Xxx. Chapter Two: LeitMeritz and a Vanadis. xxX

Astolfo hadn't slept well, not one bit. He spent most of the night penning a letter to lord Mashas that would accompany the ransom note, that Eleonora was going to send. He was entitled to that much. His own letter was a set of instructions to pass on to Titta, before simply stating that she would know what to do. It also had some orders for his men-at-arms he was under no illusions that some greedy lords would try to make a bid for his land now he was a prisoner of war.

To say he was not in the mood to have a sword hovering over his face as he had just dozed off was an understatement. "Remove the sword or I'll impale myself on it." He wouldn't kill himself, he hadn't gotten to that point yet. But he did wish to see what Eleonora's reaction would be, should he actually run himself through on Lim's sword.

"Tch. This is my first time waking a prisoner up at sword point as well." Lim retorted as she sheathed her sword quick enough.

"What? No good morning." He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of how he truly felt at this point. He wanted nothing more than to hide away in his manor and mourn his brother for a while before throwing himself into his work as a lord. But as he said he wouldn't give these Zhcted dogs the satisfaction of seeing that. He would remain unmoved, detached, smug, unbowed, unbent and unbroken. He would not yield a single bit to this war maiden girl.

"It's mid-morning. Eleonora has summoned you, follow me." she said curtly. She then began to leave the room.

Taking his letter and sealing it in an envelope he had been provided with. Astolfo as he was following the blonde had to grudgingly admit she was rather attractive. Her manner of dress was immodest and scandalous at best. But again, that didn't retract from her attractiveness. She always had a stern or scowling expression when around him, he liked the fact his mere presence could get under her skin so easily. Cold azure eyes not to different from his own predatory gaze. Long golden hair like the Princess. Lest he not forget her ample bosom that didn't sit in proportion with her slender and muscular build.

It didn't take long to traverse the halls of the Zhcted palace he was in. he could say he preferred his own abode to living in such a lush and lavish dwelling. Limlisha his appointed guard soon stopped as they stood in front of pointed arched doorway. That had the Leitmeritz sigil above it.

It seemed the reason according to Limlisha as he called her refusing to call her Lim as Eleonora said he should. Eleonora had gone to the capital to speak with King Viktor and report the victory over Brune. Hence why he had been able to while away his time in his room within the palace. Writing various letters so as to make sure that Alsace was kept running smoothly. But now it seemed his captor had returned home. no doubt she was rewarded highly for capturing the White Knight of Brune who was just as well renown as the Black Knight of Brune Roland.

Lim seeing Astolfo gaze at everything around him with a studious gaze had to question what the much-vaunted White Knight was thinking. Admittedly by the time she had seen him he was battered and bruised having been fighting since the early hours of the morning to near midday. So, she really couldn't say much for his skill, but he gained an impressive endorsement from Eleonora who said that she doubted she could beat him in a pure sword fight. "I thought a Brunish Aristocrat like yourself wouldn't be in so much awe of a place such as this." She questioned as she noted him return his wolf like gaze on her.

"I am an Earl yes, but I am from a poor noble house. My humble Manor house, there is not point in comparing it to this overcompensation of lush living." He grumbled as he turned his gaze to the ceiling above him. "is there a reason we're stood here. She is expecting us is she not."

On the way he had noted that the atmosphere had been akin to Celeste towns own. But on a higher militaristic scale by far. If push came to shove, he was sure he could fight his way out of the city if he really tried. Or at the very least sneak out. Either way if Alsace couldn't afford whatever the ransom was, he would rather go down swinging his sword than being sold as a slave.

It was then that a soldier walked up to Limlisha from behind and whispered in her ear. The woman sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before turning to Astolfo. "It seems my lady wishes to test something. Follow me." she seemed annoyed.

'Good.'

It didn't take long to appear at the training field, that was specially set up for training knights and normal soldiers to fight in formation. It was very much different to his own version of training field which was simply the cobblestone courtyard in front of his manor house. If he were training with the men at arms which happened at least three times a month to make sure everyone stayed relatively sharp. They were use any field that wasn't ready to be sown or was holding crops.

There were at least forty soldiers present in all manner of garb nothing like the formidable fighting force he had seen a two weeks ago at the Dinant Plains. Eleonora was present as well, she was dressed in much the same manner as Limlisha, but instead of shades of blue being the only colour there was flashes of white and red on her skirt. 'if I ever have a daughter, I will be cold and dead in the ground before I ever let her wear such revealing clothing.' He thought as he gaze her an appraising look before idly dismissing her and looking about the assembled men. None of them were close enough to being a worthy challenge. The only thing that really caught his was Viltaria's longsword sheathed in its white scabbard that was as white as the driven snow.

'that weapons rack isn't too far away...'

Limlisha must've caught where his gaze was going as she spoke her hand rested against her sword hilt. "Make one false move, I dare ya. It would make my life a lot easier." She goaded as she started to pull on her sword drawing it slightly.

