Romancing the Princess|Neo'anar | New Anarlina

[Devon]

Marion approached the guards at the entrance to the castle in Anarlina. He had deicded to stay around for a while longer since he didn't have any jobs lined up and his dues were already paid. Nodding to the guards he introduced himself. "Marion Kelly, here to see Princess Emerald."

[Kender Bard]

"The Princess is off beating the tar out of some poor men in the barracks," the guard responded wryly. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad to be on door duty."

[Devon]

Marion chuckled at the thought. "Thank you," he said as he went past them and headed for the barracks to see her. Since he didn't want to disturb her until she was done, he remained silent for now and watched her.

[Kender Bard]

The description wasn't too far off. At the moment, Emerald was walking around, watching spars between pairs. While to an untrained eye, it looked like everyone was working hard and well, Emerald was not pleased with anything she saw. She walked around with her training sword and where she saw a mistake, she would bark an order or scornful remark and slap the sword against the offender, by the broad side. From the resounding thumps and smacks, she wasn't pulling her hits either.

Looking up her eyes caught Marion and she frowned, walking over. "What are you doing here?"

[Devon]

Marion winced while watching her work and when she came over to him he stood up straight. "I came to see if you were busy or not, but I see you are so what I wanted will have to wait I suppose. Unless you can take a little time off."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald started to snap at him, to say 'Of course I'm busy, I'm going to war!' until she remembered that Sunray didn't want word to get out. Unlike her dear brother, she did not flap her gums at bards about things she wanted to be kept quiet.

Gruffly, she muttered, "I guess I can." Turning to the men she shouted, "Okay you lazeabouts! You get a break to contemplate on how much work you need to do yet!" Huffing softly in irritation, she stalked out of the barracks to go stand in the shade and hopefully catch a breeze. "Well, I've got time now, Marion."

[Devon]

Marion followed her to the shade with a frown on his face. He constantly had to remind himself that she wasn't like the women he had been with before and he would have to rethink the ways he talked to and interacted with her. "Are you all right Princess? You seem a bit tense today."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald stretched her arms and sighed, pacing back and forth. "No, I'm not. But it's a matter of security to the Kingdom that I not tell you what's troubling me. Think I should go ask my sister-in-law for a backrub?"

[Devon]

Marion nodded and answered, "Perhaps you should. I'm not going to ask you to tell me especially if it is that important." Taking out his flute case he pointed at a nice spot beneath the shade they were under. "Take a seat, this is no backrub, but I think a nice tune will help you relax some."

[Kender Bard]

Skeptical, Emerald sighed and slid down the trunk of the tree until she was sitting. She put her arms behind her head and watched Marion with almost critical eyes... and beneath that, something else. Something undefinable.

[Devon]

Marion shook his head and smiled at the princess. Pressing his lips together he activated his wind signs and conjured a breeze to lightly swirl around Emerald. Bringing his lips to his flute he then began to play a soft melody, and as calm as the breeze me made for her.

[Kender Bard]

Emerald started a bit at the breeze but quickly came to enjoy it - it cooled her and added an almost romantic aspect to his music. Before the song had even finished, her head was tilted back and her eyes shut. She was perilously close to dozing off in her state.

[Devon]

Marion brought his song to a close and looked down at the princess. With a soft smile he moved to sit beside her. Gently moving her, he positioned himself so that her head will rest on his shoulder. Sighing since she was almost asleep, he figured he'd let her rest a while. So to aid her drifting he hummed softly near her ear.

[Kender Bard]

Emerald's breathing slowed as she fell into a deeper sleep. Exhaustion had been gnawing at her from sleepless nights and hard-pressed days.

After time enough had passed, her men began to wonder where she'd gone. A couple wandered outside to look for her and, seeing her so comfily posed next to the bard, began snickering and quietly calling for their comrades to see.

[Devon]

Marion saw the onlookers and held a finger to his lips to indicate that they quiet down. Waving his hand a bit he tried to shoo them away as well.