The Throne Room

[King Thedriol]

Possibly the most magnificent room in the building, the Throne Room is very long and mostly made of gold. The King's throne stands at the far end of the room, at the end of a long red carpet, and it is a magnificent piece of metalwork. The goldsmith has somehow persuaded the gold to twist and turn, forming leaves, flowers, and abstract coils up and down the seat. Around the throne are several more chairs, smaller but carved just as equally to such intricate perfection. In this room, many drop by to pay their respects to the King.

[theprophet]

Cody stood outside the entrance way to the throne room. Cody doens't like waiting for anyone and is evident on in his eyes as he looks at the Father Luca.
"So Father you have yet to ask me about my strange tatoos. Tell me about yours?"
The guards look have to look up at the large Cody as he eyes them up and snuffs.

[Father Luca]

"I guess I have grown used to my own that I fail to notice them on others." he said, "Mine are two symbols that I got while I lived in China, this one on the left means nature and on the right means peace, two things I am passionate about as I seek to live in harmony."

[theprophet]

"I like them Father, I have one on my back, a huge sun with ten with twelve flames, it means that all of my life will be prospurous. Funny it hasn't been so far." Cody chuckled. The guards opened the door to the throne room and Cody stiffened. He looked at the Father as they stepped in to meet the King and present him the Staff of Healing.

[theprophet]

Cody entered along side of the Father Luca.
Cody's eyes never leave the King's eyes. He knows its impolite but he doens't want the King to even have the thought that he is weak.
"My liege, we have come from the mountains and have brought you the Staff of Healing, its legendary powers are now yours to command. I believe you could find this useful in a dire time."

[King Thedriol]

The King's eyes widened as Cody presented him with a staff. The King had little magic of his own,. but even eh could feel the throb of the power it gave off.
"My kinsmen," He said in a hushed tone, "I thank you for bringing me this gift... It is a mighty tool, and with war so close, it will definately be of usde... Please, take it to the Healing Rooms. I feel it will be of more use there... I must examine it more closely later."

The King sat back, and then sat quickly up again. "But, you must be rewarded!" He boomed. "Is there anything either of you would ask of me? Your bravery shall not go unrewarded, I assure you! What is it you desire? A position in the Army? Rich treasures? A banquet in you honour? Whatever you want! Tell me how I can thank you."

[theprophet]

Cody smiled he actually liked the king, for a while he only thought that nobles were uptight.
"No...my Lord, all I ask is refugee. I do not belong in your army. And I don't deserve a banquet. Although I am flattered by your apperciation. I only have come to seek to honor you and strengthen your kingdom, for my Lord war is near. As I speak Thren and Rael has sent assaisains after me. They are called The Circle. I just ask that you alert your guards to their presence. Prepare yourself King, Thren and Rael is mobolizing. I don't mean to bring your country harm in any way. But I have speaking too much. Your Lord I am not the only who deserves honor here, Father Luca fought beside me, I could not have achieved victory without him." Cody brushes his white hair out of his face. As he steps aside.

[Father Luca]

The Priest remained relaxed, he was never nervous about meeting royalty, it comes with the profession of being a Priest I suppose, you work on behalf of a higher power so you fear no power on earth. He bowed in respect to the king.

[theprophet]

Cody turned to the King as he continued to introduce his companion.
"Father Luca is a master of Internal Kung-Fu. He held his own against some members of The Circle, a group of assasains sent after me. He also was able to overcome a giant wolf while I was wounded. He deserves a reward my liege."

[Father Luca]

"Please, I seek no reward," began the Priest, "Other than maybe a place to stay for the night, as I have not yet found shelter." he told the King.

[thefrozenhearted]

Darhin had decided to take Cien up on her offer to join her to the ball. However he wanted to check the castle grounds first so he would be more comfortable walking through it during the ball. He had, after getting reluctant permission from his boss, walked into the Castle grounds looking for a way in. It was a hopeless quest for there were many hallways and corriders and soon found himself to be loss.

He suddenly found a door, dressed in the finest of purple, and decided to open it. When he did he found himself in the presence of Cody, a priest of some sort, and the King himself.

He just stood there, unsure of what to say.

[King Thedriol]

"You are both welcome to have any room you desire in my Castle." The King replied. "Please, choose the finest rooms there are! And if there is anything you need, just call one of the maids and have them bring it straight up to your rooms. Both of you seem to be truly great men. And while I feel that both of you - especially you, Cody, as the Father is a man of peace - would do exceptionally well in the army, if neither of you have a wish to join I will push the matter no further."

