Winter Storms (Male Main Needed!!!) PAFP!!!

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    The guard opened the door looking at the healer and then at the Princess's drenched state. "It is a Torin poison." he explained to the healer who only looked more confused. "In my studies, there have only ever been three poisons the Torin use. The first two wouldn't be what caused this paralyzed state. It must be the lethal one to prove yourself." he rambled to himself. In her own mind, Kensi was in torment. Various versions of torture went through her mind as the poison seeped in. Thrashing around at the torture, she wondered why Egil would do this to her. Her fingers twitched slightly alerting the healer that something was happening. "If she fails the test, she will die. Come now Princess, fight. You didn't go through all of this to simply let one test kill you." he whispered in her ear. Twitching more, he grew slightly confident that she would pass this test.


    The healer panicked when her chest stopped moving, her fever disappearing, and the twitching stopping. The guard even lowered his head in disappointment before turning to leave with the Healer in tow to tell Egil, she had failed. Before the door could close, a gasp of breath was heard followed by coughing. The healer rushed back in smiling wide as the Princess sat up from the floor holding her chest. Her eyes locked with his "Take me to Egil. Now.". Her voice seemed stronger than it had before and held a dominance. The guard helped her to her feet then led her to the Grand Hall. She shoved the doors opened making them hit the walls with a loud bang.

    The doors flying open had the whole hall in a panic as they skirted aside, most looking in bewilderment as the princess came through the doors with a guard and healer on her tail. Egil sat up the surprise clear on his face. “Why are you up? Someone should have sent word to me.” The King narrowed his eyes at the men who had come with her, the guard shrunk back out of insinct as he strode his way down to meet them. Eske looked just as surprised although he stood back frowning to himself and quickly looking away. Egil stopped short looking her over she looked alive and stronger for it. This kind of experience wasn’t one many survived in the first place let alone be coming back so quickly. He frowned to himself. Whoever had delivered the poison didn’t expect her to live he was sure.


    “You need to lie down, it will take hours the toxins to work their way out of your system.” The King letting his concern seep into his words. He didn’t care if his subjects saw a tiny break in his emotions, he was much more preoccupied with making sure the princess would be alright. He felt almost proud though that she had managed to come out of the effects of the poison. It meant she was worthy as a strong leader. He could hear the rumblings of the Torins in the room, they were noticing that fact as well.

    Kensington swayed slightly before straightening herself. She approached the King with slightly tired eyes. Turning towards the crowd, she looked at the guards "No one leaves this room. If they try to escape, kill them.". The guards looked to Egil for conformation while she then faced him. "I must speak with you in private My King.". Walking out of the Grand Hall, she walked a few feet from the doors so no one could hear. "The wine had a note beside it in your writing. It stated that we had not finished our drinks. That is why I drank it. I thought it had come from you Egil. I know it was not you who poisoned me. You were with me in the moments before we retired. Someone close to you has betrayed you and tried to claim my life. Egil, this may be hard but we cannot trust anyone at this moment. Who could master your handwriting? Who knew we had been drinking wine together previously?".


    She paced slightly before leaning against the wall. "I agree that I need to retire but I do not trust anyone in this Kingdom aside from you. That is why I will be going to your chambers. Please think hard on the questions I asked. Surely not many could master your writing nor know your every move.". She looked around before hugging him tightly, kissing his cheek once more and walking away to his chambers.

    He gave a firm nod to the guards following her out of the Hall, keeping his eyes trained on her as they went, looking for any signs in case she collasped or had trouble staying on her feet. Egil’s mouth drew itself into a hard line. Someone had managed to coax her into drinking the poison with information only a handful would know. Nodding he looked down at her. “Get some rest.” He watched her make her way towards his chambers. Squaring his shoulders up he looked towards the Great Hall doors. There were only nine men in his army who were close enough to him to be able to know where he might be. Eight of those men were gone and the only one remaining was fully capable of forging a note in his handwriting. Eyes dimming he moved back into the room deadly serious. Sitting himself down again he turned his head to Eske, something close to regret flashing in his eyes. “Eske, do you have someone who can vouch for your whereabouts?” The King kept his voice steady narrowing his eyes. The man blinked in shock.


