[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/171210/0cbb640f369676473538f9f87b7975f3.png[/img][/center][center][h3](Day of the arrest)[/h3][/center]


A heavy sigh escaped Victor as he walked towards the kings room. He had always felt nervous when visiting the king, but as one of the kings Vanguard he felt it was his duty to ensure his lords safety and health. Plus it was his turn to check up on him. Victor tightened his grip on his swords hilt as he neared the kings room, but paused as he noticed Ayla reaching the door before him.[color=a0410d] “Lady Ayla!”[/color] Victor called out to her as he hurried to her. [color=a0410d]“Apologies for stopping you, but I was hoping I could assist you with the king,”[/color] he said as he removed his helmet. His face was covered in dirt and a few scratches thanks to his daily training in the yard with his men.  

Ayla looked up to see Victor coming up to her. She smiled at him. He was a nice guy and one of the only vanguard members she saw somewhat regularly. [color=bc8dbf]“Hello Victor, I hope you are well this day. I was just going to take the king’s tea in. Is there something I can help you with?”[/color]

Victor shook his head and gestured to the kings room. [color=a0410d]“Well I was actually hoping to check in on the king, but I feel it is better to accompany you seeing as how you are the one who takes care of our lord,”[/color] he said with a small smile. He thought it was somewhat an honor to be so close to the king, but knew it was more of a womans job to aid the king with such things.

Ayla smiled. [color=bc8dbf]“I dare say I’m hardly the only one but I do help wherever I can.”[/color] She looked at the king’s door and quietly said, [color=bc8dbf]“Don’t speak to him. Just stand inside by the door and observe. He is getting worse a little more every day. He has been very irritated lately.”[/color] She returned her smile although it was a little sadder and much more tense than it had been. [color=bc8dbf]“I have to ask him some questions about something and I’m not sure how he will behave.”[/color] She looked at him and slowly opened the door and stepped inside the room.

Ayla saw the king sitting at his desk looking at a book. He was scribbling something into it  and he paid her little attention. He looked up and he had a paranoid voice as he spoke to himself. [color=f7976a]“It was him… I know it.”[/color] After that he mumbled something she couldn’t hear and appeared to try to make himself small. Ayla put his tea on the desk out of his book’s immediate vicinity.

[color=bc8dbf]“Sire, I have brought you your tea and some cookies.” [/color]The king hesitantly pulled the cookies off of the plate and shoved them in his pockets.

[color=f7976a] “Be gone, I won’t let you starve me!”[/color]

Ayla smiled at him. She felt so bad that he was so sick. [color=bc8dbf]“Sire I can bring you more if you like.” [/color]

The king seemed like he disappeared inside of himself for a moment and suddenly asked her, [color=f7976a]“What time?”[/color]

Confused she asked. [color=bc8dbf]“What time for what sir?”[/color] He started pulling on his shirt a little and ignored her. Ayla had to ask about her brother. She leaned on the edge of the chair nearest to the desk. [color=bc8dbf]“Sire? What happened with Fenros? Why is he locked up?”[/color]

The king’s demeanor became volatile and accusatory. [color=f7976a]“He is a traitor! That Fenros is a bad apple... and I like apples you can cut them and make cider with them.”[/color]

Ayla could see she wasn’t getting anywhere and tried again. [color=bc8dbf]“Fenros is a good man sir. Did he do something?” [/color]

The king stood up and grabbed a goblet and threw it at her hitting her in the arm with it. [color=f7976a]”Fenros is a traitor, and threat to my crown!”[/color]
Holding her tongue she backed out of the room. As she got to Victor she ushered him outside.

Once out of the room she couldn’t seem to stop shaking as she leaned up against the door. [color=bc8dbf]“Some days he has good days. Today is not one of them. I wish I had some medication that would make him feel better, normal.”[/color] She looked at the scratch from the goblet on her arm.

Victor wore a blank look as he looked towards the kings door and felt a sense of dread to see his king in such a condition. He wished he could use his skills to help his lord somehow, but he knew he was useless in that field. He looked back to Ayla and frowned slightly. He felt sad for her as she was struggling with her brother and the kings health. He prayed she would be able to handle herself and be able to help the king. Victor was taken from his thoughts as he saw the scratch on her arm and let his instincts take over. He quickly reached into the pouch on his waist and pulled out a thin white rag. [color=a0410d]“It’s not much and I’m no healer, but I would feel better tending to it,”[/color] he said before he held out his hand as he offered his help. 

