Marika simply stands at the side, bored.
On the other hand, Radagon looks murderous. If the calculated attacks sent his way, were any indication.
Vaughn muses if this was planned. With all the noise they were making it was impossible that not one guard would quickly come to the scene. It was convenient that the entrance to the shunning grounds is near the castle gates which makes it easy to keep an eye on.
"A backwater rat!" he takes another nasty swipe that Vaughn dodges with a step backwards.
Radagon held the sword overhead then swings down. A wave of gold emits from the blade, he would probably be fascinated if not for the fact that the wave destroys whatever it touches.
Before Radagon can create another wave of light, he catches him by the wrists midswing. The second lord pushes back but was met with an immovable force.
"How dare you make a fool of my daughter!" he hisses, "Do you think she's some harlot you cast aside after a good time?"
He tightens his hold on Radagon's wrists until he lets go of the sword, "My Lady is no harlot."
Vaughn holds a good chunk of his tunic, then throws him over his shoulder and onto the ground.
Radagon lays there, speechless. It has been quite some time when he felt the cold hard ground upon his back.
"Your daughter has a fine eye. She picked the better warrior." Marika says, chuckling behind her hand.
Radagon quickly stands up, and summons a golden spear. The energy from it bleeds through the Lord's fingers. In humiliated fury, he launches it to Vaughn.
The spear did not meet its target. It was unfortunately intercepted by a red bolt.
"Heresy!" Radagon spits, he stomps his way toward Vaughn. And takes a strong swing, his fist met Vaughn's cheek. Vaughn takes a step back from the assault.
Radagon looks surprised that he was able to make a hit, rather than stopping he takes another swing then another and another.
Marika tuts. She moves forward to stop the fight but felt deathly cold all of a sudden.
Radagon's feet was covered in thick ice, stopping him from his tracks.
Vaughn stands there with his head low, face black and blue. A hand softly touches his cheek, a cool comfort from his stinging bruises.
"Enough." Ranni says quietly. She peruses Vaughn's face carefully. Making sure she doesn't hurt him.
"That scum hurt you! And yet you cosset him!" Radagon all but shouts.
"And thou have not?" She replies, not even looking at her father.
There was no retort from the second Elden Lord, only silence.
Ranni gently ran her fingers over Vaughn's bruises. "Don't think this changes any-"
The man has fallen asleep. Asleep while standing! Absurd! And somewhat endearing, Ranni thinks.
"I'll have my guards take him back to the barracks."
The glare Lunar Princess Ranni sends the Queen is chilling. But the older woman laughs in response.
"Are you really?"
Marika has heard stories. How the princess is detached, calculating, and subtle in her motives.
"I will stay with him until he wakes."
That didn't sound like the last one.
The Queen watches the Carian. She keeps stroking his cheek, and Vaughn unconsciously leans on her palm. It looks like a shadow of what she once had. With Godfrey.
It's too sweet that it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.
"You're the lover then." She declares, her smile turning catty if not vicious. The princess' back stiffens. Good.
"I've only ever heard of his humble responses. Who was it that turns a bloodthirsty warrior so chaste?"
Not once did Ranni turn to her. A curtain of red mane covers whatever reaction Marika wants to see.
The queen gives a wistful sigh. Before leaving.
"Good night then."
If Vaughn felt a pair of soft lips, he won't remember.