    “A servant could. Do you really think I would do this? Has my service meant nothing to you?” He questioned raising his voice up in a challenge to Egil. Egil blade came out in a flash and was pointed directly at Eske’s chest. “You are to be confined to your chambers until your guilt has been proven.” Sheathing his sword he nodded to the guards as two of them came forwards to flank Eske practically having to drag him from the room. “Leave.” He growled to the remaining people before he stormed his way out of the room. The lack of sleep was already chipping away at him as he made his way back to his chambers reflecting on the fact he didn’t know what he could trust anymore.

    Kensi had already made herself comfortable on his bed while she waited for him. The moment he entered she sighed in relief. "Did you discover who it was?" she questioned with caution. She knew he would be angry. She sat up in the bed before pulling off the covers and moving to the balcony window bed. "Get some rest Egil." she encouraged him as she too tried to get comfortable. Truth was, she was scared to all asleep. She hated that she couldn't trust anyone in the Kingdom but was also glad that she had Egil to help her through. It was no doubt that she felt stronger after the poison and grew more confident as well. She only hoped that it would not fade.

    Watching her get up to go to the window bed. “Eske is the only one who could have done it.” He was rather grave with his tone as he pulled his shirts over his head tossing it to the side of a room. He was too tired to care at the time only pulling his boots off before sitting on the bed with a sigh. Glancing towards thhe woman. “I have to speak to him more personally before I can pass a judgement.” Shaking his head he tried to hide his yawn before sinking on to the bed. His sword was close to his bedside. Leaning over the table he blew out the candles slowly sinking down into the bed, quickly falling asleep.

    Kensi was shocked to hear that Eske was the main suspect in her poisoning. She knew the man did not like her but she couldn't believe he would go as far as trying to kill her. Looking over at Egil who had now fallen asleep, she smiled slightly to herself. Perhaps, just maybe, she wouldn't be just another conquest. Grabbing a random book from her mother's vanity, she flipped the pages at a slow ate, sleep slowly calling for her. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep on the floor pressed against the bed.

    Egil pushes the sheets away from him sitting up in the bed. The King felt like doing anything, but getting up. Sleeping off a hang over was even more preferable to this. Leaning over the side of the bed he could see Kensi curled up on the floor. Raising a brow he pushed himself out of the bed standing and stretching. The one thing on his mind already was Eske. He had been stewing over it. Maybe it was one of the generals’ creatures that had poisoned her, but they had little motive to poison the princess. Most Torin men would rather die then resort to using poison. It was a coward’s weapon. Rubbing the back of his neck he threw on a new clothes hardly pausing to stop and look at them. Once he was done he glanced at a roughskin pouch that was laid on the vanity. Picking it up he went over to Kensington shaking her shoulder.


    “Wake up.” His voice was loud and gruff, although it was due to the fact he had only gotten a handful of hours to sleep before he woke up. “Drink this. It will help with the disorientation you might feel from the poison.” Laying the drink beside her he stood up again tying his sword to his belt. To get where he was he had to pass the test for leadership more then once. He was still here, but the after effects had always been enough to keep him down for half a day after he’d woken up.

    Kensington blinked a few times before yawning. A pain throbbed in her head as Egil spoke. "Thank you ". She took the pouch and downed it's insides quickly. Pushing herself up she felt stiff but decent after being poisoned. She dusted off her dress looking to Egil. "Shall I meet you in the Grand Hall?". She didn't know if he would want her present during Eske's questioning or to simply stay and 'rest'. She hated not being able to do what she knew needed done. By now the farmers would have returned from planting their crops, she wanted to know if the soil was indeed good. Splashing some water on her face she noticed that she felt no cold chills or over exhausted. "Egil? What was the poison meant to do? I know it was meant to kill me but I'm alive. What else did the poison do?"

