Defiance

Under the gentle caress of the southerly breeze and the balmy autumn morning, Iris and Corvin strolled through the citadel, keenly observing the damage. Piles of rubble, and broken-off pieces of walls scattered in the small alleys of the citadel. Claw marks scarred the stone builds, windows shattered here, there and everywhere. With his hands in his pockets, Corvin strolled, relishing the soothing warmth of the sun bathing the southern lands. The season would change soon once more.

He'd stop here and there to make conversation with the people. Light-hearted conversation, on various topics that he found pertinent to the situation at hand. The smile on his lips never faded, as if the Corvin she'd met in the North was a distant different person to the man that had enslaved her.

Corvin sucked a breath and halted his steps before the north gate of the citadel. At least were there was a gate, once upon a-time. Now, it was nothing more than just another misshapen hole in the wall.

" It will take time," He mused out loud, as he reprised his steps without adding more.

" So," He turned to her with furrowed brows," How is slave life treating you so far," Her blood boiled in an instant at the reminder that she was his prisoner. When she was about to change her mind about him, the troglodyte made a grand appearance.

" I will kill you," Iris seethed through clenched teeth and turned around to face the other way.

" I can't even stand the sight of you, " She added as she moved her feet towards a former tavern. There was a lot of former everything in the citadel.

" You had no trouble looking at me this morning," Corvin quipped, as he approached and squeezed her behind, making Iris jump and turn to him.

" Bastard," Followed by a slap, and she stormed off, trotting the ground beneath her feet hard enough to cause little tremors.

" Prissy," Corvin grumbled, as he moved his feet, and casually strolled back towards the castle grounds. Reprising soaking the last summer sunshine.

And he did so for hours on end perched on the ruins of a small building as he watched the people of the citadel, clearing rubble, mending walls, patching up roofs, and cleaning houses. Tasks meant to help bring a sense of normalcy in their lives, perhaps.

Dreissen was his home. The dwelling lay behind a ridge out of sight, guarded by two towering monoliths. Out of sheer luck, it escaped through the claws of the shikari. Still intact whilst its few remaining denizens fought the war. Now was empty. Home for the wild animals that sheltered there. Deserted, but intact.

Corvin sighed and raised his head when the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted his thoughts.

" Evin," He said before the boy began the long string of greetings customary to the aristocratic society. Although he didn't seem to be born noble. The stammering and the lack of flow in his speech betrayed as much.

" Is it true...There are whispers in the castle that Iris is your...," He cut himself off when Corvin raised his hand and jumped off the wall.

" I'll tell you something boy," He glanced over his shoulder," Is none of your business," He patted him on the back, bumped his jaw with his fist and winked before taking his leave.

Whispers or not, it was to be expected that his sudden appearance in the South would create some unease among the people.

Wandering through the corridors of the castle, a little aimless, Corvin poked his head to have a peak inside the chambers of the castle.

The one that he'd been given was what appeared to be a servant's quarter.

Deep within the castle, before a double door floor to ceiling, Corvin stood, unsure if he should look inside. Gathering from the intricate carvings on the wooden door and the coat of arms it appeared to be the royal suite.

After pondering for a brief instant, he decided against it and turned on his heels.

Iris wouldn't want to live in there and he wasn't sure he would either.

With a deep breath, he pushed the door to the chamber they shared open and spotted Iris perched on the bed leafing through a ledger.

" I thought I made myself clear," Corvin kicked off his boots, and raised his head to look at her," When you are within the walls of this chamber you'll wear no garments of any kind," Corvin tugged on his tunic and threw it on the bed.

" No," Iris drawled, " I will do no such thing," Iris snapped and straightened herself on the bed. Defiance was all the rage, by the looks of it.

Corvin inwardly chuckled," Strip or I'll do it myself. It won't be pleasant if I have to do it," Corvin added in a more docile tone.

"No," A definite no, as Iris jumped off the bed and grabbed his sword.

In one single lunge over the bed, Corvin stood before her, with his sword kissing his neck. After two attempts, he was sure that Iris either didn't want him dead or couldn't bring herself to kill him.

Slowly, Corvin curled his fingers around the edge, smiling. Swiftly, he tugged the blade out of Iris's hand and threw it on the floor.

Despite him being in advantage, in her eyes, there was no fear, nor hatred. Anger swirled violently within those emerald green eyes.

" One last time," Humour laced his tone," Undress," He finished, shoving his hands in his pockets, waiting for her to do as she was told.