Returning Home

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Lilith kept her eyes either down, or on Aria, not knowing the other two enough to look at them long without becoming embarrassed. Aria wanted them to spread rumours of different degrees, something Lilith was never good at; talking to people. She nodded along with what everyone said, and if she was confronted with such a thing, she would say something along the lines as Aria asked. However, she didn’t think she would be able to just strike up a conversation.

It was then Lilith’s turn to blush once more, as Aria brought up what Roland had taught her. Yes, I do know that… however, with my job, I need to be able to at least function… I wasn’t going to heal myself 100%… Lilith looked away, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear once more.

She was brought to attention once more, as the older noble woman addressed her, wondering who she was. Thankfully, Diamond stepped in and told the woman how she knew him at least. Yes, I am working for the Guard. Her job was far more complicated than that, more secretive, but for now she would continue saying that she worked for the Guard, when asked. And yes, Diamond quite literally saved my life. And I-I know Aria.. From… Well, various places… The, um, library.. Um.. through some friends… ahem. Yeah. The more she spoke, the more nervous she got, her face and ears a scarlet colour.

When they had reached the inside, a light was finally brought to view and she glanced up at Aria in her nervousness and caught a glimpse of the womans face. Aria.. your face.. what happened? She moved closer to her, and looked over the woman worried.

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At least Melda understood the need to spread the rumors, the more confusing the situation was the better in this case. Diamond would at least cast a positive light on the situation. She would have to get in contact with her contacts in the city and start muddling things up. Lilith would have the most opportunity, after all she worked in Blue eyes restaurant. She’d hear the most of the rumors spread and would have the most opportunities. She knew Lilith was shy but trusted her enough that when she said she’d tried something she believed her capable of doing it. Aria stopped and paused when she thought she heard Melda curse. She turned and raised an eyebrow at the older woman.

”We’re having a negative influence on you…I approve”

Aria looked up at the ceiling as Diamond called Caster evil.

”Now I wouldn’t go and call her evil, chaos is in her nature. If a wolf attacks a flock of chickens, the chickens may view the wolf as evil because to them it’s bad, but to us, it’s just the wolf’s nature to hunt. Caster is the goddess of chaos, naturally it’s in her nature to cause chaos, but I do not think she’s evil for it. Honestly if I was the goddess of chaos, using my name to spread more chaos would be highly amusing.”

The gods and goddesses were like that, twisted.

”Well I’m glad you were able to retrieve her back, I’m curious after the zombie horde if Zepon has any furniture left.”

Aria blinked when Lilith burst out about her face….she poked the side of her face with the blazing scar.

”Well, funny thing is I think your actually the first person to actually ask about this. This happened when I was sixteen, a friend of mine tried to kill my adoptive brother because he blamed me for making him feel human emotions, thought kidnapping and torturing someone close to me would get me back, I got into a fight with him and he burned off the side of my face. Funny fact happened in that library we met at.”

Aria stopped walking…realizing something; she had been on the way to her room…but her room was burnt to cinders the last time she was there.

”I realize I don’t have a place to stay here anymore….”

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Melda waved away Arias perception on her words, smiling ever so slightly. The woman had changed her a bit, but not so much so that she would act like her. She slipped up is all. Melda looked to her companion as he explained how he saved Lilith from the hoards; that made sense as she did see the man save someone, she just hadn't seen whom. Lilith then went on to confirm that, then babble on about Aria. Melda raised her eyebrow-- at nervous woman like this, working under Roland? What was that man thinking? Right, well. Good on you for saving her. she nodded then turned back to Aria, as Lilith freaked out about her face. Come to think of it, Melda had never seen the scar before, but there were bruises too... The scar she could tell was very old, but not the bruises. Melda listened to the story Aria told, feeling sad for the younger Aria, but knew that any pity now would just be scoffed at. Aria was to strong for that.

Oh.. You're right... Well, you can either stay with me, or Princess Lucinda's room is always open. She hasn't returned, which you know, and I highly doubt she would mind, she loves you so much. I doubt the King would mind either really, it's an empty room. Melda offered without a second thought. She knew the woman would probably choose the open room over her own, but she'd thrown it in there just in case.

The curious factor of the red heads bruises was on her mind... She thought the King had similar ones, though they all had been in battle... though Aria just returned, she wasn't involved.... This was curious, and not the first time such a coincidence had occurred. However Melda pushed it aside, there where more important things to do at that moment, rather than think of theories.

