[04] A Royal Welcoming

[Merc]

Session Start: Sun Nov 15, 2009

<Merc> Following the rescue of Prince Fardune, heir to the Adallian throne, the group of rescuers have made it back to the main road between Ferune and the capital. While Jack is staying a distance back ensuring that the kidnappers don't decide to make a second attempt (and possibly trying not to get swamped under the prince's admiration and his companions' reactions to his taking credit), the group is left with the decision of which way to head with the prince.

* Kheldar strokes his chin thoughtfully as he considers the road. "In the best interests of our prince's safety, I suggest we head toward the capital with all the speed at our disposal."
* Maya glanced at Kheldar really, generally satisified that at least they can keep this quiet since they handled the bandits themselves.  "Alright...I guess it's just a little trip further," She smiled.
* Aleph nods, his ego recovering a bit from being insulted by a mere mook. "Yeah. The further I could stay away from more old people insisting I sit up there and do my 'job' of watching livestock, the better."
<Elise> "We should proceed with all possible haste!" Elise says. "I don't trust those bandits to tstay out of trouble long. The sooner we get away from them, the better."
<Maya> "Hmm, why do you do it then, Aleph...?" She wondered, generally treating her job as something she enjoyed doing.
<Kheldar> "Quite right. And the sooner we get there, the sooner I can send a runner back to town informing the Headmaster and my fath--er, the Captain of the situation."
<Aleph> "Because it's the one I have the best odds of being able to slack off on and get away with it," Aleph responds.
* Kheldar nods in self-satisfaction and turns to the Prince. "Any objections your Highness?"

<Anassia> "Am I the only one concerned with any attention we may attract?" Anassia asks, quirking an eyebrow slightly towards her companions.  "We're hardly... incognito, as you may put it."
<Kheldar> "All the better to make haste, then. If the kidnappers choose to strike again, we'd best be well ahead of them."

<Merc> "Not to worry, I'm sure Mister Jack will protect us all!" the prince pipes up. "This has been so exciting, you know?"
* Aleph groans. This Jack-worship had been getting to him on a rather quick pace...
* Kheldar smiles a bit sourly at the mention of Jack. "Yes, I'm sure he will, your Highness."
<Elise> "We will all protect you, Your Highness," Elise corrects.

* Kheldar glances around at the assembled group. "Are we ready, then?"
* Anassia regards the prince a bit... disbelieving, if only for a moment. "Yes. Exciting best describes these events."
* Anassia nods towards Kheldar. "Of course; I've little to prepare, fortunately."
<Kheldar> Without really waiting for a collective answer, Kheldar gently nudged the Prince to get him to start walking down the road towards the capital, staying near his side at all times. "Off we go, then."
* Aleph heads off toward the capital, thinking of the potential rewards for the ensured safety of the prince...
* Anassia follows behind, occupying herself with watching the surroundings; this being quite possibly the farthest she's been from home, she is naturally curious. Even if it is not entirely overwhelming in difference.
* Aleph is also glad he got to go outside of the town.
* Maya quietly sways along, enjoying the scenary as she walked.  Surprisingly it really was the furthest she'd really been before from her hometown and even these quiet woods were a nice difference from the bustle of the small town.
<Elise> The day's events are actually the first time Elise has ever left home. It's hard not to notice a certain childlike enthusiasm about her.

<Merc> ooc: Are you guys interested in going at an accelerated pace to try and catch up to Cerisse's group, or go at a steady pace? It's about two days to the capital, and Cerisse's group would be about half a day ahead.
<Aleph> OOC: Aleph's fine with the steady pace
<Kheldar> OOC: The faster, the better. I vote for fast pace
<Maya> OOC: >_> Steady pace :)
<Kheldar> OOC: Slacker. =p
<Anassia> OOC:  Please, letting the royal family worry before sweeping in dramatically is totally the better way to go about it.
<Elise> OOC: Elise will only stop moving when other people get tired, so it makes little difference to me.

* Aleph decides to off-hand steal the occasional glance at any of the females in the party along the way.
* Maya smiles teasingly at Aleph's gaze, hinting he wasn't as secretive as he wished, but stays out of reach.  "So has anyone ever been to the capital?"
<Merc> The group go at a steady pace towards the capital, not wanting to strain the prince with fatigue, and also making sure Jack can catch up. It's still about a day away to the capital, the group having stopped to rest the night alongside the road.
<Aleph> "Not me.  I'm curious as to what it'd be like, really."
<Elise> Elise looks equal parts excited and determined; if she notices Aleph's glances or thinks anything about them, she gives no indication. "This is the first time I've left the village," she says. "Father was not keen on exposing me to the evils of big cities."
* Maya leans near the prince.  "Are you doing alright, Prince?  We're not going too fast for you, are we?"

<Anassia> If Anassia notices the occasional glances, she plays dumb.  "Never been to a real city, personally," she says, shrugging towards Maya.  "Curious what it'll be like, though, after all the stories."
<Merc> "No, this is fine, thanks," the prince replies.

<Kheldar> "Cities are not necessarily evil, Elise. It is only as evil as those who inhabit them." Kheldar remains at relaxed attention, his eyes constantly scanning the sides of the road and the horizon.
<Elise> "I understand that the streets and buildings themselves are not evil. Merely the men who frequent them."
<Maya> "What a strange view, Elise.   If you think they're evil beforehand...will you really give them a chance to show you they're not?"
* Kheldar nods. "I too, have never been to a city. But my father traveled some in his younger days and it seems that some of his wanderlust has become a bit of my own."
<Elise> "I didn't say they were all evil. Just most of them."
<Kheldar> "Not all men are evil, girl. You can't expect the worst of every man you meet. Tis no way to live at all."
<Aleph> "Surely, I can't be evil at all!" Aleph comments
<Anassia> "Exactly,"  Anassia says, glancing over towards Elise.  "You should try making your own opinions if you're going to travel,"  Aleph earns an amused glance.  "I wouldn't go /that/ far."

