forum The Flame in the Dark (OxO Closed)

Started July 12, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

Name: Payne Hyre (Last name is pronounced like HIGH-ere)

Age: 25

Magic (if any): Holy light runs through his veins. The light of purity, of the eradication of evil, of truth. It's lain dormant since the disappearance of magic from the world. (Basically, think paladin magic, i.e. detecting evil intentions, breaking curses, etc.)

Weapons: He's proficient with all types of sword and with maces, hammers, etc.; he is semi-proficient with bows and knives/daggers. He considers those tools to be the marks of a coward in most cases, though on a couple occasions he was proven wrong. He's also used to wearing half plate, full plate and scale mail, and usually wields a kite shield, buckler or tower shield with his weapon.

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Appearance-

Height: 7 ft. 3 1/2 in. /\ 220.98 cm

Weight: 305.12 lbs. /\ 136.585734 kg.

Eye Color: Hex Color #fffbe8

Eye Shape: Monolid

Hair Color: Hex Color #ffeb91

Hair Style}Skin Tone}Face Shape-

Body Type-

Usual Outfit: He usually dresses like an off-duty footsoldier, so his style is a thin cream-colored tunic belted at the waist with a cheap belt, over top of slightly baggy brown leather pants and knee high farmer boots.

Other Details:

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Personality Type: Payne is a genuinely respectable man. He takes loss well, can and will ask for help when he needs it, apologizes when he's wrong and can take "No" for an answer. He secretly spends his time off helping the farmers and sneaking out of the palace, donates honestly insane amounts of money from the treasury to churches and families who need some financial stability, and takes the time of day to help anyone anywhere. He doesn't tolerate any form of violence towards women or children; cannot respect anyone, whether man or women, if they lie consistently; and won't engage in bribes or subterfuge. He does forgive a little too easily, however, and has been known to be bedridden for days at a time because he trusted a noble who then tried to poison him. It's at that point he won't forgive someone. Despite his being in the military, he doesn't particularly like violence or killing, but he does it so nobody else has to. He makes stupid jokes that people laugh at because they're just so horrible, is willing to laugh at himself, and genuinely enjoys it when other people view him not as the crown prince of his nation or a battle hardened cynic, but as a normal man. (Basically he drinks his respect women juice and is a bit of a himbo.)

Likes: Food, hard work, creativity, helping anyone who needs help

Dislikes: Literally any form of rudeness or disrespect towards women or people who can't defend their selves, violence, causing fear/pain

Hopes: To make the world a genuinely good place where nobody has to live in fear of their governing system.

Fears: Not being able to protect the people he cares about (so basically everyone.)

Hobbies: A lot-

Talents: Basically fighting and keeping people in check.

Goals: To become a king worthy of praise in legends and stories. Not in a conceited way; he wants to be remembered as a good king who his subjects could depend on in times of crisis.

Lyanna Lanova knew two things with absolute certainty. One, she was absolutely beautiful and anyone would be lucky to be with her. The hair, the eyes, the body, she was stunning. She knew it and men certainly knew it as well, with how much they pined over her. Though she only let them get close enough to feel the kiss of her blade. The second thing was that her master Eleric was absolutely insane. He had to be with what he was suggesting. She didn't even know why he had agreed to such a contract. They always left the palace alone. The few lords that were targeted never had enough strong hold in the palace. As long as they left the king and his men alone, the assassins guild was left relatively alone. Or as much alone as it could get. And yet Eleric had accepted a contract to kill Duke Karrington, the King's right-hand man and most loyal supporter. She couldn't understand how, even after seeing the sum of money that was being offered for such a thing. She didn't even know who had that sort of money that wasn't the royals themselves.

"No," she said flatly. "Not a chance in hell. You know very well as I do why we don't go to the palace." No one ever returned from their trips to the palace. Everyone was always caught one way or another. And if you were caught, you better pray for a swift death, which none ever received.

She was sitting across from him, ankle over her knee and arms crossed. His office was rather simple for the King of Assassins. He was rich beyond belief, and yet still kept her indebted to him. All this wealth and yet his office was simple. There was a great oak desk with three chairs. One opposite her, for Eleric, and two on her side, one of which she occupied. There was a small bookshelf to her left against the wall and on the right was a sofa and a loveseat. There were few decorations, just a few trinkets he had picked up on his journeys.