'At least she's fun to rile up. But I suppose being a prisoner now where ever I look, I'll be met with suspicion.' He sighed as he saw that Viltaria decided to turn around and great him having finished talking with the four men directly around her.

"Ah! You finally came." She stated cheerfully, Giving Astolfo a beatific smile. She then looked at Lim. "Took your time Lim. Did he not wake easily?"

Astolfo at this point honestly thought that Miss Limlisha was going to throw him under the wagon so to speak. "I apologise. I was under the impression we were going to meet in your office." She finished.

Laughing a little she, returned to looking at her prisoner, who refused to speak, or accept medical treatment from her healers that she had sent to him after the battle. "Astolfo Vorn, it's quite an interesting name. Is there an origin for it?"

"A name from a knight, in a fairy tale. My mother liked it." There was no point in being rude. She did seem to genuinely be interested in his answer. He didn't know what possessed him to say the next part. Part of him told him that if his brother were in his position, he would've offered to allow the Vanadis to call him Tigre, instead of Tigrevurmud. "If you find it difficult, you may call me Astro." For some reason it didn't feel so bad giving the Vanadis a choice in what she called him.

But at the same time seeing the vanadis' face shine, along with all the dignity she had been endowing herself with. He noted some of the soldiers look away somewhat embarrassed. Looking back at the War Maiden he was surprised to see her with an expression of normal sixteen-year-old girl that was attempting to make friends with someone, or at least get to know someone better. 'Well what do you know. She is human.' He thought charmingly. So much for the vaunted god status pedestal the War Maidens were placed upon.

"In that case, Ellen is fine as well. Actually, I would prefer it if you would address me as Ellen." She said making Astolfo look at her relatively stunned. He had been expecting her to make a comment about stars or something, not for her to go ahead and say that he. A prisoner. Could address her with such familiarity. How could she possibly get away with being so intimate with a prisoner. Words, Astolfo was lost for words or on how to respond.

He was saved by Limlisha, who used a reproachful tone. "Lady Eleonora."

"It's fine Lim, just because he's my prisoner doesn't mean we can't be friendly." Eleonora brushed off Limlisha's warning with ease as she continued to look happy. Much he noted happily to Lim's anger.

"Lady Eleonora, there is still work to be done today. Please finish up here quickly, you can't shirk your work any longer." Limlisha said not so much as batting an despite the annoyed look glinting in her eye.

Astolfo who had remained silent and was still weighing up his chances of getting to a weapon before he was maimed or killed. Heard Eleonora address him. "Lord Vorn, as per the treaties between our countries. You will be held for a fifty-day period as a Prisoner of war, until the demanded ransom has been paid in full. After fifty days if the ransom has been paid you shall become my property. This I swear upon the god of fame and deals Radagast."

Though hardly happy with the current turn of events. Astolfo nodded, but weather or not his people could pay was one thing. But on the other hand, if Titta was able to sell some of those dragon bones he had taken from the dragon he and Tigre had killed then his freedom was assured. He just hoped Titta remembered where he buried those bones and that Athily would play nice and allow her to dig up a patch of his personal garden.

But then he could understand the small dragons feelings, he would hardly be happy if someone came into his home and started trashing a part of it. While he was musing on ways that his people could pay his ransom, he heard Eleonora explain how much she was going to demand when the note and his letters were to be sent by runner. he was going to ask her to send the ransom and letters to Lord Mashas of Aude. "repeat that?" he questioned wanting to make sure that he had heard right. He was sure she said hundred thousand gold pieces.

"One hundred thousand gold pieces. That is the ransom." Eleonora said as she didn't look at all phased by how much she was asking.

Nodding his head, he looked back at Limlisha. "You can kill me now." he said shocking many of the people present. "my province wouldn't make that much in a decade, so either kill me now or I swear by the war god Triglav. I will force your hand." Astolfo growled as he looked at the soldiers and knights as they got ready.

Eleonora looked rather stunned, he would willingly challenge her and demand they kill him. So that his people wouldn't suffer due to his capture. She was starting to like him more and more with every meeting. Powerful, brave, bold, kind, benevolent, caring, charitable. But what was most desirable was his skills with a sword. She wanted to test what he was like with other weapons. It was why she decided to meet with him at the training ground. The first thing she was going to test was his archery skills.

While she was in the capital, she had done some research on the house of Vorn. She very well knew that he wouldn't be able to pay the ransom. She didn't want them to, she wanted Astolfo for herself. She wanted his skill. But house Vorn while poor was known for their archers. "Now, now there's no reason for you to get so riled up, my dear lord Astolfo Vorn." She chided, before smiling. She then went to the weapons rack and grabbed a bow and quiver of arrows before standing over three hundred Alsin away from the targets down range. "I want you to show me your skill with a bow. I've heard House Vorn is. Quite skilled with them." she said as Astolfo moved over to her.

"Are you sure it's a good idea giving me a weapon?" Astolfo quired as he placed his hand on the body of the bow.

"Humour me, please Astro." She said looking like a sixteen-year-old again.

'Tigre what would you do.' His younger brother had always been much less stubborn and prickly than him. Rolling his eyes and sighing he looked away from the girl. "Fine."

