To Pierce a Steel Heart (MT, IC, Ended)

[Camelone]

Deciding to address Maria first, who for some reason was hellbent on finding someone to fight "The weather must be a little warmer for me to call a Grand Tournament so perhaps before you the three months are over I will put the call out. Oh yes I do remember about that now, quite interesting." Frederick said before he turned to Kirie intrigued by what she had to say.

"Kendo? I have heard about that before and have watched a few videos on it, that martial arts seems very interesting. I would thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to be taught a bit about it by you if you would give me the honor." Frederick was genuinely interested by the foreign martial art having grown up with boxing, wrestling, jousting, and of course he knew how to fight with an arming sword and trench knife as well.

The kitchen door opened and three servers entered into the dining hall with a platter each placing it next to each of the occupants, removing the cover they revealed an assortment two parts of the main dish a large cut of beef with pike right next to it, a mixture of sauces and salad were on top of the meats, a steaming bowl of vegetable pottage, several small pies smelling of either meat or fruit, and steamed vegetables.

"Ah thank you all and convey my thanks to Chef Gunner would you?... Would you please stay and pray with me to give thanks?" Frederick asked to which the servers didn't see any reason not to.

He turned back to his two guests "The reason dinner is so large tonight is because I am welcoming you both to my home so it shall be less from now on. The chef is working on the rest for you Duchess Maria. Would you also excuse me for a moment I wish to pray before eating."

Frederick crossed himself with the other Cameloneans in the room following suit and began said a quick prayer in Camelonean and added "And I give you thanks Almighty for the safe arrival of my guests. My find the strength they need in this meal that you so mercifully allowed us to have. Amen" Crossing himself once more he thanked the servers again and said they would be free for the night, Odilo would cover for them to which the named servant just rolled his eyes with a smile.

[Kuronami]

"Well, I'd be happy to teach you. It's a bit challenging but you may pick up on it pretty easily as will Ms. Maria-san." As the food was set in front of her, quite a big meal indeed, she put her own hands together and bowed her own head for the blessing. Once that was finished she said "Itadakimasu."

[Camelone]

"I will look forward to it eagerly, especially if you say that it will provide a challenge." Frederick said with a small smile as he began eating the pottage first, he held up a single finger to Odilo who walked over and grabbed the pitcher of water and poured it into Frederick's glass.

Turning to the two guests Odilo explained "Hold up one finger for water, two for mead, and three for wine." His English was heavily accented but it got the point across nonetheless.

"So would either of you be interested in accompanying me on a hunt early tomorrow morning? On one of my rides through the hunting grounds recently I thought I caught a glimpse of a white stag, I think it may still be here as my Hunters have also been reporting back something moving through the snow swiftly but never able to see it fully. It could simply be the winter weather playing tricks on our eyes but if that be the case a ride through the woods will not be all for naught despite the frigid temperatures." Frederick asked, excitement showing in his eyes at the prospect.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria was immediately excited at the prospect of a hunt, and she nodded eagerly. "What do you hunt with around here?" she asked. "Guns...bows...dogs? It's all very enjoyable." She held up two fingers and smiled as the glass was filled with mead before continuing, managing not to speak with her mouth full but still devour the food incredibly quickly between sentences.
"My family hunts a lot, but when my dad does it it's for food. One of his obsessions, even though we are the second-richest family in the whole country, is to eat food he's killed himself. Growing up we had some...rather interesting dinners, I won't lie. Did you know, really weirdly, that falcon doesn't taste nice? I know, how weird?"

[Kuronami]

Hunting eh? She'd never been but her brothers certainly had. "I-I would be interested in going." She did kind of hope bows would be used though she wasn't a great marksman at least she had experience in archery. "Even if we don't find anything, a trip through the snow covered wilderness can be quite soothing, don't you think?"

[Camelone]

Maria was immediately excited at the prospect of a hunt, and she nodded eagerly. "What do you hunt with around here?" she asked. "Guns...bows...dogs? It's all very enjoyable." She held up two fingers and smiled as the glass was filled with mead before continuing, managing not to speak with her mouth full but still devour the food incredibly quickly between sentences.
"My family hunts a lot, but when my dad does it it's for food. One of his obsessions, even though we are the second-richest family in the whole country, is to eat food he's killed himself. Growing up we had some...rather interesting dinners, I won't lie. Did you know, really weirdly, that falcon doesn't taste nice? I know, how weird?"

