A Crown of Scales

@ ashen knight;

"My night was fine. My morning, however, could have been better." Victoria said before the carriage jolted forward. "Another village was burn to the ground, and it was relatively close by too." She shook her head. What was she going to do about these burnings? Victoria and her father couldn't allow them to continue to happen, especially if they continued to happen so frequently. "Luckily it was only a small town this time though. Who knows what kind of panic there would be if it was a city." Victoria glanced out of the window, seeing them pull away from the estate. She then started to relax, sinking back into her seat a bit. The farther they got away from this village, the better.

"The trip will last all day. We will get to the next estate before dinner. And, yes we will stop for lunch. Though it will be the riders ahead of us who will hunt and cook. Since you will be with you, you won't have the opportunity to hunt today. However, the estate we are going to is close enough to this forest. I am sure the game there will be just as good as the woods we will be passing through." Victoria wasn't concerned with Nikola's desire to hunt. It wasn't a sport she engaged in anyways. Sure, Victoria would be able to shoot down an animal if she needed to, after all she was trained in archery and knew how to use a dagger in case of emergencies. Though she didn't enjoy the sport and refused to go out to do it when the rest of the castle did. It was beyond boring.

Suddenly, Victoria looked over to Nikola with a curious look on her face. "Though we will be stuck in this carriage for quite a while...Perhaps this would be the perfect opportunity for you to tell me about one of your adventures." She smiled at the thought of it. "I would particularly like to know what has made you such a popular and apparently terrifying tale to tell."

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nikola faked surprise and concern, but didn't comment anything else on the village burning down. He only shrugged a shoulder. Tough luck he seemed to say. "Are you not going to have anyone investigate this?" Would his actions really have no consequences? It was almost too easy. Usually - or at least back in the day - people would find out what was going, and go find this dragon. Brave knights would try find him, track him and hunt him down and fight for freedom and glory. And he'd have a good snack, if not crisping them to nothing before.

The denial of his participating in the hunt was only half the surprise to the previous statement regarding the fires. Somehow he expected that, by being stuck in this carriage, he would accompany her everywhere and if she was not going to join the hunters then neither would he. In retrospect, he wondered why he even asked. False hope perhaps. He shuddered in his mind, that was too human. He ought to be careful. Getting stuck in this body was not the way he wanted to go out. Besides, he was unsure of what consequences would come along with that. His immortality and his life? His strength? Nikola decided not to think about such dark thoughts, and turned his attention back to the princess, just in time as she gave him a curious look. The look momentarily made him wary. Did she notice something? Had he slipped up?

It seemed he didn't. "Well, if I were to tell you what made the terrifying tales, then I do not think you would be comfortable sitting to me in such close proximity." He gave her a smirk. Leaning back, Nikola rubbed his finger around the edge of his eyepatch in thought. What would she want to hear? He barely listened to any rumors and tales of himself, only those he managed to overhear by the campfire or in a tavern. He didn't think much of them, he didn't see why people were so in awe of whatever 'feat' he managed to accomplish. "I don't know what to tell you," he stated honestly, "I do the jobs others don't do, either they are afraid or they are weak. If there's a beast that needs hunting, they call me. If there's a bandit camp or an insane cult - they call me. I suppose that is why they say all these tales, because I alone took out the twelve or so bandits, I alone fought the werebear and brought its head to the Lord's throne." He paused and chuckled a little, "Oh, there was a time at Arkon's Barrow, that they said a ghost haunted - they sent me to destroy the ghost, I took the job, thought it'd be a group of hooligans. Half way in, the roofing collapsed. Inside I only found a pile of gemstones, and found another way out. I forgot to come back to them, and when I returned a month later, they thought I was a curse and ghost at first, but then they showered me as something divine and immortal because the wind that howled in the arches of the cave could not go through the fallen ceiling, and they thought I got rid of the ghost that had haunted the place for decades." He snorted and glanced to her. "Of course, it is not always so easy."

@ ashen knight;

"Yes, of course it will still be investigated." Victoria said as she looked over at him in surprise. She didn't think that Nikola would ask such a question. Plus it wasn't like she said that the village wouldn't be looked into. All major incidents were looked into by a noble for the crown. And once they came back with their report it was up to her father to determine what to do next. "I just hope it was a simple accident. Though with all the recent fires I fear there may be more to it."