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"I guess, perhaps my hesatation to spread rumors, comes from the fact that I worked with a culture that viewed honor above all else at times. And to bring dishonor or do dishonorable actions could get you killed. Anyway, someone needs to put the King in a good light. I don't mind doing it" said Diamond and he let Aria speak on that and understood what she said but old habits were hard to break sometimes. But none the less the rest of the conversation though he kept silent as some of the things were above his head. As Diamond did not have much to say though, since they were talking on some arrangements for Aria to be living as she got back to Nova. He did go back into his thoughts on how to contact Mylee though, he could perhaps meditate at his alter at the Moon Temple. Although Aria did know a bit more she let on and could ask her later? But was unsure if she would or could let that information go.

"Perhaps we should find a sitting room or something? And wait for the King? You look like, you need something in you and at least some rest Aria. You do look a bit worse for wear" Diamond offered again. He did understand Aria's urgency to report back to Noku. But he was conserned as he saw the bruses again, plus the bloodshot eyes, and her personality was not all there.

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Lilith looked at her funny for a moment. She'd seen Aria's scar months ago when they first met... in fact she was sure Aria had already told her that story... She had to know she was talking about the bruises and not the scar... After a moment, she looked at Arias eyes more, feeling like she was trying to tell her something. She took a breath and said; Wow, that must have been absolutely horrible! She shook her head sympathetically. Lilith kept her eyes on Aria's face, examining the bruises carefully. What could have happened in Palico? The look of curiosity remained on her face, even after Aria explained her scar.  

She looked at the older woman when she offered to allow Aria to stay with her-- well she certainly knew her well.. Perhaps from when Aria was living here before. Lilith walked along with them quietly, not saying much until Diamond suggested they find a place to sit. Yes, finding a sitting room would be nice.. Her tone was quiet, having a feeling her input wasn't a priority anyway.

So, Aria... what's it like to be a Duchess now? Lilith spoke after clearing her throat, smiling at the red head. She had to make some conversation or she'd burst. There was an odd tension she didn't particularly enjoy.

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”hmm well we’ll see, I may end up just sleeping with the drakes.”

She shrugged at Diamonds explanation, growing up on the streets her opinion was that his was a clouded view of how things really worked. Aria nodded about going to find some place to sit but first she was more worried about reporting to Noku. She waved someone over and asked if they could deliver a message that she requested an audience with the king at his convenience. Then turned and led the others to a nice aviary she knew was attached to the castle. It was a nicer place then any to relax. Once there she found a nice sitting nook that was large enough to accommodate there little group. She took off her leather gloves and laid them on the table. Before sitting she laid a hand on each of her weapons and each one turned to ink and soaked in to her skin before traveling up her arm and being hidden by her armor. Once her bow and quiver of arrows was tucked away along with her staff, she plopped down in a chair. Undoing the heavy fur cloak and letting it fall on the back of the chair.

She leant back in the chair and closed her eyes, her delicate pointed ears twitching slightly as a question was directed towards her. She opened one eye and looked at Lilith from the corner of her eye.

”It feels like my shackles were never removed.”

Aria ran a hand over her face.

”I suppose it’s easier to get an opinion across, and there are benefits here and there. Silas has given me the task of training his drake army, so most of my time has been teaching the handlers and drakes how to coexist and provide the army with trainable drakes. Frankly I am thankful Silas gave me a task to prove myself there, however a sudden fated duchess hasn’t been met with much enthusiasm. But the fact Palico is more military based, the chances of being able to prove oneself is significantly easier….ignoring the obvious how have things been on this end?”

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Olivia about had enough of this place! The people of Nova were just rude and no matter how much she demanded an audience with the King, her requests were rejected each and every time! Were the gods mocking her?! Had she been sent all this way to this...This Hell hole for some cruel punishment in life? The thought of the Noru family stringing her own family along sickened her greatly. She was a proud warrior and the King of TerraFell's only hope to survive the following months ahead. The woman clearly distressed and aggravated as she strolled through the second district  up to the castle following along the stone roads that lead up to the grand palace. Close at hand; Her three hooded cloaked servants followed behind her like three mother hens as she walked aimlessly along the empty path and into the palace.

Dressed in a beautiful gold and orange dress; lined with expensive bear furs around her shoulders and cuffs of her sleeves. The front of her dress was hidden under a iron armor chest plate, hiding the quality of the dress and the fine decorative designs. Thank the gods that its was designed for the winter months. The material thick and layered with warm rabbit fur on the inside, while brown bear fur lined the bottom of the dress that dragged across the floor. For once looking more like a lady than what she had back in her own home kingdom. Her feelings hurt as she silently cursed under her breath. Not aware that she was heading straight into a dead end. To her surprise she found herself at the aviary, Nova's so called flight of dragons.

