Douglas
Daniella Rosalinda 
The Old Chestnut 
2 Years Ago 

Daniella sat on the back of her black horse as it galloped down the street leading to The Old Chestnut. Men there always welcomed the women of Araedia and after her travels, that's exactly what she needed. Perhaps, she would have a bit of fun with a few. Silently, she hopped off of her horse. It was nightfall and the sound of crickets filled the fresh air. Daniella smirked as she reached into one of her bags to inspect the bloodied butcher knife, her husband's blood at that. "Rest in peace, bastard." She chuckled and placed it back into her bag before taking her things off of the horse. Not bothering to feed it, she walked towards the building. A white horse was there. The color of innocence. Silently, Daniella stared at it and noticed a doll. An expensive doll at that. *A child is here.* Thoughts began racing throughout her mind as she imagined it. Raising a boy, or girl, to kill. Just like her. A new mission. Take the child before sunrise. Daniella sauntered into the Old Chestnut. "Excuse me?" She called in the sea of men. "My child was last seen here?" 


"So he's got a girl now?" The burly man laughed and gave Daniella a key to Krujen's room drunkenly.
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

Krujen was still awake, he was struggling to fall asleep due to the rowdiness downstairs and him fetching a glass of water. He had his hand resting on his bedside table where the swords rested. His brother's handiwork. Not very good, but sturdy. He tried to ease himself back to sleep, but something was gnawing at his brain.. A hunch. But sometimes hunches were incorrect... Right? After a few minutes of trying to rack some reason in his brain, he gave up and decided to stay awake until the sun shone through those dirtied windows and when he and Anna could have breakfast.
Douglas
Daniella Rosalinda and Annalise Elaine. 
The Old Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago. 

Annalise stirred in her sleep and remained asleep, unaware of the woman coming to their room. Daniella walked up the stairs, a smirk lighting on her facial features. Quietly, she placed her things in the hall and knocked on the door of Krujen's room. "Hello?" She opened the door and saw the child. This girl would be a perfect intern in the art of the kill. "I received a call that you have a little girl without a mother. We thought she'd enjoy a bath, maybe one or two of my daughter's toys?" As Daniella spoke, Annalise stirred awake and stared at the woman in front of her. "Wouldn't that be lovely, child?" Annalise groggily nodded and climbed out of bed, believing it to be a dream. The woman was surely too beautiful to be of threat. "I will bring her back in no time. You have my word." *Eighteen years should be long enough for her training, yes?*
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

He shot up, standing up and walking at Daniella's side. "I am coming with. No stranger should come and sweep her away." He snatched the key from Daniella. "How did you get this?" His eyes were burning with an underlying hatred. This woman was going to deceive, and he is not going to fall for it. He grabs his swords, looking more like canes in their sheathes. He went and grabbed Anna's hand.

His intentions were set and his guard was up. This woman was dangerous and he knew it.
Douglas
Daniella Rosalinda and Annalise Elaine. 
The Olde Chestnut.
2 years ago. 

Daniella let out a brisk laugh and nodded in agreement. His trust would have to be earned and she would break him when she took away the most valuable thing at the moment. Annalise. Daniella simply smiled and led them out of the room. "The owner gave me the key, considering I'm his neighbor and he trusts me." Daniella would try to make him seem like a bad person for the time being. "My husband would've loved to see your little one. She's a gem." Annalise hugged Krujen's leg, not understanding the woman's threatening nature at all. "He told me the bath was near here, but one can never trust someone who has been drinking all night once again." A laugh bubbled out of her throat and Annalise looked up at Krujen.


"Your friends drink funny juice?"
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

"Everyone drinks the funny juice, Anna." Since how they've been handled by the kingdoms.. He shook his head and followed Daniella. "I've never seen you before around town at all, what is your name?" He held Anna close, sword resting by his hip and his weapon arm steady. Any fishy business would result a blade to the throat and some questions. He wasn't going to take any chances.
Douglas
Daniella Rosalinda and Annalise Elaine. 
The Olde Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago. 