The King smiled at them appreciatively, and then noticed a third person enter the room. "Welcome!" He said more gently. "Can I be of any help to you?"

[Father Luca]

The Priest smiled in gratitude for the shelter.

[thefrozenhearted]

Darhin wasn't sure of what to say, the king was talking to him. What would he say that he came here by accident and just walk out? No that wouldn't do at all, especially here before the king. So he bowed, the words quickly came to mind, "Hello your majesty, I came here to get the feel of the grounds, for I wish to go to the upcoming ball. I did not mean to intrude." He thought of what had happened those few days ago, and thought it would be best to inform the king of the Undead, however did not want to interupt whatever conversation Cody and the priest were having with him, so he simply stood in the back. Saying nothing.

[theprophet]

Cody turned immediatly recongnizing, Dahrin. He turned to the King after motioning Dahrin to come forward.
"My lord, this is Dahrin he aided me against a Undead creature, most undoublty sent by the Circle to either find or kill me. Whatever the case is I found that Dahrin is both bold and fercious in combat." Cody winked at Dahrin, he had something to discuss with Dahrin but he did not want to do it immediatly, especailly in the King's presence.

[thefrozenhearted]

Darhin stepped up grateful for a warrior like Cody's praise, and turned to the King, "He is right your majesty, we fought a beast in the plains outside of Calamere. It was because of Cody and another girl named Cien that we managed to defeat it. If we did not I am sure it would have plaqued the travelers going thorugh the area for many, many days." He could even imagine the scene, and since the beast could not be killed, many lives would have been taken too.
"As for Cody's claim that it was the Circle, it is possible my leige, but there could be another alternitive, it could have been either Thern or Rael, attempting to bring the common people of the Golden Lands harm. Or to possibly assissanate someone of high stature. Whatever the case, it should be wise to seek out the one who summoned the creature so he can't do so anymore." Darhin felt quite bold to speak like this before a king, he hoped he did not take offense.

[theprophet]

Cody shifted in his runic plate mail. Dahrin had changed from the young timid boy in the street that he had saved to a challenging brave man. He grinned, as he looked at Father Luca and nodded as a smile creeped across his face as well. Cody brushed some of his white hair of his eyes as he looked at the King. Their eyes locked, but Cody did not fear the King. The King made him feel at home. Something a man of power hadn't in years. He his mind raced thinking about trying out for the personal bodyguard position and he continued to let his mind wander thinking about whether he should join the King's army, his troops could certainly benefit from his combat and war experience.

[thefrozenhearted]

Darhin stood there and for the first time took extensive notice of the priest standing next to Cody. He had a humble and homely face, and kind looking eyes that seemed to detest any kind of violence. As if a stark paradox to that, he could see muscles forming underneath the priest's garments. And two odd looking symbols on his arms. But he didn't mind like some would, after all Cody had tattoos all over his body!
Speaking of which, he had just entered when he heard the king speak. He wondered if Cody would go into the army. He was perfect for the job. A part of him wished he did, for he knew that he would quickly become famed for his strength. Another part of him wished he wouldn't for Darhin knew he wouldn't join the army, he might have been skilled enough in sword fighting at one time, but no longer, also he was just not fit for the role. He was too small, too thin. Also he wondered if the people, and even the king for that matter, would want an elemental in their ranks.

[Father Luca]

The Priest remained patient as the King talked with Dahrin, like the others he had no fear of the King, it wasn't a matter of strength, at least not physical strength, the authority on earth meant little to Luca, his loyalty belonged to God. Still his eyes reflected humility not arrogance, he showed no sign of impatience as the King talked of military matters, even though it was a matter he did not like. His mind was always on the spiritual, he felt the only way the physical world could ever live in harmony was if it tried to live in spiritual harmony. The Priest noticed the boldness in Dahrin's words but happily found no arrogance in them. Something tells me there will be more encounters with eachother on our path, He thought to himself.

[King Thedriol]

The King frowned. "The undead, you say? That is most worrying.... there have been no sightings of such creatures in my kingdom for centuries... Tell me, was it near a town or in the Wild Places? You are all threee of you brave men! I will repeat my offer of joining the army." He looked at Darhin. While small, he looked to be a good fencer. "I'm afraid we are rather in need of good men. Although, as I have said, our men must be loyal and fall into the position whole-heartedly, so if you wish to join, you must wish to join for the right reasons."

The King sat back, a little confused. he had lost himself somewhere in that statement.