<Elise> "Well, I can clearly trust all of you because you helped rescue the prince."
<Aleph> "And why not?  What have I done that's even remotely construable as evil?" Aleph remarks amusedly.
* Kheldar smiles very slightly. "Is that so? What if this were all an elaborate ruse designed to get you to lower your guard? I could be a raving madman, for all you know."
<Maya> "...Don't tease, Elise.  She's off in dreamland enough without your play, Kheldar," Maya frowned at him.
* Anassia quirks an eyebrow towards Elise. "I don't trust you to hold your silence," she points out, before quirking an eyebrow towards Aleph. "Oh, I'm sure you've done something."
<Elise> Elise's eyes go wide and she looks ready to reach for her weapon before Maya butts in. "Oh. It was a joke."
<Kheldar> Kheldar's mouth twitches in what could possibly be misconstrued as mirth. "Quite right, Miss Maya. My apologies."

<Elise> "What have I done to anyone?" elise asks Anassia.
<Anassia> "Done?  Nothing.  Said?  Different story," she murmurs, lifting a hand to tuck a few stray locks of hair behind her ear.
<Elise> "But isn't it better that your family knows everything now? Surely the worst is over with. If it hadn't happened today, you would still have to worry about it happening later."
<Kheldar> "Foolish are they who worry about what has gone before them instead of what lies ahead of them." Kheldar intones, seemingly quoting someone or something.
<Aleph> "...who the hell knows what her family will do to the poor girl when she returns." Aleph comments.
<Anassia> "Hardly."  Anassia says, shaking her head at the other girl, before quirking an eyebrow to Kheldar.  "Oh, it's going to come up when we get back."
<Aleph> "Besides.  I could hold onto the book if you don't want it burned."
<Kheldar> "My point is, little girl, is that now is not the time to worry about your secret being let out. Cross that bridge when you come to it."
<Anassia> "It's well-hidden," Anassia says simply.  "I'd finished with it some time ago.  And I'm not a little girl."
<Aleph> "Didn't mean to imply anything of the sort." Aleph responds, shrugging.
<Kheldar> "To me, you are." Kheldar shrugs. "If you don't like it, come back and tell me that in a decade or so."

<Elise> "I'm sure her family will understand as long as Anassia uses her powers to help people," elise says.
<Aleph> "...ugh."
* Anassia eyes Elise flatly. "Yes. Clearly. Because I was clearly such of a problem."
* Aleph goes deadpan. "This is what's making me want to leave that town, honestly."
<Maya> "You really do live in dreamland, Elise...  You should buy a house there.  It's probably cheap for residents," Maya teased.
<Elise> "But I already have a house!" Elise protests. "Why would I want to move?"
<Anassia> "Why?"  Anassia asks, quirking an eyebrow towards Aleph.  "It's hardly uncommon.  Unless you plan on being a hermit?"
<Aleph> "The seeming underlying assumption that, just because I'm a few years younger, I'm 'just a kid', and therefore I do not matter, ever."  Aleph responds.  "It's not exactly fun to be referred to as 'boy', you know."
<Kheldar> "Why not, boy? It's what you are."
* Kheldar manages that with a straight face.
<Maya> "nothing," She smiled like a canary, moving on.  "Well, you could always set out, Aleph..."  She smiled. "No one really has to tell a traveler what to do."  She romanticized it even as she swatted Kheldar across the back of his head.  "Come now, act your age."
<Elise> "But none of us are children," Elise points out. "We're a couple years short of twenty at worst."
* Aleph glares death at Kheldar. "You're not helping your case."
* Anassia barely manages to suppress a smile at Kheldar's comment, glancing off to watch the surroundings again.

<Kheldar> "You'd be surprised how much difference a handful of years can make." Kheldar replies to Elise in a serious tone. "Then again, some are older than their years."
<Elise> "Well, how old are you? You don't look any older than the rest of us."
<Aleph> "Trust me, if I grow a stick in my ass naturally, I'm throwing myself in the nearest large body of water."
* Maya glances ahead, smirking a bit at the argument and leaving it herself as she moved a little in front of the group.  Eventually they'd stop worrying about being kids.
<Kheldar> "I'm 24 summers, if you must know." Kheldar shrugs. "Growing up in a household that has devoted itself to protecting the city and fulfilling our duty leaves little room for frivolous things like immaturity."
<Aleph> "Ah, so they inserted it in childhood."
* Aleph whispers to the Prince; "So...which one of the three do you like the most, anyway?"
<Merc> The prince blinks at Aleph's query. "Eh? What do you mean?" he asks innocently.
<Aleph> "...nevermind." Aleph comments, deadpanning again.
* Kheldar shoots Aleph glance of amusement, chuckling inwardly at his childish antics.

<Merc> The group travels peacefully down the route, camping another night and then continuing on. As they travel, they all chat to keep themselves entertained, sometimes arguing, sometimes joking, and generally getting to know each other. Jack eventually catches up, though he mostly stays quiet outside of trying to divert the prince's attention on to the others. Soon enough, the group find the mighty walls of Adallia coming into view off in the distance.
<Merc> Soon enough, the group find the mighty walls of Adallia coming into view off in the distance.

* Elise looks appropriately awed. "Those are much taller than our town's walls. I'm sure they could withstand a terrible siege."
<Kheldar> "Any army stupid enough to siege this city would break upon its walls like so much water." Kheldar agreed, also craning his neck to see better.
<Aleph> "Moyamoya.  That's a big-ass wall."
* Anassia looks up towards the walls as they come into view, obviously impressed. "I guess we finally made it," she comments softly.
<Maya> "...Siege...what a thing to think about," Maya whistled though as she took in the captail, having heard many times before about what a lively place Adallia was.
<Elise> "What else should I think about? That's what city walls are for."
<Aleph> "Eh, don't pay it that much attention."

<Merc> The large gates of the capital soon start coming into view as well. A number of people are going through the checkpoint, which is much more heavily guarded than Ferune's.
* Jack lets out a low whistle "It's been ages since I've been back here..."
* Kheldar begins looking for the eastern gate of the city, hoping to find guards posted that can take them directly to the royal palace.
<Maya> "So, do you think the headmaster has arrived yet?" Maya wondered, hoping that this would be nice and quick.
<Aleph> "Perhaps." Aleph responds.
<Kheldar> "I would presume so, since they left us ahorse. I'd say they arrived here half a day ahead of us."
<Elise> "You've been here before, Jack? How many times were you robbed? Is that why you left?"
* Anassia glances towards Elise at the rather blunt question, grinning slightly.
<Aleph> "...Elise, I'm pretty sure that isn't why he left."
<Jack> "I'm from here. I wasn't robbed very often, and I left for various reasons."
<Elise> Elise doesn't look reassured. Far from it. "Did someone murder your family? That happens all the time in big cities."
<Aleph> "..." Aleph rolls his eyes.
<Maya> "...Elise~" Maya stared a bit, as the girl took head in the clouds really to a strange place.
<Jack> "I didn't have a family to murder."
<Elise> "No? That's terrible."

