sbi royalty

on the move

"Are we there yet?" Tommy whined.

"No." Ranboo sighed and looked down at the reins of his horse then back at Prince Tommy.

"Although, by this time, the answer should really be yes. The sun is quite low in the sky."

"That's it, I am getting out of this carriage, please retrieve my horse Ranboo."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Ranboo lead his horse around and out of view of Tommy. Exhausted from a long day of doing nothing, Tommy slouched into the plush red seats and put his feet up on the other side. He had to at least admit that the countryside was beautiful; Tommy had never left the city before. While he could see it from the castle, the way the golden rays twinkled in the small streams that ran past captured his interest.

Soon enough, Ranboo had returned and Tommy leapt straight up into his trusty horse Clementine. He brought the horse to a trot and overtook many in the large travelling party until he reached the very front. A tired looking man in a heavy cape reluctantly greeted him:

"I was sure it was only a matter of time until you were off doing something you are not supposed to."

"What can I say, I was bored." Tommy replied bluntly.

He squinted to look at Technoblade to his right, the Sun now quite low in the sky.

"Are we not stopping soon? It will be dark soon." Tommy suggested sensibly (for a change).

"Dream changed the meeting place, it's a bit further away, so we have to make up some time. "

"That sounds suspicious if you ask me."

"It does, but we'll send scouts and I'm not going anywhere that looks dodgy no matter how much that guy wants me to." Techno responded calmly, his gaze fixed on something far in front of him.

"And besides, we're not even the ones doing the actual talking, we are simply the welcome party."

"Then why are we so heavily armed?" Tommy twisted around and gestured to the formation of a hundred cavalry and soldiers along with wagons of supplies in the rear.

"Firstly, a show of strength. Secondly, there is a reason we don't leave the castle grounds much you know. You are asking a lot of questions today."

"Sorry."

"It's fine... wait, I think we're nearly there actually."

Tommy leant forward and squinted to look at a sign up ahead.

"Grafton, 1/2 mile." He read.

"We will be staying in a local Lord's manor for the night. Lord Hownsdale, supposedly a rather boring man."

"Oh, I see."

They had approached a large manor house within the hour. After leaving most of the troops behind to camp elsewhere, the small party was lead up the stone steps and into the central foyer. Pleasantries were exchanged with much fuss made over their royal status which seemed way too contrived for both Technoblade and Tommy to cope with.

The evening went by without incident and they retired to their rooms long after the sun had fully set.

"Goodnight Your Royal Highness, I will be down the hall and to the right with the other servants if you need me."

"Thank you Ranboo, goodnight." Tommy flashed a smile and Ranboo bowed gently. He closed the door behind him carefully, a little sigh let out as he twisted the door knob and locked the door.

He took some time to properly absorb the contents of his room; it was smaller than he was used to, but Phil had always taught him to be grateful, so he didn't mind. One thing that caught his eye was the balcony door, the reflection of the full moon overhead casting cold light through the glass. It illuminated the surroundings just enough for Tommy to slowly walk across, being careful to tread lightly because of the late hour and silent hallways that always brought a slight amount of trepidation especially in unfamiliar territory.

He turned the handle and the door swung open and an arctic-like breeze slapped him straight in the face. His immediate reaction was to turn right back around and return into the warmth, however he felt he should stay out for at least a little while.

His surroundings gave his a small sense of déjà vu; many balconies lined the outside, a large gap between each.

'If I get a run up I could definitely make that, but should I? That's a very high drop, I doubt the bushes will help much...'

Tommy paced up and down the balcony for a couple minutes before coming to a decision, he had done it before, he could do it again. What could go wrong?

However, his question would not be answered at that time as the creak of the adjacent balcony's door caused his eyes to dart straight there and at the man who emerged from them.

Technoblade was dressed in fairly basic clothing, except for the large, fluffy red cape he pulled more tightly over his shoulders as he walked out.

Tommy swiftly stood upright from his runner's stance and glared directly at his older brother.

"What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same question." Tommy said matter-of-factly.

"Well, I am not the one who doesn't have a coat and looks like someone has just walked in on them committing a heinous war crime."

"Why is that where your mind goes?"

Techno shrugged. He gazed off into the distance and seemed to have moved on from Tommy's most recent, late night escapade.

"Is everything going to plan?" Tommy asked.

"Mostly, it's a bit of a logistical nightmare but what can you do." Techno sighed lightly.

"Wish I could help a bit."

"Sometimes it feels like that for me too; I'm more of a figurehead than anything else..."

They stood in silence for a time after that.

Tommy shivered and tugged down his sleeves to cover his hands, fiddling with the material.

"I am going to head to bed now, don't stay out too long now!" Tommy cheerfully remarked making his leave.

"You're starting to sound like Wilbur, but goodnight." Technoblade turned to look at him and smiled slightly, most likely at his own comment.

"That is not true!" Tommy let out a laugh. "See you in the morning." He gave a final wave over his shoulder as he went inside to get some rest...

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we don't talk about how late this is