as the lord marchant continued on, elyjjah was left blinking, almost stunned or dazed, trying to keep up. he's lucky he hadn't caused offense in the first bout, at least not yet, but he was white-knuckling to keep astride the conversation as it sped on, much beyond his pace.

"--the crown is gracious," he offers, in response to the gift. "whether it's to show off new bergian architecture, or to push traffic east as much as south, and ease the traffic from the other gateways. as well as increase commerce to our more eastern holdings." he's been studying. and by studying, he's been listening to his advisors. or trying to, at least.

Following the other's gesture, Nicodemus watches and spots the line in the distance. It's too close for comfort, much as he'd seen in the past. "I'll send for architechts to come back out," he says finally. "I think that valley need become a forest. That road while useful, should be narrowed to prevent an armed force marching right to your gates." He steps forward, raising his leg to rest against the barrier between him and death. Leaning forward just enough, Lord Marchant looks straight down. "Quite the sheer drop though, They'd have some difficulty getting in here with the gates sealed. That's for damn sure." Smirking, he moves back, bumping into his host. "Now when I arrived, did I hear word of there being some lunch? I am famished admittedly, it was a long ride."

As the night went along and more and more alcohol entered their already drunken states, there was a clear push and pull between the two men. Their tongues invading one another's mouth and neither fully submitting, not yet at least. When Luca mentioned him topping tonight, Reggie wanted to take full advantage of that... but this was fun, the others fingers traced up the fabric of his clothes in front of everyone. "Well, I knew you'd wake up and follow me out here. Looks like it worked." Clearly bullshit, the Baliss heir was too drunk to come up with another answer in the moment.

Before he could lead the way, Luca was scooping his shorter frame up in the others arms and Reggie wasted no time in wrapping his arms around the others neck like some drunken damsel in not so distress. "My hero." he said in a playful tone, looking back at a few of the men who watched as they made their way upstairs to one of the nicer rooms. The room itself was nice, nicer than he expected for a random tavern that Luca found while wandering the mysterious, new city he'd never been to before.

"Mhmm, that'd be so hot." Reg said between kisses as the two of them made their way to the bed, kicking off hsi own boots in the process. He was already getting aroused by the idea of being fed the very load that had just been unloaded into his ass not even an hour ago. He moved to tug the others wet tunic off and the rest of the top half of his clothes, tossing them onto the wooden floor. Hands moved to run along the others muscular torso, he was familiar with every inch of the others body... having had explored it countless times before now. Eventually they made their way to his trousers, desperate to tug them off him and toss them onto the floor as well.

"Maybe Valtolia isn't so bad after all," he comments as they get inside and close the door. The drinks were strong and pretty good, the accommodations were nice and amenable. He could get used to travelling here. Though travelling to a Sollian beach and being in the sun completely in the nude with your lover did sound better. This still wasn't a bad option.

It takes some time, time and considerable effort in their drunken state, but between all the kissing and badly fumbling hands they manage to get one of them unclothed. A bit more time and a bit more effort, and they're both finally naked laying in bed together. Legs tangled together, and his hands wandering low to where he can grab parts of Reggie, he pulls him against him, rolling with him in the bed until they're trapped together and fully entangled. Rutting his hips into the other's as the kisses deepen even further, he gasps softly at the sensation he's getting. This is everything. This is perfect.

"Stay right there," Luca breathes out, propping himself up. He makes his way down Regulus's body, leaving a trail of little nips and bites as he travels south. Ignoring the porturding rod of his friend's very stiff cock, he moves past it and to his first prize. One he's already claimed and fertilized tonight. Hooking both hands into his friend's knees, Luca, lifts them over his shoulders, then slowly spreads him open. "There we are," he smirks, winking at Reggie from between his legs. Moving in now, he buries his face right against his hole, pressing his tongue into the already worked open entrance to tease him and get him going even further.

He wanted to ready his bow. He wanted to shoot to prove a point that he would have been good enough for the battles. However, Cygnus only proved that their father was right: how his heart was the softest of their family. How could he kill a fowl for sport? Nothing had changed since the days he begged his dad not to harm the animals on hunting trips...

"I'm sure there's more than enough poultry in the kitchens. No reason to take their life." He shrugged, looking away to avoid any possible disappointment that could be stirred in his brother's eyes.