Victoria let out a light laugh at his tale. Perhaps it was for the best that Nikola didn't get into the gritty details of some of his stories. Even when the knights liked to boast to her, they didn't included such gruesome aspects. Besides a man was enoug to fear without including such stories of horror to them. Though Victoria supposed that most would find her more fearsome than any man. "You are quite an interesting man, Nikola. I think I shall make it my mission to try and learn more of your stories before this trip is done with. However, I agree that you may want to keep your truly terrifying tales to yourself. I would not want to become uncomfortable with you when we still have quite the way to travel." Victoria teased him lightly. She was rather unsure if Nikola actually had a tale that would be able to do that. Though she supposed she didn't want to find out nonetheless.

Victoria then looked out of the carriage when she heard quite a lot of noise from outside. She looked up the road, seeing her men try to stay away from one side of the road. Her eyes then ventured into the field to see a dog and it's pups being attacked by a smaller bear. Victoria let out a small gasp enforce ordering the carriage to stop, which it did immediately. Her eyes then looked to Nikola. "Stop that bear from killing those pups!" She exclaimed before looking out of the carriage again. "Hurry Nikola!" She gasped as the bear made a swipe at the dog.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons

Nikola had leaned out to see what the commotion was all about and when she ordered he stopped the bear, he just stared at her. In fact, he had to replay the words she said to him to make sure he wasn't hearing things. What? Save the pups? His brows furrowed and one twitched up. Are you kidding me? Of all the times, especially just after he told her he had killed a werebear. She probably thought this was nothing to him - and it was, but that didn't mean he wanted to do it! How goddamn unfortunate. He hesitated, but her gasp was what he supposed was the final order. It would be more annoying for him to listen to her chastise him if he didn't save the pups than to save the pups now. And so out of the carriage he hoped, grabbing an unlit torch and snapping his fingers by it, two rings creating a flame to spark the wood to life. For those who did not know of his two stone rings (and he doubted anyone did here), it looked as if he snapped fire to life from thin air.

And thus Nikola jogged his way towards the dog and bear under the watchful eye of the entire procession (and he scowled at it), slowing to a fast walk as he neared the two. The dog was already injured, shielding her pups and throwing herself here and there to try injure the bear, but the bear wasn't having any of it. The two animals noticed him approach just in time, and Nikola swung the flaming torch at the bear. The dog recoiled and the bear hesitated, and it was enough for Nikola to swing the flaming torch again, as if to spook the bear with the fire. But from within his throat he let out a rumbling low growl, one big predatory cats could use to threaten others for miles around, a low pitch, a pitch that raised the shackles of animals and the hair on the back of people's necks. To the people watching though, this was just the thrill of watching a man walk up to a bear, and since they could not hear the pitch - they thought nothing else of it.

But the dog heard it, and the bear heard it, and the two momentarily forgot each other to look at this newfound threat. Nikola jerked forward, jabbing the torch in the bear's direction, letting out a small angry yell - as a human would - and masking the deeper threatening growl underneath it. He pulled on every fibre in his being for that sensation of freedom, to feel as if he were about to turn into his dragon form - for that was when the pheromones started to do their job. The bear caught a whiff and growled, but took a step back. Nikola smirked. Yes, I'm the powerful one here. Leave. This is my territory. He swung the torch again, sharply springing forward. The bear roared in fear as the flame (and this ferocious, dangerous- smelling being) came closer, and backed away. A few more steps by Nikola, and the bear turned and ran, roaring over its shoulder in a displeased manner, clearly upset.

Nikola lowered the torch and took a breath, calming the fight in him. He glanced over his shoulder at the cowering dog. He saved the pups alright, but that dog was injured. Nothing he could do about that. He turned and stalked back to the procession, ignoring the dog and her pups completely. He stopped the bear, now they can move on, right? With a soft tsk, he passed the torch to some man (who looked at him with awestruck) and headed back to the carriage. "I thought I was a bodyguard," He huffed, "You had plenty of others."

@ ashen knight;

Two of the other guard headed off to the field once Nikola had scared off the bear. They got the dog and the pups, putting them on the front of the carriage with the driver. Since Victoria had them saved, they assumed she would want them to come along, and they were right. It wasn't like she could keep all for the pups, and it seemed unlikely that the dog would last through the night. But she could keep one of the pups and then give the others as gifts to the nobles that house her. No noble would turn down a gift from the princess. Besides, all of them hunted and could probably do with a hunting dog anyways.

