On Weary Feet, I Tread On

[Lionel Blackwald]

Patrols. Sometimes the highlight. Sometimes nothing. It depended on what happened during. But today, he was happy. He needed fresh air. A good walk about the city. The city he was sworn to protect. The city that occasionally drove him mad. Mainly that had to do with the politics. The certain restrictions he had to deal with. Things that made his job harder. He wasn't made for dealing with those. But if not him, who? He'd rather bear the burden to make sure no one else had to. No one corrupt anyways.

He wasn't alone. Another was with him. Felix Whitegate. A good man, as far as Lipnel was concerned. He seemed to care as much as Lionel did. About the people. The city. The safety within the walls. It was a rare genuine kindness to find in someone. So Lionel valued it. And wished more guards had that feeling too. But he would make do. He had already.

"So Felix, how are things?" He asked while they walked about the streets. His eyes were keen, but he could make conversation. "I don't always get to see you."

[Felix Whitegate]

Felix had quickly found since joining the ranks of the city guard that patrols were one of his more favoured duties. He didn't take much delight when it called for the use of his blade, but more he enjoyed the calmer days were the patrol was nothing more then a walking route through the streets of Goldcrest. Felix, having spent most of his childhood locked away under an umbrella of protection by his Duchess Mother, took a small humbled joy in simply seeing the coming and goings of the common people; Despite the ravages of war, so many had already managed to rebuild their lives keep the city's heart beating... It was a true testament to the character and resolve of the city's inhabitants.
While there was that, today's particular patrol was enhanced by the presence of another member of the guard. The man who walked alongside him, the gruff Captain, had long earned Felix's respect; The man held a sense of duty that many others among their ranks lacked, and while he was rougher around the edges then the company the young noble had kept in years prior, Felix felt as though he would be hard pressed to find a man with as good a heart.

Felix, whom had been casually watching a tradesman bartering with a potential customer, cast his gaze to the Captain. "Things are fine," Felix replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders, grinning warmly; It however then faltered just slightly. His Mother had been attempting to lay further pressure on him of late to "do what was expected" of him. The guard gave a small sigh, although his warm expression remained it fell to a bright, but small, smile. "But you know how my Mother is. Thinks I need a ring on my finger in order to make something of myself."
Safe to say, while Felix didn't flaunt his bloodline, he didn't attempt to hide it either; Felix had brought up his Mother's desires to marry him off to some other noble to the Captain before, something he discussed with very few others... In fact, he was the only other member of the guard he had chosen thus far to confide in. He then shifted his eyeline ahead. "How are you, sir? I've missed joining you on patrols."

[Lionel Blackwald]

Things were fine. The grin on his face provided testament to the statement. Lionel even smiled in response. But the grin faltered. Faded. The smile followed suit when Felix sighed. His mother was trying to get a ring on his finger to make something of himself. Lionel was aware of the fact. It was something brought up between them a few times. Lionel was almost glad he didn't meet his mother. "Your actions make your worth. Not some pretty ring or pretty lass on your arm." He chuckled. "So you're already worthy. Finding a wife will come later when you're ready for it. Rushing a marriage doesn't always end in a good one."

He wasn't too aware of the politics of courtship. It had never come up as an issue with him before. He was a bastard. And just the captain. Not some noble lord that would benefit a house by marriage. In a way, Lionel was happy for that. He didn't have to deal with some of the things Felix would.

How was Lionel? Felix missed their patrols. That made him smile. "I've been good. Although the pen and paper has been calling to me more than my sword. We've been getting a lot of nobles from the other lands coming here." Even as he said it he sighed. "Which means there's more greetings, guards needed to patrol the areas, arrangements within the guard with their men, and so many other issues that I'm surprised I haven't gone mad yet."