    Egil took the pouch back from her setting it off to the side. The King looked her over thinking it over. “If you’re feeling up to it I would like you to be there.” Egil knew that he had a very biased opionion on Eske, he still thought of him as a close friend. He moved his way towards the door finding a guard to send orders to bring Eske before him. He turned his head around to look back towards Kensington. “It isn’t a poison that is just intended to kill. It is a Torin poison that is used as a right of passage. Anyone who can survive its effects is considered worthy of leadership. Strong enough both physically and mentally.” The King explained with a smile before crossing his arms over his chest. “In the eyes of Torins you would be considered a worthy queen.” Egil chuckled to himself, trying to keep his mood light before he had to reach a judgement on Eske’s guilt.


    Drawing in a heavy breath he turned back towards the door his shoulders slumped. “I will see you soon.” Nodding his head he turned away to make his way out of the door and towards the Great Hall. When he arrived Eske was standing flanked by guards on both sides. Eske wasn’t physically imposing when compared to most Torin men and stood with dark circles under his eyes and unkempt hair. Egil sat down at his throne with a quiet sigh meeting his eyes with Eske for several moments of silence.

    Kensi smiled to herself at his words. She had passed a rite of passage in the eyes of the Torin. Walking to her chambers, she drew out a dress changing herself quickly. She knew how uncomfortable and unsettling this would be for Egil. Once she had fixed herself to look more proper she made her way to the Grand Hall. The guards dipped their heads slightly before opening the doors. Walking with her head held high, she didn't even spare a glance towards Eske. She took her seat beside Egil before allowing her eyes to settle on Eske. She allowed Egil to take the lead on the interview keeping contact with Eske and watching his eyes and body language. She held doubt that Eske had worked alone. He would have needed someone to assist him with either placing the wine or cleaning up after him. She had already known that the note was gone when she was found. "I do not believe you worked alone Eske. Egil would have been seeking your assistance in delivering orders upon finding me. You couldn't have had the opportunity to grab the note that was left with the wine.". Her voice was calm but stern as well as strong.

    Egil watched Eske closely as Kensi appeared in the Great Hall. Eske spared her no mind instead looking directly at the King in silence. Turning he nodded to the princess before getting down to business at hand. “Do you have anything at all to say in your own defense?” Egil questioned keeping his voice void of emotion. There was a bitter laugh from Eske who’s sudden movements caused one of the guards to jerk seeming ready to pull out his sword. Egil raised his hand, the guard relaxing slightly. “What can I say Egil that you don’t already know? I have known since long before you took the name Egil Magne. I stayed with you through your victories and I stayed with you when-“ Eske played the part well, said all the things that should have tugged on Egil’s heart strings. “That isn’t what we are here about. You didn’t try to poison me.” Egil growled cutting Eske off before he could finish. He raised himself up in the throne seeming ready to strike him. Eske frowned falling silent looking back toward the two of them for several moments.


    Eske tipped his head for a moment as he heard her insistence that he must have been helped by someone. He chuckled to himself before shaking his head. “This is the evidence you have against me? A note that is apparently no longer there.” He looked at Kensington with a slight scoff. “The testimony of a woman who had still been recovering from the effects of poison.”

    Kensi's narrowed her eyes rising from her throne. "Yes. A poison you placed inside my wine Eske. Do not try to belittle my memory simply because of my recovering from poison. If wine had been left in my chambers, I would have held caution due to some people may not agree with my bowing to King Egil. Egil is the only person I trust with my life since he has not ended it or threatened to. Do not take me a fool Eske.". She had already pieced together several things. Eske was Egil's next in line. If he felt threatened enough, he could have tried to take claim on her life doubting she would pass the test.

