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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 21:14:51 GMT -5
She gave a small sigh of relief as he did not press the matter of trying to teach her something at that moment. "I will not retract my offer to show you the palace." She stated and gave him a smile to show him that she held no grudges for his off putting offer. "This way if you please." She motioned for him to exit the room, shutting the door behind them, and then lead him down the hallway once more. "I can show you the library first if you like, and the courtyard, where you'll be giving lessons and then we can move on to the rest of the palace."
As she spoke and walked with him she remained polite, courteous and the way she walked was so smooth it was almost as if she were gliding across the floor instead of taking steps. "Since you are allowing me to choose when my lessons are how about we begin as soon as you finish your discussion with my father in the morning? I shall meet you in the library and we can begin immediately. I'll inform my other instructors that their lessons will be postponed until the day following. It will allow you and I to become more acquainted and perhaps learn what time of day suits us best, hmm?"
She smiled as she spoke but the expression was only skin deep. It was obvious she was either bored with the idea of learning more or perhaps already extremely tired. Either way, even if she were tired, she held no signs of dark circles or her eyes being red. It was as if she were merely mentally exhausted rather than it being a physical affliction.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 17, 2020 21:36:28 GMT -5
Rhys noticed her sigh and he gave a warm smile. He nodded his head. “Thank you princess, I am glad that I have not caused you any grief.” He spoke as he stepped from the room. He was careful to take in her actions. She seemed more like a chauffeur than a princess. She closed the door. She did not expect him to do so. “Ah yes, the library would be excellent. I would love to see the materials your library has in it.” He grinned, though it was an act. He wasn’t truly interested in the library. He’d seen it a thousand times. Same with the courtyard. But his presentation said that he was truly interested.
He watched her steps, and was seemingly mesmerized by her movements. He’d never seen someone carry themselves in such a fashion. It was well practiced. He could only imagine the amount of time she’d spent working on such a stride. He nodded to her decision. “That is a very good choice. It will give me more time to discover just how you learn. There are different techniques that I can offer so that you progress more quickly. It will be steady of course.” He smiled, “I don’t want to give you too much information all at once.” He watched her smile and he wondered if she truly wanted to learn from him. He thought he saw interest in her before. “Or, if you need rest...I can only imagine how busy you have been.” He offered at the end. “We can take it slow, make learning magic an enjoyable art, rather than another subject that your father has pushed upon your plate.” He looked to the knights as they opened the doors to allow them into the library. They bowed to their princess and eyed the newcomer.
Rhys looked around at the shelves upon shelves of books. He smiled, “Ah this is a collection.” He stepped up to a shelf. “Do you have a favorite subject, Princess?” He questioned as he looked to her. He was constantly analyzing her. She was nothing like the queen and it troubled him. He wanted to know what caused her to become the hateful woman she was in the future. For now...she seemed...innocent.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 21:55:02 GMT -5
When he offered her to get more rest and to help prevent from piling on the work load her father set before her she gave her first genuine smile as she nearly laughed. It was a comical notion that her father would ever allow her much leisure time. She could rest when she was Queen, that was what he had always told her, and she knew then that her duties would greatly intensify and the prospect of rest was but a flitting fantasy. "I appreciate your concern, Master Alister, but I assure you that I am more than capable of handling any work you decide to teach me." She replied and nodded to the guards who bowed respectfully to her.
As he observed and commented on the library her eyes followed his motions once more. As if she were tracking each move he made, but when he asked of her favorite subject she hesitated a moment before answering. "Hmm, I suppose I rather enjoy the economic lessons I learn. Mainly because I often get to go into the market place of the village to witness the trades and commerce first hand." She gave a small sigh after the thought. "I've met some lovely people that way and purchased quite a few very fine items." Of course each time she left the palace she had no fewer than six guards accompanying her at any given moment. Just to ensure no commoners had the bright idea to try and touch her or pull a scam that would surely get back to the King. "Why do you ask?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 17, 2020 22:07:40 GMT -5
Rhys’ smile widened when she gave a her first true smile. He caught onto something as he watched her hold back a laugh. He gave a nod. “Of course you can handle it. I don’t doubt it, princess.” He bowed his head slightly to her as he turned his attention to the books. Though, truthfully he was still watching her from the corner of his eye. “Economics?” He questioned a smile about his lips. “Interesting.” He nodded as he stepped forward to a shelf. The book was in the same place in his time. “I rather enjoy this book. We have it where I hale from as well. It’s a rather popular book.” He held it toward her. It was a fiction written of the great mages of the past. It was a glory book that wrote the history of the mages. For as much fiction that was threaded into the words, truth was also written into the pages as well. More truth than most knew.