[Felix Whitegate]

The Captain's words warmed Felix's heart; He'd always struck Felix as being wiser then most, and it was a shame such words meant little to his Mother... But he supposed he could not blame her. She had been raised in a different time, before the blood of war had stained the regions. She still seemed to feel as though a good marriage and offspring made a man rather then what course he took his actions, that bloodline far exceeded most other factors. Still, Felix felt as though he could change her thoughts on the matter with his resolve on the issue. The guardsman often felt as though that "bloodline" was far more of a chain then it was some privilege; He was just thankful that currently he'd managed to avoid most of the eyes of his family turning to him in terms of succession to the throne... The current king seemed fairly steadfast in his position, much to Felix's relief.
"You're far too kind, sir," He spoke, the pride from the other man's words clear in his voice. The heavy weight his noble blood often left on his chest often felt significantly lighter in the older man's company; Not only from his words, but the manner in which he treated Felix... As though he was no different than any other member of the guard.

Felix cast Llionel a sheepish smile at the reason for his increased time spent with pen rather then his blade, knowing some of those mentioned nobles were his own family. "Goldcrest has become this... Hope for rebuilding what we all lost," Felix replied thoughtfully, giving another light shrug of his shoulders. "I just hope things stay that way... Although I apologise for the sudden influx of Astilon nobility." He cast a grin to his comrade, raising an eyebrow with a chuckle. "I hope they're not too demanding on your time... And don't go mad just yet sir, you're one of the few sane in the guard."

[Lionel Blackwald]

He was being far too kind. Yet the pride was clearly heard. He'd at least taken the compliment to heart. Lionel did not give them often. Only whenever he felt another was worthy of it. As far as he was concerned, Felix had. Not many nobles voluntarily joined the guard. It was beneath them, and held barely any political advantage. Yet Felix had joined and served dutifully. It was rare finding someone so dedicated. "On the contrary, I don't think I'm kind enough."

There was a sheepish smile. No doubt Felix was thinking of his own family. Many houses fled towards Goldcrest with the war raging. It had become a beacon of hope to rebuild after all the fighting. At least according to Felix, yet Lionel could readily agree. He had been in the thick of the war. Hope was sorely needed. He hoped it stayed a signal of hope. Then he was apologizing for the flood of Astilon nobles. Hopefully they weren't taxing Lionel too much, and hopefully he wouldn't go mad just yet.

Lionel laughed. "Goldcrest is a beacon of hope. Which is why I do understand the influx of nobility from all sides. This peace between nations must be kept. Especially if the Coterie ever decide to try striking again." It was a grim reminder he didn't like to dwell on. Yet it was reality. The Coterie had been defeated, but not destroyed. The bulk of it was still out there. But that wasn't something he necessarily wanted to bring up. "As for being sane, I think I'm already mad! It would explain why I took the captain position in the first place, knowing I would have to deal with all this." He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm a soldier, not a councilman. But someone has to do it that won't always kiss the arses of the higher ups."

[Felix Whitegate]

Felix had joined the guard for a variety of reasons, but the main drive for him applying to join their ranks had been his desire to help the common people, the ones on the ground level; There was that, inwardly in felt as though the more he distanced himself from the socialite duties his family readily wanted to bestow upon him, the less they'd consider him being any sort of viable noble. The life of social events and heated debates in dark chambers was far from what Felix wanted... He didn't even have much want to take on his Father's title.
It wasn't that Felix didn't respect his Father, but he simply felt it wasn't for him; The Duke had carved out a path of valiant bravery and, in Felix's eyes, an unattainable legacy. How could he ever hope to match up to the high bar his Father had set for him? The brave war hero who helped prevent the ritual of the Coterie?