Once Nikola was in the carriage, Victoria looked up at him. "Yes, but you were closest. Besides you handled the bear well enough like I knew that you would." She then leaned back into her seat and started to relax. If a someone was around, she was going to use them as she felt fit. Besides, she saw no problem in having Nikola do that for her. After all, he was being paid well enough to do a few random things throughout the trip. Victoria then closed her eyes. There wasn't much to do in the carriage, and she had the feeling that her carriage mate was probably upset with her decision to have him save the pups. So it was rather likely that he wasn't going to be good company She might as well take a nap then.

(Sorry that my response is short. Anyways, we can skip to the fair scene unless there is something you want to add to this!)

@ BearGirl

Nikola regarded her with one look, both of amusement and still curiosity, and once she turned away, he looked outside too - puppies, hey? Briefly he wondered if she would do anything else as surprising. After all, he was her bodyguard but still at her command and would do as she said - to some extent. When they finally arrived at the city, and he was most joyous of the moment for it meant he could escape the suffocating carriage (he was a dragon, dammit, he couldn't hole up in something so small for so long) they were given a small break for food, and then sent on their way to the city to do their greetings and conversing with the people. Nikola stuck behind Victoria, eyes watchful and ears attentive, and his nose trying to pick up different smells - but it was limited as far as human noses could go, and not for the first time he cursed the witch for this nonsense.

Some kids ran past, throwing petals and flowers, and other women crowded down the street to gaze upon the beautiful princess, married men bowed their heads and men not married tried to show off their muscles gained from working in the fields, from hunting. Each one of them, Nikola regarded with a small scoff. If he were to show off, he'd show his hoards of gold, any female (dragon, and maybe human) would love that for sure. And then they'd spend a few years together and then mate, and once sure she's ready to lay she'd fly away, and he'd never see her again - but he had kids and that's all that mattered. Nikola wistfully thought about the last time he even saw a female dragon. A long one, it seemed. Too long. Were there any still around?

His attention was caught by a man in a stand, yelling something about 'winning' (naturally it interested Nikola) and he turned his head to look. It seemed a simple game, pay a small fee to throw a knife and if it hits a certain score, you seem to win something. Be it some fruit or some toy or something else (alternatively, you could buy the stuff). So easy.

@ ashen knight;

Victoria looked out onto the crowd, smiling at the men, woman and children who all seemed to have their eyes on her. It was not surprising though. It was not very often that she was able to make a tour like this around her country. So those who never left the outer regions weren't accustomed to seeing her. Though the men were always the funniest, showing off to her. As if by doing so they could win her heart. Well it would certainly take more than looks to win over the heart of a princess.

As they continued to walk, a small group of children ran up to Victoria, giving little clumsy bows and curtsies before offering Victoria a bouquet that they had picked. She took it, thanking them before they all giggled and ran off. Victoria smiled brightly, letting out a small laugh before looking up to Nikola. While she doubted he thought much about them, she wondered how he did feel about children. Did the cool, stony warrior have a warm heart?

Though as she looked at him, she saw that he was staring off at one of the carnival games. Victoria made her way over to it, glancing at the prizes associated with it. Her eye landed on a small lace ribbon. It was quite simple, but had a nice blue color to it. And it could be used as either a choker or a ribbon for hair. She glanced at Nikola, a playful smile in her eyes. "I would like for you to win me a prize." She said as she pulled out one coin for the the game attendant, handing it to him.

@ BearGirl
A prize? Nikola looked down at her, a moment of surprise before regaining his composure and shrugging a little with one corner of his lips lifting. "Your wish is my command." They neared the stall and he watched her pay (Funny that, you'd think she wouldn't be charged) one coin to the man, one knife to him. One chance. He lined up to the highest score (she could choose whatever prize she wanted that way), and raised the knife to throw. It had a small devation (he felt it as he retracted), so he briefly threw it into the air, counted the spins and when it landed into his hand, sent it flying into the board. The knife buried itself just a little off centre, but still in the range of the highest score.

The seller looked surprised, "What would you like?" he stammered out. Nikola turned his head to Victoria and repeated the question to her. The seller was at loss, else he would have caught on to ask the princess.

