Lochland: Capitol City of Velusia

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

She rode along side of him falling back on all that they had spoken on. It seemed that they had known each other a life time over a short period. Way it looked they may have more time to get more time to get to know each other. For if the king granted it she would be fighting along him and other to protect those that lived here.

She also hoped that during the time that she would be there she would be able to turn his life around. At least then if she left she had touched one person here.

The horse started to do its little dance as hey came upon the his dragon friends. One could say that the three had grown up together, which they had. It was best to have a horse raised witht he dragons then forcing the friendship.

I have enjoyed your company as well Longinus and lok forward to more. Maybe sometime I can take you on a ride on one of the dragons. It is one thing to walk up and pet one another to ride one on the sky. I shall take thought to looking for my sister, thank you for the offer."

She took a deep breath as she was introduced to the king, making sure to stand tall. For while she stood there she represented the Black Rose. She gave the king a warm smile as she bowed out of respect.

[Einar Blackthorne]

The most subtle of nods would be afforded the Velusian Queen, as Reinne turned her gaze towards the White Wolf, offering the man a smile - a tragic smile, the smile of a woman fighting to hold on, to survive. She was the flickering candlelight in the wind, struggling to remain ... And a raging storm was on its way. The Norseman's jaw tightened, and his fists clenched within their gauntlets, the steel offering the faintest whine as cold, grey eyes glanced to Analisa. The woman was blunt, bold and to the point - characteristics unto which Einar would normally appreciate and find worthy of respect ... however, that woman's words were turning the blade that had already been thust into the Queen's bleeding heart.

Reinne, however, was a strong woman - of this Einar had no doubt. Had she felt the need, the Queen would have silenced Analisa, would have left the woman alone in the hall and marched away to disguise the pain that was ripping her apart. But, she didn't. She stood there, she took it, and she used it. The Wolf looked down to the Queen's hand, and offered Reinne a reassuring smile. Aye, the woman was strong - even now, she was trudging on through the dark, preparing and steeling herself for what was to come.

And then, the three were moving. Analisa had offered a very valid point - to battle the devious and cunning opponent, one does not go out to meet them face to face ... for there, a dagger in the back awaits. No, to fight the dishonourable, one must set aside their own honor ... The Blackthornes would need to use guile and treachery if they wanted to survive the coming trials. They would need to lie, to cheat and to steal - to match the deadly cunning of their enemies - in order to defeat them. Yet, what did that mean? The thought came to Einar, and for but a moment the man wondered ... Until it struck him like a kick to the gut. The Blackthornes would need to infiltrate, would need to place warriors within the folds of darkness, to learn their secrets, to discover their positions ... and to strike down their leaders.

Even as Einar marched down the hall at Reinne's side, he feared what this course of action would mean. The White Wolf himself was not at all privy to the workings of the black, was well associated with the evil and darkness of the Darkthornes. Would Reinne be forced to request Einar's return to the black? Would she be forced to ask the man to go back, back to the darkness and the murder, to what Einar feared and hated most? The massive warrior found it increasingly difficult to march forwards, to head on towards the Queen's bedchamber to discuss such dark tidings. For he knew that if Reinne were to ask such of him, that if his Queen were forced to request of him such a task, he would never tell her no. He would go, he would enter the darkness without hesitation ... He would go on and face that which had haunted him for so very, very long ...

Eyes of grey steel rose to the secret passage, as Reinne opened it, a tragic smile rising to his lips. And then, the White Wolf stepped forwards, entering that dim passageway without a second thought.

[Cothineal]

High above the city, winging his way through aetheric distances that only mattered in places such as this, Cothineal approached. He was still days away but the night sky beyond the veil would be lit by his burning descent. His trail appeared as a comet tracing it's way ever closer to the idyllic kingdom below. This was the Harbinger of Inquest. It was a warning, a portent to the race that was about to recieve a Xaniel visitor that Inquest was upon them. Most races attached prophetic import to comets though most didn't know the reason why. From time immemorial the Xaniel had winged their way through the trackless distances between stars and realma dna planes and worlds and always they appeared as a comet and always on the eve of Inquest. It was this ancestral memory of visitations that caused augury and fate tellers to put so much importance on comets.