"And there is no one else I trust to do this than you." He was leaning forward, arms braced on the oak desk. She would consider him an attractive man had he not forced her to be tied to him, nor brutalized her in the way he did. It was to make her the best, or so he claimed. "I won't even take my cut of the contract, Lyanna. Think about what the money could do."

It was enough money for her to pay off over half her debt and still keep a small portion for herself. The money was…enticing. And she needed it. Wanted to be free of him. At least in this regard. He still owned her. She would always be a part of the guild. And she knew he one day planned to pass the crown to her. Queen of the Assassins did have a nice ring to it.

She gripped the arms of the chair, fingers drumming. The anonymous contractor had given her three months to kill the duke. She was surprised at why it was so much time until she had been told there was information they had wanted gathered against him. What she was supposed to look for, she had no idea. Just that they wanted anything and everything recorded that he did, and then to kill him once the three months were up. Or sooner, depending on what information was discovered.

The first problem she would encounter would be getting into the palace. The Duke left the palace even less than the king, and that was saying something. The king rarely ever left. There was no way for her to stalk and properly kill him without first getting in. And there were a number of problems that could occur getting in, and not just because of her identity. Her jaw clenched and she looked out the window. The curtains had been pulled back and allowed her to look onto the streets of the upper district. The guild resided in one of the nicer homes of the upper district. It had to house so many people. There were over a dozen assassins who lived here.

"I'll have your answer for you same time tomorrow," she finally spoke. She turned her head back to Eleric, his face unyielding. He was in his late thirties and yet hardly looked a day over thirty-five. She wasn't sure how he did it but she planned to learn his secret one day on how to look so young. His brown hair had been pulled back by a leather tie at the nape of his neck. His features were strong and his eyes were amber.

"You have until dawn." And that was that. A dismissal if she ever heard one. She rose from her chair and stalked out of the room, trying to hold back her glare until she had turned her back to him. He knew anyways and told her as much. She stalked to her room and did not come out until morning. No, she had much to plan for.

Right as the sun began to peak, she was in his office. "I accept." A decision that might very well get her killed, or get her one step further to freedom. A risk she was willing to take. Not but an hour later, her nice things were packed and she was dressed in a pale blue gown with a modest neckline, much to her dismay. The sleeve capped at her wrist. The fabric was embroidered with gold thread. It was absolutely stunning. She was stunning. Her hair had been coiled and pinned half up.

And then she was off to the palace to pose as Lady Lillian Carver, youngest daughter of Lord Carver, and newest lady-in-waiting for the queen.

Payne was busy.

Painfully, exceedingly busy. But he enjoyed the work, no matter what it was. Usually, it was just taking reports from scouts and various sections of the city that were rich in crime, but whenever he got a chance, he'd usually sneak out.

Well, I guess that won't happen today. . . he sighs, pulling self-consciously at his fine clothes.

He hated days like this, really, where the palace was in a riot because of some new arrival or other.

Well. . . this time, it wasn't just some "new arrival or other."

This time, everyone was in a riot over the new lady-in-waiting who was supposed to be stunning. And who was supposed to be one of the more promising candidates.

Payne didn't care all that much about how she looked. He cared about what she did. For him, actions were better than words - though he had to place stock in words as well, being the crown prince and all.

He'd first heard of this late at night when he was returning to his own chambers, walking by the king - his father's - room, where the queen had been called.

He didn't think much of it at the time, really - most new ladies-in-waiting were cynical, voracious and certainly didn't get along too well with Payne with how much he'd rejected their advances. There were a couple who kept their distance, which was understandable. Payne did certainly look foreboding, almost like a mountain made into a man.

He hated that, a little. It sucked whenever people looked at him and assumed he was just a big oaf.

He shakes his head, clearing these thoughts.

He checks his clothes again and sighs, looking over at the king.

"Father, how much longer must I wait while wearing this. . . mad attire?" he asks stubbornly. His voice was surprisingly quiet, but it carried a force of its own, as inexorable as the tides. It was a commanding, deep voice that lent itself well to shouting orders in battle.

