Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Brindelle, North Shore

*"They're coming!" The young man, called Sam, called out to the catwalks above. Jax was patrolling the upper battlements, actually at ease for the first time since the siege started, when he heard the call. At first he was confused, why would the call come from the sewers and not the gate like before?

He couldn't dwell on it, the call was made and he needed to rush and join the defense, no matter where it was required.*

Jax had been waiting for awhile now, having to jump through the political hurdles of resignation before he could leave the guard and swear his service to a new monarch elsewhere. This was the first time he'd had to do this, actually being thankful for once of his old King's death.

His thoughts had begun to penetrate his present mind, simply out of boredom, when the guard approached him.

"The First Sword will see you now." The man spoke with an elitist tone, but Jax had no doubt he could easily be bested by the older knight in sword and wit.

"Thank you, Lad." Jax replied, and pushed past him before he could fathom a retort.

*It's been 16 years, Heath. 16 years and now you're finally seeing me.*

Jax quietly smirked as he approached the office.
Frank
Sir Heath Romanov
Brindelle, The North Shore

There had been unrest in the castle, as King Daniel Black was set to arrive back within the halls before midnight. Queen Elsinore had sealed herself away in her chambers, embroidering a tapestry fervently to take her mind off his return. Her hands shook with each stitch, resulting in a crooked depiction of the Moon Daughter nailing the Tides Bearer to a plank of driftwood. Sir Heath welcomed her anxiety, as it meant that he had more time away from her to focus on his tasks for the day. Thus, Heath sat at his desk, thumbing through paperwork and chain-smoking. He was pleasantly surprised by how quickly he was able to get his work done without Elle fussing around in his vicinity. 

"Is uh...," Heath looked down at the parchment in his hand and squinted at the calligraphy. He would invest in reading spectacles one of these days. "Is Brightwater still waiting?" He asked the guard posted by the door. 

"He is, Sir Heath," The guard answered. 

"Go ahead and send him in," Heath said, snuffing his cigarette out in the crystal ashtray. The guard nodded and went to fetch the man. A moment later, Sergeant Brightwater entered the office. "Good evening," Heath smiled, greeting the vaguely familiar man. He stood and walked over to the front of his desk, preferring to stand. "Well, Sergeant Brightwater, I understand that you've been poached right from our castle. Correct?"
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Brindelle, North Shore

Jax walked into the center of the office and saluted, placing his fist over his heart and bowing his head.

"My Lord." His arms snapped to his side and he stood at attention, "I have been requested personally by the Queen of Astoria to join her service, although 'poached' is a bit harsh since that implies some form of value." He chuckled to himself.

*"They're breaking through!" The call was followed by a large cracking sound of stone and metal.*

"I have come to hand in my notice of resignation and request to be released from my oath to the royal family." Jax bowed again.

*"Oh god, they're everywhere!"* He blinked the thoughts away.
Frank
Sir Heath Romanov
Brindelle, The North Shore

*Harsh was the defenestration of King Cleburn*, Heath thought to himself as Brightwater chuckled. He raised his eyebrows and considered Jax for a moment before turning to pour two glasses of rum from the heavy decanter. He offered a glass to his former sergeant, the amber liquid catching brilliantly in the candlelight as dusk began to settle over the castle.

"I have no qualms with approving your request. We certainly do not intend to force those who no longer want to remain loyal to House Black to stay within our halls," He said, tipping back his drink as easily as one would water. Perhaps Heath would have been more upset if he himself hadn't acted against the one he had sworn his first and final oath to. Setting his glass down, he rolled up his crimson cuffs and pressed his palms back onto the desk behind him. It was just like Anyanka to pluck up any man who happened to pass in her way. "I am certain that you will be of pragmatic service to her. Perhaps she'll stay in her own kingdom long enough for you to be properly orientated."