It had been eons since the Velusian people had been visited by an Adjudicator. It was a realm of flux that seemed to drift between the chaotic and the ordered depending on which faction of it's people had control at the time. This was the perfect balance however it still must be tested, tried and salvation heard before it could be allowed to continue. There were less wasteful ways of maintaining balance and Cothineal would be the sole judge as to whether or not this new generation of Velusians would be worth saving or if they needed to be put down and out of their misery.

As he approached Cothineal sang, his vocal chords creating pitched vibrations within the ether that reached out to impact Velusia. Throughout the land animals would flee and attempt to find shelter and even the land itself, an entity in it's own right from his understanding, would shudder and give sign of distress. The Xaniel did not just destroy cultures and kingdoms. Sometimes it was necessary to destroy entire worlds and when called upon to do so the Adjudicators did it with a cold, calculated grace. they were the ultimate in neutrality. They and they alone bore the burden of judging the multitudes of sentient races throughout the multiverse and deciding which ones should continue to exist and which ones must die. they were impartial to the point of being coldly detached from the general business of the Flock.

Cothineal was different. He had a strange affinity for the lesser races. He understood their struggles and their pains and he was decidedly more lenient than his fellow Adjudicators. Most of his fellow Xaniel blamed his age. A mere youth of seven thousand lacked experience to be an Adjudicator they would say. How can he judge when he has not yet even lived they asked. Still his skill with the Songs and his uncanny wisdom in his judgements had born out the council's decision to empower him with the power and responsibility of the Adjudicator. He looked forward to this Inquest. He had read of the two major families in this realm. the Darkthorn and the Blackthorn. They were similar beings and yet diametrically opposed. It was their struggle that kept their land in such perfect balance. The Xaniel appreciated balance above all other things. This Inquest was simply routine, a check up to make sure that neither side gained ascendancy over the other. The balance must be maintained at all costs.

[Honor Demise]

Denado Venturo was not having a good day, he thought as he adjusted his cravat for the fourteenth time. He picked some none exsistant lint from the sleeve, imagining the a hint of rose fragrance on the sealed letter he thumb absently.

The Blackthorne guard accompanying him had led the courtier all over the capital -and a good portion of the castle, the grand foyer, counless halls, various parlors, and finally, to an expansive throne room.

All Denado could do as he listened to useless pleasantries by nobles of higher station is curse his fortune. The footman had missed out of one of the most secretive and exclusive soirees. He knew that he was missing out on something important to being reduced to errand boy.

Stifling a yawn, really, he thought, how common. Both the Blackthorne guard and the gentry awaited the moment that each could go about their respective duties.

[Analisa_Blackthorne]

Bowing in respect as one would to their ruler, the silver eyed warrior glanced up in time to see the pained expression upon Reinee's beautiful features as well as the angered one that passed over their newest arrivals.

To say she understood the pain Reinee was suffering would be to lie, but she did understand the hurt that shone in her cousins eyes. It would take time to adjust and being as she had just lost her loved one, Ana thought that perhaps her blunt ways were to forward for the mourning queen at this time. Holding herself back would be difficult, but then she had to remind herself that she was no longer beyond the Veil where one spoke with their actions and were brutal at times about it. "You'll have to forgive my ways dear cousin, I fear I'm not used to being amongst friendly company where tis better at times to curb ones tongue and save a loved one pain. I'm rusty at the social thing no?"Noting to herself to refrain from mentioning the deceased or anything to do with him, she arched a slender white brow towards the warrior as he fisted his hands at his sides.

Chin tilting up and silver eyes flashing as they met his own grey ones, she was prepared to meet what ever may come next from this stranger without fear. But it was soon apparent that he would not say or do anything further as he continued past her in the wake of Reinee's steps.

 That one was just brimming with emotional turmoil and for some reason that sent a shiver down Ana's back from her entity as she shook off the hungering sensation and caught up to the two as they entered the royal bedchamber. Several things caused Ana to stop before entering and not many of them were good in her point of view. The first was the emotions that clung to such a private and secluded place, love being the strongest as well as saited lusts. Feeling the greedy black mist as it trailed ahead of her absorbing the sensations from the room Ana stepped inside securing the bedchamber while glancing towards Einar's back where he stood before the opened secret door. The other feelings were coming from him and these had her tilting her head to the side as if studying some intruging specimen.

