Volyan's Room

[Kiju]

The coyote gave a slight shudder as he left the temple of the self-proclaimed God, Akhaenniut. Eesh, what a name that was. He sighs quietly and raises his ears from their splayed out position from the many shivers that buzzard had given him. All his ranting and preaches made the mercenary sick to his stomach, and he was a beast who dealt in war...so that's saying something. But then again, Kiju had never been one for religions other than ancestral worship, after all, you owe it to your ancestors for even being alive...although his parents weren't very celebrated for throwing him out of their home when he was just seven. But enough for that, the coyote mercenary had a job to do, and let himself back into the big building that he could actually call his home for now. Well, it wasn’t his home precisely, but he lived there.

He made his way down the winding corridors and pathways, letting his nose lead him along by a leash until he stopped in front of the fox’s chambers. After hesitating a moment, he reached one paw up, and knocked quizzically on the door until pawsteps were heard inside. Once the door was opened, the coyote would smile and nod his head “Mind if I come in Volyan? I have a few things to report about your local ‘God’.” Oh and did he ever have some things to report. The idea of letting himself get close to the buzzard had paid off by showing the coyote’s skills in a little bit of combat. So, the mercenary got close and able to listen to some of his plans, though Akhaenniut made a very serious mistake by thinking Kiju was nothing but a brainless oaf who was just a hired paw for fighting. Kiju was smart enough to know a plan when he heard one, even being given the limited information he had been…plus the assignment on seeing it through.

The coyote would reach into his pack, and pull out a book that contained various cases of Alexandros’ various accomplishments and heroic deeds “He wanted me to burn this book, I think it might be familiar to you fox.” On the cover was the imperial seal, plus the words ‘Composed by Emperor Volyan’. He sighs quietly and fiddles with it a little, having read through some of the pages while the bird raved about how he should’ve been named Emperor instead of some fox kit, how the Empire was doomed and the true Emperor, Alexandros, was long dead. He seemed awfully keen on that last one, and the coyote was beginning to get a little tired of it when he used the excuse of having to be somewhere that you’d expect a mercenary to be…around the barracks. So, he’d taken his leave, and headed on over to Volyan’s room…where he was now.

[Alexandros]

Volyan just shook his head at the book, knowing fully well about the Prime Minister’s intent to burn the book. “There are two more copies of that tome, luckily. One in the Endless Dunes and the other in Aros. One will be out tomorrow and added to the history of our land and, from there on out, it’ll continue to spread. I want you to tell him that you learned of the existence of two other books, but not their locations.” Volyan gave a faint smirk, “Maybe it’ll make him sweat…I always loved seeing him nervous.”

Volyan stood to the side, waving a paw as a signal to come in, and voiced it as well soon there after, “Come in, I wish to talk to you in private. Maybe then any members of Akhaenniut’s organization won’t be able to over hear us.” Volyan was always jumpy about talking in public about the doings of the Loyalists, knowing that Akhaenniut’d jump at the first chance to kill members of the Loyalist party. All he needed as proof and the names of members would be proof enough for him and his Imperial Order. Once Kiju had accepted his offer to come in, Volyan closed the door, locking it. He could have done it telepathically, but he didn’t see any reason to do so at that moment, let alone to show his gifts to another soul. Only Walrik and one other, Gnaeus, knew about his ability. And, of course, his father and Damian Thakis, who had ‘discovered’ his abilities when he was a mere kit.

“Burn this copy of the book tonight to prove your loyalty to that old buzzard, and when it still comes out, we’ll have won, anyway. We don’t need you compromising your position by not burning a simple book. Now, I haven’t come here to merely discuss plots and ploys, as there is plenty of time for that, and I’m sure Akhaenniut’s feathers are ruffled after that last Tribal assault on an Alexandrian outpost, so there is no need to fret over what to stop next in terms of the bird’s plans, as they actually coincide with my own – defending the nation.” That was, thankfully, one thing he and Akhaenniut saw eye-to-eye on, the defense of the nation. Just…not always in the methods to do so.

“Your past is…shady, Kiju. I know that you lived with a noble fox who trained you but…little more before that, other than you were a street urchin. Care to explain who someone of your stance, where family is everything in the tribes, ended up homeless? If you don’t, I understand, but…I just like to know about those I work with, at least, enough to the point that I can call them friend, and not just a co-worker, so to speak.”

[Kiju]

Kiju blinked at the mention of two other books “Oh? Well, that’s a surprise…but good thinking.” The coyote again smiled and nodded, padding into the chambers of the Emperor once he’d been invited in. He took a quick look around the room, before rolling his shoulders a bit, and cricking his neck from side to side “Rrf…your father must’ve done many amazing things if he has a book like that, I’d carry it around for some bedtime stories…” he smirks a bit at that “but it’s just a bit too heavy for my liking. Perhaps a shortened version would be in order?” One of the first thoughts that the mercenary had had once he’d gotten a moment to himself in his new room, was ’What have I gotten myself into?’ what with the fact that he was in the middle of two factions, powerful ones mind you, and would be working for one, and turn-coating for the other. A risky game, yes, but so was war…and you had to get what you could when it came to being a Mercenary. Besides, saying you were instrumental in the helping of getting one or the other leaders to power could prove useful, yes?

