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Oralee strode into the kings bedroom for yet one more time in her life, smirking when she saw him frowning into papers on his desk. "Funny, I thought most kings used a study, not their room."

Kennard's gaze shot up just as a man appeared in his room, standing cockily with his hands on his hips. Though he knew he'd never seen this man, the features resembled a person he had long given up on ever seeing again. The only person to ever make such remarks, to ever find their way into his castle. "What... I-"

"I need to call in that trust you promised me, King Kennard."

Kennard knew, with that statement, that this really was Nye Kumani. Getting to his feet, Kennard felt thrust into the past. "No..."

He paced the room, almost wearing out the fancy rug beneath his feet. Only a select few knew that his wife had finally conceived a babe, and even fewer of those knew that she had been kidnapped in the dead of night a week ago. The one who had taken her demanded Kennard step down, allow another to rule. From the missives, the man seemed to be unaware that his wife was pregnant, and that was all he could hope for, because otherwise, this man might kill his wife simply to prevent the birth of the heir. His son. It would be a son, Kennard could feel it. They'd already discussed names. And then suddenly, she was gone.
Two nights before he had been visited by someone claiming to help. He had sneaked into his castle, and had offered his services, without any ask of money or power. The words Nye Kumani had left as his reasons had merely been that the child in his wife's womb was of great importance. And with that, he had vanished. I do not know if my wife even still lives... Kennard lifted his crown off of his head and pushed his hand through his hair.
"She's safe, you know."
The voice was wearied, and the body crumpled through the window, almost unable to keep itself up. This time, the appearance seemed to flicker, but the illusion- for that's what it apparently was- held. Using the windowsil to pull himself up, Nye smiled weakly at Kennard. "She's hiding in her sitting room right now, waiting for you. It was easier to sneak her into there."
"What?"
"The man who took her is a summoner you dismissed from your service for staring overlong at your beautiful queen. He switched to illusionism to better hide himself from your might." Nye glanced away. "I'm... He's dead, I'm afraid. Wouldn't give up without a fight."
Now, Kennard noticed the scratches and blood all across the body of the-woman! In an instant, the illusion had slid off of her, as she slumped into a sitting position. "Damnit." She muttered, glaring at him. She was shrouded in a multitude of cloth, and despite it being cut in many places where she had been clawed at or sliced, he couldn't make out any features beyond that she was a woman, and the seafoam color of her eyes. "I've saved your wife, and the son within her womb."
"Thank you." Kennard walked over to her and helped her to her feet. "You took a great risk, coming back as wounded as this. I've heard of Nye Kumani, I know you're a great assassin. I could have you executed... And yet you came back like this."
"Had to get your wife home. She sure can shriek."
"I thank you. You will forever have the trust of King Kennard."
"Careful, I may just need to use that later on."
"Let me get your wounds treated-"
"No, I must be on my way."
Nye had looked at him for a moment, like there was more she thought she should say, but she had shaken her head, stepped into the window- and vanished.

Kennard stared at the man in front of him- the man he knew truely to be a woman, to be the most infamous assassin, almost a mere myth. "Why have you come?"
"I had another vision,"
"About my wife?"
"No. About your-" Oralee hesitated, staring at him. "I'm not sure it's wise to tell you. Someone here is in grave danger, and I and a group of my allies must lie in wait to save this person. I ask... I must ask you to allow us to remain in the castle under the guise of traveling musicians come to celebrate something."
"I-" Kennard's instincts as king told him he should not trust her. She was an assassin, and could very well be here to kill his entire court. And yet... "A king keeps his word. You have my trust."
"Thank you. I will be disguised as a female violinist. I have an elf and a beastial in my company. I hope this will not be an issue."
"I have a... reformist in my company. I will tell my court that I hired a diverse group to placate him. Also, the thing you will be celebrating is that my son has finally begun to woo a young lady."
"You don't sound convinced."
"It's an act, but one that allows the nobles to be calm, and my son to focus on the political tensions."
Oralee gave a bow. "Thank you, King Kennard. Your musician troupe will arrive as soon as I have all of my allies gathered. I ask you tell no one of this."
Kennard watched as Nye took a step back, and faded into the shadows. Turning, he took a deep breath, and walked until he found his adviser. "Demitri!" Kennard put a hand on his shoulder. "You'll never guess what I've done." Trying to act as he usually would, Kennard did not give him a chance to answer. "I've hired a musician to celebrate Rio finally finding a woman to woo! Her troupe- it was really unclear whether they were all musicians or just her escorts, but anyway- includes a beastial and an elf, so maybe we'll get Jeremy off our backs, huh?" Kennard gave a large grin. "What do you think? Inspired idea, right? She should be arriving soon." Not waiting for an answer, Kennard strode back towards his room.

((posted, now I'll edit in the colors and bold and stuff)

Riordan rushed towards his fathers room. That was where the assassin had to be headed. No one else would sneak into castle like that. Riodan focused on his own magic as he ran, and within moments running along his side was a small, but still ferocious silver dragon. Hem draw his sword and rushed into has fathers room to find.....no one but his father. "Father.....I heard that there was.....but....." He said unable to understand what was going on. "Is there anyone else here?"

Alexandre nodded. "He is a good man to keep his word. May I ask now, how exactly are we getting in? What is out disguise? And are Godelieve and Lorne merely to act as servant?" He said wanting to know the details before they entered.


Kaileys eyes went wide. "You fell for the one you were protecting. Though, it makes sense. Been with him almost all your life." Kailey smiled, "And I wouldn't be surprised if he had feelings for you. Been with you all that time." she sighed, "Its kind of romantic. The Knight and Royalty they are supposed to protect."