"Hannah Leblanche." Daniella lied smoothly and eventually found a tub. She smiled and looked back at the child. "If you want the man in the bathroom, I'll allow it. But know that no proper lady would allow this." She smiled and Annalise tightened her grip on Krujen. Daniella walked downstairs to fetch warm water and Annalise simply looked up at Krujen, wondering what they would do about the situation. She was nervous to say the least. Why was a stranger pushing to get the child alone? Daniella soon returned and began filling the bathtub to the brim. "Have you made a decision?" Annalise shook her head upon hearing Daniella's question. "He'll be just outside the door." Daniella coaxed. Annalise wasn't stupid, but she surely didn't want a boy to see her naked. Her mother had always given her baths. Maybe this would be the same. 


"Krujen, you won't leave me right?"
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

"I won't, I'll turn my back. I won't peek." He settled far enough so Anna wouldn't be intruded on. He sat down at such an angle, that even if he did peek, he'd mostly see the bathtub. He sighed before twiddling something, assuming to be his thumbs. He stared at the wall in focus before focusing on something else; his knife.

"I don't believe to be stupid, but I am no scholar." He whispered lowly at Daniella.
Douglas
Daniella Rosalinda and Annalise Elaine. 
The Olde Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago.

Daniella allowed a chuckle as she began inspecting the child for any scrapes or bruises. As she found the ones from earlier, she side eyed Krujen. Perhaps, he was like her deceased husband. "Undress, child." Daniella muttered and Annalise did as she was told. In the blink of an eye, as Annalise was momentarily distracted, Daniella had the child in her arms with the bloodied blade pressed to her throat. "I had to time to grab it while I got the water. And surely, you aren't stupid. But great things call for this child. I can teach her my art. She can become my apprentice." Daniella rambled, her eyes blazing. "But first, she must be cleansed of you." Daniella chuckled and shoved the child into the water, before holding her head in place underneath it. All while holding a knife to the back of her head. "She will be reborn.". Daniella had known Krujen wouldn't leave Annalise. And by Annalise's squirming body, she knew that Annalise wouldn't give up on Krujen so easily.
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

He spun around, kicking Daniella in the ribs. He lifts Anna from the water, before unsheathing his sword, holding his knife and blade in both his hands. He shot forward and had the sword at her neck, whilst stabbing the knife into her hand, going through the flesh and into the wall behind her. His eyes burned with fury, he spat at her. "Reborn? Don't make me laugh. You won't see the sun again after your actions." He wasn't about to be sweet talked out of this like some guard. He saw things. He saw how his family burned and he knows grief. Another dead child in his arms would mean something much darker for her..
Douglas
Annalise Elaine and Daniella Rosalinda. 
The Olde Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago.

Annalise's screams and cries filled the small bathroom and the brutes soon filled the halls in search of her screams. Krujen's friend simply lifted Annalise from him and watched Daniella as she howled out in pain. "You promised I was safe." Annalise sobbed and the burly man from early put his hand on Krujen's shoulder. Perhaps, this was all a mistake. Allowing the woman to come because of her looks. Because of this, a child almost died under his roof. Annalise held out her hands for Krujen as she was carried out the bathroom. "Krujen!" Annalise found herself screaming, still mortified as they carried her to a bedroom and placed her on the small bed. Sobs escaped her mouth as the men attempted calming her down. An execution would possibly be taking place tonight. 


"Leave her. You have a child to worry about now." The burly man stated bluntly. "I don't know if she can keep being exposed to darkness, especially from you." Daniella smirked as the burly man talked and remained still.


"I'll leave without the girl." She stated bluntly and felt the sword dig slightly deeper into her skin. "She's been corrupted too much."
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

He let go, his nostrils flared. "This woman— tried to drown the child." He pulled the knife from her hand. He washed it in the bath water and walked out. Back to the Olde Chestnut, back to little Anna. He closed the door and crouched down in front of the little girl in bed. "I will never leave you alone, I've acted like a fool." He must teach her. He has to teach her..
Douglas
Annalise Elaine. 
The Olde Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago. 

Annalise coughed, her entire body drenched and her dress torn from the fight she had put with Daniella. "Krujen." She reached out and buried her face into his shoulder, knowing that she could've died if he had left the bathroom like encouraged. She began hiccupping and the men in the room previously left them be. Annalise curled into Krujen's shoulder and more tears flowed from her eyes. "Why would someone do that?" Her voice was pleading and her entire body shook. "And she knife. It had blood." Perhaps, she had murdered a child. More tears. Annalise wiped her face, knowing she wouldn't be sleeping till sunrise. As her sobs quietened down slightly, she stayed against Krujen and shook violently. A mad woman had wanted her. But why? Daniella could never harm another living being, not even a fly. She was the definition of innocent- or she was. "Do we have to stay here?"
Kathryn
Krujen Kf'ulir
The Olde Chestnut
2 Years Ago

"We're going. We're going far from here, we're going back home and I am going to protect you, damnit." His voice, genuine and fierce. "We're going tomorrow morning, we'll eat breakfast and we're going home." He held her close, rocking from left to right, muttering lullabies and trying to ease her nerves.
Douglas
Annalise Elaine. 
The Olde Chestnut. 
2 Years Ago. 