At the go-ahead to burn the book, Kiju nodded and decided to show that he knew a thing or two in something other than swords. He set the book in a bin of trash, and just…well, glared at it for a moment, before nodding and standing somewhere with his paws akimbo over his chest again. A few moments later, the book would burst into flame, along with anything in the trash-bin that was flammable. (Fire Bringer) The coyote would watch it carefully, to make sure nothing other than the book, and trash that was in there, burned. “I see. The smaller tribes you speak of are just raiding for primarily food and medicine, perhaps you could place a small shop near the outskirts that has the option of haggling?” He shrugged, thinking that would work. One of his faint childhood memories was of his parents always grumbling about how nothing but currency was good anymore for purchasing anything in the land, and in a tribe, currency of any kind was cumbersome and un-necessary.

A bit about Kiju’s past? This would normally be asking far too much of him at the moment, and the coyote was a little tense with the knowledge of how much this fox knew about him. None-the-less, he felt that Volyan at least deserved to know some things, right? “About my past…although most of it is none of your business, even if you know a lot about me…too much for comfort, I suppose I could tell you a few things. I grew up in a clan that’d been divided between those who wanted to stay with the ‘old ways’, and those who wanted to ally themselves with kingdoms like yours, and possibly become citizens themselves. My parents were the ones who took the later, and we moved into Alexandria Minor to live as citizens. That was where I lived for around…three years I believe, before my parents discovered a ‘defect’ in me, and had me thrown out of their lives. They’d conformed to a different religion and belief system than the old tribes used, and what I was…was considered evil. I suppose I should be thankful they didn’t have the heart to kill me.”

The coyote spoke of this in a flat tone, showing no emotion…which to those who knew him would know that he was feeling a great deal of grief. All he could see, or think about, was a little coyote cub in garments that his parents had torn by beating him before throwing him out, huddling on the side of a street, crying and looking the picture of complete misery. He’d been alone, scared, and completely heartbroken, everything he cared about tossed out the window. He continued a moment later in a slightly ragged voice, “I grew up as a street urchin mostly, stealing from minor noble’s manors and luckily also gifted with a skill for pick-pocketing. Well, when I was about twelve, I was found red-pawed by my soon-to-be Master, Victorius Apostolis. The rest, you most likely know about.” His story concluded, he nodded and leaned against a bare section of wall and said “Is that all? Or would you like to know more?”

[Alexandros]

Volyan’s ears flicked as he listened to the tale of Kiju’s parents actually having attacked. He’d expected something killed his parents, not that his parents had kicked him out onto the streets. Ears flat against his skill at the end of the story, Volyan’s eyes looked towards the carpeting of his room, little more than hides that had been treated to look better. “I might have been striped of my father and mother, but…no one deserves what you went through.” Volyan wanted to ask what the ‘defect’ was, but decided not to, if only to respect the privacy of the one before him, after all, he felt he had dug enough as it was. “That is all, and…forgive me for requesting you to tell it.”

Volyan’s eyes had formerly watched the flicking flames, but did little more than that. But, Volyan admitted, if Kiju could show a hidden talent, then he could, too. Maybe Kiju was just showing off, maybe not, it wasn’t like Volyan was in the head of the coyote. He didn’t have that ability. Volyan flicked his muzzle towards a scrap of paper on his desk, “That’d be the latest from my father. He is exploring Babylon, due to a surge of energy there…something along the lines of Vampires. Never was a fan of them, but one of my father’s old allies, Raphael Augustus, is a Vampire. He says he might find something, or someone, of worth there.” Volyan flicked his paw and the paper rushed to him through the air, before he tossed it, using the same ability of telekinesis, into the burning heap of papers and the book (Telekinesis). He had ice magic, but he was sure Kiju was controlling the fire as it was, and didn’t see a need to put it out.

“Anything you’d like to know about me? Well, that the Prime Minister hasn’t already told you…be they true or false.” He knew that the Prime Minister was jealous of his abilities as he grew older and that led him to tell many half truths, but just as many whole truths as well. And, of course, he tended to tell complete lies, to make Volyan look bad.

Alexandria Minor…It was founded in 3 AIS, which, based on Kiju’s age, would place him at the age of one when it was built. And, with that, would mean he moved in when he was four, considering he spent three years there before his unfortunate removal from his family. Volyan moved to sit on his bed, tail curling around his waist as he did. On the walls were various ornate things that held a very tribal feel, such as tusks of the first boar he had killed on his own, of which he had used the hide to craft armour, and the meat to feed a not-so-well off family.

