Opportunity for the Ambitious [Roza]

[Rosaria de Valore]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=background,http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2599/rosetable.gif][atrb=height,600,bTable][atrb=width,500,bTable][atrb=vAlign,top] “You are a lovely dancer, prinţesă.” Rosaria didn’t have a chance to respond. As soon as Fane applied just the right amount of pressure near her collarbone, her mind when blank and her world went black. Her last sensation was falling into the rouge’s awaiting arms. Her deep dark eyes shot open as the sound of a door opening disturbed her light slumber. Suddenly the very same door slammed shut. The princess’s heart leapt in her chest as she bolted into an upright position, her breathing heavy from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Quickly she shoved away the duvet, she left her safe, soft bed. Her bed? When had she returned home? Perhaps the Maulesel had sent her home after she had fainted. Yes, that must be the explanation. Venturing out of her room, Rosaria glanced up and down the tapestried hallway of the royal wing. Then hitching up the hem of her gown, the princess slowly made her way down the hall, trying to be as quiet as possible. As she passed by the Crown Prince’s chamber, she peaked her head in the door, and called, “Joscelin?” However the whole room was dark. Now that she thought about it, the whole castle was dark, save for the sparse torches that only provided a dim haze. The whole scene was quite odd and out of place. Where were the guards? Where were the servants? Why was she the only one here? Suddenly a shadow passed behind her as swiftly as a ghost. Unnerved by the whole scenario, Rosaria hastened to her parents’ chamber like a child who had just had a bad dream. Surely, she would find them there reading over edits or playing a game of chess. When she reached the King and Queen’s apartments, the princess did not bother knocking, but instead just burst in shouting for her mother and father, but, just like her brother’s chamber, her parents were no where to be found. Moving further into the room, Rosaria noticed a piece of parchment, a letter, lying open on her father’s desk. Examining its contents she read, “Your Majesties, It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of Princess Rosaria’s death. Her life was claimed by…” ‘Wait… Wait… Death!’ Her mind screamed as she went back and reread the first sentence of the letter over and over again. No, no, no! She was very much alive. Rosaria’s heart raced as she tried to analyze the meaning of the letter. Then a voice interrupted her panicked thoughts. “You know what’s coming next.” It was cold and threatening, but also amused, finding entertainment in her apprehension. Rosaria whipped around only to find that the cruel voice belong to… “Lord Fane?” The princess whispered in quiet disbelief. The rouge remained stoic while panic once again seized her heart. Without a second thought, Roza turned and sprinted to the doors. Reaching for the door handle, she pulled open the door, hoping to escape. She screamed in fright when she saw Fane standing outside the open doorway with a murderous look on his face. Immediately she slammed the door and dashed towards a secret passageway that was hidden behind one of the tapestries. Alas the absolutely terrified princess could not even make it that far for no sooner was Fane was behind then he stood before her once again. Screams and gasps of fear and terror escaped her lips as Rosaria shielded her eyes from the nightmare, her hands wrenching through her hair After a few moments, the princess uncovered her eyes, her breathing still heavy and labored. Her eyes darted around the room, expecting to see the vicious rouge, but she saw no one. Rosaria was alone. But no sooner had the princess taken a few steps forward, then did Fane burst forth from the shadows with blade in hand. As he plunged the dagger into her slender neck, Princess Rosaria let out a bloodcurdling scream that could have woken the entire kingdom. Truly waking from her slumber this time around, Rosaria eyes shot open as she rose out of her recumbent position as if someone were trying to kill him. Her focus darted around the dingy, by her standards, room like a spooked horse. Her mind was still racing, and her heart was still pounding. She could practically hear it in her eyes. Still a bit wild, her dark eyes finally rested on a familiar face. Fane was sitting, seeming patiently, in a chair in the corner of the room, waiting for her to awaken. Rosaria let out a sigh of relief, resting her head against the headboard. She closed her eyes and took a minute to catch her breath. Surely she deserved it. Then when she was a bit more composed, Roza turned her head towards Fane and inquired, “Lord Fane, in God’s name, please tell me where we are and for what reason we are here.” ( outfit )