Ayla watched him and let him tend to her arm. It was not too deep but she wasn’t used to getting this much attention unless it was orders to do something. Men never paid her any attention unless it was to stare at her eyes and that usually made her uncomfortable.  She couldn’t help blushing at his touch. He may look big and bulky in his armor but she realized he was very deft with his ministrations. Once he was done she smiled more than a little pleased at the attention.

[color=bc8dbf]“You didn’t have to do that Victor. It’s not very deep but it does feel better now.”[/color] Ayla wasn’t sure what else to say. Her mind wandering back to the king she  thought to remind him. [color=bc8dbf]“Please don’t say anything of the king’s behavior. He is much better on most days than he is today.”[/color] She put her hand on his to strengthen her plea.

Victor looked to Aylas different colored eyes that he honestly hadn’t noticed until now and nodded his head. [color=a0410d]“Of course, the reality of the kings poor health is nothing to spread around the castle. You have my word, Lady Ayla,”[/color] he said with a smile as he gently patted her hand.  

Ayla felt such relief that he wasn’t going to tell anyone that the king was out of his mind. Her smile brightened. [color=bc8dbf]“I know some people wouldn’t be so kind. I appreciate it very much. How are things going for you in the Vanguard?”[/color] She started slowly walking down the hall and so did he.

Victor couldn’t help but chuckle as he rubbed his dirt covered chin. [color=a0410d]“Ah, well if I’m to be honest it is actually sort of slow. My men and I are of course training hard, but we’ve been assigned to train new members of the Vanguard. Nothing but a pair of noble blooded boys who have a hard time making a fist,”[/color] he sighed and gave a small shrug. [color=a0410d]“Though I will admit it is fun drilling them until they drop, I can see why our old drill instructors enjoyed it so much,”[/color] he admitted with a smile.[color=a0410d] “What they really need though is a actual mission out into the country, but sadly I’m only allowed to teach them how to swing a damned sword,”[/color] he said with disappointment. 

Ayla chuckled at the disappointment on his face. He looked like he really enjoyed fighting and training. [color=bc8dbf]“You never know when things will turn violent so you must get them trained up. I can tell you one thing is for certain. If the kingdom ever had to depend on my ability to fight we would all be doomed.”[/color] She grinned and laughed at herself. [color=bc8dbf]“So what do you have to do now? Do you have to get back to the others?” [/color]Her thoughts went back to her brother. [color=bc8dbf]“Have you heard anything about Fenros?”[/color]

Victor shook his head and sighed. [color=a0410d]“I wish I could help ease your mind, but sadly I was not told much of your brother. Apologies,”[/color] he apologized with a small bow. [color=a0410d]“I will ask around about him and see if I can help, but I can make no promises,” [/color]he said. He stood up straight and sighed as he looked back towards the direction of the training yard. [color=a0410d]“Would you mind taking a walk with me? My men have things under control with the training,”[/color] he said with a smile.

Ayla smiled and nodded. It was past her time to work. [color=bc8dbf]“I would like that.”[/color] Ayla blushed a little and walked next to him. Once they were outside she visibly relaxed and gave him a sidelong glance. [color=bc8dbf]“So when you are not training or fighting what do you do? Are you one of the men who gamble and get into trouble at the taverns?”[/color]

The look on his face gave little away. She was teasing him and she was enjoying herself. She looked at his armor and asked him. [color=bc8dbf]“Do you wear your armor all of the time? Wouldn’t you be more comfortable without it?”[/color]

Victor chuckled and shook his head. [color=a0410d]“I’m not much of a gambler and I’d rather stay out of trouble, but when I have free time I mostly take care of my sword and armor, or do patrols around the castle. I must always be on the ready,”[/color] he said before knocking on his helmet with a grin. [color=a0410d]“As for my armor, it is a symbol of my service to the throne. I will live as the thrones guard dog and this armor shows it,”[/color] he finished with pride. 

Ayla smiled with pride at his answer. She was glad that she wasn’t the only one who cared so much for the royal family and what they stood for, unity and strength with compassion thrown in. She reached over and took his hand in hers a little shyly.  

[color=bc8dbf]“I’m glad I’m not the only one to notice the good that has been done in their name. I know recently...there has been a lot of unrest about what happened with Fenros and….I’m pretty sure it’s just a misunderstanding and it can be fixed...somehow. I feel that you and I are on the same page with them though."[/color]

Victor was silent for a moment and avoided eye contact before sighing. [color=a0410d]“Lady Ayla, your brother is an  amazing fighter and brings the mens morale higher up, but I have no say in whether he is innocent or not. I can only follow the king’s orders, but if there is a chance I can aid your brother in proving his innocence then I swear I will make sure it is done. You have my word as one of the thrones Vanguard,”[/color] he promised with a smile. 