“While some of the tribes in the area would be content with haggling goods for our own, those located around the base of Hero Mountain have been tainted by the Dark Lord, Cyrax. A powerful Mage of the Dark Arts who served Stratus…I think his whole affair was before your time…before mine, too.” Truth be told, he had fought Stratus, but he wasn’t around during the siege of the Dark Gate…or the siege of Jericho. Had Stratus won that battle, the third kingdom wouldn’t be around today. It owed its existence to Alexander, Raphael, and Rigmor the Mighty. “And, as for making a shorter book, I could, but…my father’s history is rather long…spanning nearly twenty seven years. Every fight, every personal conquest is in that book…though, you’ll notice, the last twenty years have been rather…slacking in detail.”

[Kiju]

“Perhaps…but then again, it is what made me what, and who I am today.” The coyote shrugs and sighs a bit, honestly wondering if he’d have been better off with his parents, rather than being found out by Victor. He definitely wouldn’t have become a mercenary, possibly would’ve followed his parents’ pawsteps and become a doctor and herbalist of sorts. Fate has many ways, and you’re a fool to try and understand why fate chooses what she will…or so he thinks anyway. “Do not worry, as I said, you deserve to know who you’re going to be working with. But then again, so do I.” His head tilted a bit to the side as he looked over at the indicated piece of parchment “Hmm…vampires, I never was too fond of them, though it’s only because they’re too sure of themselves so often. Now, that wouldn’t be too bad, but the problem is they have the power and skill to back it up most of the time…and that’s what I hate.” He shrugs and watches as the paper floats over to the fox’s paw, then is whisked into the burning trash can “Hmm…it appears I’m not the only one with a trick or two.”

“I think I’ve heard of Cyrax. I remember having to kill a few beasts that were terrorizing the country-side, the local rumor being that he’d lost control of them and they’d just gone on a rampage.” Kiju shudders a bit at the memory, having remembered just now the looks of some of those beasts. They were things straight out of nightmares, and luckily one of them used fire spells and attacks, so Kiju could just deflect them back at the others. Otherwise, the coyote might not be standing here today. He sighs quietly and scratches the side of his muzzle with a sharpened claw, being careful not to scratch too hard…lest he hurt himself. “I suppose I’ll just stop by the library or something to find other stories…maybe I should’ve read that book before burning it.” The coyote says, glancing glumly at the now smoldering heap that used to be a book. Yes, though a mercenary, he had a thing for reading, and found himself lost in a book if he could get his paws on one. He mostly favored comedic hero tales of the past, and possible future, always enjoying being able to laugh and smile honestly while living the life of a mercenary.

The coyote thought for a moment “Well, I know what all the bird has told me of you, though I don’t agree with him on anything until I’ve heard both sides of the story. While I have heard of your father’s exploits, I’ve never known him, nor his son…you. And, if I’m guessing it right, you’re around my age, so…tell me, what has your life been like living under the thumb of that buzzard?” Kiju perked his ears then and tilted his head to the side, a little curious as to what his employer had gone through as a kit. He knew about the kingdom losing its queen, and of the missing Emperor, but other than that…he’d pretty much kept out of the goings-on in the large cities, preferring to stay nearer to the rougher edges. Why? Best jobs were gotten there, so why not? “I haven’t heard much about you, just that a few years back a kit had ascended to the throne under the careful eye of his regent, but that’s it.”

[Alexandros]

“He sent them here and let them run wild; he’d never lose control of one his ‘pets’. Cyrax has control over the undead, brutal creatures that make Vampires and Orcs look like saints. They have no mind and merely bend to the will of their lynch king, in this case, Cyrax. He controls zombies of many types, as well as massive, flying beasts. I know this only because I had fought against him once…I lived, as you can tell, but it was, needless to say, hell. The sun in the Endless Dunes never shone until we banished Stratus back to wherever he is now.” It was a dark time, when Stratus was in power. The rivers literally ran red with blood, months on end water had to be tended to by powerful magi to cleanse it of blood, less you suffer the consequences. The sun, until the Dark Gate fell, was gone…life as the world knew it nearly ceased to exist due to the lack of light.

“Stratus, luckily, was before either of us…it was a dark time and it would have made matters worse, for both of us.” As to the question of his past, Volyan nodded, it was, after all, only fair. “If the information on you that I have is correct, then I am seven years older. In truth, though, I certainly don’t feel like it…” He had gone years of acting older and now, finally, he could act younger. Truth be told, he acted like a twenty year old prince, like he was always meant to, not a twenty five year old Emperor. “Still, age isn’t big to me, considering my father was ten years younger than my mother, it kinda, well, taught me never to judge anything on age.”

