<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(211, 211, 211)">[bcolor=transparent]"Forgive me I'm...I'm not used to company," It wasn't a lie, Bazel wasn't used to being around others especially not those he found attractive. However, not trying to make the ride anymore awkward he fixed his gaze to the back of Jasper's head and kept it there. Thankfully he didn't have to do it for too long. The forest began to thin and the stone walls of the castle came into view. At one time there where guards who patrolled the walls and stood at the gates, but now there was no one. Just the rustle of wind through the trees and the occasional bark of dogs. It was so different from the way it used to be. When everything was alive and vibrant. Even though it was hard to study or find a quiet place outside of his rooms he missed it. Missed the noise and the people, the signs of life.[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]The gate was ajar, which wasn't something the guard captain would approve of but he wasn't all that interested in his job anymore. It made it easier for Bazel to sneak out but was dangerous. Any thief who saw the unguarded gate could slip in and take whatever they wanted. He shoved the thought aside and dismounted Jasper to push the gate all the way open so they could make it inside the grounds. Everything was over grown as though it'd been abandoned. Bazel tried not to look at any of it. The rosebushes that'd gone wild and smothered the other flowers. Weeds pushing up through the cobblestones. If he'd only noticed sooner...things wouldn't have gotten so bad. With the state the castle was in he wasn't sure if the country was doing any better. How long would it be until something happened? Until people realized the royal family wasn't doing what they should? That the country was stagnating? How long would it be until the other nobles noticed? Till they came and demanded answers? Would they try to seize power? Or would the witch get to them too? [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]Bazel didn't know how long he had until that time. And unknown deadline was worse then a known one. It could be weeks or months or...well not years. If they hadn't heard from his family by the fall then there would be inquires. Especially as they normally hosted a ball and it was always a much looked forward to even. Well by everyone except for Bazel. He'd be grateful for any other reason if his family decided to cancel it as his attendance was always mandatory and going was always like trying to navigate a pit full of serpents. One where he wasn't sure which where actually venomous and which where just pretending. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have so much to hide but...[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]"You can put your mare in the stall next to mine, we still have a stable hand so she'll be taken care of...or rather given the basic necessities. I do recommend checking on her from time to time as most of the castle workers only barely do their jobs anymore and I don't know if one day they'll just stop," Of course Bazel came out to the stable most days it wasn't too far from the secret exit in his rooms and Jasper was his sole companion and the only creature he'd never felt judged by. Who he didn't have to worry about speaking freely around. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]With that said he went about his routine for getting Jasper ready to be put away. Giving him water, removing the saddle, brushing him down and checking his hooves. Once his horse was put away, as well as his tack, he turned his attention back to Emris. He kept his gaze on anywhere but the other man and shifted his weight. Was it strange that he'd insisted on doing something normally left to servants? Would Emris find it odd? He really shouldn't dwell on it, it was far from important but he couldn't help it. He'd already made a fool of himself and didn't want to do it more lest the man throw up hi hands and walk out. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]A mental shove pushed the thought aside. He had more pressing things to worry about and hopefully it'd take more then some odd behavior to have Emris go back on his word, "I'll...I'll show you inside,"[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]The walkway to the castle's main door was just as over grown. Thorns from rose bushes reaching out like clawed hands as if to hold them back. To keep them from walking into the lair of the beast. His mother loved the roses that grew on the grounds. He could remember her telling him that they where not just alive but possessed a will of their own. That they could feel danger and, if where so inclined, would try to help those they considered under their protection. Of course repeating such a thing would just get him laughed at. As would the words he spoke too low under his breath for Emris to hear. The assurance that he knew where he was headed to, that he would be fine. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]Once inside there was a noticeable shift in the air. As though something dark and ominous hung just above their heads. Waiting and ready for it's moment to strike. Despite the fact that both he and Emris where protected from it a chill still ran down his spine. It dogged their steps as Bazel led Emris through the castle, he could almost see it. Saliva dripping down massive fangs, it's jaws parted ready to rend and tear if it caught them. He knew the image of a beast was just in his imagination but it didn't soothe him any. Not in the slightest. Instead he tried to put it out of his mind focusing on what he had to do. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]At the end of the main hall was a set of massive doors, each with a tree carved on it. Branches reaching up toward the ceiling. He swallowed and glanced back at Emris. Steeling himself he pushed open the door and led Emris inside.[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]The ceiling was much higher than it'd been in the hall. Depictions of ivy covered the walls, carved into pillars, climbing towards the ceiling. A giant oak desk sat in the middle of the room. Scrolls and books stacked neatly atop it. A map of the kingdom covering the rest of it. Behind it was a plush seat where the king sat.[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]Bazel didn't look much like his father, they had the same nose and that was all. His father was a tall well muscled man despite his advanced age. Both his parents had been well into their forties when he'd been born something he was sure had contributed to his mother's death. His father had perfectly straight hair that'd once been the color of good ink, now it was mostly sliver with only a few strands of black clinging on. It was cut short and slicked back from his face. Lines around dark eyes and his mouth showed that he'd spent most of his time smiling or laughing. Though at the moment his face was blank. Green eyes only just registering that someone had entered the room. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]It was so different from his father's normal behavior. Where he'd jump up, concerned as to why Bazel had come to see him...but also happy to see his youngest son. He wanted to scream to rush off to Witch's room and demand she change him back. His whole family back. But that would be foolish. If it was so simple he wouldn't have gotten Emris involved. He wouldn't have put anyone else in danger. So instead he steeled himself and bowed low, even though it turned his stomach to do. Yes he was supposed to, but his father always brushed the formality away. Now he insisted on it. He gave a quick glance to Emris to ensure himself that the man fallowed his lead before righting himself.[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]"Your majesty," Bazel kept his voice neutral, an attempt to keep himself from breaking, "I brought someone to be our new Huntsman. His name is Emris,"[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]The words didn't seem to register with his father so he tried something else, "I'm sure it'd please our guest, she must be growing tired of the simple meals she's provided and our new huntsman can bring something more interesting for the table,"[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]That drew his father's attention and the man finally turned his gaze to Emris, looking him over, then nodded. When he spoke his voice was rough and low, "Yes...I'm sure she'll be pleased..."[/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]He then lapsed back into silence and Bazel took it as their que to leave. He bowed again and rushed from the room, hoping Emris fallowed but not looking back to check. He hated how he looked the same but there was nothing behind his eyes anymore. His brother's at least had flickers of their old personalities, though they where muddled and distorted, but his father. Of his father there was nothing and he wasn't sure if stopping the witch would bring him back. [/bcolor]<br/>
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[bcolor=transparent]Bazel paused in the hall, by one of the windows and stared out at the grounds not seeing anything. The news would work it's way around to the Witch soon enough. So he should probably keep Emris close. Though would that give them away too early? The castle was large and Bazel knew where the secret passages where, so he knew which ones connected what rooms. Yes, He knew one room particularly that would work. He'd take Emris there and show him how to access the passage. Then he'd give him a tour of the grounds. With that done Bazel would then go back to his books and let Emris get settled. As long as news didn't move to quickly it should work. [/bcolor]</span></span>​</div>