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[Fane Valeri Aleksandar]

now the dark begins to rise

save your breath; it's far from over

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style,background-image: url('http://i53.tinypic.com/wb98wn.jpg');,true] I WILL NOT BREAK “Costel este pe un drum de război. Ceea ce aveau să o răpească?” Fane looked away from the still sleeping princess to Andrei, who had slipped into the room silently a minute ago. He’d noticed but did not look up or acknowledge his closest friend’s presence until the young man spoke. Even then, Fane only turned his head slightly, his eyes focusing on his comrade. "Am crezut că ai plecat cu el,” he replied almost accusingly, referring to the way Andrei had walked out the front door when Costel led them. Granted, what Fane had done was dangerous, but his best friend had walked away without a word. Now he was back? Fane had every reason to wonder what angle Andrei was working. Andrei sighed, almost impatient with Fane’s redirecting of the conversation. "Ce ai de gând faci, Fane?” His comrade looked at the woman in the room briefly before returning his gaze to Fane. "Oamenii sunt spânzurat pentru crime mai mici decat aceasta.” The dark and handsome lord detected genuine concern in his brother’s voice and the corner of his mouth curved upward slightly. "Ştiu, frate. Am aceasta sub controlul.” "Eu nu cred că faci. Ce se întâmplă atunci când ea se trezeşte? Când se întoarce la locul ei în castel? Ea stie ce arata.” The man was right, but Fane would never admit it out loud. He might have been in over his head, but he was going to sure as hell fight to keep his head above water. In the process, he would keep those around him from realizing it. "Acesta nu va fi o problemă.” The look that Andrei leveled him was one of complete skepticism, but he did not voice his thoughts. ”Ai de gând să mă ajuţi sau nu?” Fane asked him bluntly. Andrei didn’t answer right away and so he continued. "Eu deja ştiu ce poziţie Costel şi Nico s-au luat. Ce vei face? Monarhii vor plăti scump pentru a vedea fiica lor a revenit în condiţii de siguranţă. Vei participa la profiturile cu mine sau va rula şi ascunde ca ei?” Andrei had already returned; that told Fane that he had at least some interest in what would result in the princess’s kidnapping. Nico followed Costel with unquestioning loyalty. He could plainly see Andrei’s loyalties wavering in his favor. "Tu nu o va afecta?” "Nu. Ea va rămâne nevătămat.” He had no intention of harming the princess. What good would that accomplish? A threat here or there to keep her in line might be in order, but he would not hurt her. There was no need for such violence on a young woman that he considered would be ignorant in the ways of defending herself. She had armed guards who spent their lives training to defend her at all costs—although they did her no good at the banquet—why take up such a bloody, difficult, and physical endeavor that would be pointless for her to know? No one would allow a princess to take up arms against an enemy. No, he didn’t expect to need more than a voiced threat and perhaps a demonstration of what he was capable of to keep her in the realm of good behavior. "Eu nu vreau să ştiu că sunt implicat. Nu am nici o dorinta de moarte.” "Desigur. Deşi, dacă doriţi să rămână anonim, trebuie să plece înainte de a se trezeşte.” He motioned to the door. If the princess’s almost restless movements were of any indication, she would be waking soon. It was best for those who wish to remain anonymous to leave the room so that their faces remain unknown. Andrei didn’t respond to that. Instead, he simply nodded and left, presumably to go to the living room and remain out of the way. His timing was impeccable for not five minutes later, the young woman bolted upright, panting and taking in her surroundings. Her eyes were frantic and she appeared pale beneath her olive complexion. The woman’s gaze finally fell on him and she seemed somewhat relieved—which he found amusing since he was the reason she was in her current predicament. “Lord Fane, in God’s name, please tell me where we are and for what reason we are here.” "Lord” Fane kept his unreadable gaze on her, his head tilted slightly to the side as he attempted to best determine how to respond. Eventually, he settled for bluntly telling her the truth. He hadn’t lied to her once thus far, why start now? "You have been kidnapped, prinţesă.” Fane simply ignored the first part of her question since she could be spared the details. Surely someone in such a lofty position as she would be much better off if the specific details of her location were simply left to the imagination. "Would you care for a glass of water? Something to eat, perhaps?” 813 WORDS , ROZA , COMPLETE!

table by california dreaming @ caution 2.0

P.S. Sorry about the long Romanian conversation.

