Castle

[Cloud Strife]

(Heh)

Kilja smirked some more before finally getting to the door and reentering. Upon doing so, he turned to the Prince. "Here we are. Prince Stephen, this is Bjarlza."

[Sparkles]

The Keshian princess looked the woman up and down curiously, hadn't they met before?... or at least she'd seen 'Bjarlza' around somewhere... hrm
Tarsha couldn't help herself smiling toward the woman, even if she didn't know her; it was a good thing for her to be around other women. For the past few months she'd been living with three men. The only women she'd had contact with were the maids...

[Tifa Lockhart]

Bjarlza gave a foxy smile and bow, her long flowing tail billowing behind her.
"Bjarlza Brightone, at your most humble service my lord." She said in her sweetest voice.

The prince raised an eyebrow with slight distaste, not really in the mood for flattery.
"Will you vouch for Mr. Kilja here? Is he trustworthy?"

Bjarlza nodded, her deep seductive gaze moving from the prince to Kilja
"He is highness... motives once questionable are now resolute, you can be sure of that."

"Very well." The prince concluded.
"Perhaps you can use your intel to help us plan Kilja." The prince said, gesturing to the sletchy battle plan placed out on the table. He then turned to Calin, who stood silently and patiently.
"Please escort her royal highness Princess Bethany to the infirmary Captain Calin." He said most regally.
The sightless knight nodded and walked to where Beth stood.
"Are you fit to walk milady?" He asked politely.

[The Painted Lady]

Beth had been observing everything silently in a bit of a daze and was a little surprised to hear her name. Her eyes darted to the Keshian Prince, then to Calin as he addressed her. She felt too drained from the pain to talk, but she managed a small 'yes' in response to his question, more out of her own stubborness to remain dignified than anything. She glanced up to her brother, giving him a weak smile before turning back to the knight.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Come then... we will get you all fixed up." he took her hand ever so gently, more so he would no where she was, and then led her from the room.

((Calin too.... infirmary... if we have a thread for that XD))

[The Painted Lady]

((*blinks* i don't believe we do...))

[Tifa Lockhart]

((Do now XD))

[The Painted Lady]

((no way! magic! xD
oh Beth to the newly built infirmary too =P))

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel watched Calin and Beth warily, making sure that she was alright before turning back to the Prince, princess, his advisor, and the new 'recruit'.

Kilja nodded in appreciation for his acceptance before then turning to Bjarlza. "Thank you, Bjarlza." He stated before turning back to Prince Stephen. "Would you mind if she stayed within these walls? Or would you prefer it if she stood outside?" He inquired pleasantly, his black bat wings pressed firmly along his spine. Then, once that was taken care of, Kilja would take a few steps forward and take a scrutinizing glance towards the battle plans. "Hm. It seems that there would be a weakening in our defenses if we did this." He pointed towards a particular group of soldiers. "There are not enough men, I'm sure, that could pull this whole plan off. Of course, I could be severely underestimating the amount of men you have, Prince Stephen. If that is the case, then I am certain that this particular plan would do well. Whoever thought of it must be brilliant."

Shikir, meanwhile, did NOT trust Kilja...and the flattery presented towards himself and the Prince did little to ease his still wary state of mind. Perhaps it was the natural suspicion of someone that had almost taken away a very important person from him, but...it seems that even though this was the case...Shikir remained silent to his concerns. If the prince thought that Kilja was trustworthy enough, then so be it. He'd just have to keep a better eye on him...

[Tifa Lockhart]

Stephan was still wary of Kilja, but he believed he would never be accepted as a good king unless he gave everyone benefit of the doubt.
"I have been thinking Shikir... what of Floren? They aided my ancestors in time of war some millenia ago. We're not enemies with them are we? They're renowned for their fighting abilities." Floren was a country from across the seas, quite a exotic one with all female warriors.
((Hint hint broken XD))
He also listened to what Kilja had to say.
"My numbers are greater then they were beneath the banner of my father already... as my General has told me more Goralan march to fight with us as we speak... however i doubt the numbers are enough to destroy the armies of Lartonia without massive losses... i do not believe my warriors are pawns in chess... each are the king and must be saved at all costs." Spoken like a true king... my my wouldn't he make a wonderful little ruler!

[Cloud Strife]

Kilja nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "I see. I figured you would say something like that. This is why I decided upon offering my services to you. Perhaps I could speak with the leader of the assassin's guild...He may prove to be useful in this war. After all, if he's paid well, he'll do anything." Kilja smirked then, before then letting it fall. Hm. "Anyways, I'm glad to hear that you've got soldiers...and yes, I see where you're coming from on the Lartonia end. They have more experienced fighters due to the fact that their king is very militeristic. No offense, Prince Kaabel." Kaabel shook his head, snorting in discust at his father's ways. "Do not call me Prince, Sir. I may be of noble birth, but due to the fact that I am aiding Prince Stephen...well, you know." Kilja simply nodded. "Of course, Prince Kaabel." Kaabel glared, only to recieve a pleasant and innocent-looking smile. What an infuriating creature.

Shikir, after the banter between Kaabel and Kilja, stated evenly. "Floren might aid us. I'm sure that if you requested an audience, or sent me, we could come up with some sort of agreement. Besides, the women over in that country are strong and would be valuble assets. Why not think about the possibility as sending myself as an ambassador of sorts?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Stephan rubbed his chin in thought, pondering what Shikir said.
"Aye. If that is what you wish then i will send you to speak with the warrior maiden's of Floren Shikir... however i would like my sister to go with you." He knew there would be questioning from both sides so he only paused briefly enough to justify his reason firmly.
"I would hate for her to be harmed in the senseless war that will come of an age long greed... i want her to learn from the Florian's... i don't doubt my sister is a wonderful fighter but i don't want to take any chances...." This was an order of sorts. While he hadn't been crowned yet, law stated that if war should be present or arise before an heir is crowned they assume indisputable kingship until the threat is over and a formal ceremony is arrangeable.

He then turned the Kilja and Bjarlza.
"Go to your Assassin's guild. Find out there price. As long as i have the money in my father treasury i will pay whatever price they ask. We need all the help we can get." He said.
He also then turned to Kaabel.
"Do not think of yourself as anything below what you are Prince Kaabel... if this all works out you may very well rule your country as is your birthright..."

[Sparkles]

Tarsha just glared at Stephan, not able to say all of the things that were coming to mind as they would be inappropriate. "Fine" she said through gritted teeth, turning around and walking out of the open door calmly. No, she was not actually calm. She was quite um... annoyed. She felt as if Stephan wasn't acting like her brother but like her master of sorts. Through her whole life she'd been his equal; able to give her opinion and it'd be valued just as much as his but now she had no say.
Well she would have a say! She was not going to stand there as they planned out everything, she needed time to cool off.

Tarsha was walking toward her chamber, muttering curses to herself.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Stephan's eyes follow his sister out the door.
<Don't be like that sister... i am not making you go... it is this or you stay here and spend time with Kaabel... it's for your own protection... i would hate for any harm to you, i cannot bare losing another loved one.> His mind voice was sincere.

[Sparkles]

<No need> was her only reply as she reached her chamber, locking the doors.
She then grabbed a bag and began to shove all sorts of odities into it.