    Eske stayed where he was although glaring at the woman for a moment. “Passing the blame to me will not help you find a true culprit.” Eske growled as Egil stood himself up looking extremely grim as he stood up and moved towards his friend. “You were one of the only men that knew where I would be and what we were doing. You could easily forge my writing and had all the motive to do it. This isn’t the first time you’ve done this have you?” Egil demanded stalking forwards with his shoulders squared forwards. Eske slowly looked away seeming to deflate. “Do it then. Put an end to my life and be done with me.” Eske said simply closing his eyes. Egil frowned to himself before pulling out his blade. His blade slicing through the man’s neck and letting his drop to the floor. The King silently watched him before he dropped his sword on the floor and walked out of the room his face and clothes now stained with his former friend’s blood. He moved quickly through the halls looking for a place to be alone. He had taken a lot of lives, but it didn’t make it any easier to think about the fact he had to put an end to a man he called his friend.

    Kensi gasped at Egil's actions. She didn't think he would murder a person he had called friend. "Clean this up! I want a proper service for him as well.". The guards looked confused for a moment "Now!" she ordered before going off to find Egil. She was sure he wanted to be alone but she knew in the time of her parents death, being alone was the last thing she had wanted. Searching the castle, she found no sign of Egil or where he could be. Sighing, she made her way outside to the pond she had shown him. Curling herself under a tree, she watched the water as it rippled. Humming a soft melody to herself she smiled to herself thinking of the song a chamber maid used to sing when she was girl "Lavender blue, dilly-dilly

    Lavender green. If I were king, dilly-dilly, I'd need a queen. Whoa-oh, who told me so?, dilly-dilly. Who told me so? I told myself, dilly-dilly. I told me so. If your dilly-dilly heart, feels a dilly-dilly way. If you'll answer yes in a pretty little church, on a dilly-dilly day.". Looking up at the sky, she sighed to herself.


    Pushing herself off the grass, she walked through the town searching for something to tend to. Waiting was painful and she hated every moment of it. "Your Highness" a man called before she faced a farmer with a smile. "Yes?". He bowed before answering "You were right about the crops ma'am. They've started to grow.". Kensington smiled at the news before doing a small curtsy and moving forward. She greeted various people during her time in town, hearing stories of old and learning of a few pregnancies in the process. She smiled at every man and woman she came into contact with before leaving to the castle. Upon reaching her chambers, she sat in front of her vanity continuing to sing the song as she brushed her hair.


    OOC: Sorry if it's a cliche but I adore that song. If you don't know it, it's Lavender Blue by Dinah Shore.

    Egil moved out to the stables and mounted on to his horse leaving the stable boys diving for cover as he thundered out of the stables and out the front gates. Slowing his horse down as soon as he got to the populated streets he silently rode through the crowds looking off in the distance putting everything right in his head again. He rode out of the town and continued on out into the forest. Weaving among the trees he felt a little more at peace. He’d done it so easily without any hestitation. Egil bitterly laughed to himself, of course he’d done it without pausing. He wouldn’t be considered a man to be feared if he wasn’t. Leaning forwards on his horse he let the horse drop its head and graze while he closed his eyes in thought. There didn’t seem to be much point to going any other direction, but forwards. Looking down the road they had road down to take the kingdom he looked towards the East. Turning his horse’s face he wheeled around turning back towards the castle. He steered clear of the populated streets, eventually finding his way back to the front gates. Slipping from his horse he strode back into the castle.


    Going down the corridors he frowned when he saw the massive ornate doors of the Great Hall drawn closed. Not slowing down in his stride he went further into the castle. He planned to go to his quarters, but did find himself gazing further down the hall to see the princess’ quarters. Sighing to himself he walked further into the hall with a light knock on the door hearing her light singing through the door.