 He was tall and broad of shoulders, very powerful build, but then again he was a warrior and probably used to swinging heavy weapons. Ana also sensed something else about him, something that had her reading him long enough to gather what she was requiring. Silver eyes widened as it all fell into place at once, that familiar feeling had been present every time she had touched Darkthorne territory in her travels. He was tainted by Darkthorne blood she could almost taste it as it ran thru his rushing viens. A half smile graced her lips as she thought silently,"So I'm not the only oddity in the clan any more." The amusement only lasted a moment as the entity feasted on his quick flash of fear that blossomed soon after the large warrior stopped behind Reinee just outside the passageway. This time the smile faded and she whispered softly to the backs of the other two as they entered ahead of her,"Love and loyalty are to powerful things, as such power goes they demand honorable sacrifices..and one must wonder what could cause such fear within such a powerful and loyal warrior to the Queen..",drawing in a slow breath she waited for the secret door to close behind before climbing to join the others,"Only time will tell.."

Leaving the last step she crossed her arms over the swell of her breasts while silently taking a relaxed but alert pose near the passage so that if any did happen to follow they would be alerted before whoever it was arrived. She would listen to what Shamus and Reinee had to impart as well as Einar's thoughts before she put forward anything else and ended up in a fight her first day back.

[Shamus Blackthorne]

Shamus sat upon his throne as the toils of the kingdom went on without him. The others were going about things in the castle which he so dearly wanted to be a part of. After all it was the future of their kingdom and the safety of his sister at stake. Somewhere in his raging celtic heart beat the resolve to get him through. Just a few more moments he kept thinking to himself as a soldier came in introducing the Lady Raven Dragonheart. In all his majesty Shamus smiled and waved for the Lady to come closer.

" I bid you welcome Lady Raven Dragonheart, to the kingdom of Velusia. Lands which are lush with life and those who pursue peace for a land who has seen war for far too long. You come to us at a dark time, I'm sure you've heard by now of Lord Luther's death at the hands of the Darkthornes. I'm also sure that you've heard of the Darkthornes which poison the waters of our beautiful pond. My father was a friend to Blackrose, he even held an alliance with them at one time. I have seen a few Blackrose pass through our kingdom when luck gave them passage across the veil. Enough with simple talk though, please tell me to what we owe your presence?"

Shamus was all ears as he awaited the Lady's reason for coming to them. He'd already heard a little about her, only that she had two dragons accomping her and her name. One of the guards just outside the castle doors began to make mention of a strange light to the dark night. Something was amiss outside and as he looked to the windows of the throne room he too could see the slowly growing light. As he turned back he noticed another guard come in with a stranger. The stranger looked bored and held a letter. Shamus knew now he was trapped here for a good long while, but that was what being a king was about. He did not dislike meeting guests or being a king. It was just that so much was going on right now and he wanted so much to take part in it.

To be out of the loop so to speak would not be enjoyable at this venture. Shamus could feel it though, the deep disturbance of the land towards something. Something from beyond his understanding made the land to knowingly fear it's coming. Shamus looked out again and could swear something was amiss, something deeper. His bones seemed to shake at some force, it was only a light resonance, but he was on the guard. Anything at this point that was out of the ordinary made him alert and watchful of it's actions. The blonde guard which had entered with Lady Raven still wore the armor of battle. The other soldiers had already replaced such armor or had put on clean clothes and armor.

It seemed everything was becoming strange suddenly as a voice from Shamus's past echoed through his head. " Be careful of those who do not love you as I my love. For they love you as the king, where I love you as who you are not what you are." Shamus would not let himself become a target should, nor would he fear anything. For fear could be a warrior's worst enemy, even if he were to die, he would not fear. For death was only a cycle of the great balance. Shamus's alertness would no doubt be sent to Reinne alerting her that something was going on as well. That was if she didn't already know, was this some force sent by Darkthorne? Or was it a new enemy, or ally, Shamus could not tell. To be left in the dark about such a thing, only made him more uncomfortable in his throne.

