Eclipse sat down in the circle with a fluent movement, nodding in deference to both the guards, he noticed Lieze's wary gaze, and hummed softly, "I assure you, I would do nothing to jepordize the peace talks between our lands." he said softly, "And more so I will do nothing that could possibly give my father any more reason to be angry with me." he allowed a look of amusement to come across his face at the thought, before resetting it in a cool, emotionless gaze, something he'd perfected over the years of dealing with his father's strict policies.
Nik cocked his head slightly at Eclipse's last statement, but nodded. What did he mean by that? What would his father do to him? He wondered. He sighed, and pushed the thought away again. "You know how to play Sev'rin, right?" he asked, looking at Eclipse. "Because that's what we've been playing." He knew that Sev'rin was common in his own army, on their side of the front, but he had no idea if Eclipse would know it.
Eclipse nodded, "I've heard of it, but never played." he admitted, noting the other's reaction to the mention of his father's anger. He supposed he would explain that if the other asked, but only if. He hummed softly, examining how the cards already in play were set up, "I do believe I could pick it up though." he said, his gaze meeting Nik's evenly.
Nik nodded. "Alright. Aron, Lieze, please go easier on him, he's a beginner." The two guards both sighed, then started to laugh. "What's so funny?" Nik asked slowly. Lieze shook her head a little. "You're the one that's been whipping our asses, Nik. You're the one that needs to go easy on him." Nik smirked at her. "Alright, alright, I get it." he dealt out cards for Eclipse.
Eclipse hummed curiously at the trio's interaction, feeling like an outsider to the group. that's because you are one… he corrected himself, before pulling himself back into focus, watching as the cards were gathered up. He hummed quietly, wondering about just how much trouble he'd be in when his father figured out he'd ditched his guards, and was now playing cards with Kevrans.
Nikolas handed him a handful of acorns. "We're not allowed to gamble with real money because these two would lose everything they've got. Therefore, have some acorns to gamble with. The ones without caps are worth one, and the ones with caps are worth five. The caps are worth twenty." he explained, and looked at his own cards. He took up the most space of everyone, since his leg had to be stuck out for the pillow.
(btw, you're Eclipse's father now. I'm only going to commandeer him when they're in a meeting or something lol)
(Coolio, right now he's busy elsewhere, he'll probably come in about halfway through the game, sparking that fight)
Eclipse nodded, "Sounds fair" he said, making note of what he'd been told as he tried to remember the rules of the game as he examined the cards he'd been dealt, waiting for the first few plays before making his own.
(alrighty lol)
Nik nodded, and he and the two guards played with the ease of people who had played this together a lot, as if they already knew each others tricks and tells. Which they all did, and that was the truth. Nik especially knew the others tells; he had been observing them ever since he met them.
The game continued for longer than should've been possible, with Eclipse losing badly the first few rounds, before getting the hang of it and making a comeback. He was actually starting to have a lot of fun when everyone in the tent went silent. He looked up, his eyes meeting the cold gaze of Nightfang. He swallowed dryly, cursing under his breath.
Nik had his back to the entrance, and only noticed something was amiss when Lieze's hand flew to her dagger again, half drawing it as she sat up straight. He turned, grabbing his cane in case he needed to stand. His eyes landed on Nightfang. He heard Eclipse's muttered curse. "Good afternoon, King Nightfang." He greeted. "Here for some grub?" Inwardly, he winced at his word choice almost as soon as it was out of his mouth. "Grub". Spoken like any common soldier.
Nightfang frowned, "No, highness" he was cordial at best with the disdain in his voice as his gaze landed on Eclipse.
Eclipse got to his feet and dusted himself off, "Father! Fancy seeing you here!" he said, trying to lighten the mood with a fake laugh.
"Come" said Nightfang simply, beckoning to his son, who immediately stiffened, a look of resignation on his face.
Eclipse followed stiffly, his face as hard as stone, knowing he was about as good as dead at this point. "Maybe we'll play again Highness." he mumbled to Nik as he passed by, Though it's not likely… he thought.
Nik nodded to Eclipse. "Perhaps. You're welcome to join us if you wish to." He replied, not acknowledging Nightfang. Lieze stood, her hand still resting on her knife. Aron reached a placating hand towards the female guard, worried that she would do something she would regret. Most of the Kevrans hated the Tesh, but Lieze…she had personal reasons for why she hated and despised the Tesh.
(Gtg to bed now. Good night!)
(NIGHT!!)
Eclipse followed Nightfang out of the tent, tense as he kept his eyes trained to the ground, his father's guards following them.
"What were you doing with Kevran scum?" asked Nightfang.
"They invited me to play thier game Father." he said quietly. "I was just trying to i-"
He was cut off by Nightfang's obvious glare, before his was harshly slapped. Eclipse blinked in surprise, verbal abuse he was used to, but this was new.
Nightfang glared at him. "No more sending your guards off duty. You will cooperate, and be under watch at all times. And no more socializing with the Kevran murderers."
Nik frowned. He could hear the two talking, then the slap. He stood, and limped out of the tent. "Your majesty, all due respect, but we Kevrans aren't the only murderers here." He said loudly. He wasn't leaning on his cane nearly as much as earlier. "Both sides are deserving of that title. Though perhaps yes, I have more blood on my hands than the other royals here." He shrugged. He wasn't sure why he was trying to help Eclipse, but he was.
