Lartonian Kingdom

[Sparkles]

The Prince of this kingdom is to be wedded to Tarsha if Keshea needs to depend on them. Let's just hope they don't.

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel was seated in his quarters, scribbling what looked to be a letter. To whom? That answer would have to wait. The young prince continued to scribble absently, his neat, cursive handwriting rivalling that of caligraphy. After all, he was a prince...He had to learn the basics of formal writing, etc. Upon finishing the letter, he placed it within an envelope and sealed it with his personalized seal; candlewax and all. Once his letter was officially completed, he rose and quietly made his way towards his large doors, swinging them open quietly and padding down the hallway.

Currently, the handsome prince was garbed in the usual regal attire; a cloak, a blouse with the frilly sleeves, the buckled up boots, and what looked to be riding pants. Wait, why was he in riding pants? Kaabel continued at a rather hastey pace through the mind-boggling hallways that could be deemed as difficult to navigate as a maze. That is when he approached the entrance to the castle...keeping a watch out for maids and the like. Yes, the Prince was a people-pleaser, but that didn't mean he always remained indoors! And so, without further ado, Kaabel exited the main entrance to the palace and slipped in the direction of the stables to where his beautaeous steed awaited his arrival.

He entered the stable as quietly as possible, keeping an eye out for the stable boys. Soon enough, though, he spotted his steed. "Mercutio! We are heading out, my friend." He'd whisper out, the stallion emitting a sort of whicker in glee. "M'lord, it is a pleasure to see you again." The stallion would say while approaching the stall door. "Yes, it is a pleasure to see you as well. Now, enough of the greetings! I am to deliver a message to Princess Tarsha of Keshia." He spoke rapidly, though softly, while saddling Mercutio up and mounting him. "But M'lord, why not ask one of your servants to take it?" The stallion inquired, slightly perplexed by his master's reasoning. "Because, I would like to meet her when I am not within the pressence of my Father and Mother...For if I do not do this now, I will never do it. You know me, Mercutio. A spineless coward when it comes to my parents.." He murmered before shaking his head. "Bah, enough of this chit chat. We must ride!" And with that, he gently nudged Mercutio foreward and off they went; to the Keshian Kingdom.

[Heading to Outskirts]

[The Painted Lady]

Opening the door to her private room a tiny crack and glancing outside, Beth checked for signs of movement in the hall. It seemed the palace was asleep at this late hour but she still took precautions as she sneaked down the hall, one hand carrying a small saddle bag, the other pulling the hood of her cape up. It was the same deep blue colour of her eyes, however you wouldn't have known as the hood shadowed her face. Now why was she sneaking out would be the appropriate question here. Well, it had been almost a full day since her brother had disappeared... much to the annoyance of her parents, the King and Queen. The princess had a fair idea of where her brother was and being rather attached to him, what did she do? Well follow him of course!

Once safely outside the palace, she gathered the bottom of her dress and ran over toward the stables. She headed over to a beautiful palomino who had started whinnying at her arrival.
"Hush Devontay," she said quietly, running a hand gently over its muzzle.
She opened the door to Devontay's stall and quietly put on her bridle and placed the saddle just behind her whithers. Coaxing her out by clicking her tongue, Beth mounted in one quick moment. With a small nudge of Beth's heel, they broke into a fast gallop of the kingdom grounds.

[to Outskirts]

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel and his entourage arrived at the beginning of Lartonia's lands hours later; having ridden nonstop the whole way. The Prince felt no need to address the stubborn knight, though truly he didn't feel that Calin was a burden. He just didn't want any unecessary fighting to occur because of his being there with them. Upon standing just outside of the Lartonian borders, Kaabel maneuvered Mercutio to face Calin and Beth. "Sir Calin of Keshia, this is where I bid you farewell. I appreciate your escorting us this far, but from here my sister and I must say our goodbyes. Please relay the Prince and Princess a message for me, if you will. Tell them that I will do anything in my power to stop this war from beginning...and tell them that no matter the circumstances, my loyalty to them will not change. Am I understood?" My my, Kaabel was truly beginning down the road of a good king, as well. Perhaps being around Stephan finally made him realize how cowardly and ridiculous he was being. The young man needed to stand up for what he believed in...and his blossoming friendship with the siblings of Keshia made him realize this fact. He would do anything within his power to prevent the mindless and pointless slaughter of innocent people. "Come, Sister. We must have an audience with His Majesty." Hm, it seemed like Kaabel lost all respect for his paternal subject; a pity, no?