"Usually bows and specialized spears for the animal like boar or bears. Guns are usually used only for bird hunting. Hunting is a rather popular activity among the nobility here, almost more popular than jousting. Because it is a deer that we are going after we shall be using bows. I take it that both of you can ride a horse rather well? If not one of you can ride with me." Frederick stated matter of factly. It seemed that he had touched upon a subject that Maria had a great love for, so at least he would have something to talk to her about that wasn't just about fighting.

"I would expect that a bird of prey would not taste like a mere chicken." He said shaking his head with the slightest of grins.

Hunting eh? She'd never been but her brothers certainly had. "I-I would be interested in going." She did kind of hope bows would be used though she wasn't a great marksman at least she had experience in archery. "Even if we don't find anything, a trip through the snow covered wilderness can be quite soothing, don't you think?"

Noticing a slight hesitation in her voice Frederick turned towards Kirie "Yes the Lord's creation is truly breath taking during the winter, seemingly devoid of life lends to it a rather supernatural feel. Riding through my lands is a favorite past time of mine for not only do I get some peace and quiet for the hectic life of royal life but I also get to such beauty that is not matched till tonight." To that last part he leaned back with a smile though he was watching to see how either one would react to the vague compliment that he didn't specify who it was to.

[Kuronami]

Noticing a slight hesitation in her voice Frederick turned towards Kirie "Yes the Lord's creation is truly breath taking during the winter, seemingly devoid of life lends to it a rather supernatural feel. Riding through my lands is a favorite past time of mine for not only do I get some peace and quiet for the hectic life of royal life but I also get to such beauty that is not matched till tonight." To that last part he leaned back with a smile though he was watching to see how either one would react to the vague compliment that he didn't specify who it was to.

"I mentioned to the kind people who helped me that I really love the winter and snow. I'm looking forward to this. I don't know -- I mean --" She didn't want to admit another shortcoming when she had a complete vixen next to her "I'm not too bad with a bow either."

[Greater vakolicci haven]

"what was that?" Maria grinned as she put her fork down and laughd slightly, "Careful Frederick...you're risking becoming a flurt. But yes, I can ride a horse."
She stretched in her chair before spearing a piece of meat with her fork. "Falcon tastes evil," she explained, "It's extremely gamy and tough meat. And leaves you feeling ill the next day. With such wonderful food on offer here, I don't think we need to dip to birds of pray. However...will we be eating the deer once we have killed them?"

[Camelone]

"Lady Kirie if you do not feel comfortable riding by yourself you may ride with me on my horse, it is nothing to be worried about. I am glad you can use a bow though it shall make the hunt a little easier all in all." Frederick said his voice warming up a bit to her, at the dinner table he seemed to be loosening up a bit then he was earlier in the day.

"What me a flirt? Never. I am happy that you know how to ride a horse though Duchess Maria it makes sorting out who rides with who without making it an awkward decision for me." Frederick held up three fingers then held up one signaling he wanted watered down wine. "As for the falcon tasting... odd I would expect as much. Now when it comes to the white stag I do not know if it will be even possible to catch a glimpse of it once more, folklore says that it is an emissary of the afterlife so I wouldn't eat it but I will hunt it, such a divine beast would certainly be a great gift to the Church." He was revealing his superstitious side slightly and coughed slightly to recover.

More food was brought out and set in front of Maria and Frederick told Odilo to begin the final preparations for dessert.

[Kuronami]

"Lady Kirie if you do not feel comfortable riding by yourself you may ride with me on my horse, it is nothing to be worried about. I am glad you can use a bow though it shall make the hunt a little easier all in all." Frederick said his voice warming up a bit to her, at the dinner table he seemed to be loosening up a bit then he was earlier in the day.

"What me a flirt? Never. I am happy that you know how to ride a horse though Duchess Maria it makes sorting out who rides with who without making it an awkward decision for me." Frederick held up three fingers then held up one signaling he wanted watered down wine. "As for the falcon tasting... odd I would expect as much. Now when it comes to the white stag I do not know if it will be even possible to catch a glimpse of it once more, folklore says that it is an emissary of the afterlife so I wouldn't eat it but I will hunt it, such a divine beast would certainly be a great gift to the Church." He was revealing his superstitious side slightly and coughed slightly to recover.

More food was brought out and set in front of Maria and Frederick told Odilo to begin the final preparations for dessert.

"I'd be appreciative to ride with you. I'm afraid I'm not a seasoned rider so having support would be great. Thank you." She finished eating her main course and set her knife and fork exactly parallel on her plate "I've never tried falcon, mostly small game like rabbit."