“It speaks of mages, how they began. Where they were first discovered. There is a lot of history in these pages and well...fiction as well of course. It makes the story more interesting for the reader I suppose. I wouldn’t know, I’m not an author.” He grinned. “Though, I will share this book with you.” He pulled it from his pouch upon his hip. “When we begin lessons. This is the basis of all magi knowledge.” He held the book close, this one he did not offer to her. “It is the only one in existence that I am aware of. So as princess of course you are entitled to it.” He smiled and then tucked the book back away. “Not just yet though.” He grinned as he looked around the library once again. “I asked you what your favorite subject was to understand you more. It will help me teach you. If I can deliver the material in a clear and concise way, you will be able to learn more quickly. My ways may be strange to you, but I do assure you that I have a purpose.” He smirked to her. He was rather jovial, this was as much of an act as it was truth. He had been a prisoner for so long it felt incredible to do as he pleased. Yet he was also trying to make himself seem welcoming and put on the presentation that he would not harm her. He had pushed a bit too soon and now he was trying to make up a bit of ground.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 22:45:51 GMT -5
He found her choice of favorite studies to be interesting. She didn't see it that way but it was interesting to her that he found it as such. He was a strange man and she was going to figure out what it was about him that was so different. As he handed her the fictional book of mages she took it and glanced over the cover for a moment. She had seen the book before but not read it as fictional work was something of a leisure and again.. she didn't have time for such things. Though the book he kept close caught her attention far more easily than the one he had handed her.
"A purpose, hmm? Perhaps time will tell exactly what that purpose is." She replied to his last comment and gave him a knowing smirk. She was no fool after all. "I will read this, per your suggestion, and report back to you what I think about it." She held the book by her side and glanced around the library. "Is there anything else you wish to observe here, Master Alister? If not we can continue into the courtyard." She turned slightly and gestured to a set of double doors that were propped open to let in the sunshine from a bountiful garden. The courtyard in his time was a training ground for her mages. An arena of sorts where she liked to test the skills of those she employed to see which were worthy of her favor.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 17, 2020 22:56:24 GMT -5
“But of course, princess.” Rhys smiled back to her, he knew that she was trying to decipher him. To read him. He also knew that he was difficult to understand at times. He made things into a mystery that shouldn’t be shrouded in mystery at all. “I think you will enjoy the read, and you will learn a bit more about mages. It is one of the most true adaptations of the beginning that I have yet to find.” He then looked about the library once again. “I’m certain there is more here that I can assign you in the future.” He smirked, “But for now, one book shall do.” He walked through the doors and into the sun. He placed his hands upon the railing as he looked down to the courtyard. It was completely different. He expected to see mages being beaten down by the queen. Yet he saw a beautiful display of vegetation. It was an open space where he could easily train her and it was also a relaxing environment.
Rhys walked down the stairs his eyes took in each bit of the landscape. It was so different that his mind was having a hard time accepting it. What if his reality was not reality at all? He shook his head slightly. This woman that he was with would ultimately turn the continent into a war zone. She would kill thousands. She would force mages to use their powers to kill innocents. He had to remind himself of this as he looked to her. She acted nothing like the queen he knew. Perhaps her constant studying drove her into madness and that is what caused her to snap? No. It was there. The evil was within her. He knew it. He drew in a breath as he walked through the courtyard and into the gardens. “Beautiful displays.” He spoke as he noted a flower. “Ah, this one.” He stepped to one that was beginning to wilt. “Light magic.” He smiled to her. “It can save something like this.” He held his hand beneath it, his fingertips graced the petals. He drew in a breath and blew it over the flower. A white light engulfed the plant for a moment as the wilted petals became smooth and silky once again. He smiled to her, “That is one of the first things I’ll teach you, once you’ve gotten a handle on your magic. It is a simple spell. But, healing another thing, can prove difficult.” He walked along the pathway as he looked about the castle. It was so different it felt as though he was in another world.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 23:08:23 GMT -5
Ivy followed him out to the courtyard and glanced around to the bushes and roses that filled the entire yard. It was the only semi-wild place within the palace walls and Ivy was often to engrossed in her studies to really enjoy it much. When he motioned towards a wilting rose she turned her attention to him and watched as he breathed life back into its petals. "Rather remarkable." She commented with a smile. "I'm sure there are quite a few things that you could safe with your magic." She said offhandedly but immediately seemed to regret her words as she directed her attention out to the courtyard to look for the next thing to move on to.
