Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black, Northshore

Her impromptu trip to The North Shore had been about as disastrous as she imagined. For whatever reason her son had for seeking out Heath Romanov, she couldn't help but resent that he'd done it. Fifteen years of standing beside him and doing everything she could for the Prince; and he disappears into the night to visit his drunkard of a biological father. 

Elle was kind, as she always was, but she couldn't help but feel pity in the woman's voice. It had always been that way, every kind word seemed too forced to actually be sincere, and as a result came off patronizing. She'd tried to pull away from the invitation to dinner, but before she could grab Mikhail by the hand and escape he was swept away with Heath once more. The way Mikhail blanched told her it wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation, and part of her bristled at the idea of Romanov scolding her son. 

So she was left waiting, dismissing herself from the dining hall in favor of waiting by the entrance. She'd taken her glass of wine with her, intent to at least partake in the North's ability to produce a strong drink as she waited for Mikhail to finally show his splotchy head. It was nights like these that she felt too old for it all, remembering how drama like this had once filled her youth. Now, taking up residency in Castle Black for any reason besides diplomatic felt like a lucid dream, and she couldn't help the visible discomfort as she shifted her weight to lean back against a column and brought the silver lined glass to her lips.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Just outside Castle Black, North Shore

I didn't miss this.

Jax thought to himself as he patrolled, his armor and weapons clinking together softly as he stepped, the uniform pace drilled into him since childhood. The protocol was always the same, walk, be seen, and take care of any apparent trouble. The exciting life of a city watch.

He was in the middle of distracting himself on his loop around the front of Black when he noticed a very out of place noblewoman.

Duty calls. He shrugged and approached.

"My lady." He placed his sword hand above his heart and bowed, "Forgive my intrusion, I'm Sergeant Jax Brightwater of the Brindelle City Watch, you appear out of sorts, may I assist you?"
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

The armor-clad man approached with the confidence of a man being paid to approach unattended women, and she let her eyes wander over him for a moment. Her free hand pressed it's palm against the firm column at her back, straightening enough to feel it along the length of her spine as she lowered her glass to her waist. Her fingers held it by the rim, and she tilted her head a bit with a smile. "No, Sergeant Jax Brightwater of the Brindelle City Watch, I'm afraid you can't assist me at the moment." She informed him.

Normally that would have been it, a short dismissal that would have had the man returning to his patrol with a nod. But she lifted her chin a bit, noting the way his hand had taken it's place with the bow. None of the other guards at Castle Black had done that, at least not that she'd noticed. 

"How long have you been at it?" She questioned, then clarified with a nod towards the castle doors. "Your patrol, that is."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax straightened as he was addressed, representing the best and boldest of the military was not a job you slacked off on.

"I've been patrolling this sector since noon, ma'am." His feet hurt but Jax had learned a long time ago to ignore muscle aches. He continued to stand at attention, not daring to turn his back until he was dismissed.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya raised a brow, and when he straightened she gave a small nod. Her left hand extended, her fingers still wrapped around the rim of the goblet she now held out to him. 

"Then I'm sure you're near the end, share a drink with me, Sergeant." She insisted, pushing off the column.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore

Jax's stoic facade didn't fade, he was a man of duty first and foremost.

"Is that an order, My lady?" It's true he was nearly complete with his shift but it wouldn't look good on his men if they found out their commander got drunk with every pretty noble who he came across.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya smiled. "Do you know who I am?" She asked, her finger curling a bit on the lip, catching the color of her lips from the rim where she'd been siping before. 

"If you're of the opinion I'm of a high enough status to give Sergeant Jax Brightwater orders, then yes. It's an order."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

"I'm afraid I don't know, ma'am, apologies." He bowed his head again, quietly cursing himself

Please not another Princess. Please for the love of God not another fucking Princess. Jax often found himself in interesting... Positions because of his duty.

"May I have the honor of knowing your name in exchange for a drink?" His own corner smile was beginning to curl upwards, having not exercised his wit in quite awhile.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya didn't mind that he didn't know, and she pushed off the wall fully when he dipped his head in apology. "Don't apologize, I'd be shocked to know my name was said in this household without tremendous circumstance." She admitted. He gave the ghost of a smile, and she raised the glass to him once more, moving towards the steps he lingered near to make the pass of less challenging. 