* Anassia blinks a few times towards Elise. "So, have you ever been to the palace?" she asks quickly, regarding Jack.
<Merc> As the group gets closer and closer, there's a small line of travelers going through the checkpoint. A few caravans are ahead of you, so if you were to wait in line it might take a while to get through.
<Aleph> "...I don't remember having a family either." Aleph shrugs.  "Wasn't exactly terrible to me."
<Jack> "Not really, but I think I remember the way there."
<Maya> "We should wait, no reason to cause a ruckus this close.  You don't mind, do you prince?" She wondered to their guest.
<Elise> "It wasn't?" Elise responds with skepticism. "I would've been lost without my father."
* Kheldar sighs in annoyance, ignoring the banter of the group. "We'll be forever in this line at this rate..." He mutters to himself. He eyes the prince before taking him by the shoulder and gently moving up the line with him in tow."
<Jack> "It's been a good ten years or so since I've been here... I wonder how much has changed."
<Aleph> "Wasn't at all." Aleph responds.  "I'm not exactly faring horribly."
<Elise> "Well, you do have some strange habits. Proper parental guidance might have cured that."

<Merc> "Hrm? No, I guess not. Why would there be a ruckus though?" the prince asks, looking slightly confused.
<Aleph> "They're eccentricies.  A good thing, not a bad thing."
<Kheldar> "Come along, my prince. There won't be a ruckus, I assure you."
<Anassia> "Admittedly, escorting royalty home isn't too painful," Anassia comments to Aleph, before blinking to Elise.  "/He/ has odd habits?" she asks, grinning again.
<Merc> "Eh? I guess we're going ahead then?" The prince seems rather confused as the group has little concensus on how to move ahead, but allows himself to be led ahead.
<Elise> "Well, of course, you do as well."
<Aleph> "...oh hell.  He's going to piss off all the traders by cutting in line...I know it..."

* Kheldar bends down and whispers in the boy's ear. "Don't worry, highness. They'll wait here while I make sure you're safe and sound."
<Merc> "Hey! Where are you going? Can't you see there's a line?" one of the tradesman yells at Kheldar as the pair passes by.
* Kheldar straightens and nods his head in an apologetic manner at the merchant. "My apologies, good sir. King's business."
<Anassia> "Gee, thanks," she replies to Elise.  "I'm sure you're completely free of oddities, right?"  She does, however, glance towards Kheldar as he hurries off with the prince.  "Should we follow, you think?"
<Merc> "Yeah? Well I'm the king's brother, so I've got king's business too...I still have to wait in line!" the tradesman replies sarcastically.
<Maya> "...Let's watch for a moment.  The merchants are riled up enough with just them skipping.  If there's trouble, we can run up and catch up."
<Elise> "Well, I am," Elise says with complete confidence.
<Aleph> "...No."
<Jack> "You're joking, right?"
<Aleph> "Let's just wait.  Angry merchants is always bad for people in the future."

<Kheldar> "Too bad, friend. If you have any complaints, I suggest you take it up with the guardsmen at the gate." Kheldar gives a polite nod, still walking towards the front of the line.
<Merc> "I'm pretty sure that's no uncle of mine..." the prince mutters as Kheldar continues to push him along, riling up merchants and getting attention of the guards ahead. One of them splits off from the rest to approach Kheldar. "Please get back in line, sir..."
<Anassia> "That's what I thought,"  Anassia says, nodding.  "And you're not completely normal, Elise."
<Jack> "Angry merchants are a pain in the ass. On the bright side, when  you rile them up enough, they let their guard down."
<Kheldar> "Ah, good. May I ask your name and rank, sir?"
<Aleph> "I know what you're getting at, and I'm a bit tired of prison from half a week ago or so."
<Elise> "Did I sound like I was joking. I didn't mean to. I don't see what's so strange about me, anyway."
<Jack> "You may be the only one."

<Merc> The guard blinks. "What does that have to do with anything? Look, sir, I'm going to ask that you get back in line, same as everyone else," the guard replies, focusing on the apparent troublemaker, and not paying any attention to the person he's been dragging along.
<Anassia> "...We'll explain later," Anassia says, peering around to watch Kheldar.  "And let's try to avoid jail while we're here."
* Aleph just watches the scuffle with no small feeling of vindication
<Aleph> "To be fair, this is rather amusing."
<Anassia> "I wonder if we're going to have to get the guard out of jail," Anassia wonders aloud softly.
* Maya sways up pulling Khel and the prince back gently, stepping between. "Sorry for the disturbance.  He's a bit addled," She favored the guard with a bright smile.  "We'll wait in line patiently.  I didn't notice him stepping up ahead," She gave a meaningful tug to him, leaning near to whisper "Don't.  We don't want a big scene here."
<Maya> She stayed as best she could between the duo and the line, obscuring the view somewhat of the prince.
<Aleph> "...if we have to, I'm not paying for it."

<Kheldar> "Guardsman, I'm carrying a very important package for the Crown. I would appreciate it if you brought me to your immediate superior." Kheldar ignores Maya, hoping the guard will see his sincerity.
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+5 Diplomacy
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 >[d20=4]
<Maya> roll 1d20+10 Khel-chan, don't yell at the guardsman.
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=10]
* Jack facepalms
<Anassia> "It would be easier just to go to the palace and explain the situation, I think," Anassia replies, nodding faintly.  "Unless Maya talk the guard down."
<Merc> "Riiiiight, look, you have to wait in line like everyone else, sir. Please listen to the lady and back to the line," the guard replies with a shake of his head as he turns around, obviously not planning to spend more time with the group. "Tsk...why do people keep making up excuses about seeing the king?"
<Aleph> "All in due time, all in due time." Aleph mentions as he smirks.