Annalise shook her head, wanting to leave at their moment. She listened to him describe how he would protect her, similar to how a brother would and she felt her arms loosening up slightly. As soon as he said they had to stay, Annalise began having a fit once again, scared that the murderous woman would return to finish the job. "I don't want to stay. Hannah will return." *If that was her real name.* The lullabies soothed Annalise as soon as Krujen began muttering them and she closed her eyes feeling tired. "I'm scared to stay here. Don't make me." She felt herself falling asleep, but was scared of what would happen to her in her sleep. Would the woman come back and stab her in the throat, or worse... Her head? Annalise drifted off with her head on Krujen's shoulder. And the last thing she heard was a deep voice, deeper than Krujen's.


"I haven't seen you care this much for a single child in years."

Reyum Welles
Queen Juliana
High Boom Castle in Erilla, Araedia

The guests had either gone home or were in their chambers for the rest of the night. The maids were hard at work clearing everything and setting up for breakfast the next morning. Reyum was the last person in the dining hall. He often walked the halls of High Bloom at night, starting rumors that he never slept. He knew every inch of that castle. Every stone, every corner, every secret room, every hidden room, the location of every book in the library, and so much more. The Araedian historian could learn a thing or two about High Bloom from Reyum by the end of his first year at court- nine years ago. 

High Bloom had been built as a fortress originally. There were tunnels and secret passages throughout. Some were easy to find, well noted, and often used by servants and officials. Others were so well hidden they were dismissed as rumors, and others that no one had the slightest inclination they existed.

There were guards outside Juliana's door on the third floor at all times. 

There was always someone ready to risk their lives to save hers at all times, access to her without the knowledge of guards was not granted. However, when Reyum found a secret passage that led to her room from the outside it was never reported. It wasn't a clean passageway. It was dark, ridiculously small, winding, and jagged rocks nipped against his body.

Parts of it were so low he had to duck his head- he learned that the hard way, there were stairs, and insects had completely taken over sections of it. It took him several weeks of trying and failing to get to the end of the passageway, but he was determined to know where it led. There was no way of knowing where it led when he first discovered it, or if anyone else knew about it. 

The passageway was entirely secret. It must have been well known at some point, perhaps the reason why it was the Monarch's bedroom to begin with. Over the years, the secret of the tunnel buried itself from even the Monarchs themselves. Reyum convinced Juliana it was best to keep it between the two of them.

After all, even guards can betray their monarch for the right price. 

The secret stayed between the two of them for quite some time, and the tunnel was used quite often by Reyum. Eventually the need for it lessened, it was rarely discussed, and Reyum was free to come straight her bedroom door. After dinner, Reyum did just that. 

There was a low fire in the hearth, and Juliana was sitting by it in a chair her head tilted to the side as she slept. He came around to kneel in front of her, and slid his hands very slowly from her ankles to her thighs. She smiled without opening her eyes, "I should have you killed for your tardiness." He raised her dress a bit to kiss her knee then looked up at her, "Do it." She opened her eyes looking down at him then brought her hand to the side of his face, "Tomorrow." He nodded, "Display my head on a spike at the gates for the guests to see as they leave." She shook her head, "I prefer that they focus on the flowers." He kissed her thigh, "There are enough flowers for them to remember in the gardens." She bit her lip, "Yes, but there's only one Reyum. I'll have your head mounted over the fireplace in the dining hall." He laughed, "Appetizing."

The two of them gazed at each other for a few seconds before she came off her seat to kiss him.
Eugene
Apollo, a pier in Araedia


"Stale? That's a little harsh, that bar is one of the more cheery ones. And besides, how can it ever be stale with my company?" Apollo slings his backpack onto his shoulder once more after quickly stowing away his goods with fast and skilled hands, "By the way, hear anything interesting in this town? I heard that there were a stribg of disappearances recently but that's about it."