David
While Astalios' actions did not scare her, they did come as a surprise. Perhaps the only way to get information out of an enemy was to come mere centimeters from threatening their life. Flickering her eyes to the prince as he looked back at her, Roesia could only nod in return. This entire interaction was entirely out of her depth. Astalios would notice the definite tense look in her eyes Roesia's eyes however. When the prince turned back to the orc, all the huntress could do was watch with a stiff look on her face. Part of Roesia wished to simply disengage from the entire situation, but she not only didn't wish to leave Astalios alone, the elf also didn't want to seem scared or unsure. No, Roesia would stand her ground and be at Astalios' side. How would it make him look at her if she left now?

It did surprise Roesia that Astalios spoke some orcish, though the more she thought about it the more it made sense. Nothing Astalios said then on Roesia understood, the orc language completely new to her. This was the first time she had ever actually heard orcish be spoken, making it rather interesting to watch. When the prince drew closer to the orc however, Roesia's arm tensed once more as she raised her bow just a few inches. Shackled or not, Roesia would *Not* Allow the orc to make a single move towards the prince.
Maria
The elder wood elf nodded respectfully as the prince suggested speaking with the orc, his eyes sliding back over to his children to ensure there were no outbursts or protests. His son did seem like he was about to open his mouth, but the glare from his father quickly shut down any words that may have fallen from his lips. The orc on the other hand sneered at the prince, obviously not understanding his elvish words. The moment Astalios leaned down toward the orc, the man almost looked as though he were going to spit straight into the prince's face until Astalios spoke his language. An obvious look of surprise covered his face, but it quickly turned grim as the prince continued.

After a long silent look once the prince had finished speaking, the orc gave a slight look of defeat, hatred in his eyes all the while. *"The Skybreakers of Ezocar."* Was all the orc said. His expression then shifted to one of disgrace, but it would have been worse to be paraded in front of his tribe. He was a warrior, and deserved a warrior's death, whether the prince believed in such a thing or not. *"Now give me death, half-breed."* The orc snarled, opening his razor sharp jaws to clam down inches away from Astalios' face. The female wood elf quickly pulled the orc back by his braid, her eyes filled with disgust. Looking toward the prince, she pulled a knife from her side and placed it at the orc's throat. It was obvious her look was one of asking for permission to finally put an end to the orc man. *"Your highness?"* She spoke sharply.
Richard
**"So be it."** *He stood abruptly from his kneel, standing by firmly as he looked to the daughter, the female elf that held the knife to his throat. A sharp nod was all that he gave her before turning to her father, the grim set to his jaw and the sheen in his eye telling signs that he meant business. There was nothing more to say to the orc whose life was about to end. The Skybreakers of Ezocar were a famous tribe, and he had clashed with them numerous times, one of the most vicious and persevering types of raiders that dared to try and cross the border. 

The fact that they were so far into the country was concerning, and he intended to have a few surveyors, at least, sweep the country from the sky, using familiars or griffins or whatever other mobile mounts were available. A large force was not able to be hidden even in deep forest - the House of Elk would find them in the greenheart, and the flatter lands of his more western territories were not conducive to hiding armies.*

*"Honored friends, I thank you for your service in this matter." He coolly stated in Elvish once more to the father. "You have done your duty well. I ask that you continue to fulfill it in the future, and alert me to any presence of orcish warriors immediately if any step foot in the Greenheart. The Skybreakers of Ezocar are the tribe we are looking for, and while we may sweep the country from east to west in order to find an army, it is my distinct feeling that they would not dare to send a real force to Alynthi, lest they incur a punitive campaign. Infiltrators and raiding bands, however, can be far more dangerous if they are allowed to escape. Prevent sabotage at all costs. I know that I may count on your friendship in times of need."

