[Snowy]

As Neo threw open the stone door, he was nearly blinded by a million gleams of light struggling to escape. Torches were already alight in this room, which looked like the home of the Frionian treasury. There was gold, silver, platinum, rare metalloids that Neo had never seen the likes of before in this room, heaped into two piles, one on the left, one on the right.

Right down the center there was a snow white rug, torches on either side of it. At the end of this rug there was a huge wall with the old Blizzard family portrait on it. Rhesal's portrait now adorns the place where this one once did, in the throne room. King Blizzard stands in front of it, surrounded by white parcels.

[Pureblade]

Neo walks forward, shield strapped to his back, dagger looped in his belt, and leather studded armor dangling from one hand. Shielding his eyes by slipping down his headband, he examines the room for traps and things of the sort. His attention gradually turns towards the king, and halfway across the room he pauses to examine his surroundings more carefully. He has no idea what the tournament holds in store for him next, but he'll never be more ready.

Besides, this is necessary. Meeting the king of the source of good in the land wouldn't suffice. He had to prove himself to gain his respect, and more importantly, his trust.

"And all for the sake of good," he mutters, staring around grimly. "So good king," he shouts, "what do you have in store for me this time?"

[Snowy]

"Come forth and you shall see," the King says without turning around.

[Pureblade]

More than wary this time, and with senses wide open, Neo eases forward silently. Swinging the leather mail from side to side, he approaches the King until standing only five feet away.

Looking up lightly towards the King's silhouette, Neo shouts, "Turn here and face me, lest you prove yourself a coward to the land which you live to serve!"

Neolumin expects a direct attack from the King, also suspecting that this is probably another foul trick in an attempt to set him off his guard.

[Snowy]

Rhesal turned around. "I've killed men for words less than that. You're lucky my Sword of Snow is not becoming friendly with your insides. But, seeing as how you have managed to get past the cage match, I will let it slide. This time."

Rhesal staggers a little. Neo notices that he is quite intoxicated, however he handles it very well. Rhesal looks into Neo's eyes and says, "Are you ready for the next challenge?"

[Pureblade]

"I apologize, good sir. I thought you another deception, as was the lycan girl. No disrespect was intended, I assure you."

Gazing up at the tilting man and wondering what could have brought about such a state, Neo nods slowly.

"I am ready for your challenge, King Blizzard."

[Snowy]

Rhesal motioned at the white parcels surrounding him. "Take a package and don't open it until you leave the castle gates. There will be instructions for the second challenge, as well as a reward for completing the first one."


OOC: Take one, then I'll PM You.

[Pureblade]

Neolumin nods, bending to retrieve the closest parcel. He shakes it lightly, then tucks it under his arm.

"Aye King Blizzard. Go well."

Neolumin turns past the piles of gleaming treasure and approaches the door, pondering silently about the King and his assortment of parcels. Hoping against all hopes that it wouldn't detonate before he reached the castle gates, Neolumin went on his way.

"Hope he provided me with a map," he grumbles to no one in particular. "I've never been to Telan before."

He then gets an odd sensation in his forehead. Knowing that can only mean trouble ahead, he leaves the city, glad to be away from the town and near wilderness once again.

[Darkness]

The dark cloaked man entered the treasury, in time to see Neo leave. Apparently, he wouldn't be able to simply watch what he did and do the same. He would have to confront the King himself. A small amount of subtlety would likely allow him to keep his identity a mystery. And as he approached Rhesal, this seemed like it would be even easier. The King was clearly drunk. And the dark cloaked man wished that he was indeed still in a position to lecture the young King. He clearly had not been ready to take the throne of Frionia six years ago, if he acted so poorly -now-.

The man dropped to one knee before the King, keeping his head bent and face hidden. "O King, I have triumphed over your first challenge. What, now, must I do?" He hoped his voice wouldn't seem familiar. It had been a long time. And he -was- drunk...

[Snowy]

"Rise, oh hero, and tell me your name." Rhesal's eyes were bloodshot and he looked pale. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to the hooded man.

[Darkness]

The dark cloaked man rose to his feet, and stole a quick glance at the King's visage. He was... very drunk. Irresponsible youth. Not fit to be a King at all... He turned his gaze to the ground to the left, knowing that some small amount of the great amount of light in the room might manage to reflect itself onto his face, so it was better to keep his face hidden by the cloth of the hood instead of relying on the darkness it cast.

"I am..." he thought for a few moments, attempting to think of a semi-plausible pseudonym. "I am Xaeris Daeresunn, my lord."

[Snowy]

"Well Xaeris, please remove your hood and step forward for your next challenge." The King seemed to care very little about what was going on right now. He was having a harder time standing on his feet, and he seemed very sickly. Tears welled in his eyes.

[Darkness]

"My... my head, your majesty?" The dark cloaked man's eyebrows rose up higher and higher, until they were hidden behind his bangs. He was obviously quite shocked. Why would the King want him to remove his head...? Was he really that drunk?

OOC: Just kidding, since you fixed it


The dark cloaked man, 'Xaeris', stood still for a moment, unsure of what to do. If he were to remove his hood, there was a possibility Rhesal would recognize him. But did he have any choice but to comply? Perhaps it had been a mistake to come to this tournament at all. Yet, he did look different... It had been six years. And six years ago, he had not had a beard, and his hair had been shorter. He had had fewer scars, a less worn face... And the King was very drunk. There was a possibility that, as drunk as he was, even if he looked exactly the same he would still go unrecognized. It seemed... that he did not have any choice.

The dark cloaked man lowered his hood, revealing a handsome face of about 35, seemingly a mixture between the flowing lines of an elf and the stony planes and angles of a human. Dark brown hair that was still a few inches short of his shoulders, a dark brown beard that seemed recently well-trimmed. He kept his eyes averted, lowered to the ground, in the hopes that it might help further his inconspicuousness. Hopefully, the King would interpret such a gesture as a sign of respect.

[Snowy]

"Just as I suspected," the king said with great triumph, "You are horrendous ot gaze upon!" At this he chuckled to himself, swayed a little, then regained his balance. "Take one of these packages and don't open it until you leave Frionia." With that the King fell to his knees, and then on his back. He was groaning.

[Darkness]

"..."

The dark cloaked man replaced his hood, glad that the King had not recognized him. But disgusted at the same time. He had kept a far firmer hold on the boy than Rhesal seemed to allow himself... In all likelihood, he had set up a harem. If he ever revealed himself, he would have to lecture the King. What he had seen in his short time here warranted that much, at least.

Taking one of the packages, he turned on his heel and left the dungeons quickly.


... And then left Frionia.