So here is chapter 4, I found this quite hard to write as i knew where i wanted to go with the chapter just was unsure how to get there but i hope it has paid off. I also mentioned that this story has influences from different cultures but does use a lot of creative licence so there are Gods in this story which have been influenced by Viking/Greek/Roman culture but they have their own names etc so no similarities were meant in the writing of this story and i have put a small description of the Gods at the bottom names etc for you to refer to should i mention them in the story.

i own nothing as always

enjoy

Voltura Castle was most impressive. Its thick stone walls made an excellent defence that stretched the entirety of the Castle Keep and outer buildings. The grounds which had once been alive with vibrant colour and held the queens favourite flowers, were now well kept, but bare of any growth, other than lawn, and the ivy which crept up the east walls. A small dirt road lead from the stables toward a towering gate closing the inhabitants in from the woods and hills beyond.

Whilst smaller than Cullentha Castle, its stature was still impressive and intimidating. The keep itself sat proud and tall in the heart of the structure overlooking the sea and mountains.

EPOV

As we walked our horses through the grounds the sound of galloping hooves behind us, had my hand reach immediately for my sword. Jasper and Edward quickly followed suit and we turned to see who was approaching.

"MY LORD!" Lord Royce, loathsome creature, I do not recall inviting him to ride with me. He jumped from his horse and ran the short distance towards us.

"I thought i would join you my lord. Your father has often hinted that if we were successful in acquiring Voltura that he may gift it to me"
I felt Jasper bristle beside me, i knew he had hoped for some lands where he and my sister might raise their own family away from court and Voltura would make a fine prospect.

"My father has not yet given you these lands and in truth I do not think it wise to try and take them from him when he himself has not yet taken ownership of them!" I hated this man, begging like a mongrel for scraps from the table, he had his lands and his chance and he gambled them almost completely away.

"I shall accompany you inside then my lord, I rode my horse hard in the hope of catching you and I doubt he will want to make the journey back without a small rest in the stables." Lord Royce was apparently in no mood to be pushed aside and his sly antics were beginning to try my patience. I let out a small sigh before deciding to allow him to join us.

"Very well, you may accompany us but you will remain mute during our meeting this evening. Your only duty tonight is to fill a seat and keep your lips together. Do I make myself quite clear lord Royce?" he narrowed his eyes slightly before relenting, and promising that he would be mere decoration if that is what I desired.

We reached the keep and the young man Mika was standing ready to greet us. Mika was young not more than nineteen, his hair was a dirty blonde colour and whilst his waist was trim he held no athletic qualities.

"My lords this way if you please" and he turned on his heel and made off down the corridor.

The inside of the keep was well decorated large tapestries hung on the great walls, the alcoves were decorated with fine plump furnishings and small hand drawn pictures, they were very well drawn and showed Voltura in a warmer, more pleasant state. I assume these were from before the queens passing as a lot of them seemed to focus around a garden which I had not noticed since arriving here.

"It is an impressive house is it not brother?" Edward said looking around him at the walls and passing rooms. I nodded it was indeed most impressive.

As we walked further down the halls the light sounds of music seemed to drift towards us, getting louder and louder with every step, soon a mix of voices and merriment joined it and i began to feel quite homesick.

"Just through here my lords" Mika opened the heavy wooden door and we entered the great hall.

"Ahhh Prince Emmett, you are here and i see you have brought your dogs with you are they not trained to be left by themselves?" Her voice was sweet like an angels song but that tongue

"If you continue to insult my men so my lady i will bend you across my knee and not even the goddess Valha would stop me"

She gasped and I watched as her flawless skin from her face down her neck to her ample cleavage, turned pink from my remark. I suppressed a groan. Yes I shall enjoy toying with this one, she has bite.

"My lord" Edward whispered for only me to hear "please!"

RPOV

I watched as the door opened and in stepped Prince Emmett and his men, he brought a new one with him this time, the messenger from yesterday.

