moments hesitation before he placed the fork down, mouth opening to speak but his biscuits were placed before him. She was sorry? That was it? "The thief apologizes." he stated, taking them quickly. "What possessed you to steal from a knight?" And took a bite of his food, glaring at her as he checked the small pouch. Greedy pig ate most of them.

Location: Tseia's Bar and Inn
Company: William and the girl
Feeling: Trying to be polite

 

[Xaetorase]

█ █ █ █ █ █ William Edinton

William certainly didn't want to grow too old before he'd a chance at marriage and, embarrassingly, fornication. Unfortunately, honor bound him to knighthood and he wouldn't just up and leave his position to fulfill a wild, star-crossed dream. But, at the same time he was proud of his accomplishments in life and would continue to grow into a better fighter and ultimately, a better man.

“A temper can force your hand in a real battle—“ Oh, they had a guest, and it was the aforementioned thief! He was tempted to question her on the basis of her magical act, but, he was not the victim here and had really no place in this strange business of theirs. “Hee, thought better of your actions? It is good to see that even the starving can reveal their hearts.” William turned in his seat and waved like a childish imp to the same bar maid who'd served him. “Another round of porridge! Big bowl, and...” He looked back at the girl, taking her in. “Milk!” He called, grinning. Children didn't need ale and he didn't need to be blamed for their drunken actions. Anyway, the girl could gain an inch or two in height and the cow's nectar would help with that.  

[Xeo27]

Ash & Xanxanos
Currently~ Xanxanos
Feeling~ Irritated

Xanxanos wanted to mock the night but knew it was better to keep her mouth closed. Instead she decided to go for pity and with a pathetic look on her face said,"I'm sorry, I don't have any money and I was just so hungry. You already had food so I thought it would be ok but I realized I was wrong." Sniffling she did her best to look like a helpless girl and appearently it worked! It was a lucky day; free food, more free food, and she could probably get even more free food if she tried hard enough. "I would say this is wrong but I know you wouldn't listen," Ash sighed. "Whatever, nothing can go wrong with food, especially the free kind," Xanxanos thought while taking a large gulp of milk before starting to eat the porridge. "Manners,"Ash said. "Oh right," Xanxanos thought before she stopped eating for a second to say," Thank you for the food."  

[Your Missing Period]

The Holy Knight | Rzhavard Nalenyr

Rzhavard glared at the girl, opening his mouth to reject her obvious lie but William cut up. He was buying porridge and milk for a thief?! "The starving, perhaps William, but thieves have none. And speaking of which, is it truly all right to feed a thief? You might as well throw ale on a fire." The knight wasn't one for questioning higher rankings, well perhaps he was which was why he wasn't promoted, but it still didn't settle well with the albino. He finished off his ale, looking away and staying silent. He was going to finish eating, and once he was positive William no longer needed company he'd go go upstairs and sleep.

Location: Tseia's Bar and Inn
Company: William and the girl
Feeling: Trying to be polite

 

[Xaetorase]

█ █ █ █ █ █ William Edinton

“None, Rhzavard? She did bring your biscuits back, didn't she?” William could understand his fellow knight's distress. Thieves were little bastards, but he'd not care so much if they corrected their actions and apologized. Then they were just mere children, like this strange girl. He found happiness in her positive reaction to the ordered meal and beverage.

His order having been delivered at the same time as Ash and Xanxanos's, he too began to eat, although much more respectfully than the girl did. “Don't worry about it, Rhzavard. She's kind of cute anyway.” With a grin and a wink toward the pale knight, he chuckled to himself and spilled a little porridge on his bottom lip. This he quickly wiped up with a small bit of bread. He then looked to their new company.

“What are you doing in Arlaman? Especially without a coin purse?”  

[Xeo27]

Ash & Xanxanos
Currently~ Xanxanos -> Ash
Feeling~ Bored -> Careful

Xanxanos wipped her face on a napkin listening to the knights' conversation. She was starting to feel bored... "Ash, take my place," Xanxanos commanded. "Fine," Ash said with a sigh. Xanxanos looked around as they switched places not wanting someone to notice the immediate shange of eye color that took place. Placing her hands in her lap after the transfer of control was finished, Ash waited patiently as the knights conversed since Xanxanos had already finished the porridge. "I am here doing some errands and I only realized I had left it at home when I was in the middle of said errands. It was too late for me to retreive it so I just came here without it. Again, I apologize for my actions," Ash sincerly said looking at Rhzavard as she finished. Of course, by errands she meant stealing but minor details. "I can make it up to you and buy you more biscuits, if you want."