"Prince Rohan. He did have a horrible attitude. From his comments, I personally got the vibe that he's just still bittered from battle. I reminded him that Casther and Valtolia weren't enemies anymore. Then, someone gets stabbed on the grounds of our home during a function we were hosting." He looks up, seeing his brother's growing, and a faint smile appears on his face as he views the creature.

"I feel foolish. Especially since I had briefly also gotten into it with the prince who had been assaulted." Even if he was commanded to drink, thinking about those nights prompted Cygnus to reach regardless to take a pull of the wine.

Pushing the wine into his brother's hands, he takes the bow and an arrow off of him. Not his weapon of choice, but not one he's unskilled with either. When his mount descends between the tree tops, he takes aim and fires, striking a bird from the sky which his gryphon swiftly catches and brings to him. Sirius removes the arrow and hands it back to his brother with the bow, it still dripping in the warmed blood of it's recent kill. He tosses the bird to his gryphon, letting it feed for a moment.

He gives his father a shrug, "Perhaps. But I also have only ever stepped foot out of Valtolia with a thousand men at my side and a sword in my hand. For all they know this is how I choose to act when I'm away from home." He pauses to think about that for a second. "I can't believe this trip is my first trip away from home. Couldn't have gone to the Sollian beaches... what a fucking waste." Maybe he didn't need to completely play a part after all. He nods to his father's words, he did have a point. "Never let the history books say you weren't a wise king," Sirius responds with respect, bowing his head in defference to his father's words.

"You really would hear my own thoughts on it? And not make the decision for me?" Sirius asks, a bit taken aback at the thought. He figured between the king and queen, he would have no choice in the matter. But yet again, his father surprises him. He really should stop thinking he could plan for what the King might say. The man really seemed to not be predictable. "House Hightower," Sirius starts. "Or Houses Selwyn or Narcisse; though I admit the latter is pure selfish desire for a man I don't need to put a burlap sack over his head," Sirius responds with a laugh. "Hightower kept the future safe during the war. The children of Valtolia continued to learn within their walls and didn't face any danger there. And Selwyn, he gave the most men during the war. They kept two kingdoms out of the south. That loyalty deserves reward. If not my hand, then one of my brothers surely, though I have to ask, if you were waiting for me to choose, why not tell me sooner? Do my brothers have the same luxury? Or do they get my leftovers?" He pauses for a moment, "And please, tell me if I'm making an error in keeping the decision within the kingdom. I don't believe that now is the right time to be creating alliances with marriage beyond our borders just yet. I think it's still too soon."

Perhaps there'd be a time and a place for something like this, though maybe one that wasn't quite so... ambitious. Atticus had attended countless balls his entire life, Valtolians used any excuse to throw them. Marriages, birthdays, holidays and festivals, and of course the balls to help young nobles find suitors in the sea of aristocracy. While Atticus had never been fond of them, they were far more manageable than dealing with four other countries who all still held resentment. "We'll need to get you married soon then, Sirius. Perhaps it's time to talk to your father. So you can get it over with."

"Considering that I'm head of my house, I'm sure they'll listen to me. My mother dotting on you has less to do with your title and more to do with her maternal instincts." His mother had adored Sirius since he helped keep Calais safe from the Bergian intruders.

Feeling that strong hand hold the back of his neck, Atticus continued to suck on the others tit while he bounced on the mans cock. The moans that escaped the mans lips, you could still hear his regional accent even through the carnal sounds he was making. Atticus almost never slept with men who he didn't know, but this was about turning his brain off for once and just enjoying himself on some stranger he may or may not see again. "Well, if you insist..." he said, pulling himself off the man. "Don't come, love... I want you to finish inside me when you're close." he told the other, climbing off and repositioning himself between the others legs. "It's been some time since I last fucked someone.." he admitted, more to himself. Grabbing his cock, Atticus slowly slid himself inside that used hole. "Oh... fuck." Atticus wasn't one to be vulgar, but the warmth of the others hole around his cock felt incredible.

