[color=ed1c24][center][h2]Duke Strax von Catterwall[/h2][/center]
[/color]

	After a moment the door was opened, revealing a young woman and two of the castle's guards. "Announcing the arrival of Strax von Catterwall, Duke of the Free Queendom of Catterwall!" Declared Strax's own guard. His were much better trained than theirs, and would not answer a question they had not been ordered to. [i][color=ed1c24]Finally.[/color][/i] Strax thought, eager to speak for himself. [color=ed1c24]"Indeed! I heard tell of a princess who would decide her suitor by way of tournament, and decided immediately I [b]must[/b] meet her!"[/color] He answered, striding boldly through the door. The woman was already making her way out of the room. [color=ed1c24]"A member of the staff, I assume?"[/color] he asked, pointing casually at her. He waited for the guards answer as he cast his eyes over the interior of the palace. It was far more... elegant, than his own. [i][color=ed1c24]Well, my sister's now. May she rule long and bear a stronger daughter.[/color][/i] There were no visible scars or battle damage, no trophies of battle won on display. Still, it was a palace. Should worst come to worst, the guards would be able to fend off attacks with great advantage. [color=ed1c24]"So, will someone be telling my men where to take my things, or will they be searching for it themselves?"[/color] He jokingly asked the guards. [color=ed1c24]"More importantly, I am to meet the princess now, or should I head to my room first? Having spent the last eighty-three hours being trapped within one vehicle or another, I'm quite anxious to stretch my legs."[/color]