[Longinus]

Longinus stepped out passing by the guard and man with a letter. He noticed the seal on the letter and was shocked. Longinus had began working for the Darkthornes not long after leaving the mirrorelm, uniting them with his spear and promising them glory. He delivered them Lord Luther and slew him with his own spear on the battlefield. Luther had been a worthy foe, but as with all those Longinus had fought, he lacked the years of expertise. Now away from Lady Raven, Longinus could feel the spear's power washing over him. Slowly it's influence began to take hold once again as he walked through the vast castle. Stealing the armor had been easy, and sneaking into the lands of Velusia undetected was even easier.

For they expected the Darkthornes to attack not Longinus and his mercenaries. He was to get close the queen and bring her to the Darkthorne lands. For with the queen in his hands, he could easily lure the king out of his lands and into battle outside the veil. Which is where his Darkthorne allies awaited him. The Demise fellow he had met in the mirrorelm had set him free for a task. That of his revenge, however Longinus served no man. Longinus fought for the sake of fighting, the sake of slaying those more powerful then mortal men. The spear wanted him to clear this world of all the non-humans and leave it as it should be. For mortal men would fear the spear and give it more power. Legends of it's power would travel across the land prompting well known mortals to seek it out.

And once it found a human with enough reknown, the spear would choose it's new host. This would leave Longinus mortal once again, and he was sure the spear would slay him as it had all it's other host. Longinus did not care though, for death was better then slavery. The spear would not be denied it's wants and Longinus had to fulfill them even though he did not want to. He still could never get past the guilt of those lives he took under the spear's influence. His wife and kids, lost to him forever thanks to the spear's whims. It consider human like cattle that needed strick control and culling. It consider those beings which were more powerful then mortals threats and unworthy breeds. This is what brought him to Velusia, to cause a war like none other and have both clans destroy one another.

Longinus walked outside the castle and noticed a growing light to the darkness. The spear seemed to become excited, this made Longinus fearful for he knew what it meant. Longinus would have to kill the Demise as well and any other being that was not pure. Those mortals that used magic would also have to fall victim to the spear, for the spear would not allow such tampering. The world it had made him sculpt once was devoid of magic and powerful beings, and yet war ramaged that world constantly. Man killed man, brother killed brother, sister slew sister, familys were destroyed and lives ruined. The spear's ideal world was warped for it was nothing, but a world where men fed off other men. Somehow though the bond between him and the spear had weakened from the tim in the mirrorelm and his crossing of the veil.

Lady Raven was adding to that seperation by reminding Longinus of his humanity. If he could be rid of the spear then that time was coming, and he would have his freedom even if it was in death.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

She moved closer as he motioned he closer, taking in his words as she moved. Stopping where there was a few feet between them so to still show respect towards him.

"I have heard the evil that has falling upon your land from the Darkthornes. That in those actions they took the life of Lord Luther which brings sorrow upon the land. You and your family have my condolences, I wish a swift punishment upon the one that took him."

"After a great couple battles back home and the last attack that I think may have taken us out. I thought it wise that I found a place to hide out til things calmed. Seeing the situation here I offer you my services as well my dragons. Please concider me one of your loyal servants, just say what you want and concider it done."

She noticed him looking out the window, turning saw the same light that he did. Letting it be a tribute to the Lord Luther untils she saw Shamus's face.

"I do not mean to get into business that is not of by business. It seems that the light is something that is not ment to be. If you wish I can get with Longinus and check it for you."

[Cothineal]

As the vast distances grew more and more compact the comet in the night sky drew closer and closer still. An ominous portent or an auspicious one? Who could say? Cothineal paused in his sojourn, his four wings unfurling as he hung motionless above the realm of Velusia. Cosmic ice shattered from his form in a diamondesque spray of color that spread throughout the night sky like a nova and in it's center hung the single shining star of Cothineal.