"What sorts of magics are there? Besides the dark arts and that of light? You said there are plenty in between, correct? Could you give me and example?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 21:42:25 GMT -5
Rhys lifted his eyes to the princess as he straightened himself, he smiled back to her when he saw the smile upon her lips. Though he took note of her change in demeanor with her next comment. He brushed it aside for later though. When she asked her next question Rhys grinned to her. “Ah yes. There is plenty of a grey area with magic. You see.” He lifted his hand up and held his hand out with his palm flat. He drew in a breath as he focused, “Many magics can be used for both good and evil. It all depends on the user.” A ball began to form in his hand, the moisture began to wick from the air around them until he had a small solid ball of ice in his palm. It was crystal clear like that of glass. “Ice can do many things. As can water.” He lifted his eyes to look to her, “Ice an be used to harm, or it could be used to cool a febrile child, ultimately saving the child’s life.” He smirked to her then as he waved his hand and the ice dissipated as if absorbed back into the atmosphere.
He snapped his fingers then and a flame appeared at his fingertips. He brought his eyes to meet hers once again. “Fire. Most place fire with that of evil. Such as the devil or demons.” He watched her a moment. “Though fire can breathe life into things. It can be so much more than a fire that burns.” He closed his fist and the flames disappeared. “There is magic of time and space. Magic of the mind.” He held his hand up and pointed to his head. “If you can dream it, I can nearly bet that there is a magic of that variety. It is nearly limitless. If you put your heart into it.” He drew in a breath. “And here I thought you said I wasn’t allowed to teach you a lesson?” Rhys let out a chuckle then. “I don’t want to bore you, Princess.” He grinned then. “And besides, I haven’t spoken to your father.” He gazed to the courtyard. His expression fell slightly as he looked to it. All he could think of was the countless hours he’d spent beaten by the queen. He would be dragged by his chains across the courtyard and tossed back into his cell. He would be unable to comprehend things for days after she beat him. He was one of the only mages that dared fight back against her in the early days. Thus, he was made as an example...again and again. Rhys realized that his smile had fallen and he turned his attention back to the princess. “What else may I answer? What other parts of the castle should I see?”
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 22:24:57 GMT -5
"Master Alister, your subjects could never bore me. They are unlike anything else I have learned and I find them quite interesting. Also, being bored is the absolute least of my worries when it comes to any subject I undertake." She gave him another smile, this one a bit more mischievous.
When he directed his attention back to her, after his thoughts seem to wander off to a different place, she gave a small sigh and motioned for them to head back inside of the palace. "I can show you any other part of the palace. Perhaps you would like to see the dinning hall. It's a place you shall visit frequently as my father enjoying holding gatherings to discuss my progress every once in a while. She lead him back through the library and down another set of twisting halls. "Are you sure you'll be able to find your way around after this? Most people get lost for the first few days. I've even heard whispers of the guards taking bets on who will be late to my lessons or have to ask for directions." She laughed softly at the idea. "Though if you are late tomorrow dont worry, I wont tell father about it."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 22:46:24 GMT -5
Rhys smiled to her in response and gave a nod. Though her final comment and the mischievous smile she offered afterward sparked his interest and he’d raised his brow slightly. Though once again, he did not question her. He knew better than that. Rhys glanced to her after he looked to the courtyard another moment. “Anything that you deem important princess.” He bowed his head. “I imagine you are quite right that the dining hall would be of interest.” He smiled as he walked along with her. He gazed to the bookcases of the library as they passed through and into another hall of the castle toward the dining hall.