He nods at Atticus, "I suppose," he agrees. "Still, I won't be bringing my crown, and I won't be sticking to pleasantries once we're left alone. I'd rather just relax. I'll behave, and I won't act a fool or any such thing, but I'd like to take a moment to breathe without allthe pressure." Guiding Atticus into depravity was easy. When you're an expert at something, everything is easy. Sirius had been fucking men for longer than he hadn't been in his life at this point. At thirty, he can remember many good times with Maximus before they were separated by fate. He keeps him held to the man's chest below him, really testing the bounds of his limits. If he were Sirius, he'd have cum long ago. There's only so much pleasure the prince can take. Releasing the Hand, coaxing him into something new, he buries his own cock in the mouth of the man they were sharing. Watching with intent, Sirius keeps his eyes on Atticus's face, eager to see just how he'd react to burying it in someone for once. Once he's good and in there, Sirius lays beside the man they were using, curling his arm around his head and dragging him in closer. Keeping an eye on the Hand, he brings their mouths together, eager to take part in the taste of his cock on the man's tongue. Reaching down, he takes the blond man's hand and brings it back to his slick cock. Part of him wants to taste his, but he holds off for the time being in case Atticus were to be too much for him and the effort of both of them made him cum. "There you go," he whispers softly against his lips. "Take that cock and his seed. Work it out of him, earn it." Smirking, he leans over the man, pressing the top half of him down with the bulk of his torso so he can properly makeout with him.

the lord marchant, lord commander of bergia, rattled off a series of questions, compliments, comments, and suggestions far quicker than elyjah was prepared to follow. "--I didn't mean to inquire specifically about the attack, just that it's all that I'm hearing about. truly." wide-eyed, brows-raised, caught on the backfoot but really trying to follow and nod along. having caught at least one request, he did gesture for nicodemus to follow him, striding towards one of the innumerable overlooks jutting out from the largely vertical surface of the keep. "as much for pleasure as they are for surveillance," he offered, attempting to grin his way into feeling confident again. "we're set for our position as a new hub for messengers and merchants both. no longer does the kingdom need to be bottle-necked through one lone gate." he felt himself huff at the challenge to their preparedness, but then was offered free stores, so he frankly shut himself up about it.

"so? what do you say, milord?" gesturing out towards the end of the mountains, leading into the verdant and rolling hills of valtolia, and the great wall standing in place of the horizon. "are we looking as good as we feel?"

Following the Lord's lead, he heads out to survey exactly where he was being shown. "Pleasure you say?" Nico asks. He drags a gloved hand along the surface, noting it's smoothness. "Never get to see craftsmanship like this. Lyonheart has some inner elements such as this, but all of the Bergian defenses are so old they could never be this smooth. Truly a marvel, the engineering that goes into building a structure as great as this." Turning to listen, Nico agrees. This will become a new hub, particularly with the next announcement he came to make. "And I'm sure this next bit will be sure to excite you. The crown, through my efforts with the council, is pleased to offer you a supplement to your gate charges. For the next 6 months, we want you discounting by 25% on all that pass through. The gold to cover the loss in revenue is on it's way from Falreig now. We need to encourage those that travel through our lands to take this new path. And that should incentivize them plenty."

Turning again, he looks out over the land before them. Valtolia was close, too close for his liking. "Tell me, how fares the road? Is it in good repair? Will the path to your gates be easy? Or will a man have to work to get inside?" He gestures for the Lord to come and join him at the edge. "Show me where the road travels, I fear I'm losing it amongst the brush."

The hum of conversation and the clatter of dice filled the rented tavern hall, a grand space now alive with the energy of fortune-seekers and merrymakers. Lord Ashcroft strolled between the candlelit tables, his eyes scanning the room with satisfaction. Coins clinked as bets were placed, laughter rippled through clusters of players, and every so often, a cheer erupted as someone struck luck- or thought they had. Devin hadn't concerned himself much with the legality of the event. All of it was for a good cause. He also wouldn't have ever thought about if it might be breaking some rule or another to do this. The winnings from tonight’s revelry would fund his next venture: clearing the ruined battlefield beyond the city, a place long forgotten by those who once waged war upon it.

Pausing by one of the busier tables, Devin leaned in to watch a particularly tense throw. Groans of loss and shouts of victory overlapped, the air thick with excitement and the scent of spiced ale. He smirked, nodding in approval as the house collected its cut—just enough to ensure the venture’s funding. If all went well, by the end of the night, he'd have enough to make good on his plans. That was, of course, assuming no one showed up asking inconvenient questions that he didn't have answers for.

But he didn't think of that, especially when he went to greet someone he'd locked eyes with. “Here to watch and drink or to join in? Your coin is welcome, either way.”