The adjudicator turned his soft eyes towards the land far below him as he drank in it's unique aura and it's essence. Such a rich and vibrant place, so full of life. It would be a shame if it all had to be expunged. He doubted it would come to that though. All the research and information collected by the Praetors spoke of a highly enlightened culture though one that was still caught up in the cycle of war. Destruction was necessary but destruction for the sake of gain was unforgiveable. Survival and balance seemed to be the goal here but balance was a strange force that would use the basest of desires to it's own end so long as that end was served adequately by such mean lusts.

He hung there in the sky for half the night simply observing the dim play of lights below before he tucked his inner wings about him, folding them uncomfortably over his outer wings. the inner set seemed to be almost metallic in nature and it was clear why he chose such an awkward positioning when he began to descend like a shooting start through the atmosphere, the heat of air passing over his rapidly falling body causing the metallic feathers to glow with a strange blue light rather then the familiar garish orange of heated metal. Small twitches of his feathers guided him downwards towards Lochland and the largest building in it, which he assumed to be the home of the ruling family. Inquests were always conducted through the leaders of a civilization. Not only did it test the government but the civlization itself. For if the leaders could not take pride in the accomplishments of their people or worse still did not know about their people then they were unfit to rule and if they continued to rule it spoke of apathy amongst the populace and that was perhaps the most dangerous of the diseases of the soul.

[Reinne Blackthorne]

She had no need to look upon Einar's face to know the apprehension that was wafting thorugh his body and mind. Of all of them he, perhaps, suffered the most having the blood of Darkthorne running through his veins. The dawning of thier first meeting rose to the forefront of her mind. The sun had just been laying to rest giving leave for the night skies to reign supreme when he had come out of the darkness a raging beast bent on spilling her blood. The physical battle had waged on for hours taking them well into the midnight hours before finally they both had the thought of going to the next level. Leaving behind physical shells the battle was taken to the spiritual essence that comprised of both thier beings. One would attempt to corrupt as the other work fevrently to redeem. In the end she had won, but at what cost?  Einar would never be completely rid of the darkness within him, but he did well walking in the light.

For Reinne he seemed to be the key long missing in this war between two clan who were in fact the same.

Her mind snapped back to the present those soft glowing doe eyes lighting upon her cousin's visage with a demure look of understanding.

" Nay, Analisa, do not stay your tongue if you believe it will help me deal in my sorrow. For I was Queen before wife, and as such..I am Queen before a widow. I will have you speakly freely of your thoughts. I value them highly."

Shamus's mental message had already been recieved a mental nod given to her beloved brother as she moved to sit in one of the many chair within this hidden chamber and wait. IT was upon sitting she would sucked in a tiny breath sensing the great unease....the sudden fear the land felt at a coming presence. At first her mind thought Darkthorne, but upon studying the fear once more she discovered this was a different kind of fear. Those eyes snapped up to her cousin and Einar seeking to know if they, too, had felt the tremor.

Something was coming...or more to the fact...it was here.

" We must do this another time. I fear something far more important to us has come upon us. Come we must go to the throne room."

[Cothineal]

The air split before him as he descended through the layers of atmosphere before coming to a sudden halt some two hundred feet above the highest tower of the palace. He just hung there in the air with an almost lazy beating of his mighty wings and he surveyed the city beneathe him. Suddenly his voice sprang forth from his lips. " People of this land. The time of Inquest is upon you now. Bring forth your petitions for Salvation and be spared." His voice was beautiful, achingly so. It seemed as if not one voice but an entire chorus of voices spoke in perfect harmony and unison. No one classification could define his tone. He was baritone, bass, tenor, alto and soprano all at once. It reverbrated through the air and though it was not particularly loud it carried in such a way that all corners of the land would be aware of the Inquest. It was one of the many unique sonic tricks that his people had mastered. Reverbration and vibration were intimately studied aspects of their life and their mission in existence.