Slaine took another deep, calming breath, and glanced at Vali. "I'd like to heal it all, Miss Vali, but you will most likely need proof that he hit you." He lightly touched her cheek, and for a split moment his mind almost wandered from his doctors role- he pulled his hand off of her cheek, and with it, most of the pain vanished. "There you are." Slaine turned to Ben and gave a slight grin, trying to return to his usual self. "Quite a thing you did, sticking your neck out for her." Slaine glanced at Lorne, his eyes apologizing for the delay, before returning to Ben. "We really do need to be on our way, though."

Oralee glanced over at Alexandre. "We're a group of musicians. I can actually play, and anyone else who can actually play can be a musician as well. Any others are the musicians guardians, to keep us safe on our travels." Oralee gave a slight smirk. "Apparently, someone in the kings court is trying to reform the country to be more favorable towards Elves and Beastials, and King Kennard is going to claim our...multi-faceted group is to placate them."

Loa gave a slight smile. "Not exactly. He has protected me. I am a beastial. I would have been put back out into the world, and died. He rescued me, made sure I was safe, made sure his dad allowed me int he castle. And even now, he tries to protect me from those who call me names, or speak against me." Loa glanced at her when she sighed, and shook her head a bit. "I am flattered it appears romantic, but it is really quite tragic. He needs a queen, and I cannot be his, even if he wished it. I am not sure I could watch him love another." Loa wondered, for just a moment, if she could. And she spoke a thought aloud that she had kept in her head. "My love for him is so great, that even if he married another, and I had to be hidden away, I would be his mistress if he wished it... He is far to honorable to ever do that to I or to a woman he took as his wife, however."

Hearing his son, Kennard turned and gave a grin. "Rio! Just who I wanted to see! Guess what I did just for you and Rose, M'boy!" Kennard walked towards him and set a hand on his shoulder. "In celebration of you and your courtship of Miss Rose, I've hired a musician! And, in deference to you and Jeremy and Rose's strange desire for equality, the musicians companions include an elf and a beastial." Tilting his head like he wasn't fully aware of what Rio was getting at, Kennard shook his head. "No. Just an old man and his memories." Kennard wanted to tell Rio about Nye, he truly did, but he didn't know if that might endanger the boy. The last thing he wanted was to lose either of his sons. Especially the spirited young man in front of him.


((Here's what Jody and Kennard saw: http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm157/Novelist_Ninjagirl/Anime dudes/anime_rich_boy-1-1.jpg
Heres what her musician form is: http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm157/Novelist_Ninjagirl/Blonde Anime chicks/2347286bveh923jfh_zps2682c915.jpg )

Lorne had started to calm down after the fracas with the girls parents then he raised an eyebrow at Faelynns words. "No choice? Oh, yes we have a choice." He looked to Slaine, "Take my spot in the group. I'm sure Benjamin can help carry supplies. I will escort Miss Vasi......whatever her name is, to the castle." He then narrowed a glare at Slaine, "I know how to fight. And more importantly, I can use illusion magic to help hide us, if I need to." He looked to Vasilisa, "Sorry, but after that, I ain't gonna let you go alone. And there ain't anyone in this group that can stop me."

Lorne nodded, "So do we. Thats a damn good coincidence." He said with a smile, "Don't worry about nothing. As long as your with me, your safe." He said gently patting her shoulder, "I'm glad to see that you're like your boyfriend back there. Treat me like....well....a person. Not an animal."

Riordan slowly sheathed his sword. "Father, someone was seen sneaking into the castle. Are you sure this is the time to be having a....celebration for a courtship? We have no idea if this will even turn into anything father." he said, the small silver dragon curling up and waiting for his master to command him. "Father.....I am worried. Loa is still away. And the castle guards seem less than adequate. I trust the man who said he saw someone sneaking in. That means there could be an assassin in the castle."

Kailey smiled. "You know......in things like that, the mistress is usually with the guy more then the wife."she smirked, "The wife provides an heir, then the mistres provides with him with everything else." She smiled, "But I understand you're point. He's too noble to do that sort of thing." She sighed, "You aren't gonna be one of the girls that decided if you can't have him you don't want anyone and spend the rest of your life alone are you? You are far too caring and far too beautiful to do that."

((On my phone, computer is being a jerk.))

Slaine watched as Lorne escorted the lady away, before glancing at Ben. He seemed like he'd treat her well enough, but then why did he still feel odd around them? "If you'd guide us to the market?"

Kennard watched Rio, the gaity ffading from his expression as he realized just how focused Rio was on keeping everyone safe, even if Riordan would have a marginallly easier time were Kennard to die. "Rio-Rio-" Kennard interupttted him, giving a wan smile. "In times like these, people need something to celebrate. And besides-" Kennard turned away, deciding to give Riorddan hopefully enough to calm down. "I trust the man that snuck in." Kennard turned back to Riordan. "And I need you to trust me."

Loa gave a waan smile. "Yes, but if he were not noble, he would not be himself, and he would not be the one I love." Loa bllushed af Kaileys statement. "Perhaps not deliberately. I will not setttle for a man I do not love, but neither will I purposely hold my heart for the prince forever."

Vasilisa listened to Lorne and nodded when he asked about the prince. Then Riordan walked over and was saying how lovely it was to see her. That made her happy, she was regaining an old friend, then he had noticed the bruise. She let him finish speaking before trying to speak. "Mai Ded..." She looked at him and since the pain was gone, she wasn't wincing anymore. She used to hide her bruises well, but the abuse had gone on long enough and if not for the group she had just met and Ben, she would've tried to hide it longer.

Godelieve hadn't said a word since Lorne left, and it would probably stay that way for a little bit.