"Ah, isn't it glorious Jael?" cried Kium, slithering down the hall with his personal, ever so faithful servant. Like his father, Kium had top scales the color of wood, a dark brown, with traces of grey diamond patterns. His belly scales, however, were a jet black color. Jael, who had colors of a light sandy brown and a cream colored belly, followed Kium closely as he tried to wrestle the proud, royal armor onto the restless prince.
Kium only had one shoulder pad and his golden arm bands on at the moment, but the fair haired Naga wouldn't be still.
"A new female has come, and a Royal no less! Come, we must hurry to meet her." he'd beckoned, he and his servant-who was also well known as his childhood playmate-following him down to the main hall.
Where, no doubt, his father was waiting.
It was no surprise that Kium was so excited, he was not allowed to marry any female but royalty, which they had been having trouble finding for the longest time.
Saloh, who was accompanying said Royalty to the Palace by way of a Naga-esque wheelchair, had only just escorted her inside their under-sand palace from the blistering storms outside. It was a bit longer than a normal Wheelchair, so it was more bed-like than anything. This way she could rest and didn't have to slither her way to her temporary room at the palace. Of course, he was explaining to her just what the customs were here, and refreshing her mind as to who the Royals here were.
No doubt she already knew though, being a princess herself?
Her name was Aledea. Aledea had nodded to Saloh, but stayed silent mostly. She hated royal Nagas, tradition and royalty was always part of the agenda. Arranged marriage and what not. But no, not Aledea, She had already made an agreement, that she wouldn't be married by force, but she would chose who she married.
Her eyes were rather dark looking from their deep, green gaze as they soon entered into the room where the Prince and King were. The King, being a larger man with a strong body, long black hair and brown scales, with a black underbelly and a diamond pattern onto his back. The king had blinked a few times upon seeing the female, but soon smiled, and bowed, as it was respectable to do so.
"Milady, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Saloh parked the wheelchair in front of the King's throne, and moved from behind it, lowering his body to the floor and literally laying face down, one of the utmost respectful ways to bow, and the way that Saloh always bowed to the king. When it was safe to speak, Saloh spoke.
"Milord, Lady was wounded by a caravan on her way to our Citadel. The local healer has treated the wound." he informed.
Kium cut in next, rising from his large, very comfortable looking pillow that he was curled upon. He was now wearing all of his armor; two shoulder pads, golden rings around his arms and wrists, and a metal belt around his well shaped waist, with strings of red painted feathers hanging from it. He had gold hoop earrings in either ear, and much in the regal manner in which he did everything, approached the wheelchair.
"Injured? By a caravan? How horrible. My friend, Saloh, Please rise." he motioned, then stopped by the chair and smiled at her in a warm manner.
"I was told that you were travelling with someone when Saloh found you? How do you feel? Are you hungry? Tired?" he'd asked her, not realizing he was coming on a little strong. He was simply excited, is all. Saloh stood on the other side of the chair, a hand resting on the edge next to her arm whilst remaining silent.
Aledea raised a simple eyebrow as he came closer. Her hands placed over her stomach and she moved from her wheelchair, standing upright to meet the prince as he came closer, and asked how she felt. She held back a smirk, and she looked up at the prince.
"I was traveling with my father, King Ashentroy of the Southern Sands. My caravan was slaughtered, I was lucky to be alive, your highness."
She looked to Saloh, and she then looked back at the prince.
"I feel better, not terrific, but after all, I believe you would feel a bit crummy too if you have had your stomach stabbed and you had nearly died?" she asked, that smirk crossing her face as she noticed the king sit back, watching with amusement.
"Is there anything you need, Your Highness?"
Saloh simply stood quietly, waiting to either be dismissed or called upon for something. Kium nodded, of course, chuckling.
"Yes, I say I would be feeling a bit...'crummy'." he replied.
"If you are fatigued, I would be more than happy to show you to your room...Eh, Saloh, Don't you have some knowledge to tuck away into the library?" he said, glance shifting over to the Ruby colored Naga.
Saloh nodded, "Yes, Prince Kium."
"Then you are dismissed, thank you for escorting her here." he said. Nodding, and bowing, Saloh turned to leave for the library, and began to slither away. He knew he promised to stay with her with Royal company, but he couldn't go against the Prince's word. While they were childhood friends, he still treated Kium with the same respect as any peasant would.
"No," She said after the ruby colored Naga was near the door.
"I asked my hero to stay with me in company. My wounds have not yet healed, and I would prefer to have come one who has saved my life to be near in case anything else happens."
She never looked away from the Prince, and the King now raised himself slightly, as if interested in the fact that this Princess was much feistier than he had thought. Aledea looked over to Saloh, and then to the Prince.
"I would also wish to send a messenger to my father, saying that I am fine and alive." she stated, her hand placed on her wound while the other was at her side.
Pausing at the door, Saloh blinked and turned around, removing his hand from the door and returning. Kium looked slightly surprised at this, but then simply smiled and nodded.
"Yes, of course. Such preparations have already been made. Guards and servants will be at your beckon and calls, should anything else happen, but your wish is my command as our esteemed guest." He replied. Returning to his place by his father's throne, after a quick kiss to her hand, he took a seat on his large red cushion, reclining and smiling placidly.
