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 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:06 pm
The fire prince jumped in response to the sharp shout, before turning to recognize his friend.
"... Couldn't you be a little more reserved? There are other people in this inn you know," he muttered, glancing about the lobby in an almost embarrassed manner.
"Don't try to pull that with me. Everyone knows you're a wild child. Since when do you 'uphold' images?" Malachai teased in return, though his voice dropped considerably as the heat user caught up to the other.
"So how'd it go with loverboy? Am I permitted to utter his name in these hallowed halls?"
A look that blatantly screamed 'You are the worst' glared from his green eyes before he replied quietly, "Well... it didn't."
"What in the bloody kingdom is that supposed to mean? You were supposed to talk."
"Well, he was sleeping. Criminy, 'Chai. What'd you want me to do? Shake him awake while he was recovering like that and plow him over with some heavy phrase like 'I have feelings for you' ?!" The prince's voice moved from a normal level to a hushed whisper as he finished.
The adopted prince smirked.
"You could've plowed him over with something."
Shaking his head, the prince was speechless for only a moment.
"That is so not right, 'Chai. Are you completely perverse or do you have an evil twin? How did I even become friends with you?" he shot at the other before moving to the door of the inn from which he had originally entered.
"Aw, come on! We were destined to be buddies!" he said, following the Ruehl through the door and out into the streets.
"Destined? So you mean I had no choice. Well, see, now that makes more sense." Despite his words, a smile began to tug at the corners of this lips.
"Now that's just cruel, Rue... Where are we going anyway?"
A shrug. "No idea. I heard there were supposed to be Light Glass dancers or something, though. Maybe they still have a night performance or something."
He stretched his arms over his head. "Fine, but can we not stay too late? I'm a bit drained." Malachai ruffled his orange locks as a yawn left him.
Quirking a curious brow, Ruehl's elbow playfully nudged the other. "Mhm. So... enough about my night. What about yours? You seem in quite the mood."
His azure gaze shifted from those inquiring green ones to the night sky. "... Stars are nice tonight," he muttered, unable to suppress a guilty grin.
Ruehl laughed. "Not quite as nice as whatever you've been up to."
"No, not quite."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:06 pm
[[wheeewt! time skip]]
"Your majesty--" a voice called. "Prince Ruehl, wake up, please!"
Groggy eyes opened to find his guard at his bedside. "Vardin, I'mmexhausted," he slurred slightly. "Can you come back in an hour? or two? or five?" His voice wasn't sharp, but clearly the prince wasn't quite himself. A hand slipped over his eyes and combed back bloody locks as Ruehl felt the nasty, dull pain of a hangover in his senses.
"Prince Ruehl, ... I can't. I'm sorry, but... it's about your father. He's gone missing."
Quite awake at this point the prince asked, "How long?"
"He left this morning about 6 AM to meet your mother at Gretnik's Pass-- about 30 miles south of here and come in with her. An entourage was with him, my prince but..."
"Yes?"
"She just arrived. He wasn't with her."
"Well, I mean plans change. Perhaps he needed to travel farther or he--"
"Prince Ruehl, your mother found remnants of an ambush."
His head throbbed painfully. "I really need a cleric," he murmured before trying to process all of the pieces of the story. "Is there any information about where he could be?"
"So far, we found 4 men hung at the pass each wearing the fire nation's insignia. ... and I'm really sorry, my prince, but two of the Kingdom's judges just arrived. They want to question you."
Ruehl's brow creased and his voice held a tone of defense. "Why me?"
"I believe they think this was a conspiracy theory to promote you or Malachai prematurely to the throne, my prince. You see, two of our guards are still missing. And the message the left at the scene ... well... it implies a domestic problem for our kingdom."
"But you know I've been here the entire t--"
"Your highness, it's best if you go bathe. The Judges aren't inclined to leave before they have their audience with you."
"Thank you, Vardin. I'll do that. Would you mind getting a cleric for my head? It's swimming."
"Of course, your majesty." And with that, the knight departed.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:07 am
[[Omg, my prayers have been answered for a dangerous situation, but oh god, it's too soon. gonk ]]
Haar was just about to turn back and answer, in the middle of fastening his shirt when a curt knock sounded on the door. With a questioning expression, the soldier opened it with a light frown. He was surprised to see a messenger with the fire nation's insignia embroidered on his jacket. It wasn't just any messenger either, it was Cyrus's personal delegate. "What happened?" He asked urgently as he finished with his shirt. Cyrus, who was still at the castle, would not be sending him frivolous notes on one of his only vacation periods. Letting the carrier inside, the young man shut the door swiftly as the teen explained in more detail what the note entailed. "Sir, General Cyrus wanted to inform you about an ambush just south of here at the pass...t-there was a hanging of several of our militia and...the General is suspect that the knights who were hanged were...the King's escort," he murmured, stuffing the note in Haar's hand before hanging his head. The teen obviously hated being the bearer of bad news...