It was a grave danger to let them spy defenses and weak points, let them position themselves for ambushes, or generally become saboteurs. What happened to a peasant if an orc with an axe ambushed their caravan? Death and a lack of food.*

_ _
*He nodded respectfully to the elves, and turned on his heel to continue with the elk as if their business was concluded, his attention now fully on Roesia, eyes on the elk and the hunting, returning to the status quo forcibly, squirreling away that impulse, as if it had never existed in the first place. Military operations were grave matters indeed, however, and they plagued his mind. Every moment he spent here was a waste of time, every second better spent sending a message to his officers to begin combing the land for orc warbands, to search every town and village by air, and to report back...*

"I am sorry, Miss Vuldrey, that my time with you is always short." *He stated tersely, rolling his neck with a sigh.* "But I am afraid I must leave you with the elk here. I need to ride back to the capital immediately. Time is wasting, and I would hate for lives to be wasted along with it. It is always a pleasure, and your presence and discretion is appreciated. Perhaps someday we will have an uninterrupted hunt." 

*He began to hover a few inches off the ground, feet lifting as he propelled himself upwards by the armor, fixing her with an apologetic grimace.*

"Sadly, today is not that day." *In the next moment, he was accelerating through the sky, heading upwards as he tugged on Tempest's reins from afar, guiding the horse to return to the castle as he made his way there with increased speed.

There was work to be done.*
Maria
With nothing more than a simple nod, the daughter looked to her father for confirmation. As he nodded back, the young elven woman quickly slid her dagger across the orc's neck. Before his throat was slit, the orc cried out with anger and hatred, his common sounding broken but understandable. ***"THE HERALD CANNOT BE STOPPED!"*** Right as he ended his proclamation, his throat was cut open. Blood sprayed outward, barely missing the prince as it covered each grass blade before them with red liquid. The elder grimaced, but turned to pay attention to the prince has Astalios spoke to him. With a deep dip of his head, the wood elf held a hand to his chest. *"You have our blades and bows, your highness. Protection of the Greenheart forest has been and will always be our duty. You have my word as well as my House's blades and bows."* With nothing more to say, the father and his children returned to the treeline before disappearing within it.
David
Roesia's eyes widened as the wood elf pushed her blade to the orc's neck. While she understood none of the conversation, it was obvious whatever the orc had said irritated the wood elf that held him from behind, at least from Roesia's perspective. Watching with curiosity as the prince stood and backed away from the orc, the huntress believed Astalios might be letting the orc go. *Oh how wrong the poor woman was.* As the orc shouted out to the heaven's, Roesia flinched and widened her eyes even more when the wood elf slit her throat. Had Astalios ordered his death? He was an invader true but...

Roesia turned her gaze toward the House of Elk elder and Astalios as they exchanged a few words. It was obvious the prince's demeanor had completely changed, a new objective had entered his mind. The more the entire interaction went on the more anxious Roesia became. In fact, she hadn't even realized she still had an arrow drawn and nocked into her bowstring. Removing it and placing the arrow back into the quiver on her back, Roesia soon did the same with the bow itself. Sucking in a deep breath and exhaling, Roesia flicked her eyes to the prince when he turned her way. The gaze he'd witness looking back at him would be one of both slight shock but understanding. For a moment, Roesia couldn't speak, but suddenly she stuttered.

_ _
"Ye- yes, your highness. I understand. I will- I will handle the elk, do not worry." Nodding her head, Roesia couldn't help but look past the prince for a few fleeting seconds to the orc's body, who now lay in the grass as blood continued to pool from his throat. All it did was bring back memories of that terrible day- the day she murdered someone for the first and last time in her life. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Roesia offered a faint smile. "You do not need to apologize. Thank you for coming anyways, your highness." Dipping her head respectfully, Roesia watched as the prince flew off. As he disappeared into the clouds, the elven woman returned her gaze to the orc.

Now that Astalios was well away from Roesia, she lurched over holding herself as her breakfast came up from her bowels. Shaking, the huntress coughed as she turned away from the orc. It wasn't the death that had shaken her, but the sight of blood spewing from the orc. Those memories were long buried, and now she knew the nightmares she had tried so hard to rid herself would return to stay for only the gods knew how long. Trembling as she wiped her mouth, Roesia collected herself after a few moments. Returning to the elk Astalios had taken down, Roesia whistled for Angus before beginning the process of skinning the beast.

*Today had not went as she had planned at all.*