Volyan had to think of how to tell his history without rambling on, “I was born in Aros, going the first five years of my life without my father. You’d think after that I’d be unaffected by his twenty year disappearance, but, alas, I wasn’t. He was sent to do battle with the Orcs that once populated the region of Alexandria Minor, under orders of buzzard and the council of Elders, which are now powerful delegates of the Empire, holding land, title, and worst of all – power. My father was banished from the Empire when I was merely five, knowing him less than six months, and I suppose it was that that made me miss him so. I grew up under the iron gaze and the will of the Prime Minister, who had, from the age of seven, arranged a marriage for me. Be it luck…” Volyan flinched at his own words, knowing how cruel they’d sound with the rest of it, “Well, not luck, but fate, she passed away, assassinated by the tribes in return for us killing their King at that time.” Volyan paused. He honestly didn’t know anything else that he did that wasn’t already well know – that being, everything that damned Buzzard had told him to do.

“At the age of nineteen, I changed my outlook of life, and my habits,” He waved a paw around him, at the tribal décor of his room, “That old buzzard was furious, and I was thrilled because of it. Many called it my ‘rebellious’ stage, as many had considered that buzzard my father over the years, adopted, anyway. I then took up training in the ways of archery, hunting my first boar at the age of twenty…whose tusks still are one my wall. The rest of his went to various parts of town. I’ve hunted little more than boars and the enemies of our Nation…I never have kept trophies of my hunts, either. I respect the land and showing my ‘dominance’ over it, like any human, isn’t a way to show respect to Mother Earth.”

Volyan tapped his chin with a single digit, footpaws shuffling through the carpet of his room, “That is all I can think of; really…besides being tortured by that buzzard, as you well know.” Volyan immediately changed the subject, “So, any females of the court catch your fancy?” Volyan chuckled lightly, shaking his paws, “Forget I said that, but, how are your enjoying your stay in Alexandria?”

[Kiju]

The coyote listened to the little summary of probably many years of history, having never really heard much about it, other than the fact that a lot of folks seemed to fear the name Cyrax. Why he didn’t know, it was just a name, right? Oh well, superstitious people create superstitions…not the other way around. “I see…guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t alive during that period, else I might’ve been thrown at that Cyrax like some javelin or other.” He paused for a moment “And probably wouldn’t have come out alive.” Just judging by what he was hearing of this character, Kiju could already say he wouldn’t have been a match for him alone. An ear atop of his head splays out to the side, while the other remains perked, the sign of a canine thinking about something deeply.

“Seven years huh?” he says suddenly, snapping out of his thinking state. “Heh, you sure don’t look it…you look about the age I should.” The coyote chuckles quietly, and looks down at his body. Scruffy, war-torn, with many white, fuzzy lines along his fur detailing where scars had been from his many battles and skirmishes…he looked almost thirty, rather than the mere eighteen years of age he really was. With a slow shake of his head, he pats at his vest, and blinks as a puff of dust arises from it “…wow, I think I might need a bath.” Kiju says, then looks back up at Volyan “Any chance I could get one while I’m here?”

For now though, he just listens to the Emperor’s tale, his arms once again crossing over his chest. ’Sounds like he didn’t have it any better off than I did. Though I think he’s worse off just a bit…at least I had a father figure in Victor for most of my life, all Volyan had was that buzzard to take care of him…some father he was.’ He didn’t voice his thoughts, but shrugged and used one paw to scratch at his arm while speaking “Arranged marriages…bleh, nothing but excuses to have grand-kids I think.” A quiet grumble before he spoke again “Though in your case, it was probably to establish an alliance with some foreign nation or other…one that’d probably favor that buzzard more than you.”

“Heh…hunting, something I always enjoyed…although for me, it was hunting for my next meal when I was little.” An honest smile graces his lips now, the thrill of the hunt always having given him more satisfaction than fighting a human or even an orc. Being able to sneak up on your prey and kill it with nothing but your claws and teeth…that was always the best feeling in the world…at least to him anyway. “But personally, I never use a bow and arrow, nor even a spear, dagger…nothing but tooth and claw for me.” He turns that smile on Volyan, showing why he was confident in his fangs…they were nice, pearly white, and razor sharp.

“But yeah…it’s been awhile since I’ve done any hunting recently…mainly since I had the money to buy food rather than hunt for it and exhaust myself.” The smile lowers to nothing more than a grin at the next bit “Any of the ladies? You mean those made up dolls are alive? Heh heh, no, they’ve never caught my fancy…and I doubt they’d do much more than faint if I decided to smile at one.” He winks at the fox “Besides, I think there are others here that’ve caught my fancy…”

[Alexandros]

“It wasn’t that. She was his adoptive daughter. By us marrying, he’d be, legitimately, the ‘heir’ to the throne, should I die before I have a kit myself. Thus, the assassins, truly, did me a favor. I expected to be assassinated the moment we got married, so he could place himself at the head of the Empire he already thought as his.” Volyan shuffled a bit, before scooting back on his bed, so his footpaws were crossed on the bed, rather than dangling to the floor.