The air was cut by the rhytmic pulse of his wings and he descended slowly to the flagstones of the courtyard. Guards came out cautiously to inspect this new visitor and yet he made no motion, nor hostile act. He wore no armor and carried no visible weapons. Only a musical instrument that resembled a golden bow with twenty strings and an arrow knocked for flight creating a bridge. He wore a simple black rainment that was draped about his shoulder and hung across his lean muscular chest. He had slightly overdeveloped pectoral muscles for his slender build due to the twin joinders form his wing sets. Ebony skin shone in the moonlight and snowy hair seemed impervious to any taint of color from outside light as it billowed softly in the remainder of the updraft from his mighty wings. He smiled to the guards and spoke once more in that haunting choir of voices." Take me to your rulers. I have urgent business with them."

[Einar Blackthorne]

"Love and loyalty are to powerful things, as such power goes they demand honorable sacrifices..and one must wonder what could cause such fear within such a powerful and loyal warrior to the Queen.."

The whisper of Analisa's voice behind him caused Einar's pale brow to rise; she heard his thoughts, felt his fears ... Yet, that intrusion of his mind did not bring the Wolf unease, but rather steeled the warrior's will. Honorable sacrifice. To hear the act of returning to the dark called honorable, a small measure of the forboding feeling that had captured the Wolf's heart dissipated. He would not return to the darkness with evil intent, but rather, with the hope of bringing an end to the madness. A brief, almost tragic smile etched itself upon the features of the large warrior, his pale blonde hair descending down over that hardened visage so as to make the expression nigh unseen in the dark passage. Einar had already decided that he would do what he must for his Queen - his savior and his light - yet now, the prospect of facing the darkness, of bonding with it once more, of letting it enter his heart and soul, of being consumed by the taint ... it did not frighten him.

" ... For I was Queen before wife, and as such .. I am Queen before a widow."

Grey hues rose to the seated form of the Queen, nodding ever so slightly at the woman's words. I am Knight before Man ... My oaths, my loyalty and my service come before my fears ... And, as soon as the White Wolf spoke those silent words to himself, a presence of immense power and grace filled Einar's senses. Those grey hues flashed in surprise, and a gauntlet-kissed hand flashed up to the familiar handle of Fenrir, the mighty greatsword at the warrior's back. Tendrils of pale gold hung before the Wolf's face even then, as the warrior bent his knees, grey eyes narrowed as if searching for the presence in this very room ... Only to realize, perhaps in horror, that it was not. It was bigger than this room, it was more perilous than a knife in the dark or a well-armed coup. It was larger than man or beast; greater than both Blackthorne and Darkthorne. The White Wolf knew not what it was, but he was not fool enough to believe it was not a potential threat.

A potential threat to the realm itself.

"We must do this another time. I fear something far more important to us has come upon us. Come we must go to the throne room." Attentions turned to Reinne, as the warrior straightened himself - his hand, however, never leaving the hilt of the sword at his back. He would not release that blade until his Queen was safe and secure. "Aye, majesty." the warrior spoke for the first time, his voice deep and thick. And as the Queen stood, Einar began to ascend back up through the passageway.

[Analisa_Blackthorne]

"As you will it madam, but my tread will be abit lighter in certain.. areas shall we say.  I am pleased that my thoughts are valued by one such as you and my advice is yours for the taking at any time." Standing slightly stiffer then normal Ana's gaze shifted around slowly as if looking for a disturbance that was as yet unseen. Frowning she glanced to her right and the entrance there then back up to the others.

The silver of her eyes smoked over as the disturbance to the places aura set of her inner alarms. Looking towards Reinee she smiled grimly," You have powerful but uninvited guests seeking the rulers of this land. Go with caution as all isn't what it appears and as you said you are a Queen first, as such you must think of your safety and those that depend on it. Let us make sure the way is safe before you charge forward to face this unknown foe."

As Einar took the front Ana took up the rear following close behind her cousin while keeping alert for anything unusual. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword just above her right shoulder in readiness to draw if need be. This uneasy feeling reminded her of other times and other places and anothers back that she defended against an unknown enemy. Flashes of the last battle that her dear cousin Travis Blackthorne fought rushed thru her mind and was so vivid it was as if she were there once again. The tinge of pain and regret at his loss washed over for just seconds before she forced it back and moved on.

When they reached the Queen's bedchamber Ana touched Reinee's shoulder to stop her for but a moment,"Since not many know that I have returned I shall keep my presence to the shadows where I can listen and watch without being seen. My shadows will keep me aware of everything and as it seems you trust this warrior with your life I shall continue at the rear, but know that I'm close by at all times if I'm needed I won't be far away."

