Sheets of Study

[Ice]

Ice sat on an ornate goshenite, high backed chair in the centre of the white shining courtyard. He was wearing white robes that covered his whole body, save his face and within it were many gems found only in the far north.

Samara sat by his side, as she always did, around her neck were many small pearls that shone with all colours of the rainbow, depending on which light touched them and from where you looked.

He had just left a meeting with his councillers and once again Ice had been subject to them talking down upon him as if he were a child as they each tried to get their word into the session, each trying to rule some of the country or sway such a young person's mind. At least this time none of them had mentioned 'Your father would have. . .' They had begun to learn that those four words were a fast ticket out of the White Court.

Ice rubbed his blue eyes slightly before returning to the papers before him. The war was taking all of his waking time. It seemed all the world hinged upon any one word that he might say out of turn.

A slight wind stirred, and white and grey leaves blew along the ground as Ice sat ponderously over many lore of battle tactics and letters, always trying to pick his next move.

[archer]

Archer had been out looking for the Court for days. He had not slept and it was beginning to become obvious. Bags of weariness acted as pillows for his ice blue eyes. His dark green cloak covered his light brown, or tan, tunic. The hood of the cloak covered his light brown hair that was covered in frost.

He noticed a courtyard and wandered toward it, almost tripping on his every step from him being so weak from no sleep. His cloak could be noticed easily in the white glistening snow. Under his cloak was Archer's sword and high, brown leather boots. On his back was his bow slung across his shoulder and on the other shoulder was his quiver of arrows.

As Archer got closer he saw the robes of a man that looked as though he ruled the place. He got to the courtyard and took a bow. He fel to one knee quickly and rested his arm on the knee that was not on the ground. "Sir...I've come searching for this place for days..." He said not able to continue.

[Ice]

Ice looked up with a start as the man approached. He was beyond any doubt an Ice Warrior, but Ice had never laid eyes upon him.

For a moment, Ice only stared at him as he knelt on the ground before he realised his condition.

Swearing inwardly at his slow reaction, Ice ran to the man's side. Papers flew from either side and landed discarded on the ground for the wind to steal. Ice would regret that, but for now he was concerned by his kinman in need.

Ice wrapped one of the man's arms around his shoulders and stood up, letting the man lean upon him and began walking towards his tower.

Samara ran ahead to gather attention. In the rush to get the man into the tower, Ice didn't even have time to think of why he was here. He was one of them, and he needed help.

[archer]

As Archer was pulled up from his knee he blacked out for a moment. He lifted most of his weight off of the man that was carrying him "I can walk alone sire" He said in a straining voice. Archer started to pull his arm from around the man and continued to walk by himself next to the man. Although Archer was walking wearily he managed to stay up.

"I just need some food and water sire" He said looking at the man next to him. "My name is Aric Summers sire,but most call me Archer...Be cause of my skill with a bow" He said proudly but quietly. His voice was scratchy due to his lack of drinking anything for days.

[Ice]

Ice could here a dry croak to his voice, indicating the fact he had had little to drink. Ice narrowed his eyes, snow could have helped with it, but it was not a nourishing or thirst-quenching thing.

When the man, Archer, said to Ice he needed drink, Ice's thoughts were confirmed.

Ice stood beside the man, waiting just in case his strength failed him and he fainted again.

Samara was already returning with one of Ice's counselors. He had in his hand, a goblet of water. It must of been at near-freezing temperature, but Ice held it to Archer's throat nonetheless, not letting him drink enough, but enough to soothe his throat.

[archer]

Archer drank thankfully fro the water that was not fulfilling. He rubbed his throat and coughed a bit. He stumbled but caught himself quickly "may I have some more to drink" He said as he looked to Ice then the man next to Samara. I've been looking for a place to stay and rest for days...I think I've gone in circles for miles. When I saw your courtyard...I thought it was a mirage, but I continued toward it anyway." He said standing up strait talking to Ice.

{{Sorry...Short post. I couldn't think of anything}}

[Ice]

Ice looked up at the counselor, but the question was already answered anyway.

"As at High Lord, it's my responsibility." Ice said quietly, barly above a whisper. "We can find you suitable quarters.

They began walking further towards his tower at the centre of the city. "There will be more water later." Ice said sternly. "You can't drink too much after having so little. It's too dangerous."

[archer]

Aric nodded lightly "Thank you sir." Archer said as he followed the High Lord. Aric nodded again at the response to his question of thirst "I understand. Thank you for watching out for my health." He said thankfully. "So where shall I be sleeping tonight?" Archer asked the man that was leading him

[Ice]

"Counselor Quarters." Ice said. Now that the initial shock of the man's arrival was wearing off, memories of his war were flooding back into his head.

Samara chuffed quietly, almost voicing his thoughts in her own tongue. Ice looked at her before turning back to the Archer.

"What happened to you?" He asked.

[archer]

Archer looked down at the ground then back to Ice. "Well...My village was burned down in a raid of a clan that I don't know of. I fought off as many as I gould but more kept coming. I must ahve killed at least a hundered of them. Then they set the village on fire and I couldn't do anything to prevent it from spreading." He said thinking of the attack."I am out of arrows and my blade is beggining to get dull." He said as he pulled the sword from his sheath. He ran his hand down the edge and showed his hand to Ice, there was no mark from the blade. "If you don't mind, I would like to get a sharpening stone from a blacksmith and I also need to find a place to buy arrows." He said looking around.

[Ice]

Ice narrowed his eyes at this 'Archer'.

"Where was this?" Ice asked, his voice had taken on a sudden cool tone. There had been no raids in the far north to Ice's knowledge. The other armies couldn't have passed the Mountains of Frost of the Blizzard Plains without his knowledge. Svëna was one of the most well protected lands in the known world. To the south was the Mountains of Frost, separating them from the world, and to the North, the Land of Never-Ending Winter.

There was a low growling noise deep in Samara's throat. What if this Archer was not to be trusted? Ice could not allow himself to be made a fool of and had to be sure.

[archer]

Aric looked at Ice "I would say 50 miles east of here sir" He said trying to think "But it may have been from a different direction, I had gotten turned around a lot" He said to Ice. "Why do you look at me like I have done high treason my Lord? I have done nothing wrong. Unless you consider trying to save a village treason" He said confused.

[clive]

Clive was walking towards one of the Inn's to drop off some meat when he saw Archer and Ice. He watched from afar and after finishing his deliveries aproached the two. He bowed to Ice. "Hello sir, who is this with you? A new recruite? He doesn't seem fit to fight, he looks like skin and bones. Where are you from lad?" He asked. He had seen smoke coming from a far and he had thought he had heard screams and the sound of steel on steel in the direction of smoke. He had decided to finish his task and then go and investigate, he would however, wait for introductions to be done before telling Ice about this.

[archer]

Archer introduced himself "I'm Archer...I'm from a village that was destroyed a few days ago. I wandered here to find some help but I couldn't find it right away. It took me days to get here. I tried to help defend the village but there were to many attackers. Now my sword is dull and my arrows are gone." He said sheathing his newly dulled sword into it's sheath. "May I ask who you are?"

[clive]

"the name is Clive, nice to meet you archer, I am the cook of the army." He said with a bow. "At Ice's services." He said with a heartful laugh. He doubted that this youngster would understand his joke, then again, he was wondering something about the boy. did he say that his villiage had been destroyed?