Castle

[Sparkles]

Tarsha nodded to Stephan and to Kaabel, "Thankyou for your support Kaabel" she smiled, although she was hurting more then even she could tell. But at least she could tell that Stephan was having the same troubles, You did the right thing she reasured him, though not certain herself.... what else could've been done? "Shikir... I fear we're going to have to change one of the secured rooms into a battle straturgy thingy" she said very dignified; pity she didn't know the words v.v

[Tifa Lockhart]

Stephan had to move over to a wall and lean against it... his head ached and he found it hard to stand upright.
Glad YOU think so sister.... i don't know if anyone else will approve.... they all expect me to be like my father.... 'll ever be a great ruler like him.

[The Painted Lady]

Beth turned to her brother's voice and crossed her arms stubbornly when he chastised her for leaving the kingdom.
"Well it's good to see you too," she said, frowning slightly, but it slowly faded and she started smiling again. She was just happy to see her big brother safe.
"Did you think I'd just wait around the castle, hoping you were fine? You know I can't stand our parents at the best of times... Wait, where are you going?"
Needless to say, Beth would be quite pissed off when she realised she had travelled all this way to see her brother, just for him nick off right on back home.

[Cloud Strife]

Shikir regarded Tarsha for a moment before smiling slightly, though it was a pained expression as well. "You mean a battle preparations room?" He'd inquire with a cant of his head. "Yes, I believe you are correct. We do need one of those, don't we? Perhaps I shall get to work on finding a suitable area..." He'd murmer softly to himself while looking over to Stephan then. "Are you alright, M'lord?" He'd inquire pleasantly, hoping that his soothing words would be enough to calm him down. Maybe he'd go to his room and find his favored instrument...That way he could provide some much needed relaxation. Hmm..

Kaabel simply glowered at her again. "I suppose not, though I wished you would. Now, as for what I am doing, I am heading back to Lartonia, Beth. I need to inform father of a new development. You are expected to join me, Sister." Gaze would then turn to Calin, a sigh escaping him. "I am terribly sorry, Sir Calin, for this delay." And then he'd turn his attention back to his sister.

[The Painted Lady]

Beth's shoulders slumped and she clenched her jaw shut. All this trouble to reach her dear brother, and all he did was order her to accompany him back to Lartonia. Sigh. Without a word of protest, she remounted swiftly, nudging her steed over in Kaabel's direction.
"And what would this new development be?" she asked cautiously, knowing it would have something to do with the messengers she saw earlier. And that it wouldn't be a welcome development.

[Tifa Lockhart]

((OOOOh i just had an idea... i'll PM you Broken))

Calin shook his head. "No trouble at all Prince Kaabel... but do remember the haste in which we must travel...." Everything he said was impeccably polite... you don't become captain of the guard just for being a good fighter... chivalry isn't dead, yet.

Stephan shook his head, trying to place a shaking hand on his forhead, but he couldn't make it go where he wanted it to, it was shaking to violently.
"No.... no i am not Shikir..... this is to soon i don't even know what I'm doing. The people of Keshia expect me to lead them through war to victory... and i don't think i can... no.... i know i [/i]can't[/i]"[/b] This doubt was not like Stephan.... sure he always doubted himself... but he'd actually upheld his talents with strategy and fighting almost arrogantly... and now he was denying them too? Of all things?

[Cloud Strife]

Shikir, all of a sudden, became furious with his Lord's lack of faith in himself. And so, he told him so. The regal elf spun on his heel to face Stephan with all the authority an advisor to a Lord could have. He'd been within the house of Keshia's service for plenty long...and was respected for his well-placed judgement. Now, it was time to make Stephan realize that this lack of faith in himself will be his downfall. "Prince Stephan of Keshia." He began, a dark scowl across his features. "I am severely disappointed in you." Again, he paused. "You are far more capable than you give yourself credit for, Prince. Excuse me for being frank, but if you continue down this road of doubt and distrust, you will become weak. Your kingdom will fall, and I will have no part in such unfortunate events. In fact, if you continue to doubt yourself, I will lose all faith in you as well. I will leave and seek out my own path. Do not misunderstand me, Prince Stephan. I do not want to leave. I will, however, if I find that it is no longer in my best interest to serve beneath you. Do not fail me. I believe you can do this. Your sister believes you can do this. Prince Kaabel of Lartonia believes you can do this. And yet, here you are, giving up before it has even begun. For shame, Prince Stephan; soon-to-be King of Keshia." My my, Shikir was....unhappy, wasn't he?

Kaabel, meanwhile, let a scowl appear upon his face. "Apparently, our father had decided that war is in our best interest. I highly disagree and aim to stop this meaningless fighting. It is pointless. That is why we must make haste and head back to Lartonia as soon as possible. So, Sir Calin, let us be on our way. I expect you to follow, Sister."