[Camelone]

Frederick gave her a small smile that almost couldn't even be seen "You are most welcome Lady Kirie, it is not only a kings duty to aid others but also a gentleman's duty to help. We will be leaving early in the morning please think about waking up at 4 in the morning or a little earlier, and do make sure to eat something before we leave." He advised as the dessert was brought out and laid out before each of them, it was a smaller than normal bowl.

"Now this isn't a Camelonean dish at all but I have a rather fond enjoyment of rice pudding." Frederick said a little sheepishly before he kissed three of his fingers and pressed them to his heart muttering words under his breath before he began to eat the dessert.

[Kuronami]

Kirie took her first bites "Mmm it's quite delicious"

[Camelone]

The rest of the dinner passed without much else of interest to which once it became socially acceptable for Frederick to leave he excused himself, grabbed the documents he was working on previously, and left the dining hall bidding both Kirie and Maria a goodnight and sweet dreams, reminding them to be ready to go around 5 in the morning at the very latest.

Once out of the room he quickly made for his study to see that someone was in the room standing in front of his fireplace, the long black coat and wide brimmed hat gave Frederick a good idea who was looking at his fireplace. "Lord Inquisitor a pleasure to see you tonight." He said in Camelonean laying the papers onto his desk before turning back to look at the imposing inquisitor who now had turned around.

A large metal cross hung around his neck and a pistol and sword were visible on his body, everything he wore beside that was black of some sort except for the eyes of his mask, the plague doctors mask had a slightly reddish goggles. To most this would be a nerve wracking sight, both from the sheer presence of the holy agent but also from the terror that the costume was designed to instill in people, for Frederick though it was another meeting.

"Yes I would say so as well my King."The Lord Inquisitor responded before he gestured for the king to sit.

Sitting down across from the Inquisitor was not a new experience for Frederick and he looked him in the eyes, or the best he could at the moment. "I take it you have made all the necessary preparations to ensure the continued prosperity of Camelone?" He asked to which only a nod was given by the Inquisitor "Good. I need to know how these women behave outside of my sight, if I marry someone who would bring scandal to the Crown House Krieger could very well be done for."

"I understand the gravity of the situation young king."

"Then I shall have no problems with routine reports correct?" Another nod was given "Good." Standing up Frederick and the Lord Inquisitor made their way over to the door "Oh and do not interfere with their time here, do not make them feel uncomfortable, and do not interfere with their religious practices. I am well aware that neither are Christians but they are guests here and they shall be treated with respect. You are only to watch from a distance, and back off if they start to become aware of your presence. Am I clear?" With a final nod the two men shook hands "Goodnight Lord Inquisitor, God bless you."

"God bless you and Mother Mary pray for you King Frederick." Was the quick reply before he made his way out of the manor. Yawning Frederick turned around and closed the door, a clicking sound resonated through the manor as he locked his door and began looking over the papers once more before he would turn in for bed.

---

February 1st, 2018, 4:50 AM
Frederick had been up early despite his late night working again and was standing in the foyer waiting for everyone else. This time instead of his military uniform that he had worn the previous day he had on a set of much heavier clothes with a heavy clock covering a simple brown wool jacket, a scarf wrapped tightly around his neck that would cover his face once he went outside, a nice fur hat with all the fur on the inside, heavy trousers tucked into riding boots, and he even had googles hanging around his neck as well. Already in his hands were his bow and his quiver strapped to his hip, and he waited for the two Royal Hunters that would accompany them to bring their horses around front, they would be carrying the boar spears for today.

Seneschal Cormac was standing next to Frederick as the two spoke in Camelonean "Today should be a rather fun day should it not King Frederick?"

"Yes it should be rather fu-"

"And perhaps romantic?" Cormac said with a giant smile to which Frederick gave him a glare.

"You are acting like a child Cormac. Tis only a hunt nothing more." Frederick shot back coldly to which Cormac could only give a light chuckle in reply.

[Kuronami]

The more she thought, the more Fredrick's religion weighed on her mind. Would she have to convert if she was chosen? I Guess time would only tell, she was open minded but in the meantime it was time to sleep.

February 1st, 2018, 4:50 AM

So much for a restful sleep she tossed and turned much of the night thinking long about everything but she had to get up. She dressed in a warm heavier kimono made for the snow, similar to the one she arrived in, topping off by wrapping the skinned ferret around her neck. Quite early in the morning but she was already an early riser, granted that was usually at dawn not pre-dawn. She sent off a text to her family back home Today is hunting day, wish me luck very simple and her mobile going into the breast pocket she found her way outside.