* Kheldar shakes his head in disgust. "I'm going to have a word with the Captain about that man..." He growls. "Such rudeness!"
<Maya> "Sorry about that," Maya swatted Khel's head, dragging the two back and staying in front of the prince.  "And sorry about that your highness...  It's better to wait really.  They'll get confused at you being here," She whispered.
<Aleph> "...You're not from around here.  At all.  They're not going to listen to you."
* Maya gazes a bit at Khel as an addled witted boy.
<Merc> "I think she was right...it does cause a ruckus..." the prince whispers to Kheldar after the guard has turned around. He doesn't seem bothered by the lack of recognition.
<Anassia> "And we're not very... regal-looking, ourselves," she adds.
<Jack> "You're a very leap before you look kind of guy, aren't you?"

* Kheldar scowls at Maya. "You will please keep your hands to yourself, Miss Maya. There was nothing wrong with what I did. If these people don't even recognize their own prince, then they deserve every bit of contempt my father had for them."
* Aleph glares at Kheldar as if he was an idiot.
<Maya> "And here I thought you were more the sensible sort.  Just what did you think rushing out there would accomplish?  ...Contempt?  Are you serious?" She blinked her purple eyes, looking a bit pityingly at him. "We're going to be greeted as heros, there's no need to rush and cause a scene."
<Merc> The prince blinks. "To be fair to them, I'm technically supposed to be in the palace, sir," Prince Fardune notes, in an attempt to defend his city's guardsmen. "It was a secret that I was at the academy."
<Elise> "But the prince lived in town with us and we didn't recognize him. Why should anyone else?"
<Jack> "Why the hell would they recognize the prince? Have you ever seen him before today? Hell, him being recognized is the last thing we want right now."
<Jack> "We need to get him back to the palace without every twobit thug in the city trying to kidnap him for ransom."
* Maya nods, "You forgot that Kheldar?  This was supposed to be a secret..."  She sighed dramatically, waiting in line peacefully.  "Let's just be quiet so no one gets too nosey."
<Aleph> "...you know, I want to say something, but everyone's taken all the good lines." Aleph comments.
* Anassia shrugs to Aleph. "Just nod and look like you were thinking the same thing. Works wonders," she asides to him, nodding.

<Merc> It takes a while, but their group eventually make it to the gate checkpoint. "Reason for visit?" The guard asks.
<Kheldar> "We..."
* Maya giggles slightly at Aleph's phrase. "Well, enough.  We've got plenty of waiting to do," She fitzed, resisting causing a scene herself, as much as the crowd was temptating to put on a show for.  Nothing like dancing to pass the time.  But it was better to be quiet for now.  They'd be at the guard soon enough.  "Delivering a message."
* Maya she stood in front of Kheldar this time, not trusting him to talk.
<Merc> The guard raises an eyebrow. "Delivering a message? Lots of people for one message..." he asks.
<Maya> "The mayor of Ferune wanted to make sure it got there.  It's very fragile," She leaned in a bit, looking into his eyes pleadingly.  "It's actually a few of ours first time in the capital.  so we begged along," she gestured back at Aleph for instance.
* Aleph plays along with a longing, excited grin.
* Anassia nods in agreement. "How many times will we get to see the /capitol/?" she gushes, offering a meek smile to the guard.
* Elise nods. "Some of us are sightseeing. I for one admire Adallia's sturdy walls."
<Jack> "I've passed through here before, so they brought me along as a guide."
* Aleph glances toward Elise. ...strange obsessions indeed.

<Merc> "I'm from town as well," the prince chips in, apparently amused with the attempts at secrecy regarding his identity. He seems to have been treating the whole thing as a game since his rescue, so not a big surprise there. The guard nods at that. "How long will you be staying?"
<Maya> "Just a couple of days.  Maybe more if we can get away with it, but the Mayor wanted us back soon," She pouted.  "So is there anything else?" She wondered, answering his questions.
<Merc> "Hrm..." the guard mutters as he looks over the group, not really seeing anything particularly suspicious. He shrugs. "No, I suppose not. You're free to pass," he answers finally, motioning for the other guards to allow the group passage.
<Aleph> "Thanks." Aleph responds, as he is allowed passage.
<Maya> "Thanks," She lead the group onward, into the town. "Hey Jack, do you know the way to the palace?  Or could you direct us?" She glanced at the prince.
* Anassia offers another smile to the guards as she moves through the gate, looking around curiously as they get inside; act or no, she /is/ incredibly curious as to cities.

<Jack> "Well, it's been a while, but I believe it's this way."
* Jack leads them towards the palace
* Elise rubbernecks like a champ once they're inside the city walls. It should be incredibly easy to peg her as a country yokel. All this is very new to her--and, of course, she has to stay on guard for any horrible crimes that might be committed in their presence!
<Merc> The prince does have a few comments on Jack's directions, whose memory is a bit spotty here and there due to time since he was last in town, but for the most part Jack's direction are pretty straightforward. Soon enough, the group is approaching another set of gates being guarded. "No commoners allowed in the palace," one of the guards says dismissively as he watches the group approach.
* Jack looks to the prince "I believe this is your cue."
* Maya leans back a bit on a hunch, "Elise, remember there are guards here.  If you run into trouble, get them to handle it...You wouldn't want them to lose their jobs since you're faster at it, right?" She smiled innocently.
* Anassia glances to the prince as well, although Maya's comment earns another grin.
* Aleph looks about with fascination as he looks. He's never been to a city before. At all. And he indeed looks amongst the populace to see if there's a larger proportion of attractive women in a capital city.
<Elise> "But what happens if there are no guards around when someone tries to rob us? We should at least defend ourselves."
<Merc> "My cue?" the prince asks. "We're not going to sneak in?" the last part is said with a sad tone as he sighs.
<Aleph> "..."

<Jack> "It's better we don't... Some of these guard types are of the "Stab first, ask questions later." variety."
* Anassia stares at the prince for a few seconds. "...you are a very strange prince," she says drily after a moment.
<Kheldar> "I'm beginning to share my father's opinion of the capital and those who inhabit it, all patriotism aside." Kheldar says in a dry voice.
<Merc> The guards raise an eyebrow at this, but before they can comment, the prince looks at the guard. "Prince Fardune the Fourth seeking entry into the royal palace, visiting from the Dalian Academy."

