((This rp is between myself and SorrowsxEnd only.))

Azreal was on patrol because of the winter months coming up soon. He was to make sure that no one was stealing the food that was meant to feed the villagers and the people in the castle. His brown hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail so that it would stay out of the way. He was wearing a light jacket and black tunic with dark pants and light chain mail armor. His sword was on his hip as he walked down the road, towards the forest. He looked at the trees with his brown eyes and the sun shined on his lightly tanned skin. "I hope that no bandits are out today." He said in a deep but smooth voice.

It turned out be a beautiful day. It always is when the rain finally stop. Even a rainbow saw fit to grace the sky with its presents. Marian Reed couldn't help but smile. Her travel from the small village of Kitess had been a long one and walking all the way had made her tired beyond compare. But she could Finlay see it, The Royal Castle of Asturia. It was just like she had remember it. The last time she had made this long journey from the outer villages was a good 10 year or so. The king had just been crowned and Every thief that had any guts at all was heading to the castle. The crown jewels were on display and it was a prize of a lifetime. It was in the confusion of the ball she had made her way to the treasure room and came within feet of her prize. If it wasn't for the lone guard boy, who dreamed of being a Royal knight she would have had those very jewels in her hands. He block every attempted she made for the gems. In the End she was forced to flee. The only wished she had gotten that boys name. She had always wondered if he had made a knight or not. A larger smile graced her lips as she remember what the handsome boy looked like with his long flowing brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. He had blocked her every attack, that still made her laugh to his day. In only two day Marian would have another chance at steal those priceless jewels. That was why she had came back to the capital. It was time to test the stealing skills again. she would be damned if she let another thief steal her prize.

But first food. She needed to eat it had been hours since her last meal and like clock work her next target appaered. It was a knight. Not the easiest of marks but it would do and it would do and it was sure to be fun. She looked down at herself. A plain white dress hid her weapons and more masculine clothes. She walked over the the Fair looking knight, her Blue eyes looking him over, seeing where he kept his sword and his gold. She brushed a few strands of jet black hair out of her face. She walked over to the knight trying to look as innocent as she could. In her hand she held a little surprise for the unknowing Knight.

Azreal saw the young woman and as innocent as she looked he knew better than to believe that look. He kept his hand on his sword, ready to draw it if he needed but then decided to do something different for once. He took our his potch of gold before giving her about 10 pieces of it. "Don't try and rob a knight." He said, meaning that he was going to let her off this time. He looked her over once before he was able to place the face of her...She had tried to take the crown jewels when he was younger but he was able to stop her. "I remember you now...I wouldn't advise trying to take those jewels again." He said wondering what her reaction would be.

Gold in her hand was enough to get a good meal and a night stay at a small inn in the city. She sighed, this was no fun at all. Maybe he was one of the few knight left that still had his guard up. She strolled over to the horseman and placed the gold back in his hand "I dont believe we have ever meet before. Maybe your talking about my sister?" She lied. It was her all those years ago. "She is well traveled. I my self have never been outside the family farm... I do not need charity from some stuck up brat of a knight." She held up her closed hand and opened it. This was what she was going to use as a distraction to rob the knight but, he was a bit to small for ticks of that sort. In her hand was a small mouse. It was the cutest think you could ever see. "I found him on the road a little ways back. Its hurt and I dont know where to place him so he wont wonder back over the road or be eaten by large creatures..." Her blue eyes looked down at the small thing and she sighed, petting it slightly. "Can you sir knight, dig a home for him?" her voice was soft and sweet. Marian pointed out the fake bandage on her arm. "I would do it but my arm is hurt"

Azreal wasn't going to believe her for one second but he did think that the mouse was cute and decided that he would keep it as a pet. "I'd rather keep him as a pet so that I would know for sure that it wouldn't get hurt." he said in his deep but smooth voice. He took the mouse and found it a nice place in his clothing and armor before looking back at the girl. "Well I do hope that we meet again but for now I must get going." He said as he turned from her and began to walk away, back towards the castle to guard the crown jewels again.

"But sir knight" she grabbed his hand "Wat about the mouses family? Wont it be lonely without its family?" She asked. Marian wasnt about the let the Knight dismiss her so easily. It was just rude of him, beside he was about to ride off her her pet mouse! "If your going to keep that mouse shouldn't you also take it family with it?" She waited for a reply. She need any little distraction to keep this man from riding off.

Azreal listened to what the girl said and decided that he was finally going to give in if it would let him get back to the castle sooner. He turned back around to face her before saying "Well then show me where the rest of his family is." He knew that she wanted to rob him and had decided that he would let her and not report her for it but if she tried to take the crown jewels again he would have to kill her. What he didn't know was that another knight was watching them to see if she was going to rob Azreal because if she did then he would report her.