Meanwhile, Nikola slid another coin to the man, and the man gave him another knife. The activity was simple and fun, but Nikola was annoyed by the slight off center. Again, this knife was not evenly weighed, and he adjusted his grip so that when he threw it, the knife landed in the center this time. Nikola smiled, satisfied, and gave the man a small glance of knowing. That's cute, to use defective knives. He didn't say anything. The man had to earn a livfing, and Nikola was no justice warrior.

"Is there anything else you would like?" Nikola asked Victoria. The second prize would be hers if she wished it, for none of the things interested Nikola much. And if she didn't, then he would buy some silly decorative thing for a woman and win a heart for the night.

@ ashen knight;

Victoria tied the ribbon to her dress. It would be a safe place for her to keep it for now. Though she was not sure what she would do with it afterwards. While the ribbon was pretty, it wasn't exactly of quality for her to be wearing around in public. But at least it would be a nice keepsake.

As Nikola asked if she wished for anything else, Victoria looked up at the other prizes. She was surprised that he decided to go again. Even with the knife being thrown slightly to the side, she had figured it would be enough. But apparently that had not been the case. Her eyes glanced over the prizes, though stopped when she saw a smaller doll. It would be perfect to give to one of the village children. She liked to hand out things to the children every once in a while.

Once she was given it, Victoria turned to Nikola. "I was sure you would win." She told him before turning away from the booth. There was a lot more to do there. Though, at this point, her job was done. Victoria had given her speech to the village and now all she needed to do was head back to the estate when she was ready, and she was close to be ready.

(Should we skip to the estate now? Or is there something you wanted to do?)

@ BearGirl
[I'll slip this one thing in, then go to the estate ^_^]

She was sure he would win. How encouraging. How pride filling. Nikola couldn't help but smirk a little as her words fed his ego just that little bit more. They day continued on as fine, and nothing out of ordinary happened. Nobody tried to attack. The city was well receiving of the princess, it seemed they liked her - but this didn't mean Nikola could let his guard down. No... they may have liked the princess but many have heard of him too. It was him they didn't trust, him they eyed skeptically and warily. Why did the princess have the most wanted and feared sellsword mercenary as her bodyguard? Did she think she would be safe in the hands of a killer?

In the hands of a dragon? Though they didn't know that... nobody did.

There was only one thing Nikola found he disliked in this region, in this city and all the villages around it. The black iron so feverishly used everywhere. A guard handed him keys and upon receiving them into his outstretched palm, Nikola failed to notice the metal of which they were made, and the sting on his palm was all too sudden. He bared his teeth and jerked his hand back, and the keys fell to the floor. Luckily, he and the captain guard were the only two to witness it (or so he hoped), and so Nikola blamed the small static shock coming as a surprise to him and picked up the key bundle by another key, securing it safely so that the black iron would not touch him.

With the keys, he had access to almost all of the estate in which they were housed for the few nights. He made sure to explore every nook and every corner, and once sure he found no suspicious traces, he teased a kitchen girl and returned upstairs to visit the banquet just as it finished, to take the princess to her room. For the latter part of the welcoming feast, he hung around to the side, away from prying eyes. Those who dared approach him, did so stiffly and only did to walk past him. Few dared talk to him, but mostly talked in hushed whispers about him. Isn't he dangerous? Would the princess be safe?

Eventually, the feast ended, and Nikola sought the princess out in the crowd, falling into step behind her as they walked away from the halls. "Is that all for today?" he asked casually, "Will you retire to your room now?"

@ ashen knight;

Charlotte smiled widely, letting out a small laugh. She knew that Nikola was not trying to make a joke. Though she had found it funny. Was that all for today. It had been quite a full day! She had been busy throughout and was finally heading to bed well past her usual time. Maybe it wasn't as funny as she thought it was. Maybe it was the fact that she had a little too much too drink.

"Yes, I will be retiring to my room now." Charlotte said, trying to mimic Nikola's voice and tone. She brought her hands up to her red face, cupping her cheeks. Her face was so warm and it felt nice. "Some of the guards went out to the tavern a bit ago. So if you're heading there, why don't you try to be friendly to them." Charlotte rubbed her face before dropping her hands to her side. "I thought that after this long they would have calmed down but the more they watch you the more terrified they get." Charlotte giggled. Once they got to her room, Charlotte pushed open the door. "Good night, Niko." With that, Charlotte headed to sleep.