As red eyes scanned the hastily written note, Haar's frown deepened. "The king is missing?" He mumbled to himself aloud before folding up the note and putting it in his pocket.
"Uh...Sir? General Cyrus said that even though the judges are still contemplating who set up the attack that it was still an attack against the country and that since you're the closest he wanted you to oversee the investigation of the area," he mumbled hesitantly. Another blow of bad news for the commander. On any other occasion he would've been fine with the decision, he was after all, the commander, but he was in a foreign country with foreign policies when it came to investigations and it wasn't as if he had a body of soldiers to order around. It was just him and several other knights that had been stationed around the festival to make sure the prince was safe since he had come without his parents and he wasn't sure if they'd be let off duty to come with him. Haar assumed they would be needed in the area since one of the royals had gone missing, they didn't want to lose another one.
Haar held a hand to his temple. He felt immensely better than yesterday and overall he felt much better than he had in the past few weeks but to be given such a grave mission without any extra soldiers was...reckless on Cyrus's part. He shouldn't have been asking him to do this on his own. The young man knew that the general had no other option though, the country's officials needed answers before the word spread to the people and caused a wave of panic. "Accepted. I'll leave within the hour," he said before dismissing the messenger with a salute. He couldn't really ask Ceris to come with him, he was certainly busy with his healing duties. Peyton would've been a wonderful asset to drag along, being skilled in the areas of what exactly he needed for the mission... but Peyton was very much out of commission, as Ceris had explained to him in a message the day before. Haar could always ask Xel, but if the ambush had been by the ice nation that could be very risky for the knight. He hadn't been asked to do a solo mission in a very long time...
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:59 pm
Alti watched in silence as Haar went to answer the door, a rather blank expression on his features. He couldn't hear anything of what the two were conversing -- but he could tell it was bad news by how tense the commander was and by the reluctant, depressed messenger. No messenger with good news ever looked like that. Alti sighed slowly, raising one pale hand to brush back dark locks from his semi-closed, golden eyes. Trouble... that was just so very.... typical. Haar and Alti were finally... on good terms. Who knew just what might have happened? And it was the Fire Kingdom. With a stab of guilt, he hoped no one had discovered Red's meeting with his son... if he was causing problems for his father, as well, Alti didn't know... what he would do.
((Pleh... le short. D: *dies*))
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:17 pm
Haar leaned his forehead against the door, pressing tight fists against the stained wood. He was somewhat flattered that the generals believed he was capable of running the investigation by himself, but on the other hand he realized that going by his lonesome was very risky, just as taking a very large group of soldiers was risky. He didn't want the enemy, whoever it was, to think they were mounting an attack against them, but if indeed there were still stragglers around the area Haar didn't really feel it was very wise to go alone.
Clenching his hands in nervous anticipation, the commander heaved out a sigh as he pushed himself away from the door. He pulled out the letter once more, noting that Cyrus wanted a report sent back with his messenger by the end of the day. Thankfully, that meant he didn't have to spend the night in a tent huddled up in the corner fearing for his life. Picking up his sword, which he had somehow managed to untie before falling asleep the night before, Haar fastened it to its proper place before turning towards Alti with a somber expression. He wouldn't ask the teen to come with him, even if it was just for the company, this was a high security investigation and he couldn't risk someone finding out he had taken a foreigner with him. "I have to go," he murmured, not going into full detail as he dumped the contents of the bag Ceris had given him on his bed, picking out a few essentials and stuffing them in the satchel before swinging it over his shoulder. He replaced his coat revealing the symbol of his country with a plain charcoal cloak.
"I should be back in a few hours, but if I'm not would you tell Ceris or Xel to contact General Cyrus immediately?" He asked, standing in the doorway.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:32 pm
Haar looked... extremely tense and unhappy. It definnately put a dampening on the previously light mood. Alti only nodded, the motion slowl, for once remaining silent. This wasn't the sort of situation that he thought he could pry into... not with the... messenger and Haar's overly serious, somber expression. It was likely something that needed to be hushed up, or Haar would have told him.
"How will I... find them? Will Ceris be in the clinic?" he asked slowly, his voice now sounding particularly subdued. With the lighting the way it was -- morning light streaming through the window behind the teen, sihlouetting him with an eerily beautiful golden glow, his face kept in indistinct shadow -- it was impossible to tell his expression. It was easily to guess what it might be, though, judging by the tone of his voice.