<Merc> It takes a few seconds as the guards take in the appearance of th prince, and straighten up, giving a proper greeting. "Your majesty! Of course!"
<Aleph> "..."
<Merc> The prince sighs as the guards scramble to allow the group passage. "And I was having such fun..." he mutters.
<Kheldar> "Now how is it that this fellow recognizes him, but the other one didn't?" Kheldar shrugs and says to the Prince. "All adventures come to an end, your Highness. Even for princes."
<Aleph> "Hey, hey.  Don't worry, you'll be able to have more fun in the future." Aleph comments, patting the prince on the soulder
<Anassia> "Perhaps you can arrange to get captured by bandits again at a later date?" Anassia says, giving a sideways glance towards the prince.
<Maya> "Well, we're glad you had a good time," She smiled.
<Merc> The prince perks up at Anassia's suggestion. "You think I'd be able to pull that off? If I do, will you and your band come rescue me again, Mister Jack?"

<Maya> "Um..." Maya smirked a bit at that bit of precociousness, glancing over at Anassia.
* Anassia sighs heavily at his reply, clearly having not expected that responce.
<Elise> "You shouldn't joke about such things!" Elise chides the group in general. "Many people died when the prince was kidnapped."
<Jack> "Sure, if you get kindapped again, we'll come for you. Please do try to avoid that though."
<Aleph> "..." Aleph deadpans at that.  No respect at all...
<Merc> The prince winces at that. "...I'd forgotten that. Yes, I suppose you're right. It wouldn't be very fun if my people have to get hurt in the process."
<Aleph> "Maybe we can ask the next group to not hurt other people." Aleph reassures him.
<Maya> "Anyhow, we're glad it all ended with you safe and sound, Prince Fardune," Her eyebrow twitched at aleph's line.

<Kheldar> "You'll make a fine king one day, highness. Always keep the welfare of your people in mind and they will love you for it."
<Merc> The prince smiles at Kheldar's words. "Father always says that as well. Come, I suppose we should speak with him. He'll probably wish to reward you all for saving me," he notes as he starts leading them into the palace.
* Elise follows the prince. Free tour of the palace? Exciting!
* Jack restrains himself from cackling aloud with gusto at the mention of a reward.
* Kheldar muses that *his* father had always told him the same thing about the people of Ferune and silently followed the Prince, not really wanting or expecting a reward.
* Anassia also follows behind the prince, not to be rude. Also, rewards are always a nice incentive.
* Maya goes as well, she'd never been inside a palace.  She tried to refrain her enthusiasm though, not wanting to come across as a country yokel...even if they were.
* Aleph nods, following, thinking of the possible rewards. Ah, perhaps the king has a hot daughter that he could go on a date with. ...probably not, as he reconsidered his luck.

<Merc> The group is joined by an escort of guards once they see the prince, eventually arriving at the throne room, where they can see the group that was sent up ahead apparently explaining the situation to a pale-faced king. Thankfully, everyone's eyes are diverted towards your group as you make your entrance. "Prince! You're safe!" the headmaster exclaims with relief, although his relief is unmatched by the king's.
<Aleph> "Of course he's safe!  Do you really expect us to let him get hurt?" Aleph responds to the headmaster.
<Merc> "Father, I've made my safe return thanks to these people," the prince states as he kneels, introducing the group besides him. The king meanwhile moves towards his son, whom he hugs. "Father!!!!" the embarassed prince mutters.
* Elise also kneels, because this is what you do when there's a king around.
<Merc> "...No! No! I had all confidence that your group would rescue him as you have proven," the headmaster states, even as Cerisse rolls her eyes, though she mouths silently a 'Good job guys' at the group.
* Kheldar is silent, respectfully observing the emotional reunion.
* Aleph remains standing, because he has no idea what to do around a king.
* Anassia starts when she notices the prince kneeling, falling into one herself; his offhand of meeting the king hadn't quite connected.
* Kheldar catches Cerisse's eye and nods solemnly in her direction, acknowledging her praise.
* Maya smiles and gives Cerisse a nod, though her eyes are really over the scenary...and the king...and the throne.  Who knew that king's lived in such luxury?  Nothing like this would even be found in Ferune.  She took a second before she realized she should be kneeling, getting in proper position before the royal king.  "We're glad to have helped, headmaster."
* Jack follows suite with the kneeling.

<Merc> It takes a while as the king holds his struggling son tightly, but eventually he lets go and looks at the group. "Thank you very much for saving my son. You've done a great service for your kingdom."
* Kheldar bows deeply. "We live to serve, your Majesty."
<Elise> "We were only doing our duty as citizens of Adallia, Majesty."
<Aleph> "Hey, no problem, no problem." Aleph responds casually.  "Anything to get out of the stuffy town."
* Anassia simply nods slightly in agreement with the others' statements, her voice having apparently left for the moment.
<Merc> The king looks amused at Aleph's comment, as if disbelieving that someone would risk their life just to get out of town. "Still, I appreciate all you've done, and feel that I must reward you for your service."
<Elise> "Good deeds are their own reward, Majesty," Elise says, respectfully staring at the ground.
* Kheldar raises from his bow rather quickly, hoping to forestall the King's reward. "I have no need of riches or titles, your Majesty. Doing my duty is the only reward a Harlsom needs."
<Maya> "I wouldn't mind whatever my liege feels is fair," Maya didn't go through the no need for wealth thing that the others did, smiling slightly as she would definitely not mind a royal reward for risking her life like so.

<Jack> "Can I have their shares?"
* Anassia gives Jack a brief sideways glance at his abrupt question, surprised. And amused. And feeling like she should be utterly unsurprised.

<Merc> "Father, Mister Jack is their leader, he's the one that rescued me while he had his men take care of that woman," the prince pipes in. "Oh? I see..." the king notes, as he rubs his beard. "Well, I ask that you all stay the night, we shall have a feast in the evening in your honor and you can share the tale of your adventures then as well. As the danger has passed, we should all return to our daily duties in the meanwhile."
<Merc> The king motions for a guard and asks for him to find his guests some nice quarters.