Ayla looked around as it was getting dark quickly. Shivers ran down her spine. Uncertain as to what happened the other day on the training field she kept a little quieter than usual. [color=bc8dbf]“Did something happen the other day on the field with you and Fenros? It seemed to get quite intense there for a while.”[/color] Ayla looked as the outside torches were lit and the entire kingdom had a soft glow around it. She smiled at its beauty.

Victor chuckled nervously and scratched his dirty chin. [color=a0410d]“Ah that whole exchange,”[/color] he paused as he glanced to Ayla and mentally sighed knowing he could tell her the truth. [color=a0410d]“We were just trying to put a fire in one anothers belly. Seems I lit more than enough of a fire within his gut,”[/color] he chuckled as he recalled that duel. He noticed that Ayla was shivering and began to look for something that could help. With no blankets around he looked to a nearby torch and took it from the wall. He lowered it down to where it would keep Ayla warm and nodded. [color=a0410d]“It’s cold and I’d rather not have the Generals sister get sick,”[/color] he said with a smile. 

Ayla felt her joy fall just a little bit when he referred to Fenros. [color=bc8dbf]“Oh, thank you.”[/color] Ayla was tired of being seen as Fenros’ younger sister, or one of Eleanor’s ladies. No one ever seemed to realize she was more than that. The fact that Victor referred to her that way just proved that she would always be stuck that way.

Victor nodded once again and looked at the sight Ayla was so attached to earlier. [color=a0410d]“Stunning sight isn’t it?”[/color] he mumbled as he let his eyes travel along the beautifully lit kingdom.[color=a0410d] “So many have laid down their lives to preserve this sight, yet many wish to see it to ash,”[/color] he muttered with a hint of sadness. [color=a0410d]“Many like me fight to preserve this beauty. We protect the beauty of the throne, the beauty of our culture and of course the beauty of our people, including your beauty of course,”[/color] he said with a chuckle. Victor will admit that the females mind is rather confusing to him, but he figured they like compliments like this.

Ayla dropped his hand and reached up to pluck a flower from a nearby bush and tucked it in her hair behind her ear. Hearing the backhanded comment about her beauty she gave a half smile. [i]Well he isn’t very good at this boy girl stuff[/] she thought to herself. Ayla was becoming convinced he only asked her to go with him on a walk so he wouldn’t be alone.

The feeling that Victor was doing something wrong lingered in his mind. DId he say something that would offended her? Did he do something wrong? He glanced over to Ayla and saw that she had placed a flower behind her ear. Victor was a bit confused at why she put it there, but he felt himself simply staring at her. Something just forced his eyes to stay on her. He finally shook the odd feeling when she smiled and looked away with slightly warmer cheeks.

The more Victor stared at her the more she wondered why he was. Did her hair do something weird or was there something stuck in her teeth? Then she realized it was probably her eyes. Men liked her different eyes. [color=bc8dbf]“Victor? Why did you ask me out here with you tonight?” [/color]She was truly curious. She was getting mixed signals from him and she needed clarification.

Victor cleared his throat and shook his head. [color=a0410d]“Apologies Lady Ayla, but I’m not very sure myself,”[/color] he admitted. He thought for a moment and looked back to her. [color=a0410d]“If I were to be honest I would say that I wanted your company. You are very pleasant to be around and I thought this night would be perfect to share with you,”[/color] he said before rubbing his chin.[color=a0410d] “Though I should apologize for staring earlier, it was just something that caught me for a moment. It wasn’t just one thing about you that kept my eyes, but it was everything. It’s odd really, I’m not sure how to explain it,”[/color] he paused for a moment and felt his cheeks warm up once again as he looked into her eyes. [color=a0410d]“I can only describe it as beauty,”[/color] he finished, not certain of his own words.

Ayla felt her cheeks blush and she warmed at his words. [color=bc8dbf]“I don’t know what to say. I’ve never been complimented in such a sweet way.”[/color] Slipping her hand gently into his again she felt his hand clasp hers in his and she smiled. 

Victor cleared his throat and chuckled. These type of feelings were strange for Victor, he’s never had them before. [color=a0410d]“I will admit Lady Ayla, I’m a bit lost on what is to happen next. Do you have these rather odd feelings as well, or am I just crazy?”[/color] he asked. Maybe he needed some sort of training to control this sort of behavior.

Ayla stopped walking and looked at him. [color=bc8dbf]“Being around me gives you odd feelings?”[/color] She smiled. [color=bc8dbf]“I guess you could say that I have them as well.”[/color] She reached up without thinking and fixed the part of his hair that the wind had shifted and was sticking out. Realizing afterwards that she had done such an intimate thing she blushed and thought about stepping back a step.[color=bc8dbf] “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have done that.”[/color] She stepped back and ran into a wall. Not wanting to embarrass herself further she stayed there as a blush crept up her face.

