Dovore lied against a willow tree, the cool air was harsh against the old weathered bark, she stung the cord of her bow, the hum echoed throughout the surrounding area. She gazed out into the expanse, Who awaits them on their journey to Griand Rhakri?
Her destinctive white hair of House Riage flowed down her back and pooled at ground in a rough mess. She'd hardly had time to wash it since she'd left Phoenix Hall all but three months of now, she began to imagine what it would be like to feel warm water running through her hair as she heared hooves trudging getting closer.
Elissa and Marwyn rode up with some horses that seemed not too fond of the idea of the long treck ahead, an elegant white mare reeled away as Dovore attempted to rub it's mane,"Easy girl" she murmured, leaning forward to where her lips were inches from the horse's ear, she murmured some old Arvoric lullaby, it seemed the horse's demeanor had changed being more willing to accommodate Dovore as the horse bent low onto it's two knees, to allow Dovores elegant frame to saddle onto the horse. As Dovore straightened herself up on the horse, Marwyn glanced half heartedly "I never did understand how you could, speak with horses" his tone was condescending. Dovore responded grinning "Brother, if you're jealous just say it, it is okay not everyone is as talented and wonderfully kind as your sister" she punched Marwyn's shoulder teasingly, she sighed before moving her eyes back to the road ahead "Come on we have a long way to travel yet, we best not start bickering over who's the best sibling, even though you know it's me".
*The Land of Eternal Winter in the Far North*
*Clash of steal is heard in the courtyard* Grey's gaze fell away from his window back to the letter at hand, Lady Anlynese Ball wrote, "To Queen Jane Crakewood, we regret to inform you that your soon to be betrothed Ser Dustin Ball was killed when a moose caught his breastplate whilst out on a hunt and split him in two, he got a befitting end to a befitting man, though I do not wish to condole you as you may me, I have five son's and he was the third, may good fortune be upon you Queen Jane as you may need it in finding a suitor, yours sincerely Lady Anlynese" he sighed "typical for Jane just to loose her husband, how many is that now?" He tapped his chin something he did retain from his mother even if he never new her "three no four our... maybe five, damn I've lost count on how many suitors she's had, don't you agree Sir Lyonel"
Lyonel nodded, he was a man of few words which made Grey uncomfortable, he stood just shy of six feet, not a bad height for a knight, with a auburn beard and grey hair, he often wore just chainmail deeming it more robust than knightly armor, his longsword strapped to his side. Grey wished he was a knight, their shiny armor and great longsword were so cool and the women they would swoon at first sight of Grey "The Valiant ". Though he was only a sickly boy of eleven, he became weak shortly after his birth, the same time his mother died, his father resented him for it, he would often beat Grey, Grey remembered every time, every hit and ever mark yet to disappear, although his father was gone too now he would carry the scars for life. Lyonel spoke seemingly acknowledging that the boy was in his own world "Young Grey should I fetch your sister Queen Jane", "No" Grey said abruptly "I will go myself" he wanted to see his sister fight she looked so tuff when she fought none of the boys or knights could beat her, she competed in a melee at a tournament once, she won that day and it changed her faith, Though I do suppose she was always a rebel. She was crowned ' The Shield Maiden ', his father hated that name, Grey knew he hated Jane fighting, he wanted her to be a dutiful daughter and do her birth right. That was, be prepared for marriage, but no she wouldn't and that's why Grey wasn't heir, his father did something no King had ever done before, name a female heir. It was because I killed my mother Grey thought, he was right overcourse.
The sound of sword fighting had died down by the time Grey reached the courtyard, the sun was shining upon the Iron gates and the smell of coals in a furnace was warming on the harsh winter's day. "What is it little brother?" Jane asked, she was his elder by seven years, five and a half feet and the most beautiful woman Grey had ever seen, though Grey rarely left the castle, so the face of stone wall's had become his companion and dulled his image of beauty. She had her dark brown hair tied up in a bun with a warrior style braid down her neck as far as her shoulders, her hands were calloused and rested on the hilt of her blade. Grey hadn't realised he was day dreaming when Jane asked, "So little brother what have you interrupted me to ask"?