Grancrest oneshots

Arrow

3rd pov

They all know Marrine and the Walden army were not always above using underhanded and sometimes downright dirty tactics and strategies to win, who could they not when facing off against her? However, they also know she would be honorable and respectful about it as well, like most Lords should be. The Rossini's were underhanded as well, putting a trap in place and trying their hardest to keep Theo from gaining any allies, but they did not succeed anymore than Marrine did. They had a certain respect for the enemy as well, even if the respect was the bare minimum.

So when Theo becomes Emperor, they never have a reason to think to look out for dishonorable or disrespectful tactics, even though they are aware they exist. They keep an eye out, stopping several assassinations, a multitude of poisoning attempts and at least no more than a few attempts at rape, but none of them ever succeed. Theo barely blinks at any of the attempts, just goes along with most of them, though it's also become clear that he's different from when he first entered the war, having killed people without hesitation, since they refused to give up their crests any other way. They all know he was hardened, how could he not be when those far older and in the war far longer are hardened as well? Even the mages, though they rarely went into actual battle for long, are hardened to certain things.

Of course, Theo is in the middle of a meeting, Lassic, Alexis, Marrine, Selge and Igor sitting at a table with him, talking about the best ways to help fix some of the towns, as well as get rid of the rebellions led by rogue mages and the occasional Lord or civilian that doesn't want to lose their crest or the Chaos. There's several windows around, keeping the room well lit without having to use candles, and the chairs only come up to about the bottom of the shoulder blades. Theo's chair is actually a bit more comfortable, being not a chair but a nice little stool, with a pillow on it, since he already has to sit in a chair most of the day.

They're starting to make some progress, deciding to put more funds towards the reconstruction, and they can start sending out some of the Artists with Shadow abilities to find people who happen to be planning anything, just trying to find information, when the window behind Theo shatters. They all duck, taking cover as best they can, guards barging in at the sound. They cover the Emperor as well as the Lords, while a few try to find out what broke the window, because there doesn't appear to be anything there, not a rock or even a hint of magic, but something broke it, that's for certain.

For the moment, they just grab a sheet and - with the help of a few mages and maids - cover the entire window, blocking the view from outside, though they will have to talk a bit quieter in order to not be overheard now. That's not too hard and within moments they're back in the thick of it, the window the least of their worries at the moment, even as they all keep it in the back of their minds. Lassic is across from Theo, so he is the only one to spot the arrow flying through the air, "Theo, look out!" leaving him. The man dodges to the left out of habit, rolling along the ground, and the arrow hits the table with a thunk, all of them staring at it for a moment.

Then another one comes through the window behind him, burying itself into his side, a cry escaping him as it digs through muscle and flash. Guards hurry in, quickly shielding the Emperor from more potential arrows, while getting everyone out of the room, Alexis helping Theo limp out. The arrow is in pretty deep, blood seeping into his clothes already, and they can only hope nothing too important was hit, hurrying towards the medical area, all of them concerned. Of course, the only ones in right now are Siluca and a young healer named Marge who studied herbs. Siluca is up in a flash at seeing Theo being supported in, Marge only a beat behind her upon realizing this is the Emperor. They have Alexis sit him on one of the beds, while gathering the stuff they're going to need in order to help him.

Theo just really wants to lay down, ya know? He's not certain if it's the blood loss or something else talking, but he's really tired, wouldn't mind laying down and just taking a nap. He slumps over, only just caught by Marge, who helps him shift onto his stomach, since sitting up is clearly not something he seems capable of doing. Siluca set the last of the items down and the two set to work, cutting the clothes, and checking where the arrow actually hit.