Victor was a bit surprised, but he only smiled slightly and shook his head. [color=a0410d]“It is fine,” [/color]he said with a chuckle. A small moment of silence was between them as Victor began to piece together his next words. Soon he took a deep breath and spoke. “[color=a0410d]Lady Ayla I must apologize for my odd behavior, I’ve never dealt with these sort of complex emotions before and never thought I would. I know it is most likely not appropriate, but I would like to see you more in attempts to better understand and control these feelings,”[/color] He finished before realizing he had grown a bit closer and was now holding both her hands gently in his. He had also been staring at her face once again and found himself trapped in her gaze a second time. When he regained control over himself he felt his cheeks warm up a bit and took a step away. [color=a0410d]“Apologies,”[/color] he said.

Ayla found herself breathing slightly heavier than normal and she found herself lost in the depths of his eyes. His eyes were so very, very blue and they seemed to go on forever. She hadn’t even realized that he was holding not one but both of her hands. She wasn’t aware of how close he had gotten until he moved back. She squeezed his hands in protest. [color=bc8dbf]“You’ve done nothing wrong but you keep apologizing to me.”[/color]

A nervous feeling filled Victors gut as she squeezed his hands. With a nervous chuckle he shook his head and smiled sheepishly. [color=a0410d]“I just do not want to ruin what is happening right now.”[/color]

Ayla could feel her chest pounding hard and she was worried that he could hear it too. With her voice almost a whisper she asked him, [color=bc8dbf]“What do you think is happening...what do you want to happen?”[/color] Ayla was almost positive that asking those questions went against all she was taught, ladies should never be so forward. 

Victor thought for a moment. What did he want to happen? He let his eyes return to Aylas and it was as if it held the answer to his question. He took a step closer and raised her chin up with his finger as he grew closer to her face. [color=a0410d]“I want to continue to have these feelings and I want them to be for you,”[/color] he whispered before closing the distance between the two and gently planting his lips onto hers.

Ayla kissed him back and instantly wished he wasn’t wearing a breastplate of armor. She wanted to feel his chest against her hands and his body against hers. She was quite out of breath when their lips parted. Her fingertips automatically went to her lips and felt the swollenness of his kisses on her. Her mind blazed a single thought. [i] That is why ladies don’t ask men what they want.[/i]  Ayla reached her arm up and pulled him back in for another kiss. In her mind she thought [i]screw etiquette![/i] 

Victor was caught off guard as he was pulled into another kiss, but he simply went with it and wrapped his arms around her waist. As the second kiss ended he pulled back and chuckled softly as he stared down at her. [color=a0410d]“I must admit, I’m more than happy with these feelings,” [/color]he admitted before resting his forehead onto hers. 

Ayla grinned. [color=bc8dbf]“I think we definitely get to know each other better, like you suggested. I’m quite thrilled by our feelings as well.”[/color] Realizing that it must be getting very late she hesitated and said, [color=bc8dbf]“I’m afraid it’s getting late though and I need to get back inside. Will you walk me to my door?” [/color]

Victor nodded and took a step back with a smile. [color=a0410d]“Of course my Lady, I’d be more than happy to see you to your room,”[/color] he said before gesturing her to come along. He was still a little filled with his new emotions, but he regained control of himself and waited for Ayla to lead the way to her room. 

Alya smiled and hoped others passing inside the castle couldn’t tell that they had just been kissing. Wondering why he was behind her instead of next to her she turned and reached her hand back for him to take. 

With nervous hesitation he took her hand and chuckled. [color=a0410d]“Are you sure you wish to be seen with a knight of the Vanguard? Some may not see it to be appropriate,” [/color]he said as he reached her side. 

Ayla smirked to herself. [color=bc8dbf]“Who better than a knight of the vanguard to walk me to my door. You are a protector of the realm and any girl would be honored to have a man such as yourself by her side. Why would that not be proper?”[/color] Ayla stopped when she got to her door and turned around and looked at him with a shy smile. [color=bc8dbf]“I hope I’ll see you soon. I really enjoyed our walk this evening.”[/color]

Victor smiled softly and bowed to Ayla. [color=a0410d]“As did I Lady Ayla and I look forward to our next walk. Please have a good night,”[/color] he said before planting a quick kiss on her cheek and turning to walk way. He was new to this whole kissing thing, but so far he has no complaints on it. 

Blushing Ayla turned and went into her room. She closed her door and leaned against it. She raised her fingertips to her lips which still seemed to be swollen from the kissing.