[The Painted Lady]

"What?!"
Beth's face was one of shock as she let her brother's words sink in.
"I was there not six hours ago, how could this happen?!" Her voice trembled with fury. "Why wouldn't he tell us this? Not one word, not one hint! Hasn't he thought of the consequences?"
She obviously didn't expect a reply though, ignoring Kaabel's request to 'follow' by nudging her steed into a canter ahead of both her brother and the Keshian knight.

[Tifa Lockhart]

It seemed that this was the push the prince needed. His lack of faith in his abilities wasn't all his fault, certain cosmic beings were messing with his head, but they were more or less simply feeding the fire of his doubt... but Shikir's words extinguished it completely. The elf really did trust him? To run a kingdom?
You can do it my child... Said the comforting female voice in his head.
And not alone, i am here to guide you. Have faith in yourself and the stars will fall before you do.
Stephan swallowed heavily and lifted his eyes to meet his mentors.... no, his friends.... perhaps the more fatherly figure in Stephan's life then even his own father.
There was an almost physically noticeable change in the princes eyes.
You're going to fail....[/b] Snarled the horrible voice in one final attempt to regain control of the prince through his doubt...
Stay out of my head.... i can do this.... we'll all do it.... and we will win.
Stephan stood and took a deep shuddering breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
Thankyou... He said to the female voice.... the presence that was to guide him.... as it had for all the Keshian royalty year after year.
Y...You're right Shikir.... i think i can do this.... no... i know we can!" He turned his hands into a fist.
"Keshia has over come every obstacle its been faced with before.... this one will be no different." He said, smiling a his own realisation.
He could almost hear the voice in his head laughing with delight.
The key around his neck shimmered and the red liquid that had been building within shimmered and vanished, leaving the key empty once more.
"We have a war to plan.... Sister, Shikir, Jarl and Aanu, meet me in the audience chamber on the second floor." He turned and pointed to a servant that had been watching anxiously.
"You, have a library servant find and bring all charts, maps, books and scrolls on previous battles Keshia has faced to the audience chamber. Make haste now!" The servant hurriedly bowed and rushed off.
Stephan knew what he was doing now... and now he knew he had so many around him he could turn to if he was stuck.... now he knew, the gods were on their side.

[Cloud Strife]

Shikir allowed a small smile to appear upon his face as he watched Stephan instantly spring into action. Good. At least he was finally realizing his true potential. "Of course, M'lord." He spoke with renewed trust and loyalty. Finally. Perhaps Stephan would finally begin to understand his role in life. And with that, he made haste for the audience chamber; also making a pitstop in the library to retrieve a few things he may need for the meeting.

Kaabel watched as his sister took the lead, a dark scowl appearing upon his face. Instantly, he nudged his own stallion foreward; now allowing for them to trot alongside each other. "I know what you mean, Sister. I, too, am utterly perplexed at Fath-no, at His Majesty's decisions. He is becoming senile or something. We must stop this pointless war from even beginning...otherwise you will find the kingdom of Lartonia to have one less Prince." His words were serious, making certain to express he true desires. "I will not fight Prince Stephan and Princess Tarsha. I refuse. As far as I am concerned, this war is for naught and it will only result in countless lives lost..." As soon as this was spoken, he turned towards Calin. "I thank you for escorting us, my good Sir. However, I really do think you should make your way back towards the castle. I will not have you become the first casualty of madness." He turned back to Beth then, giving her a simple nod before kicking his stallion into a full-out gallop. He needed to make it to Lartonia as quickly as possible.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Calin frowned and gave a sigh.
"Again my lord. I was given a job and i will finish it.... so whether you wish my travelling with you i will still follow... i will however keep my distance if that is what you wish." He gave the bets bow you can on horse back.
Again he was being under estimated and it annoyed him. Before he became captain of the guard the other city guards had always figured him weak and destined to get no where in the world, but he'd proved them wrong.
"You'll find the first casualty of this war will not be this Keshian highness. I am blind.... not inept." So Calin stuck by his oath, he hung back from the prince and princess and rode along silently, listening for any noises that might be trouble waiting.

[The Painted Lady]

Beth didn't follow Kaabel straight away, instead turning to the knight who seemed so persistant to accompany them.
"You need not to keep your distance," she said kindly. "Despite my brother's words, you are more than welcome join us if that is what you wish."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Calin smiled at the princess' kind words but shook his head gently.
"It is ok milady... i have learnt to tell when i am not wanted... but you'll find i'm always there when i am." What he said sounded very wise and understanding.

[The Painted Lady]

"But you are not unwanted. There is no need for you to feel any other way. Join us if you want, but don't tag along behind."
With that, Beth turned her steed back around and galloped after Kaabel.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Calin bowed his head briefly before kicking his horse after them, though he hung back just a little to let them talk, his ears focused on unfriendly sounds.