The king sighs.

"Not much longer, I don't think. Your mother has to wait outside for her, to greet her, so it will likely be 10 minutes after the lady-in-waiting arrives that we actually get to greet her ourselves."

Payne looks neither pleased nor displeased by this.

"Then I shall go into my chambers and wait for word that she has arrived," he says bluntly, not waiting for his father to protest.

Lyanna had a lot of things in common with the Lady Lillian, save her hair. They were of similar height and build and both a beauty. Nothing a few cosmetics coukdnt fix. The main difference was the hair. The Lady had chestnut hair, a color that was now staining Lyanna's hair. It wasn't permanent and would wash out after so many baths, so she would need to bring more to keep it colored. And somehow not let anyone notice the hair dye. It bothered her to no end to have her hair dyed but she didn't have much of a choice.

The realy Lady Lilian Carver was already packed on a ship and headed far away. By the time she reached shore and managed to get a messenger back to her father and the palace, well, Lyanna would have long killed Duke Karrington and be well out of the palace. She was beginning to realize just how much her master had expected her to agree. He had somehow gotten one of the ladies in waiting fired, found a way to influence the queen to hire on Lord Carver's youngest daughter. She had never been to court before and could use the time to find a proper husband and gain contact with courtiers of higher standing.

In the short time she had, she had memorized enough of Lilian's life that was known at court along with her family information, which wasn't much. The rest she had come up with a plausible enough story that as long as she stuck to it would work just fine. She was a charming woman, no questions should be asked if she could help it.

The first challenge was getting through the gates. Soulhounds patrolled all entrances of the palace. That spark of magic that had been stifled all those years ago could still be scented by them. Eleric had reassured her the perfumes she wore would mask any scent on her that her clothes did not. She did need to look like she had been traveling for a week.

She didn't think she was breathing as those hounds came to her beautiful carriage. As they sniffed through the door, her things. And then they trotted away and she was through. She didn't know how. Eleric must have done something to neutralize the smell. But now that she was through she woukd be in the clear. For now that was.

The queen was to greet her first. Already, she could see that glorious crown on her head as she waited in the courtyard for the Lady. Lyanna was barely off the steps of the carriage before dipping deep into a curtsy. "Your Majesty," she said in greeting.

(Sorry it's so short from the wait.)

The queen smiles as Lyanna steps out of the carriage and curtsies.

"Lady Lillian, it's nice to have you as out newest lady in waiting. It's a shame the old one got wrapped up in that scandal. . . I do hope for better from you, the daughter of Duke Carver. You're even more stunning than the rumors say, though I had hear your hair was a little lighter in color," she replies kindly. "You may rise."

As she's talking, the front doors to the palace open, and the queen nods at the king.

"Where is Payne, dear?" she asks, looking around for a moment.

The king sighs. "Up in his room. He had grown tired of waiting for your idle chatter to end."

The queen laughs brightly.

"He takes after you, most certainly, in that regard," she replies.

She nods at one of the servants.

"Fetch him."

The servant runs off and returns a few minutes later, Payne in tow.

(You're okay! I've been busy working so no rush)

Lyanna tried not to grit her teeth. There had only been so many temporary dyes available for her hair on such short notice. Thankfully, no one at the palace had seen the actual Lady Lillian, at least not in years. She could blame it in age and the sun for the lightening of her hair. And easy lie that should surly work.

She forced her cheeks to redden at the compliment and stood. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But it is you who is the beauty, not I." She hoped sweet flattery would make the woman forget about her too light brown hair.

As they entered the throne room, she took a minute to marvel at everything. Lyanna had a tendency to surround herself with the finer things of life but she had never amounted to enough money for something so grande. For the tapestries on the wall, the paintings, the sculptures, eveb the lighting fixture, it was all so magnificent. Priceless. She had never seen such wealth before. That's a lie…

She quieted the small voice in her head and dipped into a curtsy before the king. The king she dared not to look upon. As it was he who had been the demise of her family and people. Her home had been left shambles, the people desperately trying to survive now. All because of him.