---

Later that night:

Long after the party had ended, after the guards had came back, after everyone was asleep at the estate, an assassin started to move through the estate. With ease, he was able to get in, thanks to one of his connections. And soon he was sneaking through the halls, making his way to the princess' room. It was easy to figure out which room she would be placed it. Of course, it would be the nicest area of the house.

He made his way there with ease, picking the lock on the door was no problem either. He opened and closed the door, only a creak as evidence. Though it was not loud enough to wake the princess. However, once he was hanging over Charlotte, a glow started to form around her neck and just as it suddenly started, it stopped and the princess' eyes were wide open.

As Charlotte went to scream, the assassin slammed his hand down on her lips, muffling her. He grabbed the dagger that hung on his hip, moving to slit her throat quickly. Though Charlotte quickly kicked the man in the lower abdomen, causing him to stagger back and cut shallowly the side of her neck. Charlotte then jumped up onto her feet, running towards the door as she started to shout. "Hel-"

The assassin grabbed Charlotte by her waist throwing her down onto the ground before jumping on top of her, digging his knee into her chest to keep her down. He raised his arms up to stab the dagger deep into Charlotte. And as the door opened to Charlotte's room opened, the light around her neck started to shine again. Suddenly, the assassin was thrown off of her and slammed into the wall.

[I thought I did post, but I didn't post - I'm so sorry xD]

Watching as she touched her cheeks, he resisted the urge to reach forward and cup her hands as well. Many a lady liked that. "And they are right to be afraid," he replied smugly. It warmed him to hear that others feared him. He was a man, and beast, to be reckoned with. Fear was a good way to control the crowds. They were more predictable. Few would try to be friendly and then kill him, they would simply attempt to stab him straight up. No dramas. His gaze slid up from the ground and onto her as she pushed the door open. Niko? How cute. He bid her a goodnight too and, once checking the estate and satisfied with the level of security, he too headed to the tavern but not to hang with the guards. He had his own small entertainment and returned with the guards later that night.

The be welcomed him with open sheets and fell asleep before his head even hit the pillow. He did not dream, and although asleep, he was watchful. There were too many unknown presences. And one such was lurking, and at first he assumed it was a servant, but the singular step into the princess' room told him otherwise. Nikola was out of his bed in an instant, wary and tense. Quiet.... a creak... and then quiet again. He threw his door open and hurtled down the hallway.

A single cut off yell braced Nikola and with all the momentum of a charging bull he threw the door open - and was momentarily blinded by the light but saw just in time as the assassin flew back. He threw his arm up to cover his eye and pull the eyepatch off simultaneously and, with a sound akin to a furious wolf, he leaped over the princess and towards the assassin at the wall.

The two men engaged into a furious fight. More of it was struggling to get the other off him, the assassin kicking for dear life and Nikola ripping into him. Nikola finally got the upper hand, stabbing a dagger into the man's hand and pinning it down into the floor. The assassin screamed and tried to stab Nikola with his free arm, but it was grabbed and snapped. The man writhed and Nikola tightened his grip around the assassin's throat. "How did you get in?" He snarled, leaning down, his hair falling down in curtain-fashion to conceal his eye from the princess - but not from the assassin, whose face twisted into a look of horror. He gasped for air, but didn't say anything. Nikola tightened his grip and leaned in closer. The assassin thrashed, paused and whimpered something, then thrashed again. With a jerk of his hand, Nikola broke his neck and rocked back, closing the eye usually covered by the patch and turned to Victoria. A single cut ran along his cheek, blood pooling in one corner and dripping down. The assassin was good.

He glanced to the corridor where he heard footsteps approaching at the sound of commotion. He didn't have time... what was the light? What was the thing that made the assassin fly back? There was a strong taste of magic in the air and it was coming from her. God, he was hungry. His mouth a tight line, Nikola advanced towards her, and for a second it looked like he would tear her apart too - and the urge was there. The magic around her still vibrated, and the gem on her neck had his gaze fixed. But a guard's shout snapped him out, and Nikola stopped in his tracks, softening his expression by the tiniests of bit to show he meant her no harm, and kneeling down on one knee in front of her, "Are you hurt?"

@ ashen knight;

As Nikola first moved towards her, Victoria pressed farther down onto the floor. She could see the look in his eyes and all she was able to do was return it with a terrified look of her own. Though, quickly, his expression changed and once Nikola kneeled down to her, Victoria let out a shaky sigh and laid her head down against the ground. Her body was shaking from what had just happened, and her heart and breath were much quicker than what was considered normal, or even safe.