(Will reply in a sec, am busy in Math)
Eclipse watched him in stunned amazement. No one. No one ever defied Nightfang. Ever.
Nightfang was furious. His anger and hatred of the Kevran people becoming clear as his gaze locked on the Kevran Prince. "How. Dare. You." he growled, about ready to attack the prince physically.
Eclipse tensed, forcing himself not to back away, knowing that everything had gotten ten time's worse. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew Nik was trying to defend him, but right now all he'd done was stoke the flames.
Niklolas raised an eyebrow. "How dare I what, sir?" he replied. He wasn't about to continue addressing Nightfang as "your majesty", but he knew he wasn't going to be able to get away with just a title. Therefore, "Sir". Aron and Lieze came hurrying from the mess hall, hands on weapons in case they needed to defend Nikolas. "Prince Nikolas…" Aron said in a warning tone. Nikolas snapped his fingers in a "shut up" gesture.
Eclipse was tense as he watched his father, who was now fuming.
Nightfang sputtered a little bit, knowing he was on dangerous grounds, being in the centre of the camp, jeopardizing the entire purpose of the encampment. He growled, "We will speak of this later." his tone was deadly cold, before he turned and whirled away. But then he paused for a moment, turning to face his son. "Don't let m catch sight of you until the next meeting." he practically snarled, before storming off into the Tesh side of the camp.
"Will we?" Nik replied, arching his eyebrow again. He watched Nightfang go, leaning both hands on his cane. Mostly for effect, he didn't really need to. After a minute, he looked over at Eclipse. "Are you alright, your highness?" he asked, golden eyes flicking over Eclipse carefully, before settling on his face. In the sunlight, Nik's pale skin seemed even paler. Aron and Lieze relaxed a little, but were still wary.
Eclipse let out a long sigh, "I have never seen anyone stand up to my father like that." he said softly. "That and I can guarantee you he won't forget this…" he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "But thank you.." he finished finally, his own lighter skin seeming to be even paler in the sunlight, the scar on the left side of his jaw seeming to be more prominent. "Seeming as I've been banned from my side of the camp for the moment, shall we resume our game?" he asked.
Nikolas nodded. "He can't touch me. Or, I suppose he can, but not if he wants to reignite this war right here in the camp." he replied, then nodded again. "Sure. Come on." he gestured with a hand, and led the way back into the tent. The two guards followed after a moment, their eyes narrowed. Lieze especially seemed on edge, though she had relaxed a little now that Nightfang was gone.
Eclipse followed him back inside, "Trust me, if it weren't for the fact that his own soldiers would turn on him he would've probably had me killed by now." he said after sitting down. "I can guarantee you he'll find a way to make you pay for that." he sighed, running his hands through his hair, pushing back his hood at the same time.
Nik shrugged, sitting down and putting the pillow under his injured leg again. "Yes, well. It won't make him very popular if he picks on the crippled prince of Kevra." he replied in a matter-of-fact way. He sighed softly. "Now then. Shall we return to our game?" he asked. "And in any case, I am capable of defending myself. I may not look like it, but I can."
Eclipse nodded, "I don't doubt that." he said softly, "But I still stand by my saying, be very wary of the king of Tesh." he sighed, befor picking up his cards, "But, to another matter…" he threw them down again, completing his turn, and playing a winning hand.
"He should be wary of me." Nikolas replied calmly. He smiled a little when Eclipse won. "Oh, I see we've taught you well." he said, pushing the bunch of acorns over to Eclipse. He gathered up the cards, and placed the deck in front of Eclipse. "You get to shuffle and deal this round, since you won."
Eclipse hummed thoughtfully to his claim, "Think what you'd like" he responded, taking the deck and shuffling it, then dealing it out to the four guards. "Especially since I am of the firm belief that if my father could find a way to destroy your kingdom before a treaty was signed, he would." he said softly, "Though I must add the fact that despite everything, this war is starting to destroy us."
Nikolas blinked. "A dangerous admission." he replied, meaning what Eclipse said about the country. He sighed. "Why do you think the draft was changed to allow girls when my grandfather was king? Because we were running out of young men." he shrugged slightly. "My father lowered the draft age to sixteen instead of eighteen." he kept his eyes focused on his cards.
Eclipse hummed, "At this point I just want my father to step down from office." he said softly, "He hates me enough, so speaking treason isn't going to do much to change that." he finished dealing out the cards, and picked up his own. "Peace; will be good for both of our kingdoms. I can't say much for yours, but this feud has gone on long enough."
Nikolas nodded. "A pity they won't let us negotiate the treaty; we'd be done already." he replied with a soft chuckle. "But no, my father wants to negotiate it himself." he shrugged. He knew that he shouldn't trust Eclipse too much; after all, the Prince of Tesh was still the enemy.
(so how do we want them to eventually touch?)
(I was thinking maybe Nightfang provokes the Kevran ruler, (I've forgotten his name sorry) and they start fighting, and our reasonable young nobles step in to stop them and end up touching that way.)