Felix listened intently to the words of his superior, the warm smile on his lips falling at the man's mention of the common enemy.
Felix had little experience with the Coterie directly, and while some of his family were desperate to hope for the winning of the war putting an end to them, that was far from untrue... The battle was won in their favour, but the war felt far from over. Felix looked back ahead, his brows furrowed, before his companion's next comment brought back his warm smile and earning the man a chuckle.
"Mad or not sir, I couldn't see anyone else in the role," Felix commented brightly, light heartedly nudging the Captain's arm with his own. He then cast his gaze to forward, the hustle and bustle of the square beginning to wind down as the peak time for trading was steadily coming to a close. Felix pouted his lips a little, before glancing to Lionel. "You know... We have a long evening of patrol ahead of us. Would it be too bold to suggest a little break at the meadery?"

[Lionel Blackwald]

The smile dulled. Faded. Lionel wasn't surprised. Talk of Coterie put a damper on most things. It was grim. Yet it was reality. They still lurked at the edges. Beaten but not gone. While the first war was over, another was to come. He was certain about that. Yet he didn't want to linger on the topic. He had seen the change in Felix's expression. The subject sat darkly on his mind as well.

Fortunately they changed it. The smile returned full force, and it was shared. He couldn't see anyone else in the role. A playful nudge came with it. Lionel laughed. "Thanks. I'll remember that next time I'm stuck in my quarters pretty sure my chair will break, or when I'm roped into another meeting. That might make it a little more bearable." It was a kind compliment. One Lionel would gladly take to heart. Especially with the frustrations some meetings brought.

The streets appeared calm. The business was dying down. He spoke up. Suggested they take a break at the meadery. Lionel looked around. Contemplated the idea. Then looked back at Felix and chuckled. "Well...alright. We can't stay long, but heading in for one drink would be fine."

[Felix Whitegate]

The inevitable future of another war with the Coterie did lurk within the dark folds of Felix's mind, and frankly, he was eager to avoid focusing on such a thing... Although he knew ignoring the danger would be foolish. It was only a matter of time before the Coterie made a move, and when they did, no matter how prepared he nor any member of the city guard was, there was going to be bloodshed. A LOT of bloodshed. But the young man forced those grim musings back to where they usually festered in the shadows of his mind, and instead focused on the actually, for once, rather pleasant patrol.
The Captain took Felix's comment in good humour, which earned him a widened grin from the guard followed by a laugh. "It better, sir. I don't say that to just anyone, you know," He replied brightly; How he enjoyed this, the camaraderie... As much as he didn't like to think on it, if war broke again, Felix would be honoured to fight alongside Lionel... Few men truly deserved the honour of having others lay down their lives readily for them in the throws of war, but the Captain was one of those few.

The guard watched his superior closely as he mused on the idea of a drink, Felix blinking with anticipation as he awaited his answer. His reply came, and it brought a wide grin to the man's face. "Well we can't protect these fine civilians without a little fire in our bellies, right?" He walked a little further ahead, the sounds of conversation and general revelry seeping from the meadery already picking up, despite business hours not long wrapping up for the day. "The round is on me, sir, if you don't mind." The tavern was a little more upmarket then some of the ones in the city, and it's mead was renowned surely far beyond the walls of Goldcrest. Felix turned to face the Captain, walking backwards as he folded his arms. "I mean it's the least I can do, given everything my family has put you through. All of those meetings and everything." He chuckled, before turning back ahead, stopping outside of the large establishment that was the meadery, pushing open the wooden door and holding it open for the older man. "Sir." He smiled.

[Lionel Blackwald]

It better; he didn't say that to just anyone. Lionel laughed. Looked at Felix with a speck of mischief in his eyes. "You mean to tell me you don't say that to all the grizzled old men in the guard? Now I feel flattered." It was only a joke. A light tease. The relationship between the two always felt close. Sometimes, as he mused, like father and son. Although he wouldn't dare say that out loud. He had one such "son" already, and wasn't sure how well of a job he was doing. Felix could handle himself. Though that didn't mean Lionel didn't care for him nonetheless.