Her face scrunching in disappointment, her mind now completely overwhelmed with the thought of actually failing her first mission. If she were to return to Terrafell and say that Noku had not even seen her; Then what kind of princess would she be? A shameful one to the eyes of her father, her king? The thoughts spun around in her skull, terrifying her even more as she walked aimlessly within the castle. Not really realizing where she was going until the sound of people talking broke her over all train of thought. To her surprise, Olivia halted, freezing in place for a moment to listen. She couldn't see who the people were; however their conversation lulled her to approach closer to where the voices were coming from. So very quietly and very causally approached the enclosed area. Olivia had assumed that it was likely a place for the Nobles of this castle to take rest. However, her boldness driven by what little that she could hear, plus if they were within the castle possibly they could explain what in high hell was going on and where the King would be at to ignore her for so long.

" Excuse me.... Are you all from the Palace?" Olivia asked aloud to Aria, Lilith, Melda, and Diamond while slowly approaching them with almost a military step in her stride. Her servants clinging together behind her in a nervous manner. " Can some one please explain to me whats happening and is the Palace closed? "

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Aria’s attention was taken away from the group when a vaguely familiar face crossed her view. She recalled seeing this woman at least once before…she had to rack her brain for where. It came to her a few seconds later, she had first seen the woman in blue eyes restaurant….that place had good sweets. As the woman approached Aria tipped forward allowing the chair legs to all hit the floor. She calmly stood and inclined her head in greeting. Her eyes flicking back from the woman to her guards. She was nobility of some sort, that much was plain. It would seem out of the woman there Aria was the only one in full armor; her leather armor set however was highly decorative as it was functional.

The tight leather corset was done in a patch work design, and held together by custom buckles designed to break open. The metal buckles were done in a black matte finish; any metal used on her armor was done in this fashion so nothing gleamed or glinted. Under her corset she wore a deep blood red shirt, only bits and pieces of the shirt could be glimpsed from under the armor. A bolero jacket with hood was also made out of the black leather, it hung behind her but one could see that the hood was done in the shape of a large bird skull with a black feather design imprinted on the rest of the hood. Underneath the hood one could see that Arias neck was covered by a choker with a metal plate. Her pauldrons were highly decorated as well, far away one could not appreciate the fact that imprinted into the leather was the design of many animals all intertwined. The pauldrons consisted of a couple of layers that came out in points, a couple of blood red feathers hung from the pauldrons. Her tasset belt, and gauntlets which rested on the table were done in the same intricate design as her pauldrons. Her pants were like her corset done in a patch work design, and curiously had those same metal buckles running down both sides of her legs. Knee high boots also covered her feet, they had only a very slight heel to them for functioning well in a saddle. The armor was all enchanted to be hard as steel, everything was made to Arias high standards when it came to her own equipment. Her wild dark red locks took on a striking tone against the black leather, cascading down past her waist, with only a few braids here and there.

”To answer your first question yes, and no. I believe we’ve encountered one another once before in a restaurant in town a few months back. As for what’s happening, recently it would seem both the recent…and long deceased seemed to have paid our lovely little kingdom an unexpected visit.”

Aria picked up her gloves and moved her things to the side and motioned for the new comer to take her seat.

”Out of curiosity, what brings you to the palace?”

[Noku Noru]

The castle seemed more quiet as of late. The halls less nosy with nonsense chatter and the staff were mostly busy at work cleaning up the castle grounds. Not a soul or object to keep a bored King busy or occupied while he laid tirelessly on top of his bed; Located within his study. His golden eyes stared up at the ceiling and blinked every now and then in a slow manner. His teeth grinding against each other in a nervous habit of having absolutely nothing to do. The pain killers had already set in and he lightly touched the bruised center of his stomach. His fingers tracing lightly over the bruised tissue that laid hidden behind a loose white long sleeve shirt.

' Damnit that was close....' Noku thought to himself, cringing as he lifted his shirt to look down at his stomach. His eyes staring at the dark purple circle in the center of his alabaster chiseled admin in slight disgust. " I'll have to personally thank that soldier some time soon..... This will take bloody weeks to turn back to normal." Noku sighed, grumbling to himself while tucking in his shirt back into his black pants.