Marian pointed to the thick and tall grass at the side of the road. "
Well kind knight the mouses family is right under your horses feet." She gracefully walked over to the grass and wept it to once side with her foot. In the clear patch she had made. 5 black mice came into view. "see" She giggles "What did I tell you " Here blue eyes glance at his gold sack. It was close enough to grab. She started to reach for it before, stopping. A cold chill ran down her spine. Something wasnt right here. She couldnt place the feeing but her hold body told her to run and back away. Since she started to steal things Marian learned to trust her feelings. She looked back up at the night. In a soft voice she asked "How many other knights are out on patrol?" she just hope no one but this knight could hear her.

Azreal listened to the girl and followed her before saying "You are right." He would love to have them as pets so that way he could have some company. He heard the question and knew that the rest of the knights that were out on patrol should be heading back to the castle by now. "All the ones that where on patrol should be heading back to the castle by now." He replied before saying "If you did get caught steal I would make sure that you weren't excuted like the rest." He knew that he couldn't let this girl get killed but then she would become his personal servant.

Marian was shocked the a knight would be silly enough to give out that kind of information to a stranger. Was he just an air head? or was this knight trying to strike a deal with her? He knew she was the one that tried to steal the crown 10 years ago. There was no doubt in her mind that this knight was the same one she fought on that night, which meant that she could only hid her true identity from him for so long. No matter what she did Marian was sure that this visit to the Royal Place was going to be a lot of trouble.

Marian placed her hand on his leg too make sure he didnt try and rid off. If he did ride off, she would be in a good position to jump on the back of his horse. She continued to speak softly. "Your right I am a thief. But since your allowing me to get this close to you Im guessing your either and fool or a very clever man. If you wanna make a deal with me, how is the time... Beacuse if you seek me out in the town, there will alway be an ear listen to our conversations."

Azreal listened to what she said and asked him as he looked at her. He thought on it for a few minutes before thinking of a good reply. "I know this but you may get into the castle threw the old well in the town, my room is the third on the left after you get in." He replied to her before standing up. "Only come there after the sun sets." He finished saying before getting onto his horse. "I expect to see you there tonight, knock three times and then pound on the door twice so that I know its you." He said before riding off to the castle.

Marian was left in complete shock. She had thought she was in control of the whole encounter and then that knight dose something like that. Marian knew she should not do and the knight said. there was a good chance it was going to be a trap. Meeting like that usually are for her. She on her way down the road. It was night time by the time she reached the city on foot. In a dark alley way she removed her traveling dress and left in a puddle of mud. Pants and a shirt would do just fine for what she was going to do. a dress would just slow her town in tight places.

After the guard passed by, Marian darted to the and jumped in. She hit the ground with a thump and a roll. The well was dry and it had been for year. Marian had been expecting a wet landing. She rose to her feet and brushed the dirt off her clothing. The only light the reached the bottom of the well was coming from a tunnel. "I guess this leads into the castle." SHe sighed to herself as she made her way down the long passage. Her last attempt to get into the castle was by way of the roof, It worked but it was very risky, she had almost fallen off many times. When Marian reached the inside of the castle it was just as dark are the well had been. It took some time but she found the Knight room. She knocked three time and pounded twice. Her hand slid down to the medium side dagger on her belt. If she was wrong about the door there was going to be a fight.

Azreal was in his room, in less than knightly clothing when he heard the sound from the door. He went over to it before opening to see the girl that he had talked to earlier. He grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her inside before shutting the door again. "I'm glad that you came, I have something to give you." He said before handing her a chest that was full of jewels and gold. "Don't ask me where I got it and don't get caught with it. Do you understand me?" He asked her, making she that she understood if she got caught then she would be put to death. If that happened then he would stop it to keep her as company.

MArian eyes grew wide at the sight gold. She had never in all her life see so much in one place. She looked up at the knight "What do you want in return?" there had to be a catch, nothing come fee in life, she learned that the hard way. "I wanna know everything you know right now. something is just not right here. I can feel it so dont lie"

Azreal listened what the girl said before saying "I know that you are the same girl that tired to steal the crown jewels. I was to arrest you and lock you up after I found you again, but I will not." He watched her to see her reaction. "This is the money that I was paid to do the job, now go before someone comes and over hears us." He finished explaining, trying to get her to leave before other soldiers came there.

Marian didn't move. Her voice lowered to a whisper. "If you know who I am and what I didnt in the past, what makes you change your mind about me?" She asked "With this much gold you will be set for life... Why not take it?" She walked around the knight looking him up and down "You sure have changed since I have last seen you... What are you really after I wonder. Maybe the crown for your head? or maybe even the princesses love? You must be a twist person to give up that much gold."

