Proclaimation

[Ricard Pendergast]

The days had passed by as quickly as the leaves in Fall, and so the same had happened to the youth of Ricard Pendergast, the 12th King of Avaren and currently the only member of the royal family. He had been the only son of Eregor Pendergast and the Lady Katrina of Alastshire, so when both of his parents died from their age, Ricard had taken to the throne. And what a color rule the first few years of his reign had been. Three different power struggles; in which most of the remaining lords had been wiped out or had fled the kingdom. A small war with another kingdom that tried to expand into Avaren's borders, and so many other events that now were gathering dust in historical texts.

Ricard was not the young and strapping lad of 21 years when he first took the throne; now he was 42 and slowly strands of silver-grey hair began to crown his noble head amongst the forest of black. He had no wife and named no heir to the throne and that thought was ever constantly pressuring him; for what if he were to suddenly die and leave no heir? That would result in war amongst the citizens and no such atrocity would happen if he could prevent it. So he planned today, the 450th anniversary of the Kingdom's existence, to announce his newst of ideas before his citizens and subjects.

So Ricard rose from his bed and made his way to the Court; where the sounds of cheering subjects greeted the King's ears and made him smile as he recalled other times when such cheering took place. Ricard's red and black robes of state glistened as he stepped out of the stairwell and into the brightly-lite Court; his golden breastplate gleaming as if it was just made that very day. Ricard Pendergast slowly walked down the path to his throne of marble, smiling at his people and occassionally touching the foreheads of some with his right hand in a comforting gesture.

'How I love these people', thought Ricard as his throne loomed closer and closer with each step, 'Every last one of them; is a part of this Kingdom and this kingdom is a part of me. So that makes them my responsibility; to see that they have what they need, to protect them from others and themselves and lastly; to ensure their future. That is my task; it always has been and ever more wil be. If only I had an heir to assist me in these burdens.' Now standing before his throne, Ricard turned to face the people of Avaren; raising his hands in the air for silence.

"My friends and subjects, how long has it been since our walls and this castle that we stand in right now were first erected by the first King of Avaren, Avarenius the Mighty? It has been 450 years since the birth of our beloved state and now that it has passed the test of time; it can only prosper. Therefore; I congratulate each and everyone of you, no matter how little a role you play in society, you have made this kingdom what is now. Therefore! It is only right that all of you are rewarded! So from twenty days hence, you are all invited up to the castle for the grandest feast this land has yet to see!" Ricard let the last of his words boom out with such force that it reminded him of his old fighting days; as a knight rallying his men. Those days where gone and now he would have to adjust to the new ones, but a feast with all those in the land would do him some good.

For if he didn't marry; he would have to name a successor; so it was crucial that he get to know his subjects all the more.

[alamea]

Excitement ran through Alamea as she realized that today was the day the King Pendergast was going to address his subjects. Getting up early as to be ready, the girl dashed through the streets of the city and up to the castle where the speech was to be made. Small feet hurried under her blue skirt, and her brown hair was hanging down loosely. Alamea was an apprenctice, so she dressed not unlike a citizen.

The apprentice mage was hurrying towards where the king’s throne stood, and took her place amoung the crowd. The King's Court was truely magnificent, a perfect image of his reign, and of he himself. The girl was one of the people who genuinely supported her king, and believed him to be one of the greatest rulers the land had ever had.

As King Pendergast entered, the apprentice cheered and yelled in happiness, her blue eyes sparkling. Today is a great day. As the king raised his hands for silence, Alamea went quite, and payed attention to his every word. The girl of 15 couldnt believe the kingdom had been around for 450 years, it seemed younger. But if it was indeed true, then it proved the greatness of the people. Pushing a lock of brown hair off her face, the apprentice let out a short gasp as he proclaimed a feast.

Now that would be amazing. All of the people gathered together to do something just about eveything agreed on, eating. It was a grand move on kings part, and put him in an even kinder light in Alamea's eyes. It was rare to find a king that truthfully cared about their people, but it seemed the lands of Avaren were lucky.

[Camilla]

Camilla was none too fond of crowds, and that was very clearly displayed by the white of her knuckles, showing just how tightly she was clenching her staff as she wound her way toward the front. Being of short stature, there was no way she would be able to see or hear a thing unless she found her way in front of those who were head and shoulders taller than her.