[Tifa Lockhart]

Calin nodded as the prince addressed him. He understood and would not risk confrontation by crossing into Lartonia... but he was more stubborn then anyone knew... as soon as the prince and princess rode off he dismounted and set up camp a short way from the border.
Yup, he was waiting for their return, he 'saw' more in people then most having had to learn to get t o know people by sounds and not sights. The Lartonian heirs were good at heart and he'd hate for anything to happen to them. He feared not for the Keshian royal's safety, they were protected by the most fearsome race in the land, they'd be fine.... the Lartonian's however were doing something that would probably be seen as betrayal by all of Lartonia.... so Calin would wait in case they needed help in the quick get away.

[The Painted Lady]

Beth bade the knight farewell before following after Kaabel. Catching up beside him, she began to observe him curiously.
"Who are you and what have you done to my brother?" she accused teasingly. This was a very different Kaabel to say the least. More authoritative, less... well, cowardly to put it harshly.
"What has prompted this change in you? It wouldn't have anything to do with that Keshian princess you are promised to, would it?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

((Could you be attacked by bandits or something on the way back to Keshia? I want my knight in shining armour to save the day ))

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel regarded Beth for a moment before answering her inquiry. "Honestly, Beth, Princess Tarsha was part of it. However, it was mainly her brother. I realized that in order to actually become a justified, grand King...I need to step up to the plate and actually work to better myself. I hated being as cowardly as I was...always listening to Father and Mother and not questioning their actions...Now, I realize that I must not allow this to continue. I need to change myself...but in order to do that, Beth, I need your help...Alright?"

(Okie. :3 I'll see what I can do. x3)

[The Painted Lady]

Beth smiled warmly at her brother.
"Of course you have my help, Kaabel. You always have my help. And I'm glad to see you're finally taking matters in your own hands. I'm willing to support you whatever you do. You should know that by now."
She turned her focus onto the castle now in sight.
"Just how are we going to go about this? With Father listening?"
She turned back to Kaabel again.
"I mean... he's not really the listening type, is he..."

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel fell silent for a time...before finally sending his sister a sheepish smile. "Um, I haven't really thought much about what I will do, yet. I was hoping to think of something on the trip here. Eh heh..." Oh Lord. There were just some things that Kaabel would never be able to change...and his distinct lack of common sense was one of them. "But seriously...I was honestly thinking about approaching His Majesty directly, and if that did not work, I would leave the Kingdom and head back to Keshia. Either that, or I would snag my advisor...and have him directly order the armies to do as I wish. Something to that extent. Manipulation has always been a favorite of mine...but if worst comes to worst, I may hire someone to..." He trailed off, closing his eyes for a brief moment before reopening them. "...to assassinate him. I cannot allow a pointless war to break out...even if it means killing my father, I cannot and will not fight against the Keshian army. I could not go through with it with a clean conscience..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

((Not to mention Keshia is reknowned for having one of the best armies around ))

[The Painted Lady]

Beth listened intently to what Kaabel had to say, but at his mention of the idea of assasinating their father, she slipped forward in her saddle in shock. It certainly wasn't a plan she expected to hear from her brother...
"And you'd be able to kill our father with a clean conscience?!" she exclaimed, her voice edged with horror. She cast her eyes away, refusing to look at him.
"I know he hasn't exactly been perfect, but you can't be serious..." she said, her voice barely audible.

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel let his brows furrow in contemplation before lifting his gaze to that of Beth's. "I am completely serious. I know that usually family come before work, but in this case we're talking about a whole country, Beth. I cannot allow our kingdom to be devastated in such a manner. I do love His Majesty to a certain degree, but you of all people should know that we do not see eye to eye at all. Granted, most father-son relationships are like that...but our case seems to be extreme. He refuses to allow me to do anything, and it is almost as though I am merely a pawn in his little game of 'rule the kingdom'. He is my father, and will always be my father, but when it comes down to it, my country rises above blood ties. You do understand where I am coming from, don't you? Wouldn't you rather see one life taken rather than thousands?"

[The Painted Lady]

Beth didn't answer his questions.
"Don't you realise it will send the entire kingdom into panic... they may believe that it was the work of the Keshians, then they will fight with vengence, no matter what you or anyone else says... They may not go to war, but they may return your little 'favour' to the Keshian king."
She sighed, her tone softening again.
"... Just promise me that it'll be a last resort."

[Cloud Strife]

Kaabel nodded. "I wasn't going to do anything like that unless it was a last resort, Beth. I am not stupid, no matter how much you or Father disagree." He quirked a brow before riding off a little further. Soon enough, the kingdom came within view; the castle off in the distance. Hm. This was it. For the first time ever, Kaabel would have to stand up to the King of Lartonia, his father. He hated to admit it, but those cowardly feelings were starting to rise up into the depths of his stomach...and he very nearly turned that horse around so he could run off back to Keshia...but he didn't and just remained as tense as humanly possible all the way to the castle.