“A bath? Well, there are three in the palace, and four in town. Two of the ones here, and the four in town are public bathes, the last of the ones here is my own private bath. You can use it, if you like. Isn’t like I haven’t loaned out its use before, after all.” Walrik and Akbar, mainly, requested to use it. The former had a wife and didn’t like to go down to the bathes due to the fact he was constantly being flirted with by females, and the other was, well, shy.

Volyan raised his paw, rotating it to show off the trimmed claws. His teeth were sharp, too, but he hadn’t much practice trying to kill something with little more than his paws. “Well, see, that’d be a problem for me, wouldn’t it? I use either telekinesis to kill the creature, or my trusty bow. The latter of which has saved my arse quite a few times.” Volyan chuckled somewhat at the use of profanity, having hardly sworn at all during his life. Of course, there were certain moments that deemed it useable…besides the combo of ‘damn’ and ‘buzzard’, of which he used quite often.

Dwarves had, for centuries, been fiddling around with something they called a ‘gun’. It didn’t work, but it was quite an interesting concept. Maybe in the future the gun would replace the bow, but until that day came, the bow would remain the ranged weapon of many. Volyan nodded at the words about not hunting lately, “The buzzard has deemed wild boars a protected species…to prevent me from hunting. There are other creatures in the jungles and swamps around here, but…the boar was the only one I deemed worthy, considering it’d attack without warning. Blinded by anger for being hunted for generations, which, truthfully, is an understood hatred of all things on two legs.

Volyan couldn’t help but laugh at the comparison between a doll and the various females that made of the nobility of the city, “I can see why you’d think that. I myself don’t like them for their stuck-up nature…that or their idea that they can woo any male they please, even an Emperor.” It wouldn’t have been the first time one of the overly dressed females of the court had tried to woo him into bed, certainly not the last, either. Volyan blinked at the wink, but grinned lightly, “Well, if these overly dressed ‘dolls’ aren’t to your liking…then who’d you meet in town that you do like? Honestly, I could use with a bit of an interesting story and, well, this is just that. Walrik has been doing nothing lately other than going on about the number of Loyalists he has recruited…so, tell me, what is she like? What species is she?”

[Kiju]

“Ah, I see…” was all he said. Well, that would’ve definitely put the young Volyan in quite a predicament if that bird had been viable to ascend to the throne. Something told him things wouldn’t be all that good if he was in a place of power, so he just said his thanks for letting this fox stay in power, and alive. “Well, I can assure you, I’ve had many meetings with assassins in my life, and I’ve killed plenty of them. Although most of the time they just either run once I show up, or kill themselves so they aren’t captured alive. It’s the later I’m glad I never get to face…since they are the most skilled and deadly.” He let out a quiet sigh, remembering one panther assassin that’d made an attempt on his life once, only a week before his eighteenth birthday. What a present.

Back then, the coyote had only begun to truly master his swords, so he wasn’t quite as skilled as he is with them now. He remembered fighting the panther in a tent, which, luckily was thin, so sounds of the coyote’s mid-battle howls and snarls were heard by the guards, and the panther killed himself before reinforcements even arrived. He shakes his head and scratches a long scar along his arm that he’d earned that day. Just another thing to brag about at a drinking hall, eh? “Hmm, well, I think I’ll take you up on that offer…I’m not one for public baths, can’t quite keep myself um…calmed down enough.” Oh boy, had he gotten quite a few stares on his first time to a public bath…his face was almost as pink as the tiles by the time he’d had it and ran out with a towel around his waist. He wasn’t embarrassed about being around so many nudists, oh no, he’d actually enjoy going out in nothing but his fur if he had the choice…it was just the coy grins and winks he got while sitting in the hot water. Some of the flirters weren’t quite so…subtle, either.

“Well, I suppose one could use a bow…or magic, but I’m not one for that, I don’t think it’s…well, fair to do that.” A slight smirk to cover his embarrassment earlier about thoughts of going to another public bath “Besides, all you need to know is how to sneak up on them, the rest you can do with strength…and I dun think you’d be able to dull your teeth, unless you eat rocks.” A soft chuckle at that, before he sighs and looks at the boar tusks “…he must’ve been a big one, and that’s a good thing you did, giving his meat out to others who need it…I probably would’ve taken it for meself just in case my next meal never arrives.” He shrugs, and just twitches an ear…how long has it been since he’d had fresh meat? A few weeks for sure.