Of course his accent will give him away, so he tries something a little more gruff and a lot less polished. He doesn't sound necessarily Valtolian, but he doesn't sound Bergian either. At least to his own ears. "Watch," comes his gruff reply to being approached by a rather sizeable figure. A man to take in in his own right. That's for damn sure. A large pint of ale is place in front of him, and the Lord Marchant grabs his coin pouch, paying with a singular gold piece to merely flaunt his wealth in the moment. "Coin is coin, right?" he asks, ordering a second ale to be brought while he reaches for his first. Both drinks more than covered by the singular coin he'd paid.

This wasn't the first time he'd grabbed Luca's cock, nor would it be the last, they just normally couldn't afford to be so open about it. The few times they could was when they had Hellfire to themselves and the two would suck each other off or eat each other out in the gardens but those moments were rare. "And this fat ass is all yours, Luca." he said with a grin, loving the way the other could manhandle him like that. Who cared if they were horny? The wine from earlier clearly still in both men's system but that was just making them make fun decisions for tonight.

The two had explored the others body so much over the years, growing up together it was only natural. Usually locked away in his tower back at Hellfire, they had done pretty much everything together when they were supposed to be studying or helping the crown prince with his duties back in Sol Aurea. "Yeah, well it's been ages since I got to breed you." It was true, they did seem to both prefer Regulus being the one to be drilled but that didn't mean anything. Especially not tonight when they were throwing caution to the wind. "I brought you out here tonight, don't I deserve a piece of your ass?" he leaned forward to whisper in his friends ear as Luca ordered them a room for the night. "We both know you'll be begging for more once I get started."

After several more drinks and the two losing count of how much it was that they'd spent, they were making out and it seemed to be drawing attention as Luca's tongue invaded his mouth for about ten minutes while they were on the verge of ripping clothes off one another. The cold water drenched the two of them and just as he was about to snap at the bar maiden, he remembered they have a room. "Lead the way, husband." Reggie said as they passed the guy from earlier who was still watching them, making it upstairs to the room Luca got them.

"I do think there is merit in hosting a ball like that, perhaps not to the extent that we threw but when has Valtolia not been one to go over the top?" Atticus wasn't particularly fond of balls himself, having attended more than he could count over the years. They were thrown for every occasion and this was the biggest one too date. Perhaps a hunt with the kings would be better for the next international event, the Queens could have the fun they wanted... but not to this scale. "A hunt would be good next time. Perhaps in each of the kingdoms." Atticus thought back to what Sirius had to wear, amused by the sight of him tearing the sleeves off. "You missed most of the event, returning when things... heated up." he reminded Sirius.

Memories flashed in his mind of flying on the princes griffin as they traveled across the countryside, flight wasn't something the lord was particularly fond of. Especially not when Sirius had a knack for being so reckless. "Last time we flew, I threw up over the Spine of the World." The crown prince wasn't fond of the quicker transportation options. "My mother is going to expect you to stay for dinner at the very least."

Snorting with laughter, Sirius has to wipe at his eyes at the memory. "Oh I remember, it was hilarious then, and it's hilarious now." Acknowledging that Atticus is yet again right, he agrees. "Yes, yes, dinner is fine. But tell your House I don't want to be treated like a future king all night. I'd prefer to just relax and be Sirius. Your house is the most practical, I would assume they would follow direction about as well as you."

"We united the kingdoms for peace. War brought toil to the world for far too long."

*swish,swish,swish*

The sound of three arrows strung by the young prince and fired in rapid succession at the circular target. All three pierced the center red circle. Cygnus flares his nostrils as he reaches back to his quill and string his bow once more.

"Third time's a charm for the concord...except not really." He fires the fourth arrow; dead center again. He imagined those arrows piercing enemy soldiers...until he remembers his father's words from the first night of the concord on showing the nobles of the lands how kind Cygnus could be. Maybe he had been noted for having the largest heart; though it was difficult to maintain that heart after his eldest brother fell on the battlefield.

The treaty was supposed to shine a little hope of mocing past the differences of Metias kingdoms. Yet someone had the audacity to attempt a murder on Valtolian royal grounds.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, feeling a twinge of guilt in regards to who the victim had been. Things had been briefly awkward with Iskander but he knew that what had happened to the other prince was beyond troubling. He draws another arrow and...he swings with his bow aimed to the sound of approaching footsteps. "...Oh..." he lowers his bow upon seeing his...eldest living brother...approaching. "Sorry, Siri...I suppose I'm a bit on edge given everything."