"Come back... safely, alright?" he mumbled after several moments, almost embarrassed by the request -- but he really did mean it. He didn't want to lose the only person he had ever managed to befriend....
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:47 pm
Haar gave the other a rare, genuine smile as he shifted his bag to his other side. "Now, when am I not careful?" He meant it to be reassuring but with how very reckless he tended to be around Alti he mused that his comment only made things worse.
"I'll see you later," he said in a tone that was sure. He would see Alti later if he had anything to say about it.
[[guh. I have nothing to say.]]
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:53 pm
[[time skip lol.]]
Gretnik's Pass was not commonly used due to its narrow and winding pathways. Contrary to most of the light kingdom with its gorgeous forestry, the pass was known for its land slides, which only added to its treacherousness and the reason behind its disuse. Haar had no idea why the king's men would have taken him through the pass. As the commander arrived at the described location, right at a sharp bend in the road-- a perfect spot for an ambush-- the young man set down his bag as he weaved his way into the brush near the edge of the road. After about an hour of searching, the soldier realized that nothing suggested anyone had come from the side of the road or any easily reachable cliffs. Cupping a hand over red eyes, Haar licked his lips as he scribbled down another note on his piece of paper he would have sent to Cyrus. Most of the rim-rocks were too small to even stand on and the larger ones were so high up that jumping from them would be suicide.
Haar concluded that the enemy came from neither the side of the road nor the cliffs. Biting his lower lip in thought, the young man sat precariously on a large boulder near the dusty road, staring down at his page. Oddly enough the road didn't even look disrupted, as if the carriage holding the king and his knights had not even been disturbed... Scratching at his neck, Haar frowned. It didn't seem as if any outside enemy had attacked the entourage at all...
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:59 pm
Towel-drying his soaking wet locks would have to do. Malachai usually could blow a quick gust of super-hot air over his damp hair and it'd be perfectly dry, but his friend was more than likely already being questioned and time was of the essence. While having a wet head was one of the prince's least favorite things in life, he ran a comb through his hair and pulled on a tunic and pants in haste.
In the hall, a middle-aged man was waiting for him. The crest on his tunic defined his duty as a cleric and following the prince's rather hushed description of a headache induced by drinking too much the night before, the man placed fingers to each of the young royal's temples.
"Thank you," Ruehl murmured, truly grateful. After all, approaching interrogation at less than your best was hardly wise.
Moving down to the designated conference room which was quite well-guarded, the prince noted, he passed between two knights and over the door's threshold.
Two men garbed in dignified red and black stood by the windows of the room, conversing quietly. Taking notice of the heir, however, they halted their conversation. "Your majesty, please won't you have a seat?" one of the men invited cordially.
Ruehl took to a chair on one side of the conference table situated in the center of the room. "Gentleman, I'll be frank. I'm not responsible for this and find it appalling that you're even questioning me. Seeing as our laws force all subjects of the throne to accomodate the judges and judicial branch, I understand I have no other option but to submit to you. But with the highest regard, sirs, I think you're wasting your time. I'd never go against my father. I love the King."
Sitting as well, Judge Zendrin considered the prince's words before asking, "I understand." Nevertheless he proceeded, "Are you aware that you and not, Prince Malachai are first in line to the throne if your father should he be found incapable to reign?"
Sighing defeatedly, the prince nodded, "Yes."
Meanwhile the other Judge-- Judge Tiuk paced by the window. "Prince Ruehl, do you know the policy for recruiting our militia?"
"Well, of course. It was included in my studies."
"And what is your position on it?"
"My..?" The prince had always been asked to give speeches on his position on concepts, but never such a long-standing tradition. "I support that it supplies our army effectively, but I think some revisions could make it better."
"What have your activites been in the last 24 hours?"
Ruehl shifted uncomfortably at this question. Was it so necessary for them to know everything? Believing it was best if he kept to the truth, the prince replied, "I arrived with Malachai and enjoyed the festival for a few hours, rested, and then went to find the Commander Shay Haar. I ate dinner with the cleric Ceris and then Malachai and I went to enjoy the night festivities for a while. Dancers, if I remember correctly. I was attempting to sleep in this morning."
The judges exchanged a look at the mention of 'dancers' but decided not to press the subject.
