Zephrun’s Imperium

"You may be a servant, Nicolae," said Riva, "but my bodyguard thinks of you like a prince. Why do you think that is?" Nicolae blushed. "Well, miss, Oi guess Oi try tuh be nice to everyone." "An admirable trait, certainly." Riva beamed. "What else can you tell me about yourself?" "Ummm..." The tall serving boy bit his lip. "Oi was raised by the king after me parents died. Ivian's loike a father tuh me. Oi loike makin' thin's outta paper, too. Foldin' and stuff." "How delightful." Riva took a sip of her drink, leaning back in her chair. "I suppose my husband and I should introduce ourselves as well. I'm the Raveness, clearly. I enjoy baking every now and then, along with trying to mix up new potions. I'm also a princess, since my father was the king of Mendahar for some time."

"So! Nicolae Kimby," Riva began. She sat back in her chair and began dishing herself some food. She found it odd how fast she'd gotten used to fine food like this after almost a century feeding off of scraps. "I've heard a great deal about you, but it's all contradictory. Who are you really?" "Oi's the king's servant, I am." The tall young man bowed his head. "Your Raven-ness." "Oh, please; call me Riva." She waved her hand dismissively.

Nicolae glared at the shorter man with a look that said, "This is YOUR fault." But Fischer refused to look up and Nico had to eventually let it go. Riva led the boys to the dining room. The table had been set already, a great feast laid out upon it. "Go ahead and dig in, children." The Raveness took a seat and gestured for the pair do the same.

"Someone we need to kill," Rose growled. Her hair was a mess, her eyes red from sobbing, and she still trembled. And yet, she had such an aura of power about her.

Rose nodded. The mission. The bounty. She could focus on that. Suddenly empowered, she stood, then regarded little Kieran. “If it keeps me standing, I’m willing to feel it.”

It was something her father would have said to her... Rose could picture him there. Waiting as Jahora was, ever-hopeful and loving. He would scoop her into his arms, his little Rosebud, and hold her through her nightmares. All her troubles would scramble at the sight of his muscular form and she... she would just lay there. Protected. "What will we do," she said, "if I get up?"

"Waiting on me isn't a good idea. I just... disappoint... everyone..." Tears rolled down her cheeks and she shook, gravel imprinting on her cheek.

I'm not going to get any further on 15 and 16 - Helmet and Compass respectively - so here they are. Helmet featuring the metally shielded Granite and Compass featuring Caden's emotional rock, his sister Acalia. I'll post these again if I end up inking them

I will, but Guard is still here right now. He’s leaving at 3:30 today.

"So, uh... is it time for dinner, then?" "Yes, indeed. If you'll just follow me..." Riva turned tail and walked briskly up the stairs, clearly expecting Nico to follow. He did so hesitantly, curious at how odd the Raveness really was now that he saw her in the flesh. Riva burst open Caden's door. "Dear, Nicolae Kimby is here. It's time to eat."

"I figured you would. I don't care." She grinned. They made their way to the front door quickly, as Riva's office was on the ground floor same as the main entrance. She squealed when she saw Nico and extended her arms as if for a hug. Nico flinched pointedly, but relaxed when the Raveness simply took his hand instead of embracing him. "Ah, hello there, dearie! I'm Riva Praetorium, you know me as the Raveness. I've heard quite a bit about you from your friend here." Nico managed to crack a slight smile. "'ello there. Oi'm Nicolae, but Oi guess you already know that..."

"Oh, come now, why not? I want to meet your Nicolae officially." She grabbed the cuff of his sleeve and dragged him along with her.

False information!!! And while I’m here…. “Eh, I'm more of a My Little Pony guy.“ - @The Ward's Guard

A pair of servants opened the door for Nicolae. One of them let out a slight gasp at the young man's height, but Nico paid it little mind; that was a common reaction for people who'd never seen him. He walked in on his too-large feet and asked after the dining room. "Her Raven-ness will be delighted that you're here," the serving woman squeaked. "Wait here." As she scurried away, Nico raised an eyebrow. He'd never seen a serving staff so up-tight before. Did the general beat his servants? Ah, whatever. It wasn't worth thinking about. ------------- Riva's office looked neat again; it had only taken a day for the help to clean up the nasty mess left behind by the mysterious saboteur. Of course, without all the potions and tomes, things now looked rather barren. It was a depressing sight and left Riva feeling quite empty. And so, she was happy when a maid came in to announce Kimby's arrival. "Ah ha, he's here, Fischer!" Riva got up off chair. "Come now, let's go say hello, shall we?" @The Ward's Guard

It’s a short, but effective piece. I think you guys will like it.

Prompt 14: Tick, featuring Tom from the Keyed Duology that I'm writing with Xino. I knew I wasn't going to get any further with this drawing than what I've done, so I figured I'd stop now and not stress myself out more than I had to. Enjoy. Luckily the next two are ones I'm excited for.

Just a heads up, I’m not even going to read anyone’s if it’s longer than five pages…. That’s why the deadline isn’t that long. I already finished mine.

The carriage ride was long, and Nico had precious little to do during it. He stared out the window, resting his head on his arm, and sighed deeply, the wind playing jump rope with his brown locks. He had decided, in the time passed, that he was glad to have something to do. This was something interesting at least. Better than the usual spending all his coin on drinks in the tavern or getting an early sleep, alone in his room. Of course, the ride there wasn’t interesting, but whatever. He should be close to the destination anyway. And, indeed, soon enough he was there, on the steps of castle Praetorium. Nicolae tried not to gulp. The fortress in front of him had dark stone walls that extended like an eternal shadow on the land. It seemed the perfect place for the Raveness and her husband to reside. Could Fischer, the boy who’d always been like sunshine to Nico’s constant downpour, really reside here now? Apparently it was so. Trying not to shiver, he stepped forward and knocked on the great doors.

These are all so good, what the storms, people. You're making this harrrrrrd.

Prompt 13: Foot, featuring Star and Heather from the CBST-verse. I had a hard time with this, particularly with Star's face. But it turned out well. Enjoy the art. Hopefully I'll have more soon.

Nicolae Kimby had an appointment he was loathe to attend. A carriage waited to take him to the Praetorium estate where Fischer and his masters would have dinner with him. He had no idea what he'd done to garner an invitation to dinner with the Raveness and he honestly wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer at all. Who knew what her Raven-ness and the general wanted with him. But of course she'd been fired, if rumors were to be believed, so she couldn't harm him. Plus, if Fischer was willing to be her bodyguard, then perhaps she wasn't as terrifying as her reputation implied. Fischer. Stars, that name made him dizzy. Part of him was still angry with the man for being so rude to Wendy, but then, he hadn't been much better to her this morning. The other part was glad that his friend had made him realize the truth that he didn't need Wendy or anyone. And a third part... a third part longed for the simplicity of years passed. When Fischer had dubbed him the Prince of Daisies, when they'd pooled their earnings to purchase special snacks to share. When kisses hadn't evoked such a sickening feeling in his stomach and he'd been as innocent as dawn. Could he have that again, now that Fischer was back?