<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #BF0080"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Yakari Aeide</span><br/><span style="font-size: 120%; line-height: 116%;">The youngest son of the Earl of Eastshire</span></span></span></div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o793/Galvin_Fugazi/e502d570-9e84-4133-bfed-cd10f89cd1f5_zpsb0fae3ac.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">Yakari had been quiet, listening to the banter between Alexander and Gregorio, but things changed once Alexander mentioned Yakari’s part in the whole mess. Amena seemed to bite down on some comment but Yakari wasn’t willing to do so.<br/> <br/><span style="color: #FF8000">“Sir Alexander, don’t go down that road. It is just a side effect of what is going on here and although it may have driven Lady Danielle over the edge, it is not the reason for this mess. I accept Lady Danielle’s apologies, as I understand how desperate she had been. I will never forgive her though for what she had tried to do, but this is between me and Danielle and not a subject of public interest. But… and there comes the but… why did Lady Danielle jump on me after her sister described me in the warmest words and why was her sister so fond of me? Maybe the pride of Erathia, as Sir Edward had called you, may be honest enough with themselves and realize how their own actions had led to this?”</span><br/> <br/>He could see that Alexander wanted to protest, but he cut him off before he had the chance to utter a word.<br/> <br/><span style="color: #FF8000">“Let’s be honest, why are we all here? Not because of this tournament firsthand, but because the King is laying down and we all want to use this situation for our own goals. I came here because I knew that my brother wants a shot on the throne. He has been raised for that his entire life, there is no other possibility as that he wants to be the next king. And although Leon has his strengths, he has his weaknesses too, a lot of them to be honest and I wanted to stop him before he climbs the throne. We are far from close, we two. I never came here to find love, to win this tournament or to pledge my loyalty to the Queen.”</span><br/> <br/>It was quite some open statement by Yakari and he could see a smile curl around Sir Edwards lips, as the old Reeve probably knew already what Yakari intended. But Alexander and Gregorio were still taken by surprise.<br/> <br/><span style="color: #FF8000">“So, why are you here Sir Alexander? Are you goals different to those of my brother? I doubt it, you two are practically interchangeable in your ambitions and your actions. Yes, your actions. My brother is a well-known rapist of the simple folks and you are notorious for the number of girls you made more or less lucky too. And that leads us to Lady Danielle. She didn’t come her out of free will. She is like every daughter just a pawn in a game of power. Her father knew that the balance of power would shift once the king is dead and he is waiting for this moment for years now. He’s got three assets to use, his kids, and he wanted to make the best out of it. He is in need of allies and his kids should have provided those. But allies with whom? Three houses to choose from, Aeide, Aries and Delecroix. And now look at this from Danielle’s or Martine’s point of view. You have the choice between a rapist, a womanizer and a control freak. Do you think that made them giddy? No, and that’s where I enter the scene. I stood up and defended Martine against her father in public. How could I? Well, it doesn’t matter but it made Martine look up to me. She told Danielle and Danielle as the older one and more likely one to be married off got jealous. She wanted such a knight for herself, an Aeide after all. Unfortunately it was some single-sided desire and it led to foul actions, a part of them you witnessed. From the words of Sir Gregorio I understand that Danielle realized that she didn’t treat you fair at all, but can you blame her for it? Really? And only her? Well, she saw a man in you proud of his reputation flying ahead of him like his colors on the road. Do you really believe that she should have been flattered by your interest? Or should she have felt like some other trophy for your closet? You are the only one to know about your true intentions when you approached her, Sir Alexander. If they were sincere, then you should explain them to her and maybe you two can start over once again. If they weren’t better steer clear of her.”</span><br/> <br/>Yakari’s tone had grown colder the more he had said and now it was quite icey. Alexander glared at him as if he would have liked to call for satisfaction, but Yakari turned to Gregorio when a smug grin appeared on the face of the knight.<br/> <br/><span style="color: #FF8000">“Oh, Sir Gregorio, don’t marvel in your malicious joy too much. Don’t think that we buy your Samaritan motives to make Lady Danielle happy by reconciling her with Sir Alexander. We all know unfortunately how hungry for power you are and why you really don’t court Lady Danielle. The second kid of the Karembeux is not enough for your ambitions, right? It must be a mighty house and the heiress of it, yes? And your target is already in your visor. You could use her weak hold over her lands and take all by force, as you usually do, but why going all that way, if there is a far more pleasing and widely accepted way to it, huh? I really pity the poor lady for those prospects ahead…”</span><br/> <br/>Yakari glanced at Lady Marina out of the corner of his eyes, but Sir Edward stopped him, before he could say some more.<br/> <br/><span style="color: #80FF00">“Well, Sir Yakari, I blame it on your youth that you speak out what you think, but I am sure that one day you will learn that sometimes keeping the truth to yourself is far more helpful. You want some more enemies going after you? But as those things are said now, let me utter a warning to you all. Don’t underestimate Queen Ines, she will not watch the country turn into a battlefield. And neither will I. The crown will side with every attacked house to defend off aggressors. Our beloved King has not kept this country in peace for so long to deserve it crumbling to pieces when he closes his eyes. Better be aware of that, before you saddle your horses and grab your lances.”</span><br/> <br/>A silence fell on the room, disturbed only by the orderly knocking at the door to tend to Sir Gregorio. The four men glared at each other, while the man stopped the bleeding of the wound and wrapped it up. It was a welcome pause to sort up their thoughts and once the orderly left, everybody waited for one to speak up.</div>