Azreal listened to what she said and true a normal knight would have taken the gold any day but he wanted her not the gold and he surely couldn't have her if she was killed. "The reason I don't want the gold or jewels is because I want you, that's all but I can't have you if you get caught and get killed in the morning." He told her knowing that she would be surprised to hear a knight say that. "Now please I beg of you to leave here, the others will be here soon." He said hoping that she would indeed leave this time.

Marian was surprised. She had never forgotten about him either. She sat herself on the bed and sighed. Her black hair falling into her face. "This had better not be a trick or trust me you will pay...." A long silence followed. When she finally spoke again her voice was soft and calm. "I came back to the city a few years ago, looking for you. I was in the crowd when you knighted. Its like you hadn't changed at all. I was looking for some answer and I guess I still am... that is why I have to come back to this place again. Its funny, every time I come back here i find you..." She allowed herself to layed back on the bed her arm out stretched and relax. Something she shouldnt be doing with a knight in the room, But she fel safe with him "Im not going to run away this time. Im staying... Plus, I have an invite to the ball" A smile graced her lips. She could just imagine how he would react to that news.

Azreal listened to what she said and it wasn't a trick that was for sure. He waited until she was finished talking before sitting one the bed beside her. He was surpised that she had an invite to the ball but at least he would see her there because that was his night off. "Looks like we'll both be going to the ball then...If I can find something to wear to it, that is." He told her as he watched her. He knew that she was staying and part of him was glad because then he wouldn't have to worry about her anymore but the other part was worried that the other knights would show up and arrest her and he din't want that.

"I hope I wont cause you too much trouble. I can take care of my self no matter what happens. Just stay out of my way at the ball I dont want you mixed up in my affairs" His pouch of gold caught her eyes. it was too tempting for her to pass up. Marian curled her body around his waist and with a small knife she kept in her sleeve cut the sank from his belt. She could tell by the weight that there was not many coin in the sack as she twirled the sack above her head, looking at it from all angles she asked "Knight... I dont believe I know your name."

Azreal listened to what she said and laughed lightly before saying "My name is Azreal and whats yours fair madien?" He knew that would surprise her a bit. "How about we go to the ball together and you can have it if you like." He said, acting like he didn't care because he had already given her a chest full of gold and jewels. He was watching her, enjoying himself for once until the door was broken down and ten knights entered the room.

"You are under arrest for stealing and seducing a knight." The leader of them said and Azreal quickly pushed her off of him before drawing his sword to defend her. "You will not take her because she didn't steal and didn't seduce me. I will fight for her if I have to." He told the ten knights who all drew their swords. This wasn't looking good for Azreal but he didn't really care. "Run now while you have the chance." Azreal told her.

Her arms wrapped around his waist. Her hot breath brushed against his neck as she whispered to him "Thank you, but stand down." She slipped the sack of gold into his belt. She then placed herself in the center of all this chaos. "Who do these order come from and what proof do you have of this?" she asked "I am a guest in your castle, for the ball.... I will not be treated as a thief. Speak now or I will have to ask for an audience with the king."

Azreal did as she asked him and put away his sword, trying to not get turned on by her was another story all together. He watched her go in front of him and knew that she did ask a good question. The leader of the knights laughed before saying "The leader of the army, Agreian, who is also the king's adviser." The leader even showed a warrant that said wanted dead or alive with her name and picture on it. "So it doesn't matter if you are the guest or not, you are coming with us."The leader finished with a smirk on his face. Azreal wouldn't let her go alone if they took her, he knew that much.

The knights smirk and cocky attitude made Marian mad, but she didn't show it. She replied in a cold tone of voice to the knight "My name is Marian Reed, My father is King Richard Reed from Royal house in the near by kingdom of Galx. I have been invited by the King himself to the ball. Your information about me must be wrong. King Edwards Even greeted me himself when I arrived at the castle earlier today."

It was true the Marian had royal blood in her veins. Hear that alone made most royal guard back down from arresting her. She just hoped that word of her banishment from the royal family had not reached this kingdom yet or her plans would be worth nothing. She wait for a reply

The leader listened to what she said and decided that they needed to check out that information to make sure that she was telling the truth. "Well Ms. Reed you will be on house arrest until we check this information out. You are not allowed to leave the castle and Azreal will have to accopmany you every where you go." He told her before leaving them. Azreal was glad that had went well but now he needed a new door.

He went over to the door and looked at the hinges before shaking his head. "Well I'm glad that went well but now I need a new door." He went back and sat down on the bed, wondering why Marian hadn't told him that yet. "I wish you would have told me that, Marian." He said as he watched her.