<Aleph> "..."
* Aleph groans. "To clarify, Jack's not the leader. We...don't really have a leader."
* Maya smiles, a feast did sound nice.  Perhaps she could dance, that'd be an experience..dancing in the royal banquet hall.  "Don't worry so much about the details, Aleph.  No one likes a stickler," She teased.
<Jack> "True enough, we'll have time to sort things out at the feast."
<Elise> "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will honored for your hospitality." She looks hesitant to correct the prince, but does so anyway. "Aleph is right in that we have no actual leader. We all acted on behalf of our town on the spur of the moment."
<Merc> The prince looks surprised. "Eh? Really?!?" He seems unsure whether to believe them or not. They'd never disagreed before...

* Anassia glances up towards the king. "Thank you, m'lord," she says softly, somewhat relieved, blinking towards the prince at his suprised expression.
<Maya> "It's nothing that important prince.  We just sort of got together to save you," She smiled, following the guards toward their guest quarters.
* Elise finally thinks to stand up, and follows the guards to their quarters.
* Anassia takes a hint from the others standing and following guards, doing likewise.

<Merc> Some time passes, as day becomes evening, the group generally being pampered as guests of the king. In preparation for the feast, servants do their best to get them all cleaned up and dressed up in clothes more fitting for nobility than a merry band of heroes. A few disgress from the clothing selection, though some do humor the servants.
<Merc>  Eventually, the group gathers again, as a servant appears to escort them towards the hall where the banquet is to be held.
<Aleph> "Moyamoya...this...thing...feels tight in places." Aleph winces as to his clothing selection.
* Maya follows along with the servant, absolutely flattered from the tips of her toes to the hairs on her head from all this royal treatment.  "Oh don't worry so much, Aleph.  It looks regal on you," She encouraged.
<Jack> "This... is the life."

* Anassia glances towards Jack at his comment, hands clasped in front of her own expensive gown. "Nobility do kind of have it nice," she replies, nodding slightly. "Although I much prefer being able to breathe freely."
* Elise looks uncomfortable in the elaborate gown the servants gave her. "This is all very showy..." she says, looking down at herself. She speaks as might a more vain woman who's found herself unexpectedly covered in mud.
<Aleph> "Regal?  It's rather uncomfortable.  And I'm not sure it'd help me in much of anything.  ...they tried to take my headband as well."
* Kheldar is perfectly comfortable in his guardsman's clothing, though he made specially sure to dust off the fiery sun sewed on to both of his shoulders, proud of his family's crest.
<Jack> "It might help you get laid. Women like men that look like they have money."
<Kheldar> "Don't they like men in uniform?" Kheldar murmurs absentmindedly, craning his neck and hoping to spot Cerisse. It would be nice to sit with someone who shares the same station as he.
* Maya is dressed in a dress..over her dancing outfit, having talked into joining in with the performance later on, though dressing like a normal noblewoman as she headed toward the banquet hall.  "Do you have to talk like that here?" She eyed Jack a bit.
<Anassia> "Don't you ever think of anything else?" Anassia asks softly, quirking an eyebrow to Jack, seeming genuinely curious.
<Elise> "Only women of no morals seek a man only for his money," Elise says, with the certainty of one whose words are backed up by scripture. "Harpies and predators."

<Jack> "What? I was just telling the boy to look on the bright side."
<Maya> "Come on, let's not argue...we're about to be the king's guests," She smiled at Elise, stepping between Jack and her a bit.
<Aleph> "Eh.  It just feels weird, not being able to move around like I could in my normal getup."
<Elise> "The fact that wicked women might seek his company is no reason to be happy!"
* Aleph snrks. "Is someone jealous, perhaps?"
<Maya> "Way too high strung, Elise," She smiled and walked on, heading into the room finally and looking where to sit down.
<Merc> As they approach the hall, sounds of merriment being heard, the party having already started apparently, the servant whispers something to a man standing at the entrance who nods and bellows, "Presenting His Majesty's Lord Fardune the Third's Guests, Saviours of Prince Fardune the Fourth."
* Elise shakes her head with great conviction. "Why would I be? Jealousy is for those with nothing of their own."
<Merc> People take the time to stop and look at the group as they all face them, those who were sitting standing up as they all greet the group with thunderous applause.
* Anassia glances towards Elise, eyebrow quirked, but simply shakes her head and sighs softly in lieu of replying to the other, moving to follow behind Maya into the room. At the applause, though, she pauses, staring at the source. "Are nobles applauding /us/?" she asks the others softly, glancing towards them curiously.

<Aleph> "Ah, but you seem to be concerned about other women being interested in me.  That sounds like 'jealous' to me." Aleph responds...before standing stunned at the applause.  ...he's never been applauded for anything before.  Ever.
* Maya smiled and waved gently to the crowd, used to crowds and applause, so not as shellshocked as the others, but it was quite the experience none the less as she headed into the room.
* Elise isn't used to this kind of attention and walks forward in something of a daze, blushing horribly. Meeting the king was easier--he was just one man. This is a veritable army of people, applauding her for doing something any upstanding citizen would do. It's all very bewildering.
<Merc> The applause soon starts to taper off as everyone goes back to chattign with each other. Off in one side, Kheldar spots Cerisse chatting with her date, who waves at the group upon seeing herself spotted. At the end of the hall is the king, chatting with some nobles, as well as his son, who perks up upon seeing the group, and starts heading towards them.
* Aleph scans the table quickly--namely the people sitting at it

* Anassia has to put her mind towards not fidgetting as she hangs around the others of their little group; safety in numbers is a valid theory in any situation, dammit!
<Merc> Not a lot of people are sitting. Most of those that are sitting, generally appear to be elderly nobles.
* Elise is very much inclined to sit at the table with the Ferune guards just to be surrounded by yet more familiar people, but if the prince has something to say then she should obviously stay where she is and let him do so.
* Aleph looks a bit disappointed, tos ay the least...
* Kheldar wonders if he can get a little closer to the King. He's thought of something that the King might grant him, if the offer for a reward is still valid.
* Maya wanders around a bit, heading toward the fellow Ferune townsfolks and smiling at Cerise.  "It seems like despite it all, it ended well enough," She gossiped.
* Kheldar walks forward to meet the Prince, ruffling his hair in a good natured manner. "I trust you are enjoying the feast, my Prince?"
<Aleph> "Moyamoya..." The pervert hero then just sat down at an empty seat, next to...empty seats.
<Merc> The prince makes a face at getting his hair roughled. "Please don't do that..." he mutters, though he doesn't appear particularly bothered. "And it's alright. I had more fun at the academy though..."