A knock at the door was what brought him to full attention and caused him to sit up right in his bed. He glared at the door as it slowly swung open. A young square, no older than 14 came rushing in as if he had been running the whole way there. Noku's eyes widen and he got off the bed to rush over to where the boy finally came to a halt. His arms extending to grab hold of the boy's shoulder and forced him into a straighten stance to where they would be both facing each other eye to eye. " What is it boy?! Can't you wait to enter one's...." Noku paused, seeing that he was frightening the boy and that he wasn't really in his bedroom. " study. " Noku's temper subsided, finally letting go of the boy and taking a few steps back with his left hand over his face.

" So-so-so-sorry your Majesty. Lady Aria Wuurd has return and requested your audience at once. " The boy managed to say, catching his breath and falling to his knee's clutching his chest.

" Lady Aria? So she has returned? " Noku dropped his hand, looking down at the boy with a more somber expression. Extending a hand down to help him off the floor and back onto his feet. " Well boy, take me to her..." Noku grumbled, pointing the boy to the door to lead the way. Shocked the young man complied and gratefully lead the king to where Aria and her party were located. The boy smiling the entire way unaware that Noku did not share the same amusement as he slowly came upon Aria and her....Friends? His attention turning from Aria to the brown haired woman who's armor's emblem brought him to a full stop before reaching the entrance of the aviary. " Lady Olivia Pandoria, Princess of Terrafell what a pleasant surprise." He spoke up, announcing his presence in a manner of answering Aria and trying to greet Olivia politely.

" Good to see you well Aria, I was summoned here for some reason? " Noku asked, while walking up to Aria and the others. The messenger boy long gone the moment Noku had fixed his attention on the group. " Greeting to you all. " Noku nodded to the rest of the group in a respectful bow, his loose hair that was not tied back in a low pony tail was cascading around his shoulder.

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Diamond just tuned out again as he did not have too much of a opinion on the matter. He leaned against the wall and relaxed and let the ladies talk amungst them selves again. But as he did though there was a sense of familuarity coming towards the group. Even Diamond himself could not put a finger on the matter. Then out of the corner of his eye spots a high ranking noble, and the way she held herself was that of a warrior. The woman was wearing a firery colored dress that was orange and gold, with a bear fur over her shoulders. The white haired male was about to answer the lady's question. But it seemed that Aria was already ahead and answered the woman. His ears perked a bit as heavy footfalls could be heard. What greeted them all was the King himself and out of respect of the man bowed and then raised himself back up. Now Diamond was going to be very silent since he felt that he was on the King's shit list of fools to have there heads lopped off. But that was over thinking it to a degree, as Noku looked rather relaxed now.  So for now, Diamond would keep his place at the wall and would answer when spoken to. His gaze was then placed back on Olivia as there were some simularities that he had with her but several diffrences. 

It seemed that the start of this new year was going to be a intresting one since he started to live in Nova. He blinked a bit as the mercenary went over what happend. As it almost had been a year since he came to Nova, the male would have to go celebrate or something later. Perhaps sharing a drink with the King, as he had been saving some sake for a special occasion.

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Lilith listened to everything carefully, walking slowly, a step or two behind the the group. She didn't mean to seclude herself, but it was hard to keep their pace. After a few minutes, a familiar looking woman approached them, who Lilith remembered had come to the restaurant that she and Sima owned together. She looked very important, and Lilith didn't want to speak just incase she was wrong, so like Diamond she stayed quiet. After a moment or two, another person joined their party, and this one caused Lilith's mouth to go dry.

Noku walked up casually, addressing Olivia and Aria separately, before bowing and greeting the rest of the group. Something about the way his hair fell reminded Lilith why the kingdom adored this King; he was so charming, and even Lilith had to admit he looked like he had been drawing out of a fairy tale. Lilith bowed her head in greeting as well, her own hair falling forward and masking her face until she stood right again and pushed it out of the way with her good arm. Out of the corner of her eye, Lilith saw Melda bow her head graciously, not willing to look the king in the eyes. Melda then turned and stepped towards Diamond, moving to whisper in his ear. I'm going to return to my chambers now. You're free to stay here, I'll be fine. Lilith could just barely hear here, but upon a closer look at her, it was easy to tell she was insanely worn out. Lilith could hardly fathom how she was still standing. With another bow to the king and a small word of farewell, Melda left them, glancing back once at Aria.

Lilith brought her attention back to the king, nervous to actually look at him. Something about him always looked familiar to her, but she'd never actually met him before the undead battle, so how could that be? Her mind flashed for a moment to the man she danced with at the ball before Sima showed up, but she knew that wasn't him. Lilith took a deep breath and focused once more, feeling her words would be useless, and unimportant in this situation.