"Alexandra." She answered, in regards to a name. It wasn't technically a lie. A middle name served the qualifications he had requested, and it wasn't her fault he didn't ask for a title along with it.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

Well his price was met so he graciously took her glass, swallowing a small sip before offering it back.

"Alexandra of what exactly? I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, knowing much more about me than I do of you."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

The guard took a sip, tiny as it may be, and she laughed. "Of Astoria." She offered. He went to return the glass, and she waved her hand in dismissal. Instead, her hand found the skirt of her dress at her knee, pulling upward enough so she could move down two of the steps before lowering herself to take a seat upon them. 

She laced her fingers together, propping her elbows on her thighs before tucking her knitted fingers beneath her chin. "A sip isn't a drink, Jax."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

"A sip isn't a drink, but you didn't give me your whole name ma'am." He continued to hold the glass, despite her lowering herself to a sit and waving him off.

So she was from Astoria, a place Jax once spent a week trudging through, a helpless lady forever slowing him down.

"I haven't been to Astoria since the three countries were one. How does it fare? I hope the new government isn't too cruel."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

"It does well, better than its counterpart, though South Feyshore is slowly growing into its new stability." She mused, her gaze on him for a moment. She had ignored his comment on not receiving her dull name, and she finally reached her hand out for the glass. 

"Queen Durkhan does her best. It's clear to those who are old blood that she's inexperienced in handling this much territory. But I think they're holding their own."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

"I heard the country was being run by a squire, not a queen. I guess I've been out of the loop for awhile since Cleburn died." It's true Jax had spent the majority of the last 15 years getting drunk and killing, and you don't retain a lot of information in either of those states.

"And what do you do for her Majesty? You're drinking wine on the North Shore's Capitol steps so you can't merely be some messenger."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Her brow rose. "That information is outdated by... Almost four years." She informed him. Anya raised the glass to her lips, and then twisted a bit, gesturing towards the doors behind her. 

When she finally lowered the goblet she continued. "I'm here retrieving the Prince. He's," There was a beat. "Visiting."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax's brow furrowed briefly as he looked around.

"You come here to retrieve the prince, then where is your Queen's Guard?" He dodged the remark about how outdated his news was, not wanting to further sully his uniform.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore 

"I didn't come with any." She stated, her shoulder lifting before she shifted to stretch her leg out. "The Romanov family is trusted by the crown. Queen Durkhan didn't deem a guard necessary for the journey."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

It took every piece of whim Jax had not to burst out laughing at her remark.

"Your Queen might want to rethink that stance. It's true Elsinore is wise and strong, but her brother's do nothing but get drunk and whore, and outside of a fight I wouldn't trust Heath more than last week's iced milk." Jax was one of the few people in Marin who knew the Head Knight fairly well outside of work, and that came with the knowledge his family had more to do with Feyshore's collapse than not.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya smiled, raising her glass in toast to that remark. " Oh believe me, The Queen doesn't trust either of the Romanov men as far as she can throw them. "
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

Jax nodded briefly, his smile still on his face.

"That's a wise queen. I made the mistake of believing in the Romanov's a long time ago. I was promised glory, instead I got demoted."

He gestured at his ratty garb, a pale comparison to the shining armor he wore nearly two decades ago.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Her own smile faltered, and she let her eyes linger on the man for a moment. Eventually, her free hand patted the step beside her in invitation. "I believed in the Romanov's once. Before the fall, when they were nothing more than charismatic courtiers." She ran her tongue along her teeth beneath her lips and straightened.

"I always wanted to marry one of them. I suppose I lucked out in never doing so." She mused and took another drink from the goblet before offering it to him once more. 

"Why stand for the demotion, why not leave?"
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

And there it was. The question that Jax had been asking himself since he had met Aleksander.

"Don't leave me, Sir... Please!"

Jax shook his head free of the thought.

"I don't know honestly, but I've spent the last fifteen years running so I suppose I wanted to stand for once and this was the only place that didn't throw me away." It was a poor excuse, but this lady didn't ask for his life story.

He didn't take the seat next to her, but he did kneel a step or two lower, finding it unfit to be on the same level as someone of higher status than he.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya tilted her head, watching as he took a knee before her. Something in her mind flashed, giving her the urge to place her leg over his shoulder, and she swallowed thickly in surprise at the thought. It took a second for her to recover, and she intentionally shifted to place her knees back together. 