Feeling her release, the bow he went and stabbed the four arrows in the ground by his feet. Before doing a couple of practice draws. 'you were always the better bowman Tigre.' He thought bitterly.

Seeing the War Maiden sitting down with her longsword clutched in front of her she nodded and motioned for him to start. 'is it me of she filled with a childlike excitability and expectation that I'm going to do something amazing.' He thought to himself as he took the first arrow and nocked it. He had no doubt his first two shots would miss. They were always the ones he and Tigre would use to get a feel for a bows capabilities along with judging its quality. So far, he could honestly say that if this was the calibre of Zhcted bows.

Taking the first arrow he loosed it, before shrugging as the arrow fell short of the target about ten meters out. 'Two hundred and ninety alsin' he thought as he adjusted his height aiming up further. This one. 'I reckon this one will go over the wall, about three hundred and fifteen maybe twenty alsin.' He gauged. According to his father while he was the more clinical and accurate when it came to gauging distance, wind resistance and shift, as well as heat and humidity. Tigre was good at being able to estimate on the fly what was needed to make a shot. "before I continue, confirm something for me." he said with his back to Lim.

"what is it?"

"I only have to hit the target once right. I'm not confident with this bow."

Sighing Lim nodded and gave her assent, after noted that Ellen had given her permission. As well having heard what he had asked.

Loosing his second arrow, Astolfo remained unconcerned as the arrow soared over the wall. Glancing at Ellen, he noted that she was analysing what he was doing. If she were smart, then she would figure it out.

But then he couldn't say the same for her countrymen. Who were laughing and mocking him for his poor skill. He was sorely tempted to make one of them shoot his third arrow. It was then Lim spoke up again with a look of contempt and annoyance, along with her tone being tight and restrained. "You better be taking this seriously?"

"Oh, I am, don't you worry about that." He replied with a smug smile. There was something about annoying her that was fun. While he was at it he toned out the muppet behind him. He was some pretty boy knight that had been fighting against his rear-guard. Apparently, he was one of the men he had unhorsed during his rampage after Tigre's death. If anything, he was reminded of a pretty boy version of Zion Thenardier when he looked at, his name didn't matter really.

'well this bow is shit. But I know her limits now.' as he thought that he saw a cloaked figure running along the rampart. Before kneeling and taking aim. 'Crossbow, assassin. Why not I was always better with a bow while hunting.'

Within a matter of heart beats, he adjusted his aim. "the assassins mine." Loosing the arrow it rocketed at the man hitting him in the chest before he could pull the trigger on the crossbow.

"Limlisha, you should send people to get him. A short bow like this loses much of its piercing ability when shooting further than three hundred and ten alsin away. The arrow head only just pierced the skin. He's probably to stunned to move at the moment." Astolfo said as he tossed the crap bow off to one side.

"Capture him, I want him skinned alive." The busty blonde ordered as men and wall guards surged toward the downed assassin.

"I don't have to continue shooting, anymore do I?" he questioned as Eleonora looked at the assassin before looking back to where Astolfo was standing.

"I think I've seen enough. You're quite talented with a bow Lord Astolfo Vorn." She complimented.

"Better with a Lance." He returned.

! #$%^&*()

'What could she possibly want today, was my demonstration with a bow not enough for her?' I doubt she would put a sword in my hands, not after what I did to her soldiers at Dinant.

Following Limlisha into the office he was supposed to go into the day before to meet with the Lady of the Palace. He looked around, first thing he noted was his scimitar Précieus lying on Eleonora's desk.

"I bought him like you asked." Lim stated as Eleonora stood up and walked out in front of her desk.

Astolfo deciding he rather liked the view from his window as well as the nearby buildings and their close proximity to his own rooms window. "What is it you could possibly want today Ellen?"

"I want to apologise for yesterday." She began. Before noting Astolfo's questioning look. "the bow I gave you it was never my intention to give you one so shoddily constructed."

Astolfo shrugged. "I just put it down to shoddy Zhcted craftsmanship."

"No, the men who I asked to set up the training grounds for the day did want to sabotage you. I'll have them beheaded." Ellen said not batting an eye at what she suggested.

Frowning Astolfo soon sighed. "So, you're one of those nobles, who lead with tyranny and fear." Astolfo said looking weary. "Tell me something Lady Eleonora Viltaria, if one of your knights or Lim were to land a blow on you in a spar, would you behead them for helping you."

"Of course, I wouldn't."

"Those men believe it or not helped me. Before yesterday I hadn't picked a bow up in years. I much prefer the lance and the sword." He said speaking as if he were a sage or wise man. So much so Eleonora listened and hung on his every word. "I ask you, spare those men. Don't draw any more blood on my account. To much has been spilt already." He finished.

"Have it your way." Ellen said with a smile. She liked Astolfo more and more.

"So, what was the point in all of that yesterday?" his only reply from Ellen was a soft titter.

It was Limlisha who provided him with the answer he wanted. Her eye grew colder than before.

! #$%^&*()