Stepping back from the two, she willed the entity to her and as they watched the dark mists curled up to cover he slender form in blackness, then she was simply gone with its fading tendrils as if she had never been there. Besides she worked best in the darkness as it seemed to thrive on her as she thrived on it. The inky depths around the chamber shifted as its sleek mistress moved within it close enough for both to feel her presence. She would shield such sensations from all but those that she wanted to know of her and while they felt her they still couldn't quite pinpoint a location.

[Shamus Blackthorne]

Shamus rose from his throne and looked to Lady Dragonheart with a look of a king.

" I am in need of a dragon tamer, more so for the men then the dragons, for years only those of half-blackthorne blood have been able to easily approach the dragons. There is a state within this kingdom full of dragons from my mother's family who lived side by side with them. If your up to the task then I shall grant you home, pay, and the title of dragon tamer. You do not have to answer just yet, you can send word back to me if need or come back to meet with me once more....right now I must attend to something pressing, I protect my people for not only am I their king I am one of them. Simply trying to live life, if something threatens that life of our's then I must defend and hope that others see my example and defend themselves as well."

Shamu's eyes became lit with the power of the land as he moved to the center of the throne room. Speaking to one of the guards which saw the visitor, he told him in his mind to lead him to the throne room. The guards were not sure if they should until Shamus put them as ease and gave them direction. The entity could have simply killed the guards, but it hadn't so they were not in danger yet.

" Lady Dragonheart you may want to move from the center of the throne room. I have no clue as to what this guest may want and I would not want someone who just arrived to our kingdom hurt in anyway. If you know how to fight, then be prepared to take a defensive invasion if needed. If this guest is here to attack I'll hold him off while you clear the castle, deal?"

Shamus doubted he could compete with a being of such power, but if he had to defend his lands and people he'd learn to reach beyond his level and try to measure up. He knew that many in the castle could not handle such a being though, he would not have them lay their lives down. If anyone was to die defending their home, he'd rather it be him then anyone here. Shamus placed his hand upon the sword of kings and waited for the guest to arrive. He looked to the man with the letter and said, " I'd advise you to stand back as well dear sir, I know not what business you have with me, but I would not have you killed while delivering that business. Guards protect our guest, but do it ever so secretly, don't let our newly arrived guest know your protecting."

Shamus called out to the guards in town alerting them as well. He hated to have to speak to them in their minds, since the intrusion was a trespass on their private thoughts. He'd watched many of his guards and soldiers grow up from children to men and had been there to congradulate them on their accomplishments. He hoped that their friendship would forgive his voice in their heads. At that thought Shamus reached out to Reinne's mind.

" I hate to bother you sister, but something is coming to greet us...I'm not sure I want you here, but I'm not sure what it'll do if we're both not here either. Bring Einar with you, I'll not have you unprotected, if bad comes to worse I want you to take over and lead everyone to safety. As long as one of us lives the kingdom will go on."

Shamus being slightly paranoid as he was, tried to prepare for the worse, but hope for the best in such situations.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Her eyes remained on him all the time that he was talking to her. Each word she took as if it were it were law. For she did not want to miss anything that was of great impotance. Her breath seemed to stop as he mentioned the need of a dragon tamer. There was no need to think upon that for it was something she always wanted.

"It would not be right for me to run and let you fight alone after your offer of being dragon tamer. Not to add that I have offered my serves in helping you and your people out. My dragons shall be of what help they can be outside with your men."

She stepped back almost putting her back against the wall. Her left hand slipping into the dragon glove, it moved to cover the arm to the elbow. It worked in the place of a shield. Her right hand wrapped about the hilt of her blade as she waited.

"I shall fight along side of you like one of your own men. If it comes to it I shall see that your people are taken some where safe. But you must see that you are safe for a battle can be fought later if need be."

She kept her postion near the door as they waited for the guest to arrive. Hopefully that it would not have get where anyone had to die, for they had already lost a king. She felt the dragons take defensive position as they felt her do.