* Anassia moves to follow behind Aleph. "Why the long face?" she asks softly, focusing on the potential conversation to keep her from concentrating on the numerous superiors she somehow managed to get in the same room with.
<Kheldar> "I wouldn't blame you. Ferune is a bit more fun than a room full of grownups, isn't it?" Kheldar grings good naturedly. "Do you suppose your father would mind if I had a quick word with him?"
* Jack takes a seat next to Aleph and Anassia "Bet he was hoping for some attractive young noble's daughters to woo."
* Jack gives Aleph a playful punch on the arm
<Merc> "Eh? I guess not. He'd probably want a word with all of you, really. He did want to hear the story of what went on past what he could get out of me, that other guard and the headmaster regarding events."
<Aleph> "...thanks." He replied dryly, before looking across the table.  Was there food already there?
<Kheldar> "If you like, run along and fetch the others. If your father wishes to hear the tale, then we shall gladly tell it."
* Elise sits with her companions, because really, that's the easiest thing to do. She takes a seat next to Anassia, because clearly Elise is Anassia's favorite person.
<Maya> "What did you guys tell him?" She wondered curiously.

<Merc> Cerisse nods to Maya. "Yes, I'm glad things went so well. I'll admit I was a bit worried about your group's ability to take care of the kidnappers, despite convincing Headguard Harlsom about your abilities."
<Anassia> "Oh."  Anassia says, blinking a little.  "Why?  I mean, you could hardly expect a tryst just because you're wearing different clothes."  When Elise sits down, Anassia smiles to her; clearly, her nerves at the situation is overriding everything else at this point.
<Aleph> "Anyway...eh, nevermind.  It's silly in context," Aleph replies to Anassia.
* Maya gives a dazzling smile. "It was a pretty rag-tag group...but nothing a little gypsy magic couldn't cure."

<Aleph> "More of 'different location' than 'different clothes,' if you want to be precise about the details" Aleph notes, shrugging.
* Kheldar shoos the Prince on his way and makes his way towards the King, keeping a respectful distance away until the King chooses to acknowledge him.
<Elise> "What is a 'tryst?'" Elise asks suddenly. "I don't know this word. Is it a kind of food?"
<Aleph> "...Yes it is, Elise.  Go look for it in there.  Maybe you'll find one someone hasn't eaten yet."
<Anassia> "Ah," Anassia says, frowning a little to him.  "You're not planning on going back, then?" she asks, curiously.  "Maybe you could get a place in his..."  She turns slowly to blink to Elise.  "...really?" she asks, giggling softly.
<Merc> The prince notes as he heads off to let everyone else know to go talk with the king about recounting the story, as Cerisse laughs at Maya's words. "Yes well, you did well. Anyhow, we just tried to summarize what was going on, though the headmaster felt the need to keep interjecting that things were not his fault and that we'd sent some capable young people to save the prince."
<Aleph> This, notably, was delivered relatively dryly.
<Elise> "Why is that funny? I don't know anything about fancy foreign foods."
<Jack> "It's not a food."
<Jack> "It's... don't worry about it, it's not important."
<Maya> "He's probably terrified.  I would be too if I lost the prince under my care to bandits," She looked serious for a moment.  "Hmm...so where's the food?" She smiled cutely and wandered a bit aside, taking a bite from one of the hor derves(sp?) that servants were carrying around, casually meandering through the nobles and gossiping until the prince caught up with her.  Heads to join the others after that.
<Aleph> "...jeez.  You really don't know sarcasm, do you?"

<Elise> "But Aleph said it was." Elise fastens a suspicious gaze on Aleph. "Were you lying?"
* Anassia glances towards Jack, amused, before back to Elise, clearly willing to sit this one out and only observe.
<Aleph> "I was being sarcastic."
<Elise> "But you said something that wasn't true. You were LYING."
<Aleph> "It was meant to be humorous, Elise."

<Merc> As Kheldar heads to the back of the room to speak with the king, the prince starts reaching the others, and letting them know that seats have been prepared for them closer to the king, who still wishes to hear about the rescue and such.
<Elise> "How?"
* Elise is suddenly distracted! "Oh, uh, yes, your highness. Of course."
* Aleph breathes a sigh of relief. The task of explaining how sarcasm is supposed to be funny to Elise, he thought, would have been a monumental one, to say the least...
<Anassia> "I thought it was funny, at least." Anassia says softly as she moves down to the aforementioned prepared seats.

* Kheldar tentatively opens his mouth to speak, since the King doesn't seem to have seen him. "Ah, your Majesty? I beg your pardon if I'm interrupting..."
* Kheldar punctuates his statement with his attempt at a courtly bow.
<Merc> "No, no, it's fine. I wished to speak with all of your group and hear about what went on. Don't worry about it at all," the king replies with a smile as he gives a polite dismissal to the noble he was speaking with.
* Aleph is moved over to explain his side of the story to the king, notably
* Elise also cooperates with the moving of seating positions towards the king.
* Maya gets in a good spot as well to share in the storytelling.

<Kheldar> "Before we begin, your Majesty, may I ask if your gracious suggestion of rewarding us is still valid? I know that I had already turned down your Majesty's kind offer, but I've thought of a boon that I might beg of you, if you would hear it."
<Aleph> "..."
<Merc> The prince also joins them as he sits to the left of the head spot, as the king looks to Kheldar. "Oh? Of course, it's no problem at all," the king replies as he motions for everyone to take a seat, including Kheldar as he goes sit at the head. "Speak your piece freely."
* Maya blinks, her head swimming a bit at that starting.
<Kheldar> "My thanks, your Majesty. The Harsolms of Ferune have always strove to do their duty, but when I think of how small the world is, I feel that just serving the citizens of a small city is not all of what I can do in service to my county. I would ask with your blessing, that I be given a place here as one of your Royal Guards, to use me as you see fit."
* Anassia blinks, glancing towards Kheldar at his request, one eyebrow lifting faintly.
* Aleph simply blinks.

