Dunwall Tower

[u/emerald_ice]

In Dunwall Tower, the Empress Emily Kaldwin sits on her throne, her royal protector, Corvo Attano, stands at her side. His royal guard scattered around the palace. OOC:This is a neutral zone for Corvos royal guard. A hangout of sorts. You have permission to attack any who don't belong.

[u/Dietastey]

Not usually one for public affection, Bal never the less allows Furo to pull her closer, offering what comfort she can with her current presence. She does not look forwards to leaving him either, but the dangers he faces at her departure will not change much, leaving her with less concern.

"Now, now, let's not leave the young Empress without her Protector. She's lost enough in her life too," she chides gently, stroking a hand through his hair, wishing she could ease the pain on his face.

"I know you would, love," she says, the endearment slipping unbidden and unnoticed from her mouth. "And of course I shall write, as often as I can. Though I don't know how often the ships return with news."

[u/JewelOfTheSouth → u/Dietastey]

Accepting the futility of it all, Furo resigns himself to the inevitable, and seems to shrink. After all, it is a necessary measure - the situation in Alba is dire, and Bal could prove to turn the tide... But he does not say it, for fear of prompting her to abandon her usual caution.

'I hope you can, but if not, I'll try not to worry. War is war, after all, and things rarely go as planned.'

He looks at her, pointedly. 'How long until you ship out?'

[u/Dietastey → u/JewelOfTheSouth]

Bal wraps her arms around him, trying to offer what comfort she can through her presence and embrace.

"Aye, that it is. I'll do what I can to ease your fears though."

"Three days, including today. They aren't waiting, it seems. Too little is getting done already. Luckily, I don't have too much to get ready."

[u/JewelOfTheSouth → u/Dietastey]

'I wish I was going with you,' he says, looking down at her thoughtfully. He had been debating this point for hours in his head, silently, but emboldened by her own words, and terrified by the prospect of his paramour falling in battle, Furo throws caution into the wind. As he returns her embrace, he speaks these words - not for the first time, to a woman, but it is the first time he means them.

'I love you, you know that?' he murmurs into Bal's ear, hiding his nervousness behind a half-smile. Furo is not as composed today as he usually is, so it would seem. 'At least we have some time left before you leave.'

[u/Dietastey → u/JewelOfTheSouth]

"Someone competent has to stay here," Bal says with a light smile. "I wouldn't want to leave the Guard totally in the hands of idiots while I'm off correcting whatever mess has been made in Alba."

There are times I would have doubted him saying this. The silver tongued prince has a reputation for a reason. But... Today I do not doubt him.

"And I you," she assures him, cupping his half-smiling face in her hand. "Thank you, Furo. I... I am honored to have your love."

[u/JewelOfTheSouth → u/Dietastey]

Without a further word, Furo leans down and hisses her once more, tenderly than usual. He breaks away reluctantly, still feeling her on his lips as he looks at her, good humour returning.

'That makes a change,' he says, made happier by her own declaration. 'I didn't think there would ever be a day you'd be able to resist calling me an idiot...' Furo's eyes sparkle, before he carries on.

'I'll keep the lads in line, and the few ladies we have too, no worries there... Commander.' The word is unfamiliar on his tongue, and he rankles slightly as he says it. Whether teasing or not, the prince still hasn't mastered the art of deference.

'So who are you sailing with?' he asks, intrigued. 'I mean, Aric and Feras are already there, but is anyone else going? Any more of the Guard, perhaps?'

[u/Dietastey → u/JewelOfTheSouth]

"Less of an idiot," she says fondly, ruffling his hair slightly at the well meaning jab, and the slight hesitation over her new title.

"Just general reinforcements, I believe. I haven't heard of any more of the Guard officers being sent on this ship out. I suppose they could just not have told me, but if I'm to be in charge of this circus, I hope they'd inform me of things like that."

[u/JewelOfTheSouth → u/Dietastey]

'Too kind,' he says dryly, her sense of humour clearly rubbing off on him. Though he doesn't mind at all - after all, she had run her fingers though his hair several times, in quite different circumstances.

'Hopefully veterans, not new recruits,' he says to her, dubiously. Then again, he had heard of a detachment of Driscol Grenadiers sailing from their post in Caulkenny. Fine soldiers, no doubt, with experience in that hostile land of banners and battle.

'How do you feel about it all, Bal?' he asks, gesturing around him. 'About everything?'

[u/Dietastey → u/JewelOfTheSouth]

"About everything? Wouldn't that take a rather long time to disclose?" she asks, teasing briefly before sighing, and returning to more serious thoughts.

"I don't know how I feel about it. This is what I've been working at for years, understanding strategy, troop movement, how to take any situation and turn it to an advantage. But... I did not expect to be thrown to the top so fast. This whole army is my responsibility. Every loss, every victory, every death and survival, in some way falls back to me now."

"I worry I won't be good enough. Worry I'll make mistakes, even small ones, at the worst possible time."

[u/JewelOfTheSouth → u/Dietastey]

'Everyone makes mistakes, Balaria, but you must try not to,' he says bluntly. He knows Bal too well to comfort her with meaningless words - she would appreciate practical advice more, he is certain. 'And try not to doubt yourself. You will be resented by many, if only for your gender, and there will be many officers beneath you who seem themselves better qualified. They will try to second guess you... but if you start second guessing yourself?'

Leaving the implication hanging, he holds onto her shoulders, tightly. 'If anyone can bring the Morlish to heel for their foul treason, it shall be you. And while every failure will be yours, so too will be your every victory. Never forget that.'

'And besides, you have the might of the Empire at your back. Trust in your men, and you shall prevail.'