“Oh I dunno…” the coyote put on a sheepish grin and just looks down at his foot paws in embarrassment, making him look a bit more like his age “Um, well…I don’t…have anyone really.” He gives a slight shrug, and shuffles a bit in place “I mean, I’d like to find someone, but…I haven’t found anyone with the um…things I like.” He couldn’t bring himself to say it, that’d be telling way, way too much to an almost complete stranger…and he might end up with his head in a basket if this fox was anything like his parents…no, he wouldn’t say it…he most likely never could…

[Alexandros]

Volyan gave a faint chuckle at that, knowing it was something many males suffered from, “Supposedly passes with age, I didn’t believe them so I had my own bath installed. What can I say, didn’t think it fit my Emperor-ly manner…” Volyan gave another faint chuckle at this. Normally, he would had been shy and quiet around such subjects, but bathhouse conversations were a common thing around Imperial Sobekia. In fact, it had spread to Jericho and, probably the Orcs, too. Though Volyan truly doubted the latter of those, as Orcs prided themselves in scaring an enemy…even if it is by mere scent. And to a canine or Vampire nose? The scent could very well kill.

“Things you like?” Volyan asked, tilting his head, “Like, in, money? The ability to hunt? Skills with a sword, etc? Or as in – land, title, etc?” Volyan was utterly confused, as this was something that just…went over his head. Foxes prided their intellect, but there were some things that not even a fox could comprehend without understanding the concept behind it first. Volyan finally gave up, waving his paws slightly, “Well, you can chase after whatever you want, y’know. So long as it isn’t a noble, you won’t have to deal with courtship and all, and, it seems, you don’t quite like the nobles around here, dress up dolls as they are.”

Volyan glanced around the room, thinking of something to talk about. He was never good at conversation, only really attending military ones and, well, this was far from military. “Have any past loves? Or did your Master forbid them?” Volyan asked, tilting his head to the side in that ‘cute’, pup like fashion that most races could attain by the mere turn of their head. “That buzzard forbade me from taking up any relationships, afraid it would ruin the royal blood. Tch, some excuse. He just wants to set me up with a female he can adopt, so he can wield even more power.” Volyan had an idea, and springing from his bed, he made his way to his desk, dabbing a quill in ink before he started to write. Stamping it with the Imperial Seal, he gave the note to Kiju. “Take this to him,” Volyan knew that Kiju’d know who ‘he’ was, “Tell him you were to deliver it to Celica, she is a loyalist to that bird. If he doubts his own supporters, we can further isolate him, and perhaps get more of them to join our side of this civil war fought in the shadows…” Kiju had another use – the ability to take letters written by Volyan as a ruse directly to the bird, who would further praise Kiju and would allow the Loyalist’s plans to work their magic at a much faster pace than ever before.

[Kiju]

“Feh…they say immaturity passes with age too, and yet it’s still around even today in adults, and sometimes old ones too.” That was only his opinion, but…in some cases true. You’d easily find seventy year old men and women who had a temper like that of a two year old…so, age has nothing to do with it in this coyote’s opinion. “But thanks for letting me use your bathing room. Er…where, exactly is it?” He tilts his head to the side a bit, wondering where in this large (and impressive) palace a bathing room would be located. Probably on the bottom floor somewhere surely, but that didn’t narrow it down very much. There was a door besides the one that led into the main hallway, and Kiju made a rough guess that that door would lead him where he wanted to go, so, he uncrossed his paws, and padded over to the door, trying it, then opening it to peek inside. Luckily, he was right, and it was a pretty nice sized one too. “I’ll be right back…” he said, then took his leave of the room, being sure to close Volyan’s door behind him.

The coyote made his way to his own room, and unpacked some things from the pack that he carried on his back, setting them down on the bed, and only then taking a look at his room. He let out a low whistle for admiration, and thought that perhaps his luck was changing for the better, if he was being given such lavish chambers. With a shrug, he dismissed it for now, and got about to finding some things he would need for his bathing, preferring to use his soap and brush, rather than the prince’s…after all, one didn’t share such things…much. He also got out a change of clothing, the only difference being that of different colors and patterns in the vest and loincloth, plus taking out a towel that helped his pack serve as a pillow for when he was out in the wilderness.

He returned a few moments later to reply to the Emperor’s later question, “Err, no, not…things like that. I could care less about that, but it’d be nice if they could at least defend themselves.” This coyote was growing tired of protecting others and having to look out for those much older than he. It was his thoughts that led him to the conclusion of…he wanted someone who could look out for him for once, or at least be capable enough that they didn’t need Kiju’s eye constantly on them in case of an attack or something.

Seeking to avoid further conversation on that subject, the mercenary made his way into the bathroom, taking his spare clothes with him and the various toiletries that were required, and set them down on the floor beside the large (and rich looking) pool. Judging by all the candles and dim lighting, he’d say it was a fairly romantic looking scene…but he was thinking too much. He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts, and stripped himself of his garments and swords, setting them to the side and stretching out once they were off. He yawns widely, his pink tongue curled at the bottom of his mouth. Jaws close again with a light click, before he begins to slip his left footpaw into the water, going at it slowly, until he got both legs in. Then, he began to sit, a light, pleasant noise starting up in his throat and chest at the sheer warmth that began to make his skin and fur tingle a bit. He sat himself down on the ‘bench’ that always was in these baths, and just leaned back against the edge, his head and most of his neck being the only things still above water.

