Aedus felt tonight was a victory. The Elven King was worried by King Steven's lack of interest, but in all seriousness, Steven was a decaying power. Philip would soon be King, if rumors of his failing health was any indication. Aedus might just poison him before his death, so that Steven realized how, despite all his actions, all his planning, he was going to die alone and afraid. Aedus wanted his revenge, not for the old bastard to die of old age. He had to pay the price for all of those he had enslaved! Aedus would bow his head respectfully to Prince Philip. "<b>Of Course, Lord Philip, I am pleased you accept my offer, you're far more generous than I had come to believe. "</b>He said. He had to ensure they believed they held the power, that they were in the position where they were in control, so that it was easier to pull the rug out from under them, when the time was right.<br/><br/>Aedus would be walking with Seron, Badhron, and Hammond, as they approached the stables. He would place his hand on his horse, a beautiful<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmosmith.com%2Fhorses%2Fimages%2Fcamargue-berlin4a.jpg&amp;hash=b8d30a73898598bf15187025675fc005" href="http://www.cosmosmith.com/horses/images/camargue-berlin4a.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">camargue</a>, Dust. This breed of horse was ancient, and Aedus had long heard of the Rider of the White Horse being the Hero of his own story, getting the girl, and living happily ever after. He and Dia found Dust as a fowl when they first started hunting together. His parents had been killed in a Warg attack, and the fowl was the only survivor of his herd, so Aedus felt compelled to save the creature. The End result? A lifelong friendship with a prized creature of legend. Dust had become the progenitor of many fowls in his lands, ensuring his bloodline and breed would survive.<br/><br/>Aedus would turn towards the three, as he was now in more comfortable attire, as he mounted Dust. "<b>There is something I must do. I'd like for you all to remain here, while I tend to my business."</b><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff4d4d">Badhron would speak up in protest. "<b>My lord, with respect, I feel at least one of us should accompany you! Until we are sure that things shall go smoothly, I feel I must express my concern that the humans-"</b></span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">Hammond would hold up his hand. "<b>It is King Hakkon's will. We must abide."</b></span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#cc99ff">Seron would look at him with shock. "<b>Hammond! I cannot believe you'd accept this nonsense!" </b></span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">Hammond would shake his head. "<b>It is ultimately his decision, and as his subjects, we must abide. "</b></span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">As Aedus rode away, Hammond, Seron, and Badhron returned to the castle. They had precious cargo to protect, though it was not made easier by the soldiers present. Hammond had to be polite, for the sake of his Lord, but to hear them making suggestive comments about Seron, his fellow guard, boiled his blood. Seron handled it better- The Sorceress got into a meditation stance in the Castle Gardens and began focusing, to channel her energy and block out the world. Hammond and Badhron stayed close by, in case anyone tried anything. Badhron would be sharpening his blade, Urfael, as Hammond polished his shield. Hammond secretly hoped that Emily's plan worked, simply for the sake of Aedus finding peace with himself.</span><br/><br/>Aedus had rode for some time, before finally arriving in the Emerald Grove. This place, scared to him and to one other, where it had all began. He should just set fire to it and burn away any remnant of his place, but.....He couldn't. He wouldn't. Despite everything, this place would always have a special part in his heart. He would place his hand on the stone head, before hearing that voice. His hand tightened, before he turned towards Dia. He saw the red marks on her neck, saw her eyes were red from crying, and it strike a cord in the part of his heart he wanted to die. He wanted to run over to her and comfort the woman, but he had to remember why he felt such anger in the first place, why her pain was justified!<br/><br/>It didn't make it any easier.<br/><br/>"<b>Dia....What are you doing here, shouldn't you be back at the Castle?" </b>He asked, placing his hood on the stone ear. It was the first time he had been without it since he arrived here. His body had sharpened from the hunter he was- Where then he looked as if he was chiseled from stone, now he looked forged from steel. Living in the Borderlands had a tendency to change people.<br/><br/>"<b>After all, we wouldn't want a repeat of <i>last time </i>would we?" </b>He said, crossing his arms as he faced her. He honestly wanted to hear it- Her justification for what happened. To see if it was worth hearing.<br/><br/><a class="username" data-user-id="83" data-username="@MintyMinx" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/83/">@MintyMinx</a>