The interrogation continued for quite some time until the final question was asked by Judge Tiuk.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:11 pm
"--Really, if you would only explain--" the Fire native tried to say, but he was allowed no time to ask questions. He had awoken that morning to loud, hasty knocking upon his door. He had gotten up to see just why, exactly, someone was attempting to wake him at such early hours on a holliday, only to be confronted with two guards -- ones disctinctly more allert and efficient than his ones of the previous night. They had made their way forcibly inside and closed and locked the door, leaving the Fire royal utterly miffed, a feeling of great apprehension overcoming his being. This seemed... much too serious to be a result of his leaving his guards last night -- unless his family had found out he had finally met Alti. He certainly hoped they hadn't.
Soon enough, however, the guards had explained most, though obviously not all, of the situation -- after all, Red didn't need to know all, as it was to be kept as secret at possible. What he came to understand, however, was that there had been a Fire royal targetted... and because, although there was a deffinate suspicion for the reason, the millitary could never be entirely sure that it wasn't just an attack on the Fire Kingdom as a whole, rather than that one specific target. With such... doubts, they had to keep all those of the blood under lock, key and heightened guard.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:41 pm
Haar looked up at a sudden rattling along the road. Watching as a carriage sped through the pass, the soldier frowned deeply. It wouldn't be good for travelers to be using the pass when he was trying to do an investigation. Brushing off the cloud of dust that had collected on his cloak, Haar peered down the pass. He had been there for a few hours already and he needed to give his report to the messenger soon if it was going to reach Cyrus by that night. Unfortunately he hadn't found any information leading to the conclusion of an outside attack, which worried him... Of what he'd found it all aimed towards an internal mutiny of sorts.
Tucking his several page report under his arm, the young man started on his way back towards the festival, feeling slightly relieved that he hadn't run into anyone alive.
As he returned to the festival grounds, the young man checked in with ceris and Xel, who mumbled something about Peyton's condition and the current standing of the prince, who was being questioned. Returning to his room after a little chat with Cyrus's carrier, Haar stared at a guard stationed outside the door. Blinking, the red-eyed fire native slowly opened the door, peeking in with a suspicious glare before closing it with a sigh.
[[well sona said that the source was internal uh so...i assume Haar wouldn't find anything if it was that. confused ]]
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:56 pm
It'd hadn't been long after Haar's departure that the guard had arrived. No questions had been allowed and no explanation made -- Alti was an outsider, after all. Eventually, the teen had submitted to the stern treatment, feeling quite inwardly disgurntled, though he knew he had no choice in such matters. It was horrible, though -- being couped up inside on such a glorious day... and a fesitval day, at that. To make it worse, he had no idea why he had been contained within the room -- save that it most certainly had something to do with that morning's grim tidings.
He sat now upon his bed, nothing left to be done that he hadn't already tried already. It was impossible to focus, though, with the feeling of being captured and caged, as well as the persisting worry of Haar's safety. One was bad enough to cope with, but the two coupled together were quite undefeatable -- or, at the very least, that was how it felt.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:59 pm
Asking the guard a few questions, Haar frowned as the soldier explained there was a lock-down of sorts being held to keep any fire nobility under guard until questioning was complete. Although the commander was far from being of noble heritage, he was the nation's commander and apparently needed protection. With a roll of his eyes, the young man opened the door to his room, watching with a look of distaste as the guard closed it for him. Setting his satchel on his bed, Haar reviewed his notes carefully before placing them on the end of the bed. "'M back," he murmured, glancing at Alti before unfastening his cloak.
[[guh. x_x]]
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:19 pm
He could hear voices outside -- one of them he had come to know quite well throughout the day, the other different but... familiar. Very familiar. It was probably just his imagination, though -- getting his hopes up to think that Haar was actually in one piece. The teen nearly jumped as the door opened -- it hadn't been allowed open that day, with the exception of meals.... A wave of reliefe broke over the small teen, a smile spreading over his lips.
"Welcome back...." he murmured slowly, the relief showing clearly on his features. He had had too much time, that day, to sit and think of the many ways in which Haar might be killed in the grevious mission he had been sent out upon. He didn't ask the other about it, though -- after all, he was an outsider and questions would be useless... He wouldn't get answers, after all, since it was so... top secret. He really was highly curious, though.....
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:38 pm
Upon realizing that the teen had been added to the lock down, Haar frowned a bit, turning back to open the door and talk to the guard once more. He questioned the soldier about how able a soldier a commander should be, "So do you really think I need your protection?" He asked, grinning as the guard shook his head quickly, ' no.' "The decision to post guards around every fire noble at the festival should've come through me and it didn't so I'm going to ask you to disregard it," he said in an even tone, a little more than flustered that someone had issued such a high security measure without his consent.
Keeping the door wide open, Haar returned, outstretching a hand towards the exit, "You're free to go," he murmured before sitting at the end of his bed, scratching a few points out on his list as he tried to create several more theories out of what he'd found.
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