translations:
Costel este pe un drum de război. Ceea ce aveau să o răpească?: Costel is on a war path. What possessed you to kidnap her?
Am crezut că ai plecat cu el.: I thought you left with him.
Ce ai de gând faci, Fane?: What are you planning on doing, Fane?
Oamenii sunt spânzurat pentru crime mai mici decat aceasta.: People are hanged for lesser crimes than this.
Ştiu, frate. Am aceasta sub controlul.: I know, brother. I have this under control.
Eu nu cred că faci. Ce se întâmplă atunci când ea se trezeşte? Când se întoarce la locul ei în castel? Ea stie ce arata.: I don’t think you do. What happens when she wakes up? When she returns to the castle? She knows what you look like.
Acesta nu va fi o problemă.: It won’t be a problem.
Ai de gând să mă ajuţi sau nu?: Are you going to help me or not?
Eu deja ştiu ce poziţie Costel şi Nico s-au luat. Ce vei face? Monarhii vor plăti scump pentru a vedea fiica lor a revenit în condiţii de siguranţă. Vei participa la profiturile cu mine sau va rula şi ascunde ca ei?: I already know what position Costel and Nico have taken. What will you do? The monarchs will pay dearly to see their daughter returned safely. Will you share in the profits with me or will you run and hide like them?
Tu nu o va afecta?: You won’t harm her?
Nu. Ea va rămâne nevătămat.: No. She will remain unharmed.
Eu nu vreau să ştiu că sunt implicat. Nu am nici o dorinta de moarte.: I don’t want her to know I’m involved. I have no death wish.
Desigur. Deşi, dacă doriţi să rămână anonim, trebuie să plece înainte de a se trezeşte.: Of course. Although, if you want to remain anonymous, you should leave before she awakens.

[Rosaria de Valore]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=background,http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2599/rosetable.gif][atrb=height,600,bTable][atrb=width,500,bTable][atrb=vAlign,top] "You have been kidnapped, prinţesă.” It took a few moments for the words to sink in. Kidnapped? How was such an act even feasible? The Ducal Palace of Ascalon was surrounded by guards at all times. Surely someone had to have seen the rouge spirit her away. Yet, much to her escalating fury, such a feat was possible for one such man with an exasperating charming smile and silver tongue. "Would you care for a glass of water? Something to eat, perhaps?” “Don’t you dare speak to me, you insolent knave!” snapped Rosaria harshly, with a severe voice that was a cold as ice with a glare to match her quickly rising temper. Oddly, the princess was cross with her kidnapper for stealing her, but more so because of the lies and deceit he spun in the time prior. However, she felt she should have known as soon as she met him outside the cathedral. No high ranking lord from any country ever stands among the common people. But, she just had to disregard such fact for his supposed title and pretty face. Heatedly, Rosaria rose from the bed her face contorted into a scowl and her eyes burning with a cold fire. “Well, what is it you want?” demanded the infuriated Princess of Etrias. “Jewels? Money?” Hastily, she pulled the pearls from her hair, unclasped her necklace, unfastened her rope of pearls from her waist, removed her earrings, and pulled her ring from her finger, and then Rosaria threw each piece of jewelry at Fane, one by one, with a force to match her anger. “Take those! Return me safely to Caer l’Aurore and I will see if I can persuade my father to spare your miserable life!” ( outfit )

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[Fane Valeri Aleksandar]

now the dark begins to rise

save your breath; it's far from over

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style,background-image: url('http://i53.tinypic.com/wb98wn.jpg');,true] I WILL NOT BREAK Fane silently watched her as his words registered in her mind. Her shock quickly turned to disbelief which took no time at all to transform into rage as she considered the statement. He had heard rumors—mostly dismissed by those who heard them—of the princess’s temper. Now, he supposed he would see the truth in those rumors firsthand. “Don’t you dare speak to me, you insolent knave!” she shouted with all the dignity she could muster. Her once flirtatious eyes were now filled with malice and all the venom of a snake’s bite. “Well, what is it you want? Jewels? Money?” Rosaria plucked off each of her pieces of jewelry and threw them at him with the force of her anger. He didn’t get up from his seat. Instead, he caught each trinket she hurled at him and carelessly dropped them to the ground beside him. “Take those! Return me safely to Caer l’Aurore and I will see if I can persuade my father to spare your miserable life!” The young man regarded the princess as outwardly composed as she was angry. “I recommend you calm down, prinţesă.” He withdrew a small knife from within his cloak and held the tip of the blade and the end of the hilt delicately between his two index fingers. “I have no intention or desire to harm you.” He didn’t add anything more to the nearly veiled threat as his eyes drifted from the throwing dagger to her. Her imagination would do much better in conjuring reasons for her to cease her tantrum than he could. True, he could be quite imaginative and compelling, but he figured an exercise in imagination would suit his needs much better. “You will return to your lavish life when I have received what I want as long as you do not try my patience, Roza.” 309 WORDS , ROZA , COMPLETE!