<Merc> The king blinks at the request, and strokes his beard. "Forgive me, I am not honestly familiar with your family, though I'm sure it's a fine lineage having produced a good man such as yourself. Still, for your service to your country, I see no reason not to grant you that request, though I am sure Captain Avriks would wish to test you before assigning you to his forces."
<Kheldar> "As you will, your Majesty. If I may speak to him at his earliest convenience?" Kheldar glances at the group. "After we've finished telling our story, that is."
<Aleph> "..."
<Aleph> "Anyway, I guess I'll start."

<Maya> "Bold as ever, Kheldar," Maya smiled, "I'm sure you'll make a good guardsman here," She assumed anyway.  "Our liege wants to hear of our rescue of Prince Fardune?"
<Merc> "Of course. He is not currently at these festivities, but I shall see to it that Captain Avriks is here at the palace to speak with you sometime tomorrow. That said, one of my thoughts on rewarding you all," with this, the king looks at most of the group. "Was to grant you some better tools with which to continue to serve, in addition to a small token of our appreciations. And yes, please do. We can speak more of rewards after. I've been wishing to hear this tale."
<Merc> "Was to grant you some better tools with which to continue to serve, in addition to a small token of our appreciations. And yes, please do. We can speak more of rewards after. I've been wishing to hear this tale."
<Aleph> "Our town was having this festival.  Big thing around there, probably the most excitement that happens in that town in a year."
<Aleph> "Anyway, in the middle of Maya's dancing, apparently some black-hooded guys show up.  One with a crossbow, the rest with swords.  They attack the people at random, seemingly in some sort of slaughter, which those of us present had stopped."
<Merc> "Yes, I had heard there was some trouble at the plaza while my son was abducted," the king notes as he nods.
<Elise> "Many innocents were killed. It was a terrible crime."

<Aleph> "Turns out it was a diversion so the prince could get kidnapped by these bandits, led by this hot chick in chainmail.  After that, the headmaster and a couple of others came here, and we volunteered to go out and rescue the prince personally."
<Merc> Some nobles laugh at the description of Barveles that Aleph gives.
* Anassia glances towards Aleph, listening to his tale, thankful for a number of the omissions.

<Aleph> "Anyway, after that, we managed to track them down, and turns out that their leader was...overconfident enough to offer to take us on at once.  I was hiding in the brush, hoping to get a surprise attack off--but it turns out Elise here ended up breaking her weapon and forcing her surrender.  All the meanwhile, Jack snuck in and rescued the prince while the bandits were occupied watching the fight."
<Aleph> "...That's...it.  We didn't have much else in the way of problems on the way here once we rescued the prince.  Sadly, hot chick got slashed a bit and is probably not that hot anymore, but is notably still alive, and possibly at large.  Depends on how those wounds healed."
<Maya> "Not alone of course," Maya smiled.  "Barveles was a bit hot under the collar to avenge her lover Kenmore after all."
<Elise> "They should be hunted down," Elise declares, "before they strike again."
<Merc> "Hrm...I see. Well, I'm sure there was more to it than just that, but you all still acted well regarding the situation. I would ask that you all meet with Captain Avriks tomorrow as well and share your information regarding the criminal if she is still at large, a bounty shall be put on her head," the king states, agreeing with Elise's declaration. "In the meantime, I think that it's well about time to have dinner."
<Merc> With that, the king motions for the servants to start serving everyone.
* Anassia smiles. "I think some food would be lovely," she says softly, hands fidgetting in her lap.

* Aleph looks at the booze present.
* Maya joins in the feasting, enjoying a glass of fine wine.
* Aleph indeed joins in on the eating and boozing. This may lead to uncomfortable drunk moments later that night.
* Jack pauses between eating
<Jack> "You know, there's one thing that still bothers me..."
<Jack> "How did those bandits know about the prince?"
* Elise is quite glad to start eating. They've walked a lot the last couple days, after all.
* Anassia eats and drinks along the others; how often does one get to enjoy an honest-to-god feast?
<Aleph> Food!  And wine!  And more wine!  And food!  And even more wine!

<Merc> Servants come and go, bringing various feasts much beyond what the group is used to having, all of it delicious. All of them laugh and chat as the meal goes on. "Oh? Hrm... that is a fair point," the king states as Jack speaks, nodding in agreement as he is given a new cup of wine. "Another thing to investigate, I suppose."
<Kheldar> "It wouldn't be unlikely that someone who knew of the Prince's whereabouts passed them on..." Kheldar muses darkly.
<Kheldar> "For a profit, now doubt."
<Merc> The king nods as he sighs. "Yes, even now there is always someone who seeks to improve their station, regardless of what it might mean for others. A pity, but all we can do is do our best to see to it that the people of this kingdom as a whole enjoy to see another day with a smile," he states, some people clapping at his statement as the man smiles and takes a drink from his cup.
* Elise takes advantage of the feast, but does not eat in excess--as long as there's a nice slab of meat available, that's enough of a meal for her. She does not, of course, partake of wine or anything notably stronger than water.

<Merc> "*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*" The king starts coughing heavily as he smacks at his chest, dropping he cup of wine in his hand.
<Jack> "Your majesty?"
* Maya blinks in shock, turning at the king.  "King Fardune?"
* Kheldar leaps up and begins thumping the King on his back. "Sir? Can you speak?"
* Aleph looks over to the king as the coughing starts, piece of roast sticking out of his mouth, otherwise looking surprised
<Merc> He continues coughing as the prince looks at his father. "Father?" he asks, as the king stands, coughing more heavily. Some coppery-red splatter away as people begin to murmur.

* Kheldar realizes that the culprit is probably poison. "FETCH THE APOTHECARY! THE KING HAS BEEN POISONED!"

* Anassia looks up from the food as well, blinking a few times as she swallows her last bite. "M'lord?" she asks softly.
<Merc> *Blargh* A large pool of blood flies from the king's mouth as the king drops to his knees, people panicking at Kheldar's declaration, guards starting to rush around.
<Elise> "Y-your Majesty...?" Elise stammers. This wasn't on the program!

<Merc> ooc: aaaand with that, see you in two weeks
<Merc> ---- ooc ----