    (I haven’t listened to the song in a long time! I forgot how cute it was ^^)

    Kensi looked towards the door with caution. Quietly moving from the vanity to her bedside, she threw a small blade from under her mattress. Creeping towards the door, she opened it holding out the knife as if to kill. Shock came across her face when she saw Egil. Dropping the blade, she backed into her room. "Forgive me. I'm still a bit on edge.". She moved aside to allow him entrance before taking her previous seat. "Tell me, what brings you to see me?". She had doubt that it was for comfort. She resumed in her brushing only this time she did not hum. She watched him from the glass to see to gauge his actions. Sighing she turned towards him "You did what needed to be done. I apologize for your loss Egil. I know that he had been a friend of yours for quite some time. Tell me something? Why kill him for simply trying to kill me? I mean nothing to you. Yes, we may be friends but I am your enemies daughter. Why defend my life?".


    She had been thinking on this matter for quite some time now. He had no reason to kill such a long termed friend for trying to take her life. He had claimed her as his prisoner and trophy though she knew she no longer was either. They had become friends of sorts now and she knew that. But why still had he killed a man he had known longer than her and on a different level than her simply for her attempted murder. It puzzled her. "Tell me the truth Egil. You would not have killed him as you had over someone you had known for a little over a months time."

    Her door slowly crept open, as soon as he caught the flash of the dagger he drew his own small dagger. The man only nodded towards the princess stepping inside putting his dagger back on to his belt. “I doubt an attacker would bother to knock.” The King shrugged his shoulders as he crossed his arms over his chest. His movements were stiff and wooden looking at her back through the mirror. “I considered you better company then sulking to myself.” A cold humorless laugh left his lips. “My loss? It was a great loss I know.” Becoming more serious he shifted his hand to his sword hilt. “I knew my friend well. He liked the thought of inheriting the Tora Empire, which I cannot mark against him. He saw you as a threat and he would have gone to further lengths to finish the job since he did not succeed the first time. Without much trouble he could have swayed five of my generals into thinking I was bewitched by you or something similar.” His eyes were slightly glazed over as he talked about his friend as if if he were a common thief.


    “What would you have done if you were in my position?” Rubbing his chin he looked at the princess. Egil done what he considered the best moment and what came most naturally to him. He put an end to the threat Eske posed. “You are right. I had my own reasons besides the fact he threatened your life and safety. It was a factor though.” The King didn’t bother to hide the fact that the murder was motivated by other things.

    Kensi looked crossed for a moment. "I would have done the same. Had a guard of my own tempted to take your life he would fall as well.". Surprise crossed her features as he told her Eske plot to murder her was only one factor of his death. Moving small things around the room, she picked up the bag she had packed previously placing it with her dresses. "Interesting few days it has been wouldn't you agree? I must admit your company has been hasn't been a nuisance during this month. It has been quite interesting. I however must let you know that i will not be apologizing for my actions the night outside your Chambers. I meant my actions.". She walked out on the balcony looking down at the town's folk moving about. How had it come to this? She couldn't deny that she had grow feelings for the King that murdered her parents. Never had she thought that she would consider a man that murdered people for the simplest things but she had also killed just for disrespect towards herself and Egil. Sighing to herself she faced Egil once more.

    Egil watched her uncrossing his arms from his chest finally. “It has been rather interesting. I don’t remember ever saying I needed an apology.” A thin amused smile stretched across his lips before he became serious again, standing where he was for the time being mugged down by his own thoughts. There was no logic or reason behind his actions either. Running his hand through his hair he watched her move on to the balcony. Over her shoulder he could clearly make out the forms of soldiers marching through the streets returning back now. His time left here was running short. “With the month drawing to a close I will leave someone here and continue on. I would like you to join me, you are already packed to go somewhere it seems.” Before he had made the decision for her, but he was giving her a chance to back out if she really wanted to. “I really would enjoy having your company.” Egil offered although shrugging to himself as he met her gaze. Egil would never beg her to come, but he did find himself drawn to spend more time with her then anyone else. It also would be a rather risky idea to leave her here on her own. Any men he leaves behind could have the capacity to kill her in retaliation for Eske’s death. From the halls he could hear the hurried footsteps as men rushed to attention. Egil assumed that his generals had returned. All that came now was laying out the plans and make preparations to move. He estimated that they would be leaving in the next couple of days once things had settled.