His answer earned a wide grin.They couldn't very well protect the people without some fire in their bellies. That earned a smirk from Lionel. "So long as that fire isn't all-consuming." It was a playful warning. Lionel had no doubt he knew not to get drunk. Felix didn't seem much like the drinking type either. Yet Lionel still followed him towards the meadery. He heard it before he saw it. It was hard not to. A drink was the least he could do for the trouble his family did. Lionel chuckled and smiled, yet held his tongue. The Whitegate family did stir a little trouble now and then. Yet all the families did.

"Thanks." It came with a small nod before Lionel walked in. The meadery was fancier than most bars. Yet the reaction to the guards' presences was roughly the same. Fading volume. Short glances. Some nervous, some curious. Yet Lionelnignored it and found them a table. "You come here often?" The question was directed at the other man. This place seemed a spot his family might visit.

[Felix Whitegate]

Felix took such comfort from the back and forths he shared with the older Captain; The calm lull in activity and playful banter was a rare pleasure, and the young noble took what comfort he could from it... Moments were he didn't have to brandish a sword or arrest some thief or other. He couldn't help a wide grin breaking out across his features followed by a loud, warm laugh at his superior's comment. "Oh come now sir, you're the only grizzled old man for me," He joked light heartedly. It was nice, to be able to joke so openly with another.
Felix hadn't many male role models in his life... At least not many that he could actually speak to. Even his own Father, the Duke, had spent more time on the battlefield then raising his son; Felix knew the stories of course, knew all about his "hero" Father who rode so valiantly into the war and lost his life to the cause... But stories and the handful of weeks altogether he'd spent in his Father's presence did little to fill that gaping hole his absence as a parent had left. Felix respected him, of course he did... But he couldn't claim to have been as close to him as he would have liked to be.

Perhaps this was what it could have been like... If his Father had been around.

Felix took the man's warning about over consumption with a warm smile; He wasn't exactly a drinker, but he did on occasion enjoy the revelry and bonding a tankard or two could bring. Even then, Felix was selective with who he chose to drink with... He didn't much fancy having to half drag back an overly drunken comrade back to the barracks. The guardsman cast those already in the meadery one of his usual welcoming grins, which earned him a few nervous ones in return. The conversations had dulled slightly as the pair were stared at by a few of the patrons, although once the initial moment had passed, most opted to ignore the two members of the guard and continue with their post business hours festivities.

Felix followed Lionel and took his place next to the Captain, casting his gaze over the bar to try and catch the eye of a barmaid while he listened to the other man's question. "On occasion," He replied, waving a hand at one young woman whom he'd finally managed to catch the attention of, gesturing for them both to be brought over tankards of what the place was renowned for. The noble's gaze then turned back to the older man. "... I don't have too many I come here with, but when I'm on my own and I get the chance... Sometimes it can be nice just to spend time with others who aren't members of the guard... No offense intended for current company of course, sir."
Most of the other guard, once they found out his bloodline, often treated him differently... So it was a pleasant change to spend some time in the company of strangers, who likely didn't know his royal heritage, or if they did they didn't make it known. It was nice to just be treated like any other person... But the man beside him was an exception; He had never treated him any differently then any other person who bore the duty of city guard.

[Lionel Blackwald]

He was the only grizzled old man for him. Lionel laughed heartily. There weren't that many older men in the guard anyhow. Most that were had been former soldiers. Others had been guards the whole time. Few were older than Lionel, yet they obeyed him all the same. It was odd having that kind of power. But he'd bear it all the same.'especially if it meant he could protect the city better.

His warning had been met with a smile. A smile Lionel mirrored. Even if there were eyes on him as he walked. He ignored them. Took his seat and asked his question. Got an answer. On occasion. He didn't have many he'd come terr with, but when he was alone and had the chance sometimes he'd prefer the company of others that weren't part of the guard. No offense. Fortunately none was taken. Lionel only chuckled. "No, I understand. Sometimes it's better to talk with strangers than men you're stuck with for most part of the day and night." He often did it himself when time allowed. Although he was suddenly reminded of something. "How are the other guards treating you? I know they can act a bit pigheaded sometimes."