“Ah yes, well. I cannot promise you that I won’t get lost.” He smirked. “It is quite a lot to take in. You’ve grown up here in this palace. You know each and every corridor I’m sure.” He took in the art and even paused a few times to look to paintings of the royal family or even statues. He would then continue on with her. “Though I promise not to be late. I wouldn’t want to displease you or your father, princess.” He spoke as they walked into the dining hall. It was just as he remembered it. Minus the soldiers dressed in black armor and the dark surroundings. It was rather light...open. It felt welcoming. He glanced around as he took in this different scenery. Things were much different than he remembered. He was beginning to wonder if he’d caused himself to slip into the phase and he was nothing more than a wandering soul at this point. What luck that would be. He would have risked everything for absolutely nothing and the mages that he hoped to save would never be freed from the evil queen.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 22:58:04 GMT -5
His answers were becoming predicable. He didn't want to upset her or the King, which was understandable, but at the same time it was... well it was expected. While she knew the excitement of such a new and fascinating subject would last for a while it was doomed to become part of the normal cycle of her life. Another instructor aiming to please the King.
Just as they reached the dinning hall a woman, wearing the simple dress of a commoner, suddenly appeared behind them and seemed rather flustered as she looked to the pair of them. Ivy had heard her footsteps as she approached and turned to great the woman with a polite smile. "Yes, Mary?" She asked as the woman gave a short bow.
"I apologize for the interruption, Your Highness, but the royal tailor has asked that I invite you to his quarters for a fitting. He's nearly done with your gown for the upcoming ball and wants to make sure that ever detail is just as you wanted it." The woman had clearly been in a hurry to find them as when she spoke she was nearly out of breath.
"Very well, thank you for coming to get me quickly. I will visit the tailor in just a few moments." She told the woman and then dismissed her which sent the woman off in a hurry once more. "Poor girl." Ivy commented as the woman disappeared around the corner. "The tailor makes her run where ever she goes to deliver the messages." Ivy shook her head in disbelief and then turned back towards Rhys. "I apologize but I must cut my tour short. Feel free to explore the palace as you see fit. The guards will guide you if you get lost and someone will fetch you for the evening meal." She gave a small curtsy of her skirt and turned to head back down the hall they had just come through. "I will see you at dinner, Master Alister."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 23:09:03 GMT -5
Rhys glanced about the room in silence as he awaited the princess to speak. Though, something else happened. He watched as the commoner woman interacted with the princess. The woman seemed worried and in a rush. He tilted his head slightly and drew his brows together. When the conversation had finished he raised a brow. “That’s an odd way to treat someone delivering your messages.” He spoke and shook his head. “Of course princess.” He bowed deeply. “I thank you for the tour that you gave me. I look forward to the dinner this evening.” He watched as she left the room. He let out a long breath, almost as if deflating. Upholding an act like this around someone he truly despised was going to prove more of a drain on energy than he could have imagined.
He turned and stepped from the dining hall and through the palace. His footsteps took him through several different corridors before he finally approached the throne room where the king would stay. He paused a moment, two knights looked to him. “Are you looking for his majesty?” One knight questioned. “You are the new advisor to the princess. Are you not?”
“Ah yes.” Rhys gave a smile. “It took me a while. I got lost.” He let out a chuckle as he stepped forward. He walked into the throne room and to the base of the stairs where he knelt on one knee and bowed his head deeply. “My king. I have returned from a small tour of the castle, I apologize it took me so much time to return to your presence. I must admit, I became lost in the corridors of the castle.” This was a believable statement. Though, for Rhys it was a complete lie. He knew exactly where he was. He was merely scoping the place out, learning what was different here in the past than what his present held. Places that he was not allowed in his time, he’d simply walked right into. Rhys slowly stood to his feet to bring his eyes to the king. “You stated that you wanted to speak to me before I begin any sort of training with your daughter?”