After much struggle, muttered curses, and sporadic use of her staff, she made it to a clearing through which she had a view, if not a good one, of the throne where King Pendergast would most likely be located for his speech. Camilla had a surprising amount of respect for the man, having seen him in general as a fair and compassionate ruler, although he had inadvertently put this peace in danger by having not yet produced or named an heir.

Once the King appeared, Camilla eyed him with immense curiosity, wondering what the purpose of this address was, anyway. As the King began to speak, she listened with rapt attention to every word, nodding stoically and memorizing the details.

While a murmur of approval went through the crowd, the apprentice's face remained calm and stern, though it was clear through her attitude that she approved of Ricard's feast, seeming to not be regretting the energy she expended to be able to hear him. After all, who in their right mind could disagree with the prospect of a feast?

[Guinevere Viperatus]

Guinevere had awaited this address and finally the day had come. She looked around, her mind racing with th different possibilities of the address. She looked at the king with interest, her green eyes full of curiosity.

Guinevere pushed back her red hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders, falling to the middle of her back. The contrast of her emerald dress to her red hair was great, but she still looked beautiful at that.

She nooded in approval, her red lips unmoving as the crowd rejoiced. A young lady of 20 years and she attacked quite older than she should. A sword hung at her side, a jeweled handle with emeralds and diamonds. Her fathers sword... she refocused her attention upon the king, saving her memories for another day.

[Riley Lambert]

A young man of 18 made his way to hear the King's address to his people. The young man had awaited this announcement and smiled to himself when he began to hear the king's voice, though faint. It was then he realized he's miss the proclaimation if he did not hurry. He held his sword to his side as to not hit him and began to sprint towards the crowd, trying to sneak his way through the crowd without hurting anyone with his sword. He had seemed to have done good until he had seemed to bump into someone.

His heart stopped and he almost lost his balance. 'How stupid could I be' he thought to himself. He had been paying so much attention to those around him not getting hurt and listening to the king, he had failed to see he was about to run into someone.

He soon regained his thoughts and mobility and looked to the figure he had directly bumped into, knowing well manners were a must in his growing up. He almost lost his breath when he noticed it was a young woman he had bumped into. He took a deep breath and bowed his head and chest enough to show his sincerity as well as giving out his hand.

"My deep apology miss, I wasn't paying attention".

[Guinevere Viperatus]

Guinevere felt someone bump into her. She saw the young man and smiled.

"My deep apology miss, I wasn't paying attention".

She looked at hm, moving a few strands of her red hair out of her eyes.

"It's no problem..." she said shaking his hand. "My name is Guinevere Viperatus." she said , bowing her head slightly. She smiled as she stood back up straight. She was tall and had a thin figure. Her dress fell off of her shoulders, revealing the amulet that hung from her delicate neck.

[Riley Lambert]

Riley shook her hand and smiled to her words. In hearing her name and simply replied to her.

"Tis a pleasure to meet you Guinevere. Excuse my own manners once again, I'm Riley Lambert".

He looked up to see the king for a moment and then turned back to Guinevere. He looked at her alittle closely, just noticing the beauty in her eyes as well as her, herself. He smiled again when he saw her sword. He knew she was a warrior as he was. It was in that moment, he had been given some comfort.

[Guinevere Viperatus]

"Pleasure to meet meet you, Riley..." she said smiling softly. She examined him closly, finding comfort in knowing that he was a warrior. A light breeze blew by, blowing her hair into her eyes once again. She simply pushed it back and smiled once again, her eyes glistening as she smiled.

She rested her hands on her hips, one hand falling to the handle of her sword. Her fingers traced every detail, her eyes glancing down mere seconds before looking into Riley's.

[Rayze Vedehn]

Indifferent to the masses, a young man listened with lame disinterest to the King's sentiments. The usual, the unnecessary formalities; the lord's voice declaring how even the slightest of peasants could, for the moment, pretend they themselves were mighty as the crowned one standing proud before them. The thought quirked the soldier's lips as he wove his way through the outskirts of the crowd, though he did not stop to hang upon every syllable as those around them.

There were a few murmurs of offence as the red head passed, obscuring vision and interrupting the rapture of the herd. It was evident, written clearly in every sharp contour of his pale visage how little he cared for the intention of this gathering. Nor could he drudge up the will to feign utmost attention. No, he could find better things to do... amusements of more grandeur than the royal upon his podium.

