[img]http://orig14.deviantart.net/deb9/f/2016/050/c/3/he_so_pretty_by_fenixking13-d9se5ig.png[/img]


Theodore shook his head and crossed his burly arms, a frown on his face. Did this woman truly believe that he would forgo alcohol on the word of a nobody? Rank in the dawn meant nothing to Theodore, not being a part of it, and ultimately outranking her anyways if his logic was correct. The Ocular was the leader of the Covenants sister chapter and was known only to the highest ranking member of the Dawn and whomever that person took into their supreme confidence. That was why it had remained secret for so long without raising suspicion. 
[color=82ca9d]
"No." [/color]

Theodore reached down and fumbled with his belt buckle for a moment but stopped when he realized it might look a little strange. Glancing up, he gave Tabetha and Kylie a dirty wink, finally unlocking the compartment located on the plating. The cache inside stored precious gems and valuables he didn't want on prominent display. No sense becoming a bigger target. Theo fished out a polished sapphire the size of his thumbnail and put it in Evelyns hand. 

[color=a2d39c]"Give that to the barkeep. Now, you need to understand madam, that I am not your underling. I will do as you say but my decision to do so will always remain MY decision. Tavern isn't my darn issue now. As for the armor issue. I will make you a finer deal, lass. You don't send talented craftsmen ta clean up some snot nosed recruits armor or you teach nobody a lesson. With your permission, I would like Master Stonequarry and Master Stonecrusher, along with the dwarf lass there, to accompany me to a private forge." [/color]

Theo crossed his arms and stared her in the eye as he made his request, if you could call it that. The way he spoke made it sound like a demand that one had no right to refuse.

[color=82ca9d]"I've skills to pass down. Runes to teach. I've a darn list of things I need to get cleared. Make an audience with the king for the two of us. As of this moment, Evelyn Sunderland, by the grace of my home and the grace of my master, as the highest authority figure present in the order at this time of great upheavel, I raise you to temporary Knight-Commander. Until such a time as the rightful leader can come forward."[/color]

Theo did his best to ignore the loudmouthed necromancer. Granted they should not be doing these things in public, but waiting wasn't the way of dwarves. They got what needed done[i] done.[/i] Just because they had a long lifespan did not mean they took their time.

The amount of rage that built up in the young Knight-Captain was incomprehensible but she took a moment to compose herself before speaking. From what Theo had revealed, he was everyone's superior, and one with little regard for his actions. Evelyn examined the sapphire before calling over one of the guards. [color=fff79a]"Take this and see that the repairs are made to the tavern"[/color], Evelyn's voice was plain with no serious emotion other than the seriousness with which she gave the order. Once the guard had made his way towards the tavern, Evelyn turned her attention back to Theo. [color=fff79a]"You want me to leave the four of you together with your own private forge? After what just happened?...very well then. Starting tomorrow, I'll approach the king for such a request. But know this, if anything should happen as a result of you four being together, I only see after my own" 

Hearing that Kylie had survived Starguard only reminded Evelyn of what was going on in Loringrad. Should a repeat of last events occur was something the captain did not wish to think about for a second. [color=fff79a]"Very well then, report to Doubleblade tomorrow morning. The four of you will be working together for now"[/color], sheer dread was all she felt for tomorrow as she knew something bad was going to happen, all there was to do was wait and find out. 

As if things couldn't get any worse, now Karl spoke of voices in his head. What's more, one urged him to defect. Evelyn had spoken to the elf before, at Thanermere before they ventured into the hive. At the time it was merely a growing irritability with a disfigured eye. Now the affliction had grown to create hallucinations. [color=fff79a]"Forgive me, Karl, I should have seen to your eye the moment we left the hive. The court mage is asleep right now but I promise on the morning we will have this sorted out"[/color], the night had proven to be rather exciting in a stressful, aggravating way. At this hour they'd be lucky to get five hours of sleep. Sleep which they'd desperately need soon enough. 

[color=fff79a]"Until then I suggest you all turn in for the night. Tomorrow will have no shortage of work for all of us"[/color], Evelyn was just about to head to her chamber when a familiar face arrived at the gates. [color=fff79a]"Tis good to see you as well, Sergeant. Though I'm afraid you've come to Loringrad at an unfortunate time"[/color]
[hr]

[center][h1]Meanwhile...[/h1][/center]
King Gregor sat in his armchair, gazing into the fireplace of the royal bedchamber. The crackling of the fire was the only sound to fill the room as His Majesty sat there, pondering all that had come to pass this day. [i]"I've not much time left it seems...I had only hoped to leave this world with some semblance of peace. Now that seems more a vision than a reality"[/i], he thought as he watched the dancing fire before him, warming his face against the night air. The sound of his chamber door opening alerted him to the presence of another. [b]"Are you awake father?"[/b], Prince Davon called out softly, hoping not to wake Gregor. The king slowly rose to his feet using the chair as a brace. [b]"Quite so ,my son, what has you awake at such an hour?"[/b], Gregor asked as he turned to face the door. Davon glanced back outside before entering and closing the door behind him. [b]"I'd heard a commotion in the courtyard and went to investigate. Evelyn's work it seems"[/b], Davon looked rather agitated at the mentioning of Lady Sunderland, meanwhile Gregor smiled warmly. [b]"Yes she's been quite busy since arriving. From what I've heard, her and her company have been through a great deal of hardships to reach here. To arrive here only to take on further responsibilities says much about the Templars"[/b], Gregor gestured for Davon to come forward by the fire. With some hesitation the Prince approached, a scowl on his face the entire time. [b]"Indeed, that they love to meddle in affairs other than monster hunting. If you ask me, they shouldn't be allowed in the city. Let them keep to their forts and wilderness"[/b]