table by california dreaming @ caution 2.0

[Rosaria de Valore]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=background,http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2599/rosetable.gif][atrb=height,600,bTable][atrb=width,500,bTable][atrb=vAlign,top] “I recommend you calm down, prinţesă.” CALM DOWN! Who was he to tell her to calm down? Just a rouge from nowhere without a penny to his name. She was a princess with servants and soldiers ready to give their life and limb for her. If anyone was going to bark orders around here it would be her. Rosaria was going to spew another insult his way… Until she saw the glint of the soft light off of his knife. Rosaria eyed the blade for a moment. She was by no means a weapons expert, but the knife appeared to be rather sharp. With a grimace still on her lips, Rosaria stood still and merely glared at her kidnapper, as if she was daring him to use his weapon. “I have no intention or desire to harm you. You will return to your lavish life when I have received what I want as long as you do not try my patience, Roza.” “And what is it you want, Fane, if that is your true name?” inquired Rosaria, with an air of hauteur. The princess sat on the edge of his bed, poised like the dignified royal that she was. Barely glancing at him, she stated in a matter-of-factly tone, “Whatever it is you receive for my safe return, you shan’t have it for long. My father’s soldiers will still capture you, and then my father will sentence you to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. Then your severed corpse will be sent to every corner of the kingdom, and all the while I’ll be thinking I told you so.” ( outfit )

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[Fane Valeri Aleksandar]

now the dark begins to rise

save your breath; it's far from over

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style,background-image: url('http://i53.tinypic.com/wb98wn.jpg');,true] I WILL NOT BREAK It was clear to see that by suggesting that she calm down, he ruffled some feathers. She stood a little straighter, she scowled a little deeper, and her cheeks flushed. The young princess appeared as though she was going to allow a renewed stream of insults and threats and demands start flying from her red painted lips. Then the glint of the blade caught her eye. He watched the decision-making process in her eyes as she settled for merely leveling her dark glare upon the unruffled young rogue. “And what is it you want, Fane, if that is your true name?” she asked loftily as she perched on the edge of his bed. “Whatever it is you receive for my safe return, you shan’t have it for long. My father’s soldiers will still capture you, and then my father will sentence you to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. Then your severed corpse will be sent to every corner of the kingdom, and all the while I’ll be thinking I told you so.” A relaxed smile graced his lips contrary to whatever adrenaline might be coursing through his veins at the possibility of evading trained guards and soldiers. “I have not lied to you, Roza. I may have allowed you to draw an incorrect conclusion or two, but I never spoke a dishonest word to you.” His father was boier and he certainly had his fair share of roguish charm. He did have his mysterious, secret skills such as being able to accurately throw a knife or whisk a princess out of her luxurious, sheltered life. A pounding on his door drew his attention away from the princess, his brows furrowing slightly. He had not been expecting any interruption. “Fane, Costel şi Nico sunt pe drumul lor, cu soldaţi.” Andrei sounded out of breath as if he’d run from wherever his brother and Costel were. He didn’t doubt his friend. His faint scowl quickly turned into an expression of anger and betrayal, his glacial eyes almost burning holes in the door with the intensity of his stare. "Mulţumesc, frate. Ia doi cai şi accesorii de lângă poarta.” As he stood from his seat, he slipped the blade back into its sheath hidden beneath his cloak. Fane kept an ear on the princess as he opened his wardrobe and fished out a change of clothes for the young lady. While it was nothing like the expensive clothing she was used to, it would help her blend as they fled. "I suggest you change into these, prinţesă. This part of the city has some who may consider your family an enemy.” Rebels were frequent in the poor district of the city and he doubted that they would hesitate to do one of the royal family harm. They were being forced to flee a bit sooner than he’d expected, but he also didn’t foresee one of his close comrades stabbing him in the back. 490 WORDS , ROZA , COMPLETE!

table by california dreaming @ caution 2.0

translations:
Fane, Costel şi Nico sunt pe drumul lor, cu soldaţi.: Fane, Costel and Nico are on their way with soldiers.
Mulţumesc, frate. Ia doi cai şi accesorii de lângă poarta.: Thank you, brother. Get two horses and supplies to the near gate.