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Olivia stared at the red haired maiden before her with raised eyebrows of pure shock. She had not expected to be greeted by such a elegant looking lady; Yet her face brought a dumbfound stare to Olivia as she stared blankly at the poor woman's exhausted features. It took her by surprise again. Olivia had nearly forgetting she had such a maimed portrait of what would be a flawless beauty, nearly forgetting their encounter at the restaurant before she had left.

However, before she could answer Aria of who she was and why she was here, a male's voice broke her attention away from Aria. Her eyes widen as she turned on her heals to see the King! The King!! Not a servant or a adviser or anyone else! It was the real deal and for once Olivia stood like a statue in both awe and intimidation. He was far more handsome than what she had first imagined. Sure she had heard stories of what the king looked like, but looking at him in the flesh and blood brought a lump in her throat. She could barely breath as she watched him approach with such majestic grace, it was almost captivating and mesmerizing to watch. However her trance was broken when she noticed that his attention was fixed on Aria.

One blink, two blinks and then he speaks to her!! Such a flutter of one's own heart beat as she managed to find the courage to speak like anything other than her military self. " Y-Your Excellency. " She spoke in a soft tone, about to speak once again but then he began talking to the red haired woman. Her lips pressed as she sheepishly glanced over to Aria. The King knew this woman directly? Plus he had come to her call when she had been wondering around the 2nd district and castle for days trying to find time to speak with the king. Her face flushed with a bit of color, though she quickly looked away and composed herself before giving a cough that sounded more like a 'ahem'. Giving a traditional curtsy in respect to his Majesty the King of Nova.

" Excuse me your Majesty. " She straightened back up her tone a little more serious than the timid your excellency before. " Does this woman speak truth? Did the kingdom really become victim to an attack of the unholy and damned? " Olivia asked, Some what alarmed that such a thing would happen to the kingdom. Let alone were there any casualties or had the undead breached nova and how much damage was actually done. Uncertain to what had happened; Olivia looked around to the others quickly noticing there were a change in people within the group. One of the noble looking women had left and another beautiful elven woman taken her place. An this one seemed rather nervous around the King. Confused, Olivia looked back at Aria and Noku. For once taking her chances and faith by stepping a bit closer to Noku to where they were almost at arms length to one another. Her expression rather serious as one of her servants very cautiously and very carefully approached Noku to hand him a parchment resting on top of a red-gold embroidered pillow.

" It's good to see what could be my future King. The letter will explain why I am here your Majesty. "

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As Noku arrived Aria’s face melted into an emotionless mask, she bowed from the waist before straightening. Bowing instead of curtsying was still something she did. Her blue green eyes looking up to meet his. A frown gracing her features as he thought he had been summoned… her gaze glanced around the room to see that the messenger had already taken off…. It had a simple message she had sent…how could one mess that up? She turned her attention back to Noku; did he really think she summoned him? If so why the hell did he actually show up as quickly as he did. If that was incorrect it raised the question why would he make it sound like she could summon him…. Her eyebrow arching in response to him finding her well, he had to be as sore as she was at the moment. At least physically since he was the one to take the beating this round.

”Likewise your majesty, I hope you’re doing well despite the recent circumstances. My apologies if message for an audience at your convenience was miscommunicated I hope I am not interrupting anything of importance.”

Aria watched as the others bowed, along with Noku…seriously what was with everyone’s hair gracefully falling in front of all their faces…She tried to run a hand through her hair….nope…wasn’t getting through…got stuck halfway through. She let out a sigh, a couple days of riding dragon back and sleeping on the ground had made the wild locks full of knots. It was going to take an effort to detangle it later. For the time being she forgot about her hair, catching Melda’s eyes as she silently excused herself. She nodded a farewell to the older woman. Sure she would see her again soon. Aria looked back at Noku, sooner she got her reason for asking for an audience out the better.

”Silas sends his greetings and well wishes, along with offe…”

An ‘excuse me’ interrupted her train of thought, as the Princess of terrible…tera…terafail…terrorfall….one of them, said her piece, delaying the reason to why she had bothered Noku in the first place. She looked at the woman with a blank expression…she had to have been present when the city was attacked…. It was but a couple days ago and she had met this woman here months ago. That and the red fog had extended the entirety of the forever forest. There was no chance one could have missed that….that and it would seem the princes was taking the opportunity to snipe her audience with Noku. She rubbed the bridge of her nose as the princesses went on to not so subtlety hint to why she was here. This was going to be a longer process then she would have preferred. She was beginning to feel jealous of Melda for her quick escape. Really weren’t such letters best delivered privately, one to prevent unnecessary rumors, and another to prevent public humiliation?