While her mind and body were reeling from the events that had just occurred, Victoriawas trying her hardest to pull herself together. Though, unlike the first attempt during the trip, she was having a much harder time with it. This was the first time an attempt had ever made it this far. And worst of all, it occurred at an area where she was suppose to be completely safe, while she was sleeping. If she hadn't woken up...

Victoria's face crumpled up in a mixture of pain, and panic. She quickly brought her hands up to her face, hiding her features and the tears that were forming. Having Nikola see her like this may be embarrassing, but it would not be an issue. Though surely the other guards and the nobles would come running into the room, and Victoria especially needed to pull herself together for when they arrived. The guards, luckily, seemed to have left them to search the rest of the estate for others. It was fortunate that they believed her safe with Nikola.

"Y-yes." Victoria finally managed out. One hand left her face and pointed out the cut into her neck. It then traveled down to her chest, holding onto her nightgown for a moment where the man had pressed down. Parts of her body were swore and some bruising was already beginning to start. Though that was the only injuries she had obtained besides a cut lip and a headache. All in all, Victoria a knew that she was lucky.

Her hand then moved back up to her face and she wiped away the tears she hadn't been able to stop. Though, at least she wasn't bawling like she wanted to, but Victoria wasn't sure how long she was going to be able to hold it down for. Especially wth the way her bottom lip was quivering, which was against her wishes. She then grabbed onto Nikola's arm, wanting to pull herself up so she was at least sitting. Victoria couldn't just stay on the floor like this.

@ BearGirl
[Did you mean Victoria xD]

Oh, the tears of a lady, a princess, a damsel in distress. He wanted to feast, and bask, and roll in it. Not because he was purely evil, it was simply because of who he was deep down inside, simply being as he was made to be. He watched her struggle to pull herself together but said nothing of it until she finally replied to his initial question. She pointed out to her injuries, and Nikola's eyes narrowed.

Wouldn't let anyone lay a hand on her? This was as much hurt to his pride as it was to her physical shape. Nikola came closer and examined her injuries, and once he found they were not life threatening and "minor" (in his opinion), he pulled back and dropped his hand from her skin. He straightened and glanced out the door, "You may cry if you need it." With that, Nikola stood - but not before looking down surprised as she grabbed his arm. Understanding her intentions, he helped her up and sat her by the bed for now, returning to the crumpled mess of the assassin and patting him down, but there was nothing on him.

"I must find the one who let him in," He said shortly and looked to Victoria, "If you want to stay here, I will call the guards."
At that moment a maid peered in, and Nikola waved her over to come closer and help the princess.

@ ashen knight;
(Yes I did! I didn't even noticed that I changed her name. XD )

Once allowed, the maid rushed in and started to attend to Victoria, who was quietly crying at this point. She wasn't bawling, and it wouldn't necessarily draw attention - thank God. Though it was something that she couldn't press down, and Victoria knew if she could just let some of it out, she could contain the rest until she was left alone again. The maid gently patted her face with a handkerchief and tried to calm the princess down the best she could.

When Nikola mentioned heading out to find who let the assassin in, Victoria forced herself again to calm down. "No, I will come with you if you wait a moment." Victoria said as she moved onto her feet. Taking the handkerchief from the maid, Victoria wiped away the last few tears. The maid then grabbed Victoria's robe, putting it on her and then patted her face with a light powder to hide the redness. Victoria then grabbed the ribbon that Nikola had won her early and wrapped it around her neck, hiding the cut on her neck. No good could come from others knowing just how close the assassin had gotten. And if whoever had sent him in was close by, she wanted them to believe their attempt had been a complete disaster. That he hadn't even gotten close.

"Lets go." Victoria said as she walked out of the bedroom with him. Though as she walked out of the room with Nikola, the nobles who owned the estate were rushing down the hallway. Relief moved over their faces as they spotted Victoria. Both of them moved to bow, but Victoria motioned for them not too. "No time for formalities, please." Victoria said. As Victoria continued to walk down with Nikola, the two were quick to follow.

"Yes, of course, Princess." The lord said quickly. "But we are appalled that this would happen here. We assure you that we took every precaution to keep you safe. Our deepest apologies."