[Camelone]

"Lady Kirie I hope you had a restful night and are ready for today." Frederick said civilly as he turned and greeted Kirie. "The Royal Hunters are currently getting the horses so we will be leaving soon. I take it you will be warm enough correct?"

The door opened behind Frederick to which he didn't pay any mind to revealing a middle aged man wearing the winter uniform of the Royal Hunters with two extra bows and quivers in his hands. He spoke to the king in Camelonean "The horses are ready your majesty."

"Thank you sergeant. We shall depart soon." Bowing his head the Hunter left and closed the door once more. Frederick was examining Kirie critically to see if he could ascertain anything from her mannerism to get a better idea of her personality.

[Kuronami]

"Lady Kirie I hope you had a restful night and are ready for today." Frederick said civilly as he turned and greeted Kirie. "The Royal Hunters are currently getting the horses so we will be leaving soon. I take it you will be warm enough correct?"

The door opened behind Frederick to which he didn't pay any mind to revealing a middle aged man wearing the winter uniform of the Royal Hunters with two extra bows and quivers in his hands. He spoke to the king in Camelonean "The horses are ready your majesty."

"Thank you sergeant. We shall depart soon." Bowing his head the Hunter left and closed the door once more. Frederick was examining Kirie critically to see if he could ascertain anything from her mannerism to get a better idea of her personality.

"Thank you, my night was fine. And yes I'm quite comfortable thank you." She bowed "I look forward to going out with you, today"

[Camelone]

"I am glad that you have chosen to accompany me today. I do believe that whether we find the white stag or not today shall be a truly good day. Now let us not delay any longer, we shall mount up and wait for Duchess Maria outside, I do not believe she should be much longer." Frederick said before he turned sharply and walked out the doors that Cormac was holding who gave Kirie a bright smile.

Outside two Royal Hunters were atop two black palfrey horses as they held the reigns of two other horses, another black palfrey horse and a strong looking white destrier, the Royal horse. Frederick walked up to his horse and gently held the horses head, to which the horse seemed to lean into Frederick a tad bit.

"How's my boy doing today? Are you excited to be out on another ride?" He asked the horse to which sounds like affirmation were produced. With a chuckle Frederick explained in English "This is Glad, he's one of my closest friends and confidants. I've had him since he was born nearly 14 years ago, he was a gift from my father." Grinning Frederick walked to the side of the warhorse and gracefully pulled himself up into the saddle. Giving a hand out to Kirie he bowed his head slightly "Would you join me dear lady?" He asked as he would let her decide whether she would want to sit in front of him or behind him. Behind him would allow both to shot their bows relatively easily but in front meant that Kirie would be much closer to Frederick.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria emerged outside into the cold morning air wearing a heavy jacket and loose-fitting black trousers. The clothing wasn't skimpy but it did give the impression that she wasn't too bothered about getting frostbite; she wasn't wearing gloves or a hat. Her phone was placed tight to her ear and she was talking in agitated and fast-paced Celari, the the person on the other end was, it seemed, having a bad day. Slamming her phone back into her pocket, she sighed and nodded
"My brother has been arrested," she informed Frederick, sounding frustrated. "Sorry I was late; we're trying to get him busted out of prison right now."

[Camelone]

"Idurin? Unfortunate. What did he do that warranted his arrest?" Frederick asked from atop of Glad slightly intrigued by it, though he didn't know Idurin all that well so he wasn't truly concerned especially because he didn't know if a true injustice was committed. He also looked Maria up and down. "Are you sure that you will be warm enough wearing only that?" He asked as a Royal Hunter brought over her black palfrey and was holding her bow and quiver.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

"Idurin? Unfortunate. What did he do that warranted his arrest?" Frederick asked from atop of Glad slightly intrigued by it, though he didn't know Idurin all that well so he wasn't truly concerned especially because he didn't know if a true injustice was committed. He also looked Maria up and down. "Are you sure that you will be warm enough wearing only that?" He asked as a Royal Hunter brought over her black palfrey and was holding her bow and quiver.

"Veldomir," she told him. "Apparently he killed some royal general or other, I can't say I'm too concerned for the general. When you serve an invalid government, what do you expect?"
Maria mounted her horse quickly and took her weaponry muttering her thanks to the hunter. "I should be find. I try and make sure I can survive for a while in absolutely nothing at this temperature. I can burn energy to heat myself up so I'm usually fine, it just means that I'm not struggling to move properly in over-heavy clothing."

[Kuronami]

"I am glad that you have chosen to accompany me today. I do believe that whether we find the white stag or not today shall be a truly good day. Now let us not delay any longer, we shall mount up and wait for Duchess Maria outside, I do not believe she should be much longer." Frederick said before he turned sharply and walked out the doors that Cormac was holding who gave Kirie a bright smile.