[Noku Noru]

Noku’s attention fell to the approaching robed figure, scrutinizing its gait and mien; he glanced between it and the ironclad maiden addressing him with a pensive curiosity before a flash of apparent understanding crossed his brow, and he addressed both her and her entourage corporately: “Go with this servant to one of my personal chambers with orders to prepare it for a private conference; Ms Wurud and I must needs share the specifics of my cousin’s correspondence. Given the recent incident, I’m sure you can sympathize.” Noku signaled a nearby servant, and charged him to accompany Olivia and her guards to a separate study that was furnished with a desk, two chairs, a book shelf and on the desk refreshments were laid out. He then resumed his dialogue with Aria.

“It was worth the inconvenience to learn of your safety, and to hear tidings from Silas. I trust you were well-received and properly attended during your stay?”

The white haired man who had not yet spoken caught Noku’s eye, and he examined the man’s face a few moments. He had recognized him as Lady Vanye's personal guard; though he swore he had seen this man somewhere else before other than by the good Noble woman's side.

' wait a minute.' Noku thought to himself, finally recalling where he had seen this other man before. He had remembered over hearing someone gossip about the Battle field at the South Gate and West Gate a day or so ago. The rumor circulating around the castle saying that A Champion of Mylee had been the one to take down the 'monster' at the South Gate Wall. The only champion he knew of that represented Mylee, was the one man standing before him.

“I am told a soldier fitting your description was responsible for subduing me during the attack. That is certainly an accolade of prowess; the man capable of such an act must be an accomplished veteran. Is it he whom I address?”

The king halted, exhibiting an air of indecision, then returned to himself and spoke to Aria’s band.

“Perhaps this conference would be best held more candidly. Come, we will resume in my personal study.”

He turned briskly, a scowl clouding his features as his body reminded him of its grievances, and he paced methodically, unhurriedly but steadily, ahead of the group toward the archway leading into the castle. He was no longer thinking of the matter at hand, and his scowl receded to a brooding purse, a tightening of the brow; he gazed distractedly, making his way by muscle memory as he mused, melancholy thoughts clouding his mind. Chiefly, he wondered at Helena’s presence in connection with the attack, the yet unfathomed intricacies of the Noru curse, and the nearly tangible connection of these to the presence of the Fated on Nova. A combination of successive nights of sleeplessness and grueling days among morale-starved subjects had made him morose, and long hours of mental isolation had fostered a singular mania for him on the Noru line and its presence within Fate. These, coupled with the gravity of the recent attack and the growing civil unrest in his subjects, whirled before Noku’s perception, a tempest of mystery, deceit, and conspiracy. His noble blood sensed the presence of factions against him, creating a tingling sensation at the back of his skull, as when an unfamiliar sound or scent raises the fur along a wolf’s spine.

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Diamond gave a slight nod to his boss as she had slipped away back to her chambers. Since that battle had taken a toll on everyone, even himself. But was far more adjusted for the battlefield since he had been in a few wars. Even though he was not as old as some war vetrans out there. But his thoughts were shifted once the fourin princess had spoke up and saw Noku appear before them. She had then a surprised look on her face about the undead "Yes as for the short answer milady, there is a bigger explanation on what has happened. And I was one of the few that were in the thick of it. But as I said this is a short answer. More detailed one will be made public soon" he said as there were things that the King and his court would have to spin. Since there were several things that could have made things a bit dicey. But what cought him off guard was Noku speaking to him. "I am the same person that you speak of milord. I will not toot my own horn here, but it was a challange using nothing more then my hands and feet. But telling more of my tales and exploits should be at another time. I just did what I had to do, to lessen the casualties and keep those out there at the battle alive" Diamond said as he tried to keep his words and his mannerisims from being too ego driven. As he could easily be knocked down a peg by someone and did not want to give them the advantage.

Then Noku invited them for more talks that were more private since it might have delt with his curse. Diamond did nod his head as if he refused it would look bad on Melda as he was under her employ. If he did well it would look good for her politicaly and if he did good. It would look good for his boss, he was not good at upfront politics but the behind the sceens stuff he was getting better on. Diamond would give a nod to show that he would follow Noku to his meeting room. Since he would have to talk to them on some finer points on what had happend.