A long, drawn out sigh was given from relief…and happiness. It’d been awhile since he’d been clean, and to be honest…he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had a ‘civilized’ bath. Most he ever got was rain, if that. “If nothing else, being rich would be nice if you could afford a bath like this…” was the idle comment given to the fox, as he soaked in the hot water, just enjoying it for now…although that didn’t last long as the next question startled the coyote, and he couldn’t stop the brilliant pink blush that formed on his khaki cheeks “I, uh, well…” Kiju fidgeted on the bench out of embarrassment, and then held up a paw with his index-digit up “I…I had um…o-one.” Was all he said, before lowering the digit back down into the water. He hoped the prince wouldn’t ask who, or what he’d been with, since that might not be a good thing to tell.

[Alexandros]

Volyan, having nothing to do, thought about how to get his father here, and how to describe Kiju for his letter. After all, his father wouldn’t know who was against him, or for him, when he first arrived without proper description. Of course, when he got to the inn that was in the Loyalist part of town, he’d be safe as it was.

Volyan, well, got flustered as Kiju began to remove articles of clothing and, Volyan closed the door most of the way, to leave it open just enough so the two could hear one another, and reply to any questions that may or may not had been asked. Volyan nodded his head, more out of habit than anything else, at the comment about having money, “Local rivers help a lot, too, you know. Far more private than the local bathhouses, but work in the same manner, save, of course, that you have to supply your atmosphere.” He was, of course, referring to the various candles, etc, that he had set up in his private bath. It wasn’t for romantic reasons, as Kiju had thought, but it was more of an escape than anything else, and Volyan allowed himself to get lost in the warm waters for hours at a time, to let the worries of his days just…wash away.

“One? One more than me.” Volyan muttered, walking towards his desk and dipping his quill into the ink. Writing another letter, this time to his father, he spoke once more, his voice at the same tone. If coyote ears were as good as his, well, there was no need to raise his voice. “Well, if you want to tell me about it, you can. Most keep stuff like that locked away, though. Say it’ll open old wounds. I say that if it can still open an old wound, that it never has truly healed…” At least, that was his philosophy on the subject.

“Of course, I have never been in that situation, so perhaps it is just like the blind leading the blind. What right does one with no information on a subject have when it comes down to actually talking about it, after all?” Another dabbing of his quill into the ink, and more writing. He’d need a messenger to send this to a Loyalist outpost near Ancient Arakos…then they could send it by boat to Babylon, or that general area. And then, his father’d know of the new Mercenary and could expect help from him. After all, Alexander only had Volyan’s words to know who was on their side.

“Considering the fact you didn’t mind striping,” Or starting to, anyway, “before me, it wasn’t embarrassment or shyness that drove you away from the bathhouses, eh? I don’t see a lot of females, to be brutally honest…they tend to come in packs, no pun intended, to the bathhouses, when there is a lack of males.” Volyan, signing the letter before him, sealed it with his stamp, and placed it in an envelope of sorts, before setting it next to his bed, so he’d remember to send it out in the morning. He could have asked Kiju, but…the coyote was already doing enough for him and their cause.

[Kiju]

“Yeah, I s’pose they do…but they aren’t quite as warm as this, and plus…you might be drinking out of that river soon, so why waste the water for those down the line?” He says, and looks back to see the door closed. He wondered why…then blushes and looks a bit to the side, mentally smacking himself for stripping in front of the Emperor…not something one does. Oh well, what’s done is done…and his paws aren’t in cuffs, so it isn’t as bad as it seems. “It wasn’t…the females that embarrassed me, though they did a good job of it quite a few times.” He grumbles for a moment and remembers one wolfess who’d managed to pin him against the wall with a smile on her muzzle that said ‘I’m in heat, and you’re going to fix it.’ That’d been an interesting moment…and luckily Kiju had been able to get his tail end out of it by telling her his little secret…which gained him a friend to say the least, though one who liked to tease…a lot.

“Yes…one.” He repeats, and looks down at the water “I do have a few wounds from it, but…I’ve learned to live with them.” That was a lie. He may be able to deal with physical wounds, but ones of the heart never healed…or so he thought. Should he tell this fox about it? What would he think? “…I…I guess, I could tell you. But, on one condition…that you come in here. I’d prefer to say it while looking at you, rather than having to shout it out.” He looks once more at the door, his ears folded back against his head, but not quite flat…they just pointed backwards is all. He was risking a lot by telling the Emperor this, but he figured he might as well get it out to someone eventually…and who better than a fox?

