The Dragon Nears. [Past RP. Invitation.]

Watching intently, the Knight Captain of the Guard was skeptical of her expression of nescience, but when she responded to the councils arguing he had a glimmer of understanding. When she moved to the doorway his men reacted without need for command.

The sound of oil leather and shifting armor ended with a cluster of spear-points surrounding the woman who pressed against the crossed halberds. The King, and the Council of elders stood inside the chamber, the most important leaders of Demacia standing in one place. The guards held still, their weapons less than a foot away from her skin as the encircled Shyvana. They would let nothing unknown enter here, giving their lives to protect this place. Their helmets framed calm faces, adrenaline running cold behind walls of confidence and determination. Arlo held his fist up, a signal to hold.

"PATIENCE. No one in that room will come to harm. Step back from the doorway before you bring harm on yourself."

Inside the chamber, one of the Council stood away from the rest, nearer to the entrance. He heard little of the conversation, eyes fixed on the visitor who's hands lay on halberd shafts barring the way. Blue eyes tried to read the expression in her red. The rest of the council seemed not to notice, as they spoke among one another. In their midst, the prince could be heard answering questions, sometimes respectfully and sometimes angrily, though the words could not be made out.

---

He was tired. Soreness only added to his frustration with the several of the Council-members. Their stubbornness matched his own, and with eloquence they painted their fears out in detail. The risk of a fiery rampage, of an uncontrollable beast brought quietly into the city, the panic of the public, of invoking the anger of the Dragons who's position of Half-Humans was well known, all played their tune. In return he cut their careless statements down to size with promises and reassurance, logic and reason. He played to their pride and their greed, and with spirit described the moment he witnessed Shyvana the Half-Dragon pull the heart out of a dragon with her own hands. His father watched, and Jarvan IV was all too aware of his unsteady position. If only he had been able to speak with father before the Council got word of this. The prince had called his side. Now he waited for the coin to stop spinning, and fall.

"RELEASE!"

The guards heard their captains command, backing away. This time four of them returned to the doorway, crossing their halberds. The sound rang out into the throne room, turning a few heads. Jarvan IV stopped mid sentence, turning toward the entryway.

"Excuse me."

The prince left the council members, longs strides taking him quickly across the floor. He reached to push his way through the guards weapons, but they moved aside on their own.

"Shyvana, are you alright?"

Kneeling down he noticed the cut on her back.

The guard captain stood there, confused and still. He watched the prince kneel down and started to realize his mistake. This wasn't just a warrior.

"Arlo. We'll have words later." Jarvan IV gave him a stern look over the shoulder of the girl with the burning eyes.

Jarvan IV put an arm gently around Shyvana and he was immediately aware of the heat she was putting off. I came right through his armor, he could feel it on his face and from the floor beneath him.

"Ok, we'll go." She was heavier than he expected. After unbuckling his left shoulder guard, he lifted her up so that her head would rest to his left, ignoring the sweat starting to bead on his chest. He ignored the stares of the Council as well, trying not to think about the comments he would have to deal with later.

"Outside" he said calmly to Captain Arlo, who nodded quickly and led the way to the closest courtyard. The captain opened the doors for them, and the prince took his burden down to a carved wooden bench.

The courtyard was wide, but interior to the palace. Walls rose in a circle around them bushes and strange flowering plants grew in pattered garden beds, and Jarvan IV sat Shyvana down on the bench and stood straight.

"Arlo. Bandage."

The captain nodded once again and turned to walk out on his errand, his steps uncharacteristically quick.

Jarvan IV stood, pacing slowly up and down the garden path. How to handle the problem? Minutes passed and Jarvan IV wondered what was taking the captain so long. He stopped in front of her, sighing audibly.

"I wasn't in danger, and the guards did not understand what you were doing. Regardless, they shouldn't have hurt you. That room is only for the leaders of my country. Only those invited by the king are allowed to pass. I couldn't take you with me. Not yet."

He started walking again, thinking about how to calm the situation and explain to the Council. He was interrupted when Arlo returned beside a young woman. The prince walked straight to him, pulling him aside. With Arlo waiting at the door he walked with the young woman to Shyvana.

"This is Melane. She's here to bandage that cut." The girl curtsied and waited nervously with the bandage in her hands. She smiled and took a step toward Shyvana.

Melane went to work quietly, nervous but not fearful as she approached Shyvana. Leaning over, she placed a bandage on the cut, wrapping linen hand over hand around Shyvana's abdomen to hold it in place. While she worked the guard captain and Jarvan IV exchanged looks, and the older man dropped to one knee with a metallic clank.

"My apologies for the harsh treatment. My men are perhaps overzealous, and I am responsible. Count me in your debt both for this mistake and the service you have rendered to our prince."

He bowed his head slowly before looking up at her.
Jarvan IV simply watched, standing back with arms crossed.

"There. No stitches needed, and try not to make many sudden movements until tomorrow. give you skin a little time to mend." Melane stood and looked down at her work, suddenly awkward as she realized she was standing right in front of Arlo, blocking him out. She took several quick steps to the side and curtsied.

Arlo stood, his pooled cloak pulling up from the floor. "Regardless, call on me if you are in need, and I will do whatever I can to help."

He saluted the prince once more before turning to leave. Melane curtsied in parting, and followed the captain out of the courtyard. He sighed, tiredness pulling on his aching body, on his thoughts. He stifled a yawn, looking down at Shyvana and her new bandage. You knew it wouldn't be easy,  he thought to himself. He searched the ground with his eyes, wondering what was next. He needed to return to the council, but he couldn't leave Shyvana alone. The decision was made for him, as a messenger walked cautiously toward the pair, having entered the courtyard moments before. 

"My prince, the King has decided to reconvene the council tomorrow morning. Until then, he accepts your guest into the hospitality of the palace." 

Perfect. He smiled, walking up to the messenger. Another day, more time to think. This was a good sign, considering. "Rooms?" 

"Yes my Lord. They are being readied as we speak." He turned as if to leave. "Wait, Ill take her there now. Shyvana, come with me. You, lead the way."

The messenger bowed, and began to walk back into the palace.