She tried to focus on their conversation. They were speaking about their son, Prince Payne. She had heard about him. Heard how he refused the ladies of court and did not so much as turn his head to them. She wondered how she might use him to his advantage. A friend, she thought, he needed. A reprieve from all the fawning ladies. And perhaps he might indulge her curiosities about the missing magic. Where had it gone?

The queen laughs, but her gaze was slightly shrewd.

"Nonsense, Lady Carver. Humility may be a virtue, but you, out of all the candidates, have the highest chance of succeeding based on looks. The next king would be lucky to get you to himself," she laughs.

When Payne strides into the room, the atmosphere imediately changes. It was the way even the king straightened slightly that would make the new lady wonder. . . what is his deal?

Not only that, he was just massive. Not exactly fat, that much was clear. But he was broad and tall, with strikingly golden eyes and a hardset jaw. Yes, he was certainly his father's son.

He glances at Lillian. His expression doesn't twitch, but he steps towards her and bows like he had to greet the other ladies.

"A pleasure, Lady Carver. I hope you'll find your stay pleasant," he states. His voice was as calm as the rumors said, and most certainly suited the warrior-prince.

He straightens, and for a moment there's a curious look in his eyes, before he blinks, dispelling it.

Lyanna merely blinked in response before forcing that blush to stain her cheeks once more. She looked away, feigning bashfulness. She had no intentions of marrying the prince, nor courting him. She merely wished to use him for information. On the Duke and to satisfy her own line of questioning. Though she would have to be very careful how she went about such a thing.

It was not lost on her how the prince's appearance changed everything. The guards seemed to straighten their backs, the staff tense. Even the king had stiffened on his throne. She wondered what exactly the prince must have done to warrant such a reaction.

Lyanna didn't stop herself from looking at the prince. She explained his face, his body. She counted any weapons he might have on him, hidden or visible. She herself had half a dozen weapons hidden on her body. He was certainly a warrior. Built like one. She had never seen someone as large as ge was. But that only meant he would fall so much harder.

She remembered to curtsy, even if it was delayed. She murmured a queit, "Your Highness," in greeting to him. She straightened her back, her chin lifted tall. She had the grace and poise of a lady. If only she didn't kill people for a living.

"I have no doubt that I will, Your Highness. The palace is as lovely as they say," she gave him a small smile. Her voice was smooth and steady. She did not waver. But she also did not throw herself against him as she was sure plenty did. She treated him as if he was just another person in the room.

"I have had a long journey." Not as long as they thought it had been. "If I may, I woukd like to retire to my room yo freshen uo then perhaps a tour," she was speaking to the queen now, her gaze shifted to her even if she kept one eye on the comings and goings of the room. Nothing ever escaped her. "There are so many halls I worry I might get lost easily."

Payne already seemed to be mostly disinterested, though only the queen and king would be able to tell it wasn't true. But Payne was a commander used to hiding what he felt. Even Lyanna would have a hard time getting a good read on him.

He sighs at the title.

"Just call me Payne. I have grown exceedingly tired of playing prince today," he says bluntly. He wasn't being impolite or particularly rude.

The queen smiles.

"Now now. Why don't you show Lady Carver to where she will be staying? Me and your father have things to discuss. And give her the tour as well," she says brightly.

Payne nods.

"As you wish," he says.

He looks at Lillian.

"I will help with your luggage later. For now, let us get you rested," he sighs.

Lyanna's head tilted slightly as she regarded the prince. Though not so princely she supposed. A warrior, a soldier first. The prince came second. Even if the roles should be reversed for him. He was the crown prince and heir to the throne. He would need to be alive to ascend.

She looked to the queen, smiling and nodding her head at her wishes. Though she wasn't so sure she wanted the prince to escort her. Not yet at least. She liked to keep people, men in particular, on their toes.

It was alright. At least she could hopefully convince him she wasn't trying to court him. Or bed him. Lyanna had other things on her mind and none of them had to do with bedding a pretty man. Even if they were her weakness. Though she supposed Lillian was supposed to be finding a suitable match. The prince was still too far out of her league.