This new man was not at all like the others he was tall to be sure but fell half a head sorter than Lord Jasper. His eyes were blue but blood shot, he was a drinker for sure. I had often witnessed the effects drink had on the men in court when my mother was alive and my father was more inclined to entertain. His looks were average he was neither handsome nor ugly but he did have an air of breeding about him.

He met my scrutinising gaze and leered hungrily at me, I could almost imagine him liking his lips and drooling like a starved animal.
This made me angry and so I greeted them,

"Ahhh Prince Emmett" My voice sickly sweet "You are here and I see you have brought your dogs with you are they not trained to be left by themselves?" Prince Emmett glared at me, but for a moment I was sure I saw amusement, this was quickly replaced with a glint before he responded.

"If you continue to insult my men so my lady i will bend you across my knee and not even the goddess Valha would stop me" I gasped at his words, and i felt my face flame with embarrassment, i had not expected him to respond especially in the presence of my father, he smirked at me and i was about to retort when my father spoke up

"Sit Prince Emmett, my lords" my father gestured to the empty seats with his hand but the men remained standing.

"With respect my lord this is not a social call as you are aware" my father looked solemn at Lord Jaspers words and nodded his head

"Yes lord Jasper you are right we should perhaps discuss what it is you seek from me"

It was Prince Emmett who spoke then

"My lord our request is that which we made yesterday, we want your lands for Cullentha, we are not afraid to fight for them as you witnessed this very morning, and I must warn you sir that should you choose to oppose us again we will not stop at just your armies, we shall keep going until Voltura is under the complete control of Cullentha"

"What will happen to my people should I relent?" my father looked grimly at me before facing the Prince

"You shall come to our camp at daybreak where you will be taken to Cullentha Castle to be tried and imprisoned in the tower until Heithka comes and collects you. Your daughter shall remain here at Voltura until a suitable match can be made for her in Cullentha, after she is married she will begin her new life with her husband at his holdings. Your staff and people will remain unchanged and continue to serve this house under their new master"

"YOU ARE GOING TO PUT MY FATHER TO TRIAL!" I jumped out of my seat and screamed at him "FOR WHAT?" . The prince turned to me and his words came like the growl of a bear that sent shivers down my whole body.

"He sent his armies to oppose us my lady, this caused us to loose valuable men we cannot allow that, if we had lost yesterday do you think your father would have simply let us just ride away back to Cullentha?" I looked at my father then and saw the confirmation I had feared would be there "No we would have been tried for our crimes and dealt with. I'm sorry my lady but it is the law" the last part came out as barely a whisper but it was there all the same and it angered me.

"SORRY! You are sorry, Sorry for what? For taking a sick old man from his home? From his memories? His wife? The only things h4e has left? You are not sorry you have to have a heart to feel sorry!"

With those last parting words, I stormed from the hall and to my room, I curse the gods for his existence. I had to think of something I had to protect my father, if they took him he would most certainly die, I could not allow another of my parents to die!

I sat down at my desk and pulled the paper to me and began to write. I knew what i had to do. I gave the note to Jessica and told her where to deliver it, the i sat by my fire and waited.

He did not disappoint within half an hour there was a knock at my door. Suddenly I was nervous, I knew what had to be done, but I could not stop my legs from shaking beneath my dress as I walked towards the door and opened it.

There he stood, his face showing curiosity and hints of amusement his blue eyes raking up and down my body like a hungry wolf

"Please come in Lord Royce" he nodded and I stepped aside to let him enter.

So there you go things should start moving along now, what does Rose want with Royce I wonder hm? Here is the description of the gods i have tried to keep it quite simple and hope i don't confuse anybody

Aron - God/Husband of Valha, Ruler of the gods, Keeper of men
Valha - Goddess/Wife of Aron, Keeper of Women
Athelia - Goddess/Daughter of Aron and Valha, Goddess of beauty and fertility
Perselia - Goddess/Daughter of Aron and Valha, Controls the seasons
Peika - God/Son of Aron and Valha, trickster god steers men to the wrong path
Saron - God/Son of Aron, God of war/Vengance
Heithka - God/Brother or Aron, Death