They had been on a main route to the Capitol for some some time now, the blazing sun was finally setting in the west, bring in the cool crisp air of night.
If the princess had told him was true, they'd be stopping to setup camp anytime now. Though rest isn't something he felt the need for now, after feeding twice, he still needed to keep up the farce.
Camping with Royalty was more different than he could've possibly imagined. When searching through Nobaru's memories what he had found about camping involved tents and fires, but not what he saw before him now. This was grand on a whole new scale. Tents as tall as they were wide were being erected, while whole hogs and calves were roasted on a spit over open flame. The smell of its searing flesh made his mouth water.
Hunger was something Ares was still getting used to. Mortal daily afflictions weren't something one got used to quickly. As he was pondering many other mortal related problems he was suffering a guard had approached him and cleared his voice, causing Area to raise his gaze slowly.
"Young Lord Blackfyre, the King requests your presence in the main pavilion," the guard said stiffly.
"Lead the way sir," Ares replied respectfully, and followed him until they had reached the largest tent in the center of the encampment. The guard opens the tent flap and gestured for Ares to enter, following closely behind him.
"Lord Blackfyre has been brought to you as requested your Majesty," the guard said with a low bow.
"Thank you Captain, you may take your leave," the King waves him away with single gesture. Eyes coming to rest on Ares.
"Young Lord Nobaru, I have news for you that may leave a bitter taste in your mouth. It would seem one of the guards we sent back to Blackfyre Manor found your entire family dead. We are investigating the matter, but I doubt we will find the person who committed this villainous act. If you should need to leave to head home for grieving..." the King was cut off short as Area looked up with a cold solemn face.
"No, your Majesty, my place is here with you and beside Princess Yavia," she smiled softly in her direction, causing her to blush and lower her eyes. "I have no one left to return to regardless. I am a Seventh Son after all," he added lowering his gaze ever so slightly.
"Lift your eyes young Nobaru, for you are the heir to your name now, and will live honorably within our walls. Seventh son be damned. You shall never be dishonored with that title again," assured the King.
Nobaru had won this round deceptively. The King would be eating out of his palm in no time at all.
"Now, I have a request of you," said the King, piquing Ares' interest. "You are to stand guard inside my daughter's personal pavilion from nightfall until dawn. Stay vigilant in your efforts and you will be awarded appropriately. Get caught sleeping or drinking and you will also be punished appropriately. Don not make me regret bringing you along young Lord Nobaru," he said with a tone of warning.
"Yes your Majesty, understood," Ares noddes with affirmation.
"Very well then, you and Princess Yavia may take your leave," he said waiving them off.
The trip to her Pavilion was a short one, though far enough from the King's Pavilion that she could have some privacy. A guard posted inside of her tent, how trusting the King must be, he mused. A fool if you ask me, Yavia was practically overflowing with want of him. Any halfwit could've seen that.
The inside of her pavilion was just what you'd imagine a Princess's Pavilion would look like. It was draped in silks of silver, gold, pink, and red. Beautiful arrangements of exotic flowers could be found in every available space long the tent walls, while dominating the main part of the space was an extravagant bed large enough for a family to sleep comfortably on. Ares was impressed, and that didn't happen often.
"What's that look for my handsome Lord?" mused Yavia. "Do you find my private pavilion in bad taste?" she smiled teasing him.
"Oh no my Lady, not at all. I actually find it quite impressive. But where shall I stand vigilant guard among all this flora?" he smiled and winked at her.
Yavia blushed and turned towards her bed. Ares smiled at her reaction, she was very pleasant to look at it, the way her hips swayed as she moved, and her hair the color of copper falling down off of her shoulders. He hated to waste this opportunity, he just had to wait for the appropriate time, when there would be no interruptions. Something about this girl made him feel like she was worth keeping alive, indefinitely.
He turned to gaze upon her one last time as she was getting into her nightgown, the light of the moon made her pale skin glow softly. He drank in her beauty for but a moment before turning his attention to the inside flaps of the tent.