"She has quite the spirit... It's admirable." he muttered quietly to his father. While Saloh knew he'd get quite the scolding for not leaving when he was told to, he wouldn't mind enduring it.
"Then, Princess Aledea, what would you desire at this time?" Kium asked.
The Princess had nodded and then glanced at Saloh, before speaking to the King and Prince in a cool tone.
"I would like to rest for now, possibly have something to eat, it has been about a week since I last had anything." she stated, moving back to the wheelchair, her hand placed over her stomach, as if still holding the courage she could.
Saloh helped her into the chair, and then wheeled her out of the room. As they moved through the hallways of the building to her room, Saloh leaned in closer a little and asked.
"A week? Are you fasting?" He had asked her curiously, thinking it was a very foolish thing to go that long without eating unless you were fasting, or simply don't have access to food. When they arrived at her room, it was very large, glorious and splendid in all of its hospitable glory. Truly fit for royalty, we'll say. He paused, not having seen so glorious a room before.. other than the library. He couldn't help but stare in awe.
She chuckled, "No, I have been out in the desert for four days, we haven't been able to get a hold of food for several days before then." she stated, and she sighed, shutting her eyes as she moved herself from her chair, and, after briefly looking around the room, lowered herself.
"The Prince will try to make me his bride." she said to no one in particular.
"I find it very ironic, actually, when just last week, I am granted to chose who I want to marry." she laughed. Looking at Saloh, she straightened up.
"Don't breathe a word of this outside this room, Saloh, or I swear upon my life that it will be the last breath you will ever take."
At first, Saloh looked surprised, but understanding at her reasoning for her not having eaten for a while.
"Ah, well then, I know someone who can make-" he was cut off as she continued speaking. At the last threat, he blinked, staring. His tail shifted a little, making his Ruby colored scales glint in the warm light that filled the room. Saloh ran a hand through his ash colored hair, only for it to fall back into his striking yellow eyes, and he smiled in a calm manner at her.
"Threats have no place in my presence, especially when it comes to keeping secrets. I'll have you know I've never told anyone how the prince's pet falcon died a year ago." he said. None of what he had just spoken was sarcasm. Removing the golden arm bands from his arms and tucking them into his satchel, he moved the wheelchair into the corner of the room, out of the way.
"So, what would your highness prefer dining upon?" he'd asked curiously.
She smirked, and then nodded, "Alright then." She chuckled, and curled her tail around her body, before thinking.
"Anything really, Meat and Bread would be greatly appreciated." she purred somewhat, loving just the thought of food. It had been so long, it felt good to think about it.
"And... would wine be possible?"
Saloh nodded, "Of course, Milady. I shall return momentarily." he spoke quietly, before slithering out to the door. He slid it closed behind him, and preceded down the large statue-lined hall.
A quiet sigh escaped him, and he ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the mess of short-cut, sand-filled ashen locks in an agitated manner. It's not that he wasn't -honored- to be guide for the princess, just.. he had better things to do. Other things that called for his time. Surely she could find another errand boy to run her around?
Sschf..
Saloh paused, blinking. He stopped his own slithering, peering around searchingly for the second source of slither he'd heard. His pointed ears picked up someone sneaking around somewhere to his left. To be shrouded in the shadows of the large pillars present lining the hall.. ?
A frown crawled onto Saloh's face.. Reaching over into his satchel after lifting the flap, he drew out a chipped and well used dagger, dull but dangerous. As he held it out in front of him to show his stalker that he was well armed, he spoke not -too- loud, but loud enough to be heard.
"Show yourself. I am armed, and I would suggest you do not try to spill blood in the King's palace.." He warned, narrowed eyes darting around still.
"Put that down, Saloh.. You might hurt yourself." Came a familiar, mid-toned voice. A fair head emerged from the shadows, followed by a toned body, and long, royal tail. Prince Kium.
Saloh's eyes widened at the sight of the prince, and the blade clattered to the floor, followed by him as he quite literally collapsed into a bow.
"K-Kium! I'm sorry; I didn't realize it was you... I feared it was a common th-"
"That's enough, Saloh. It's alright! Rise." Kium chuckled - Amused by how his scholar groveled so. The handsome snake paused beside the Ruby Naga, leaning down to gently pull his friend up.
Saloh moved up upon Kium's command. He picked up the blade while he was at it, slipping it back into the pouch, keeping quiet with his eyes glued to the floor; He dared not look up at the crown prince after threatening him.
Kium perked a brow, "Saloh, my friend.. It was a mistake. It's not as if I'll behead you for it.. How is the princess?" he spoke quietly, placing a hand on Saloh's shoulder. Brown eyes flickered over the tan-skinned outcast, and a sudden smirk tugged at his dark painted lips.
"She is well. I was just going to fetch her some nourishment, she hasn't eaten in a week, Milord." he replied, still not daring to take his eyes from the precious marble floor. It was beginning to irk the eager prince, as was made apparent when Kium slid a hand beneath Saloh's chin, angling his gaze up more.
"I trust you'd rather not disrespect me by paying more attention to the floor than the prince, my friend. I've already sent her servants to wait hand and tail on her... I require something of you. Come." He spoke broadly, hand dropping to his side as he led Saloh away from the hall.