[Rosaria de Valore]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=background,http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2599/rosetable.gif][atrb=height,600,bTable][atrb=width,500,bTable][atrb=vAlign,top] “I have not lied to you, Roza. I may have allowed you to draw an incorrect conclusion or two, but I never spoke a dishonest word to you.” Softly, Rosaria scoffed and rolled her obsidian eyes at his “truths”. True, he may be sinfully handsome with his glacial blue eyes that seemed to peer into very soul and absurdly charming with his voice of honeyed wine, sweet and intoxicating. However no man from the slums of Ascalon could be the son of a Crymean noble family. She simple refused to believe it. Still she would be a proper hostage and let the ransom note go out. Then when both parties were satiated, she would return home… and possibly persuade her father to grant the rouge clemency. It would be a shame if he did not get the chance to pass on those pretty eyes and perfectly symmetrical cheekbones. Then a succession of abrupt banging and pounding sounded on the seemingly flimsy wooden door. The princess heart jumped as she let out a startled gasp. Her eyes and attention flew to the door. Roza sidled further up on the bed until her back was pressed flush against the headboard. From a glance at Fane, it was clear he was not expecting anyone, and if it was a more nefarious foe than he, then she wanted to be as far away from the door as possible. “Fane, Costel şi Nico sunt pe drumul lor, cu soldaţi,” stated the voice outside the door, breathlessly. The tension in Rosaria’s body eased as she noticed that Fane was familiar with the voice. Unfortunately, she could not understand a word he said. "Mulţumesc, frate. Ia doi cai şi accesorii de lângă poarta.” Fane replied moving quickly from his seat. As Fane crossed the room, Roza stood up from the bed once for and eyed him curiously. She wanted to know what the man outside the door had said and why he was going through his wardrobe. “What’s going on? What did he say? Fane, are you listening to me?” asked Rosaria, practically pleading with him for answers. It wasn’t until he shoved a bundle of clothes in her arms that she got any answers. "I suggest you change into these, prinţesă. This part of the city has some who may consider your family an enemy.” Was that it? Did the rebels know she was here? Were they coming after her? Well Rosaria had enough sense of self-preservation to know that it was a better idea to follow Fane than to wait around and find out. Quickly, the princess found a secluded alcove towards the back of the room where she could change and still retain some modesty. With haste, Rosaria slipped off her gown and all the layers underneath and replaced them with the garments that Fane gave to her: a gray unbleached long sleeved shirt, a pair of slate breeches, a black leather bodice, and a pair her knee high black boots. The clothes were a bit baggy on her slight frame, and the fabric was coarser than her fine satin and silk. After securing the black cloak about her shoulder and pulling her sable hair into a low ponytail, she stepped into his view, and inquired once more, “I did as you asked. Now will you please tell what in God’s name is going on?” ( outfit )

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[Fane Valeri Aleksandar]

now the dark begins to rise

save your breath; it's far from over

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,10,true][atrb=style,background-image: url('http://i53.tinypic.com/wb98wn.jpg');,true] I WILL NOT BREAK “What’s going on? What did he say? Fane, are you listening to me?” As he dug in his wardrobe for clothes that would be halfway suitable for the princess, he ignored her questions. He was too busy focusing on the escape routes out of the city that he’d mapped out in his mind. Of course, that wasn’t the hard part. The difficult part would be where to go after they escaped. He couldn’t take the princess to any habitation since she was too high profile. Between the loyalists and the rebels, neither of them would be safe. Their only option would be one with which she would be far from pleased: they were going to have to escape to the wilderness. He completely ignored her questions, handed her the clothes, and allowed her to retreat to the secluded corner of his room to change. He exchanged his stolen outfit for one that was much simpler, belted his blades to his waist, and made certain that he had all of his throwing knives in place beneath his cloak. Finally, he gathered the jewels that the princess felt the need to throw at him and the other trinkets he’d lifted from homes and pockets into a bag that he tied to his belt. After the princess emerged from the corner of the room, he made sure to conceal the dress beneath the mattress. “I did as you asked. Now will you please tell what in God’s name is going on?” With a light touch, he rested his hand on her back and guided her to the window. “That is something we can discuss later. For now, we need to go.” He led her through the window and to the streets after pulling their hoods over their heads to conceal their faces. Between travelling through the streets and buildings, the two of them made it to the gate without confrontation. As he’d asked—or demanded—from his friend, there were two horses with stocked saddlebags waiting. Fane helped the princess onto her horse while keeping a hold of the lead rope before mounting onto his own steed. He spurred his horse onward while connecting the lead line to his saddle to keep the princess from attempting to escape. 375 WORDS , ROZA , COMPLETE!

table by california dreaming @ caution 2.0

THREAD COMPLETED