Victoria gave them a weak smile. "I believe you. You have always been loyal to my family and I have no reason to assume the worst of either of you." She reached out, taking the lady's hand gently, who seemed completely horrified. "And we are friends, are we not?" The lady was quick to nod and smile softly back at Victoria. She then moved in, wrapping an arm around the princess into a light hug. And now that Victoria had managed to calm the two of them down...

"Though someone has let them in, and I fear that it is a member of your staff. Could you please collect them for us. We must figure out who has done this." Victoria told them. The lord agreed and headed off to do so. The lady, however, stayed. She gently fixed Victoria's hair and continued to speak of how horrible it was that it happened under her own home and apologized again. Though when Victoria would hear no more of it, the lady started to talk about things in the past, being one of Victoria's ladies in waitings when she was younger and how life was now. She was a bit of a nervous rambler, but Victoria didn't mind it. It was better to hear her speak than be forced to focus on the silent chaos of the estate.

@ BearGirl
He waited for her to stand and make herself presentable, noting the ribbon put around her neck. If there was a ribbon to put around his pride that'd be great. Nikola turned and headed out with the two in tow. He breezed past the other nobles and the owners. There was nothing to smell from them, they were as fearful as the princess herself. It seemed Victoria was on to it, and he was silently thankful for it. It spared him having to brandish about his knife and demand every servant brought to him. The chitchat of the ladies was slightly disturbing, but it seemed necessary for everyone around. They started to relax.

Once the servants were summoned and standing in front of them, Nikola let the main guard do the talking but his own eye do the searching. The guard rambled angrily and called out their courage and whatnot. Nikola straightened and looked into every eye. All were horrified and some looked away under his gaze - except one.

Nikola strode forward, "You." The guard looked surprised that Nikola had dared to interrupt him and everyone looked at the servant the bodyguard had singled out. "You let him in."

The man had been an easy spot. He was sweating, and fidgeting, almost too easy. And there was a strange hate in his eye when Nikola locked eyes with him. Now this servant stood alone (the others had backed away) and Nikola squared off in front of him, a bristling storm under his calm demeanour.

@ ashen knight;

Ashton moved forward, his eyes glowing with hatred and fear. Every fiber of his being had wanted Nikola dead, to suffer for what he had done to him and his family. Though, despite the madness dripping off of him, Ashton was afraid and he would be a fool not to be. After all, Nikola was becoming quite the legend. But he was not going to back down. After everything he had done, Ashton could not just walk away from this.

"I did let him in." Ashton growled, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Nikola. "And I let him in because of you! You filthily scum." He spit at Nikola's face. "The man had told me that he was coming in to kill you! I only let him in because I thought that by morning, your lifeless body would be dragged out of here. Though clearly that scoundrel was lying."

His eyes then shifted to Victoria. His body seemed to soften as he looked to her, but barely. There was still the same rage in him as there was before. But still, he bowed lowly before her. "I apologize sincerely for the scare, the harm and the trouble that this has caused you. My intention was never to allow an assassin for malady in, as my respect, and loyalty runs deep for your father and you. But considering the situation I am already in, I will speak my mind." Ashton stood up tall. "I am appalled to see the princess being protected by such a shameless, unhonorable, and lowly assassin.Who has no set morals and values that even resembles close to the country's or, I am sure, your own. I fear for my country's future if this is the type of people you have decided to surround yourself with."

Unease moved through the room as the man spoke. As he finished, some whispering started in the back and those closer to the front gave each other knowing looks. Victoria took a step forward, looking to them all. "I am perfectly aware of the rumors that are going around about Nikola. And I am not here to defend him for what he has or has been said to have done. I am perfectly well aware of what he is. And what he is, what matters to me, is that Nikola has been shown to be the best fighter in all of Aldannia. He has proven himself to me to be the best protector, having saved me twice, single handedly. And despite some of the rumors that you have heard, he also is a man of his word. Nikola was what I need to keep me safe during these assassination attacks. And due to the fact that I enjoy my head atop my body, he will continue to stay by my side until it is over." Ashton opened his mouth to speak but Victoria was quick to motion him to stay silent, which he did. "Nikola is currently, my protector. He is not an advisor to the crown. He is not even a representative of us, the guards or the knights. He is simply completing his mission, and I will hear no more of this." Victoria looked to a few of her guards.