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 23:19:50 GMT -5
The King was going over various scrolls and books with one of his advisers when Rhys found his way back to the throne room. As the mage entered and approached the King looked over the top rim of a pair of spectacles he wore to help him read the finer print on the parchment that was being handed to him. "Yes, well that is to be expected." He stated and moved his glasses as he handed the items back to the adviser who accepted them and bowed before excusing himself from the room.
"Yes, I like to speak in private to all of my daughter's instructors before they begin lessons. Ivy may have given you a bit of the rules that you are to follow while under my employ here, but let me lay them out a bit more clearly for you." The King the leaned forward on his throne, getting close to Rhys in the process as his smile faded. "The breaking of any of these rules will result in either expulsion from my palace and country or death, do you understand?"
He rose from his throne and cleared his throat before beginning. "You are never to touch Ivy. Even while teaching her you must refrain from any physical contact. Ivy is not permitted to outside while it is dark outside, save for her balcony and which you are not allowed in her private chambers at any time of day. It goes without saying that if I call for either you or her the lesson be put on immediate hold and resumed after my say so. Lastly, never accept an order from anyone in the palace or outside that says they are my representative without having them show you a copy of my royal seal. If they do not have a seal you are to summon the guards immediately and protect Ivy at all costs. Any questions?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 23:33:02 GMT -5
Rhys bowed his head to the king, “I understand, my king. I do not wish to break any of your rules that you set forth for me.” He lifted his eyes to look to the king as he came down the stairs toward him. The tension in the room was so thick it could have formed a fog. He drew his brows together slightly as he listened to the king. Such rules. It was simple, yet strict. The mage shifted slightly as the king came to the end of the line and asked if he had any questions. “Yes.” Rhys replied his expression curious. “Do you expect some form of an attack on your kingdom, my king?” He asked as he watched the man before him. “I have been to many kingdoms and these are quite interesting rules that you set forth. I do not intend on breaking them. You have no need to worry about that.” He gave a smile. “Just a curiosity is all.” He paused slightly and drew in a breath. “If you are expecting an attack, perhaps I could be of assistance to you. I am a battle mage by trade. It would be my honor to assist you in any circumstance my king.”
Rhys bowed his head as he awaited the king’s response. He found it interesting that the set of guidelines included something about a representative. They must have a seal. Why would anyone be within the castle that did not belong? Especially when the castle felt as though it was already on lockdown. He’d felt the eyes of the knights upon him as he wandered about aimlessly. A few times he felt as though the knights were going to stop him and yet they allowed him to continue on through rooms and halls. She wasn’t allowed out in the night...and he must drop a lesson at the beckon of the king. That could prove difficult during meditation. Such an interesting set of rules. He wondered if such strict guidelines were what drove her to become the queen she was in the future. Perhaps she buried her anger deep within her soul and it would come to surface soon enough...
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 23:42:42 GMT -5
The King remained silent for a moment as he considered the question and offer that Rhys presented him with. It was as if he were attempting to construct his words very carefully before he replied. "No, there are no threats to my Kingdom." He finally stated. "The rule is simply.. a precaution. I'm sure you understand. Ivy is my only heir and I must keep her safe. Once she takes the throne she may do as she pleases but while I wear the crown she will abide by my rules." His tone had a sense of finality to it. "Your services as a battle mage are not required, though I thank you for the offer and keep that in mind if I should ever need your council."
*****
In the tailor's quarters Ivy stood in the middle of the room upon a pedestal as the tailor circled around her. A woman, wearing silken gloves, stood next to Ivy and adjusted the cloth and measured her as the tailor instructed. The woman was Ivy's only hand maiden and the only one allowed to touch her, with the gloves on, in order to help her dress and for such instances as these. "My my what a lovely woman you have grown up to be, Your Majesty." The tailor complimented as he made some notes. "I am done for the day. I shall have your gown finished tomorrow and shall I say you will look absolutely radiant, as always." He lavished compliments upon her which brought a smile to her lips but did not reach her eyes.
"Thank you. I shall return to my guest then if you are done." She told the tailor and bid him farewell before stepping down from the pedestal and making her way back out of his quarters and the slowly walking through the halls. She wasn't in a hurry this time. She wasn't expected anywhere at that exact moment and it was a rare opportunity that she was alone and free to be with her own thoughts.
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