Gregor looked on at his son in silence before answering, [b]"You say all this but if I remember correctly, you often wished to join them when you and your siblings were young"[/b]

[b]"I was a child then, foolish and naïve"[/b]

[b]"It could be argued that you still are. You fail to see what the Templars stand for, it is not just to vanish the evil in beasts, but the evil in men as well as mer. A good king tries for this as well which is why we and the Templars coexist"[/b]

Davon would not hear any of this, only the mentioning of King caught his attention and nothing else. [b]"Earlier today, you said that you'd announce your heir tomorrow. Have you chosen yet?"[/b], his eyes were filled with wonder an hope that his long wanted wish would come true. King Gregor placed a hand on Davon's shoulder and said, [b]"Indeed I have, but first I must ask. Are you prepared to serve this kingdom and it's people?"[/b]. Gregor's question was met with an immediate "yes" from Davon. [b]"Tomorrow I will name Vanessa as my successor. You, Rodrick, and Aedan will serve as her councils and generals"[/b], the moment Vanessa's name was spoken Davon began to stumble back. In silence he glared at his father who looked back in confusion, [b]"My decision offends you, it seems"[/b]

[b]"Have I not lived as you wished? Have I not grown to be the man you wished for, the king you wished for?! All these years all I've done was to please you, to prove to you that I'm worthy to be your son! What have I done wrong?!"[/b], Davon began to sob in anger and frustration. Gregor walked over and embrace his son, holding him tight he said, [b]"Davon you have not failed me. You've failed no one, we each grow in this world for an intended destiny. Yours was never to be king, but that does not mean you will not achieve greatness"[/b]. Davon pushed Gregor away, who looked back in surprise and disappointment. The anger the prince felt grew and grew until he could hold it no more. Charging at Gregor, grabbing his father by the neck and pushing him down into his chair. Gripping the king's neck he clenched tighter and tighter as his father struggled ever so desperately to break free. His hands scrambling to grab something to aid him he felt a bottle of wine which rested on a table beside his chair. Grabbing it, Gregor slammed the bottle at Davon's head who promptly let go his grasp of his father. Gregor coughed terribly as he gasped for air. Crawling towards the door the king tried to escape to the safety of the guards who'd be but a few feet down the hall. Davon wipped the broken glass and wine from his face and took hold of a fireplace prod. Slowly he walked towards his father who turned on his face just in time to see his son swing the prod into his face. Again and again he swung at his father and King, each time bringing more and more blood to the surface until the Gregor lay dead on the floor. Even with the deed done, Davon continued to beat the skull of his father until it caved in from the damage. 

Davon dropped the prod, his body frozen in shock after what he'd just done. For what felt like hours passing in silence was in truth only a few seconds before Davon bolted out of the room. Quickly he walked down the hall and past the guards until he was in the clear. The prince just started running. He ran and ran through the castle and out into the city and into the night.

[center][h1]The Next Morning...[/h1][/center]
Evelyn awoke to the sounds of soldiers sprinting through the castle halls. The entire place was in chaos as guards searched the rooms with little patience or tolerance for resistance. Not a moment after she'd been awoken did a couple of guards storm her room and began searching the entire chamber. [color=fff79a]"What is the meaning of this?"[/color], she asked as they practically tore the room apart. One guard had the decency to answer, [b]"Someone has murdered the king, Prince Rodrick has ordered the entire castle to be searched and all suspicious persons be brought to the king's court"[/b]. Without another word the guard then moved to pull the sheets off of Evelyn's bed. Grabbing hold of the bedsheets she held a freehand towards the guard, preparing a lightening bolt. [color=fff79a]"Your partner has searched my room enough, leave!"[/color], her words went unchallenged as the guard did not wish to be electrocuted. 

Evelyn dressed with haste before for running to the king's chamber. There she found Vanessa crying inconsolably beside the body of her father. The sight froze Evelyn to her core as she stood there, terrified. For a moment she thought this all to be a terrible dream, one she hoped to wake from as soon as possible. Unfortunately it was not and Evelyn slowly approached the dead king. [color=fff79a]"Who is responsible for this?"[/color], she asked softly to no one in particular, perhaps to the gods. Vanessa looked up from her weeping to see Evelyn standing before her. Slowly she got up, her legs were weak from shock and she quickly hugged Evelyn tightly. [b]"Please...find Davon"[/b]