The bright eyes eyes shifted, fluttering once before disappearing beneath the fan of dark lashes. And it was then that something flickered before him, followed by the short breeze inherent of one in a hurry. The eyes were again unveiled to the world, tracing the fluid movement of a youth in haste. He didn't know the boy, he didn't think he cared to know the boy -- especially not after watching him collide with a stately dame. A soft chuckle escaped him at the hasty apology, head shaking in bemusement as his own feet drew him forward; away from such a display of blatant clumsiness and the conversation that followed...

[Malina Dawson]

A deep sigh.

Another day. But this was not just any day; for the king had actually decided to step up and give forth a proclaimation. A feast would be something that she could actually enjoy. The occasions upon which she had to socialize were few, mostly because she lacked the time and also didn't really feel like it. She was shy. Her life was devoted to her sword, and so she would live by. To be the best. The best.

Her eyes glanced around, landing upon a few others that she recalled seeing at her trainings. It was so strange, that they were all in the same classes to become the same warriors, but they were so different. She didn't feel like she could really relate to any of them..

Bowing her head slightly, she nodded her respect to the ruler. She would attend. That was for sure. Though she didn't know what to expect, she would be there to figure it all out for herself. At least a feast would have food, if all else failed to entertain her.

[Riley Lambert]

Riley felt someone watching him and his new aquaintance. He heard a soft chuckle, also coming somewhere, but looked to see a red head moving away. He turned back to Guinevere as the breeze blew through the crowd. Some of his own hair seemed to get into his eyes, but not as much as Guinevere's. He ran a hand through his hair when the breeze passed to remove the strands of his hair that had been in his eyes. After he had done so his gaze had caught hers, his sapphire eyes bearing into her emerald. He smiled and soon broke the gaze.

"So what is your goal in becoming a warrior Guinevere?" he asked politely.

[Viktor Delacro]

A dark clad swordsman watched the address from the solitude of a nearby wallcorner. Hidden behind the wall of mindless sheep this king called followers he watched the king spout useless drivel. He paid no mind to what he was actually saying. Addresses were always the same.

His made no attempt to diguise his disgusted expression, and he merely cast his eyes to the sky and waited for the speech to end, and the cheering to end. Any cheering that wasn't celebrating the utter defeat of an entire people wasn't cheering to him.

In the service of Tiamat fools were not suffered lightly, and this was a kingdom fools. They would not last for a moment under the rule of Her Mightiness, therefore, any that could not serve Tiamat must be destroyed in Her name.

But his army has since been taken from him, his own kingdom cast down by Tiamat. He had to regain her favor first, and that meant raising a new army. It was a long, hard road before him, but he would have it no other way.

[Ailena]

Ailena had been oblivious to the fact that the King of Avaren had planned to hold a gathering that day. If it hadn't been for all the people slowly making their way to the castle, the young woman would not have been intrigued to join them. Still, there was so much about this kingdom she had yet to find out, she figured what better way to do so then by seeing things for herself.

She was, of course, putting herself in great risk by making her presence known to the most powerful people of the city. Still, if she didn't go, then she'd be left with more unanswered questions then she had ever wanted.

Thus, sliding into step with a rather large blacksmith, it seemed, she made her way into the castle. Paying little attention to the rich tapestries and marble columns that lined the hall, the young woman instead looked for the most crowded, darkest corner of the room that she could find.

Finding the perfect spot, with a clear view of the white marble throne of the King, and of the man himself, Ailena finally came to a halt. Unlike most of the people here, her mind was not settled on the promised food, but instead on the words that the King would utter.

Upon hearing him address the people, his subjects as his friends, a small smile appeared on the girls features. She had yet to meet an honest and righteous man, but the King that smiled so warmly at his people carried the look of such a man. That thought gave the woman more comfort in more ways then one. Even if he did find out about her past, she had the feeling that he'd be just enough in the dealings for her to lose her fears.

[Guinevere Viperatus]

"It is a matter of honor... nothing more." she said softly, her voice kind and gentle. She smoothed out the emerald skirt of her dress with her left hand, feeling the silk of it against her fair skin. She searced the surrondings with her eyes, the green of them growing deeper and darker.

[Riley Lambert]

Riley nodded and looked to the king once more. He watched her eyes grow alittle darker, and had the feeling there was more, but he did not press on the matter.

"I came to perhaps become a Knight, and then a lord. It would be a great honor for me to achieve such a status, with such a good man as king".