She then looked to Nikola and to Ashton. "Ashton, while your intention was not to kill me, you have still allowed an assassin into the castle. That is still treason. Even if he had killed Nikola instead of me, you would have left me less defensible against those who wish me harm. You have put me in danger and for that you must be punished."

"Give me a trial by combat." Ashton said quickly. "Let me fight Nikola. He has done great harm to me and my family, and I wish to have the chance to get revenge." Victoria's eyes narrowed, displeased that Ashton had interrupted her and with what he was asking for. He was being executed, not given a trial! Though she looked to Nikola, deciding to let him choose if he wished to fight this man.

@ BearGirl
An eyebrow twitched up in a little surprise - that was the only reaction Nikola allowed the man to see, and it was frankly the only emotion he felt in that moment. Oh? The man was angry at him for something, but what exactly? What was this dishonour the man was speaking about? Values? Morals? Nikola would have laughed if he hadn't been quite so annoyed (borderline angry, he admitted to himself) about the cut on his cheek - the wounded pride was something painful to bare. He coolly watched the man rave and rant, spitting insults, heard Victoria step in to say a few words too - but he didn't look at her. Instead, he studied the man.

Who was this guy?

When he was aware that Victoria (and the others) turned to him to hear whether he would accept this trial by combat, Nikola shrugged and turned away from the man- to show one's back (or shoulder, as in Nikola's case) was an insult to the challenger, not that Nikola cared. "Sure."

He glanced at Ashton then, satisfied to see the anger had raged. "May I ask... who are you?" The smirk curved his lips. Genuine question. "What harm have I done? Oh, let me guess." He turned to head outside - clearly they would not fight in the house - "Did I sleep with your daughter?... Your wife?" He stopped in the garden and turned back around, his daggers glistening, "Oh, doesn't matter. Either way, they'll be lonely after you fail." He lowered his head in mock bow and sneered, "I'll be sure to give them my fullest attention."

@ ashen knight;

Ashton's lip snarled up, his rage rumbling inside of him the more that Nikola spoke. He was given two daggers, similar in size to Nikola to ensure that the fight was fair. Though, even with the same conditions, it was clear that the fight would not be that, and it was sure to be short. After all, Ashton was just a servant at the estate, his duties mostly dealt with the farm and garden work outside. Nikola, on the other hand was a legend and a skilled warrior. Those that watched only hoped that Nikola would give Ashton a quick death. But no one was sure that hope would be heard.

Ashton growled louder, his hands gripping around the dagger as his knuckles began to turn white.This was not something that he could handle anymore. "It was my wife! And stay away from her you piece of scum!" Ashton yelled before running towards Nikola at full force. He knew his odds and it seemed better to give him all that he had, rather than just to play a long term game that he really had no opens in. As he got closer, Ashton moved his arms so that when it was time, he could just get right into stabbing Nikola.

As Ashton moved closer to Nikola, Victoria grimanced. She already had an idea on how this was going to end, and already this was getting painful to watch. This seemed like a perfect set up for Nikola to just rip right through him if he wanted.

{Happy Easter~}

A wife. At least, not a daughter. Underage girls were never Nikola's thing. Underdeveloped, petty, too many emotions. "Not my fault she isn't loyal," he breathed out as Ashton launched himself at him, and welcomed the approach. It saved him from moving forwards and expending unnecessary energy. The first few strikes of the man's were strong, fuelled by rage and hatred and provocation, and Nikola was impressed. But the more he deflected them without anything on his expression, the more raged Ashton was it seemed.

It didn't take long - perhaps just over two minutes - when Nikola felt a sharp pain brush over. It was fleeting, some piece of accessory or key on Ashton made contact with Nikola, and although it was separated from flesh by cloth, the sensation of heat and burning was there. It surprised Nikola more than it hurt him but for long enough (a mere second) that Ashton managed to gain the upperhand and bring down the dagger towards Nikola's neck. Nikola snapped back, and blocked the dagger blade on with his forearm.

There was a tense silence. It lasted another mere second. Nikola saw the confusion on Ashton's face - wondering how it was even possible that Nikola stopped a blade with just his forearm with nothing but cloth on it. And Nikola smirked. That one second of Ashton's confusion was enough to regain his own self and stab the man through the armpit, Nikola's blade coming out his shoulder. And then Nikola slit his throat.

[sorry I used Ashton a little D: Let me know if you want anything changed xD]