icor

' II ' ; whiterun

" You need to pay for your crimes. What say you in your defence? "

a bearded man had inquired with a much younger kneeling gentleman that had been accused of thievery. the king stood taller than him, the man peering up at him with immense trepidation as both his wrists were evidently bound. by the looks of it, Annette could tell he were a prisoner who had yet to be forced to provoke his obvious crimes; apparent in his disheveled attire and dirty complexion.

" I didn't do it! I swear it by the Old Gods and the New! It were the Thieves Guild, I had no part! I beg of you, my king. "

" If you do not wish to speak up, I will have my men execute you by dawn. "

" Sir, please! I was falsely accused, I swear it to you! "

the prisoner's sharpened pleads were ill met. he had shrieked out a handful of tears as two girthy men clasped his biceps with an immense amount of force, only for him to be dragged away. the crowd that was collected within the main hall had began to murmur within their own atmosphere, the king finally calling for their attention.

" Now, with that taken care of, is there anyone here to speak up as a witness to the culprit? "

the sunset haired master questioned, the room growing silent other than a handmaiden that had stepped from the density of the controlled crowd.

" Your grace, "

she began, her head taking a bow before she spoke.

" I know of the men in the Thieves Guild. Women too, "

she paused, observing the king and his guards that stood so intently next to him.

" Whatever this prisoner has done, I can assure you he has been wrongly accused. Are there any witnesses to confirm his crime? Or digress it? Anyone who whines this much because they were caught red handed is no member of the Thieves at all. Grant him some other sentence other than death. "

the fair-skinned woman closed her statement, bravery shining in the brim of her oak hues. she knew what was right and she knew what was wrong. Annette could tell by her demeanor that she knew what she was saying. and she couldn't agree more.

the king stood silent as the rest of the hall had returned to its murmur. twiddling his fingers together, the head of the city collected his thoughts as he hushed the crowd ever so calmly.

" This little dove has a point. Keep the prisoner untouched until further investigation, and keep her too. I'm done talking for this evening. "

Annette graced her hues to the fearful woman that spoke her wisdom just moments ago, seeing shock in her eyes as the crowd flooded into an uproar. the guards had unhesitantly grabbed her arm and rushed her to the back of the palace as if she had to be there within a certain time. and just as the king stood from his throne, Dragonborn appeared within the center of the hall.

" Your grace? "
Annette provoked, her strong vocals cutting through the shaken crowd as villagers evidently shared their opinions with one another. the femme's cords hushed everyone to be present, even the guards that were manhandling the handmaiden. her brunette strands whipped behind her shoulders as she turned to make an acquaintance with the Dovah's confident stance; the king furrowing his brows in disbelief over the way Annette had so carelessly interrupted him. the Dragonborn hadn't cared of social stances upon other members of the world. in all of reality, child and soldier, were grown from the same blood and same ancestors. from the same roots that wrapped around the Elderglen, and the Haven Springs that were said to reverse age. sociatal factors were made from mankind, its unnatural form unable to set foot on Tamriel. it hadn't manifested, it were unreal. Annette hadn't described royalty as an inherited bloodline, but instead with one's actions and deeds. with kindess and loyalty, and if you proved yourself of that, you will be crowned. though, the world had stood in different pegs, and Annette's mind was something extraterrestrial.

with a snark plastered on your majesty's demeanor, the Dragonborn took time to leave her hues from the king and onto the female. hope was shining on the whites of her eyes, which just fueled the armored woman with the Blood of the Savior. she hadn't left her remarking eyes.

" Are you speaking to me like that? I have more Kingsguards, plenty to go around-- "

" I'm not afraid of your ironclad brutes with dull swords, "
Annette admittedly interrupted, her eyes falling from the unnamed woman and onto the king.

the flood of laughing civilians behind her had shaped her likelihood for the woman's safety into something promising. something humiliating for the man before her that had been so loosely called such. it took a moments time for him to get a grip onto her firey stare and smirking rebuttal.

" Quiet! "
he shouted, and obeyingly the crowd succumbed. several decades of his strict abilities took a toll on the thriving population of one of the largest and most powerful holds. though Annette were less than women's expectations, she smirked at the idea of being lady-like for just this moments time.

" I must apologize, your grace. I must be sick to strike you this way, "
she began, sarcasm staining her tongue but was perceived to be true.
" I only wish to speak on this woman's behalf. Would you do me such a thing? "

the audience behind her tall frame began their whispering in moments time. each phrase being slurred by their tongues, and the occasional snickers from certain civilians. Annette found the time to grace a cocky smirk across her lips, the space between them being filled with the whites of her teeth. furrowed brows were etched downward, her dark hues catching up with the king that were evidently frustrated with the armored woman.

" I should have your head, girl, "
he hissed.

the ocean of people hushed, their eyes gleaming wide at the sentence that was passed from their king. Annette dropped her smile, as her head, taking a couple of steps before the guards had halted her within her own pace. each of their hands were at their golden swords, their iron clad clanking with each movement they made. the king remained within his throne, taking time to stand at his feet as he traced his eyes away from Annette.

" I want my loyal people to be escorted this instance, "
the blonde spoke, turning his head to his most noble man.
" Sir Herick, group up some of your men to aid the crowd from the keep. Our annual feast will be delayed until further notice. "

and without any words, the men were commanded as so, the two guards stepping from the Dovahkiin and toward the already standing audience. their clad boots making audible clicking, double doors parted as they emitted a creaking noise as well as the suns light. rays poured into the throne room, some of their paths touching Annette's scalp and providing her with warmth. she were use to the cold where she resided, so the warmth had never been comfortable upon her pale skin.

within time, the flood of people dispersed from the keep, the door shutting as each latch was locked for their safety. for the king and his people, to set back any assassins that may dream of having his blood stain their clothes. it wasn't unusual to predict such a thought, most people hadn't favored the young king.

the fire-strand miss kept her space, the knuckle of her digits twitching gently just as the royal man stepped from his seating. he stood just a few feet from the armored woman, his eyes peering unto hers before commanding the guards to take the woman to her cell. Annette traded her gaze away from the man, and repeated his own power but in the form of the Dovah.

" Have you no mercy? Is this how you rule? You sustain your position with ruthless actions. Have you never once let someone speak on their behalf, even if-- "

" Your majesty, "
spoke a voice, a middleaged dark elf appearing from the silent halls with speed in her step. her brow were decked with sweat, her hand gripping against an unsealed scroll, and her eyes as fearful as the next man.
" Word from the watch tower, an elder dragon has been spotted. "