"You could have started over somewhere. Settled down, started a farm and a family." She mused and gave a small grin. "If your information on South Feyshore had been more recent, you could have applied for a lordship. Most of the desirable territory in the south has had homes and Lords granted to it, but if you're not opposed to a homestead closer to the Audeamus, there are some undecided plots, last I heard."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

Jax shook his head again, chuckling.

"I'm not a family man, and I'd be a shit farmer. You're looking at one of the last graduates of the Feyshorian Academy, being a knight is all I know." Jax stopped his chortle before continuing. "My family used to have domain over the Anchorage in Stormalong, but I was never groomed to take over the lordship, that would have been my brother's duty before he passed."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

She couldn't help the bright smile that resulted from his laugh

"Maybe," She started, leaning forward and offering him the glass once more, twirling it so the wine sloshed a little, it's legs almost catching Anya's fingers. 

"It's time to learn something other than being a Romanov pawn."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

"And what would you propose that be Alexandra No-Title?" He took the glass briefly, albeit taking a larger sip this time before returning it to her.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya grinned. "That'll be Alexandra Brightwater one day if you're not careful." She teased, letting him take the glass. As he took a drink she looked him over before pushing a hand through her hair. 

"You could do a lot. They're rebuilding the Knight's Academy in Stormalong. You could train new generations. Petition for a lordship, or a position inside the palace as opposed to on its parameter."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

"I'm not a family man." Jax repeated. "And I'm sure your queen has a hundred more qualified men lining up to train her new knights, and guard her private chambers."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

Anya's smile fell, and she scrunched her lips to the side a bit before releasing them to a resting position. "It was just a though, Sergeant Brightwater. If you're so set on walking in circles from noon to dust who am I to stop you?" She questioned.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

Jax noted the attitude change and dropped his smile as well, unsure as to why they were suddenly serious when their conversation had been nothing but teasing and jests until that point.

"Very well. Would you put in a word for me? Maybe I will journey to Astoria."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black, Northshore 

His tone changed, and it brought to her attention just how drastically her own shift had sounded. "I can do that if you like. Though don't expect much pull from my recommendation." She warned. As she spoke, she twisted to look over her shoulder. The doors still hadn't opened, and she was beginning to think the two were intentionally delaying her return home. 

"Am I keeping you from your duties?" She started, then paused. "Let me rephrase that, am.I keeping you from any important duties?"
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore

Jax shook his head.

"I was just completing the perimeter for my own sanity, not duty. I've been paranoid about the Castle not being secure lately." Jax wouldn't say it was because of the nightmares he'd been having, not wanting to sound crazy on duty.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore 

Her lips parted in surprise, and she closed them quickly. "Well. I'll mention that to the Queen, maybe the extra care would win you the promotion you've been seeking." She mused then added. 

"Would you care to come inside, maybe have a proper drink with me?"
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax looked at the heavy doors before chuckling.

"I'm just a City Watch officer, My lady, I'm afraid I'm not permitted inside the castle halls. So perhaps some other time, I don't mean to keep you."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore 

The redhead pressed her lips together, and spoke quickly. "Return to Astoria with me, I'll guarantee you a position by tomorrow morning doing something better than City Watch."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax couldn't help but chuckle again

"Why would you do that? I'm just someone you barely met. Besides how could you guarantee me a position?"
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore 

"Anyone who dedicates their time to patrolling a castle despite not being stationed there, out of concern and a sense of their own duty to protect and serve, deserves to have their opinion heard. If you're doing this for the Romanovs of all houses, you'd serve House Durkhan well." She explained and added. "I know the best way to win the Queen's favor."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

"Still, I can't just uproot my entire life on a whim. What guarantee do I have this would even work? For all I know this could be a trap to lure guards away from a political enemy."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore 

"It could be. Or, it could be a chance to not pace the same route you have been for years with no one noticing."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

"And again, do you have any proof that that's what this is? Does the Queen's messenger carry this proof but no guard?" He snickered, clearly having fun teasing this woman.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore 

Anya laughed, leaning in towards him. "Why are you so set on proof of my word instead of just trusting me, Jax Brightwater?"
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax matched her lean, getting rather close. "You forget we were on opposite sides of the collapse Alexandra Courier."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore

"I was inside Stormalong during the fall. As far as I'm concerned the only sides were those who survived versus those who are thriving." She have a grin, her teeth catching her lip. 