Outside two Royal Hunters were atop two black palfrey horses as they held the reigns of two other horses, another black palfrey horse and a strong looking white destrier, the Royal horse. Frederick walked up to his horse and gently held the horses head, to which the horse seemed to lean into Frederick a tad bit.

"How's my boy doing today? Are you excited to be out on another ride?" He asked the horse to which sounds like affirmation were produced. With a chuckle Frederick explained in English "This is Glad, he's one of my closest friends and confidants. I've had him since he was born nearly 14 years ago, he was a gift from my father." Grinning Frederick walked to the side of the warhorse and gracefully pulled himself up into the saddle. Giving a hand out to Kirie he bowed his head slightly "Would you join me dear lady?" He asked as he would let her decide whether she would want to sit in front of him or behind him. Behind him would allow both to shot their bows relatively easily but in front meant that Kirie would be much closer to Frederick.

"Pleasure to meet you, Glad-san." She bowed to him and turned back to Frederick when he offered out his hand she took it willingly "I would be glad to." When Maria arrived she gave a friendly "Good morning, Marisa-san, I hope you also slept well."

[Camelone]

"I am sorry but I am not up to date with your country's politics. Why is the royal government illegitimate? Was it a product of a coup or other underhanded usurpation of the throne? Either way it is unfortunate that your brother is imprisoned." Frederick glanced over at the Royal Hunters who were whispering between each other in their unique coded language. He could only really think what was organic in Maria and what were the limitations to her cyborg enhancements. It made him uneasy not knowing the full extent of her abilities, it made her an unknown variable in the Grand Game.

Frederick helped Kirie onto Glad and had her sit in front of him, he didn't know how good of a rider she was. Pulling his scarf up and goggles onto his face Frederick held Kirie tightly as he had Glad begin to move forward. "Come now time to begin the hunt." He said looking forward to which the Royal Hunters followed closely behind.

For awhile they rode on road before Frederick turned and began down a path into thick snow covered woods. There were a few movements here and there but other than that it was a rather still morning.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

"I guess it's not really illegitimate," Maria grumbled, sitting proudly astride her horse. "It probably has a right to rule the east, even if we don't want it their...if they keep doing stupid shit like that though it's going to cause problems."
Maria rode her horse well, seeming at ease in the saddle: she was also smiling and not seeming to show much sign of being cold. Her long hair flew out behind her as she rode, and she appeared to be having a wonderful time. Weirdly though, something was troubling her. It was probably the closeness between Frederick and Kiri that was nagging at her; however she had no idea why. After all, she was only here to try and gain influence: she didn't actually have feelings for the King...did she?
Even as she watched him, their was something about the stoic exterior that hid its soft inside that she had seen all too well before that made her want to protect this man who had been through so much, and something about his good looks that made her want to do other things entirely with him. Maria was not a chaste virgin, she enjoyed the pleasures of the male body; she would rather like to enjoy said pleasures with Frederick's body, she realised. The sooner the better.

[Camelone]

The sound of crunching snow and the occasional snort from horses disrupted the peaceful morning air. Frederick knew that something was waiting for him out in the woods deeper then he usually went, to the old stones and fairy circles, if he could find them when the snow covered almost everything on the ground.

It would take a rather long time, and Frederick could hear the two Royal Hunters voicing their concerns about disturbing the menhir, also known as the standing stones, during the winter with no bribes to be left alone. Frederick paid them no heed, he didn't fear any forest spirits or pagan curse he had the Lord Almighty watching over him, no mere pagan curse could touch him. Coming upon a natural clearing a few upright stones could be seen with the Ogham script written on them neatly, they appeared to be well maintained despite their apparent age. He pulled on Glad's reigns to have him to stop as Frederick looked around scanning the tree line for any movement of the White Stag. It was near here that he last saw it so it must be nearby.

[Pawon]

Alala was tired after the flight, or flights, as she had to change planes several times. It probably didn't help, that this was her first time flying and she didn't sleep on the plane, despite or perhaps because she drank too much. Fortunately, her companion and until recently, slave, was there to support her.

After landing the king's daughter was able to make herself presentable and even do some shopping, a necessity because they had both underestimated how cold it would be. This of course delayed their arrival, but punctuality wasn't important in Pawon as appearances. Besides their flight had already delayed them an additional few hours.

So the two young women arrived at the palace so late, it was almost morning. Alala was wrapped in fur and Demeter dressed in a wool coat as the were escorted to the King's manor.