Prince in Peril - 1x1 with Consulting_Angel

[★ Faecoria ★]

The tour would have been aggravatingly boring if Ryuki weren't busy remembering which door went where, which room was which, and who was who among the staff they crossed paths with. He'd snuck into a few castles during his career, but all of them were so drastically different in layout that none of that prior knowledge was of any use to him here.

He made sure to note where the guards were stationed and what spots would be vulnerable to an intruder trying to sneak in.

His room was right next door to the prince's, with a door that connected the two. It was fully furnished, with a large oak wardrobe and a canopy bed with privacy drapes—those were going to be the first thing to go once he got settled into the room; they'd make it too easy for someone to sneak up on him.

He'd need to fill the wardrobe too. He traveled lightly and only ever had his weapons, a cloak, and one change of clothes.

The tour of the castle concluded at the stables, which made Ryuki wrinkle his nose at the smell. He didn't particularly mind horses, but he wouldn't claim to be an animal person either.

“What's next? A tour of the grounds?” This was said sarcastically, because he didn't feel he needed to know the grounds as much—unless, perhaps, he needed to escape with the prince; but if they ever reached that point, something was severely wrong.

[Consulting_Angel]

The tour had been uneventful, to say the least. It was a little awkward, like he was showing a guest around. A rude, improper guest. But Nicholas relented. At least there hadn't been too much conversation, and the castle was relatively easy to get around. It was big, sure, but most of the rooms were also big.

Now that they were at the stables, which Nicholas had entirely planned the tour to end at, he walked slowly between each stall, taking a moment to rub the head and faces of any of the horses that poked their head over their stall for some attention.
When Ryuki had, albeit sarcastically, asked if a tour of the castle grounds was next, Nicholas thought about it seriously. They probably didn't have to take a tour of the grounds, but it might be useful to.
"I don't see why not. And we don't have to walk - a lot of the grounds are accessible on horseback." Nicholas replied, with a bright smile, before asking a nearby groom to prepare two of the horses for him and Ryuki to ride.

"You... don't mind riding a horse, do you? They're very calm." Nicholas then asked the assassin, realising that he hadn't taken that into consideration. The horses weren't typically used for leisure, being mainly for the knights to use, but he was certain no one would actually mind.

When the horses were ready and tacked up, Nicholas got up onto one of them, and waited for Ryuki to be ready before he set off, heading towards the vast courtyard.

[★ Faecoria ★]

Ryuki readjusted his position in the saddle as he directed the bay stallion after Nicholas’s mount. He wasn't a stranger to riding, as it was a far faster method of travel than going on foot or hitching a ride on a farmer's wagon. And as an assassin, travel time could oftentimes make or break a mission.

His horse pulled alongside Nicholas's as they left the courtyard, moving onto a muddy road that vanished into the pine trees ahead.

A perfect place for an ambush.

But nothing happened as they passed beneath the snow-laden boughs. He half-expected guards to follow them, but it was just the two of them. Either they were placing a lot of trust in him—which was totally warranted, really—or they were fools. Either way, they rode in silence for a little while, because Ryuki had never been one for small talk.

The road opened up, cutting through a large meadow. Ryuki's stallion snorted, and he got the impression that the animal wanted its head. With a smirk spilling across his face, Ryuki kicked his horse into a canter. “Race you to that tree at the end of the road!” His horse picked up speed into a full-on gallop, flinging mud in its wake.

[Consulting_Angel]

The chestnut mare Nicholas rode was surprisingly calm, given such horses were known to be firey, but perhaps there was a synergy between the horse and rider that helped. Occasionally, Nicholas would point out particular places that could be seen while they walked through the courtyard and then eventually onto the road, through the pine trees, and into a meadow. A popular spot for a picnic in the warmer months - he knew his parents would occasionally sneak out to do just that when it was particularly nice weather - or even to just exercise the horses.

Nicholas occasionally looked back, as though to see whether or not any of the knights or guards were following to keep an eye on them. It was a bit of a relief that they weren't.

Then, Ryuki had challenged him to a race to a tree at the end of the road, and was already setting off. Nicholas was a little surprised, not really wanting to go particularly fast - a full on gallop and racing was not proper, after all. But the chestnut mare he was riding picked up on the stallion galloping ahead and started picking up speed herself, not one to be slowed down. Nicholas gave in, and leaned forward slightly as he had the mare speed up into a gallop, quickly catching up to Ryuki and his stallion, before long being neck and neck.

[★ Faecoria ★]

They both reached the tree Ryuki had singled out at the same time. He pulled on the reins to bring his horse to a stop, and the stallion snapped its teeth at the mare in annoyance. It clearly wanted to keep running, but the road was heading back into the woods, and Ryuki didn't want to run ahead into an unfamiliar environment.

The wind from riding fast had whipped some of his hair into his face, and he reached up to brush it away.

“I'm guessing there's only so long we can be out before people start wondering where you are.” Especially given the recent attempts on the prince's life. He turned his horse back toward the way they'd come, but didn't move forward. It wasn't like he was in a rush to go back, but the prince didn't seem the adventurous type—at first glance at least.

A bitter breeze was beginning to pick up. It blew the snow from the branches into the air, hitting their exposed skin with small, icy touches. The horse shuddered beneath him, but still seemed restless and eager to move.