She took a few steps until she was by Payne's side. She left enough room between them so they wouldn't accidentally touch but not so far as to be perceived as repulsed by him. She nodded politely. "You needn't do that. I may have brought a few too many things. I wouldn't want to burden you with such a task."

Truth be told, she really didn't want to care in any of those trunks. They were heavy. And it wasn't as though she couldn't carry them, she just didn't want to.

Payne shrugs.

"I'll be fine, Lady Carver. I'm used to much worse than a woman's tendency to pack their entire closets into a case," he says. It was hard to tell if he was being serious.

The queen laughs, at least.

Payne smiles at her, and the room relaxes from how tense it had been.

"Let us get going," he says, politely taking hold of Lyanna's arm to guide her as he strides off.

Lyanna smiled again, her cheeks beginning to hurt. She didn't know the last time she had smiled so much. Perhaps that's why it hurt her face. She usually adorned a smirk on her lips and a rare grin as people time and time again underestimated her. But smiling so casually, it was new to her. At home, if it could really be called that, there was no time for such things. Not for her. She was training or on a job. In those rare moments of free time she woukd venture to the market district and shops for clothing or books (books which she had brought with her) or accessories.

She took the arm that was offered to her, looping her own around and stepping closer to him. She had to in order to hold him so, to be guided. She held in her flinch everytime their hips brishes against one another. This is the son of the man who took everything from you. She would not be easily swayed. Not by him.

"I suppose a warrior as brilliant as yourself would see a few trunks of luggage a light workout." Her eyes twinkled as she teased. Mischief called to her, even when her head knew better.

Payne keeps his own distance from Lillian. He could feel the way she tensed up, holding back a flinch, every time their hips brushed or their shoulders bumped.

For him though, it was more a matter of respect than hate or distrust of her. He didn't enjoy watching as people shied away from him due to his feats in battle, the stories and rumors and even myths that have stemmed from his body count alone.

The people had even named his sword for him, a condition he wasn't exactly pleased with. All he wanted was to be known as a wise king, a kind king. Not the hero of countless bloody, brutal battles.

In the present, Payne chuckles at the tease.

"Well, I wouldn't say that much. Even I have trouble navigating with a closet strapped to my back," he replies with a smile.

Lyanna wasn't trying to make it noticeable. But it was hard to contain herself when she was so close to the offspring of the king. She wanted to kill Eleric for this. Not literally but…he was still the reason she was here. The reason she was doing this. The reason she was trapped in the palace around the piepl that were personally responsible for the downfall of her home.

She tilted her head to look up at him. He was nearly a foot taller than her. She had to crane her neck to look at him. "Oh, now you're just being modest. I'll think you'll fare just well."

She turned her head away from him, admiring the halls as they walked through them. She even tried to peer into the few rooms with open or cracked doors. She tried not to seem so obvious but she had never seen such a place. She wanted to see everything.

"Indulge me if you will," she spoke again. "Tell me something about the palace. Something I wouldn't know. Something that would only be known by those that dwell here."

Payne grins.

"I'm still very human, Lady Carver," he teases. His eyes were sparkling, his expression happy, but he still felt distant, as closed off as a castle under siege.

He watches as Lillian cranes her neck to try and examine each room.

At her question, he chuckles.

"Well it would be rude to rob you an opportunity to learn for yourself, now wouldn't it? Maybe you should ask the servants. I've heard they're the ones with all the secrets," he replies casually.

Lyanna didn't miss the way he seemed to distant himself mentally. She understood that, had done it enough times herself to recognize it. Sometimes it was just easier than allowing oneself to be fully present.

She didn't question him on it. Not only was she so new that pressuring him might ruin any sort of relationship she was trying to spring between them, but she also didn't particularly care. Curious yes. But she didn't care to do anything about it.

"Or I could learn from the prince that dwells within these walls what his secrets are of the palace." She looked up to him, eyebrow raised in a challenge. "It could be anything. You could tell me there are secret passages or that someone shapped a bush in the garden to look like a dick."

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. Oh did she have an imagination on her. And perhaps now she just might make a bush look like a part of the male anatomy. It would be entertaining to listen to the gasps if the court as they walked by it. And she did love causing chaos.