"So are you thriving, Brightwater? Because I am."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

"No I didn't have the luxury of being inside, I was sent out forced into the woods for fear of execution by the masses. Surviving is all I can do, Alexandra, and it's what I'm best at."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore

"Good. Then join the Astorian Court."
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

"You've yet to give me the assurance I need. All you've done is talk in circles. Perhaps a little less wine next time, My lady."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore

Anya rolled her eyes, but as she parted her lips to respond, the door creaked beside them. A guard looked out into the night, and visibly softened upon seeing her turn her Attention towards him in a flash of red hair. 

"Queen Durkhan, Sir Romanov sent me to apologize for the delay. Prince Mikhail is waiting with the carriage now, we're ready for your departure when you are." 

She gave a nod, moving to her feet. She plucked the wine glass from the steps she'd just occupied, and passed it to the messenger as she headed towards the door. Her fingers lingered on the wooden frame, and she glanced over her shoulder to Jax. 

"Are you coming or not, Brightwater?" She asked, unable to keep the smirk from her lips.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

Jax watched the exchange, his eyes growing wider at the realization of who exactly he was talking to.

MIKHAIL The tiny voice in his head screamed.

He was doing hurdles in his head, criticizing himself for slacking off in front of a foreign diplomat and actually flirting with a queen.

Well... She isn't a Princess...

Jax's conscience was doing back flips.

MIKHAIL What was that voice!?

"Y-your Majesty..." He finally managed, falling to a more formal kneel with his head bowed, "Please forgive my insolence, I should have recognized you and I spoke too harshly of your lands." He paused, her offer to join him hanging in the air between them. For the first time Jax dared to raise his eyes to look into hers, and in that moment he saw her for what she was, beautiful, strong, and most of all, a Queen.

Another moment passed before he decided.

"Yes, I will come, if you'll allow me some time to alert my squire and gather my belongings-"

MIKHAIL

"-I would be more than happy to accompany you back home, My La-" Another pause before he lowered his head again, "My Queen."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan 
Castle Black, Northshore

Anyanka could almost feel the unease radiating from the man. It was why she'd not given her name or title. It was why when she visited foreign lands she went by her middle name with strangers, to keep that startled look from their faces and the formality from their figures. He stuttered out an apology, bowing more deeply than he had before. 

"You don't need to apologize, you said nothing I didn't already know." She assured him, and let her silver gaze move to her glass and what little remained in it. The woman paused, then shifted it in her hand to pull the small golden band from her pinky. On it rested a small trail of rubies, four on either side of a small imprinted star. Anya lifted her gaze to him, who had asked for time to alert his squire. 

"You seemed hesitant until you knew who I was." She reminded him. "Don't jump if it's only for show." With that, she held the small ring over the glass, and dropped it into the small basin of wine before passing it to him. 

"Think the offer over. If you decide to come to Astoria, letting my men know you're returning my ring will get you an immediate and direct audience." She paused, her hand falling over his as she passed the goblet to him. "If you decide you enjoy pacing other peoples palaces, then consider this a gift, for your honesty and for stopping to check on me earlier." She mused. With that, her eyes moved to his, offering him a small, knowing smile, and she pressed a careful kiss to his cheek before turning to join Mikhail in the carriage.
Lauren
Sergeant Jax Brightwater 
Castle Black, North Shore 

"If I may counter, your majesty. Do you really want a guard that jumps at every offer to leave merely on a whim? Forgive my caution, if that is so." Jax didn't stand but accepted the gift, his eyes slowly lowering back to the ground as she began to turn towards her carriage.
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black, Northshore 

"Not at all. I don't take offense to your hesitation." She agreed. Just outside her carriage, she paused, hearing the sound of Mikhail coming down the steps to join her. She let the sulking teen into the carriage before her, and gave a final look to Jax. 

"I do hope to see you soon though, Sir Jax Brightwater of Astoria." She commented, and slipped into the carriage, letting her coach close the door behind her before they headed towards home.