[Consulting_Angel]

He pulled the reins to slow the mare gradually back down to a walk, circling back around as the two had reached the proposed goal at the same time, now facing back the way they came. The mare snorted at being snapped again. Nicholas let out a deep breath. He very rarely galloped with a horse, much preferring a chill walk or a trot. He couldn't say that it hadn't been exhilarating though.

Nicholas nodded in agreement. "Yes... I don't normally come this far out." He replied. Maybe he'd be curious about venturing into the forest, to go further than he'd ever have, but he knew he definitely shouldn't. It was not something in his nature.
"Let's head back. There's still the gardens to go around. Although - perhaps it's closer to lunch so I wouldn't want to be late for that." Nicholas decided. That, and the cold wind was starting to pick up more than he was expecting, so he didn't really want to stay out too much longer anyway.
A gentle squeeze, and the mare set off, back across the meadow at a gentle trot.

Once they got back to the stables, Nicholas dismounted, and handing the reins over to one of the stable hands, waiting for Ryuki before he started back towards the castle.
"I imagine you'll be expected to be at lunch as well... and then have to wait until afterwards to have your own meal." he explained. Not that he really expected Ryuki to particularly pay much attention to that expectation.

[★ Faecoria ★]

“Noooo, I'm just supposed to protect you all day, except for lunchtime. Of course they're going to expect me there.” Ryuki's voice dripped heavily with sarcasm as he followed Nicholas into the castle. He hadn't been planning on eating lunch with the prince, since he doubted a commoner like himself would be allowed to sit at the table.

But when they got into the dining room, he claimed a chair at the dining table. Not because he expected to be served, but because he wasn't going to stand on ceremony like the two servants who were standing off to the side, giving him dirty looks as he put his feet on the table and leaned back in his chair.

A maid brought out the prince's meal, looking askance at Ryuki. He ignored them all and pulled out a knife and his sharpening stone. The soft rasp of stone against metal filled the room.

He studied the price from the corner of his eye. Nicholas had definitely looked caught off guard at their little race. It made Ryuki wonder if he even knew what fun was. Watching the servants get progressively more annoyed with him was certainly fun. But he could tell that they weren't sure how to handle the situation. He wasn't an official staff employee and didn't fall under their jurisdiction.

[Consulting_Angel]

Nicholas carefully pretended that he didn't hear the sarcastic response, and sat down in the dining room, waiting for lunch to be brought out. He wasn't quite sure why he was surprised that Ryuki also claimed a seat at the table, but it still threw him for a bit of a loop - especially when he put his feet on the table. He really wasn't used to someone so flagrantly disregarding the rules.

When his plate was set down, his parents also arrived into the dining room. The King and Queen looked at Ryuki, before whispering between themselves for a few moments - their words not quite clear but it was obvious they were discussing whether or not to mention Ryuki sitting at the table. Their conclusion was evident - not to say anything - and they both sat down at the head of the table as their lunch was also brought out. Then, the King had two taste testers to check all the plates before he was satisfied that all of the food was safe.

"Nicholas, I should tell you - there won't be any need to oversee the Knights' training today. Although tomorrow there's a group of new potential recruits for the Knights - that will require your observance. Ensure we only have the best of the best sworn in."
"Yes, father. Anyone notable that's part of the potential recruits?"
"A few of the nobles' sons that are now old enough to become a Knight. But don't let that sway your judgement, of course."
"Right."
"So, Ryuki," the King started, turning his attention to the assassin, "I trust you've been shown around the castle now. Anywhere we could be putting more guards?"

[★ Faecoria ★]

Ryuki steadfastly ignored everyone at the table. He found the discomfort he was causing amusing. These people needed to learn not to be so uptight, especially in their own home. Then again, they had servants and staff watching them constantly. He'd hate that. At least what he was doing now was temporary. Once the threat to the prince was over, he could return to his own life.

When the king addressed him, he pocketed his sharpening tool and his knife—which was just one of various knives hidden on his person. “I'd have at least one in the kitchen, watching the staff. Your taste-testers will be useless if someone slips in a slow acting poison, since you have them taste your food just before you eat it.” By the time the taste-testers started displaying symptoms, it'd likely be too late for them and the royal family.

He thought the taste-testers were fools, risking their lives for what? Low wages? Blind loyalty was stupid. That was the one thing he and his mother had agreed on.

Ryuki swung his feet off the table and crossed his legs. He glanced out the window and wondered how long he would be doing this job. There wasn't a set deadline, but he wasn't afraid to bail if it stretched out too long without pay.

[Consulting_Angel]

"I see. Thank you for the insight." The King replied, with a nod, before everyone started with their food, now that it had been deemed safe to eat.

Nicholas was silent for the meal, his parents having their own conversation, but he would occasionally glance sideways to see what Ryuki was doing. He couldn't help but wonder why he was still there. After all, it didn't seem like the assassin wanted to be there, and had evidently little to no intention of following any sort of etiquette or rules. It was like he was pushing the boundaries as much as he could, waiting for someone to finally snap.

Finally, after he'd finished eating, a servant walked in quickly, as if on cue, and gathered up the empty dishes, taking them out a side door that would lead directly to the kitchen.
Before leaving the dining hall, the King turned towards Nicholas and Ryuki. "If Ryuki is hungry, he can get lunch at the kitchen. One of the guards can take his place while he's gone."

Nicholas glanced at Ryuki. "I was just going to go to the library, if you wanted to go and eat. I doubt you'd find the library very interesting." He suggested. He didn't mind too much, and if one of the guards would take Ryuki's place while he ate, then he didn't see too much of a problem.