He thought that perhaps if this fox was comfortable enough with him to see the coyote nude in a bath, then he’d be comfortable enough with his secret. And if not…then hopefully the coyote could plead the ‘well you liked me before’ routine. If that didn’t work…then hopefully he’d at least be allowed to live…hopefully…

[Alexandros]

Volyan nearly fell over in his chair at the request to hear about his past love. It seemed out of place, that was for sure, but Volyan was able to catch himself before he did tumble backwards. “W-what?” Volyan muttered, looking towards the door. The question was so faint that he hardly heard himself say it, thus he knew Kiju’d never hear it. Was it that bad to admit to another their former love? Volyan was suddenly…weary of falling in love, but shrugged it off. You deal with problems as they come, you don’t create them before they are needed.

Volyan nodded to himself and scooted back in his chair, the legs making marks in the carpet as it did so. Standing and unceasing his clothing, he walked towards the semi-closed door and opened it, walking into the candle lit room. Luckily, the candles provided enough light for him to easily see, but not enough to make out anything under the water. Volyan was quite sure he’d be flustered and rather out of place if it illuminated under the water, as well as above.

“Is it that important, Kiju that you’d call me in here rather than just telling me? After all, these walls are thick – no one else would have heard you.” Volyan glanced to the side and took a seat on one of the squared edges, shifting to get as comfortable on the cold stone as he could. “Well, I am here, then…who was she?” Volyan asked, keeping his eyes transfixed on Kiju’s own. Some say that scent was enough to determine mood and if one was lying, but Volyan had long since learned that scent can be altered…ones eyes, though, can be read for the real truth. As they say, the eyes are the window to the soul, and only by lying to yourself can you change the outlook of your soul.

[Kiju]

The coyote was a little surprise in both a good, and bad way, when he heard the faint shuffle of a chair moving against carpet, followed by the door leading to the bathroom opening. It was then that Kiju turned around in place to face the fox as he entered, waiting until he was seated before speaking. “The reason why is because…I’ve never actually told anyone about my love life, and only one other knows why. Well, besides my parents…” He hesitates a moment, and looks down at the dark waters, just staring at them, then looking at the lit candles. The coyote becomes faintly mesmerized by the flickering light, and extends his paw until he can just touch it, when the flame jumps from its wick, into the coyote’s upturned paw. It grows larger until about the size of a fist, which is when he takes it into both paws and holds onto it, cupping it like he would a tiny creature.

He stares into it for a few more moments before actually starting his…confession of sorts. “My love life is…complicated, to say the least. Now, I know love is never simple, in fact, even a normal relationship has its many twists and turns that most often lead to a dead end. But for me, I wish it was just easier for me to get to even that stage in life, rather than what I have to do.” His voice was soft and quiet, and he sounded a lot more like an eighteen year old, rather than his apparent thirty-odd years. “You see…when I fall in love with someone, it is very…very rarely returned, for many reasons…but one is paramount to others.” He says, then looks up at the fox for a moment, his eyes reflecting the flickering flame cupped in his paws “When I look for a…partner, I don’t look at the many females that inhabit the lands, even if they’re the fairest, prettiest, strongest, smartest…it doesn’t matter to me, the opposite sex just…does not appeal to me.”

Kiju’s gaze drops back down to the flame, which dwindles, and slowly floats back to its wick, the coyote’s nose following it until it’d reached its destination. Then, he looks up at the fox again “If this confuses you, do not worry…you are not alone in this, even I am mystified by it. But…this is beside the point, you wished to know about my lover, did you not?” the coyote took a deep breath, and held it for a few moments, then let it out in a sigh while nodding, as if making up his mind about something. “My first lover was with a mercenary company I joined while I was just starting out. He’d helped me gain entry into it, helped me learn more about my skills in fighting, and even introduced me to a hedge wizard that aided with my magick studies. He was a wolf, his name was Brunhi.” There…he’d said it. His first lover was male.

“The only reason why I’m not with him…” Kiju looks down at the floor again “…last Winter, we were in a raid on an Orc village, since they’d captured a noble’s daughter. The mission was simple enough, get in, secure the girl, then get out. We’d gone into the village, though it was quiet…too quiet. A scout was sent out, but he never returned. So, we bunched further together, and went on, making our way into the small castle where she was being held captive. We got to her chambers, and found out that this was all just a trap…someone had set us, the entire company up to be slaughtered.” The coyote bit his lip at this, and took a few moments to recover before continuing “Over three hundred berserkers had been stationed in that castle…while our numbers only went up to one hundred-fifty seven. Needless to say…many of us were killed, Brunhi included…he died because I was a fool and got the two of us lost. He held off three of them in a hallway while I escaped through a window…only four of us were left…we split up after that, and went on by ourselves.” There…that was his pleasant love life…now to see how the fox reacts to it.